Mother's Day 2013

I didn't realize it at the time, but I didn't have a single post in 2013. Guess I was busy. Of course, we did have a 6-18 month old that year, so yeah, I'll just say I was busy. Anyway, since I have all my other recent Mother's Days on here, I thought I'd go back in time to add 2013 too.

In keeping with Mother's Day tradition, we headed out to the lake. Wow, there was actually water in the lake this year.

 

Trying to get a picture with this crew is not an easy task. One's being a cat. One thinks she's a model... 

One won't open his eyes. And one wants to get away. You may recognize that death grip as one you've once held on your own kids.

But look at that sweet baby. Just happy in every picture! Anyway, I eventually learned it's not important to have everyone looking straight or smiling...we just strive to have everyone IN the picture.

 

 

 

An angel? Or an imposter?

 

Just another example of the debauchery that was going on that day.

 

Trying to get a picture of Boston standing up. Of course, Blair had to dive in.

Elise can't be left out.

Add one more for good measure. And let's strangle the baby because it's not crazy enough already.

 

Oh, to have a pesky brother. And father.

 

Finally she got her pose. 

 

Wait, I thought this was Mother's Day!

But there were some peaceful moments in the day:

 

 

And then back to this...

 

More First Communion--"Back in the Day"

As soon as Blair's class started talking about First Communion in earnest, she was ready to start shopping. Wanted to go get the dress, shoes, veil, gloves, purse, jewelry--that's my little shopper for you--that weekend. Well, we didn't. (And also, we stopped at dress, shoes, and veil.) She originally wanted to wear my veil, which I thought was pretty neat, but we noticed that it has aged a bit and the white didn't match the white dresses we were looking at. So instead of wearing it for the ceremony, we put it on her for a few pictures.

Grandma, forever will be a photographer's assistant

 

Elise looked so proud to be taking a picture with her pretty big sister. She had her arm around her and everything. And for once, it wasn't to pull her hair or yank the headpiece or hit her on the back with a closed fist. Aw, sibling love. 

 

So here's the original veil.



Here was its debut. May 5, 1985.

 

And for grins:
Would you get a look at my mom!? The cutest girl ever. I love that dress. I'm sure my grandma probably made it. I wonder whatever happened to her ensemble...

 

Visiting our Neigh-bors Down the Road: The Horse Barn

Another outing in the books! ;) I had to go out to the kids' school today for Mass, so on the way home, I decided to stop by the nearby horse barn to let the kids see the Clydesdales. I've always loved taking the kids out there. It's close to home, everyone's friendly--even the animals, it's free, and the kids can pretty much just run around wherever they want. You can't beat it on a beautiful day.

You're allowed to open the window on any horse's stall, and he'll usually come up and stick his head right out. It's hard to get a picture capturing just how big these Clydesdales are. When they're standing up straight, they tower over me. And their heads are huge. I mean, like, you can't believe how big they are. Although they are super friendly, I'm really kind of surprised that any child would willingly walk up with that giant noggin and mouth looming over them and put their hand up. But we've never had any problems. Once, Blair was standing underneath one and he started gumming on her head! Anyway, our pictures from today...

 

 

The last time we were there, Boston wouldn't have anything to do with them. Today, he took me by surprise when he actually reached out and pet one!

 

I loved this beautiful blue eye. I don't know if it was a blind eye or just mismatched eyes (his other one was black), but it was so pretty and clear. 

 

 

Matching eyes.

 
Running across the barn, squealing each time he spotted a horse through the bars of a stall.

 

Always have to make time for the resident dogs too, though. 

 

Feeding the Ducks

I remember when Reid and Blair were little...I did so many outings with them. We went to the park, the spray ground, the train museum. Maybe it was because I was home with them all day every day (there was no school yet), and we had to find something to fill our time. But with Elise and Boston, I feel like I rarely do anything fun with them. It's too hot, we're too busy, the day is over before I know it, and honestly, after years of all that, I'm a little trained and duck-feedinged and libraried out. But, I forget it's new and exciting to them. So I have made it my goal to do fun things with them while the weather is nice. So today, we fed the ducks (which was in a park and next door to a library so we crossed 3 things off our list! Oh, and had a picnic. Four!).

Boston was not a fan of the ducks and geese swarming him and honking in his ear. I guess I wouldn't be either if they were almost as tall as I am.

Elise, on the other hand, loved them and was chasing them.

 

You can see a hand and white patent church shoe creeping up on this unsuspecting goose. 

Soon, he discovered he liked them when they were on the other side of the pond.

See, beaks at eye level is not so exciting.

 

So this is where he stood to stay away from them. 

 

 And this was her safe haven from which to feed them.

"My people, come before me..."

Finally, he realized it was fun (and safe) to throw bread to them. I'm happy he decided to try it and that he had fun.

 



Eventually, some babies came over to see what was going on. The mamas were extremely protective and kept hissing at anyone or anything that looked their direction. If you look closely, you can see the back one with her mouth open in a "Hissssssss, you better back off!" sort of way.

 

 This wasn't even one of the parents. Guess she was just being moody. She does look a little crazy with that crazy eye...

I even had enough foresight to plan a picnic lunch!

 



 After lunch, we got to play on the 150 degree slide.

 

 He's into the big boy swings nowadays.

 

 

 Look at that little shadow. Love it.

She must have had fun because she even posed for pictures for me.

(Side note about that shirt: when choosing what to wear for today, she asked, "Should I wear my 'keeping cool by the pool' shirt or my 'girls rule, boys drool' shirt?" I just like that she knows, in fact, that girls do rule and boys do drool.)