8+ months

This guy is so smiley. He lifts people up and lightens the mood with a smile. His little curls are so fun. And his eyes are a tad bit hazel. 

I love him. We love him so much!

Coin collector

I love having kids partly because their interests enable me to learn new things. Take for instance, coins. Oliver is very much into coins and how rare certain versions are, etc. So many kind friends, neighbors, and family have helped Ollie build his foreign coin collection. And now he's getting into the rare coin business. We have a man who lives in our neighborhood who owns a coin shop and the other day we paid it a visit. 

As we walked in, Oliver knew exactly what he wanted.  I chatted a bit with the lady at the counter, then Ollie took his turn, "Do you have any Benjamin Franklin half dollars?" Um, what? I thought to myself. I had no idea this coin even existed and here was my seven year old talking with the coin dealer like it was no big deal. The dealer went to the back and grabbed some coins for Ollie to look at. He choose a fine grade coin and handed over $7 in exchange. Ansel joined the fray and bought two silver dimes (one was a mercury dime, another coin I did not know existed) for $3. We talked some more, looked around then headed for the car. 

Jess and I looked at the boys' coins and oohed and aahed over them. They were really neat and a part of history. As we backed out of the parking lot Oliver exclaimed, "I am so happy now, I'm crying!" His eyes were watery. I think he thought rare coins were so out of his reach and unattainable, that he couldn't believe he had actually bought something that, only moments before, he had only read about. It was a magical. And since then, his coin collection just keeps growing. Ask him about it sometime. It really is something special. 

Book Review: Steve Young - Life Behind the Spiral

Okay, guys, I've read a book this year!  Actually, I think it might be my second or third book of the year, but the fact that I can't really remember, might mean that it is really my first.  No wait, I know I've read one other, so I think it is my second.  Yep, I think that's right.

Jess brought this book home the other week because a colleague got an extra signed copy and gave it to him.  Ever since I met Steve Young while volunteering at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, I've been a fan, so why not read his life story.  I dig a good autobiography.

It was a great read.  I like football and his story is good. I enjoyed the book.  Sometimes I'd skim over stats, but that's about all I'd skim over. The guy was a hard worker.  He had perseverance.  He always tried to do what was right.  He was great under pressure.  My favorite part however, came in the epilogue when Steve Young went on to explain his life after football.  He mentions all of his kids and their interests. He mentions his first son was into singing, the arts, computers and comedy.  His second son who loves sports.  His two daughters, one who likes gymnastics and the other dance.  I think the reason I enjoyed this part was because it seemed to me that Steve was celebrating his children for who they were and wanted to help them excel in what they liked even if it wasn't football.  I have three sons.  I am sure they will each be into different things.  I hope to help them  succeed in whatever skill or hobby or interest they may have, with the determination and focus like that of Steve Young.

Hard boiled

This year was the first time in my married life where we actually finished eating all of the hard boiled eggs we dyed for Easter. 

Easter

Yesterday was a pleasant day filled with good words, egg hunts, spring walks, and family dinner. What a wonderful time of year to celebrate the reason for hope.

Dyeing my hair blonde

Last night, Jess and I were watching a show and in it, one of the ladies has platinum blonde hair.  I thought for a minute and said to Jess, "I want to do something different, like maybe, um, dye my hair blonde."  Jess' response, "Really? I like your hair."  And I answered, "I guess I just want to do something totally out of the ordinary."  And that's when I realized it might be time to sign up for another half marathon. 

Meetings at school

Today I ran to the school twice, once for a meeting and the other to help out with a party in Ollie's class.  There was a lot of back and forth and dropping kids off at friends' house.  And of course, I was running late.  I did this all to the song The Chase, which is from the Man from Snowy River soundtrack I received for my birthday this year and which was playing in my car.



This same song and the feeling it gave me might be to blame for the fact that I uncharacteristically volunteered to be part of the corporate fundraising committee for the PTA fundraiser next year when my natural instinct wanted to sign up to be part of the PR/Marketing committee.  I am now getting rid of the soundtrack. 

Nowish

Things worth remembering about these days...

Ollie smelled fire outside and didn't want to smell it, thus the protective nasal gear. 

Cute 7 month old with a hole in his pjs.

Celebrating my 35th at the symphony. I fell asleep due to lack of sleep, but it was the best nap on the second tier of the hall I've ever had. And the part I did see and hear was very good. The conductor led and played the piano. 

Jess has the magic touch when it comes to getting Ian to eat solid foods. 

Ollie gets Ian to smile. 

Ansel and his cousin giving air and light to their newly sprouted seeds. 

Ansel is quite the climber. He also likes to dress up as a railroad engineer. 

Giving this kid a swig of water. He loves to do this. 

Sleeping soundly. 

Three boys sitting on a futon. Do we see a familial resemblance?