Dance recital 2017

In my mind, the dance season is 1 month too long, and I think our girls agree. They love to dance, I see them practicing and I love the art of dance and the exercise it provides. Mind-body-soul it is good for them. But come recital time, we are all ready for it to be o.v.e.r!

This year, Regan took danceline, ballet and lyrical classes as well as took part in the opener and finale dances for the recital. Sidney took acro (acrobatics combined with dance), tap and jazz. The studio is so large that they host 2 dress rehearsals and as luck would have it, each of our girls were in one :( There are also FOUR recitals and we had to get the kids to all of them!! It's over the top, but we oblige and they had so much fun!

In the end, despite the whinning 4 weeks before it was all over, they are now asking to sign up for MORE dance classes next year! We'll have to wait and see on that one....

Innagural band concert

When we heard that our elementary school required the 5th graders to participate in band, we were a little surprised. But like two good parents would do, we set out to give Regan the experience she deserved with her first year of band. We allowed her to choose any instrument she would like, either standard band or orchestra and set to practice and learn this new instrument. Her choice?: clarinet. I know she was inspired by the 18 year old neighbor girl who also plays clarinet, and figured it was give her an incentive to practice.

Sadly, I think that clarinet collected more dust than we would have liked. It's not that she doesn't like playing it, she just hasn't found a practice schedule that works for her. Of course we know that she should "practice everyday", but let's face it, that's not realistic in this house. But when she did practice, I tried to get little snippets of her music. Click HERE to listen.

After 8 months, she and her classmates gathered up for their first band concert. I must say, I was actually impressed with how well they sounded! Unfortunately, due to the evening concert coinciding with softball and dress rehearsal for her dance recital, Regan was only able to make it to the day concert....hence the not-so-dressed up 11 year old :) Still so proud of her!

Mother's Day 2017

Mother's Day this year happened to coincide exactly with Hope's college graduation (see previous post). I can't say that thrilled me much (commencement ceremonies aren't the most entertaining), but my mom....? she was pretty excited for that fact. You see, it meant that she got to spend ALL DAY with both of her kids and see her grand-kids. She lucked out I tell you! 

We are beyond lucky to call her mom. I laugh at myself when I split up my kids using my physical body, recollecting when my mom used to sit between Ben and me in church. I smile when the kids join me in the laundry room, thinking back to when I used to perch on the dryer and watch her iron clothes as we talked about the day. And I chuckle when I hear myself tell Ryan to "calm down" in dealing with the day's tantrum/tears/drama, because it reminds me of my mom's words to my dad. She's an amazing mom with patience of a saint and we love her to pieces! 

Following commencement, we were able to spend the remainder of the day pool side with a little back-yard BBQ to celebrate both Mom's day and Hope's graduation. I thank my lucky stars to have these 3 cuties call me mom everyday. I know that I joke about changing my name to dad after a long day of "mom!, mom!, mom!". But in the end, they warm my heart and make be proud to call them my children. I wouldn't want life any other way.
Happy Mother's Day! 

Class of 2017

We will spend the next few weeks/months celebrating a variety of graduations. From our own Regan's 5th grade graduation, to several friends/family high school graduations. But first, we kicked off the season with Hope's college graduation. 

I honestly am shocked how quickly the last 4 years have gone, and am so proud of her for achieving this goal on time. Given all that she has been through, she made us proud as they announced her name among all those graduates today. 

Thank goodness for technology because with a sea of this many students, it took a text and ultimately a wave from both sides for us to find each other. 

I'm so bummed that I forgot my long-lens but was still able to capture her walk across the stage as she was presented with her diploma.

 That embrace says it all. My mom, brother and I had tears of joy to see her in that cap and gown, holding her diploma with the big M in the background. She worked hard for that degree and hard work pays off. 

And now comes the real world!! 

Congratulations Hope!! We can't wait to see what your future holds!

First Communion-Sidney style

First communion was a glorious day. Sidney was so excited to take her first taste of the Catholic host. However, she took a nice big pass on the wine, bypassing the line in a hurry. We asked her reasoning and she was quick to point out just how gross it was to  share the same cup with everyone....how proud I was of her in that moment!

from baptism to first communion

cleaned up with her softball buddy Maggie 

raining petals on her 

all dolled up

preparing for the after party

 with Grandma Jan

the whole group

family photos

Godparents: Jamie and Ashley

She looked beautiful in her gown and we had great fun celebrating her big day. Sorry for the picture overload!

With us in spirit

It's been 5 weeks since my dad passed away. Five very long weeks. And this weekend marks a pretty monumental day for Sidney, something she has had her mind on for over 5 weeks. Throughout his short illness, Sidney was very focused on making sure Papa would make it to her First Communion. The first couple of days she would ask if we thought he would be strong enough to walk on her special day. And as the days wore on, she became less focused on his method of mobility, and simply focused on his presence. She would say things like "I don't care if he's in a wheelchair,  I just want him to be there." 

And when he was very sick, and we knew the prognosis was incredibly poor, I drove Sidney to the ICU to spend the day with us. I will never forget our conversation that morning: "Mom, do you think Papa will be alive for my First Communion? With tears streaming down my face, I could only shake my head as I reached for her hand in the backseat. Together we sobbed quietly, wet crocodile tears that just wouldn't stop. 

So as her big day approaches tomorrow, I dread to see those tears again when she thinks back to her deep requests for his presence at her First Communion. Maybe she won't ask....because maybe she senses his presence in a different way. I sure hope she feels his spirit around her. Those two with a special bond, one that can never be replaced. 

Someday

It's been one of those weeks around here. When I came across this I couldn't help but stop in my tracks and be grateful for the "busy" around here.....

Someday my house will stay clean.

Someday the dishes will be done and cereal not spilled on the floor.

Someday the juice box straw wrappers won’t be stuck to the counter.

Someday there won’t be swings to push.

Someday laundry will be small.

Someday I won’t be the one needed at three am.

Someday bedtime won’t have 32 steps until they’re finally asleep.

Someday I won’t have a little hand in my hand when we cross the street.

Someday there won’t be legoes underfoot.

Someday I won’t have to hear it’s not fair and it’s my turn and he got more.

Someday I won’t sit in a school pick up line wondering why the kid in front of me wasn’t ready to pop out of their car.

Someday there won’t be anyone jumping from stairs too high to the living room below.

Someday I’ll be able to sleep without an alarm.

Someday the house will be so so quiet.

Someday the throw pillows will stay on the couch.

Someday I won’t trip over boots in the entry way.

Someday the crayons won’t break and markers won’t lose their caps.

Someday I won’t hear mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom.

Someday the bad dreams and thunder scares and tummy aches in the middle of the night will be done.

Someday there won’t be cries of I’m bored and there’s nothing to do and I’m starving. 

Someday trips to Target will be lonely. And less expensive.

Someday there won’t be spelling words to drill and math facts to check.

Someday I won’t wait up for them to get back home.

Someday I won’t have to yell no sneaking picklesor don’t sneak food or don’t sass back.

Someday the paperwork and artwork and clutter on the counter will be gone.

Someday the fundraising will be over.

Someday the worry, well, the worry will probably stay.

Someday all the things that are on my plate today will be done.

Someday my calendar won’t be so crazy color-coded.

Someday my latte will stay hot and my showers uninterrupted.

Someday I will miss today.

Someday I will sit back and think that I did it.

Someday, but not today.

Because today, today isn’t someday.

Today I’m mothering.

~http://findingjoy.net/someday/#.WQVUqFA8KEd

I'm so thankful for our three beauties (and Ryan too!) that make my world go 'round. Sure I get annoyed with the constant mess, the dirty pile of clothes that doesn't launder itself, the bickering between the kids, the permission slips to be filled out, the 5:45am Lincoln alarm clock, following a bedtime routine that takes 30 minutes to complete.  The non-stop hum of "mom, mom, mom" that never seems to stop (I've threatened to change my name to dad), the lunches to make and the homework to check. But when I realize that someday it'll all be quiet and I'll long for a pile of laundry and someone to need their mom, I try to take a deep breath and remember to enjoy the ride. 

Easter 2017

Easter has always been one of my most favorite holidays. I love spring-time and the budding flowers, the happy colors, the sunshine and of course, the warmer weather. Easter was also the first holiday that we started to host so that makes it another reason to love it (insert: no travel!).

Sadly, this year, Easter was the first holiday without my dad. It wasn't just that he wouldn't be there with us, but historically he has played a pretty important role in our holiday gathering. He did all the cooking (while the rest of us went to church) AND he ran around hiding over 100 Easter eggs to give the kiddos a pretty big hunt. SHHHHHH, they never knew who hid those eggs all those years and Sidney has hoped for a picture or glimpse of that bunny each and every year.

This year we had to make some changes and Ryan/Arnie both stayed back from church (apparently what my dad was able to handle took 2 people to do....I'm teasing :). They did a wonderful job and the meal was great and the kids enjoys their hunt.

(no we didn't get a dog, but glad he and Angie got to spend the day with us. Baylor loved the big fenced in backyard). 

The bunny found these pretty cool inflatable loungers to give the girls in their baskets this year (they begged for them during our visit to South Padre Island but with Easter around the corner, I knew it would be a perfect gift!). The girls lounged in these things all afternoon. I hope they'll make for a comfy place to hang out this summer, especially during long tournament weekends.

 I didn't feel the same excitement as I usually do this Easter. It just wasn't the same, I could sense something was missing. We're doing our best to put smiles on our faces each day, but there isn't a day go by that I don't think about my dad and Easter was no different.

Thankfully we have these 3 to remind us of the life we have to live.

Como Spring 2017

I love the Como Conservatory. When the girls were younger and our schedules allowed much more free time, we would venture over to that place at least every couple of months. I could convince them to pose for pictures provided we would then walk through the zoo. It was a win-win situation. I got my pictures with beautiful floral backgrounds, and they burned out some energy buzzing around looking at animals.

Ok so I guess it didn't always work out as I planned :)

Unfortunately, as the girls have gotten older, they have much of a less desire to pose for pictures. And the bribe to subsequently see animals no longer works well either. Couple that with their busy schedule (especially in spring) and we rarely get to my beloved Conservatory.

However, during spring break this year, we had minimal plans and the weather only mildly cooperated with outdoor fun. I was able to get them to oblige to my wishes and we headed over to Como for a quick photo shoot and run through of the zoo just before Easter. I was over the moon to catch a few pictures of all 3. And looking at our Conservatory pictures from years past, I just cannot believe how much they have grown. Oh where has the time gone!

The smell and sights of this place are so inviting. I love how beautiful it is laid out and could have spent an hour just sitting there. Now hopefully it won't be another year before we are back again!

Lincoln says....

Lincoln used to do this thing where he would repeatedly say "Bless you" over and over after someone sneezed, and insist on a response of "Thank you Lincoln". Minutes would pass and he would continue to 'bless' the person who had to return with a 'thank you' or he would escalate his voice to a scream and eventually cry. Cute right? Not really. Eventually Ryan came up with the saying "one time" in other words, Lincoln could offer his 'blessings' just one time. It translated into "One time Bless you"? lol.

That was several months ago. And unfortunately, he has found a new saying. And it follows his same rules from above. Instead of being called "buddy" or "honey" or "sweetie", he insists we all call him Lincoln. Fair enough. He's asserting to us what he wants to be called. Thankfully it's his actual name! But if someone should innocently make the mistake of saying something other than Lincoln, he will correct that person (one of us, a teacher, a stranger) with "say OK Lincoln". We have to reply to him with "Ok Lincoln". Oh how I wish it would end at that statement! Instead, he walks around all day long calling out for no apparent reason "say OK Lincoln!", escalating his voice into a scream if someone doesn't obey his requests. I'm hoping that the same rule Ryan gave Lincoln with the "One time Bless you" is going to work with "One time OK Lincoln". Because for right now, this family is going crazy constantly hollering out "OK Lincoln"!!!