Ben's poster

Ben made this collage in school and wanted to post it on the fridge.  He got his own magnet out and placed it on there himself.  He has grown so much.  We are sure proud of our handsome man!

Ben wants to take a scuba diving class.  (He really wants to go on a Disney cruise.)  We'll see what the next few months of swimming brings.

Rollerskating Party

We finally decided to finish the basement and install carpet.  We removed everything that was in the room and laid down a moisture barrier and then had the carpet guys come.  The weekend that the furniture was removed we decided to have a skating party.  John Michael  came over and the kids rode round and round. In hindsight we probably should have just padded the floor and walls and made a jungle gym down there -- through in a zipline and the kids would have been in heaven. 

 

We put the furniture back and now are enjoying our playroom/media center.  Joseph still has to put the doors back on, but we are nonetheless loving our basement retreat. 

 

Sun-porch

Last night we ate dinner on the back porch.  The kids loved it.  They were so cute with their little tables and want to eat out their more often.  I'm hoping that the spring weather sticks around which will enable us to enjoy the sunporch.

Mad Alec

Check out these eyebrows!

I like these much better.  He's such a cutie.

Spring in Central NY

Spring in Central NY is sooooo beautiful.  This year has been particularly lovely.  We have had several weeks of sunshine and 70 degree weather.  We have been outside every day and soaked up the sun.  The kids have gotten lots of mileage out of the climbing pyramid and the trampoline.  The sandbox has been a hit too.

 

 

 

 

Bleeding Heart

Mom this post is for you.  Here is the Bleeding Heart that you gave me last year.  It has done so well and seems to love it's location.  I am so pleased with it.  It gives just the right touch to the front landscape.  Come see it in person!

It's been a long time since I sat down and posted pictures of our adventures. This will be a hodge-podge of various activities and events for the last few months. When Daddy comes home from work the children's first reaction is to run to him and say "Can I climb you?" In the absence of the climbing his torso they will try to get on his back. He's usually a good sport.

A few weeks ago we took the kids to the Rochester Museum of Play. The kids were totally over stimulated by so many choices and fun things to do. It was tough trying to follow them all around and keep track of each of them as they scampered off to their next adventure. I will say thought, that I love these great museums. We have rotated memberships throughout the years and have loved the Ithaca Science center and the MOST right here in town. This year we have decided to explore the Museum of Play and hopefully there will be reciprocal memberships that we can take advantage of on our trip west.

The kids on the Carousel.

Lily being the ice cream Lady.

Little Wegmans - Lily says that she wants to be a cashier when she grows up. (We'll work on the achievement lessons in the future.) In the meantime we are encouraging her to dream.

In February the kids had a week break from school. We made robots and decorated them during one particularly cold afternoon. Periodically, they still strap them on and wander around the house.

Benjamin displaying his triceratops.

In Daddy's workshop.

The kids at Christmas enjoying their electronic devices.

As I look back on these pictures and our memories I have realized that we have really enjoyed our family time this winter. Our failed adoption was disappointing and heart wrenching but I feel really blessed to enjoy the family time that we cherish together.