Thursday, February 28, 2013

Not so lucky

Well, we weren't all so lucky after all. I caught Vivi's mystery bug on Wednesday night at 2am and was up puking until 4:30am. It SUCKED. Thank heavens for my incredible mother-in-law who dropped everything when I called at 7am saying I could barely get out of bed, let alone take the kids to Mom's Morning Out.

Grandma came over and played with the kids all day while I slept and tried to recover. I was only able to drink small amounts of apple juice and couldn't even try to eat until late that afternoon. I managed a piece of toast before Tish left for the day, and soon after, Ben came home early from work to take over kid-duty.

I was down for the count for two days and didn't start feeling better until Saturday. It amazed me how quickly Vivian was able to fight off whatever the heck virus we had contracted. Praying Ben, Owen & Tish don't get it.

Thank you Tish for being so wonderful!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Gymnastics field trip

The Mom's Morning Out program that I have the kids enrolled in does awesome field trips once a month. This month was a local gymnastics center and both Owen & Vivian LOVED it.



Luckily, we've all escaped Vivian's mystery illness from Monday. Thank goodness!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

Sick baby

Vivi woke up in a puddle of puke this morning. :(


Poor baby was wiped out after a couple of hours of playing this morning, so she took a nap in the family room after breakfast. Owen kept me company in the dining room while she napped.


It must have been just a 12 or 24-hr bug since she didn't throw up again all day. Fingers crossed no one else in the house gets it.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

We went out to dinner tonight at The V, while Curt & Tish babysat the kiddos for us. Kelly, Matt, Molly & Tim joined us and we had a blast celebrating together.


Happy Birthday, honey. I love you more than anything.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

1st pairs of ballet & taps shoes

came in the mail today. I can't believe it worked, but based on the pairs she borrowed at her first class, I guessed at her size and ordered these on Amazon. They fit perfectly, with a little room to grow.

They're so teeny-tiny to me. 
LOVE.



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Vivian's first dance class

I had been waiting patiently for this day. I found the perfect little dance studio for Vivian's first dance classes and they were even running a Groupon promotion for 50% off a 12-week session since they are new. She also got a pair of tights and a tutu with the deal! Owen and I had so much fun watching her during her first class. It's a 45-minute class which includes 15 minutes of each: ballet, jazz and tap. At the end, on the way home, I asked her which was her favorite. "I like tappin' shoes, Mommy." was her response. :)

Monday, February 11, 2013

Heading home

We had a few hours of a delay, so it was a bit of a challenge keeping the kids entertained at the airport. But lucky for us, there was a kiddie play area which they both enjoyed for awhile.






Saturday, February 9, 2013

A celebration of her life


In my heart I know that she peacefully entered into heaven. I am absolutely positive she knew how much every member of her family loved her. I know that my husband’s grandfather and and his cousin Lark who both left this Earth before her were there to hold her hand. And I believe that Jesus wrapped his loving arms around her and told her he was so proud of her for a life well lived.
I was grateful for our last trip out to Wisconsin to see her this past May. At the time I remember being sad that I forgot to take a bunch of pictures, but I was so glad to have had the time together to make memories that would last longer than the pictures I would have taken.
The service was today. It was a beautiful celebration of her life. So many people from the community came to pay their respects, as Grandma was well-known having taught for so many years. Ben's dad and cousin Sarah both spoke and then I said a few words. I spoke about one of those memories we made during our last trip. It’s my favorite memory of Grandma. After dinner one night, I suggested we pile all the great grandkids onto the couch around Grandma (6 of the 10 great grandchildren were there) to take some pictures. It was silly and challenging to get all the kids smiling and looking at the camera, but we got some great pictures. The five boys toppled off the couch and resumed their play, while Baby Girl climbed over to sit right next to her Great Grandma.
What happened next was the highlight of my short eulogy. Baby Girl stood up and started patting her Great Grandma’s beautiful white perfectly curled hair, as if to say, “Pretty, Grandma! So pretty!”. Only our little lady wasn’t talking quite yet. So it was just an adorable exchange of giggles, smiles, and high-fives. Such a special moment that I did catch on camera. Although I didn’t even need the photo to remember the moment. It was that memorable.
Tonight the ladies of the family went through her (many) jewelry boxes to decide who would keep which pieces. We reminisced on the times we saw her wearing various bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. My little princess sat on my lap the entire time and would open up one of the wooden boxes, and then slip bracelet after bracelet on her tiny wrists. Everyone agreed that she should keep that bracelet box. Her brother later enjoyed “decorating himself” as he referred to it as he donned the baubles on his arms.
In the end I chose one simple necklace that reminds me of how dainty, elegant, and pretty my husband’s grandmother was. She was a gentle, loving woman who is now an angel who will always watch over her family from heaven.
Her necklace reminds me of angel’s wings. 
Rest in peace, Grandma.
We love you. You are deeply missed.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Grandma Marshall

Ben's Grandma passed away last night. She would have been 92 on February 26th. Grandma Marshall had the sweetest smile and the warmest hugs. We are so lucky that Owen and Vivian were able to spend time with her. She'll always have a special place in our hearts.


Today we made travel arrangements to be there to say goodbye.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

M&M Love

Had to run a little errand at Walgreens, and as I turned to pay the cashier, I looked back and saw these two monkeys kissing the M&M guy.


Monday, February 4, 2013

Preschool helper

Vivian loves to help her big brother organize his stuff when he gets to preschool. He has to hang up his coat under his name, hang up his backpack, put his folder in his cubby and put his snack in the snack bin.


She is a very, very good helper.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

SuperBowl Sunday

Kel and Matt hosted an awesome laid-back SuperBowl party. Everyone, including all the kids, had a blast.


Vivian made herself comfortable on the ottoman:

And of course, there was dancing on the ottoman when Mrs. Jay Z came on.