Friday, December 19, 2008

Congratulations to Auntie Meg!

Molly is having some issues with her asthma so she stayed home from school on Thursday and Peter got home really early because it was a hapf day so we had to find ways to amuse ourselves. Molly and I made cookies and then later in the day I let the kids soak in a tub together until they were all pruny and not a bit clean.

The kids can't wait until Lizzie can get in the tubby with them - I don't know if there is room!

Molly and I baked cookies and so we gave Annie some water with red food coloring to let her "cook" too.


The girls in their crushed velvet pajamas hanging out together on Thursday when Molly was home sick.

Auntie Ann got Annie this Rudolf shirt - Annie thought it was so cool that the nose lights up when you move and I thought she looked adorable but WAY TOO old!
Thursday night I got to go to Auntie Meg's pinning ceremony - essentially her graduation from nursing school. She wanted the kids to come (probably more than she wanted me to come) but it was a school night and we weren't sure about the snow so we made them stay home and go to bed. I promised them a fun celebration some other time. This is her hugging the head of the nursing school after being pinned.

The candle lighting ceremony that has something to do with Clara Barton.

Meg is in the middle - sorry so blurry.

Meg and Tim share a moment after her graduation.

Tim, Meg and Christina - Yeah Meghan!

Uncle Pete and Meghan - look at how proud his looks.

Auntie Meg with her proud Mom!~

Meghan between her two biggest fans (other than me, of course!)


Meg and the twins - so cute.

Auntie Leenie and Uncle Pete with the graduate.


"We've come a long way, baby!" When I think of what Meg has been through to get to this point I want to cry....or jump up and down for joy - I am so proud!

Tim getting the evil eye from Meg - I don't want to bring up a sore subject but he may have been reminded to get flowers and still shown up empty handed. He was forgiven shortly after.

More pictures of Meg and Tim.
BFF's - Christina and Meg.

Our pretty girl.

Meg with her pit crew! You know, the people who change your tires, put gas in your tank and love you no matter what!

He brought flowers - awwwww!
The happy graduate!

Auntie Kate - happy to have a nurse in the family!

Meg with her milk and cake!

Lizzie under the play gym - she loved for about 5 minutes.

Snow bunnies!

The big kids could not wait to get out in the snow - they couldn't sled but they did everything else and came in freezing and happy. Bob shoveled all day between here and work so he is one tired guy. The kids missed him but we're hoping that the snow is over soon so we can enjoy our weekend together. The Harding family christmas tomorrow night and then a quiet day at home and some last minute shopping for Mommy on Sunday. Hope everyone had a happy snow day - Kk came and hung out with me and got snowed in here - to the the kids delight. Peter called Grammy and Papa at around 6 p.m. and asked if KK could sleep over on his trundle bed. (KK lives with them for those who don't know!) They said yes so KK is in for a fun morning in the H-W house!
GNM - ILY!




























Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Time Flies

I never seem to have time to blog anymore - or do anything else for that matter. My Christmas shopping is incomplete, I have work stuff hanging over my head and my house is a disaster area.......but Annnie is a doll, I get to be home everyday when the kids get off the bus, Lizzie smiles now and our weekends are hectic but sort of lazy in a way. Bob is a wonder - he gets about 3-4 hours of sleep per night thanks to Annie's new ear infection, Lizzie's trouble with formula and Peter's bad dreams - a few times he has come home from a long day at work to find me still in my pajamas and he smiles and tells me what a great mother I am and what a terrific job I'm doing. I'm feeling flabby and gross and he is more romantic than ever - how did I get so lucky?


So Molly and I went to Mercy High School - my alma mater - on Sunday with Auntie Ann, Sister Anne and Sister Ancie for "An Afternoon with Catherine MacCauley" - a musical play based on the life of the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Sounds like it might put you to sleep right?? Wrong - Molly enjoyed it - I cried, laughed, sighed and found myself smiling endlessly. My heart swelled with pride for the school that gave me such a strong foundation, not to mention a great education. The special part of the play was that everyone from the school was involved - students, the janitor, the faculty and the staff - there was Irish Step dancing, ballet, musical numbers, contemporary Christian music, touching slide shows and the story of a truly courageous woman. It made me reflect on my years at Mercy as I watched my daughter's eyes sparkle watching the "teenagers" as she called them, the teachers choir and the historic pictures of Mercy. Mercy was special for many reasons - not the least of which is the planning and sacrifice that my parents had to make to allow me to be a student there and the rich Catholic tradition that I am now a part of. I am not one to stand up and sing - EVER - but when they asked past alumna to stand and sing the final verse of the "Circle of Mercy" I proudly stood and sang loudly.

"In Mercy, the spirit of faith will root us in God's presence.

In Mercy, the spirit of hope will lift us out of doubt,

In Mercy, the love of God will be our joy in living,

In Mercy, we join with one another on our journey.


For the circle of Mercy is timeless

It is spirit of life itself,

Which roots us in faith,

and lifts us in hope,

and holds us in God's loving care."



Tiny little fingers.


My sweet Christmas angel.




Smiley Binky baby!



Annie and Lizzie watching Dora today.

Lizzie - wide awake!

Peter and Lizzie bonding.

Peter making Lizzie smile.

Sweet baby faces.

Love those eyes!
Daddy and his babies.

I'm home all day with the babies so I have lots of pictures of them but the big kids will soon be featured heavily as Molly gets her Citizen of the Month Award and Employee of the Month Award on Friday and the kids celebrate the holidays at school with Mommy in tow - thanks to my holiday maternity leave. Tomorrow I have conferences - is it a bad thing that I love talking about my kids for a half hour with each teacher? Since I'm away from them all day I love to hear what they are doing at school and how they are progressing - I'm pathetic!
Mom and Dad are watching the kids tonight, yes all of them, so that Bob and I can do some Christmas shopping and maybe even go to dinner - ALONE! I have the BEST parents ever!
GNM - ILY!