Go Animal Kingdom!

So before I talk about the Kentucky Derby I just have one question...Why isn't the media all over Obama about gas prices like they were with Bush in 2007 (and even before that)?
So from the little research I have done, it does appear that our gas price crisis actually began with some Bill Clinton shenanigans in 1999ish. He was trying to help the poor and used our oil reserves to increase supply which lowers prices. That was good intentions but obviously there are always long term repercussions to short term solutions. Then Bush came in and tried to build them back up at a time when there wasn't much room for more demand in the market. High demand means higher prices. Turns out we were about to start a war with the Middle East, our supplier, that didn't help prices either. Now Obama has his moratorium on off shore drilling (Though this was just recently lifted). He did this after the BP nightmare in the Gulf. He was trying to do good- though he does seem to have a little bit of a "God Complex." I mean really- whether you like him or not you have to admit that he does think very highly of himself. He actually thought that flooding the economy with stimulus money would turn the economy around. Gee if that were possible, then we would always flood the market with money and never have a recession. He decided that stopping off shore drilling was a good idea...and maybe for a short time- but for the long haul. Are you kidding me? And recently he took credit for the Bin Ladin assassination. Weird. I am thanking our Navy, not Obama. Anyway, back to my original point. Where is the media now? I think in the end all of our presidents have tried to do "good" but why only smear the republicans? Take note that our media is, well, fairly terrible at reporting the whole truth. The integrity is gone.

So on a fun note, Sid and I went to a Derby Party last weekend. A good friend of mine whom I used to work with at Duke hosts this party every year. Sid and I haven't been in six years. We put most of our money on Animal Kingdom because of course that is where we stayed in Disney...so guess who won the Derby? We were floored. We walked home with a nice big chunk of money. A percentage of the profits went to the Shriners so even if we hadn't won it was nice to know that kids and families are being helped. Here we are with our roses!

Leah wanted to wear Daddy's watch. She kept it on all day. People laughed at it all day. It was as big as her hand.

Last weekend at a fabulous birthday party Isaac became a little devil....hmmm?

And Grace maintained her princess status.

Easter, Soccer and FINALLY spring is here!

We have been living for spring. We didn't necessarily wish away winter, it's just that the kids had so many colds, flues, viruses, and such that I wasn't sure I could take it much longer. And just when I though I would crack spring sprung and all was renewed. We still battle colds/viruses, etc, but on a much lesser scale...days go by and all three are healthy at the same time! So April was filled with soccer games galore. My good friend Stacy and I coached Isaac and her daughter Hampton's soccer team at the YMCA this year. It was interesting. I had one player who basically hated soccer and so therefore hated me. He actually spit on me. Yeah. Three years old. I have no idea why his mother signed him up. His grandmother was mortified and said they were trying to get him around "better people" so he would straighten up. I'm thinking a hand to his behind would be a better place to start. Anyway, we ended the season with a trip to the ice cream store which was the hi-lite of the season.

The name of our team was "The Clams." No comments- I didn't come up with the name.

Here is Isaac with two of his buddies from his preschool class. The day we played them poor Isaac was home with a temperature of 104.2 I didn't even know that was possible.

And here is big sister Grace's team. She plays for Kickin' for the Cross. She was clearly the tall girl on the team- seems to be a tradition now. She was also the "ringer" on the team. Actually so was Isaac. It was really fun to watch the kids- but I do worry they are getting a false sense of ability and fun. Eventually they will both meet their match and I think they will be a little shocked. But for now Sid and I have a good time cheering them on.

Leah is actually not on a team- though she seemed more interested than the majority of my players.

Here is Isaac hamming it up on the field.

Nana and Aunt L came up for a day to watch the kids while Sid and I went to a big party a few weeks ago. Leah loved all of the extra attention.

And she really loved when Aunt L read her her new Elmo book. Leah LOVES Elmo. (I can do this....I can do one more child in love with Elmo!) Nana reads story #23 before bed. The kids take no prisoners when it comes to story time.

Grace's class field trip was to a farm. They got to see/hold the goats, chickens, cows and pigs. It was a wonderful experience.

Isaac passes down his love for popsicles to his baby sister. It was not difficult for her to take up.

Easter photo. Isaac's faces were hilarious. I don't think we got one normal smile out of him.

There was a real bunny at Grace's Easter party at school.

Easter Morning! The Easter Bunny brought Grace and her American Girl Doll matching dresses. Leah got a lawn mower (Dejavu- Isaac got one two years ago!) and Isaac got a rocket launcher. They all got a soccer goal.

Grace and Ruthie ready for church!

I want to eat her up!

If only he knew what will be coming down the chore list in about 10 years.