and then there were 7...

This past weekend I helped out some friends by watching their 6 girls. Yes, six girls. That makes seven with Jake. Jon was away for the weekend which made it a girls weekend + Jake of course. We had a blast. They are such well behaved and lovely group of girls that it made the experience wonderful. I felt like the lady in the shoe that I have always wanted to be. I can say though, now I think I will just have three kids...
Here are some fun pics of the weekend!being sillypainting... a messy experience, but a fun onefull on baseball game in the playroom.
Ballers vs. Riversharks became very serious...
watching movies w/ popcornsoon turned into a popcorn eating contestnot sure what was happening during dessert...
Possible soprano impression contest???
"You wanna piece a this?"

JCC for the day

We met some friends at the local JCC today for an open house/carnival. Jon and I were both really impressed at how much the JCC offers. Jake loved all the festivities, especially the tour of a UPS truck! We will definitely go back next year if they do it again. Here are some fun pics.Balancing Beam, he loved this thingThe tour of the UPS truck. He even got to wear an official hat and drive!Moonbounce fun

Jake the firemanFist pump for "Swoop"

enough said.. awesome

In awe of "Dora"

not loving the pony ride

The M says mmmm

Jake and his buddy worked with the letter M today! They had so much fun!

Coloring the letter M and eating Mighty Bites

We made monkey masksI have always called him my little monkey, so this is fittingIn typical boy fashion, the boys turned a cute

"two little monkeys jumping on the couch" game into an X games event!

Mother's Day Poem

Mother's day to me has become a bittersweet holiday. I am SO happy and thankful to have my little boy and feel blessed to be," Mommy". And at the same time wish I could celebrate the Mommy I once had. I often write to her or talk to her even though I know she can't hear. It makes me feel that we are still talking in some way. So, I went to find a poem or song to help me express my thoughts tonight. I wanted to post something in honor of my mom or my feelings lately... but couldn't quite find it. So, I wrote my own. I am no professional, just a loser who likes poetry...be easy! No booing or banana peels please...

Dear Mom, Don’t Worry

You were my favorite friend

and mother in one,

we were a tight mother/daughter

and then you were gone

Like a cake left undone

Just plain and bitter

No icing to top it

No sprinkles or glitter

My heart had just opened

then it was torn all apart

I didn’t think it possible

To find a new start

Then along came this book

Amidst terrible grief

Foreign words upon paper

My life’s true relief

Stories of a great figure

A man who healed

One who provides comfort

My fate He had sealed

His plan all along

Made clear in my past

It was then that I realized

Life… it just does not last

As you so often told me

“It doesn’t go up with you”

I’ve learned that this life

Is not what’s important or true

The truth is in Him

And the life yet to be

So I will keep waiting

And live to be free

So mom don’t you worry

Don’t dare shed a tear

I have a wee family

And I am happy down here

This book that I reference

It tells of no time

That Heaven is tearless

and truly sublime

So “no time” would mean…

I’m with you right now

So mom don’t you worry

Go have fun, I allow!

Until then, I’m just waiting

And living for Christ

So mom don’t you worry

The cake has been iced!

L is for Luau of course

My friend Heather and I alternate taking the boys and we teach them one letter each week. This week was Heather's and she trumped any lesson I have taught the boys. They had a luau for the letter L! Now, I have to come up with something super fun for the letter M! So cute.

Sprinkler Fun

Jake had some fun in the "sprinkler" today. The hose... doesn't take much...

Wow, what I found in my house

All of these had to go... bad, harmful plastics we have been using everyday! All of Jakes bowls, plates and utensils...Crazy...

I just ordered some new plates and two sippy cups for Jake.

Thermos Foogo Leak-Proof Straw Bottle - 12 oz . I found great info on it and it was affordable.

ANDSassy Dippin' Dinner Plate Set. They are safe, stack-able and come with lids!

They sell everything safe now, it is great! The only problem is, the safest kids products seem to be the most expensive. However, I found some deals on amazon.com. I will need to get new bowls too! As far as utensils, Jake is ready to use ours so no biggy there.

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

Unsafe Plastics

There is a lot of research out now about plastics. There are plastics out there that are very unsafe if used often and if used in a dishwasher. I am mostly concerned about this because Jake uses sippy cups, plastic bowls, utensils and cups all day every day. The topic overwhelms me because I would love to go out and buy all new everything, but we simply cannot afford it. So, I have been doing a little research and came across this easy to understand diagram. Thought it was helpful!

Step 5: Be wise with plastics

Plastic provides a good amount of affordable convenience. Only recently have we discovered that the hidden cost may be our health. Plastics, which are used in much of our food storage and cooking, have the potential to negatively affect health in certain applications.

Some petroleum-based plastics leach harmful chemical into foods and drinks, especially when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners, and when exposed to excessive moisture.

Luckily, we can all make safe choices.

What to Do

Choose smart plastics (see icons below) and avoid putting them in the microwave (where they can release dangerous chemicals when heated) or the dishwasher (where they can degrade in the heat and excessive moisture).

Safer Choices:

Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated.

Avoid:

Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups.

Lots of fun and a Leprechaun!

This past weekend my siblings and I threw our dad a surprise 60th birthday party. We held it at a local Irish pub in Maryland. We invited old friends and new and had a great time catching up with everyone. My dad is as Irish as they come so we had a little fun with the Irish theme! Love ya Dad, here is to 60 more years full of fun memories!!

This was the invite that Mike designedHe was so surprised!!Great friends of the family couldn't make it so they sent an Irish singing telegram!
It was a gag gifts only party...the ear was the bestJake having fun with some old neighbors

Before all of the craziness began

Singing telegram in action