Things That Make Me Smile

Summer is finally here. The weather went from 60 degrees one day to 92 the next. Yay for hot weather.  Hot weather makes me smile.  

The kids have been playing outside and I have been enjoying time on my patio, surrounded by flowers, reading a good book.  

The kids run back and forth from me to the playset to the bushes back to me.  They show me each little rock and stick they find and ask me a zillion questions.  I read a sentence or two and they are back again.  Sometimes they find something picture-worthy and I jump up to grab my camera.  Two butterflies landing on Ben's thumb make me smile.  So does his joy.

I found a recipe for little s'more mini cupcakes online and OH.  MAH.  GAWD.  They are good.  No bonfire required.  And the kids LOVE them.  They were smiling from ear to ear. 

On Saturday my mom and I went to see the much hyped Wicked together.  With the weather being so warm and lovely we were able to sit outside of the restaurant and enjoy our meal.  The waitress asked us if we were going to see Wicked and then mentioned that they have a Wicked themed martini that smokes and bubbles like a cauldron.  It was so cool looking and was absolutely delicious.  As was our meal.  Smiles all around.

After our dinner we strolled on over to the theater and took our seats.  It was a great show.  Very funny.   The set and costumes were amazing.  We had a wonderful time.  More smiles.

Sunday was our church picnic. The kids look forward to it all year round.  Mass was outside and we finally got to meet our new priest.  Father Matthew is only 30 years old. Younger than me.  I can't believe I'm old enough for the leader of our church to be younger than me.  Egad.  Still, his sermon was wonderful and he has much enthusiasm and a great sense of humor.  We enjoyed meeting him and talking with him. After waiting patiently as we talked with Father Matthew the kids were finally released and went wild playing all the games and picking out yummy desserts from the bake sale.  I don't think they ever stopped smiling.

We went directly from the church picnic to our annual family reunion held at a beautiful park.  The kids played and ate and played and ate some more while we chatted with family and basked in the sun.  It was a wonderful day.  I wasn't the only one smiling.

When we got home from the family reunion I grabbed Molly and we went out for a run.  It was a difficult run with so much food in my belly but we managed.  Finally home, I weeded my gardens and noticed some beautiful flowers finally beginning to bloom in the warm weather.

The new rose bushes I planted are full of buds.  One beautiful yellow rose just began to open.

The hibiscus tree on my back patio has the most gorgeous blooms.

And one of my favorite flowers was blooming as well.  My lovely, round, purple firecrackers.

Soon my whole garden will be full of flowers. The reds and yellows and pinks and purples will be on full display (click here for previous year's display).  I can't wait.  Makes me smile just thinking about it.

In less than a week my best friend and her family are coming to stay with us for four days.  I know having 7 kids and 4 adults under one roof will probably be madness but I can't wait.  I've only seen her twice since she moved to Oklahoma 4 years ago and we are overdue for a visit.  We'll get to watch the ridiculous Bachlorette together on Monday night (instead of having to text each other during the show) and on Tuesday we are going to see NKOTB, Boys II Men, and 98 degrees in concert.  It is high school all over again, man!  I feel slightly badly for our husbands but I still can't wipe the smile off my face when I think about it.

It seems we have much to smile about around here.  How about you?

WW- My Zen

Tiny Ballerina

Not to be outdone, Grace has her own activities this summer.  Today began her first adventure.  Her very first ballet class ever.  

It's safe to say that she enjoyed it. 

The cuteness factor is on overload. I can hardly stand it.  Even her brothers were oohing and aahing over her. Each time Grace would move the boys were telling her what a good job she was doing and how pretty she looked.  Lucky little girl.  She was just beaming.

I understand why the teacher is asking that the parents not stay to watch class after today.  I'm sure it is distracting. But I can't help being disappointed.  It was so fun watching her.  She did such a good job listening to her teacher and copying her movements.  She even had a bit of gracefulness to her.

Who knows if this is something she would like to do long term, but for now it sure is fun.  

Full Swing

It's baseball season!  For the first time ever our boys have joined in on the fun.  And it looks like they're hooked.  I must say I'm having a little fun myself.  Not only are my boys stinkin' adorable (don't tell them that) in their uniforms but they have all displayed commendable attitudes, good sportsmanship, and a bit of talent too (if I do say so myself).    

Tommy's game was first.  Luckily, Tommy has a coach who is on the ball and the team had quite a few practices before their first game.  That really helped the kids feel comfortable in the basics and have fun when the actual game day came.  Tommy has a really good arm on him and a good solid swing. He shocked everyone with a massive hit over the outfielders' heads that earned him two bases.  No keeping score in these games (which I love, but the kids seem to keep score in their heads- stinkers) but the team did a great job.

Joey's team didn't have a coach until last week (when once again my husband stepped up and took the job even though he was looking forward to being able to sit back and watch for once) so they only got in one practice before their game.  To say that the husband and I were a bit worried how the team would fare against all the more practiced teams would be an understatement, but they did great!

I was also concerned Joey would be a bit behind the other kids his age since this is his first year playing but he looked great. Joey was an amazing catcher.  He was on top of it, y'all.  Caught every catchable ball and threw it directly to the pitcher (from kneeling position) without making the pitcher run for it.  And with every new batter he would call out to his teammates to tell them where the plays were. "Plays at first and second!" he'd shout.

It was pretty fun to watch him excel and be proud of himself but what I was most proud of what his attitude.  He wasn't as successful at batting as he hoped to be but instead of getting down on himself and giving up he was mad for a minute and then brushed it off.  A hard thing to do for my perfectionist child who is always so hard on himself.  I was thrilled that he had such fun playing, was proud of how he played, and is so excited to play again.  Thrilled I tell you!

Last, but certainly not least, is Ben.  I always knew the kid had a wicked arm.  He can really throw.  Catching is a different story.  A few months ago Ben took a baseball to the face and then became very afraid of playing catch.  He would shy away from the ball instead of trying to catch it.  Recently he had a breakthrough and really began catching the ball just in time for baseball.

Being that Ben is only 6 years old I wasn't expecting much when he stepped up to the plate to take his turn hitting in front of his coach and teammates.  I tell ya what, that kid can hit!  Pitch after pitch he knocked it over the coach's head.  And he has never had a batting practice before.  Pretty amazing. My favorite part?  The coach pitched the ball to Ben and it was really low and outside.  The coach immediately said to Ben, "That was a bad pitch on my part. What a bad throw, huh?" Ben responded, "No, you're doing good.  That wasn't so bad."  It was so sweet and melted the hearts of the onlookers.  Such a sweet boy.

I'd say we are off to a great start this baseball season.  Happy and excited boys, good attitudes, and new skills.  I think I'm gonna like being a baseball mom.




Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

WW- First And Last

(Click to enlarge)

          First day of School 2012-13                 Last Day of School 2012-13

*Updated*

Ben's Kindergarten Graduation

WW- Vibrant

 Female Goldfinch

 Indigo Bunting

Cardinal

Are We Done Yet?

By now you've all probably read the blog post heard 'round the world.  Otherwise known as Worst End of School Year Mom Ever.  To say I can relate to this post is a massive understatement.  I think many of us moms can relate to that post, and if not, I envy you (Also? Please keep your amazing awesomeness to yourself).  It may just be one of the most perfect blog posts I've ever read.  But maybe that is because I am the second worst end of school year mom ever.

Why just this morning, as we were all searching for Ben's overdue library books (after 20 minutes of searching, "Oh mom! I forgot. I already turned them in last week!") I realized we were going to be seriously late for school if we didn't get moving.  I yelled at politely asked everyone to get in the car as I got Grace into her jacket.  When I went to hand Grace her backpack I noticed papers inside of it.  I pulled the papers out (which I should have done last Thursday) and noticed that "Surprise!" Grace and her class were going to celebrate her summer birthday on Monday the 3rd and she would be the snack leader.  Yay!  Or shit poop darn it.

Just then Tommy comes running back in the house to tell me he forgot to brush his teeth.

"Let me smell your breath." I tell him.

Without questioning me he breathes in my face.  "Not bad.  Just don't breath on anyone today, okay?" I say hurrying him out the door.

"MOM!" Tommy pleads.

"Hon, we don't have time for this!  Let's go, let's go, let's go!" I scream say.

I successfully dropped the kids off at school, explained to Grace's teacher what a miserable failure I was and that I would quick run to the store and be back soon with an acceptable snack. By the time I got back to school, signed in at the office, handed in the snack, and was signing out of the office I remembered that I also forgot my donation towards our retiring parish priest's present.  I again explained my awfulness this time to the school secretary.  She laughed and asked me if I've read Worst End of School Year Mom Ever.  I told her that I did, and obviously, can relate.

It really doesn't ever end, people.  This end of the school year madness.  Seriously.  When will it end?  I still have to get gifts for each of my kids' teachers!  Gifts!  Like I have any creative juices left in me to get thoughtful gifts at this point.  Projects need to be finished and handed in.  Big tests have to be studied for. Class parties, and picnics, and field trips, and snack days!  Permission slips and sign up sheets and order forms and preregistration forms and progress reports!

I can't do it anymore.  I can't.  I feel like such a slacker, but I can't help it.  I'm just done.  Seven and a half more days.  I don't know if we're gonna make it.  Help me.