Memorial Day Highlights

We're back from our weekend at the lake and other than trying to recover from some pretty awful sunburns, we're feeling very replenished after a relaxing getaway.  The weather was absolutely phenomenal and just right for cruising the lake in the new boat.  Unfortunately, the dock wasn't done just yet so we could only get out on the water for a few hours, but it was definitely worth the extra effort.  We found a nice, calm spot to sit awhile and take in the sun and sights of all the people celebrating the holiday.  The water was still pretty cold, okay very cold, but we hung our feet off the back deck and Greg and Papa were brave enough to do a little swimming.  Nicholas is totally in love with the boat and wants to sit in it every single minute.  Whether that be actually in the water or just sitting on the trailer in the driveway, he's not picky.  Lately, he's been getting a little upset when he has a lot of strong wind in his face and complains that he can't breath.  But with the Cobalt, that's not really much of a concern.  He can sit in the big Captain's chair and have the windshield block the force of it, which makes him feel a lot better.  After we had all reduced our skin to near ashes (must remember more sunscreen!) and were beginning to feel sunbeat, we decided to head back to the house to get cleaned up and eat a little dinner.  When he had launched the boat, we noticed one of the trailer tires looked a little low so we dropped Greg off at the dock to take it to a gas station to get some air.  When he returned we got the sad news that we had picked up a nail somewhere and the tire was finito.  Given it was Saturday evening, on a holiday weekend, we realized our weekend on the new boat had come to a close.  It was disappointing to watch all the boats cruising by Sunday afternoon, but we still made the best of it and enjoyed the day anyway.  We'll get her all fixed up and the dock will hopefully be complete by our next visit, so no worries.  As the message on the boat says:  Life is Good.  No complaints here!

 Kings of the world!

 Getting tired now...

 And Daddy managed to keep us entertained on Sunday with a little kite action.

Happy Memorial Day!  

Memorial Day Preview

Mimi & Papa just picked up their new baby.  I know one very excited little boy......and mommy.......and daddy.  I'm pretty sure this is going to be an amazing Memorial Day weekend.  Check back next week for the full report!  Have a wonderful holiday weekend and be safe!

Fun With Nicholas

Nicholas had some fun this afternoon goofing around with Jessica's iPhone.  Made me giggle...

Last Day of School

Well, Nicholas' first year of school has officially come to a close.  As I look back over the last nine months and note exactly how much our boy has grown and changed throughout this experience, I can't help but feel enormously proud.  We went from this baby:

To this happy-go-lucky little boy:

Okay, okay.  I realize that the difference might not be all that grand to the naked eye, but to me it's beyond description.  He went through so many changes this year.  From a long and difficult period of adjustment to his new routine, to finally adapting to school and flourishing in such an amazing way.  He has made so many friends and loves to talk about all the fun things he's gotten to do in class.  And he's bonded with the teachers and staff at St. Mark, which is such a comfort to Greg and I.  And the biggest accomplishment of all - he's now potty trained!!  Today, I see a very sweet, intelligent, thriving little boy who's just getting started in this great, big, wonderful world.  So yes, I'm enormously proud.

Nicholas' teacher, Miss Stephanie.  They're great pals and he loves her a whole, big bunch.

And lucky for us, he gets to go back for summer school in a few weeks. So all those wonderful things he's gotten to do won't be stopping and all those wonderful people who have molded his little life won't be forgotten. So stick around 'cause we're gonna keep right on truckin'!

Oh and don't forget, we've got a very important 3rd birthday coming up!  Party invitations will be hitting the mail very soon....

Happy Mother's Day

My feelings about being a mother are very simple and easily defined - I am lucky.  I am grateful.  I am happy.  This is the most amazing, precious, fulfilling, terrifying, hilarious, fascinating, and entertaining role that I have ever had the pleasure of filling and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  I love you, Nicholas.  You are an incredible little boy who has stolen your Mommy and Daddy's hearts. You're everything we could have ever dreamed of and so much more. 

We had to replace our Crepe Myrtle this weekend so Nicholas got to have some fun playing in the hole and digging for worms.  It pains me to report that a few of them may have been dismembered. 

It was very hot outside this weekend so Daddy suited him up and turned on

the sprinklers for a little cooling down.  He was not too happy here because he

forgot to close his eyes as his ran through the water.  Ouch!

My gorgeous petunias that Nicholas potted for me at school last week.  I love them!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!!

Goin' to Pop's

Wow, what a terrific week it has been!  After an amazing weekend with Aunt Julie in town, we all loaded up and drove to Springfield for a quick visit with my brother's family and Pop.  Julie and I rode back together in her car, which is something we hadn't done together since we were teenagers.  There is just nothing better than two best friends locked in a car together for hours, talking and giggling the entire time.  I'm quite sure that Greg and Nicholas were relieved to have us in a separate car and be spared from 4 hours of incessant girl talk.  The whole trip lasted a very short 2 days, but it was totally worth it.  During our visit last December, Nicholas spent a lot of time with Pop and the two of them developed an instant bond.  I can't even count all the times he's asked for his Pop over the last few months so I was very excited to tell him we were finally going back.  His little face just lit up with excitement when we broke the news and it soon became all he could talk about.  And then he said something I will never, ever forget for as long as I live - "Pop is my best friend."  Tears well up in my eyes every time I think of that precious almost-three-year-old voice sweetly proclaiming his adoration for his great-grandfather.  I feel so incredibly lucky when I see the two of them together and I know that I will always hold these memories close.