...to bring lovely into my home

...and what is more lovely than lilacs?

Last week I was browsing at TJ Max.  I actually stop in there about once a month to check on their toys and games...I tend to find new materials that I use for work there (since I actually play children's games for a living....)

I found this little gem:

It is one continuous vase with four separate holders.

And it just so happens that these beauties are growing right outside our front door:

The lilacs and the vase are a perfect combination.

My very favorite flower in the whole wide world only happens to bloom for about two weeks in May.

And now it also thrives in our dining room...

 

Sniiifff....ahhh.  The fragrance is breathtaking. (Possibly, quite literally for Mark and Isabella given their allergies.)

But...so very lovely.

They make me so happy.

...to attend the school concert

...well it was actually on Tuesday evening.

It was a Broadway Show.

Sort of.

Here are three of the main stars of the show:

Can you sense the style?

Can you feel the beat?

Can you appreciate the pizzazz?

Mark and I and Audrey got to experience all of these sensations....for an hour and a half.

At least the tunes were catchy and the kids sure were cute.  

If you would like to see a flash from the past click here.

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Disclaimer:  I had surgery yesterday and thus, I am: recovering, slightly incoherent, and most definitely not timely with my posts.

...to get back on schedule

...since I most definitely I have been out-of-routine.

I think it must always be obvious to my friends and family when Mark is home...I become unreliable at posting to the blog, I am not good about returning phone calls, and for me, the time slips away all too quickly.

Mark was home this weekend to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day with the kids and I.

We drank several cups of hot, pour-over coffee (this week's selection was imported from Puerto Rico), we went out to lunch twice this weekend, and we even managed to fit in a nice long nap on Saturday afternoon.

For the most part the weekend was completely uneventful.

This is exactly how we like our weekends to be.  It makes them last SO MUCH LONGER.

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Here are a few 'make-me-happy' photos I took over the past few days (if you have already seen these on Instagram than I apologize for being redundant)....

1.  On Thursday of last week I thought it would be fun productive a.terrible.idea to take all four children shopping at the mall.

Huh?

Yep.  You read that right.

Me and all four kids.  Walked through nearly every store in the mall to look for uniform shorts for Isabella.

Guess what?

No.  Uniform shorts.  In stock.  Anywhere.

But Will picked out these super cool sunglasses and this fedora.  He has since rocked them every day this week.

2.  Isabella baked me a cake for my birthday.  I think...she put...the candles in...a little early?  They melted.  In case you are wondering: the pink one is worth twenty, the yellow: ten, and the green: nine.

3.  My crew sang me Happy Birthday...several times (since everyone had to have a chance to blow out my candles).  

4.  We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for Mother's Day.  For the record, we had no trouble getting a table!  Will got the award for enjoying his meal the most.

5.  My birthday present from Mark was a beautiful silver pendant that was engraved with the following quotation: 

Warms my heart.

...to spend the morning with Abbey

...in her class for their Mother's Day tea.

My days are always pretty full.

I am getting better at trying not to put extra tasks on my calendar.

But I have yet to regret any time going to the kids' classes when I am asked.

And this week is no different.

Two times in one week to spend time with my 'lil ones.

I rearranged my whole work week this week to attend the Mother's Day tea in Abbey's class this morning.

All to spend time with this little lady.

She made me a flower arrangement and served me delicious scones!

And we were able to spend some time with them on the playground.

She is such a sweet young girl...and getting so grown-up.

I can't believe that she is almost finished with pre-school but I am also so excited to see what experiences await her in Kindergarten!

...to spend some time with William

...in his class this afternoon.

Today we did their class Mother's Day projects.

They needed a few rocks, a bit of dirt (optional), their moss, and some final touches...

This was the closest I came to a final picture (Amy put the kids names under their mini-terrariums so Mrs. B wouldn't have to take off each lid).

Although I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of the final products (I am pretty sure I'll be getting one on Sunday), the activity turned out to be super fun and really easy for the kids to do.

The best part was the time we spent with Will...

and Katie.

...to wish Mark

...a very Happy Birthday!

I am certain you cannot begin to imagine the treasures that await you!

We are so looking forward to celebrating as a family tomorrow when you return home!

..to get a project ready to make

...for Will's class.

Amy and I am coordinating the kids' class Mother's Day project for this year.  We came up with the idea of mini-terrariums.  Since I-heart-these-things-so-much!

I ordered these little jars,

we'll fill them with Fort Drum nature finds,

mini mini pinecones

bright plushy moss

then they'll add on a few embellishments (e.g., rocks, twigs, twine), and voila their project will be complete.

Little did Amy and I know...the fun was in the collecting of the items.

Just as we started our short walk toward the woods a large porcupine crossed our path.  So cool!

Can you see him?  Right away I was so annoyed I left my good camera at home and only had my phone!

Checking out our loot.

Audrey's taking a break.  Moss collecting isn't her thing.

Now rocks...

Now rocks...

And sticks are things that she gets excited about!

At this point the kids were supposed to be collecting rocks and pretty pebbles.  They quickly realized that catching frogs and tadpoles would be far more entertaining!

Amy and I finally acquiesced and joined in the quest.

There is one frog and one tadpole (can you see the little guy?) in the bucket.  They were SUPER hard to catch.

Trying.

Froggin'.

So pleased with the little creatures!