Cory's movie review: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

"I think that it was great, except for the singing and the lovey stuff."

July 4th Celebration

We had our traditional July 4th party this year, patterned after the S. Cal. party we enjoyed at Uncle Spencer's house with all the Richardson cousins. We have a huge water fight, parade of patriots, and BBQ. We invite friends from church and school to join us, and it is a good time for all. Below, I've published a virtual parade of patriots, listing off the highlights for each of the children's last year. Enjoy! If anyone is heading through Auburn for July 4th in the future, we hope you'll join us. The party followed up a party at a friend's house on July 3rd, watching the Opelika fireworks. And Michael taking all the 'big kids" to the Auburn fireworks while I stayed home with the sleeping babies. Andrew and Edmund were not phased at all by the firework noises on the third, they were captivated. Carissa yelled with excitement at each explosion, describing each ones color and movement.

July 4th Quote (during fireworks): I didn't know July 4th was so LOUD!

Patriot Aaron

Aaron:

Was baptised last August

Continued Karate in the fall and winter

Enjoyed soccer, especailly defense

Participated in Chess Club and Science small groups at school

Took swimming lessons, likes diving from the high board

Excelled in 3rd grade

Patriot Cory

Cory:

Brought home great report cards from 1st grade

Had a lot of fun in soccer

learned to tie his shoes

Took swimming lessons, likes the diving board

Does everything with enthusiasm

Patriot Carissa

Carissa:

Lost her first two teeth

Finished her last year of preschool

Learned to tie her shoes

Is beginning to read with her mom

Patriot Patrick

Patrick:

Finally potty trained

Loves Sunbeams, and is learning to be reverent

Is helpful around the house

A pleasant 4 year old

Patriots Andrew and Edmund

Andrew (left) and Edmund (right):

Learned to walk

Loves their 'mama'

Likes peek-a-boo and this little pig

Andrew: Loves to smile and giggle to get attention from anyone

Edmund: loves to explore and make messes

The library is open again!

The City has been expanding the library during the winter and spring to add a new children's wing. During construction, story time was canceled. When the construction was done, ,the library closed for a few weeks to rearrange books and move into the new wing. It finally opened last Saturday. Wednesday was the first k-6 story/ activity time. So, we packed up adn went. Aaron, Cory and Carissa attended and learned about bugs. Patrick looked for books with me, then played with the stuffed animals and puzzles. Edmund and Andrew hung out in the stroller, and tested to see how many times mom would pick up stuffed animals and return them to them.

Here they are with their crafts, fly swatters with bugs squished on them. The librarian sent home a craft pack so he could make one at home. In the afternoon, the kids made up plays about bugs for Andrew and Edmund. It was an interactive play; Edmund became the hero, and taught Andrew that the bugs were not scary.

Surgery

Yesterday I went in for surgery to remove a swollen patch on my lower inner lip. It has been swollen for over two years, but with the pregnancy and first year with the twins, I put of the surgery until this summer. My dentist/oral surgeon said it was probably saliva glands releasing inward instead of outward, creating a swollen area, but it was also possible that I had a benign tumor or something else.
I wasn't supposed to eat anything in the morning, but that completely slipped my mind, so when I arrived they asked if I had eaten anything that day. Duh! After a minute or so of discussion, the oral surgeon said I could have local instead of general anesthetic, so I was able to go ahead and get it done.
The surgery wasn't to bad, and I was so glad to be under local instead of general anesthesia, and it was all done within twenty minutes. The pain for this past day hasn't been to bad. The stitches are more annoying anything. I have found that an icy smooth helps when my lips start to bother me. Patrick has figured out that I am having a yummy smoothie because my lip hurts, so he has said to me at least 30 times today, "Mom, my lip hurts."