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Since the girls had off from school today, I used my annual "floating holiday" to spend the day home with the family. Claire and I took Michael to his first dental exam. Unfortunately the new environment, the strange equipment, the buzzing noises and people trying to look in his mouth was too much for him. He was frightened and couldn't be calmed enough to cooperate with the exam and cleaning.

Later this morning Michelle's friend Kathy came over with Joshua and Chrissy. The guys working in the basement must have thought we were having a party upstairs with all the sound of kids' feet overhead. At least the temperatures have been warm. Claire was able to take out the Razor scooter she got for Christmas and putz around the driveway for a while.

Speaking of the basement, it made significant progress today. Yesterday we had to abandon the panelling used for the wainscoting. It was made of pre-finished masonite. After one wall it became apparent that it fractured too easily and really showed its seams. Today it was replaced with a higher quality wood that looks much better. The electrician also came in and the recessed lighting is installed and in place. A third assistant was here as well painting trim and finishing the ceiling work.

It's been a bit rough today for Claire, Michelle, and I as we try to avoid snacking for Good Friday. It's amazing how something so simple can be a mortification when you're so used to being able to grab a "munchie" whenever the feeling strikes. No wonder the U.S. is, on average, such an overweight country.

The kids finished off the day watching the newly restored "Bambi". The DVD has been enhanced by Disney to accommodate modern home theatre systems with their better televisions and six speaker sound systems. It had been many years since I've seen it. I'd forgotten how I like the scene of the second spring when the three boys -- Bambi, Thumper, and Flower -- all decide that they're not going to get involved with girls. Then one by one, they fall. Flower turns an intense shade of red, Thumper's foot starts going, and Bambi is prancing on the clouds.

Daniel, Michael, and Abby have been enjoying playing "Dora The Explorer: Super Star Adventures" and "Finding Nemo" on Game Boy so tonight I ordered "Dora The Explorer: Super Star Adventures".

Alyssa forwarded me this comic today. I really enjoyed it. It brought laughs to grownups and kids. Then again, all you have to do it say "butt" and Claire giggles. I don't mind the occasional email forwarding. I just don't tend to like the forwarding of messages that have already been forwarded several times. I especially hate the chain letters than end with a message that says "forward this to people you know".

Finally, many thanks to Chris and Katie for sending a nice Easter arrangement. We all hope you have a nice Easter holiday!