Below is an email that I sent to my Mom this morning. We last saw her maybe a month ago when we went to her house for lunch. She decided to stay home for Easter and not come to our house for dinner. This email just gives her an update on goings on at our house over the past week. ---

Hi Mom,We are doing well. Daughter1 slept over her friend Stephanie's house last night. Steph was over our house the night before. Daughter1 slept at Steph's house last Friday, too. They are now best friends, I would say.

Tonight, looks like Son1 and Daughter1 are sleeping over at Lor's.

Son2 is doing well. We had a meeting with the Twp speech experts last week or so and they said that his speech is good for someone his age. In fact, his use of complete sentences is ahead of his age group. And he definitely is not shy about communicating his thoughts. We just have to keep working on his enunciation.

My trip to Costa Rica is the week of April 7th. My passport came in the mail over the weekend. At this moment, I'm not too excited about going. It feels like more of a chore than anything else. I have been invited to go to Boulder, CO the following week to meet with my employer's Chinese contingent that is touring the US. We would be speaking about their growing GIS.

We had a nice Easter with my father-in-law, step-mother-in-law, sister in law, brother in law and niece coming over. Nice sit down dinner and Son1 showed off how he can ride his Ripstick (like a skateboard) and Daughter1 showed off by shooting baskets.

Today, Son1 and wifey are heading out to spend some bonding time together. I think they are going to batting cages and then somewhere else.

I was down in Arlington, VA on Tuesday. Took the 4 am train from Trenton (had to get up at 2 am!!) to make morning meetings and then took the afternoon train back home. I got home at dinner time but was completely worn out after getting up so early. It takes about 4 1/2-5 hours for me to get to the Arlington office from home. I usually stay overnight but wanted to try a single day trip. Maybe next time I will leave NJ a little later and still try to get back home before the kids go to bed.

Son1 has been asking to go camping, so this weekend we have a great trip planned. Son1 and I (Daughter1 does not want to come) will paddle the boats down the Mullica River in the Pines. We will camp overnight Saturday and paddle Sunday until we get to the takeout point. I will be in either the green kayak or might even dust off the old canoe that has been gathering dust since we got a kayak. Son1 will paddle the new, single seat red kayak. I will be rigging up a tow rope so that I can tow him for a while when he gets tired. Vince and Harry may be coming along if their family schedule permits it.

Last Saturday, I took Son1, my niece and Son2 kayaking on nearby Black's Creek which is a small, tidal stream. Vince and Harry came along. Son1 did well paddling the red boat by himself tho his arms got tired after an hour or so. Evie did well in the bow of my boat. Son2 was great until he got tired halfway thru and just started screaming to go home. He was exhausted from a long day.

Son2 woke up yesterday morning with his eyes all puffy and swollen. He could see and is otherwise fine. The swelling is about half-way down today. Not sure what he is having a reaction to. Maybe all the milk he was drinking in the prior days or maybe something was on the carpet in the guest room where he slept that night.

Baby is doing well. She is ever growing more alert and responsive. The other day she discovered a new way to scream when she is upset that will curddle your teeth!

Wifey got a haircut Tuesday. Her hair is a little shorter and currently straight. Looks nice.

I am working towards a project goal for my contract work. Ugh. But the money is good.

xo