Ice Cream Reward

Yesterday Reuben filled his sheet of stars. The boys get one star for good behavior and 25 stars fills a sheet. The current reward is ice cream with Daddy or Mommy at Woody's ice Cream stand in Fairfax. So this evening Reuben and I went to get our ice cream after I got from work. We had a very nice time with some surprisingly good conversation, mostly about trucks and trailers. You also never saw anyone eat an ice cream cone as fast as Reuben. Once we got the ice cream, no more conversation!!! And before you knew it, the whole thing was gone. It was a very nice time, just the two of us. (Saturday, Jacob filled his sheet and he went out with Mommy for ice cream; luckily before the finger paint incident)

Busy Memorial Day

First we went to Chucky Cheese for lunch. Our first time ever there and I must say I was impressed. The place was very clean, the pizza was edible, and the kids really had fun. After Chucky Cheese, everyone napped!!! The boys finally got up just before James, Ginger, and family were coming by. We setup the waterball in the yard for the kids to play in. Quinn and Catherine were a little shy at first so they stayed inside... maybe next time. Then dinner. I must say the days of a good cookout are waning. We had whole wheat rolls, 97% fat free hot dogs, and 95% fat free hamburger. All that was missing was the taste ;-) Actually the food wasn't too bad considering all the good stuff was missing. At least they can't change watermelon... Hey, where are the pits?

While the cats away....

While Reuben and I were busy planting petunias (Jacob had to go inside because he kept walking on the plants)... and then watering our zinnias... And while Karen was getting Faith up from her nap... Jacob found the finger paint in the basement and proceeded to try some modern art. This photo is after Karen got a lot of it up! It is supposedly washable, so we will see if the carpet cleaners can work some magic. Meanwhile, Jacon is not allowed in the basement this week. A big bummer since we just got Cranky the crane from the island of Sodor, who lives in our basement with the rest of the Thomas the tank engine stuff. Jacob also has to clean the playroom each evening or no TV. 

Rolling Thunder

In honor of Rolling Thunder coming to town... This was from last weekend (birthday weekend)

Umbrella Parade - The Movie

Welcome to the Umbrella Parade

Grab your umbrella and join the umbrella parade. What no rain you say! We can make rain, 24/7 if you're game. Reuben, Jacob, Faith, and Maddie are ready to play. Won't you join our umbrella parade. 

All 5 together

What a feat. I managed to get a picture of all 5 grandparents together. We went to a great park today and took this there. - Karen 

Nice hair

Bad hair day for Reuben 

Birthday Party II

Great Day!!! We had Reuben and Jacob's birthday party today at a gym with 17 or so other kids. Everyone was very well behaved and I think they all had a good time. Afterwards, all our kids napped (a now unfortunate rarity) . When they awoke they started opening presents... opening more presents... and opening yet more presents.... you get the idea. Everyone really had a good time. Anyway, here are some highlights.

Birthday Party I

Today was birthday party part I of birthday weekend 2006. We had family and friends over for an informal party in our backyard. Beautiful afternoon and evening and a fun time had by all. CAKE!!!! PRESENTS!!! Tomorrow is the boys' birthday party for their friends and classmates. Only 17 two, three and four year olds. Wish us luck! And in case anyone is concerned about my back (humor me), It's getting better.

Old Age....

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I guess my birthday a few weeks ago was not enough of a reminder that I'm getting old; my back gave out this week. My back started hurting last Sunday night after waterproofing the deck on Saturday, softball Sunday afternoon (including a great shoestring catch), and giving 3 baths Sunday night. It wasn't that bad; it felt like a normal sore back. That was until Wednesday when at 5 o'clock I realized I could not get out of my chair without unbelievable pain. After some advil and about 90 minutes of sitting still I was able to move and get home. Yesterday, my back only hurt a lot, and today it just hurt. It really has been a tremendous amount of improvement even though I'm still not standing completely upright ;-). Making it all the better, the whole family is in town: Karen's Mom, Dad and stepmom, and my Mom and Dad, and brother Steven and sister-inlaw Tracy. It's birthday weekend. We're celebrating Faith's birthday tomorrow with the family and then the boys are having their birthday party tomorrow. Should be a wild weekend; hopefully I'm not in traction on Monday.

Happy Mother's Day

Mom got to sleep in until 9 this morning. She needed it... Karen has a bad cold. But we tried to make her happy anyway. The boys each made Mommy in pre-school a potted geraniums with a specially decorated pot. Mommy also got lots of hugs this morning. And I got Mommy a Star of David pendant, that I knew she was wanting.

A Bit Of Yard Work

Finally had a chance to stake the Peonies. They are looking really good this year. Jacob, while not napping, helped me stake them up. We finished right before it started to pour. Also on Friday I bought some Zinnias and some Colias plants for the front walkway. They should like nice with a few weeks of growth. I also had a chance to waterproof half the deck. Hopefully we'll get a non-rain day so that I can finish. Once its done it will look real nice, as it is already shaping up with this ballon wind thingy that my parents gave us. Some Mother's Day photos coming later....