I Guess This Is Growing Up

Noelle's end-of-year preschool shindig.

They put her in the center for good reason--she's the cutest and smartest.

Miss Suzanne.

The moves.

The ham.

"You Got a Friend In Me."

...And Here's Sam.  He was sick for Kindergarten graduation, so his wonderful teacher called me and asked if he would like to come after school and take a picture in his cap.  She saved him some cupcakes.

Totally GQ.  I couldn't choose one picture over the next.

Mrs. Holland.  A wonderful teacher.

Uh, my face looks weird here.

He's just so handsome.

In case you missed it, Sam's missing his two front teeth.  That makes four in all.

THIS Is Summer

I snapped this picture of Ruby a few weeks back.  It just said to me, "This is summer."  Warm weather, sunshine, an apple to enjoy on a swing with a pig-tailed toddler.  It's the perfectly content feeling I remember as a kid.  I have a vivid memory of my brother, Joel, and I swinging on our stomachs under the apple tree in our yard.  We would just nab an apple and swing and talk.  Not a care in the world and all was right with it. Eat on and swing on sweet Ruby.  This is summer.

This is how much of the apple is left after Ruby gets a hold of it.  You should see what she does with melon.

We have some wicked thorns in our garden.  Grrr.

Chocolate Goodness

My Mother's Day 2012 experience began a couple weeks ago.  I had read the kids a story from The Friend magazine and there was a small box/blurb that said Mother's Day was coming up, so be sure and do something nice to show your mother you love her.  I saw a light bulb go off in Sam's head.  I put them in their rooms for quiet time (yes, we ALL need quiet time) and then put myself down for quiet time as well.  While I half-slept, I could hear the kids bustling about and even cooking up something in the kitchen.  I knew there would be a disaster when I came downstairs, but I was too tired to care at the moment, so I let them have their fun.  When I finally did emerge, Sam announced he had a Mother's Day party for me.  In his room, he had made a "pinata" which consisted of a piece of paper wrapped around some hard candy, taped up and attached to his jujitsu belt.  He had a blindfold and a spoon that I was to use to whack at the pinata.  Then, he had a game of pin the tail on the pony taped to the wall.  He had drawn the pony and cut out a tail to tape on along with a blindfold, of course.  Then, when that game was done, I had earned a treat which they both excitedly presented to me and dubbed it "chocolate goodness".  Out came a bowl of melted Special Dark Hershey Chocolate Chips and a few spoons to share. And it was chocolate goodness.  Yesterday, Chad took the kids all day--they made a water balloon launcher and had a barbecue and I got to run errands, go shopping and have lunch with a good friend.  This morning, Sam presented me with a wrapped gift of two Lindt chocolate balls I had hidden in the cupboard and Noelle wrapped me in extra blankets while Ruby sang in true Ruby style.  Chad made breakfast and tonight he is making his special Tom Kha soup and there is a chocolate cake waiting for me (which I hope to enjoy this time vs. the last chocolate cake to celebrate my birthday but instead we celebrated Chad's emergency appendectomy).

Why am I telling you all this?  To make you jealous and because this blog has become my journal/family album and I didn't want to forget this sweet and special day.  I mean seriously, look at my babies!  I have three beautiful women/friends/birth mothers to thank for them and for this day.   You are always in my heart and a piece of you is always in my home--the very best pieces of you.  Today could have been a day to skip Church and cry, but it is not.  That changed six years ago, then four years ago, then again 22 months ago.  Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life and to my friends who are wanting and waiting to finally a celebrate a Mother's Day of their own, your turn will come and you will have an eternity of Mother's Days ahead.

What Happened Between February and Now - Part II

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.

 Lots of pictures of Ruby...it was her first time.

 Coloring Easter Eggs.

Easter Morning.

 Easter Dinner and Hunt With Our Friends (I forgot to bring their baskets).

 The fun included confetti and flour eggs which you crack on people's heads.

Shirtless Pondering With Daddy.

Taking a Break From Dishes to Jump With My Boy.

Noelle Received My "My Little Pony Nursery" And Stash of Ponies From the 80s.  

She was so thrilled and I couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic and happy I had saved a treasured toy that my daughter now treasures.