Mom's day

Today is my mother's birthday and instead of paying tribute to her, I pay tribute to a truly amazing person that my mom gave just to me. I am truly blessed to have my sister Heather. I know I have written about her in the past, but this sister of mine continues to amaze me. A couple of weekends ago, she flew up to Boston to be with me and the kids as we traveled west to visit with dad and Sandy. Before she even made it to my house and after flying here, she walked into my classroom and helped me with a very special group of kids without prompting. Then she helped me pack enough food (my kids eat copious amounts of food) for our 15 hour trip in the car. She had no idea of what she was getting into. I know my kids and wouldn't dare ask anyone to be stuffed into a car for 15 hours with them and she did this all with excitement in her eyes! Can you imagine?! During the trip she NEVER hesitated to make bathroom runs with Annie, feed strawberries to Wes, and help Brenden sound out words. I know this doesn't sound like much BUT...Annie has yet to figure out how to go 1 & 2 at the same time SO we're stopping A LOT, Wes is only eating strawberries and can eat a ton of them at a time, and Brenden was reading a nonfiction book about dinosaurs. Heather took care of my kids while keeping me laughing until my inner horse came out! I can not say enough about this woman who is MY sister. So on this day when I would normally be sad, I celebrate my sister because of who she is, continues to be, and who she reminds me of.

Spring Break

This past week was Spring Break for us! I planned a fabulous drive out to visit with dad and Sandy. We arrived (the trip warrants a post all to itself) and the fun began! My dad and Sandy made each on eof my kids feel very special each and every day we were there! We went to the Chidren's Museum on a rainy day, spent hours at the Air Force Museum with Roo and Uncle Shane (Brenden had Shane all to himself!), Easter egg hunting, tons of fun laughing with family, hours of trampoline jumping, and plain old fashioned family fun. It is times like these that remind me just how lucky I am!

Spring has arrived!!

Spring has finally arrived in New England! The kids have been outside every day that it's above freezing. Yes, it's still cold here BUT there's no snow! Annie still loves swinging, Brenden is an amazing big brother and pulls the wagon or pushes Annie on the swing, while Wes does not enjoy the swing! Can you imagine? One of mine not loving the swing? Bren and Annie used to spend hours in our house swing and loving it at the park! I can't wait for the weather to get warmer! Annie actually asked to put on her bathing suit and run in the sprinkler!! This is a girl who hates the cold weather!

Big boy!!

It is hard to believe that Wesley is a year old! This year has passed so quickly. Wasn't it just yesterday that we brought him home? He has turned into such an amazing little boy! He has gone from an adorable baby to a walking, dare I say toddler? He is curious about everything! He is mimicking most behaviors, actually playing with his brother and sister, and beginning to really communicate his likes and dislikes! He can pull out all my pots and pans, comb his hair, sign "all done" and "more", say mama, dada, bye-bye, uh oh and has syllables for Annie and Brenden. I know this is cliche to say, but this little boy has brought joy and completeness to our family! I am one of the proudest mamas around!

Wes is walking

Wes starting walking about a month ago and I've just gotten around to posting his first real walk. Now he's all over the place!!

Annie had her first sleepover! Her friend Chloe (from our days in Southie) spent the night with us last weekend while her mama had a much needed night to herself. It was amazing! The girls had such a great time together. There was only one melt down! Annie was mad that she wasn't allowed to sleep in the sleeping bag and Chloe got to. Her room just isn't big enough between the crib and her bed, so she had to suffer through the night in her lovely bed. We did turn her around so she was sleeping with her head at the other end of the bed. Anyway, the girls got up REALLY early, so I decided that we would make Valentines cookies! It was really fun...until the frosting time came. Each girl proudly frosted 3 cookies each and then declared the rest would be mine!! Such generous girls, don't you think?

The boys handled the extra estrogen in stride!

This is just a taste of what happens in the Camarata household on weekends! I really do love not having traditional TV!!