Deep thoughts by Grace Malone

"Mom...if I am ever in a play where someone needs to play a vampire...I will definitely be the vampire."

Last days of school!

 

Best buddies

I was going through old photos on my phone and couldn't resist a post of pictures of these two.  They are so cute together and just love to play little made up games.  

Andrew could not be sweeter to her, and Mae just adores her big brother.  As Andrew always says to her, "We love each other Mae." In just the cutest matter-of-fact tone.  

I guess it is an update to this post from 4/28/12- http://themalonefamilybridgetmalone.blogspot.com/2012/04/andrew-and-mae.html?m=1

They are popping out left and right!

Warm and sunny days

We have been soaking up all the sunshine and warm weather.  We have already been to the pool three or four times and we are having a ball.

 We have have officially traded the fleeces and mittens, for swim suits and bathing caps.  

 

Recently

I have a lot of blog catching up to do.  A lot.  So let's start now....

Andrew's hair grows so fast.  He needs haircuts very frequently.  At his last cut, I was told that his eyebrows NEEDED a trim.  Like father like son.

We have been working on organizing the house and cleaning up after the long winter.  One of my projects was organizing the countless tubs of little girl clothes in my attic.  

We have had some great weather hear lately.  This picture was from Mother's Day- the kids got to play in the sprinkler!

Sweet big brother Andrew held Mae's hand because she was "scared".  These days she is scared of everything!

May is the season of at least three events at school per week.  This was Grace's bridging ceremony from Daisys.  

Lucky grace enjoyed her third trip to the MAC Father Daughter Dinner Dance.  Apparently she was a dancing maniac- no surprise there!

And finally, Kevin and I have been enjoying lots of date nights!  Complete with giant beers and gin and tonics.  

My little girl is growing up

Grace lost her first tooth a while ago, and finally #2 came out (at the pool along with a ton of blood- wow!). The next tooth will be out soon...as you can see in the photo below.

Grace left the sweetest note for the Tooth Fairy.  The tooth fairy claims she plants them in a garden and they grow into beautiful flowers.  Lovely thought. 

God is a cool guy

Me: Andrew, you are such a gift.

Andrew: "A gift from God?"

Me: That's right.

Andrew: "God is a cool guy.  Because he gives us other people as gifts."

Something tells me this sweet little guy will do just fine at St. Jude next year!

Farm field trip

Today was Andrew's big school field trip to the farm.  He was so excited to pack his lunch (salami, cheetos, applesauce and a juice box- packing lunches for him next year is going to be interesting!) and ride on a big yellow school bus.  He got to milk a cow, ride on a pony and pets lots of animals.  When I picked him up he could not have been more exhausted.

House updates (or "The many ways I torture my husband")

The internet can be a wonderful thing.  Without the internet, how would I have been aware of this estate sale where I could purchase items in an auction from the comfort of my own living room?  That's right.  I wouldn't.  

Right before Easter, I scored this great faux bamboo dresser/hutch/bookshelf thing.  It was less than $70, only catch was that I had to drive to Highland Park to pick it up.  Kevin agreed to go with me - such a good husband!  And Jane agreed to watch the kids - such a great grandma!

A few cans of rustoleum spray paint later, and this beauty is sitting in my living room!

To be honest, it could use a little more of the brush on enamel in a few spots.  However,  I ran out of paint and I was NOT up for another trip to walmart.  It sits in a darkish area of my living room, so I decided to just go with it.  And I love it! 

We also got some new lamps. I am afraid to admit I love these just a little too much.

I also picked up this new wing chair, and I have no wear to put it!  It was such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up.  Ideas??

Maybe it will sit in the attic until I have a master suite.  Then I will have space for this chair....where I can spend hours reading books and drinking coffee...ahh wishful thinking. 

Finally, we had our basement hall paneling painted.  I have no idea why we did not do this years ago when we remodeled the basement.  I really wish I had gotten a "before" picture.  It was very dark and looked like you were walking into a very scary place.

Now it ain't pretty, but it looks a whole lot better than it did before...trust me!  Whoever put up the paneling, covered up the original wood doors with the fake paneling.  However,  the original hardware remains.  So I have this funky painted paneling with these beautiful glass door knobs.

Ahh the charm of an old house!

Life with Andrew

Yup, that would be my little buddy running in the (very public) front yard of my parents house...without pants.  

And here we have Andrew demonstrating some impressive nose picking skills.

Mae is thinking, "Jeez, have a little pride Andrew."   Look how Mae is eating licorice in my bed!  I am clearly picking my battles lately.  Or not really fighting any battles at all.