Duck March

This year we spent Spring Break in Arkansas. We thought about going to one of those popular places, like Florida or Cancun. But we like to be different, so we got in the car and drove to Little Rock. It was just as well since Brad had work to do there anyway.

Little Rock is actually a nice little city with plenty to keep kids busy for a few days. We visited a science museum and a kids play center. We thought about going to the zoo, but Susanna got hurt at the play center (not sure how, exactly, but she hit her mouth and there was a bit of blood...) So we'll do the zoo next time. It was also fun to eat in some of the restaurants Brad frequents during his many trips there, and of course I had to find the local cupcake bakery.

We stayed at the Peabody. There are three Peabody Hotels - the original in Memphis, one in Orlando, and this one. This in itself was a big highlight as they have ducks swimming in the lobby fountain.

The Duck March is a big daily event. At 11 a.m., the ducks are brought down the elevator, and then they march through the lobby a bit and hop into the fountain.

Then at five, they do it all in reverse. We decided to hang out and follow the ducks all the way back to their little house, which is located on a 2nd floor patio. I'm not sure if people are supposed to be invited to do this as it was just us and another family with slightly older kids. But they let my kids help push the wagon.

They pushed (while the older kids pulled) the duck trolley all the way outside, and then stood by the duck house for a photo op. Then the cage was opened and the ducks scurried right into their house.
We learned that only one of the ducks has a name, and its John Philip Duck. Not sure if that is a particular duck, though. There is a book by this title, but we are still waiting to get it from the school library. Then we can read all about the history of this fun tradition.

7

Here are a few photos from Susanna's birthday, only a few weeks late!

Brad's family was in town for the occasion, which was nice for Susanna. They were here for her birthday party with friends and also on her actual birthday, when we celebrated with dinner at home and an ice cream cake.

Her party was at a gym, where the kids did trampolining, floor games, and the pit. Good, active fun for everyone!

New glasses and minus 2

Back to sports

Spring has arrived, and it is time to get back into sports mode. Actually, Susanna hasn't had much break since she did basketball all winter. But that didn't go so well, and now its over and maybe we can just forget about that.

Susanna and Ben are both back with their teams from last autumn. Susanna was happy to get back to soccer after the long break. Though her team struggled last season, they did improve a bit by the end, and hopes were high for a good start this year. Let's just say there is still plenty of room for improvement. But its a nice team, nice girls and nice parents, so that's a plus. One game down, seven to go. Hopefully things will get better.

Ben's teeball team has 8 returning players and 6 who are new. I think all or most of the new families requested placement on Brad's team - he is getting quite the reputation as teeball coach in this town! Fourteen boys make a rather large baseball team, and Brad wasn't quite sure where to put them all, but it worked out in the end and they had a great game today. (They still don't keep score, but most certainly would have won if they did.)

Its all good fun, if not slightly frustrating, and the kids are having a great time, which is the important thing. And I might as well enjoy it while it lasts - soon enough, the long, un-structured days of summer will be here and maybe I will actually miss the sports.

Toothless in Texas (and Girl Scout cookies)

Today was the last day of our visit with Brad's sister and her family. We all went to Susanna's school to have lunch with her in the cafeteria. As we were getting signed in (and the receptionist was trying to decide whether or not it was safe to allow Uncle Andy to enter the building), Susanna appeared out of nowhere with a bloody mouth, minus one tooth.

[would insert photo here but will spare you the messy details]

As it turns out, she had come from the nurse's office, and the nurse had actually pulled her tooth because it was bleeding. Fortunately it stopped and she was able to eat the chicken sandwich we had brought for her.

This is the third time she's lost a tooth - the last one came out one year and two days ago - I expect she'll lose quite a few before another year passes.

We also got her Girl Scout cookies tonight. She sold 95 boxes, and now we have to distribute them and collect the money. That will keep us busy this weekend!

Birthday buddies

Happy Birthday to Susanna and my dad!

Susanna was born on my dad's 71st birthday. Today she is 7 and he is 78.

The photo here was taken three years ago when Susanna was turning 4. I can't believe how little she looks!

Snow day

We are having a snow day today. That's right, a snow day, in Texas.

Apparently this is the most snow Texas has seen in 111 years or something. Maybe that is when they started keeping track. At any rate, its pretty impressive.

And the best part is, I am home alone! Lucky me! But I have done my share - I recently had 5 four- and five-year-olds running through here with wet clothes and shoes. They have since moved on to another house. Susanna packed a bag and headed next door - not sure when I'll see her again...

Maybe I should go clean something, since Brad's entire family is arriving tomorrow for a visit. And I need to order a cake for Susanna's party on Sunday, or I'll have to make one myself.

Hope everyone has a nice Valentine's weekend!