It Just Shows to Go You...

...how tough Stephen Colbert truly is.

And the kicker is that Stephen's Drill Sergeant is DS Chantz, one of several Drill Sergearts I had the pleasure of getting to know at lovely Fort Jackson, S.C. (And he wasn't nearly this cuddly in real life. Yeek!)

Word. Glad that's over.

Happy Birthday, Mum!

Did you get the racy birthday card I sent you?

Whew! Is it warm in here?

Anyway, happy X-tieth birthday Ma. You don't look a day over (Y-10 years) where Y=your current age in years. (That's as close to maths humor as I like to get.)

We totally love you and love that you love us enough to visit!


Oh, and here's the obligatory Birthday pic.

Kobe, Lebron, Lebron, Kobe, Lebron, Kobe, Kobe, Lebron

I think these commercials are pretty funny.

Video link from Team Hawkins

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought it was hilarious.  Who doesn't love Zach Morris?  

Hawkins Update #2

I know you are all on the edge of your seats waiting for my blog post today. Yesterday's post was so exciting! I bet you couldn't even sleep!

On Monday, we went to the allergist for Nora.  Nora got some tests done to figure out what other nuts she is allergic to.  You may remember that she is allergic to nuts.  You can read all about it here.  

Nora was clearly not very happy to be at the doctors office.  Poor girl.  She got pricked on her back 3 different times.  We then had to make sure she didn't scratch her back for 20 minutes while the test results showed up on her back.  

We walked the halls and read some stories.  She was just great.  We found out that Nora is allergic to peanuts and cashews.  We are going to do a "food challenge" to test for almonds.  I liked that the allergist called it a food challenge.  It makes it sound like an olympic event or reality television show.  For the challenge, we take Nora into the allergists office and give her almonds there, just in case she has a reaction.  That happens in July.  We'll keep you posted!

Sad Gimbel Blogging

Okay, mom was complaining this weekend that no one blogs here anymore.  Well, I thought that I would respond to her complaint by blogging more.  I don't have much to report, but I'll post something everyday for you all to read and maybe enjoy.

Five semi-interesting points from our day in the Cleve'.

1.  Nora slept in until 8:00 a.m.  She isn't fully adjusted to the time in Cleveland yet.  She misses L.A.  

2.  Richard and I are starting Body for Life tomorrow.  We need to get into better shape.  Richard wants to take some before pictures.  No thank you.  Yikes!  Wish us luck!  

3.  We got these black bean burgers at Costco and are loving them!  We made quesadillas with them tonight.  Delicious!  

4.  I finished listening to this book on C.D. today.  I like to listen to books while I drive.  I don't like the NPR station here during the day.  I didn't like the readers voice, but the book was good.  I also read Three Junes by Julia Glass and liked it too.

5.  Richard rode his bike into work today.  He said the Cleveland drivers were very polite and courteous to him.  

Alright, Team Hawkins out.  

How cool would this be?

Ryan, I'm looking at you.

Big yea to Ashley for winning the President's Outstanding Academic Excellence Award!

And to Chloe for Honors in Sight Word Mastery

Relay for life

I joined a relay for life team with a woman at work. I need help raising some money. Click here to donate. If you don't know what relay for life is, click here. I suppose you know the blog is getting lame when it is used as a solicitation tool.

Hey, I remember that!

There was a really interesting article in the June issue of This Old House, where they asked readers to send in their memories of places from the past.  Readers remembered things like the slap of the screen door on a hot summer day, the smell of wool mittens drying on a radiator, and working in vegetable gardens (all memories I have, also).  What are your memories of places you have lived in from your past?

Besides the above mentioned memories of the house in Minnesota, I remember the stepping stones that went from the back porch, behind the house, out to the west sidewalk.  When I was five and six, I can remember how much I enjoyed jumping from one stone to the next.  I would explore the back yard, where there were all kinds of peony bushes, hollyhocks, lilacs, tulips and violets in the spring.  I liked going back to the rhubarb patch with my siblings and eating raw rhubarb stalks dipped in sugar.

I loved my whole neighborhood, and how close we were to the park and to Albert Lea Lake.  The blocks were lined with old trees, shady and cool in the summertime, and it was always an adventure to explore.

So what are your memories?  I know your dad had so many neighborhood stories to tell.  Someday he'll have to write a book.  I look forward to hearing from all of you about your former homes.

BIG THREE-OH

Meridth Gimbel is 30 years old on May 16th!  

I think it's really interesting that Meridth is having her first baby at age 30, when I had my LAST baby at 30.  It just goes to show how the times have really changed.  Back in the olden days many girls got married right out of high school, and started their families right away.  No women are older and much more prepared for childbirth and rearing.

Meridth, we love you, and are so excited for this next phase of your life.  You will be an awesome mother.  You are so much more informed and prepared than I ever was!  I like to think of what it was like for your family all those years ago when you were born, and how excited Megan was to get a little sister to play with.  It must have been like having a new (live) doll.  

Here's to the next thirty years (to quote country artist Tim McGraw), and we are glad we get to be a part of it with you.  You Rock!

Love,  Ed and Claudia

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mother, there is no other!

Hawkins in the New York Times

Richard co-authored an opinion piece in the New York Times that was published today.  Click here to read it!  Go The 'Chard!

“Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic,” Andy Warhol.

I just posted an article on our blog about the disturbing effect of plastics on small children/infants if you're interested.

Yippee!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the coolest and best looking teacher we know.

Much love,

Meridth and Edward