"Spring" Track?

This Spring has been very strange. It's been cold and rainy. Every. Single. Day. We've had 19 straight days of rain. (And counting!) We've also had a couple of warm days, which has been such a tease. Today was not one of those days. It was maybe 45 today? As a high temperature. And it was drizzly. And windy. And those poor kids had yet another freezing cold track meet. Look at the kids in the shorts and tank tops (Alex is on the left) and then notice the adults by the table, all bundled up. I don't know how those kids can do it! I couldn't feel my feet on the walk back to the car after the meet! And it's MAY!

They did it though, and they all did a great job. Considering how cold and rainy it was. Alex did not get a personal best today, but he tried awfully hard! And those new shoes looked very sharp.

Teacher of the Year

I thought this was a nice up-lifting story to share. Some good news for a change! The above photo was taken today at the White House. The man standing next to President Obama? That is Alex's Earth Science Teacher, Mr. Peneston. He was voted the NY State Teacher of the year. He may not have won the National Teacher of the Year award, but he really is a wonderful teacher. He absolutely loves his job and he loves teaching children. I don't think I've ever met a teacher more passionate about their work. Alex's grade last quarter for Earth Science? 100.

Click here to read the article about Mr. Peneston. It's nice to see a great teacher being honored in such a great way.

Weekend Wrap-Up

We had a very productive weekend. Aside from the usual errands and things, Eric got the urge to clean the carpet in the family room. Apparently it's been bothering him for quite awhile. I imagine it had never been cleaned before we moved in, and we've been here almost 3 years. So it was well past time! Jenny had to help of course.

She was annoyed and confused by her missing seat. The vertically challenged dog could no longer see out the window...

Eric went to town on the carpet. I lost count how many times we filled and re-filled the water. The water we dumped out was pretty gross... so we knew it was working!

We re-arranged some furniture when we put the room back together. That comfy looking corner set-up in the center of the photo is my new "home"... And Jenny was happy to get her seat back at the window. (And dad... if you look close, the lamp is that $5 lamp we got at the yard sale 2 years ago!)

I dragged up my potted plants from the basement today. This was the first year I remembered to bring them inside before they froze to death. The pansies are new however. They needed some nice color.

Another pansy by the Sunflower flag. And look at that beautiful lush green grass... hopefully the lawn guy will be here this week for the first official mow of the season.

Alex had 2 track meets this past week. One was the home opener at his High School. It was their first home meet in 5 years. Isn't their new track beautiful?! Alex has decided he really likes the 800 meter. He's been running it twice every meet. Once in a relay and once as a regular race. His last meet he set his personal best, at 2:14. He's hoping to get below 2:10 by the end of the season. I bet he does it!

Alex and I went shoe shopping today. The shoe on the right was only 5 months old. But after running in the snow, rain, sleet, mud and whatever else he's been dealing with, it was time for a new pair. So he got the exact same ones. Yes, they used to be white. He also got a new pair of bright red track flats. I bet they will help get that personal best!

Rain, Rain Go Away

We're going to set the record for the rainiest April on record. We just need another 1/2" of rain. I think we'll probably get that today. These photos are from yesterday. They had to close Interstate 81 in Syracuse.

I can't believe people drove into that water thinking they'd get through!

And once again I am happy I don't have that commute from Channel 9 anymore. I might very well have been stuck in that traffic... yuck!

Menu Plan Revised

It was brought to my attention recently that I haven't been posting my weekly menu plans. Rest assured I still do the menu plans, I just haven't been posting them. Since my blog is private, I can't really play the "Menu Plan Monday" game anymore.

So here's my Menu Plan for this week. It's a basic week, nothing new or exciting. Alex has 2 track meets this week, so there are a couple of "easy" nights.

Monday: Pork Chops, Rice and Applesauce
Tuesday: Hamburgers, Baked Beans and Pasta
Wednesday: Chicken Patties with Rolls, French Fries (Track Meet)
Thursday: BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies
Friday: Pizza (Track Meet)

And there it is. My very simple menu plan for this week.

So... I have a question. Is anyone (besides me and probably my mom) going to get up really early Friday to watch a certain Royal Wedding??

Easter Dinner

We had a lovely Easter dinner (lunch) at Gary & Paula's today. I believe that Laura & Kelly were the artists that dyed these beautiful eggs.

Laura presented the nicely decorated table.

Paula slaved over a hot stove most of the day... and she made a wonderful dinner.

I know Laura enjoyed the dinner. And she also enjoyed getting to sit next to Uncle Eric. Even if it was at the "little" table.

There were many games that were played today. Cards, checkers, football, atomic farts... etc.

Kelly let Arlene win at checkers every time they played. Because Kelly said that Grandpa Ivan (Paula's dad) always won and Arlene never did. That was very sweet of Kelly to let her win!

Grandpa Ivan watches over Arlene and Kelly playing checkers on the iPad.

And Sheila made her fabulous M&M cookies! And they were just that... fabulous! Unfortunately, we forgot to take any home with us... :(

Happy Easter!

Even when you're 14 (and 16), you still get an Easter Basket! The only difference? The eggs are full of cash... heh heh..

I made some fun Easter cupcakes yesterday, to take with us to Easter dinner at Gary & Paula's. There are pink and blue sprinkles in the mix.

And I turned white coconut yellow and green...

And made cupcake chicks! Happy Easter, everyone!