Grandpa's visit and May mish mash

We've a fun, full, wonderful few weeks.  Lots to catch up on here!  

First, and most exciting - Grandpa Jack came to visit for over a week!  Lots of boy adventures, telling stories, and running around doing daily life together.

Andrew with his buddy Peter after their last soccer game (it was fun to have Grandpa here for this!)

I loved getting to have some special father/daughter time.  He wanted to take me shopping for mothers day to get a new outfit.  These were a few of his suggestions.  We had a lot of good laughs, and sweet conversation.

On Monday Caden was in his first play, which Grandpa got to see as well.  He was a jackal - here he is saying one of his lines.

 And here he is waiving.  He was a friendly jackal ;).

Afterward with Daddy.

 So excited.

 Wednesday Grandpa cleaned our carpets, and then biked to DC with one of his best buddies, Rich.

Just a little cuddle time.

And then Saturday was the long awaited Spring Festival!  Dave had been working hard on this large outreach event for our church.  The above picture was taken, and pieced together by Choi (so fun) - at this point the majority of the crowd was upstairs in the upper room for the raffle and wrap up.

Our boys couldn't have been more excited.  As we pulled into the parking lot they were chanting, and Andrew actually said, "I can't believe it's really happening...I feel like I'm dreaming!"  Here is going down the slide head first.

 Greeting a puppet.

 With his sweet friend Ellie (these two spend a lot of time together).

 On Sunday afternoon the boys flew "kites" in our front yard, which Andrew had made at school.

 Andrew telling a story (loved how his dimple was showing).

 Whatever you do, don't smile.  Seriously. (there's his real smile)

With their "kites".  Andrew sang the doxology as he flew his.  They sing it everyday after reciting the pledge of allegiance, so to him it's the "American flag song". 

Grandpa brought out a few fun toys which he brought from home - can you go wrong with water guns?  They've been a huge hit, and we'll have lots of fun with them all summer.

Sunday evening at church, I looked over a saw this.  Andrew looking up the Bible passage and reading it on his own.  A first, so had to capture a quick/discrete pic with my phone. 

The next day we said goodbye to Grandpa.  It meant so much to all of us that he was able to come out, and we were SO thankful for the sweet time we had with him!

Tuesday morning was the young authors and student recognition for Andrew's Kindergarten class.  All of the students read one of their writings and received a unique/special award from their teacher.  I love Andrew's expressive face in this picture.

 He received an award for "Joyful Spirit and Self-Control", and Ms. Duffy complimented his tremendous growth, and wonderful sense of humor.  We're so proud of you, bud!

More pics of Caden's preschool graduation, and Memorial Day Weekend to come soon!

weekend with the ladies

We had several special ladies in town this last weekend.  First, Tia was here for some family time, and then our dear friends Tiffany (who JUST finished law school) and her precious daughter Laelle came to stay with us.

Friday afternoon we headed over to the Westbrook Carnival.  Andrew treated us to cotton candy with his own money (he sets the table, earns $1 a week).

Later that afternoon/evening we headed over to Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Dee Dee's, for an insanely delicious Cinco de Mayo feast prepared by Tia.  Homemade guacamole, sangria, fajitas...so so good.  And then an after dinner performance by these little crazies.  Grandma Dee Dee sang and cheered while the kids marched, and the rest of us laughed.

Saturday morning Dave took all of the kids over to the cathedral, where they stumbled upon a huge festival/carnival.  Later that afternoon we pulled out the sprinkler for the first time.  Tiffany had just purchased a new camera, and captured some amazing pictures.  Sadly, she's not in any of them!!

 Love this feature, where you can choose one color.

The sprinkler face.

 Wonder.

 Roar.

 That's right.

 Warmin up.

 Wet, happy boys.

Look at that precious face. 

 Taking it in.

 Yeaaaahhhh!

Telling stories before bed.

We love these dear friends, and it was so fun to have some ladies in the house! ;)

young authors tea

Andrew was beyond thrilled to learn that he would be recognized as a young author at the Young Authors Tea last week.  In his short, sweet little life, I haven't seen him want something this much.  

Not sure how well this video will come through, but here's an attempt for my far away family who didn't get to be there in person.

Little man waiting for his turn (what you can't quite see - his legs were crossed).

Reading his poem. 

Enjoying goodies after.

He had a very special cheering section - Monie, Grandpa Jerry, and Tia (from NYC!). 

The award.

Celebratory Starbucks.

SPRING

A poem by Andrew O'Connell

Spring is bees buzzing

Spring is smelling burgers on the grill

Spring is feeling the breeze tickling my cheeks

Spring is playing at the park

Spring is beautiful buds on the trees

April random

Just a few random pics from the end of April.

Will scribbled on the wall for the first time...and got to learn how to clean it up afterwards ;).

Andrew participated in his school fun run, which he informed me was NOT fun for him.  Next year I need to remember the inhaler.

I also have to share this sweet story.  One of Andrew's classmates had a birthday party at a gymnastics center, which he was super excited to attend.  We ended up scheduling my birthday gathering with the OC's at the same time, which meant he wasn't able to go.  So several nights later he was hiding from his brothers in the corner of our family room while I was typing a quick email.  He asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I was writing his friends mom apologizing for his missing the party.  He looked at me with this sweet smile and said "that's okay mom, your birthday is more important."  Melt my heart buddy, melt my heart..

thirty-five

We had a marvelous time celebrating my 35th birthday this year - about 3 different celebrations, I felt very loved and spoiled.

The celebration started with a one night get-away (without kids - thanks Grandma!) to Richmond, a few days before my birthday.  We stayed at the beautiful Jefferson Hotel.

The evening started early - a 5:15 dinner reservation at the hotel restaurant (Lemaire), where we enjoyed a wonderful 3 course dinner (with perfect wine pairings).

And then came my FAVORITE part.  We took our time after dinner walking around the hotel (pictured above).  Dave had asked the concierge which areas we should check out, so we decided to take a walk.  After leisurely strolling a few blocks, we came upon an old theater and I was shocked to see Allison Krauss' name on the markee.  You see, Allison is our person  - one of our first dates was to her concert, we danced to her at our wedding.  The date next to her name read April 15th - Dave said - "April 15th, when is that?"..totally a question he would ask - he never knows which day it is.  I exclaimed, "that's TODAY!!!".  At that point it was 7:28pm, concert started at 7:30.  We agreed we had to check it out.  I started walking up to a window, and Dave said, "Oh, I think that's will call - let's go this way".  So I followed him, as he started walking into the theater.  I wasn't quite sure what he was doing, until he pulled out two tickets and said "Or we could use these".  I think I said "you're kidding me!?!" about 10 times.  Seriously amazed.

And then it got better.

We handed the lady our tickets, and she instructed us to make our way to the front.  The next lady checking tickets told us to make our way to the pit, where we would be seated.  Yes, we were in the second row, dead center.  So we sat down, and literally 30 seconds later she walked onstage.  Can't tell you how insanely giddy I was.  Best birthday surprise ever.  And the entire concert was AMAAAZing.

Another treat- they upgraded us to a suite since we were celebrating a special occasion.  This was the living room area with remnants of our delicious breakfast.  Makes me sigh just looking at it.

Later that morning we headed to Cary Street where we ducked in and out of consignment shops (yes, I scored a few deals), boutiques, and coffee shops.

 Then it was over to Marymont park we we enjoyed taking in the Italian and Japanese gardens.

It was a HOT, almost 90 degree day. 

The front of the hotel, just before we left.

Back home, these boys enjoyed some Choi play time.  Here, they were apparently making ninja soup.

The next day was my actual birthday, and the boys were excited to help me in the yard ;).  Caden did a super job wiping down our chairs.

 And we planted our first vegetable garden.  Not sure if we'll get enough sunlight to make it very prolific, but fun to try ;). 

 That night we headed to one of our favorite new pizza places (Vapianos) in Bethesda with a few friends.  Somehow, we only got pics of the kids! ;)

Dave was super about keeping the little crazies occupied while we finished eating.

And then back home for cake (baked by Grandma Kathy) before bed.

A few days later I got sneak away to Williamsburg, VA for our church's women's retreat.  Seriously, how spoiled am I?

 It was a PERFECT, 70 some degree day.  They are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which added to the fun and fanfare.

 We walked around, watched these go by, and found a perfect spot on the grass to sit and read (and people watch).  Sooo wonderful.

 I LOVED having time with this friend.

And then one of my favorite moments - sitting and enjoying some fabulous wine and cheese with these amazing ycf ladies.  Love em! 

And when I got home the next day, we had the O'Connell family over for lunch to keep the celebration going.  Dave blew me away.  I walked in about 30 minutes before they were supposed to be home from church, and was expecting to have to help pull things together.  The house was clean, tables set (both dining room and kitchen for adults and kids), and a cake baked!  I'm not sure how he was able to swing getting 3 kids ready for church, and the house looking that nice...but I know it was a labor of love, and I was truly impressed.

So fun to be back with my boys.

 The kids opened their own McDonalds

 Three attempts blowing one candle was pretty hilarious.

So grateful for this AMAAZING week.  Now back to doing my own laundry, wiping noses, shuttling my little men to school/soccer/church, managing tantrums and fights, building forts, dealing with the dirt and grime which covers the house of a dog and three boys, filling hungry tummies, and kissing they're precious little faces...all of which I'm incredibly grateful I get to do.