Bittersweet

It bitter and it's sweet that this school year is rounding to the end. This is the first year that I can honestly say that all my boys had the best teachers. Really they did and I hate to see it end. I know that will never happen again. So how can you let a school year like that end without a few tears shed?

Kindergarten baby-(he's the one on the left of me) Except for I was the one crying like a baby at the kindergarten celebration as his adorable teacher said the kindest things about him. He got the Jolly Rancher award, because he was always so happy and "jolly" to be at school.

The guy on my lap well let's just say he is as busy and cute as ever and sometimes I find myself counting down to the day when he gets to go to school.

Next, the boy to the right of me....Middle school survivor. If you know this kid you know that he is as sweet as they come. He escaped the first year of middle school without any problems and he loved it. It's been fun watching him grow up and mature. Except for one problem. I discovered, when he brought home his gym clothes from the end of the year locker clean up, I realized he probably only brought them home twice during the year to be washed.....yuck!

Last boy on the right.....teachers pet. And he loved every moment of it. What do you do when your childs teacher tells you she is sorry but she probably accidently favored him all year because he laughs at all her jokes, and he looks and acts just like her own third grader at home. I said thanks for being a wonderful teacher and now make sure he gets the best 4th grade teacher for next year. Although he won't possibly be as loved as he was this year!

*sorry for repeat picture but I only have so many pictures of me with my lovely crew. And they usually only get taken on Mothers day or Easter. I think this was from Mothers day.

Try this

Watermelon

+

Fresh lime juice

= deliciousness

It's like a little vacation in your mouth. Squeeze some lime juice over your watermelon. I don't know what happens but suddenly the flavor it just that much more interesting. Try it and tell me what you think.

A.D.D. Brain

My mind is going a 100 mph and I can't seem to focus it on the things I need to get done in the next few weeks. (so I think I will repaint a room) Yes these are the kind of stupid things I do, rather then doing what I really need to do. I feel like a kid with ADD, does anyone have some ritalin for me? It's madness I tell you, just sure madness...
Tired from chasing:

Blogging when I should be: Paying bills, Planning parties, cleaning house, laundry, sending emails, playing with my kindergartner, training for 5k and Triathlon,

Wondering about food therapy for: (that is his choking face)

Why does he choke and almost throw up every time I give him something that isn't smooth as a yoghurt or baby food. Yesterday it was a cheerio, today it was watermelon. Help!!!!!

Getting super excited for:

Really hoping not to get stuck in the:

Anxious about leaving:

Especially:

Relieved that Nanny Mcphee & helper will be with them
Still trying to lose the last few of these:

sometimes craving:

But trying to stick with: (just the shakes, the rest I can't stand)

Want this to go away:

So that I will feel like doing this again:

And Finally, not ready for:

**Update: should of played with Kindergartner, cause now I've got a nice mess of play dough all over the kitchen table.

Mother's Day Weekend

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go on a Mother's Day Weekend get away!

(he really did throw all the clothes out of the boys suitcase and then climb in....picture perfect moment)

Fun + Sun + Sand + beach loving boys + no dishes + no cooking + time with my favorite boys =

Perfect mothers day!

Happy Mothers Day to all the many wonderful moms. I have so many examples of amazing moms in my life. I am greatful for the things they have taught me, and I enjoy the laughing and sharing of mommy moments. Hope everyone had a splendid day with the ones they love.

It's not my love language

I am back after having no Internet at home for 3 weeks. Technology is not my love language. Here is why:
I don't read instructions or follow them for that matter
I am slow to change
I don't like it when I feel like something is smarter then me....thus all technology
I think I am going to break it...computer, phones cameras, etc
I panic when I can't figure things out on the computer
and then proceed to feel completely helpless when my technology doesn't work.


Here are some examples of me and technology. When digital camera's came out and Mark wanted to get me one I just said..."Oh don't waste your money getting me one, I am sure it's just a fad. I can't imagine it ever clicking on that people will give up their film cameras."
In fact I think all new technology is just a fad and will eventually go away. (I know I am pathetic)

Downloading music off the Internet who heard of such an absurd thing???When Mark got me an ipod many years ago for my birthday it sat in its box for a few months until he finally got it out and ready for me to use. And then I was scared to down load music on it and for years I only had a few songs on it....and now I am like an ipod music junkie adding new songs all the time.
Mark has wanted me to get a blackberry for a while now. I just kept resisting him thinking that I don't need it, I am not that important, who really needs to get a hold of me that urgently. Plus I was worried that the family services might have to intervene if we were both addicted to our crackberries. He's had a blackberry for years, since back in the day when blackberries were still just something you put in your pies, shakes or jams. Well he got me one and now I am addicted. It's my new bellybutton. I am texting everyone in my address book. They are tired of my texting.

100% of all my electronic gadgets I have gotten for birthdays, mothers day, etc, because for some reason I think I don't need them, but Mark figures I do. Then once I have them I can't imagine life with out them and depend on them for everything... until they break and then once again I am back to feeling helpless. So here is what happened at our house the past three weeks while I had broken internet syndrome.

1. Someone turned one (Ethan) We had a fun party with family friends at the park. Notice his cake (it's a picture cake) these are the kind of store bought shenanigans moms buy for the 4th child, but never for the 1st they only got homemade fabulous creations.

2. Easter came and went

3. Cousin Henrik and Aunt meta came to visit

4. We had the terrible stomach flu, just glad it wasn't the swine flu

5. We shared our flu with our visitors and then they took it with them to Utah

6. And Ethan is starting to walk...

In the Motherhood

Live the life you Love

Love the Life you Live

I came across this quote the other day and I love it. It's Simple, sweet and 100% right on......

Yesterday I was shamelessly watching Oprah ( I know she is so yesterday) but I am intrigued by her subject matters and guests, so forgive me. Yesterday's topic was motherhood, although I didn't watch the whole hour it got me thinking about motherhood and here are some of my thoughts:

I actually like motherhood. I chose it. I figured it may be difficult at times, but knew it would always be worth it. I never felt like I had to give up something to be a mom, because this is what I always wanted to do. (I joyfully gave up my school teaching digs so that I could stay home) Taking care of my own 4 kids is much more fun then 20 first graders. So when I went from other peoples children to just taking care of my own little sweet bundle of yumminess, motherhood didn't feel so overwhleming.

Truth be told I sometimes wish I had more free time, but to keep my sanity I try to make time for the things I enjoy doing.....I am a firm believer in balance in all things. Although sometimes my balance is off a little, but I do try to keep it in check. I know someday I will have time to myself and then I will look in my children's empty bedrooms and yearn to hear their chatter and teasing. So in this moment that I have to raise them I will try not to yearn too much for alone time, because I know it will come and perhaps quicker then I expect.

Here comes my judgey side:

Some of the moms on the show just wanted to complain about how hard it is and claim they can only take showers twice a week. The one comment that really threw me was one lady saying she had to mourn the person she was before she had kids. Mourn???? I usually save that word for real loss and tragedies. Sure I am a different person and have a different focus, but I'd like to think a better person less selfish and more loving. Of course things are different, but I don't really feel I need to mourn who I use to be in order to be who I am now. Maybe it's been so long that I don't remember who I use to be? Anyway, I turned off the show when I heard that comment. None of these moms that were spotlighted had children with diabilities or that were terminally ill. Talk to a mom facing that challenge and you will suddenly feel your petty complaints ain't so hard to deal with anymore. I am not trying to discount the mundane, the thankless, the irritating and challenging parts of motherhood. It's not like their aren't days, hours and minutes when I want to scream, wail and nash my teeth, because there are many. It just helps me get through the day when I look at the big picture and look for the small treausres and blessings each day. I promise it's not always rainbows and butterflies here at our house. Sometimes I feel I just may go crazy if I have to repeat myself for the 100th time before someone responds, or pick up one more da#% lego.

At the end of the day I feel so lucky and blessed to get to do what I do. I am a realist and know that's things aren't always so peachy for others. Some women work and raise a family, some do it all on their own, some face sickness, diease and disabilities, some live with constant sadness and sorrow, some face challenges I can't even imagine, some are covered with 3rd degree burns all over their body, some live in poverty, some live with abuse, some never have the chance to be a mother and even some of those mom's have a smile on their face and do it with grace and gratitude....And that my friend it what gives me more power and strength.

*oprah disclaimer, remember I didn't watch the entire show, so before you tell me I am totally off it was just the feeling I got from the beginning of the show.

sister to sister

Sisters were created to help raise and spoil your own kids. This past weekend my sister Helle and her daughter Anna came to visit. Then in 10 days my sister Meta is coming to visit. I am not sure why I lucked out with having them both come visit in the same month, but my kids are thrilled and so am I.

My little Anna(my sisters daughter) is all grown up and taller then me. She was born 1 month exactly after Mark and I were married. So she is as old as my marriage (15 years)

She is everything opposite of a typical teenage girl

Not demanding or bratty

She'll play legos with my kids for hours

Sweet sweet sweet

Not really moody

very little drama

easy to please

We had a little fun in china town

Mother and daughter-Which is the mother and which is the daughter?

Sisters that were nerdy enough to wear matching scarves. Anna was worried people might think we were partners, so we tried not to hold hands too much.