Parentheticals

We spent a excellent week in the outer banks of North Carolina. It was pretty fun. At the beginning of the week Andrea, Sara, and Timothy were all scared of the ocean. By the second day they were braver (letting Daddy take them out beyond the breakers), and the third day they all got scared again (because they got splashed in the face or dunked by the waves - the surf was really rough by our beachhouse). By the last day they were all brave again. We went to a gentler beach and they all would crawl around in the waves saying they were swimming. Rea would really go out in the waves up to her knees and actually swim a bit when a big wave came in. It was fun seeing them learn to like the water. Sara in particular is excited now to learn to swim this summer, and Rea wants to improve her swimming even more. Monday and Tuesday night we went out crab catching. The crabs were similar to fiddler crabs, but they didn't seem to have significantly dimorphic claws. Andrea was terrified of th...

Monday for Family Night Alison took charge of the lesson and made some new rules for our house: You are free to play outside when: your dishes are washed, and your toys are picked up. You are free to ask for breakfast when: your bedroom is clean and your bed is made. You are free to choose a bed time story when: your playroom is clean and your dishes are washed. Rea has complained about the new rules but has done pretty well. Sara rarely picks up a toy, but she did wash her dishes without complaining two whole times. Overall it is keeping the house pretty clean. Our microwave blew up and we went without a microwave for a while. That was pretty fun. Alison discovered many unique ways to heat things. One time we had a cold sandwich and she put it under her armpit (haha; see here ). Alison wants me to make sure that you understand that she didn't really do this. It was a reference to a comic strip. Timmy liked the old microwave. It is still sitting in our front room on t...