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And so March goes.....out like a lamb. Hello lawn! It is soooo good to see you again. Don't worry, with a little raking and a little love (not to mention sunshine) you will be as good as new....

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LOOK! I've completed reading my first 50 books already all on my own (Thanks to one rainy weekend...)!

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I LOVE weekends.

big breakfasts cooked by daddy.

staying in our jammies until noon .....playing

trashing the house with our work, toys, and crafts

playing outside.

reading

doing the things we want to do.

being together...all day and night.

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Today: 

An afternoon out with a good friend and a great bunch of Moms'

a yoga class

a reiki massage

a motivational speaker

writing a letter to myself (that will actually get mailed)

a hand treatment

lots of deep breaths in and out

a promise

a huge spread of food and drink

a time to relax, refresh and renew

and a husband at home that can take care of EVERYTHING(thanks:)).

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Our shining star:

We had a sitter for the two little ones and took Trevor to his dentist appointment, out to a special pizza dinner and then to his teacher conference. His Teacher only had great things to say about him. He is just such a pleasure to have in the class, has a great excitement about learning new things, has a great sense of humor, is helpful and a friend to everyone. Trevor's teacher is having a hard time challenging him in math since he already finished the whole first grade level assessment back in November. I'm so glad we didn't hold him back from starting K when he had just turned five. I'm not sure what exactly we did right with this kid, but he is just shining both at home(most of the time) and at school. I can't believe we will be thinking about second grade soon!

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You have the cutest little "oh!" face.

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YOU TWO.....

are like peas in a pod, playing together one minute, crying and fighting the next. Just yesterday, Lucas pointed to a pile of clothes on the floor and said, "Bre did it." (when he had done it). That little smartie already figured out how to tell on someone, unbelievable:)

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Reading across America:

The first grade has been inspired to participate in a program called Read across America.  The kids have to read as many books as they can, and color a map and squares to get prizes.  Trevor is really excited about this and has read 11 books (or chapters) so far.  We're just so proud of him an amazed at how much he is reading (couldn't read even one word in September!).  Go Trevor!

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I know there are probably exceptions to this rule, but my parents used to tell us....You can have a nice house, or you can have kids, but not both. I'll still keep the kids (even though I'm just in awe how they can keep finding things that I thought we had gotten rid of long ago like permanent markers). This time, it was Lucas ----"Color Mommy" ----(Bre your are off the hook for now). Now, off to find a paint brush......

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It's supposed to be spring.....BUT, it's still cold, and there's still snow on the ground.  At least we had a real lot of fun with our bubble blower!

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The anatomy of our family dinner.  

• a "small" amount of peace holding hands (usually someone refuses to participate)
• red wine (the first glass hit the floor, broke and went EVERYWHERE!)
• digging in, the littlest one sitting down only for a few minutes after spilling food everywhere, then getting down to play.
• the littlest one comes back to the table and the six year old stands up in his chair
• the two year old climbs up on me while I'm trying to eat , usually crying
• The two year old puts one strawberry in his drink, followed by some french fries and a hamburger---then DRINKS it.  
• the six year old bum never touches his chair during the entire meal.
• the two year old runs off to play, dumps every bucket of toys in the toyroom and brings some back to the table, then stands up on a chair.
• The four year old girl sits and eats quietly rolling her eyes and laughing inside about how rediculous boys really are, the she proceeds to put her plate down on the floor, lay down on her belly and finish her meal.  
• the clean up begins.

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Learning.

Pablo Casals:

The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been and until the end of the world, there will not be, another child like him.

and, welcome spring!

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Today:  everyone walked to and from the bus stop, stopping to play in puddles and throw rocks along the way ( it was a process).  You guys held hands almost the whole way home.

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A day shift at work today left me plenty of time for playing after school and a folk dance night with Trevor at school (super fun!).

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"Mom, what does Irish mean?"

I found my pot of gold today, did you?  Happy Saint Patty's day!

Here's what's new

Over the past week, Lucas has had an absolute language explosion. He is now repeating EVERYTHING we say and talking in 3+ word sentences. The cutest thing is how he calls himself by his own name "OOH-CUS do it". HE will also just come over to me and say, "Hi Mom", how did I get to be "Mom?" I know, pretty soon he'll be driving, right? He also wants to "help" with EVERYTHING and be right in the middle of EVERYTHING.
Lucas is now sleeping in his own big boy bed all by himself (and pretty much through the night-FINALLY!) in a room that soon to be shared with his older brother. Stay tuned for a post of my favortie two year old's party memories. My absolute favorite moments were, however, when Trevor gave Lucas the book about Trucks that he had handmade and inscribed"TO the BEAST BROTHER in the world" and Breanna sitting at the table with her hat on "waiting" for the party to begin...priceless!

My favorite thing in the world right now is just watching the kids discover things, whether it be though art, their toys, sports, games or the outdoors. I'm just so blessed to be a part of helping them a long and giving them the tools they need to succeed. Sometimes, I just don't want these blessed days to end (although, warmer days would be nice!).

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Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination.

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Coming soon.....an amazing kid play space.

Birthday memories

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A  Special party for our very special two year old (and there was chocolate cake, good friends and family involved---I don't think it get's any better than that:))

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First trip to the dentist

For Lucas

Souza :

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This persective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.

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Happy 2nd Birthday !

I love you sweet boy!

(and it was so cute that you were afraid of those candles for your birthday breakfast cupcake!)

What kids need most.

read here.

Potato Chips

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived,
so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips, and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry,
so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, 'What did you do today that made you so happy?' He replied, 'I had lunch with God.' But before his mother could respond, he added, 'You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!'

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, 'Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?' She replied, 'I ate potato chips in the park with God.' However, before her son responded, she added, 'You know, he's much younger than I expected.'

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Have lunch with God..... bring chips.

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Love you Pretty girl!

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TODAY: Bre and Lucas were here.  A VERY inspirational morning coffee spent connecting with some other Moms who have special needs children at Shooting Stars, and loving listening to my new CD.  

The Mexican Fisherman

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "only a little while."

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?"

The American laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions.. Then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

holding on.

Well, it has been an endless arguement around the house these days about "making" Lucas moving on from this baby phase of his. It's really bittersweet. One part of me wants to hold onto his babyhood just a little longer, and one part of me wants to break free of it. I have been in this phase with one child or another for almost the last 7 years. After that long, It is so hard to see the otherside of it, it is SCARY to see the otherside of it. You see, I know that no matter how long this transition phase from baby to big kid takes, I know that no one part of of it will last very long. Before long,he will no longer like playing blocks and marbles with his Mom and he'll be begging for a Wii. He'll give me a look when I go to hug him goodbye before school. AND, he'll be going to school instead of splitting lunch with me. It just all goes by way to fast. I'm afraid that by the time we get the basement playroom done that we have been dreaming of---no one will be down there they'll all be off with their friends. I so enjoy the days when all that matters are the simple things. I really don't want it to end.

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Hello Monday. After a FABULOUS warm weather weekend, I'm NOT happy to see the snow you are bringing me today. At least we got a good breakfast in before we have to rush off to school, the gym and work :)

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You just continue to surprise us every day. This is the boy who has no interest in sitting down and creating anything. Today, when I got the paints out for everybody, you made your way to the table wanting to make something. You meticulously drew your picture with a pencil, then a marker and then filled it in with watercolors. "Warm colors on one side and cool colors on the other..." I think you are going to have to pick my bottom lip up off the floor. This picture is going to find it's way framed on one of our walls for sure:)

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breaking free...Just when it seemed like the walls were closing in on us inside, we were able to break free and enjoy a day outside--with NO coats!  Well, we still have this much snow on the ground, but we broke out our pails and shovels, lawn games and raised up the swings on the swingset.  Spring is just around the corner!

Friday inspiration

I promise myself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, & prosperity to every person I meet.
To make all my friends feel that there is
something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
& make my optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best,
& to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as I am about my own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on
to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times &
give a smile to every living creature I meet.
To give so much time to improving myself
that I have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
& too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of myself & to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side,
so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

From here.

No matter how hard today is, Nothing Lasts. go here. for her words.

TGIF!

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Little moments.....Trevor teaching Lucas how to catch a ball.  I just can't get enough of watching you three play together, it is like a dream come true.

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Things always turn out better when we work together.......

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At this point in the winter we are protesting.....if we can't get outside....we'll have a carpet picnic!

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just your absolute favorite thing to do right now.

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ANOTHER snow day today....yep, I'm all set with snow.

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A mental health day. Sometimes it's OK to have a day where absoultely nothing gets accomplished. Inspiration here.

Eating