Future Geek?

On the computer just like Daddy.

Daddy taught him some computer games on sesameworkshop.org. I'm really surprised how quickly Nathan picked it up. He's actually really good and clicks on the correct items. It's cute watching him manuever his little hand on the little mouse and how happy he gets when he gets things right!

Beach Pics

"Time for snacks (along with the sand!)"

"Mommy, hurry up and take the picture!"

"How many pictures does Mommy & Daddy have to take?!!"

"Cheese!" (Mommy, you forgot to wipe the ketchup off my face! How embarassing!)

"Here I come!!"

"Stop it Daddy! No more water dumping!"

"Look at my little mini kingdom I'm building."

"Mommy, stop wiping the ice cream off my face! I like it when ice cream melts and drips all over me."

"Hi Daddy!"

"Ahhh, can I have some please?"

"OK Daddy, but don't eat all of it!"

Ocean City, NJ

Nathan's 2nd trip to Ocean City, NJ this past Tuesday. It was great going on a weekday - not as crowded and we got there in only an hour and 40 minutes! He had a great time running around and screaming...the other kids on the beach looked at him like he was crazy!

Smoothie!

Nathan loves his smoothie! Those of you who remember, when I was pregnant I craved fruit like crazy everyday. He loves all kinds of fruit now and ever since Daddy introduced smoothies to him, he wants it everyday. Funny how what he craved in the womb is what he craves now!

On another note, our church is starting VBS in 2 weeks. They have an all day toddler program for them, which includes naptime, so we're enrolling Nathan for the whole week. He loves his teacher, so he shouldn't have any problems (this will be good practice for him going to school). It'll be a nice week vacation for Dan as he hasn't had one to himself ever since Nathan was born. He's sacrificed so much and has done a great job with him....I think he's done a better job than I could have done. People think staying at home is easy, but it's hard work! I admire those stay at home moms AND dads. I don't think I have the patience and creativity everyday to do what they do. He's done a good job at feeding him, taking him outside to the playground and stores, teaching him how to read, draw, clean, etc. Thank you Sweetie & Happy Father's Day!

Passport Picture or Mug Shot?

We applied for Nathan's passport back in March and attempted to try to take our own picture for him. The requirements are way too strict and impossible to meet...there can't be any shadows, color has to be perfect, size has to be right, etc. Doesn't this picture look like a mug shot?!! Hee hee! If you have a Costco membership, get it done there....they only charge $5 for 2 pics!

We decided to take our first family vacation to the Grand Bahamas. Bahamas was too expensive and we wanted to go where there were calm waters since Nathan loves the beach...Paradise Island's waters are a bit rough (where that huge hotel Atlantis is). We haven't vacationed since 2004 to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon right before Nathan was born. We desperately need one! I'm a bit nervous flying with Nathan and how he'll handle sleeping in a new place, but hopefully everything will turn out ok. As long as we bring his 2 Elmos he should be happy.

Also, those of you who are thinking of travelling and need a passport, apply ASAP! Normally it would have taken 8 weeks before they changed the law this year that requires passports for everyone and everywhere. They told us it would take 10 weeks and we didn't get it until after 13 weeks. I was not willing to pay for the expedited fee...they already charged enough just to apply. Good thing I didn't book a trip because I just got my passport Thursday in the mail after harassing them with nasty emails and 2 phone calls. Surprisingly I got through those 2 times. All the other times I called they hung up on me and said they were too busy to answer....hmmm, too busy even @ 11:00 in the evening or 7:30 in the morning?!!! Now I hear they're taking 14-16 weeks to complete them. Apply now and do not book any trips until you have the actual passport in your hand!!

Americans Unfit To Drive, Esp NJ & NY!

Informative article from work. Those of you who can't stand NY & NJ drivers will love this!

36 Million Licensed Americans Unfit To Drive According to GMAC Insurance Study; Failure Rates Double in 3rd Annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test

ST. LOUIS, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Results from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test indicate that one in six drivers on the road -- roughly 36 million licensed Americans -- would not pass their written DMV exam if taken today. The third annual survey by GMAC Insurance gauges driver knowledge of the rules of the road by testing licensed Americans on actual questions from state DMV license exams.

According to this year's results, New York drivers ousted Rhode Island by ranking last in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on driver knowledge. Idaho, on the other hand, topped the list and dethroned Oregon's tenure at first place as the most knowledgeable drivers in the United States. While the national average score was 77.1 percent, New Yorkers had an average of 71 percent and the highest failure rates (36 percent); Idaho had an average score of 81.7 percent. In general, geographical regions ranked similarly to previous years, with Arkansas, Minnesota, Kansas and Wisconsin ranking in the top five and New Jersey, Washington, DC, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the bottom five among all states.

"All Americans need a refresher course when it comes to basic driving rules," said Gary Kusumi, CEO and president, GMAC Insurance - Personal Lines. "Being a safe driver is about conduct, judgment and knowledge. We're hoping this year's results encourage people to arm themselves with the knowledge they need to stay safe."

Casey Mears, driver of the No. 25 National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, said that everyone can benefit from getting back to the basics of safe driving.

"The 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test shows me that too many Americans are coming up short when it comes to knowing the rules of the road," Mears said. "Whether you're on the race track or in the real world, it's about being safe, respecting other drivers and being educated about how to handle certain situations."

For Americans, Yellow Means Go ... And Age Matters

As in every year, respondents completed 20 questions drawn from actual DMV tests. GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test respondents found two questions particularly vexing this year, driving scores down across the board. Eighty- one percent couldn't identify the proper following distance from the car in front of them (correct answer: two-seconds). Even more (84 percent) couldn't identify the correct action to take when approaching a steady yellow traffic light (correct answer: stop if it is safe to do so).

Other points of interest drawn from the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test include:
-- With Age Comes Wisdom: The older the driver, the higher the test score. Drivers 35+ years old were most likely to pass.
-- More than half of respondents (55 percent) don't know how many feet to signal before making right or left turns.
-- More than 2 in 5 drivers (46 percent) are unaware of the meaning of a diamond-shaped sign (warning sign).
-- Fortunately, nearly all respondents (98 percent) know what to do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches, what to do when hydroplaning and the meaning of a solid yellow line.
Survey Says: Geography Means Everything
-- Illinois, Georgia, DC, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts were the least knowledgeable states overall, with average scores lower than 75 percent.
-- Idaho and Alaska were the most knowledgeable, with average scores over 81 percent.
-- Regions displaying the highest failure rates were the South Atlantic (20.8 percent) and New England (15.7 percent).

Where are the most knowledgeable drivers in the nation? The following is a complete list of state rankings for the 2007 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test.

1 ID 18 MO 35 FL
2 AK 19 DE 36 ME
3 MN 20 NV 37 NH
4 WI 21 VT 38 MS
5 KS 22 CA 39 TN
6 WA 23 HI 40 CT
7 SD 24 TX 41 VA
8 MT 25 MD 42 LA
9 OR 26 AL 43 WV
10 IA 27 AR 44 GA
11 NE 28 MI 45 IL
12 WY 29 KY 46 PA
13 OK 30 UT 47 RI
14 IN 31 OH 48 MA
15 NC 32 CO 49 DC
16 NM 33 SC 50 NJ
17 ND 34 AZ 51 NY

The test was administered by TNS, a major market information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and analysis. TNS is also a leader in social and political polling and a top supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, and TV and radio audience measurement services. A national sample of 5,175 total licensed respondents, aged 16-60+, balanced to the latest U.S. Census data were given a 20-question test simulating the experience of taking standard written drivers test, with questions taken verbatim from DMV tests (but not state specific). For more information about TNS, please visit www.tns-global.com.