Five on Friday- Highlights of my week

Ok, new blogger is not my friend! I can't type comments with the photos. So you get to see my photos and now my explanations.

1- Sophia Grace and Rosie were on the Ellen show again yesterday. They make me laugh and smile so much. Love those British girls!

2- I scored this Michael Kors bag at Marshall's yesterday! AND, since it had a couple of scratches on the hardware I asked if they'd mark it down when I was checking out. And yes, they marked it down another 10%. I learned this trick from my mom. Always ask for a markdown. If you don't ask, you'll never know if they're willing to markdown for a flaw.

3- Pilates. I love pilates and this week my favorite instructor was back from a 6 week maternity leave. She looked great and kicked our butts (and cores!). And did I mention she just had daughter #4!?

4- Wore my new Jack Rogers last night to mini#1's chorus performance. Have to break them in, but they're really comfortable even if they are a little narrow as everyone complains about these shoes.

5- Saved the best for last. Becoming an aunt to this little sweetie on Monday was the definite highlight of my week! Oh my gosh I wish he was closer so I could squeeze, kiss and love on him. The minis and I keep walking around here saying how adorable he is. We're super happy by his birth. I just hope my brother and his wife find some sleep soon. Parenthood is some kind of adjustment!

Have a great weekend!

A Little Piece of Heaven...

I'm an aunt! This sweet baby boy was born yesterday entirely too far from my reach (living in Sweden). He is so precious. I cried when I saw his picture and heard the news of his birth. My mom and I were on the phone all day yesterday. And my sis-in-law had a 2 hour and 45 minute labor with no epidural! How lucky and unlucky at the same time! I'm so happy for my brother and sis-in-law! I've already skyped with them twice. The minis are so excited to officially have a first cousin. Baby Neven is a welcome addition to our family. My parents are going to visit him in early June. I really would like to go in September. I sent my passport renewal paperwork in today. Nothing like a new baby to get you motivated! It's times like this that I am so thankful for skype! Welcome to the world Neven.

Today is a day I'll remember the rest of my life.

It's the day I became a mom. My 4 week early 5 pound 11 ouncer is now 11 (and not much heavier!). He is a great kid and I enjoy our talks so much. The other day I chaperoned his 5th grade field trip and I caught myself mesmerized more than once by his happy-go-lucky spirit with his classmates; his "joie de vivre". It made me jealous and realize that, sometimes, I feel like my joie de vivre needs a kick in the pants! This may sound "braggy", but hopefully, not. I want to tell you more about this kid I feel so blessed to be a part of sharing his life and being his mom.

He laughs from deep within.

He sings so sweetly and passionately.

He writes his grandparents letters "just because."

He has a memory like a sponge.

He is the most creative kid I know. 2 award winning "most creative" Pinewood Derby cars, won a bookmark contest in 1st grade and writes amazing stories full of wow-factor!

He takes up for other kids and "does the right thing."

He had his own cheering section at the last pep rally as he vied for the title of "Spirit King." One girl even made signs for HIM the night before.

He can dance like you wouldn't believe. Just wait until those school dances!

He runs like an Olympic runner....even in flip-flops! He's signed up for runner's camp this summer.

He has a merciful heart. I'm reminded when a girl his age lost her mother last fall. He bravely
went up to her at recess soon after and expressed his heartfelt condolences to her even though he didn't know her (although her brother and mini#2 were in preschool together).

He is a voracious reader.

He makes the most AMAZING cartoon-like cards for birthdays, holidays. He totally had my mom and me in tears at Christmas by the words he wrote to us. So personal, so mini#1.

He will tell you every detail you want to know about his day, a party, an event, etc. I love that! Mini#2...ummm, not so much. ha!

I'll stop here, but will just say I am one lucky mom. Today I celebrate his big 11 and hope for many, many more birthdays to come. Happy Birthday G-itty bitty (we called him this when he was an infant. Ha!)!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

5 Questions.

1- Did you help your kids with homework this week?
2- Did you feel like crying this week?
3- Did you workout as many times as you wanted to this week?
4- Did you smile over something that made you extremely happy?
5- Did you plan something fun for tonight?

My answers:
1- Yes, if you call it "help." I feel like an idiot sometimes with the math word problems.
2- Oh yes. One car was in the shop. So I got to chauffeur Mr. Pink in addition to the minis!
3- NO. One car and school volunteering equalled only 2 classes! But pilates in the morning.
4- Yes, last night watching mini#1 sing with his school honors chorus. They gave me chills. So sweet and pure their voices were, but mainly because mini#1 looked so handsome and made me proud.
5- Mini#1 is having his birthday sleepover tonight. Think junk food and sugar in various forms. That's another reason for smiling/tearing up last night. He's turning 11 at 12:47 a.m. and I cannot believe it!!

Have a great weekend!

Panama- Part 2

Here are our "roughing it" photos around this brand new resort (Westin Playa Bonita). While it was fun exploring Panama, it was also fun relaxing around the beach and multiple pools, bars and restaurants. Especially since this was a free trip for us! We met a lot of great people and was a great getaway from our normal routine. I do feel horrible though. I think the only Spanish I used in five days was GRACIAS, but at least, this southern gal remembered her manners!

Easter recap

Easter weekend was a fun time and perfect spring weather. But we ate soooo much. Ugh! Back to gym I went this morning and made myself swet a little extra. If I never see a chocolate egg again, it will be too soon. Anyway we rode bikes, played outside, watched the Masters, went roller skating (Friday when the minis were out of school), dyed eggs, had Easter egg hunts, went to an awesome Easter church service, ate my home cooked dinner and started reading The Mockingjay (mini#1 and I are taking turns reading it). That's it in one long run-on sentence. What did your family do?

Semi Wordless Wednesday - Panama Rain Forest

Great trip! Will post more from resort on another post. These were highlights from 2 tours we went on. That swinging animal is a sloth, not a monkey! The red flower that looks like lips is nicknamed "Angelina Jolie Lips." The red pear looking fruit with the bean-like things is a cashew tree. The red is the fruit of the tree and is edible. Those palm leaves were gigantic. The picture does not do it justice. We zip lined and it was super fun. I had never done that. Would definitely do it again and I thoroughly enjoyed the hike beforehand. Afterwards we went to an outdoor hot springs and I totally left my comfort zone by putting on a natural mineral mud mask and let it dry in the sun before washing if off in mineral water. It felt great. Glad I was coerced into it! Don't we look hysterical though?? Stay tuned for some photos from the resort...