First stop...

PF Changs! We always take Bud there for his birthday which is this month. The kids love it too but Michael keeps calling it KFC:)

HIding Out

The kids did some hiding as we waited for Uncle Bud to arrive.

Finally I spotted Bud and sent Michael out to greet him but they just missed each other. You can see Michael is the background just looking right past Bud. I snapped the picture and that got Bud's attention. I can't believe he didn't notice Michael in that bright yellow shirt!

He was especially surprised to see Mallory. I had checked her out of school that morning and he wasn't expecting her.

Finally all together!

Uncle Bud's Annual Visit

My brother flew in for a visit this past Friday. We got to the airport early so decided to park and go inside to surprise him. We might as well have been at the now defunct Six Flags over Louisville the kids had so much fun on the moving sidewalk and escalator! More pix to come...

Michael Balboa

My mother got Michael this cute robe for Christmas. He looks like a little boxer when he wears it.

100th Day of School

Today is the 100th day of school for Mallory. She is 100 days smarter! Her class is celebrating by bringing in 100 items in a bag. She chose hair bows and we definitely had them! They also had to bring in 100 edible items for the 100 day mix. She took little Hershey's miniature candy bars. Then they had to wear a shirt with 100 things on it. I had my old buttons from when I worked at Darryl's back in the early 90s so we dug those out and put them on a t-shirt. It was heavy. She was kind of worried about getting stuck! I made her french toast in the shape of 100 and watermelon too for bfast. Then I packed her a lunch with 100 cut in her meat, cheese and veggies. It's a fun day!

The Family Bed

Mallory and Michael have been sleeping with us since Michael was born. We have a king bed and it's all been fine until recently. Everybody's getting bigger and the kids are getting sort of squished in the middle. Mallory decided she didn't like getting squeezed out so she wanted to sleep somewhere else. We thought it would be good for Mallory and Michael to transition to Michael's room since he has a queen bed in there. That way they're not totally alone after being with the family. Two nights ago we put them down in there and they went to sleep and that was that. Paul and I were watching TV and talking about how we were giong to miss them with us. How we couldn't believe they weren't in our room sleeping right then. I emailed a friend saying they were in another room and how I was sad but it was OK and everyone would probably sleep better. Paul and I headed to bed around 10:30. I thought it was great to be able to walk in our room and turn on the light to get ready for bed. I got all cozied in and stretched out when pitter patter, pitter patter, here comes Michael. Five minutes later, you guessed it, Mallory crawls in. So much for transitioning them out. The family bed is alive and well at the Matte home. Maybe this summer.