Kara and Her Krazy Klothes

Every evening is a challenge for Kara. She spends a lot of time putting together the next day's outfit. She has become a legend at Tamarac's Elementary School as the girl who wears outlandish outfits; and she pulls it off. Her fellow students wait to see what each day brings.

Kara has the ability to create in so many areas. She designs clothing. She writes great stories. She sketches realistic pictures. And she enjoys every bit of it. It doesn't get any better than that.
Hugs and kisses,

Alex Loses First Tooth - by Accident

Now, there is a story behind how Alex lost his first tooth at the age of five; rather premature. Alex and Zack were rough housing, which is far too common an occurrence at the Baldwin residence. Well, down went Alex's month against Zack's knee. Result: loose front tooth.

Not too many weeks after, Alex was biting into a marshmallow using his front teeth. Result: Alex's tooth fell out. And that, my grandchildren, is the end of the story, for now.

Hugs and kisses,

Emily Loses First Tooth

Hugs and kisses,

Remembering My Dad On St. Patrick's Day

There is an old saying "Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's day." If you walk by places that sell alcohol, you might think this is the case. Well, most of those people only wish they were Irish. Doesn't everyone?

My father, your great-grandfather, was Irish to the core. I remember hearing him sing, "My Wild Irish Rose," to my Mom, who by the way, was 100% French. If I close my eyes, I can vividly see great-grandpa Harpy pretending he was playing an instrument and belting out an Irish lullaby.

We had a standard song that was a must at our wedding receptions. At the end of the evening, the last song sung was "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." I remember having tears in my eyes when our family stood and sang this song together.

Just another awesome memory. And just in case you've never heard the song, here it is:

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

~Lyrics by Chancellor Olcott and
George Graff, Jr.

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hugs and kisses,

Home Sweet Home

We have been in Florida for almost two weeks. The weather has been sunny and warm. The ocean is a beautiful blue and the sand is almost white. Papa goes to the beach just about every day. I am very content swimming in the heated pool and relaxing on a chaise lounge.

We have met people we enjoy spending time with. Our friends, Janie and Jerry, are here. Needless to say, Nana always laughs when she is with Janie, her childhood friend.

I am enjoying every day we are here. I feel so much better in this warm weather. None the less, my heart is always home with you. That old saying, “There is no place like home,” is so true. And home is wherever my family is.
Sending lots and lots of hugs and kisses,

Kara's D.A.R.E. Graduation

D.A.R.E. is substance abuse prevention education and much more!

This year millions of school children around the world will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.

D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.

It is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

Officer Jim Phelps is assigned as the D.A.R.E. officer for Tamarac School, among other schools in Rensselaer County. He used to live down the street from us on Cloverlawn Road. He has the perfect personality to teach children your age these skills. It wasn't that many years ago he was on Tamarac's stage wearing his green D.A.R.E. shirt.

You worked for many weeks to earn this diploma. Now you need to live what you have learned.
Hugs and kisses,

Zack's January Day with the Boy Scouts

Hugs and kisses,