Baby Birdy

Jude (who is known in our family as a "good finder") found a little baby bird in our backyard. Super cute for pictures....super scary for someone who is terrified of moths, butterflies and birds.

(I'm obviously talking about Rob).



(The third party filming this video obviously had some major issues with speed talking and wing anxiety)

First Love

Jude has a little girlfriend. They were friends first, but it seems that at Maddie's graduation they decided to take it to the next level. When we arrived at the graduation Jude saw her and said, "Mom, I love Chl.." then stopped and looked down like he knew hit was too soon. I asked, "Jude, do you love Chloe?!" He just nodded and smiled.

Aren't they adorable?!



(He just noticed this post and said, "Mom, Chloe is pretty!)

Before:

After:


(What's with the thumb? Is she practicing for her future head shots/real estate agent stock photo?) And naturally we couldn't take a series of photos without her having to do "crazy eyes." It's a trademark move.

How does Maddie feel about it?

"This is probably the cutest I've ever been."

So humble.

Graduated

I cannot believe my little Maddie has finished her second year of preschool, and goes to KINDERGARTEN next year! How did this happen?! I was very surprised that there wasn't an emotional breakdown on her part - she tends to get very attached to things, places, people, etc. So when when we left her last day of preschool - I was really impressed with how composed she was. It wasn't until the next day when she said, "I like summer, but I can't wait to go back to preschool again..." that the waterworks began. I guess she really didn't know what graduation meant...after all, she graduated last year and still came back this year. After about an hour of, "I want to see my teachers! I miss all of my friends!" She got herself together and realized that Kindergarten was probably okay because it had a playground, and because all of her friends would be in Kindergarten, too. (I didn't have the guts to tell her that actually none of her friends would be at her school next year. They all live in the boundaries for the other school. I am an awful mom.)

So now that the drama has passed - here are some pictures of Maddie's graduation:

Maddie and her best friend, Madi.

Maddie with her fantastic teachers. Seriously - if you're looking for a preschool, this place is the BEST!
(Jude also spent the evening feeling emotional - he thought he was supposed to be in the program)

And my favorite part of the evening. Cameo courtesy of Ella Isabel.

Seven Years

Love you, babe!

Love is....

Seeing my baby with her baby.

Farm Country

Does it get any better than an afternoon with baby animals? I think not. I could probably do without the smell - but watching my kids enjoy them (Jude from a safe distance) was good for my soul.

From the Kids

Madelyn and Jude made me a couple of videos for Mother's Day. If you can't tell - they made them ALL by themselves. The first video gets a bit repetitive, but stay tuned for the last thirty seconds where Maddie apparently forgets she's on film.

I received an email today from the "shipping" department of a mystery store. Apparently my Mother's Day gift is going to be late. It read:

Dear Melissa Wilson,

This notice is to inform you that, due to lack of planning on the part of your loving, yet sometimes clueless husband, the delivery of your mother's day gift will be delayed two days. We're sorry for any inconvenience this has caused as we understand the importance of mothers and we wish to honor you for all your hard work and dedication to your family. For this reason, we will be coordinating with your husband to ensure that this Sunday is a very special day for you.

Although your husband may seem remiss at times, keep in mind that this does not mean he does not love you; quite the contrary. He loves you so much that he can’t stop thinking about you all day and when he realized that mother’s day was this week, he snatched up the best gift he could find (within the budget). Unfortunately, for some odd reason, the shipment of said gift takes 6 freaking days to arrive.

At any rate, we appreciate your wonderful motherliness and we strongly recommend giving your husband a big hug when he comes home from work today because hey…he’s trying.

Kind regards,

The Mother’s Day Team

(Isn't he adorable?)

Wishes

I've been wishing for a lot of things lately. That's not to say I'm unhappy with my life at all, there are just a lot of little things that keep entering the, "wouldn't it be nice if.." category. Here are a few of the things I've been hung up on.

Warm weather, everyday

A swing set for my kids

Big, straight, white teeth

Some really cute yet COMFY clothes (how do all my friends have these? Where are they finding them? You know - those, "I wasn't even trying today - yet somehow I look awesome," clothes)

A new jogging stroller

A new morning dress (remember, that's a robe)

The other day I was reminded just how easy it is to get these things. Maddie was outside playing with a neighbor, and he handed her a fuzzy dandelion. They then proceeded to make wishes together. He wished that his toy car would crash. He dropped the dandelion, grabbed the car and chucked it. (Wish granted). Maddie then grabbed her dandelion, and said, "I wish, I wish with all my heart (Thank you Dragon Tales) for a great big heart."

I tried really hard not to laugh out loud. I mean, a great big heart? Only Madelyn. She wasn't even asking for the "caring" type of heart, either. She just wanted a big heart of some sort. I'm assuming a stuffed animal? I was chuckling to myself about this when I noticed her with a confused look on her face. She turned to me and said, "So, uh, now what? Does it just fall from the sky?"

Can somebody please contact me if they see any falling swing sets, teeth, clothes, strollers or robes? Thanks.

Jealousy

This is the haircut that Nick Arrojo gave my little sister, Sarah.

I am GREEN with envy. Having Nick cut my hair has been a dream of mine for years. I'll bet his scissors are made of platinum.

I don't like being woken up. I know most people feel the same way, but if I'm woken up by someone rather than waking up naturally, I'm in a foul mood until about 9am. Most mornings Jude wakes me up about 6:55 asking if it's morning yet. Thirty minutes later he returns saying, "Mom...I need you to get out of bed to make me a waffle cuz I'm STARVING. Go get on your morning sunglasses (glasses) and your morning dress (robe) and make me a waffle. CUZ I'M STARVING!"

This morning was different. I woke up to this:

Maddie (yelling from somewhere): MOM!!

Me: (inaudible)

Maddie: Hey Mom!

Me: What, Maddie?

Maddie: Mom, can you hear me?

Me: Yes, Maddie, what is it?!

Maddie: MOM...MOM, MOOOOOOOOOM!

Me: WHAT IS IT MADDIE?!

Maddie: Can I flush the toilet now or will that wake you up?

Weekend

We spent our Saturday
swinging
sliding
flying high in the sky
picnicking
laughing
dancing

dancing more

hitting Jude while dancing
crying
recovering
reaching new heights
learning to ride a 2 wheeler

and cleaning out the dryer vent. Thanks, birds. {Their "nest" came halfway up the dryer vent.} Did you do anything fun?

A Sad Goodbye

This week I have to say goodbye to my Stefanie. She's moving to Florida, and I couldn't be happier for her and more depressed for me at the same time. I am going to miss her LIKE CRAZY. Oh great, here come the tears. She has been the friend that I call for everything. The one who I can say anything to. And even though we don't see each other nearly as often as we'd prefer, when we do get together for birthdays and woman dates, we laugh until we are blue.

We've been friends for eleven years, and we have been through everything together. She's the one that had the idea to set me up with her boyfriend's roommate, who coincidentally ended up being my soulmate. We've been roommates, travel-mates, shopping-mates, Thursday-lunch-mates, I-just-took-a-positive-pregnancy-test-mates, and summer-of-fun-mates. She's the one I call with embarrassing questions, and the one who will go anywhere with me.

Words cannot express how much her friendship has meant to me. She has been a huge influence on the person I am today, and I will always be grateful for her example. I really am excited for you, Stef. I know you'll love Florida. I also know that you'll beat me in our goal of growing old and wearing gold-velour jumpsuits with gaudy jewelry. I'm fairly sure they start that at about 35 in Florida. You really are headed for the good life, my dear.

Love you, Stef.

Maddie can't just say "cheese," with her face. It's an entire body thing.