That’s what we had this weekend…  just a taste of summer.  It got into the 80’s yesterday.  The boys put up the trampoline, and even got in their bathing suits and played with the hose and squirt guns. Fun Fun.  Felt like Summer…  even though, we all know, summer isn’t quite here yet…

DC & Cleo... 4/25/09

We were going to have a bonfire Sat night too… but, it suddenly got super windy… and thunder clouds blew in.  So much for the bonfire… but, it was still a good day and break. 

Last weekend was also pretty cool… as in chilly… AND awesome… or, as DC would say, “awesomely”…  DC was out there riding his bike like a pro.. no training wheels.  Pretty exciting.  He ALMOST had it last summer, but kept giving up before he could really do it.  So, this was a big deal.  Way to go DC!

DC riding his bike with NO training wheels. YAY! (4-19-09)

Another funny kid moment… was a few days ago…   DC was showing me his newest Leggo ship inventions in the morning.  I was barely awake, and he was sticking his latest space ships in my face, asking me if I knew what this was, and what that was… and at one point, he asked if I knew what the pilot’s name was… and, I said, “ummmm.. Leggo Man?”… and, with a very serious face, he asked the very deep, and very GOOD question of,

“right.  And, why do they call this pilot guy a Leggo man, when he has no legs???”. 

I told him that was a darn good question!  So, we decided, that from this point on, he shall be called LeggOless Man… =)

Let’s see?  What else is happening…  all kinds of good stuff… just burried at work… Kev and I both.  Well, that part’s not so good or much fun… but, I’m still taking the ASL class thru work… and that’s fun… and Kev and I are also playing on an 8-ball league… and that’s fun…  and DC just started T-ball…  and that’s fun… and AC is doing really well in school, and having fun with all the Boy Scout stuff…  and you guessed it, he’s having fun.   

Yup… Time flies!   It’s mid April already, and, once again I’ve been shirking my family blogging responsibilities.  Ooops…  a lot has happened since my last post in January… and there’s no real way to catch up….  but, here’s a a little recap – starting with the most recent events first…

Last Sunday, 4/12/09 was Easter…  The kids had a ball with the usual sugar treats, and then an Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma & Umpa’s… 
   
http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny/main/2009-04-12_easter

Saturday. 4/11/09- was Dylan’s Crossover Banquet with Cub Scouts.  They had a midievil days theme, and Kevin helped lead the festivities by blowing his own horn all day…
   
http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny/main/2009-04-11_cub_scout_cross_over_banquet

 The weekend before that, on Sat, 4/4/09, my mom came over, along with my nephew and we did Easter Eggs.
       
 
http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny/main/2009-04-05_easter_eggs

On Tuesday, March 31st, AC played his cello in the String Festival Concert…

March 19-23,  we took a little trip to Valley Forge, PA – for the Super Billiard Expo – and the big debut of Kev’s CUESHARK invention!  It went really well.  It was very exciting to get these out on the market and hear all the positive feedback.  We also met some cool people, like our neighbors from Cut Throat Cue Sports . 

Jason, Kevin, and Brad and Scotty B (from CutThroatCue Sports) in the Cueshark Booth at the expo.

 And, the kids also had fun sight-seeing at Valley Forge, and checking out the Mall, and we also went to the new “Race to Witch Mountain” movie with the Rock.  
        

 

And, February 28, was the Blue & Gold Banquet for DC’s cub scouts pack…  

 

January 31 was also DC’s Pinewood Derby for scouts.  He made a Tiger car…  and took 1st place for his Den. =)  Very exciting.  This was his first “official” Pinewood Derby race… even though he’s gone for years for Aaron’s…  and even made a couple cars before. 

DC took 1st place in his tiger den for the Pinewood Derby

 

Inga

January 19, we had to make the hard decision to put our dog, Inga, to sleep. She had cushing disease – and other complications, and was just getting worse and not responding to treatment. We figure she was about 10-11 years old. It was very VERY difficult… but, we knew she suffered enough the first half of her life before we got her, and didn’t deserve to suffer anymore. She was a great great girl that we will neve forget.

Very shortly afterward (like about 5 days later), I received an email about a poor pup at the pound, that was emaciated and in need of a home. And, within the week, she was ours. Cleo – formerly known as Jenni – is a great little dog… with lots of spunk. We already have fattened her up and are working on her training.

 

She went from this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to this in a matter of a few weeks. 

 

We love her.  =)   We figure she’s about a year old, but she acts an awful lot like a puppy.  She’s super playful, and sweet - and the boys love her. 

OK – I’m going to try really hard not to wait so long to write again in here, because THAT was hard to catch up on!!!!

=)
Deb

I’m double posting this – cause it’s worth repeating…  =)

Posted on: http://hearmehearmenot.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/walk4hearing-coming-up/
=========

So, the other day I received an email about the Walk4Hearing coming up soon, on Sunday May 3rd. This will be the 3rd annual Walk4Hearing, sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of America (Rochester chapter), and I’m really looking forward to it.  We join Katy’s team, with her daughter Rory.  If anyone wants to participate, sponsor, or donate – please click here.   

Also, here is a viedo about the Walk4Hearing: 
 

Katy's Rory

The person who emailed me, Katy, is the same person my husband actually approached while they were waiting in line at the Planetarium in 2005.  I briefly mention her on my “Background page” under “Trying to Get Help”.  Katy was a complete stranger, but he noticed her daughter was wearing hearing aids and this was right when I had been going crazy trying to get information and wasn’t having much luck. I had just told my husband that I felt like the only parent on earth with a child with a hearing loss.  So, when he took AC to the Planetarium, and see’s a little girl a few years younger then AC wearing hearing aids, he approached her Mom.  He told her that he noticed her daughter wore hearing aids too, and asked if he could have me contact her – and a little about the trouble we were having.  She gave him her card, and I called her the next day.  

 

It was like a gift.  Katy was a wealth of information and support, and just what I needed at the time.  Katy and I have kept in touch here and there, and the Walkathon is another chance for us to connect.  Katy – if you read this – THANK YOU AGAIN for all your help way back when!    =) 

 ~Deb 

1-10-09 – We all had a fun time Sledding for Ricky J’s b-day.  It was a blast!

Uncle Dick gave rides to the top of the hill on his 4-wheeler...

The Hill

DC & AC - having fun sledding

See the rest at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny/main/2009-01-10_sledding_party

Time is once again flying by, and so now I’m playing catch up.  Here’s a recap from our Christmas 08:

Christmas eve, we spent at home…  which was very nice.  We opened just one present each – PJ’s of course… had hot coco, and the boys started rocking out on the guitar for some reason.   Michelle and Jason also stopped by for a bit.  It was a nice night.

Christmas day – we went to my brother Dick’s.  It was nice because we were all there…. well, all but Bob’s boys… and we missed them.  Dick put on a great spread, as usual, and we all had fun rocking out with the Rock Band that Santa brought that morning.

A couple days later, on Saturday 12/27, we all got together with Kev’s side at his parent’s house.  Another nice day with all the immediate family.  The kids had fun playing with all their cousins…  and, we all ate too much, but had a great time.

Then, then next day, Sunday 12/28, we had another BIG party for Kev’s WHOLE side of the family at his cousin Tim’s house.  Aunts, Uncles, more cousins…  it was the first year we had done this in a long time and it was really nice to see everyone on such good terms.  Thanks Tim & Andrea! =)

New Year’s Eve we spent with our good friends at Rob & Lauri’s.  It was the first year Dylan ever stayed up long enough to see the ball drop.  Dick & Lor came over too.  

Here are just a FEW few pics from all the festivities…  the rest are on our gallery for family & friends at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny - so, check them out. There are lots!

AC & DC Christmas Eve

for Santa

AC reads to DC Christmas Eve

Christmas morning hampy campers

DC & Gramma J @ Dick’s on Christmas Day

We all had fun rocking out with Rock Band

At Mom & Dad C’s on 12/27/08

Our Neice Kev’s Godchild – looking cute

Bubba and AC play ping pong at Tim’s party on 12/28/08

Cousin Trevor and DC smiling

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The last few weeks have been the usual hustle and bustle – way too much to do… not enough time… work is crazy… home life is crazy…  Still not ready for Christmas – blah blah blah…  Sound familiar? 

Taken at Disney, March 2008

 Before the big day hits tomorrow – thought we would wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

 

And, here’s a few pics from the main events that have happened in December since my last post… I’ll have to write more later!  

 

DC lost his FIRST tooth (Finally) on 12-7-08

• DC lost his first tooth!!  =) He had been waiting for that moment for a long time to loose a tooth…  and, it’s good it came out because he was acting like he couldn’t eat or sleep or do anything because he “had a loose thooth”.  Now he knows he can survive… not to mention get $$ from the Tooth Fairy!  And he has another loose tooth!  =)

AC turned 12 years old! Got a cell phone... and bionicles.. and.... and... and...

• AC turned 12.  One more year til he’s a teen (Lord, help us all!).  He got a cell phone… and went skating for the first time unchaperoned to a 14 and under Skate night with his friend.  They survived… and had fun… except, when his friend said a “fat person fell on him”.  LOL 

• And, here’s a few pics from when we got Our Christmas Tree.  The boys picked out the PERFECT one, of course.

ACDC when we got Our Christmas Tree

           

OK – Back to WRAPPING presents…  NOT…. MUCH…. TIME… LEFT!!!! 

=)

Deb

PS – Don’t forget – friends and family can always see our pics on our gallery too at:  http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny

DC is now in 1st grade, and his reading ability has sky-rocketed this past year. He’s reading everything… and anything….

Last night, I drove through a plaza that I don’t usually visit, and all of a sudden I hear DC in the back seat say,

“What the HECK is a HAIR  ZOO?!?”

After a burst of laughter, I couldn’t help myself and started to tell him that it was where they kept all the little hair-ball creatures, and asked him if he’d like to go see them… 

He said, “Do they have TIGERS?”….

As I laughed harder… (I’m very easily amused) and debated on how to break it to him that the Hair Zoo was not really a Zoo at all – he said, “Oooooh OK… I get it… What is it, like a  Barber Shop??”

*sigh* You can’t get nothing by him anymore… 

=)
Deb

 

DC made this awesome turkey in scouts

Whenever someone asks me how my Thanksgiving was,  I always say, “filling”.  Which, it was – both emotionally and physically.

As usual, our family has a lot to be thankful for – especially for all the members of our family itself.  It was great that we got to see most of our closest relatives and some distant ones over the course of Thanksgiving time.  

Another thing I feel like I need to brag about, I mean mention I’m thankful for – is that our boys brought home some pretty wonderful report cards.  AC got all A+’s on his first ever middle school report card – well, all A+’s and “one A in Orchestra”.  Nice!  (Must be my side ) And, DC is also doing VERY well in first grade.  WAY to Go AC & DC!!! 

The week before Thanksgiving, KC, DC, AC and myself along with my oldest brother, and my mother went out and had a nice Thanksgiving Dinner with my Great Aunt and Uncle – about 2 hours south of us.  Some of their kids, and thier kid’s kids were in town.  So, I got to see some cousins that I hadn’t seen since I was a kid, and met some new relatives as well.  

It was a nice visit – with an added bonus of meeting my 3rd cousin’s new wife, and their children for the first time.  One of their girls has a hearing loss & wears hearing aids.  Her mother had recently contacted me because of my son AC having a hearing loss also (which is discussed more in my other blog).  It’s actually hard to meet other parents of kids with hearing loss – so, it was really nice to be able to meet in person.  We had a lot to talk about… and the day flew by.   Stupid me forgot to take any photos that day, though.   

KK & Ricky

On Thanksgiving day itself we went to my husband’s side of the family. It was, as usual, a really nice day with a delicious spread of food.  It was especially great that all his siblings were there… and all their children, except one nephew who is out of state. Our other Nephew Ricky is recently back IN town, though… and it was so nice to have him there with us this year.  

We also were all given some great news on this day, regarding another new member of the family on the way (due July! ).  =) 

DC was feeling pretty thankful for his baby cousin…  and so, he worked hard to make her a card.

DC coloring, as usual...

For you...

"Dear Addison. You are very cute. I hope you have a great time growing up. Your the best girl in the world."

 Is that too cute or what??? 

Here’s a few more photos from the day:

Gamma Umpa AC and an uncooperative DC

AC, Me, DC, Dad

Tam & her girls made this. Impressive huh??

Kiddie Table Toast

Me & AC

 Friends and Family can view the whole gallery from Thanksgiving at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/debcny/main/2008-11-27_thanksgiving 
(if you forgot the password I sent you, just ask for it again! )

Hope everyone else is doing well…

Deb

I had to get DC singing with the skeleton before we packed it up for next year. He says he wants to be an artist… or a rock star. I think he has potential… whadda ya think?

(taken 11/1/08)

He cracks me up…. “A Hmm Hmmm Hmm HMMM”

The leaves are falling…  and, it’s November already.  Time for Thanks… and for Thanksgiving goodies - turkey… apple & pumpkin pie.  Christmas commercials are already in full swing,  and I’ve already been hit up by my kids with a list of things they want (“It’s good to want things”, right? – doesn’t mean you get them!

I know from experience this month will fly by…  and I’m not looking forward to the snow.  So far, the weather this Fall has been gorgeous – so, we really can’t complain.  But, today?  Today there was snow…  brrrr Rrrrrr. 

Still, we’ve had some really great weather for the kids this fall.  There were a few really nice “Indian Summer” days, and the boys had some fun camping trips with scouts. Halloween night was gorgeous too and even on a Friday night.  Doesn’t get much better than that for a kids.  I hope we squeeze a few really nice fall days out this year still. 

Before we dive head on into November – here’s a few highlights from our October Halloween fun that I never got around to sharing earlier…  

 

 

DC isn’t too thrilled with pumpkin “guts”

AC, however, has no problem with guts.

A couple of pumpkin-heads

Dracula and BatMan – raking in the candy!

our cool pumpkins

 

(For family and friends – if you want to see the rest they are available on our family photo gallery site)