Halloween 2012

there is a downside to attending, like, 100 Halloween parties before the actual big event.

gypsy ali's ears were sore from so many hours of wearing cheap huge hoop earrings.

leopard mia's black leggings were in the laundry and her back-up pair were missing.

pirate izzy's costume was stained and her red boots were missing.

mom was tired and tired of crying kids.

dad was done with the whole thing.

but, like the little soldiers they are, they toughened up, pulled together and made it work.

gypsy ali took a tylenol.

leopard mia opened a brand new pack of black holiday tights (that I will now need to replace).

pirate izzy wore tennis shoes and a dirty costume.

 Can't even tell that 2 outta 3 of them were crying 10 seconds before I snapped this, can you?

Grandmas can fix anything.

I loved ali's homemade gypsy costume this year.  we made it together.  she looked authentic.

we surprised auntie by stopping at her new abode first.

we wanted to see the cousins all dressed up!

Forget the chocolate, I want to eat this sweet ninja!  look at the guns on that 4 year old.

is that ralph macchio?  it is!  james is not into dressing up - he does not like to stray far from normal.  so we were all relieved when his mom suggested he just wear his karate uniform and he agreed.  hi yah!

I can't handle a sad baby witch on Halloween.  Quick, somebody give it a lollypop!

Punkin Party ‘12

 

          

Annual Punkin Party.  Kettle corn, hot apple cider, caramel apples, cousins, pumpkin guts, jack o’laterns, crazy pumpkin eating golden retrievers and MOM ZOMBIES.  We always manage to have a freakishly good time.  And we always manage to get stuck with ALL the pumpkin carving. 

A pretty smile

I was going through the bedtime routine, trying to keep my cool through multiple requests for water, hugs, kisses, books, daddy... All while aching to sit on the sofa with the daddy and watch Snow White and the Huntsman. Mommy time, you know?

Then Eva asks (in the sweetest little voice) "Mommy, can you find my Barbie? I really miss her. I want to snuggle with her.". Seriously? Second time tucking her in and she now wants me to go find one particular Barbie from amongst the 50 that we probably have?!

"Evie, mommy cant go looking for your Barbie right now. It's bedtime and I don't even know what she looks like or where she is."

"She has pink, and long hair and a very pretty smile. Please Mommy?"

A very pretty smile is what did me in. The movie, mommy time, and daddy waited while I tracked down the Barbie fitting this vague description and tucked her in with Eva (for the third time).

Does every mom have this weakness for adorable requests from precocious preschoolers?

Eye Black

Game night! Mia has been invited to guest play on her Dad's 7 year old boys' team. It's a big deal for a GIRL to be asked to play with the BOYS.

Ali has practice tonight, but she's working on looking intimidating for her tournament this weekend.

Go Odyssey!!

Rhubarb

After weeks of driving around this silly town, I finally found rhubarb!! And I bought WAY more than I need.

Thanks Sprouts!! You're my hero!

My OWN room

Mia has been asking for her own bedroom. I'm not too surprised, Ali was about 6 when she moved in to her own room.

What I don't get is why she wants her own room when she won't even sleep in her own bed?!

Cake Pops

I'm spending way too much time on the road and away from my family overnight all for the sake of higher education and achieving my goals. It's a sacrifice, but I have an AWESOME husband who manages to work and parent at the same time without losing his mind. Most the time. And I'm almost done!

Last week as I was driving home after 2 nights away, I had this thought:

If I crashed on my way home tonight, my biggest regret would be that I never made cake pops with my girls. (bit of background: Mia and Eva have spent hours watching baking tutorials on YouTube. It's a huge hobby around here and they've been begging to try making cake pops for a long while.)

Then I thought:

1) I must be living right if that's my biggest regret. 2) get home and get to the store and make those treats.

So I did. And we had a great time and they were delicious.

Now it's time for...

1st GRADE!!

Another kindergarten graduate.  What the heck?  I can't believe the year is over. 

 I only have ONE girl left to start and graduate kindergarten.  That's a tough one. 

 Amelia got her kindergarten diploma with grace and style as usual and announced her grown-up ambition to be a veterinarian.  I don't doubt our Wild One will be the best vet and we are so proud of her!!    

My experience has been that Kindergarten is an amazing year.

We sent them our little girl and 9 months later we have a student.

A reading, writing, routine-lover who stands in line with her hands behind her back, raises her hand to speak and orders hot lunch.  

She loves school and she loves her best friend, Emma.

It's going to be a great summer.

So long Kindergarten, see you soon 1st grade!

Thank you

Thank you Grandpa Robinson, PaPa Portz, Grandpa Nadalsky, 

and Auntie Natalie Robinson for your service to our country.

THANK YOU from the beach in Galveston, Texas.

We love you.

Happy Memorial Day.

Legends Invitational Division CHAMP

Natalie was invited to play as a guest on an older girls soccer team in the place of an injured player.
She played with heart, she gave it everything she had, she played the center midfield (a leadership position if you don't know anything about soccer, like me) and she lead the team in tackles.  My kid.  Tackles.  What??
Boy, were we proud of her.  She is really something.

That's our #9.  She comes up to the other girls armpits.

She is not phased by the size difference, however.  She uses it to her full advantage.  I enjoy listening to the commentary on the sidelines when I'm incognito...

Natalie received special recognition from Coach Holly and was the first to receive a medal at the awards ceremony.  She was surprised.  He said that Ali proves that big things come in small packages.

Being a Mom

Blessing  Challenge  Thankful  Happy  Tired  Sunshine  Innocent  Smiling  Laughter  Joy  Cooperation  Gift  Precious  Future  Learning  Caring  Nurture  Potential  Healthy  Hope  Strong  Confident  Love

Iris de Mayo

Iris was born on May 4th.  We immediately stopped celebrating 

Cinco de Mayo and began celebrating Iris de Mayo! 

 Par-tay!  Here is this year's celebration in photos.