Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She is the most incredible mother and nana I know. I hope she had a wonderful day!

BIG news at the Hanley house! Matthew went to the bathroom on the potty yesterday! If you have children you know just how exciting that is. Sam was almost 4 before he potty trained so I wondered how long it would take Matty. Now, he is nowhere near training but I'll take what I can get. I should have taken a picture. He is so cute up there. SO proud of himself.

Piper had her first preschool program on Thursday. She was amazing. She is such a confident little thing. So sure of herself. I got more video than pictures. She was a beautiful little growing flower and a butterfly. It was so much fun to watch. If you see she be sure and ask her to repeat the performance. You won't be disappointed.

I also never got around to posting about our attempt at making maple syrup. A few weeks ago Sam broke a small branch off the maple tree out front when he was trying to climb it. We didn't think much of it. Well, a day later the kids are out messing with the tree. Trying to catch something in a bucket. When I asked what it was they, very excitedly, said maple syrup. I thought they had lost their little minds but sure enough the tree was dripping sap. So we rig up a bucket and leave it over night. By the next day we had maybe a cup and a half of sap. The kids were super excited to boil it down and make syrup. So, we gave it a go!

Started out with this...
Next...

Then...

Finally we ended up with this...

It disappeared! It turned into this tiny little bit of maple candy that was SUPER yummy. My kids loved it. It was really sweet. What a fun little project. It didn't turn out quite like we hoped. We thought we would have enough for a couple pancakes. I guess we know why those little bottles of maple syrup cost so much!

Easter Eve

Just getting ready for bed after a fun day. We took the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt. They had a ton of games. The kids had a blast. Way too much candy but I love the excitement plastered all over their little faces. I worry a little that they are forgetting what Easter is really about. It's hard to find a balance between teaching and just letting them be kids. I can't worry about it anymore tonight. I'm too tired.

Spring Break

Today was the first day of spring break. We love those days off now that Sam has started Kindergarten. Nobody had to fly out of bed and get ready! It was wonderful.

It's been forever since I have posted here. I hope I can start to keep up. I just have no idea where the time goes. It has been a busy year since I last posted. Our latest major event was Sam's first loose tooth which he pulled out right before bed on March 24th 2009. The excitement in his eyes was adorable. Thankfully the two of us finished his tooth fairy bag just a couple of days before that. He got a $2. Those are his favorite. And one of each coin. He is so going to be a coin nerd like Brian! I love it!! Piper stared Preschool the first week of March. She is doing great. Is it possible that she is growing up faster than Sam? Matthew is the same super happy kid he has always been. Talking and running keep him busy all day long. I try to keep up but rarely do!

So, that is just a taste of what has been keeping us busy. It's Holy Week so I am at Church a ton this week. I can't wait for Easter to relax and spend time with my whole family. I'm excited to hear how Katy is feeling. The kids are so excited to be getting a new cousin!

Until tomorrow....

My American Gladiators

There is one of my little American Gladiators! Had a run in with the coffee table and I guess you can tell who won. Spend the evening in urgent care and came out all glued up. At least we were able to avoid stitches. This is what I get for leaving my husband in charge while I go to work! My kids have become itty bitty gladiators.

At her appoinment on Monday they said she seems fine. She is still saying it hurts occasionally so we will wait a week or so and see if we need to go back.

To the doctor we go!

Piper has been complaining that her "belly hurts" for a week or so now. Please pray that it is nothing. I hate it when my babies are not 100%. Will update after her appointment.

Where did Saturday go?

Well, you found my little corner of the universe. My little sane spot. Today was a Saturday like most others. My kids ran around in underwear and snow boots eating carrots from the bag while scuffing up my freshly mopped kitchen floor. Which, BTW, was the only thing I did get cleaned today. It really is amazing how they find that much joy in something like that. But, now that I have them all tucked in I am off to tackle some laundry and curl up in my corner of the couch. I hope to post some pictures I took of them later this weekend. I finished Sam's school valentines and they are CUTE! If I do say so myself.

Off to nurse Matthew. Check back later for those pics!

Les