"Ballerina girl, you are so lovely..."

This is one of those moments I have been waiting for since I was a teenage girl -- to watch my daughter perform in a dance recital. Yesterday was Addy's 1st dress rehearsal. As a mom, I was totally out of my element. Who knew that you could not have a part in your daughter's hair when it was up in a ballet bun? But, despite a few glitches, it was magical to see my daughter tip toe around in her little pink ballet shoes and her beautiful ballerina ensemble.

I have been having troubles with my camera since I took it out in a snow storm several months ago (definitely NOT a good idea) but I tried the best I could to get a relatively clear picture of Addy. Here are a few of my favorites....

A HUGE storm...

came through Michigan today. Many trees were uprooted and winds exceeded 70 miles per hour. It was crazy. One minute it was sunny and calm and the next minute the wind was blowing the rain sideways and trees were being knocked over. Then the tornado siren sounded. The kids all ran up from the basement in complete excitement and terror. They wanted to see the howling wind and possibly see the tornado. Ian and I sent the kids downstairs while we parked the cars into the garage and prepared for the worst. After a few minutes I went downstairs to check on the children. Hunter was under the day bed, Addy and Bo were under the desk and Kadan was huddled in a corner behind the filing cabinet. They were all talking about if the tornado was coming.

I turned on the TV in the basement to catch the latest weather news. With my kids all cuddled up beside me, we anxiously watched the Doppler news for several minutes until we heard the calming words "the tornado watch has now passed. The storm is moving up to the north eastern part of Mighican and Canada." Whew!

We all went outside to see if there was any damage down our little street. Just a few trees were toppled and several stray branches were in the yard but nothing really damaging. All that was left were large puddles and the sweet smell of rain after the storm.

Backyard play during lazy spring days...

are what life as a child is all about. I was making dinner and heard lots of giggles from my 4 littles ones coming from the backyard -- that sound is the happiest sound a mother can hear. I put the food aside so I could witness all the fun. They were each taking turns playing who was "it" during tag. Hunter, then Kadan, then Addy, then Bo. When it was Bo's turn they all pretended that she was so fast that they could not catch her. Then they fell "exhausted" in pile laughing so hard. I just love my kids!

Washington DC is definitely the place to go...

on a family vacation. A few weeks ago Ian came home and said that he could have a long weekend the next week and thought we should do something fun. We weighed the possibilities of going to Cedar Pointe Amusement Park or Washington DC. I had always wanted to go to DC with the kids but just didn't know if it would be too costly. After doing a little research and talking with friends my mind was set -- we were going to DC. Thanks to Priceline we were able to get the 4-star Westin Hotel right by the White House for $100 night (I found out later that our rooms ran $700 night since they upgraded us to a suite at no charge). The rooms were beautiful and the beds totally comfy -- a perfect way to start off the best vacation. To makes things even better, we were able to ride the subway (the kids FAVORITE) to everywhere we wanted to go. We also got our pick amongst almost 20 national museums and zoos to tour for FREE.

The first evening we were there Ian took the kids swimming and I went on a run at dusk. Talk about majestic. I ran for about two miles along side the Potomac River and then took a sharp turn amongst the trees. The view was breathtaking. Ahead of me was the Lincoln Memorial lite up against the sunset. I just had to stand there for a moment and reflect on the beauty of the moment and the glory of our Country. Everything about the trip was everything I hoped for and more. Being able to talk to the kids about the different Presidents and National events will be a time that I will never forget. They were so excited and knew so much about the history of the GREATEST country in the WORLD.

Down below on the subway. What a treat for the kids but a little stressful for us parents.

IRS building -- it actually has gold lanterns and beautiful arched entrances.Lincoln Memorial -- the kids ran all the way to the top of all those stairs. World War II memorial and fountain. This was one of the kids' favorite places.

Boy Scouts of America Statue and Reflection Pool

Air and Space Museum. This is one of the contraptions that walked on Mars.

Holocaust Memorial and Museum.Bureau of Engravings is where we went on a cool tour and saw how they made money. Kadan and Hunter were hoping they were giving away dollars at the end of the tour. They were so excited jumping up and down dreaming about the possibilities of being "rich, rich, rich."

The 3rd Annual Walk-a-thon...

at Masonic Heights Elementary was another success. The kids enjoy walking a mile to help raise money for some new playground equipment. This year we were able to donate some money to the walk-a-thon and for each $5 donation the kids got a ticket to win some prices. Hunter came home totally excited today and announced, "I won a limousine ride for me and 3 of my friends." Cool! I hope that I am one of his friends. We can't wait for the ride.

Here are some pictures of the kids on this fun day.

Hunter has been in Mrs. Gaigalas' class for 2 years (her class is part of a satellite program in which the teacher and the class move from 2nd to 3rd grade together). This is a bunch of wonderful kids that love each other and help each other with everything.

Mrs. Matuszak is Kadan's favorite woman in the whole world (next to his mom and grandma that is). He is planning on marrying her when he grows up. Check out how is he walking so close to her.The girls were definitely center stage during the walk-a-thon. EVERYONE wanted to push them. They had a blast drinking waters and being treated like queens.

She is just soooo cool...

in her snazzy new white diamond sunglasses. We got the glasses a couple of weeks ago for our DC trip and she has been wearing them ever since. I have caught her watching TV, going to friends and even sleeping in them. On this day we were heading to Ashley's and Emily's 4th birthday party and Addy wanted to make sure that she "is princess cool." I think she definitely IS!

He can be the sweetest thing...

in the universe. Let me start off by saying Kadan is not an early morning person and does not like to be waked up for his school that starts way too early in the morning (7:50). If he can sleep in until 8:30 Kadan wakes up laughing and playing but earlier than that just watch out -- life can get pretty touch. This morning I let him sleep in until 7:15 and to my surprise he bounded down the stairs happy. Quickly ate his food (another miracle) and then got himself ready for the bus in 10 minutes flat and still had a few minutes to spare. As I gave him a hug and a kiss to send him on his way to the bus he said, "Hey mom, we did not say a prayer on the breakfast." Being the rushed mom I said, "Hunter and I said the prayer while you were still sleeping. Now run to the bus before you are late." But looking down at him I knew that my answer did not satisfy him. I then said, "Would you like to say a prayer before you head off to school?" "Sure Mom." And with that he quickly closed his eyes and started. He prayed for health of the family and for a good day. He prayed that Hunter would do well on his work. He then prayed specifically for his little friend Brayden and said, "Dear Heavenly Father, and please bless Brayden that he will have a good day. Bless him that he will not get a red and that he will not cry. And that he will know that he has to do what the teacher says even if he does not want to. I hope that he will be happy." I almost started to cry. This little boy is so kind and has such a wonderful relationship to his Heavenly Father. He really talks to Him.

I wanted to make sure that I captured the moment so I got out my camera and snapped a quick picture of my sweet thing before he ran to meet the bus.