One Week Down...

This is me on Monday morning just before beginning my first day of work:


It is Friday evening and I now look markedly less perky. More on that later.

Our Weekend

It was a busy weekend, and thus I have not yet posted much about it. Saturday morning we headed out to the off-leash area at Stoll Park. I don't have any pictures because I didn't take any. And I didn't take any because I didn't really want to memorialize the fact that I went all the way out there (okay fine it's really only about 10 minutes, but still) and the dog went and sat under a picnic table and the kids complained they were hot and wanted to leave. So leave we did. After dropping off the ungrateful dog, we went over to Gaga Kathy's for some swimming. The thermometer claimed the water was something like 82 degrees, but I don't trust it as it's been known to tell outrageous lies. The kids seemed to enjoy it though. Saturday evening was Kids' Night Out at the karate school which involved pizza, a screening of the movie Cars, and a rousing Guitar Hero tournament. There was also mention of a pinata. I dropped the kids off at 6:00 p.m. and had high hopes for attending a choral concert or watching an art film, but instead went home, organized my closet and watched Sweet Home Alabama on TNT. Cute enough movie. My favorite part is when she sees her old country girlfriend in the bar and the friend has brought her baby to the bar with her. And the friend explains that she's got "three more of em at home, but this one's still on the tit so I can pretty much cart him anywhere." There were many years I could relate to that-- the portability of the nursing infant, not the bringing of babies to bars. Kids' Night Out ended at 10:00 p.m. and mine were sufficiently exhausted- falling asleep almost immediately upon our arrival at home. Sunday morning we went to church at Unity. Adrian's Sunday school teacher made a point to tell me that Adrian contributed a lot to the discussion. I didn't get any details as to what he contributed because after church we headed straight to Figlio for brunch-- a late birthday celebration for Uncle Paul who is now....32? Yes. 32. Then Grandpa Paul came over to stay with the kids while I went to band practice--a great success, our set list just keeps growing. We're looking at playing an open mike night hopefully within the next month or so. Sunday evening the kids went to swim and play at Gaga Kathy's while I watched Scott's new band make their debut at the Cover Wars semifinals in Lee's Summit. They are the artists formerly known as Bare Bonz (now known as Three Bear Bomb Scare). They were excellent. But they lost. Booo. Pictures soon to come.

Both Birds Up and Mom Bringing Breakfast

Standing Bird

Mission accomplished: this photo will confirm that at least one of the birds can stand, which as we all know is the precursor to flight (in the case of birds, but not humans, unless you are a superhero).

Birds Look Ready to Leave the Nest...

So, the birds have turned completely around, as you can tell from these photos. This would seem to indicate that, at the very least, the birds have the ability to turn around. Yes, I deduced that all by myself. We have put a blanket under the nest so that in case one of them fell out, it would not fall onto the brick. I have no idea if the blanket would actually make any difference, but it seemed like the least we could do. Earlier when snuck up upon, the birds were STANDING in the nest. I will try to get a picture of that if possible. We saw the mother in the yard yesterday with a worm in her mouth and after we went in, she flew right into the nest, so I think the babies are eating well. I also moved the kids' tent that had been in one spot in the courtyard for several months and uncovered a cornucopia of insect delicacies for the little family. Not sure she took advantage, but it sure would have been handy for dinner.

Olivia- Preschool Graduate

So, my little Olivialou is done with preschool. And I am done with Valley View. My last preschooler has moved on. Well, I am taking it like a champ aside from the crying. And the fact that Olivia is so darned adorable and excited about Kindergarten helps. Here she is with her teachers Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Cooper and with Valley View's awesome director Mrs. Converse. Such a nice school and so many kind people-- they were so wonderful to us when Mike was so sick and Adrian was in Mrs. Peterson's 4 year old class.

Geodesic Dome

So, while the kids were getting ready for bed, my dad and I were trying to make one of these (this is a random photo I found online):






Unfortunately ours turned out like this:



Scott did a little better:




Oh yeah, and I should add that at the time we were working on ours, we did not yet have the benefit of the photo above. With it, I am sure it would have been a snap.

Making Cookies

Last night Grandpa Paul came over to make cookies. Olivia describes, "Grandpa came over and then we played a little bit. Then we went inside to make the cookies. And then Grandpa started cutting the sides off and I got eat a half and Adie got to eat a half and Kam got to eat a whole. And then, we started baking the cookies. We putted--we PUT the cookies on the tray. Then we put the cookies in the oven and then Grandpa set the timer and it didn't take very long and then we got to eat the cookies. Then we started building with toothpicks and clay and we make like a church (don't say the 'like' thing) and then, the boys were doing very, very like cruel things. They were- someone squashed a clay man or somethin. Then I took a bath with Aj and we played a really fun game. And I was playing as a sister and the brother was doing really fun things and I was giggling and giggling and then we played like there was puke in my hair. And it was only water and then we got in bed. Then we got to watch 15 minutes of TV and then I was crying in my room because I didn't want to watch Pokemon and so then mommy turned on the TV and she put on WonderPets for me and then when it got late I went into my room and I played on my math board a little bit actually and then I colored and then I fell asleep and that's all."

Pizza Street

Gaga Mary took the kids to Pizza Street after karate last night. This is Olivia's account: We had pizza and I had some yummy breadsticks and some noodles. And um then we had dessert. Then I had some ice cream and I got a gum ball. And THEN I went to watch the ducks and the geese.

Hutchinson Flood

Gaga Mary sent us some pictures of the major flooding at Grandpa Bud's and Ken and Jane's farm. Of course, this would be much more dramatic if I had pre-flood pictures to compare to, but let's just say that where you see the large amounts of water, there typically is none.

Birds on 05.17.07

W. Jack Sanders Justice Center

This is where I will be working as of Monday. Hooray! I will take a better picture once I start.

Birds Update

This is how the birds look today. Much more feathery and attractive than at first.

Turtles and Geese and Children

We had a picnic at Antioch Park today. Adrian climbed the big rock and Kameron came over and said that Adrian didn't want to get down and not to believe Olivia if she said that he did. I believed him, but it was a trick and really Adrian did want me to get him down. And the whole time I thought Olivia was tricking me.









This marks a new phase for Kameron- treachery and deceit. Cute.



















We also came across a variety of wildlife as you can see.

Aunt Lorriane Died April 18 and Aunt Fran died on Saturday

Aunt Fran and Aunt Lorraine were my mother's aunts. (Two of Grandpa Greg's sisters.) I remember them both as feisty old ladies, always so friendly and kind and the best of friends. Seems fitting they died so close together. They were only apart a few weeks. That's nice.

From the Rhinelander Daily News

Lorraine A. Ginzl

Ginzl, Lorraine A, age 87, of Manitowoc, formally of Rhinelander, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at her home.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at Nativity of Our Lord Parish at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Frances (nee Carlson) Zarling.

Hildebrand~Russ Funeral Home, 365-4343, is assisting the family, and all are invited to send condolences or sign Lorraine's on-line guestbook at hildebrandfh.com

From the Manitowoc Herald Times

Sister Marie Isabel McElrone

Sister Marie Isabel McElrone, age 88, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, died Saturday morning, May 12, 2007, at Holy Family Convent.

She was born Frances McElrone, on May 15, 1918, in Rhinelander, Wis., daughter of the late Joseph and Louise (Jarvis) McElrone. Sister Marie Isabel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Family College, Manitowoc, and a Master of Arts degree from DePaul University, Chicago, Ill. She entered the convent in 1932 and professed her vows in 1936. She is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.

Sister Marie Isabel served as a teacher at St. Benedict, Cambridge; St. Agnes, Mingo Junction, Ohio; St. Anne and Holy Name High School, Escanaba Mich.; St. Francis de Sales, Manistique, Mich.; St. Francis Xavier, Petoskey, Mich.; Guardian Angels, West Point Neb.; St. Willibrord High School, Chicago, Ill.; Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha and Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wis. After retiring from active ministry, she performed various services at Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc. Since January 2006, she had been residing at St. Rita Health Center at the Motherhouse.

Survivors include the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity; one sister: Donna Lindner, Rhinelander, Wis.; one brother and sister-in-law: Austin and Norma McElrone, Appleton; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at Holy Family Convent Chapel. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Samuel D. Jadin, O. Praem. Burial will be at Holy Family Convent Cemetery, Manitowoc.

Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. at Holy Family Convent on Monday, May 14. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting with funeral arrangements.

Herald Times Reporter

May 13, 2007

Mother's Day Gifts

I had too add on my "trail-a-bike". Excellent gift. Glad I thought of it! Thanks Mom!











Lovely necklace that Olivia make in preschool. Charming, though leaky (we tried it out) teacup Adrian made in art class. Comic book Kameron wrote and then attempted to charge me for ("U.S. $1.75"). Very nice and comfortable watch with timer for running from Gaga. Massage certificate from Mary. Excellent.

A few other things I will add later.

Bird Nest

We noticed a bird nest on top of the light by our front door. One week ago, we noticed two little beaks sticking out from the top of the nest. The mother bird likes to fly out just as we are opening the door. It startles us a lot.

Brookwood School Carnival

Olivia played with her friends Harper and Angel at the carnival. They went on the huge bouncy slide over and over. They also got their faces painted. Adrian was more concerned with earning tickets he would later redeem for suckers and a compass. Kameron and Imrie were running around together all night playing Pokemon, so we didn't get his picture. I can say, however, that he also had a great time. At the end of the night, there were about 50 bottles of pop left over from the ring toss game and it was a soda free-for-all, so the kids got a very rare few sips of Sierra Mists on the way home.