David turns "50"

I can't believe that my husband has hit the half century mark. When we were first married the thought of turning "40" seemed like so long away and that forty year olds were "old" people. Now that we have passed that mark and beginning the next decade of our lives "50" is not old at all and in fact we feel the best ever. David was not as excited to hit this event as I was because the older girls and I were planning the best surprise party ever! His birthday was May 11th and that happened on a family night. So we had the kids over for dinner and celebrated Mother's Day and his birthday together. The kids brought pizza and made a great salad. David was acting kind of funny but oh well. (He secretly thought that this was the night we were going to surprise him, but we had him fooled:) We had cake and the kids got him lovely cards. The following Saturday we had planned a party at a bowling alley and had invited all his family to it. He had not a clue. I was going to California the following week for my mom's birthday so I told him that before Noah's game (Noah had secretly gone with Chloe and the some of the kids to the bowling place instead of his game.) we had to go to a craft store that had what I wanted to get for my mom for her birthday. Without a fuss he agreed to do this. But as he saw that we were driving and driving he was beginning to get upset. "Can't you find what you want in town?" he said as he was getting more frustrated with the distance he was having to drive. "What my mom isn't good enough to go the extra mile for?", I said trying not to laugh the whole time. When we drove up and the address was a bowling alley and not the craft store he was really mad. But I said "let's just go ask and see if they know where it is". So he parked (unfortunately he parked right next to Ashleigh's car and saw Seth's truck) and we went in. Even though he thought it was funny that the older kids might be here he never clued in to the surprise until he saw his parents. He just looked at me and said "you are lucky, I was so mad! But now I am so embarrassed that I don't know what to say!" Yeah for us to pull off the surprise!!!! We had a great time. Had pizza there, played at the arcade and bowled. Sorry to say though Autumn beat David the first round - She thought it was funny that he was having a hard time and she was just putting the ball between her legs and pushing it. She never clued in to the fact that she had bumpers up the whole time!

Happy birthday David and we all love you and are so happy to get to share this "big one" with you!

May field trip

Yesterday I went on a field trip with Hayden and her second grade class. I have to admit that I have gotten out of these little excursions for the last few years. I went on my share of field trips the first fifteen or so years that I have had kids in school. I was taking a little break - you might say I was giving other parents the opportunity to spend this quality time with their child. Well, Hayden was not having it anymore. Autumn is way to old to use as an excuse anymore so I gave in and said I would go. That was almost two months ago. She has been planning and anticipating this day ever since I passed the "background" check. (Can I say I had never had to that before - I am glad they do it - I think - but still ---) As soon as I got on the bus I thought to myself, "What was I thinking... these kids are so wound up!" Once we got there it was OK. I had three (including Hayden) cute little girls to be in charge of. They were very excited to say the least and the first half hour was jumping from one thing to another. After the sub tour they calmed down a bit and took more time at things. As lunch time got closer and they got hungrier they stayed pretty close so they would not miss out on that. Finally it was time to leave and come home and my thought was that the whole bus load of kids would be settled down and quieter. Not so, may I say that the bus ride home was just as adventuresome as the ride there. Oh well, it is an experience that I will treasure as time very well spent with miss Hayden. She later told me it was the best day ever until she got in trouble for not cleaning her room. Oh well, I guess all best days have to come to a close even if it means having to clean your room and get ready for the next best day to come. As one last thought: I kind of think I missed these little trips with the kids - but not sure whether I miss them enough to get on a bus full of second graders again:)

Happy Monday

This weekend we got our garden in. We built two boxes and Saturday David got the rest of the dirt to fill them. In between the rain and running kids we got the seeds planted. It was a muddy mess but everyone had lots of fun. Miss Autumn made little signs so we would know what everything was. David was not listening to her and put up the seed packets on stakes and she was crushed. So when I told him about it he let her put it in special places in the garden so that she could care for those things. She was happy again and it was if the sun had come out the look on her face! She has been quite the character lately and said some of the funniest things. Of course, I forgot to take pictures of all the gardening fun but will post ones as things start to grow.

I have been stalking all of the crafting blogs I can find and have found some pretty cute things to start making. As soon as some of those get going I will post pictures as well. Also, I have some ideas for some cute dresses for the little girls but can't find the pattern I want. So when I go to California I am hoping my mom will help me out. She is amazing when it comes to sewing and does a lot of things without bought patterns. It is funny to have these ideas swirling around in my head. It will be fun to see if I can get from my head to fabric to little girl. I think I can make it happen:)

Watching baby Jonathan again today and he does not like it when I am not paying attention to him. He is so cute and very fun to watch at this age. I am glad they live close so I can watch him. We (Autumn and I ) fed him and gave him a bath and after a little play I got him to sleep for about an hour now so far. Toshia says he is better about taking naps now and that makes it easier for me as well. I did not go to the gym this morning because it took a little longer than I thought to get him going after I got home from my run. At least I got the run in (4.5 miles today) and feel great (I always feel better after I am done and am glad I did it, but sometimes when I start I think "What am I doing this for?")

We have two games tonight the three little girls play. Hopefully the rain will hold off. I need pictures of all the softball and baseball stuff as well. I need to do better about bringing the camera with me. Oh well, at least I don't forget anyone and they all end up where they are supposed to be:)

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you all get what you need to do done today:)