A trip to the zoo and some glow chalk too

We finally have had some sun, and some mild temps.  The boys trip to the zoo was chilly however, but we are getting there.

The grill is getting a work out and we have enjoyed some corn on the cob at dinner too. 

I feel super blessed to have my kids..or most of them grown and yet 9x out of 10 have a sit down family dinner with them.  Family time, with a house full is my favorite time. 

The boys are enjoying the outdoors.  It is all we can do to nail them to the dinner table long enough to scarf down something healthy before they are off and running again. Ahh summer.

Dave will have our pool up and running for the holiday weekend.  Whether it will be sunny enough for the kids to brave the icy water is another matter entirely.  But at least it will be there.  Something comforting and relaxing about having it open, fountain running or lit up at night...it is our oasis in a cruddy neighborhood....bloom where you're planted I guess.

We are planning a trip to Al and Jeana's on Sunday for the Memorial Weekend Holiday.  However that is now up in the air.  Last night Jeana had emergency surgery to remove her appendix..so depending on her recovery we shall see.  I know we will be bummed if we can't go, it is always such a great time...and my favorite place to have my camera permanently adhered to my hand.  I mean really, a farm, horse back rides, chickens, volleyball, great food, s'mores and a bon-fire...doesn't get more Americana if you ask me.  Always a great time.  The skeeters are bound to be God awful this year with all the rain...I plan to wear an extra layer of skin loaded with OFF.  I have always been one of their favorite dishes :(

This weekend we managed to get more potted plants and hanging baskets for the porch, and Bill hung a huge wooden red white and blue star for me on to the house.  It is shaping up! and the side walk chalk art gets better every year.  This year Will wrote his name and Emily's...Bill and I were so impressed.  I hope he loves school, he is so smart!

Speaking of chalk art, Saturday we bought a glow chalk kit.  It is really cool.  Not a mess I want to deal with everyday, but sooo sooo fun.  You mix it and pour into molds about 30 mins before dark, then have at it.  There were flecks of chalk glowing on my kitchen floor, on every body part imaginable, and it was a 2 bath night for the boys.  But oh did we have fun.  Even BK, E and H had a ball.  AND YES, even daddy joined in on the fun writing NO TRESPASSING on the porch steps lol.  Love my family!

Oh and a personal note; I have been having more knitting fun..here is an example.

The best things in life are often not things at all

Been working my butt off lately.  Forced to work on Saturdays.  Really feeling the clock tick on life.  Really feeling that pinch of missing time with my kids.  I pulled in the driveway last night and William came running out of the house with a big smile.  I smiled wide!  Then when I got out of the car he asked "Why are you smiling"?  I said "I am so happy to see you, and your smile"  Little moments.

Yesterday Emily and I spent some online shopping time at L.L.Bean.com.  We ordered Will a shark back pack and matching lunch box for school in the fall.  My first step in accepting he is leaving for school in the fall.  I get short of breath just thinking about it.  Anyway, I threw the kids in the car and we went and did some shopping.  Managed to get the flowers in the big pots on the porch in.  Bought some really cool paper lanterns to hang from the porch, they really make it cottage cozy.  Had a rain shower and watched the boys dance and play in the rain.  I know if I blink I will be standing in the drive as they head off to college. 

One more hour here in the office on a rainy Saturday.  Then I am heading home to my babies.  Hope is cleaning house for Roxanne and Emily and I are hitting the yarn shop, the Good Will Store and going for groceries while Hope works.  Norm recommended I marinate ribs in Coke, so this will be my culinary experiment for the evening.  I hope they are delicious.  My stomach is growling!  I am hoping to get Joe to come for dinner.  Feeling so clingy these days.

BK's Aunt had a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery yesterday.  Yet another reminder of my tenuous grasp on life.  I pray for her recovery and health.  She is a very nice woman, and I cannot even wrap my mind around the concept of losing my sister...not even close.

Think I will get the camera out today as well.  Doesn't even matter what the kids are into today, just feel the need to preserve the day.

Some Easter fun pics...and some breaking news.

We had decent weather and the kids had a great time.

Last night on the 11 o'clock news, the world got some BIG information.  Osama Bin Laden, the man responsible for masterminding the 9/11 attack on NYC, PA and the Pentagon was discovered and killed.  The U.S. now has custody of his body.  So far they are saying no U.S. Troops were injured in this attack.
Now, I must say that the world is most likely a better place without this person in it...and I hope it brings some sense of justice for the families of the victims of 9/11.  Having said that, on the news people were literally cheering and gathering on the front lawn of the White House.  This IS a victory!  But I think to cheer over the death of anyone, no matter how vile, just makes us look bad...like stooping to their level.  I think in the global community we already appear arrogant, and I don't think this is helping.  I am however glad he is no longer a threat to us, or to those he would have brainwashed in the future.

Easter fun and The Royals

While Easter was very late this year, it has finally come and gone.  We had ok-ish weather and the boys had lots of fun.  A nice dinner at the in-laws and a golf cart ride for the boys.  Onward SPRING! We even had discussions regarding Memorial Weekend plans, despite the fact that the weather seems to indicate that we are skipping warm sunny weather this year.

Friday morning Prince William of England will marry Kate Middleton.  I was glued to the tube when his mother married Charles, and again weeping while watching her funeral.  He seems so very much his mothers son...and let's face it, what girl in her right mind wouldn't want to be Kate for just one day.  If nothing else but to wear that huge sapphire and diamond ring that was once Dianna's.  I heard on the news that that ring is one of the top 5 most sought after pieces of jewelery ON EARTH...EARTH.  It is stunning.  I would love nothing more than to stay at home, wear a "fancy hat" and watch with a box of Kleenex on my lap...but alas, I am not marrying a fairytale prince..I am a working mother of 5 from nowhere Ohio.  I am sure it will stream live on the Internet anyway, so I can sneak cyber snacks of it throughout the a.m.

Good Friday.

Cannot cannot believe it is Easter weekend.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this weather is killing us!  Gray rain, wind repeat.  My boss is a crab ass, customers are frustrated and everyone is depressed and sooooooooo beyond sick of the cold and gray.  I mean, none of us are expecting temps in the 70's in NW OH in April...but 40 and rain and wind...give me a break.  The weather does not lend itself to that Easter feel.  I guess on the upside,my little ones are just excited for that Bunny despite the weather.  Tomorrow E and I will color eggs with the boys, they are looking forward to it.  I am looking forward to two days away from this office and all the depressing pools not going in conversations I am having with customers.

On Sunday it is off to B's brothers house for Easter dinner.  H won't be with us for the second year in a row.  I think I am grounding her next year lol.

Finally!

We did it!  Today was our first official pool installation of the season.  Better late than never right....right?  Boss is in a better mood, and I can look forward to a decent pay check.  My daughter E is working with me this summer.  I am happy to have the company, and the help.  I am also happy that she has some much needed income.

H is in Mytrle Beach with T and will be home on Monday..then back to school for 2 days, then she is off to Missour to visit my Papa..who is an amazing 97 years young.  I think E is feeling a bit left out and I can't say that I blame her there.  But at least she is making money.  She is saving for a car...we will see how it goes.  She is pretty good with money.

She has been helping me scan old photos to the computer so we can have them on disk in the event of a computer crash...or other natural disaster.  I will be glad when we are done.  All this editing gets tedious.  I would also like to get the kids baby books scanned to the disks as well..ya just never know.

We are supposed to be back to gray and rain for the most part again for the week ahead.  I hope it is decent for Easter though.

Is this thing ON????

Snow AGAIN this morning.  April 18th.  This is the Donner Party winter I swear.  I work for a local pool installer, and this poo on the ground is really harshing our buzz.  UGH.

I had a very nice Sunday.  I ran out to Swanton to visit a dear friend.  We did some shopping. I bought a dozen charms for my Pandora Braclet.  We ate brownies, and laughed til we cried.  I have been getting a dose of girl time and me time more often lately and it is so good for the soul! 

Jack got a hair cut and looks absolutely delicious.  I wish I could eat him...he is so cute.  William decided he had better things to do, but next week will be his turn.  I hope to post a pic of him soon (Jack) sporting the new cut, but didn't find time to take one.  I need to update my picase with my camera.  Easter will be photo fest as well.