Confessions

Wrap Up

We've come to the end of another school year. And true to the old adage, I don't know where the time has gone! I now am the proud mama of a fourth grader, a second grader and a "3's" Preschooler. The last couple of weeks of school were jam packed with activities at each of the boy's schools. Jake received an award from his school library for reading 100 books. Eric was the recipient of the "Heart Award" at his school. There is only one award given per grade, and he was the third grader chosen! Mike celebrated the end of his first year of "school" with an end-of-year bash at a local park that has an amazing water playground. And as if that wasn't enough going on, I celebrated my 31st birthday on the 23rd! My Supah-Fly Girlahs gave me some Birthday Love. As did friends and family. I am one of those obnoxious people who loves celebrating their birthday. (Don't act so surprised!). Chris gave me the *sweetest* birthday card, EVAH.

When you open it, it plays Spandeu Ballet's, "True". And it reads, "I'll always, always have a crush on you. Happy Birthday"

Um, yea. I pretty much don't need anything again, EVER. I was 16 when I met Chris. I've celebrated every birthday with him since I was seventeen. So you see, Chris really is my very own Jake Ryan. (You have my permission to gag at my cheesiness at any time).

He & the boys bought me my very own subscription to US Weekly magazine. It's trashy, I know. But I love it. It is my escape. And to add to the birthday loot, my sis bought me the *cutest* pair of sandals at Forever 21. I got a Target card from my in-laws. My dad sent me a package chock full of pictures from my childhood/high school years. My little nephew Caden handmade/stamped a Curious George birthday card for me. Yep. It was a fab day.

For year number 3 in a row, one of my dear friends, Lisa, made me a Hello Kitty cake. The decorations you see on the cake? They're RINGS! HELLO KITTY rings people. Fantastic! You should have seen me trying to convince Eric & Jake to wear one. (Thankfully, Mike & Caden are still good sports at the age of 3!).

Yesterday we went to wedding #3 of this year. And, I have exciting news to report! I did not ... I repeat, DID NOT wear my $20 Old Navy dress. Nope. I busted out my trusty cream trousers with a new black top from New York & Company. Add a pair of Nine West heels that I've owned for oh, six years + cute F 21 accessories + waves thanks to my lil sis, and I was good to go! 

 Phew! That was a long one. Hope you're still with me. Stay tuned. I'll share more pics soon.

My Heart

is full.
My boys know me well.

The goods:

Happy Mother's Day!

& It Went a Little Something Like This ...

May is off to a fast and furious start.
Jake's school celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a school wide fiesta.
This year, he joined in on the Folklorico Dancing.
*He is pictured on the far left side.
This was The Hat Dance.

We were busy most of last week prettying up our house to host a party following Eric & Jake's First Holy Communion. Here's a snapshot of our side patio. My *super awesome* sister-in-law Liz surprised us by
planting a bunch of new flowers. Amongst her many talents, she is a fantastic gardener. Me? Not so much.
Needless to say, we are enjoying the fruits of her labor!

Saturday was lovely. Eric read the First Reading during Mass. He did great! Our little soiree afterwards at our house was filled with great food, family, and friends. Doesn't get much better than that folks.

Off to rest ... I feel like we've been in "Go" mode for over a week now!
School is out in less than 3 weeks!
I love a lazy day spent in pajamas.

Eat Your Heart Out

RONALD MILLER.
So it is Spirit Week at Eric's school. Today was "Era" day.
You could dress up in 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, or 90's styles.
I whipped this up for Eric this morning.
And yes, I borrowed the 'ripped sleeves' technique from none other than Cindy Mancini.
1987 was a good year.

Have I said before that he melts my heart?
'Cause he does.

Get to Know Me Better:
This movie was filmed at our alma mater ... Tucson High and locally around town.
Granted, it was a few years before we were there. But it still counts in my 'book'.
And it happens to be on my Top 10 Movie list of all time.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Feel free to reference this as much as you like.

An Update ...

this is my thigh as of 6:00 p.m. MST.
Yeowee!

Earth Day Celebration a-la-Hardy

i think i earned some major brownie points today with our oldest son, Eric.
you see, today he had a field trip with his third grade class.
to see The Sidewinders.
and of course i offered to drive 5 children.
and i let mike play hooky from preschool to go with me.

the morning started out well enough.
lots of excitement.
snacks? check.
lots of bottled water? check.
blanket? check.
camera? check.

the weather is absolutely gorgeous right now in tucson.
forecast today? a sunny and clear 89 degrees.
i proceeded to 'spoil' eric and mike by purchasing;
a $4 lemonade.
a $4 bag of cotton candy.
and $6 worth of soda.
this is all before noon, people.
[they served free hot dogs].

and how am i rewarded you ask?
let me show you.

i got slapped with a foul ball on my lower left thigh.
NICE.
what's funnier is that i didn't even see it coming!
let me say that i LOVE baseball. love it.
but i am so NOT the fan who stretches their arms out to attempt to catch a foul ball.
i am the fan who DUCKS away.
maybe even RUNS away.
not today folks.
today i took one for the team.
Team Hardy.

i am COOL, if only for today, in my boys eyes.
that is PRICELESS.

some more ballpark pics. courtesy of eric.

eric is mastering the art of the self portrait. [a skill that his father has mastered].

this is one i took.

Love & Ink

Celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary today.
How, you ask?
With a terrible migraine and head cold.
Niiiice.

Good thing we've been celebrating since April 1.
Without further ado, our new tattoos.
His and Hers, if you will.
Forevah.

I am ...

such a proud mama.
look at my boys.
they look way too grown up.

Eric & Jake had their First Reconciliation this last Thursday.
Of course, Mike saw they were dressed up and had to do the same.
Too bad he had outgrown his dress shirt.
Not to worry, though.
Mike improvised well.
He had no qualms about wearing a short sleeved collared shirt with a clip-on tie.
And some "flip-flips" to round out his outfit.
Father Jerome calls him "Little Nirvana" man.

I HAVE A GIRL!

And her name is Sofie.
Which also happens to be my sister's name (Sofia).
Which is perfect.
Because Sofia means wisdom.
And our new doggy is wise beyond her six years.
*For the record, my sister is NOT offended.

We adopted her from the Humane Society on Sunday.
She is a purebred Boxer.
She is six.
She is AWESOME.

She fits in with our family *perfectly*.
And did I mention that she follows me around?
Yep. She does.
Did some scrapping today ... and all the while she chilled in my craft room.
And as an added bonus, she is getting my chubby butt out the door.
I walked her not once, but TWICE today.

So be forewarned ... I will be not only scrapping doggy pages, but girly ones at that!
LoL.

And just to round out this post, a pic of Chris & I last Saturday night.
We seem to be on a Wedding-a-Weekend schedule.
Another friend of his from the TFD Academy got married.
Derek & Christine's wedding was one of the most beautiful & heartfelt ceremonies I have attended.
So, yet again, I donned my magical black Old Navy dress.
With a new ribbon, accessories, and black strappy heels.
Oh the joy!

That's what I have for you tonight.
We're off to the vet in the morning to have Sofie checked out.
She's gonna get her nails done too!

Say it With Me ...

La-Hooo-Zer.

I think I've said it before, but I must repeat myself.
IN MY HEAD, I blog everyday.
It's true.
But for *WHATEVER* reason ... my blog doesn't seem to read my mind
& type for itself. What's up with that? :P

So without further ado ...
a photo review of the past couple of weeks ...

A Great Big Belated BIRTHDAY Shout-Out to my fellow Girlah
Michelle. She is lovely. She is awesome. And she is now a Super Hot 28.

I am no longer an IKEA Virgin.
Yep. You read right. We made our first trip to IKEA.

Ate some pretty yummy dinner too, for like, $20.
I think I have a new love.

Took Jake to a 5 hour long birthday party.
Complete with a Face Painter.
Except that I opted for a faux "Chris" tattoo.
Secretly, I think he was sad it was washed away the next day.

Buying a bouquet of flowers for $3.99 at Trader Joe's and putting them around my house
makes me a very happy girl.

On the agenda for tonight?
A trip North on Interstate 10 to Glendale to see The Foo Fighters
I surprised Chris and bought two tickets last week.
Can't wait.