something we are excited about...

Dave has been a bike rider forever, but this summer he began riding it to work. Gas prices were the initial impetus and then an improved fitness level became a wonderful side effect. The more he rode, the less stress he carried inside. It has been good for the body and soul. He rode into the winter months...and despite the fact that old man winter made riding impossible on the most frigid of days....he still loves it. Spring weather has hit here and it is just perfect for riding with the wind in your face.

A month or so ago Dave committed to riding a 100 mile fundraising ride for Multiple Sclerosis in Savannah, Georgia. He is riding with one of our close friends from church and thus far training is going well. The ride lasts for two days -- 65 on the first and 35 on the second. It's an exciting goal to set. Even more important is the fact that Dave gets to raise money for a disease which has affected on of his good friends in Redmond, WA. Dave is riding in Tim's honor. Follow this link to see Dave's ride page:

MS 100 Ride in Savannah

Take a moment and look it over. If you want to contribute I'm sure Dave would be thrilled.

i'm a pepper

I have been researching some links for our upcoming spring break trip. This year we are doing something different. Usually we try to hit the beach with the kids. Realistically that was the best thing to do with little kids in tow...pack everything up, go to one place, and enjoy chasing toddlers and keeping everyone safe. Now we are getting to the stage where we have school aged kids. This year we are taking a bit of a friends and family tour - New Orleans, San Antonio, Waco, and Dallas. I'm really excited about the possibilities and convinced we may need a vacation from our vacation when we return. I hope this marks a new phase for us.

My friend Julie lives in Waco, TX. She and her husband are professors at Baylor University. They are friends we met while living in Maryland. Our boys were born just days apart and we even celebrated their first birthday together. Geez I need to wrangle up that video of the boys sitting in high chairs out on our patio with their faces covered in blue frosting. Oh yes, I digress...

Julie sent me links to the sights in Waco...and I spied this one on the list. When I went to the Dr. Pepper Museum website I had a memory appear in my head. It's a weird southern childhood memory. Not sure if any of you drank Dr. Pepper growing up, but the "10-2-4" mantra used to be printed on the glass bottles. I didn't get to drink soda that often so it was a big deal to me. I was allergic to Coke, but somehow Dr, Pepper didn't bother me.

I'm sure my mother was just trying to keep me still for a few moment while she got her frosted 70's updo, but going to the beauty shop was a big outing. I knew when we got to the shop that I would get to pick out a drink and a snack. What was number one on my hit parade? A Dr. Pepper and a bag of salted peanuts. I would take the peanuts, pour them into the Dr. Pepper bottle, and then drink my way to 6 year old happiness. The only thing that would have been better is to have indulged in the 10-2-4 fantasy...at least that is the way it seemed as a kid.

Guess I'll just have to rely on my DIET Dr. Pepper and my raw almonds to make me happy now. Ah, youth...

february homework

Each month we get a calendar of fun things to do from William's first grade teacher. It is a group of seasonal and timely things which you can do to supplement their learning. Most are just fun everyday things that we've all forgotten in our busy lives. Things that first graders love to do with their family. They are required to do about 15 every month.

William has gotten quite good about tackling some of the items on his own. He is very conscientious about his homework and will often take the list down and do them while I am fixing dinner, etc. It is a common sight at our kitchen island. I am usually needed only for comment, positive support, and supplies. I looked up the other night and William had grabbed a little notebook on the counter and was furiously writing.

Me: "Watcha doing?"

William: "Writing a letter to the President. How do you spell Obama?"

Me: "O-B-A-M-A"

William: "Thanks."

He writes some more and then says,
"Can you help me spell Indiana?"

Me: "I-N-D-I-A-N-A. Will you read the letter to me when you are finished?"

William: "Sure"
Scribble, scribble.

"OK Mom, here it is:

Dear President Obama,

What movies do you like?
I like Indiana Jones!

Love,
William
(and he spells out our phone number)"

William: "So what do you think?"

Me: "I think President Obama will love it. Good job."

Funny, no matter what your politics you should feel privileged enough to discuss important issues with your President.