Earth Day 06

Today Amy and I took the boys on a Scout outing for Earth Day. We went to the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. We stared the day out with a one hour walk through the trails. This was to do three things; first so we could show the boys some nature, second was to work one their hiking badge, and last was to thoroughly wear them out. Then after at the main building and green house there were lots of presenters for Earth Day with activities for the kids. Rodney and David made masks of endangered animals, boxes and shakers out of recyclable material, and lots of outer hand outs. They played with the bubbles and see live water bug larva. It was a very good day. All of us came home and took a nap.

You can see more photos here:
http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/annarborjedi/Family/Earth%20Day/

Spring Is Here Again

Winter has passed and spring is here again.
Instead of snow and ice, there is soft falling rain.
Warm breezes blowing make the air smell sweet.
Then the sun shines down its mild gentle heat.

Winter has passed and spring is here again.
How pleasant to hear the robin's sweet refrain.
Trees are in blossom, flowers blooming so fair,
And green grass growing on lawns everywhere.

Winter has passed and spring is here again.
Inside games over, children play on the lawn.
Folks are in their garden, impressive work to do.
The days are getting longer and the earth feels new.

~Elizabeth B. Arney

Spring!!!

Spring is here in Michigan! My cherry tree is in full bloom. My grass is greener that it has ever been, it pays to fertilize it every month. I guess I’ll have to go mow it now.

Over the Easter Week end we went to Milwaukee to see both of my grand mothers and spend time with my aunt and uncle and their kids. My cousins are both now over 30 and one is married and the other is getting married soon. This was the first time David has been to Milwaukee, and the first time for some of my relatives to meet him. While we were there me and my cousin, James, took the boys ice skating at Pettit National Ice Center. Also Amy, my mother, Aunt Pat and my Grandma took the boys to the zoo. Rodney wanted to see the birds and David the elephants. Very much like the cartoon show Little Bill, he very much wonted to see the elephants but they were not there until the end. Both boys made their dad very happy by bringing home rubber snakes, just like I did I when to the same zoo at their age.

I also spent time with my dad, which I get very little time to do. We went down to old world 3rd street to get cheese and spices. Then we went out for a beer and lunch. I seem to drink a lot when I’m in Milwaukee, more than I have in two months.

I got to introduce my cousins Terry and his wife, and James to a game I am very much in to right now call Settlers of Catan. All of us had lots of fun playing it. Rodney and David also got introduced to playing go fish with regular playing cards for the first time. Now that they have been inducted in to the family’s obsession with card games, they have not stopped playing with them in our living room, much to our dismay. I always look forward to going again; sadly it may not be until May next year for James’ wedding.

you can see the photos from the trip here: http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e356/annarborjedi/Family/Easter%20trip%20to%20Milwaukee/

This is our all new blog on our family and our goings on. I’m a 34 year old father of two wonderful adopted boys. I am also have been married to wonderful wife Amy for 7 years. Both of my boys are 5 years old and are only 4 month apart in age. It is like having twins, they both get each other in trouble.

Rodney is in kindergarten and is very proud to ride the school bus by himself. Rodney is a homebody by nature, so going to kindergarten has been an adjustment for him. He often tells me that he is still going to live at home, even when he is a grown-up! Academically Rodney is doing great and has a high IQ. He is reading easy readers to me and attempting to read music. Music is by far his favorite subject He sings all day long. Another event that Rodney believes has turned him into a “big kid” is that he lost his first tooth!

David Like many little boys, he spends his time playing Superman, Spiderman, and Batman, all while hoping for his own dormant super abilities to emerge. David plays very well with Rodney and idolizes him as his “big brother”. At times we feel this hero-worship goes a little far, as he wants to also have asthma and eczema “just like Rodney”. David keeps busy by attending Gymboree play and music classes, as well as going to speech therapy at the early childhood center. I have been married to my wife Amy for almost 7 years. We have been together almost 10.
Amy loves her job as a teacher for the medically fragile . She has a classroom of seven students aged three to six. All of the students are wheelchair users and use alternative methods of communication such as a picture exchange system. She is also getting ready to take her last class for her Autism endorsement. After that she will work towards a master’s degree in special education.
The finalization of David’s adoption brought Me and Amy to the conclusion that we did not want to pay for day care and after-school care for two children. Hence I became a stay at home Dad. This has made life so much easier, especially during the winter season. We do not have to worry about whom will stay home with Rodney during his many bouts with asthma and respite problems. I have started my own computer design business called Dionysus Design. I have done jobs for the Michigan Orthopedic Society and other local vendors. I like to get out once and a wile to go role play, or to go out on the town with my wife.