Quick Takes-Easter Week Edition

Hi there.  Anyone there?  Remember me?  Ya know, your slacker of a blogger buddy?!?!

Just checking. (heeee heeee!)

We have been blessed with some amazingly beautiful weather and for all those days, we are so grateful.  We cut our school worksheets/workbook load in 1/2 and spent the remainder of those days outside enjoying the gift of those sunny and HOT days!!!

I mentioned in a previous post that we even filled up the baby swimming pool 1/2 way up!  The kids were thrilled and I was too since they had to get cooled off somehow- it was a steamer of a few days of a rare 90* weather here! 

With all the fresh air, that left me to little down time and little time indoors to check on my blog or FB or emails or whatever.  It was nice to sort of 'get away' from it all for a bit right after Easter.  It helped me to focus on The Resurrection rather than being caught up in needless chat or worries of the world that the internet can inflict on us without even knowing it. 

Soccer starts up this week and my oldest 3 will be playing.  2 on one team and 1 on the older team.  The good thing their games are on the same really big field.  I do enjoy watching them, just not so much running after my little ones! 

I am so not good at the decor of my house.  We don't have a country flair or a modern touch.  Nothing really.  Some housewives are gifted in this but I am not and I am not ashamed to admit it.  I'd rather my house be comfortable, somewhat organized and manageable and let others be comfortable too.  I don't worry about not having the best furniture (that will be scratched or stained in 5 minutes anyway!) or actually having all the furniture match nicely (not that mine clash but it would be nice to have a theme going on).  So, that is my next step and that is what I am up to lately.  I am going to try to tie in the colors of my couch and paint my walls! (well, actually my hubby will be painting-he loves to paint!)  I am thrilled to get rid of the neutral almond color that every single room has.  I just need to pick out a color.  Sounds not tough, right?  But it soooo is, for me!  What should I do?  Duh! I called my mom.  See, my mom has that gene and it skipped right over me!  She is awesome and so helpful with this.  What a gift and talent she has!  I'll keep you posted on the color choice I pick, but I am leaning towards a warm mauve color for both my living room and dining room.  I think it will look great ;)  (I hope!)

It was a rainy day today and now I am back to this blog life and internet thing.  I could be doing 199 other things right now but nope, I am here.  See what this blog thing does every now and then!?!?  argh.  Good thing it is the weekend, I have a long to do list to get checked off!

Well, that's it. 
I'll leave it at that. 

Good Night, God bless you and Happy Easter!

God bless,
Mary

So, you too? *updated*

...still vacuuming up all that Easter grass.
...still playing hide and seek w/ plastic Easter eggs.
...still eating chocolate kisses, chocolate bunnies, all things chocolate-yum! ( I can't believe we still have candy in this house!)

Hey, it's still Easter, ya know.  Happy Easter Wednesday! and so... we're still celebrating!

*Update*:  ...we even broke out the little baby swimming pool!  I know, I know... can you imagine?!  It is only April 7th and it is 88* right now!  I did insist on no swimsuits, but I wish I caved in and just let them with all this laundry I quickly acquired.  Oh well!  Just last week this time, it was rainy, cloudy and cold. We are lovin' it!  Thank You dear Lord, thank you!
God bless,
Happy sweet eating!
Mary

Toy Review Tuesday

We are big Beatrix Potter fans, so when I saw these building blocks at a tag sale, I had to get them.  I store them in our school closet and only take them out during school hours. 

We enjoy the little books rather than the whole big book that holds all the books.  Those little books are great for little hands to hold.

My 3 year old's favorite book is The Fierce Bad Rabbit.  For Easter, the easter bunny even got him a Peter Rabbit chocolate bunny to match his already had Peter Rabbit stuffed bunny that he is so fond of.  Very cute.  Very.  Very.  Cute. (if I do say so myself!)

Go HERE for more toy reviews.

God bless,
Mary

I love my 18 month old

and how he puts up his leg or arm and says "boo boo" and I kiss it.  Then he says "all betta!" and off he goes playing again.

I love how when he bumps into the car with his ride on toy that he looks at me and says "stuck" and then I help him around the car and off he goes playing again.

I love how when he finishes his meal in his high chair, he holds up his hands and says "all done!"

I love how he follows his older brothers and sisters everywhere and anywhere.  You will never find this baby turning toddler anywhere by himself and that is a very good thing!

I love how he says "Daaaa-deeeeee!!!" and goes running up to our Daddy the second he walks through the door after a long day at work.  And he says it while at Mass when I come back to the pew after being in the back vestible for a while.  And....I think others delight in hearing it too!

I love how he can still lay next to me and snuggle; how he still (occasionally!) goes into my pouch/sling to be close to me.

I love how he plays on his emotions and pretends he is sad and crying when we say no to him.  He puts out his bottom little lip and crinkles his top lip and puts his precious head in the crook of my neck.  He begins to do a weeee little baby sob and holds tightly onto my shirt. 

I love how when he smiles, a deep dimple appears.  Then again, it appears so easily without a smile-you can't miss it!

I love how he is not crawling anymore and is off and running to play, esp. outside-he would spend the whole day outside if possible. 

I love how he is not afraid of animals, instead he is eager to get close to them!  (what a difference with some of my other children!)

I love how he calls his pacifier a "pie" and he knows exactly where to find them---under his crib!

I love how independent he tries to be, yet always glancing back for approval of Mommy's watching and that I am only a- hop-a-skip -and -a-jump away from him.

I love how he runs to me for security if he gets scared or is hurt or is saddened by a sibling, having total confidence that he knows he will get what he needs to feel better.

I love how he calls his sippy cup "guck".

I love this baby incredibly much. I love this age of 18 months.  I will continue to call him my baby even though he is 18 months old (God willing, until another one arrives!).  In my eyes and in my heart, all my children are still my babies, no matter how old!!!  This is absolutely the longest stretch between babies and I wonder what plans God has in store for us.  If you ask my children if they want another sibling, they will undoubtfully squeal with delight in saying "Yes!  Yes!  Yes!"  We pray that this prayer will be answered...according to God's awesome will for our family. 

Hope you had a Happy Easter-may God bestow many blessings on your families!
God bless,
Mary

Happy Easter!!!

Alleluia!!!

He is Risen!!!

God bless you and your families!!!

God bless,
Mary

 

Quote of the Day

"After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the devil may try to make you have second thoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if satan's temptations merely cause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he'll have an incentive to leave you alone."

-- St. Ignatius of Loyola


God bless, Mary

Quote of the Day

 "Conquering the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water!!"

-- St. John of the Cross

Now...this is something to think about and work on during this Holy Week!!!

God bless,
Mary