Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Spa Day

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My feet are now fit to be seen this spring.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Buds No More

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The magnolia blossoms are open! It's such a brief explosion of beauty, though. It seems like they open and start falling immediately.

Just in case you wanted to see what the tree looked like in February and earlier this month.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

Lamington Production Station

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Just in case you don't know, lamingtons are little Aussie treats. Squarish pieces of white cake, sometimes 2 pieces sandwiched with jam in the middle, covered in delicious chocolate frosting and dipped in dessicated coconut. This was my first attempt at making them and the first time I've had them in at least 7 years, maybe more. They tasted exactly as I remembered and I was 12 again, coming home from school on a Wednesday afternoon (my Mum worked 6 days a week and Wednesday was her half-day, and therefore her shopping day. We could always count on a special treat on Wednesday afternoons).

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Take Your Kids to Work Day

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While I had the little quiet one at speech therapy this morning, the big noisy three went to Dad's office. When I went to pick them up he had a desperate crazed look in his eye. They had a great time; him, maybe not so much.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Patriots Day at Fenway

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I took 48 photos at the game today. We had fantastic seats, in a field box right behind the on-deck circle, four rows from the field. We bought the tickets in a charity auction last year and have been eagerly awaiting today's game. The Sox didn't disappoint: the final score was 12-1, with a thrilling 7th inning in which they scored 7 runs with 2 outs. The photo above shows Dustin Pedroia hitting a double in that inning.

The moment I wish I could show was before the game even started. Being Patriots Day, they invited 3 families of fallen soldiers to collectively throw out the first pitch. There were 3 young mothers with their tiny, fatherless children, and as each was introduced my heart broke for their unimaginable losses. I stood in Fenway Park and let the tears roll down my cheeks. It wasn't a moment I could photograph but I don't think that image will leave me for a long, long time.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Spring Break Begins ...

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... with 2 sick girls on the couch and one sick baby in his bed upstairs. Ugh.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

After School Fun

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Lollipops in the playground on a sunny afternoon. What could be better?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Hard At Work

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Speech Therapy in action, as seen from behind the one-way window.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Monday, April 13, 2009

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Birthday Party Monster Madness

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Monster Mini Golf. The kids loved it. I did not.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bud Update

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Walking by this morning, I noticed some of the magnolia blossoms about to burst open. It really is spring!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Life Goes On

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It's somewhat unsettling, returning to the "real" world after losing someone and experiencing all the attendant ceremonial activities. Far-flung family becomes close again, in a short but intense period. Then you have to go home, playgroup still meets, and there are still cookies to eat. Life goes on.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Driving Away

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This house holds many years worth of memories and it won't be the same without him.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Laughter and Tears

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We sat around the table and talked and laughed and reminisced in whispers (it was late and the kids were asleep in the next room). We had drinks and he goofed around, wearing his father's hat and talking like Winston Churchill. Then the rest of us went to bed and he sat up writing his Grandfather's eulogy.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Thursday, April 2, 2009

You have to laugh ...

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... and you gotta eat. Even in a hospital cafeteria.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Wiggly Moment

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I love that he loves The Wiggles. I'll admit that it's a bit Disney-fied and the new guy is a poor substitute for Greg, but they haven't tried to tone down their broad Aussie accents, and I admire the heck out of them for that!