Spencer's Preschool Graduation, Part I

Spencer's preschool celebrated graduation the other day and in an attempt not to leave anyone out, the whole class graduates. He'll be attending the same school next year after which we'll celebrate the second and final graduation from preschool (hopefully, anyway!).

I'm kinda glad his school takes this approach as it's easy to forget that for him this is an accomplishment. For weeks he had talked and talked about his upcoming "gradulation" and the real "dipuma" he'd be receiving. He kept bringing up a medal of some sort. Thankfully, Alfonso had the foresight to ask his teacher about the medal for fear he'd be crushed if he left the building without one. Long story short, we stopped by the party store on the way to the ceremony and bought him his "Winner" medal. When we presented it to him, he exclaimed, "Thank you! I worked so hard for this!".

And what a cute little ceremony it was. This Mommy found herself crying just a few words into the second song. I love that kid.

Because it's only (kinda) cute when you're young...

Father's Day

Alfonso missed our Father's Day celebration as he was forced to work. That's the one down side of his job (having trouble thinking of any others!).

We had a nice BBQ at Grandpa's place. Poor Pa! He maned the barbeque the entire afternoon. If you look closely you'll see Grandpa (Spencer and Mia's Great Grandpa) signing a card. He opened his Father's Day cards and was sure to read, re-read and re-read each and every one. After he was finished, he asked for a pen and signed his card. I sure love little Grandpa!

Alfonso returned home to two very excited kids and a homemade card.

Dear future Spencer,

Don't say we didn't warn you...

Once you're big, grown and have a family of your own, don't think we're crazy when we come to your place with pots, pans and a megaphone at naptime. It's just simply pay back pal.

XOXO,

Mommy and Daddy (who are a bit tired of your lack of volume control during naptime at our place)

The kiddos

All parties are easily entertained when a trip to the grandparents place is in the near future.

Excited?! Just a little....

Desperate ants?!

You're familiar with Desperate Housewives I'm sure, but we have our very own "desperate" plotline taking place right in our house. I just don't have it in me to break the news to the little guys that the ice cream cone they're trying to consume isn't the real deal.

If you'd like to experience this for yourself, we have plenty of ants to spare. I'm pretty sure we're living on one big ant hill.

County Fair in pictures

If I had my way this photo would be titled, "Why do I even try?"

"Mia's friendly...even with dinner!"

Spencer asked, "What the heck is that?" To which we replied "?"

"Poor Ma. Once again I show her up!"

"Nachos, check. Dad, check. What else could a boy possible want?!"

Give me your best guess! What do you think Mia's saying in this picture? Oh, you give up too easily. "Cheese", silly!

"This is not as easy as it looks and takes an extreme amount of determination and concentration! Extreme, I tell you!"

Kid Fest(er)

We spent (too much of) today at the Kids' Fest. The first time we went with one of our kids in tow, Spencer was on his way to 2 1/2. He insisted the event was called the "Kid Fester" (hence the title of this post). Yeah, I know, not the most appetizing wording there! Really, it was the perfect little event for both Spencer and Mia if you as a parent can manage to avoid all the advertising "pushers". Alfonso looked a bit concerned when the Mary Kay lady came our way with a tube of lipstick and I'm fairly certain he'll be erasing any message we may receive from the Pampered Chef representative.

One day I figure I'll chuckle when I see these pictures and miss the times my children wanted to clean and didn't say, "Hey Ma, show me the money!"

Congratulations Baby!

As of June 1st, Alfonso will hold the title of Apparatus Operator. Yep, he'll be driving a fire engine full-time.

You've worked so hard and I'm so glad your dream has come to fruition! We're so proud of you!!

Mother's Day

Mixed in with all the mushy and sentimental portions of my Mother's Day card, there was something that made me laugh out loud: "I wouldn't survive a day without you by my side. My clothes would always be dirty, my kids would be terrible, and my dishes...well, my dishes would still be dirty, but your intentions are good." Well, I just can't be good at everything!

With Alfonso at work today, I have to admit it felt more like an ordinary day with the kids. Yes, my nerves were worked a bit this afternoon, but the day ended well. I gave Spencer a big old hug and told him how glad I was to be his mommy. He bounced back the compliment and said, "Mommy, I'm so glad I'm you're brother." Too cute!

That can't be comfortable, part two

Spencer's had a "thing" for Mia's pony since she arrived at our place and that was long before Mia was here. He'll probably kill me for outing his first crush, but I'll take my chances. This is what I found when I went to check on little guy.

First trip, but certainly not our last

How we remained unscathed and somehow protected from a trip to urgent care or the emergency room up until now is beyond me. Of course that all changed today after Mia fell on her little cabeza. Mia was such a trooper and proved once again she's one tough cookie. Mommy and Bubba on the other hand, could have done without the blood and the needles...yikes! Here's proof that you can still smile after a few stitches (although the red vines and stickers may have helped some).

If Mia's Flintstone-like gibberish could be translated, I'm sure she's said: "That's how I roll, Ma. That's how I roll."

(Another) Spencer funny

Mia was a little crabby for a few minutes this afternoon. Of course, those were the same minutes Spencer insisted on playing with his sister and it didn't go over well...she needed some space.

I explained to him that we needed to show Mia some grace. I've used this phrasing in the past, but it's been awhile so he asked me what "grace" was. Here's how our short, but funny conversation went:

S: "Mom, what's grace?"
H: "Grace is giving someone something even when they don't deserve it"
S: "Oh." long pause "Well, when I don't deserve dessert, I need grace."

The kid catches on quick! Maybe I'll use that same excuse, eh?!

Forever Friends

Our good friend Christen came by tonight to visit. It was a visit long overdue considering we haven't meet up for seven years or so. I meet Christen way back in middle school, but we weren't exactly pals then. That's her story to tell :).

We reunited in high school and became very close friends. And just a year after graduation, she stood alongside me on our wedding day. Soon after our wedding, our paths separated some, mostly due to distance. After our get-together tonight I'm sure she's just one of those friends you never really lose. As she prepares for a move to Peru, I find myself so thankful for those forever friends. Although our distance will soon be far greater, I certainly hope our desire for a deeper friendship was rekindled. I know it was for me.

Just a few reasons I love spending time with Grandpa...

This is just a sampling of the bizarre, but always amusing conversations that take place between the family and Grandpa (he's ninety by the way!):

"Will you please put a chicken behind my back?" (We're thinking he meant "cushion")
"How's the second crop of opium coming along?" (No explanation to offer there)
"Where's the other gun?" And after I gave him a funny look he preceded to ask the question again.
"You're a pretty little girl too." Apparently he didn't want me to feel left out after the same compliment was given to little Mia. This is a far cry from the Grandpa who guessed I was was forty years old a few months back. Ouch!!

We decided a while back we better just laugh a bit and since then, it's provided some unforgettable moments. Sorry Grandpa!

We had a chance today to honor a friend and firefighter. Jay lost his battle with cancer a few days ago and to say he'll be missed is quite an understatement. This was my first experience witnessing the support provided to a brother in need and I'm amazed at the love and bond forged by fire. As a wife of a firefighter, I find myself swelling with pride.

Now I'm absolutely convinced that Alfonso's found family in his fellow firefighters.