Seven Year Old Saturday

Emma has her end of the year ballet recital in just a couple of months. She had her class picture and tried on costumes this past week. I snapped a few pics but will get professional ones made next month. I just love the one above! Last year we missed out on the pics because she had broken her arm.

I absolutely love watching her dance...she's so graceful and has so much spirit. She is the youngest one in her class by at least 3 years and continues to do a fantastic job. She makes this mommy very proud! She continues to do well in school and has enjoyed this spring break as much as her mom this year. We can all use a brain break, right?!

She just about broke my heart on Friday when I was going to do her hair and she said "no pigtails, ok, mom? They are just too babyish for me!" Yikes...I wanted to cry right there!

Four Year Old Friday

This week went by way too quickly for me. I almost forgot it was Friday! I have enjoyed every minute of being home with Emma and Max... I just love this preview to summer! Monday and Tuesday were spent at home catching up on things around the house and regular activites: a t-ball game and ballet Tuesday night and just playing! Damian and I even managed to squeeze in a little date! Then we headed to my sister's on Wednesday. We met up at our fav Chic-fil-a for lunch then headed to the outlets on International Drive. I love shopping with my sis and probably could've stayed there all day and night if we didn't have five kids! I did find some cute spring clothes for the kiddos. We even managed to take the kids out to dinner at Abuelo's and were complimented by an older couple on how well behaved the kids were. Now that's a success!

On Thursday, my sister, mom, and I took the kids to Epcot for the day. My dad has been working hard on the Flower and Garden festival. He met us out there and showed us his area. It looks beautful of course and I have tons of pictures of the foliage and topiaries. The kids were really into it this year and were especially proud of their Papaw!

I have more pictures to share but wanted to share some of my favorite four year old!

He has been such a good boy this week and he makes me laugh daily! I almost had to pull over on the side of the road today when we were driving home and he counted from 1-100 by himself. I was shocked. I know he's a smart little guy but sometimes he amazes me even more than I realize. I'm not even sure if Emma could do that at his age and she is well beyond her years. He has also been trying to read words everywhere we go. He and Emma love to play word games in the car and it warms this teacher's heart!! His favorite book right now is Elmo's Homerun. We read it several times every night. I cherish the moments he snuggles up in my lap to read because I know he's growing up so fast and won't want to forever. He is also still into his legos and takes everything apart and puts it back together in record time. He told me the other day that he wants the Easter bunny to bring him another Playmobil Knight's castle so his "knights could have competitions". I have no idea where he comes up with these things! He also still loves his puzzles and board games; Headbandz and Angry Birds are the favorites of the moment.

Max's favorite topiaries were Woody and Buzz and Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen. I loved that he ran over and and was asking me to take his picture. I also have a cute one of him talking to Cinderella. What a little prince charming!!

He thought he was a cool dude in those shades and kept them on for the entire day at the park! He also had a haircut today...I didn't realize how crazy it was getting!

Damian and I took the kids out for pizza and bowling tonight and then stopped by our local sporting goods store to get Max some new t-ball socks. Damian orginially bought him men's size small and I had to fold them over a couple times. It was pretty funny! Max almost couldn't contain his excitement in the store...I loved watching him!

We're off to another t-ball game tomorrow morning and a trip to the zoo.

I don't want the fun to end! C'mon summer...

6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Bash

Our good friends Mark and Erin hosted their annual St. Patrick's Day bash and as usual it was a ton of fun! I can't believe it's been 6 years since the first one and 7 years since Erin, Melanie, Moe and I had a girl's St. Paddy weekend away.

It's always nice to have a parent's night out and hang out with awesome friends! Especially since we don't see everyone as much as we'd like. Most of these pics were taken as the festivities began...I put the camera away towards the end of the evening but I know Kim got some good shots of us dancing the night away!

The night included fun friends, yummy food, delicious drinks, games, and dancing!

Good times for sure!!

Mommy and Me Monday

Friday night Damian and I took the kids out for date nights. Max and I headed to Beef O'Brady's and met up with his best buddy Brody and his mom Jessi, then we went to see The Lorax. We had a lot of fun and he was so excited!!

Emma requested Red Robin so they headed out there then went to the golf simulator store and Justice. He got a great deal and bought her a cute shirt, earrings, and nail polish. They ended their night with a stop at Mochi Berry for fro yo! Love those nights out with the kids! Although they are growing way too quickly, they are so much fun!

We had a busy weekend with t-ball pictures and a game, a St. Patrick's Day bash, and a 5th birthday party for Brody at Jump-In.

Today was the first day of Spring Break and so far we have enjoyed every minute...sleeping in, hanging out in pj's, homemade breakfast, playing their little hearts out, catching up on laundry and housework(for me) and hoping Daddy gets off early to go play outside!

weekend getaway

A few weeks ago we were talking to our friends Jon and Cathy about a possible weekend getaway to Cocoa Beach to celebrate Cathy's 30th birthday. We were so excited that weekend was finally here! We dropped the kids off with Gram and Papaw on Friday afternoon and headed to the beach. Friday night was so much fun! Seriously one of the best nights out I've had in forever!! We went to dinner and then headed to an Irish pub. I wish I had taken my camera to get some shots of the dancing, singing, laughing, and dart playing.

We were so happy when we woke up Saturday to beautiful weather and blue skies. We were a little worried about the possible chance of rain. After heading to a little diner for breakfast it was time to hit the beach. It was nice to sit back, relax, and just hang out! We all really needed that! One of Cathy's best friends Kelly and her boyfriend Jeremy joined us on the beach and Saturday evening for some more fun! I think Bocce ball on the beach was the highlight!

After our entire day at the beach, we got ready for a night on the town. We had dinner, went to the pier and ended up at a place called Sandbar. I'll be honest...I was pretty exhausted from being in the sun all day but it was still a good time. I look back and think I nap would've been a good idea! But, we enjoyed listening to the live bands and chatting away. One of the funniest parts of the night was when one two man band asked for the lyrics for a song so Kelly pulled out her iphone and helped the guy out. We didn't stay there too long. Of course, I had my camera for Saturday night but didn't get too many pics. Everyone loved the surf board!

Here are a couple of beach pics I took with my phone:

It was a fabulous weekend away with my hubby! I absolutely love being with my kids but think it's so important to spend one on one time together..especially since we have been running kids in all different directions with their after school activities and have been so busy lately!

We enjoyed every minute and I cannot wait until we celebrate our 10 year anniversary in June.

our Saturday mornings

Our Saturday mornings (and a couple of weeknights) for the next few months will be spent at the ball fields.

And this little...I mean Big...boy couldn't be more excited!

He had a ball(ha ha) this morning!

We haven't been up to anything new...school, work, and our usual busyness, long commutes, shuttling kids all around town, etc.! We celebrated Dr. Seuss all week in my classroom so that was a nice change of routine and I actually had one day where every single student earned a happy face--that's a first for this year!!!

I was saddened to hear of the tornadoes in Southern Indiana yesterday. I grew up in Scottsburg which is about 15 minutes away from Henryville and Maryville where the town was leveled. Thankfully, my family and friends who live there are all safe and sound. My cousin's mother in-law was working in the post office in Maryville when the tornado came and blew the roof off...so scary! I just cannot believe such destruction happened in a town I am so familiar with...it certainly makes me hug my family a little tighter! Tomorrow we are getting together with everyone for my niece Allie's 4th birthday and Rachel's 5th birthday celebration. It will be extra special because my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Thomas and Uncle Johnny and Aunt Sharon Lea are here from Indiana. We haven't seen them since my Grandma Goldie's funeral in May...it will be so nice to visit with all of them!
We are counting down for our weekend away at the beach with our friends Cathy and Jon--only 6 more days to go! Bring on the sun, sand, and fruity drinks!! Spring Break is only 10 school days away! I'm looking forward to being home with the kids and just relaxing, spending time with cousins and friends, and maybe a day or two at Disney!