Mother's Day 2011

Joe dislikes taking pictures and he really dislikes taking them on Sunday mornings because we are usually already running late. So, husband, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and patience.

Mother's Day Tea

I attended a sweet Mother's Day Tea with Cate. They put on a short performance and then served us tea and snacks. Cate was so proud of the portrait, book, and placemat she made for me. I just loved her artwork and am so thankful to be her Mama.

Lazy Afternoon

"Mama, can I just sit on the couch. I don't want to take a nap." --Ava

Royalty

On the day Prince William and Kate Middleton were married, everyone in Cate's class dressed up and had a wedding party. She loved it, of course. She also made me record the royal wedding and keeps asking for the magazines with the wedding photos in the check-out line at Kroger.

Grandpa Got a New Truck

A Book.

I guess it is just a book, but last night I started reading The Cricket in Times Square. Cate has weaseled her way into getting to stay up a little later by asking to read chapter books. Joe actually started it several months ago by bringing home an Uncle Remus book from his childhood. We still can't tell if she retains much from the stories or if she's just wanting to get to stay up later than Ava since Ava is still too young to sit through more than a couple of sentences of a book without pictures, lift-the-flap, glitter, or her beloved Dora.

I still remember snuggling in bed with my mama and little sister reading about Harry Cat, Tucker Mouse, Chester Cricket, and Mario. In some ways these characters, along with Ramona and Beezus, Superfudge, The Little Princess, Mary and Colin from The Secret Garden, Matilda, and quite a few more, are more than that. They are part of my childhood and "let's 'tend like" play times with my sister. We loved reading before bedtime and it led to my love of books now. It's a little silly, I know, but I am so excited to introduce my girls to these stories and old friends.

I really can't wait for the Anne of Green Gables series...

April 18th

We are thankful Daddy is busy and has to work long hours during tax season, but we are even more thankful when it is over and he is home again. The first evening Joe was home after tax season this year it was so nice to sit down to supper as a family, go for a short hike on the Trace Trail (We did NOT see any flying monkeys. Cate is always on the look-out though), ride bikes in the driveway, and just hang out with Daddy.