What Are We Up To?

First up - Cearra is home again after her May practicum (she student taught in a 1st grade class) and an amazing Spring semester ... 6 subjects, 6 A's! She worked really hard, and we are very proud of her. I cannot believe she'll be a junior in the fall; she can't believe she still has two more years to go! Quite different than my college experience - I would have happily been on the 8-year plan - but I know she is growing from the experience and will take away good memories.

Anyway, as always we've been having lots of fun this week - going to the gym, shopping, eating out, and watching lots of "chick" TV (Bob is in Georgia so we have full control of the remote). Owen is completely enjoying having his big sister home; so much laughter and teasing and tickling!

Friday we drove up to my parents new house in Gettysburg as they were there for the electrical walk through. It's hard to totally picture how everything will look, but the bones are there and things are taking shape. It is going to be fabulous - both the house and having them closer!




After a quick lunch we said goodbye then hopped back into the car for the short trip to the outlet mall. Snagged a few cute buys at Gymboree, and an even cuter picture of Owen on the mini-merry-go-round.


Yesterday we had luck shopping for Cearra at the mall in Columbia, where Owen also enjoyed riding some bigger carousel horses.


Today brought gloomy weather to Westminster, so we decided on a fun indoor activity -bowling! Owen loves it, although there were quite a few times we weren't sure his pink, 4lb ball was going to make it all the way down the lane (it did meander to a stop and require rescuing by the manager once).





Love his cute Velcro bowling shoes and our preppy ball assortment too.



This week we'll be busy getting ready for our Memorial Day trip to San Diego ... I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures when we return.

New Hat

Dear Uncle Rich, Aunt Cathy and Cally - He loves it! Thank you!

The Places We Go

While waiting for Owen, I imagined lots of scenes from motherhood. Oh, the things we would do and the places we'd see! But I have to admit I didn't imagine driving 30 minutes to the small town of Hanover, Pennsylvania (home of Utz potato chips and pretzels) for the annual tractor show sponsored by the York-Adams Two-Cylinder Club.

But there we were this morning, the only ones not in jeans and baseball hats and a smear of grease. Owen loved it - "look at all the John Deeres Mommy!!". He stood in front of a few tractors and asked me to take a picture. He cheered when one of the tractors would start up or someone would drive by in a gator. He especially loved the souvenir trailer where he selected (yet) another JD lawn mower ("like Daddy's!") and a t-shirt.




When we got home after a visit to McDonald's and King's Kingdom (a super playground), we gathered all his John Deere tractors and set them up on a blanket Nanny gave Owen, changed into his new t-shirt and took a quick pic. He's holding his newest model.


Coincidentally, a former colleague emailed me last night with a great job opportunity she thought I'd be perfect for, and asked if I was interested. While my head tells me I should be doing something to keep the resume up to snuff, I responded "thanks, but no thanks" because my heart tells me everyday (and it is much louder!) that I'm happiest being the mom who gets to go to parks and playgrounds, and yes ... tractor shows.

For Mothers Everywhere, but Especially My Own

A mother is someone who dreams great dreams for you, but then she lets you chase the dreams you have for yourself and loves you just the same.

Thank you mom - I love you!