School's Out for Summer

School’s Out for Summer!

Michael’s last day of Pre-2 was today.  I snuck in for the first 15 minutes of the morning to snap some pics of our soon-to-be three year-old.  Geesh, that’s weird to say.  I was pleased that Michael didn’t pay me any attention.  In fact, he was so busy in a block build-off I don't think he even knew I was there.  

I can describe Michael’s year in one word: EVOLUTIONARY!  I know that between the ages of two and three kiddos change quite a bit.  But, our MLB started the year not saying a single word other than hi, and now he is life’s little commentator which has been a huge sigh of relief for me personally.  I was beyond worried on our first day of speech therapy, and what do ya know Michael simply needed a little bit of time to come into his own.  He knows all of his colors, can count to 17 and backwards from 12.  Can identify numbers 1-13 and half of the alphabet.  He’s a shape wizard (thank you iPad), and has mastered the tricycle.  He refuses to color inside the lines, which I think is a great characteristic trait.  And, I am pleased to report he was excited every single Monday and Friday to see William and I waiting for him on the other side of the glass door.  I hope to always remember those hugs.  He is very much looking forward to having playdates over the summer with all of the friends he made during the school year, and we are all anxious for Pre-3 in the fall.  Oh, and Mr. William will also be in school come September.  One kiddo in school every day of the week.  What I’m I going to do with all my spare time?!

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen!

Too Many Cooks 
in the Kitchen!

Michael and William,

Today you asked me to make you pancakes for breakfast.  Actually, Michael you asked and William agreed with an “uh-huh!”  So, I retrieved all of the necessary ingredients and put them on the counter.  Mother Nature called so I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and returned to find this...

You both had pulled over stools and dug right into every ingredient I laid out.  I couldn't help but grab my camera, sit back and watch you work.  I could get used to this.  You both seem to enjoy being with me in the kitchen and that makes my heart smile.  William you are my official taste tester, and Michael, our professional mixer.  Needless to say I was cleaning up flour the entire time you were enjoying your flapjacks with extra syrup. 

I love you to the moon.

Mommy

Eighteen Years

Eighteen Years

Eighteen years ago I remember standing in my parents’ kitchen, anxiously watching my mother pace back and forth in labor with who was to be my first and only brother.  

Over the course of the last 18 years I have grown to love him more than I ever imagined or could begin to explain.  Our twelve year age difference proved to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.  I loved him the second he arrived.  I had the privilage of watching him be a tiny tot.  First steps and endless airplane rides.  He spent hundreds of hours in our high school gym as my number one fan at sporting events.  He cheered me on and memorized team rosters at the age of three.   He gave the best high fives after victories, and the sweetest hugs after losses.  He never complained when we dressed him up in girlie clothes for school projects.  He danced and knew the words to songs he shouldn’t have been listening to, but did because he had four older sisters.  He was a great travel buddy and weekend visitor later when I had moved away from home.  The roles were then reversed when his love for sports took up his time.  You could find me in the bleachers screaming at the top of my lungs and fetching him Gatorade.   And, now, he is an amazing young man with mountains of talent and a bright future ahead of him.  He is a phenomenal uncle to our boys and although we are not as close as we were when we were younger I hope he knows that I love him more than he could possibly understand.   

Happy Birthday, Mikey.  I love you more no matter what you say.  I love you more than a fat kid loves cake times infinity plus two no matter what you say.  Da Bears.  Go Cubbies.

Michael, I remember taking this picture and thinking I would share it with the world on your 18th birthday.  I just didn't know it would come so quickly.

The Graduate Part Deux

The Graduate

(Part Deux)

So, last night was a lot of fun... 

And, I've got the bruises to prove it.

The Graduate

The Graduate

Just had to take a second to CONGRATULATE Auntie Pup on receiving her degree from Bradley University today!! Dennis and I get to slip away for the night to celebrate in Peoria with the fam damily- thanks to Tiff and Mark for offering to be zookeepers for the evening!!  Then Auntie Pup will be headin’ back north on Monday where the boys are already making plans for the three of them.  Can you say endless games of hide and seek and break-her-back piggyback rides?? 

And, another big CONGRATS to my MIL and FIL.  Four kids, twelve years and kabillions of beers later... you are done paying college tuition!  Woot!

Bri Day!

Bri Day

Dennis and I are very fortunate to have such amazing friends.  Today, I had the chance to spend some time with one of my personal favorites, Miss Brianna North, as we celebrated her bridal shower.

Bri is the fiancée of Dennis’ best buddy from college and since meeting Dennis I have become a huge fan of Briness.  Bri and Jay are tying the knot at the beginning of June, and they have asked both Dennis and I to participate in their big day.  We couldn’t be more excited for these two- for if you have ever met them it’s safe to say they compliment each other better than any other couple you’ve met.  Really, they are pretty stinkin‘ perfect for one another.  

Back to the shower.  Bri’s lovely mom, Mrs. North, her maid of honor, Dawn, and another bridesmaid, Ali, hosted a shower for Bri at her childhood home.  Let’s just back up the truck for a second and let me tell you that I AM IN LOVE WITH THE NORTH HOME!  Picture antique windows, vintage furniture, and original artwork by Mrs. North dancing about every wall.  I secretly wanted to lift a couple of pieces and take them home with me but found it inappropriate behavior at a bridal shower.  My favorite part about this home is that every corner you turn you can see the love between Bri, her brother and her parents.  Pictures of the four of them decorating this beautiful home just made me realize that I have only known Bri for a short five years, and in that short amount of time I have grown to love Bri because she is simply amazing.  I can’t imagine the relationship she has with the people who have known her her entire life.  It's evident walking from room to room that they love their daughter beyond words.  I think it's pretty special.  With that being said, Jay is one helluva lucky guy.

The Beautiful Bride

Mr. North enjoying the company.

Bridal Shower Bingo

The Bride and her MOH

Kerry and Julie


The Bridal Party

Bri and her lovely hostesses

If it isn't obvious I am very much looking forward to the celebration in June.  One month to go, Briness!!  One month to go.

Projects Galore!

Projects Galore

Things are pretty hectic around here.  And, by hectic I mean folded laundry has been sitting on my dining room table for three days, there are a kabillion weeds growing in my garden, and the boys’ play room looks as though an F5 went through it.  But, all of these tasks are just going to have to wait because I’m busy.  I don’t know about you guys but we are about to hit one helluva crazy summer.  In fact, we have only one weekend on the calendar that is not booked and we’re hoping to get in a little family vaca that week or else it just isn’t gonna happen.  What’s penciled in you may ask?  Well, weddings, birthday parties, showers, bachelorette parties, graduations, more weddings, graduation parties and Iowa football.  Although the thought of the craziness makes me want to tear my hair out it also brings pure excitement to my heart.  I'm in the middle of  8 major projects at the moment.  Today I’ve spent a couple of hours on this...

Now, you are thinking, “What the hell?  It’s just a bunch of ribbon.”  Not exactly.  And, I can’t quite tell you what it is either because it’s part of another big project I've been working on for the last month or so.  Something that has been on the back burner for a little while but is finally happening!  I’m so excited- I just want to burst.  If you know me you know that I’m not very good at keeping secrets.  The if I buy someone a present I have to call them to tell them about it kind of can’t keep a secret.  But, I think just this one time I will keep this secret until I can’t take it anymore which should be sooner rather than later.  Eeeeek, I just peed my pants a little. :)