New York, New York!

Celebrating 17 years of marriage with this self-portrait -- Wade surprised me with a weekend in New York for our anniversary! Here -- in Times Square -- we stopped to snap a quick picture in the hustle and bustle of this wild city!

Of course, celebrating our anniversary was only one part of the trip -- my birthday was the other part! Can you believe this sign we saw right off Broadway! Don't those two 40-year-olds look just alike?!
Three Broadway shows in two days was a definite highlight of the trip -- I loved them all! And we'll be singing show tunes all summer. But you know me, my patriotic self, was teary-eyed as we rode the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty up close! Wow!

But the speed of life in New York was what captivated me the most. I'm certain I couldn't keep up long term...it was all I could do to maintain the pace for the weekend...but it was intriguing to see, to experience and to photograph (almost 300 photos in all!)! So today, I'm counting my blessings for 40 years of life, 17 years of marriage, and a wonderful experience in New York with my precious hubbie!

Fancy fingerpainting fun!

There wasn't really anything fancy about our finger painting this morning but I liked the alliteration! Sweet Cate had so much fun painting...but I got a little carried away taking pictures so cute she was...until she said "Mommy, look at me not in the camera!" And so I had to put it away and paint my own picture!! Today, I think I will be grateful for the blessing of bossy two-year-olds...a blessing indeed!

Making Music and Memories

Mason, Benjamin and Claire had their Spring Band Concert this week. They were amazing -- truly! These kids had never touched an instrument before school started, but the band director has such a gift...she had 90 fifth graders playing songs so well most of the parents were in tears (yes, that includes me!). It was wonderful -- Benjamin of course, wants to know why he can't substitute Band for Math class. He says he really just likes it so much more than math!

Benjamin plays percussion -- the triangle, the wood block, the cymbals. These are his percussion friends who make sure he has the right instrument out for each song! They have been so dear to him!! (Just more reasons to make the Mommy cry!)

Claire plays the Alto Saxophone and is just the cutest thing with her instrument! This is her best friend who plays the Tenor Sax. (Aren't they just adorable?!)

Mason plays the Baritone Tuba and has such tenacity in carrying that instrument around! He is really amazing playing and I was thrilled to be positioned close enough to him to actually get pictures of him playing!

Later in the week, Claire had her Choral Concert. She sings with the 5th Grade band but also with the Treble Choir -- or Girls' Choir. She loves to sing and was bouncing off the risers in between each song...but as you can see here, it was pure concentration during the performance!

The Treble Choir performed some really cute pieces! Our girl got to show off her drama in this one!



The baby girl was left out of the festivities...they didn't start until almost her bedtime and that coupled with her active 2-year-oldness did not sound like a good combination. So, her dear Uncle Lenny kept her and they had a ton of fun together. She did, however, get to go to the park yesterday and so I'll share her swinging picture so as not to leave her out!

I know that next year, this little one won't want to miss the blessing that is her big kids' playing their music! What a gift!!

Pure Joy!

In an age where everything is techno-something or another....it was pure joy yesterday to watch Cate discover the wonder of bubbles! She likes to chase them -- when Daddy or Mommy are blowing -- and she loves to blow them herself! (She's even discovered that once she has enough on her lips she can "blow" without the wand -- not sure how good that is for her tummy! ha)

She is already at it again this morning, and I am being summoned to join her! So today my blessing counting is oh-so-easy -- I am ever grateful for the joys of bubbles, of the new fun Cate is having and of the memories it evokes of bubble-blowing days with the trio!! So grab some bubbles my friends, and have at it!!

Change our name to the Peabody!

One of our favorite things to do when we are home is visit the Peabody -- a stately hotel in Downtown Memphis. The story of the Peabody is legendary around the South: Early in the hotel's history, hunters would stay there while traveling. One weekend in the 1930s one of the hunters decided to play a prank and put three duck decoys in the majestic fountain in the center of the hotel's lobby. Hotel guests loved it and soon real live mallards replaced the decoys! To this day, live mallards live at the beautiful hotel and make a grand entrance daily to the fountain! You can read more about this at: http://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody_hotels/the_peabody_ducks.cfm

But after yesterday, we may need to change our name to Peabody...as we came home from school yesterday to find this little couple in our swimming pool!

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard swam along happily -- with my squealing children throwing bread crumbs at them -- until they spotted Pluto, our Golden Doodle puppy!

They took flight over our back fence then, leaving my daughters broken hearted (Cate really thought we should keep them!). Their wishing may have paid off, however, since Mr. Mallard was back this morning. Not sure where the missus was...or if they will come back! I'll keep you posted!

And so today, I am counting the blessings in life's little surprises -- and hoping you'll do the same!