Back to School

I honestly can't say exactly how I feel about two of my kids being in school now. I was super proud as I watched them get ready, put on their back packs and march to the bus stop with smiles on their faces. I was super happy as Caeden ran back to give me one last hug good-bye. I had to smile when he stood at the top of the steps waiting for Gavin to tell him exactly where to sit. They are so different, those two boys. I was also a little sad as I watched my precious time with them flying by. But mostly, I feel blessed to be the mother of four amazing children.

They just grow a little too fast!!!!

Birthdays!

We've been busy in the Ramsey home! Summer is the season of birthdays around here. We started off with mine on June 1, I turned 25....again.

Then we had Gavin, who turned 7 (and that one is for real). I can't believe how big he is! We had his birthday party at Pump it Up (inflatable play place) and followed with cupcakes. Of course, I totally forgot to take my camera (also the birthday party favors, the candles for the cupcakes, the permission forms for my kids...I DID remember all the kids, so I'm taking credit for that). Inspired by a friend, Gavin decided that this year, instead of gifts, he would collect donations of new books, puzzles and games to donate to the Children's Hospital of Richmond. The next week we went and dropped the "loot" off. Gavin was so excited and loved the "happy feelings" that he got when he did something good for someone else. The hospital sent Gavin a nice letter thanking him, which now resides on our "good news" board (see previous post).

Next came Suzy, who turned 4 this week! I can't believe how quickly it's gone by. We had a little Princess party for her on her birthday. Mike also has a tradition that began when she was 1. He gives her one rose for each year. This year, Suzy's favorite color has been purple. Mike found her 4 purple roses. She LOVES them!

Now we are taking a deep breath.....for two weeks, and then we have Nathan's birthday....followed three weeks later by Mike's. Yeah. Summer is definitely birthday season!

Ps. Sorry that the pictures are out of order.....I'm not skilled at this aspect of blogging.

Just Five More Minutes Please....

Why do they have to grow so fast? I just need a few more minutes/hours/days/years of this precious time with them.

I wish I could save these moments

And put em in a jar.

I wish I could stop the world from turning,

Keep things just the way they are.

I wish I could shelter you from everything,

Not pure and sweet and good.

I know I can't, I know I can't,

But I wish I could.

-Collin Raye

What Do You Get.....

When you have boys and girls together?

A dollhouse full of creepy things.

Fishful Thinking- Good News Board

A few weeks ago I saw this idea on a friend's blog. We LOVED it and decided to create our own "Good News" Board. The essence behind it is trying to highlight the positive things that you see happening in your family and outside of it as well. This has been a really fun experience for our family as we have focused on trying to find the good! For more information on activities for building a happier and more positive family, visit http://www.fishfulthinking.com/

Have You Ever....

had one of those days? You know the ones I'm talking about...the ones where everything you touch seems to turn out like this?
















or when you clean one room, only to find the next one looking like this?




















or you feel like you will never see the end of this?















It's days like this that I like to pretend that I am here...








listening to this (meaning I'd need to own one first)....









and of course, I'd have this with me....









and maybe some of this too....









Of course, I would have to take them.....









because I would miss them too much if I didn't. And those of you who know me, know that there is no way I'd miss out on an opportunity to be with him....










but the rest of it? Yeah, I wouldn't mind leaving behind the rest of it for a day or two!

Nathan's Best Friend.....

....is a locust. He must know how much his mother loves all things pertaining to plagues. Since he is still crawling instead of walking, he carries his friend around in his mouth instead of his hand.