Father's Day at Lake Ontario

Here's proof that we've been to Lake Ontario. Looks a bit like all the other Great Lakes (big). Also, we have proof we've been to the end of the pier at the Port of Rochester. The great part was when a guy fishing told the kids not to fall in because a kid had drowned here last week - really makes for a happy occasion!

The last two pictures are of two very tired kids, and two throwing sunscreen at each other because they are senseless. This was after playing in the surf, running up and down a pier in Matthew-like fashion (back and forth, in circles, occasionally falling down). We'd have done the carousel, except Matthew had a wet butt and it is against the rules to ride the carousel if you have a wet butt (seriously). We ate at a place called Schallers and then decided to drive out to Sea Breeze (and they have been asking ever since when we will go there - can we go tomorrow mom? Can we go after school is out? Or, we can go home and get our suits now, right?)

Hope everyone had a Happy Father's Day :)

Self Portraits...by Matthew

Here are Matthew's Self Portraits from November, January, and May. Notice the progression. To say we all had a good laugh was an understatement!

Lesson #442

The picture says it all.

Lesson #442: Do not allow you dog to sleep under your bed with his legs sticking out for you to trip on in the middle of the night. Unless, that is, you want to smash your face in...

Lilacs and Lechworth

We went to the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, ran in a Trot with Troops fundraiser, and visited Lechworth Park. And, we still have 3 more weeks of school before Summer vacation starts!
We plan a BIG trip this year (Wisconsin, Iowa, Mt. Rushmore, Cheyenne, Boise, and back to Rochester via Nashville (yes, Tennessee!)

Happy Memorial Day everyone, and especially to those serving our country!

Baseball Game

We went to a baseball game yesterday! It wasn't the Brewers, but the home team won and it was a good game :) Here are a few pictures.

TEENAGER!!!

As of yesterday, we officially have a (gasp!) TEENAGER in the house.

Let the fun begin...
Below is a link to a little slideshow of some pictures of Amanda in her more manageable years.
Amanda is officially a TEENAGER!

Matthew Starts Baseball!

Matthew played his first baseball game today, and it went pretty well.

He took the field and stood on the pitcher's mound, and fielded 3 hits. He also played in the outfield and fielded one hit. It's possible that he had that much fielding because he was one of the only kids to react when the ball was hit. Anyway, each time there was a hit he ran up and stopped the ball with his glove. Then, he picked up the ball and started to run to first. He kept running to first, with the ball. And, he'd keep running (not throwing the ball). When he was about 6 inches from the first baseman he would THEN throw the ball. Four times he did this. Luckily, the runners were either running to 3rd base instead of first, or were just standing at home plant not sure of what to do. Some kids ran with their bats. It was very entertaining! There is some video of his fielding action on my facebook page, along with his first hit and score. After he scored, his sisters gave him a celebratory hug!

After his game, we did a parade for all the teams. Matthew's team is sponsored by Salvatore's Pizza. So, they marched in front of that sign (and Amanda helped carry the sign). During the parade, Matthew got bored and decided to start picking flowers (dandelions). After awhile, possibly because he got tired of carrying them, he started handing out flowers to random women lining the parade route (much to their inital shock, and then delight!) He even chased one lady down who didn't see him trying to give her the flower. This boy is going to be interesting as he gets older...

Attached are some pictures of the day (and one of Allison's team and of her pitching). She pitched 2 innings (out of 4) and had an RBI in her game.

Julia turns 11!

Julia Birthdays

Click the "Julia Birthdays" link above to see a short slide-show of her over the years :)

Julia is now officially a "tween" having successfully completed her second double-digit year. Attached are some pictures of her birthday party last night and one of her softball team. If you check my facebook page, you'll see her sliding into home during her game!!!

That Scandalous Barney...wait, which one???

On the way home from a movie yesterday, we got into a discussion about television shows. The previous evening, Julia had seen part of "How I Met Your Mother", which stars Neil Patrick Harris as the confident womanizer Barney Stinson. Barney, according to Julia, is "a guy who likes to date a lot of girls and use weird ideas in a book he made to get them to date him". So, while we were discussing him and his obsession with women on the show I mentioned that in real life this talented actor is actually gay. Not actually following the conversation (as usual) was Allison who quickly asked, "Barney's GAY? Wait, which one? The purple one or the red one?"

(Is there even a red Barney??? As for purple Barney, I have not idea. I worried more about Tinky Winky and his big purse.)

A Poem...by Allison

Deer

In the deep warm woods
We deer like to run and jump
Early on nice fresh days.

Allison Linskey

Latest quotes...

* While watching television, there was a line in a show that I had to explain to Julia referencing "Theodore Bundy." I said, "Ted Bundy. He was a serial killer." Julia thinks for a second and says, "Why does he kill cereal?"

* Matthew has just informed me that I have to take care of his "invisible slimer dog" when he's at school.

* Why is it when you go to the doctor they give you 30 seconds to ask questions, but 30 minutes to change into a paper gown (so mostly you sit there naked in the "gown of shame" until they get around to returning)?

* Today Matthew asked me when he would get to ride on a dolphin. I said right after I got to. So, he said, "You're going to ride on a dolphin? Can I come?"

* It felt wrong to be told by a high school kid who dialed our phone by accident that I sound "pretty cute" on the phone. However, it was quite disturbing when he said he'd like me to call back to talk "anytime...word". Ohh, and is "word" the new "like"???

A good way to say goodnight...by Matthew

I was watching TV, and Matthew crawled in bed next to me. He wanted a few "superhugs" and was probably also secretly trying to do a sleepover. He did eventually fall asleep next to me. But, right after he got his hugs we had the following conversation:

Matthew: "I love you mom."
Mom: "I love you too Matthew."
Matthew: "I know THAT!" (duh!)

SNOW DAY!!!

They DO close schools in New York! But, not very often. Yesterday was a rare SNOW DAY. We got about a foot overnight, and probably about 18 inches total. It's STILL snowing. It has been snowing all week. Yesterday, it was HEAVY WET SNOW. Not fun to shovel. But, fun to make forts with. And, fun to sled on. Attached are a few pictures from the day, our NEW hill (which we don't live on, but is cool). There's some video of the kids sledding on Kelly's facebook page. On the video, you can hear Bucky whining. We weren't sure if he was afraid, excited, or wanted to eat the sleds. Probably all three...

Curling on the Canal

Well, almost.

So, there is a Rochester Curling Club. And, every year they go out to a little city called Palmyra and set up a few sheets of ice on the frozen Erie Canal and do curling outside "the old fashioned way." This works well...unless the night before idiotic/stupid/retarded/#(*%&! ice fisheman take advantage of the nice clean ice and drill 15 holes in it to fish. And, seriously, would you really eat anything that came out of the Erie Canal??? Really??? Sorry Sarah Palin, but only a true retard would have done this.

So, there were a few hundred people there...and one sheet of ice and two sets of junior rocks (junior rocks weigh about 12 pounds; regular rocks 42). You can almost throw a junior rock overhand if you want (although it's not recommended). So, 8 people at a time got to try it out. This meant it would have been about next Thursday before all of us got a turn. Allison and Julia were lucky enough to get to the front of the line fast to do it.

Matthew was going to try, but after sloshing around on the flooded sheets (#(&% fisherman!!), his feet were semi-frozen. Amanda and her friend Diego decided to build a Pokemon snow creature instead of standing around freezing to death. They even got their picture taken by a journalist covering the event - maybe they'll be in the paper! So, that was neat.

Okay, on to the curling...

Julia was a little light, but had an excellent delivery and didn't fall down. People did fall down. Without using hacks, sliders, sweeping, or even moving their feet...people managed to fall down. Apparently, for some, upper body position will determine whether or not they can remain upright.

Allison had enough weight, but her delivery...Well, I saw her do something I've never seen done before with a curling stone: She threw it and it skidded down the ice on it's handle. Yes, just like it sounds. I have a picture of her release - this may help you to understand how it happened. Perhaps it was my advice to think of it a little more like a bowling ball. Apparently, I should have told her to put a horizontal spin on it instead of a vertical one. She did this twice. Once, you can understand that it's just trying to get the hang of it. A second time??? Maybe it's just not her sport.

Curling really is fun to do, but it is harder than it looks. A few people couldn't even get their rock out of the house (and I mean the house on the shooting end!) Curling will never be known as a sport that requires a great deal of athleticism. Still, with all the crazy/awkward/un-athletic looking shots it was as though we were witnessing the Uncoordinated Olympics.

I sure hope those fisherman caught something. And, I don't mean fish. BUT, the kids had fun. And, despite my jokes, I would say that not one person there went away disappointed with the experience. Good job Rochester Curling Club :)

Lesson #441

This one is courtesy of mom.

Lesson #441: Never go to the dentist for your child's tooth extraction when you have been exposed to someone with the flu, haven't eaten a whole lot, and then stand for 45 minutes in a fairly warm room. Did you know that standing for 45 minutes with plummeting blood sugar can make you faint? Yes, faint, as in cold sweats, dizziness, tunnel vision, and ending up in a dentist chair with you feet in the air. Yes, it was that much fun!

Luckily, I realized what was happening and got out of the room before Julia knew anything was up (they'd already finished pulling her teeth when it hit me). By the way, THAT is pretty cool. It's not like they grab a pair of pliers and yank. The dentist uses this little tool to go in and loosen the tooth all up first - it looks kind of like a very miniaturized version of a cross between that "hook" they use to scale teeth and (for lack of a better comparison) a chisel. The whole procedure is not even too bloody - especially compared to the last time Julia had teeth pulled. Yes, this is the second extraction I've witnessed (so we know I'm not a queasy person - this is why I felt especially stupid because this stuff doesn't make me sick!) Julia fell on her face about 4 years ago when her two front teeth were loose and made them a whole lot looser. That time, it was pretty bloody. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was feeling extraordinarly warm. For someone who's been literally frozen since moving here, it was especially odd to be sweating! But, really, it was just embarrassing. I tried to shake it off, walk it off, drink some water. But, I started getting tunnel vision and realized there was only one solution... So, after being in the chair with my feet up for about 5 minutes, I felt a little better. I drove home (feeling pretty woozy) and slept for nearly 3 hours in a chair (which is nearly impossible for me under normal circumstances). Then, because I'm nuts, I took the kids to the movies. Actually, it was a planned thing that people were supposed to meet us for (but nobody showed). I got home and actually got sick for a few hours until I managed to get some food in me. Good times!!! Today, still a little woozy, but no fainting or residual illness.

As we were driving home from the movies (and, to be truthful, the entire time before and during the movie) I was really, really feeling sick. Amanda and Julia were quick to point out (and then get into an argument about who was more qualified) that they could both probably drive the car if I were to faint.

I can't wait to show up to my next appointment in July. Maybe they won't remember (yeah, right!)

A little liar in training???

Matthew has been coming up with new and creative answer to questions. He's also learned that sometimes he will get in trouble if he tells the truth. So, he improvises...

Example:

Dad: "Who ate all the Cheetos?"
Matthew: (with orange hands) "Slimer?"

(Note: Slimer is the green blob from Ghostbusters who eats everything)

The boy succesfully survived another year!

Today was another accomplishment in the life of Matthew - he survived another year! He has had a busy year too. He started kindergarten (twice), he moved, he learned how to swim (sort of), he has discovered he likes baseball, he no longer crashes in bed with mom and dad (he does that to his sisters now!), and he has developed a unique fondness for ... bubble wrap. More on that in just a bit.
So, the day started off early. Today, there was a "try-it-out" session for kids interested in playing baseball/softball. We asked Matthew if he might want to do that (and instead of answering "yes" or "no", he asked for chicken). SO, we took that as a "yes". He ended up having a blast! He also, we learned, can hit, throw, and try to catch with either hand. He didn't actually catch anything, but he tried. At least he didn't catch anything with his face (unlike his sisters). Afterwards, we made a stop at the store to get doughnuts and...cantaloupe. He LOVES LOVES LOVES cantaloupe. At Red Robin a few days ago, he requested melon INSTEAD OF FRIES!!! The server did a double-take in disbelief. This love of good food, however, does not extend to broccoli or anything else that looks like or is considered a vegetable. We're trying, and so far the girls have caved on a few things that are naturally green, but no luck with the boy yet.
During the day, we gave him one present at a time. He was excited to get some checks from Grandpa Terry and Grandma Irma (he was almost more excited that they fit PERFECTLY into his "treasure box"). He got a gift card from Grandma Mary (and he totally knows what those are and how to use them!) He got a few packages from Uncle Brian and Aunt Tarra (Star Wars Anakin and a Star Wars book). Then, we pulled out the ENTIRE STAR WARS MOVIE COLLECTION... and ANOTHER Anakin doll (but a slightly different one). He's calling them "The Anakins". He got a Schnauzer Webkinz he named "Bowser Junior". He also got "Ghostbusters." (Can you tell I had help from his sisters picking out some of the presents???) Later, we will be watching "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". Right now, however, they are playing with his favorite toy: Bubble Wrap. I wish I were kidding, but he LOVES the stuff. Actually, they all do. We were at Home Depot a few weeks ago getting some science fair supplies and I saw some on sale for about a buck and realized, "Hey, this would be a great gag present." Turns out, it makes a great present present too.
Attached are a few pictures of the day. Hard to believe our "baby" is already 6!

Dad's older than mom...for a little while!

Dad is one year shy of being ALMOST a dirty old man. And, more importantly, he's older than mom!

Matthew inspected the cake (by smelling it) and declared it acceptable. Incidentally, this is how he approaches most anything prior to consumption. If you put something on the table he doesn't recognize or is not completely sure about, he will ask you, "Can I smell it?" We hope he grows out of this phase soon.

Dad got himself some cross-country skis and nice cards. Amanda was nice enough to build him a "Snowemon" (Bucky wasn't even afraid of it this time!) Mom and dad were also able to go out to dinner the night before (which has only happened about 3 times in our almost 14-year marriage!) We have a great babysitter who is across the street who made that possible. We're not sure how much she likes the situation, but so far it's worked out well.

All in all, not a bad birthday. And, tomorrow is a day off :) What a great present!

Lesson #440

This should be put on a sign and hung on the boy's bedroom door:

Lesson #440: NEVER, under ANY circumstances, let the boy sleep in your room or bed. You will be crowded out, the blankets will be kicked off, and you will either freeze to death or suffer injuries to your kidneys.

Julia and Allison learned this last night. Allison is limping around this morning. Julia at least tried to use her Teddy Bear as a failed blockade. Matthew is well rested and happy.

Some pictures

Here are a few pictures from Ava's visit and from our trip to Philadelphia!




We have several pictures of Ava and Allison in the snow. You will notice that in the picture with the reindeer they made (look closely, it does sort of resemble a reindeer if a reindeer were round and white and had been stabbed with sticks - give them credit, there was NO packing snow that day!) that Allison and Ava are dressed differently. Ava is dressed for the elements while Allison is dressed to catch pneumonia.