Happy 5th Birthday Isabella!

Today is Bella's 5th Birthday! We made purple cupcakes with purple frosting for her party at school. Andrew had soccer practice tonight. I am so proud of him. He is doing so well and is so much more focused than he was playing last year. Another mom was sitting next to me and she said, "your son is so athletic, I can tell by the way he runs and kicks the ball." It made me feel really good, especially for Andrew because he often struggles with things and takes more time to get things. I really hope sports is where he can really shine.

I took the kids orienteering on Sunday at Center Park. We had fun. It was such a hot day though and I did more walking than I have done in a long time. I was exhausted walking over every square inch of that park. It felt good though to get out without Michael and Christina. It is so hard to give all the kids their own individual attention. It seems that I spend most of my time with the two little ones because they require so much attention, and I feel that sometimes the older two don't get their fair share of my time. I guess that is just how it goes with four kids. I am always going to feel guilty and think that I am not doing enough.

The Girls!!! Andrew took this picture of us and it came out great.

Andrew is quite the photographer. He took this one too!

Here is Michael after Bella got done dressing him up. He actually liked it and had fun too. He really doesn't look like he is enjoying it from this picture. At least she isn't putting dresses on him yet.

Let the Super Soaker battle begin...

Yesterday was the first really warm day that we have had, and the kids were ready to bring out the super soakers. Vince was more than happy to participate and let them soak him.

Even Michael got in on the action and was so excited when he pulled the trigger and water came out!

Vince bought a little squirt gun for himself and let the kids have the big guns.

Christina turned 3 months old, and she is cuter than ever! Of all the kids, I see myself in her the most. I have to try and find some baby pictures of myself, but when I look at her I feel like I am looking in the mirror at my mini me. Poor thing is sick right now with a cold. And it is all my fault. I went to a continuing ed class last week at MCC and I am sure that is where I got sick, and then brought it home and it spread like wildfire to everyone else. She has been miserable with ooey gooey stuff running out of her nose. I hate to see her sick. Hopefully everyone will be healthy by next weekend for Greg's wedding. Vince and I are taking Christina to the wedding and Michele is watching the other kids. As long as we don't have any sick kids, it should go as planned.

Mother's Day

Here I am with my Mother's Day breakfast of fruit crepes and my beautiful roses!

Beautiful Christina almost 3 months old!

I love this picture because it shows the difference in the kid's sizes. I wish Andrew was in the picture too. Bella looks huge and Christina looks so tiny!

My Birthday!

I had a nice quiet birthday. I got a yummy cookie cake from Vince and the kids and a beautiful card with heartfelt sentiment from Vince. I know he loves me, but there is just something special about him putting it into words and telling me that he will love me forever. I am so blessed to have him to share my life with!

I also got some beautiful sunflowers from my sister Sharon. She is so sweet and always knows just how to make me feel special! I was kind of sad that I never got a birthday card from my mom. Not even a phone call. I certainly didn't expect a phone call. Even before Mom started having memory issues, she wasn't one to pick up the phone and call. Although I did tape record a message that she left on my answering machine of her singing happy birthday to me many years ago. At the time I knew having that recording would someday mean so much to me. Vince always told me that the one thing that he really misses about his Mom is hearing her voice again. He didn't want to forget what she sounded like. So even though I didn't get birthday wishes from my mom, I know how much she loves me.