Memorial Day

We walked into town this morning to see the parade. It was short, but nice. There were 3 marching bands, 3 Fire Departments, the Ambulance & Forestry Companies, Brownies & Scouts, to name a few. Todd and the baby headed back on East Main while Jake and I took the "long way back" (all of the side streets on North Main to get to East Main). On the way back, we saw fighter jets...they were really low!

Top of the monument in Fanning Park in memory of soldiers from our town.

Lets not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day! Remember a moment of silence at 3 o'clock to remember those who died while serving our country.

“ Last Monday in May”©
By
John T. Bird

We pause to remember those who died
With so much courage, so much pride

They’ll never come back, yet memories endure
To remind us of freedom: fragile, pure

We’re worthy of their sacrifice if we pause each day
Not just on the last Monday in May

Family Day: The Aquarium

We had a busy day today! After going to BJ's and the mall (Todd needed new lenses...he didn't understand why the anti-glare could have possibly come off after he keeps soaking his glasses in Oxy Clean...) and lunch at the Olive Garden (both kids were good...kept having to remind Todd and Jake to speak in their "quiet voices" while in the restaurant..heehee) we headed to the aquarium.

Aside from it being a tad bit hot out (over 90) it was a good visit. Jakob had so much fun this time around...asking questions and wanting to learn about everything. He thought it was cool when a cownose ray came up out of the water and he was able to touch it. I think after our membership expires in September we will not renew. For me, it is disappointing for the amount of money you spend. We had also stopped by to check out the "Birds of the Outback"- supposedly in a 1200 sq. ft. aviary (it was a screened area outside and it seemed no bigger than my entire downstairs)- we didn't go in the exhibit another $2 per person and the birds didn't look like anything special). It was Kaleb's first trip..he slept most of the time and I was a little worried with it being so hot. He woke up while we were inside and cried a bit because it was a little dark and he wasn't sure of his surroundings- after a bottle, he was good to go.

Relief?!

So my eye really hasn't improved much this week and is still whacked out...the pharmacy is not making me happy at this moment...so I will write about this another day. We will just say that I am calling my Opthamalagist (?) tomorrow for an appt.

Taken last weekend...

Aller...gieeees

I have had year round allergies all of my life. Causing other problems such as ear infections, tubes in my ears, nose bleeds, and asthma along with typical allergy symptoms. Since getting pregnant with Jakob, the allergies and asthma pretty much went away and I have only had to use my inhalers or take meds a handful of times in 5 years. UNTIL THIS YEAR! My word, it is really bad. Of course I had to go online to WebMD to find the names of the eye drops (Patanol) and meds (R-Tanna, because nothing else works for me) I prefer since it has been so long. I picked up some Claratin at Wallyworldand it worked for a day. Guess I need to call the DR tomorrow.

So this it what my right eye has looked like all day. I had to hold it closed on the ride into work because it was stinging so bad. If you look close enough you can see the zig-zag sutures from my cornea transplant.

Speaking of sneezes...Kaleb sneezed with a mouth full of food resulting in my second shower of the day.

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day Presents from Jakob

All I wanted today was quiet, maybe a quick nap, and a chance to read. My day is 3/4 of the way over and I might get a chance to read (haha).

I was up by 7 (Todd slept until 8:30), showered- almost burned my skin off...something was up with the hot water!, fed the boys, and took Jake grocery shopping. Little disappointed that the line at the coffee shop was a gazilion miles long so I left. I made lunch, did dishes, went for a walk with the kiddos (more on Jake's page), cleaned, and paid the bills. I still have to get dinner ready, Jake ready for school tomorrow, and give the kids a bath. Typical Mother's Day! Oh, forgot to mention Todd had a nap- I think having to feed Kaleb lunch and clean his messy poo while I was at the store wore him out. A plus, I discovered Reese's Peanut Butter topping at the store!!

But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters most is that my kids are happy and they love Todd and I.

Here is the cake Jake picked out for me...

Mother's Day Pages

Family Day: Eric Carle Museum

We started off a little late, but we made it to the museum around 3 p.m. Should've driven an extra 30 minutes nad we would've been in VT! Stopped by Friendly's and enjoyed lunch and some yummy ice cream.

I thought the museum would have been more geared for kids....only the library and art studio was. The museum is 40,000 sq and it really only had 2 small galleries and the center gallery (which had 4 murals), a library, gift store and art studio for kids. I think the rest of it was the auditorium. Maybe we can go back when Jakob and Kaleb will 1) be able to appreciate art 2) appreciate the art gallery setting (QUIET!). I do have to say Kaleb was excellent the entire day and Jake was pretty quiet while in the galleries.

East Gallery
Picture Stories: A Celebration of African American IllustratorsMarch 24 - June 17, 2007
Celebrating the art of twelve African-American illustrators, Picture Stories provides an engaging and informative overview of the African-American tapestry through visual narratives, which resound with authentic voices. The art, chosen to present a wide spectrum of scenes and events, includes folktales, traditions, cultural experiences, and individual contributions, all of which define the proud heritage of Black History.

West Gallery
The Art of Eric Carle: Eric Carle Picture WriterFebruary 9 - September 2, 2007
As one of the most acclaimed authors and illustrators of our time, Eric Carle’s work has world-wide appeal. Selections from Eric Carle Picture Writer explore the sources of some of Carle’s stories, his highly acclaimed collage technique, and a small glimpse at some of the preliminary stages involved in the creation of a book. This exhibition will also feature examples of Carle’s non-book art, as well as recent acquisitions from the Museum’s permanent collection.

Central Gallery
Birds of a Feather: The Art of Eric Carle and Leo LionniMay 11 - December 9, 2007
When Eric Carle returned to America in 1952, a meeting with Leo Lionni resulted in a friendship and a job lead. The rest, as they say, is history. Neither Eric Carle nor Leo Lionni ever imagined they later would create some of the most memorable picture books of our time. The similarities between these two artists are quite striking: their pictures are filled with animals and nature; they drew inspiration from their childhood experiences; and their early careers in graphic design can be seen in their bold simplicity and elegant sense of design.

I couldn't wait to get home because my allergies were really bothering me. Jake kept asking for a drink and told us to get off Exit 18...well exit 18...we had to drive a good 10 miles before we could find a place to stop....and the whole way we heard "Is this this exit for water..nope!". Aaaaahhhh!!!!

Spring Fever

It has been pretty warm this week, so I took Kaleb's 22 week picture outside yesterday.

Hoping to go to the Eric Carle Museum in the next couple of weeks: http://www.picturebookart.org/Home