Nine Years

Today the stomach bug decided to pay Mommy and I a visit so we (or at least I) spent most of the day cuddled up on the couch sleeping.  We did manage to make it outside for a bit a fresh air to watch Ryan ride his bike on what felt like the first warm day in way too long.  We (or at least I) also managed to talk a lot while laying on the couch.  It is rare that any illness can keep me from talking so of course I had to share everything with Mom about my crazy life, and Mom was able to squeeze in a few things as well.  One of those things that Mommy shared was that it has been nine years since Grandpa Wayne passed away.  She and I spent a long time talking about him, and I asked a thousand questions..what color were his eyes? did he like to draw? what was his favorite food? why did he like gadgets? did he cheer for the Packers?  I feel like so much about him is still unknown, but Mommy did share with us a few months ago something that gives us an opportunity to talk about him and think about him when we least expect it:  

"I found a penny today just laying on the ground, but it's not just a penny this little coin I've found.  Found pennies come from heaven that's what my Mommy told me, she said Angels toss them down oh, how I loved that story.  She said when an Angel misses you they toss a penny down, sometimes just to cheer you up to make a smile out of your frown.  So don't pass by that penny when you're feeling blue, it may be a penny from heaven that an Angel's tossed to you." 

We love when we find a coin, and we love the conversation that follows because we always learn something interesting about our Grandpa!

How To Catch a Leprechaun

We may not have a lick of Irish in our blood, but that doesn't mean we have any less fun celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  We were busy last week making leprechaun traps with our fifth grade buddies.  We had to design it, draw out a plan, and then build it.   Mine was fairly technical as you can see, whereas Lily's was a simple square box with a supposedly self-closing door.  Regardless, neither trap actually worked, although the sneaky little leprechaun did leave behind some clovers, gold coins, and a note.  Maybe if we start working on a plan now for a bigger and better trap, we'll have better luck next year!

Carter Turns 1

Our cousin, Carter, turned one this past Friday so we headed to New Lenox today to celebrate the big occasion.  The party included face painting and balloon animals so it was guaranteed to be good!  Our cousin, Marc, was there too, and we had so much fun eating all of the M&M's (and throwing sharing a few with Daddy and Uncle Craig)!!!