SNOW DAY

The first snow day of the year finally came at the end of February. The kids had done all that they possibly could to be sure there would indeed be a snow day. This included wearing their pajamas inside out (a custom they do regularly and not just because of the weather but because they are goofballs), putting a spoon under their pillows, flushing ice cubes and a new one for me, a white crayon in the freezer. It all worked like a charm or in this case a silly spell and at 5:45am we got a call from the Superintendent that schools were closed due to weather. A great day to sleep in? Of course not, there were forts to be made in the living room and dining room and then games to be played. After lunch it was off to Mendon Ponds park to go sledding. The park offers two designated sledding hills. We chose neither and in a very uncharacteristic move, Mom allowed the kids to sled on the hill that was prohibited! Yikes! And of course the visibility was near zero so when you hit the tree or the other sledders at the bottom of the hill then Mom couldn't even see the tragedy. Great!

BRACE FACE NO MORE!

After a very, very, very long two and a half years Robbie finally got his braces off. Well, actually only the top braces off. He still has to have the bottom braces on for a few more months until a molar comes up and moves a bit. Rob got braces on before the start of 9th grade and now, midway through the 11th grade he gratefully got them off recently at Dr. Fox's office in Greece where Aunt Katie works. In fact, my kids think Aunt Katie is actually a dentist. We think Katie is pretty talented at many things, but frankly I won't let her work on my mouth. But I digress. Robbie's smile is so bright and he is so darn happy to be rid of all the metal in his mouth. He has a retainer that he has to wear right now 24 hours a day except when he is eating. We are taking bets as to how long it will be until the retainer gets tossed with the lunch tray at school. Anyone want in on that bet?

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Robert was given a few lottery tickets for Christmas (which apparently is legal...he just couldn't buy them himself since he is not yet 18 years old). He scratched them off a few weeks ago and much to our surprise, was a big winner. BIG WINNER. On a "Take 5" the boy won $500.00! Of course we couldn't believe it and thought it was a big joke. We turned the card over and read the fine print, looking for some spoof. However, this was indeed a legitimate win for him. Although, Rob needed a responsible adult to cash in the ticket for him. So what does a 17 year old choose to do with all that money? Well if you are unique like Robbie, then you say, "I'll just put it in the bank for College". Not me, no way.. I would have spent it.. what would you have done with it?

GREAT TASTE IN MUSIC

END OF THE LINE by the Traveling Wilburys!

Timothy enjoys all kinds of music. Lately he is into The Traveling Wilburys and has purchased some of their songs from itunes. Here is Timmy holding Puppy (who is never very far from Tim these days), eating an apple, dressed and ready for CYO basketball and singing a tune. I just love this boy! Not only is he one of the best looking third graders I know, he is so talented as well. What a catch this one is.

IN THE KITCHEN WITH MOLLY

Molly enjoys cooking and baking. She is excellent in the kitchen. She makes entire meals for herself, her brothers, even the whole family. At 11 years old she has mastered cutting with a knife, cooking on the stove and baking. We are so lucky to have her around. I think this ability stems from the fact that when Molly was only two and a half years old her twin brothers were born. Since Mom was so darn busy caring for two boys who cried most days all day long, and Molly was quite simply hungry, she learned that if she wanted to eat... well there is the kitchen...have at it! Just kidding. Her Dad taught her all the cooking skills and her Mom taught her how to bake. But really Molly is just a natural in the kitchen. Besides if you make it, then you get to lick the beaters! Pictured here are Rouladens and a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake.

CROSS COUNTRY

Robert has been running Cross Country since 8th grade. Now in the 11th grade, he has grown so much and amazes me with his commitment to this sport. He ran all summer long, alone and with some teammates to prepare for this season. Robbie might not be the fastest runner, but he runs well enough to have earned enough points for his second Varsity Letter. I couldn't be more proud of him. Rochester fall weather is so unpredictable that he frequently runs in scorching heat one day, and rain and cold the next day. He never complains and really enjoys the sport. This year he is doing indoor track as well and spending lots of time with his team. Even though Rob has chronic asthma, he never lets that get in the way of doing all the things he wants to. He is a real inspiration to me!

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES

Timothy James Marshall 12-25-2000 1:40 pm 3 pounds, 9 ounces 16 1/2 inches

Jack Edward Marshall 12-25-2000 1:39 pm 3 pounds, 3 ounces 16 inches

The first time Mommy got to hold her twins at the same time. They loved to be together!

Jack's tiny little hand in my hand... and wearing one of his many hats to keep him warm.

At 6 months of age you can't even tell they were preemies with "toaster heads"

This month, 9 years ago, was a roller coaster of activities. I was on bed rest for the most part but still having a lot of contractions. Finally, a week or so before Christmas, the doctor admitted me to Strong Hospital to stop labor and monitor the babies, since I was only 30 weeks gestation. Very early Christmas morning my water broke and I called home to tell Chris to come up to the hospital. He took Molly to Aunt Katie's for Christmas morning and Rob was with his dad. Chris got to the hospital and they were doing everything they could to stop labor. Unfortunately Baby "B", who we now call Timothy, was in distress so they did an emergency c-section. Chris had just left the room to make some phone calls when this all happened so he had no idea that the doctor came in and took me to perform the surgery. Also, because it had to be done so quickly in the hopes of not losing one or both of the boys, I was put completely out and have no recollection of even leaving the hospital room to go to surgery. When Chris came back from calling his family to say I was resting comfortably, he found that my entire bed was gone and so was any staff. Moments later the nurse came out to tell him that they delivered our boys. Immediately the boys were taken to Strong's NICU and placed on Ventilators (Tim is pictured here with that). Not too long into their stay they went to C-pap's (see Jack's picture). The boys were in the NICU at Strong for 4 weeks, then moved to Genesee Hospital's Special Care nursery for 3 more weeks. Because the doctors had pumped me so full of fluid before I delivered, the boys were also full of fluid and their weights got down to 2 pounds and some change in the first few days. They were so early they didn't have any pigment to their skin and basically looked like little hamsters. We loved them instantly even if you could barely see them for all the tubing, wires, monitors and isolettes that surrounded them. At nearly 9 years of age the boys are in the 95th percentile for height and weight and amaze us everyday with how perfect they are!