Music to my ears!

You know how it is when you lose something that isn't the worst thing in the world to lose, and yet it somehow is to you? About a week ago I "lost" my iPod...and I've been searching high and low for it all week. Pushing my brain to think of where it could be. Looking in weird crevices of my car to see if it slipped there somehow. I realized there are much bigger things in life than my iPod, but in the same token music is very meaningful for me. I also tend to feel quite guilty if I lose expensive gifts (especially when they're given to me from my husband!).

Some may think it's silly because it's a material thing, but I really prayed on finding it! Hey, if my kids came to me for help on finding something, I wouldn't think it's all that silly and I'd help them out if I felt it was right. God's no different (especially since he's our heavenly father!). Small and large, we can go to him with our concerns and he will always listen. He may not answer as we hope (because he knows what's best for us), but he will help. Of course, I made sure to let him know that this was such a silly request to bring to him, but I knew I could all the same. Isn't that just the best?

So, I continued to search all over the place, when I was blessed by the thought of "What was I wearing on the day I last saw it?". That was a doozie to recall! Then I started thinking, maybe it's in a pant pocket. Hmmm! This morning, I sought out the pants I thought I was wearing...only to discover they had been washed, so no go. Hmpf! I proceeded to get ready for the day and in doing so, I picked up a pair of pants...and immediately my iPod dropped out of the pocket! I was dancing around like a crazy lady (Kdee's words, not mine :-). Then I remembered, these were the actual pants I was wearing that day. Wow!

Maybe it's all very silly, but I thought this was such a simple reminder of how blessings come to us everyday in small and big ways, even silly or serious. All you have to do is look around you...and never forget that God is there, no matter what your concern.

What are your blessings today?

Photos!

Here are the fun photos from the Mother's Day weekend at the cabin--yes, swimming was the big highlight! Also, I've included a photo of little B at Cole's birthday party. He had a blast at Cole's "Go Diego Go" themed party, and he was really into playing with all of the toys and boys who were there. I enjoyed spending time with my friend (and Cole's mom) Jacqueline and her family/friends. It was a great time!

Spring is truly here!

So...summer is right around the corner, but this past weekend there was evidence everywhere--in super cool ways--that the miracle of spring was in full effect. As you may know, the Ribclan headed up north again (see later for last weekend's events) to the family cabin. While there, we enjoyed the following:

1) watching dragonflies molt from their water bug "shells". It was incredible to watch all of the water bugs making their way to the sandy beach, only to dry out a bit and then slowly, out came the dragonflies. I was fascinated, especially given the poem I shared in the post about my dad. Here I was watching it all happen, something I've never seen before. It was great to share it with the kids (namely Kdee...who later became scared of all of the water bugs & dragonflies on the beach!).

2)seeing a NEWBORN (I mean super newborn--just a little over 1' tall) fawn with it's mom during our drive home on Sunday. As we drove near the doe and her fawn, the doe moved away from the road and the newborn crouched down to "hide". It was truly a special treat to see such a new baby out with its mom and watch its behaviors. We didn't stay too long, as we wanted to be sure that the mom could get her baby back into the woods sooner than later. The kids thought it was pretty cool and even ribB thought it was the youngest fawn he's ever seen. (As you may know, a couple of summers back we had fawns that would sleep in our backyard during the day--but that weren't even this "new".) Very cool!

3)Back at home, I needed to water my hanging baskets in front of our house. As it's happened in the past, we have a bird nesting in the one pot. Anytime I need to water that basket, I usually gently tap it and say "knock knock! time to water!" and the mom flies away. Today, however, I thought I better check on the status of the eggs so I don't water any hatchlings. Sure enough! There in the nest was a newborn chick--all fuzzy and weak--but definitely looking for food. I got Kdee to come out and see it and we marveled over this sweet little miracle that we got to see.

With fun surprises like these, it was a pretty cool weekend. We enjoyed another weekend up north (little B practically begs everyday to go to the "cabin", so when he's there, he's in his zone!). RibB and little B did some fishing, including little B's first catch & reel-in of a bass (caught on the trusty "Barbie" pole that has caught so many fish for all of our family). He loved being out in the boat with Dad. Kdee and I took a walk where we saw a pair of geese with their goslings, another rite of spring. We were outside most of Saturday, doing yard work and playing--and it was a good thing. Sunday's temps were only 40 degrees! Yuck! So, needless to say, we headed back home early. My mom stopped by to see the kids since it'd been since March since she last saw them (poison oak, hip problems and a busy schedule have kept her side-lined; she is having hip replacement surgery soon--one hip at a time--so hopefully by late fall/early winter she'll be feeling better.) She treated us to an hour and a half break, which was nice. Later, we played outside all together: Kdee practiced her soccer (which she loves, but has a lot of learning to do!) and little B practiced batting. It was one of those moments, after a great weekend, where you can step back and really admire your own family...

Last weekend we went to the cabin as well. We enjoyed some nice warm days and the kids even did a little swimming. That was the highlight. We endured crabby kids (namely little B), attempts to eat out for mother's day (HA! MADE WORSE BY CRABBY little B!)and kids waking early in excitement. We came home more stressed out than we've been in a long time. In short, it was kind of a sucky weekend. Ah well, it happens. As a parent, you know that life can't always go picture perfect, but man oh man is it hard when it all rains down at once and you just know it's going to go from bad to worse. Pfew!

Here's some other fun or funny highlights from the weeks in between:
1) I joined Kdee and her class on a field trip last week to the Heritage XXXXXX museum. It was way more cool than I ever imagined, so well done. Kdee's favorites were the school house and "recess" where the kids got to play with recess items from long ago. Those hoops with sticks (that you try to keep rolling) and the stilts were by far the favorites. I was happy to be with Kdee and, as always, it's so good to see her classmates (so it reminds me that she's just a normal first grader! sometimes you wonder when your own child does wacky stuff! :-) No, seriously, it was a lot of fun.

2)Little B is obsessed with his $1 tape measure and continues to play with it a lot, and he's also enjoying the hand-me-down "Barney Computer" that his sister enjoyed. He continues to love Diego (Go Diego Go) and being OUTSIDE! He would be so happy to be outside 8 hours a day--I kid you not. He loves to run and play just about anything. His funky running style is slowly improving. I returned 5 pairs of shoes this week--all of which did not fit his thick/wide feet. ribB and I joked that he'll just have to wear his rain boots all of the time, because they always fit. I did find a pair of $4 sandals that work--YEA!--but it took a lot of searching, much to my amazement. On a sweet note, he has a great exclamation anytime he gets excited for something, like today it was a glass of water: "oooo! Water!". I can't do it justice here, it's something that really needs to be heard in person. His enthusiasm for life and big, bright smile are adorable.

3) ribB has started his softball league and is really enjoying his team this year. Many of them he played with last year, but there are always a few new members. These last couple of years he's had guys that enjoy playing more competitively, which is what he always tries to do, so he's pleased! (The kids and I made it to one game but didn't get to stay too long (at the nearby playground, that is!)...because little B had an explosive situation that required all clothes to be removed. Whew!)

4) ribB and I had a date, thanks to our ever-faithful babysitter Ann. We visited our friends Brian and Katie in the hospital with their newborn Evie. (We are always amazed by their sense of calm and easy-going, friendly manner--even after having a baby!) After visiting with them we went out to dinner and a movie (sadly Spiderman 3, there just weren't any other options). Even though the movie wasn't great, we were SO HAPPY to have a few hours out together, since we'd been really needing the break.

5)My mom and I had a nice pre-Mother's Day dinner out togeher at The Bayport Cookery. It was her first time going and after one bite of the first course (wine cheese soup with morel mushrooms, apples, etc.)she was like "I've never really eaten before! This is amazing!") It was fun to take her there, since she's heard a lot about my work with the restaurant. It was nice to have 3 hours of uninterrupted time together--that's always a gift!

6) Kdee is obsessed with "Meet The Robinsons". She and some classmates are creating their own play of this movie (cartoon). She's read her book about the movie 3 or 4 times now and talks non-stop about the characters. Really, I mean non-stop...

(Photos to come in a separate post...)

Oh, MAN!

Ugh...I had a post almost written and then lost it when my computer crashed. YUCK! So, let's hope I get most of the details in this second writing!

The Ribclan household has been in a bit of recovery mode lately. ribB has been not feeling well since last Friday, and spent most of last weekend glued to his fave recliner. This week has been a bit hit or miss for him, but he's been a trooper and each day he feels a bit better. We anticipate that this weekend will be a lot more fun!

With that said, last weekend the kids and I had lots of playtime together...especially outside in the gorgeous weather (all that fresh air was great for getting them to bed at night, too!). Friday night Kdee had karate, so little B and I tried to watch a bit (hard for a 2 year old to sit still and be quiet when older kids are doing exciting karate moves) but we managed to play in the hallways, a locker room and an outside courtyard area. After karate, we got a DQ treat and went to a nearby playground for a little playtime before bed.

On Saturday, Ms. Kdee decided to wake up for the day...at 4:45am. She was good about entertaining herself in her room, but I'm not always good at falling back to sleep, so it became a longer day than I was expecting (and of course, my usual early riser little B "slept in" until 6:45am). Saturday was a busy day full of:
--Go Diego Go! (The Great Jaguar Rescue rental was a hit!)
--garage sales (new to little B, who didn't like leaving sales with toys; Kdee, on the other hand was thrilled and collected some change out of her bank for a spool of ribbon (to make a dress?!?! and a pair of shoes--total cost 25¢!)
--a trip to the "ABC" playground (where little B yelled "LET'S GO, AMIGOS!" and played pirates)
--a trip to Target (little B needed shorts for this hot weather!)
--a trip to the new community playground for lots of running, climbing, swinging...a great place!
--play outside at home before baths & bedtime.
--I even sneaked in some time in my gardens during little B's nap (and Kdee's time with dad watching the original Freaky Friday (her rental!)

On Sunday, the kids & I ventured to Como Zoo. Trips to zoos are really a fantastic combination of FUN and STRESS! It was little B's first time going to the zoo as a toddler, so it was so fun to watch his face light up in amazement and happiness as he saw all of these "new" animals. But, with lots of people, strollers and a whiney 6yr old (I have a blister! I want to buy this-that-anything! I want to go do a ride (amusement park)!), I was ready to go after a couple of hours. On our way home we stopped at a local greenhouse that has the only spray that works to keep the deer & bunnies out of my plants, and we all enjoyed some flowers, too (in the form of 2 hanging baskets! :-). Later, we did more playtime outside at home and some chilling out. Sunday was definitely a more mellow day.

The past week has been pretty good, with Kdee starting soccer (her first time playing). She's got some catching up to do, as most kids have been playing a couple of years, but she did a good job last night and loved playing. She seems very excited about this sport!

Work has been busy for me...but in the midst of it all, Heather and I find time for a good laugh and some humor to keep us going. I'll include you in on some of the fun! The following link takes you to a graphic design blog that has a hilarious song on it, "Make the Logo Big". Now, this probably won't be funny to most of you, but if you've worked in marketing/advertising or have had to make a decision with it before, you may appreciate the song. The comments that follow it are gold, too. The lesson in this humor is that making your business logo big or bigger doesn't necessarily mean it looks good (or works well) on the final design. http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/003259.html

Our weekend ahead proves to be a good one! Besides some home projects, little B is going to a birthday party (Cole's Cinco De Mayo party--ole!) and ribB & me will have a date out thanks to Ann (our babysitter). Tonight's also the last night of karate until the summer session...we'll see if she's up for it!

**Also, congrats to our friends Brian and Katie on the birth of their daughter, Evelyn, today!

Pictures: kids at the zoo, Diego, Kdee at soccer, the community playground....