How is my baby 6 already!

How time flies, I can't believe that my youngest is already six. I am the luckiest Mom to have such wonderful boys. Preston being the youngest has been a different experience. We have had the opportunity to spend more one on one time together and how great that has been. Although being the last has it's drawbacks too!

We started the morning off with doughnuts and chocolate milk. Then off to school.

Half Day Kindergarten allowed me to take him to lunch with MaryJane and Jade at one of Preston's favorite places Moe's.

Then the whole family went to Friendlys for Dinner and IceCream. He couldn't wait for them to sing Happy Birthday to him. When he got his icecream he didn't want a Sundae only a single scoop. Me I went for the works! Yummy!

I had his birthday party the following day. It was a backwards party theme. When the kids arrived we had them turn their shirts around. We decoated them in streamers. We started out opening presents and then headed off to cake and ice cream where we sang Birthday Happy to you! Then instead of breaking a Pinata we made our own. Then outside for Goose, Goose Duck and backwards relays. We finished with Pizza. The kids had fun. Chandler was a huge help he ran most of the games for me and Jake kept the crowd under control.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I was the first awake this morning. I think the boys forgot what day it was until Geoff reminded them. They quickly retrieved the gifts and cards and ran to my room. Nothing was more beautiful than the smiles on their faces as I read each of the handmade cards they had made at church and at school, their eyes lit up so big as I read them one by one. Nothing is better than a love for a child. It was quick to get ready and off to church. We were all so tired.

When we got home they sent me to my room to rest while they made breakfast for lunch. I don't know how many times they came in asking what I would prefer (so cute, but little rest)! About an hour later breakfast was served, waffles, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and sausage. Oh and don't let me forget my appetizer, some sort of milkshake they made in the mini food processor with icecream and assorted other ingredients. The food was good, but what I enjoyed more was their effort and desire, although in the end I did have a rather large mess to clean up!

We spent the afternoon playing on the driveway with train tracks and Lincoln Logs, until the rest of the nieghbor kids came over and I was freezing. A simple dinner and a game of Apples to Apples ended the day. These are the memories I want to keep from this day.....forever!

An unexpected visit by mom and some markers

My mom made an unexpected but welcomed trip from Arizona. The boys were so excited they went to bed at 6:30 so they could go to the airport to pick her up. And as soon as we picked her up they went right back to sleep, I was so happy! I got a lot of rest, it was cute the first afternoon I woke up and walked down to see her surrounded. Later the boys were asking her to draw on their feet, while she was occupied looking at their feet she was unaware of the artwork they were creating up above. Some of the marker was not washable. LOL it took a few baths. The boys were sad to see her leave, Jake in particular shared his emmotions!

Feels like AZ

Yesterday we were wearing sweatshirts, today we were sweating. According to the weatherman this morning our high would be the same as Phoenix, but Phoenix is a dry heat! What is up with the weather. Well today was a beautiful day, Chandler is on his first Scout campout, I am assuming all is well because I haven't heard from him. I am glad that I packed his zip-off pants. Jake is playing with Charlie, last time I checked with squirt guns. The two younger boys and I went to the park this afternoon and then they spent a lot of time with the hose today. They made our driveway into a lake and pretended to surf. I love them using their imagination and being outside. What a great day for them! It makes me happy!

It's the Little Things

I must say that despite everything I am going through I am on top of the world for this moment. It is those little things, that mean so much and today my boys shined. I was up early this morning, 5:30 (out of a alarm clock habit) so I was ready before I had to wake them up, well mostly. So I began putting away some clothes and cleaning upstairs a bit. Taking my time, no rushes this morning. Jake comes upstairs and asks if he can take leftovers for lunch, then he tells me he will make it, that has never happened. Then I notice he has made his bed, I didn't have to ask. Hayden made his lunch. They unloaded the dishwasher and even started loading it. There was not one fight or argument this morning, only brothers helping each other out. It is these things, small acts of service without request that mean more than anything. I wouldn't have minded making lunches, I do it almost every morning. But it brought tears to my eyes. In life's trials you are blessed!

Easter

The last holiday I spent in Arizona was Easter.....I felt that a lot this year. We did the usual, colored eggs the night before. The kids were very creative. We were all exhausted and went to bed early. The boys were excited to see what the Easter Bunny had left them and to hunt for eggs. They did a pretty good job, although I have found a few around the house lately! It was ham, spinach souffle, corn, mashed potatoes and rolls for dinner. I am thankful for what this Holiday represents and I am learning how to apply it in my everyday life.

It's Spring

Nothing like a beautiful day at a park with my youngest who adores me to remind me I am loved and that is what it is all about.

I think since moving to New York, spring has taken a whole new perspective on me. As the seasons change your environment changes. The green leaves turn beautiful shades and fall to the ground, and then everything becomes, in my opinion, ugly. It is cold, I gain weight, the kids are stir crazy, and then it is spring. The grass starts to turn green again, the trees grow new leaves and the tulips are peaking out of the ground, the kids are outside again enjoying nature like it is intended, the TV is off and the video games are put away. It is a new start, a fresh start, more to me than New Years.

I am observing all the damage from the icestorm, the trees with broken limbs still hanging from them, and the clean up crews everywhere picking up the piles of devastation along the roadsides, in my neighbors yards. Spring is my time to ring in my New Year! To start fresh, to begin a new cycle, and make it better than the one before. This is my year!