The Ants Go Marching

Who knew that ants crawling around could keep the kids entertained for hours, well minutes really, but they did. Gabriel noticed the ants crawling on the ground and called his sisters over to watch them. And watch them they did.

And watched some more. They were trying to figure out where the ants were going. They were fascinated.

Then they feed them with some cracker crumbs. They loved seeing the ants carry crumbs bigger than the ant itself.

Gabriel and Abby decided the ants need help in gathering the food so they started moving the crumbs closer to where they assumed the home is located. A crack in the patio.

Even little Elizabeth joined in the excitement. She was delighted with the ants crawling around gathering up their food. Abby did lose a little of her excitement when she realized that the ants were crawling all over her hair. She even let out a scream to show her dissatisfaction with the ants. Not that it bothered them.

Things are getting back to normal around here, I think, I hope. I am feeling much better since my surgery. Yesterday, I even took the girls to the park and ran some errands, all without those wonderful pain pills or Advil, so I know I am feeling better. Gabe will be out of school next week and I am looking forward to a summer of the pool, park, library, homegrown activities, and play dates. There are so many things to be thankful for in my life so I am going to fill up the thanks tank. This has been a wonderful exercise for me because it really makes me think about the good things happening in my life. So here's my list for this week.

1. The surgery and recovery went and are going well.
2. The sunshine we've been having around here.
3. Kids laughing and playing outside.
4. Bubbles.
5. Swimming in the pool.
6. Matt being home and not having class.
7. Matt coming back from Nashville tonight.
8. Shopping, even if it is for Gabe. He was so excited about the new Clone Trooper t-shirt.
9. School ending for the summer.
10. A wonderful caring husband. Matt did a great job of taking care of me and the kids while I was recovering.
11. Not having to cook or clean. It was a nice break to not have to cook or clean, while I was recovering. I just wish I had been able to enjoy it a little more.
12. Great MOPS friends who brought us food, called, sent emails, and mailed cards.
13. Flowers. I received some beautiful flowers from the preschool after my surgery.
14. Wonderful preschool teachers.
15. Abby's preschool teacher who watched the girls for us while I had surgery. It was great to know that they were so well cared for.
16. Water table fun.
17. Riding bikes.
18. Painting the girls' toenails.

I hope that you take a little time to reflect on what makes you happy. And there are lots of little things and big everyday no matter what. Have a great weekend.

Wordless Wednesday

Elizabeth is a Monkey

Last night as Matt was putting Elizabeth to bed she was climbing everything, her dresser, the toy box the bed rails, you name it she probably climbed it. Matt looks at her and says, "Elizabeth, you aren't a monkey are you?" She replies, "Yes. Oooh, oooh, aah, ahh, eee, eee." She even made the arm motions to go with it. After a bit we finally got our Monkey, I mean child, settled and in bed for the night. And we chuckled together at her antics.

Gabe's Birthday Interview Age 7

Kids change so quickly that there are times you just can't keep up. I wanted to remember what my kids were thinking about, enjoying and doing. I thought an interview of each child on or around his/her birthday would be fun and something we could look back on together. Here are Gabe's answers to his questions. I am sure I will come up with more and better ones later.

What is your favorite book? Stars Wars Epic Battles
What do you like the most about it? The light saber fights and the stories

If you could go anywhere where would you go? To Tennessee to see a Tennessee football games. Because Tennessee rocks!!

What is your favorite thing to do? Play my DS. At least when my mom isn't playing with it.

Who are/is your favorite sports teams? Tennessee Volunteers and the Colts and the Jets and the Giants and Green Bay Packers

What is your favorite color? Orange, Blue and Green
How does that color make you feel? Good.

What do you like best about your family? That we sit on the couch sometimes together and spend time together.

Do you like your name? Yes.
What do you like being called the most? Gabe and Gabriel
Do you know what you name means? No, I think it means God, angels.

What was your favorite thing about school this year? Playing with my friends and learning things.

What are you looking forward to doing this summer? Swimming in my pool, playing in the sprinklers and getting all wet.

What are you looking forward to doing in school next year? Learning. And doing Math facts.

What is your favorite thing to do with Dad? Helping Dad around the house. Mom? Give her hugs. Abby? Play with her. Elizabeth? Chase her around saying "I'm going to get ya." And listening to her scream.

Gabe's Birthday part Deux

I believe that Gabe had a great birthday. Not only did he wake up to his doorway and the kitchen decorated for his birthday he got to open one really cool present from us that morning too. He got a Star Wars t-shirt that he had been eyeing for a while.

Gabe loves this shirt so much he has asked several times in the last couple of days when I will be able to do laundry again so that he can wear his shirt.

One tradition in our house is that the birthday person gets to choose the dinner for their special night. And what other food would you choose for your birthday that pizza. We've been making homemade pizzas for several years now and this is what Gabe wanted. Matt has brought him over to the darkside with his pepperoni, banana pepper, black and green olive, sausage, and cheese pizza. I am so glad we have graduated from just cheese. After the pizza was consumed we all enjoyed Gabe's football cake.

It's too bad we couldn't get orange or blue football guys for his cake. But he didn't seem to care.

While the pizza was cooking we opened presents. And Gabe was certainly not disappointed. He got some new sports decorations for his room and a Nerf game for his Wii. He also got a Nintendo DS which his mom keeps taking so that she has something to do while she is stuck in bed. He's even said he's going to save his money and buy his mom a DS so that I will stop taking his. All in all he had a great birthday.

Gabe and his Daddy shooting it up in Nerf N'Strike for Wii. They had a balst playing together.

Abby and Gabe enjoying the DS. Everyone wants to play with it.

Turning Seven Years Old

This is a picture of Gabriel after we came home from the hospital. In this picture he was 8 days old. This was one of Gabriel's favorite napping spots as an infant. Even as he grew into his toddler years he enjoyed having his dad nap with him. (smile...sniff,sniff...smile)

Today my little boy is turning seven years old. My how fast the years go. Gabriel is a sweet and loving boy. He is always concerned about others and befriends people easily. His teacher says that he is a true leader in the classroom, and is always helpful and courteous to his classmates. Gabriel has really begun to flourish in his reading skills and has developed a love for learning about animals and the world around him.

Our birthday flag we hang for each and every birthday. The kids love this tradition.

Gabriel enjoys playing on the Wii and Playstation, when he is allowed. His favorite game being Lego Star Wars or Lego Indiana Jones. He loves being outside playing with his sisters and the other neighborhood children. He loves riding his bike and rides his bike to school almost everyday. He is encouraging Abby as she learns to ride without training wheels and can't wait for them both to be able to go around the block together. He loves Tennessee football, thanks to his dad and grandfather. And thanks to his grandparents, he now knows every Tennessee song there is and can sing them by heart (sigh). If I have to hear Rocky Top again at 6:30 in the morning I might just scream. Gabriel is also very into Star Wars and Army men. You can bet if it is Star Wars or Camo/Army he will love it. In fact he couldn't wait to try the MRE he received at boy scouts just because an "army man" gave it to him.

Gabriel enjoying his MRE (Meal Ready-to-Eat).

Today we took cup cakes to his class. As you can imagine everyone was excited to see us , and who wouldn't be, we were bearing cupcakes and juice. Gabriel relished in the fact that it was his day, and being able to share a special event with his class was so exciting for him. Though he had finished his cupcake before I was able to get back around with the camera. I did however get a picture of him showing off his Iron Man ring.

Gabe showing off his Iron Man ring.

It's been a long while since I blogged. I'm not sure why I took the break but I needed it. I have had a lot going on but haven't been able to put most of it into words for one reason or another. Things seem to be getting better. And I am strongly feeling like it's time to begin thinking about the good things God has given me in my life instead of focusing on the negative. So instead I am going to focus on the things I am thankful for at the moment. God is good and there are lots of good things in my life.

1. Matt's Graduation: As I stated earlier this week we are all so proud and thankful for Matt. He graduated with his masters and second in his class no less! We are thankful for having such a hard working and devoted father and husband in our lives.

2. I am so glad it's only a hernia. Several years ago we discovered a mass in my abdomen. It was removed and turned out to be a desmoid tumor which is benign. Though we were told there was a chance it could come back. Several months ago I discovered another mass. It felt different and it was in a different spot but it warranted a trip to the doctor's office. This time it turns out to be two ventral hernias that will be repaired on Monday, May 18th. So at least it's not a bad as it could have been. I just hope this time they don't use the adhesives (this is what happens to my skin with adhesives). Can I just say OUCH!
3. My MOPS group: Have I told you how much I love my MOPS group? I have? Well, you can skip on down to the next number if you don't want to hear it again, but if you don't mind I'm going to tell you again. My MOPS group is great. They are being so helpful next week by their many offerings of food and child care. I am so blessed to have such a great group of women in my life. I am not sure what I would do without them.
4. Family Visits: We were so happy to have family visiting for Matt's graduation. It was wonderful to have the company. We just wish they could come more often.
5. The rain: We've gotten a lot of rain recently but today I just enjoyed listening to it as it fell this afternoon. It was a wonderful and calming sound. Though the thunder scares Abby it energizes me. I just love it.
6. The crazy week of preschool. This week Abby's preschool class has had Bad Hair Day, a Teddy Bear Picnic and Opposite Day. Abby has loved each of these, especially the Bad Hair Day.

7. Mother's Day: The kids made several gifts for their grandmother and enjoyed giving them to her on Mother's Day. I am thankful for having such a great mothe-in-law. And I enjoyed seeing the excitement of the kids as they each gave her their special gift.

8. No training wheels: Last weekend we also started teaching Abby how to ride her bike without training wheels. She was so excited and will get the hang of it in no time. We found a handle that hooks onto her back wheels and that means no more hurting back!!
9. Gabe running in the Fitness Run. I am still so proud of all the effort he put into his training and the race.

Wordless Wednesday

9th Annual Elementary Fitness Run at Mill Race Park

About two months ago Gabriel received a paper from school about a new club that was forming, it was called the Fitness Club. He let me know that he wanted to do it. When I asked him why he said it was because he wanted to get healthy...I guess I'm doing something right. Later I found out that the fit club was actually training for a 1/2 mile run that was to be run on Mother's Day weekend. Gabe was not a runner, in fact he hated running but insisted that this was something he wanted to do. We signed him up and then Matt and I discussed whether or not we were going to allow him to quit if he decided he didn't want to do this after all. We never had to broach that subject with him, much to our surprise. In fact he loved it and was upset when the Fitness Club was rained out.
On the day of the race we reminded Gabriel to keep a steady pace and not to run full out at the beginning. In the beginning Gabe was in the back of the pack to start and at the end he was in the middle and passing people. That is until he met up with a friend from class and they started playing/jostling with each other. I was so proud that Gabe finished the race and at a run no less and did so well that I started crying. Which everyone in the family enjoyed making fun of, but I was a proud mama.
I have included a video of the end of the run and some picture throughout the morning. Gabe was also extremely happy that his Grandparents were able to see him run.

Matt Has His MBA

For the past six years Matt has been working towards receiving his MBA. This weekend that dream was accomplished, with Matt graduating from the University of Indiana. Matt graduated second in his class with a 3.958 GPA. He started working on his MBA for his dad who has always encouraged him to continue his education. Our weekend was filled with his family joining us to celebrate this momentous occasion. His brother's family flew in from Washington D.C. and his parents drove up from Knoxville. It meant so much to Matt to have his parents and brother present at his graduation.
For us it has not fully sunken in that Matt's weekends will no longer be filled with studying, writing papers or working on assignments for his most recent group project. Gabe asked his dad last night if he had class the following night. Matt was able to reply, "I don't have class tomorrow night, or the next or the next or the next. I don't have any more classes." I think it will mean the most to Gabe because he still remembers when Matt didn't have classes. For both of the girls this will be a new experience. And it will be such a huge change for the entire family. We are looking forward to it.

One of Matt's requests was to have a picture taken with all three of his kids in his cap and gown. Can you tell by the look on Gabe's face how proud he is of his Daddy? I sure see it. The girls were pretty excited too.

This one is of Matt and his brother. Now both of them have a Masters. And their father couldn't be happier. Now he's trying to push one of them into getting a doctorate. I really don't think Matt will be heading down that path anytime soon.

And the final picture is of the family. I couldn't be more proud of my husband. I also couldn't be more relieved. I know that Matt share that sentiment.