Plants!

That's what Zach yells every time he sees our seedlings. We started these little guys last Wednesday and we're amazed how well they are all growing only a week later! A few of them are going to need to be transplanted soon and we're not to sure about how to go about that. We're starting pole beans, peppers, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, basil and cilantro this year. Hopefully, they will all hang on long enough to make it in our imaginary garden. The garden that has yet to be tilled up yet! Our old garden will be home to some rose bushes. We also purchased a blueberry bush which we think we'll grow in a container outside rather than in the yard.

My week has been pretty great! Math tests are going really well, I had fun at piano and have been doing lots of art. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but that's ok with me. Oh yes and Zach will be getting a haircut tomorrow. We're going to try one of those corny, over-priced places where the kids get to sit in cars or tractors and watch DVDs while they get trimmed. I tell ya'...back when I was a kid...well, you know. I had French people hacking up my hair and ripping off my Mom. Enough said.

K.

The Art Club Overnighter

Boy, were we lucky little ducks this weekend. Tara and Cody came to visit Friday night. They are going hiking today nearby, so they were nice enough to come spend the night and hang with us kids. Mom and Dad jumped at the opportunity of having a night out and made the most of it. Tara brought along supplies and we made the coolest project. It is based on Picasso's painting called "The Bouquet". Later, Mom and I looked up some interesting information on Picasso. We were very proud to show Mom and Dad our creations. They played with us so much, we were so sad to see them go this morning. Although we're glad we're not the ones hiking in this cold, sleety weather!

Zach went to his first storytime at the library this past week. He was a little nervous at first. He sat on Mom's lap and wouldn't talk to anyone. But then he did the craft and had fun. He warmed up enough that he sat by himself for the second half and even participated in some of the story. It seems like just yesterday Mom was taking me there and I was busy showing him MY crafts when I was done. Mom used to have to chase him up and down the aisles of books and take him outside when he cried while I listened to the stories. My how time flies.

I received my 3rd quarter report card yesterday. I did very well -- I had 12 "E"s which stand for exceeding expectations....that's 4 more than last quarter. The only thing I got marked for needing work on was proper capitalization. I over do it a bit and need to practice. But good comments all around. I sure love school!

We are hunkering down and laying low all weekend. Today we'll just watch some movies and play some games. Tomorrow Mom may take me to see Alice in Wonderland, but I'm not sure yet...seems a little scary.

Well happy first snowy day of Spring! Blech! At least we were able to log hours and hours of playtime outside this week before the cold hit.

Later taters
K.







Zach showing me his crafts from the library

Spring in our Step

We've got Spring Fever here, big time. We're planning the garden, buying some seeds, picking out landscaping projects, looking at new bikes, scouting letterbox locations and checking twice a day to see if the tulips are poking out yet. The rhubarb is budding, but that's about it. Even Grandpa is ordering seed corn and getting ready to till up the fields. Finally! Hopefully this is really it this time and the cold weather is gone for good.

I had a great weekend at Grandma and Grandpa D's house. Dad took us there while Mom was in Chicago at the Black Eyed Peas concert with Nicole. I made sure to tell all my teachers where she was going, Mom thought that was funny. Anywho, we ate cake, played with Ben-Ben and tortured Grandpa...you know, the usual. I also had a great field trip last week to the Children's Museum, it was loads of fun.

Not much to update otherwise. We're just keeping busy as always and having fun. Zach and I are just absolute best-buddies lately and I'm looking forward to spring break when we can spend lots of time together. Check out our matching Dino shirts made by our friend, Kristen.

Later Taters.

Luck of the Irish?

It has been an interesting week to say the least. We've been faring pretty well with Dad being gone. Mom has made her very best parental efforts to make sure Zach is entertained and stimulated. She took him to an indoor play place on Monday with friends and swimming on Tuesday -- both of which he did NOT want to go to and promptly informed her 30 minutes after being there that he was ready to go home. Funny thing is when he gets home, he wants to leave again. Little Bud Bud needs something....preschool, tumbling, community service...something to get him out of his toddler-rut. A little fresh air today seemed to recharge his batteries, but he's still missing something and Mom is kind of running out of juice. He CAN count to ten, he just won't. And we learned the hard way this week that there are not enough Spiderman stickers in the free world to make that happen. This kid is going to be an absolute trip to deal with in the public school system.

I had my piano lesson tonight. Zach got to come along. He was really good and as a treat, we grabbed some shamrock shakes afterwards. Probably not the best idea on Mom's part, but she's trying to keep things fun and keep our mind off the fact that Dad's not home to tuck us in at night and let us beat and pound on him mercilessly. Keep in mind that Zach had a four hour nap today (all that fresh air). Combine that with a shamrock shake, complete with whipped cream and a cherry and he gets "this" look in his eyes:














I, however, ended up with a gianormous belly ache. Mom rubbed my belly, while watching American Idol and tried to sing me funny songs about leprechauns in my belly and pooping out rainbows and pots of gold, but honestly, it freaked me out and I went to bed with a garbage can next to me. This was a little disheartening for Mom, since she was really looking forward to tonight. She had made spinach artichoke dip, bought a bottle of wine and had all of her favorite TV shows recorded, just waiting to be watched. Lucky for her, I was ok and with the help of a baby monitor she was able to enjoy a night of relaxation after a head-banging on the wall kind of week.

We like Dad. We miss Dad. And sure, he rides my back about manners, handwriting and being nice to my Mom, but I kind of miss that, too. Right now, he's working at a place that seriously says "Welcome to Caterpillar, A Smoke Free, Tobacco Free, Weapons Free Campus" on the entry sign. I guess we should feel a little sorry for him, because odds are, he misses us even more.