Do you know what a EUPHONIUM is?

I have recently learned that someone who serves in BA with me plays this instrument ... it is called a Euphonium, and, to my understanding, is like a smaller trumpet. I had never even heard of such a thing until yesterday, and I must say I am impressed that someone I know plays this thing! See if you can guess who it is who serves in BreakAway and plays this creative instrument!

It's Here!

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes lacrosse. Our boys tried the sport last year. Cole was a "pocket," which meant no equipment and a bigger stick head. Grant was a "tyker," which means full equipment. They both enjoyed playing, and this year they are both tykers. Full equipment and a whole lot of fun. Their first clinic was last night, and boy was it fun. The coaches taught the boys to face off, which is the first move in the game where two opposing players each try to get the ball. Cole was great at it and won every single time he did it ... even against older and bigger kids. The boys were so excited, and I found myself getting excited too. Cool spring nights on the field ... Saturday games ... a fast-moving, full contact sport ... what's there not to love? Check out my handsome boys in their helmets!

A Whole New Look

Ok, I have Kathi to thank for two things: the new look of my blog, and the "waste" of the last hour of this morning. Blogging is becoming way to fun ... I think I have a problem!!!

A Good Night's Sleep

When is the last time you purchased a new bed? For us, it was 13 years ago when we first got married. Truth be told, it was before we got married. Lou picked one out and bought it, and I made him promise not to sleep on it until we were married and I was living in MD with him! He tells me he never did ... and I believe him! Well, it's one of those purchases you HATE to make but have to. Our old one was squeaky and creaky and generally getting into bad shape. So we researched and bought one at Sleepy's (which was actually a good experience!) After giving us a computerized test and virtual "body scan," they led us to the $4000 mattress that suited us perfectly. Lou quickly informed them that we would need something in a much different (and lesser) price range, and away we went mattress shopping. The funniest part is that they make you lay on all these mattresses ... you feel quite foolish, but that is the only way to pick one that works for you. We decided on a firm model with a quilted pillow top made into the top layer of mattress, and I must say, it is amazingly soft and comfy! It has individually wrapped coils too, which means that when Lou moves, I shouldn't feel it. Amazing, if you ask me. They kept talking about mattress technology at the store, and now I am sold and believe that yes indeed there is a technological component to new mattresses. It is also a good 8 inches higher than our old one ... which is sitting in the garage. If anyone knows of anyone who might need a used king set, let me know ! The garbage men are coming for it Monday unless I hear otherwise! For the last two nights, we have put our kids to sleep, cleaned up downstairs, and just hung out on our new bed!!!

Snow Daze

I love it when it snows! The kids get all excited, it looks so pretty outside, and the whole day takes on a new shape. The boys had off today, but Ty didn't ... until it snowed. He was so excited that he could stay home with his big brothers. There isn't enough snow for them to play in, but here are pictures from December 6th when it snowed (the last time!!) Since I wasn't blogging then, I never put them on! But the boys are all skilled snowboarders now (so they think) and we go across the street to our "geese grass" (aptly named for the geese who live and poop there throughout most of the year). There is a pretty good hill there for sledding and snowboarding and it is a blast!

Who Dunnit?

Remember Clue? I haven't thought of that game in quite some time, but my older boys were on punishment from Playstation today, and I remembered that my parents had given me my old version when they moved ... so down I went into the basement and out it came. The box looked pretty much like this:

and it even had a musty old smell! Opening it brought me right back to being my boys' ages and playing with my brother in our living room. I had to reread the directions, then explain them to the kids. All of the Suspect Lists were faded and mostly used, but we found some that were empty and started playing. I was Ms. Scarlet, just like I was when I was younger (this probably had something to do with her being the first character to go, according to the directions!) And it was fun! Guessing who did it, with what, in what room, was a total blast. Grant has won twice and I have won twice. We are scheming to convince Lou and Cole to play with us when they get home later. I can't wait! Do you remember all the rooms, weapons and characters? If you do, let me know (no cheating!!) The boys liked it and we have been playing all afternoon. I love it when they are punished from video games!!!

Mini Man

My older boys call our youngest "mini man." And he is the one who makes us all laugh ... or cry, or scream ... Ok, so yesterday I was talking to my mom on the phone in the car. I hang up and he says, "Mom, are grandma and grandpa old?" I reply, "Well, yes, but not that old. They are in their sixties and should live another 30-40 years." He says: "But mom, are they going to die?" I reply, "Yes, sweetie, everyone dies." He then puts on his face, much like this picture, that face that only he can do, and he says, "But mom! Then I won't have them anymore! I will be sad and miss them."

Yes, sweetie ... that is life. If only they weren't so smart at age four!

What a Cake

So I have three boys. Two of them like to cook. Cole and Ty love helping in the kitchen, and tonight Cole and I decided to make a cake. Now, prior to baking the boxed mix, I did look in the pantry to ensure that we had enough stuff to make frosting, because that, by far, is the best part of making a cake. I didn't have all the usual ingredients, so I went to the trusty Betty Crocker cookbook and found a recipe wherein I DID have all the ingredients. We bake. Cole melts and stirs and pours. He is happy, I am craving chocolate. The cake bakes, all is well. It comes out a little high on one side, but alas, I am a pro and when this happens you simply off-balance the top layer ... I have been baking cakes for quite some time now. The cake cools, we eat our fish sticks and coleslaw (Lou is working tonight .... no home cooked meals on those days!) The cake is cool, I make the chocolate-sour cream frosting ... but wait!! We have only 2 cups of powdered sugar, not the 2 1/2 the recipe calls for. Ok, this is not a bakery, surely this will work. Well .... this is what it came out like:

See the crevice down the middle? Unexpected, I assure you. The cake must have been a little too warm, the frosting a little too runny. The boys looked quizzical when I placed their pieces on the table, then dove right in. Grant said it tasted like warm fudge and that he loved it. Ty didn't say a word, he was too busy eating. And Cole told me he liked it so much that he wanted his next birthday cake to be just like this one!!! I love my kids!

I'm Baaaaaccccckkkkk! (again)

Ok, so I haven't blogged in awhile. A long while. Like 10 months. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with me ... it just means that I am busy, and that blogging comes last on my list of htings to do.

This weekend I am spending in Lancaster, PA with the Ventureland staff - training, laughing, not sleeping. All the things that make for great memories. Sleeping with Amy B in the Birds Paradise room had to be on the top of the list! Thanks goodness for no White Death Blizzards this year ... only rain!
And so I blog again ... read on people!