A New Furry Friend

Emily was watching a movie we rented from the video store and it had a ferret in it, so guess what pet she wants now ..... a ferret. She drew this picture of "her" ferret and all the things it needs. The ferret is on the diving board of it's pool which has a pink flamingo standing in the water and a palm tree for shade. Above that is a shelf whose items are a vase of flowers, big green candle, microwave, globe and a card with a heart on it. On the wall is picture of a star and a calendar with a flower. Under that is the ferret's tub with shower head. On top of the dresser is a polka dot lamp. On the table top, there is a computer and computer mouse. Apparently this ferret of hers is going to live a pampered life. Little does she know that she'll have to have her own house before she can have a ferret for a pet. A girl can dream though.

Revisiting the Past

"Here fishy, fishy"......I know it is a little hard to figure out which child it is who has their face in the fishbowl but the apple outfit should give it away - it is Emily. This toy was given to her by the Bergacs' and she loved it. It had three balls that went inside but on the outside it had water encased in it with plastic sea animals and glitter that would float along when you moved it. On top of that it had lights and music - two thing kids adore. At this stage of her development, I think Emily was probably wondering where the fish were "inside" the bowl when she could see them on outside of the bowl. Needless to say, it made a great photograph.

Art 101

We are diverting from Emily's animal book drawings in order for you to see one of her school work projects. I have to tell you that when I pulled this picture out of her backpack folder I had one of those proud mom moments where you get that warm feeling in your heart and a big smile on your face. I was so happy to see that her drawing capabilities are actually being used in her schoolwork. So, as you can see this is a sequencing project of a butterfly's growth. I love how the caterpillar is sitting on the leaf and the butterfly but I think what most impressed me was her cocoon. I know it is plain but I though it was very well done. Now I don't know if all the kids sequenced the same "event" or if this is something she just drew from her own mind. In either situation, the result is the same a very proud mom. Great job Emily!!

Add to that a Builder

This week of renovating the bathroom has had a bit of an influence on Matthew. The other day I asked him again, "what do you want to be when you grown up?" I expected the usual, "a fireman and an army man" but this time he responded differently "a fireman, an army man and a builder". Once again, I assured him he could be anything he wants to be but inside my head I'm thinking you are going to be one busy and tired man if you do all those things. Although if he keeps just half of the energy he has now into adulthood, he could make it happen.

I took this picture of Matt after his haircut on Saturday. We did more of his summer cut so it would take a little longer to grow out before the next cut. He is so funny getting his hair done. I don't even have to stand by him. He sits in the big chair and this time even had a little conversation with Maria, the stylist he goes too. At the end of the cut, she asked him if he wanted gel in his hair and he said "of course" - now I've never put gel in his hair, so I have no idea what he thought gel was. Maria styled it so it came up in the front. It made him look so grown up, where did my baby/toddler go. You have to love that big smile!

Where Have I Been

So, you've been wondering where I am, well, I've been busy assisting my dad in the cosmetic renovation of our upstairs bathroom. Saturday, January 31, my mom and dad came to NJ for a little visit with their grandchildren and some major assistance from dad on redoing the bathroom. We took Sunday off and started work bright and early Monday morning. The main plan was to strip the old green and ivory striped wallpaper with its floral border from the walls (I already removed a major portion from the walls), install beadboard on the lower half of the wall and paint the upper half. We also planned to replace the sink top, faucet, medicine cabinet and wall light fixture. The first day into the project that plan changed, due to the fact that instead of drywall or plaster walls it was masonite. So, in order to avoid any future issues with the painted area, we decided to wallpaper the upper half. Now, I found a wonderful textured beige wallpaper but the main issue was that out of my dad, mom and I only my mom has wallpapered and that was a long, long time ago. So, Wednesday morning, after a trip to Home Depot for the new fixtures, we all three did the wallpaper. I actually did the hanging of the paper with supervision from mom and dad. I have to say I'm very happy with the outcome but don't plan on doing that any time soon. After that was done, we put up the beadboard. Thursday we spent putting up ceiling molding, that was no fun at all but definitely gave the room a finished look, along with dad reassembling the sink, hanging the light and medicine cabinet. By Saturday night, it was done and this is the outcome. We are very happy with the end result. I forgot to mention that we - meaning I - got a little sidelined from the job on Friday. On Wednesday night, I noticed that my hearing in my right ear was very muffled, I figured it was just congestion from a cold. Thursday it was still the same but occasionally I would get a pinch in my ear. So, after debating with myself and asking Dave whether I should go to the doctor or not, I called and got an appointment Friday morning. It was a good thing I went. I have a very severe ear infection - you know it is severe when the second thing the doctor says after "this is bad, really bad" is "do you know of an ear specialist in your plan?" Not only was that an issue but when he checked my lungs he heard wheezing which I didn't even notice I had. So, I'm currently on an antibiotic and have to go back on Friday for the doctor to see if both issues are clearing up the way he wants them to.

Mom and dad are both still here. This week dad is painting the living room ceiling and kitchen. Then, Emily, Matt and I are driving Nana Joan and Papa Joe back to Tennessee and staying there for a week - it is winter break from school. The kids and I will be traveling back from TN on that Friday and Saturday, with a stop overnight in Maryland to break up the 9 hour trip. So, now you know where I have been for the last week+.