Hello Family and Friends! Hope all is well. As we dig out from the cold of winter it seems our March ended up being pretty busy! Here are a few highlights.

In case you missed it - Chris successfully defended his dissertation is is all set to graduate in May! We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. Hooray for being done with school. Boo for student loans.

Chris has also been traveling a bit. Seattle, LA, Portland (OR), and next week DC for a meeting at the White House! I hope he gets to see the Cherry Blossoms. I think they are peaking this week.

Spring sports have started... Congratulations to Andrew for making the JV baseball team!!! He has spent the last six months practicing, prepping and working hard to strengthen his pitching arm, This kid is dedicated to baseball! He has had no pain in his pitching arm for over 6 months with daily PT and biweekly PTherapist visits. We are proud of him as he continues to work hard at his baseball goals.

Ben is starting another season of outdoor competition soccer. He just ended a successful Futsal season. Soccer is all about practice! His team has been practicing for a few weeks now. He has another practice tonight and will continue with a couple practice sessions every week and at least one weekly game throughout the season. Along with soccer Ben is also on the school track team. Daily track practice starts Monday. This kid will be busy and in shape this spring.

Nicholas is also a little soccer star. He finished a 6 week indoor session last week and is now onto outdoor soccer. His team starts up next week. Nic is also into all things musical and artsy. I am searching now for beginning dance and music lessons. I found a kids hip hop class that I think would be a good fit. He had a serious cry the other day when he learned this is the last season of American Idol. He said "now I will never get to try out for American Idol". LOL. Sweet boy.

The dogs are well and are also excited for Spring. Lucy has gained a bit of weight with all of these extra puppy training treats and rewards. She needs to start working out! Scout is a PUPPY. A mellow puppy but still a puppy. He can get into trouble. He can open the door from our garage into our house. While comical it poses a problem. We were out running errands the other day and I left the dogs in the garage, usual protocol. We came home to the garage house door open, both dogs in the the house and Nic's Easter basket goodies all but consumed. Scout was fine but Nic wasn't. Ha! Scout will be fixed early next week, punishment? Nah, already scheduled. Scout STATS: 6 months, 54 lbs.

A huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Chris. He survived another year around the sun. Yippee! We had a small celebration last night with dinner (chicken cordon blue), cake (not my best) and presents. After we watched some OJ. Are you watching OJ? So fascinating!

I am well. Busy with freelance work and forever grateful for it. I can't wait to get outside and work in the yard. Maybe today even? To do: Taxes, yuck! As always I need to loose some winter weight. This year did not serve me well. I started Atkins. I've never done a carb / sugar free diet. I'm 5 days in and getting less grumpy by the day. Wish me luck!

A few random notes. Added some lights to the house = Yeah. Subaru car repairs = broke, big time. Nic Dentist = NO! Andrew is driving more and more = Yippee!

Hope your March was fabulous. Love and and hugs to all!

Andrew enjoyed a great season of baseball on the AB Colonials JV baseball team. He really made some great friends and grew his social and baseball skills. We are so proud of him — it's hard to come into a new town, try out for a team, make the team and then play well. Way to go Mallett! His teammates call him 'Utah' or 'Mallett'. He played 1st base and pitched most of the season. Here are his stats in Chris' words:

Andrew had a terrific Freshman season. He was the only Freshman to make the JV team at AB. Played nearly every inning. He didn’t hit all that well (ok, but not great), but he played a terrific defensive 1B and couldn’t have been much better on the mound.

Andrew pitched a lot. He finished with 4 wins and 1 loss with a save and a no decision on the season. He pitched in some very clutch spots and did well every time. His only poor outing was the loss. The team from Wachusetts hit him hard. His no decision was a 4-3 win in extra innings against Bridgewater Raynham. He gave up just 1 earned in that one – his first start; pitched terrific. He pitched complete games in his last two starts for the win in both. Three games back, he gave up just one hit through 4 before getting pulled in a blowout win for AB to let others pitch. Today (the last game) was his best effort of the season. He threw a one hitter, struck out 9, walked 3, and got the complete game win against Concord Carlisle.

Here are some fun photos of the team and shots taken at various games.

Andrew and Henry at the Miracle League game