Ever wonder where the time goes?

I can't believe a month has already passed since I last posted! We had a great time in Bald Head and I am so grateful to have spent time with my Sarah. It is so hard to only see her a few years but I guess that is what happens when you meet your best friend in college and both of you are from different states. We hope to go camping with them this fall and also have them come up for a Redskins game (pending lockout being resolved) so I am holding on to that.

May has been spent at countless birthday parties and celebrations. Just in these 31 days we have 10 loved ones with birthdays! We just have my mother in law and grandma's birthdays left this month and the 10 parties we had to attend will be complete. My Ava turned 6 on the 4th and I can hardly believe I will soon have a first graders. She only had one request for her birthday and that was to get a hula hoop. Making her happy is super easy and for that I am thankful. Her birthday party was a a huge success. I was a bit concerned about having 22 girls running around a gym but thankfully the whole gaggle of kindergarten girls got along swell.

School has been great though knowing I only have 9 days left with my little guys puts the pressure on to get as much in as I can. For some reason every year goes by faster and this year I swear May just crept up on me. We still have Father's Day presents to make and predicates to learn about!

Say a prayer I get it all done and keep my sanity! Of course I get a ton of help on that from my sweet husband, awesome Mom and wonderful support system of friends-- actually heading to see my bestie today, Stace its been too long!!!

And We're Off!

The Guishards Bald Head Island, NC

2011

Kevin won't let me share where to until we get back but just know we are headed for fun in the sun with my favorite college roommate! Actually if this works right and it autoposts for the date I have set we will actually be headed back from... BALD HEAD ISLAND! I don't know much about it expect that Ava is really excited because a friend of hers just went. Plus its funny to hear Kohen say we are going to Bald Head. First we are heading to Greenville to meet up with Sarah and family then on to Southport to catch the ferry. So wish us luck driving with three kids :D

Happy Easter!!!

This year I tried very hard to make Easter about Jesus and his wonderful gift! We made it to mass, a completely Spanish mass, but we made it and stayed. Several times I had to lean over and remind Ava of God's great sacrifice to keep her quiet but they really all did so well. We went to Saint Rose because they were hosting Egg Hunts after some of the masses. Poor Kohen ended up with zero eggs. Thankfully his big sis was happy to share.

After we got a quick snack from McD's as a treat and then headed to my Mom's for an egg hunt and really dinner. The kids had so much fun looking for more eggs and I had a blast spending time with my cousins. It is hard for us all to get together but when we do it is a blast. I was shocked how quickly Ellie picked up on the eggs being filled with candy! She tore up some M&Ms! Her dress is proof! When fixing the kids baskets I really tried to not go overboard and confuse them on what we were truly celebrating. I think it might have worked because they seemed happy enough and little by little I can start incorporating more meaningful stuff and less junk. On to the pics...

Good Friday

Last night while Ava and I talked about Holy Thursday and the last supper she asked me why today would be called Good Friday if they killed Jesus, how could that be good? I told her it was a good question and that I believed it was because without his death he would not have risen on Easter Sunday and then how could he have opened the gates of heaven for us. She seemed to understand and proceeded to tell Kohen all about the passion and stations of the cross. It warmed my heart to hear my almost six year old tell the story of Jesus's sacrifice. Hearing her tell him that she would skip the part about the spear because she didn't like it and it made her sad reassured me that we are doing something right and that she is definitely going to the right school. So often I talk to friends and wonder if I am doing a good job keeping my promise to raise my children to love God. When I was pregnant with Ava and was told she might have trisomy 18 or downs I promised the Lord he just allowed her to live I would raise her to praise and love him. I would do my best to remember he was just loaning her to me. I will be honest and say we don't make it to mass every Sunday and sadly we don't say Grace before every meal but we do speak of him often and I am trying to teach her that she is not alone ever and to turn to God and prayer when she needs comfort. I also remind her to give thanks to Him when good things happen. But then there are moments when she like all little children gets excited about the Easter Bunny and tell her brother that he always come to our house with lots of treats that I wonder does she really get the meaning? When she tells me that she almost fell asleep during stations at school because they were so long that I wonder I am keeping my promise? Listening to her take things out of her Benjamin Box and tell her little brother about Jesus's journey to Calvary that I know I am, we are. When Kohen looks at crosses and says look its Jesus on the "quas" with no clothes cause the bad guys took them I know we are. How do you teach your children to love the Lord?

Apps

A few weeks ago my students and I were doing the -ap word family and one came up with App. I told him it wasn't a real word and more an abbreviation. I now think it really is a word. My iPod is my favorite thing hands down. I have recently become obsessed with two games, We Doodle and Words with Friends. Like everyone else I also am very fond of Angry Birds in all versions. My kids fight over it all the time so they can play Angry Birds and Attack Balls. Now with two iPods in the house it is even more entertaining. I can't wait for the iPhone 5 to come to Verizon because I am SOOO on it, but for now I just keep adding to my saving for the iPad and dream of the day I can have more space to draw in We Doodle.

So fun!!

Well I may have had the best birthday ever. I achieved all my goals of having fun and sleeping in. My coworkers and I had a great dinner and such fun dancing. We also got in some good people watching. My dear husband was such a good sport and got me home safe and sound. I was able to stay in bed till noon and then my lovies came home. On Monday my actual birthday Kohen and Ava had soccer. It was so fun to see each of them running a field and having a good time outdoors. My Ellie and I just hung out on the side line, practiced her walking, and watching her sibs. We got home and celebrated with pizza and cake. The only thing missing was some time with my besties which I should be getting in a couple weeks. A group of friends and I are headed out to dinner for a late celebration and then the kids and I are meeting up with my best friend in NC for spring break!!

I am headed out!

In a break from tradition I have decided to celebrate my birthday with friends at a restaurant and then we are going clubbing. I am tried of acting like I am 31 turning 82 so our parents are watching the kids tonight and Kevin and I are going drinking and dancing! We are going to Rock Bottom for dinner then to Rumors. We will still take the kids to see the Cherry Blossoms in DC and I will still have a family party on Monday BUT for today at least MAMA is headed out! I dedicate my life to my kids and also to my students. I love my life and most days I wouldn't trade it for anything but then there are the early mornings that even though its Saturday Kevin and I are up at 7 and we wish that we could just sleep a little longer or the nights when we are home with sick kids and we remember being able to suggest going out and just do it. So tonight we are going to enjoy a kidless night and tomorrow we are going to sleep in. Of course at noon tomorrow my carriage will turn into a pumpkin and I will go back to being Mommy. Something tells me it will be even more fun having had a small break!