Piano Recital

Well we have added another mile stone to our family. The first piano recital. I must say I was very proud of both my boys. I don' t think I ever had enough courage to play in one of my recitals (much to my mothers embarrassment I'm sure). But Alex and Jared did fabulously. They both played duets with their dad, which of course I loved. The video is mostly for grandpartents , but watch if you want!

Rodent Infestation Worsens

The great rodent detectives are having a great time but unfortunately have not had much success.

Tyler has announced to the world that there are in fact now TWO rats in the house. Jared's expanding list of evidence of foot prints (his words, although i think technically they are paws) scratches on the wall and missing pictures is pointing to a growing problem with rodents. We are confident that at the next doctor's visit that the boys are going to announce to the lobby full of people that the are catching rats by the gross in expectation of the arrival of the her royal highness Elizabeth Grace Johnston, or maybe its Grace Elizabeth (Linda hasn't made up her mind. I still kind of think that leschwana was the way to go but have been overruled on several occasions. )

There was a short debate on whether or not the mysterious creation was a rat or in fact was a raccoon. There was also a bit of confusion on Thursday morning after a small stuffed animal managed to get entangled in the rat trap. Alexander reasoned that the rat must be playing a trick on us since the hand drawn and colored cheese had obviously been eaten and that the rat was being silly but putting the stuffed animal in the trap and closing the lid. Pretty intelligent rat if you ask me.

We are all going fishing in the morning. After making sure that everybody had there own bait I asked Linda if there were bonus points in Valhalla for father's who take all of their children fishing. She said no. In fact these types of excursions are actually penance for causing our own "pere de famille" to suffer through the same thing.

The Rat

So to begin the tale we need to mention that Jared has been reading Encyclopedia Brown lately. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story it is a book about a 10 year old detective that can solve any case for $0.25.

One morning Alex wakes up and declares his drawing has gone missing. Brother Jared to the rescue. " I can solve it, lets look for clues." The search begins, the clues add up. One missing pictures, unusual footprints (in the carpet), and scratches on the wall. The solution: "We have a rat in the house". Case solved money please. Money is not exchanged, pending capture of the rat.

Alex and his assistant Tyler immediately begin the work on the rat trap. After several models it is decided they simply need a box with a lid and a large slice of cheese. One problem, the mom will not let them take the cheese upstairs. No problem we can make cheese. Results....
All in a mornings work the great detective and his client were off to the bus by 8:25. The assistant checked the trap throughout the morning with no results.

I love imagination!

Do you think it is a bad sign of things to come?

Summer is off to a great start at our house. Today was a half day for the kids. Us moms met the kids at the bus stop and joined them in celebration. My exuberant Jared races home flings open the front door and yanks off the door handle in the process. I keep it together thinking no big deal. We will just get a new one, no use crying over spilt milk as the saying goes. Thinking of the summer ahead and reviewing the report cards which all mention KEEP READING I think, "Hey we will go sign up of the summer reading program" this is where I should have had red warning fsign flasing around me. We load up the suburban and off we go. Of cousre this is not the first outing I have taken my kids on, but you would never have guessed it. We arrive at the library and my kids hop out of the car (before it stops) so like a good mom I give the apropriate lecture, not a second has passed when racing through the parking lot, narrowly escaping cars and so forth. Lecture number two follows. (Blood pressure beginging to rise). Now inside the door to the very "Quite" library go the Johnston boys racing to be first, knocking into an aging woman causing her to drop two full bags of books. Lecture #3, help lady clean up mess and contine into library. We actually managed to sign up with no hassels, now it is time to find the books. Of course all 3 boys need moms undivided attention. (did I mention my heart was begning to race). Amidst my atempts to quite my children and give attention to all with love and patience of course I notice Tyler doing the unmistakable dance. "Tyler do you need to go potty?" "no mom" is the reply "Are you sure? Lets Go try" NO I don' t need to" this time just a little louder. "Tyler lets go" NO This time very loud and with looks from discusted library patrons. I being the patient soul that I am grab him by the arm to escort him to the bathroom at which point Tyler pees all over the floor. Now mortified I try to gather myself and children in hopes of escaping. No luck. I have lost my keys. Needles to say. I think we will stay home the rest of the summer.

Commentary on the Health Care Industry

We've gained a new appreciation the last month for health care workers and equally important health insurance. Here is an abreviated list:

• two episodes of respiratory distress at school,
• two trips to the emergency room from school in an ambulance,
• several trips to the OBGYN,
• several visits and phone calls to the family doctor,
• a trip to the Allergy specialists,
• a 2:00 am trip to the ER with a kid with the croup,
• multiple X-rays,
• dental checkups
• and regularly scheduled well child visits to the pediatrician

I think we are getting our fair share of the group medical plan. The ladies at the hospital are starting to wonder if we come there with actual problems or if we just need an excuse to come see them.

ej