Happy (Almost) Birthday, Lizzy!

Lizzy decided that before we move (more on that later, and believe me, we've got lots to share there!), she wanted to be able to share her birthday with her friends at school.  We were all excited to get to plan a special birthday snack for Lizzy.  We decided to make our famous heart shaped chocolate chip cookie, and to bring grapes and juice too.  The morning of the snack, Catherine, Peter, and I furiously worked to get everything ready for the kids (because of course we were running behind, of course, right?!)  Thankfully, Lizzy came out to help us too, so we set up all the plates, napkins, grapes and juices out on the snack tables.  When the class came out, we all sang Happy Birthday, and Lizzy blew out her candles.  Boy, was our cookie a hit!  Everyone loved it, and they polished off the whole thing in two seconds flat.  It felt like as soon as they arrived, they were finished, and then most of them ran off to play.  A dedicated few stuck around, however, to admire Catherine and tend to her every need.  These lovely ladies can only be described as Catherine's fan club.  Every time they see her, they want to hold her and play with her.  On this day, they strolled her around, oohed and aahed over how adorable she is, and hand fed her grapes.  Goodness!  I'm glad for the big girls to get a chance to play with a fun baby, but let's hope Catherine doesn't get any big ideas about being a little princess.....

Sweet Moments

We've got a lot of big personalities around here.  Most of the time the kids love being together, and will play endlessly at their imaginary games.  But lately, as everyone is getting bigger and more established in their own opinions, we can have a lot of bickering.  Sometimes Lizzy and Peter are like an old married couple- they'll fight and bicker, but they can't stand to be apart.  That is why, when I'm lucky enough to observe a tender, sweet, or kind moment between them, I truly cherish it.  I know they love each other fiercely, sometimes a little too fiercely, but I'm so thankful they can still cuddle together on the couch, holding hands and watching a movie.  It's a beautiful moment when you get to see the people you love so much loving one another.

A Great Season

Lizzy was so lucky to get to be on such a sweet basketball team.  Every girl in her class joined the team, so it was extra fun that they could all do it together.  Since most of the girls were pretty new at basketball, it was amazing to see how they grew over the season.  They went from not really knowing what to do out there, to making great passes and working together as a team.  Lizzy was such a hard worker!  She tried her best every game, and is an awesome player.  Lizzy was great at dribbling and passing, and scored many baskets over the season.  It was so fun to watch her hustling out there, doing her very best every game.  I'm so proud of you, Lizzy!

That's A Wrap!

Peter loved basketball season!  I wasn't too sure about the whole thing, since he's so little, but what a fun season he had.  He loved it, and he really improved over the course of the season.  From someone who had never been on a team before, Peter really worked hard out there.  He improved his dribbling and passing, he even scored some baskets, and he became a defensive maniac, even getting a few steals.  What I absolutely loved was seeing how hard he worked out there to do his best.  He was totally into every game, and he really wanted the ball and went after it.  I'm so very proud of you, Peter, and so happy for you that you got to share this fun season with your friends.

The Left-Behinds

Don't feel too badly for the rest of us!  While Lizzy and Daddy were out on their special night, we decided to have a very special Mommy and son (and baby) night together.  Peter got to go to his favorite restaurant, Jeffrey's.  He had his usual feast: hot dog, fries, and chocolate shake.  Catherine and I were all too willing to go along for the ride.  After all, we love fries and shakes too, but we really love a special night out with our special guy!

Daddy and Daughter Night

Our school has a very special tradition- the Father Daughter Dance.  It's practical purpose is as a fundraiser for the school- parents buy tickets to the dance at the auction.  But it's spirit is so much more, and it is truly one of the most special events of the year.  I'm not sure who gets more excited for it- Lizzy, me, or Pat.  Lizzy's at such a fun age because there is no drama yet about what she wears, or how her hair looks.  Everything is exciting and fun and wonderful.  Pat and I found a darling little sundress for her and Pat picked out a sweet little sweater to go with it.  Lizzy and I looked on the internet for special hairstyles, and we had such fun putting a "waterfall" braid into her hair and curling the bottoms.  She looked just lovely!  Lizzy said, "I don't think I've ever looked more beautiful in my entire life," and while I think she's absolutely beautiful every day because of her radiant spirit, she did look particularly lovely on this night.  Pat and all the other daddies to their little girls to a pretty fancy restaurant in town, and then they headed to the dance to dance the night away.  They both reported that it was an awesome night, and I was so, so thankful that we have such amazing moms willing to work so hard to put a night like this together, and that these little girls have so many people who love them.  Mostly, I'm so, so thankful that Lizzy has such a fantastic daddy who loves her so completely.  What more could a daughter possibly want?!

T.V. Lovers

Oh T.V........I love you........I hate you.........we have such a complicated relationship.  I love the times when we're all snuggled up together watching you, laughing, and relaxing after a busy day.  I hate how alluring you are........how you silently call to the kids and you suck them in, eyes glazed over, brains turned off.  Sometimes, you are truly magical, the perfect solution to crabbiness, late-afternoon crankiness, trying to make dinner and everyone is in my way-ness.  In those moments, when it's silent, and I have a minute to get done whatever I've got to get done, then we reach an understanding, you and I.  You'll help me, and I'll let them watch you- win/win, right?

St. Patrick's Day Cuties

On St. Patrick's Day, I was sure feeling pretty lucky because I got to spend the day with these three cuties.  Some pesky leprechauns visited our house, caused a big mess by tossing furniture around and leaving their glittery footprints everywhere, but then made up for it by leaving us some chocolate gold coins.  I'd say we have the luck of the Irish with us for sure!