The Cousins have landed!!

Two of my sisters and the children(plus one spouse) are visiting. Here are some pics.

Rhys to the rescue!!


Bryn's Up a Tree


El's having TOO much fun

Why didn't I buy the same color????!!!!
I recently bought new lawn chairs. I decided to buy six. Enough for all of us to sit at the same time. Because we all know that if I bought less than that someone would scream. Not that it's likely we'd all be sitting at once, but I digress. I also bought two small chairs for Eva and Liam, in case we have company. Here is where I made the mistake. I bought two different colors. All experienced parents know, you always buy the same color whenever possible to avoid fights. It doesn't matter if they ask for different colors. Inevitably, after leaving the store they will want the OTHER color. So I guess I deserve whatever torture they inflict over these chairs. I have learned my lesson. Once again.

Andrew and Pierre Marcolini
Andrew came home from Europe last night. He has been in Belgium and London for the past two weeks. Before anyone asks, 'why didn't he take you?' , let me say that it is the last weeks of school and there was no way I could leave the kids right now. But he did this wonderful thing. He introduced me to Pierre Marcolini and his divine chocolates. If you want to see them go to www.marcolini.be/EN/accueil.html.
Apparently, the store looks like a jewelry store, plush interior with the chocolates behind glass cases like you are picking out an engagement ring and several stories tall. Those who live in Belgium swear by the chocolates and rightly so. They are fabulous. Which reminds me why do we always hear about the Swiss their chocolates? Andrew has brought back Swiss chocolate before and these leave them in the dust.
I understand a store opened in NYC so if you are there, RUN, don't walk. For some reason, I can picture my friend Heidi ditching her husband and spending the day eating chocolates.
They use interesting and unusual ingredients in their chocolates like puff pastry or thyme. One of my unexpected favorite so far is a fondant square chocolate with fresh Provencal thyme and orange peels. Sounds a bit gross, but it was wonderful. Have I used the word 'wonderful' and 'fabulous' and 'divine' enough?
Oh, and I love that my husband is home. But I thought you'd rather hear about the chocolates than our reunion.

Happy?? Mother's Day!
Today was one of those Mother's Days to be forgotten. Let's start with the weather. It was cold and rainy and windy today. I have been SO ready for summer or at least some pleasant spring weather. I actually turned the heater on this evening as it will be in the 40s tonight and I don't want to freeze.
Next, Andrew is in Europe at the moment. He's been gone a week and will be gone for another one. He has been a dear and has emailed or video chatted with me everyday. And he sent me flowers yesterday. But I miss that parenting partnership we have. It's hard with four bouncing-off-the-walls-standing-on-their-heads kids. Plus it's the last weeks of school and so reports are due and major tests are coming and all those end of the year activities. It also doesn't help that I can't sleep when he's gone.
Then, the kids were less than helpful. I wasn't expecting much because Andrew isn't here. No one wanted to wash dishes or help with dinner. It was another day at the Brown's. They did let me take a nap, but only because they did, too. Of course, the nap was late and so they couldn't fall asleep until late. I feel like Oscar the Grouch(see my sister's blog).
But the house is finally quiet. They all have school tomorrow except Liam. And Andrew will be home in a week. I think for my birthday I will disappear for the day.

One of Adria's Favorite Things
As soon as she comes home, Adria is on the computer. She's either looking at clothes, chatting with friends, checking email or going between what's new at CNN or People. I can't believe she'll be 15 in September and getting a driver's permit. Yikes! Where did time go?

Liam and His Birthday Cake

Liam's Birthday
Our 5-10-05 boy will be 3 years old, but Andrew will be out of town on Saturday. So we celebrated Liam's birthday. After hot dogs, french fries and strawberries, we went to the park. Liam loves to run, jump and swing off of anything nailed down. Colin was great and took lots of pictures for us. Those two are best friends.


Our happy boy! Not sure where he's getting the fake smile. Not too long after this pic a swing caught Liam in the lip. What's a boy's birthday without an injury.


Colin was a great big brother and played on the horses with Liam. Later we had cake and ice cream.