Tony Stewart's #1 Fan !

One would only have to look at our kiddo#1's room (#20 sheets, comforter, curtains, rug, posters, etc., etc,) to see that he is surely Tony's #1 fan! And, what completely seals the deal is that they share the same birthday. (May 20th- kiddo #1 will be 10 that day and was absolutely beside himself when he found out that his favorite driver and he shared the same day)

Today, at our local Home Depot, kiddo #1 was able to get photographed with one of Tony's new Camry racecars (kiddo already has a framed pic with the Chevy Monte Carlo in his room). Despite the nasty weather, he had a great time and was actually the first person there to see the car!

Here's wishing Tony luck in tomorrow night's race!

Goodbye Butterflies and Godspeed!!

All 8 of our butterflies emerged from their chrysalides! Yesterday afternoon, we bid goodbye to 6 of them (2 more that weren't quite ready will be released today). The kiddos were sad to see their new "friends" go, but they know that with a lifespan of only a couple of weeks, the sweet creatures deserve to fly free and not live their whole lives in a small enclosure.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."-- Hans Christian Anderson. We gave our butterflies sunshine and freedom. Here's hoping they found their little flowers!

It couldn't have been a more perfect day. The butterflies seemed to know when they were brought outside. The sunshine and fresh air had them pumping their wings with excitement. Each of them, as if to say goodbye to the kids, flew around the backyard for a bit, even landing in the grass, and then circling around before taking off high above the trees and other homes.

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."-- Author Unknown

How appropriate for the amazing changes that take place during the butterfly's life cycle. Scientists still cannot explain what exactly happens inside the pupa. Perhaps it's just good enough to be amazed time and time again with one of the little miracles of nature.

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on.

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond."

--Irish Blessing

We have butterflies!

As of this morning, we have three beautiful butterflies! One emerged last night and two more joined him/her this afternoon. There are four more chrysalides, so we're hoping that those butterflies will emerge soon so we can release them all.

The kids put some flowers with sugar water on them and a slice of watermelon in the habitat, which the butterflies are already enjoying.

Kiddo #1 decided to name the three Anthony (Tony), Robert and Thomas (Tom). :-)

The picture doesn't do this Painted Lady butterfly much justice, but it is beautiful. They are in a large mesh habitat, so the pictures come out a bit fuzzier than I'd like.

As much as we take the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly for granted, it is absolutely extraordinary; even more so when you witness it first hand and up close. Just one of many everyday miracles that I am so glad I am able to share with my kids!

Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum

Today the kids and I visited the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station.

The museum's primary mission is to preserve and maintain the historic aircraft collection that was started in 1946.

You can check out some of their collection at http://www.dvhaa.org/.

The kids had a wonderful time in the helicopter simulator, in a real helicopter, and looking at all of the planes and displays. It is for sure somewhere that they said their daddy and Pop-Pop would love to visit.

The Greatest Show on Earth

The title still fits the bill. What an amazing production with death-defying acts that had me closing my eyes (7 motorcycles being driven simultaneously in a small sphere) or a man at the very top of the arena hanging upside down and going across monkey bars with his feet. (did I mention he didn't have a safety net under him?) While kiddos #1 and #2 were amazed and enthralled with each and every act, the younger two- kiddos #3 and#4 were excited about the elephants and clowns, respectfully. :-)

It was pageantry at its finest, perhaps with a bit too much "techno-tronic" mixed in there, but the circus still brings out the kid in all of us. I just as eagerly as my children looked forward to the tigers, elephants and trapeze artists who literally seem to fly.

We had awesome seats-- 5th row center. Couldn't be better. The memories will last a long time as the kiddos experienced their first circus and their mom, dad and grandmother experienced their joy.

Our Camping Adventure

For about a year now, kiddo #3 has been bugging daddy about going camping in the backyard. Well, it finally happened! Kiddo #2 helped quite a bit with the setup.

When it was all setup, the kids couldn't wait to get inside! Most of all, they couldn't wait to get most of their earthly possessions inside with them.

They all got right into their sleeping bags (that were on top of their air mattresses) and snacked on whatever they (and mommy) could carry into the tent.

Then the 4 kiddos really started to "rough-it." LOL. They all turned on portable DVD players and watched their favorite movies. Of course, kiddo #1 watched something to do with space. Kiddo #2 watched "Charlotte's Web," Kiddo #3 watched "Dumbo." For anyone who doesn't know kiddo #3, he is absolutely bonkers about elephants. (notice the stuffed animal elephant next to him in the photo) I think he has Dumbo memorized word for word. And, kiddo #4 was watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It is either that or something to do with her princesses.

I was a bit hesitant about the whole thing, well about *me* sleeping in the backyard. You see, my idea of "roughing-it" is staying in a hotel without room service, but I am pleased to say that on this wonderful spring evening, it was a really cool and pleasant night. Between the weather and the very comfy air mattress that my hubby picked out, I was just fine and slept better than I have in a long time! The kiddos were asleep by midnight, there were only a couple of bathroom requests and I am pleased to say that they all slept very well and in the morning were already wondering when we could do it again. So, I would say a pretty successful first "campout" in the backyard. :-)

Goodnight!

A Special Treat

The owner of the horse farm where the kiddos go riding took the 4 of them on a ride on one of her farm vehicles this afternoon. She rode them around her 35 acres and showed them the chicken coops and peacocks (I didn't even know she had chicken coops and peacocks, LOL). They got to take home souvenir feathers. It is incredibly peaceful walking around her grounds.