Stephen's favorite things to ask me right now are..... 


"Momma, what time is it?"  
... and then he repeats the time back to be just like he completely understands how to tell time too.  


"Momma, what do ____ eat?" 

...  fill in the blank with any animal, fish, tigers, giraffe, spiders.... it is fascinating to watch his little mind process these curious facts.

Remember the real baby bunnies?  We are really glad Nana sent these to us for easter... because to us these are the "real" bunnies.  We take them with us EVERYWHERE!

on a happier note....

Kate graduated 4/5 Kindergarten from Amy Montessori School!

Our week had an unexpected turn...

Monday = holiday
Tuesday = First day of summer fun, Storytime @ 10am, Discovery World, a few errands and then we are almost home until.... CRASH.

The kids and I were almost home.  (You know how they say most accidents happen when you are less than 5 miles away from home?  Yep, we are in that statistic.)  The person behind me never saw my car, never hit the breaks until the moment of impact, and he was going over 40 mph.

We were waiting to make a left-hand turn, and I saw a white work van driving too fast in my rear view mirror.  I suddenly thought, he is not going to stop!  I turned to my kids and that's when the crash happened.  I saw their bodies go limp, their heads move back and forth, their arms and legs go up and down.  They looked like those crash dummies you see in car commercials, but instead they were my kids.  It was one the most terrifying moments of my life.

The kids were stunned, but no one was bleeding or broken.  Thank GOD!  Terrified and confused, we called 911 and David.  Complete strangers who witness the accident, called for help, checked on us, and started directing traffic until police arrived.  I am always amazed and humbled by the kindness of strangers.  The fact that no one was badly injured, I am still in disbelief. My the back of my car was a curve, now flat, but for some reason my back windshield did not break.  In the crash, my car managed to stay in the same lane, it did not cross into oncoming traffic.  Everything could have been so much worse and I am so grateful.  Even though, I now have been aching for days, I feel lucky.

My car, my SAFE wonderful 11 year old Lexus SUV can be fixed!  We found out late Friday and that was great news.  My car is NOT frame construction, nothing will be "bent back" or less safe.  (That was my first concern.)  It is uni-body construction, each part is it's own entity, welded to another.  The back piece that is bent will be removed and a new piece welded back on.  The auto-body shop comes highly recommended and I feel really good about where it is getting fixed.    

Again, I am here.  I might be bruised and sore, but I am going to be fine.  And most importantly, my kids are fine.

The bunnies... 

Our neighbor across the street, Diann, came over about a week before Mother's Day to tell me that she had baby bunnies in her yard.
She wanted to know if the kids wanted to see them....
Um...... YES!

What I was surprised to find was that the burrow was in the middle of her backyard, in a patch of what looked like dead grass.  The Momma bunny dug a hole in that same spot.  She them used the dead grass and her fur to make a ball to plug the hole when she was not there which kept them warm and safe.  She made the burrow in a sunny spot to which also kept the baby bunnies warm when she was not there.

And luckily there were two bunnies....   

We went to visit the bunnies almost every day.  Kate was in heaven!  I think it was the highlight of her day.   Every time we went they were bigger and they would even slowly hop around.  Kate lovingly named them "Hoppy" (the one who hopped more) and "Soft" (because the bunny was so very soft and had a white spot on top of its head.)  

And on Mother's Day, David took them to see the bunnies.
Kate came RUNNING home to tell me that one of the bunnies was on the loose and Daddy couldn't get it to go back in the hole.
Me, still in my pajamas, threw on a coat and took off across the street with Kate.
Yep, bunny on the loose and yes, I did catch it.  Diann even came over when she saw me run and this morning was different.
The Mamma bunny left the hole uncovered and some leaves for the bunnies to munch on.  And every time we tried to put the bunnies back in the hole, they took off!

Luckily, I brought my camera on the last day!  

So, on Mother's Day the bunnies left the nest.

What Mom isn't tired all the time?

I am exhausted....

Between building the garden and preparing for my new kitchen.... I got nothin' left.

This weekend I took everything out of the kitchen.  They start tomorrow!
It is truly amazing how much is in a kitchen and where to put it all!  Some things were easy and they went straight to the basement.  Other items that we might need, that was harder... where to put it and where to keep it in harms reach of the kids and the dogs.  But we are almost there....  a few stragglers left over from dinner.

In the meantime, I have to sit and be reminded of what really matters...

Being a good mom, finding the patience in all the crazy.
Finding the peace and reminding myself that this is temporary...

The fabulous kitchen awaits.... tomorrow I get to pick out granite and tile.  How exciting!

I promise to post before and after pictures.  

This is hard for me..... 

I am letting Kate get herself dressed.
ALL BY HERSELF, no Mommy input.
Mainly because we disagree on what to wear and what to wear it with.

I give up.... at least I try to not let outfits like this get to me.

Easter dress with shirt underneath, striped wool winter boot socks, summer Keen sandals, a fleece, and no hair clip.

I am trying, I am REALLY trying! 

OK-ay, for really Stephen might be potty trained.

The first day was hard, I was questioning my decision...

2nd day, A-Mazing!
3rd day, Little Rock Star!

Today, almost golden!  (Still working on #2, but we have the pee pee thing down!)

In the car taking Kate to school on Friday (Potty Training Day 2)

"Momma, I am sad!"

Why are you sad?

"I am sad the Diaper Fairy came and took all my diapers!"

Well, sweetheart, she must think you can use the potty like a big boy.

"I am sad that Diaper Fairy gave my diapers to a baby!  I know Mamma!  I know, I know.... 
We can go to Target and buy me more diapers."

(Me.... No, no, no we can't..... even if I want to.)

I am tired, too much to do, too little time.  

It is good to know there are many Mommies in this exact same place.... and frustrating in the fact the world does not stop and let me catch up. 

I have dug in my heals....  I will always be The Mommy first.... 

The washer woman, cook, and cleaning lady are a few of my other part time jobs. 

Right now the kitchen is clean, my coffee is hot, legos are all over the floor of the family room, and Stephen is dry in big boy underpants.  R.E.M. is playing on my computer..... for a moment everything is perfect and I can't remember what is next.  

I am thankful.

pinkalicious.....