Laser Tag for one big 7 year old

Dec 27, 2007... The best day of my life. Those new-mom hormones are AMAZING. (At least for me). But mostly, it was the best day because I met you.

I was weak, and didn't know how much, until you were born when I had to become "mama" strong. I will remember that first moment of meeting you and whispering in your ear - hello! And your crying stopped.  And you looked at me and Daddy.

Dec. 27, 2014 ... well, we are more settled into this parenting thing, that's for sure...and while I yearn for that new baby with all my being, I  am embracing this big boy who is growing, changing, expanding his life and trying on new personalities as he enters this next big stage of life.

Life - it's easier but more complicated now. I worry just the same but now about different things.

We had a BUSY day...we woke up and headed out for chocolate chip pancakes from our favorite local Original Pancake House.

A quick break at home - and then off to the Laser Tag extravaganza with 14 friends, plus one sister.

This mom wasn't very good at photo taking so no group shot and I missed Aunt Kate and Cousin Luke as well.

But I did get the Star Wars Rebels cupcakes.

And stopped a food fight in its tracks.

See, I do have this big kid mom thing kind of under control...right?!

I love you Rhys (more to come in a future post...!)

Chess Masters

Little sister often likes to do whatever big brother does - including learning to play chess.

I'm sitting this one out.

Good thing someone is using that chess set Dom bought me two Christmases ago. :)

Merry Christmas 2014

My college and St Louis friend Sara creates lovely photos and cards for us. See above - a sneak preview to the front of our holiday card.

The children had fun with those gigantic balloons (that still won't deflate!) - and Claudia even donned a dress (no dress shoes) for the photo shoot this year.

How I adore our family of four.

Another holiday check mark

Gingerbread House - done!

Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 did not go quite as planned - but we had a very nice day with the local Oldhams - minus FB. 

Claudia asked to get dressed up this year -- she has grown so much her tights barely fit her. Along with her body - her bangs are growing -- soon she will have Elsa hair. :) 

The highlight of the day was the Turkey Cake. Forget pie in this family. Of course the other bits were delicious - turkey breast (perfecto!), roasted brussels sprouts, beans, rolls, stuffing and granny's potatoes. 

Ich Bin Ein Hamburger

Europe - how I love your cafes, cocktails, chocolates and energy.

A work trip brought me to Northern Germany last week for five days. I was hesitant to leave my beloved family, but I'm so glad I went.

Hamburg has almost as many canals as does Venice - but it's more of a workaday city with a bit of Scandinavian flair. Fish is big - herring specifically.

But the cafes and charmingly rebuilt city (most of it is post WWII) with artists, and interesting shops, were European to its core.

Of course I had to work, too! And I thought of my dear husband while gone every day...how could I not? :)

Ah, Europe. How I've missed you and long to return soon.

First snow of the year.

And I missed it.

Oh well - I was enjoying Hamburg's lovely sea air and wet European weather at the same time.

Harry & the Princess

Rhys' love for Harry continues - we are in the middle of book 5 - and he remained true to his desire to be a Quidditch Playing Harry for Halloween.

Dom, Claudia and I helped out with the Halloween Classroom party this year, too. It went pretty well - despite running out of mini pumpkins to decorate (my fault - this Room Mom thing is a bit hard.).

Later on - back on the Lane - this is how the costumes turned out. (and that is one scary costume on his buddy G. Yikes!)

Claudia was the beaming at her Halloween Party. And the cold didn't stop her later (she just kept her long-sleeves and leggings on and added an Owl Hat.)

And that is Halloween 2014 in the books.

Autumn Leaves

A warm up this afternoon and two big piles of leaves that a neighbor carefully placed just where you would find many children ready to jump in = heaven for the Little Os.

For them, not for the aforementioned neighbor who was very put out.

He does not have children...obviously -- because who with kids could be angry at a little good old fashioned fun? Not this grown-up.

Pumpkin Carving 2014

While big brother has been sick for a week (a virus - either one or two combined - but thankfully no pneumonia or strep throat), sister is feeling spunky and doing great.

Here she is carving her little, tiny pumpkin at our neighbor's last night.

Rhys did get into the action as well.

Awww...I do love Halloween. And hoping everyone is healthy by FRIDAY!

Costumes

From Bumble Bee to Skeleton to Ninja/Firefighter to the One-Eyed Orange Monster to Princess?

Except for the Bee, Claudia has chosen all of the above costumes...she knows her mind, that's for sure.

I get it, Claudia. I love your strength of will and adaptability. And how you are learning about who you are ... and you look amazing.

(With her BFF - again! )

Halloween - Boo in the Park!

More candy and more candy and MORE candy. 

One more week until this madness is over. :) 

Mommy Day

While Claudia and Rhys prefer "Mommy" days - they usually have a good time with Crystal and her son A. 

Case in point.  

We Love Daddy!

and it shows...some days (right Claudia?!)

Can I have a 5-0?

While Dom and I jetted off on our one-night away to celebrate a non-event, a non-birthday with good friends in Chicago...

(You can tell we are very sad to leave.)

the children went to the pumpkin patch with their babysitter.

but want to go again with Mom and Dad -- it's nice to be missed.

And it's nice to get away...

Can you tell we had fun?

First Grade and First Literary Loves

I love how big and yet how small Rhys still is. Despite chewing on and destroying his shirts and developing a sudden deafness when it comes time to do something, anything, a parent says -- I wish I could bottle him up in time now.

He LOVES Harry Potter right now - and I am sure you can guess what he is going to be for Halloween this year. We both wish Hogwarts was real...but I am 41 to his six.  But somehow, I don't care.  It's true you can enjoy all sorts of things again when you have children -- and Harry is one of them.

Friends (and who is this girl who likes dresses?)

My darling best girl in the whole world.

Block Party 2014

After a rainout a month ago - tonight's Block Party went off without a hitch.

Of course we were down a bounce house, catering and tables and chairs from the original plan ... but it was still a great event.

I love this neighborhood.

And so do Dom and the kids.

St Louis at its best. :)

Hair Clips if you please

Someone is tired of bangs....one who only adored bangs a few weeks ago and refused to brush ones hair....

Might you know whom I am speaking of?

Working hard

Rhys is hard at work learning how to read.  Every day we work in his workbook and he is getting there...and will be getting some extra tutoring at school.

I just love how hard he tries!

Best Mom in the Whole World...

...maybe some days when I make pancakes with chocolate chips and a little helper.