We took the boys to their first movie today. It was also the first movie I'd been to in over five years. I remember going to something with Sarah just before Skipper was born and her troubles, 9 months pregnant, squeezing by people to go to the ladies room.

The results of our excursion were mixed. The movie was Disney's Pooh's Heffalump Movie. My first shock was paying $26 for the 4 of us to get in and another $12 for one popcorn, one bag of M&Ms and one drink. Both Skipper and Hank were befuddled by the chairs. They kept falling through. Eventually Hank had to sit in my lap for most of the 65 minute presentation. Skipper seemed to enjoy it, frequently laughing while devouring his popcorn. Hank watched patiently. Their post experience comments were "The sound was too loud!" (accurate). "The chairs were too bouncy!" (accurate for 3 and 5 year olds). "It was scary until the end." (Hank). "When does the new Batman movie open?" (Hank)

It's been a tough week for Sarah. First, we all had to recover from Skipper's bowling alley birthday party. Pretty successful, but expensive.

Hank's school is closed for vacation. Skipper's is open. Sarah spends all day transporting them around trying to keep them busy and interested. Playdates, the train exhibit in the basement of the library, a magic show, and even a trip to the dollar store to buy cheap toys since they're already bored with the toys Skipper got for his birthday. They do play constantly with the Harley-Davidson three wheel scooters their great uncle got them. We would appreciate them too, if it wasn't for the battery operated sirens that are constantly blaring.

The next big decision hanging over our heads is kindergarten for Skipper. He could stay where he is, or move on to public school, or go somewhere else. All the parents we know seem to be stressed out about this decision.

Saturday is Skipper's fifth birthday. He's pretty excited. We're going to have his party this year at a Duckpin bowling alley in East Providence. There will be about 10 guests plus parents and his brother Hank. They serve pizza, drinks, and a cake after the bowling. We have to keep an eye on Hank. He chases his ball down the alley if it goes in the gutter. Skipper's great uncle has bought a nice scooter for him, but what he really wanted was maps. "I want a map with the flags of all the countries, a round map of the world so you can see both sides, the North Pole, and Virginia." The first two are easy. He's already got a map of Antarctica which is why he wants a map of the North Pole, although we haven't determined whether there is such a thing. As to Virginia, we don't have a clue as to why he has an interest.

Hank is all better. This morning I made pumpernickel toast to go along with the regular white toast, never believing that either one would eat the pumpernickel. "Can I have some more of that black toast Dad." said Hank. And he ate three more slices. No such luck with Skipper who picked at his fruit cup and white toast before his long day at school. On Wednesday, Skipper goes to school until 2:30 instead of the usual noon. They have a special "creative movement" session in the afternoon. Usually, Skipper will demonstrate the moves he learned in the evening. Today it had something to do with a fox hiding in a hole. I don't get it, but he likes it. He has become very bossy. I keep trying to talk to him about it. No luck with results so far.

Poor Hank. Every morning he wakes up ready to go, or at least OK. Around noon he starts to fade and get feverish. A teaspoon of Motrin the wonder drug gets him going for the rest of the afternoon. By 5 he starts to fade again and his fever spikes. He complains about his ears. He refuses to eat. He wants to go to bed. Unheard of until this week. I hope he's better soon.