"No, you can't watch TV while you are eating dinner!"

"But I want to sit in here!!" If I knew how to write so that you could actually hear the whining I would, although it wouldn't be any more enjoyable for you. It's amazing what fun it is to eat on the coffee table rather than talk to your family :)... Funny how we made a great attempt to power down last week and now it's like they've gone through some sort of withdrawal! I am happy to say that they really didn't miss some of the normal TV times at the house. They really were content to play and color and entertain themselves. There was definately more noise and more running circles and funny pretending, all welcome to the drowning noise of the TV. So all and all it was good, we'll see what this week brings.

We enjoyed the pretty weekend and celebrated a birthday with Jay's family and of course went to "Papa's Show" on Sunday. The Home and Garden Show to the rest of the world, but for the four boy's it's Papa's Show. With one of the highlights being a VIP gator ride around the fairgrounds, what fun! Jackson couldn't get enough of the blow up Dino Slide and Drew actually rode a pony...without hands. The non-animal lover is coming around :) . The show wasn't complete without Lerch's Donuts and lemonade, what could be better?

Jackson was busy planting, one of his favorite Springtime events. This year he planted pumpkins, watermelon, zinnia's and sunflowers. They are just started peaking their green faces above the dirt and soon we'll transplant them to our garden. It's our first year and with our limited yard space is actally facing the road, beautiful I know. Thank you Jay, Adam and Adam...they decided one evening last fall to take down two trees and kill the grass in the front at about 7:00 PM. Boys! We're excited for the fresh veggies, and the boys have had a great time digging for worms the past few weeks...

It's Earth Week!!

And so it goes, I wait and wait for the Springtime air...and then we can't get anyone back inside. Oh, the whining and screaming and negotiating that goes on, it's really something special. Jack can go on and on and Drew, yeah he just screams. I mean heaven forbid they should ever need to eat or sleep!

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I have a confession, I've gone a little granola. Sure, I admit it's definitely the trendy "Green Movement" that is sweeping our nation. But it's also a little bit of an obsession right now. I think I notice when I see how much trash is on the curbs and see how many diapers and junk we are contributing to the 'fills. I wonder about the quality of the food I'm feeding the boys and what long term effects it may have on them. Maybe I'm just getting old, no I think I'm turning green...granola, tree hugging. Hmmm. So, we started recycling this year and I am proud of that. But then mom commented on the organic milk in my fridge and I notice myself thinking and acting a little out of the norm. And then there is that shirt that Jack has that has a giant whale on the front with the "Save the Humans" logo. I really just thought it was funny because he has always called people humans, in his crazy scientific talk. Although I've gone back to Smith's milk, things are certainly changing at our place.

Jackson's class is of course talking about Earth Day on Wednesday and Toyrific's is sponsoring a Power Down challenge to kids all week. If you can commit to watching only one hour of TV or computer per day for this week you will earn points that can be redeemed at their store. So, of course, we hopped on that wagon.

So, our family made a commitment to try to change some things this week. Or should I be honest and say I decided and they are grudgingly agreeing. There are a few additions to our fridge this week. Just friendly reminders to turn off lights, limit the TV and computers, no take out, and keep recycling. I don't know how we'll do, it's day one and they were already complaining b/c they had to look out the window in the van rather than watch a DVD. Rough life!

If nothing more comes of this week I hope that we will spend more time talking to each other in the evenings rather than talking over the TV, remember to be conscious of what we consume and try to remember that less is really more in the end. We'll see what things are like on day 7...

Boys, Boys, Boys

Thank you God it is finally Spring! The kids were chomping at the bit to get outside and the snow in March was getting a little old for all of us.

So, what's new? The winter, for anyone who knows me, is my least favorite time of year. I know I live here to be close to our family and friends, and I do love that part of Ohio. I would be lost without all of you. But the winter, come on. There are more pleasant parts of the world from November through April. Anyway, I always feel my spirit renewed when the sun is shining and the daffodils are blooming.

We somehow always find plenty to do, regardless of the weather outside. Jackson has been busy at pre-school learning away. He loves school and recently informed us that this is where he is happiest. Not that I'm not happy that he loves school, but happiest? My feelings were hurt for a few minutes, I must admit. He has been taking swimming lessons all winter to get over his timidness in the water. He is doing great and loving the water now. Last week he was jumping off the diving board without help with only one floating device. Yes, we had a long way to go, but I am so proud of the progress he has made! He continues with his love of animals, dinosaurs and or anything creepy and crawly. Our little scientist/vet/zookeeper is still going strong. Never would I have guessed Jay and I would create such a child. Nonetheless, we are surprised by how much he knows and retains about what he is truly interested in. He also continues to be a Boston Red Sox's fan, like I said before, we wonder where he came from! This week's bet includes Daddy doing the table setting and dishes all week if the Sox continue to win and Bubba (Jay's dad) calling himself "big Poppy" on the air during the morning show. He thinks it is funny and proudly sports his Boston hat...although there is an occasional "people make fun of my hat" moment. When that happens I chime in to Jay's "well, you should wear your Indian's hat then" with "you can like whoever you want, there is nothing wrong with being different". That comment always brings a sideways glance from my "Indian Loving" family.

Drew is trucking along as well. He LOVES to be outside, it is really a daily game of trying to figure out how to get him in for dinner or bedtime without charming the neighbors with his screams! He will now only willing to wear a pair of red knock off crocks, and will get them first thing in the morning and stand crying by the door. And he is an early riser, we're not talking about a time when the sun is even rising...poor thing! We recently learned that he is scarred for life from our frequent photo sessions. If the kid sees a camera he is crinkling up his face and saying "cheese". You'll see a photo below, you really can't even see his face when he does it. I think we're destined to see that face for a while now, he knows it makes us laugh and he loves to ham it up.

Funny how I haven't blogged in months and now look, I guess this means I'm back!

Little Miss Tessa Jane

And so, just like that, I am now an aunt of a niece. When we learned that Jason and Lindsay were having a girl we were thrilled, finally a girl to add to the mix of many boys in our lives! On March 27th we received the call that she was on her way and we enjoyed a day of waiting and worrying and thrilling excitement as we met her for the first time. Her mother, was a trooper and graciously shared her day with a room full of family anxious to see Tessa and of course, hold her for the first time.

Jackson is loving her arrival, trying to decide what to teach her first. Will she want to know about the world, about "humans" (as he calls people), about animals or dinosaurs? We'll see what he comes up with. Drew really just likes to climb on the lap of whomever is holding her and gently touch her hands, her hair and smile for the camera. It's funny how big my "baby" looks now. I now can look at him and see the toddler that he truly is...

Jay is smitten, he has the softest heart for little girls. He was notorious in his family for scooping up baby Emma (the official "first" girl of the great-grandchildren) and not sharing her at all. I'm sure Tessa will be no different. She is a little angel, we are enjoying seeing her change already.

Welcome to the family Tessa Jane!