Cipher In The Snow

Growing up I became familiar with a movie that we were shown in school called "The Cipher In The Snow." The basic story line is that this little boy who is neglected and ignored and so quiet that he won't ask for help from anybody steps off the bus and dies in the snow.  Yeah, not the most uplifting show you will ever see.  Apparently the boy had no friends and was so quiet and lonely that he dies.  Upon reflection they find his poems that go along the lines of "I like Frogs, they jump on logs."   Ted and I still joke about that poem - grossly inappropriate to make jokes about the poem in such a sad show, but I'd be lying if I said we didn't.  Just sayin'......

Anyhow, fast forward a gazillion years and my own daughter enters the world known as public school.  Although she excels academically all of her teachers ask me the same question:  ""Does Emma talk at home?"  "Does she have friends that she talks to?"  Apparently at school Emma would do anything and everything to avoid drawing attention to herself.  We became concerned and tried to encourage her to venture into new activities, and there was growth, but you could see it was painful for her.  Even as she entered Jr. High her parent teacher conferences always had the same tone.  Although they never used these words, all I could hear them saying was, "You are raising the next cipher in the snow."  

Fast forward what seems like 10 minutes to the time she enters high school.  She tells us about a choir group she has joined and a concert she is going to attend.  It wasn't until we were driving out TO the concert that she mentioned that she had a solo within the song.  

When she began belting out a song Ted and I about started crying.  When she saw their performance of course she heard the notes that weren't exactly right and noticed everything that was wrong.  When we watched her perform all we could see was our little "cipher" shining beautifully in the spotlight.  

Here is the link if you want to see their performance.  

A Step Above Acapella Concert

It was a great night, and it brought tears to my eyes as I realized all the growth that has taken place in my sweet daughter.  We were bursting we were so proud, and as an added bonus her group won the competition presumably for their entertainment factor in the song.  It was a great night.  

Goodbye cipher.  Hello Diva.  :)

Sammy Turns 10!

Sweet Sammy turned 10.  Mom was feeling tired and wanted to go out to dinner, but he only wanted spaghetti from home for dinner.  Add to that one magnifying glass birthday cake, and soccer gifts galore and he was pleased as punch.

He is all about soccer lately and only wanted a new ball, new shin guards, and a rebounder net to practice with.  If it has to do with soccer he loves it.  He writes letter to pro soccer players all the time, earns money to buy jerseys, and prays for the snow to melt so he can go outside and play soccer.  

We love you, Sam.  You are a sweet and amazing kid and we are so grateful for the joy that you are in our family!!!  Happy Birthday!

Ted turns 41!!!

With lots of hoopla and fan fare we celebrated Ted's birthday - back in November!  Actually, there was very little hoopla and I'm not sure if there was much fan fare, but it wasn't for lack of Tessa trying.  She loves birthdays like nobody's business.  She was more excited than anybody for Ted's big day.  

She helped with the homemade Boston Cream Pie.  

She wrapped the presents. 

And she sang louder than anybody when we sang Happy Birthday.  No doubt she loves her daddy - we all do.  He may not look like he changes much over the years, but man oh man - I'm here to tell you he just gets better and better.  

Love you, Babe!  Happy 41!

Valentine's Day 2013

 Nobody can argue that Sam and Tessa love Valentine's Day.  They love the hugs, the special surprises, the hearts at dinner, the Valentine's Day box, but mostly love the candy....

They are totally kids after my own heart!