April 22

Miss Anna Banana was born when I was 14 years old. My mother went into labor early one morning and I told everyone at school that I had a new baby sister that day. Imagine my disappointment when I was greeted after school by my still very pregnant mother. Of course, being a teenager, I just knew my mother had gone into false labor on purpose, just to embarrass me.

Anna finally did arrive a week or so later and I got to play pretend-mom of the cutest, most headstrong little baby until I went away to college four years later. I'm grateful that you can't stay pregnant forever and that Miss Anna joined our family 23 years ago!
Happy Birthday, baby sister!

April 21

It's a sure sign of spring when the Hart's table finally is uncovered and dinner is served outdoors. Top the evening off with the first bonfire of the year and the season is officially welcomed in! I'm grateful that spring has sprung.

April 20

In other companies, it presents itself as tee-time on the golf course. At ERI, it's lunch-time beer at The White Owl. I'm grateful for the times I attend these informal networking sessions. Having a clue is a Good Thing!

April 19

Coaching youth soccer teams is another one of those jobs where I'm in awe of the people who can fill them. And Luke's soccer coach, Taylor, is no exception. Luke was terribly disappointed in himself after his team lost their game tonight. It didn't matter that his mom and dad thought he did terrific or how much the team had improved since they first started, he was only aware of the final score.

But when Coach Taylor dropped by our house after the game to personally congratulate Luke on some great defensive moves he made during the game, his mood visibly lifted.

I'm grateful tonight for Taylor's time and his ability to get Luke to really listen and work. Thank you, Taylor!

April 18

I'm not generally a pizza fan, especially as they have so many Weight Watcher's points, but tonight when I finally got home after Almost Broadway rehearsals, I was really grateful (and totally satisfied) that we had leftover cheese pizza.

April 17

I'm grateful the government is going to let me keep a few more of these nickels this year. I'm also thankful for e-file and that I have gone yet one more year without having to file an extension.

April 16

I'm grateful for extended family dinners, especially the kind that involves just showing up with a green salad to share! Thanks for the fun and good eats, Mom and Dad.