Happy Birthday Ryan!

Today is Ry's ninth birthday! He's what is nicely known as "a spirited child." He has a mind of his own and a plan that only he knows and follows. Some days, I wish he would clue me in on his plan. He gives me gray hair and wrinkles. I worry. worry. worry about him...BUT...he makes us laugh, comes up with the most interesting facts about just about anything, is tender and caring and compassionate about his friends (maybe not his brother so much). He gives great hugs and knows just the right time to sit next to you for a cuddle. He's a kid that loves his birthday...as we have now been celebrating for a full five days in some fashion or another!

Happy Birthday Big Ry! We love you tons!

Friday Round-up

Finally, I feel as if I'm getting back into a routine. The dog training has begun, kids are healthy again and all extracurricular activities are coming to a close.

Highlights for the weekend include:

Celebrating Ryan's ninth birthday with family and friends

Watching (finally!) the new Indiana Jones movie

mowing the lawn if the sun ever reappears

weeding, weeding, weeding

boys playing a quick nine at the local golf course

relaxing (maybe)

Some favorites that I saw this week out in Internet world included:

These cool glasses. I might order a few and use them as hostess gifts this summer.

Love them!

Photo courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess

This great martini recipe which I found over at Hostess with the Mostess.

This will be on our menu at some point this weekend.

Photo courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess

Pineapple Martini

1 oz. Pineapple Juice

1.5 oz. Vodka.

5 oz. Chambord
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.Garnish with a wedge of pineapple or a pineapple leaf.

And these "if I worked" outfits:

All photos courtesy of The Sartorialist

Have a great extended weekend everyone and please remember to remember those who have served our Country. They are truly heroes.

My Apologies

I have been meaning to show this off as it came in the mail last week. I was delightfully surprised when I went to the mailbox and found a large package. Inside, was this beautiful pillow and card from Sarah. "Just for Fun" said the card!

I love it because it's girly and believe me when I say there's not a lot around my home that's girly. I found the perfect place for it on my front porch. Please checkout her Smashing Darlings site as well as her blog. She creates some incredible things!

It the weather ever returns to normal I will be outside, drinking my coffee and thinking of my new friend!

A Whirlwind Weekend

Well, that's over! What a weekend. All in all, it turned out great! Emily graduated with honors with a B.A. in Business (whatever that means these days)! Watching 1100 graduates walk across the stage was a bit of a drag, especially since Em was at the beginning! The boys actually walked over to the food center, bought a sandwich and brought it back into the ceremony and finished it and the graduates still were walking strong!

By the way, they ended up wearing their khaki shorts, button-down shirts and CROCS. They would have been miserable in blue blazers and long pants. So much for running around last week, but they are ready for the next swanky party...except for the shoes!

I got to do a bit of shopping while there and although I mostly bought for the boys I did end up in JCrew, buying the essential shorts and t-shirt for summer. I did, however, wander around Saks for an hour and found these two little gems. Both look much better in person, were way out of my comfort zone and looked smashing on me( if I do say so myself)! Alas, the price tag was just too much for me to handle. But it was fun to try on all the same. My brother tried his best to persuade me to buy at least the dress, but I just couldn't do it. It's difficult for me to spend a lot of money on myself. Must be the innate sacrifice mothering instinct.

Lastly, I was able to receive a special gift this weekend. Among Emily's graduating class was a student that I had in fifth grade. Emily and her friend had no idea that they had a common bond until this past Christmas. Emily had been using my maiden name to describe me and this past student knew me by my married name. It's not often that an elementary teacher is able to see one of her past students graduate from college. We have our students for a brief 180 days and they are gone, usually never to be seen or heard of from again. This student's father came up to me as we were gathering everyone to make our way to commencement. It was hectic and chaotic, but he stopped me and said thank you for helping to shape his son into the fine young man that he had become. In that one brief moment my decision to become a teacher had been confirmed. I will never second guess myself for a decision that was perfect for me!

What A Week!

This is my little sister at her high school graduation FOUR years ago. Yeah, I know she is my LITTLE sister of 23 years difference( not sure that's a sentence). This weekend she will be graduating from Xavier University with honors. We're all very proud of her...even if you don't count the bonehead moves she has made the last few weeks. (Ah to be 22 again...NOT)

So in preparation for this weekend I have been running around like a mad woman! Knowing that the weather was not going to cooperate I needed to buy new pants for the boys. That led to needing new shoes which we still haven't bought. Looks like we will buying them on the way. They might end up wearing their CROCs with the way things are going.

So I need to go pack. I really do! But then maybe I might mosey over to look at Flickr again. Procrastination is a good thing, 'cause you know that old saying about "being able to pick your friends, but not your family" Just sayin...I might need this when I return home!

Happy Mother's Day

From Ryan:

Mothers are for helping you when you are hurt.

Mothers are for making you lots of good desserts.

Mothers are for gardening with and pulling out the weeds.

Mothers are for reminding you

to finish all your important deeds.

Mothers are for calming you when you are upset.

Mothers are for drying you off when you are soaking wet.

Mothers are for taking you on wonderful vacations.

Mothers are for teaching you lots of interesting information.

This was HUGE for Ryan since writing is not his forte. I asked him how he picked the words to rhyme and he told me matter-of-factly that he had a rhyming dictionary. Who knew such a thing existed?

From Matt:

Top Ten Things About My Mom

10: My mom takes me to my games and practices, even in the WORST weather.

9. She helps me pick the best book for me.

8. My mom is a phenomenal cook! Her rigatoni's are out of this world!

7. She loves to go on vacations to the Adirondacks.

6. My mom is a whiz at knitting clothes.

5. She helps me with my homework and teaches me to do it correctly.

4. She has many talents. She is a tremendous gardener!

3. My mom isn't afraid to push it to the limits, like if the car's on empty, she'll just keep driving! (love this one)

2. She takes exceptional pictures of the world.

1. The #1 thing about my mom is that she teaches me to listen to my conscience.

Happy Mom's Day to all!

Macro May

Again, not a ton of time to spend here but do head on over to Sarah's site. She is throwing a great give-a-way in honor of Mother's Day. Don't forget to mention what your mom has taught you over the years!

This month is Macro May...not sure who is hosting but I'm going to try an play along. May be tough we the spring schedule! Have a happy weekend and enjoy the pictures from my garden!

Try It!

I have been busy knitting and freezing my behind off at baseball games this week. It actually snowed last night as I was watching Matt's game. Not a lot of time today to play on the computer. I have been working hard finishing up projects and hope to have pictures soon.

In the meantime, check this site out. I lost it at transportation. Living in the country and having to commute long distances does not help the planet Earth ...no kidding! Have a good day!