Strawberry's

Oh, I do love the berry seasons of the summer!

Strawberry's started this last Monday and since Pat was going to be home Saturday I thought it would be great to just leave Louis at home with him and pick with no struggle.

(Until 10 strawberries into picking, and a whole hayride out to the patch,

Hannah tells me she has to go potty, sooo bad.) 

Drew decided he wanted to stay with Dad to help with the sale of the jetski (and it did sell).

Isabelle, you know you made me so happy with each full box you poured into the my flat.

 I was so proud of my helpers, it took about an hour to get the 3 flats.

 

  Mom, just please could we get one?

You had bunnies when you were little. I remember seeing the pictures.

Some things don't need explanations

A visit to Aunt Maggies ~ Chicago

We went to the zoo the first day.  

 Chicago skyline.

 Hmmmm. I guess this is the only pic I have of the animals. A nest of some variety of rodent.

 If you look close you can see the zebra.

 A chocolate shop that we happened to walk by and had to stop in. I am glad you were game Maggie.

 Lego sculpture of Woody, the kids thought fascinating.

 Lake Michigan

 The kids were loving it...not sure Aunt Maggies thoughts were the same.

 Back to the zoo to experience the tornado machine.

(We recently had a tornado touch down just miles from our house and totally wipeout

an entire house and do damage to the surroundings, so it had been a fascinating topic)

 Isabelle I am glad you are enjoying it! This is all you wanted to do at the zoo.

 Waiting for Dad enjoying someones expression of art.

 Thanks for the great time Aunt Maggie!

 

School's out!

A week ago Isabelle "graduated" from kindergarten.

She was very proud and felt very special especially since Dad came from work and

Grammie, Aunt Emma, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Susan and little Stella came too!

She was given the award for achievement in Reading and attendance....

to which the latter the school principal (which happens to be Pat's Uncle Dan)

later commented it was the first time he ever gave

 an award for attendance to a Leahy and

thought in this case should have changed it to be awarded to the"Nistler" side of the student.

 

 

 

 

I have to say I am glad we have no school for 3 months. 

Not that I have lots of experience yet,

 my kids are young (maybe I am naive)

but I dont understand how some mothers

 dont look forward to this time.

I enjoy the extra action at home not

worrying about stopping the kids interaction

so they can finish their homework or get to bed on time.

(I may change my mind come August)

but I dont want to. I shouldn't. I want to take

advantage of this time they are home with me.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                         A box of gold fish for a pinata.   Why not?

 

 

 

My Mother ~ Happy Birthday

Today it is your birthday and living across the country (no excuse) I always get to

saying Happy Mother's day weeks late in time for your birthday which is

thankfully (not too late) at the end of May.

Going about my day I often think of my role as a mother and how much more I appreciate you

as mine. All you did and still do for us/with us I so admire and appreciate.

"Reading" any chance to form us with good values.

Especially in the sunshine, so as not to awake the littles from napping.

Taking care of the smallest details.

Fostering the love for nature and the outdoors

 and ice cream.......

              and cooking...........

         Giving each of us a chance to help and learn.






Making each of us feel like our stories are
                important and exciting.

To think~it is your day for a gift, but you have given so many to me.  

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

Great gift - Thank you!

A patio swing

 It's good just like this.

 Can I just take a nap here?

 

Trying it out.

  

This is going to be great. I will Love it!

 

 

Girls weekend

This weekend Dad and Drew went with the "guys" to paint the cottage.

So, of course Isabelle asked me what us girls("and Louis") were going to do.

 Got some flowers at the nursery, after browsing for 1/2 an hour.

 Hooked up the bike and went to feed the horses.

 Then Aunt Emma came to spend the night before heading up North for a bridal shower.

Quite a treat!

What fun, another person's hair to do and try the beautiful earrings on.  

This is a given if I sit down to read books at night.

Mom, thank you for passing on this tradition.

What good memories I have of us doing your hair:

 hearing "oh that feels so good, can you keep combing?"...or "ok, that's good!"

Now I can totally identfy!

If Isabelle does my hair it is usually a side pony ~or two.

If Hannah does my hair I tell her she has to stick to clips

( I had to ban the bands or else I would now be bald.

Hannah's production this night.

I actually had already taken off the headband

and a clip or two from the other side.

 Margaret I was trying to get a good belly shot for you.

I guess I should have tryed sideways.