Mother's Day 2011

I had a VERY special Mother's Day week. Monday, Matthew's class had a special Mother's Day Celebration/May Crowning for Mothers and to honor our Mother in heaven. Matthew prepared a special snack of fruit kabobs and vanilla wafers. After our special snack he gave me a book of pictures he made for me and then we went outside and he put a flower in front of Mary's statue. After everyone put their flowers in a vase the kids sang two songs. I was so proud of him he actually sang and did the motions. A few times during the celebration he asked me where dad was and then afterwards when he realized dad was with Molly but had to go back to work he got very upset...hence the picture of him screaming with his "mother" after the "mother's day" celebration.:)

Wednesday was Andrew's special Mother's Day Celebration. We did the flower and songs first and then went back to his classroom for a delicious cookie decorated by him. He gave me a framed picture of a drawing of me and fun facts about me, that he answered...quite comical. Drew had a meeting that he couldn't miss so my wonderful brother drove around with Molly.

Here is what Andrew said about me:

My mom is the most wonderful mom in the whole world. She is as pretty as a flower. My mom is 17 feet tall, and her favorite food is chili. In the good old days when mom was little, she used to play on the computer. I think mom looks funny when she tells funny jokes. I wish my mom would play Legos with me every day. I wouldn't trade my mom for my bedside tables. Happy Mother's Day!

line leader

notice the beautiful corsage he made me

Friday Drew and I went to the Cardinal game with one of Drew's clients and his wife. It was a beautiful evening and we were fortunate enough to have "green" seats for the game. The Cardinals played great and we enjoyed our evening out as adults. The kids did very well for the sitter and most importantly were all asleep before we got home.

The Saturday before Mother's Day Andrew had a baseball game. This game he got all of his hits without the tee!!! After the game we got FroYo again and then I went grocery shopping for Mother's Day brunch at our house the next day. When I got home I picked up Molly and gave her a kiss and...she was on fire:(. She really wasn't acting sick besides a runny nose but I knew I couldn't risk having my nieces, especially Natalie over with Molly having a fever. So after spending a fortune at the grocery store, I called my family and let them know we would have to cancel. My mom said she and my dad would still come over and help us eat some of the food.

#1 fan!

So Sunday Drew went to mass first at 6:30, what a saint! Then I went at 8:30. When I got home Drew had everything ready! The sandwiches were made and on nice trays, bacon was cooked and sitting out, the pastries were out, waffle batter was ready for the waffle iron and the ingredients were chopped for the omelets. All I had to do was make mimosas!!! It was a very relaxing and delicious brunch with my parents. Drew and the kids gave me a beautiful frame and a monogrammed wine bottle koozie and my parents gave me an orchid and a NICE bottle of wine. After we ate the kids played out front for a while. Then grandma and poppa left for golf and the kids went down for naps. After naps Andrew had a "make up" baseball game so we got to enjoy our second Pre K game of the weekend! Mother's Day evening was very low key but fun. Thanks for a wonderful Mother's Day family!!!

Andrew made this while he was waiting for his clock to turn to a 6

Busy Weekend

We had a very busy but very fun weekend a few weeks ago. Andrew had his first baseball game. He looked so cute in his little uniform. He plays in a league in which all the teams are named after MLB teams. He is on the Twins (there are 2 sets of twins on his team). It is coach pitch and if they can't hit it after 6 pitches, the tee is brought out. That was the case for Andrew the first game. Everything we have been working on went out the window, but hey he can only improve from here right? In the first inning he was the "pitcher" and did a great job. He actually fielded a grounder and threw it to first. After the game since he did such a great job we went and had FroYo and the kids (and adults) loved it!

One of Drew's friends and his family came over for dinner that weekend too. We did the simple hot dogs and hamburgers and had a great time. They have two girls who are 3 and 5 months. My 3 were in love with the baby and Matthew drove the 3 year old around in his Gator. It was very cute.

Sunday was a very special day. It was Natalie's baptism. Drew and I have the honor of being her Godparents so it was extra special for our family. The mass and baptism were beautiful. Afterwards we went to Christina's family restaurant for some delicious food and fun. Thanks for such a special day John, Christina, Josie, and Natalie!

Holy Week and Easter

So Holy week started Palm Sunday and this is a memory I never want to forget. We are at mass, heading up to communion. Matthew has his palm in his pocket because he thinks it's so cool to put things in his pocket. Of course it's hanging out and must remind him of a rope because he starts saying in his voice (loud) on the way to communion, "Yee Haw Cowboy!" Man there are times they make it hard to remain reverent!

Good Friday, Drew took off work and we did chores around the house with as little talking as possible trying to remember the greatest sacrifice Jesus made for us. It's fun that the kids are getting older and really starting to understand more about the religious side of holidays. Without any prompting, I looked outside and Matthew and Molly had their spray bottles cleaning a bench. Matthew was wearing a rosary (not appropriate but he doesn't know the difference) and he looked so holy. Andrew did some actual chores; he cleaned and dusted his book shelf (which took a shade under a decade because he felt the need to read each book before he put it back on the shelf) and was quiet for a good amount of time. During lunch we listed to the stations of the cross instead of watching TV or talking. I was SO proud of all 3 kids! They were amazing.

Holy Saturday we had spurts of sun and rain. In the morning we dyed Easter eggs. Then took a walk to the swamp when we saw a break in the clouds that evening. As we approached it began to down pour. Luckily it didn't last long and we were able to feed the loud geese before heading home. Molly ate most of her bread before she realized it was for the ducks:)

Easter Sunday was a great day. We decided to go to church a little later so the kids could enjoy and Easter egg hunt and baskets. Of course Andrew was bouncing off the walls waiting for Matthew to wake up so they could start the hunt. The Easter bunny was so clever and each child had to hunt for a certain color egg. The bunny also left a basket with a beach towel, toy and book for each one. Then we got everyone in their Sunday best and headed to church. The kids were good at church. After church we headed over to my parent's for brunch with my siblings. The cousins are SO cute together. The older 3 had an Easter egg hunt upstairs and the younger 3 had an Easter egg hunt in the basement. (Natalie sat this year out). The food was delicious and everyone had a blast. Unfortunately the weather was nasty but everyone was pretty well entertained inside. Easter evening we just laid low and relaxed.

6 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Resting on his new Star Wars towel playing his new Star Wars game

Easter Monday the boys were off school and had the special treat of grandma coming over to play. We even ordered Dominos (Andrew's absolute favorite meal) for lunch. It was a day full of special surprises.