The Twins had a busy week!

The girls on a sunny day in Belgium. It was really warm!! Their friend MaryAnn took the picture.

Leah and Jennifer have been very busy. They joined the softball team and started practicing for the doubleheader they had today. On Thursday evening they tap danced in the ISB Talent Show. They were billed as the Tap Dancing Twins and were a big hit. We were so proud. On Friday the entire 5th grade presented plays centering around the Greek Mythology unit they had been studying. Bob and I had a hard time following the plot of the 5 different episodes put on by each class, but the look of accomplishment and pride was priceless. We saw a quality in all the kids that showed self confidence and understanding. A theater group worked with the kids for a month to pull off the huge performance.

Leah (on the left) as the Goddess of the Rainbow

Jennifer (on the right) as one of the Harpies

The girls play their softball games on the ISB campus. Their team is filled with a fun bunch of girls, most from ISB 4th, 5th and 6th graders. The coaches are the mom, dad and older brothers of one of the players. The games were fantastic. Leah had a grand slam homerun on her first time up to bat. Jennifer was the catcher which I think is the hardest position.

Leah ready in the infield

Leah chanting and cheering

More pics...

Jenn (not #11 but the girl facing the cameria) running in the outfield

Leah ready to make a play

Jenn as the catcher

Jenn suiting up

Finally an update!!!

I know I haven't blogged in over a month, but I just didn't have much to write. If you know us well, you know what has happened over the last month. If you don't know us well then I will give you the "Readers Digest Abbreviated Version"!



Maria was in a very bad car accident on Feb. 20 in Germany. She was on her way to go skiing with a group of kids and adults. She severed her spine at the 2nd vertebrae lumbar (count up from the bottom, not down from the top). She had surgery in Munich where they install 4 screws and 2 pins in her spine to mend the break. She will have these in until December when they will be surgically removed. Maria came through the surgery well and is healing nicely. She wears a back brace to keep her from moving and twisting while the beginning of the healing is taking place. She is only supposed to be at school for 3 hours per day, but it is just too hard to keep her at home. Today she went to school for the entire day!



She had wonderful friends who kept her busy while she was so sick. She never stopped texting, even in the hospital, so we knew she would eventually be fine. One of her friends even texted her late into the night when Bob and I were kicked out of the hospital. We also had great friends who took care of the twins while Bob and I hurriedly traveled to Germany in the middle of the night.



I could go on and on about hospital food, German nurses, Munich locals and many other oddities, but I think I will leave that for another blog post.

Thanks for all the emails you have sent. It meant so much to us that so many of you were so concerned. I promise to blog more often and put up some happy pictures.

Front view of Maria's spine. Side view of Maria's spine and hardware.

Leah and Jenn painting Maria's toes.


Maria at her worst. (Sorry honey, I had to put it on the blog. I promise to put up a prettier pic as soon as you hold still!)