Friday Fun Night

We planned on going to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, but ended up at Dave & Busters. They don't serve beer at the museum, as John says.

A beautiful day

We planned to go to the Cradle of Aviation, but the beach was a better
idea. Good thing we brought towels!

Museum of Natural History

We started our week off from school with a trip into NYC. So much for educational endeavors, their favorite part was climbing rocks in Central Park.

Little Ladies Dance

Christina, Mackenzie, and Courtney looked beautiful in their pretty dresses for the dance. John got them all corsages, and took them out to dinner.
I went to Matthew's baseball game. He got so muddy he needed to change before going out to dinner. We decided instead to get some pizza on the way home and make ice cream sundaes while watching Speed Racer videos.

Forgot One. Again.

I forgot Courtney at gymnastics. Again. Oops.
It was another run-around-crazy day. John and Christina left early in the morning for her soccer game. Mackenzie and Courtney came with me to Matthew's baseball parade at 9:00. We walked from Birch Lane Elementary to Burns Park, and waited (and waited and waited) for team photos. At 10:45 we saw Mackenzie's soccer coach, and she walked over to warm up for her game. John arrived with Christina, and took over waiting for the team photos while Courtney and Christina came home with me. (Are you still with me?) They ate, I put Charlie Brown in a box, and on the way to gymnastics we passed John's car. We stopped, Christina jumped out to go with him so they could go to her softball practice at 1:00. I leave Courtney and bring Charlie Brown to the vets. He has mites. As I'm cleaning his cage, Courtney calls and wonders when I'm going to pick her up. Oops.
But wait, there's more! When everyone ends up back home, I have just enough time to run, shower and take Christina to her friend's birthday party. We don't have a gift, so I head for the mall. We get home just as Courtney's friend arrives for a sleepover. The friend's dad helps John get the garage door open, which got jammed closed. It's open by the time I get back with pizza for dinner. Christina and I go back out to buy her a new softball bat.
Is it any wonder I forget one, once in a while?

Expert Night

Christina put together a really nice presentation about Search and Rescue Dogs for her magnet class 'Expert Night.' Even though she scrambled the night before to put together her display board because she thought it was actually next week, it turned out very well. She was awesome at explaining her research to her visitors, even offering dog cookies (for people) and dog treats (for pet owners).
And guess what! Courtney, Mackenzie and Matthew have all been accepted into the magnet program! Yay for us.

Easter in Maryland

No matter where we go, the Easter Bunny manages to leave lots and lots of goodies. This year we spent it with Peter, Laura, Maxx and Kyle in Maryland. Allen and Donna were there, too!

On Saturday we all took a trip into Washington, DC to see the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Viet Nam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History.

The Whole Gang
Ice Cream for Dessert, Kyle-style:

Mom Rips It!

I borrowed Matthew's friend's ripstick, and with just a little skinned knee started riding it.


Christina got it after awhile, too, but it's not as easy as it looks...

Toby Ate It

Just when we thought he'd consumed the weirdest thing so far, our dog Toby continues to amaze us with his appetite. Today we came home to find him in his cage, and he'd chewed up and eaten his own collar! To see more bizarre comestibles, check out the list at Toby8it.blogspot.com, or use the link at the right.

Sledding at Cedar Creek Park

Christina's Wipeout

Snow Day!

Finally! A Snow Day! Unfortunately the kids were already home from school all week. They suited up and were outside after breakfast. They came in for some hot chocolate, and were back out after lunch, doing all the required snow day activities: building snow forts, snowball fight, making a snowman (cowboy theme this time), and shoveling the driveway. They even shoveled for the old lady down the street, who gave them a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates for their efforts.

Science Fair

Only two entrants this year. (Go figure - last year all four participated, despite everything we were dealing with!)

Mackenzie tested her theory that chocolate tastes good, no matter what brand or what price.
Christina compared which made better pets, dogs from shelters or breeders.

Happy New Year!

It can only get better...

Merry Christmas!

Gifts that got the biggest screams... ipod, fuzion scooter, fly pen, nintendo ds, diamond bracelet (me). Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas!

He doesn't like penguins

What do bad dogs get in their stocking?

Runner Of The Year!

As if my running club didn't do enough for my family this year, they went and awarded me the "Runner of the Year."

Making Gingerbread People

Okay, we cheated and used store-bought, pre-baked gingerbread men. We ate lots and lots of icing and candy while decorating the cookies. Then we ate them, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Joining us for our feast are John's parents, and Allen and Donna from Virginia! Looking forward to some good turkey, but can't wait for all the yummy desserts!

Sunday

It was the usual run around, except John's away. Poppy helped out and came over at 8 this morning, with donuts! He took Matthew to his last football game, so I had time to get the girls to Sunday School, because they'd rather do that than watch his game.
We all wound up at home around 11:00, had an early lunch and went back out to get Matthew to his last deck hockey game. I had a stupid attack and drove the wrong way to Marjorie Post Park. As usual, I didn't get to see all of Matt's hockey game, because I had to leave to get Mackenzie to her soccer game. I came back to pick up Matthew who ended up going home with his friend Joseph anyway, and returned to watch Mackenzie's game while Christina whined about having to watch her sister's game. (She did NOT get the irony.)
Left the game, picked up Matthew, had a snack, left again for Christina's soccer practice. The triplets and I managed to get some groceries and get back to pick up Christina in an hour. Back home so I could make dinner, and have a glass of wine.
Somehow all four of them managed to get a shower or bath today.

Christina is 10!

Christina turns TEN today!
Double digits, and double the attitude!