Drew is Five

Our sweet little man is now five. I have read that many cultures have celebrated five years with a coming of age ceremony and I can see why! Drew has changed so much in the last few months it is incredible. His insecurities have become opportunities to be brave, his sense of humor has deepened and he can truly crack us up. He is really into Cubs baseball and now will watch and follow even when Val is not. He is so empathetic and although this has not changed, it is so enduring coming from his five year old self. He is inquiring about words and numbers and letters and emotions and plans and cooking and politics and current events more than ever and it is a pleasure to talk with him on these subjects. He is a baby lover and has such a calm and wonderful persona with the little ones. We are really having fun reading chapter books and lots of non-fiction(preferably about predator/prey relationships). He is a nature lover and just this morning ran into the house excited with the news that the calendula was blooming. He teaches Nora so many things and she is his biggest fan. I am so proud of him. The man that he will be is evident even now and I know he will be an asset to our world.

He even puts his socks on by himself!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW!!!!

John, MB and Izzy come to visit

Drew and Izzy are kindred spirits

Baby Ezra

Lucas really liked getting wet!

Jacob who is ten, is so sweet and protective of his baby brother.

Nora and Isadora are only two weeks apart and are so similar and different at the same time.


Our friend Carey came up with all of her boys, Jacob, Lucas and Baby Ezra. Mike was able to join us that night for a fine dinner (thanks to our house guests!)

MB and Sacco at the water park. We are so glad that they came and can't wait to see them again in October!

Up and Running

We had a very uneventful yet sweet fourth of July, sometimes dressing up and making ice cream sodas is all we need for a great day.

We went to PBS kids in the park again this year, Drew really enjoyed the puppet shows while Nora and I rested in the shade.

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?