I cannot resist this smile. Maybe because like me, Sam doesn't just flash his smile at the drop of his hat. In fact, he is usually contemplating life with his brows knit together, eyes intently studying his world and lower lip propped out.

I frequently have people stop to "chat" with him, only to look up at me and say, "he's a serious one isn't he?"

"Uhh, yeah," I reply. (...if they only knew...) "Yeah, he's serious as a heart attack."

So, his smiles are like sparkling diamonds and I melt when I see them.

new sunglasses...

I think Kate has almost all of the styles of Hello*Kitty sun glasses. Here is her latest pair...

This shot of her modeling her new glasses reminds me of the photos of professors seen in the halls of many colleges. Doesn't she look academic and professional? You may see this portrait hanging in the hallowed halls of Harvard in years to come.

Then there's Sam...

He got a hold of "Sissy's" glasses and turned on the charm...this photo is likely to be shown in less professional settings.

Monday Medical Note

There are many pearls in medicine that we learn over time...it pays to revisit them once and a while.

Pearl of the Week:

"You can't cure dumb." as stated by a well-seasoned surgeon.

It's worth a tri...

I did it. I signed up for my first sprint triathlon. I needed a goal, something to point to...and I found it. I will be spending my July birthday churning through a local lake, pedaling through the countryside and pounding 5k's worth of pavement.

It's a short triathlon, but it's something worth climbing out of bed in the morning and heading to the gym.

One of my biggest problems is that I put off doing things that I'm not comfortable with. In this case, the swim looms large and long. But, it's not just swimming...it's anything that I dread, am not good at, may involve conflict or has an unknown outcome. This "defect" causes alot of stress in my life at times and it's something that I am working on.

With my typical avoidance pattern in mind, I started swimming this week. As I started paddling along in the pool, I was filled with despair over my endurance and irregular breathing. This time, however, I have started months in advance instead of 2 weeks before the event.

I have since been in pool twice. (Instead of drowning in my despair and quitting) And, it's already better than I would have hoped. Today, I did a 1/2 mile swim and survived. I still have 10 weeks to train and the relief of facing my weakness is great.

Now, if I can just translate this across many aspects of my life, I'll have found a way to decrease some of the stress in life that I can control.

As Dory said in "Finding Nemo", I'll "just keep swimmin..."

It's Okay Mom...

Kate was quite the little encourager today. In between asking a multitude of questions (some with very obvious answers) she was quick to dole out a positive word and a little advice.

As Daddy was working on the drywall in the entry way, I heard the following:

"Be careful Dad...you don't wanna fall off da ladder. You could fall and go boom, and that would hurt."
**
Then Sam tried to balance on the arm of the sofa:

"Sam, you be careful...don't do dat!"
**
Sam then took the opportunity to whack me in the face with his favorite, big book...as I cradled my throbbing eye socket (hoping I didn't have a skull fracture) she came over and put her arm around me:

"It's okay Mom, you'll be alright."
Then she planted a big kiss on the side of my face.

Such a cutey pie.

Fun at the Gym...

Kate had a great time at gymnastics tonight. She practiced her "routines" around the gym and proudly represented "Team Hello*Kitty".

She started on the uneven parallel bars...




Next she headed over to the mats for a little "tumbling" practice...

...after a good warm up, she got the game face on and headed down the tumble track to catch a little air...


Her last event was the balance beam...the mount was solid...

...the photographer was so taken by the routine, she forgot to take pictures, but...

...she captured the dismount in mid-air...

Favorite Pastime...

Today turned out to be a very nice spring day in the thawing tundra. Daddy suggested we go over to a park and burn off extra energy. Kate and Sam had a wonderful time...until we had to leave. Kate's face fell to the ground and she looked so sad.

After supper we were playing and she said...

"I was very sad at the park."

Mom: "Why Kate?"

Kate: "Cause I had to leave and I love the ousside...but I'm happy now."

She really is happy most time. I love the joy on her face as she slides down the slide, swings endlessly and hangs on anything horizontal that she can reach.

Mr. Manners

Mealtimes can be very unpredictable with toddlers as any parent will tell you. Tonight was no exception. The question was whether there was more pizza on Sam's face or his belly?



What? What do you mean I can't play with my food? Table manners are so annoying. And turn that camera off...


I told you, I don't want my picture taken. Can't you tell they didn't give me napkin with my silver wear? Are these the pictures they're going to threaten to show to my girlfriend when I'm 40 and dating?


OK, OK, I'll stop being such a grump...if you promise to stop taking pictures, I'll smile.


(The smile disappeared as soon as we brought out the pressure washer to clean him up...)

A Taste of Spring...

We had our first real spring temperatures this weekend and the kids begged to go outside and play. Kate wanted to ride her bike and Sam demanded on going for a "WALK!"

So, our little biker chick took off down the block...Daddy jogging to keep up...

Meanwhile, Sam took his time to very slowly mow the sidewalk. (Please don't tell OSHA, but he didn't have his protective eye wear on.) Daddy was a bit embarrassed by the helmet, but Sam insisted on wearing it.


While Sissy continued on her bike ride, we headed to the backyard for a little climbing. It almost felt like it really was spring...

...until Sissy came back and one of those ubiquitous snow piles showed up...again.

The many faces of our day...

1/2 cup disgust + 1/2 cup pout + 1 cup p.o.'d = this look. Charming isn't it?


My little girly-girl has decided she really, really needs to grow her hair out and have more hair accessories. So, we got a cute, spring-like head band yesterday. She was thrilled!

She doesn't quite understand how to wear it yet. Yesterday she wore it like a dew rag. Today, well...take a look...

I was told by one woman who saw this look that she looked like a Ninja...I reluctantly have to agree...

I'm just so proud!

The daily routine...

Winter has been dragging on endlessly in the Frozen Tundra. We have just broken the 50 degree mark this week and it's been good for everyone. Since we've been in the duldrums, even meal time is used to entertainment...



Life imitates *Sesame**Street*

Kate is sure that her beak is "just like Big*Bird's".

Sam got the bright idea that he needed to go on "a walk!" So we got on the boots and headed out the door...

We made it about 8 feet before the sidewalk jumped up and grabbed Sam by the boot...his wailing could be heard for miles and the tears streamed down his face..."Uppy!" he sobbed and reached out for me. (this was just an emotional injury, not one red blood cell escaped from his skin.)

Uppy? you want uppy? my understanding was that this was a WALK...not a CARRY.


Distract him, I must distract him...what to do...hmmm.

The solution: a stick. What boy doesn't like a stick?

The tears dried, the sun began to shine brighter and the walk was salvaged.


Just me and my shadow...spring is allegedly in the air...and my sister isn't telling me what to do.