Happy Mother's Day!

Is there any job more rewarding or more challenging than Motherhood? I could never really grasp the concept until I had kids of my own. Now I get it! Big smooches to the loves of my life (the big one, too) today!

The gang took me out to Damon's for dinner last night after church and then gave me my presents. Taylor picked out two beautiful bracelets for me (she let Michael give one to me). The little cutie knows green is my favorite color so that's what she picked. :)

We're headed down to my Mom's place this afternoon. Going to go and enjoy the kiddos now!

Michael delivering his present to Mommy.

Taylor with her card and present. Champy, once again, looks on.

My beautiful new bracelets.

Taylor trying to wrestle said bracelets from Michael after he decided to reclaim them.

Happy kiddos and their happy Mama.

Have a great day!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Slack Attack!

I've been so busy at work and home since we got back from vacation that I've had almost no time to blog! I got the itch tonight, so I'll try and catch up.

Last weekend (Easter weekend) was a lot of fun! We dyed Easter eggs after I got off of work on Friday. Taylor gets more and more creative. She definitely has an artsy side to her and really enjoys doing crafts, coloring, etc. I bought one of the mega decorating packs so we had it all - glitter, nine dye colors, stickers, beads, etc. She really took her time and made sure each egg was exactly the way she wanted it. What most impressed me is how she really seems to understand what religious holidays are all about. Of course, she appreciates the candy and toys, but the real meaning is there for her.

The artist at work.

She let me do a few. I still love coloring eggs!

The finished products!

I handed Michael an egg and tried to guide it into a cup, but - in typical Michael fashion - he chucked it before I could help him. The kid throws EVERYTHING. He kept saying "bul", his version of ball. The Pear is obsessed with balls. It's almost like an innate reaction for him, haha.

Notice that Mike is holding the egg, not Michael.

The Easter Bunny took care of the kids Sunday morning. Taylor got a cute puppy stuffed animal and Bendaroos (which she's begged for forever). Michael got a peg/hammer set since he loves to whack stuff and a stuffed frog. We usually go to mass on Saturday night or at 9:30 on Sunday, but chose the 8 a.m. mass on Easter to avoid the crowds. Our plan was successful.

The bountiful baskets.

Checking out the goods. Not sure what that look on Michael's face is all about.

What a cutie!

We got some very special visitors after church. My BFF Lauri, her husband Scott and 9-month-old cutie Tony came to visit! I miss these guys so much! We just chilled in the basement and played with the kids and it couldn't have been anymore fun. I was so sad when they had to go.

Michael and his future Ohio State roommate.

Taylor loves Tony! She talks about him all of the time.

I seriously wanted to kidnap their whole family and make them stay for a long, long time.

Taylor took this funny picture of Scott (or "Scout" as she called him).

Later, we headed to my brother Chris's house for dinner and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. The Worm and the Pear enjoyed seeing their cousins and I loved visiting with my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and their kids.

The Pear grabbing his one and only egg. I had a cute picture of Taylor too, but Michael got ahold of my camera later and erased it. Stinker.

Alright, off to relax. I'll try and post stuff from this weekend tomorrow. :)

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Warmer Weather - Eggsellent

It's been warm enough here for nightly walks again and I'm so happy! The other night we passed the neighbors' house who had decorated a tree in their front yard with Easter eggs. Taylor spotted them right away - "I wish WE could have an Easter egg tree." Tacky? - probably. Something to make a 4-year-old really happy? - absolutely. Alright, I'm sold.

We bought the big plastic eggs Saturday night and I used fishing line to string them up Sunday. I was going to just hang a couple in one of the little trees in front of our house, but Taylor insisted that they needed to be everywhere. Each bush HAD to have one. I can't decide if the finished product looks cute and festive or really bad. Oh well, the boss is happy, so I'm happy. It was fun decorating with her.

That's a lot of eggs.

The Worm stringing up the eggs.

Proudly posing with the finished product.

She insisted that I pose for a picture, too. Her photography skills are getting pretty good!

The Pear slept as we decorated, but was excited to play outside when he awoke. He points to his tummy now when you ask, "Michael, where's your belly?" Soooo cute.

Michael didn't quite seem like himself yesterday afternoon and I'm starting to suspect that his ear infection might be back. He was a little warm and crabby, but he's also getting teeth #s 13, 14, 15 and 16, so it's hard to know what's up. He has his 15-month checkup Tuesday and I'm hoping we can hang in there until then.

A small request - My mom has her hip replacement surgery in the morning. Keep her in your prayers!

Here are a couple more pictures from the week. Excuse the blur on the pictures. I have no idea how my camera lens would get a smudge on it. A grimy little hand maybe...

A good color for my blue-eyed cutie.

What a cutie! I just want to pinch those little cheeks.

The Pear's other side. He wanted his sister's Leapster. Oh, the temper...

Until next time,


Mommy Kel

A Whole Slew of Things

I've got to get better at keeping up with my blog! I always wait too long and then end up with a dozen things to write about. It's the picture thing that gets me. I could write until the cows come home, but adding pictures is kind of a pain.

We've been good. The weather has cooperated some so we've been able to escape. At this point in the year, I have such cabin fever that sunny and 45 degrees is suitable "go outside and play" weather. I love seeing Michael walk around outside. It's so cute.

"Yeah Mommy, I'm big."

Taylor in mid flight.

Mike and I don't really do the Valentine's Day thing, but I do play it up for the kids (well, Taylor). I volunteered to help out at Taylor's school for the V-Day party. Those little kids are just too sweet. One little boy ran up, threw his arms around me and said, "Taywor's Mommy, I wove you." I'll miss her classmates and teachers when the year is over!

Taylor playing Musical Chairs at her party.

The Bean Bag game.

The Hurricane suffered their second loss of the season last Friday, falling to Walnut Hills in overtime. You haven't lived until you've taken two kids under 5 to a school in the middle of the ghetto and sat on jam-packed, OPEN bleachers for three and a half hours. Nothing like holding your squirmy 14-month-old boy the entire game because you're afraid he will slip through the craptastic stands. Fun times, I tell ya. It ranks right up with with the worst high gyms I've ever been in, and I've probably been in over 100 gyms. Okay, I'm done whining now.

Anywho, the 'Cane are now 17-2 and undefeated at home. Not too shabby! They are currently tied for the conference lead and play a really bad team Friday to wrap up the regular season. It's been a great year and I wish them the best of luck in the postseason.

Last night was Senior Night and I made the kids shirts with the three seniors' names. I've been doing this every year since Taylor was seven months old! Mike didn't have any seniors last year, so it was Michael's first year of getting a shirt.

Cane kids.

Michael, Daddy says you need to get lower in your defensive stance.

Taylor - Senior Night 2009

Taylor - Senior Night 2007

Taylor - Senior Night 2006

Taylor - Senior Night 2005

Here are a couple random pictures. Enjoy and have a great rest of the week!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Here She Comes and Happy Chinese New Year

Taylor and I had one of those classic mommy/daughter moments yesterday. We watched a rerun of the Miss America Pagent! I've never been a girly-girl, but I've always liked watching pagents, seeing the dresses, making fun of hair, etc. :) Boy, Taylor jumped right in. She was thrilled to see that Mario Lopez was hosting. He's also the host of one of her favorite shows, Pet Star. It's a talent show for animals and we actually DVR it. Since Slater, er, Mario hosts both shows, I asked Taylor which she liked better. She picked the dogs. Later, we came up with the perfect combination of the two. Here she come...Miss Americanine!


Poor Champ. Yes, that's my wedding tiara. I don't get too sentimental about that stuff (obviously).


Sorry Champ, Taylor makes a much cuter pageant girl.

It was a banner day for Taylor on Sunday. I happened to glance at the calendar and notice that today is Chinese New Year. I told Taylor and she went dancing through the house, arms in the air, exclaiming, "It's Chinese New Year, it's Chinese New Year!" Let me tell you, Nick Jr. does and excellent job with the multi-cultural stuff. She always calls the American New Year "Chinese New Year" too. On New Year's Eve, she kept wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. She asked me last night, "Is this the REAL Chinese New Year?" She wanted to draw a picture to commemorate this big holiday. Since it's the year of the ox, that's what she drew. She wants to send it to someone in China. Too cute.


Side note: I was born under the sign of the ox, so I think that means it's supposed to be a lucky year for me. I don't follow all of that hocus pocus, mambo jambo, but let me tell you, Wiki's description of an ox-born person is pretty much right on.

The Pear slept through the pageant and he and I played while Taylor colored. Poor kid is getting like six teeth right now (I'm not exaggerating!) so excuse the drool. I finally just gave up and took his shirt off.

"Hi, I'm Michael, but you can call me Beefcake." He's got my scrawny upper arms, though!

He loves for me to talk for his Cookie Monster puppet. He preparing to give him one of his patented open mouth kisses.

The kids like to rough-house with each other now. This round ended about two minutes later with Taylor crying. Apparently Michael hit her in the nose.

Must get back to work now. Happy Chinese New Year!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Happy New Year!

Man, where does the time go? I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I've updated. Hope everyone had a nice Christmas! We had a great time visiting friends and family. Mike's brother Pat and his girlfriend Tawanda came to visit on December 23rd. Mike was supposed to have a game that night, but it was cancelled because of ice. We all ended up hanging out, eating pizza and watching movies. It was a much needed day of relaxation!

On Christmas Eve, we went to mass, then headed down to my brother's house. Taylor loves her cousins and Michael has taken a particular liking to his cousin Jacob. Michael hung with his cool big cousin much of the night, which gave me the opportunity to chit chat and have a glass of wine (or three).

Michael and his buddy Jacob and the Mole (my brother Chris). Chris doesn't always dress like that. It's a tradition for him to wear a horrendous outfit at Christmas. He had on his wife's sleep shirt from college and Sponge Bob pants.

The fam, sans spouses and kids.

The cousins - Noah (7), Taylor (4), Haley (5), Jacob (11), Michael (1), Abby (2)

Mike and Noah.

G-pa and Taylor.

Snuggling with a Christmas Pear. He looks thrilled.

Santa was good to the kids this year! Taylor has been asking for a swimming puppy since October and the jolly old elf obliged. He even left it unwrapped, so it was the first thing the Worm saw when she came down the steps. The Pear loved his new wagon, but wasn't so thrilled with his Tickle Me Cookie Monster. He cries every time we turn it on! Other big hits for Michael include his Elmo car, Learning Table from G-ma T and pull-along turtle from Uncle Pat. Taylor loves everything, but has played mostly with her Hungry, Hungry Hippos game, remote control My Little Pony and Jungle in My Pocket set from G-ma T. Thankfully, Taylor seems to get the whole meaning of Christmas and I'm sure Michael will, too.

The beloved swimming puppy.

My little elf with Daddy.

Taylor and I. Yes, I was as tired as I looked.

Trying out Michael's new ride. It was like a double Christmas for Taylor. She played/plays with all of the Pear's toys.

I'm so anal sometimes that I want to smack myself. After about 15 minutes of basking in the Christmas morning glory, I went into cleaning mode and had the living room clear of debris and all toys out of boxes and assembled before 9 a.m. We fed and dressed the kids, packed and started the next leg of our Christmas journey. (Mary and Joseph had nothing on us.) The kids were great during the car trip to Pittsburgh and we made great time. (I say "we" like I actually drove or something. Now that I have a 50-minute commute each way to work, I've pretty much handed over all family driving duties to the Man.) Marilyn prepared a delicious Christmas meal for us and it was great seeing Mike's entire immediate family there. I can't remember the last time that all of his siblings were together! We rested and chatted awhile before taking off for the next destination - Aunt Ginny's house to see all of Mike's aunts and uncles on his dad's side. I really enjoy these guys and I know the kids had a blast. Michael - in typical booger Pear form - wanted no part in being held by his lovely great aunts. Instead, he buddied up with the men and reached for his 16-year-old cousin Matt anytime he was in the room. What a stinker!

"Mommy, I love Matt."

A rare picture of Mike and I.

(Note: I have more pictures to add, but the image uploader was acting goofy last night.)

We headed home the next morning. We really ran around a lot this year and I was impressed with how well the kids handled it. We were all a little grouchy that night from the lack of sleep, but all is good now.

I'll end with some recent pictures of the kids. Enjoy!

What a cutie!

Taylor at her friend's Princess party. She's Miss Social now.

Michael always has stuff in his hands now. It took me forever to get the pine crap off his hands from carrying these pine cones!

We had a few warm days right after Christmas, so we got to try out the wagon.

I love this picture!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel