Top O' The Morn

Before you go thinking that I have too much time on my hands, I assure you I do not.  I just happen to have been a former teacher with a "March" box and have another box filled with "rainbow" birthday party supplies.

That being said, my kids enjoyed a festive breakfast this St Patrick's Day morn.

Because it was a school day for Jack, we had two celebrations this a.m.  Jack woke to find shamrocks through the hall, down the stairs, and straight into the kitchen.  He was convinced a leprechaun had spread the trail, "even though we are not Irish!".  I could not begin to argue with his deductions.

He was even more thrilled when he found his plate filled with a  rainbow cantaloupe, fruit for the pot of gold, two shamrock pancakes, and green milk.  {Just how I like my kids to start the day-with a shot of food coloring.}  Add a dash of Lucky Charms {which only happens once a year}, and well, my boy was feeling pretty lucky.

After I combed his bed head, I sent him off to school with an equally festive lunch....green apples, green grapes, a shamrock sandwich, green jello, pistachios, and a green yogurt.  And I must note the lunchbox came back empty....yes, he eats that much.

Jack's day only continued to get better.  He had a leprechaun hunt at school and each student even built a leprechaun trap.  I was happy to hear the leprechaun had escaped and didn't come home with him.  I don't think I could handle anymore shenanigans around here.

Nearly two hours later, the girls woke for round two.  Maggie followed the shamrock trail down to the kitchen with Lucy quick on her heels.  Maggie was in awe of the "beautiful rainbow table".

It was only when she saw her breakfast that all her luck ran out.  You see she wanted 'white milk, not green', 'cut up canteloupe, not a rainbow one', 'a round pancake, not a shamrock one' and 'cheerios, not that cereal she'd never seen'.  I promise...I'm not even kidding.  She wasn't ugly about it, but her face said it all..."this doesn't look like my normal breakfast".  When I prompted her a bit, she got rolling with all that  was wrong.

Believe it or not, it was actually cute and so Maggie.  We worked through it with a little explanation and all was well.

She even gave the green milk a try.

Meanwhile, Lucy didn't miss a beat.  She dove right into her leprechaun day breakfast and was over the rainbow with satisfaction.  Before long she was asking for "moh" of that sugary stuff that Maggie had turned her nose up at.  I do adore my easy eater.

Happy St Patrick's Day from me and my three little leprechauns!

D' Backs Season

One of the many things I enjoy about spring is baseball season.  Most especially when my favorite big boy is playing.  I am happy to announce that he seems to enjoy it as well.  When asked what his favorite sport is, he replies, "baseball is my favorite team sport and karate is my favorite individual sport".  We'll take it.

Because if you know Jack, you know he's had some hesitation with anything involving a team. It's a little of that type A, perfectionist, and control personality streak that seems to genetically run through every vein in his body.  I can't imagine where that would come from.  Happily we are making significant progress {in all areas}.

So given that, you can imagine my elation when he hits the field running whether for a game or just a practice.  And trust me, there are plenty of both.

With the sun shining {hallelujah}, Grandma and I packed up the girls and headed to field 8 to cheer big brother on.  This was already Jack's fourth game of the season and I digress, this is the first game I've taken the girls to.  But, geez, it has been cold.  I couldn't bare to put them through it.

We arrived to see Jack out on the field donned in his D'backs uniform.  Can I just say, what a cutie?  That boy wears his uniform well.  Lucy was just about beside herself when she spotted him.  "Jah! Jah! Jah!".  She was so loud that Jack had an unfocused moment of waving to his littlest.  Sweetness!

When Lucy wasn't cheering for her brother she was sneaking into the dug out to get some love from her Daddy.  I think she thought she was big stuff in there with all those boys.

I set the girls up with a picnic right by the fence.  It was the best view for them to watch Jack out on the field and up to bat.  I must admit, Maggie spent most of her time socializing with anyone she could find under 4 feet.  Some of the "friends" were feeling kind of shy and when I mentioned Maggie is often like that, I was looked at as if I were nuts.  Followed, by 'I never would have guessed that'.  I suppose she was feeling kind of social butterflyish today.  I'm thinking those cool Arial shades boosted her confidence.

As I mentioned, Jack seems to enjoy himself.  Whether he's on the field or not.  I love that he's getting a taste of team spirit.

We all watched in great anticipation as Jack came up to bat in a tie game.

But, none more than littlest Lu.

It's a hit!  The D'backs pulled out a 16 to 17 victory!

And Lucy could finally relax and enjoy the rest of her lunch with Grandma.

We are looking forward to many more SUNNY games this season.  I think it's fair to say we all enjoyed the beautiful day and watching our big boy play.

Getting Ready...

I feel very absent from our blog.  It's been over a week.  So unlike me.  And I am surely missing my evening 'decompress and reflect on why I really do love my kids' time.  Because sometimes after a long evening...I need those pictures to remind me.

But, honestly not much has been going on.  Just a lot of prepping for days up ahead.  We are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day.  Please take "getting ready" lightly here.  We've prepared some sweet over the rainbow treats for the teachers.  And I'm still in great debate mode about how big of deal to make it around the house.  It's most likely pending on if I can make a dollar store run before the 17th.

And speaking of dollar store, I found these cute green cups for the teachers there.  We filled them with a cello bag of skittles and a separate cello bag of hershey gold nuggets.  We then tied rainbow ribbon around the outside and attached this cute little tag that read, "you are the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow".  I'm hoping the teachers feel special.  They certainly deserve it after all they do {speaking from experience}.

We've also been getting ready for Jack's big 7.  I can hardly believe I just typed that number.  Wasn't he just 17 months old and giving me a run for my 'first time mommy' money?  Where does the time go?

So, I'm thinking this might be his last biggie.  We *may* go a little more low key from here on out with a few friends and a destination.  Just thinking {and kind of wishing}.  But, his party request this year is anything but low key. He has requested and I quote, "an animal adventure party".  So that's what I will be spending the month of March getting ready for.

And other than that, we've been hitting the field getting ready for baseball season {which we are  now three games in}.  I vow to post on that soon.  Getting ready for summer...woah, it will be here before we know it.  I've booked Maggie's June and July camps and Jack's June.  And we are still waiting for that perfect camp to make itself known for Jack's July.  Any ideas?

And speaking of summer, I have spent many a nights this past week on the computer researching Disney Cruises.  And I am happy to say, we have finally scheduled and booked one!  YAY!  But, shhhhh...don't tell the kids.  I'm not sure how I'm going to present one of the most awesome summer vacations EVER to them yet.

Okay...I'm off to get ready for the many things March precedes.  Hopefully my kids will do something really cute at one point this month so I'll have more to share.

Ta ta for now!

Lions or Lambs?

I'm still pretty skeptical on March following its's prophecy of "coming in like a lion and leaving like a lamb".  I actually foresee a little lamb and a lot of lion up ahead.  However, you will not find me complaing about this weekend's weather.

We were overdue for some much needed sunshine.  We pretty much hung out in the driveway every chance we could get this weekend, most especially Sunday.  After loading it up with nearly everything that had wheels or could bounce, my kiddos hit the concrete playing.

Add a few Cibula smiles and a lot of neighborhood kids and it was the kind of weekend that had me longing for Spring.

Yes, that is a banana and Zeba {from Great Wolf Lodge}.  Only my Maggie.

One of my favorite things about Lucy...her impromptu hugs.  I'm pretty sure her brother adores it too. 

I'm convinced that she thinks she is at least four.  She grabbed Maggie's helmet, put it on, and was on the tricycle before I could blink.  Next thing I know she'll be riding up to the neighbors houses inviting herself in for a play date.

This was Maggie's "Pet Shop On Wheels".  How I adore her girly-girl self.

After our little stint in the great outdoors I've got my fingers {and toes} crossed for an early Spring.  Wishful thinking after the winter we are having, huh?  Lions and lambs {humph!}