Marbles on the move

Recently the Marbles went to see Grandma,

(a piece of her artwork is in the window behind her)

and Grandpa in New York.

Z was excited,

especially because Grandma has such cool stuff.

A liked making new friends,

There was a playground,

There was even Tricycles that A could borrow,

Z loved the playground,

Z warmed up to the playground after a bit.

And then there was ice cream,

Who said ice cream is not finger food,

I scream, you scream, even Z screams for ice cream

After Z put on a crawling display, we had to head home.

A wonderful time was had by all The Wife and I escaped with Grandpa as D.D. went wine tasting and purchasing. The few days we had flew by so fast, and we are hoping to return soon, I am sure grandma, and Grandpa wouldn't mind.

Get out while you still can!

Today was a particularly scary day. The family had to attend the doctors office regarding A, and her lead level. Six short months ago we got word that her lead level was in the high end of normal. Living in a big old house(120+ years old) on the nicest street in town does have unseen disadvantages.

To start the day off Grandma M, wasn't feeling well and ended up taking a trip to the hospital, with a short stay to follow, best wishes and God Bless. Then off to the Doctor's. Our doctor is younger guy really good down to earth doctor the kinda person you go looking for when you need a doctor. He said A's lead level was 14, normal limits are 5-9.

So here are the new regulations for the kids in the marble house; no barefeet in the grass, no rolling in the grass, only shoes outside because the years of lead paint have contaminated the soil making it toxic, no more tap water, old pipes have lead solder joints, every surface has to be covered with fresh new paint. So there will be alot of painting and distilled water drinking(yuck).

The last little thing he threw out there was, if you can sell the house and move to one built post1971.

Large house in the park
3 bedrooms
2 full bathrooms
2 car garage
hot water heat
hard wood floors
10 large rooms
Cheap!!!!!!
Just don't breath or touch ANYTHING!

Doctor said if we follow these changes her lead level should come down to a acceptable limit, and she is not suffering any side effects at this point in time.

A fisherman is born!

After dragging BB from the arms of MelanieWelanie, We headed off to Highlandtown Lake. Highlandtown Lake is where MW, and myself spent quite a bit of our time growing up. Grandparents would scoop us up take us fishing for the evening and top the night off, a trip to the Valley Drive In. The Drive In, has the best Ice Cream in the area. There was no such thing as alcohol based hand sanitizer, nor was there a place to wash your hands between the lake and the drive in. How did we ever survive, HAHA!

This day was a memory in reverse. Sportsman for years have been running an ad campaign for years "Take A Kid Fishing". It was a great time, I believe BB had a good time as well. There is nothing like a stringer of fish to make your day.

At the end of our fishing trip, I did skip the tradition of the Valley Drive In. I do have good reason though, the wife and kids weren't with me. Maybe we will all just meet up out there one night for ice cream.

FYI: No fish were harmed on this outing, catch and release fishing method was utilized.

Tribute to Tiffany

I had planned to honor both of the Moms this mothers day, but I think I will save that for another day. I wanted to write about another mother today, my friend Tiffany.

Tiffany is the mother of two boys and one girl, none older than ten years of age. I met Tiffany years ago in high school. She was one of those people you can't say anything bad about. Always pleasant, and always ready to talk. Whenever I would see her it would lead to at least a half an hour BS session. We would talk about her kids, my kids, our spouses, and any other issue that would arise. We always had a lot to talk about because we, lived less than a block away, and as her husband John said if it wasn't for me they would not be together. You see they met at my house all the way back in 1994. I had a little part in the matchmaking I like to believe. They had been together ever since. They had a nice family going. John's father recently started suffering from Alzheimer's, Tiffany was one of the main caregivers for him. She was just that kind of a person.

On Tuesday May 5th, Tiffany went to be with the Lord.

This was a horrible thing to witness the tragedy, of this unfold on the family. Her 2 boys knew something was wrong and were starting to figure it out on there own with the sitter, and there sister not being able to comprehend this because the mind of 2 year old is a beautiful thing, there is no death and everyday you and everyone around you is supposed to be happy. There father dealing with questions from the police chief as the coroner performs an investigation of the strange death of his wife. The lines of family that came to offer support and all the horrible eaves droppers that come from all over just to see if they can see anything.

On Saturday we all got to say goodbye one last time. As I stood by her side and said one last prayer, I remembered the Mother who lost a daughter, the sister who lost her sister, the sons who lost their mother, the husband that lost his wife, and the daughter who wont even remember her mother. I pray that the good lord affords them the comfort and guidance that there mother provided to them.

God Bless you Tiffany, You will be missed greatly.

Easter Festivities

Easter was pretty good this year treats were delivered and eggs were decorated and hid, a good time was had by all.

We went to Great Grandmas house to color eggs and A was really thrown by the crayon that didn't have any color.

Although that crayon helped our little artist do great things.

We got to put names on our eggs.

Even though the writing looks like the kids wrote the names on them.

Although there is no fun like hunting eggs with you bestfriend and cousin.

Except maybe the joy of eating the little treasures inside those eggs.

Sorry so late on the Easter pictures. Hope everybodies was as good as ours.

Afternoon at Beaver Creek

This past Monday was a gorgeous day. I didn't have to be at work until later in the day so we went to Beaver Creek. The wife and I walked the park, while the girls rode, we feed the geese, and had a picnic it was a grand time.

A and I feed the geese, I figured she would be scared of them, but she threw the bread to them and called for them to come to her.

At first there were only 2 geese.

A few more saw what was happening on our side of the pond.

Z was not impressed with the aviary activity all around her.

The Geese were fed, and so we ate.

Z really liked that part of our day at Beaver Creek.

Please forgive me

I have really neglected my duties to the blog. It has been a rediculous amount of time since I last posted for this I am sorry. before you get all mad and start throwing things at my pathetic plea for forgiveness, remember Easter just passed so there are pictures a coming.

Today Grandma S. came into town to see the girls. A was so excited she was talking about this for a few days. A becomes Grandma's shadow, and Grandma loves to read all the books and it is different voice reading all her books and she loves that. This afternoon A had just taken off her diaper and pulled her pants down so she could sit on the potty, when TaaDaa Grandma came in. A takes off waddling through the house pants around her ankles "Grandma, Grandma, Grandma". Upon make a quick escorted return to the potty she had lost all interest she had to go see Grandma. The potty training is going well, but like everyone says it is a long process.

Z on the other hand is also becoming a big girl in her own way. Her last visit at the doctors office we were told she is 4 inches and 4 pounds above average. She is currently wearing 12 month clothing and size 3 diapers, although the next pack will probably be 4's. Z is pretty amazing she is just shy of A's weight, Keep in mind Z was born in December. She likes to sit in her walker and is very independent. When this kid starts moving around herself look out she will be coming through.