Strawberrie Picking...

Cribs create strange emotions!

I never dreamed it would be so hard to get rid of a crib. Mary-Ann was bursting into tears and I was holding back all my tears. It was our first crib! Both children slept in that crib as infants the day they arrived home from the hospital...and now...it is gone! I felt a mixture of emotions. I want another child one minute but the next I am very happy that I have two healthy beautiful children. Michael and Mary-Ann are both so independent now. It is easy to go to and from places to some degree. They are starting to get involved in activities, make friends, and entertain themselves. But....there is always that feeling of not feeling "complete" or "done".

My Mothers Day Gift

For Mother's Day I received a gift that every mother dreams of......A DUMP TRUCK! I wasn't the happiest person, but knew that it would benefit Mike and his business. It is the only way at this point his business can grow. It made me nervous. I am in school, not working except 4-6 hours a week and the last thing I wanted was another car payment. Mike assured me everything would be fine until.....it didn't pass inspection and needed a new computer part! We were stressed and weren't sure what in the world was going to happen. Mike was devastated and felt awful! I felt terrible for him! I kept telling him that there is light at the end of the tunnel and as soon as the truck was on the road it would be a good investment (as far as his business was concerned).

So....here we are....the DUMP TRUCK PASSED INSPECTION and is OFFICIALLY ON THE ROAD!!!! HOORAY!!!!

A Mother's Day Gift that turned into a Father's Day Gift!

Summer Fun!

Michael and Mary-Ann have been best friends....the days have been so relaxing! I am not breaking up fights, problem solving, or struggling to entertain two very active toddlers! The weather has been perfect, absolutely beautiful! It has been so nice to go to the pool and watch them play and learn to LOVE the water. It has been amazing to see them grow as swimmers and build there confidence!

Beach Days

Beach days are so fun with friends! We have enjoyed going to the beach until later that evening we are covered in dots from head to toe! Michael was in the water the entire time and was blessed with DUCK ITCH!!! Needless to say our beach days will be limited!

My Gymnast

Mary-Ann has been going to gymnastics for the past 2 1/2 months. Saturday, June 19, 2010, was her very first gym show! It was an adventure. The day before she had no nap because we were enjoying the day at the beach and she was exhausted! We had to wake her up to get ready, she wasn't cooperating, and the entire way to Plymouth she complained she was tired. When we arrived the gym had its usual smell of foot cheese and there were at least 30 twinkling star gymnasts running around, as well as, older children.
The topper was it was at least 90 degrees and every parent, grandparent, aunt and uncle were there supporting there gymnast!

Mary-Ann, our fearless leader, and far from shy child, was so scared to go out on the floor. I had to bring her out there and wait for her gym coach, Randi, to come and take her from me. I was so nervous she was going to cry or have stage freight. As always, Mary-Ann proved me wrong and was herself...trying to take off her shirt, grabbing herself, picking her noise, and was far from acting "lady" like!

It was very cute and a great show! At the end they called each gymnast onto the floor and presented them with a trophy! She had a great time and soaked up all the attention!

My Little Fish....

A year ago, we were struggling to get Michael in the water. He was so scared and hated the water. We tried the beach, we tried a kiddie pool, we tried the tub, and we tried Ahpe and Ahma's pool...but all he would do was cry and avoid it. I was stressed and overwhelmed. Swimming is a life skill and he had to learn to swim and hopefully love the water. I remember thinking to myself, what am I going to do about this? Then the solution came...a child's biggest nightmare.......MR. SWITZER!!!

What an experience not only for Michael but for mommy as well! Not only was he screaming and glued to my leg, but he was taken away from me, hollering "mommy" and thrown into a pool of freezing cold water! IT has been one of the worst experiences for me as a mother.

I sat on the side with my sunglasses on while tears ran down my face...I felt horrible. I wasn't sure we were going to make it through the two weeks. My stomach was in a knot and I was stressed. We would drive to swimming lessons and he would cry the entire way! One time he told me to pull over...I asked him why and he said because, your car is broken! It was a constant battle with a positive ending. Not only did he leave there able to swim, but he got his beginner 1 card.

Today, a year later...Michael is my little fish! He LOVES the water! Now the problem is trying to keep him out of the water and once in the water getting him out of the water to take a break.

This past week has been horrible weather wise. Today the high is 70 but it is 68 according to my car and looks like it is going to rain or storm. Ahpe and Ahma's pool is 65 degrees! Do you think this would stop him? NO!!! Michael was determined to go into the pool while I stood on the side in my long pants and sweatshirt praying I wouldn't have to rescue him!

Michael's favorite part of the day was discovering that he could touch!