Conrad is 8!

Wow. Just wow. I can't believe my firstborn is 8. I am extremely proud of that kid. He switched schools this year without a hitch and is thriving at Brown. He made it into the gifted program at school and his math and reading skills have flourished. He is an excellent pianist. He has a strong faith. He is sweet, kind, loving, and every other nice adjective I can think of. Best of all he is mine!

Since it was a school day, we made cupcakes the night before so Conrad could share them with his class. We were running late though so he had to frost them in the morning. When he woke up his present was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. A new bike! His other one was getting small, and we decided a mountain bike would be great so he can ride around in the yard easily. For breakfast he requested French toast for which we kindly obliged.

After school Conrad had piano lessons so there wasn't much time for fun stuff. We met Gigi, Mr. Jason and Jen for dinner at Bob Evans. When I asked Conrad the day before where he wanted to go to dinner he quickly made up his mind. "Why would you choose Bob Evans?" I asked, given that I had offered Outback, Spaghetti Warehouse, and other favorites. He said it was because Bob Evans reminds him of Papaw. Awww....see I told you he is sweet.

After dinner we went back to our house for the required ice cream cake. I lucked out and found a Star Wars one at Dairy Queen so that was a big hit. After dinner he opened presents: a super cool Star Wars collector's pop up book and a Star Wars comic book with figures. Jackpot!

2008 Race for the Cure

I did something Saturday that I've always wanted to do. I participated in the 2008 Susan Komen Race for the Cure with about 42,000 other people. It was especially meaningful to me because my friend Bonnie found out this past year that she has breast cancer. After finishing up with her chemo treatments on Monday, she walked proudly with about 40 friends and family members supporting her. I have never been part of such a huge crowd and there was an amazingly positive vibe shared by all. There were so many people that we walked the 5k in just under 2 hours, stuck behind a sea of people. I definitely plan to participate next year and will be bringing Conrad with me too.

If you haven't had time to donate to this cause there is still time. Donations can be easily made online through the B Team's fund raising page.

Ry Ry is Three!!

Rylan turned 3 yesterday. How did that happen? Last time I checked he was my little baby, barely able to walk. Now he is using the potty, getting ready for preschool in the fall, and growing up so quickly I can hardly keep up. Next thing you know he is going to be driving and heading off to college!


We met Miss Heather, Logan, Gwen, and Nicholas at Chick-Fil-A for lunch. One of Rylan's favorite lunches and they have a fun play area. They even gave Rylan a stuffed cow with a balloon and a bowl of ice cream for his birthday. How cool! Usually when we go there it is not crowded, but of course on Rylan's birthday it was rainy so the place was packed. Standing room only for parents and earplugs should have been required. It was LOUD!!

While Rylan was sleeping I ran to Sam's Club to finish my shopping. I had gotten him Spiderman sheets and a comforter, but he needed a bed to go with them! He has been sleeping on a toddler bed (the crib mattress in a frame on the floor) and we thought it was time to get him a big boy bed. I'm sure I looked silly struggling with that big cart with the mattress and frame. I got it out to the van and realized it wasn't going to fit the way I had planned. Fortunately a nice man stopped to help cram the mattress on top of the seats. Unfortunately I realized as I was pulling out that I couldn't see behind me! I looked as best as I could, prayed, and backed out very slowly. Then it was off to Dairy Queen.

Anyone who knows us well knows that Dairy Queen ice cream cakes are essential to our birthday parties. Usually I just go and pick whatever is appropriate out of the freezer, but this year Rylan is head over heels for Spiderman. He insisted that he wanted a "Spiderman birthday". So I called to make sure they had a Spiderman cake before heading over. They didn't have any small ones with Spiderman, just one large one. Darn, now I'm going to have to eat all of those leftovers! The things I do for my children...

We went to Red Robin for dinner with GiGi and Mr. Jason and Jen. It was yummy as usual, but poor Jen had to leave right after she got her food because of a call about her alarm being set off. We finished up there and then drove back home for cake and presents. Rylan was ecstatic about his Spiderman cake, and the bed with Spiderman sheets was a big hit too. GiGi got him a Spiderman costume. As you can imagine, it was the perfect present for this Spiderman crazed little boy. He was wearing it again this morning before breakfast!

Distant Cousins No More

I LOVE this photo of Conrad and Chloe. Aren't they sweet? It has been awesome having Tina and her kiddos close so we can see them more often.

A Splitting Good Time

One of Mom's huge Maple trees died last fall and was finally cut down early spring. When the yard dried up enough to get to it Jason rented a log splitter. Wow, now that was a hard job!! Some of the chunks were so big and heavy that there is no way we could have moved them onto the splitter by ourselves, so Jason had to back the splitter up to them. Each one took about a gazillion cuts before they were practically sized firewood. We spent all day sweating in the sun and heaving logs around the yard. Conrad even helped run the splitter when he got home from school. In the end, we got a few cords of wood to use at our house, but we more than earned it in sweat equity!

Velcro Roller Fun

I'm not sure what the attraction is, but Rylan loves playing with my velcro rollers. Usually they are his telescopes, and I am always finding them all over the house. One night, him and Conrad decided it would be fun to actually wear them. Unlike the title of the scrapbook page, I did take photos and immediately email them to Jason. ;)

Harpsichord Party

Conrad really lucked out with his piano teacher. She pushes his past his comfort zone, and has his playing music I would have never dreamed he could play a little over a year after starting. She and her husband are also extremely dedicated to music. So much so that he spent 20 years of his life building an authentic harpsichord. It is an amazing instrument. Sitting in her parlor listening to it makes you feel like you should be dressed like the women in Pride and Prejudice!

Mrs. Richardson has a harpsichord for the kids every 6 months or so. Anyone who is playing an appropriate piece at the time is invited to come to her house and perform on her harpsichord. This was Conrad's second time and he played "Lied" by Bach. Bravo Kiddo!