What SUPER fun day! This is going to be a super long blog because I have MUCH to say and MANY pictures (and a couple Danica videos!) So be patient, if the download it slow, it will SO worth it...there is bundles of cuteness on here! So let me give ya a little info....This is a fundraiser for the Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarim in Tacoma. You buy your "ticket" which are matching t-shirts prior to the event from Macy's, pray for nice weather, wear comfy shoes and have a blast!!! Our weather (which has been hideous) was PERFECT! It was 70 degrees and sunny...so we had to dig out some sunscreen and capri pants and shorts, we couldn't have been more thrilled. Everyone was SO excited to go, we couldn't get there fast enough!!!! But, finally, we arrived with THOUSANDS of others wearing the same shirts. One thing I always try to do when I take the kids to a place where there are swarms of people, is to really remember what they are wearing--often times, I dress the girls the same, but still knowing what they are wearing helps keep them straight...this was not going to happen today, but boy did the kids LOVE seeing everyone in the same shirt! 
What are the girls looking at you wonder? A beluga whale...one of our favorite songs to sing is Baby Beluga....and the girls just about peed themselves to see the real live white whale on the go!!!!! 
The purpose of a trip to the zoo is to learn about rare animals that we don't get to see in our everyday lives. I had never seen a muskox and was reading all the signs and was fascinated by the complete ugliness this poor beast... 
When suddenly I hear a very estatic Morgan shouting she had found another animal. With all of her joy, I was certain it must be something we had never seen...so I turn around only to hear her say--IT IS AN ANT!!!!! I busted out laughing, it was all I could do! She didn't seem impressed by my laughter AT ALL! The next amazing thing was the Shark Encounter...this exhibit was so cool, we went back before we left the zoo! Danica is obsessed with sharks right now (in fact, she is certain one ate her Dad) so pulling her away was next to impossible. 
We stopped for a snack on a big grassy hill. I sat on the ground, while the children ran circles around me. It was a really great moment for me. I watched them overwhelmingly happy, soaking up sun, and really savoring this moment together. They all ended up tackling me with a kid pile Mommy hug and it was AWESOME! We nearly rolled down the hill, but it is a moment I won't forget for years to come! 
So here come the goats...every zoo has goats to feed and pet right? Well, today, I think I nearly emptied the kids college savings accounts on goat food...they all loved it, however, Danica couldn't get enough. You can hear her saying MORE in this video! :)
And here are the pics of the kids feeding away their education to goats that ate the next ten kids college funds too!
If you know my Morgan, you know that she has a huge life ambition to be an animal doctor...she stumbled across a "vet station" and it took all kinds of pleading to get her away! She wouldn't leave until she was CERTAIN she gave the lizard a clean bill of health! 
I caught Danica sitting on a mushroom waiting for Dr. Morgan to "Hurry UP!" When I asked her if I could take her picture she said 'NO' so I kept asking, kept telling her to smile, and this is what I got.... 
There was an animal show about to begin, so we thought we'd get some ice cream to kill some time! It was a good choice and a big hit! 
I had good intentions of sharing with Danica, but let me tell you when Morgan said she was full, I felt like I won the lottery!!! 
And it is a good thing, cause Danica is a girl after my own heart and finished her ENTIRE KING SIZE ice cream sandwich!!! 
After our chocolate fix, the girls were happy! 
In fact, Danica was so happy, she got up and started doing a little bootie shaking...here is the second video on an incredibly good dancer!
The show was amazing, although, I am pretty sure Danica will hate birds from here on out. There were some pretty low flying falcons, hawks and vultures that she truly could have done without! It was very well done and very educational!
The kids were amazing! Such troopers...no fighting...no whining...no talking back. Morgan walked THE entire zoo which is amazing to me. We were there all day, so it was very leisurely and I think that did her good. They told me several times how much fun they had and how much they loved me. I truly needed this day with them, they recharged me in so many ways. I am so grateful for them! After the zoo, we were a little hungry so we stopped for an early dinner at TGIFridays and one last photo op...
I hope all of the Mommy's in this world have as terrific of a Mother's Day Weekend as I am having. They make my world a complete and better place. They truly are my every..Thing 1, Thing 2 and Thing 3!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mommy lives in & Me at The Zoo!!!!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Meteor Mommy
Today was Morgan's Mother's Day tea...it was the first 'Mother's Day' celebration I had been to with Morgan. Things like this always make me emotional. I think about how very real the possibility that I could have never had days like today with her. Well Morgan must be catching on to her mother's emotions and has to lighten the mood. They had an assignment based on the story The Runaway Bunny. If you have ever read this story, you know that a bunny wants to turn into a bird so he can run away--and his mom tells him, well, then I would be the tree that you would land and rest in. So...they had to pick something they were and then decide what their mom was....Now I know all of you that know Morgan are waiting on pins and needles to hear what she came up with--well--if Morgan was Earth, I would be her meteor. :) That's right--only Morgan could make me be on the verge of an emotional overload to nearing peeing my pants from laughing so hard.
Anyway, she looked beautiful, wearing a fabulous princess dress from The Sillies (Grandma and Grandpa Keane)...
She was so excited for me to be there (like I'd miss it) she was just bubbling with energy! It's moments like these that I truly truly love being a Mom...
Morgan's class did a presentation of Mother Goose Theater and Morgan played the role of "The Cat and the Fiddle"....she did it perfectly! She has been practicing this part in the bathroom for a good week or so. I wasn't supposed to know, but I overheard her LOTS....
I am asked often about Morgan's size compared to other peers. When you see her with her siblings she doesn't seem out of place. Maybe a little small but not much. Seeing her with her peers puts it all into perspective. She's itty bitty...but has a BIG voice with BIG strength!
She has had a few tough spots this year when kids would tell her she wasn't five (now six) and that she was too little for kindergarten. I just reminded her to only take help when she needed it and to use her big voice. Don't let people baby you cause you certainly aren't a baby! I think she really gets it...today she received an award for "Achievment" for good behavior choices and serving as a positive role model for her classmates. Her teacher wrote: Morgan has shown achievement in her writing. She has improved on forming the letters and she sounds out all her words for the amazing stories she writes. She has a "I can do it!" attitude. Thank you for being such a great kindergartner. Mrs. Hamel. I can only imagine how very many times Mrs. Hamel has had to hear "I CAN DO IT!" from Morgan. She is a firecracker, but I wouldn't have her any other way!
I had an absolute perfect day at my tea with my girly...however...Danica was either a little bored...or needing some attention and decided to occupy a smidgen of floor space!
However, the best part of my day came with the perfectly painted flower pot...this truly has become the best part of Mother's Day for me. I have several pots from Braeden and now Morgan is starting her collection. I hope when they are teenagers and adults they will still paint pots for me. It reminds me that they are my little flowers growing all to fast and blooming where they are planted!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Not Me Monday!!!
True Confessions of a Mommy balancing life with three kids all alone....besides, if my kids can blame this person so can I!!!
After an entire day of procrastinating, and not keeping up with dishes, I did not throw away three plastic bowls because the Lucky Charms had hardened to the side of the bowl and I was entirely to lazy to soak them off or worse yet scrape them off and wash it....Nope, Not Me!!!
I certainly did not send my daughter, who is far to skinny, to bed without dinner last week because she decided that I was a "DUMB Mommy". Nope Not Me...
And I certainly didn't fall asleep on the couch while reading New Moon, only to be wake to my oldest telling his sisters that they could wake me up as long as they don't touch my book and lose my place...because I might have
Have a good week everyone! readmore »»
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Butterfly Effect
*Warning, this post may be very graphic and inappropriate for those with sensitive stomachs*
I am sure by now most of you have seen the commercial's for the Butterfly Garden. The mesh dome that allows children of all ages to grow butterflies in the comfort of their own home from larva to butterfly. What a beautiful learning experiment! So, Morgan received one of the gems for Christmas from my parents....she was THRILLED! She couldn't wait til Spring to "order" her lava. We had to wait until spring because the butterflies could not be released until it was 55 degrees outside. So the butterflies arrived the week of her birthday and we got busy!
The larva arrived in two plastic cups. Five less than one inch worms that looked lifeless. In the blink of an eye, they became HUGE caterpillars. Really, I think it was to fast, almost freakishly fash. They were disgusting. They moved they ate this "special food" in the cup and they pooped alot...and they spun silk...I do understand that this was all the "process" for becoming a cocoon, but seriously it was gross. Shortly after that, they were hanging upside down on the cup, locked and loaded into their cocoons....
At this point the paper disk needed to be transfered to the habitat so they could continue to hang upside down. About 10 days after that, they began to turn into "beautiful butterflies." I will admit, it was very cool to watch them emerge from their cocoons...however...what I was not expecting...what was listed NOWHERE in the literature is that this process was a bloody mess!!!!!! As they began to emerge more and more blood began to coat the habitat.
Shortly after they are "born" you are supposed to supply them with a "beautiful bouquet" of carnations and fruit to feed on. And on the carnations you are supposed to sprinkle a homemade nectar on them. I followed the directions to a "T" not wanting to screw this disgusting project up. The first butterfly that was born only came with one wing. I found this incredibly odd and a little creepy, but relieved that every hypoplastic thing in nature can be born into my family. Here is the beautiful "bouquet"....
After about 5 days, the butterflies were "strong enough" to make their way in the world. (All but the one with hypoplastic right wing, it went to Heaven to earn a different pair of wings) Anway, release day was a very happy day for me. The bloody mesh screen "habitat" would finally be out of my living room!!!! So....(warning there are more blood splatters in these pics!) we took the butterflies outside--I am pretty sure it wasn't quite 55 yet, but seriously, the butterflies had overstayed their welcome! The kids were excited and I was able to get some great pictures!
I am sure you will notice that Morgan was the primary butterfly wrangler, this is because when it comes to blood, bugs, and animals she is completely unphased by anything. This was an incredible learning experience and truthfully, as disgusting as it was, we all had a blast with it. However, I can officially say that Eric Carle did NOT grow butterflies before he wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar, because it isn't nearly as a romantic of a process as he makes it seem....but in the end, we did have 9.5 very beautiful butterflies.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Opening Day
Today was Braeden's opening day of baseball season. I can honestly say without a doubt, Braeden looks forward to this day of the year more than any other--including his birthday. Baseball is so deep in his soul that he has worn out two patches of grass in the backyard, practicing hitting. He sits in the living room in the catcher's position in a catcher's mask and mitt watching baseball games copying every move of the catcher. It's his passion. He loves it and he truly believes he will be a MLB player. I love that dream of his and will do anything I can to encourage him to keep it!
So today was it...and it couldn't have been a better day! It was 72 and sunny! I loved soaking up the sun watching my son play his first ever game against a live pitcher his age! Wow! Time has sure flown from his very first at bat next to a tee. So, without further ado, Starting at third base, then first, and finally at catcher...Braeden...
His first at bat, I have to believe my heart was beating more intensely than his. I didn't want him to strike out and have his confidence shattered. Instead, he got a good solid piece of it, and flew out. It's okay though, he hit the ball and that was I wanted to hear more than anything. He was bummed, but it was a reality check for him that he's no longer the big fish, the other kids his age are catching up to him!
He played first after third. Thankfully he's good enough to play in the infield, cause really all he wants to do is catch, so his attention span in other positions is <--> this big!
His second at bat wasn't as successful, he actually struck out. I was trying to remember if he has ever struck out and I don't recall so. He was pretty bummed, but it was good for him too! It will make him that much better and that much more patient waiting for the perfect pitch.
I love this shot of him...he has no clue that I was taking pictures and it's just him. He truly loves this game and spouts off random baseball trivia that just most of time blows my mind. I gave up using Google to check his facts...he's always right...always.
And finally, the moment we all were waiting for...the moment behind the dish!
And one more..he's never been afaid, he gets right in there, ready to go and watching the rest of his field with a watchful eye!
I have a few other shots that will also make WebGems tonight! (If you are Baseball Tonight fans like Braeden and myself) you will know what this means...it's typically the best defensive plays of the week, but tonight we'll just pretend it's about my gems!
You know you live in Seattle when....
Your almost three year finds her shadow and thinks it's another toddler wanting to play tag with her! This game must have continued on for a good 10 minutes and she belly laughed the whole time!!!
Next on the highlight reel is the realization that this year the girls can actually help carry their own wait to and from the van...they gladly pack their own chairs and it helps me a TON!
And finally...Mt. Rainier was spectacular tonight! I never get tired of seeing it and it always takes my breath away...it's amazing that we live so close to such an amazing mountain! I love this picture because such a huge majestic mountain is in the background with my girls playing not realizing how very incredible it is!
I really, just can't get enough!
It was a beautiful day, I am SO proud of you Braeden...YOU ROCK!
In Other news
Morgan and I have had a busy week of baking. Morgan is now the proud owner of an Easy Bake Oven since her six birthday--she enjoys it very much and insists that she will be a cake lady JUST like her Mom! I never thought I would have a child that would want to follow in my footsteps, how very cool it feels to know that she thinks what I do is very fun! 
If anyone sees these kids on the street, approach with caution, they are ultra cool and armed and extremely cute! 
Alright, that is enough..if you have made it this far, that is because you are seriously addicted to the same sweet faces I am!
Danica's newest phrase: "I give you a big kiss" and boy does she ever!
Morgan's newest accomplishment: reading and reading and reading
Braeden's next clue that he really is growing up: He asked for eggs over easy for breakfast tomorrow! *sigh* (and for those of you that know me, you'll know I'll be dry heaving trying to serve those up...SICK!)
Have a good week everyone!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
And you thought you were tough...
I never remember time flying so fast as it has since I became Morgan's Mom. Tonight, I tucked Morgan into her bed. She is six years old today.
Where did the time go? I have been wanting to put together a video montage of Morgan's entire journey, and I can't do it. I look at some pictures and wonder where on Earth did I ever get the strength? The fact of the matter is, I don't know. I truly don't. I don't remember a lot of milestones, because I was always so wrapped up in doctor's appointments, labs, various therapies, meds, etc. It's all gone to fast--yet painfully slow at the same time. I decided to put some painful pics on here tonight. Not because I am sad or angry or anything, but because when people look at her smiling face, it's easy to forget what she has had to endure. I will never forget. This journey has been THE hardest thing I have ever done. I have decided I will never "get used" to the idea that in all probability, I will outlive my child.
I guess what I want everyone to know and never forget is how hard she fought to be here and how hard her journey is every single day....and to apply her desire to live and love to your own life. Never take a single breath for granted. Dare to be happy and to chase your dreams--and never be afraid of the road less travelled, it's often full of suprises and beauty!
And to my Morgan...I am so proud that you call me Mommy. I can't believe you are six years old! You continue to amaze me every single day. Lately, it's been your wise spirit and very grown up questions about what is next in your life. You don't worry about a thing, you learn, you live and then you teach others how to do the same. I have always called your one of Earth's Angels, because my sweet girl, I truly believe that is what you are!
***It is now April 17th****
I wasn't able to finish the birthday post. That day was a hard one for me. I shed quite a few tears reflecting back on where she has been and what she has seen in such a short time. Her life is full and happy. She is oh so happy! Today is the anniversary of her very first heart surgery. Six years ago, today was the start of three very touch and go and very difficult weeks. In true Morgan fashion, she pulled through and had a mission for this life. She makes me SO proud!
Here are the pictures I mentioned earlier...
Morgan was 2 days old in this picture. These are the days I remember the most. She was in a coma, I had yet to have a good look at her eyes and I had only held her for a brief moment at this point. It was truly a heart wrenching time for me. It was the first time I realized that I wouldn't be able to fix my daughter, it was bigger than me.
This is shortly after her last heart surgery last year...her fourth. She was in SUCH a fragile state at this point. Her heart rate was out of control, her blood pressure very unstable. It wasn't what I had expected to see after waiting so long for the "final" surgery.
Watching your child "wake up" from open heart surgery is slow and painful. You depend on a variety of monitors to tell you that they are doing okay. You have no clue what is going on inside. If the heart is pumping correctly, if a blood clot is lurking or if a stroke is around the corner. You sit, you watch, you pray, you hope, you beg, and you bargain that they will come back to you the way you saw them just a few days ago.
TRULY the worst time of my life. I rarely left Morgan's side during this month. I think I aged ten years. She slipped away too. She didn't feel like herself, she didn't look like herself. She went back to a feeding tube, and was on oxygen after having four life-saving open heart surgeries. Her body was bruised and battered. We were just tired and often there were days that we couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Yet, we pushed on. Refusing to give up. She wanted to be pink, she wanted to play soccer, she wanted to go to kindergarten. So that is what we focused on. We laid in bed together and we dreamed and talked and dreamed some more about what all of those things would be life. She never gave up, so how could I? And it SO paid off...
She makes me a better Mom. Her courage is contagious...so when you're having a bad day, look back at this six year old girl and remember how many bad days she's had and then remember her smile cause it truly shows her toughness.
Monday, April 13, 2009
OH MY Chocolate!
Most of us know that Easter has come and gone. And I don't have a lot of words, other than Thank You Aunt Mary and Uncle David for hosting us for a wonderful dinner and for filling my mini-van with chocolate. We had so much fun, and after the high was over, they slept peacefully! We love you so much!
On with the pics, they are pretty self explanatory. Hidden Baskets with chocolate...kids find them...kids eat them...Mommy waits for the crash!
Ohhh and there might have been just one more birthday cake! 
