1/2 birthday

Our little girl turned 18 months today. We went out and celebrated with a trip to Greaters. She shared a scoop of Blueberry Pie ice cream with Daddy. She went to the pediatrician last week for her well check visit and vaccine shot. She is getting to be a "big girl" 23lbs. 12 oz (40th percentile) and 32.25 inches tall ( 70th percentile).

It was also a nice "birthday" surprise because we got a box in mail today from Mr. & Mrs. Redbeard. Lots and lots of clothes! THANK YOU! The sizing should work out for late summer clothes and into fall /winter and maybe a few for next spring.

Demolition Day

Today was a very special day for Amy and me. We took the day off work, sent the kids to daycare, and watched as the property next door was completely razed.

When Amy moved in back in 2002, we thought the neighboring property was just unkempt. Yeah, it was somewhat junky, but the neighbor was quiet. But, we soon found out that the neighbor had no interest in maintaining the property, and the house was rapidly falling apart. The guy actually lived there until about two years ago, then we'd only see him once a week when he came to get his mail. In the meantime, efforts were under way to seize the property and raze it. Turns out that blighted properties in our state are reasonably easy pickings for cities, but smaller communities like ours (we live in a township) had a much more difficult time. But with patience, attitudes and laws were changed, and our township took control of the property in March. It took a little while to get everything settled, but finally, everything fell into place, and today we hung out with about 40-50 neighbors and watched gleefully as the eyesore was leveled.

We took a number of pictures and put them up on Photobucket. No password is required for the gallery, so head on over and enjoy. We took some video, but it'll take me some time to go through it and put something together. Hopefully soon.

UPDATE 5/22: Added four new pictures of the empty lot. It really is much improved!

Rolling!

We have movement in the household. The boy has figured out how to roll back to belly and belly to back all in a few days. He has been a busy little man. Watch out sister, your toys are no longer safe!

I'm So Ashamed...

I have to turn in my Geek Card. My parents saw the new Star Trek movie before I did. You know what this means, of course. I'll need to atone for my geek failings by:

• getting Star Trek uniforms for the whole family
• getting phasers and tricorders for the whole family
• making the whole family go to work/daycare for a week in uniform/with props

Oh, and, of course, going to see the movie...

Two things

Two little kids equals two milestones this week.

The girl has figured out how to get up into the La-Z-Boy chair. She moves her little stool to the front of the "big chair" and uses it to climb up. She is so proud of herself.

The boy has discovered his toes! You can hear him babble- "WOW these are fun"!