BUNCO

I hosted Bunco last month. It was a crazy month around here. I ended up polling some of my SIL's for appetizer ideas/recipes and strolling the aisles of Sam's Club. The bruschetta was a hit. For prizes, I found a variety of perennials and annuals in various sizes and groupings. I enjoyed the evening, more than Bryan...who wouldn't love to wrestle three kids to bed with a houseful of chatty women??? Several friends lingered afterwards and it was a fun visit while we munched on remaining appetizers. I snapped a few pics of the spread and then enjoyed the night. So lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful women.

Emma Pre-K Graduation

Emma's Pre-K graduation came on the same day as a heavy snow storm! Crazy Colorado weather! We love Ms. Kristen and are sad to not see her next year! Emma had a wonderful experience and it's still shocking to me that she is starting Kindergarten in a few months. Emma was pretty funny to watch during her program. I could tell she was a little shy, but she still sang out on the songs. We sure love this girl.

Roly-Polie Hunt

On our way back from dropping Luke and Charlie off at school, I noticed a ton of roly-polies or potato bugs on a particular stretch of sidewalk. We were short on time that morning, but I promised Emma we would come back another morning. I made good on my promise yesterday morning. Emma and Myles easily caught 10-15 bugs. Emma's friends had a "family of them" and, as the story goes, her friend's little brother knocked over the cage and they all escaped. Emma wanted to give them to Milly to help her feel happy. I called my friend and asked if this would be okay...haha! She was a good sport about it and Emma loved giving them to her friend (me too!).

Mother's Day

I simply felt loved on Mother's Day. Bryan gave me the day off of cooking by making me amazing meals. The kids showered me with homemade gifts that melted my heart and made me feel like I might be doing okay at this mom-thing...that feeling lasted for 5 minutes. :)
My heart really was so full of gratitude for women that have played a role in supporting me and now my family. From my mother, mother-in-law, aunts, cousins, sister-in-laws, friends, neighbors and even the stranger at the grocery store that offers a kind smile instead of a scowl when my 2-year-old is throwing a tantrum...I'm beginning to realize how powerful we can be when we look to support each other and not look down to judge one another. I'm a pretty firm believer that when it comes to being a mom, most of us are trying our very best.
The other night, I was talking to my mom about an activity they did for their youth at church. It was a career night. As each person talked about their job, whether it was a judge, police officer or social worker, each of them concluded at the end, "But my most important job is that of being a father/mother." I felt that tightness in my throat and tears in my eyes when she shared this. I have worked on and off while being a mom. Lately, quite a bit more. I find enjoyment from these other jobs. However, I find the most happiness and know that my most important job is that of being a mother. I am blessed to be one. I love Luke, Emma and Myles with my whole heart. Anxiety, gray hairs and wrinkles have increased with that love, but I realize that is part of giving my heart to these kids. It is worth it.

Apparently, Luke thinks I'm balding and I like to wear my hair in pigtails. I loved it like only a mother would.

My favorite arrangement of flowers.

"I love my mom."

The nursery leaders were cute and helped Myles make this for me.

Did I mention one of my love languages is "feed me"???

For dinner he served tri-tip steak off the smoker with mashed potatoes, asparagus and kool-aid gushers to complete the meal. By everyone's standards, it was delicious.

 I realized I hadn't take one picture with my kids on Mother's Day and according to social media, that was borderline sacrilegious. Bryan snapped a few before bed and it captured our crazy...our every day...and my tired eyes. :)

Spring...Winter...Spring...Winter...Summer!

Spring is such a tease in Colorado. Bryan reminds me every year that our snowiest months are March and April. I guess it balances out those 60 degree days that randomly occur in the middle of winter. We are trying to take advantage of the good days and love being outside. Did I mention that they're calling for more snow this weekend??? Bring on the sunshine.

We continue our babysitting co-op with the Marzos. Each couple goes out once a month while the other couple does dinner and bed with the kids. The kids love this arrangement and so do we. Also, to the concerned eye, Bryan is right next to Myles, but he was cropped out of the pic. We did have some element of parental supervision and safety.

Engineers hard work constructing a lemonade stand.

Love the trail behind our home that leads up behind the golf course. It's almost time to start the morning/evening golf ball hunts again. I guarantee that Luke's excitement matches that of Bryan's. 

Wolf Run

Luke's school, Aspen View Academy, held their Wolf Run a few weeks ago. It was a hot, HOT day! Luke was excited to run and told me several times how much me loved the poster I made for him. He even noticed the italicized FAST and said he liked how it made the word look fast. He logged 32 laps (2 miles). He was pretty speedy and I enjoyed being there to cheer him on. His siblings were also there, but I put Myles on lockdown in the stroller. Way to go, Luke!

Emma and Milly showed up dressed very similar. Such sweet friends.

Luke's Music Program

Luke's Kindergarten music program was short and sweet. So short that it was almost comical. However, I much prefer this time frame over long and drawn out. Luke was making me smile at the performance. He was pretty shy about singing and doing the actions. He would strategically place his head behind the girl in front of him. It's been a fun year at his school. We greatly appreciate his teacher and others that helped him learn so much this year.