catching-up

Friends from law school were in town last week and we were able to catch up over dessert. It was so fun to hear about professional and family adventures of the past four years. The last time we tried to get together was for lunch on October 7, 2005. James and Kate were born that day so the lunch never took place. Four and a half years of time and dessert instead of lunch, but still so easy and fun to converse, reminisce and laugh.

Tonight's project

Pretty impressive James and Kate! This little project took patience, more time than I'd expected, and lots of attention to detail. I didn't know they had it in them. They were so pleased with themselves, as well they should have been. And, they did it largely on their own.

doggy dentist

Kate made the item below a couple of days ago at a friend's house. She said it was a "doggy dentist." For the life of me, I couldn't have told you what she meant. Then she told me she wanted to get more pipe cleaners to make more doggy dentists. I took her to the craft store Tuesday night and she set out to work.Ah, ha! Here's what she meant. What are those things called? Do I have a budding veterinarian on my hands or just a girl that's been to the dentist a few too many times?
Or a child with some sort of disorder? OCD? I'm glad pipe cleaners are inexpensive because she went through two packages in one night. Are any of your pets in need of some amateur dental work?

learning to write

James made this in his primary class a few weeks ago. It says "Jesus is God's son." I love his carefully formed letters and his whale with a smiley face on it and a fish inside.

The Aquarium

It's not the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, but we still enjoyed ourselves. It was a night for families of legislators. I guess there are few perks for the families. I'll take what I can get. James and Kate only managed a fleeting touch of the tail of one of the rays, but still had all kinds of fun watching them. Robert spend a good amount of time watching the smaller fish swimming in their tank.

It was a fun evening and one of very few in the last three weeks that the kids have spent with their dad. It seems we have to attend legislative events to spend time with Ben these days. At least this one was all about the kids! Oh, and did I mention it was also the night of our Anniversary? I guess that pretty much sums up the state of our marriage right now - kids, politics, and finding time to be together whereever it can be found. (Although, my mom did take the kids Friday night and Ben and I were able to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Forage, a restaurant I highly recommend!)

10 years

Happy Anniversary, Ben!

10 adventures I'm happy to have had with you:
1. Vacations - Hawaii; Israel & Jordan; Brazil; Paris; Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam; Caribbean.
2. NYC and our tiny apartment on 122nd Street.
3. Columbia Law School.
4. Student rush and standing room only tickets to
Broadway shows.
5. Buying and renovating our apartment on 84th Street.
6. Working 7 short blocks from DPW and
meeting up for lunch or dinner.
7. Discovering and dining at favorite NYC restaurants.
8. My brain tumor (not glad I had it, but glad you were there).
9. October 7, 2005 and August 8, 2008 (and all
that's come afterward).
10. February 4, 2000 - February 4, 2010.

How would you respond?

Mom: Kate, no picking your nose and eating it.
Kate: I will not let it bleed.