A Run Down

We partied over Memorial Day weekend with our neighbors.  Have I mentioned before how much I love living where I do?  My sweet children were beyond exhausted.  Walks With Purpose fell asleep at 5pm without dinner one night and slept on through until 6:30am.  That, is tired.

Speaking of WWP, she has been killing me lately with her funnies.

The other day D and I were messing around on guitar, working on "Crazy Train", by Ozzy.

WWP and GoGo are in the playroom, well playing.  

All of a sudden I hear "Bum-Bum.  Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum.  AYE! AYE! AYE!"

I guess WWP digs the Crazy.

Yesterday we are in the car headed to music lessons.  For some reason, we are discussing our Golden Retriever, Andy.  We had to put him down when D was little, like 18 months old.  So GoGo informs WWP she has never met Andy.  Her response?  "That's cuz when I was a crocodile, I ate him!"

D's deadpan response?  "That must be why your belly is so big now."

Last day of preschool for the summer.  Big party + HOT= red faced and tired.

D and GoGo are counting down the last days of school.  We are headed to the beach the next day and that is such a nice treat to look forward to.  We are all ready for sand, sun and fun.  

Then we turn around and road trip to the 'Lou.  A few side trips planned while there that the kids are psyched about.  Not to mention Cunnetto's and Mr. Twist.  

Good times.

My Day

I received some really sweet cards and notes for Mother's Day.

GoGo always goes all out when it comes to any type of card for me-Christmas, Birthday, Mother's Day.

I love my girly-girl's hearts, bright colors and use of exclamation points.

D made a running list of the nice things I do for him.  

I love the Hug line.  And the Dinner line.  

WWP had a really cute Mother's Day program and party at her school.  

I appreciate the teacher's help for the little hands to create such things.

This tether that is mothering is incredibly binding, powerful and eternal.
This journey that is mothering is incredibly rewarding, daunting, joyous and exhausting.
All at once.
So even on days when I am tired and cranky and the house is a disaster zone and everyone is bickering and I'm out of Blue Moon-I am bound to these three.  Inextricably.  Forever.  In this house or on different continents.  I am their biggest fan.  And based on the notes I received yesterday, that feeling is mutual.

George and Weezy

Big Stuff going on around here, lately.  Everyone is movin' on up, just like the Jeffersons.

Walks With Purpose got a big girl bedroom.  And started using the potty.  All in the same weekend.

For the first time in over 9 years, there is no crib in my house.  

A wee bit sad, on that.

WWP took right to the bed and we have had no issues with wandering the halls at 2am, knock on wood.

It's been warm here so the hose, water table and guns have been getting a work out.

I think she looks so cute here but there is something about that smile, uneven pony-tails and swath of sunscreen on her forehead that is unsettling.  She is up to something, definitely.

My D had his First Holy Communion this weekend.  So happy for him and proud!

These are horrible pictures but of course we were running late and so had to sit 54 rows back and couldn't get a clear shot of the action.  I love how his tie and shirt are disheveled, as if he just got home from a tough day at the office.  I could not believe how old he looked to me, cleaned up a bit.  I feel like he is "official" now, although technically we covered that base at Baptism. 

  Of course, he thinks he is done now.  

When I told him he has Faith Formation through 8th grade, he almost had a coronary.  

We have all summer to adjust.

GoGo had her first piano recital Saturday night and rocked the house.  She played 2 songs and did great.  Again, a horrible shot but at least the moment was captured somehow.  She also was able to put her handprints and sign her name to her lesson room.  Very proud of that girl.

There are only like 19 days left of big kid school and 6 for my youngest.  Everything is in high gear around here, getting ready for end of year programs, projects, vacations, etc.  I am tired just thinking about it all but so excited too.  We have some really fun stuff planned for the kids this summer and I can't wait to start that memory making.

More Whatnot

I wonder if anyone else ever looks at their little people and wonders "Who Are You and How Did You Get Here?"

It amazes me the people my babies are becoming, and quickly too.

D asked me 182 questions last night before bed regarding college, declaring majors and minors and future employment.  Wow.  We talked through many scenarios and I did my best to explain SAT's, dorm life and grading systems.  I then reminded him that he was in 2nd grade and we don't need to plan out his entire life just yet.  His response-"but I WANT to!"  His daddy's DNA courses through his veins hard and fast, sometimes.  He did let me know that he wanted to join a running group in middle school and high school.  That would be called track and cross country and those are things I CAN help you with and that is mommy's DNA pumping now.  I am thankful, in a way, he is thinking about all of this.  Because a lot of growing up happens on the other side of 18, when technically parents are off the hook.  I am getting him ready to become the man he is supposed to be and then it's up to him to finish that job.

GoGo is a budding fashionista who sometimes sounds like Paula Deen as a child.  Because she is not fixing her hair in a mirror, but rather a MEERUH.  Her southern accent just kills me sometimes.  So far D does not have one, really.  He sounds like a typical midwesterner, with no discernible accent at all.  In fact, he will comment if he hears someone who sounds like they are from the woods of south Georgia.
Too soon to tell with Walks With Purpose, as she still sounds like Elmer Fudd a lot of the time.

So yesterday GoGo wears seersucker shorts, white ruffle tank, hot pink knee highs pulled all the way up and a straw fedora.  To Faith Formation, no less.  Impressive.  I did not possess such sense of self at the ripe old age of 6.  She is light years ahead of me in so many ways.

WWP has been practicing for what I can only imagine our Mother's Day program at her preschool.  Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee and You Are My Sunshine are drowning out mommy's music around here.  Her sweet little voice is just too much to take sometimes.  I wish she would just stay 2 for another year or so.
I say that today, of course.  I don't think I felt the same last week when I had both girls in the family restroom at Tarjay and disaster struck.  While GoGo did her business, I decided to change WWP's diaper.
As SOON as I removed her diaper, the floodgates opened and a tidal wave of pee hit the floor.  Also at the same time, the fire alarm starts going off.  So there is a strobe light blinking frantically on the ceiling, the alarm is raging outside the door, GoGo freezes on the pot, I am trying to not slip in a puddle of pee and WWP starts to sing the Bumblebee song.  Really.  Impeccable timing.  I tried really hard not to let any potty words escape my mouth but I am quite certain I failed about 18 times before we all managed to escape that room.  Only to find, the Tarjay alive and well with no hint of fire anywhere.  Memories.


We have so much coming up the next few weeks and I am starting to stress a wee bit.  I am not really good at keeping track of where/when/who all of the time and I feel like this time of year we are bombarded with school stuff, end of year activity stuff and family stuff.  Insanity.
I wish I could borrow some of hubs DNA at times like this.  Instead, I am working on playlists for all of our road trips coming up.  Nice.