The trees are awake!

Ever since Nikita received a fishing pole and tackle box for his January birthday, he has been waiting for the trees to wake up and spread their leaves again.  That is his sign that fishing season is once again here.  The kids and dad have already been out several times to fish.  They have also all been quite successful already.  Even daddy caught a fish!  (But only one!)

So far Genna has caught the best of the bunch.  Nikita and Michael have caught their share, though.  Personally, I think I've been the luckiest, since every fishing trip means I get the whole house to myself.

Also on the Nikita front, I have been searching for resources for developmental delays to help him.  So far I've hit a few brick walls.  the best i have found looks very promising; there is a developmental pediatrics group at Children's Hospital in DC.  they even have a clinic in Fairfax so I wouldn't have to venture into the city.  BUT, they're currently scheduling for September.  What am I supposed to do all summer?

I am checking out a group in Michigan, suggested to me by Michelle.  They seem to have the sort of practical approach to treating delays by identifying the source of the problems instead of just treating symptoms like ADHD and Dyslexia.  We'll have to wait to see what comes of that.  Please continue to pray for us!

We have also been working a lot in our gardens.  Richard is in charge of the back this summer and i am working on the front.  the kids are glead to help whomever is getting the dirtiest at the time.  Richard has built two nice raised bed boxes for his veggies and is carefully tending to his blueberry bushes.  Genna has talked him into buying some strawberries this year.  Stay tuned to see if we get enough berries for shortcake!  After finally being satisfied that the spring flowers are all in the right places, i am in the process of planting some larger shrubs in the area we added dirt to last summer.  I bought some azaleas to put behind my two earlier additions.  I also have a little greeenhouse going with seeds in the house.  I hope to spend Mother's day weekend planting sunflowers, moonflowers, and morning glories. 

I keep putting off installing the sidewalk, waiting for enough inspiration to really feel committed to a way to do it.  Maybe the tax rebate check from Uncle Sam will inspire me to hire someone to do it for us.  Meanwhile, the kids have finally been trained not to walk through the mud on their way into the house.  Now I only have to train the rest of the neighborhood, and the dog.