Ballet Recital

Ballet lesson for a four year old - $250

Costume, shoes, and accessories - $75

Babysitter for Cooper - $20

Claire's Recital Day - Priceless

Move Over Paula Deen....

It's 1:00 and it's already been "one of those days."  I just put a roast in the crockpot.  I always make my roast with a bottle of beer.  It makes it more tender and flavorful.  

On calm, relaxed days, I actually put the beer in the crockpot.  Not today.  Not the first one anyway.   The second one might not make it in the crockpot either.  If the day continues this way, the roast and I may BOTH be more tender and flavorful.

  

9 Months (Plus two weeks)

I know... I know.  I'm two weeks late with this post.   But there's a good reason for that.

He's MOBILE.  Crawling...pulling to stand ... cruising on furniture.  Did I mention cruising FROM furniture to walls - then other pieces of furniture?  He's taking steps FORWARD.  All in two weeks.

It's exciting.  And frightening.    I had sort of forgotten the whole "mobile baby boy"  stage.  It is sooo vastly different from the girls.   But that smile ... makes me forget what a handful he is.

And the hair.  Cooper's now sporting some serious "man hair."  It's thick, blonding up nicely, and CURLY.    Especially is this humidity.  Oh, and of course during fits when we cry so hard we sweat buckets.  But we wouldn't know anything about that would we Cooper?  Nope.  Not me mama.

Happy 6th Birthday Grayson!!!

I remember the evening of May 13th, 2003 very clearly. I was really nervous. Really. Nervous.

I vividly recall wondering how ALL these emotions could possibly be going on all at the same time. I was elated, terrified, excited, sad, tired, exhilerated, impatient, and peaceful.

This was not my first baby. But that just made it all the more ... nervewracking. This time, I knew what to expect. Or did I?

I'd never had a boy before. What did I know about it? Was there enough room in my heart for another child? What would you look like? Would we have to drive YOU halfway to Cleveland to get you to sleep? Would you be a good sibling? What dynamic would you add to our family?

Six years later and I honestly can't imagine life without you. One look at you and I knew who you were. I thought (and still do) you'd been here before. And I knew we'd never look back.

You are the kid that tears the knees out of every single pair of jeans. You bring me a tissue when a Hallmark commercial comes on ... then stays to throw it away. You live to antagonize your sisters ... and make up for it by picking me flowers.

You are the kid that notices things others miss. Or don't take the time to see. I love that about you. You run like the wind. And eat like a horse. Your eyes, hair, and freckles make my heart hurt ... they are that cute. I mean ... handsome.

Happy 6th birthday buddy. And, for the record, you nailed the sibling thing. Blew the doors right off. Love you.

Mom

Wordless Wednesday ...

Mother's Day Week ....In Real Life

I wish I had a cutesy picture of me with all my children to share with you on Mother's Day. You know the kind ... all of us in matching (or at least coordinating) outfits ... all looking in the same direction ... and smiling. Don't have one of those. At all. Ever. That's just not our real life.

I have friends that take these pictures and live this life...and I just love looking at the gorgeous documentation of their families. We just don't. Our real life photo collection is more the ... "dirty faces, snotty noses, and halfway-decent photos except for the finger in the photo lens" kind. Editing? Photoshop? Please. I barely have time to shave both of my legs.

The best I can do is to share these un-edited, non "Photo-shopped" shots of me with the kiddos during all the Mother's Day activities at school. Claire and I got to share a brunch at "Muffins with Mom" at preschool and Grayson had a Mother's Day tea at Kindergarten. Emma and I got some quality girl time yesterday with lunch and a shoe shopping expedition. I got to sleep in, Monte and the kids made breakfast, and all of us went swimming at the Y.

It was a great week to celebrate the gift of being a mom. A great day to celebrate the joy of real life. Happy Mother's Day to all of you. May each of us be aware of and honor the exceptional moments in our own real lives. Every day. God bless.

Addendum to Coin Toss

"The bigs" just got home from school. Imagine my surprise when Grayson announced he had won Character Kid of the Month for Responsibility. Yep, the same award Emma just won. I demanded proof.

This stunning turn of events suggests one of a few things:

1. The pool of contestants leave something to be desired.

2. The teachers select kids not by merit but by choosing names from a hat.

3. There was not an award given for "class wiseass." (See Coin Toss post from earlier today)

All kidding aside buddy - Congratulations! We are really very proud of you.

The Coin Toss ....

Grayson (in the car on the way to the store): "Mom ... remember when God was trying to decide where to send Cooper when he was still in heaven?"

Me: "Uhhh.... yeah." (Eloquent as always)...

Grayson: "Do you think Cooper won the coin toss .... or lost?"

Me: (long pause... while considering whether to laugh out loud or not) "Let's just go with won."

Congratulations Emma ...

Dear Emma,

I'm always proud to be your mom. Every day. There are many reasons why ... none the least of which is your sense of responsibility. You amaze me with how helpful you are with Cooper and I can always count on you to be the first one done with ALL of your chores in the morning.

This week, your teacher recognized that trait and honored you "character kid of the month" for responsibility. To you, it's not a big deal. As you put it, "it's a certificate and a free pencil." But ... a different teacher gave you the same award last year. To me, it's a sign we're on the right track.

Today, at the SWAC banquet, you received a medal for completing your IMX challenge. Even though you tried to hide your enthusiasm (because you are a COOL eight year old), I noticed you wore it all evening then placed it on your headboard - right next to your pillow.

I'm pretty proud of that medal too ... but not for the same reasons you are. Sure, it's great that you improved your strokes enough to legally complete all of those events. But I'm more proud of you for doing the work. Each week. Even when you didn't feel like it.... or when I didn't.

That's responsibility. That's the kind of stuff that parents and teachers notice ... remember ... and are proud to be a part of. Way to do the work kiddo.

Now, can we talk about your room for a minute???

Thank Heavens For ...

a little boy who woke up REALLY early, got ready in record time, and wasn't too embarrassed to take the "decorated" lunch bag his mama packed for him. Hope you have fun today buddy!