May Day...May Day...

It's just about the middle of May, which means it's the tail end of the school year, which means life is extra jam-packed full of school functions, volunteering, musical programs, swim team, scouts, field days, tennis lessons, class parties, Mother's day teas, play dates, etc. etc. etc, which makes me extra grateful that I have the opportunity to be a 'stay-at-home-mom' and able to attend all the kids 'stuff'.  I am one busy mama, and I am thoroughly exhausted when I plop in to bed at night....which has been MUCH later than it should be.  BIG props to all those working mama's out there.  I really do not know how you do it.  I applaud your efforts!  I am on a 'night owl' streak and I regret that decision each and every morning when the dreaded alarm goes off.  I have a love-hate relationship with my snooze button.  I think I have made a habit of pressing it three times every morning, three, there's always some justification going on inside my head.  All I can say is, summer vacation can't come soon enough!  I am definitely not an early morning person.  Never have been, never will be.  Believe me, I've tried.  I struggle to pull my covers off EVERY morning.  And I struggle to get the kids out the door, fully dressed (you'd be surprised) and looking somewhat decent, lunches made, homework in backpacks, glasses on the boys (one of them misplaces glasses more than humanly possible), WITH a smile on my face, most of the time.  Right now both boys are wanting to grow their hair out long (against my better judgment) and half the time they end up walking out the door looking like they are either orphan children or in the band, Flock Of Seagulls, they literally have wings on the sides of their heads.  ALL boys should have buzz cuts in my humble opinion.  Boys shouldn't have to worry about 'doing' their hair.  That's a girl worry.  Can you tell I'm all about the low maintenance mornings?  

Enough chit-chat...without further ado, here is what the Howard Clan has been up to the past few weeks:

FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY....I HAVE A NEW NIECE!!!  She is so deliciously sweet, I could just eat her up!  All 6 lbs. of her.  Other than my nephew, Spencer, who is now 11, I haven't been fortunate enough to be at the hospital for any of my nieces or nephews births.  *Sniff, sniff*  I finally got to be the doting aunt and concerned sister and be right there at the hospital on this special day.  Coley had a C-Section, so I technically wasn't in the room, but I was able to be in the waiting room and would occasionally get updates on mom and baby.  Shortly after baby E was born she was taken to the NICU for some breathing/oxygen problems.  She is a tough cookie and is home now and doing well.  Tomorrow the little lady will be 2 weeks old! I fell in love with her the minute I laid my eyes on her, breathing tubes, heat lamps, IV's, breathing bubbles, beeping machines and all.  She is so precious!  Coley is a trooper too!  She is such a fabulous and caring mother!  A double bonus is that I've been able to watch Russell a few times too!  I love that kid.  He'll be a great older brother!

One day old. 

2 days old.

3 days old.

 

4 days old.

My little stud muffin Russ.  He and I have so much fun together!

KJ's highlight of the month would definitely be the trip that he and Dan were able to take together!  KJ earned a trip to Orlando to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  A trip he has been planning and saving for, for at least 2 years!  I sent an extra camera and reminded them daily to be sure to snap a bunch of pictures for me to see.  Well, they are typical boys and only snapped a few.  Oh, well. Better than nothing.  I will say, that usually KJ is very quiet and doesn't have much to say on the phone, but every time I called him during that trip, he was suddenly a chatterbox, full of exciting stories and I could just feel his happiness busting thru the phone.  The boys had passes for the weekend to both Universal Studios parks and also to Wet and Wild and they took full advantage and spent almost every waking hour at either one or the other. I've been meaning to have KJ help me with this part of my post for 2 weeks now, and it's just not happening, but believe me, he had a blast.  I think having a one-on-one trip with his Dad is a memory he'll never forget.  He's such a cool kid.  I'm glad he had that opportunity!

The airplane, ready for take off!

Hahaha!  This is my favorite, their faces...I can't even take it!   

KJ wanted his portrait drawn by a caricature artist.  I think it looks just like him!  We will have to frame this one!  Such a cute kid. 

 KJ has been waiting to try the official ButterBeer and he said it was delicious! 

While Dad and KJ were away, I took the other kids to play!  We spent the WHOLE day at Wahooz.  A family fun center type of place.  The kids had unlimited passes to whatever they wanted and they did it all.  multiple times.  It was exhausting and I was done after a couple of hours, but they were having a grand old time.  We fit in miniature golfing, bumper cars, bumper boats, laser tag, virtual rollercoasters, 4 games of bowling, go karts, arcade games, indoor play centers, slick tracks, etc.  It was fun and Olivia and Jack thought it was just as good as Orlando. ;)

KJ had his Pinewoord derby race.  He made a flying pickle car.  :)  Let's just say, it wasn't the most aeorodynamic design.  He didn't come in first, but he didn't come in last either.  Next year he has big plans for a super cool car.  Next year will be his last race and Jack's first race. 

The kids are all in swimming right now.  Between all three kids, there are seven, yes SEVEN lessons/practices a week.  We basically live at the Y right now.  But KJ is doing great on the swim team.  They are called the Blue Marlins.  He has his first official swim meet tomorrow! 

Dan had his official ribbon cutting ceremony for his new office with the Chamber of Commerce.  It was exciting to have so many people there!  I love his office and his staff!  

Poor baby Doug had his 'man parts' removed.  He was NOT a happy camper wearing this stupid cone around his head.  He's doing well now!  He is just the best dog.  We all love him and he's a great addition to our family!

My cousin Bradley left last week for Basic Training.  He has joined the Army and we had a little going away party for him.  It was an exciting night because he proposed to his girlfriend in front of all of us!  We are so proud of him!  Be safe Bradley!

Our new favorite activity is exploring the river.  If the weather is nice, we go after school on Fridays.  The kids and Doug just love it.  We are all happiest when we are in the great outdoors.

Olivia's Kindergarten class had a nice Mother's Day Tea Party for all the moms.  They sang some cute songs for us and served us 'tea' and cookies and fruit.  I just love this little cupcake of mine.  I am sure lucky to be her mom.  

That should do it for now!  

XOXO

Also, a shout out to my cute niece...today is her 14th birthday!!  Happy Birthday Shey!  Man, I'm getting old, I remember the first time I met you, you were just a tiny little toddler running around, now you're a beautiful young lady!  

Love you lots and lots!