Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Mom!

How much do I love this woman?  She is my best friend, biggest supporter, my rock, my mother.  I can't imagine life without her in it.  She just makes everything better.  We had a fabulous adults only dinner at Pizzeria 712.  Everyone came to our house afterwards with their kids for a little birthday party.

My kids were in rare form.  Sam, as I've mentioned is always in character.  This particular moment he was "sharp guy".  I guess this is how sharp guy smiles.  My kids adore their Grandma Jackie, as they should.

I love her expression in this picture, total mom.

So thrilling to get the shoes she picked out!

Sharp guy looks mad but trust me, he has nothing but love for his grandma.

It's safe to say all her grand kids feel the same way I do about her.  We are so lucky to have her in our lives.  She does so much for every single one of us.

I'm not going to say just how many attempts it took the 4 of us to get a decent picture with our mom.

This kid wasn't making it easy.  He was the photo bombing master.  I believe April Fool's Day got the best of him.  He was in prank mode.  First he filled some Oreo's with toothpaste, then plastic wrapped the toilet, reset all the clocks, and turned the water off in the bathroom.  He was pretty proud of himself.

I love how my darling grandparents just sit back and take in all the craziness around them.  I wonder what they talk about on their way home.

Baby Grandma Jackie.  I think she may have peed a little when Lucy picked her up!  We sure adore and love this woman.  Happy Birthday mom!!!

Zoo Day with the First Grade and Sam

I volunteered extra early to make sure I could go on Max's Zoo field trip this year.  Apparently, there are more eager parents in his class than me.  I wasn't picked to be a field trip mom, so Sam and I met Max up there.  It actually worked out for the best.  I got to bring Sam, who loves the zoo, and hang out with Max without worrying about any other kids.  Oh and most importantly, I didn't have to ride the bus!

It took Sam and I a few minutes to find Max.  We were so happy once we spotted him in the crowd.  Don't mind Sam cupping my boob in this picture.  It's totally normal, right?  Don't answer that.

There were a few times in the day when the sun broke through the clouds and warmed us up.  The majority of the day was windy and freezing.  It helped the kids energy level however.  They ran from exhibit to exhibit to keep warm.

The African Safari exhibit is finally open and really cool.  The animals were out and ready to give us a show.  

The train is finally open now but the students were told they weren't allowed to ride on this field trip.  Lucky for us, one of the moms had a zoo pass and got our entire group on the train for free.

Max, Colton, and Linkin were pretty pumped to be cheating the system.

Sam was so excited.

I think he was expecting it to be more like Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland though.  As we rounded the corner on the train, Mrs. Terry was standing right there with a big group and totally saw all of us breaking the rules!  The kids thought it was hilarious.

Cutest 1st grader. Ever.

I loved watching Max hold Sam's hand and run from one animal to the next.  The sea lions, and polar bears were extra entertaining.

I've been on my fair share of field trips over the years and this was the first one I felt like we ran out of time on.  Have I mentioned I love the zoo?  

As we walked out of the zoo I couldn't help but snap this picture of a lion sunning on a rock.  How cool is that?  Maybe I need to get a zoo membership.

Sam was worn out and crashed on our way home.  He was such a good boy and hung with the first graders perfectly.  Such a fun day but it took me hours to warm up after.

Diaversary #4

Team Hank represented on Hank's 4th year anniversary of his diabetes dignosis.  It seems like a weird day to celebrate but I'll recoginze Hank and everything he goes through as much as I can.  I'm proud of the way he takes care of his body and I'm proud to say we haven't visisted the hospital once since that diagnosis day March 28, 2011.  It's overwheming to think he's poked his poor little fingers nearly 12,000 times over the past 4 years.  We take each day as it comes, each challenge as it presents itself, and continue the hope that one day there will be a cure for this terrible disease.  

Watching Hank play ball seemed like the perfect activity for his anniversary date.  He won't let diabetes stop him from doing the things he loves.  His determination and constant drive to do his best is going to make him successful at everything he does.  Even diabetes management. 

Nothing say diabetes like a gigantic shake!

I'm not sure why, but whenever this day rolls around, Hank ends up having treat after treat.

After lunch at JCW's, Hank picked a dinner out with the family at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Following a farely low carb dinner of wings and veggies, he made up for it with a huge chocolate cake.

He shared with his bros.

Even though the fighting between Hank and Max is constant, I know Max has Hank's back more than anyone.  He is always looking out for Hank and making sure he's o.k.  As he gets older he realizes how much Hank goes through every day.  All I can do is think positive thoughts and hope he doesn't get a similar diagnosis one day.  Sam has had a few bed wetting incidents recently sparking me to test his blood sugar just to be safe.  Luckily he is fine.  This damn disease manages to work its way into all our lives.  Today I will celebrate these three boys and their health because today is all I have.  Down with the beeties!

My Son is a Pirate...among other things

Sign this matey up for acting classes!  There is one thing for certain, Sam loves to be in character and what a character he is.  Let me go back to where the pirate obsession began.

On Tucker's birthday we played at the Children's Curiosity Museum.  Sam was obsessed with the veterinary clinic.

After fixing up all his animals we headed to the green screen.

AVALANCHE!!  They loved looking at themselves on the big screen.

Next up, the stage.  This is where Sam really cultivated his pirate love.  

They had the pirate ship back drop and the appropriate pirate tune along with awesome costumes.  You can see Sam toe tapping to the music.

I was crying with laughter at these two.  

This birthday boy is too adorable and hilarious for words.

I think I took 50 pictures of the two of them.  You had to see it in person to get the full effect.  The only way I could get Sam to leave was to assure him we had a Jack Sparrow costume at home.  Now we just need a stage.

They had fun at the other exhibits but nothing beat the pirate ship.

Happy Birthday sweet Tuck man! The second we got home, Sam put on his pirate costume (he calls it a costoon) and he literally didn't take it off for 3 days.

He took it off for about 15 minutes to ride around the neighborhood with his buddy Jett.

But then I saw a long haired pirate on the tramp with Max, Kennedy, and Cohen.

That wig flowing in the breeze makes me giggle.

I think I'm ok with Sam wearing this outfit everyday.  It's perfect.