No More Hearts

The last day of school I decorated the kids bedroom doors with signs telling them how proud we were of them finishing up this past school year. I also plastered several hearts cut from construction paper all over the doors to go with the sign. They've both left them on their doors since that day.
We had a new visitor over on Sunday. Matt's brother Justin has a son Matthew who is just a few months older then Mason. We've seen him on a few occasions but this was the first time he's been to our home. Matthew and Mason got along well as Matthew directed the conversation to include how many girl friends each had had and what video games they liked the best.
After everyone had left for the evening I went in Mason's room and found him standing in there and the sign and hearts sitting on top of his dresser in a pile.
"You took your stuff off your door, huh?"
"Yeah. I just kind of felt embarrassed when Matthew was here."
"That's OK. I don't want you to feel embarrassed."
"Yeah. Hey Mom? Maybe next time don't put hearts on my door. They're kind of not cool."
"Oh, sorry Mase. I didn't even think that maybe hearts weren't cool. I'll leave them off next time."
"Well don't leave them off.......maybe just next time.....put stars up instead."

Point made. I'm holding on to the idea that maybe he's too old for hearts but somewhere in his handsome head, he still wants me to decorate his door. In the back of my mind I've always hoped I'd be the Mom that would stay cool and my kids wouldn't get embarrassed by me or what I do. I was wrong. I guess I didn't expect the tiny sting when he outgrew my heart(s).

Happy Birthday Mattie. I Love You!

What a way to spend a birthday. We kept busy celebrating the big day. The kids and I made him a cake and decorated the kitchen early this morning. Mason made him a breakfast of bacon and cereal and delivered it to him in bed. We gave him his gifts and cards and sang to him to get the day started.
We took the kids to the Aquatic Center to swim. We got there about 20 minutes before it opened and I still had to race another mom to get a spot in the shade. It was about 100 degrees today so the place was packed. We stayed until about 3:30 but I think the kids could have stayed a few more hours without any problem.
Later this evening we left the kids in the capable hands of our nephew and got our grub on at Goodwood. YUM!! Good food, good company and an appetizer on the house....what more could either of us ask for?
Then it was off to the movie, the late show if you can believe it! We're OLD and we still made it through the late show. We've still got it in us Babe! ;)

We had a long and FUN day celebrating your birthday, Matt. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, father, friend...etc. I love you more today than on the day I married you. Good thing I'm signed up for FOREVER!!

Happy Birthday Mattie! I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Today is Gracie's 2nd birthday.Amber and Gary were gracious enough to invite us to celebrate with them and their girls. We spent the day swimming at the aquatic center with most of the cousins. The kids played long and hard in the sun and when the clouds rolled in we were ready to pack up and head home.

The Hill's went miniature golfing and afterwords we met at their house for a BBQ and ice cream and cake.

After our stomachs were full we all loaded up and headed down to the cemetery. Her grave marker was put in a few weeks ago. It's AMAZING!! I love how it turned out. Amber and Gary did a great job designing something that reminds us perfectly of her. A cute little toy box with pictures of everything that says Grace.

I love the shoes. Gracie loved shoes and these are exactly the ones I picture her in.

Letter blocks with her initials.

The front has an elephant, a bear,a lion and a lamb. It's so sweet. What better to remember a child than with a toy box? It's a happy, sweet and sacred spot. I LOVE IT!

Thank you Hill's for inviting us all to celebrate Gracie. We miss her and love her so much. We love you too.

Happy Birthday Grace!