Dreaming of Sun

Just dreaming of sunshine-y days again! These are from our trip to Hawaii's Aulani Disney Resort in October. Every day, the kids ask when we're going back and say how much they miss it. I wish I was there right now! The winter blues have really set in in our house. :( It's the dreary countdown to spring break...

MU

We took the kids to see Monsters University. They loved it. So did I, really. I used up my last gift card from Christmas to go-so, even though they are begging to see Despicable Me 2 this weekend, it probably won't happen until it's on DVD! I can't believe the price of movies these days! Maybe I should look into a part-time job at our local theater. Lol. 

No Promises!

I know I've said it before, but I'm really hoping to get better at blogging. I know that some of you aren't on Facebook and so I'm missing out on what's going on with everyone and I start to really 'miss' you all because I haven't been on Blogger! I also just miss having the live scrapbook of what my kids are doing because, honestly, they are growing too fast for comfort.

So, there are no official promises, but I plan to get in a better routine with posting on my blog again. I can't really pinpoint exactly what has kept me away from blogging except for maybe that things have been hard. But, who doesn't have things tough sometimes. There really hasn't been one thing in particular, just enough to wear a mom down. I have been having health issues-to which a pinpointed answer is currently escaping all medical professionals, thus, thoroughly driving me nuts and making daily life almost impossible some days. We've had some scares with Spencer and his stomach issues-all seems to be okay for the moment, nothing that's a medical emergency anyway.

Phew, okay, so there has been a lot going on since my last post-way too long ago. Rather than overwhelm myself with everything, I'll just try to get some highlights up to get me caught up!

We spent a better part of the winter going to Avery's cheerleading practices and competitions. She really enjoyed her first taste of All-Star Cheer, but has decided not to do it again this year because it makes her too sweaty-she's very dramatic.

These are from her last competition of the season back in March.

 

They had a really cute routine.

Doing her featured cartwheel!

The team was made up of 3-5 year olds-male and female.

The end of the routine.

Buying a hair piece was the best decision ever! No need to fuss with curlers and Avery's fine hair.

Spencer getting board with all the waiting. He went through a phase where he wore his Jake costume almost every day-cheer competitions were no exception!

They got some fun sunglasses!

The trophy's as big as her :)

Skipping ahead to the end of May, we celebrated Avery's pre-K graduation. I cannot believe I will have a kindergartener this fall and next fall!

Brother and sister.

She absolutely loved her pre-K class. I'm looking forward to Spencer being in the same class this fall.

Getting her grove on with some songs!

Receiving her diploma from her teacher.

The proud graduate :)

Spencer and his wonderful preschool teachers.

Avery and one of her best friends this year, Grace. Always so silly!

We've started our summer off with a lot of pool time already! I missed the boat on signing the kids up early for summer camps and so we pretty much missed out on the this year. I have a hard time planning 3 months ahead for anything. They'll be in a one-day camp after 4th of July, so at least that's something :) We'll see what else we can find in this quickly moving summer!

Gettin' Crafty?!

I'm not normally a super crafty person. I wish that I was and I'm constantly envious of all of the cute stuff I see other people create. But, there's nothing like a wedding to bring out some ideas in someone with relatively dormant craft skills.

A few weeks ago, my sister and I threw Natalie, our new sister-in-law, a bridal shower. It was Christmas-themed since their wedding was so close to their first Christmas as a married couple and they were engaged on Christmas Eve. I started thinking of something I could have the guests do so that Natalie would have something to remember those that shared the day with her. I also wanted her to have something that she could use to decorate her new home with my brother for the holidays. So, I came up with an idea to make her a wreath, in her wedding colors, with ornaments signed by the party guests. The guests left little sweet messages on the ornaments-some with happy wishes, some with marital advice-and I took the ornaments, and 3-4 hours of my time, and ended up with this...

I started with a straw wreath I picked up at Michaels and some very sparkly silver ribbon. I wrapped the ribbon around the wreath so straw didn't fall all over the place and so there was something shiny that would be seen through the ornaments.

Avery's signed ornament:)

The finished product. I used different textures and a few different shades of purple. I used some silver beads and odd shapes, like stars and little wrapped gifts, to fill holes. I thought it turned out pretty well:) I hope Natalie hangs it every Christmas and remembers the lovely day we had with friends and family and it serves as a reminder for how much we love her and welcome her to our family! :)

The wedding was this past Saturday and I will have them up here soon for those that aren't able to see the ones I posted on Facebook.

October

Things have been moving along in our house, and before I knew it, October was over! But, at least it hasn't been months since my last post, so I'm making progress:)

I have really loved living in Cincinnati. And because of where we live now, we have chances like this to get together with SMC girls. Amy, Christine, and I met up with Janelle at her parents house (they literally live 5 minutes from us!) to watch the ND v. Standford game. It was a fabulous time. Her parents are just as sweet as ever and the kids all got along like no time had passed since they last saw each other:) There is nothing like getting together with college friends because it feels like family and no time has passed. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the exciting conclusion of the game because Avery had a cheerleading commitment, but what a win!

The kids had the greatest time together. We met up with Christine and Matt the next morning at their hotel so the kids could swim together for awhile. It was awesome sitting there watching our kids-who are roughly the same age-playing together. Avery still reminds me that we told her we'd go see Elizabeth again after the new baby comes-so look out, Christine (and Janelle), we'll be heading you're way!

Avery has been very into Notre Dame history/information. And she's actually trying to read this book by herself:) This girl is amazing me every day. She practically taught herself how to spell and read because she is so interested in it. She just turned 5 and I'd say she's already reading at a 1st grade level at least. It's pretty crazy what that little brain of hers can do!

We enjoyed our "Indian Summer" and were at the park a ton just soaking up the last bits of warmth for the year. Spencer really grew at the park climbing more and more things without having to have me help him. He's really been getting independent since starting school-however, school has also introduced us to some behavioral issues that we hadn't had to deal with him before. I guess that's part of school, but it's been frustrating and some of the behavior a bit alarming. Every time we ask where he's heard a certain thing he repeats or an action he does he tells us it's a certain boy in his class, but when I ask his teacher she knows of nothing. Ugh. The perils of preschool. 

Miss Avery is not really shy at all. This was her pose that she insisted I take a picture of. She had climbed to the top of this big rock at the park and then positioned herself like this:) Artie and I keep telling her to slow down, she's getting too big too fast. But, like the educated 5-year-old she is, she tells us that it's not possible to slow down, it just happens.

Jake and Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates showed up during Halloween this year. Spencer was really into dressing up and thankfully wore his Jake wig a lot better than he did for his Jake makeover at Disney World earlier this year! Sadly, Avery was allergic to her Izzy wig-she's developed an allergy to everything these days it seems. But, the kids were excited to sport their costumes for their party at school!

I was lucky enough to chaperone their Halloween party and I got to have both Avery and Spencer in my group for the morning. I have really enjoyed that they're only one grade apart. They go to a smaller preschool this year and so the classes usually combine for parties. I love getting to see them with their classmates and in their classrooms. I hope I'm always going to like them being so close in school-age. It will get difficult when they're at different schools to get them there and picked up on time, but when they're in the same building, it's very nice!

I've been making lots of trips back to Fort Wayne to prepare for my brother's wedding. We've been attending showers and doing dress fittings and getting suits sized...it's been a lot of extra traveling, but the big day is only 17 days away now and it's so worth it to get to see my family so much-especially Jake who has been traveling from his base in Tennessee a lot too. 

We got to trick-or-treat with Avery's best friend, Ella. She and Ella met as a couple of three-year-olds in preschool and now, they don't even go to school together anymore, but we still are able to get together with them because the girls are such great friends. It is so amazing to see my daughter make such a great friendship at such a young age. Spencer and Ella's sister, Linley, have become pretty good friends as well. We just love this family and it' s nice to have this when you're pretty new to a city where you don't know many people!

Avery decided this year that, after 2 years of ballet and tap, she wanted to try something different than dance. So, she landed on cheerleading. She had seen a competition on TV and wanted to try it. So, after researching local gyms, I found one that had a team for 5-yr-olds. She absolutely loves it. I have to say though it's a lot on the parents! We just had our first competition and it was quite the experience.

We went to Americheer in Columbus where it was a first experience for a lot of the kids on the team. I have to say I was practically drawn to tears with the chaos. They whisked Avery away and didn't tell us what to expect and I was pretty much panicked because I didn't know where my daughter was or when I'd get her back. It was a bit frightening because there are cheerleaders and people all over the place. But, we weathered the experience and now I know a little more about what to expect. Still not sure I'm liking it, but I'm trying for Avery:) The actual performing is sweet to see, but getting there is a bit much for me to handle-with Avery at such a young age. But we'll see if she decides to do it next year too. She's been taking tumbling to try out for a higher team next season since she'll be 6 so we'll see if she's able to develop the necessary skills to make a higher team. All-star cheerlieading is no joke, I'll say that! 

Another benefit of having the kids together at school, this sweet picture! They let sibling have pictures together for school picture day and they were able to capture this-one of Spencer's better smiles:) It has been a little hard for me to let go, especially knowing I cannot have any more kids, but I'm trying to enjoy every minute because the time is going so quickly, I don't want to miss anything:)

Avery has gotten big enough to start walking Ace. She loves the responsibility of walking "her dog" and it does help not having to walk 2 at a time:)

Finally, Avery turned 5 and was able to climb the rock wall at our community center. She couldn't wait to reach the age limit and then when she did, this was about as far as she got:) It was definitely a different rock wall from the ones at the park, but she wants to keep trying!

We're getting ready to leave in a week for Jake's wedding. It will be nice to be home for Thanksgiving and not have to rush back and get a whole week before the wedding to see everyone in Fort Wayne and just hang out with my siblings before my little brother is a married man. Makes me feel so old! Jake was 9 when I started college and now he's old enough to get married. I just can't believe how fast time is moving. 

I'm going to end this post with a huge GO IRISH! because not since my senior year at SMC did the team having a better season than this:) It's just awesome to see-though some of those games have been too nerve-racking! 10-0.

Summer in Review

 For those of you that still check this blog, bless you! I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted. I know I've promised before, but really making an effort to keep up this blog and stay connected with the rest of you that blog regularly. I can't say that I have one good excuse for being away so long. I suppose just a rough mix of things. However, I have really been missing the documentation of Avery and Spencer, since they're changing so much, and just our family in general. 

Thought I would just do a quick round-up of the summer so that I'm not so overwhelmed with trying to post everything. But, here's a good mix and a good starting off point for me to jump back in!!

We took what is becoming our annual trip to the beach and Disney World.

Our favorite beach, Clearwater. It was so clear this year I actually felt comfortable in the water-no sting rays!

Spencer loved meeting all of the princesses! 

The kids got makeovers, Disney-style :)

Avery was tall enough for Tower of Terror! We didn't know the guy next to her, but he thought she was awesome-and she is :)

We were lucky enough to snag this pic with virtually no one in the background. How, you might ask? A tip: schedule breakfast at a park restaurant and you get in early! On this day we ate at the Crystal Palace-obviously in Magic Kingdom-for Mother's Day.

We had lots of character meals and met just about everyone! I highly recommend character meals. It beats having to wait in line forever to meet characters. This way, they come right to your table and you get to meet everyone while you eat your meal-best thing ever with young, excited kids!!

Avery was also tall enough this year for Splash Mountain. She loved this one a lot and took both Artie and I on it...can't wait until Spence is tall enough and we can all go together :)

The kids picked out some awesome Mickey and Minnie ears.

Non-Disney part of the summer :)

Artie and I ran our first 5K. Artie pushed the jogging stroller the whole time-up and down the hills of downtown Cincinnati! We didn't do too bad either :)

The kids also participated in their first race-The Flying Piglet. Spencer cried because he didn't know where to run to, but they both had a great time and loved their medals!

Spencer has taken a liking to baseball. So Uncle Jake got him this for his birthday.

There was a dance recital or two. I love this picture. Avery has sadly decided not to dance for her third year this year. Instead, she has joined a competition cheer team. We shall see how this season goes!

Our furry boys have done a lot of cute cuddling. They are definitely the odd couple!

There was a lot-and I mean A LOT-of time spent at the pool this summer! We had some pretty nice tans, too bad they don't last long.

We spent time with best friends at the park and at the zoo :)

There was a Pompeii exhibit at the museum here in Cincy. It was amazing! The kids developed such an interest in history after seeing this exhibit. They still talk about it months later.

Silly dancing inspired by the Olympics! The kids LOVED watching all of the events.  I'm a summer Olympic junkie-hello extra tennis!-so the kids got to watch a ton of TV those two weeks!

Speaking of tennis, the tournament down here was right after the Olympics. The kids were excited, they love the tournament. It's very kid and family friendly. They tagged along with Artie and I during our volunteer orientation.

Since we were practically the only parents that actually brought our children to the orientation, Avery and Spencer went up on stage in front of hundreds of volunteers and picked all of the raffle numbers. They were a huge hit, and were offered the position next year. For their efforts, they snagged these two awesome cups-yep, mommy has taken them over!

Artie and I were excited that the uniforms this year were black, the last few years I have been dressed in bright orange! 

We got to see the newly crowned Olympic champion, Andy Murray (and Spencer's favorite player) up close and personal!

My sister and I took Avery on one of my days off from working as a marshal and had a girls day. We got to meet Caroline Wozniacki and get her autograph.

We found a really cute ice cream place near our home! It became quite the favorite summer after dinner spot.

Spencer decided to get creative on our TV stand. 

And then learned about cleaning up messes! Luckily we were able to use some goo gone to take off the crayon without taking off the paint!

While my sister was down for the tennis tournament, we took a painting class. It was so much fun and I ended up taking one all by myself a week later!

Finally, I can't believe it happened, but now I have two preschoolers! Avery missed the kindergarten cut-off by just two weeks and rather than trying to file an extension and get her in this year, we were happy enough to just let her do one more year in preschool. Spencer enjoys having his big sister right next door during his first school year. It has been sweet seeing the two of them share school time and I know it's just the begging. Since they are now only one grade apart, I'm hoping they always enjoy being so close and don't become too competitive with each other.

Well that's our summer in a nutshell. We were really busy and sad to see it end. We are on birthday countdown here as Avery's is next week. Plus, we have my brother's wedding in less than two months so the cooler temps will bring plenty for us to enjoy!