Memorial Day Weekend - The Good Times

I'm now finally fully recovered. I had been about 75% recovered since driving back to VA on Monday, still getting very tired and dizzy in the evening. The kids meanwhile have been pretty much back to normal since we returned. Reuben was especially glad to be back in his own bed. Despite the illnesses, we did have many episodes of fun. Below is the photo summary
“I hope you caddies don't expect a tip!”
At the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery (and turtles)	The rocking bunny of Crestwood Mark is pretty sure we rode it when we went to Crestwood 30+ years ago.
bbbbbbbbbbbbb bbbbbbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Bungee Trampoline @ Crestwood
Of course we had a BBQ in the backyard and naturally the bubbles came out...
And finally just before we left NY, we attended the famous Plainview/Old Bethpage Memorial Day Parade

Upper Cut, Body Blow, Body Blow...

Well so much for a peaceful visit in NY. Friday night started the ball rolling. Jacob woke up around midnight and proceeded to puke all over his bed and then in the family room. He was still getting sick in the morning (he's feeling better now). Well, one down, but all was not lost. Saturday, we were to go to my brother's camp after nap time. Since the kids hardly nap anymore, we figured we meet at camp around 2pm. 2pm comes and goes and Faith and Jacob are still sleeping. Hmmm.... We decided to let Faith sleep, so Reuben, Grandpa, and I went to camp (pictures to come). About 3:30pm we get the call... body blow... Faith woke up and puked. She also had a temperature of 101. (she's also feeling better now)

At this point our plans to visit my new nephew on Sunday were in need of major modifications. We decided to leave the kids home with Grandma and Grandpa and Karen and I would have a quick visit. Sounded like a good plan.

Body body, body blow! That would be the sound of me waking up last night puking my guts out. Oh the joy. This evening I had a 101 temp, but after sleeping most of the day I feel a lot better. Needless to say we never got to see my brother's new home and spend extra time with Nathan. Hopefully, I'm up to driving home tomorrow.

Nathan's Bris

The VA clan made it up to NY in time for the main attraction; Nathan's Bris. As Bris' go, this one was first class. Steven, the Father, actually performed the circumsion (with the helpful guidance of a professional).

The bagels afterwards were exceptional. Karen and the kids missed the actual snipping as the were in the backyard playing. Our three kids were on their best behaviour and made Mom and Dad very proud. They served as a shining example for their cousin Baby Nathan. That is until the rock incident, but that's another story ;-)

The Snow White Ballet

By popular demand here is the video of the ballet. Now in Faith's defense, she was the youngest person on stage.

Today was also a big day for the boys. They are officially 4 today, though with all the previous birthday events, it was a pretty ho-hum event. Didn't help much that Jacob was not firing on all cylinders today. He missed opening up most, of yet more, presents because I made him clean off the mulch from the patio, which he dumped there earlier in buckets.
Earlier in the day, Reuben came to work with me because he wasn't feel well last night and the other kids had morning dentist appointments. Reuben was very good, but so shy in meeting my work mates. His basic greeting was, "I'm 4." We did have a nice morning together that doesn't and won't happen too often. I also realized I have some interesting gadgets in my office perfect for a 4 year old. He found every one, including my 10+ year old empty Fozie Bear Pez dispenser!

The Ballet

Back stage prior to curtain call

Today was Faith's big day; her ballet recital. As luck would have it Reuben, Reuben puked twice today once this morning and once not long before the show. So he and I stayed home; while Jacob and Karen witnessed the great event. I got to finish painting the railing. Meanwhile, Faith was brilliant!!! At least that's what Karen and I think (with me not even seeing the brilliant performance). Karen was able to sneak in some video which I'll post tomorrow. After the video my brilliant statement may no longer hold, so believe me for now ;-)
Out of the 1 1/2 hour recital, Faith had a stage presence of about 1 minute right before the final curtain closed.

Reuben seems to be feeling much better.

No Sign Of Rain - Time To Paint

Spent most of the day working on the above railing. One of the first things we had done when moved into our house, was rebuild the carport. At that time we also had them put a deck on top. But, I made a tragic mistake and wanted the front railing white to match our intended house color (house was still green at the time). So, instead of pressure treated wood they put in pine and I painted it white. Well, its a pain to paint and needless to say I let it go too long without repainting. The top of railing rotted and needed to be replaced. If you look at the picture, you may be able to tell that I took off the top today. Then I painted the out facing part. Essentially, this took me most of the day. Tomorrow, hopefully I'll finish painting the in-facing parts. Then sometime during the week, I'll put in the top railing piece which will now be pressure treated wood.

As the sun was going down and I was putting the ladder away, I noticed how nice the peonies were looking...


and our Korean dogwood, which has finally bloomed.



and for you regulars, my new grass is also starting in fill in.

Welcome Nathan

Congrats to Steven and Tracy as new parents and of course to me as a new uncle. My nephew, Nathan Lawrence, was born tonight at 9:08, weighing in at 6 lbs. 1 oz. All are well!!

Link to Pictures

Reuben's Creation

 

Here is Reuben and his 4-eyed whatcha-ma-callit. He calls it his trophy.

Birthday Bikes

Yesterday, I picked up the boys bikes. Toys R Us assembled the bikes for $10 each. Probably, the best $10 I've ever spent. Then, I made space in the shed by getting rid of some really toys. The boys were really excited, so we couldn't fairly wait until their birthday. Karen said earlier in the day they sat in the shed on their new bikes for 5 minutes. It must have been 100 degrees in the shed today! So, I can home early we gave the boys the bikes. They loved them.
They were all off and riding in seconds flat. Reuben is working on braking.	Jacob, meanwhile, has already learned to skid brake on all the sand in the street.
Reuben even SMILED !!!
Faith and Karen were watching the boys and watering some newly planted flowers and bulbs. While we were outside, Faith and I also played catch with a basketball. Even though she doesn't like to ride her tricycle, she does love to play ball and is the best ball thrower in the house.

Can We Get A Real Leader, Please?

As with most of the country, I think its time to get out of Iraq (for the record, I never thought we should be in Iraq in the first place). But, if we're there we better darn do our best to stabilize and help build or rebuild that country. I was heartened to hear in Bush's state of the union that he seemed to finally start talking about making financial investment into rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure and to get people working. It's about time!!! I wonder what the US would be like if we had 50% unemployment or partial employment (<15 hours/wk), or rather closer to 70% if you count those not working but being paid a government subsidy. I don't think we'd resort to car bombs, at least I hope not, but I'm pretty sure I'd start locking my doors and windows at night.

So, I am utterly dismayed by the Washington Post article I read this morning. Apparently the Defense Dept. wants to get some Iraqi factories up and running to get people working. The idea being if the people are working, they will be less inclined to commit violent acts. Its not that different from welfare reform in the mid 90's. At $1B a day for the war effort, the cost for this is peanuts. What could be wrong? Well, apparently the State Department doesn't like the idea of government run industries. They don't want us to set a precedent for the US to support this form of an economy. Rather, the State Department wants private industry to finance and run the rebuilding of the Iraqi economy. Excuse me, but what moron would invest in a factory in Baghdad today? In fact, the State Dept. has been trying this route for sometime and I guess they're surprised by the lack of offers.

Well, we have the Department of Defense and the Dept of State who can't seem to agree, meanwhile the mess and deaths continue. Both agencies report to the President. What is Bush doing? Can we get a real leader, please? Here is the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/13/AR2007051301165.html

How Many !#@$&%! Bolts?

A few days ago we got this nice kid outdoor furniture set from Aunt Steph, Uncle Mitch, and Cousin Levy. So this afternoon I decided to put it together. I was a little concerned when I saw how many pieces of furniture were included and small size of the box. That meant lots to assemble. About 2 hours later, we had the furniture set. It is very nice and I must say very well built. I think it has more bolts than my car.

Earlier, we took the boys to Toys 'R' Us to try out bicycles. We picked out 16" wheel bikes; a red one for Jacob and obviously a blue one for Reuben. I'll pick them up all assembled tomorrow evening. They are very excited about them. Faith now wants a bike, which I hope may be incentive for her to try and learn to peddle a tricycle. Though, when we got home and the boys got out their trikes to ride, Faith went back inside to color. So far, not so good.

Pre- Mother's Day and B-day Party (NOT OURS!)

Since I have a softball game tomorrow morning, the kids and I let Mommy sleep (after her early morning run to the rock quarry turned out fruitless). The kids and I enjoyed a nice breakfast at "Old" McDonalds and then bought Mommy some flowers.



Later in the morning we had Quinn's party. Lot of fun at a place loaded with moon bouncers of all sorts. Jacob loved it, while Reuben and Faith pretty much avoided using any of the equipment. They still played with each other pretty nicely.

The whole birthday crew. Birthday boy is on the far right, next to Reuben.


Reuben was not a fan, even though he loved our moon bounce.


Jacob loved it.


Even Daddy got in on the fun.


For someone who didn't like slides, it was hard to get Karen to leave ;-)


Quinn's sister, Catherine, by the end was soaked with sweat. A true sign of a good time.


Birthday boy seemed to enjoy his whole party.

Recital Prep

The final week unit the big ballet recital on the 20th. Dress rehearsal was today with a big dress rehearsal next Thursday.
Here is Faith in her costume.


And the video interview:

Birthday Party - The Movie

Well here is the long awaited movie version of the birthday parties. As a warning if you're not related to these kids, the movie will be quite long and boring. Otherwise enjoy ;-)

Faith Is Now Three Years Old!!!

I came home at a reasonable hour and we all had dinner together and followed it with Faith's cake from Saturday. The three kids easily polished off the cake.

Then it was more presents...


We got Faith a baby doll crib that she took to right away, tucking her baby into bed and then reading her a bedtime story.


Andrea sent Faith a beautiful dress that Faith immediately wanted to put on. I'm sure she thinks she is Cinderella. We have to find a ball for her to go to.


The problem with all this is, is that she KNOWS how cute she is!!!


Finally, its hard opening presents around Tipper. She too wants to be center of attention.

Birthday Party Number 2

Birthday Party #2 – The Pre-school Party We had both Faith's class and Reuben and Jacob's class for a combined party at My Gym. Lots of fun. The folks at My Gym really know how to put on a good party.
Nothing quiets down 19 kids like pizza and cake!
Movies are still to come...