Baltimore Aquarium

We have a membership to the Aquarium in Baltimore, so we took a trip down "to the city", as Casey says, today. (Casey also informed us that she prefers "the country" where we live over "the city" where we visit- because the city is too noisy and busy.) We wanted to check out the limited-time Jellyfish Invasion exhibit and the new Dolphin Show. Casey and Emma had a great time. Emma showed so much interest in the different fish, etc. this time. Poor Jacob, on the other hand, spent most of the trip crying in the backpack on Chris's back (we were out over his naptime and he could not fall asleep in the backpack- they don't allow strollers). The girls and I sat in the Splash Zone during the dolphin show and got wet, although, thankfully, not as soaked as we have in the past. Casey was really amazed when one of the trainers actually got in the dolphin pool- without a float- and did stunts with the dolphins.

We were all starving after we left the aquarium and ventured over for lunch at Pizzeria Uno where the girls were able to make their own pizzas. The waiter brought out dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni and the girls assembled their own pizzas. They baked them and brought them back out for the girls to eat- they loved it!

You would have thought we were in Boston today- everywhere we looked, we saw Boston Red Sox shirts, hats, tattoos, and jerseys. Boston is in town to beat the O's and the fans were EVERYWHERE! It is no exaggeration to say that 90% of the tables at Pizzeria Uno were taken up by Red Sox fans. We're hoping the O's can come through with at least one win this series (although it's not looking too good tonight)!

While we would have loved to check out a few more things at the harbor - the girls were so good today- Jacob made the master decision (through crying and fussing) that we should call it a day and head home. He finally was able to fall asleep in the car.

Our Anniversary Weekend

Wow, it's been 11 years since Chris and I got married! We were lucky enough to be able to go away this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. My wonderful in-laws were kind enough to come over Saturday and stay the night with the kids, who love all the attention. (They played games, made cookies, went to the park and for a walk....)

Chris and I took a scenic trip to beautiful Lancaster, PA, where everything seems "quaint". Life seemed slower and more simple. We shared the road with the Amish in their horses and buggies. Most of the shops, especially those that were Amish in nature, close early on Saturday and were closed all day Sunday. Too bad for us. We did, however, enjoy a great prime rib dinner aboard the Strasburg Railroad on Saturday evening. And, for an added treat, we booked the dinner that had a "murder mystery" on board.

Saturday night, we stayed up late and went to see the late showing of The Taking of Pelham 123 with John Travolta and Denzel Washington. Very cool flick. John Travolta plays a very good bad guy.

We stayed in the small town named Bird-in-Hand at the Bird-in-Hand Valley Inn. We had a beautiful old four-poster bed adorned with crisp white linens in a very romantic room (complete with a fireplace- which we didn't need b/c it was hot out- and a jacuzzi tub- that had a bug in it that gave me the willies). With no kids to wake us up, we slept late Sunday morning and set off to find a late breakfast. Much to our disappointment, all of the Amish cooking establishments were also closed. So, we popped in to see an old friend, Bob Evans. Just so happens that strawberry pancakes are in season- yum!

We followed our yummy breakfast up with some souvenir shopping for the kids and a bit of sight-seeing along the way, and it was time to head for home.

With Chris's busy work schedule and three kids with their own schedules and agendas, Chris and I don't have very much time to catch up and spend quality time together, so this was an extra special treat. But, it was also nice to return home and see our smiling kids. Jacob came flying over to the window when he saw the truck pull up and the girls came out to greet us. They missed us as much as we missed them!

Worth The Wait

Casey's been wanting to get her ears pierced since her best friend, Isabel, got hers pierced a couple of years ago. I wasn't ready back then, partly because I wanted her to be mature enough to take care of them herself and, partly because it seems like such a big girl thing (and she seemed like such a little girl then). Anyway, it seems I told her back then that she had to wait til she was 7- which seemed really far away when she was 5. Well, she didn't forget, so today, I surprised her and took her to get her ears pierced.

I told her in the parking lot. At first, she screamed with excitement. And, then the first of a million "Is it going to hurt?"s began. She sat in the big chair and squirmed when they cleaned her ears with the alcohol wipe. She kept covering her ears and saying "I can't do it, I can't do it". Then she agreed to move forward and would barely move her hands so the lady could mark the spots on her earlobes with a pen. Then, the real squirming and anxiety began. (Meanwhile, Emma was sitting patiently by telling Casey not to worry because it wouldn't even hurt as bad as a shot at the doctor's office.) Next, she sat on my lap. After about 20 minutes or so of worrying and asking how much it's going to hurt and covering her ears and tears, she finally decided to just do it. And, sure enough, it was over in a pinch (literally). Afterwards, she admitted that it didn't really hurt at all.

She chose little rubies for her "starter" earrings because they are her birthstone. I hope she loves them because she has to keep them in for the next 6-8 weeks. As part of her birthday gift, she picked out a few pairs of earrings (turtles, lady bugs, frogs, butterflies, and colorful flip flops) and a cute panda earring holder.

She was glowing with pride when we left the store. She stopped to admire her ears at every store window and mirror along our route. Emma's already talking about getting hers pierced when she's older.

Before...

After!...

Fun Days - Catching Up

While Dad's at home recuperating nicely and Chris has been working a hard string of night shifts, the kids and I have been busy catching up on some summer fun.

We've been to the park...

We picked (and ate) blueberries with our friends...

We saw a fun magic show by a local magician that the kids really loved. They especially loved petting his bunny, Prop, at the end of the show.

Casey saw a local kid's play with her friend, Isabel, while Isabel's brother, Nick, spent the afternoon playing with Emma.

And, the girls have continued their swimming lessons. Today, was the last day of the first session. As is tradition, all of the classes had the opportunity to go down the water slide into the 9-foot deep pool. Casey had done this before, but was her nervous self and bravely accepted the challenge. Emma jumped right in line and down she went...only to get out of the pool and jump right back in line. The girls have done great this session. Casey's freestyle and backstroke techniques have really improved and she's working on diving. Emma, who was afraid to put her face in the water, proudly goes under to pick up sinking rings and when jumping in from the side of the pool. They'll take a 2 week break from lessons and then return for another 2-week session.

Farewell, Farrah.

Cool at the Pool

The girls started summer swim lessons last night and had a great time. Tonight at 7:30, the temperature was about 68 degrees and breezy. I was pretty chilly sitting outside with shorts and a t-shirt on. So, the poor kids in the pool all had purple lips and shivered like crazy when they had to get out. Lucky or not, Casey has an ear infection (swimmer's ear) and had to sit out tonight. Emma was a trouper and had a really good time, despite being cold. She's been waiting to take swim lessons at the outdoor pool for two years. And, this year, when she was finally old enough, I signed her up. She then decided she didn't want to go because she didn't want to get her head or face wet. Well, she has and she still wants to go back! (Casey, on the other hand, is like a fish in the water and loves getting her head and face wet.)

Dad's Big Day #2

Hard to believe, but just 4 days after his quadruple by-pass surgery (with carotid artery surgery thrown in), Dad was discharged from the hospital. He's been medically stable and they felt he was ready to go. He's staying here with us until he feels confident that he'll be okay at his house for periods of time alone. I don't think it'll be too long as he seems raring to go- as soon as Chris brought him here from the hospital, he told me he was going with Chris to a friend's birthday party at a park not too far away (too much, too soon? we'll see!) He seems determined to get back on his feet as soon as possible.

The kids enjoyed a beautiful day outside today and hope to have more great weather tomorrow.

Dad's Big Day

What a whirlwind the last three days have been! Dad had his big surgery today- quadruple by-pass with a carotid artery surgery thrown in for good measure. Both surgeons agreed that the five-hour operation went smoothly. Dad was resting comfortably, although still under significant sedation, breathing tubes, etc. when I got to see him for about 5 minutes in the Coronary ICU in the 3 o'clock hour. The latest update from his nurse, Kate, at 7pm said he's doing great so far. His breathing tube came out and he was talking and interacting. He was able to move all four extremities on command when I was there, so that was great. They are keeping him sedated, at this point, so he can rest and heal. Most complications occur within the first 72 hours, so we're saying extra prayers that he'll keep moving along his current "smooth" path. If he has a good night, he'll be up in a chair tomorrow and probably taking a few steps with a physical therapist. Visiting hours are very limited in the ICU, so I'm looking forward to when he can move back to the Open Heart Step Down unit. There's a long road to recovery ahead, but, with everyone's help and support, I'm sure my dad will be stronger for all of this in the end. I truly feel like we dodged a bullet and thank his astute doctors for finding the severe blockages when they did- before he had a heart attack or stroke. Keep him in your prayers and I'll keep you updated!

Special thanks to everyone who has visited, called, and/or sent along prayers and good wishes already. Extra special thanks to Sharon, Peggy, and Michelle, who've been kid-sitters extraordinaire over the last few days (with little to no notice to prepare)! I'm so lucky to have such great friends!

Relay for Life

This weekend, for the 4th year, Team Spirit & Hope participated in one of the many nationwide Relay for Life events to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Chris, the kids, and I, along with our extended families came together inside the track at Catonsville Community College, pitched our tents, set up our grill, and walked from 6pm Saturday until 6am Sunday. We honored survivors, both those we know and those we don't, with a tribute during the opening ceremonies followed by a standing ovation as the cancer survivors in attendance opened the Relay by walking the first lap around the track. We both honored the survivors and remembered those we lost during the lumninaria ceremony after sunset. The bagpipers appeared in the darkness and played Amazing Grace after we lit the many luminaria around the track, slowly retreating as the song was ending. We then walked a silent lap in darkness to honor the memories of those we lost - the ones who could not be there to walk with us.

We also had lots of fun and I wish I'd taken lots more pictures, but the night just went by so quickly. Chris set up our awesome camp site, running about 6 extension cords from the one outdoor power source to our area so we could have lights, music, and coffee throughout the night. The girls loved goofing around with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jacob had a blast just running free outside. We played lots of games at other campsites, won fun prizes, had fun food, jumped in inflatables, and stayed up late. The kids, all 3, slept in tents throughout the night. Casey and Emma didn't go to bed til 11:30 so, needless to say, they are fast asleep now at 8:00 tonight. Our team had a Chinese Auction fundraiser that was a huge success. Casey was thrilled to win one of the prizes, a year-long family membership to the Maryland Science Center. I learned today that I won another team's raffle too- for 4 club seats to a July Orioles games with close parking! Woo-hoo! (It's a Thursday day game, so now we just need to find a sitter!!)

I Relay for many reasons...

...to help find a cure for all cancer; but, in the meantime, to help the American Cancer Society find better treatments and discover methods for earlier detection;

...to honor the memory of my mom, who fought a valiant fight against a type of cancer that, as yet, has had no survivors (extensive small cell lung cancer);

...to remember others close to my heart who lost their battle and will never be forgotten;

...to celebrate the survivorship of those family and friends who have fought cancer and won; and,

...so that, hopefully, in the future, my own kids won't have to hear the words, "you have cancer".

A heartful thanks goes out to everyone who supported me and our team in any way- by giving a donation, participating in our March Madness or Chinese Auction fundraiser, honoring someone with a luminaria, coming out to walk and/or support us, or just sending positive thoughts our way. With all of this support, our team raised $1727 this year (just shy of $12,000 over all four years) to help fight back against cancer, celebrate life, and remember those we lost.