Like the Bees...

We have been as busy as bees around here with baseball and softball season.  With usually 4 and sometimes 5 games a week, we've been running around trying to fit everything else in around them.  School is 3 weeks from coming to a grinding halt.  I shouldn't say grinding halt since it will be here faster than I can say "School's Out" five times fast!  I'm not going to even think about what we're going to do this summer.

Mother's day was lovely; we started out the morning trying to get the kids boys little boys motivated enough to get ready for church.  30 minutes before church started they were in bed and negotiating the terms for going to church.  "But it's not our ward, why do we hafta go?"

Amazingly enough, I kept my cool and explained that we don't go to church because they are "our People", but we go to church to take the sacrament and show Heavenly Father that we are obeying His commandments.  I walked out of the room, and Joe got up and quietly started getting ready for church while his brother continued to bellow.  Monkey finally showed wearing a lovely ensemble which consisted of his blue church pants and a green T-shirt.  Rather than argue, we told him to get in the car and put his shoes on while we were driving.

When we arrived at church we discovered that his "shoes" were a pair of Heelys. Oh, yes, tennis shoes with wheels in the heels.  Add to that the hair that he refuses to cut and you can just imagine.  LOVE-ly!

We stopped at the cemetery on the way home since we hadn't been there in a while.  That always makes for interesting conversation and brings up stories and questions, too.  Like "Why did Nonni burn Nonno?" since Nonno was cremated.  It's times like these when I really appreciate and rely on my testimony of Heavenly Father's plan.  "Nonno's body didn't have his spirit in it anymore, and we'll be able to see Nonno again in Heaven."

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Highlights from the baseball game last night:  The boys played 3 innings and they both hit every time.  Joe hit a double, a single, and a TRIPLE, and made three outs in one inning playing first base.

We all have our moments...

Joe is working on a project for school.  He had to choose a famous American and give an oral presentation, in front of the class and everything.  He chose Mark Twain, which I thought was a great idea! 

The other night we were listening to some an Elvis album {you know, the real vinyl record type!} and I said to Andy, "Joe could have done his report on Elvis!" 

To which Natalia replied, "Yeah, Mark Twain is boring.  He could have picked Thomas Jefferson.  At least he invented the lightbulb!"

Oh, yeah, she's my daughter.

Give a little bit of love...

Happy Valentine's Day!  We had a great night...

• Valentine treats
• Yummy dinner
• Dancing to Elvis 
• Early to bed for the kids

We almost always use cloth napkins, but I whipped up some new napkins out of pretty pink fabric I had in my stash.  I also used a big piece of pink fabric from my Grandma for a tablecloth, and Mario wanted to use the "Professional" glasses (cobalt blue goblets out of the china cabinet) and the Chinese cups (I'm guessing he called them "Chinese" because they were in the chine cabinet) for the Jello hearts we made in a silicone heart mold.

Menu consisted of:  Chicken Divan with rice, the above mentioned Jello hearts, Mixed green salad with red wine vinaigrette, Sourdough bread, and a little box of chocolates for each of the kids.

Joe had the best day ever at school.  That's what he called it, the best day ever.  It might have had something to do with the little stuffed bear that he was given as a special Valentine from one of his friends.  Who just might be a sweet little girl.  So cute!!!  Then he and Monkey sat down on the floor, dumped out their valentine boxes, and proceeded to trade candy.  The negotiations came to a standstill, though, until Monkey said,"Well, I'll trade you a Skittles for a Skittles, then!"  ???

Brian got a special Valentine, too.  He got 5 different carnations delivered to him at five different time during the school day, each with a note attached:

1. S (Sophomore)
2. C (Class)
3. U (Upside-down)
4. D (Dance)
5. ?

Yes, a girl asked him to the girl's choice dance.  And he's 16 and old enough to go.  And all of those times I've told him that he's not 16 yet and can't date are done with.  {SIGH}  I'm not ready.

My Valentine came home bearing an extra large dark chocolate bar.  Boy, does he know me.

It's madness, I tell you...

My kids are funny. I know every mom thinks that, but really, mine are funny. And a little irreverent. I don't know where they get that from, though.

Monkey always has something funny to say. Last night it was just him and I, and we were watching a little TV. The show was very appropriate until the actor said, "Damn, she's good". Which, of course, Monkey repeated. As I opened my mouth to tell him that it wasn't a nice word, etc., etc., he said, "Damn, I farted." How could I not laugh? I know, I should have used it as a teaching moment, but he caught me off guard!

One Sunday, Emily waved me over her in Primary and said, "Monkey has three Books of Mormon that he checked out of the Library. I just wanted you to know so you make sure he gets them all back there."

I sat down next to Monkey and asked him if he checked the extras out for his friends in class. He said, "No, I wanted three so I could have a triple!"

Joe has turned into a real food expert. We were at a potluck dinner at the preschool, and Joe cut a bite from a meatball, then chewed it up, tilted his head and pointed his fork at me and declared, "Homemade!"

Another day, he was helping me make pasta for dinner. We cooked and drained the pasta, then he added the pesto and tossed it around. He then informed me, "Mom, I need to taste the pasta, cuz that's what all of the professional cookers do!"