Just for Laughs

For some reason, I have had my share of embarrassment by Cody over the last few weeks. Bless his heart, he is just so friendly, carefree, outgoing, loud and honest. Of those traits, it is the loud and honest parts that I've been struggling with the most. Wherever we go he likes to talk very loudly to the people around us. On a good day he says something friendly and funny. Most days he says something loud and honest. This is usually not a good thing. And I hope that the people who are victims of his observations realize that the mom with him (me) does not endorse, condone or agree with the views expressed. Let me give you a few examples......

To the man in the Wal-Mart salon getting a pedicure:
"That man must be a girl."

To the substitute teacher in his primary class:
"You have a big belly like me when I eat a lot of food."

To the lady in the quilt store:
"Mom, that lady has a BIG BUTT."

To the man walking on the trail without a shirt on:
"That man has big beebee's(code word for boobs -and of course he's pointing)."

I could go on and on but my face is turning red and my blood pressure is rising just re-living these accounts. And how do I react in these instances you might wonder? Well, through my red and embarrassed face I usually give a nice smile to the person, then I turn and run away as fast as I can with Cody in tow. Now call it honesty, observation, bluntness, 'straight-up just tell it how it is'. I suppose that one day this might be a good trait. But when you're 3, it is a little tricky.

So, if Cody happens to say something loud and honest to you, let's just hope it's on a good day. And if it's not? Well, as they say on Madagascar....."Just smile and wave boys. Just smile and wave". And know that I, of course, do not endorse the views and opinions expressed by my sweet toddler. For, oooooooohhhhhhhhhh how I love him so!!

The thought that counts

I was given a special present from Lauren today.
It was 2 sticks of gum....
and a rock.....
wrapped in a kleenex......
held together by an orange scrunchie.
Priceless!!

Piano Recital 2009

Another Piano Recital has come and gone. I figured that I've been teaching piano for 9 years and that this was my 8th recital. Wow, that makes me sound old. But, I love teaching and I love doing recitals. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when your students work hard and are given an opportunity to perform and display their talents. I do lose sleep the night before worrying about each of them, but they always do awesome. This year was special because two of my kids played in the recital. I never would have thought that when I started teaching piano I would one day have two of my own kids in a recital. They both did great and I am so proud of them!! And, I am sleeping much better now that the recital is over :).

Lauren's first piano recital. She played 'The Caravan'
and 'Long,Long Ago'.




Connor played 'Blues Scales' and 'Dublin Town'




I played 'Dawn' from Pride and Prejudice and 'The Midnight Fire Alarm'

Run Family, Run

What does family night + running + family = FUN!

Last week the kids school held a 5K/1 mile run fundraiser. We all signed up and had a great night! I ran the 5K and Tony and the kids did the 1 mile. The kids were pretty serious about their 'race'. Tony commented afterward that if he knew the 1 mile was going to be so short he would have done the 5K (maybe he will come out running with me afterall :))! It was a great way to start off the summer and a fun event for the whole community.

(that's me in the pink)

the whole family, gold medals and all

Last Day of School

School's out for summer!! The kids are so excited! They did, however, LOVE school this year. They both had excellent teachers and learned so much. Lauren's favorite thing about school this year was keeping a journal. Each day her teacher let them write anything they wanted in their journals. I had no idea what a writer Lauren is. She came home with 2 books full of stories, thoughts, feelings and ideas. It has been fun for me to read through them. The first thing she asked for when school got out was a journal. Such a girl :). Connor was "the man" in his class. Now, I don't say that just because I am his mom, but because each time I would visit his classroom, he was always surrounded by the kids in his class. Everyone wanted to be Connor's friend. One day at Lagoon we saw a group of girls from his class and upon seeing Connor you would have thought the saw a celebrity. They went crazy for him. I think he will miss all of his friends the most over the summer. How blessed my kids are to go to a great school and how happy I am that they love to learn.

Connor with Mrs. Medina

Lauren with Miss Nottingham