his new summer haircut

I have kept Eli's hair long for multiple reaons. I like the shaggy boy haircuts. I like his uncontrolled waves and how it always seemed to curl right above his ear. His hair is really beautiful. It figures the boy would get the best hair out of all my kids. But the main reason I have never wanted to cut it is because I knew. I knew it would make him look older. The moment those clippers came out and the shag was gone it happened. Him looking older. Check out my guy in his new summer do. I still had to keep some of the length on top!

We enjoyed our quick trip down to KC for Nora's baptism over Memorial Day weekend. The kids had a good time at the hotel and pool and enjoyed playing with all the other nieces and nephews (11 kids in all ranging from 8 to 4 months).

This week has been busy with softball practice, Sheridan bike rodeo, field trip for Mack, field day for Schuyler and end of year celebration for the Montessori. Tomorrow, Mark will golf in the a.m. and I will play my first round in the afternoon. Should be an interesting one!!

I can't believe Schuyler is almost done with first grade. Next Thursday is there last day!!





This is what Mark and I spend half our time doing, trying to prevent our son from getting hurt. Why would you climb a wood fence? I understand the chain link fence but seriously? Look at those calf muscles.

My dancers

The girls had a great recital last weekend! It was so much fun to watch them on stage. They had the most giant smiles I have ever seen and you could tell they were loving every minute of it!

Volleyball is now done, too! She enjoyed her first experience and ofcourse the little medal she got = )

This week has been a week of playdates. Schuyler is making a good little friend with one of her soccer buddies and she only lives 2 blocks away! I'm so happy for her. We walked home Monday from school and she stayed with us until 7:00 and then we walked her home. Yesterday, they had the Sheridan skate party and her friend's mom took them! Tonight is Mack's turn. She is going to miss her best friend's bday party tomorrow so they are picking her up from school, going out to dinner, and then maybe nails/toenails. Right up Mack's alley!

Schuyler did start softball. The coach seems very good. Mark is going to be the assistant coach. I think he'll have a blast doing it!!

Eli is so close to being potty trained. He usually takes himself or will tell me and he even does #2! Wooo hoo!

I don't think I've shared any McKenzisms lately so here is one that will make you laugh. I have been reading the Harry Potter series (I know, most of you finished those a long time ago). Anyway, I was reading and McKenzie was trying to get my attention. She finally got frustrated and said, "Mom, would you just put down Harrypotimus for a minute?!"

Dance pics...

Schuyler is on the far right...


Find Mack. That's her in the front on the right.


Sisterness...




One more of Mack b/c it was her first year = )

Spring Soccer is done

I hope all you mommy's out there had a good Mother's Day! I know I did = ) Mark's parents came to watch Schuyler's last soccer game and then we went out to eat for Mother's day at Red Lobster. On Sunday, the kids woke up and started making me more pictures, in addition to the ones they had already made. Best of all, I got the most wonderful card! It was a BIG card. The outside said You're an EXTRAordinary mom so we go you and EXTRA large card. Then, in the inside in big block letters it said "We Love You". Then, it said in little letters, "Hmmm, guess it wasn't big enough". Mark filled the entire card with writing. Each child had a section and then a section from all 3, thanking me for things I do, or with warm fuzzies. For instance, Eli's said, "Thank you for rocking me every night, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with me and Ms. Denie, I love that I was your mother's day surprise, etc...". I had tears rolling down my face. Such a thoughtfula and creative gift. The thing I noticed was that little things make a big difference. Like, letting the kids like the cookie batter from the bowl or being able to pick Schuyler up from school every day.

Oh, I can't forget my great garage sale find. A new desk for Schuyler. I took before pics and will take after pics when it's complete. It's sanded and has a fresh coat of white paint for the chair and desk. The drawers will be painted yellow with new white pulls and the chair needs a new cover. Trash to treasure = )

Here's Schuyler's soccer team. What a great bunch of girls! Ignore the paisty white coach in the green shirt!

a bday party, a trip to the ER...

We are busy, busy, and more busy!

Last week was picture day at the dance studio! I have to admit that picture day brings out some of the worst in me. Trying to get 2 girls in costume with hair and make-up at the same time is a bit challenging. I kept finding myself saying, "Don't touch your hair. Don't touch your lips. Don't bounce around. Etc..." I usually need a mommy time out after the whole ordeal (or at least a glass of wine) = ) We actually got them back early. Mack is VERY disappointed in her group image. The photographer kept saying smile with your teeth. So, she has an unnatural look. It's not as bad as she makes it out to be. Her individual image is great. I told her mommy would take some more before the recital = )

Schuyler came down with a bad case of the stomach flu. She got sick several times Thursday night and once Friday a.m. She appeared to be recovering just fine, not eating a lot but that is usually expected. So, when her soccer game rolled around on Saturday a.m. we thought she could take it easy and play some. She played a little goal and a little field, which was not a smart idea on my part, and I eventually pulled her from the game. She went home and napped for an hour or so. Again, she ate some and appeared to be fine and very excited for the friend rollerskating party. I could tell she wasn't herself, kept coming to sit and rest, didn't want cupcake or icecream. Again, I thought she was probably a little week. Well, 20 minutes left in the party and Mark and I see her making an exit from the rink. It's funny how we both started heading towards her. Mark got there just in time as got sick and was able to hold her since she had her rollerblades on. She was so sad and started crying. I felt SOOO bad for her. Her friends were so concerned. That night she continued to keep getting sick. She couldn't keep down Motrin for her fever and any sip of water she took came immediately back up. Same thing Sunday a.m. We called Ask A Nurse and they suggested we bring her in b/c she was showing signs of dehydration, dry mouth and sunken eyes. She was such a little trooper. She was released in the afternoon with a prescription for Zofran. She went back to school Wed and is pretty much back to normal = )

Eli is h - e - double hockey sticks on wheels when it comes to him and his bike. I never knew a toddler could go so fast on a bicycle. Either Mark or I have to follow as he has not mastered turning around so he will just keep peddling straight!! The funny thing is he does not like the bike trailer. My dad took the girls the LSE district finals of soccer so we thought we spend some quality time with Eli on a bike ride. I have never heard more complaints. Too fast, too bumpy, etc...

Mack made a beautiful MOM poster for me at school. I need to take a picture. She was so proud of her bubble letters that she colored in with oil pastels.

Schuyler's enjoying a field trip with her first grade class at the Omaha zoo and her last soccer game of the season is tomorrow = )

Oh, the major reason for posting... To give my aunt and family a sneak peak of some images I took. Thank you for all your patience!! I'm going to try and finish them this weekend = )

Schuyler's last soccer game is this weekend = )