May 1-9

May 1


We had a fun day a the Franklin Institute,
a children's museum in Philly.

The last time we went, Leia was little.
Here she is in the same heart artery.
She is just as excited four years later.

Everyone had a great time.
Our favorite places are the electricity hall,
especially the light-up dance floor,
the hall of wings,
hall of trains
and the build it yourself moon landing vehicle.


May 2

It is warm outside!!!

Well, warm enough for the kids.

We finally got out the slipNslide that was
purchased on clearance ($3) last fall.

While the water is a little chilly,
and there is still a bit of a breeze,
the kids are happy to play with their new water toy.

Maybe when it warms up for real,
someone can show them how to really slide.



May 3

We accidentally left the garage door open overnight.
When we went out to the garage this morning,
we saw this nest on top of the garage door opener.

INSIDE THE GARAGE!!!

Thankfully the occupant was not home
(but may have been seen leaving the premises)
and there were no eggs yet
because those dried twigs and grasses
were woven into the light compartment,
dangerously close to the light bulbs.

Needless to say, our new houseguest was evicted.
And did not return.



May 4


In honor of Star Wars day, I give you the above photo and caption:

"Shut down all the garbage mashers on the Detention Level!"

May the 4th be with you.

And a Happy Han Solo to all!



May 5

Mommy got a solo vacation for Mother's Day.

She flew to visit her parents and sister,
also for Mother's Day.

Here is the tunnel between terminals in Detroit on a layover.

It is a spectacularly calming corridor.

All the arrangements were made
without alerting anyone in the destination city.

Mommy took the bus from the airport
and walked in to surprise grandpa at home.

Then grandma was surprised
when she got home from school.

Finally, Antie Lou was surprised
when a knock at her door revealed a surprise visitor.

Fun times were had by all.


May 6


This is our cousin Mac.
(names have been changed to protect the innocent)

It took him a few hours to warm up to the mystery visitor,
but then happily played while mommy and Auntie Lou
played a rousing game of Scene it?.


May 7


Mmmm. Sushi.

Haru poppers (as shown on the sign)
can't officially be classified as sushi,
but were the favorite plate(s) that mommy ate
while at lunch with Auntie Lou.

Jalapenos filled with crab meat,
then tempura fried, quartered
and topped with a delicious spicy sauce.

And sushi DOES taste better when served on a conveyor belt.


May 8

Working the bling bag.

Only at Walmart.



May 9

Happy Mother's Day!

You wouldn't have imagined that
seconds before this picture was taken,
bummies were being smacked and
threats were being made
that if they didn't get their jammies on and
teeth brushed their lives were going to end.

The amazing versatility of kids!

April 23-30

April 23


When we went to buy ceiling fans at the
local home improvement stores,
Belle wanted the fancy (expensive) flower fan
which does not fit our neutral decorating style.

Instead, we got the plain (less expensive) white kind and
used adhesive vinyl we already had to girlie it up a bit.

We did the same for Leia
(five colors of her own choosing)
and Rex (silver).

Now when they have a change of decor
(or the desire for a white fan)
we can make an inexpensive change.


April 24


Bird feeders were the project of the week at Lowes.

So, like good little store patrons,
we bought birdseed to go in them.

Unfortunately,
we only have two hooks on our deck
on which to hang a bird feeder.

Fortunately,
Rex can assimilate anything
into part of a LEGO scenario,
so everyone is happy.

Including the birds.

And the puppy.


April 25


Our plants have sprouted and grown nicely.

Now we have to wait until the appropriate time
to put them in the ground.

Some of these need to be replanted so they'll survive
(and not choke out the neighboring seedlings)
before the garden is ready.

Wish us luck keeping these guys alive inside for a few weeks.

Then keeping them from the bunnies.


April 26


Mmmm.

Daddy does a lot (ok, most) of the grocery shopping.

He is a great bargain hunter and
pairs up coupons and sales well.

When he goes to ShopRite
(our favorite store)

on his way home from work,
(usually Friday- cheese noodle night for the kids)

he picks up a tray of sushi
(in this case tuna rolls)

for dinner with oriental noodles.


April 27


Mommy has been tutoring a friend lately.
(who coincidentally has the EXACT same name)

Tonight she and her little sister
did a presentation about Irish step dancing
for the youth at church.

They are very accomplished,
having just returned from the
world championships in Ireland.

Belle and Leia were sooooo excited to
watch,
dance along and
beg for lessons
when it was all over.

Belle also begged for one of the
"beautiful sparkly dresses"
(they're totally covered with crystals)

and wanted to go to the
"fancy dress store"
(they'd cost $800 easily)

right away.
(these girls' mom makes their dresses)

We'll be looking into it after our summer adventures.


April 28


Grandma and Grand-daddy-daddy arrived last night!

And playtime has begun.

They brought a new game with them called
Bananagrams.

It is like Scrabble without the board.

Rex always makes a 3x3 square filled with words.

What a great game!


April 29


With the arrival of Grand-Daddy-Daddy
began the assembly of the afore-mentioned swing set.

We were delayed by rain and blistering winds,
but in one morning we assembled
all but the tower of the structure.

Did anyone but me notice the color scheme?


April 30


Sorry about the quality of this picture.
Flash off and moving people don't mix well.

Tonight we had a talent show at church.

Mommy was invited to participate in two acts.

First, she played a worm
(with her arms)
who fell in love with its tail end
while a humorous poem was read.
(opening act, to be precise)

Then she performed a
synchronized swimming act
with two friends.
(mommy is in the middle)
(wearing a shower cap and pink goggles)