Happy Mother's Day

Happy mother's day to all you fine women out there!  I hope you all got the pampering and love you deserved, just like Monica did!  Brooke opened a spa for one day, and one day only, and her first (and last) customer? You guessed it, Monica!!  But really, Brooke gave Monica a manicure and pedicure today.  I've got another picture later, so I'll give more details then.  Monica, we are all so grateful for you!  Thank you for taking wonderful care of the children.  Thank you for being compassionate and helping me learn and grow.  I am so grateful for you and that we can be together for Eternity!!!  Also, Happy Mother's day Mom!

This past week at dance class the parents were invited in for a sneak peak of the recital dances!  Brooke will have two dances this year because her class does both tap and ballet.  She is so excited, and I am so excited to get to see her performance!!

Monica cut both of the girls hair this past week.  Winry got some cut off.  I can't show exactly how much because there aren't pictures, but Brooke got a bunch chopped off!  Here is her hair before.

And here it is after!  To quote Dewey, "Wowzie-whiskers!!!"  Brooke loves her hair cut, and it's also much more manageable now.  There are far less tangles, etc. when brushing and doing the girls hair, so it helps keep everyone happy.

While I was out on my run on Tuesday I happened upon a play set with a free sign.  On my way back it was still out so I took a picture and asked Monica what she thought.  She said "take it!"  So I drove over and put it in the van.  The girls have loved it!  It's big and we didn't really have a place for it, but it's a welcome addition to our back yard.

On Wednesday Monica also got to see Winry's dance!  What a cutie and what a great dancer!  This will be Winry's first recital!  So excited for her.  I think she'll love it.

Little buddy Grayson still loves his jumper.  He also loves when we play the piano.  The jumper is a great place to put him if you need to do something else, but sometimes he isn't happy in there.  Luckily, if you want to play the piano he'll happily sit in the jumper and watch and listen.  This past week Brooke was banging out some sick melodies and Grayson decided to sing along!  So cute!!

Also, we've officially become a two instant pot family.  Not just because we have two, but because we use two.  And, this wasn't even a "dang, yogurt is in there and takes 8 hours and we need to make dinner."  Both of those are being used for dinner.  Was it good?  Do you see two instant pots?  Of course it was good!

A hole appeared in our tree last year I believe.  Monica said she saw birds in it back then, but I saw them when the girls were out playing the other day.  I was sitting in the driveway, maybe 10ish feet away, and they flew down and started going in and out.  You'll probably have to zoom in, but you can see the bird poking into the hole in this picture!  I hope they're not woodpeckers (and don't think they look like them) cause I don't want them beating up the house!!

On Saturday I made an early Mother's Day present.  Monica wanted this little area next to our porch flattened and rocked so that we could get a little table and chairs for it, so I flattened it all out and added in some rocks etc.  I made it all with stuff that was sitting around the house.  I just went around and gathered up large rocks and flat stones, etc. and put them all together.  It looks quite nice, and everyone loves it!  Honestly, I don't think this picture does it justice.

My dad was out helping my brother with his house and came down to say "hi" on Saturday.  The kids all had so much fun with Grandpa.  Grayson loves playing with grandpa, and Brooke read him a few books to show of her reading skills.  Winry loved giggling and showing off.  We had a great time playing and laughing together before he had to head back.

For dinner we had a hot dog roast.  Winry decided that the right way to eat a cucumber was to poke your fingers through it, kind of like an olive, except olives actually have holes.  Look at how convenient that looks!

Returning to today we're having a relaxed mother's day, or at least the best we can at relaxing.  Winry did have a bit of a melt down getting ready for church this morning, but other then that we've been happy and doing well.  Brooke does a great job remembering special days and trying to keep them special.  She offered to give Monica a manicure and pedicure.  She even massaged Monica's feet, and used one of those foot cheese grater things before painting her toe nails!  I think they both had a good time together.

I think my well has run dry for this post.  I hope you're all having a wonderful day!  Once again I want to sing Monica's virtues from the roof tops!  However, this is the written word, let alone the spoken word, and so it does not easily become the magestified word.  Nonetheless, Monica, you are amazing!  Thank you for everything you do to keep our household together and running.  Thank you for raising, teaching and helping our children grow.  You are a wonderful mother, and I am grateful and lucky to have you in my life.  I love you!!!