Busy, busy, busy

We have had such a busy week! Last week was student appreciation week at Brady's school. I spent three days there during recess or lunch helping with the activities. I love going to her school and seeing her face light up when she sees me.I know it won't last forever so I will take advantage of it now. Although my mother was a fixture at my high school helping sell hot dogs for our class trip and I never got tired of seeing her there so hopefully she will feel the same way. I also got asked to co-chair the hospitality committee. I, of course, said yes. It puts me on the executive board of the PTA. (pin a rose on my nose!) I am sure many would find that boring, but I am tickled anyway! I will do anything to make Brady's school years a positive one to see that she gets set on the right track from day one. By the time Oliver gets to elementary school, I will be a permanent fixture! I have been warned by the other mothers that boys are different than girls when they see mom at the school. They don't want you to acknowledge them , and you must NOT hug them in public. Boo hoo.




Michael had camp cleanup on Saturday. I think they got a lot of work completed. I couldn't stay long. It was a little too chilly for Oliver. It was Oliver's first visit to the camp and he spent it riding on my back in the frame pack. Dylan was very helpful. He was assigned to pick up the sticks so the guys could mow. He was a pretty good sport about it and seemed to move a little faster and work a little harder when Uncle Mike offered him five dollars to get ALL of them! I apologize for the wretched picture of me. You never realize how bad you really look until you have to face it in a picture. But, I wanted to show Oliver riding in the framepack.
Brady had her class picture today. They take the whole class at the end of the year. I thought she looked beyond sweet in her outfit and I had to share the picture. She loves to get dressed up. When I commented to her that I love that she is such a girly girl, she looked at me like I had two heads. And said, "Nuh uh, I like Pokeman cards just like Dylan and Dulcie." I had no idea how uncool it was to be a girly girl!

Soccer has started!

We had our first soccer practice/game yesterday. The weather was just perfect. I love arriving at the field on the first day. There are about 150 kids and their families. It is mass confusion but in a good way. Brady had her soccer clothes on by 8:00am. We didn't have to be there until 1pm! She was soooo excited and managed to score three goals. This season Michael and my cousin Drew are co-coaching. Carson is playing as well and I thought she did great on her first day ever of soccer. She almost scored a goal but then a boy from our team ran up and took the ball and scored. I am sure she will definitely score one next time.
The weather this weekend was beautiful. It does so much for my mental health when we can enjoy nice days. Oliver, Brady and I went for a walk on the walking trail on Saturday. Brady took her baby doll stroller and pushed her babies while I pushed Oliver. We then went to our friend's house for dinner. It was so great to be able to get out and about without it being cold or rainy. I wish the weather would stay nice, but I don't think it is supposed to be above 65 during the next ten days. At least it won't snow!!!!
We have a very busy week. Other than the regular activities, (tap, tumbling, and soccer) I am helping at Brady's school for student appreciation week. No school for Brady on Wednesday though. They are screening next year's students that day. Good luck to Carson! We will think of you as you meet your new teacher!

It's Official

Brady is an official member of the Girl Scouts of America. Tonight they had an investiture ceremony. The girls were called up, given thier pin and certificate and welcomed into the Girl Scouts. A lot of the girls from her class are in the troop and a few from the other kindergarten class. Hopefully, most of the girls will take to heart the values that they are being taught and grow up as friends. I still have a few of the friends that I made in my youth and couldn't imagine life without them.
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Reunited

Daddy and Oliver reunite!


The newlyweds! Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dague.
He's back! Finally! Michael missed his connecting flight when they arrived in San Francisco because his flight was delayed leaving Sydney. The only thing they could rebook him on was a red eye that got him home this morning.
He said he had a wonderful time.

Had to share

I am so proud of my Brady and Oliver that I
am simply posting to show off more pictures.!

The Escape Artist

It is time to put the bouncer away as it has become unsafe for Oliver! He has become quite the escape artist. I was fixing lunch for Brady and had put Oliver in the bouncer to keep him happy. (yes, of course, I buckled him in!) I came back into the room to deliver something to Brady and the little booger had wiggled out of the straps, rolled over, and was inching his way up the bouncer as if to peer over the edge! Holy Cow! No more bouncer for Oliver.
I spoke with Michael as he was getting ready for his last sleep in Australia. He will be leaving for the airport as we go to bed tonight. He will then travel back in time and arrive home sometime late tomorrow night. I know he can't wait to get home.I promised him that if Oliver woke up sometime around the time he was do to arrive home that we would be waiting in the living room for him. He promised to bring the good weather back with him so it's the least I can do. I just hope he keeps his end of the bargain! Ha ha.
I took these pictures of Brady and Oliver yesterday. They are so beautiful is it any wonder why they are my sunshine and blue sky? Even on these gloomy days we have been having. I am a lucky girl!

Happy baby

I tried to post these pictures in a slide show format but was unable to do so. I thought if I could make them fast enough it would really look like he was dancing. I am also going to try to make one of Brady over the years and her transformation from a toddler to a little girl of almost six. (sniff...sniff)
I finally got to talk to Michael this morning after missing his phone calls over the last few days. He seems to be having a great time although he says he misses us. No worries, mate. We miss you too! I bought some candy for him to give the flight attendant on the Qantas leg of his trip. (we flight attendants love it when you think of us like that) and it did manage to score him some champagne from first class. Keep your fingers crossed that maybe it will actually score him a first class seat on the way home!
The weather here is about to put me over the edge! I have been ready for spring since February and there is no reprieve in sight. This probably means that we will go straight from the cold/rain/snow to heat! The mild spring weather will most likely be bypassed all together. AAAARRGH! Is there anyone out there who can put in a good word with Mother Nature??????
Also if you would like to see pictures from the Australia trip so far, here is the link to a site that Brad created. You can follow along with the rest of us!
http://www.pickle.com/kenandjacinta/103

Easter

Easter has come and gone. I had every intention of posting these pictures earlier but somehow the weekend got away from me. We actually celebrated Easter on Friday so that Michael was here to enjoy it with us.I then took Brady, Dylan and John, to the Good Zoo where we met up with Carson and went on the Easter treasure hunt they were having there. It was nice to be outside even if it was cold. Oliver, of course, had to miss out on all the activities this year. Too cold for baby! They had all kinds of animals out for the kids to check out and the picture is of Brady and John checking out a baby chick. The bear put on quite a show for us. It always makes me wonder if he can see or sense that there are people out there. The event was rounded out with a magic show. Dylan got to participate and help with a trick. Brady is still miffed that the magician gave out some Pringles to the kids watching the show and she and Carson didn't get any. She also thought she could have assisted in the same trick that Dylan did because she is good with scissors. My ladybug felt left out. Also Michael took off for Australia on Saturday morning and I took Brady and my nephews to a VERY cold Easter egg hunt at Wheeling Park. The news reported that there were a thousand people there. It was a lot of fun and a very well run event. We were shivering when we left but Grams made some hot cocoa to warm us when we got back.
I did get an email from Michael when they got to Sidney. Haven't heard from him since though. He has probably slept the whole first day there.
We are on to our very boring week here. Same old, same old.
By the way, if anyone would like some really pretty hard boiled eggs, I am willing to share. I have way too many!

A HUGE day for Lee and Jon!!!!!!!

I HAD to make this a separate, special post! Our friends Lee and Jon have gotten their 171-H! ( I hope I got that right.) What this means is that their home study has been approved and they are one step closer to bringing home their baby girl. I am beyond ecstatic for them. If you want you can check out their blog and all that they have been going through by clicking the link on the right.
I can't wait to meet you Zoebug!

Hayden's visit

Remeber when you were young and you went to a friend's house and their parents let you get away with stuff that your mom and dad never would? We had the absolute delight of having Hayden spend a few hours with us today and we pretty much let Hayden do anything he wanted. (note the thumb-sucking picture) His mommy had a meeting and her regular sitter is out of town. He and Oliver really checked each other out at first. It was too sweet. If you have not had the opportunity to spend any time with Hayden, I will vouch that he is incredibly sweet. He and Oliver are exactly 10 weeks apart with Oliver being older. As you can see by the pictures they aren't too far apart in size!

Cash and Oliver

We had a last minute guest today and I thought I would show him off. Cash came to stay with us for about an hour today! For those of you who don't know he is the son of my cousin Drew and his wife Tiffany. He and Oliver are 1 year and 10 days apart.I thought it would be tough at first. But Oliver was sleeping when he got here so we got used to each other and then when Oliver woke up and Cash wanted to go outside, I put Oliver in the backpack and off we went! Oliver must have gained some weight recently because my neck is a little stiff from carrying him!
The weather here today is simply GORGEOUS! I can't believe they are calling for snow in only two days. It is almost 80 degrees! I am going to make the best of it though. I will pick Brady up from school and then take her directly to the park to enjoy the day. We are then headed to our neighbors to grill hotdogs. Should be fun!
The hat Brady is wearing in the picture is her Easter bonnet that she made during her art class. She loves art.

Three generations

As promised, here are a few pictures of three generations of Sterling men. I apologized for not removing the red eye.
Pappy and Noreen came down on Sunday and visited and I think these pictures prove how much Oliver looks like Daddy and Pappy.
My ladybug is back. I was so glad to see her! I gave her a special treat and stopped at Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the way home. She always checks to see if the hot doughnuts sign is on and it was. Yummm. They melt in your mouth.
Happy Birthday to Ellen! Sorry I didn't get to post it yesterday! But, we did think of you on your birthday.