Week 16

Monday, April 15th

I took half the crew to meet the R.I. cousins at the park.  (Dear 16 year old Renna, I know that socks and sandals are not a good mix, but it was too chilly for your little bare toes!)

Renna LOVED the swings and slide.  By the end, the kids were sending her down the slide by herself.  Big Girl.  Watch THIS!

 Later in the afternoon, Nathanael and I went on a little hike with dogs.

Tuesday, April 16th
Big day at the house--the guys came to power wash!  Enamoring!

 This was our "Trot-adventure-of-the-day" while we dog sat.

 Lovin' the swing!

 Lovin' the sun!

Wednesday, April 17th
April vacation creates a revolving door at our home.  61 degrees was warm enough for the sprinkler for these crazies.

Thursday, April 18th
Rocco and Nixon shared a sleepover at Ninny's and Gaga's.  Happy boys at breakfast.

Daddy had an early hockey game (8:10pm vs. 10:30pm) so we took the opportunity to watch him play.  Renna spent the time working on her up-and-down-stairs skills.  She took it very seriously.

Friday, April 19th
Surprised to find this one!

7:30am--I dropped Maddy at the studio for Project Dance '13.  This year a group of 13 girls went down to dance in Times Square.

Saturday, April 20th

These pictures were posted on Facebook by another mom.  Madison was in three numbers--"One Touch", "Lights", and "Everybody Talks."

One of the best parts of the weekend for her was the comedy club they went to Saturday night!
One Touch video
Everybody Talks video

Meanwhile, back home, we went to Nathanael's hockey game.  I had to get a picture of Renna wearing the winter coat that Madison wore 11 years ago.  I so remember her in this coat.

Then we travelled up to Salem to see Nick and Katie's new place.  It's beautiful!!!  They have the 2nd floor.  (It was cool to see all the 'Angie Miller' spirit around town.)

And they are THIS far from the beach!!

Sunday, April 21st
Church, yard work, walk to the park, goodbye to Trot, baby shower, then pick up Maddy.

I love this picture of the boys playing.  Their sweet hands, the toy-of-the-week, and a tattoo for good measure!

Week 15

A couple years ago Lisa got me going on posting 'a picture a day'.  I like that it forces me to log my weeks with the help of pictures.  The problem is that I can't post just one.  I have enough trouble blogging once or twice a week.  If I only picked one picture a day, I'd never go back to create separate posts.  And good grief!  I'm home with 6 kids all day.  There's a lot of cuteness goin' on!!! So it's easier to pick my favorites of the day and to 'journal' our week.  Of course, you all know this already.  I'm just finally admitting it.

News around here today...We've had a crew at our house all week painting the outside of the house.  Maddy and C are playing on the same rec soccer team this year and they won their first game this morning.  Maddy is at her last competition of the season.  Nathanael has one more spring hockey game.  Trevor is starting golf lessons with Daddy.  Rocco loves wearing his underwear backwards so he can see the character in the front.  And finally, Renna is officially walking...like 95%.

Sunday, April 8th

These two hang together all the time!  Best buds these days.

Tuesday, April 9th

Still getting used to the sight of her walking around the house!

 We met Lisa at the park for an hour.  She snapped this sweet one of the Girl:

Rocco lined up all his shoes to decide which ones to wear.  I didn't realize how many he had.  Seems like he's worn nothing but cowboy boots all winter.

We went over to Bob & Jules later to watch the UConn women win the National Championship.  In just a couple minutes of fooling around on her iPod, Maddy texted this to me:

Wednesday, April 10th
Training her early.

 Daddy treated us to Shady Glen.  It'd been at least 15 years since I was there.

Thursday, April 11th
I suggested to Madison that Renna's hair might be long enough for pig tails. Five minutes later...

Colombo snagged this rug from the duplex 3rd floor.  Rocco was thrilled!

She came down ready for ballet.  I was stunned by her beauty.  And amazed that she's so good at hair!

Friday, April 12th
A cold, gloomy day couldn't stop these kids from being outside.

Saturday, April 13th
I went down to Kristin Corsino's baby shower.  Daddy texted me this picture, saying the boys requested a 'fruit lunch.'

I met up with fam again at church.  I had nursery with Meg and out of that deal got some sweet pictures.

Sunday, April 14th
Bob and Jules fave us a popcorn popper for Christmas.  Growing up, my Dad made popcorn every Sunday afternoon.

Maddy Turns 12

Our precious Maddy Girl turned 12!!  This year her birthday landed on a Saturday, which made it extra special.  She got a big breakfast and then at dance I brought brownie sundaes for the girls.

Trevor made a very special birthday banner.

This was the first birthday either of us could remember her NOT celebrating with Juliet.  It was very difficult for Maddy.  It was very difficult for Juliet.  It was very difficult for me.

The next best thing was to have a couple dance friends come over for a girly sleepover.  Maddy cleaned the basement, bought snacks, and rented movies.

She brought her friends to church and then we went home for her dinner of choice- tacos.  Then cake of her choice- homemade Oreo ice cream cake.

Cards, gifts, and Birthday Book.

And THE sweetest note from Nathanael (all on his own!!) brought tears to my eyes...
Dear Maddy, Happy Birthday.  You are an amazing dancer; the best I've ever seen and I can tell you are an instrument of God.  I could not ask for a better sister.  Love, Nathanael

Madison, Kayla, Paige

So thankful for the sweet gift that she is.  She amazes us!  Indeed, she is an instrument of God, even right here in her own family!  She is mature and wise beyond her years.  She is a delight to be with and a huge help around the house.  She is full of talent, love, and promise, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

An excerpt from her birthday book interview:
What makes you happy?
"Being with my family."

Are you scared of anything?
"Sketchy dudes."

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"An English teacher in Africa and a missionary."

Who's the last person you kissed?
"Renna...definitely...probably about 12 times today."

What is something you dislike about yourself?
"I don't know.  I like that God made me the way I am."

If you could be someone in history who would you be?
"One of the disciples.  It could've been cool to see Jesus."

What makes you laugh?
"My brothers."

Which room is your favorite?
"I'd have to say the dining room because our family has a lot of laughs in that room."


What's the last thing you were sad about?
"Probably that I was a little bit behind in math."

What is something you do well?
"Dance."

What makes you feel sad?
"Probably if me and my brothers aren't getting along."

What's your favorite ice cream?  "Oreo"
favortite movie? "Anne of Green Gables"
favorite color?  "Lime green"
favorite song and artist?  "Taylor Swift and I like that song 'Home'"

If I were 5 I would...
"...have as many sleepovers with friends as possible before there was school and all that stuff."

If I were 40 I would...
"...be in Africa starting an after-school dance program."

I wish I never...
"...lied.  I don't like lying."

I'm happiest when...
"...I'm with my family."

Tell me what you think of when you hear these words:
Home: "Bed"
Love: "Smooching"
Bedtime: "Chapters with Daddy"
School: "Bible"