How do you say Halleluiah in Spanish? I don’t know either but if we did I bet they could hear us all the way to Barcelona tonight. Emma’s project on Spain is DONE!!! It took three months and she is handing it in tomorrow and giving her oral presentation to her class tomorrow! Wow – what a trip this has been. Believe me, the whole family is rejoicing the end of this project. Congrats to Emma though for all her hard work. The photo you see is of her “doll” that was one of the required elements of the report. She had to dress this wooden figure in a native costume of her assigned country. I snapped this photo before she drew the face on, but I think you can appreciate the challenge this was. Needless to say, I am not the craftiest person in the world. So while I’m sure moms all over Rochester were whipping out their Viking sewing machines, Emma and I were gluing felt together with plain ol’ Elmer’s glue. Some things you just never let go of.

My dad treated the kids to a trip to the Detroit Science Center last week during Easter break. We all had a great time – I haven’t been there since eighth grade! I have to say it was nice to have a 1:1 ratio so that we could all dive into whatever activity appealed to each kid. Shannon LOVED the simulated factory pouring molten metal, putting gears together, using the forklift. JB loved the IMAX movie and especially the “jam room” which was a sound studio with drums, electric guitars and other instruments. Emma spent a lot of time on the body section. You know – blood, arteries, veins, muscles, etc. All the things any girl dreams of. Yes, this is the child that gives herself her own shots at the doctor’s office while her mother covers her eyes and shakes like a leaf.

Somehow I missed all the photos of the kids’ Easter egg hunt on Easter afternoon. Joel and I hid 75 eggs around the house – since it was around 35 degrees outside. We’re still working our way through the jelly beans. And speaking of missing things, I’m not going to list happy birthday wishes on here anymore because I’m bound to forget someone and I just wouldn’t be able to handle the guilt. Better to bow out now unscathed.

Other than that, we had a very relaxing break and everyone’s tucked in bed and ready for their return to school tomorrow. JB had his second grade music concert just before break and I’m trying to get the video uploaded, but I may be in over my head. He celebrates his 8th birthday this Friday. So look for photos from those festivities next week.

I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful Easter. I was checking out the forsythia, dogwood and magnolia tree today. We’re almost there. The halleluiahs just keep on comin’!

Sweet Hosannas! The sky opened up today for the first time in what seems like forever and we had the warm sun to enjoy all morning. What could be better? One of my favorite hymns on Palm Sunday includes the words "from whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!" And our family enjoyed that - literally - this morning with both Emma and Joel singing in church this morning. It's hard to start the week in anything but a sunny mood after leaving church on Palm Sunday. I hope that all of you enjoyed the same warmth and excitement. Even though it was a crisp 35 degrees outside today, there was no lack of sunshine in our house and hearts today!

Joel is safely home from California and has survived his jet lag. He had a wonderful visit with his family and friends - especially with his mom. It was a breakneck pace of visiting, but the important thing was the precious moments he had with everyone even though it was so short. His reunion with some LHN friends took him to some fun places like Santa Monica and the beaches of Malibu and he had a great time. He didn't take nearly as many photos as his daughter would have - only producing a scant ten or so! But here's two - one of the group, and one of his highlight meal. A banana and cheese sandwich. I know what you're thinking - I think you had to be there. But I value a delicious meal immensely these days - so it warrants a spot here today! :)

Some explanations of the photos in the slide show this week include pics of Emma (and friends) as well as JB (and friends) during their lunch period on Thursday at school. No, the kids don't normally have to eat their lunches on the floor. The kids had "spirit week" at school this week and Thursday was beach party day. So the kids take beach blankets in that day and eat and dance to Beach Boys songs. It was fun to visit with them and see them so excited with their friends.

I also snapped a few photos on my phone from a night we went to have some Chinese food. Notice Shannon's technique with chop sticks. Joel's friend Oliver was with us and very astutely concluded that it's much easier to just stab your chicken right through with the chop stick instead of the goofy Chinese way. I couldn't agree more - and it was a lot of fun watching the kids eat their lo mein.

Joel's dad also came for a visit and there's a photo of JB and him at dinner one night. I don't always have my good camera on me when these opportunities present themselves, which is what makes camera phones SO COOL - but not quite as good in quality. Regardless, it allows us to record things we wouldn't have in the past. And I love that.

The handsome little boy in the slide show is our friend Jake. He joined us for some afternoon ice cream today - remember I told you how "sunny" today felt? It may still be winter out there, but we fought it today. Jake's a blast and the kids had fun goofing off with him and his totally boring parents. ;)

Finally, what would a blog be without a few "Shannon-isms"? Here's a photo of Shannon with snow shovel in tow. The picture doesn't exactly seem all that unusual - but when Joel and I checked on her playing outside we found her shoveling snow off the lawn and onto the sidewalk. When we asked the reason, without looking up from her very busy work, she replied "I'm getting rid of all this snow because I'm ready for spring already!" Hear, hear Shannon! I couldn't agree more.

The other photo with Shannon is her and I tonight before dinner. Shannon persuaded me to "get beautiful" for dinner. I love a Jane Austen story as much as the next girl, so she didn't have to twist my arm. Getting "dressed for dinner" is just what girls do, right? Add some beads, high heels, boleros and bobbles and we were set! It was such a success, Shannon declared next Sunday it will be the boys' turn. I can hardly wait!!

Even though I was in a perfectly "palmy" mood today complete with fashioning ten or so palms into palm crosses (When did I earn this title? Anyone else want it??) I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the other important event in our day today - particularly the end of the day - and the reason I need to wrap this blog up . . . the NCAA tournament selection-ology. Okay, bracketology. Or, whatever - you know what I mean. Yes, our family will soon be consumed by March Madness. But before I go, I want to wish you all a happy Evacuation Day tomorrow (look it up, you'll impress at the water cooler.) It's way more interesting to those of us who aren't Irish or Catholic or any combination therein.

But if I don't go, Joel won't be able to print the brackets for JB . . . and that just won't be pretty in the morning. Happy birthday to Jake and Seth! And Happy Easter everyone!!!

Highlight: Emma

I was scraping to find some photos for this week's entry and decided to check Emma's camera for material. While scanning 116 photos (!) which she has saved on her camera, I came across some really good ones of her that aren't from this week but are fairly recent. This is a great one of Emma at Build-A-Bear which was a reward she earned through schoolwork. Here she is stuffing and dressing her latest stuffed buddy which she named Bindi. I don't think this was the last time Emma will visit this store. She had a great time and I'm sure she'll want to earn this trip again.


Another photo is of Emma meeting her latest cousin Nora Jane at Christmas-time. Nora is the first child of our cousins Sara and Andre. We don't get to see them very often so it was a great treat to meet little Nora and even though Emma isn't looking directly at the camera, I think it still captures her excitement in holding Nora.

We had the delight of hearing Emma's choir sing this morning in church again - which is always a treat. This photo is from Christmas-time I think, but here is her troop with her brilliant director whom Emma truly enjoys. Emma is in the front row closest to her director, Mr. Miller.

Lastly, to stick to the "Emma" theme - I have mentioned earlier that Emma has a new interest in photography and when the batteries aren't dead her camera is usually not far from her if not attached to her wrist. The result is she can sometimes catch one of us doing something spontaneous and whimisical - or even downright embarrassing. This photo represents all three and is one she snapped of me in an inexplicable outfit. (Seriously, don't ask.) So this is a highlight of Emma behind the camera instead of in front.

This could prove to be a useful format for the blog. When events are light I might just pick a few photos of one of the kids and highlight their latest news. Joel and I simply aren't that exciting of people to have news each week. Shocking, I know. Of course I could include photos of laundry and dirty dishes and shoveling snow, but I think we'll spare you the excitement. :)

Joel's off to California this weekend and I have a ridiculously busy weekend ahead . . . so I might miss a week on the blog. If so, look for highlights from California when he returns and stories of exhaustion from me. (What else is new, right?)

Have a wonderful week! And happy birthday to my brother Chris!! We had a great web-call with him today which was really nice. I love the Jetsons' age!!

Okay, the truth? I actually forgot to blog last Sunday. And by the time I realized it, it was Tuesday. On Wednesday the tickle in the throat became a fever and the next thing I knew it was Saturday. I think it's safe to say we are DONE with this virus!!

What was missed: Outings to Chuck E. Cheese and bowling. Gotta love that shot above. :)

I honestly have been so out of it and therefore out of touch that I think I'll just leave it at a slide show this week and start fresh next week. Sorry - I know that's weak. But do you have any idea how difficult it is to get computer time with three kids in the house?? And the four-yr-old is the worst! We are seriously very close to a sign-up sheet.

It's almost 11:00 and I am WAY past tired. G'night all!!!

P.S. Happy Birthday Grandpa Fickel and Happy Birthday Cousin Logan!! :)

Wow - what a week! Super Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, another snow day on Thursday, a skating party on Friday, celebrating my birthday (a day early), and last but not least . . . Shannon lost her first tooth!! Whew! Sprinkle in the rest of the every day stuff, and that's a whopper of a week. And now we're in the middle of an extreme cold snap - last I checked it was 1 degree outstide with negative wind chill readings. We've had school off for ice and snow so far, now the talk is whether or not they'll call school off for wind chill safety. Sounds crazy - I know, but for the families who have kids waiting out at bus stops for long periods of time, I can understand the concern. Tomorrow's supposed to be even colder than today, so we'll see what happens. It's been a crazy year so far with weather. Reminds me of when we were kids. There have actually been days when the kids had enough snow around here to build snow forts - which hasn't happened in a while. It's kind of nice.

Joel is working every night this week so we celebrated my birthday as a family a day early today. I was completely spoiled beginning to end. Had a delicious gluten-free meal at a restaurant in town and topped it off with some GF brownies and ice cream. The kids all had super special gifts for me and even let me sneak in a nap this afternoon! Yea!! :) That's big stuff for geezers like me.

But the biggest news of the day came from Shannon who lost her first tooth today. She is sooooo excited! Don't believe me? Give her a call if you have 30 minutes or so to spare to hear about it. We should all experience that level of utter bliss every day! So funny. I can hardly wait to see her reaction after the tooth fairy visits.

We managed to get Shannon back to healthy just in time for her brother and dad to follow suit with their colds. So far (knocking on wood) Emma and I have escaped this nasty bronchial bug so hopefully it will stay that way. In the mean time, let's hope Joel gets to take a break from plowing and salting soon because the reffing sure isn't letting up. As I said, he's working every night this week because of all the area snow days lately which have the schools scrambling to reschedule games whenever they can. But a chance to actually sleep through the night would be a welcome change for him and a necessary step to fighting this cold. We could all use a dose of sunshine right about now!

I managed to get this entry in tonight before bed time for a change so that I can turn in early myself. I have a Celiac support group meeting tomorrow night and a Lenten series lecture on Tuesday night, so sleep is going to be a commodity at least until Wednesday. (I mention sleep a lot - have you noticed that?)

For now, I think I'll go sneak another birthday brownie. :)

Hope you're all doing well ~ have a great week! Oh, I should mention the photos in the slide show include photos of Shannon at her preschool "beach party" where the kids wore swimsuits to school and brought beach towels and had a picnic on their towels. Also the kids built a snowman named "Jess" who is in absolutely no danger of leaving us anytime soon. Brrrrr.

P.S. ~ Cindy, if you're reading this . . . Happy Birthday!! :)

The air is out of the tires tonight. Shannon is in bed sicker than a dog and as any parent will tell you, that's one of the most exhausting things in the world - worrying/caring for a sick child. No Super Bowl commercial can compete with that for attention.

Quick news update: We had a bazaar week with weather. We were off school on Tuesday because of "ice." I put that in quotations because there wasn't any visible ice at our house. We assume it was in the northern part of the district, but nevertheless because there truly wasn't any ice around here we took full advantage of the day off and headed to the movies. Fast forward to Friday . . . and this time a snow day. (Notice the lack of quotations.) This time we earned our day off with 6+ inches of snow overnight. Needless to say, a five day work week will feel like an eternity this week. :) Yeah - THIS is why I got out of payroll!!!

Other than that - the kids' report cards arrived this week and both Emma and Joel did very well. Everyone had great marks and Joel and I are very proud of them.

Sorry the news is thin, but I truly do feel depleted tonight. Tomorrow brings back-to-back hefty meetings too that will have me out late and I really need my energy to stay up on Tuesday to watch all the Super Tuesday analysis (my other hobby).

No menu update - I'll get to that later this week. Maybe. Also, again, there are no new photos . . . but . . . we've decided to add an element to this blog that will be a recurring photo essay from Emma each week based on a theme of her choice. This last week was "fruit." So look for that later this week too. She has really taken to photography and is exploring what it means to tell a story through photos rather than words. She's really having fun with it!

Lastly, I wish you all a provoking Ash Wednesday. Lent doesn't come with shiny packages and pretty bows, or radio stations with non-stop Easter songs for 40 days, or an onslaught of cards and correspondence from loved ones - but what a powerful season it is! I can't think of a better way to reconnect and recharge.

Until then, my pillow will have to do. :)

(It seems I forgot some news from the boys.)

A post from Joel:

Since we were so early for the Piston game, JB and I made our way down for some autographs. We managed Amir Johnson and Mike Tirico. JB was far less interested in the autographs than actually just watching the players warm up just a few feet away. He totally checking out the size and routine of Dwight Howard of the Magic.