Happy Memorial Day!

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!  Most of our day was spent outside enjoying the sunshine, having fun on the slip n slide, eating ice cream, enjoying some grilled steaks.... and just having fun!

Until later..........

She's Got Game!

I haven't synched my i-phone to my computer lately.... but I found this.  My little Gabby has come a long way this past year.  I would have never dreamed of her hitting a tennis ball.  A year ago she had enough trouble running and jumping and climbing.  This shows some great gross motor skills and eye hand coordination.  Way to go Gabby!

My New Niece is Here!

I'm pretty exhausted... but I wanted to share these pictures of my new niece with you.  Here she is 8 lbs., 10 oz. and 20 inches long.  Such a cutie...... although Steve says she is the spittin' image of Bradley..... ;)






Mom took the photo of Baby Girl Gerwatowski on the left.  I got the family photo this evening with the baby snuggling Laura. I guess they were trying to keep the baby's body temperature up.... so more snuggling with Mom.  How great is that!

The kids were very happy to meet their new cousin.  Amanda found it unusual that she didn't have a name yet so she came up with some suggestions in the car.... Allison and Anna were at the top of the list..... I'm just putting that out there.  Gabby kept commenting on "baby nap"  "baby cute"  "baby diaper" "baby socks off"....I'll take that communication.... she was definitely getting her point across.  I knew she was telling me that her new cousin, "the baby," was cute while taking a nap without her socks on and would probably need a diaper change soon.  I'm an excellent translator.  And finally..... what did my Nicholas think of his new cousin.... his comment was she has big guns... as in big muscles in her arms.... only Nicholas..... he was hoping for a boy cousin to do ninja moves with.... but this little girl might give him a run for his money with her "big gun" ninja moves!  Until later....

Hats, Mother's Day, Making Cake Followed by a Game of Tag

Soooo.... I'm coming out of my funk today.  I loved the comments from Aunt Annette yesterday...thanks for all the reminders and helping me keep things in perspective... the virtual hugs and kisses were definitely felt by me!!

Let me start by saying... I think this little one is starting to feel better.  I think it is because I have learned how to force bribe her to take the disgusting, smelly, antibiotic-concoction.  The process begins with a large cup of juice, plugging her nose, shooting in the syringe quickly, drinking more juice, gulping air (because she can't breathe through her nose or mouth as I'm squeezing), followed up by a handful of M & Ms.  That is the trick.  M & Ms.  It's a good thing I always have chocolate around the house.  Then she claps her hands and we get excited, and she eats her M & Ms for breakfast and 12 hours later, right before bed.  Its a great way to start and end the day.... on a sugar rush! Her pierced ears are less red and swollen today.... but she hates when I clean them.  The antibiotics have done wonders for her throat and the ears, but the earrings might have to come out.  She won't let me anywhere near them and they have to be cleaned 3 times a day.  I figure she can get them re-pierced when she is 16 and I can reason with her.  In the meantime... no amount of bribing has helped the ear issue...

 
So... I had actually taken these photos a couple of weeks ago because it was crazy hat day at school.  We really don't own any crazy hats.... so instead it was cute hat day.

Then it was Mother's Day.... I awoke to find this in the kitchen.  Check out the Awesome Happy Mother's Day sign with a rainbow colored exclamation point on the end.  You can't tell all the great artwork from this photo.  Amanda even decorated with left over balloons from Tyler's Birthday party.

I wanted to share with you my great breakfast.  Waffles... which I eat everyday... but usually not accompanied with whip cream, syrup, strawberries and blueberries.  They even made me coffee from my Keurig and I gave me 2 choices of creamer.  How do you like all the confetti, gifts, and heart-punched placemats?  I really think Amanda would make an excellent party planner if the acting thing doesn't work out.

My seat... I new it was for me... the QUEEN... and it was reserved so Nicholas wouldn't sit there!

My lovely Mother's Day gifts... jars of good wishes (which I should have been reading yesterday), pretty artwork, and a new irobot to vacuum my floors

I hate to admit....I didn't take many photos at Tyler's Birthday party.  I guess I was enjoying my time hanging out with everyone and not hosting.  This was Tyler opening up one of his first gifts... after that... he wanted to go play.  The little guy was more interested in playing than opening his presents.  I'm sure that will change by next year!

I made Tyler's birthday cake so Laura and Brad wouldn't have to worry about it.  I already had the Mickey pan... and being 9 months pregnant is not fun... and I really like cake... so I gladly helped them.  This was the beginning stages of Mickey.  It's at these moments that I scold myself about making a recognizable character.  He looks pretty bad... and I always say I'm not going to make characters..... flowers or purses are one thing... but icons?????

But.... in the end.... I always surprise myself.... and Mickey turned out cute...... even if he started out rough!

I'm not sure who took this picture... Obviously Justin is practicing for next weekend... when he will be photographed hundreds of times... by the end of the day I wonder if he will still be smiling like this.  Anyway.... I thought this was a cute photo.

My kids... engaging in kid behaviour.... playing tag.... with Gabby... Your it! (All this is occurring as I'm trying to get dinner made and I asked the kids to entertain Gabby. What better way than tag... on the stairs... with a 3 year old that has lousy balance... but I did ask them to entertain her????)

And with that she is off..... the poor girl doesn't realize she will be IT for a long time... (I'm in the kitchen yelling for them to get off the stairs so no one gets hurt... yet I found time to take photos.... my excellent parenting skills!)  But in my defense... I want them to remember the fun they had as kids.... because if they have a memory like me.... they will not remember a thing....ugh!

And finally..... Gabby brought this home from preschool for me.  She painted a pot and there were flowers inside with this cute poem attached.

I need to keep this close by to remember that, "There's no better Mom on earth anywhere."

Well, I'm off to piano lessons.... the kids should be home in 10 minutes. Things are looking up.....
Until later............

Sometimes Life.....

Sometimes life makes you feel overwhelmed.... and tired.... and you need a break.... sometimes it is hard to see the positive.... sometimes you focus too much on the negative.....  and you feel like life stinks....

and then.... while you are sulking.... this little girl gets strep throat.... 2 infected ears from her new earrings.... awful tasting antibiotics that you can't force feed down her throat..... and then to top it off... now would be that time that something weird is going on with the car.... but there is NO time to actually taking it in to the dealership... so I'm waiting to get stranded on the side of the road... probably with 3 kids in tow.... but on the positive... Steve did renew our triple AAA service!  I'm off to sulk some more.  Until later.....

So Much Stuff.....

We have had so much stuff happening around our house the past month.  In fact every single weekend of April was packed with holidays, special occasions, games, matches, poker, school functions.... you name it.... we have been doing it.  I thought the month of May was going to slow down.... but it looks like we will be on a whirlwind ride until the end of the school year....which is only about 4 weeks away.  Time has been flying by.  I have so many photos to share that my writing is going to get shorter and shorter.  I have a lot of fun photos from the past week and from Mother's Day today... but those will have to wait a little longer.  So here we go....

Here is Nicholas making his First Communion.  Unfortunately this was the only time you were allowed to take photos before the mass.  The candidates were introduced and you had to snap a hasty shot in terrible lighting.  Anyway.... this was my best attempt...

I tried to get a few shots of Nick before we left for church.... but inevitably we were running late...and we had to hurry....and Nick really didn't want to pose on the porch.... so I was left with this pose.... as he was hurrying to get in the car.

 .....And this bent-over-old-man pose.....  I would have liked to take photos with the whole family dressed up, but it didn't happen.  Nick's First Communion happened to fall on the same weekend as Justin and Crystal's wedding shower so we had to move his party to the following day.  He was more than happy to get out of this suit and into his soccer cleats so he could play a soccer game in the afternoon. 

 Nick's cake....which I didn't make for a change.... Easy and delicious Costco cake!

 Nicholas was all dressed up for his First Communion photos!

 It was a beautiful day for a barbecue.  I didn't do a great job of capturing everyone at the party, but  I did take this sweet photo!

 Some more of the family.....

 The kids had fun playing outside.... Nicholas was trying to coerce Cameron into hanging off the tree branches...

 Grampie found the last elusive Easter egg from 3 week ago.... what eagle eyes he has... he found it hidden behind the brick paver steps....

 "Hey Gabby... cool pine cone... I bet I could slam dunk that thing!"  I'm sure that was exactly what Tyler was thinking... the little guy is totally basketball obsessed.

 Such a cutie....

 I made it into a photo with Laura....

 Crystal chose not to be in any photos.... but I wanted to remember that she was there.  The poor girl doesn't know what she is marrying into.... or maybe she does????

 Here are some random photos of Gabby... I thought playing with the lite brite would be fun and work on some fine motor skills at the same time.... I'm always thinking...and she thinks we are just playing....

 Ta Da.... with a little love and help from Mom

After about a month of practice and rehearsals, Amanda participated in the school talent show last Friday night.  She was in two acts.... a 4th grade production and a dance with one of her girlfriends.  Here is Nick waiting in eager anticipation....

 Gabby was so excitied to see Amanda.... I think she is over there Dad...

I didn't get any actual photos of Amanda during her dance because I was manning the video camera.  I wish I could share the video with you but the file is TOO BIG!  I thought you might enjoy seeing the costume she wore.  Her girlfriend that she performed the routine with is a dancer and she had these costumes at her house.  Isn't she cute?  I tried to photograph the 2 friends backstage... but it was too chaotic and of course Gabby chose that moment to have to go potty.... so I missed my photo opportunity.

 The entire ensemble..... We are so proud of her.  She did a great job and it takes courage and confidence to step out of your comfort zone and give something a try.  Way to go Amanda!

Hope everyone has a great week.  I'm off to enjoy what is left of this Mother's Day.  Until later......

Some Random Photos

A few photos to share from the last several weeks....

Do you remember why it is so great to be a kid? Let me remind you.... there are no responsibilities (except for brushing your teeth and making your bed), you don't have to go to work (but if you did at least you would make money the kids tell me), there are no bills to pay, going to the dentist is fun because you get to pick a toy out of the toy chest and get a free toothbrush (which actually costs Mom & Dad $150), and the toughest decision you have to make is what fun thing you should do next..... puzzles, bikes, or our favorite bubbles!!!

Gabby loves the continuous stream of bubbles from her bubble gun.... it sure beats blowing them!

Trying out the new bubble mower... that is about the largest amount of bubbles that she could get the mower to produce... the bubble gun was much more fun....

Nicholas had his 2nd grade concert at school a couple weeks ago.  I took Gabby and Amanda and we eventually found a seat... Here we are waiting for the musical to begin.  The show was titled "Go Fish" and was all about creatures under the sea.

Nicholas had been practicing the songs for weeks and had a cd at home that he listened to with Gabby.  She knew the words to the songs by the time the concert rolled around.  She loved to sing, ".... even a whale is afraid of me....were SHARKS....not chickens of the sea!"

Check out this blurry photo of Nicholas with his eyes closed.  That is the only shot I got of Nicholas the entire evening.  He was walking by and I was snapping my camera.  He happened to be in the front row... on the floor... and we couldn't see him at all from our seats... such a BUMMER! 

Moving on.... Gabby got to celebrate her 3rd Birthday at school.  Here she is showing off her Birthday crown.

She also received this little note from her teacher....

She wanted to read it to me..... I just wanted to take a picture... and see what it said....

Oh.... Happy Birthday Gabriella!!!

The Birthday treats I made at 8:00, the night before she had to take them to school.  I sorta... forgot to make them... and... decided I would go to Kroger and just pick up cupcakes.... but..... I just couldn't do it.  They didn't seem special enough... so I made them of course.  At Kroger I bought a box mix, sprinkles, fake frosting, and stickers.  Voila... an hour later... special princess cupcakes. (Its a good thing I have so many scrapbooking supplies on hand!)

The kids are absolutely loving there new bikes.  They ride them every free chance they get.  They are getting a lot of extra exercise and they don't even realize it.

Taking a ride around the court...

Just loved this photo.... snapped Amanda in the office sitting at the computer desk....

How do you spend your mornings?  Do you have goofy riddles before breakfast?  Nicholas was entertaining us with the corniest jokes over waffles and cereal. 

Nicholas was on a mission for 2 days to put together this 550 piece puzzle.  He didn't want any help and worked late into the night and before school to get it finished. Here he is in his pajamas working hard.

He finished it!  All 550 pieces by himself!

Well... we are about to have dinner.  Hope to post some new updates soon.  Until later....