Noah Phelps

 I heard Michael Phelps had a lot of energy as a youngster, so I have decided to employ his mother's strategy...

How do you know when you're too loud? When the possum living in your eves moves out! (because he can't get any shut eye during the day) Way to go Gerhardts, kickin' out the local wildlife.

Tonight at bedtime Maddie and I had a discussion about food.  I am amazed that she knows that it goes into your mouth and down a tube into your body.  I am not surprised that her favorite part is that somewhere along the line it becomes, "brown and black with little bits of stuff in it that comes out your you know what," and with a wrinkled nose informs me about poop.  After that we chatted about how your body loves veggies, how your heart gets sooooo excited about them and they help your body pump blood all over your body, including your brain.  So I asked her why it was important that blood gets to your brain? I am so filled with pride as i see her chest expand, her eyes bug out, and her mouth half full of teeth, wild hair filling her aura in an expression of pure genious, "So you can think a million thoughts, Mom!" and she is not far off.  Maddie, I can't wait to see your astonishing accomplishments...

Only in Australia...

I had one of those days filled with funny occurrences.  Let's start with the local radio program.  Just driving along listening to the "best of the 80s, 90s and today" when the music broke for a commercial.  Now, normally I tune out, but this on in particular made me turn the radio up.  It spouted out a heap of statistics about how many animals are hit on the road each year.  I believe the mayor of Brisbane even participated in the dialogue.  In the event that one runs over an animal with ones car, one is advised to call the Brisbane Animal Ambulance.  Imagine hitting a deer in Wisconsin and calling an ambulance...too funny.  So we have purchased everything we have needed here second hand.  Car, fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, etc.  As I was admiring the microwave we just got two days ago I happened on a setting that made me look twice...instant action.  No wonder Dan likes the microwave so much! Don't ask me what it does because I haven't pushed that button yet.  But, it has been the source of many jokes and one liners between Dan and I, so that should suffice.  Then the bus rolls by and Maddie shouts, "there's the 107 bus!" immediately followed by Noah's shout, "The bus is only seven!" 

I write this morning from the comfort of the front porch, waiting patiently, (or impatiently as is the case for Noah) for the garbage truck.  It is for some reason the highlight of his week. The breeze is cool, the birds are singing and we are on the verge of 100 degree temps for the rest of the week.  I have had some quality time with Noah this morning as he was up earlier than the girls.  He ate his breakfast unassisted which is an achievement in our books and since then has been waiting out front for the garbage truck.  He said something yesterday that made me melt.  We walked into the dining room to find Fiona standing Tarzan style on the dining room table, throwing back the last of someone's breakfast juice from a glass cup.  Noah's eyes filled with wonder and pride as he observed Fiona and he turned to me and in a quiet, reserved voice remarked, "Fiona's a big girl." Now most of you that are familiar know that Noah has only one volume: loud and his statements usually border on caveman linguistics.  We love Noah for his quirky and charismatic personality and boundless energy. It is especially gratifying when little moments like this blossom out of such a simple event.