Rotten Month

I haven't posted because this month has been pretty rotten for a number of reasons, but hopefully these pics will sum up the lives of the kids.

Not sure what these 3 goons are up to, but it was probably very innocent.  They really are such good kids.

Ben had his first birthday party invite to the DCM earlier this month- and I brought Hannah and Hillary with me.  Where was Jack? Yoga? Anyway, the girls had a fun time but BEN- this kid had a BLAST.  Unlike the girls, he wasn't raised in the DCM.  A mother can take only so much.  Next time we go I'm getting a membership so Ben and I can come after his school next year.

These 2- serious medical students.

And this guy.  Swoon.

They worked so hard on this car.

I literally sat there and watched them for an hour.

Who did I run into? ya know- Jo from Teen Mom 2.  Basically my favorite TV show for the passed 7 years.

Benny and his 2 Louies.

Ben and Em before Hilly and Em have ballet.

The doogs.

Jack spent an afternoon w the Brownie fam and Tiff sent me these pics:

Meanwhile, the littles and Em and I hit up Scrumptious.  My kids love this place.  It's one of those frozen yogurt (I think this is called Nitro-Cream) and you pick your own toppings.  I love seeing what they pick.

A girls night dinner. A really fun one.

Ok so here I took Sarah and Payton to the HAC.  And the girls swam and played on the inside maze, etc... I want to say I had some sort of open house for our house?

Jack reading.

Lou.

During a showing, I brought the dogs to Betsy's house.  First thing Lou does? Jump on the table and finish Kyle's cheeseburger.  The dogs camped out at this house for the entire day.  They also camped out at Lisa's another day.  Can I just acknowledge was true friendships I've made in Delaware?  Not just everyone will open their house to your dogs.  I am filled with gratitude.

Benji stepping into the water on a freezing cold Feb day, yet warm and toasty inside the HAC pool.

Here, we brought Lily to the HAC with us.  The bunny was in our car and the dogs were at Betsy's. 

Monster faces.

Pool time.

Benny passed out with his downstairs Louie.

Lou and Corncob.  Lou has been struck with the old arthritis pretty fiercely this winter. Showing the house has been hard on her: jumping into and out of the minivan in the cold, hanging out at stranger's houses.  We took her to the vet and she got a shot and some medicine.  She seems to be feeling better, but she is peeing on carpets so I've secluded her to the back room til she can control her bladder or until our rugs are pulled up. 

James and his rabbit.

Jax looking cute.

Jim took the little kids to the movies during a house showing? open house? not sure why I wasn't there but it was definitely house related.  He took them to a movie called Monster Trucks that he thought would be for kids but was actually inappropriate, he said.  Moana was sold out.  Ben ate like a gallon of popcorn and then passed out.

Jack and her friend Sarah utilizing our new and improved basement.

Em helping out with homework.

Scrumptious after our open house.

Hillers posing for the camera.

Benny just practicing his long jump skills at G and P's house.

Hilly, in the zone.

Hilly is on a soup kick lately. 

Something super uninteresting to the rest of the world was happening out that window, but in my house? Mayhem.

Em gave Jack her old school sweatshirt- this is where Em is going next year!

Hannie hanging w Corncob.

Me and my man.

Jim got jelly and posted w Benny shortly thereafter.

Jack and her buddy.

Jack and Kate.  This little nugget has stolen our heart 10x over.

As you can see... I believe this was superbowl Sunday.

Next day- Drew and Benny after kicking butt in soccer.

Jackie making her Star of the Week poster.

She did such an awesome job.  I printed all the picks she wanted off my Instagram and we organized them and chose stickers, etc... So cool.

Hilly and dada.

I snuck a pic of Benny in his classroom having a great time.

And here is Benny cuddling with an arthritic downstairs Lou. 

Pay pay and Jack snuggling Corncob.

I was petting the rabbit and looked over and saw Benny and thought this would be such a great pic.

Happy 7th Birthday Jack!

Dear Jackie,

My favorite part about watching you grow up is definitely witnessing your sense of humor develop.  You are funny and particular and a natural leader. You are no damsel in distress.  You are naturally intelligent, but also willing to work hard to achieve your goals.  I know you find my lectures on working hard and going after what you want to be exhausting (I do too), but I am never going to stop giving them. I sometimes look at your toddler pictures and can't believe you are the same little pooh-bear. This letter is making me miss you and I can't wait until you come home from school today! You are so awesome for letting your birthday be abbreviated and parties delayed because of the move. As I type this I am even taking calls about the inspections that are happening today.  You've wanted to see every house we've looked at and have given a pretty sound opinion on each.  You've helped stage and clean our house for showings.  You are a great student and an aspiring basketball player.  I love watching you learn new things- whether its a dance, a sport, academic.  I don't care what it is.  I'm obsessed.  One of your friends from school's mom just asked if you would want to go away to summer camp this summer. NO WAY!  If she thinks I'm letting you go, she's crazy.  I will miss you too much.  You're lucky you are even allowed at school 3 blocks away. 

Anyway, Pooh Bear, I love you more than words.  Like I said, this post is making me miss you way too much.  Our trip to NYC w Gma is something that we all will hold in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

Mama