SISTERS

My sisters are my best friends! Katie and Sue are there for me always, with out fail. Through the good times and the bad, I can always count on them to listen to me and to give advise and to support me in so many ways. I don't know what I would ever do without them. I talk to them almost every day or in some cases many times in one day. We are so "connected" we even wore the same color palate to a party today and didn't even call each other ahead of time to see what the other was wearing! We have the kind of relationship where we can tease one another and joke around and know that the love is unconditional! I love you both and I am so thankful that you are my sisters!

MARCH MADNESS

It's March 4th, there is still snow on the ground, the sun is out and that means March Madness has begun. Robert, Timothy and Jack went outside to play a little one on one. I admit, I wasn't watching for very long, but it did seem a little unfair to me. Robbie is so much taller then the twins and the basket seems a tad low. However, I think Tim's decision to throw a hunk of snow at Robbie was a good one. The kids are anxious for Spring to arrive!

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.