Memory Lane

The past two nights, after they've gotten into their pajamas but before they've gotten into bed, the bambini have watched some of the videos from the past five years that that Ted has just finished editing and putting on to DVDs.  What's interesting about observing them watching them watch themselves, is the way they talk about themselves like they are characters on TV, rather than them.  For example, Joe, watching himself mop the Raleigh House porch, or, more specifically, struggle to wring out the water from the mop to mop the Raleigh House porch, laughed at his younger self and said, "Look at him trying to mop!"  They understand it's them, but that understanding is not reflected in the language.  So it's easy to believe that they, too, can't quite believe that little boy and little girl are the same as the little boy and little girl on the couch, still little, but also, somehow, big--so big.  Such good times, then and now.

Update on Our Hero's Ear

Last night brought a ruptured ear drum for Our Hero which meant that today brought a visit to our beloved Dr. Harrington, who added to the oral antibiotic we were prescribed Sunday, some antibiotic drops. The good news is that he feels good now, after being mostly miserable for four days, and will probably sleep through the night. He had a happy afternoon at home in spite of a moment of disappointment when he discovered that the This Old House episode he'd watched yesterday with Ted had been erased. (For Fans who recall a younger Ted a watching TOH back when it was hosted by Bob Villa, well, we can only say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  That, and that TOH is a pretty great show.) Instead, he watched a bit of Rick Steve's Europe which is on the same channel as TOH. Rick was in Turkey, a country that is partially in Europe, and partially in Asia.  Joe saw some footage of their bath houses and noted that they take "funny baths" in Turkey. Think of all he'll be able to contribute during group time on the carpet tomorrow.

Spring Fevers

Down for the count.

The bambini have been battling some bug that brings with it a high fever, an achy tummy, and a generalized malaise. Birdie was sent home from school a week ago Thursday.  Then this past Thursday, it was Joe.  (The timing of the onslaught couldn't get much better: last Friday, Good Friday, Ted had planned to stay home, and this Friday, with Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles in town for Birdie's fourth birthday bash, Julie had planned to stay home. Of course it was also the day of the kindergarten music concert.  It was surely the musical event of the spring, and so in this one way, the timing was less than ideal.)

Joe was hit quite a bit harder than Birdie was--higher fevers, and harder crashes following periods of bounding around like a jackrabbit.  It was the history with Clara coupled with the periods of jackrabbit-like energy and bounding that made us suspect Joe just had a virus that just had to run its course.  By midday Saturday, he was fever-free.  But Saturday night, he was up in the middle of the night complaining of an itchy ear, and so uncomfortable he couldn't sleep.  He also had a fever again.  We suspected an ear infection, and a visit this morning to the clinic at our big Target confirmed it.  He was really in a bad way: he wadded himself up on his side in the bottom of the big part of a shopping cart and promptly fell asleep while Julie rolled it around the store waiting for his prescription to be filled--but not before he'd selected a snorkel set (Who knows?  But he made a beeline for the swim aisle.) as a pick-me-up treat, as well as grape and fruit punch Gatorade.

Birdie Turns Four

Four!

Oh Birdie Brigade, Our Bridie is four.  Four!  (And she's over 40 pounds so by state law, she can rock the booster seat, and rock one be-purple flowered booster seat she is.)  Our Birdie makes a lovely four.  And she had two lovely celebrations yesterday to mark the occasion.  The first was a party at this open art studio place called Kiddywampus with nine of her nearest and dearest, at which they made crowns and fairy gardens, and ate a cake with the sisters from Frozen on it.  The second was at the White House with all three of Clara Jane's maternal great great aunts as well as her Grandparents Trump who came into town Thursday night.  In the wake of the celebrations, we are richer by several princess and fairy dolls, as well as an additional princess gown, but we couldn't be any richer than we already were in the way of birthday girls turning four.

"Elsa and Anna!"

Hearing about what we were going to be making at this party.

Making a fairy crown. . .

And garden.

Fairies trail a lot of glitter in their wake.

A lot.

Special thanks to Sara for this and several other terrific shots.

When it's your birthday, you can lick the frosting off the number candle (but you still can't eat the candle).

And you get whatever piece you want.  (Clara wanted Elsa's face.)

Who is watching who at the zoo?

Mis-en-placed for birthday celebrating.  (Special thanks to Grandma Connie for decoration hanging assistance, and laundry folding.)

C for Clara!

What's a brother for?

All the girls, including Elsa and Anna, and excepting Berenice.

Easter Outtakes

This is the best shot we got of the bambini in their Easter finest.

Runner up. . .

Honorable mention.

Clara said this picture was her favorite of the series.  Our photo editor said, "You look good, but don't you think Joe's looked better?"  Clara said, "Yeah.  He looks glum and gloomy.  Glum and gloomy are fancy words!"

Wondering if there will be donut hospitality after the Easter mass.  (No.)

"Clara, you're so juvenile."

"You didn't get your picture yet?  Really?"

And there's Joe's best shot of the session.

Whatever you do, don't look at the camera.

And maybe talk instead of smile.

If you're gonna smile, look pained while you're doing it.

Or drugged.