mmmm......

Today we went to Lone Pine farms (the same local farm where we went for mother's day) to pick our own strawberries. Funny, but it wasn't just Maleah and Jaden's first time, but mine, too! We had a great time, and got some super yummy berries!

I think he may have picked one berry, but had a great time nonetheless!

She picked an entire half of a bucket to herself! She was very selective with hers!

The berry taster. They must have been good!

Gotta find JUST the right one!

I think Jaden had more interest in entertaining his best buddy Aiden (and trying to share berries!)

We got lots of sweets! Not just berries, but candy sticks, and flavored honey tubes! We're gonna have to take it slow, since I alone have already just about made myself sick on fresh berries! I may look up a recipe for making freezer jam, so all the yumminess doesn't go to waste!

aaaah, the warmth....

We have really been enjoying the weather! It's been super warm, which means it's just perfect for water play with the cousins!!! My kids seem to have evolved into fish! I don't recall Maleah ever being so keen on the water, even in nastily hot Kuwait. Very exciting, let me tell you! It's going to be a GOOD summer!

This past weekend was a whole lot of fun! Friday night, I took the kiddos to my best buddy Jahred's house for their first campout! Maleah slept in a tent for the first time and LOVED it! Jaden, well, he slept in the house in his porta crib, with the window open so we could hear him. It was just a tad too cold for the little man to have the full experience yet! Saturday we joined our friends and their families for a bbq at their house. Maleah spent the entire couple of hours running, jumping and rolling with a great 7 year old little lady. Unfortunately, I was too busy following Jaden to take pics! Sunday was a family bbq at my inlaw's house. Again, lots of kids! It was great, but again, no pics of Maleah (she wouldn't even sit still long enough to eat!) Aaaah, the energy of youth. And to round out the fun, food, family and friend packed weekend, I had a bbq at my house on Memorial day. I think I ate an entire farm worth of fruit and green salad this weekend! Yet another reason I LOVE this time of year. Now if that cool evening breeze would stay around!

The boys gettin' in to the water baloons at Nana and Papa's house.

Maleah relaxing after a long day of water and fun in the sun!

Perfect ending to a perfect weekend! Strawberry shortcake! mmmmmm

Shortcake face!

Cheeks full of shortcake, and super sleepy eyes!

And a look at what's growing around the house,other than the kids!

My primroses are still hangin' on!

I LOVE my fuschias!!

Berries are turning pink!

And getting big!

The only pic I took all weekend of the great food we had! mmmmm

Happy Mother's Day!

This morning I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. My hubby didn't remember to tell me happy mother's day, AND he's really far away, AND I didn't have my mom around AND... then I figured out why it really IS a happy mother's day for me, and I have NO reason to feel sorry for myself.

These two! These little ones are the reason I breathe, the reason I get out of bed every morning, even when I want to just pull the covers over my head and never get up. The are my sunshine on a rainy day, the wind that lifts my spirits. They are my world! Yes, there are times I just want to run and hide, change my name to something OTHER than mommy for 5 minutes, scream at the tops of my lungs. But they are so fun. So smart. So funny. So full of life, and love, and energy. And they are mine. Forever! And for that, I am a happy happy mommy, and it's a happy happy day!

This happy day we spent at a local farm. It was a lot of fun! We saw some animals, played on the playground, "mined" for gemstones, ate ice cream, and just enjoyed being together.

aaaand, a pic of the giant fuschia plant from my kiddos. I LOVE it! :)

just, HAPPY!

It's been a good couple of days! Yesterday, it finally warmed up and dried out! The kids and I wanted to head to a local farm, but it wasn't yet open for the season. So instead, we went to a park. They had a great time, but how can you NOT on a day like this! That evening, I got a babysitter (YAY for great inlaws!) and spent some great quality time with a good friend. MUCH needed mommy time!

Maleah will be starting school this fall, at a new charter school in the area. It's VERY exciting! They are in the process of hiring a couple of new teachers, and asked for some volunteer students to help in the interviewing process (by attending mini-lessons taught by the different candidates) SO, Maleah was able to go to "practice" school today, as kind of a taste of what she's getting into! Oh my goodness, I can't believe how fast my babies are growing up!!

This morning, THIS was delivered to my house!

It is honestly the BIGGEST hanging fuschia plant I've ever seen! And all the card said was "from Maleah and Jaden" ooooh, mysterious! :)

I want to send a gigantic, full of love, "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!" to everyone out there. Even if you aren't a mother, have a happy day! Because chances are, one day you will be a mom, OR you play a very special part in someones life, for which you deserve appreciation!

And to my mom, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!! I miss you so much, and wish you the best today!