Four Magical Words

Things are crazy.  I am running on empty.  Really running on empty.  Tired.  Stressed.  It seems lately day in and day out.  Never a dull moment.  Never a moment to relax.  Our "relaxing" weekends seem to be filled with birthday parties, cleaning and laundry.  I yearn for the moments of not having a schedule.  Not having to be some place.  Not having to do homework because it is due - but homework because I want to teach my child something. We are so busy and I want the time when  I had little little babies.  Yes, I was exhausted but it seemed so much simpler then.  They ate what you fixed and slept in their bed.  There was no telling on a sibling or fighting constantly.    There was no time you had to do something because it was "due".  If you wanted to teach your child something you could sit on the floor and just teach them .. on your time.  If I wanted to take a shower I could - just putting them in the bouncy seat or morning naps.  There are some days I really don't have time for a shower.

Looking forward to spring break.  Taking a break from the hectic schedule.

On the way to school today we were talking about Easter and Good Friday.  Grace said, "Why did Jesus die?" and Matthew responded, "So we could live."

Those four magical words made me so proud of him.

1.  Because he didn't respond so we wouldn't have school on Friday.
2.  That he got it - even though we don't talk about it ALL the time.
3.  Having little babies you don't get to hear magical stuff like that.

I need to embrace the moment more, relax, and if things don't get done who really cares? My kids are happy and that is all that matters.  Happy Spring Break!!

Quotes from the day...

Like most mothers, I often find myself starring at my kids while there talking and thinking how beautiful and wonderful they are.  They say some of the most profound and silly things.  Today stood out because so many times throughout the day they kept saying the funniest/cute things.

When I was getting dressed today Will said "Mommy you look like a princess".  I had put on a dress - usually he sees me in jeans and a tee shirt or yoga pants.  I guess I should get "dressed" more often.  So happy in his eyes I was a princess.

Grace told me that she found out that "thunder is REALLY not the angels bowling it is when the hot cloud hits a cold  cloud."

I was using face paint for Grace - and painted a big butterfly all over her face this afternoon.  Will was sitting next to her as I was painting it and he said .. "Gracie you are just beautiful.  Beautiful Gracie.  Gracie I love you  .. you are just beautiful."

So my kids don't go to catholic school and I had to giggle today when Matthew came home and said "Mom two people today broke the ten commandments."  (shocked that he was even thinking about those - since it is not like they talk about it in school).  "Johnny lied to Miss. Sexton and Bobby (using different names) said B U T T."  I informed him that lying was a sin and one of the ten commandments says don't lie.  But saying "Butt" is not breaking one of the ten commandments - it is just a bad word.  So thankful that he still thinks butt (even spells it) is a bad word. 

Daddy Doughnut Day

Lots of school activities last week! Grace had Daddy Doughnut Day at preschool. The Dads went in early to have some doughnuts with the kids and listen to them sing. Fun! Grace was so excited. I must say her teacher this year AMAZES me. Grace loves going and has learned so much this year. She came home on Thursday and said they drew underneath the tables. They taped paper to underneath the tables and laid on their back .. to see how hard it must have been for Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel. I would have never thought about something like that!

These pictures were taken from Rob's iPhone. Pretty good. Since Matthew's performance was the night before and our experience with the camera .. Rob said it would be easier to use the iPhone :)

Here are a few videos of the singing:

Matthew's 1st Grade Performance

Last week the 1st Grade in Matthew's school did a music performance. Matthew was very excited about this patriotic night. We all went to see Matthew sing with the entire 1st grade. They were all so cute and did a great job.

On another note Mommy and Daddy had a hard time figuring out the camera to take pictures with. I giggle still thinking about it we were in the third row and couldn't see the pictures on the display. So we were "looking" through the hole to take the picture .. so old fashion and I know there was someone next to us thinking .. gesh they just have to push that button. Rob got me a fancy (fancy for me) camera for Christmas and I REALLY need to learn it - inside and out.

Before we left. How is it that he is going to be 7 in just a few short months?

I asked for one serious picture .. so then he was free to pose how he wanted to.

My Will .. always up to something :)

Love when he wears things I made him. Three next month!!

I am sure there is a button on the camera for red eye reduction! Geesh! Matthew saw us and posed for each picture after that with the biggest smile. We was even waving to Will and Will was so excited to find him.

Naptime

Last week both Grace and Will fell asleep after school. They are so cute .. had to take a picture of this as Will seems to be outgrowing his naps .. napping is not as frequent as Mommy would like.

Snow Day Rain Day

The kids didn't have school today. I was actually glad. I feel everyone deserves a "snow day" during the winter. Who cares if it is March and all one inch of it melted by 11:00.

Grace went to an acting class with a friend and the boys and I went to one of those jumping places. Will was so worn out he fell asleep at 6:00. It is currently 10:00 and fearful he will wake up any minute.

My new addiction is Pinterest. It is amazing. Seriously amazing what people think of from crafts to recipes to simple DIY house cleaning products. There was one blog I found of a lady that has a list of dinner questions that the kids could pull out of a jar and ask everyone at dinner. We have done this a couple of times and the kids have so much fun with it. You can find them here.

So today we had "interviews" that both kids were in to. Their answers crack me up. Here is a sneak of their responses:

Matthew:

1. If you could have picked your own name what would it be? Jacob
2. What animal would you be? Gorilla
3. Which is your favorite cartoon character? Spongebob
4. If you were granted three wishes for a genie what would you wish? To have ice cream, drive Jimmy Johnsons car and win $1M.
5. Do you dance crazy when no one is looking? yes
6. Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song? No it is because that is how God thought it should be.
7. Tell me the five best things about you: I run fast, have brown eyes and hair, and I like wearing underwear with no pants.
8. What punishment have I given you that you thought was really unfair? You made me stay in my room for one whole half hour.
9. What was your favorite toy when you were little? Paci
10. What do you think of my driving? Pretty terrible Mommy (me really ??)

Grace:
1. Which is your favorite cartoon character? Barbie
2. If you could cook Mommy and Daddy dinner what would it be? Spagetthi
3. Favorite number? 100
4. Favorite color? Pink
5. Is there anything you pretend you understand, but you really don't? Spanish


I want to do these questions every year and compare their answers. Try it at dinner. So fun and she has loads of them.

Craft Weekend

Well the laundry might not have gotten folded this weekend but Mommy got all of her crafts done.

1. I tried my own chalk paint for furniture that you see all over the blogs. It worked good - picture of that to come soon. It will be the new TV stand for the third floor. Just have to finish the doors to go on the front.

2. I also made some cute things for Grace. I am a lazy sewer so when I find a pattern that is easy - I love it.

Here - Grace is already for St. Patrick's Day!

My toothless girl!!

Here are some other easy dresses I made. I always love the pillow case dress:

This one was going to be an Easter dress with a bunny on it. But then I thought it was so cute didn't want to limit it to just Easter so we did a beach theme.

Love this whale embroidered fabric. I made Will matching shorts.

Can't go wrong with polka dots. This same dress (coral color) was in Kelly's Kids for $56. There is nothing to it.

Here is another pattern with ribbon at the top - just as easy.

Will has matching shorts to this also.