Ack! Summer is breathing down my neck!

          The lazy hazy days of summer are right around the corner.  I am usually so excited for this time of year but I don't have a plan of action for the summer yet.  School activities are bursting around me, the pool and sprinkler are up and running, I have 50 million loads of laundry because of said pool and sprinkler and it just never gets dark!  Summer is breathing down my neck!  It is very hard explaining to a 4 year old that it really is almost bed time even though it's still light out.  I tell the kids my hard knock story of having to be in bed when I was little when it was still light out.  I could hear all the neighborhood kids outside and there I was in bed!  They look at me with their eyes wide and jaws open and can't believe that Grandma and Poppy could have been that cruel!  You should see them when I tell them that Grandma used to lock the screen door so we would have to stay outside and play! 
     Kaitlyn and Zac had their last CCD classes last week.  This was the end of Kaitlyn's CCD days.  How in the name of CCD does that happen???  I swear it was just last year that she was in first grade and I signed her up at our "NEW" church, St. Cornelius, because we were moving here in the fall.  It was just yesterday that I raced to pick her up on time all the way from Aston and the lady in front of me got so mad that she stopped her car, got out and read me the riot act.  I explained that I had to be on time to pick up my 6 year old, she didn't care....she must not have been a mother.  I went into a panic the other night when I realized that since that just felt like yesterday, the next 6 years will go by just as quickly (or even faster) and Kaitlyn will be getting ready to graduate from High School.  Impossible!!!  Well here she is, still 11, leaving for her last ever CCD class...



     The weather has been warming up quickly after our very cool April and most of May.  Jason put the pool up, we brought the sprinkler out and we have been grilling a lot on the weekends.

Gray watching the action from his perch inside





     This week brought Brayden's first year of preschool to a close.  This was bittersweet.  He never really got used to going to school.  Up until the very last day the teacher (God bless her!) had to literally peel him off of me!  I would then run to my car and ask Kristin or another Mom that was just bringing their child to school to tell me how Brayden was.  They always came out to tell me that he was perfectly fine and you wouldn't have known that 2 minutes ago he was crying with protest.  Bugger!  He would have a great time once the intitial ripping away from me was complete (I guess he didn't realize that he was ripping my heart out with him!)!  But is was draining so I am happy that it is over because it broke my heart every Tue. and Thur. morning to take him.  He would always ask on the ride if it was a little day.  A little day meant he was only there until 11:30.  On the long days he stayed for lunch and played until 2.  I truly believe he enjoyed school overall but geez he liked to torture me beforehand.  Today was his end of the year picnic.  It was an incredible day.  Sunny and in the low 80's.  We brought Lemonade and Key Lime cupcakes.  They had hot dogs, fruit salad, cupcakes and more.  There were pony rides (although he would only pet the pony, not ride him) and sand art.  The kids played on the playground and had a blast.  Jason was able to come for the last part as well.  At the very end, they released their butterflies that they watched go from caterpillars to beautiful butterflies.  And then it was time to say goodbye to Teacher Jen and Teacher Kim.  I couldn't hold back the tears when I hugged Teacher Jen goodbye and thanked her for all that she did for Brayden.  Brayden is going to a new preschool in the fall so it was sad to say goodbye today.

Sept 2010, Brayden 1st day of school

Brayden and Luke back in Sept

Luke and Brayden at the end of year picnic (man, have they grown!)

Brayden, Merrin and Luke

Brayden at the sand art table

Releasing the butterflies

Brayden and Teacher Jen

Saying goodbye to Teacher Kim, sniff sniff

Gray hanging with the big preschoolers

How cute is he???

     This week we look forward to Zac's field day, a pool party at the O'Donoghues and then off to Leesburg, VA for Natalie's college graduation (how the hell did that happen?  Wasn't she just 7 years old singing to the Spice Girls at our wedding???)

A little of this and little of that....

     When I was in fourth grade I got a diary.  I was so excited to write in it everyday and lock it up with the tiny key.  It was almost like a new friend.  Well I promised to write in it everyday.  I would write in it my promises of dedication.  But then weeks would go by and I would forget about it.  When I picked it up again to write I would feel so guilty looking at those blank pages (this was the type of diary that had the dates already printed on them).  So I would pour out my heart and apologize to my diary and promise to do better next time.  But it never failed, I would do the same thing again.  That is how I feel about this blog.  I want to keep a record of everything we do and I had such high hopes of doing just that.  Taking pictures, writing down little notes during the week etc.  But sadly I have neglected it as I did my poor diary.  Onward I go with new promises to do a better job! 
     I've been feeling a bit down lately so it has been hard for me to get the motivation to write.  So many people I love are going through such hard times and it's breaking my heart and bringing my spirits down.  I pray for my brother and his kids daily as they struggle with the loss of their dear wife and mother.  I don't know how he does it, but he just keeps going and he is such a shining example to his kids.  My sister has gone through a rough divorce and has started a new job that she doesn't really like.  My Dad has had medical issues that have slowed him down a bit.  Jason's Mom was just diagnosed with colon cancer.  She had surgery in the beginning of May but recently found out that she will need chemotherapy as well.   They just moved here from York, PA (after living there their entire lives) and are adjusting to this new life and now they have to face this challenge as well.  I just feel so helpless for all of these hard times and it's been hard lately to stay positive for my own family.  I've been snapping more at the kids and feeling just generally overwhelmed.  But I am going to try to put things into a new perspective and give my family my very best.  So here are a few things that we have been doing...
     Mother's Day 2011 goes down in my book as one of the best Mother's Days ever!  I got to sleep in until 10 am!  And then was presented with an incredible breakfast in bed...eggs, English muffin, bacon and a large iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts!  Who could ask for more?  Well more I got!  I got to go to the track all by myself (I have to admit I was actually a little lonely) and then I headed to Home Depot.  All. By. Myself!!!  I picked out plants and just walked around in awe getting so many ideas.  I headed home and Jason grilled while me and the kids worked on our garden.  The weather was incredible.  For about 7 days in a row we had sunny blue skies in the mid 70's without humidity.  Jason and I felt like we were back in Albuquerque.  That evening Jason took a few kids and headed over to his Mom's to bring a few gifts for her as well.



That evening I opened up my cards and just realized how blessed I am to have the family that I have.  They are the best!

     This past weekend was Jason and Kaitlyn's annual Indian Princess Father/Daughter camping trip.  The camp is on the Chesapeake Bay and this was their 6th year!  I got Kaitlyn out of school early on Friday and then they were off.

Wendy was sad to see them go



     This weekend is always pretty fun for me and the boys as well.  Poor Zac had me all to himself the first year and then we seemed to add a new boy every couple years!  Friday night we headed to bed early (Zac and Brayden slept in my bed with me) and watched TV in bed for awhile.  Saturday morning we headed to Dunkin Donuts for some breakfast.  After Grayson's nap we first went to GameStop where Zac purchased the new NBA 2011 Wii game with some gift cards from his birthday.  Brayden had a little money from Poppy so he got a pre-owned Batman Lego game for his DS.  After GameStop we went to a plant sale for a children's charity.  It started to pour so we didn't stay very long.  I did get a tomato plant, oregano and some red leaf lettuce to add to my garden.  We were then off to Texas Roadhouse for lunch.  Zac missed out on this restaurant when we went for Valentine's Day so he was excited to see what it was like.  It didn't disappoint.  Well the atmosphere didn't disappoint but the ribs did a bit.  I think that we are just spoiled because Jason grills the best ribs ever and it's hard to live up to his ribs.  But we had other good food and a very good time.  When we were seated with the 3 boys, the server told me it looked like I had my hands full.  But they were so good!  After we were finished eating I began to lose them to their crazy boy shenanigans and let the server know that I was losing them and needed the check fast! 

     After lunch we headed to Toys R Us where Zac bought yet another Wii game- Pirates of the Caribbean Lego- with his other gift cards from his birthday.  That evening Zac played at Brendan's most of the night.  Brendan's Mom said her house was too noisy (she was watching her nephew and 2 nieces for the weekend) and headed up to our house to hang out and have some beers!  Good times!  Once Zac got home we watched a movie and then went to bed.  Surprisingly, Jason and Kaitlyn decided to come home late Sat. night.  They did all that there is to do on Friday and all day Sat. so they wanted to sleep in their own beds and came home.  Speaking of all that they do, here is what I was told that they did ...
They went fishing (Cammy Deery caught a huge bass) in the bay, they actually went swimming in the bay, they had campfires, consumed lots of snacks and candy while the Dads consumed beer!  On Sat. they went kayaking, speedboat racing, rock climbing, archery, biking, more fishing, scavenger hunt, volleyball, horseshoe toss and a talent show which Kaitlyn DJ'd.  Jam packed!

scavenger hunt

watching the talent show

So onward to this week...The big kids have off on Tuesday so they will be going to preschool with Brayden.  Brayden and Grayson both have well checks on Monday, probably some shots and tears.  Wendy has her annual check up on Thur.  Kaitlyn has piano, dance, volleyball and her last CCD class ever!!!  And then a volleyball game on Sat.  Zac just has his last CCD class for this year.  I promise to blog again soon!

   

Mixed bag

     What a week!  The kids went back to school on Tuesday.  The transition back seemed to go smoothly.  Wednesday Brayden, Gray and I headed to Barnes and Noble for their story time.  This is something that I used to do with Kaitlyn all the time.  But the other kids, not so much.  I was so good reading to Kaitlyn too.  And with each child, it dwindled.  Brayden loves books so much (luckily so do Kaitlyn and Zac, they always have their nose in a book) and wants me to read to him a lot.  So I am truly making the effort with him and I do enjoy it as well.  Grayson doesn't appreciate a good story yet, he just likes to destroy books.  He is my first book destroyer.  We have books that we got when Kaitlyn was little and are, I should say were, in perfect condition until Gray got his hands on them.  Anyway, back to Barnes and Noble.  They had a great story teller and the theme was "Things that Go".  So she read three books- one about a train, one about a boat and then one about all kinds of things that go.  Afterwards she handed out coloring sheets and the kids colored.  I got Kaitlyn a new book and I bought a book to read to Zac's class this Friday...I'm the Mystery Reader for his 3rd grade class.  Wednesday evening, I took Kaitlyn and Zac to Zac's school for a Dome Theater Show.  This was amazing.  It was held in the school gym and it resembled a moon bounce.  It was all black and you had to squeeze your was through the openings.  Everyone sat on the floor (I'd say it held about 15 people).  A movie was then played all over the inside and it was shaped like a dome at the top.  It was similar to a planetarium with an addition of the movie which played all over the walls and ceiling.  The movie was about comets, asteroids, planets etc. and it was narrated by Robert Redford.  Very interesting stuff.
     This weekend was jam packed again.  Saturday was a very blessed day for Kaitlyn and my Godson, Patrick.  Patrick received his First Communion and Kaitlyn received her Confirmation.  Luckily Patrick's First Communion was in the morning and we were able to go to his party for a bit before Kaitlyn's Confirmation.  When I walked in through the front door, I was greeted by Kristin in the hall way and we both started screaming "Oh My God!" with our jaws dropped to the ground.  We had on the same dress!  Well it was the exact same pattern but the styles were a bit different.  We may be best friends but we have never bought or worn the same thing before!  Luckily I was only staying for an hour!

Kristin and Lauren

     Kristin had a delectably delicious spread offered for all to enjoy.  Bagels from New York (not New York Bagel, but the actual state of New York!).  I have never consumed an authentic New York bagel before this event and I couldn't believe how good they really were.  Why is it so hard for these bagel places around here to replicate that taste and texture?  She also had her famous sticky buns from our playgroup days.  I also love her breakfast casserole and I will have to get the recipe to share because it really hits the spot.  There were munchkins, ham, cream cheese and lox, fruit, coffee, mimosas (which Kaitlyn drank by accident thinking it was just OJ!) and more.  Lovely time!

Patrick and Lauren

     After Patrick's party, we headed to the church for Kaitlyn's Confirmation.  It was a beautiful ceremony and the Bishop was great.  He was extremely young, having just being ordained this past August.  He switched back and forth between his tall Bishops hat (I'm sure it has a proper name) and a bright pink beanie that looked like a yarmaka (not sure how to spell that one).  Cheri, my sister, was Kaitlyn's Sponsor (she is also her Godmother) and a good one at that. 

Cheri and Kaitlyn going up to the Bishop

Officially confirmed

Sponsor and Confirmee

Kaitlyn and Grandma

Our family

Jackie and Kaitlyn

     After the service, we headed over to Harvest to celebrate Kaitlyn.  Harvest is amazing.  The food is from local farms and the menu changes seasonally.  We got a big table outside and enjoyed the sun.  Gramy, Aunt Kris and Papa joined us as well.

Jackie and Kaitlyn perusing the menu

Gray and Zac

Aunt Kris, Gramy and Kaitlyn

Aunt Kris and Gray sporting some shades

Brayden

     Sunday brought us a great visit from Poppy and Nana.  The kids were so excited for them to come.  It has been awhile since we have gotten together.  Brayden kept asking me to call him on his cell phone to find out when he would arrive.  Whenever Poppy and Nana visit, I always make brownies and we always have pistachios.  This is the only time that I make brownies and we have pistachios!  So the kids inhaled them and I had to explain that pistachios are only reserved for their visits and Poppy said, "It sure looks like it!" because of the way they were digging into them.  We also always order from Concord Pike Steak shop and Jason and Poppy (and occasionally a tag along like Zac or Brayden, today it was Brayden) go to pick it up.  We got pizza, cheese steaks, mozzarella sticks, wings, etc!  And then enjoyed the brownies. 

The feast

Grand kids #5, #7, #9 and #10 and Poppy and Nana

     Finally, this weekend brought us a new addition to our family.  It was quite a surprise to me.  A 2006 XC90 Volvo...