Buddies

Jake turns 5 this summer and therefore goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. It's hard to believe, I know! We are happy for him because he will love being more a part of his big brother and sister's school life, and will enjoy being busier during the day, but he is so precious and it is always sad to say good-bye. I've heard it said that during the preschool phase, days feel like years and years feel like days. It's hard to see them go.

So in light of all that, I am relishing my two little ones a little extra during this last week of school - and life as I know it. Here, Jake and Claire together doing playdough. I thought it was a darling moment to capture on camera.

Ice-skating with Apolo Ohno

Ty and I stepped out of the box for date night last weekend and went ice-skating. It was fun, considering the fact that neither of us had done it in a decade, we have four kids, and we're in our 30's (and it seemed everyone else there was under 18). We laughed and had a good time and neither of us fell - which was most important! By the end, Ty was dreaming of being Apolo Anton Ohno in the Olympics and I had mastered a twirl, or ungraceful turn of some sort. We'll have to go back.

Ashley bridges to brownies!

Ash enjoyed her year as a Daisy in girl scouts. Saturday she officially became a Brownie and looks forward to being with some of the older, very nice girls! I am glad she is a part of this fun group and that she gets learn and do good things.

First post from my iPad!

I'm sitting down in the basement, baby rolling on the floor by my feet and five little boys playing around me. Normally I wouldn't be able to be doing my thing but alas I can now! Being on this here iPad is a great! Emailing, playing solitaire, FaceTime...it's the stuff peewees playhouse was made of! (seeing people on screen while you talk to them on the phone!) it's honestly fasinating where technology has come.

So what are you favorite apps? I'm looking for some cool and useful stuff. Let me know what I can't live without! :)

Imagine that!

Last October we planted a garden. Last Saturday we went back out to see what we had going on out there! And what a surprise the kids found when they began to pull some "weeds"!! Imagine that! I love when mother nature takes care of things. ;)

Daddy's Birthday!

For daddy's birthday we threw a surprise party! The kids set the table and helped me decorate and make a cake, then watched out the front window for him to arrive home from work. When the garage door began to open, they shrieked and went into a genuine panic (jake said, "I'm scared") as we all huddled behind the kitchen table! We definitely got him - he was surprised and happy when he came in to find us! It was fun and just what daddy likes best - a party with his family.








The next night, on his real b-day, he chose to go eat at Red Robin and get his free dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme! Diet?... what diet?

Pause button, please?

I woke yesterday morning to the smell of grands cinnamon rolls. Tyler and the kids were at my bedside presenting me with a cookie sheet tray full of breakfast: two cinnamon rolls, a cup of milk, a bowl of granola cereal and some applesauce. They each had big smiles on their faces and something special to give me - homemade gifts and goodies.

After some time opening their cards and drawings and wrapping my arms around them all for pictures my heart felt so full. I knew, and was very conscious of the fact, that this Mother's Day was one for the record books. It was perfectly perfect.

I told my family how much I love them. I said, "If I could, I would push the pause button today. I would save the feeling that I have in my chest forever for my precious children and loving husband. I would keep you right here gathered around me on this bed: Claire 6 mths and so cute; Jake 4 years old saying the funny things that he does; Ashley, 7, so eager to be with me and like me; and Luke at the tender age of 8 not yet too cool for mom and so happy to be a part of our family."

Tyler soon corralled them out of our room so that I could "eat in peace" and had them practice their primary song "Mother I Love You" around the piano. It sounds too good to be true... the morning was heaven on earth! I sat in bed with Claire kicking around at my side and took pictures of the things they'd all given me. See for yourself how cute:










I also have to give credit where credit is due, to Tyler, who not only planned ahead with organizing the kids and doing breakfast for me, but he also got me quite the surprise gift - the ipad2 - so that I can blog and email by his side at night (is what he said)! :) What a man!!!

6 months old Claire!

Claire is six months tomorrow! Last night she had her first ride in the bike trailer not in her car seat, it was kind-of funny/kind-of sad how tiny she was in there, but she did good. We only went two houses down to the park. She is cuter and sweeter than ever the more she gets to know us and as her personality emerges. Bathtime is her new fav pasttime - she kickes like crazy against the bathtub wall. We call her the river dancer.

As her hair comes in, I get comments daily like I did when Ashley was a baby about it! "Where does the red hair come from?" If I had a dollar for everytime I've been asked that question I'd be rich! At relay an older woman saw me with my girls, asked what everyone asks, and I explained that it is simply a product of genetics (I either say that, or blame it on the mailman (good thing they all look just like Tyler!)). She then she suggested that I might dye my hair red so that I look more like their mother! I never thought about that - funny - maybe I will someday.

jake's first trophey!

Last night was the soccer pizza party - and a night that makes the blog only because Jake recieved his very first trophey!! Both of the boys have a shelf above their bed where they set their most prized possessions. Luke has a few trophies and some ribbons on his, Jake has some lego sets and GI Joes. But last night he was able to add his shiney, golden trophey to his shelf before bed and he was thrilled. 4 year olds are just the best, I think I've mentioned that before. ;) There's nothing like em.

Relay for Life - year 3

The theme for relay this year was "lights, camera, RELAY!". Each team was asked to pick a movie use as their theme so we chose the 80's hit, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. We dressed in our 80's best, did a lip sync to the song at 2am (die hard, trying to stay up all night) and had a fun acting like teenagers when really we're all moms in our 30s. Of course our kids were thrilled and got involved with dressing up and staying up late, too. Luke and Cooper even stayed the night with us and lasted until about 2:30 before they went to bed in the tent! I followed them in a few minutes later!
It's been a neat tradition for those of us in the neighborhood to participate in for Rashelle and our other loved ones who have fought cancer. "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back!" I think about my dad a lot when I do this each year, and talk to our kids about what a great man he was and how much I love him. Sometimes I still can't believe cancer took him so young. It's a shame. We miss him so much!