may 12th - c is for.... (58)

Can’t remember what C was for, but chocolate goes with everything. Mommy helped the kids make chocolate covered frozen bananas this morning so they could have them for afternoon snack. They had to have their snack in the driveway because they were a mess...but that turned into some pretty cool chalk fun. We also said goodbye to our butterflies today. The weather has been good for the last few days, so it was time to let them experience the world.  Mommy misses them already :(

may 11th - b is for baking (57)

Our little bakers were very prepared and very excited for today. They got to bake banana bread with Miss Sampson with chocolate on top. It was a delight. 

may 10th - mommy love (56)

We spent today celebrating Mommy and the kids were super excited to finally give the gifts they have been working so hard on this past week.  Alex and Gemma both made a book all about Mommy, cards, and paintings. Alex was watching Mommy’s every reaction to each page as she read...it was really sweet. Daddy worked some magic with our friend at Hamilton Jewelers and had some diamonds delivered. 

Mommy secretly dropped off all the life-sized children cut-outs at Beeps’ house last night after she went to sleep. This morning she nearly karate chopped one of them because she was so startled. Daddy made a special rabbit ragu over pappardelle and almost lost an index finger chopping the parsley garnishment.  Once we removed the piece of finger from the cutting board, everything was fine and the meal was amazing....even eating with one hand elevated.  The girls ate early, but Big Al ate with the adults :)  

may 9th - don’t eat that (55)

Gemma and Lucy got in some play-doh work today, which is a very special treat in Mommy’s house. Lucy liked the smell of the play-doh so she decided she should maybe taste the truck. We got a special delivery of life-sized children today for a special surprise. Crapper progress is rapid and currently free of any snags.

Mommy’s butterflies are now in the process of metamorphosis.  Lucy still comes down and looks at them every morning and says “oh my god”...it’s as if she is mocking Mommy and her deep interest in lepidopterology. Did you know butterflies taste with their feet?  Who cares?  Mommy. 

may 8th - end of year countdown (54)

Someone was in Mommy and Daddy’s bed this morning due to nightmares. We watched a documentary about King Tut last night, which the kids were really into. Gemma was not a fan of the mummified body. 

Getting closer to the end of our so-called school year and Miss Sampson has started doing the alphabet countdown with the kids. “A” was for art and Gemma also decided “A” was for aqua so she and Lucy could wear their matching dresses.  We went by Big Uncle Mike’s place to wish him a happy birthday and spread some joy from a distance. Daddy started another indoor project re-modeling the powder room...fun. 

may 7th - progress (53)

Daddy pulled the forms off the treehouse posts yesterday and our landscaper came today to edge it out and bring in stone. Looking like a good foundation for Gemma’s dream house....although she still asks some interesting questions about what exactly I am doing along the way. 

may 6th - phanatics (52)

Even Lucy is starting to get bored with the iPad, so she has developed several different viewing positions to keep things interesting. Bryce Harper and the Phillie Phanatic had a special book reading tonight before bedtime...the kids were very interested in tuning in to watch. 

may 5th - too cool for school (51)

Gemma wore her glasses all day long. She did not want to take them off at all, which made for a pretty funny day all around watching her do her schoolwork in those babies. 

may 4th - appreciative (50)

The kids’ masks arrived today and now they are ready to re-enter the world safely.  It’s also teacher appreciation week so we made some signs and have some fun stuff planned for Miss Sampson. 

may 3rd - breaking ground (49)

After almost a year of Gemma asking for a treehouse and drawing up 75 different iterations of plans, Daddy got the project started today. It was great digging weather so the kids played outside while Daddy started hand digging four 18-inch holes 3-ft down into the ground...super fun. We moved the old house off to the side as a temporary option and Alex got it all set up for Lucy. Then they all took a dip in our massive pool. 

may 2nd - enough already (48)

Lucy got her first glimpse of the tent this morning since we pitched it last night after she went to bed. She was very pleased with the square footage. Mommy and Alex went off for a long bike ride to Beeps and Grandpa’s house...15 miles roundtrip...pretty impressive for an 8-yr old. Daddy took the girls for a bike/scooter adventure around the university. Snacks and views were top-notch. 

We were finally fed up with isolation and broke quarantine for a hangout with the Drebys. We’re isolated, they’re isolated, why not be not-so-isolated together. The kids had the best time and the adults just hugged. Alex fell in love with skateboarding, Lucy and Hailey played all day, and Gemma, Lila, and Siena had tons of fun. Uncle Todd even fixed Alex’s botched haircut and made him look not so redneck-y.