Half Day!

Livia asked me what half was. I didn't think she would understand 50%, or equal parts so much, so I declared it HALF DAY! This was lunch.

That night in bed we were reading Farmer Boy together (of the Little House on the Prairie Series- Thanks Christy!) and the Dad was teaching Almonzo about a half dollar. I thought it was cool to circle the day's lessons again. Love it when God does that!

The wounded soldier

Ginnie is a very pleasant baby. She enjoys the outdoors, and animals. One day she will overcome her stationary status and move about the whole world. Please vote her for Miss America (in about 20 years!)

Happy Birthday Moses!

Moses (our cat) turned 3 on May 5th. He is a month younger than George. Livia could not understand why it was not a big deal. Everyone else gets a party so Mo should have one too. She decided he needed a cake and presents. Well.... I like cake, and presents for the cat is easy enough (cheap and can be gotten on our regular shopping trips). We invited Kim, Aunt Marcy, Sarah and Zia (Angie) and Troy bbq'ed some chicken and ribs.
Moses had his own special dinner. A fish shaped chicken meal, with a treat as the eye. :)


Then came dessert and presents! The kids helped make the cake and wrap the presents.

We seriously had a great time! I was just doing this to appease the kids, but it might have to be a tradition. I don't consider myself a great hostess, and don't have a lot of time to tend to party details the way I would like, so I usually don't offer up many gatherings. This might have to change in the future- it was totally worth it.

a pretty topsy turvey

Our garden didn't do so well last year. It was just a small plot in the corner of the yard, but we didn't get to harvest anything before rodents got to the produce! The melons didn't get bigger than softballs before getting chewed. So.... I still want home grown veggies. I like the idea of the topsey turvey, but it is u-u-u-gly. I am trying to make my own. I have made three, a sweet pepper and 2 tomatoes. Guess time will tell if it works!

Just a nice Saturday with the fam

On Saturday we went out for some family fun. First stop- the inner harbor. Yeah, it is touristy, but when we park in Little Italy for free, it is a cheap morning out. We walked along the waters edge, Troy took Liv and George on a clipper ship to check it out. I stayed on the dock with the baby in the stroller and snapped a few shots. Thanks to my friend Pam, she pointed out that one turned out pretty well.
We also went to Amer's cafe where the kids made their own pizzas. (I think I found a new fav eating establishment.) And we finished the day with yard chores, playing with water guns and the water table. I LOVE family time!

Want to be a ballerina?

So, Liv's friend from school (Julia) takes ballet and tap. I want Liv to take dance for a few reasons. One, she needs an extra curricular activity- preferably a physical one. Dance might help her shyness around others. Her feet are starting to turn in like her parents (sigh) and dance helped me ditch my "special" shoes when I was younger. :)

I take Liv in to register her for a simple 6 week session in the summer, like a trial. I'm talking it up, she will be a little ballerina! Liv gets to watch a part of her friend Julia's class, and she shies away, hiding behind me. The secretary and teachers are friendly and wonderful to her. They tell me they understand the shyness and have had much worse in their classes. (They seem very professional and experienced with teaching all ages- I'm totally impressed.)

I pay, fill out the paperwork, and tell her we will have to buy a leotard and tights. She is just looking at me with the "Stouffer scowl." Then I add, "Oh, and you get new shoes."

With that, her face brightens up, and she asks, "New shoes? Really??? When is my first class?"

I have no idea where she gets that from, but I have a feeling this child might be very expensive in the future.

Liv's big girl bike

When Liv turned 3 and it was time for Nanna and PopPop to give her the traditional Big Girl Bike, she was so small, she could only fit a trike! But, now she can reach (and in interested) in riding a bike. Her school friend, Gerry had this bike from another family member. Gerry is all boy and will not ride a princess bike with streamers. :) He gladly gave it to Livia and she was (still is) thrilled! Thanks Mr. Gerry, Mrs. Dawn, and little Gerry!