enjoying a nice day

last week we had some delightful weather.  I couldn't resist it.  I brought out some music to listen to and a craft to work on, Kellan's walker, bouncy chair and bottle.
we watched birds and saw cars and trucks drive by and Kellan took a nap while we listened to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.  

it was so relaxing and much needed fresh air. then we came in and I felt like the worst mom in all the land.

even though we spent our time in the shade, enough sun got Kellan to give him a tiny burn.  it was completely faded two days later, but I still felt like a huge jerk

but it hasn't been as nice since then and so I am glad that we spent some time out there.

the highlight of our days...

it has been a very long time since I've written.  I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago.  I got the best best best present in the world!  I've been wanting to have a collection of Audubon Field Guide books for years and years and on rare occasion I would mention that I should get one or two.
my completely incredible husband got me a set for he and my kids to give me one each.

here they are from husband to youngest.


yesterday it was finally nice enough to go for a walk with Kellan!  we walked to the bridge and the kids skipped stones and I took pictures with my ipod (an infinitely inferior camera than my real one)

 on our way to the bridge

 Connor trying to skip a rock.
he managed two skips!

 my finger in the shot...
Daddy and Kellan walking to the lake edge

 bikes and stroller in a row

yep, this scared the crud out of me.
I'm generally a nervous wreck when we're at the bridge

and while the kids skipped stones and clamored around under the bridge I ventured down to the creek with Erica.  I missed a coot fly right past us and under the bridge.  but I did get some footage of Erica poking a dead fish with a stick. apparently the video is too big to post.  I know, you're disappointed.

part of a dead deer found at the other bridge.

Connor hanging in a tree 

Emma looking up birds in my birthday present book

yes, that is our simple life.

poor emotional kid

Ronan has not yet learned how to appropriately direct his feelings.
he was playing on the lap top and the battery was getting low so it needed to be charged.  I guess it was Connor who insisted that he should be done playing because he went stomping out of the room and I heard him telling Connor that he was "the worst brother I ever had"

:(
how sad.  and a little bit funny, but  mostly sad

an observation by Ronan

"I wonder why fireflies are not scared of us to catch them.
but birds and butterflies have a great sensing!  when we come up to them and don't even make a sound they (fans out is hands) fly away"

I love the way that boys mind works

I'm so freaking excited!

keeping tabs on her case, I checked in on the court website to see if there was any kind of change in her file.

We have a court date!

15 years in the waiting.  now we are down to the last couple of weeks!

and now we wait

some may know that when Erica and Timothy were born Tim had not yet become a part of our lives.  :(
some may also know that even before Tim and I were married Timothy and Erica were already calling Tim 'Dad'  - it went from New Dad to Good Dad to Dad.
Tim has been their dad for all these years that it isn't even a thought.  He is their dad. that is all.

so the story in a nut shell is something like this. when Erica was 3 and Timothy was 6 months we packed the tiniest of diaper bags and split!  it really was a - well, we'll just say that we chose life.
ever since that day Erica has been wanting to change her last name.  when my divorce was finalized she asked if she was Erica Osborne and I was very sad to have to tell her no.  then when Tim and I got married she was not yet 8 years old and asked if now she was Erica McGinnis.  sadly no.  but anyone who knows her knows that she goes by McGinnis.
15 years.  a long 15 years have finally come close to the end.  we have filled out the paperwork.  she's been fingerprinted for her background check and as of 4 days ago the papers have been filed.  the prints have been sent. and the fees have been paid.

Now we wait.  we wait for the background check to come back and the court date to be set.  it is almost over.

in 3 more years Timothy is up for the same process.  

I'm so nervous and excited for Erica right now.  and at the end of it we'll have a party - name change/graduation party.
then we wait for 3 more years and do it all over again.

slow going on the blogging front

this week has been a difficult one for blogging.  not because anything is particularly difficult around here (except that everyone is getting a head cold and that even counts Kellan - poor baby)
no.  it's because we've had two days off from school this week and not only is my computer being held hostage in a way, but I have also decided that NOW is the time to finally read the Hobbit and follow that up with The Lord of The Rings.  I guess my next few weeks are booked.  (terrible pun not intended)
in many ways this is (we'll call it) an oversight that I am truly embarrassed about when ever my kids and I talk about the movies.  I am a believer in the saying "the book was better" and the movies are favorites of ours.  people who only ever watch the movie miss so so much of the actual story. but I am still trying to be careful that in my quest to not miss the actual story I don't end up missing the rest of my family.

Kellan is growing normally.  He is talking more and more every day.  it was so funny, when he started trying to make sounds to practice talking he was really quiet about it.  it was like he was very shy.  I kind of think that it's a hereditary thing, shyness.  Both Tim and I are very introverted.  it takes me a really long time to warm up enough to someone to allow myself to be myself.  most of the rest of the kids are the same way.  Emma and Connor spring to mind with Emma in the lead.  I think Kellan is going to be the same way.

Connor had a bad dream the other night.  it involved Willy Wonka.  I may have to tell it some time (before I forget it)

well, I am abruptly ending this entry because we need(ed) to buy Ronan some pants that don't have holes in the knees.
I know... exciting!