We've got broadband!

Since we arrived in Michigan we've been using free dial-up service to access the internet from home, but now, apparently, about 3 people in the world still use that, so the University is discontinuing it. We have therefore been forced to shell out for broadband. This meant agreeing to a package deal where the cable company also supplies our 'phone service, and they won't let us use our nice cheap long distance service. Soooo, does anyone want to fill me on on how to use Skype? (I'm serious - the only reason we never tried this before is because we didn't have the speed at home.)

New Kicks

Thomas's old black Converse hi-tops were wearing out, so Jami gave him the option of two new pairs or one pair that he designed himself using the Converse Web Site (it adds up to about the same price). Naturally, he chose the latter, and you see the result. He is extremely pleased with them and practically wears them to bed.

Frederick is FIVE TODAY!!!!

Today was a perfect Spring day--sunny, clear, breezy and just the right temperature. Frederick spent the day doing all his favorite things--morning with daddy, afternoon with Emily (including a trip to a park with very tall slides which Frederick fearlessly slides down ALL BY HIMSELF) and then, as if the day couldn't get any better, a birthday party just for him! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Frederick! Happy Birthday to you! (And many more!) Here Frederick appreciates his beautifully decorated (chocolate) cake.


Thomas oversees Frederick opening the present he gave him which was, surprise, surprise, a Pokemon figurine! (But isn't that the sort of thing Thomas loves more than life itself?)

And here, at last, are the beloved Ferby colored pencils (thank you, Granny), the absolute best writing utensils for those of us who prefer to press really, really hard when we write and color. Frederick's artistry skills have really taken off these past few weeks. We go through markers, crayons and colored pencils at an astonishing rate. These little gems arrived just in time.

After present opening, and playing outside in the sandbox with bucket and shovels as well as really cool light saber-shaped bubble wands, Frederick collapsed on the couch. All in all, a very nice day.

The Adventures of Edward

As mentioned in a previous blog, Thomas began penning the comic adventures of Edward during Christmas break. Feeling stung by a negative comment made by one of his teachers (she claimed that his comics were flawed in that they "didn't have endings"), Thomas's production slowed and then stopped completely a few weeks ago. (I was very glad I received an official Edward Birthday Greeting for my birthday. I hoped that that meant that Thomas was back in form, but apparently not. Thomas tells us that Edward will only be making special appearances for birthdays and Christmases, but not otherwise.) Hoping to cheer Thomas up a bit, I promised to make a "real" Edward if he drew me a good diagram. Here is what I got:

I spent about three weeks trying to work out in my mind how to contruct Edward so that he would gain a third dimension yet lose none of his impish charm. This is what I made:

Thomas was pleased (especially since I was able to create hands with interlockable fingers), but as is clear from his expression, the whole "Edward issue" is still a painful subject.

Easter Hunt

Sunday morning presented a fresh layer of snow--perfect weather for an Easter egg hunt. Thomas, wearing parka and snow boots, braved the cold to follow clues both inside and out.

Found one.

Here he is, reveling in the contents on his basket, a chocolate bunny (a first, because "small Thomas + big chocolate = MUCH CRAZY") and a Lego (always a winner).

First Day of Spring!

Spring is bustin' out all over!

We're Having a Heat Wave...

It got up to 60 degrees yesterday. It was weird and slightly alarming. And here is the ground in our backyard, visible for the first time in months. Needess to say, Frederick is thrilled to have the chance to stomp about in the mud. ("Thick, OOOZY mud," We're Going on a Bear Hunt) I think it is time to dig out the rubber boots.

Rainy days and Mondays..

always get me down, man. And Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays that are gray, dreary, damp, cold and icey piss me off, too. Here are photos of our driveway (top picture) and backyard (bottom pictures). Activities, other than falling dawn, are pretty limited.