N's First March

N. marched with his middle school band in the Hartford St. Patrick Day's parade. FUN!

You Know You're Back in CT When...

You read these bumper stickers on your first day home:

Focus on Your X!@#$ Family and Leave Mine Alone!
Born Again Pagan

and

Doing Everything I Can to #@%^$* Off the Religious Right


Wow. Welcome Home.

Coming Home

J comes up to me today and says, "Mom, I've been thinking...it doesn't really make sense to go all the way home for one day of school. Couldn't we just stay here until Sunday and go back north then?" :-)

Nice try, J!

Actually, we all wish we could stay in the 80 degree temps and sun, but Baba and N need us at home. It's just not the same without our commotion!

Missing Dad?

So last night, J. calls me back a little while after I said good-night to the kids on the phone. Apparently M. was crying for ME and wanted to talk to me again on the phone. Wow. I couldn't believe it! I miss her (well, all of them) sooooo much! I was just touched that she actually wanted ME. Apparently she talks about me a lot down there. (That's what J. says anyway.)

I get to take M. in for her transfusion on Friday. Looking forward to that day of bonding after being apart all week. Now--how do I get to spend time with the other two--and my wife?!

Hmmmm.

--dad

At the Beach

s'mores, sing a longs, and studio time! Fun, fun, fun!

The boys help Opa plant new trees in the yard. Holly trees, a tangerine, a grapefruit, and a lemon. Hey, can they ship their fruit up north? :-)

Animal Planet

In the beautiful sunshine, the kids explore the yard and find a momma bullfrog and her kids. They rescue the frogs from the skimmer and keep them in a bucket all day. M thought it was fascinating and big brothers taught her all about God's creatures.

A Girl and Her Opa

My dad has a shadow...everywhere Opa goes, so goes M!

First Trip....Florida 2009

We're here in Florida for some R and R....myself (J), J, G, and M. Some fun in the sun and a chance to run in play at my parent's house. R and N had to stay behind for real life. But they're making the most of it and enjoying lots of bonding time!

Here's how the kiddos spent the plane ride....J and M slept much of the time away (Praise God!) and G did art....no suprise there!