Audrey at Home

I'm not trying to get overly sentimental here, but all this talk of summer, and I look out at Audrey playing in the sandbox this morning while Cole naps and think, it's almost over. It's a calm thought, but true. My time with her during the days is almost over. Two more weeks. Then summer with everyone home, then off to full-day Kindergarten. She is ready, and it's time. And there have been days I've been sooo ready for her to go. But it made me a little sad (or thoughtful) today - this is it. We will still have one-on-one time, but we'll have to make it happen. It won't fall naturally into our schedule. I will miss her. I've been thinking so much of summer prep and Kindergarten (registration, teacher request), that I almost missed these last moments of me and her here together for two more weeks. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Grateful for that tap on the shoulder, the reminder. Summer's not here yet, and I should take a few breaths, and enjoy these last couple weeks of home with my girl. She just ran past me into the house while typing this, saying "Let's go read books", so that's what I'm off to do. Two more weeks.

Goings On

This morning the four of us were up early for Tyler's last pancake breakfast at school. Hit his reading goal and then some! Award ceremony coming next week.

Newest addition to our back yard fun. Big kids picked it out - a pool more their size. I remember playing in one like this with my sister when we were little.

Speaking of summer - it's right around the corner (two and a half weeks!) I'm mostly excited, with the occasional freak-out. They're all going to be home all the time! I go back and forth between wanting a summer plan, and not. Somewhere in the middle lies the success of our summer - some planning, and a little laziness.

Been feeling sorry for myself lately that we don't have any big summer travel plans. Seems like everyone's going somewhere but us, and I must have a travel bug. Will have to figure a way to remedy that - even if it's a couple day trips. I mean, I live in a vacation spot. There's plenty to do, it's just nice to get away sometimes, too.

Loving my Blendtec a ton. Adam brought home a bunch of avocados, so I've been making this smoothie all week (with frozen banana, and add in a handful of fresh spinach.) Cole drinks his out of a sippy cup with straw. Extras go into popsicle molds in freezer.
 
Last thing, this article went around facebook. I read it, and it links to a bunch of other articles about yelling and self-control in parenting. It got me thinking and inspired me to make a "no yelling" goal with my kids. Nothing major - just no yelling for the day, and it's grown into about five days and feels really nice. I'm not a big yeller, but I have my moments. I've learned in seven years of motherhood to be easy on myself, too. Forgive myself those hard moments, or days. The article really made me think though, and helps me take a moment before letting my mouth take over. So hurrah for that! Here's hoping I keep it up - just in time for summer and all the littles at home.

Today's Adventures

Thought I'd post this picture one of my Ladybug dads sent me since I don't have many of me teaching (even though I kinda look like Maria from Sound of Music with the guitar). Did a music class birthday party for two of my little ones today. A fun gig for a family I've had in class a long time.

Audrey was a little jealous of the boys-only camping trip, so we're doing a backyard camp out tonight. Started with nice, messy S'mores. Now they're snuggled in the tent trying to fall asleep. After hangin' with them a bit, I'm inside with sleeping Cole - lucky me.

Weekend - First Part

While the big boys camped, I got to hang with these two. First we took a nice long evening walk. And yes, Cole loves his pink blankie.

Audrey and I gave Cole a bath and put him to bed. Then it was purple nail polish, popcorn, and Nanny McPhee. Stayed up 'til 11pm! She got to sleep in my bed that night - with all these guys:

The best part - precious girl fell asleep on my chest, just like when she was itty. She told me it was "the best night."

Boys had a great time at father/son campout. Mikey, Daniel, and Tyler cozy to sleep.

Plus Adam in the tent.

Next day they had breakfast, hiked, and played with friends.

Love these guys. Glad they got some time, just the two of them.

Happy to have the boys home now. Good times had by all.

Weekend Kick-Off

Friday - out early for a long Memorial Day Weekend. We've been driving Noah home from school - today we took a detour to Menchie's (thanks to Aunt Stephanie and cousin Clara for Audrey's birthday gift card). Some Fridays you need a treat!

Tonight is church father/son camp-out. Adam, Mikey, and Tyler are heading out to camp with friends. Audrey, Cole, and I are left home to party it up. Once Cole goes to bed it's nail polish, movies, and snacks for me and little girl. Hope I don't regret telling her she can stay up as late as she wants, and sleep in my bed tonight!

Open House

End of the school year is so close! Tonight was Tyler's Open House. Went from karate, to dinner at McDonald's, to Open House. These two enjoyed strawberry milkshakes:

This face! Can't get enough.

Audrey wanted to sit at Tyler's desk.

School work on display.

Tyler's class at the art fair. Their version of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Tyler's holding his desert habitat diorama.

We love, love Mrs. Adachi! Makes my heart so happy that we were lucky enough to land a spot in her class.

Couldn't have asked for a better first grade year. Wonderful teacher and classmates. Tyler's learned a ton - grown so much. Very happy with his school, and excited for Audrey to join him there next year!

Audrey's Day, Part Two

A bunch of kids from preschool celebrated birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese this year, so that was Audrey's request. Since we had two empty seats in the mini-van we picked up two of Audrey's best friends for an afternoon of games, pizza, cake, and prizes. Chuck E. Cheese on a Tuesday afternoon was a great idea - we pretty much had the place to ourselves. The kids had a blast, and here comes the picture dump.

Our party - Audrey, Sydney, Adam and Cole, Brandon, and Tyler.

This was pretty hilarious - Audrey in the ticket blaster. She was very serious about it. Grabbed as many tickets as she could, and we split them amongst the kids for prizes.

Audrey picked out the cake - pink and purple of course.

Birthday girl!

Some words of encouragement from Chuck E.

A big thanks to Brandon and Sydney for spending the afternoon with us. I think we tired everyone out pretty good. (Sydney and Cole weren't feelin' Chuck E., so we didn't get them in this last shot). Great day celebrating our girl!

Friday

Someone got a new toy today:

Tyler had the day off, making it feel more and more like summer over here. Spent the day with my kids - Cole and Tyler to music class, Tyler and Audrey shopping while Cole slept (which is when we picked up the slide). Now a picnic at the park with Grandma and Grandpa Tait. Cousins Molly and Matt are visiting, too. Nice laid-back Friday.

Audrey's Day, Part 1

Audrey had the best day on her birthday. She was really, really happy all day long, I could tell. That's what it's all about on your birthday. She woke to pink and purple balloons all over her bedroom floor, surprise birthday decorations, and present opening. Then Adam took her to IHOP for breakfast - just the two of them.

The waiters brought her an ice-cream sundae (at 9am!!), and sang "Happy Birthday". How thrilled is she?

This one especially cracks me up - she's like, "I'm having sugar for breakfast and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" (evil laughter).

After breakfast I took her to gymnastics, she picked out a Redbox movie (Smurfs), and played and played with her birthday loot - waiting patiently for friends to come over. She kept saying, "I can't believe I'm finally five."

Five

Our spunky little girl turned five on us today. Took this picture last week when Audrey and Adam were playing basketball out front - fits perfectly who she is right now. Part princess, part tough girl, keeps up with the best of them (oftentimes the leader, in fact), likes a challenge, a dreamer, wants it all. She makes my heart burst - just love this girl. Happy birthday to our beautiful Audrey. Looking forward to all five has in store.

Party At Grandma's

Continued our Mother's Day celebration at Grandma and Grandpa Tait's this afternoon. So nice to enjoy the day with my awesome mother-in-law. She's a mom who inspires me big time. Had a little early birthday party for Audrey, too. Steaks for dinner. I made Strawberry jello poke cake for dessert. Mmmmm. Opened a few presents, spent the evening outside. Can't believe this girl is gonna be five in two days!

Pretty Audrey with some of her new loot.

Cole discovered Grandma's neighbor has chickens.

Pink razor scooter from all of us - big hit.

Everybody's gotta have a turn on the scooter.

Singing Happy Birthday. Even Uncle Jordan sang over Skype.

There are kittens living under Grandma's porch! Audrey and this little black kitty fell in love with each other. Even when Audrey put him down, he'd run back to her. She was so in love, I swear if Adam wasn't allergic I would've brought this little guy home. How sweet!

Mother's Day

Woke to little ones jumping on my bed, so excited to show their school-made Mother's Day goodies. Then croissants, and green smoothie made by Adam in my new blender. I own a Blendtec now people - who wants a smoothie party?

Oh, and this is beautiful - made me cry. My mom is all these things to me. I hope I am for my kids. Best thing in the world is being their mom. I'm the luckiest. Also a shout out to all the moms who inspire me to be a better mom. There are a bunch, near and far. Happy Mother's Day, mamas. Rest a bit today, and hug your little ones.