Mother's Day 2016

This Mother's Day my wonderful husband really outdid himself. It's probably been at least 3 years, but I told him long ago that I really wanted a silhouette of our three girls. Cue the big box that made its way up to my bedroom along with a delicious omelet on Mother's Day morning. I knew what it was instantly...the BIG BOX gave it away, but I had no idea I could love it so much. It's absolutely gorgeous. And you may not be able to tell from the picture but when I look at it in person. There is no doubt that those are my beautiful children. I even love the stain and color of the wood and frame. Now I just need to find a good place to hang it.

In addition to my gorgeous gift the girls made me the most precious gifts. They wrote out cards and answered questions about me. Bug said she loves when we snuggle and she loves my kisses. I love that too, baby girl. Leah mentioned how I love to go to the YMCA and that I think being healthy is important...she nailed it. I'm glad that they take note of what I'm doing. Because I do it all for them!!!

In John Deere Green

This weekend I stepped outside and in a moment I was transported back in time. For a split second I was 4 years old, riding on the John Deere with my Grandpa Schaumburg. This was something that I will always cherish in the short time that I had him. He passed when I was only 12 years old. But as a kid, I always wanted to ride on the John Deere with him. Or I wanted him to sit and swing (I always asked him to "wing me")  with me on the front porch swing.

I have pictures of us together somewhere. And occasionally when there were cousins around he would hook up a big yellow wagon and pull us all. We thought it was the best. Hattie won't let Mitch mow with out her. And it melts my heart!

DQ Birthday Tradition!

Social Media is a funny thing! Because I share so much of our lives on Facebook and with our Blog people know exactly what we do for birthdays. They know that we ALWAYS celebrate birthday's with a DQ Ice Cream Cone!

So of course this happened. We took the girls to Dairy Queen and they all enjoyed an ice cream cone. They got adventurous this time and got half chocolate and half vanilla. I love that we have this little tradition that we can continue to enjoy for years to come!

My baby is 8!

Yesterday my first born, my sweet Lee Lee, turned 8 years old. How did that happen??? She is growing up so fast. She is so strong willed. She will argue until she is blue in the face. Mitch says he gets it from him. I would agree. She is smart, and oh so very loving. She can get her feelings hurt pretty easily...but she's learning every day. She is turning into a beauitful young woman right before my eyes. I know great things are on the horizon for this girl. She loves science. She says she is going to be a veteranarian and I believe her!

On Friday we met Gigi in Tuscola. She took Leah and Macy shopping for summer clothes. And then had them over to her house for a sleepover. They loved it, of course. And she came home with quite a loot of new, cute clothes.

On Sunday we went to Gigi and Papa's for a mother's day/birthday dinner...just like we always do. The kids played ball in the yard. It took me back to being a kid and doing the same thing with my Schaumburg side of the family. After dinner we exchanged gifts and had birthday cupcakes.

On Monday we woke up and sang happy birthday to Leah while she blew out the candle on her super healthy frosted donut! Then Hattie and I met her at school for lunch. We grabbed her subway for her special mom and sister lunch date. The kid loves Doritos! Friday she is having a friend party...Audrey Brent, Camryn White and Ella Phares are coming for a slumber party!

Richland Dance 2016

She feels better when she's dancing! Okay, well that was the song Hattie danced too. It's the Megan Trainor song from the Peanuts Movie. It was hard to believe that this was our 5th recital with the Richland Dance Company. Leah's first performance was in 2012 and she was in the same class that Hattie just finished.

They always put on a good show, and thankfully a short show! Hattie's class went first because they use the tumbling mats. It was so adorable. Her jazz hands after she would finish her stunts was just adorable and she kept a happy smile on her face the entire time. Her curtsy was just too cute and moments like these make me wish I could freeze time. Of course Gigi and Papa came to watch too. She thought that was pretty great. I love my little dancers!

When Grandparents come to town...

So this past weekend, Grandma Tootie and Grandpa Dave came for a visit. It has been nearly two years since they had ventured South. We told the girls we were getting company but didn't tell them who. They were pretty excited when the car pulled into the driveway.

Hattie and I had spent the afternoon making cupcakes. Friday the 29th was Grandma Tootie's birthday so they were excited to sing Happy Birthday to her. On Saturday Mitch and I had tickets to the Cardinals game. We left the kids with their grandparents and gave them some passes to the Children's Museum and said "Have fun", and I think they did!

On Sunday we all attended church together, went out to lunch and then they put our zoo pass to good use. The girls love taking advantage of the fun things that Decatur has to offer for kids. And it was especially nice that they could do them with their grandparents.

Monday morning it was time for them to pack up and move out. It was a good trip. The girls had a great time and they are anxious to see the rest of the family in Minnesota in June.

Mt. Zion Color Run

This past weekend Mt. Zion Community Club hosted their Color Run Fundraiser. We were excited to participate. Neither Mitch or I had ever done a color run before. This one was pretty simple. We started at the Intermediate school went past Fletcher park towards the library, Main St. and the Henderson back to the school. It was a quick mile jog. Leah and Kiersten took off with Mitch. I said I would go in the second group because I was pretty sure that there was no way Hattie was going to run a mile. Well, she proved me wrong!

Leah found her friend Mark, and so she took off with him. She says she ran the whole way. Mitch stayed with Kiersten who ran most of the mile. Of course, a three year old running doesn't go very fast. I found myself kind of jogging in place or walking briskly a time or two but she did it. And several times she said it was the "best day ever".

When we got to the end the kids had a blast playing in MORE color with our friends the Gray's and Brent's. It was a fun day. One we will certainly do again!

Hatayama's Science Fair

Leah loves science. She is truly her daddy's daughter. So when she came home with this original science project idea she was all over it. They were told to make an animal using completely natural products. She wanted to make a deer...and so she did! Thanks to daddy and some ingenuity, it turned out really well.

She used a potato for his body, a walnut for his head, pistachio shells for the ears, cotton for the fawns white spot and twigs for the legs and tail. She used peanut butter and honey as glue. Daddy used the drill a few times so they could insert the sticks and make him stand. She did a great job. You cold tell that some of the kids and their parents used pinterest. There were a few pineapple owls in the room. I love that she thought of this all on her own. Great work, Leah!