Getting ready for summer

We've been out hitting some of the hot spots in the past week or so. So much to do, so little time! :)

We had a great time at the Storm Chasers game with our friends from respite care. And not much is better than a nice night for baseball and eating hot dogs in the stands.

 

 We hit the annual Pride Parade. The little UP train was great, the Shriners were awesome, and we saw lots of friends there and collected our fair share of candy.

We danced in the rain (who am I to say no?)

Told Uncle Dave happy birthday...

And went to the zoo...

Not to mention we've hit up the new River's Edge Park, a few playgrounds, roamed town in the jogger, fed the ducks and played outside. By the end of Memorial Day weekend, we were all pretty pooped and ready to relax.

Get ready...big things are happening. Our first swim lessons are in just 5 days. They've never been in a swimming pool. Stay tuned!

Omaha Gives!

Starting at midnight tonight and running for 24 hours, there is something really amazing happening...Omaha Gives. 24 hours for people to go online and pick from an extensive list of all local charities. Make a donation.  Make a difference. Help someone. Have some fun. Follow your favorites. Get others to join. Attend a free event around town happening all day and night tomorrow and learn about some of these charities. Did I mention you could make a difference and help a total stranger?

I have my personal favorite charities that are part of the group, but there are so many. Whatever speaks to you...music, theater, community resources, kids, horses, housing  education, healthcare, etc...you have multiple options.

Maybe you can even spread the love and do a little bit to a couple of your favorites. If you need some suggestions, let me know! :)

Please please please go to the website. Check it out. Make a contribution and a difference right here.

OMAHA GIVES

Spring in Pictures

This has been the first full week that it really felt like spring (and even summer one day it reached over 100 degrees!). I've been taking lots of pictures lately, so not much writing this time, just pictures.

Workin' on the tomatos

Lilacs just barely in time for Mother's Day

April showers...

They turned the fountain on!

Happy Mother's Day to me :)

Dirt, chocolate and green chalk face

Window shopping downtown

Negotiating our first Farmer's Market purchase of the season

Pic of the Week

This was this past Sunday. Balls, a park, a school playground, some basketball, slides, swings, running through a few peoples sprinklers, and a long 4+ miles walk all around town pushing these two enjoying some wonderful sunshine. Can you tell we had a great time? This is a new favorite pic. So excited to be outside.

Happy Mother's Day

I came upon this link through another mom blogger.. for all the moms I know, this is for you...
Mother of the Year

For my mom...I don't know what I'd do without you.

For Victoria...I hope you have more than anyone's fair share of baby snuggles on your first Mother's Day. Enjoy it, love on her a little and soak it up. I know you feel a little overwhelmed sometimes, but you're doing fantastic. :)

For Kristin...you are amazing, I love you to pieces and I'm more than blessed to count you as one of my best friends.

For my preemie moms...you will probably never know who much you've helped me in one way or another. I am lucky to have so many of you in my life, even when we're all so far apart, and am honored to be part of an amazing group of people.


And for the dynamic duo (aka awesome twosome) (aka Sissy and Bubba) (aka Larry and Moe)...
You know when you look at me in the tub and say "Shampoo just happens sometimes" or "I want to be a pirate because they might know where cookies are buried" and I start hysterically laughing and I kind of get that feeling like we were meant to be...thanks. I love you too. And I'm really glad I get to be one to hear your crazy stuff.

We Went, We Marched

This past Saturday we headed down down for March for Babies. I just didn't have it in me for all the work that comes with getting a big team together, fundraisers, etc. But we did go walk, we did get some donations and we went to be part. We ran into some of the nurses from Bergan that remembered us. We saw one of the kids' teachers who was there walking for her own preemie. Lots to see and do, lots of puppies to pet, it was a good time.

We made sure to check out the entire area before the walk actually started. The twins thought they should carb load to be ready.

They did a great job on the walk. So proud of them!

And just for a well rounded reminder of all the preemie stuff...we had to hit the ER Saturday evening with Parker. He lost his balance on the stairs and slid backwards down them on his tummy. For most kids, no big deal. For kids with g-button, that's a bad combo. He told me his button hurt. When I looked at it it was half pulled out. I couldn't get it out to change it and put a new one in and he was screaming like he never does. So him and I went to the ER for a little help.Since I had an extra button already and just needed some help getting the button out, we didn't go to Children's this time and went to Mercy which is much closer.  I'm pretty sure we made the doctor's night. He kept saying "I don't ever get to do this" and "I don't usually get to see this kind of stuff". He also looked like he could have sat there all night as I told him the very brief version of Parker's history. We were home pretty quick...all better and a brand new button.