Sunny Days

Yes, spring has finally sprung. 2 days worth celebrating. Yesterday we headed to the zoo except Rod and Jerod. Jerod is doing a dissection class on the west side of town so we dropped him off and headed to the zoo. It was very fun.

Today we are outside just hanging out. I am updating the blog and the kids are jumping on the trampoline. We still have some book work today and alot of "educators" would say I am neglecting my teaching duties. I say we are exercising our bodies and learning to be a better brother and friend. Lizzie is learning how "dandylions" roar and cars go.

Hope you all get a little sunshine break today.

Comfort Food

Tonight I made bread pudding. I don't know if I have ever made bread pudding before; but I saw a recipe for it on a friend's menu blog. Truth be told it reminds me of my mom and dad. Mom use to make it and dad loved it. I even bought half and half to go on it. Funny, lately I have thought alot of my parents in connection to food. Any of you that knew them would understand since mom loved to cook and dad loved to eat and it showed. I really miss them.

So today if your mom and dad are still around to chat with do that soon.

God Bless.

Homeschooling Lunch

Andrew's creation!

Build A Bear Trip

After waiting "patiently" for almost 2 months we finally made a trip to Build-A-Bear. Joshua had a gift card from Christmas he has been wanting to use. We have had to reschedule three times; but this time we made it. They all had a great time and Josh even shared a little of his card with his brother and sister. They each got an animal and an outfit. We had to order Andrew's cause they don't carry Anakin outfits in the store; but it is on the way. Liz and Andrew had some Valentine money that they used towards theirs. It was a good time and the crowd was just our size, one other family and us.

Thanks Papa and Grandma for the gift card and the Valentine Money.

Kid's opinion of the trip: "Too cool and fun. I love my new guy."

Mom's opinion: What a keen marketing scheme so moms, dads and grandparents can spend crazy amounts of money. Seriously, I could buy Liz an outfit for as much as her kitty's outfit cost. Actually we don't go that often and we usually don't do outfits. It was "fun".

Friends Make it Better

Yesterday morning I received a call that the tenant at the rental we own had passed away. That in and of it itself would not be that significant; but this tenant actually rented the house from my parents when I was in high school. When my mom passed away 12 years ago I told him he would be able to live in the house until he was ready to leave. That was his home and had been for probably 25 or more years. In addition, this was the last of the rental properties we had that were my parents. Now we will look to sell this one as well. So it feels like a piece of my life has passed on and reminds me how much I miss my parents.

Anyway, I was a little depressed yesterday just thinking about it. So my friend Shelley told me she might show up on my door step this morning. She did call at least before she showed up. Funny thing was the postman knocked around 10:00ish and I thought for a minute it was her:). We had a great day scrapbooking. Actually I scrapbooked and she organized. It is just nice to have someone that listens to my woes even if they seem a little crazy and in truth I can't even totally explain the sadness I feel.

Thanks Shelley. In addition to that, I also got Joshua's album finished for the year 2009.

Jerod got a new smile

Today Jerod got the start of his braces. He is not sore yet; but the doctor said soon he would be. Sure is weird to see him with his new smile.

A Day with Papa.

We had a fun surprise last night. Papa and Grandma came up for the game last night. First we came out with a win. Then Papa got to stay with us last night and today cause he is flying out to see his parents in California. We always love to have Papa come visit us. The kids were totally excited to have him plus they got the day off of school. We played Wii and hung out. It was a great day.