The New National Veterans Memorial and Museum

After I moved to Columbus for college in 1999, I knew Veterans Memorial only as a convention space. In fact, I think I went to a bridal expo there after Paul and I were engaged in 2002.

That building has since been torn down. In its place since late last year stands the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. I see it often. The building is downtown, just a short walk and across the river from the core and next to COSI, the children's museum I often visit with Edith and Atticus.

I haven't yet been inside the new museum, but I've already come to love the size and shape of the building. It's no skyscraper (nor does it need to be), but it still adds something to the ambiance of downtown Columbus.

Egg Hunts with the Kids

The kiddos did two egg hunts this year -- one organized by some friends and another by a local rec center. As always, the search itself surpassed the prizes!

Atticus's 4th Birthday

Atticus's 4th birthday lasted almost a full two weeks -- first the birthday itself, followed a few days later by a visit to a newly opened Graeter's ice cream shop (with a totally new indoor play area), followed by his birthday party on Sunday. The celebrations lasted so long that before his party on Sunday, he asked if he had turned 5 yet! Sorry, buddy, 11.5 more months to go.

Spring into Sickness

The last half of March was rough on our family.

Edith threw up on a Friday night, was sick all weekend and finally went back to school on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Atticus vomitted on Sunday night -- just as Edith was finally getting a bit better -- and wasn't out and about again until Friday afternoon. Just when I though we were all in the clear, I got sick that Friday evening and had to cancel our weekend plans. So no visit from my parents, and I had to sell our tickets to "Rent." Not a great week.

I was finally better by the following Tuesday, which made our family down for the count for some 10 days. Paul escaped with mild symptoms but did most of the cleaning. He spent the better part of an evening bleaching and Lysoling pretty much everything the kids and I could have touched, and I did at least 10 and probably closer to 15 loads of laundry from the beginning of our sicknesses through the end. Spring was here in name, but it took a long time to feel like it.

Atticus Turns 4

My baby certainly isn't one any longer. The 4-year-old Atticus has strong opinions, and he's not afraid to share them. Happy 4th birthday (today!), Atticus!

4-year old Atticus's favorite ...
In his own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: pepperoni pizza / [macaroni and cheese, but really he hasn't met too many foods he won't eat]

• Toy: "All of the toys" / [wood blocks]

• Book: Bake, Mice, Bake / [Go, Dog, Go!]

• TV Show: Nature Cat / [Nature Cat]

• Movie: Wall-E / [Wall-E]

• Playground activity: "Play with new kids" / [swing]

• Color: "Blue and green and black and brown and gray" / [Blue and green and black and brown - he always says it this way! Gray was new to me.]

• Animal: Brown Bear / [Brown Bear (his stuffed animal)]

• Song: Wall-E's song / [no clue!]

• Game: Candy Land / [tag]

• Fruit: Watermelon / [applesauce]

• Vegetable: Broccoli / [corn]

• Breakfast: Oatmeal and cereal / [oatmeal with applesauce on top]