sweet

We celebrated Christina's birthday today, at the Sweet Spot at the Irvine Spectrum.

First thing to do...
decorate your chef hat.

Molly loved feeling like a big kid!

The hat was WAY too big...and we laughed when it fell over her face.

It DID NOT, however, prevent her from eating her pizza.

Next, time to decorate.
Or, just eat frosting. Whatever.

After the frosting, one must visit the topping bar.

Jack and Christina have been friends since birth.
She is 3 weeks older than Jack.
I remember visiting them when she was born.
Holding her, with a very giant pregnant belly.
I love that they are (usually) the best of friends!

Happy Birthday!

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says: I can see the fingerprints of god. When I look at you, I can see the fingerprints of god. And I know its true. You're a masterpiece, that all creation quietly applauds. And you're covered with the fingerprints of god.

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.
Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?


Maybe I am cheating here, because I posted about it yesterday.
BUT, watching Jack and his classmates at their program have to be this week's fingerprints.
(and annoying as it is to hear God Bless the USA over and over and over,
there is something very touching about 120 first graders singing it together!)


Be sure to check out The Rusted Chain for more inspiration!

Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln

The first graders at our school put on a Presidents' Day Program.
Jack was a very proud Abraham Lincoln.

(it's hard work, you know)

(My mom made the costume, of course!)

Everyone did a wonderful job, but we think this president was the cutest!
Later, we were out to dinner, and Jack had a quarter.
And he asked for a penny.
And then, he asked the couple at our table if they wanted to hear a song, called
"Do you know who is on the penny?".
They said sure...and so, Jack sang it to them :)

wordless Wednesday

6 minutes of silly

I realize most of you aren't going to watch all of these clips. Its mostly for grandparents. But, Molly is quite the character...and here is some proof.

Make a Smilebox digital slideshow

paint

About 5 years ago, we painted our dining area/kitchen red.

I had to replace the framed poster, because it no longer
matched the walls.

I went the cheap and creative route, and had Jack paint it.

I took pictures of the process, and put those up as well.

It was a cheap and easy project,

and it brightens up the space.

Today, Molly and I were home sick.

But, we decided to expand the artwork to the other wall.

I had 2 canvases in my closet...

and let Molly make her own paintings.

I just need to frame up these pictures of her painting.

I love our tiny museum of artwork!

(by the way, this makes a really EASY gift for grandparents!)

10

I was reminded.
I didn't remember on my own.

10 years ago, Ken and I took my sister to the airport.
I was so happy because we were going to Benihana after we dropped her off.
(you know, I love that place, right?)
Anyway, for some reason, Ken convinced me to kill some time,
and we went to the top of the parking structure to watch the planes.

It was there, that he pulled out my grandmother's engagement ring.
I don't remember the exact words, but I remember feeling shocked, and excited, and happy.

A few minutes later, when he decided we should go eat, I headed back to the car.
But, that was not the plan.
I was handed a plane ticket.
We were going to San Francisco!

Now, the woman in me started to panic...I had no make-up, no toothbrush. No clothes.
I wasn't prepared for this!
My fiance assured me, everything was fine.

We arrived, and I claimed my suitcase. Filled with clothes and make-up and everything I could've ever needed.
It was as if I had packed myself, for a trip I had known about...

We spent the weekend in SF, making memories...and wedding plans.

10 years? Time flies.

(insert family picture of us out to dinner)

We were going to go out to celebrate...but Molly and I are sick.
So, we ordered in. Not how we planned it, but, just as good.

Thanks, Ken, for always packing, and being what I need.

Date Night

Jack and I went to the Mother & Son Dance again last night.
We tried to get a nice picture at home, just the 2 of us...but, we had an intruder everytime :)They did have a photographer there, which was nice, but we managed to get some at the table.We were able to sit with Shalimar and Salvatore. It was a wonderful Mommy/Son time!The best part, was watching all the boys run, and jump, and dance.

The fun part for me, as a teacher, was to watch all the boys come in with their moms, all dressed up. Even the Kindergarteners seemed to be very proud to be there with their moms. The "dance" atmosphere made some of them crazy (like my Jack), and they danced around like wild. Some, however, were surprisingly calm...which made me wonder if the suits made them into little men. If that's the case, maybe that should be our school uniform!

This picture makes me smile. Jack is such a good big brother...and soon, Salvatore will be a big brother to HIS baby sister. Jack can teach him all he needs to know!
Thank you, Liconas, for a fun evening out!

Fingerprint Friday- Love Notes

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says: I can see the fingerprints of god. When I look at you, I can see the fingerprints of god. And I know its true. You're a masterpiece, that all creation quietly applauds. And you're covered with the fingerprints of god.

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.

Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?


I have been writing love notes in Jack's lunch for 3.5 years.
Everyday he gets a note.
I did the math.
Its been almost 600 love notes.
Usually, its just a quick note, on scratch paper.
Sometimes, I remind him of upcoming happenings or
simply wish him a good afternoon.
Today's note matched his cookie and peanut butter sandwich.
And I had to tell him I was looking forward to our date tonight.
Jack is taking me to the The Mother & Son Dance,
where I will be the luckiest mom out there!

Sometimes, I wonder how much longer he will let me write them.
How long until he is embarrassed by his mom?
I imagine it will be sooner than I would like.
Either way, I love these notes.
I love that my almost 7 year old looks forward to them at lunch.

Check out The Rusted Chain for more fingerprints!

remembering...

So, I came across these old pictures and wanted to share them.
They are from the summer of 2006, making Jack 3 and a half...
which means, we were right in the middle of the train phase. BIG time. That summer, we took a road trip from Ohio.
It was ALL for Jack.
Ken found this place...

and we knew we had to go.
A caboose hotel.
We were the first ones to check in, so the lady let Jack pick the one he wanted to stay in.It was pure joy for him.At night, he could hardly sleep.In the morning, Ken took him around, and found these funny photo opportunities.Look how happy he was to be there! And look at the reaction when it was time to leave :(
I love finding treasures like these in a hidden file on my computer!