news of the week

emma's team won two more games (they are now 5-0; emma had a big double over the center fielder's head this afternoon--one of her best hits even). terri got the letter from the Provost confirming her tenure (for life!). doug had his last lecture of the semester (just reviews and an exam next week). and ben spent the week tweaking his forward pass documentary for the state competition tomorrow on campus at the U. oh yeah, and we got another set of great report cards from both kids.

blue skies and spring showers

its raining this morning but overall we've been enjoying one of the warmest, sunniest and earliest springs ever in Minnesota. it has made for great softball, lots of business at Connie's, and wonderful evening walks.

emma's team now 3-0...but a scary moment in this week's game when our top pitcher (emma's good friend and usual battery-mate hannah kampman, also daughter of doug's co-coach gary) got hit on the side of the head with a line drive. she had to leave the game but turned out to be okay and the girls pulled it together for a comeback victory.

last night was the annual sociology department event. it was nothing special but we were happy that there was no burgalism at our house when we returned (unlike last year, if you recall). tonite is the MMSA school auction. tomorrow night, then, we are all invited to our friend Ann Meier's house for Chinese hotpot--a fondue-like feast that we had a couple of times in Beijing.

oh yeah, and we went to our first twin's game at the new field on Weds night. it was a great evening in a spectacular setting, especially as we've been having fun following the twins's success here in the early season.

a couple of firsts

emma's school softball team (coached by doug) won their first game of the year today, 8-3. emma went 1-2 and did a great job catching as usual. for his part, ben got his first paycheck from connie's this week. its going straight into the bank though he is thinking of getting a new bass sometime this summer. this weekend, emma has a confirmation retreat with her Hope sunday school class at a camp in wisconsin. ben works a couple of shifts. if the weather is nice, maybe we can sneak in some family golf or tennis too.

a good day and a birthday

a wonderful spring day in our neck of the woods yesterday, made all the better for the kids as both were off of school. ben spent the day with the boys in the band, and then had them as well as hannah and her friend over to eat dinner and watch the movie Dune last night. emma went out to lunch (Indian) with terri, did a little shopping with doug, and then went golfing with doug and terri. they also watched the movie "paper heart." ben works the night shift at connie's tonite, but the focus for the day is celebrating t's birthday. presents include: a walking golf cart, watch, book, and (the big one) a Wii Fit. oh yeah, and last sunday's easter picture

happy easter!

kids have both been off of school the past couple of days, emma beginning her spring break (which continues into next week) and ben at the end of his. the timing couldn't be/have been better with the warm, spring weather.

emma happy to get a break from softball and wrap up a big school report and presentation on Posedion. (her oversized trident spear was especially imposing, and the whole thing has prompted us to eat Gyros after church last sunday and her to be surprisingly interested in Clash of the Titans.)

ben pretty active over the period, reorganizing the basement for his band and workout equipment, helping Hannah's family do some spring cleaning, and (the big news) starting his first job at Connie's Creamy Cone. He worked three shifts this week. First day he was nervous and said the cones he made were messy but he came home satisfied. Each subsequent day has gotten easier--last night he came home with some mistakes (chocolate ice cream, and a crunch cone in a cup) as well as four or five bucks in tips! He can't wait to get his first check.

doug was in chicago the past couple of days for the midwest sociology meetings, talking about proposals for new book projects with editors and meeting with former graduate students of his now in positions and careers of their own. everyone, it seems, had trouble believing we've now got a high schooler in the house. terri putting together an easter menu for tomorrow, getting ready to dye easter eggs today, and wondering what kinds of easter baskets are appropriate for our now not-so-little kids. (the rest of us, btw, thinking about birthday presents for her for next week.)