This and That

Two weeks ago, Elise and her best friend Ella did another cheer camp at St. Mary's and performed at the football game last Friday.  First they circle up for prayer before the game.

Then they head onto the field for their performance.

She has been taking gymnastics so of course we saw a few cartwheels and handstands!  Then they all came in for pictures and with all the parents down on the field, I felt like a member of the papparazzi!

Elise and Ella have such a sweet, fun friendship.  They don't spend tons of time together (they are in different classes AGAIN!) but they always pick up where they left off and are so comfortable being silly and goofy around each other. 

Saturday night Mark and I went to a wedding reception for a friend from high school.  It is always such a treat to get dressed up and go out with my hubby.  I have to stick a picture in because it doesn't always happen.

I have really been enjoying my time home with Ava.  She is at such a funny age and I am really trying to put the laundry, dishes and bills aside to spend time playing with her.  The other day I introduced her to Elefun and she thougt it was so exciting trying to scoop up the butterflies.

Then she was just having fun with the net.  We giggled and giggled.

Here are some other random Ava moments. 





I remember feeling a little nervous when I was pregnant with Ava wondering how I could possibly be as good of a mother to her and find the time in my hectic days to just enjoy her.  Well, those fears quickly subsided and I have always been blessed with some moments to just share with her.  She really is a little spark around our house.  She is feisty, determined, and she adores her siblings.  Ava Jane means "God is gracious with life".  God has been so gracious to us!

And on a final note, I think it is easy to read a blog and get the impression that a person's life is all happy and fun and picture worthy.  Sometimes life is the daily grind and in my case, the daily MESS.  Here is what I found when I moved the couch to clean underneath it the other day.

I am not totally certain but I think this is blue goo that my kids brought home from Peter Piper's or something.  I had to scrape it off with a trowel.  Awesome.







Sunday Again

Sunday rolled around again and Mark and I were trying to come up with an easy, cheap meal that sounded good.  TACOS.  Always a crowd pleaser.

And don't forget - it is all about presentation!  Thank you sweet Lisey!

As I was taking this picture I was reminded of how thankful I am for this table.  I had been wishing for a great big table that we could gather friends and family around and my wonderful mother-in-law found this for $200 at a second hand store.  It is such a beautiful table and what makes it even more beautiful are the faces that gather around it.  We have had birthday celebrations, Super Bowl marinara competitions, Spring League Board meetings - you name it - all around this table.  It is big and strong and beautiful and it truly brings me joy.

More Volleyball

Juliana's team had their first tournament today and it was fast paced and exciting.  They played three 30 minute games and they won 2 and lost 1.  The way this tournament was set up, after each team has played three times, they add up all the points and the 2 teams with the highest overall points go into the finals.  We did not make it :( but the girls had a lot of fun and played really well overall.  Once again, the second grade "cheerleaders" were there.

Diego thought he was being tortured having to watch that much volleyball with no friends around, but he found a way to get into the game, literally.

And here is the team taking time for a photo shoot while waiting to find out if they were in the finals.

Good Times!

HOT

Today I felt a COOL breeze.  That is amazing because this pretty much sums up the past three months...

Sundays

At our house, Sundays really are sacred.  Even when the big kids were little, we have always set aside Sundays for Mass, gathering with family, and rest.  I never used to nap until I married Mark but I remember the early days of our marriage when Sunday afternoon naps were a given.  We can usually squeeze them in on occasion but we are really good about taking it easy on Sunday.  This past Sunday was awesome.  After Mass, we gathered at Nana's as usual for brunch.  She started having us all over on Sunday mornings when her house was completed, and it really has become such a wonderful ritual full of blessings.  After that we went to Diamondbacks game with the four oldest kids. Virginia stayed home with Ava which was such a treat. There is nothing like watching a baseball game AT the park.

Mark climbed the stairs at Chase Tower as a tribute to the 9-11 victims and they gave him free tickets.  Watching the terrible events of that day and the sacrifices made by the firefighters and police officers really makes me appreciate my husband and give thanks that he is with me - right here, right now.  The seats were better than I was expecting and the kids had fun.

Paolo even got his hat signed by Baxter.  Elise screamed everytime she saw him!!

To round off our Sunday, Mark's dad called and invited us out for sushi for dinner.  Can it get any better than that?  I love Sundays......



Aaaaah

This child has been sick for almost a week.  It was a rough week.  She was sooo crabby and miserable and wanted to be held constantly and wouldn't sleep and well......it was exhausting.  But today - aaaaah.  She must be feeling better.  She woke up with a smile on her face (unusual even when she is not sick!) and she has been playing and getting into her usual trouble and it feels wonderful.  It is so hard to remain patient and caring when they need you so much.  More mother lessons learned.

Yesterday, Juliana had her first volleyball game.  She was one of 12 girls who made the team out of the 20 or more who tried out.  We are so proud!!!!  She did this all on her own.  I never played volleyball in school and I can't even say we worked with her before tryouts.  That little body is always amazing us!

Here is her team before the game began - and Jules was a STARTER!!!!

Heading onto the court.

Ready for action.

 She had a few fans there!  Little Ava with the big 2nd graders.  They won and of course I got talked into taking them on a celebratory trip to ZOYO.  Pajama night - even better. GO IRISH!!!!!!

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

In my attempt to catch up on my posts, I must, must, must include Mark's 38th Birthday.  We had a great day starting with mass at SSJ with the kids, Sing High for lunch (of course!) and ending with a delicious taco dinner with family and friends.  I think I figured this is the 20th birthday I have celebrated with him and can I just say - I LOVE THIS MAN!  He can turn boring into fun, worry into calm, and pretentious into REAL, just by walking into a room.  He is a wonderful husband, a totally involved father and an "I will go to the ends of the earth for you" friend.  Happy Birthday honey - you are the love of my life and I thank God for you!