Swim Meet Livin'

Swim team buds.  Love watching these two support each other at the meets.  

Mia...hanging tough.  

Summer!!!!

Goodbye first and third grades....

Hello summer!!!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

The big presentation in third grade is for the kids to choose a state and write a five paragraph essay including all of the research they've discovered.  The kids have to create a google slides presentation and can invite guests to watch.  They are scored on a tough rubric, including presentation skills!  I love this project!  My girl chose Texas, as a nod to me.  It was so fun to watch her research my home state.  

She passed out chips and guac as her food from the state to share.  

Mia and her amazing teacher, Mrs. Scott.  Mia has just adored this woman and I am so grateful for her influence this year.  She is smart, strong, and dedicated.

Luca's Birthday Party

Laser Tag to celebrate turning 7.  We delayed the party in order for Luca to assume his identity as a soldier/fighter cast free.  These boys had a blast.  

Total goofballs.  Seeing the boys all together is a bit comforting.  They all make fart jokes, pull pranks, eat with their mouths full, and have burping contests.  Makes me feel like the one I'm raising at home is doing just great.  

I love seeing this boy in his element.  That genuine smile is back now that the cast is off and I love seeing his spirit flickering again.  

Luca is (adorably) obsessed with animals.  He couldn't decide between a wolf or a lion this year but ultimately went with the wolf.  He chose the picture on google himself.  He specifically said, "NO writing Mom.  Just.....my wolf."  

Junk food galore.  

We represented "the girls" at the party and joined forces with V against the boys in laser tag.  

So happy these two cuties have each other in this big family.  They treat one another like sisters, which is so sweet to watch. 

And it's off!

The cast came off late afternoon and we were at the pool a few hours later.  He wore his new birthday flippers and swam like an otter.  It's official....he's back.  

No baseball this summer.  Doctor's orders.  And he does have a removable brace to wear for 6 weeks but Luca's little spirit is back!  We swam then had ice cream for dessert.  Bring on summer!

More of May (See why this month is crazy?)Luca

Luca doing a bang up job in the middle.  No pun intended.  He performed at Fine Arts Night.  

Mia singing with the school choir at the same event.  

My pacer.  This kid is the best running partner/trainer one could hope for.  He is FAST.  And the endurance on him is incredible.  

Even after a long run, he's got energy to spare.  

It's official!  Swim team has started!  

My girl on the blocks for her first IM.  She is in heaven at the meets.  

Mia bridged from Brownies to Girl Scouts.  Here is is being "sashed" by another of the girls in the troop.  

Congrats Owen!

Owen graduated from high school!  He and his best friend had a joint graduation party at his best friend's house and we all went up to celebrate.  Good times indeed.

Could this property be any prettier?  The kids had a ball in two giant hamster balls.  

There is Luca pushing Owen and two of his buddies in the ball.  Luca hung out with the seniors effortlessly.  I'm either proud or very very worried!  Owen has been the best oldest cousin a kid could ask for.  He is always so kind to Luca, and inclusive.  

The day couldn't have been any more gorgeous!

And there is the senior....just before leaving the party with his friends to hit the town.  Just a father son moment.  

A bit more of May

May is a doozy of a month.  Two birthdays. Mother's Day.  End of the school year for the kids.  And the end of my school year at work, which is like April 14th for an accountant.  But the whole month feels like April 14th.

It's been so fun though.  I was able to volunteer with Luca's class on their trip to the zoo and loved it. I was handed my group of five boys and several other parents and I went about helping them research the animals they had chosen for their end of year projects. We had a ball.  

Little sweethearts.  All rowdy and playful.  I told them I was researching squirrels.  They laughed when they figured out that I was talking about THEM.  

Field Day.  I couldn't be there but what other volunteers sent me photos.  That's what I love about the kids' school.  It really is a community.  I got a few texts that day from parents asking if Luca could participate in water games.  The texts came through as I was working and I quickly responded with NO.  I was imagining driving him to have a wet soggy cast removed and replaced.  Every parent watched out over him.  

Then this picture came through.  I laughed out loud.  So....no water games but it's totally appropriate to put the kid with the broken arm as the anchor in tug of war!  I have to say, I loved this though.  Luca CRIED (like, real tears) for two days about not being able to do tug of war because the gym teacher said NO WAY.  I told Luca that we have to listen to what he says.  Apparently, he was no where around and some parents shrugged and said, "Get out there kid.  Don't break your other arm."  

May

A kid in his cast and his favorite dog.  

My gorgeous roses from Mia, Luca, and V on Mother's Day. 

A night away...

V arranged a night at the Ritz in Beaver Creek and it didn't disappoint.  We had such a nice time, despite it being mud season.  It was cold and wet and the town is empty....which made it even more of a perfect feel to get away and escape the hectic pace of life. 



We had a long dinner at the bar and loved that we had nothing to do and nowhere to be. 



The property is really gorgeous and feels like a lux wooden cabin.

We had the place to ourselves.  Heavenly. 



This is 40

My 40th birthday fell on a Wednesday and I knew it would be a normal day for a middle aged working mom.  Which, to be honest, made me feel profoundly lucky.  I have this great life beating all around me and while it can be all of the things a life can be (painful, joyful, difficult, hilarious, heartbreaking, easy, challenging), it is mine and it feels right. 

When I arrived home from work, my mom had come over and decorated the house and prepared a beautiful dinner.  Happy birthday indeed!

V and the kids were in on the plan and presented me with a beautiful delicious cake.  It was so fun!

On Friday night, the 6th, my family met up at Seasons 52 for such a great meal.  It felt so good to celebrate everyone, not just my birthday.  My heart felt so full after dinner.  These people are in my bones. 

Thank you to my most amazing family for making this night so so so special.  It was the highlight of my year.  So far, 40 is pretty fantastic.