Gianna's latest...

G loves to stick out her thumb and say: "Awesome Dude" or "Good job dude!" She does this to encourage us and to get approval when she is doing something she is not sure she should be doing!

Vinny and Nick take a hike!

Vinny and Nick took a great hike...up from the 7 Cedars Casino and this was the view they were rewared with when they reached the top!

Preschool Valentine Party

I LOVE my best friend Pryce! BFF

"My adore you" (Dom used to say this each night when I tucked him in)

Standing back is overrated!

Gianna joins right in!

Cheese! I have tons of love in my heart!

Dom's party was so fun! His teachers love G too, so they were excited to have her at the celebration. My friend and I were watching the boys vs. the girls in behavior throughout the party...let's just say this- girls were standing in lines, hands folded...boys-not so much! they could not keep their hands off of each other and were singing "I like to move it, move it!" So funny!

Dominic's Valentines Art

Ok, I have to admit I was a wee bit worried...last year at Mother's Day his answers were not so thoughtful! I was so happy when I opened up this Valentine and his answers were soooo sweet! Last year there were 3 fill-in-the-blanks and according to Dom here were his answers:

I like it when my mom cooks: cereal!

My mom looks prettiest when: I don't know!

I like it when my mom: lets me watch cartoons!

GREAT! Aren't those flattering thoughts!

Needless to say, we have been having MANY conversations around what I actually cook, special times we have together...etc. etc. etc. Hopefully this year he will be ready to answer! (the way I would like him to!)

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Sibling LOVE!

Valentine Breakfast...red and pink table and V-day gifts!

Bubbles, "yips" (chapstick), and candy!

Crasher cars, bubble gun, candy!

My little lovebug!

I love this girl! She was so excited to wear her dress with hearts on it!

She loves to pose!

This little lovebug of mine...she knows how to make her momma happy- cheese for the camera!

Superbowl Fun!

The big boys participated in football fun...competitions galore! Although the biggest boys may have been just as competitive in the activities!

The younger set hanging out inside pre-game...eating some of the enormous amount of food!

Nana started all of us standing for the Star Spangled Banner!

As you can see the boys really got into singing their hearts out!

Is that a brotherly likeness we see?

Once again-the Glassers hosted a fun Superbowl! Thanks to Shawn for planning the competitions and making the Gin Fizzes, and everyone else for the delicious food and fun time!

Spotlight on Nick!

Nick's buddies on his basketball team...all such great kids! From left to right: Jack (Nick's golfing buddy), Payton (Nick's everything buddy-these two can't get enough of each other and actually count the days where they don't see each other!), Arnold (Nick's newest buddy).

Grandma and Grandpa came up for a visit and were soooo excited to watch Nick play. His games are very exciting this year and Grandma could be heard throughout the gym whooping for him as he made some awesome shots!

Nick's b-ball strengths this year: he is not afraid to shoot the ball, dribbles down the court well, and he is giving it his very best!

I never knew kid's sports could be this exciting! This season we have seen a big change in the intensity and pace of the game...woo-hoo!

Vulnerability

I am continuously reminded of my humanity and my vulnerability as I interact with my kids each day. I watch them as they experience life-learning from the good and the bad. My heart leaps as they try new things and have their hopes exposed. My heart breaks when they fail...but I keep reminding myself that failing is a part of life...it is how they deal with the failure that is important and the way that they build character. I have never in my life had my heart so "out there" for everyone to witness! I guess I still need to be building my character as well! This quote is one of my favorites...
"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."
My heart has always been worn on my sleeve, but now it is walking outside of my body!

One of my Faves...

There are two important things we can give our children...
one is roots,
the other is wings.