Fall Fun

The fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is typically beautiful for being outside and there are so many festivals and things to do! This fall we have been busy with cheerleading


flag football

and enjoying fall festivals and pumpkins!



With Halloween right around the corner and I am sure winter too, what else can we get ourselves into on these beautiful fall days?

Exceeding Expectations

When I signed the kids up for swim team this year, I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. This was our first year joining the pool and I was just hoping that the kids would improve their strokes and become stronger swimmers.

Swim team far exceeded my expectations. Not only did the kids, Bianca included, improved their swimming, the friendships that grew over the summer were wonderful. We have now lived in our neighborhood four years, but this year was the first year I have felt part of the community.

We had a great time cheering on each others kids and relaxing with a drink by the pool. Congratulations to the Hiddenbrook Hurricanes for winning Division 13 and going undefeated. We can't wait for next year!

Click here to view these pictures larger

America's Birthday

Although we did not have our annual picnic on the fourth of July, it was still a blast to get together with friends and cookout on the third. Its amazing how each year the atmosphere changes just a little since the kids are another year older or because we have more kids in the group. What ever the changes, some things still remain the same, brats, burger, beer, fireworks and the companion of friends!

Teresa and her BFF

Who know the jeep could hold so many kids!



Good old VA fireworks

Aren't they cute?

This is from Easter, but is one of my favorite recent pictures of all three kids.

Peace

....and quiet. Thank goodness the rain has stopped, the sun is out, the temperatures are nice and the kids can play outside. I can sit and enjoy my glass of wine and take in the sights of them all getting along.....for now.

Another Milestone

From the time he entered our lives

His smiles have brought us much joy

Year after year we have watched him grow

And celebrate another milestone

Grow taller and taller and taller

Watching his personality develop

Today we celebrate Jack's 6th birthday and look forward to watching him continue to grow (although hopefully not too tall)

Tuesday Folders

One of my favorite days of the week is Tuesday. Why you may ask? Tuesday folders. Tuesday Folder's are the day Teresa and Jack bring home a whole folder full of stuff from school. Yes some of the stuff I could care less about, but it is fun to see your child progressing and growing through out the school year. Also the hard work you as a parent have put in to help your child study for those test on spelling, insects or Native Americans and finding out they got all of the questions right. Most of the items do end up in the trash, but a few things are special enough to hold onto and keep in their bin.

One day I hope to be able to sit down with my kids and look back at where they started and show them how much work they have put in to become the successful and strong individuals that they have become.

All About Me

As mother's we take our children to the dentist, make sure that they receive their yearly check-ups, finish their homework, and make it on time to their various after school activities and play dates. Also as mother's we sometimes forget about ourselves.

This week I am making it all about me and will try not to feel guilty about it. I will take the 30 minutes to work out or read my book. I will listen to my music in the car and fix what I want for dinner.

This is my week to re energize myself because that will help me be a stronger.

A special thanks to my girlfriends for helping me remember to take time for myself and enjoy an evening out!

We are all different

First - has it really been a year since I last did a post?!? Boy have I gotten behind! My new goal is to try and write a post once a week to try and capture all of those little things that happen in life and we seem to forget as time goes on.

Now, onto the real reason I decided to write. Bianca recently turned two and two is a big birthday in our family. My mother in law has a picture of all of her grandchildren at the age of two in the "kids bedroom". So this is one birthday we have to get photographed. While I was putting the photos away, I looked back at the other kids at the same age and was amazed at how different all three of the kids looked. Each one seems to have a similar trait her or there, but each child really was created individually.

As my mother in law has so cleverly said before when asked who Bianca (or any of the other kids) look like, she looks like Bianca.