Love that Face!

We went to Yinghua Academy's Spring Carnival and the kids had a great time (so did we, really). There were games and great food (the best Chinese noodles I have had thus far!). One of the teachers was doing face painting, this is what the kids dreamed up. Grace met the teachers and really liked it. After we left Asa said "When I get old enough to go to school I want to go there!"

Cousin Love

Just like Asa, Zeke has come to adore his older cousin Giovanni. This picture was taken after a wrestling session on the air mattress.

Just too Cute

Asa Riding a Horse

Asa is riding his trusty steed with his sidekick "George the Monkey". Asa's favorite part was falling off his horse into the laundry.

The Ballet Recital!

My camera died after this photo. Asa was hilarious while dancing. When I first saw Asa's costume I wasn't sure how I felt about it. But he put it on and yelled "Look Mom Im a duck!" and started running around like the crazy boy he is. One of the other Mom's is going to give me her photos she took so I will post em when I get em.

Zeke the Dance Machine

He just loves to dance and I feel compelled to get it all on video. Click here.

Making It More Our Own

The enclosed side deck/porch along with the 8 inches of pea rock and baby Zeke!
The shed in the background is also gone! With a 2 car garage and 2 basements who needs a storage shed!
What a mess! Funny how Grace can sense someone taking a photo! (notice the absence of pea rock and the appearance of grass too!)

We are causing some damage and making quite a mess! We love our house but we have had plans to make the house a bit more....us if you will. So this weekend my Dad came down to help us out (along with friends from church). We will be expanding the yard tis summer and we look forward to some base ball and soccer to begin soon (after we clean up the mess that is!).

The pictures you see are when we were looking and buying our home. and the others are after most of the demo. I was so busy with the sick boys that I didn't even think to take pictures of the process! (sigh)

Poor Zeke

He got really sick on Wednesday, running a high temp, over all a lump on the couch. Then I saw that familiar rash. I brought him in to the Doc and my gut was right...scarlet fever. Then yesterday (Saturday) Asa popped a temp. Yep. Zeke spread the scarlet fever love. So 2 scripts of antibiotics later the boys are no longer contagious and on their way to well!

Spaghetti Monday's

I have my night class (VLI) on Monday nights. It has turned into "Spaghetti night" because its so easy to make and I head out the instant Barnabas comes home. Here is what happened last Monday. Click here to see video.

Found in the Archives

I was going through iPhoto and found this little video. It was taken back when it was cold (hence the hat). I was cleaning the house and had the radio on and realized we were listening to "highway to Hell" by AC/DC so I went to change the station. Thats when I saw Zeke dancing and got him on tape!

More Earth Day Fun

After the clean up we got lunch and watched a drum line. The kids loved it! They also sat and drew pictures on the pavement. Zeke loved the drum line. Click here for a video of him dancing. The sound on the camera does no justice to the talent and intensity of the drum line.

Earth Day Clean Up

The kids and I worked hard on Earth Day. We went to a park by our church (I can't remember the name of it!) And painted over graffiti and picked up garbage. We had a great time and the kids felt so grown up helping out! And yes Mom, we had gloves!

The hard part is that there were some "homes" we had to take down. We found spots of multiple sleeping bags and there was one spot that had plastic tied between trees along with a shirt hanging on one of the branches. It was sad to know that people were calling this open field home.

So true....

I got this from my uncle in NY as a forward. I laughed so hard I had to put it here.

The difference between Italian Kids and American Kids:

American Kids: Move out when they're 18 with the full support of their parents.
Italian Kids: Move out when they're 28, having saved for that nice house and are a week away from getting married .... unless there's room in the basement for the newlyweds.

American Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings a nice bundt cake and you sip coffee and chat.
Italian Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings 3 days worth of food and begins to immediately tidy up, dust, do the laundry or rearrange the furniture.

American Kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them and its usually
only on special occasions.
Italian Kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads come over, unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00 and starts pruning the fruit trees. And if there are no fruit trees, he will plant some!

American Parents: You can leave your kids with them and you always worry if everything is going to be ok plus you have to feed them after you pick them up.
Italian Parents: No problem, leave your kids there and if they get out of line your parents
can set them straight .... plus they get fed.

American Kids: Always pay retail and look in the yellow pages when they need something
done.
Italian Kids: Just call their dad or uncle and ask for another dad's or uncle's phone number to get it done .... cash deal, knowwhatImean?

American Kids: Will come over for cake and coffee and get only cake and coffee, no more.
Italian Kids: Will come over for cake and coffee and get antipasto, a few bottles of wine, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, potatoes, a nice dessert cake, fruit, coffee and a few after dinner drinks .... time permitting there will be a late lunch as well.

American Kids: Think that being Italian is a great thing.
Italian Kids: Know that being Italian is a great thing.

American Kids: Never ask the reason you have no food.
Italian Kids: Are the reason you have no food.

American Kids: Will say 'hello".
Italian Kids: Will give you a big hug and a kiss, pinch your cheeks, and pat you on the back.

American Kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Italian Kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

American Kids: Have never seen you cry.
Italian Kids: Cry with you.

American Kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
Italian Kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together.

American Kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
Italian Kids: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

American Kids: Know a few things about you.
Italian Kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

American Kids: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
Italian Kids: Will kick the whole crowds' ass that left you.

American Kids: Would knock on your door.
Italian Kids: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"

American Kids: Are for a while.
Italian Kids: Are for life.

American Kids: Will ignore this.
Italian Kids: Will forward this.

The Mystery Tour

It was a great time. I wish I had remembered the camera. I will give you a quick run down of what we did.....

We got to the bus at 7 am. We were on the road by 7:30 and they were passing out the firs round of cocktails. We then went to a store in Minneapolis called "The Fun Sister" it's knock off store, lots of cute cheap stuff! Then we were off to Hudson WI. I went to a wine tasting at the Nova restaurant. i must say I have never had a buzz before 10 am! Then to lunch. We went to the Rosedale Mall and were sent on a scavenger hunt and bound together by rope (my team won!). Then to the hotel to get ready for dinner! We went to a place called "The Independent" for drinks and apps. Then we went to a interactive dinner theater called "We got a Bingo".

The next day started with breakfast at the hotel. We piled on the bus and before we had left the parking lot the bus had "problems". We unloaded back into the hotel and there we found a class set up for us to learn how to juggle. We then went to Spicer, MN and had lunch at a B&B. called Spicer Castle. It was a beautiful place. We played some games and then we headed back. On the way back we stopped in Darwin, MN and saw the world's largest ball of twine! Ooooh the excitement! While on the bus we were always playing games and such. It was a great time and I suggest it to anyone!

This is the company who planned it all.

Mystery Van Tour

Asa was showing the dolphin the shirt Nanny and Jaja got him in FL (there was a dolphin on it). Later when the dolphin swam close both Asa and Grace jumped back. I laughed.
The kids on "Tropical Trail".
I don't know if you can see it in this photo but there is a scuba diver in the aquarium chatting with the kids. Asa was in such awe. He even got to ask him a question! There was a man walking around with a micro phone and the scuba gear was equipped with a microphone too! So the kids and the diver could chat!
Yeah he thought the diver was so cool he wore this for a half hour!

The kids were so entertained by my Mystery bus tour that we a did a mini version and I took pictures! I packed up a lunch and we got into the van and I told the kids we were off. They asked me lots of questions and I answered none of them. When Asa saw the zoo sign he started "WWWWOOOOOOHHOOOO"ing. I was surprised on how happy they were to go to the zoo.

genetics are a crazy thing

just wasting time

The kids are playing outside and the ever sick Zeke sleeps upstairs. I thought I would post to pass the time till I bring Zeke to the dr. He has been running a temp off and on for the past week (more on than off really) so I finally got called the Doc this morning when his temp was 104.3. Poor kid. If my gut is right Im thinking ear infection. We will see though. I went to a conference (vineyard church thing) this past weekend that was pretty ok. Nothing shocking or earth shattering but a good time none the less. Umm I think that is about all the excitement in my life. Oh yeah I have a VLI final today. I am only partially ready. So after the doctor appt I am going to cram.

I am going to be hosting my first Eater dinner this year. I am looking forward to it. My parents are going to be coming down and I have invited a good chunk of folk from the church and neighborhood too! I will post photos ;)

Alright time to go wake up Mr. Sickiepants and make the trek to the Dr's office.

Ooooooo I almost forgot! I am going on a mystery bus tour this weekend! I am very much looking forward to it. I am going with my friend Tabitha and we are getting on a bus in Lakeville heading who knows where and doing who knows what! The cost includes hotel, food and transport and entertainment! I think I will bring my camera and take some photos there too! Living in the cities can be so much fun!

Phots By Zeke

The underside of the computer table with a little finger in the upper right side.
Again with the table but note the position of the finger has changed.
Yeah I know what you are thinking with this one (a little cheeky bum) but no, two little chubby fingers.
And the last photo of me trying to get the camera away from the new little photographer!

This One is For You Uncle Jed!

Asa was looking through Uncle Jed and Auntie Molly's Blog and turned and told me "I wanna be bulbed like Uncle Jed!" Yeah, no that wasn't a spelling error by me. Asa think bald is bulbed. I love it! That and the machine that shortens grass is a mow lawner. I love this age!
This is for you Uncle Jed, you now have your very own mini-me!

Another Great Picture From My Uncle Joe!

This is my Dad and his family. Back Row L to R is my Grandfather Antonio, my Grandmother Iolanda, my ever so good looking Dad. My Aunt Ilse, she is holding my cousin Tony. Front is my uncle Angelo and my cousin Pia. If you are wondering why they all look so solemn this photo was taken the day my Father left for Vietnam.

I Love This! I Whish I Had Found This Years Ago!

I found this through a blog I check occasionally it's called Parent Hacks. Its called the Diaper Valet pure genius! Click the links to check out both sites. I got the diaper valet in the "lucky in love" print and the long handle. I love it!

Bath Chat

I am still having issue with google video. So click this link and watch Zeke

Snow...lots of it!

It has snowed just in time for spring! I mean really where was this stuff 3 months ago! I'm truly not too heart broken. Barnabas got sent home from work today and was told to work from home tomorrow too! I know you all up in Duluth are in much worse shape than we are down here. Cheers to snow fun!

The long Awaited Photos

Funny Face

We're in!

Grace Victoria Howard will be attending Yinghua Academy this fall!

Stuck in the House

So it's been a rough week. Odd stomach illnesses have found their home here in the Howard house. Zeke has been pooping slime since Sunday. Just when I think he is on the up swing he overflows his diaper and literally fills his pants. Sigh. Barnabas came home from work yesterday with gut ills. He wasn't feeling all that great on Valentine's Day either but put up a good show and we all went out to dinner and then a movie. Asa that poor little guy redecorated his bed at 1 am on Thursday. Grace comes running in our room "Mom, Dad! Asa Puked!" Sigh. So I wonder if we will ever be healthy around these parts ever again. Well Zeke has just toddled by and whew, that sure isn't perfume I smell. Off to change another diaper!

To Eat to Sleep It's a Tough Choice. Why Not Do Both?

Zeke was mid-bite when he fell asleep yesterday. He is too sweet!

My Family

This is my Grandpa Antonio and Grandma Iolanda. I teared up a little when I saw this. My Grandpa died when I was about 3 and my Grandma, as of late, has been declining cognitively. In the middle of all of this I have seemed to have forgotten how full of life she was. She was (and still can be) one spicy lady!
My Dad (with a killer mono-brow), my Uncle Angelo and cousin Pia.

My Dad's Graduation in 1967. I love that suit!

Christmas in Vietnam. My Dad is the one in the white t-shirt.


My uncle Joe has been scanning and preserving family photos. He will occasionally send me some. Here are some of my favorites.

Google Hates Me

So google video won't load to my blog for some reason. Click this link and you will get to see another video of Zeke.