Spring Break!

In the following entry, watch me take full advantage of a rare opportunity to brag on a perk of my job. Sometimes it feels like there are few of these opportunities, so witness me get obnoxious about it. Here I go...

TODAY BEGINS MY SPRING BREAK! Imagine me doing my own little end zone dance...

Ahh... spring break. It feels gooood. Perhaps you are sitting at work while you read this. Bummer for you. I'm very likely in my pajamas still. Nap, anyone?

Jack, Emma, and I have big plans to do a lot of nothing. Hopefully, the weather will be nice, and we can go play outside with Jack's new t-ball set. (The Easter Bunny had made me aware that this is what he's bringing for Jack alongside a nice supply of jellybeans.) Perhaps we'll play a little of the Wii (see previous posting). Speaking of... I am inserting a couple of pictures of us playing. The first photo of Jack is purely posted here as an opportunity to show my Aunt Vicki how much Jack can look exactly like a little Mark Ryan (cousin). He makes me do a double take sometimes. The second? Well, I am in an obnoxious mood.

Congrats to Jim today for participating again this year in the Frisco Highline 5K Run. He placed third overall and first in his age group! I would post a good photo, but my camera is one of those where you push the button and it takes an agonizing 2-5 seconds for the big "click." By this time, whatever good memories you were trying to preserve for family history are history themselves. So yes, Jim ran past me, and the camera did its stupid camera thing. But I think I got a good photo of a bush.

As a replacement, I hope you'll accept a couple of sweet "Daddy and Emma moments." At least the camera cooperates every now and then when it matters most.

Emma Discusses the Heavy Issues of the Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today was St. Patrick's Day. What exactly does that mean to a preschooler? Well, first and foremost, one must wear green. And under no uncertain circumstances, one's baby sister must wear green also. It's imperative. Secondly, it's time to test out the "Leprechaun Catching Machine" at school. Apparently leprechauns are important for trapping because "they will steal your gold." If trapping is not an option, squashing is okay too. Thirdly, although it is important to catch them, it is not clear if leprechauns are real or if they are make believe. It truly depends on the day you ask Jack. In a similar way, he will tell you on Tuesday that the Easter Bunny is making plans to bring you some Easter eggs. But on Wednesday, he is without question "just a man in a rabbit suit." Jack is evidently still feeling it all out.


We recently purchased a Wii game system. Perhaps we are the last to do so... but whatever. We are discovering that it is very fun. Jim enjoys Golf (gag me). Jack likes Bowling, Billiards, a cow racing game, Fishing, and Tanks. I like Duck Hunt... but then again, I like any shooting game 'cause I can kick Jim's butt 97.2% of the time. And Baseball. Baseball is very fun. How sad is it that my right arm was sore after the first day we played? Pathetic.


Here are some shots. Jack first insisted that I adequately capture his modeling of the Wii remote. Then, somehow it morphed into, "Make sure you get me making the most screwed up face I can manage." Mom, I have no idea where your grandson comes up with the need to make faces... nor why he finds his own facial contortions to be the funniest things in the world. No idea at all.











And so ends the face making session. But I thought I'd throw this next picture in too. Have you ever seen that PBS children's show, Boohbahs? It's creepy. Check out Jack below. You Tube, people. Look it up. It'll be worth it, I promise.

And finally, a little Emma fix below. Enjoy!

Jack's Sad Snow Angel

This morning we woke up to a heavy snow on the ground and were instantly happy to realize the prospects of no school. Jim took a break from work, recognizing a prime opportunity to give Jack some snow angel making lessons. Let's just hope that these lessons are not indicative of how future driving lessons will go. Oh boy.

Missouri Winter Games

This weekend was a busy one... phew! Jim participated in the Missouri Winter Games again this year. Ahhh, smell the chlorine. He swam in five total events over the course of Saturday and Sunday: Men's 50 yd. Freestyle, 100 yd. Individual Medley, 100 yd Freestyle, 200 yd. Freestyle, and the 500 yd. Freestyle. I need to brag on him as he came away with three first place medals and two second place medals. I, on the other hand, came away with a little bit of from-the-bleachers high school nostalgia and a free t-shirt. Thanks, Jim, for the understanding and unselfish nod to my t-shirt fettish. And to any random stranger who asks... "Why, yes, I did participate in the Missouri Winter Games. How did you know?"

While we cheered for Jim, Jack and Emma got to visit with Aunt Kim and all three of their cousins. We all had great fun!

Left to Right: Cecilia, Jack, Rose, Emma, Aunt Kim, and Maria

Emma attracted her own kind of attention looking cute in the cheering section.

And by the end of Sunday night, this is about how we all felt.... slugs on the couch.

Can't Sleep, Mimi?