More Mother's Day pictures and Peter on his field trip!

Mother's Day was a bit chaotic - I think the kids were tired from the baptism party the day before but for whatever reason mine were really cranky. It was still a nice day because we got to see my Mom and Karla and Pat and Uncle Ed brought me beautiful flowers! Bob worked hard to make the morning very special (with a little help from KK) and as I said in my previous blog it was heavenly to get all the kids and Bob to myself with no interruptions and breakfast in bed. I just thought you might enjoy a few pictures.

We had a Mother's Day toast with sparkling cider (the kids thought it tasted gross!) I don't remember what all of the kids said but I'll give you a few highlights. Yes - we are using paper cups because we are the classiest family around!

The idea behind the toast was for the kids to tell what the best thing about their Mom and their grandmother was. Molly's favorite thing about Grammy was her tea parties - Abby's was that Annie is always at her house - Peter's was that Grammy is always grateful (we weren't sure what he meant exactly but to him it was obvious and made perfect sense). Unfortunately I can't remember what Tyler said about Grammy (although Grammy probably does!) but his best thing about his Mom was that she reads books to him. As her only daughter and firstborn the thing I love best about my Mom is her unconditional love - crying fits, anger, unreasonable behavior and craziness and my Mom is there and actually seems happy to be there - she is the best. Karla's best thing about my Mom was great (A little bit of a kiss up, if you ask me!) - that she raised a wondeful, caring son - can you hear me puking? I should have thought to do a toast for Karla, too, but I was cranky and nasty on Mother's Day - since its my blog I'll do it now - Karla is truly one of the best mothers I know, she is patient, kind, caring, loving and affectionate - she stays calm in situations that would drive me insane and best of all she adores my brother and brings out the absolute best sides of him!

Grammy's gift was a Pedicure with the girls - I know what you're thinking - the girls make out in the deal too right? - But we're all mother's so leave us alone! And the babies made her a stepping stone with their hand and footprints - the four big kids helped us decorate and print the names on it and it was adorable. A comment was made that the stepping stones were now complete because all of the kids were accounted for and Karla pointed out that it will only last for another 6 months!

My mom has done many wonderful things in her life but being a grandmother is a gift that my mother has - loving the kids and making them feel special at all turns - good and bad, knowing when one kid needs special attention and doting on them or being more patient than their mom's are able to be, and affirming her children about their parenting skills so that they can be even better are just a few of the things my mom does incredibly. In short - having my mother as a mother is a blessing and some day my kids will be saying the same thing about their grandmother.

Karla obviously had a long and tiring Mother's Day - she needed a little snooze with Katie at one point! Katie was feeling very holy the day after her baptism!

Peter had a field trip at the 4-H farm today - he was very cute looking at all the animals and planting his own seeds. He had a rough day in a way because his routine was off - not easy for my uptight son but by the end of the trip he was getting into it and enjoying himself.
My little Ham with the magnifying glass to his eye - he was supposed to be looking at seeds!
2 of Peter's friends from school, Victoria and Trinity!
Probably one of Peter's best friends at school - Carlos. He has come over to the house a few times and we just love him and his family!

I have to give a shout out to Mrs. Nelson because she had a REALLY bad day today and we LOVE Mrs. Nelson. I asked Pete what his favorite thing about Mrs. Nelson was and he responded that it was her crazy orange hair and how she dances and sings all the time (he misses the singing this year) Molly's response was even cuter - Mrs. Nelson loves and hugs all of her kids - even the bad ones! (I did explain to her that there are no bad kids just kids who behave badly but.......)

Another Annie video - this one is her discovering herself in the mirror - I personally have trouble not just kissing on this kid every minute of the day - she is amazingly happy and serene all the time. I love at the end when she kisses herself in the mirror - I just want to eat her up! Bob says that she is excited because she finally found someone as cute as she is - that's our proud Daddy!

I'm off to watch American Idol - if you're trying to reach my mom tonight - wait until after 11 because from 9-11 the phone will be busy while she votes for her favorite American Idol 100 times!

GNM - ILY