Kellen is in love with the tadpoles. He wants to help me change their water, he helps me to find rocks to decorate their habitat. He has the faith that they will become frogs, even though that thought seems a little abstract right now. ---SM

Just a quick after-church, front porch shot before Grandpa gets on the plane back to Denver. ---SM

The boys finished up their fourth birthday celebration with a visit from Dodo and Papa, a picnic at a school yard Justin and picked out from the satellite map on Google, several swings at a pinata, and a train ride up beautiful Niles Canyon just outside Sunol, California.

I can't think of the last time I was with both sets of my grandparents---I know the boys don't realize it now, but they are so blessed not only to have both sets of grandparents around them often but also to have both sets who love to be all together. Add Auntie Staci and the Shipleys, a little sunshine, and a big ol' steam engine, and oh, what a beautiful day. ---SM

Maggie and Lennox---on U.S. soil and together again!

Micke Grove Zoo is a county park not too far away from where I grew up. I went there a few times as a kid, and the last time I visited, I remember pulling away in my Uncle Steven's rented convertible listening to the tunes of Anne Murray. Isn't it funny how these little snapshots come back to us?

This time was the first for the boys. We visited with my mom and sister and we learned a lot. Grant chased all the first grade girls at the playground and then started to cry when they chased him. He hid under a picnic table, and when the girls realized he got scared, en mass they went over to talk to him under the table to tell him that they were really sorry and that they would let him could chase them again. Just the beginning, right?! ---SM



[Above: I always get a kick out of Lennox trying to drink from a water fountain. I'm glad I got this "camel shot."]

OK. Maybe it wasn't on purpose, but in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, let it be said that we were thinking green---frogs, that is.

My adventurous friend invited the kids and I to go afternoon polywoging on the trail we have near both our homes. In the creek, the polywogs are plentiful, so we caught a few dozen by dipping our plastic containers into the stream and the poor souls practically swam in by default.

The boys were amazed as they stood nearly knee-deep in murky creek water. Our friend Z went barefooted and his older sister M was definitely our leader, showing us exactly how to get it done. She even picked up green mucky grass to provide habitat for our tadpoles' swimming environment.

We had an absolute blast, and I can now say to all of my friends who have asked why, with three boys, I don't have a dog: I officially have a conglomerate of pets after which I do not have to scoop up poop! ---SM


[Above: Kellen's tadpoles]


[Above: M's green "habitat"]


[Above: Grant's tadpoles]


[Above: A very accomplished group]

I remember loving it as a kid and was bummed when I couldn't find a kid-sized door to walk through like they had when I was small. Still, Chuck E. Cheese's made a great first impression on the boys today when, for their birthday, we decided it was time to go there.

When we pulled up the boys saw the giant Chuck E. Cheese head outside the building and the first thing Kellen said was, "Grant! Grant! That's Chuck E. Cheese, just like we see on TV!" And so begins one of their first advertising bombardments.

When we got inside, the teen-aged workers gave us a few eye-rolls when they asked if we had been here before and we said this was our first time. They were shocked. 4-years-old and never been to C.E.C.? Yes, it's true. And unless someone suggests a family reunion at Disneyland, we won't be heading there for at least another couple years.

The boys were in awe of all the games and tokens and play areas and that they could do whatever they wanted. Kellen used most of his tokens on an egg game that had a game-sized C.E.C. dropping eggs inside baskets. Grant liked the tall play structure, and Lennox spent the majority of his time in a Bob the Builder bulldozer that moved back and forth along to the theme song. He kept saying, "Bob! Bob!"

I remember seeing a sign on the dining table that read, "Birthday Memories Made Easy." I think it's actually true. We had a blast, cardboard pizza and all. ---SM

(A Good Reason) Why It's Good To Be Home: Papa!