They are so sweet

The boys are so sweet. I spoke with a friend tonight and she reminded me that the time I have with them right now is so precious. My boys, all three of them, drive me crazy sometimes. But at the core of it all, they are great kids with big hearts. I am so proud of them for being such wonderful little people. How lucky am I to be part of their worlds.

Relay for Life

I love Dona. She is retiring this year and I love her. She does everything at work to make my job easier. She is supportive and kind. She is acutely aware of the needs of the school (as a whole) and meets those needs head on. She isn't afraid of anybody, that includes the people that yell, whine, complain, and argue. She is a leader on campus without trying to boss anyone around. There will be a great void to fill (or not fill) when she leaves in 2 weeks.

Seven years ago, she lost her husband Joe to cancer. Since then, she has participated in the Relay for Life at Hilltop park to help find a cure.

Thank you Dona for letting my family be part of this with you. Congratulations on your retirement.

Speaking of Chocolate...

My new thing is to modify the diet. It is NOT a diet, it is diet modification. That means that instead of a lot of coffee, I only have a little. Instead of a lot of rice, I only have a little. Instead of bacon and eggs, I have yogurt or a shake. It is day five and all I've learned is that I am weak. I like sweets, I like carbs, and I like snacks. Sweets, sugars, salts, or sours... bring it on. As I continue to modify my diet, all I can think of are the rows and rows of delicious M&M's at the M&M store in NYC.

April's Promotion

Proud parents we are to two young men with white-yellow belts in jiu jitsu. The boys attended the belt promotion ceremony at the San Marcos Carlson Gracie dojo in April. It is a great set up, with parents able to watch from above and students learning on the lower level with weight bags, a ring, and a large mat area for rolling.

The boys waited patiently as everyone received their belts one at a time. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa came along to hold the sleeping baby, while I took pictures of the whole event.

The boys will continue to go to jiu jitsu this summer, which is great because hubby and I have made some great friends at the dojo. While the children learn, all the mommies and daddies in a small area behind glass. It is good there is glass because the moms and dads get loud sometimes. I suspect it will be a fun summer. Plus , the dojo families like to have barbecues and beach parties, so they are definitely our kind of people.

Easter

Easter Sunday was the day after we came home from our trip to NYC. Despite coming in very late and being exhausted from a whole days travel, the boys woke up energized and ready to look for eggs. The special thing about the eggs at my mom's house is that she doesn't hide candy. She hides money. We have a running joke that it is great to find eggs that jingle, but it's better to find ones that don't. In fact, she often will put one special egg out that contains a $10 bill or something like that. Of course, sis and I look for that one too.


The three babies got a chance to participate, but only the little girl really understood what to do. She even found an egg all by herself! The boys ran around and followed the big kids. Baby even removed his shoes and ran in the dirt. He must get that from his dad.
When all the eggs were found, the kids ran inside and proceeded to open all the plastic containers to find M&M's, quarters, dimes, nickles, and chocolate eggs wrapped in foil. And of course, some eggs were worth more than others.

The best part is that the seven (that's right, SEVEN) were together to celebrate this holiday and build a great memory for when they are all grown up. For now though, they are truly enjoying what it means to be a child. I love it.