Tiger Attack, A Story by Drew

Roar! The animals in the forest were very scared. With that roar, in meant that a tiger was in the forest. The tiger was creeping around, he took one step at a time. ROAR! He jumped! He ran after the animals then he kills a deer. And eats it. But uh-oh, another tiger is in the forest smelling blood. RRRoar, he tries to get it but he can't. Scientists used the blades in the rocks to find out how the tigers died.

The End

When it rains it pours

What a crazy week we have ahead of us! On wed, I start my Chemical Magic classes. I am starting up a science outreach business, slowly but surely. I love planning it but finding the time and privacy to do so is tricky. Of course I never feel like doing it at night when the kids are in bed but I really need to learn to take advantage of that time (bye Val, see you in a few years!). So that is Wed. Then thursday morning our friends from the Bay, John, MB and Isadora will be arriving. We only get to see them about once a year (twice this year!) so of course we can't wait. Friday the Beams from Bloomington will be joining us. Although our time will be short, I'm sure we will pack in some good conversation. Then Sat is Drew's Birthday bash! We somehow invited over 30 people and rented a moon bounce. Puckett has been practicing his guitar, Joanne has the cupcakes under control, Grandma and Baba are both bringing food. Hope the weather holds out.

Needless to say, our fourth of July weekend was spent doing chores. But we got so much done with the yard and house and my class that I feel ready for our fun week.

Hmmm...maybe blogging this Monday morning is not the best use of our time. Oh, yeah, I also have to get my gall bladder out. Seriously. Hope it can hold for another week or so!

Pictures are still on delay...

Surprise!

We threw a surprise party for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary two weeks ago Sunday. It went off without a hitch! Mom and Pop got married at the courthouse so this was there first wedding. We did it at Deer Park Manner in Bloomington and getting mom and pop to agree to go down there was no small feat. When it finally happened, mom was in tears. Pop was stunned as he had to go to the bathroom and walked in on the party waiting for the couple to come around the side. Anyway, it was lovely with great food, a wedding cake, pianist and violinist, drinks and most importantly good friends and family. Our old great neighbors from Michigan came down to celebrate, Sue is a minister and renewed the vows. It was very sweet, Mom and Pop were really into it. Roger, her husband and Mike their son (and our good friend) also were there. Val and I got to hang out with Mike that evening which was cool.

It was definitely worth the work and surprise, my parents loved it. Emily and I agree that we are now officially done with Anniversary's, Pop thinks we've started a new trend, only time will tell.

On a side note, I have lost my camera which is why pictures are not being updated. Yes, I am a loser. I also lost a stroller recently (seriously). Pop has bravely lent me his digital and the pictures should be up and running in no time.

Best Mother's Day Ever

I just spent a wonderful long weekend with my dear friend Sue. I flew in Friday and we had a Mother Blessing Friday night. Don and Sue are due with their first in July and I was so honored to share in a small part of her pregnancy. At the blessing, I met all of her cool friends, and we shared a lovely time sitting in the desert reflecting on Motherhood. That night we met up with Don and another friend and hit a few Scottsdale bars. It was great to hang out for our short night.

The next day we drove to Tuscon with plans to go all the way to Bisby. Once we got to Tuscon plans changed. We stayed in a nice hotel with a pool and that evening went out for dinner. Fourth Avenue in Tuscon is awesome, cute and lots of good restaurants. It has a way chill vibe and we ended up having tea at our favorite Vegie restaurant, The Casbah Tea House. Sue said it was reminiscent of a coffee house in Amsterdam. They have a back area complete with tapestry's and Buddhas. They also compost all of their food scraps and grow veggies for the restaurant. We were in heaven. (I'm a little lacking on vegetarian restaurants here in Indy)

The next day (mothers day)we went for a great two hour hike in the desert complete with huge burrs and my prego friend sliding into a sit. A very graceful fall. After this we hit the pool, showered and then found a great little breakfast place called the Blue Willow. We enjoyed conversation over eggs benedict and an omelet. There were lots of families there but it really didn't make me sad, in fact I was not sad at all and this was the first trip away that I didn't feel nervous about leaving the kids. Thats what having no more babies(and very trustworthy babysitters) will do for you!

After more shopping in a cool bookstore and a drive out to beautiful mountains, we met Sue's friend Kelly back at our veggie restaurant (we were there three times) for dinner before seeing Brett Dennen. We went to a really cool theater downtown and it was a great show. Sue and I shared a great afternoon watching him sing at High Sierra with MB and Andy last summer so this was the next show on our tour I suppose.

If you've not heard him, I suggest you look it up. He has an AMAZING voice and great music. It is completely refreshing.

Obviously, I had a great time. Sue and I got to spend some QT like never before (usually we have Don and Val and friends and kids around which of course is great also). I continue to feel blessed by the ladies in my life. They couldn't get much cooler.

Next mothers day, Mexico?

Here are some spring pics of our yard (and kids of course)

Spring is here, now it's spring!

Nora looked so cute with her hat and shades on.

One of our beautiful littering Magnolias

Hey look, giraffes!

On the zoo train (ooohh, look that's where they keep the garbage...my rating, lame)

So maybe the winter is worth it....well almost. Lady spring has arrived and she is packing beautiful flowers and bright green buds. We couldn't be happier. We are now spending more time outside than in, so good for the soul.

We made our biannual trip to the zoo. I really don't like going but Drew is so into animals that it would be crazy not to take him. We had a great day because it was perfect weather, that seems to be the trick to going. I put my worries about the animals aside for the day (it's tough being a stay at home mom :) ).

We have been taking Jake to the parks and wild areas around here and Bloomington and playing a lot in the yard. Soon, we will go camping because as soon as June hits it will be bug city. So this is it! The best time of the year in good ole' Indiana. It really is perty...

Swingset

It was so heavy, I can't believe they got it in...this is Puckett and Corbin (also know as Ryan and Brent)

The other day Val, Puckett, Corbin and a hired man hauled a new swing set into our backyard. They moved it from a house in Carmel, my mom found the ad and it was a very good deal. Thanks to mom and pop and the guys for this new park right in our back yard. (Nora says "lets play on the park", Drew has named it "Drew and Nora's Wild Ride") As I told my neighbor, it's more for me than the kids, frees me up for yard work and porch lounge time.