Bird Show Fun

In August we were able to go behind the scenes of the Bird Show at the Cincinnati Zoo thanks to Eddie, a friend from Nocturnal Adventures and performer in the show (Bob). It was a ton of fun and the kids had a great time. We got to watch the show and then take a tour of the enclosures the birds from the show stay in. Here is Eddie showing us the Stellar's Sea Eagle. Some of the enclosures are below the stands where the audience sits.

Here is Savanna feeding a Hyacinth Macaw. Each of the kids got a turn, even Liam!

Here are the kids on the stage of the bird show with their souvenir feathers. It was a great day.

Meet Marley and American Inventors 2

I know I know I'm insane but it's too late for that. Meet Marley the newest addition to the family. He is a 8 month old "puggle" half pug, half beagle. He's adorable and that's about his only saving grace at this point (just kidding). He's your typical puppy, he jumps on everyone, nips at the kids when he gets too excited, has an occasional accident in the house, chews on everything in sight, follows me around like, well, a puppy and my least favorite thing, his fondness for underwear, YUCK!On the up side, the kids adore him and love sitting on him which he tolerates, he sleeps through the night, barks very little, likes to lay at your feet and makes a great vacuum. All in all he's become part of the family and we're glad he's around.

Now for the second part of my post. Meet the next two inventors in the family. Luke and Savanna came up with this great hat all on their own and here's my favorite part...

The "food catcher"! You can put food in the side and reach in anytime for a quick snack. I love it! Wouldn't that be great to have around, you know, on errands or while watching your favorite show, you wouldn't have to get up (or in my case make my husband get up). There's even a floor below the hatch so the food doesn't get on your head. We will be patenting it shortly and you can find it at stores near you.

Jackson: American Inventor

I know, I know. His birthday was May 29 and here it is almost August. So I'm a slacker, I think we've established that. Now with that out of the way a few words about my first born. He is his own person. He loves playing with the gang but enjoys his space as well. If any of my kids would appreciate his own room it's Jackson. He has one of the most creative minds I know and there are days that if I hear, "Mom, I want to make a..." I think I will lose it. My recycling bin will never see a card board box and someday I'm sure Jackson's inventions will save the world. I mean how many kids do you know that have a favorite inventor? Jackson's is Thomas Edison. Did I mention his favorite TV shows are Nova, Nova Science Now, and American Inventor. If there is anyone out there with a knack for assembling household trash into a robot please speak now! I want to encourage him but physics was never my thing. Lucky for me he has a fondness for wildlife as well, now I can handle that. Here are a few pictures of my eldest in action:

Swimming on 4th of July

Summer baseball at the YMCA

Sir Jackson

At the Krohn Conservatory Butterfly show

Savanna Gale

Wow, time has flown. Savanna's 6th birthday was on May 11 and here it is June already. So forgive me Savanna.

Savanna is my only girl, my cohort in crime, my informer and my one familial attachment to girl stuff.
She enjoys girl stuff a little more than I ever did but it's good for me. She encourages me to wear makeup and learn cool hair styles, for her not me. Her career aspirations... "a missionary, ballerina, mom."
Even though she is girlie, with three brothers she has no problem holding her own and she is far from squeamish.

Her faith is awe inspiring and often informs us we've forgotten prayer or that she "feels the spirit when she hears this song." Savanna is my cheerleader, my helper, my shopping partner, my daughter. I love you Savanna. Happy Birthday.

Terribly Cute 2s

So we've reached the "terrible twos". Liam's birthday was May 3 but so far the terrible part hasn't hit yet, unless you count terribly cute as terrible. From my past experience with this stage I would have to say that this title holds true more with 3 or maybe 2 1/2 but for now I am enjoying this fun, adorable little guy! I love watching him try and be like his older siblings while developing his own unique personality.

Liam loves going outside, singing, nursery, Curious George, yogart, his Nemo sandles, going for rides, kicking the soccer ball, bath time, anything with Lightning McQueen on it, knowing where everyone in the family is at any given moment.

Liam does not love having his diaper changed, dinner food, getting dressed...actually, he is pretty easy going and I am having a hard time coming up with anything else.

Finding my Anchor

As most of you know, I recently spent 4 days with my mom in the counties surrounding Philadelphia. Describing all I learned about myself, where I came from and the changes that I am making in myself because of those 4 days is difficult, but I am going to try. I think it is very healthy to get away by ourselves from time to time. It allows us to find our anchor and become grounded so we can remember what's important.

I love to be surrounded by history and what a perfect setting for history, not just of our nation but of my family. My mother's ancestors lived (and some still do) in this area since the early 1700's so it provided a wealth of information on those ancestors.

I was able to reconnect with my grandparents who passed on when I was in high school. We visited their grave sites and heard story after story about what they were like. Sometimes I feel we are robbed when our grandparents die before we are able to get to know them as adults. We lived close by when I was small but I don't have many memories of that. Then my grandfather got Alzheimer's and my grandmother suffered from cancer so I never really got to know them for who they are. What a blessing to know we will have that chance someday.
I know where I got my name but I rarely think about the person for whom I am named. Most of the time I begrudge the fact that my name is so old fashioned and correct people when they mistakenly refer to me as Dorothy instead of Dory but I don't feel that way now, I learned that my grandmother was well liked, enjoyed antiques (like me) and had an easy disposition. It is because of the faith of these grandparents that I have the gospel of Christ in my life today. That is nothing to be ashamed of. As I learn about my ancestors through family history research it makes me so excited to get to meet them when we all pass on.

So along with the Philly cheese steaks, Tastee Kakes and soft pretzels I have found many more things to love about Pennsylvania.

Here are a few pictures of places we visited.

Berks Co. Historical Society - where I found some great information. Including that my 3rd Great-grand father fought in the Civil War.

The city of Reading

PA The train station in Langhorne, PA where my great- grandfather worked as a telegraph operator.

The farm house where my mother grew up.

A Conversation with Jackson

Tonight as I finished reading Harry Potter to Jackson and was tucking him in bed we had this conversation.

Jackson: Mom, can I make my own hypnotizing gun?

Mom: Well yeah I guess, but I don't think it's going to work.

Jackson: I want to hypnotize pigeons so they'll do what I want.

Mom: (through much laughter) What do you want them to do?

Jackson: Umm, get me ice cream.

Mom: Oh yeah? Where are they going to get the money?

Jackson: From the bank I guess.

Mom: What, you think pigeons have their own bank account?

Jackson: What's a bank account?

I want you all to know I am cracking up laughing as I write this. I love kids! My life would be incredibly boring and dull without them.