Fun at Mani and Papa's House

We have always had a piano in my parent's home, and my sister Jenn would always be playing and it was a great gathering location.  We were not the Von Trapps, but we did have 4 part harmony!  We were always told to be careful with the piano, so when I came upstairs to the noise of someone banging on the keys, my mouth opened to reprimand the guilty party.  Then I discovered my Mom was helping them to bang!  Yep, we are at Grandma's house.

 "This is middle C."  (Singing is sustained talkinnnnng)

We are so grateful for family!

Train Festival

 We have had such beautiful weather lately, and it was just perfect for a train festival in Olde Town Manassas.  (Just a side note, Emma chose those straight-from-the-70's sunglasses from Target.  She walks to her own drum beat, as we all know, especially for fashion.)

 Papa, Mani, and my brother and his family were already there, enjoying the trains.  Jack was on a mission to find the VRE train.

I love my William's rhythm.  He just stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to dance.  I just love that I caught the music moving him without him knowing.

Good bye, House!

It's official.  We no longer own our townhouse.  In order to keep me from getting too sappy (oh and I have been a weepy mess the last weeks) I will not reminisce about all the wonderful years we have been there, or the long wonderful friendships we have made.  I will not tell you that the empty nursery with all the "flutterbugs" painted on the walls sent me running out the room searching for the nearest box of tissues.  And there will be no mention of the sweet voices all yelling "BYE, HOUSE!" in the car and the result of that.

Nope, I won't go through any of that with you.  I will share the photos of our last visit. 

 My very favorite windows, and where the kids and I spent many hours watching and enjoying our view.

The nursery was painted by Uncle Barry, and was the first room of the house that was painted. This special bug (and others in the room) were done by Aunt Chrissy and Aunt Mary for Patrick when he was a baby (you should click to enlarge).  It matches his bed set that all my boys have used.

 Don't look too closely at the red eyes on Mommy. 

 Goodbye to some of our great neighbors.  The kids have enjoyed all the time spent together. 

I had better cut this post short.  I will need to find those Kleenex again. 

Spring Concert

Springtime concert for the kids!

Patrick got to play his recorder.  He learned a lot with his playing, and I am so impressed when I see him counting out the notes for the hymns at Mass.

Recorder players and their "belts" for each level of song they learn.  (I realize this is a recorder concert.  But, I wanted to have this.  And a blog is a good place to hang on!)

This is what keeps me smiling

 How can I pack when this sweet boy is around?

 Who can say no?  He just wants to be held!  I love it when he does that to my mom and Tommy.

A trip to the Zoo where we did not leave anyone in the Ape house.

 Did I tell you we went to the zoo?  I didn't?  I find that hard to believe.  I was truly proud of myself.  I took the kids to the zoo.  No, I don't think you heard me.  I took the kids to the zoo.  Yes.  Me.  I drove the Washington, DC with 4 kids in tow and went to the zoo.  Yes, this is the same Fuzzy who freaks out about everything, and I almost didn't go.  I got the kids all ready to go and just about chickened out, but once we were all ready, I was not going to stay home. 

 Now, mind you, I didn't go alone.  I was part of a convoy.  I have been spending some mornings praying with some moms from school, and we decided to take a trip together.  All 6 adults and 26 kids.  We did!  We had such a great range of kids, that I felt like supermom.  Emma found a 7th grade girl to be buddies with, and Patrick found a friend who likes to read up on everything just like he does.  I had just William and James!  It was such a great day!  We actually stayed a bit longer and I got a little panicky because it was just me and the 4 of them.

 There were a few buildings I did not brave (you know, the ones that require you to take the kids out of the strollers and hold them, and/or chase them through the exibits).  While I waited outside, I decided to see if my prince would come.   

 There was also a sighting of Little Sisters of the Poor!  Isn't that cool?

 While we waited, we had front row seats to the orangutans going up to the o-line.  Even the big hairy, old one went up too!  William know (from the veggie tales song) that if it doesn't have a tail it's an ape, if it has a tail it's a monkey!  The lady who was working outside was officially impressed.

 There's Patrick and his reading buddy.  He's a grade younger, but taller, unfortunately.  (C'mon, Patrick!  Grow!)

 This happened to be the only elephant that we got to see that day.

 The Red Panda.

 Promise you, this is the real panda in the panda house.  We had to puuush our way to get up close to see him.  We went through the building twice to get a better view of Patrick's favorite.

 We made it into the Ape house.  William loved watching the gorillas, who were eating.

 Yeah, it's Emma's favorite too.

 We were able to get super close to the orangutan and watch him eat with his lips that turn all sorts of directions.

 That is William's hand.  Isn't that cool?

 And you know what?  My prince DID come!  My dear, sweet, wonderful husband came to meet us at the zoo.  AND he did the best thing EVER:  He drove us all home.  Isn't he the greatest??!!

 We were last at the zoo when these were just cubs.  I know they are cubs still, but they sure look big.

 Patrick loves doing the "Tiger Tracks" near the Big Cats section of the zoo, and it was nice that I could let him take his time.

My, Grandma, what big paws you have.

 It was feeding time for the Tigers too, and this one was unusually vocal.  We were listening to him growl, and William would growl back.  The two of them went at it back and forth.  I wished I could have caught it on camera, it was priceless!

Here is proof that we saw a prairie dog.  Those things are never out when you go by their habitat.

So, there it is.  I am pretty proud of myself for going, and I know it was the encouragement of the sweet ladies that I have made friends with that got me out the door.  Granted, I don't know if we would do it again with that many people, but I am so glad we went.  I know I beat a dead horse have mentioned this before, but I felt like I missed a lot last year with the kids.  I don't want to miss what is going on this year, even with all the chaos that is our life right now, and that I get to make some good memories (and be the cool mommy) makes this feel so good.