Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Beck's spring picture.
Soccer awards.
Choice Awards, both Wendy and Beck received them.
Each teacher picked one child, I understand Wendy getting it but Beck has really transformed himself into a diff child at school. I think he kicked at me that very day when I was trying to get him dressed for school.

Kindergarten graduation.

Wendy's piano recital.

Recital.

We have had a full May. There hasn't been enough time for every ones celebrations along with all the activities. Beck's grad and Michelle's B-day fell on the same day. Instead of making her dinner we went to Beck's grad and then she went to her Mom's for dinner. I made them a cheese cake to take to their celebration. Dec, Ariel, Marley, Abe and our gang all went to Lyons. Nothing like a celebration at Lyons when you live in St Charles. Yesterday Wendy's piano recital took place. Murphy's Law was acting in full force but we did get there, she did look beautiful and played beautiful. She was sooo very nervous but learned that it wasn't half as bad as she thought it would be and will be much better equipped for her next one. I have been completely busy with the kids end of the yr activities. Field trips to Blanchette parks and end of the yr performances. I have learned that spending a day with nearly 100 kindergartners is pure hell. I asked the teacher and she said that you got used to it but that everyday is a long one. I also spent the day with the second graders flying kites. Now that was much more enjoyable. One more field day with all the St Charles Elm schools next week.

Wendy won a coloring contest. You can see her drawing at this sight, www.modental.org/mx/hm.asp?id=cdhm . This is pretty cool for her. Although it says that second place got 50 dollars she actually received 75 and everyone in her class got a small bag with a dental kit. She is really excited.

With all this going on we also put a new floor in our foyer and living room. We have approval for the garage and fence. Bri went ahead and moved the fence and now we are discussing the plans for the garage with an architect. There is not enough going on around here. Coming up is the VW show in Effingham and this is the last free weekend before then that Bri will have to get the car ready. No rest for the weary.

Now that the weekend is here I am really hoping to get to relax, a little. I have lots of things I want to do, they just don't include 75 kindergartners or 100 2nd graders. The kids and I are planning a day at City Museum today. Wendy was invited and Beck and I are just making a day of it since a group we know will be there. I can't wait to go with him. He hasn't been since he was three.

May 1st

May is finally here and all is happening all at ounce.My weekends are quickly filling up with activities for the kids and ourselves. Bri's schedule is working right so that he will be able to be here for Wendy's recital and Beck's K-grad. Summer is going to be really busy. I am going to be watching Abe and Marley at least 2 days of the week and I have so many plans for Wendy and Beck. I have been busy again with field trips, projects with Brian as well as covering furniture in the living room and the patio furniture. Silly me started of with the pillows (inside). I think it would have been easier to reupholster couch and chair and then do cushion but I didn't. I am still working on a sun suit for a friend who had a baby several weeks ago. It has been a slow go since it is squeezed in with reading, reupholstering and gardening and today I need to start on Abe's B-day present. I am really counting down the days to this so that is what I am going to start to work on this morning/afternoon.

April

April has been busy and seems to be going by way to quick. One more month of school to go and the temps are getting more likable everyday.

Becks first soccer game.

Wendy as a sheep in "E-I-E-I Oops"
Abe playing with Sid.

Easter car show at Forest Park. Just a little bit chilly.

Brrrr.

Last week Bri and I finally got the play set put up for the kids.

It is a bigger job than it looks.

Is she going to ride her bike or talk????

Marley.

May is going to be here before we know it and we will be celebrating Abe's first B-day, Bri and my wedding anniversary, mine and Michelle's birthdays and of course Mother's day. Three of those occasions highlight me, I just know it is going to be a good month.

Spring Break

At the Science Center we saw the "Sue" exhibit.

Cass joined our group.
Beck really liked this exhibit.
Dec, Abe and Marley joined us in the afternoon.

Building the arch.

The zoo on Wednesday. Marley, Cass, Savannah and Bridey joined us.

Thursday Elephant Rock.

It was a perfect day and a great drive in the VW.

What's up with this gangster stuff?? It has got to go - too dorky.

OK, I just like taking pics of my girl.

Way up.

Great scenery.

Now spring beak is over, the kids will go back to school tomorrow. I think they had fun. We visited the Science Center, zoo, art museum and made a trip to Elephant Rock in the VW. The weather cooperated fantastically all week long until Sat morning. Beck was supposed to have his first soccer game but it was a rain out. He took it a lot better than I thought he would but I had been informing him over and over that if it rained it would be rained out. I guess the prep work payed off. We had Marley over Sat night. She and Beck had a big time. They are two peas in a pod and have something going all the time. Today they turned the upstairs into a giant spider web trap. Crazy kids. Bri was working on his bus every moment he had through the week. I am hoping the this next month I can influence him to work on a few projects for me, the kids play set, a raised bed garden and taxes still need to be done. It is hard when he has so little time at home. I think he spends all his time away thinking about what he should be doing next to the bus. bus bus bus....... He is away now for another 12 days. After being home for 3 weeks straight it is going to be weired with him gone again. As always there is more than enough to do here to keep me busy, grass cutting, sewing, making little mice for Sid, etc.....

Introdution to Beck's Fat Toed Gecko

Beck is obsessed with making video's. I am burning 1 - 2 CD's a day for him. He may just be a budding film artist. ??

Full House

Beck finally got his ants this week. Wes and Michelle had given him an ant farm for his B-day and of course you have to order ants. THEY SENT HIM FIRE ANTS!!! He got a little hysterical when I mashed some with my palm but the thing was I had like six bitten into me and my hand hurt. OK, it really didn't matter about me I should of been better with the ants. I learned my lesson, someone else can open up the lid when they need to be fed. Then two days later Wes came over and realized I was looking for a cat. I was in no hurry but that isn't a concept Wes can understand. If you want something you need to go get it. He called around all the pet adoption places until he found what he thought might fit my criteria and we came home with Sid. Sid is great, he gets along with Sunny and Brian and the kids love him. After that we needed Sid toys and then Wendy and I made Sunny and Sid treats. Sunny really likes his. Sid didn't seem very interested but then he is still a young cat. I guess I will send some home to Jasmine to see what she thinks of them. While Wendy Mae and I were making cat toys and pet treats Wes, Bri and Beck went to the reptile expo. I guess I should of known before they even left the house what would happen and as of yet Bri hasn't even told me what but that Beck will have a surprise for us when he comes home. He is with Wes right now. Well Bri isn't very good with surprises and so for we know it is about 5 inches long has suction like feet and lives in and aquarium with a heat. OK, gecko. I won't swear on that until after I see it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Beck has leprechaun traps set up all over the living room. He kept asking for some of my jewelry to use as bate. Instead he used gold coins and necklaces that he had recovered from the pirate chest at Marley's B-day party. At least I think that is all he used, I should probably take a peak and see.

It certainly feels as if spring is here to stay. I started working on the yard yesterday. Already I have found the poison ivy, yuk. I am starting with the yard and then will go to the gardens. I fear it is still to early to uncover the young plants but I am all too anxious to see them. I am hoping to get all the not so fun work done this week and then have fun things to do that the kids can help me with next week on their spring break. I really have a lot to do outside plus I need to recover the patio furniture this year. I will work on that on the rainy days. I had some high ambitions for my garden this year and Bri was on track with it but now this VW seems to be all he can think about. I won't give up hope, maybe he will come around still.

Last night I received news that Dr Duhart died. He was the Dr that delivered Declan and Wes. The best I could figure out on his age is that he might have been about 76. Amazing. I am pretty sure that he was still delivering kids to date. Most people are retired from there professions by this time. I will take this as a testament of how much he enjoyed what he did. I am sure many people will miss him.

Well Brian is back at work this week. Although he is at AB and home every night it is nice to have some time to myself again that isn't total discussion of VW buses. Who would know that there could be so much to say on the subject. I will be watching Abe a few days, cleaning for the neighbors and trying to get the yard in shape. Hopefully I will make to the valley as well. So much to do...