I don't think our lilac bush has every been prettier.  I just had to drag the kids outside after dinner to get a few photos.  My mom always told me to have people in the picture!  We've had both sunshine and showers today... the springtime is just so beautiful, I think I'm deciding it's my favorite time of the year.  David's friend Emily came over this afternoon and put new strings on Krissy's guitar, then attempted to teach me several chords.  This is much more difficult than I imagined.  I just thought, 'I play the piano by ear....teach me a C, F and G and I can play most things that Benjamin would enjoy.'  Not so fast Mama...oh my...my hand was cramping, my fingertips hurting and my self esteem sinking all at the same time.  I'm just not real sure I can do this.  I'm afraid it's going to be like gymnastics or something....it looks easy, but it's just not going to happen for me.   I've wanted to learn for a long time, primarily because Benjamin just loves it.  So how about everyone praying that I will be able to get it? Emily was very patient and I've told her I'd practice, so I guess I won't throw in the towel the first try.  

Krissy is doing pretty well.  She's had a recent fascination with cars, i.e. trying to open  doors in parking lots, etc.  I've talked with her about it...of course I'm afraid some alarm will go off and there we'll be, looking guilty as ever.  Last week I got reports from school twice...the first day as she got off the bus, she slipped away from her staff escort and jumped in a radio cab that was parked at the curb.  The following day (they apparently had not perfected their positioning/holding routine with her) she jumped into a van that was actually moving away from the curb.  That's scary, so I think they are being a bit more pro-active now in escorting her to the building.  She's been happy happy at home...we'd like to lower her speed by 30 mph or so, but we're happy she's not screaming and crying.  We've thankfully not been seeing that. 

Still waiting for Benjamin's surgery date.  I certainly hope this surgeon is better at what he does than his office staff is at what they do.  When the follow-thru is predictably delayed or non-existent, there's a problem.  Nice as can be, but ....

Our older kids are staying busy with school, friends, theater, etc.  Jamie was hired by CYT as a counselor at summer day camps, so she'll have 5 weeks of work.  Anne got on as a 'counselor in training' for a session, so she's looking forward to that.  David opting to help out on the home front.  The two older kids and I are looking forward to our road trip with Krissy after Seussical closes.  She started talking about the 'long car ride' that I had spoken of....then we realized she was wondering where the LONG CAR was...so, Ah ha!  "Krissy....the car isn't long....we're going for a long ride in the silver car."  I think we're all on the same page now...otherwise she'd  be noting all of the stretch limos we pass on the roads and wondering where the Julian's long car is.

Well, Larry is ready for a haircut, so that's it from us this evening.  Love, Janelle & All