Sammy the Hamster

Today we got our kids their very own pet hamster. We let them choose the name and after much deliberation and proposed names ranging from "Big Papi" to "Snack Shack", they decided on "Sammy". After a week or so, they can take Sammy out of her cage and handle her. We have yet to hear what the cat has to say about all this...

Team USA

On Saturday we went to see the USA National Hockey Team practice in Falmouth. They were getting ready for the upcoming World Championships and were practicing at one of the rinks Michael plays at. Michael's favorite hockey player, Boston Bruin Phil Kessel is on the roster, and Michael got his autograph during a public skate with the players after their practice. He was very excited, and I hope he keeps that signed picture and the memories for a long time.

Travel Player

A few weeks ago Michael tried out for the hockey travel team, and we found out that he made it! This Fall he will be on the Huskies Tier II travel team, with twice the practices, and games from Orono to Haverhill. Not sure what we're in for, but he's very excited.

Right now it's baseball season, and he's been practicing with his Cal Ripken team before their first game on 4/30.

Pneumonia!

After staying healthy while a cold picked off each of our family members one-by-one, Chris got the worst of it by coming down with a case of pneumonia. So, drop her a line to keep her company while she rests at home waiting for her lungs to clear up.

Emily's Spa

Today Emily informed us that she wanted to use her school vacation next week to open her own spa, where she and her "assistant" (aka KK) would provide head, hand, foot, and back massages. We told her that she wouldn't get many customers because most people are at work during the week. When we told her to try the weekend instead she replied, "But I'm not open on weekends!"

It's Melting

Our mammoth snowbank in front of our house is almost gone. Still some patches left, and lots of still in the woods out back where it's shady. But the snow is leaving behind lots of sand from the plow trucks. Lots of work to do in the yard this year.

It's Melting!

Our snow is finally melting. We enjoyed it while it lasted, but now it's time for it to go. As it melts away, we keep finding things that got buried during the winter. A pair of earrings. A nerf football. Christmas decorations. Gnawed bushes. It's like an archaeological excavation. Is this what it will be like in the Arctic when the poles melt?

Here is the same shot from 3/25 and 3/2.

Father/Daughter Dance

Last night Emily and I went to our 2nd Father/Daughter dance. She had a great time running around the gymnasium with her friends and I got to catch up with some of her classmates' dads, who I don't get to see too often. Oh yeah, we danced a couple of times too.

Belated Birthday Party

Since Michael's birthday is on Christmas, it's very difficult to schedule a birthday party with his friends at that time of year. So this year we waited a few months and had his party last weekend. He and some friends went to Maine Indoor Karting for some serious go-karting. They all had a blast.