Swimming at the Marriot

I was one lucky Auntie on Friday night when I got to take Tyler to his "Special Lady" night for school. We went bowling with his entire school and were in a lane with two of his best friends - Evan and Brett. The best part of the night was that every time Tyler was done with his turn bowling he ran back to me and hugged me. He was talkative and funny and having a blast with his friends. I LOVED being able to see Tyler in this element and to realize (not that I didn't already know) what a fun loving and sweet little boy my nephew is. I was so proud to be Tyler's aunt! So being Tyler's "Special Lady" even if by default (Thank you, Kate, for needing to eat every three hours so that Karla couldn't attend!) made my night, week, month!
Papa and my naked girl in the pool together!

Peter practicing his freestyle stroke!

Annie and Daddy in the pool!

Molly-girl in the swimming pool!

KK takes Annie for a swim!

Peter poses for the camera while jumping into the pool!

KK knew that I was having a bad week so she rented a room at the Marriott so we could use the pool and hang out together. We had such a great time in the pool with the kids - we were there until after 10 p.m. on Friday night and then back again in the morning on Saturday - and just to add to the fun my dad also stopped over for a swim. As a REALLY special treat KK also let the big kids stay with her at the hotel - they were shaking because they were SO excited. Papa picked them all up on Saturday morning for breakfast while Bob and I were home still sleeping thanks to my perfect little angel of a baby!

On Saturday we had a relaxing day of running errands and hanging out until it was time for church and then Abby and Tyler and Julia came over to build Easter houses with Auntie Ann. We ate pizza and drank juice (a treat for my kids) and Auntie Ann brought the kids special desserts. The kids loved it and I will post pictures of that fun event as soon as I find the cord to my camera.

On Sunday (not that you asked for a run down of the weekend) I woke up to the wonderful sounds of our house filled with kids. I came into the kitchen to find Bob at the table with our kids and Abby and Tyler and we did a little craft project and had breakfast all together. Then Karla called to tell me that they had all missed church because I TOTALLY forgot to set the clocks ahead! I think Karla and Pat get absolved for this miss thanks to me!

So what started out as a really awful week turned into a great weekend filled with special times and family fun! And I almost forgot that I also got to bond with Kate for a while too - AHHHHH - I love having a newborn in my arms!

Molly Girl shows off her Irish Step Dancing!

Molly - Girl dancing her little heart out!

Practicing her Irish Jig!

Practicing her positions with friends!

Molly had parent observation week at Irish Step Dancing this week and she did wonderfully. She danced with confidence and joy - something that Molly always struggles with. She is beautiful, sweet and talented in so many things but really tends to hide her face when showing off a skill. Yesterday she danced as if no one was watching (Isn't that a poem?) and had a blast doing it. Of course, I took enough video for a full length feature film but I won't make you all watch ALL of it - just select parts!

And now out come my Mommy claws in a completely unreasonable note - the girl next to Molly with the big hair and black leotard refused to stay in the line (Isn't that the first rule of ISD?) and so every video has her blocking Molly for half of the video. It took everything I had not to go over and physically place her back in her spot so that I could rest my eyes on my own gorgeous daughter. And on an even more petty note - she didn't know any of the step! WOW - what a bad mom - aren't I supposed to be teaching my kids tolerance?? I'll delete this section later!

This is Molly's song for her recital so act surprised when you see it in May. Once again, my girl knew every dance step and every word to the song. She is just amazing to me. We tried to convince her to play soccor or baseball this year - just to give her a chance to explore all sorts of activities - but she asked if instead she could take 2 Irish Step Dancing Classes!!! So dancing it is for now. I have to admit that I do enjoy her girlie choices for fun - not exactly sure where they came from but I love them none the less!

Peter Westley

Peter enjoying the sudden snowfall!

Our future UCONN star!

Peter shooting hoops on the coldest day of the year!

At the end of spring a friend of mine gave us the basketball hoop that their children had outgrown. I'm not sure where we would be without hand me downs - basketball hoop from friends, playscape from my parents neighbors, clothes from everyone - talk about recycling!

Back to the basketball hoop - so my son is loving this basketball hoop. He is out there in rain, snow and sleet with fingers that can't open because they are so cold. On the coldest day of the year a few weeks ago he was out in the yard playing basketball for over an hour. Peter gets my dad and Bob out there any chance he can. He lives and breathes to play basketball and I love it - he falls into bed tired and happy thanks to that basketball hoop.

The only thing Peter loves more than the b-ball hoop is the snow. He gets more excited than any kid I have ever seen when he realizes there is snow on the way, snow on the ground or snow falling from the sky. It is so sweet to see him mesmerized by the falling snow and chomping at the bit to get outside and play. He even gets Molly out there for a frollick - although she defintely has her temperature limits. So even though I would be happy to NEVER see snow again (I guess CT is a really stupid place to live!) I do feel a great joy in my heart when I watch Peter and the utter and complete happiness that he feels when he is outdoors. It seems so freeing for Peter - probably the one time that we get to see him completely uninhibited and with his guard down!He is such a special little boy!