Mario Brother's . . WE . . oops . . Wii and a baking extravaganza!

The kids arrived on Saturday morning for another "fun" weekend (25 - 27 June)! The kids came ready to play - Knoah bringing matchbox cars with him and Hannah arriving with a suitcase full of toys - stuffed and rubber animals! Jacob on the other hand just wanted to play a new Wii game that Laura had - Super Mario Brother's Wii!

After playing with "speedy" the turtle for a while we began enjoying just seeing each other. Hannah helped me make Macaroni and Cheese for lunch and we then all went into the "garage" which has been converted into a playroom with all of the toys that the kids own.

Since moving out of the apartment I rented in Clinton I have been living with Laura in Adrian. I should confess that since December when we learned we were going to have a baby we had been "discussing" moving in with each other so that we could raise Ethan. The truth is that the same week that I lost my job I had already started moving so - WOW! ! Yeah, it's been hectic for me and the kids and AMAZING that Laura has been so wonderful and understanding.

It is difficult for me to be in this position and honestly - it really does play on your pride but - I know that it isn't going to be permanent. I also know that no matter what happens in the future that I have to continue to work to be a better person.

Hannah and I began dinner - Hamburgers on the grill and decided that it was time to do some "baking". We made a batch of brownies and a chocolate cream pie for desert.

Saturday night finished with a nice dinner with everyone sitting at the table eating - something I am really enjoying - and then we watched to movie Gnomeo and Juliet. Which was awesome but also has a really cool story for us. Months ago before the movie came out the kids and I were at Frenchtown Square Mall and the local theater (Phoenix) had these window clings advertising the movie. Knoah seen them and thought they were just way to cool. So - I began talking to the theater manager about them and asked if I could buy one of them. She chuckled and after taking one look at Knoah she smiled and told me to just take one - so; Knoah got his pick of gnomes which now graces a window in the garage / playroom!



Knoah's . . . . . . Gnome! ! LOL -



Knoah and Hannah "helping" to make Saturday night's desert.

Gnomie and Juliet was a really fun movie that - if you have not seen it, you should - continued the line of "adult theme" references in kids movies that helps keep your attention. Some cool Shakespeare references (beyond the obvious) along with a few funny references from Brokeback Mountain - "I wish I could quite you", Robin Hood / Lassie / The Lion King - "what are you trying to say, Timmy fell down the well, Mustafia, little John . . .who". Along with an obvious lift of the Matrix fight scene! And - yeah . . . there is a "oh, that's a big hat" observation that has a bit of a double meaning. Overall - I really enjoyed the movie and the kids were ready to go to sleep as soon as it was over.

Sunday we made a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and than began a day of play. Mostly we played together and had fun with the playroom / garage, speedy and of course the new thing that Jacob fell head over heals in love with - Super Mario Brother's Wii. Jacob, Knoah and I played together for a long time which was AWESOME - except that Knoah seems to enjoy killing those he plays with and is fond of resetting the game whenever he is not winning!

Dinner saw us having spaghetti and garlic bread with your choice of brownies, chocolate cream pie or banana nut bread for desert. We then had a nice bath and headed to bed at 9:00.

Monday morning I got up early so that I could surprise the kids with breakfast - brownies (yeah, I have been in a baking mood) and cinnamon rolls. After breakfast we played games (Wii, SpongeBob Bowling) and then finished up getting ready for the trek back into Monroe to drop the kids off to there Uncle Franklin.

Overall - it was, like it always is, terrific to spend time with Jacob, Hannah and Knoah. After taking them back to Monroe and talking with there uncle Frank and driving away I realized - I will always miss them every single second that I am away from them. The good news - - just a few more days and I am with them again! Better news; thanks to Verizon, I get to txt them everyday!

So - it was back to the house and to watch Laura and her Mom as they continued to paint animals on the walls of Ethan's room! I would LOVE to post pictures of the creatures that they have painted on the wall (Orangutans, Monkeys, Alligator, Giraffes, turtle and a tree . . . ) but . . . :-) Laura is excited to share those photos with everyone on Facebook so - I will wait until after she does that to share them.

Anyhow - back to looking for a job and to trying to be the best Dad that I can be. Enjoy. :-)