26 May

The long weekend lens......
Our long weekend started Friday as the kids were off school.  Friday night we headed over to the watch the sea dogs.  I want to remember how my girl stood up waving at every inning change thinking they might throw a ball to her (Lucas got one).  I want to remember how she danced in her seat.  I want to remember how much I love the fries and Sea Dog Biscuit ice creams. I want to remember how much I love hanging out with this family. 

 Saturday it was freezing.  I heard we got snow in the North part of the state.  Yikes.  B, L and I  skipped the games to stay inside.  Daddy and T traveled to York, twice in one day to play 4 games.  The second two games were "fun" games where T got to try out some different positions.  Here he is picking up that long pole for the first time (ever.)  They had fun and got to go out to dinner with some friends and local Peeps at Where Pigs Fly afterwards.  So. So. fun.

 Sunday we headed out for a family picnic on the beach.  It was warm and beautiful (but windy!!), and the water was a clear blue.  The wind shortened our stay a bit, but it was still a special family time. 

I want to remember how she always runs on her tip toes in the sand

 Campfires and dinners outside are what long spring weekends are made for. 

Monday was all bout giving thanks to our veterans, through my working, the kids joining in in the parade, ceremonies and prayers.  Seems someone has pressed the fast forward button on our spring.!  Birthdays, sports, end of school year stuff, and recitals.  Our lives and hearts are full.  What a weekend to give thanks for all we are blessed with and the freedoms that others have fought for in giving the ultimate sacrifice.  May we all continue to see those blessings and give thanks every day.

19 May

Tuesday.....Trevor was one of two seventh graders asked to play with the 8th grade team in a special game under the lights.  We landed a last minute babysitter and were on our way!  We were so happy we did.  It was super fast paced and fun to watch.  Most of these boys are ready for High School.  The coaches are great.  We were so grateful that Uncle K and the kids could come over to sit in the cold, dark, foggy stands with me (J was traveling).  Getting high fives from Eighth graders at the end of the game.......Definitely a night T will always remember!

16 May

 Today was the BIG recital.  She had been practicing all year.  We did our hair, we had our costumes hemmed and ready,

 She was super excited. 

 B was amazing.  The best,best thing about Miss Betsy, is that she truly loves them all for who they are.  The dances unfold as they will, no expectation of perfection (and are amazing!)

 She even had a solo!

The whole thing was just amazing. 
I have no idea how one person is able to put such a production together.  At the end, the girls that are graduating from the program (age 12) did an amazing number to Colbie Caillat's "Try". 

"Try"

Put your make up on
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim
So they like you. Do they like you?

Get your sexy on
Don't be shy, girl
Take it off
This is what you want, to belong
So they like you. Do you like you?

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try
Yoooou don't have to try

Ooooo, oooooo, oooooo...

Get your shopping on,
At the mall,
Max your credit cards
You don't have to choose,
Buy it all
So they like you. Do they like you?

Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try

You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try
Yoooou don't have to try

Oooooo
Oooooo

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try
You don't have to try

Take your make up off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you?
Cause I like you

 

Love that song, There wasn't a dry eye in the house.  What a special moment, special group of girls and parents.  So happy we were a part of it.  Here's to loving them all for who they are.  Can't wait until next year! 

12 May

 Last weekend, I took a trip with some work friends to Boston for some R and R.  Shopping,Spa, dinner, brunch and laughs....It was nothing short of amazing.

 J was traveling for two straight weeks so I got to be there to see my Boy become a BEAR scout.   He's so proud of all the work he did this year. 

 And Mother's Day!  One of my favorite days of the year.  I think it's real easy to have high expectations for this holiday, you know that no one will argue, bicker and that you won't have to do a stitch of laundry.  After totally letting go of all of that, Mother's days have been amazing ever since.  All the little homemade surprises just totally melt my heart every year.  They work so hard on them, and I think L even mentioned this year that he was worried that it wasn't "ENOUGH".   God ALSO delivered a hot and humid day.,in which to get the garden planted.

 Kids went swimming in the pool!

 WE ran the traditional Mother's Day 5K. 

 They watched some Pink Panther (love that they are into vintage cartoons)

 They collected rocks.

 And they made me strawberry cream cheese stuffed french toast that was to die for.  Later in the afternoon, of course there was lacrosse, and then a blueberry cheesecake ice cream cone  on the way home. 

SO grateful I get to be their Mom and see their lives unfold.  I definitely don't always get things right, or have all the answers.  I definitely am not always kind, calm and collected.  But we are making it.   They truly are growing up.  Sometimes I can't breathe just thinking about it and then I remember what wonderful people they are becoming.  Really, the Best. Day.Ever.

7 May

 Right now......Spring has finally sprung my friends and the snowy days have drifted to a faded memory.  WE are almost mowing lawns.  Its hard to believe that things can still grow after the winter we had, but they always somehow do. 

 And this boy.... both boys are actually playing lacrosse this year.  Its a tough sport, but really fun to watch. 

 And if you never get to go to one of these events in your lifetime, you are seriously missing out.  Oh the inspiration.  These kids (and adults) really give you the perspective on what's important in life.  And how to overcome, and be proud.  And how to be happy, yes, that's what it's all about isn't it. 

 She came in second.  She said, " I am a really fast runner!" Yep.

 The teachers at this school love them like their own. 

 He skipped school for the day to come.  There are just some things you can't learn in a classroom. 

Just an awesome day.  So proud of this girl :)  When I grow Up, I want to be just like her.