Time to catch up :-)

I can't believe I let a whole month go by without posting anything. It's been a busy month at times, not so much at others. Here are a few things that went on in our lives since my last post:

My mom sent this photo to The Friend a couple years ago, because the kids love to read about other kids and really wanted to be in the magazine. Apparently we had given up on looking for it, because the moment we stopped looking, a friend at work showed it to me in the March 2010 issue!

Nick had an ice skating field trip with his 3rd grade class at the end of April. He found out that hockey skates are much harder to skate in than figure skates. After changing skates, he had a great time and really wanted to go back with Bella. Bella wasn't so excited about the idea, because the last time she went, she slammed her thumb in the time out box and doesn't have great memories of the whole event.

Checkin out the zamboni...

Mel was kind enough to help me in the daunting task of stocking all 3 nurseries for the first time, so of course we had to get in costume and create a new division on the floor (Stock Patrol). Hahahaha! I love it. She has a lot more pics, so, to be continued...

May 1st was our 11th anniversary. Aw....

A robin set up this huge nest in our tree just in front of the house. It's kinda nice to play host to a new family :-)

These friends are not new. A family of sparrows made a nest on the side of our house years and years ago. At first I was bugged by the amount of droppings, but it was fun to watch them protect their eggs, then see the babies as they hatched, and then watch them grow and fly away. The most amazing part is watching them come back year after year. Even after some neighbor kids knocked the nest down, they came back to the exact same spot, rebuilt the nest, and continue to come back. I think this is about year 5 or so. :-)

My Mother's Day haul...Nick and Bella made me cute cards (Nick's included a Top Ten Things About You list), Bella painted a pot, Nick made a flower pen and vase, Mario got me my favorite cookies, flowers, a card and a little bear. Too bad the bear says "Love to Grandma". Hmmmm...

The Paramore Concert....WOW!!! So much fun! Julie and I went and braved the general admission crowd for the first time in forever. It was actually the best choice. We were so close to the stage, there weren't any idiots trying to start a fight, and it's such a high energy show, I doubt I would have been able to sit anyway.

They started off by playing a few of their older songs like "That's what you get" and others from their first cds.

Here's the funny story of the night....Julie and I had two separate guitar pics thrown our way and didn't catch either one. The first came at me, flew through my hair and the kids behind me grabbed it. The second came at Julie, bounced off her cheek and into the unknown. Figures. That's just our luck. hahaha...

Seriously, this girl has a crazy amount of energy packed into her little body. She is an amazing live performer, sings even better in person, and is just fun to watch.

My favorite songs on the new CD are the acoustic versions of "Turn it Off" and "Ignorance". I also love love love "All I Wanted", "The Only Exception" and "Misguided Ghosts". They may or may not be on a playlist on my ipod, frequently on repeat.

We had a great time and I would go again in a heartbeat. I've said it before, but concerts really are my favorite hobby. I just love the excitement and energy of a good live show.

***This has been a great month. I've had the best time catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones (heeeey Mac and Kenzie, of the Mckenzies...lol). It's a great way to lead into my new adventure in nursing school. Classes start in the morning (yeah, I might be a little nervous since I should be in class in about 8 hours and I'm blogging). But I know I have a great support system, and I'm so thankful for all my friends and family who will be there for me the whole way. Fair warning, I will call on many of you in the near future, I'm sure of it :) Thanks for loving me enough to put up with the madness I will endure while being a working mom going to school. I hope I don't drive too many of you away.... :-) Wish me luck ***