31 March

Our Easter 2013:
The Egg hunt and a few small gifts.  Dressing Up for Church (and another egg hunt!).  Trevor saying that he won't tuck in his shirt b/c the tie already makes him feel like he's in a "full body cast"  It's part of being a man, my boy.   Talking with Family by phone.  Kevin coming over with the kids.  The kids acting crazy and playing family vs. Family basketball games outside (with shorts and t-shirts....I think they thought it was June) and borrowing clothes.  Playing Legos in and running out for more basketball.  Making Ham and cheesy potatoes and beans.  Splitting up some yummy gifted chocolate desserts.  The Jiffy Pop.  the fun, the memories of home and family.  Everything an Easter should be.

30 March

Third annual Race to the Point........

the Race that the Primary PTA puts on every year to make money for our little elementary schools. It's Our biggest and Best fundraiser of the year.   The kids ran with their friends for the fun run. Trevor beat me in the HILL THAT GOES ON FOREVER 5K.    Bre's two Bffs from her class held her hand the whole way not caring if they won or not.  You should have seen her happy face, a Moment that I'll honestly remember forever.  THIS my friends is why we include her, as hard as it is.    I can not say thank you enough to the wonderful teachers and therapists who have given her support a long the way, and because of them, she will leave this school with some wonderful friends.  The classroom of kids who are nice and support each other was created b/c she was in it.  Really, I'm at a loss for words. What a feeling.  I cried.  Best.Day.Ever.

29 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Saw this

Good Stuff.

28 March

Today.....
spent most of the day here, meeting, taking to teachers (and bringing one feeling under the weather a little care package), making copies, helping with Math, and retrieving some lost snow pants.  Figuring out Lunch choices.  Celebrating little victories in being more independent in making our own choices (on the bus, YAY!)  I love our little school so much, really I feel like these people are my family.  So Much going on at school this week. Good Stuff.  

totally Random.

Hoping to get caught up and get some more posts up soon. As soon as I have time to sit down (or breathe.)  Busy week.

27 March

This week..... two teacher conferences with amazing reports, the March Birthday Lunch with the principal, the Art Walk and the book fair.  Your First Kiwi Crate (Birthday gift) came in the mail and You LOVED it. So Much going on at school.....Good Stuff.

26 March

Oh, and by the way, we got surprisingly tons more sap to boil and accidentally boiled it all away b/c we weren't paying attention (UGH!), and its just super crazy week but we still managed to get our indoor seeds planted.  Peppers and tomatoes.  And just 'cause one little boy is really so into it, We will still grow from seeds (and buys some plants later...)

25 March

this weekend we colored eggs(I think it's over rated, but the kids still love it) and attended a really fun Easter egg hunt (over 1,000 eggs!) at one of Trevor's new swimming buddies houses.  Yay for Easter, it just sneaks up on you!

24 March

These Days....

We're watching all the basketball we can (to keep up with our brackets).  We're playing outside with just our sport sweatshirts (no coats) and our backwards hats b/c we are Bada$$.  'Sup.  Two boys and a spring with snow still on the ground.  Love this.

23 March

Thursday and Friday......You spent a couple of "sick" days at home.   Little cold,  fever and crackly cough.   It didn't slow you down really so we had a grand old time.  We played games, we did a little school work, we even went for a walk.  You never complain, argue, or care about being "first".  You are happy with whatever we do. Just so low maintenance    Even though they were sick days, I was so grateful to have this time at home with you.  The middle child always seems to get jipped on that one on one time, don't they.  All the things I love about you.

Inspiration for Today.

Read  Dear Mom an the iPhone, I get it.  .  Awesome.

22 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

21 March

3-21  World Down Syndrome Day.  (3 copies of chromosome 21), I figure I should honor it with a really good piece of writing.  I'm sure, though, that nothing can really do justice to the gift that I have been given.  There has been so much I've wanted to write about lately yet mere facts have been the only things gracing this here blog for a little while now.  So much,  like parenting struggles, Never feeling like you are doing it right.  Losing my patience way too much.  Trying to eat healthier then not having time for lunch until 2 in the afternoon.  Wishing for more peace.  Feeling Tired.  Wanting to write down the conversations and the funny things they say, but forgetting a minute later.  Navigating Changes, new jobs, new sports, new schedules, new schools next year.  Trying to figure out what's best and still not knowing.  Being overwhelmed and grateful all at the same time.  Loving and laughing at this post.   Reading this book.  Listening to this song. Grateful that success and opportunity are the same reasons for feeling overwhelmed at times..

The other Day I was on a run with a friend and she asked me what I thought Breanna's future (you know grown up life) would be like....like where should would live, if she would work etc....  I didn't take offense to it one bit, but funny how no one asked me what I thought Trevor would be doing 10 years from now.  Who knows, there are no guarantees people!  She is not suffering.  Her life is full of the normal amount of ups and downs, same as my other kids.  The Truth is that right now, every day we celebrate all he little successes and abilities that continue surprise us.  Her future is bright.  She may have more or even less obstacles than other people to get there.   There is always talk about what makes us different as a family and what values we need to portray because of it.  I think if she never came into our lives, we wouldn't be as good, our family wouldn't.  We would be too wrapped up in ourselves, sweating the small stuff.  Now have the aweome responsiblity to be out there changing the world.  I am so honored to be a Mom to a child who gives me that perspective and that vulnerability even.  SHE makes us look outside of ourselves every day.  SHE is pure joy who loves with every fiber of her being, and to to answer the question, she will live a wonderful, amazing and fulfilling life.    That is what this Day means to me...

20 March

Hello Spring.

And this year, Spring greeted us with over a foot of snow......really, enough already!  At least Lucas got to try out his new snowshoes   Looking back, at this time last year, we had already had a trip to the beach for a few days in the 70s and 80 even.  Well, we're still looming in the 20s and 30s over here and I would be lying if I didn't say that I was dreaming of some warmer weather.  AS Far as our very small scale syrup making season goes.  It was too cold for much sap.  The kids were in and out of the process.   And the very fun fire that we were planning on making and sitting around all day watching the sap boil, didn't happen due to lack of time and lack of motivation to shovel out the fire pit.  So, we stuck the pot on the gas grill burner and boiled away during the kids snow day....finished indoors, filtered and made a label complete with Kindergarten handwriting.  And that, folks is all she wrote.

19 March

And this Month....they are in charge of planning, cooking (with help as needed) and cleaning up form one meal per week.  Only Rule is that all the food groups must be accounted for.   Week #1 was Pigs in the blanket.  Week #2 is Pizza.  Going well so far, except it takes A lot of time.  These boys of ours are not super speedy at doing anything that they need to stay on task for.  They're still in the stage where they think they have an infinite amount of time for everything (which can wear on one mama's patience).  There is always something else that needs to be attended to, while working on your current task.  It's real tough to hold back from my constant reminding, but I'm working on it.

18 March

And after the party....the cousins came over for a total lego fest (after they ran wild outside and came in crying).  Dumped out ALL the LEGO sets and made building "stations"  Didn't think it was going to end well, but it did, and the floorstill has the mess to prove it....

17 March

Last night, an impromptu and delicious Irish dinner with some friends (the kids went to bed past 10---YIKES!)  WE watched Skyfall...not good.  4 our of 10 I would say.  Too much action, not enough story.  As Josh said, way to much "What the Hell?"  Today, a 6th Birthday party for my boy.  The kids had a blast bowling (it really is a lost art), and having cake and playing in the arcade.  Mama was a total slacker in the homemade cake department, so he had to pick from what was at the store on that day....the lady at the checkout said "I bet that cake is for the birthday girl..."  Funny story, but I guess she didn't see the name. He could have cared less though He also picked out 5 silver and 1 football balloon, and blue table cloths..  Still can't believe he is six......

16 March

He LOVED that state meet.......all three days.  All three exhausting days of driving there, waiting in line and squishing myself in....to watch him for a few minutes.  Seems like just yesterday, I was swimming in this pool.  Sitting out there with my friends waiting for my events with my Walkman tape player (there were no electronics back then, now everywhere you look people are plugged in with their laptops and apple devices).   He couldn't wait to go back each day and swim.  He didn't care about his place.  Five events and Five personal bests, plus a whole lot of fun with his friends. He improved so much this year.  He's sad that we've reached to end of the season, so he's going to keep on swimming, through the summer and will go to a camp.  Love that he loves it, and can take it with him forever.

15 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

14 March

People ask me and wonder sometimes how I do it  (I definitely don't do ti ALL)........work, get three young kids to all their stuff.... homework, meals, keep up the home, organize, scrapbook, blog, laundry, meal planning, gardening, PTA, school volunteering, keeping up with IEPs and special education (at least 1 meeting a week) etc...... Well, First of all, I have an amazing husband who picks up the work right where I leave off.  I mean yesterday, I had the best intentions of grocery shopping and stripping all the beds and washing the sheets and putting them back on.  Then, I had to unexpectedly go into to work last night to cover someone who couldn't make it in, and he was able to meet me at Piano  bring the kids home, get them dinner (actually the kids made the dinner!), arrange swim carpool, clean up and finish the sheets.  So lucky.  And LOVE that he always cooks.Second of all, I would suggest not looking in my drawers and closets. I mean  keeping it real here, since I have really not much to do with  what the kids wear these days.  And a lot of the time they put away and sometimes even fold their own clothes.  So, their drawers look somewhat like a tossed salad of clothes, and I'm totally able to let that go.  Real life.  

13 March

This Boy, has just a super busy week this week.  He had a huge team rally to get psyched up for the State meet last night (which went LATE into the evening!) The older kids made the younger kids signs, they made up cheers, they got special bathing caps with their names on them.  He is excited and nervous, nervous and excited and  I am so happy for him.  Go Trevor, GO!

12 March

Six.

We celebrated last night with dinner and acoustic Music at our favorite fancy kid friendly pizza restaurant downtown.  Gammie even made the drive uo with us to celebrate (thank you!) He ordered a whoopie pie, complete with six candle) and then went home to open his presents.  He LOVES his legos, books and new showshoes!   My baby is six.  I can't believe it.  Six fits him really well.  Little and big.  Still likes to take baths sometimes and cuddle with Mom, but also has a great understanding of things.  He reads everything.  He's as strong willed as they come, doesn't believe anything until he finds it out for himself.  Which can be a really good thing, but also there is a lot of "finding out the hard way...".  He's my cuddler, and realizes that love makes the world go round and gives away a ton of it.   Love, Love this boy.....Happy Birthday Lucas!

11 March

Sometimes, as parents....we look back at what our kids are doing now vs.what they used to do, sometimes it seems like certain stages last forever (and EVER!) and sometimes it goes by so fast we're like, "well when did that happen?"  I mean all the kids in this household, all getting in and taking their own showers by their own choice (without an argument, just b/c they just  like being clean), totally independently managing their own washing....and then getting dressed for bed.  Yeah, when  did that Happen?   March 11, 2013.

10 March

Today.....(and yesterday)  The Last regular swim meet of the season. This boy did amazing.  Qualified for states in a second event (plus 3 relays)  and took 9 seconds off his 50 free time ( I mean who takes 9 seconds off in a 50!).   First year in and he LOVES it.  It's been a lot of work and a LONG season (September until now).  He's made some amazing friends, and has been able to see where hard work gets him.  Awesome lessons learned.  Can't wait for the States!

9 March

Today......our girls Dance "peek week"  a little mini recital of sorts.  They wear matching skirts and crowns.  It's our third year in dance and this girl is totally rocking it.  I mean, last year at this time she would have taken a break every five minutes to run around the room, look at herself in the mirror and do anything besides be on task.  THIS year, it's hard to put into words the change in her.  So much concentration, and ABILITY.  I mean can you touch your nose to the floor while doing a split?  not I!  I'm just so so grateful for the wonderful people at school that have helped her grow so much over the past few months.  Just So awesome. Oh and Trevor's second to last swim meet?  He qualified for states in a second event and is super excited.  Today is good.

8 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

7 March

cookies are here!  Yum!

6 March

Happy PJ and read across the world day!

5 March

And just because I love this photo and this girl who is seeming so grown up these days.....  Bracelets and sparkly hair bows,  oh my.

4 March

So I won't say that our chore project is perfect, but It's pretty darn good.  These kids are trying and learning and motivated (after only a small amount of complaining) to get their chores done.  This month, they were "learning" how to fold laundry.  It's funny how much "more" they have learned than just how to fold a shirt and get it into a basket.  How everyone works at their own pace, that praise motivates others so much more than criticism, and that if you jump on the bed and knock your brothers pile over, well you may just get hurt.  That asking politely works so much better than whining and it doesn't really matter who does the most as long as the job gets done.  These are the times that I want to remember forever.  Funny, how I never thought of laundry in such a positive light before.  Yep, better than a trip to Disney world.  Next month....onto cooking meals.   Love this.

3 March

Last night, Josh had been given a couple of tickets to a Pirates game at work and decided to take our hockey loving kid to a game.  They had a blast (and got home late!)  Fun, Fun Saturday night.

2 March

Another ski day for us at our little Lost valley.  Lucas tried poles and totally rocked it.  It seemed so small after the other mountains we had skied at but perfect for a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon, even if conditions were getting a little slushy.  Bre had her ski lesson her her favorite Nicole.  On our third or fourth run up Lucas turned to me and said, "Mom, when do we get to go to the top?"  Ahem, we were at the top!

1 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.