It was the night before easter...

Easter to me if one of the most important holidays. Of course it is fun to dress Jake in cute clothes, have egg hunts and talk about bunnies, but I know that is not what is really important. I love that Easter helps me stop and reflect on how lucky I am that Jesus died on the cross to give me redemption. I hope to teach Jake all about it when he is ready to learn and understand. We read from his bible tonight as we often do and by the end of our mini-lesson (yes, I was a teacher) he knew that Jesus died on the cross. He said,"Cross, Jesus, love" Those three words are what it is all about. Happy Easter everyone!New tradition- follow the eggs to your basket. Hoping it is a hit tomorrow morning.We laid out carrots for the bunny and well...

some of the carrots were eaten ahead of schedule...

Laying out what remained of the carrots

G-Boys Easter Display

My favorite Jake Face, so sweet and innocentMy silly boy

2nd Annual Anna Auction

The Anna Auction was yet again another huge success. We had a good turn out and everyone had fun bidding, hanging out and eating amazing food. I left last night feeling on top of this world and it has lasted throughout the day today. It is so nice to see people who are so supportive and giving. We had many volunteers to help set up and assist us throughout the event. We also had a few new people join the committee this year and take on jobs which is really great and we hope to gain even more next year. We raised a lot of money and it will be put toward wonderful programing for children with down syndrome. Thank you again to all of our volunteers, attendees, sponsors and those of you there in spirit!!! To me there is no greater feeling than doing things for others and I truly believe that it is what life is all about. So many items were donated this year. In such tough economic times,
people still showed such kindness!!Thank you Christina for decorating!!!Thank you to all of our sponsors!!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Early Easter Fun

Jake and I had some friends over today for a little Easter play date. It was gross outside so we had some indoor fun looking for eggs. And you must see Jake's Easter party dance moves in the video. Can you tell he was excited to have friends over?

hmm... where to look next...the search begins

two little cuties

being sillyDe-briefing after the big hunt

proud artist

oh wait, there are cookies in these eggs??

matching mommy's

Shake Your Booty

"I'm a swee boy"

We had a lovely weekend together as a family. Friday started off with the usual family dinner with the whole gang. Saturday my friend Jess and I went baby shopping for her bundle on the way! Saturday night we had dinner with great neighbors. Sunday, was filled with nursery duty at church, grocery shopping as a family and errands. Jake refused to sit in the cart at the store and wanted to walk and help hold groceries. That was interesting... Overall it was honey do and catch up with friends weekend. This week will be busy so can't promise a post, but I will try. Some funny new Jake phrases:
- "I get it!!"
- "My turn... Jake's turn... my turn... Jake's turn"
- "Sit!! Sit Please!!" (when he wants you to play with him)
- "Oh, that's bedder"...
- "I b Back Mommy!"
- "Look I foun im" (when he finds anything)
- "swee dreams... followed by the sound of fake sleeping"
- My favorite- "I'm a swee boy" (sweet boy)
Here are some cute pics of my sweet boy this weekend.

Almost Seven Years

Next friday will mark the seventh year since I lost my mom. When I allow myself to go back to that night, it feels like yesterday. Most days, I choose joy instead. In honor of my mother and the joy she brought and still brings to my life, I would like to share my seven favorite things about her.
- Her warmth
- Her welcoming spirit to others
- Her ability to see the need in a neighbor and try and fulfill it herself
- Her love for shoes, home decor magazines and entertaining
- The way she would kiss us goodnight, even as adults
- How she thought of you when she was out and would pick up a little something if she thought you would like it
- How she made your very favorite dinner and dessert for your birthday

Did I say just seven... wow, it's tough to stop. Tonight, my heart is heavy with the memory of my mom. As April 2nd creaps up, so do the memories. I miss her so much and it sometimes feels impossible not to be sad about it. She was wonderful and it hurts not to have her here. I am thankful for all of the time I was blessed to spend with her. I am often saddened by the thought that Jake will not know her. That is a hard one for me. It is hard to change your dreams. So, in an effort to shed some light for my children, I set up a virtual memoral online. It is a place where you can go and share any memories you have with her. This way, my children have a futuristic way of getting to know my mom. Feel free to share any of our favorite memories or stories!
http://therese-green.virtual-memorials.com

Newest Favorite

Music is such a passion of mine and I so wish I could make it myself. This is one of those songs that I felt was written just for me.

Lately...

I love spring. What is it about beautiful weather? It just changes everything. Being outside all day without jackets is heaven to me. Jake loves it too and often fights coming inside. Can't say I blame him. With my auction coming up so soon, I have been super busy. Any spare time I have is spent on the auction. So, I have had to get creative on how to encourage some independent play for my little boy when we are inside.

Janet and I recently spent the day in Lancaster, PA.
How beautiful life can be when you slow it down and simplify!

lWedding Shower for Taylor! Abby was home too!Having fun with pots and pans

His newest favorite... washing dishes and hands!

Reading to snuggle

Anna Auction April 2nd

Hello,

I hope you are having a wonderful sunny day! As many of you know I am a volunteer/tutor for the Anna Foundation for Inclusive Education (AFFIE). We are a 501c3 non- profit organization that provides educational services for children with Down Syndrome as well other developmental delays. Last year we had an auction at PJ Whelihan's and it was a great success as well as a lot of fun! The money raised at this event helped provide tutoring for this past school year. It was also crucial in helping implement other educational programming such as health and hygiene kits given to local schools, on site training for professionals as well as the purchase of equipment and other educational tools.
We have many goals for this upcoming year and hope to continue to grow as an organization in order to provide services to more students, teachers and parents. This year's auction will be held at The Gibson House in Marlton, NJ. There are many desirable items in our silent auction and raffle baskets. Food is being provided by Zallie's food market and we will be serving beer and wine. There will also be a local band playing. So bring your dancing shoes! I have attached an invitation for you to view and print. You can buy tickets ahead of time or at the door. We are limited this year to 175 guests, so buy your tickets now!! We hope you can make it. It is sure to be a fun night!

St. Patty's

So, I made green mashed potatoes to kick off our patty's day dinner. Jake... not so into it.

70 degrees, Fancy hotel, Neil Diamond, enough said...

This past weekend we were magically whisked away to... D.C. We had such a wonderful weekend. We really needed to get away and the weather was B.E.A.utiful!! We stayed at The Four Seasons in Georgetown in an AMAZING room. That's right... The Four Seasons. (We got connections) We were greeted with champagne and a chocolate fondue display as well a large cookie that said," Welcome to D.C. Jacob," on it. We lived like kings for a few days and loved every minute of it. The hotel was right in the heart of Georgetown which made for fun shopping and eating out. We also spent the whole time with Nikki, Eko and little Sean. Jake had such fun with his cousin. They don't get to see each other very often. So, it always warms my heart to see them together. We went to museums, took walks and just enjoyed each other's company. Oh... and I had a Neil Diamond spotting in the hotel. So cool. Literally... lived like celebs...What a weekend!!!!

strutting in style

Museums and attractions all around, what should we do... play catch of course!

Museum of American History... can say I blame ya jake.

I let Jake pick one thing at The History of Natural History gift shop.

What does he choose? "Green animal basseeball pweez"

Just rolling around with my cuz

miss him already

Ice Cream Cheesers
Loving Sean. Most often Jake phrase this weekend... "C'mon Sean and Where dit Sean go?"

More yoda pweez

So Jake and I have both been feeling rather cooped up and sedentary lately. We both like to be outside and active. I have been trying to exercise and today thought why not let Jake do it too? So, i looked for some exercise for kids programs and let's just say, he is a mini-zen master. He was obsessed! He kept saying," more yoda pweez" Sooo funny to watch and you have to see these pics and videos...the lion poseJake doing an exercise video for kids

A Quick Update

I have been very occupied over here getting ready for the upcoming auction for the Anna Foundation. I volunteer and work for the foundation and fund-raising has always been a passion of mine. We are having a lot of great donations come in for our raffle, so I hope you can make it! April 2nd, 2010 Gibson House in Marlton, NJ 7-10PM!! Little plug there sorry...
On another note, Jake is really talking! It is crazy. He woke up one day and just decided to fully talk. I understand 99% of what he is saying now. I love it. The other day we were driving through town and he said,"fishey's and books pweez?" He was requesting the library... so cute!!
Some of my favorite new Jake sayings are:
-Good mowning... (good morning)
-dat's bedda (thats better)
-good job mommy
-Oh... miss... (when he misses a shot at b-ball)
-Wher dit daddy go?
-hold you me pweez (hold me please)
-whats dat?
-dats mommy, dats daddy, dats Jake (pointing to himself)
-jus one more
-Oh.. my.. gosh.. or Oh My Goodness!

I could go on, it is just so cute to hear him trying to make sense of what he is saying.
Here are some recent pics of my big boy.Dino's at the library were a BIG hitHolding hands with some of my favorite girls while watching
Anna play B-ball! Jake kept yelling, "Go Anna!" and "Oh.. miss"
What I find a few days a week now during nap time."Good mowning mommy, "says Jake. "No, it is not good morning Jake, it is nap time and you should be sleeping..." Argh....

V-day is not a made up holiday...

I love holidays. I don't care how cheesy they are. I am always looking for ways to have fun, dress up, make gifts and Valentines is an easy excuse! Saturday morning we met some of our friends at Oceans and Motions for a Valentine's Day party. They had a craft for the kids to do and Jake's two best buddies were there. He loved it. Jon and I spent Saturday night with great friends of ours. We went out to dinner and then hung out and caught up. You know you are good friends when you sit down on the couch to chat and then realize three hours have gone by. It was nice to have a night free of the Jakester.... now the Jake monster as I refer to him lately.huge sandbox funmaking a craft with his buddiessuch fun with Sharks!concentrating hard...

We are famous!!!

Jake and I are in a verizon ad in the March addition of Everday with Rachel Ray magazine!!! Check it out... I will try to scan the page so you can see.