They grow up so quickly...

Isabella and Maddie are staying with Grandma for a few days. Their last day of school was last Friday, but Liam still goes until tomorrow. So, as Liam said, it's just us grownups in Indiana this week.

Today, Isabella was helping Grandma cook supper, which included salmon and a lovely sauce with lemon, butter and capers. Isabella was intrigued by the capers.

Isabella: "What are those, Grandma?"

Grandma: "They're capers."

Isabella: "What are they for?"

Grandma: "They flavor the sauce."

Isabella: "What do they taste like?"

Grandma: "I don't know how to describe how they taste. (Grandma takes a piece and tastes it.) I don't know how to describe it, Bella."

Isabella: "I could taste it."

Grandma: "Do you want to taste the caper?"

Isabella: "Do you think I should?"

Grandma: "I think it's always a good idea to try new things, Bella."

Isabella agrees. Grandma chooses a small caper. Isabella puts it in her mouth. She makes a face.

Isabella (astonished): "What, are you trying to kill me?!?"

A short lunch

Liam was the only one who had school this week. He had to pack a sack lunch because they went on a field trip. I'm so used to packing his "usual" lunch in his lunchbox that I was at a loss for packing his sack lunch. I asked him about it when I picked him up after school.

Kat: "Liam, how was your lunch today?"

Liam: "Well, Mom, you packed me a short lunch today."

Kat: "A short lunch?"

Liam: "You know. You didn't pack that much food, so it took a short time to eat it."

Field Day

Today was Field Day for Isabella and Maddie's classes. The kids played most of the morning in the field: relay races, ball toss, and the three-legged race. The weather was gorgeous and Maddie and Isabella seemed to really have a great time. Only two more days until their last day of school! They've been counting down!

Isabella and one of her "boyfriends" (per her report) in the three-legged race.

Maddie and a classmate after winning the three-legged race.

How many boys?

Day two of the birthday celebration. Liam chose to have just a few friends for his party. They went miniature golfing and played in the arcade at the putt-putt golf place. They came back to the house to cook out, roast marshmallows and make s'mores. Liam wanted everyone to play flashlight tag, but once it got dark, they were a little less sure about playing in the dark outside! They ran around like crazy people: upstairs, outside, downstairs, everywhere. They have unbelievable energy.


They had a great time and Liam was in his glory. I, however, am reconsidering whether I really want another boy... :)

The Big Eight!

Well, it's official. My first baby is eight. I'm not sure I'm okay with being the mother of an eight year-old. I think that might be harder to swallow than turning 30. (not that I have yet...)

Liam took in snack this morning for his classmates and they sang "Happy Birthday" to him in class. After school, John and I took the kids out to dinner at a great Italian place. Liam requested pasta - no surprise. He opened a few things from us at dinner. After returning home, Grandma Dot arrived in town and more presents were opened.

Liam also finally got to open the gifts that came in the mail. Here he is opening the golf clubs from Grandpa Ken - here's Liam's "Tiger Wood".

Doesn't he look so grown up? It's really hard to believe that he's old enough to have his own golf clubs! 

Rhetorical questions

Last night, we were working with a pendulum to get some insight into a few decisions we're getting ready to make. The kids were very interested in the pendulum and Maddie was using one to see what kind of baby we're getting.

This morning, John overheard the kids talking. All three were sitting on the floor in the living room just before we left for school. They were watching the pendulum intently. Liam pointed and says, "Look! It says yes! It says yes!" Maddie looked at him excitedly and said, "well, Liam, it looks like you ARE going to have a great day!"