Here Comes The Bride

Maggie's precious K teacher got engaged this year.  Her wedding date is set for this summer.  As you can imagine the kids have been absolutely giddy with joy over a real "bride" as their teacher.

Having flash backs to getting engaged when I was a K teacher and my sweet students throwing a surprise shower for me, I just knew we had to do the same for her.  I mean Ms. R is absolutely AmAzInG and totally deserves it.

I set out to plan a shower that was completely kid friendly and exciting for them {which meant a little bit of cheesy decor..eeek!}, but still try to keep a few touches of class.  Not super easy.

However, Ms. R was totally surprised, the kids were very excited, and her adoring family {who drove from out of state} and fiancé were there too!  You better believe there was Sweet Sweet love coming from all directions.

Surprise!  Is she adorable or what?  And just as lovely on the inside.

The kiddos dined on pettifores, sparkling punch in champagne flutes, and fruit.

Here are the bride and groom with their family.  Makes me want to marry Clay all over again.  This wedding stuff is so fun!

I made Ms. R the tee on my circuit and grabbed a princess veil for her to wear.  I knew the kids would get a kick out of it. Then all of us mommy's insisted she take a picture with us she, of course, obliged with a smile.

What would a shower be without gifts?  The kids got a little restless after the third box of glasses were opened and then were followed with a set of serving spoons.  Naturally, they just couldn't wrap their little minds around it.

Congratulations to the most lovely Kindergarten bride ever!  We adore you!

A GG-rific Visit

As if I weren't blessed enough to have this wonderful lady in my life, I actually had her in custody at my house for nearly two weeks.

GG had no way of escaping considering I picked her up {somewhere up North} and in return was her only way home.  I can't deny that she loves our company {or so she says}, so I would like to think the kidnapping was actually very pleasurable.

My sweet grandma got to see {and live} a couple of weeks in my life.  I imagine she had many flashbacks of raising her own three little ones.  Her great-grandchildren were elated with her visit and enjoyed every waking minute of it, as did I.

We certainly kept this 79 year old lady hopping from event to event.  As always, she is the dearest company and I can't be more thankful that my children get to make precious memories with her.

Although a few of these pictures are repeats, I just had to share all the tangibles from our GG-rific visit.

Lulu was loving that her GG was in the audience for her ballet recital.  The more peeps to perform for the better.

GG also visited Jack's TAG class where the students had just finished up an Ocean Discovery unit.  The culminating activity was fish dissecting.  Apparently, Jack's teacher decided she wasn't up for the task {ewww... I don't blame her}.  She sent out an email begging for a volunteer.  Guess who jumped right on that?

I told you this lady was amazing!

Jack was so incredibly proud that his GREAT Grandma was dissecting a fish for his class.  I mean can she get any cooler?

The fun didn't stop there, later in the week GG volunteered with me at Lucy's Field Day.  We got split up in our assigned tasks.  I got the girls and she got the boys...I'm pretty sure she got the short end of that stick.

Seven 3year old boys is not an easy task, but she did it and with a big ol' smile.

Of course, GG stayed through the following weekend for Jack's First Communion.  She's seen a lot of these and I couldn't have been more touched that she was here for my first borns.

We topped the weekend off with a Mother's Day celebration.  It's not very often that your kids get to celebrate Mother's Day with their Mommy, two Grandma's and a Great-Grandma.  Pretty special stuff.

In between all those events, I also had this trooper of a Grandma at ice skating lessons, baseball games, music class, and gymnastics.  It's probably fair to say, there wasn't a dull moment.  I would have to guess she is happy to be back home relaxing by the lake.

Before I know it we will be up there too celebrating her big 80th Birthday!

We love you GG! xoxo

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  It's been an eventful weekend {lots of family in town & First Communion}, but I couldn't let the day pass without sending well wishes and recording my blessings.

I wouldn't be a Mommy without this sweet little crew.  I couldn't be more thankful.

To the one that made me a Mommy for the very first time, I adore you Jack.  I look at you and I see a mini boy version of myself....all the way from the Type A+ personality to the book worm to the busy body.  Thank you for being the person you are...my only boy and the oldest...what a claim to fame.

To my precious first Girly-girl.  Thank you for making me a girl mommy.  You're gentle spirit, soft smile, and snuggly self just make my day.  You are truly my sunshine {and fashionista}.  Love you Magpie...you are as sweet as sugar!

My dearest Lucy, even if you don't want to believe it, you will ALWAYS be my baby.  No matter how big, tall or strong you grow.  Lulu thank you for making me laugh, smile, giggle, and burst with happiness.  You have a way of making everything all better.  Stay spicy and don't ever forget the world is your stage.

Happy Mother's Day to all the sweet ladies in our life.  What amazing women my children and myself have been blessed with.

Thank you for celebrating a very Happy Mother's Day with us...even if the food and service were awful, the company was FABULOUS!

Happy Mother's Day!  And to my sweet babies, thank you for sharing the love.  xoxo

First Communion For My First

As I was uploading pictures into my "spring" album, I could hardly believe all our little party of five had done in the past couple months.  Shew...it's been a busy and extremely memorable season.

However, nothing can quite compare to the culminating activity that transpired this weekend...Jack's First Communion.  As a Catholic family, this sacrament is very special to us.  Jack has been in "training" all year {actually all his life} for this ceremony and more importantly the true meaning of it.

For fear of getting too mushy and deep on you, I think it's time to move on to a few pictures of the special occasion.  I nearly cried my eyes out during the ceremony, I can't imagine what would happen here if I went into any more detail.

The actual Mass was photographed by a professional {I'm still waiting on those}.  Parents were asked to refrain from picture taking, I can't say that I blame them, that could have been a very un-holy mamarazzi mess otherwise.

So we were able to grab a few photos with the family afterwards.  I could hardly contain my adoration for Jack in a suit.  I mean *swoon*, that boy is handsome.  I imagine I'm a little over zealous considering he had on something other than dry fit for once in a very looooong time.

Other than the fact that Jack actually wore a suit, one of the biggest blessings was sharing this special day with all of the Grandma's.  All the way from the North to the South they traveled in honor of Jack.

We love you GG and Grammy!

And of course Grandma too!

We followed the ceremony with a special family party out.  We dined on a delish brunch, satisfied our sweet tooth, and showered the First Communicant with gifts.

It was so incredibly amazing to have everyone there.  Once again this boy of ours brought the family together.

Most of Jack's gifts were of a religious nature...I mean that would be the most appropriate token of congratulations for this day.  He really did appreciate them all and they will surely be a special reminder of this day.

However, we thought he just MIGHT like something that he could actually play with.  He did wear a suit after all!  So we caved in and as a "family gift" we presented him with this Lego that has been on his wish list for eons.

To say he was elated would be an understatement.  Maybe wearing a tie is worth it after all.

He literally spent the rest of his holy day constructing this beast of a project.  It has now replaced his Tomas the Train set.  Boo hoo...my little man is growing up.

So very proud of you Jack Henry Cibula!  God Bless you little one!