Stotesbury Regatta--Anna's last Stotes! May 20, 2016

Today was Anna's last Stotes--here are some photos--I know they aren't great, but it is hard to take good photos of a fast-moving boat about 200 yards from you!  Anna is the first rower on the left (there is a coxswain down below....)

My New Hero--Ronan Farrow--May 12, 2016

A young man of integrity.  My new hero.  Sticking up for what is right.  I loved him before because I love a handsome, smart guy (who really looks like a young Frank Sinatra), but now I love him more.

And I will now add Diane Keaton and Miley Cyrus (not that it really mattered for her), to my list of people who I will never spend any money to see in any forum.   I saw her today on the Today show in an old interview talking to Matt Lauer about an event at which she accepted an award on behalf of Woody Allen, and in response to Matt's question whether she had a problem supporting a man who has been accused of doing the stuff that Woody Allen has been accused of (other than the obvious despicable act of sleeping with and then marrying his daughter), she responded that she supports Woody Allen because "without him, I wouldn't be here today, talking to you, Matt."    So, in other words, values don't matter to her if it gets her stardom.   Despicable.

Happy Mother's Day--May 8, 2016

This morning, after we all got back from church, they had for me what we call the "traditional mother's day celebration" which means we open up the hand-made cards and gifts.   Every year, the only thing I really want to do for Mother's Day is, obviously, be with my children, but also, this is the day that I put in all my flowers, make up my flower pots.   It is also the first nice day we have had around here in almost two weeks.

Unfortunately, a few days ago, I woke up, and my eyes were so blood shot from this allergy season, that I could barely see.  I never had allergies until about two years ago, so this is all new to me.  I just take loratidine when I get symptoms, but the last few weeks have been terrible.  And now my eyes are so bloodshot, I can barely go out in public.   So, the last thing I wanted to do was work outside in the garden.

Happy 14th Birthday Matthew--May 7, 2016--his Birth Story

Anyone who lives around the Philadelphia area, or in the Northeast, knows it has rained every day for the last 12 days. Like pouring rain.   On Saturday, at around 2, I called out for everyone to come look out the window--you could actually see a little ray of sunshine, but then a rain cloud came out again, and the little ray of sunshine was gone.  Back to gloom.

So, for Matthew's birthday, which we are really celebrating with some kids next Saturday, we decided to go up to see Captain America, Civil War.   I have to say, I don't usually love these super hero movies, but this one was amazing.    A great way to spend a birthday with my youngest son.

I think I may have told his birth story before, but it is worth a repeat--definitely the most dramatic of my five children's births!   Here goes:

I was due with Matthew on May 15, 2002.  It was the first time I was pregnant over the winter, and I found out I was definitely pregnant the night before September 11, 2001.  That was such a crazy time.  Being pregnant over the winter means you can't get out much, because I didn't want to take a chance on ice and snow, and I had three young children, so long story short, I gained 65 pounds.  So, it was hard for me to move.

May, 1, 2016--Anna Decides on a College...She is going to......

Finally, and after much discussion, and analysis, Anna has decided to go to:

The moment when she thought Chris didn't hit the button accepting Boston College (because after all this time, she still wasn't sure.....??), and the moment when she realized he really did, and the decision had been made: 

Yay!!!  We are so excited for her, and she is so excited--it is a fabulous school, in an amazing city!!