Mondays

Mondays are easily our craziest day.  Our schedule is this: Everyone has school, Ben and Hilly have soccer at 12:30 and 1:15 respectively, Ben has karate at 1:45.  Jackie's friend's mom picks her up from school and we meet them at gymnastics where Jack and Hill (and Jack's buddy) have class at 4.  Then at 6 we have ukulele.  We get home at like 6:50 completely and utterly exhausted.  But in a good way.  Like, a day of good hard work. 

This was Ben in the AM.  He was telling me all about his dream.

His men were hanging on for dear life.  Please note his broken bed.  I broke it when trying to move it from Jack's room to Ben's room when I was staging the house and turning Ben's room into a big boy room. Ugh.  Oh well, it inexpensive and lasted us almost 6 years so...

Below is the note written on Hilly's report card.  It brought tears to my eyes.  It says, "I hear that Hillary and Emily may be going to different schools.  Hillary will miss Emily, but she will do fine.  She has very good social skills and plays well with everyone, even on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Emily is not there.  She loves art and does not need much encouragement in that department.  She is ready for the challenge of Kindergarten.  Her new teacher will love her.  I will miss her."

I really enjoyed this teacher because I knew for certain that she truly took the time to get to know Hilly.  Hilly is truly one of the most gentle creatures I've ever known.  And I'm not saying this because I am biased- I have no qualms critiquing my kids' behaviors. But Hillary is simply kind, happy, creative and interested.  She is an absolute gem.  Only do her close family members really get to experience her grumpy side.

 Below is Ben, my little ham, at soccer.  That little guy next to him tries so hard to fit in with Ben and Drew but Drew is so protective over Benny, you have to win over Drew to get to Ben. I watched Drew edge this kid out repeatedly through soccer today.  Drew's mom was like, 'omg. D*amnit, Drew. Just be nice!' 

I found this in Jack's bag today.  I am always on her case about reading, helping out, and her lack of helping me clean Corn Cob's cage.  She often brings up being mean to Ben and Hill and yelling at me and Jim when she talks about what she has given up for Lent.  This year I said I would do something to help the poor for Lent, and I haven't done a thing.  Clock's ticking.  This weekend I think we will go to Costco and buy food to take to the Sunday Breakfast Mission or whatever that place is called.

After all our daily activities, we ate dinner. Hilly is wearing her new Easter dress, of course.  Ben was upstairs watching the Phillies.  He asked me today if the Phillies won or lost.  I texted Jim to ask and Jim said the game is later.  Ben got home and ran upstairs to watch.  How cute is that!

Here is my Jack.  After seeing Aladdin at their school this passed weekend, her and her little friends are newly obsessed with the soundtrack which is so cute.  She requested Prince Ali and A Whole New World in the car after uke.   So as to keep it real: today the car rides to and from activities were completely wrought with fighting and picking on each other.  I actually put ear plugs in my ears because I was going insane.