Just before we go on vacation...

I am updating the happenings right before we go on vacation for two weeks to see the Yermacks in Berlin. Family vacation metaphor: The excitement surrounding big family vacations are like airline tickets in many ways. Airline tickets are worth more and more as the departure time approaches, but when the plane takes off, the value goes to zero. The excitement builds until you actually leave... then the work begins.
Both Sean and Meghan are in swimming lessons each day. It has been 7 weeks of daily pool visits at 5:20pm. The first couple weeks were rough. Meghan cried the whole first week. Sean had to be forceably carried while in hysterics by the teacher and unceremoniously thrown off the diving board. The swim instructors were under orders to apply whatever technique was necessary. They are much better now, but they still can't swim!...7 weeks is a long time.
Sean is playing Xbox. I took it from him and he can get it back when he learns to read. It has been two months....We'll see who is more stubborn. The problem with this strategy is that I lost alot of behavioral correction leverage. Drat!
This is our Weim, Wilson. He had an anal sack abscess and had to wear underwear so it wouldn't get everywhere while it was draining. Yuck!

This is our 13 year old cat, Scratchy. She is named that because when you walk by her she tries to scratch at you. She has a growth on her head that has to be drained every two weeks. It cost me a $80 trip to the vet who said I could drain it myself. Yuck!