Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a little hectic this year, but filled with getting to see and celebrate lots of special moms in our lives. I was planning to start the day with a run, but Matt got up with Paige and the other two slept until 8:45, so I laid in bed, instead. Matt took the above picture and put it in a journal that I may or may not have bought and told him to start for me (and reminded him to do again this year). Each year, instead of a card, he puts in a picture of the kids. Then they each draw/write on a page and he gets quotes from each of them about me. This was only our second year doing it, but I love it already.

Brooke had been planning a puppet show for me all week. She made the butterfly puppet at home, then she and Lexi made other puppets when we got to St. Louis. I think the original plan was for everyone but the moms to have a puppet, but they did just fine with the two of them.

It was a really cute play about insects (what Brooke was learning about in school last week).

I'd imagine we'll have many more performances like this in our future.

I mentioned that we went out to breakfast that morning, too. Here are my parents and my Aunt Nancy with my kids.

After breakfast and the puppet show, we made our way back home. Brooke and Miles didn't fall asleep until about 3 hours into the ride, which also kept Paige from sleeping well. But we made it safely and they were in pretty good spirits at Matt's grandma's, so I can't complain.

Maybe one day we'll get a good shot of all of them?

Then all the grandparents got in on the action.

Paige got her first taste of summer sausage AND enjoyed some of the yummy cake that Will and Jamie made.

She also got to play with/poke at Bri for a bit.

Of course it's not without it's stresses and monotony, but the past 5 1/2 years have truly been the happiest of my life. I love these kids more than I can express and am so incredibly thankful to God that I get to be the one they call mom. Happy Mother's Day!

Tour de Parks

In looking through my photos, I realized that either we go to a lot of playgrounds or I take a disproportionate amount of photos while we're at playgrounds. I think it's a combination of the two. At any rate, get ready for a bunch of pictures of my kids on playground equipment.

This was at a playground that we discovered near Matt's office. The kids are really into "big slides" lately, so it was a hit.

We stopped by Kelly Park as a family after church a few weeks ago.

All four of them swinging at the same time. Cute, right?

Speaking of cute...

I think Matt underestimated his width.

He lost that race.

Too cool.

Another "big slide."

Matt wasn't quite as awkward going down this one.

At Briar Patch Park with Kali. I am not a fan of this swing due to its labor-intensity on the part of the caregiver, but the kids love it. Probably for that same reason.

At Prairie Path Park after school one day.

He's pretty brave when it comes to climbing things. And Brooke is generally a good encourager.

I can't handle it.

This might be my favorite picture of the three of them.

We've also spent some time at the Tot Lot by our house. Paige is enjoying her new kiddie cruiser.

Stink Eye.

Not sure why he was crying, but it must've either been for a sweet or ridiculous reason.

I dare say, she's getting the hang of pictures.

Finally, Brighton Park with Miles and Paige.

There are about six ways to climb on to the apparatus at this park and he tried every one.

Paige also loves going down slides and he LOVES to catch her.

Speaking of Paige, all these playgrounds have reminded me how tough the stage that she's at is for them. She moves enough that she's not safe to sit and leave, plus the ground is usually nasty, so it looks like it's going to be a spring/summer of tiring playground visits for me.

Well worth it.

Weekend Visit

We made a quick visit to St. Louis this past weekend. The weather was pretty warm, but also rainy. We visited my grandparents on Friday afternoon (I didn't get any pictures of that this time), then went to see "Monkey Kingdom" at the cheap movie theater. It was a really cute movie and the kids all did great.

We went to dinner after and thankfully had the patio to ourselves for most of it so these guys could do this kind of stuff.

On Saturday morning, my dad made a big breakfast for us. When I told Brooke we were going over there for breakfast she cheered and said, "Papa T makes the BEST breakfast!" And I have to agree. Even though I'm not really breakfast person, I indulge when he cooks it.

There was a spirited game of "Hi Ho Cherry-O."

Paige enjoyed the exersaucer.

And the big kids got a little time with Grandma's computers.

The memorial service for my Aunt Esther was Saturday afternoon. It was very well-done and touching and I'm so glad we were able to be there. I was also able to see a lot of family that I hadn't seen in years. Here are all my dad's grandkids with his sister, Brenda's, granddaughters. They had fun playing together.

Aunt Nancy played catch with Miles and Danielle for probably an hour.

He was happy to show off the skills he learned in sports class.

This sweet girl keeps getting bigger and cuter and smiley-er. Love her!

We finished the weekend with breakfast at Cracker Barrel. On Mother's Day. Not our wisest decision.

We had to wait for about an hour, but the kids did well, especially considering the sleep-deprivation they're always suffering from by the end of our visits.

It was great to be able to see so much family and celebrate special ladies - Aunt Esther, and my grandma and mom. See you next month, St. Louis!