Mother's Day

Happily, Mother's Day was a nice day this year. The kids were super excited about it this year and it was especially nice that Mia's birthday didn't fall on the same day. It makes for a conflicting day!

For weeks ahead of time, Jake excitedly asked me my favorite colors and what I liked. Mia told me about cards and gifts that she had made in school and drew a new card for me daily. Together, they crafted something special with their Grandma just for me. There excitement about it all was the best part of my day!

That morning, I was showered with gifts and love from my babies. They brought me breakfast in bed. Cereal and toast with honey butter. They brought me card after card that they had made. They gave me the gifts that they made. Three brand new beaded bracelets and a matching necklace were my gift from them. Jake water colored on a photograph of him from school. Mia's cards were darling. Lots of hugs and kisses too. It was wonderful fun!

Church was busy of course, but they brought a sweet little card that Sam colored in nursery with a flower pen that had a cute poem on it. Another card from Mia and Jake from Primary. A sweet Mother's Day medley sung by my Primary kids and red geraniums.

We enjoyed dinner with the in-laws and dessert with my parents. I had just two tags left over from my Piper and Chloe Spring showcase that we perfect to decorate my mother's and mother-in-laws presents.

That night, I got spoiled one more time when Ryan gave me his sweet and loving card and my all time favorite movie, The Italian Job. Go ahead and laugh if you need to, but I love it!

I wish that I would of had Ryan take my picture with my kids but I was so enjoying my time with them, that I forgot to ask. So, even though it's late, Thank you to all my loved ones for a Happy Mother's Day for me!

Dear Sama-lama-ding-dong,

What has happened here? Where did my sweet, little, easy-going guy go?? The days when you happily followed me around talking and playing with your soccer ball? Your request for scrambled eggs, yogurt and milk every single morning? Your irresistible giggles and your coloring your art on paper? Simply being able to lay you down for your nap at a decent hour?

Now, our days are filled with tears and frustrations. Your inability to accurately convey your multiple requests frustrated by my inadequacy. Your ultimate desire to do everything by yourself which I try hard to encourage but sometimes my dear, I just need you to get out of the darn car so we can pick up Mia on time!

Your amazing temper tantrum over the dollar store rake (that you love) that I wouldn't buy because you already own it. All the way home, you cried that yours was broken and you needed another. All. the. way. home. And how mad you were when I put you down for a nap today after your two days in a row without a nap. You were so mad, you learned how to climb out of your crib and came right back downstairs to continue playing the kitties. You had no remorse over your actions and could not believe that I would dare put you back in your crib! (That is, after I pulled it away from the dresser that you most likely escaped on.)

And your "art" that you don't want to be just on plain ol' paper. It's now showing up in Jake's books, the tables and you. The look on your face as I caught in the act of drawing in Jake's book shows your little attitude that you have been throwing at me full force. I told you not to draw in that book and draw on paper and this is what you did. And truthfully, I had to hold back the laughter when you naughtily glared at me.

Your obsession with make-up is still going strong. Just when I think that I have put all the make-up out of your reach, you manage to find a lipstick which you happily smeared all over your face, your arms and clothes. Startled when I found you, you quickly declared "Too much, huh Mom." Dear, you are so very guilty.

Guilty and sassy!

Oh gracious my Sammy-boy! As exhausting as our days are now, always know that I love you dearly and know that you wouldn't be testing me if you didn't trust me. I am just praying that we can make it through without me literally pulling out my hair.

With much love,

Mama

Kittens

Six weeks ago, our cat had kittens. Sweet little, tiny kittens. Two black, one white and one striped. Now, they are bigger, they are getting ready to leave the nest and find new homes of there own, I want to introduce these cute little entertaining kittens.

These kittens are hard to photograph! They don't stop moving and never look up. I guess we can scratch "kitten photographer" off of my list of potential careers. Sadly, these are the best of them. They really wanted to go and play.

First born, they would either nurse or sleep in a big o' pile of kittens.

SOXS

First up is Soxs. She looked like she had socks on when she was new. Jake named her right after he met her. She's a funny little kitty that was the first to bust out of the nest and go roaming around. She's good about letting you hold her, putting her in a stroller or making her attack your army men.

Einstein

And then, my funny little Einstein. Named because his fur was crazy just like Albert's. He's the smartest kitty too. First to open it's eyes, first to purr, first to eat kitten chow and first to use the litter box (that we have seen). Oh Einstein, how I love you.

SUGAR

And finally, Sugar. Pronounced "Sugah". She was all white at birth and has since changed to her dark brown and white coloring with blue eyes. She's a cutie all right. I think that she is favorite of all of the kids. She doesn't mind being swept up to battle someone and rarely complains when Sam chokes, I mean, holds her. She's checking out our mantel trying to figure out how to get off so she can play.

PAUL

Here is Paul. He enjoys doing crafts with me. A cute little black kitty with a touch of longer white fur. He's pretty mellow and loveable. However, I think that Paul might really be an April.

So, if you want one of them or know of a good home they can go to, let me know. They will be ready to leave their Mama in two weeks.

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Quick - go forth and make fresh strawberry cupcakes. You will not be disappointed.

RECIPE FOUND HERE.

Friends Picture - Check

I can check off "get a picture with friends" off my list from this post. Mia with her Kindergarten friends after her their Kindergarten program. Love these girls.

Mia's Birthday

It was an eventful day for my little girl 6th birthday. First off, Ryan, Sam and I went to her school to visit for the last 20 minutes and share a poster of her favorite things. It was fun to see her in her class and I really want to watch her more to see how she interacts.

After school, we were happy to be watching Mia's friend Lauren so we all went out to McD's for a Happy Meal and some playtime on the playground.

Off to dance class. Parents were invited the last 15 minutes of class time to see what they have been working on. My oh my, does my daughter have a bit of sass to her step. Lauren loved watching them and she declared Mia the prettiest and bestest dancer of them all. How cute is she?

Somehow, I let birthday shopping get lost in the shuffle. Could it be back-to-back boutiques? Maybe. So, after running the girls back home, I had exactly one hour and fifteen minutes to find her presents. All Mia's heart desired was wedding stuff. "Wedding dress, wedding shoes, wedding jewelry, wedding thingy you put on your head and wedding make-up." Wedding dress-ups were no where to be found.

I felt like I was on Super Market Sweep running through the stores not finding my little girls dreams. Searched three stores with nothing but a pair of fancy dress up shoes. With only 20 minutes left, I dashed off to Walmart knowing that they had a wedding section. I scored a diamond tiara, a wedding veil and a bouquet of flowers. Then I checked the fabric department and they had the perfect wedding dress!! Already smocked silky white fabric with a lacy overlay. We measured the kid waiting in line to get a guesstimate for Mia (way off by the way - he was solid!) grabbed a spool of satin ribbon and ran home just in time to teach a flute lesson.

The fabric couldn't of worked out any sweeter. One french seam and the addition of satin ribbon straps, the dress was finished before dinner finished cooking. Quickly wrapped the flowers with the rest of the ribbon, I wrapped up her dream wedding for around twenty bucks. Yes folks, I feel like a superstar! Please all give me a virtual pat on the back for making my daughter a dress for her birthday in between making dinner. Never mind the simplicity of it all. It was still satin and lacy and everything nice. :) And she loves it. And to top off the wedding cake, Gram and Gramps gave her a real, very fancy crystal necklace. Her dreams were granted. Yay and phew! I am so relieved and thankful it did.

Birthday cake ended the night as she was encouraged to thank all that came and gave. She was a very happy girl and that makes all the stress of running around worth it.

Happy Birthday my little sassy Milly! I love you so much and next year, I promise that I will be prepared for your big day. xoxo- Mama

Woah...

I feel like time just fast forwarded 20 years.