Update, lots of photos

Ok wow I seriously did not realize that it has been a month since I last posted. Wow time flies. Life just seemed to explode this past month and all that time just got away from me.
So I guess I will start from the beginning of the month:
We had been spending as much time as possible out doors before it got to hot. So I have lots of pictures from the park. (For more pictures click here) One of my good friends and I would go walk while the kids played. We also tried to get some more formal shots of the two little ones, but Erika was not happy being put down that day... it was actually pretty funny. I love the expression on Caleb's face.

Erika has had some firsts this last month: Her first graham cracker and her first time in a swing at the park. She seemed to like both a lot. We are beginning to think she is a lot like her sister in that she seems to have the same daredevil tendencies Alexa always possessed. Boy are we in trouble!

Mother's day was nice. We spent it with my family. My folks church had a Mother/Daughter tea. It was fun. My aunt and cousin also came down to spend some time with my grandma. My cousin is pregnant and expecting a boy the end of the summer, so she was getting in lots of practice holding Erika. We had 4 generations on both sides there so it was especially meaningful. My mom, mom-in-law and grandmothers are a tremendous example of what a good mother should be. They all set the standard high for the rest of us. "Thank you!"

No I did not forget about Erika's 7 month pictures either... I had just not got around to posting them. She would not cooperate and put both her legs down, so all we managed was this shot and some of her sitting with the bear. LOL She is now sitting up on her own, trying to feed herself, and just trying to be more independent in general. She is babbling, but all she says is dadadadada... I keep telling Mike it does not count if you don't know what you are saying. heh.

My (step) neice graduated from high school last night. So the night before they had a graduation/ birthday party for her. It was a lot of fun and a chance to reconnect with some family I had not seen in a very long time. We are so happy and proud that Katalena is part of our lives and that she is embarking on a new and wonderful phase in her life. We have no doubts she will do great things and go far in life.

While we had family here we spent some time at the aquarium/zoo. It was a lot of fun. The kids are always fascinated by the fish and they love being so closeup to the animals. (For more pics from the aquarium click here)

So wow we have had one busy month. June is starting to stack up as well with VBS at my folks church, several appointments and hopefully some time to play in the water as the weather is heating up fast here in the desert. Hopefully it will not take me another month to update, so make sure to check back soon!
Thanks for stopping by.

Mothers and Sisters and Brothers oh my!

My kids have been talking about Mother's day over the last week. My daughter pipped in with this idea just yesterday, sister's day and brother's day. I actually thought it was a good idea. We could make it a special day just for each of the kids... their favorite food and a special activity for just them.
My husband was not so convinced... he said we do that for their birthdays anyway. But don't we, as parents, also get that on our birthday. Yet we still get another "special" day during the year to celebrate being mom and dad... Why not give the same attention to being a child? I was told by husband that Mother's and Father's day was just another hallmark holiday, designed to sell more cards and stuff. Ok so I do agree that it is another corporate induced holiday designed to sell more stuff... but, so what? No one says you have to go all out. For me family time, homemade cards, and breakfast in bed are much more important. Just as I think all parents deserve AT LEAST one day to be appreciated (and let's face it, for most of us, if it was not on the calendar we would not take the time to do it properly)I think kids deserve a day to just be kids.
Think about it. A day to just play in the sunshine, eat nothing but chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese (Ok I know most of us would sneak in a veggie or two but still), and spend the whole day doing nothing but just being a kid. I think in this day and age, we try and get our kids to grow up to quickly. I read a few different parenting blogs, and although I don't agree with everything that they say, it does give me a moment to stop and think. This article was posted on one of the blogs just the other day, and it made me really stop and think about my own daughter, and the things I am teaching her. She is only 3 years old, and yet, I do paint her nails and indulge her in some lipstick every now and then, so she can be like mommy. But where do we draw the line? I know for sure there will be no hair coloring in this house until at least 16, and even then I'd like to think it will take a lot to convince me (especially if my daughter wants her favorite color purple). I just want her to be a kid. To not grow up to fast.
So all in all I think a day to celebrate just being a kid is a great idea. Especially if it allows us a parents to really stop and think about what that means. I know it will mean different things to different people, but if means slowing down and really looking at things from a child's perspective, then I consider that a good thing.