Where To Start...

This boy just got another great report card.  I work in his class every Wednesday so his teacher just gave me his card early-AB Honor Roll again.  Missed A Honor Roll by a hair, again.  They also had practice EOG's last week and he had the highest score in the class on the reading portion.

So proud of my D!

The other day Kitty brought a baby snake into the garage.  D, my animal lover, saw it and was trying to  entice Kitty to find a new plaything.  He said, "The snake is alive, but looks damaged."  Way to call it.

The Big Kids' school has a new music teacher this year and apparently, he rocks.  Which is what a music teacher should do.  But, anyway.

Last night some of the grades had a European Extravaganza, highlighting music, heritage, etc from various countries.  Very cool.  Third grade played African drums, with a tom-tom drum thrown in to keep it "Old Country."

D was not thrilled about having his picture taken or playing in front of so many people but he did fine.

It snowed here several a couple of weeks ago and Squeezalicious was the only little person home at the time.  She partied.  We ended up getting a couple of inches and she and Kitty ran around like maniacs.

Apparently we then came inside to do laundry, as my bed in the background is naked.

 Groucho here, helped.  With the laundry that is, fully clothed in her princess nightgown.

This morning before school she informed that she is going to be a "cooker" when she grows up.  

I can only assume this means chef.

This weekend the girls enjoyed a birthday party for a sweet friend at a horse farm.

Very cool.

This little baby was checking out her tired mama.  

And this baby was loving the horse, but not enough to do a summer camp there.  

Bummer.  I would if I could.

This one vacillates between teacher, hair stylist and "nail girl."  What happened to shark doctor??

I feel very Seinfeldish when I say "Not that there is anything wrong with that"…but this is a child who makes up geometry problems on her whiteboard at home because she likes to.  Potential?  Check.

Second grade did a skit based on a Scottish song.  GoGo had a line as a Police Officer.  She loved it.  She told me she was going for a brogue but it kind of came off as Gomer Pyle.  It worked.

The weather is starting to break here, finally.

I am counting the days to summer break, almost as much as my kids.

Yes, there will be days where they drive me out of my ever livin' mind and I will mentally count the days until they go back to school and drink a Blue Moon or 3.  But the larger part of summer will be spent enjoying their giggles, our road trips, lounging in our jammies watching movies and playing flashlight tag with friends.

Let's start there.

Toe Dippin'

This weekend we headed to the beach for a half-marathon for hubs.  He did very well, almost in the top 100 finishers.
It was chillier than I had hoped but we still got in a walk on the beach and some pool time.  It seems strange to be in swimsuits outside while the air temperature is about 55 but the little people did it.  Thank God for heated pools.  The place we stayed was so nice-the kids totally partied.

And it did me good to see the sunrise and sunset at the edge of the Earth.  At least from where I stand.

The hotel had this amazing tree house/playground and my kids had the best time. 

 Coats and swimsuits?  Why not.

And then it snowed.  I had never seen snow at the beach.  To go from playing in the sand and swimming, albeit in coats and heated pools, to snow in the palms was a bit strange.  But cool.

The night we left for the beach was the Father/Daughter dance at Gogo's school.  It killed me to see her so grown up.  She's only 7, for the love of pete.  She had a great time, according to Daddy.  She boogied with her friends and even got her daddy to dance.  In public, without alcohol.  Hate I missed that.  While getting ready, we borrowed a friends curling iron.  I hadn't used one since maybe, 1988?  GoGo even asked if I knew how to use that thing.  I did alright, no one got burned.

So ready for spring and summer after this little weekend jaunt.  

Kids are ready for road trips, sleepovers and lazy days.

Got a ways to go.  

Have a few birthdays, Easter and  Holy Communion first.  

Gonna need that light at the end of the tunnel.

Apples and Trees

When I look at my kids, I know for a fact that the old adage, "The apple doesn't fall from the tree" is so real.
In sometimes hilarious and occasionally annoying ways, they continually demonstrate their connection to my gene pool.
Santa brought Just Dance for the Xbox and all 3 enjoy cuttin' a rug.  D was doing this song called "Da Funk" the other day and told me he was boss at it.  I about fell over.  For those who know my son, this was a step out of his box.  He is not one to draw attention to himself in negative or positive ways-he gets embarrassed easily.
This picture sums him up nicely-outside, laid back, sweet smile.  Love him.

This picture also sums Squeezalicous up nicely.  Outside, playing, a bit grubby, trying to be like big bro.  Adore her.

She and D are tight and play very well together.  Even though her blond hair is more like her big sis, her features remind me of D.  

Her hard core giggle is like his too-when they both get going, it's like all my favorite songs rolled into one big music note.  

They both think poop and fart jokes are hilarious.  (Full disclosure, so does this immature mom.)

In fact, yesterday she turned her bottom to face our kitty and ripped one.  She and D almost hurt themselves cackling.  I may or may not have pulled a stomach muscle laughing.

I couldn't have found a better picture to sum up my GoGo.  Hair up "fashion", having a hula hoop contest by the water.  She is a beach girl.  She is competitive, extremely.  

She is hilarious without meaning to be so, sometimes.  The other day Squeezalicous had a big accident in the bathroom and I was in there cleaning it up.  GoGo walked up, surveyed the situation and without any sarcasm in her voice, wished me "Good Luck with That."  Love, love.

I wish these 3 could see themselves the way I see them - wonderfully, imperfect beings with imagination, smarts and loads of possibilities waiting for them. 

 I don't want to wish the next 10 years away, but sometimes I can't wait to see how they turn out.  

Despite my gene pool.

And We're Back

It's been a while.

So the weather has been weird here…70's and spring like one weekend and ice storm with school out early a few weeks later.  

I got a new camera (new to me, old to the person who sold it to me) and I am not smart enough to use it.  It's more than I need but I'm going to give it the old college try.

These two crack me up.  Sometimes they play so well together and others they are yelling to beat the band.  Sisters…

GoGo just lost another tooth, the day after visiting the dentist.  Thankfully, they had good checkups again.

Squeezalicous has an aversion to clothing.  Usually it's bottoms-she runs around in a shirt and panties most of the time at home, weather be damned.  This particular day, however, it appears she lost the shirt but still managed to enjoy graham crackers.  

And…we're back to sweet.

There is a hill in front of our house that my kids love to fly down on wheeled vehicles too small for them.  At least they wear helmets.  Squeezalicious is not allowed to ride so she runs instead.  Like that isn't a recipe for disaster one of these days.

This sweet boy needs a haircut in the worst.possible.way.  

He has been invited to Texas to visit his very good buddy for his birthday.  The original plan was for him to fly by himself but he is hesitant to do so…maybe Momma will get a trip out of this invite.  I am a bit hesitant to send him alone, truth be told.  Plus, I would really miss him.

Kitty continues to do well-she was just "fixed" so we should be in good shape for a while.  She acts like a dog a lot of the time-follows the kids down the street to friends' houses, chases them around the backyard.  Precious.

GoGo was awarded the Terrific Kid award yesterday at school.  So proud of that girl!!

She was working in her First Communion book the other night and was drawing a picture of her family in it.  She informed me that she was drawing her Daddy bald.  Even though he isn't bald yet…he's getting there, she said.  Out of the mouths of babes...

So ready for Spring.  Last year was an epic year for road trips and vacations.  This year is shaping up to be an epic year for musical extravaganzas.  I'm taking GoGo to Merlefest in April to see the Avett Brothers, working on Clapton tix and it looks like 3 more concerts over the summer.  Good times ahead.

Rewind

This "year-end" post is only a few days later.  Whatever.  I seem to be getting worse in my old age with time management.  Whatever.

We simply had a fantastic year.  So many trips, bucket list items and general merriment.  Love.

January - visited dear friends in Atlanta.

Built an awesome fort from Christmas tree remnants.

February - watched Daddy run his first half marathon at the beach.

March - Birthday Boy.  Strumming.

April - had a Boys Only trip with Daddy and friends.  Bonus, got to sleep on aircraft carrier! 

June - Birthday Girl.  Splashing.

Birthday Girl, eyeing the sweets.

First Holy Communion.

Beach bums.

The other beach bum.

Abe Lincoln Museum in Springfield.

Road trippers, extraordinaire.  On the way to the 'Lou.

August - Mama had her first Girls Trip.  More, please.

Too much fun and rum in Jamaica.  Well, scratch the rum.  Just too much fun for this girl.

Digging, snorkeling, swimming.  Ordering at the swim up bar.

Can we move here?

October - En route to Disney, via St. Augustine.

 Magic Kingdom!

Shark Attack at SeaWorld.

November - First App State game!

Apparently my downloaded pics end here - bypassing Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Nice.

So many other good things-GoGo's dance recital, D's first place at the Fun Run, Squeezalicious and her Holiday Program, D's Star Student Award.

All in all, a great year.  Lots of laughs, hugs and memories.  Can't ask for much more in life.

Here's to hoping 2013 has more of the same.

Light in the Dark

A lot of good to report as of late but it's hard to write about such things when I think about the families in CT.  I just can't wrap my brain around it all - beyond heartbreaking.

So.  D was in the Christmas Cantata last week and rocked as a cow.  I missed his dramatic debut, as I was behind the screen assisting Angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph, and the donkey.  Had to be done.  But Daddy and Gogo saw him so it's all good.
I think the kids did a great job but apparently were on a high after their performance.  Once we got back to our classroom, things fell apart.  It was like someone had misted the room with pure sugar and they all sniffed at once.  They were dancing, arm wrestling and singing.  Insanity.  Next thing I know, the Director is coming in.  Busted, including me.  She gave a wonderful talk about the importance of Christmas and the story of the Cantata.  Then she turned to me and through what I believe to be gritted teeth, told me Good Job on the performance.  I tried to tell them I was an unsuitable candidate for this teaching position…

Speaking of Church...yesterday at Mass, Nora heard the bells ring during Consecration.  She pipes up loud enough for everyone within a fairly decent range to hear, "When the Bell Rings, it's Time to go Home!"  Nice.  She also announced she had to poop during, so really all the way around, it was a holy experience.
She has been pretending she is a Cheetah a lot lately-she growls and hisses instead of speaking, which I guess is her interpretation of Cheetah-speak.  It's cute but can be a tad embarrassing.  This weekend we celebrated my nephew's first bday and when greeting extended family, she did it in Cheetah-ese, complete with ferocious face.  Good times, always.

D has been sick but was well enough to play yesterday.  He visited a friend in the neighborhood and his mother tells me when D arrived, he took notice of their beautiful Christmas tree.  He says "Wow.  Is that an 8 footer?"  Nodding, he says "We have a 6-7 footer."  Killin' me, Smalls.  Such a little man already.

GoGo delivered this note to me last night as I washed up dishes and cleaned the kitchen from dinner.  Love her.
Of course, she also made me a card the other day that implored me to "Sit Next to Me, Poop."  So, there you go.

These little people are my entire world.  I cannot imagine my life without them in it.  Today Squeezalicious and I are surprising D and Gogo at lunch.  I don't normally visit on days I have my youngest home from school but I feel like having them all together today.  

I just want to walk in their school and see them there, safe.  Together.  

Yesterday was my mother's birthday, she should have been turning 64.  I know my sister and I were her entire world, too.  She would have sacrificed anything to keep us safe and together.  

That's what parents do, the world over.  We work tirelessly to keep these little lights shining.  

All we can do at the end of the day, is to live so that our kids know we love and cherish them.

And I surely do.

Christmas Cheer

So GoGo made her First Holy Confession last week.  She was a bit nervous before, but we talked about it quite a bit and once in the Church, she seemed ok.  She was in line and talking to the priest for a hot minute  before she was back to our pew.  In fact it was so fast, I questioned Quick Draw McGraw, doubting that she had even opened her mouth to talk to the priest.  As she is attempting to climb over the back of the pew, she tells me that she had indeed talked to one.  Pointing, she says "That One Right There!"  Okay, then.  She then proceeded to confess to me as well, do her penance and then the Mission was complete.

D is going to be part of the 3rd grade Christmas Cantata at Faith Formation.  His first choice of characters?  A cow.  Lucky boy, that was the part assigned to him last night.  In fact, most of the boys wanted to be the animals.  Go figure.  I am helping Mary, Joseph and the donkey with their parts.  Joseph asked "When is the part where I marry Mary?"  I told him it was already done and he was good to go.  This ought to be good…

Squeezalicous walked around most of yesterday morning crying because she wasn't in any of the preschool photos D has in a little album.  It's something his teacher made for him in his 4 year old class.  She was literally sobbing at one point.  Sheesh.  So, I took one of the 5 flash drives loaded with photos up to the CVS and printed 20 pics of her at various stages of development.  We then headed to Tarjay and purchased a pink album, loaded it up with said photos and I had one happy 3 year old girl.  It made me realized though, how many more photos I have up and around of the GoGo and D.  Poor 3rd child.

The other day she was wandering around downstairs, looking for something to do.  I suggested she go upstairs and play with her sister.  She tells me "I can't.  GoGo said if I can come in her room again, she will call the police."  In her Elmer Fudd voice, this made me die.

The kids' classes are participating in some program to help a village in Africa purchase livestock and water purifiers.  I hope I understand it correctly, but that's about the gist of it.  So, they are to do chores and earn money to donate.  D came home and wanted to spend $50 of his own piggy bank money so "I can buy a pig for somebody."  Love that boy.  I talked him down to $20 as I know the rest of the class are also generously giving.  GoGo was good with $10.  Of course, she can't find her wallet she has stashed all her monies in, anyway.  Guess who got to donate?

I am done Christmas shopping with the exception of one thing for D and it's super easy.  I am wrapping everything Thursday and then on to baking!  I ordered a couple of Christmas albums off Etsy so after school the kids do their homework to Bing Crosby and Ray Conniff.  I don't know how much it adds to their brain function, but it's fun.

So ready for Christmas here, except for the fact we have no tree yet.  Some great friends came into town this weekend and it was a non-stop party.  So, we never made it to a tree lot but tomorrow is a new day and I don't think these kids will let too much more time go by without one.

Counting down...