Easter 2013

Our tradition continues...

Sunrise Mass, up at the crack of dawn

It rained all day yesterday.  It was supposed to rain during mass.  We dressed appropriately with our rain boots or old tennis shoes on.  Believe it or not, the sun tried to peek out during mass.  The birds were in their glowing chirping away.

 The boys passed on the free donuts, but grabbed a juice for the ride home.

I tried to find a place open for breakfast, but did not have any luck.  Most don't open until brunch at about 11am.  I did not want to go to IHOP or Perkins.  So, I opted to make breakfast at home.  I planned ahead and the breakfast casserole was cooking while were gone.

We still hide Easter buckets for the boys.  Peanut found Pumpkin's.  It took the longest time for them to find Peanut's.  It was so funny as they were looking in the spot but not behind the disguises in the front.  Peanut was laughing when we finally found it.  His face was priceless.  They got socks, boxers, DVD and candy.  I don't even want to think about how much candy they've eaten today!

It got grey and rained.  Peanut did homework and Pumpkin took a long nap.  Mostly, we all hung out together.  When the skies cleared, I made them go on a family walk.  Buddy was thrilled.  The Big Guy had the honors!

At one point in the afternoon, Pumpkin knocked over his bucket.  Buddy just sprawled out and did not bother the candy.  He is so oblivious!

There is a 1000 piece puzzle - not completed - on the dining room table.  I feel like I've done most of it, much to my chagrin.  Easter dinner was relegated to the kitchen table.

The asparagus did not make the photo, but balanced out the color on the plate.  The boys gave approval on the dinner.  The candlesticks are from Ruth when she lived in Italy.  The candles are from mom's place when we cleaned out some of the house.  The tablecloth and napkins we also from my mom.  My older sister had all the extra linens out at her house.  We shopped there and I chose these.  I don't normally use a tablecloth, but might be turning over a new leaf.

Dessert wasn't anything too too special.  We finished it off with pastel rainbow cupcakes.

All day, my heart has smiled.  I am so grateful for all that I have.  Happy Easter!

Tea Bag Wallets

At the end of February, we attended our last Southeastern Championship swim meet.  It marked the end of short course.  Pumpkin's been swimming since he was about 5, quite a long time.  He's been fortunate to qualify for all events every year.  We went every year whether it was in Knoxville or Nashville.  This year it was in Nashville.  It worked out great.  The Big Guy drove him there for the first day.  We tag teamed it on Friday with me staying and The Big Guy heading back to Memphis.

There are lots of swimmers and families that we know.  We have that swim bond of sitting through meet after meet.  I wanted to give the moms a little thank you.  Swimming has opened many doors.  We've met some wonderful people.  Of course, I did not start thinking about this until the last minute.  At about the same time, we were dealing with my mom's healing.  She drinks lots of hot tea.  I firmly believe that is what kept her so healthy for so long.  The thought occurred to me to make tea bag wallets.

I dusted off my machine and whipped up some of these.  The elastic is just a hair tie.  A few kids are going to the University of Alabama.  I used up scraps of that fabric and scraps of others.  It was perfect.  I think I ended up making about 20 of them.  It was so much fun to give everyone a "happy."  The best is that it was a simple little gift.  It came from the heart including a bit from my mom!

The meet was very enjoyable.  Pumpkin had good swims qualifying for finals and sticking it out through Sunday night.  I will savor all the memories.  What I wasn't ready for was the emotional impact on Pumpkin when it was over.  He got in the car and let it all out.  He is still swimming but this was his last big swim meet before his collegiate career begins.  Yes.  He will miss all the people, the fun he had and the wonderful coaches.  For years, the pool was his release.  He was obnoxious, he goofed off like  a teenage boy, but he worked hard putting in his yardage and practices.  I hope the pool remains that sort of stress release.  We know he is gonna need it!

Spring Break addendum

Although the boys were dreading the drive to Cincinnati, we got lucky.

A few hours into the drive, we switched to the Catholic Channel.  At the point we started listening, the conclave was in the midst of their 5th vote.  We were making our way thru a Wendy's drive thru in Bowling Green, KY when the crowd in St. Peter's saw white smoke.  It was so exciting.

I pray my boys have a firm religious foundation especially as one heads to college next year.  I have to admit that driving that afternoon listening to all the Pope info, will be a fond memory for me.  My boys were enthralled by it all.  I am very grateful for the four hours.

When we got to Cincinnati and watched the news, it was nice to put a name to a face, Pope Francis.

Spring Break 2013 Continued...

After we spent the day in the front yard pulling out the Boxwoods, we headed to Chinese.  The Big Guy got this fortune.  Gotta love it.  He constantly reminds me that all is good right in front of me!  

The boys worked so hard in the yard.  It is not often that two teenage boys are spent on a Saturday night.  They were and so were we!

The next day was a rainy one.  We milked it for all that we could outside and then headed to movies as a family.  I got to choose and selected The Impossible.  We went to a theatre that was recently renovated. 

The place was lovely.  The movie was action-packed.  I forgot about Peanut's queasy stomach.  I don't think he enjoyed it as much as we did.  Still amazing to think about this family surviving the tsunami.

After the movie, we headed to Sports Authority to find some running shoes.  No luck.  I got to choose the dinner location.  Two choices in one day!  We stopped in at Hog & Hominy.  It's gotten lots of good reviews.  The menu was Sunday Funday.  The Big Guy and I shared a pizza.  Pumpkin got a steak and eggs sandwich.  When it came, it looked great, but the eggs were not scrambled.  I wasn't sure he'd rise to the challenge.  He did and he really liked it.

I had to work on Monday and Tuesday.  The boys just hung out and played Xbox to their hearts content.

On Wednesday, we hopped in the car and headed to Cincinnati.  Here we are driving down the street.  Watch as Peanut gets more and more excited.

It was not their first choice of destinations.  But, when family calls...my mom was moving from rehab to her new assisted living apartment.  As it turns out, the boys were great big helps.  We had professional movers, but they used their muscles to help get everything in the right place.  We could not have done it w/o them.

There was lots of discussion about what couch mom was gonna use.  Lots of last minute details fell in to place and we were able to get her old couch in her new place.  Yes.  It was a late night, but worth it. My boys joke about how late they eat dinner in Cincinnati.  The LaRosa's did taste good at 10pm!

I think her new place looks great!  It feels more like home to me.

 Here she is getting ready to see it all.  She was excited to be "home."  I only hope I have some of her tenacity.  It is gotta be hard to have to keep meeting and making new friends at this stage of life!

It was a quick trip.  We drove back on Saturday. Thank goodness as Peanut had a project due.  He spent most of Sunday working on it.

Spring Break 2013, Weekend 1

The weather was pretty nice the first weekend of spring break.  The Big Guy went out to weed the beds.  That turned into pulling out all the boxwoods at the front of the house.  They were suffocating the house.  We recruited the boys and went to work.

 The Volvo helped make the job easier.

Great shot of Peanut!  They trimmed the boxwoods down first to make it easier to loop the rope around them.

 I did the Sonic Happy Hour run in the afternoon.  It was just the pick-me-up that we all needed.

 

 Pumpkin took another break...

 Finishing up the final bushes was a task.  We were all tired.

I trimmed the Crepe Myrtles.  We all helped clean up.  The Big Guy stuck around home for the rest of break.  He did lots of work and the beds look marvelous.  I have to get out there and take an "after" shot.

Swim Banquet

This is the only picture I took from the swim banquet.  There are so many "lasts" coming up as Pumpkin's high school career comes down the home stretch.  I better remember to take more photos!

It was a special evening.  It started with a replay of Pumpkin's national anthem at the State Meet.  As it started to play, Pumpkin's response was priceless.  He mumbled under his breath that this was awkward.  Later on, the coach got up to summarize the season.  When he got to talking about Elliot singing at State, he paused for quite sometime.  His bottom lip quivered.  He was really moved.  He could not express the impact that national anthem had on him.  What a wonderful gift.  Music can be very moving.  Pumpkin was pleased that he affected the coach in such a way.  I was taken off guard and she a few tears.

Needless to say, we were very proud of Pumpkin.  He walked away with lots of goodies including the Most Valuable Swimmer award.

This week, the two of us go on a little trip.  I get to see the place he is going to call home for four years.  More to come...

My Town Tees

Finally got my own...

Love the creativity, love that they are local

My Town Tees

Once You Start...

Peanut shaving!!

My dad had a thick beard and a five o'clock shadow.  Wonder if that will be Peanut too.