Fun with the little kids

Anna took Joshua grocery shopping and I got to watch the two little ones, Sam and Maria. Boy did we have fun. First we made a fort with a fleece blanket and two chairs. After going in and out a few times Maria's hair was full of static electricity causing her hair to stand up and making her look freakishly cute.

Next, because they are always trying to use me as their personal jungle gym, I thought of a new way for them to have fun...a cross between gymnastis and a monkey bar. I did this with them at least a hundred times, until my arms practically fell off.

Saved by Amy

The big car was barreling around the bend on Ann Arbor road and did a 360 degree spin right where we would have been. We would have been in a horrible accident with this car if it weren't for Amy Redente.

Just 20 minutes earlier Amy Redente invited Anna to join them at the Ice Sculpture show near our home. We couldn't go because Maria was still recovering from her operation. But on the way home as we approched the Ann Arbor Road / Ann Arbor Trail fork in the road Anna asked me to veer off our normal path home so we could pass by the Ice Sculptures. After a small protest, I went left.

The timeing was amazing...5 seconds later a big Lincoln Towncar came speeding around the curve where we would have been, his tires hit some snow on the shoulder, he tried to pull himself out too quickly, and he did a complete 360 spin in the EXACT SPOT where we would have been passing by him. He then slammed into the gaurd rail with the side of the car.

Even though we were in a safe spot, it all seemed to happen in slow motion, I pointed and told Anna, "that guy is going to crash." We slowed down and watched as it al happened.

Thanks to Amy for your generos friendship in telling us about the ice show, and thanks to God for keeping our family safe!

(the guy in the accident was apparently more embarrased than injured because he drove away without even checking the damage on the side of his car).

Much Better

Maria had a great night sleep with no snoring and no periods of apnea. Praise God. She woke up this morning happy, hungry and smiling. She is now sitting at the table and coloring in the book Grandma Bolster gave her.

Almost Pathetic

Maria has a really good attitude, she is trying hard to communicate with us even though her throat is so sore.

I haven't seen her smile since the operation has been over. And everytime she coughs she cries the most pathetic little weak cry.


She is so cute just wanting to cuddle anybody who will hold her. In fact the nurse told us that when she first woke up from the general anesthesia she cried but when the nurse picked her up she just snuggled up to her and stopped crying--lots of other kids hit and kick.

Thanks for all the prayers: we are so happy that she did well enough to come home without having to spend a night in the hospital.

Maria's surgery a success

Maria is back home with us already after her surgery. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed early this morning, and after only a couples hours in recovery the doctors said she was fine to come home. She was a real trooper, no fear or fighting going into the operation. She was very amiable with the doctors and nurses. We had a great doctor who was a very good listener and very gentle with her.

She is going to be pretty sore for a week or so, so please pray for her recovery. The result of this operation will most likey be a sounder night sleep and no more trouble breathing.

Our New Niece--Gianna Cathrine Brown

My sister Cindy just gave birth to her third child (and first girl), Gianna Catherine on Wednesday afternoon. What an exciting time. She is a major cutie and looks a lot like Cindy, especially when you compare her to old baby pictures.

One interesting thing about Gianna is that she has the exact measurements as her brother Dominic—37 lbs and 39 inches…oh wait….I’ve just been told that that’s Dominc’s current size, but Gianna actually shared his birth weight sizes: 8lbs 1 oz., 21 inches long and a 13 inch brain holder. (as a guy it’s hard to remember all this minute measurements, it’s easier to keep track of tons and miles).
Congratulations to Cindy, Ben, Dominic and Damian on the new addition to the family.


Big Brothers Dominic and Damian Brown with their new baby sister.

Dinner and a Movie

While at the local fruit and vegatable market I saw some curly kale (also called Savoy Cabbage) that reminded me of one of our favorite movies called: In America. One of the meals the Irish family in this movie had was called Colcannon which as we understand it is an Irish dish made from potatos and curly kale popular among the immigrants in the 1800's.

We found this recipe online and wanted to share it with you. It was pretty tasty and very simple. Oh, and don't forget it watch the movie after dinner (but fast foward the scene after the FE-FI-FO-FUM game).

------------------------------

4 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces1

(1 1/2-lb.) cabbage, thinly sliced1

1/4 C. water

1 C. milk

1 bunch green onions, chopped

3/4 C. unsalted butter, at room temperature

chopped fresh chives or green onion

salt and pepper, to taste

Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pot and mash coarsely. Set aside.

Combine cabbage and water in large, heavy skillet. Boil until almost all liquid evaporates, tossing cabbage frequently, about 15 minutes. Mix cabbage into mashed potatoes.

Combine milk, green onions and 1/2 cup butter in heavy, medium-size saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring to melt butter. Pour over potato mixture and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Mound mashed potatoes in bowl. Make a well in center. Place remaining 1/4 cup butter in well. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Cheap Gas

When I first started driving 10 years ago the price of gas always started with a "1" (except one glorious season when prices dipped to the 75cent range.


After a summer of $3/gallon gas I never thought I would see that welcome number "one" in the front again, but there it was this morning, standing straight and tall. It was like a friendly beacon inviting me to come, drink, and be glad.

Birthday Boys

Kids are easy to please; they don't have any great expectations. They are still learning so much that even the tradition of a birthday party the 4th time around is still somewhat new. Joshua and Dominic were so excited about the school bus cake.

After cake and ice cream Ben and I did a puppet show for all the kids. All five of them were mezmorized...just sitting in their seats with wide eyes absorbing everyting. We told them stories we made up on the fly about turtles, and snakes, and lighting bugs, and wild things.

The funnest part for me was when the adults were out of creativity the kids got up and tried to imitate us. They actually did a pretty good job remembering the themes and even some of the big words we had used. Dominic told the story of the Maurice Sendak's "Wild Things" which was new to him and he even remembered the "wild rumpus" and the "private boat". Maria played with the clever mommy turtle who switched her eggs with golf balls to trick the hungry snake. Kids are so fun to watch.

Joshua and Dominics 4th Birthday Cake

Anna has been making the neatest cakes for the kids brithday's from the beginning. Butterfly's firetrucks, ladybugs & inchworms to name just a few.

Well this year Dominic asked for a School Bus, so this is what we came up with. I hope they like it.

____________

Related Links:

Fish Cakes

Firetruck Cake

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Maria is going to get anointed tonight after mass. The "Anointing of the Sick" is one of the catholic church's seven sacraments. Now she'll have two including baptism.

My baby girl is going to have surgery. My baby girl is going to wake up after having her tonsils and admoids removed and look into my eyes and wonder, "why does my throat hurt so bad Daddy?" She is going to want me to make her all better. I'm going to spend a night in the hospital with her and hopefully be able to hold her while she sleeps: oh God, I pray that she sleeps.

Please pray for my little Maria, she has been having trouble breathing at night for the last 6 months, hopefully this painful discomfort of recovering from surgery on the 19th will giver her a future of peaceful sleep. Pray that the doctor will be blessed, and everything will go smooth.

Funny