The Richardsons

Today was the first day I had an opportunity to see E-man in action on the soccer field. Emmanuel was very excited I was coming to his game, Scott was probably more excited I was coming. I do not have a subscription to psychic friends network, but I predict we will be spending a lot of time on the soccer fields in the next ten years. Emmanuel did score two goals again today and he is lighting fast. He is hard to follow on the field he is so fast. And he is so proud of himself with a huge smile, it's great to see him feel so good about himself. During the last few minutes of the game, he was running down the field with the ball (the wrong direction, but he was working on getting turned around) and he looked over and waved at me as he dribbled the ball and ten other children chased him. Ready for the game! Practice First Scott helps out on the field I learned something new about myself today too. My mother came to every meet, race, game etc I ever had. She was always there su...

Practicing their melting Want some fire scarecrow? Few things are funnier than hearing my kids sing commercial jingles with a Liberian accent, "save big money at Menards ." But lately they are obsessed with The Wizard of Oz. My sister brought it to them when she visited. They have this whole elaborate scheme of how we are all going to dress up as the characters for Halloween, it includes several neighbors too. Today they put chalk all over themselves and pretended to be the bad witch. They ran around the yard, "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too uhaahahahahaha ." MY COUNTRY KIDS: I'm proud to say I have officially converted my kids to country music fans. Of course Emmanuel's favorite song is International Harvester and Abegails is My Wish by Rascal Flats. We'll be in the car and they'll say, "I can't hear the music." "Turn it up Mommy."

Last Sunday we had a great Memorial Day picnic at a very fun park with Martu and Mackie's family. We even rented a couple paddle boats. Happy 6th belated 6th Birthday to cousin Cameron! Quotes From Eman: "Daddy, how come you don't drive a pick-up truck?"

For those of you up early this Memorial Day, you may have seen Sue on CBS' "The Early Show" or The Weather Channel this morning. For those of you who slept in (like the kids and I) I've embedded the CBS story below. Sue was able to drive by Loren's home this morning and it looks to be in good shape. Although, there was lots of hail damage in the area to go along w/ the tornado's destruction. Over 150 homes were damaged or destroyed. Most of the 20 people who were "missing" are now assumed to be out of town and not really missing. The 2 year old who was killed had a 4 or 5 year old sibling who suffered two heart attacks while on the way to the hospital. He/she was in critical condition...but now is expected to live. Both parents were also taken by air ambulance to the hospital with severe injuries. So much destruction...but probably lucky that it happened on the holiday weekend when many were out of town!

Gas Prices Worldwide in US DOLLARS: Friday before Memorial day we're at $3.85/gal in Minnesota London $8.32 Iceland is $7.91 Ethiopia 7.50 Norway $6.82 Hong Kong $6.25 Beligium $6.16 Liberia 4.50 Brazil $4.42 India $3.71 Saudia Arabia $0.91 Kuwait $0.68 Nigeria $0.35 Venezuela $0.12

Abegail's First Soccer Game From ballet to Soccer. Abegail has started her season. Yes, she was going to play baseball but Mommy can't figure out all these extracurricular activities which is a world in itself and I signed her up for the wrong team. It turned out great though, now she's on a team with her best friend from school. Abegail's team won their first game! Daddy and Annie have fun watching Abegail. Photos by E-man! E-man started his new school today. He came home and he said, "a boy spit on me." I thought hmmmm, looks like you are in the right place. When he came home he became a monkey and started swinging from the tree branches, just another day in E-man's world. E-man did score a goal in his soccer game Saturday, their team lost 3-2. POTTY POWER! I know all the school and soccer stuff is great, but the best part of my last two days has been Annie using a potty. Please imagine me knock on wood as I write this now. Two days, no accid...

Today was the last day of ballet until fall. Abegail and Annie were very proud of the first medals they've ever gotten!

Quotes From Annie: At the dinner table Abegail asked what everyone wanted to be when they grew up. Annie never shows negativity toward her brother and sister who she seems to adore no matter what they do to her. But we got a hint of her true feelings tonight! Annie: I want to be a doctor! Daddy: That's great, we are so proud of you! Mommy: You can do it too! Annie: Then I'm going to give Abegail a shot!

When we were preparing for A&E's homecoming, we mentally prepared for a lot of stuff, a lot of hurts they could come with. But we thought enough love could solve everything. Ten months after they arrived I admit I was far less prepared than I thought. So many things I didn't think of including a conversation with Abegail that's been common recently. Abegail : Mommy, I don't like to be black. Mommy: But honey, being black is beautiful. I love that you are black. Abegail : But it's not fair everyone says Annie looks like you and I don't and it's not fair. Mommy: Honey it's not what you look like on the outside its what's on the inside and how much you mean to this family. Abegail : I want to be white Mommy: But if you were white I wouldn't have you, I wanted black children. Abegail : But I'm never going to look like you and Annie does and it's not fair Mommy: Well, what if I lay out in the sun without sunscreen for a really long t...

E-man gives Mommy a great Mother's Day Present! We had a great time visiting Scott's cousin, Loren in Hugo yesterday and meeting his new wife, Kelly and very fun kids Carter and Tori. Then we got a special treat to see Scott's Aunt and Uncle, Lyle and Lola. Loren has a new granddaughter Katie. The kids really love to see a baby! Not sure if the baby felt the same.

E-man's team, now named "The Lightening"...is now 2-0. They won 3-2 on Saturday. And of course, E-man scored all 3 goals again this week. He's really enjoying it and it's so good for his self-esteem!! After scoring his 2nd goal yesterday he came running over to me and said, "Daddy, I'm going to score THIS MANY" as he held up 3 fingers. I said that sounded good...but that it was his turn to sit out for awhile. There were about 6 or 7 minutes left before the end of the game. So when the other team scored their 2nd goal with 2 minutes left, it was a natural time for the coach to put E-man back in the game. So he ran back on the field. They were way down by their own goal when our goalie made a save and threw the ball to E-man. He gave it a huge kick (all the way to mid field!) and then he chased it down and dribbled all the way to the goal for his 3rd goal. That ended the game. He came running over to me with a huge smile! The mother of one ...

Abegail's first grade class performed the three piggie opera this morning. Each kid had a line and they all did spectacular!!! Quotes from Abegail: Scene: we are walking to the bus stop, I'm wearing one of my best sweat suits Abegail: Is that what you are wearing to my school? Mommy: Um, maybe, why? Do you want me to wear something nicer? Abegail: Yes, nicer. Maybe you could wear pink with black pants Mommy: OK, maybe I'll even take a shower!