just having fun

We brought home some masks from Disney World and today we decided to paint them. We had a great time and it was not too messy.

I even had fun. The girls also painted some other wooden figures we had picked up, each had a turtle, and Sara had a star fish and Ruth a dolphin-her favorite. I guess we are getting away from horses.

13th Anniversary!

Today Jeff and I have been married for 13 years. That time really flied too. Jeff and I met on a blind date-set up by a family that both of us had known for over 25 years, but did not run into each other. . . I guess it was all in the timing. Jeff proposed to me 5 months after we met and we were married 5 months later. It was a long distance romance since we lived 200 miles apart. We did honeymoon at Disney World and that was so much fun!

Easter Rabbit came

No words necessary.

Blessed Easter

Easter arrived a day early so the family could be together, but I know the easter bunny will come tomorrow.

We spent Easter at my parents. My three sisters and their spouses and their kids, and some of the boy friends attended. Once again my mother cooked an outstanding dinner, and my sisters that lived locally brought wonderful dishes....and I for one ate like a starving pig!

Ruth and Sara dyed Easter eggs-the first for both of them. They had a great time, but what a difference between the two. Sara had done her six by the time Ruth did two, taking her time and enjoying the experience. I got to do a few too, the first time in a very long time and adults-do it with your kids because it is still fun!

After dinner and the dishes, we played a wicked game of croquet. The underdog ended up winning-way to go Steve! Yes, the one the began out first ended up losing-maybe he should not have shown everyone how to send the ball when hit by another's. So much for all the golf he plays because it did not come in handy today-sorry Mark. BUT---fun was had by all, along with many, many laughs.

We are still the old fashion family-we still hide easter eggs for the kids-age 10-25. Of course it helps that we now put cash in some of them. I was shocked to see that my dear Ruth found the two $5! Every one decided that Sara was too skilled any next year---she goes out last!

In the evening we played a card game our family learned many years ago called Nertz. We play partners and it is a very fast game based on solitaire. We do get a little loud and vicious, but it is so much fun. The other table held the Spades competition.

Now she is10!

Our little girl is now 10! Not sure how she got that old overnight, but I think there may be tooth fairy magic still in her room that is working it's magic on her and she keeps growing! Yes, I do remember the first time we saw her in Majuro, RMI at the age of 10 days. She was so little and they just said here, take her and we will see you in 3 days in court...and the birth mother will meet you in your hotel room in an hour to meet you. It was a time of much emotion.

Now she is almost as tall as me, keeps taking my shoes and slippers ( I guess I have some sense of style) and luckily she is too skinny to wear any of my clothes!

Birthday countdown & so much more

Ruth's birthday is coming fast-on the 20th, and she will be double digit! No more little girl single digit. It makes me sad that they grow up so fast, yet, each stage is beautiful.

The girls had a good soccer practice yesterday. The first game Ruth got defensive player of the game, the second week Sara got the honors. Actually after last game, the opposing coach told our coach that with #20 on the field, they were doomed . . . Sara is # 20 midfield defender and she is a lightning bolt coming out of nowhere and striking the opponent. Jeff and I are amazed at how well both girls play and that they instintivly know what to do and where to be to make the strike.

We have rain today . . . not the let's water the flower rain, but the let's wash away the cars rain. So far they said it is 2" an hour, and it began this morning! I am sure the lakes will be thrilled to fill before the summer shortfall of rain. . . if you hear hammering, it is us building a boat so we can get to my parent's house for Easter. Sara is also glad that it is her rabbit's birthday too.

This morning we gave our dog Cooper a bath in the girl's bathroom. They both put on their swim suits and crawled in to hold him. He did very good and smells and looks a ton better ~and we saved $23 too. Now if it will stop raining long enough for him to do his business!

Tonight Sara has her tumbling II class. Last night she got moved up to gymnastics II class and they may move her straight to III in a few weeks.

SNOW-in March?

You heard it right. . . snow in March-and twice in one week. Who said there is no freaky weather going on? BELIEVE IT!!





Our dog Cooper joined the fun and tried to eat the snow and got a cold wet snowy snoot.



Yes, he is next to his summer pool, trying to figure out why he can not get his drinking water . . . it is covered with ice. WHY you ask is his summer pool out, because it was just 80 and he was swimming in it. FREAKY!

Next - Easter

This afternoon we took the easter things out of the attic and the girls immediately attacked the eggs. They wanted me go do an easter egg hunt today. . . yea! I told them when they got home from school on Monday I will have one ready for them and they want to make sure that there is money and not necessarily candy inside. . . I think they will be filled with air for now silly girls.

SOCCER

--before the game. We had our first soccer game this morning. This year they play 11-12 yr olds and on the full size soccer field. I was amazed that they were able to cover the complete field. They also play 11 per team on the field. I am sure that later in the late spring when it gets hot, they will suddenly learn to pass more than the running with the ball, but only time will tell. This first game was an exhibition game and did not count. They lost 2-0, but did play well. Ruth still plays defense and Sara plays mid-field. This year we have bleachers with a shade cover which sounds good, but when the coach is standing in front of you with the girls waiting to go in, and the sun is at an angle, well, we do appreciate the effort, but I am looking for the A/C!

Our new team is the Fillies and their colors are green, white and gold. - - after the game