Mother's Day

I love being able to get all my kids together for a family dinner. You'd think Mother's Day would be a perfect time. 

But Michael and Ashley were away on their belated honeymoon so it was just me, Melissa, Jamie, Violet and Lincoln.

Melissa took the opportunity to wear her handmade gift from Violet.

They say the best gifts are made with love and Violet's gift to Melissa was no exception. I almost started crying when I read this. Violet's preschool teacher is so creative. This is one for the "save forever" file.

Michael & Ashley's Wedding Reception

Even though Michael and Ashley got married in Vegas a year ago, Ashley has always wanted a wedding reception.

It was a beautiful event and the Lake Shore Plaza was the perfect venue for pictures.

I was adamant about wearing fancy clothes and big girl shoes for my Mother/Son dance with Michael. But I ditched the shoes after 5 minutes. Besides hurting my feet as soon as I stepped out of the car, I was afraid the slick floors would cause me to fall.

I took full advantage of my dress up clothes, beauty shop hair and make up.

Michele and Bruce and Teresa and Brad came and we had so much fun taking pictures and dancing.

Even Violet did a little two stepping with Michele.

It isn't often that I get a picture of just Michael and Melissa.

Or just me and my kids even though Michael is photo bombing our picture.

The funniest part of the evening was right after Michael and Ashley cut their cake. Ashley didn't designate anyone to cut and serve cake so Michele and Teresa decided to help themselves. As soon as they approached the table, the mob swarmed the table and they ended up being the servers. Michele slipped away but Teresa was stuck.

All our outfits seemed to coordinate with the wedding theme which was great for Jamie. He didn't have to pay for an expensive photo shoot.

I don't very often have the opportunity to dress up and go out. Maybe things would be different if I wasn't ready to go to bed at 9:00 instead of partying the night away. Happy Anniversary, Michael and Ashley. We should do this again every year!

Mother's Day Surprise

I decided I was going to pick up Violet from school and make a surprise gift for Melissa for Mother's Day.

Violet was so excited when I picked her up from school. I was supposed to pick her up a few weeks ago but plans changed and she cried when Jamie showed up instead of me.

I asked if she wanted to stop at McDonald's for lunch but she preferred Chick-Fil-A. Violet also informed me that her mother usually eats a salad and I should probably do the same. WHAT??????

I bought a bead kit for Violet to make Melissa a necklace and bracelet. There were gems and stickers to decorate each bead. Then you strung them together in a pattern of your choice. Violet was very intent on decorating each bead. 

She them laid them out and strung each bead. I had the biggest problem trying to figure out how to attach the connector. I should have let Violet do it.

Afterwards we wrapped the present. I told Violet that she had to wait until Sunday to give it to Melissa but she insisted that she wanted to give it to her today. Who am I to question an artist.

Before going home, I had a few errands to run. Even though the return line at Walmart had us waiting a few minutes, Violet was very patient knowing she was going to be able to pick out a surprise for her and Lincoln.

Spring Concert

With school comes school concerts. The best part about preschool concerts is the length of the program. It takes longer to line up the kids on the risers, than it does for the entire program.

Violet does very well learning all the words to her songs. The teacher even had them counting in English, French, Spanish and German.

Micheal was a little surprised they were that advanced. I can remember when all you had to do to go to kindergarten was round up a rug to take a nap.

Violet has graduated from 3-year old preschool and will begin 4-year old preschool in the Fall. Time sure goes fast.

Vacation???? to Phoenix

Since Jamie was going to be in Moab for a few days, Melissa decided she was going to take Violet and Lincoln and go visit her friend, Jenn, in Phoenix.

Traveling with 2 small children isn't the easiest thing to do but Violet has traveled so much in her short life, she's almost a pro.

Violet's just about ready to go traveling solo.

Well, maybe a bit hesitant about boarding the plane. But as long as Mimi is along, she can do anything. By the way, the trip was very stressful for Melissa and she was glad to be home. Will she do it again? Only time will tell.

Lunch with Old Friends

It's great that even though I've been retired for over 6 years, I still get together with my "work" friends.

Regina, Robin and I try to get together at least 3 times a year for each other's birthdays. But with all the chaos going on in each of our lives, sometimes it's hard to find a date we can all meet. If I would have known this was going to be a photo shoot, I would have fixed my hair and worn better clothes.