Wedding = Date Night

We were out way too late, having way too much fun.  I think it was worth it.

Fawn Doe Rosa

Bode, Maggie, and I were invited to Fawn Doe Rosa in St. Croix Falls with some friends this morning.  The weather was perfect, and we had a fun time feeding all the animals: deer, goats, llamas, sheep, alpacas, geese, ducks, etc.  We had been to a similar park while vacationing in Wisconsin Dells last summer, and Maggie enjoyed herself just as much this time.

Apart from my hat blowing off my head into some sort of animal poop as we were leaving, it was quite a nice trip.  

(All photos taken by Jen Mortenson)

Adorable 8-week-old Timber Wolf pup!

Apron

Maggie has outgrown her adorable kitty apron, so when I came across this tutorial on Pinterest, I decided to make a vintage tie apron. 

She asserted her independence, so even though she had been excited about the apron when she saw the fabric, I barely got her to put it on when it was finished and then couldn't persuade her to stand still for a posed shot.  So here she is on the move:

 It's reversible, so here's the other side:

A Morning Surprise

This morning, we woke up to a note card taped to our door along with this little surprise:

"BEST PRINCIPAL EVER!"

The note card revealed that it was our neighbor girl and her friend, both 8th graders at Steve's school.  They even left a cell phone number in case we wanted them to pick up the plastic ware.  Maggie had fun doing it, however, and Steve has plans for the collection in the future.

Did You Hear That?

Do you remember that scene from the movie, Elf, where Will Ferrell's character belches at the dinner table?  Here's the clip to help you remember:


Well, Steve says I was the one that started this, although I'm not sure I believe that, but now anytime Maggie burps (ahem, or Steve), she gives us this impish grin and says in a gravelly voice, "Did you hear that?"  She's been known to do it after other bodily noises as well and will even pretend to burp just so she can deliver the line.

I'm trying to teach her good manners, I promise.

Common Knowledge

I need to share something with you that I believe to be common knowledge, but perhaps not everyone knows.  I have the two most wonderful children in the world.  Yep, it's true.  I am constantly amazed that I, of all people, get to be their Mommy.  And their Daddy is pretty great, too.  :)

My two sweeties provide me with so much joy and laughter.  I often just stop and thank God for the blessing of my children.  I mean, look at them!

 

Maggie found my lipstick today.  Can you tell?

Today was a delightful Mother's Day with my family of four.  It started with Steve and Maggie spoiling me with breakfast and my favorite latte in bed.  After church and naps, I got to take Bode on a mini shopping trip to Kohl's before my Kohl's Cash expired while Steve and Maggie picked up food for supper.  (Steve and I have an understanding that when he buys new work clothes, I get the Kohl's Cash.  New suit = spending money for me!)  Although we only made it to our next door neighbor's house on our evening walk thanks to Asia yanking the leash and pulling Maggie to the ground, we were able to enjoy some more time playing outside while Steve made a lovely meal: steaks with blue cheese (a yummy Gibbs tradition), salad, and garlic bread.  As I said, it was a delightful day.

Maggie didn't want her picture taken, and Bode wanted to eat my hair.  A totally normal photo.

I am also especially thankful for my own mom today and the wonderful example she has been to me of what a wife and mother should be as well as for Steve's mom and the role she played in his life.  Love you, Moms!

Ha ha! Ha.

Ever laugh so hard, you shot milk out your nose?  Well, he wasn't laughing, but the result was the same.

Happy Mother's Day

Look what my sweet girl gave me at ECFE yesterday.

She planted the seeds a few weeks ago and presented the growing plants to me yesterday when I got back from the parent time.  "Happy Mother's Day!" she shouted along with the other children.  She also told our dog, cat, and Steve "Happy Mother's Day" when she showed them the plant at home, so I don't think she gets it.  BUT I love it.

Super Mom?

I thought Maggie had learned by now that I do not have control over natural events.
Yesterday after picking all the dead hydrangea blossoms off the plant, she stared at the bare shrub then turned to me and said, "More flowers, please."  (Like I can make more appear?!?!)  A short time later, she was getting very frustrated as her dead flowers were being blown around and said to me quite sternly, "Make the wind stop!"

We played a little longer outdoors then went inside where I do indeed control many things with the push of a button.

Congrats to the Graduate!

 Congratulations to my little sister on not only graduating from high school, but graduating from college with an Associate's degree as well!  Now she's off to SDSU in the fall.

Shirt Dress

Last fall, Steve had a picture taken with a student. It must have been Homecoming or something because the kid was wearing blue dye in his hair, and it got all over Steve's new dress shirt. In the busyness of our fall, I didn't take the time to work the stain out, so we ended up with a useless shirt. Recently I decided to repurpose it, so I scoured the Internet for ideas and settled on a summer dress for Maggie.

 

I've actually had it completed for a couple weeks, but for some reason she has NOT wanted to try it on.  Maybe she knows it was a men's shirt?  I'm not proud to admit that I finally bribed her with fruit snacks so I could snap a few pictures.  I did my best goofy faces and voices to coax a real smile out of her.

There's my happy girl.

 Who knew you can repurpose just about anything?!?!

May Day

Happy May Day!