A Toast to the Graduate!

Our nephew John Kelly is such a fantastic person (and soon-to-be groom). He not only graduated from Notre Dame, but is now a graduate of the business school at the University of Chicago. Just being accepted there is an accomplishment. Reading over the list of the undergrad schools where these new graduates attended made me like I was at the United Nations. So impressive! Congrats John. You are always making the family so proud!

And the Trophy Goes To...

Another hockey season over. Whew! That gear gets me every time. There are so many steps in the process and a 6 year old is very little help when it comes to squeezing the skates etc on his little body. I consider it a workout of sorts worth a couple hundred calories! He had fun and got a trophy...and it's all about the trophy at 6 years old. But then he turned right around and gave it to his little sister instead. THAT was worth it all.

Am I on? Hello?

Friend and podcaster, Tim Kretschmann from "Pageantcast," asked me to be a part of his first ever show on Spreecast. It only required a computer with wifi,a microphone and camera. Simple, right? Well, I have yet to even try to Skype. So thanks to our "In House Director of Chaos," I was ready to go with her laptop as my camera cord was maybe 12 inches long which meant I would have to lay on the ground for be seen or heard. Not a good angle. It was fun! Tim, Sarah Bertrand (Miss Illinois Teen USA runner-up and former Miss Teen Illinois International) and I spent an hour rehashing the Miss USA pageant. It was cool to see them both again via computer. http://pageantcast.com/2012/06/pageantcast-spreecast-tonight-miss-usa-roundup/

Chirp! Chirp!

Spring Fever has sprung! Ali had a special friend day at school. I adore her teacher, as does everyone. And the little ones were so excited to share their day with all of us. That was followed up by Johnny's Spring Sing. Those children woorked incredibly hard on their songs and moves and were absolutely precious! 1)The adorable table and the bird houses our kids made for it! 2)Ali in all her art glory. 3)Spring Sing 2012!

Night at the Theater

Tonight Ali and I went to watch our dear neighbor perform in her school's play. It was about the cyber world and life with Facebook and texting. It was very funny and observant and each student in the class was a part of the show. Janie, you were fabulous-as always! 1) Jane and Ali after the show.

A Day of Rest? Ha!

Ah, Mother's Day. That Sunday where you break a sweat getting the kids ready to see the rest of the family. It is not a day of rest in our household. I'll be honest, it just gets dressed up a bit. Still, it was lovely to spend the morning with Ali and John. We later met John at the club when he finished golfing so we could have lunch with his parents. Wait a minute, was this Father's Day? I was able to go out to the barn later that day to see Legacy, my overgrown child. And although my mom is miles away and I miss her madly, I am so thankful I have her as my mom. She really has taught me so many things in life and has shaped the way I raise Johnny and ALi. Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes it feels like survival of the fittest. But it is the most rewarding job out there. Happy Mother's Day ladies! 1)The kids (with help from Monica) made these "I love you this much..." gifts. So sweet. 2) At the club

A Parade of a Different Kind

Every year at my son's school, they hold a vocabulary parade. And we go all out for it, or so I thought. So when John decided to go as the word, "Meteorologst," I got to thinking and planning. I found a sombrero and we painted a sun yellow. Simple, right? We (I) decided to make the hat a huge cloud by sewing on pillow stuffing. Many, MANY finger pricks later...I spent HOURS then sewing long streamers on for rain on one side and Ice on the other. Of course I had to add some bling for effect.So, bloodied, sticky and hunched over it was then I realized the sun was on the back of his head as the head piece kept sliding back. We made some adjustments to the 10 pound obstracity and luckily he was able to turn it sideways to fit it through the classroom doors for the big parade. I think I overdid it. But in the end he was a hit and hard to miss. Next year,he's on his own!;)