Fireworks

It has been YEARS since I've seen any fireworks and this year I made plans to take the plunge and take the kiddies to see some. I was concerned as I didn't know how either of my children

would react. Ryleigh is known for her fears and Evan is still quite young. And to top it off, Glenn was leaving for work. So I made plans to meet up with my good friend, Jeanne and her family. I felt comfortable knowing I wouldn't be doing it alone. Saturday, we woke up and Glenn had a show at home for work. This meant there was a chance he would be home.

Last night, we packed the kids in the car (notice the WE, yup G was in town) and headed to Jeanne's house. We followed them over to her MIL to park and headed down toward the fireworks. My friend, Melissa and her clan (minus 1 - they didn't bring their 1 year old) met up with all of us. We decided to hit the elementary school playground before finding a spot to sit. We let them burn off some energy and about 45 minutes to an hour later we got a grassy spot to sit.

The kids got to play with sparklers (thanks Jeanne) and eat snacks (thanks Melissa) and WAIT. It felt like we waited forever and then finally they started. Ry was sitting in our double stroller with big eyes but only once did she cover her ears due to the noise (the finale). And Evan was a real trooper. The only thing he wanted was food. We (Melissa & I) were rationing off Cheerios in fear they would run out. 1/2 way through I put Evan in the double next to Ryleigh so Glenn & I could sit back and watch. Sam (Melissa & Mike's ball of energy) sat on our blanket and he completely cracked me up! He made it a real joy to watch especially since Ry wanted to stay in her cocoon in the stroller.

Overall it was a great night. I don't think we (Sharps, Lachers & Jeffers) will forget it since we all had first-timers with us. Driving home, I kept thinking of Ry's expressions as she watched... it was amazing!

Matt turns 1

Our friend, Matt turned one a week ago! His older bro, Sam is a friend of Ryleigh's (although friend may not be the right term since they act more like siblings...). Also Ryleigh's friend, Grace was there. Sam, Grace and Ry have known each other since before their first birthdays (same playgroup). And we all have one year old boys now too. It's nice to have a group of friends who match up well with age...

Ummm

Makes me wonder....

Addyson turns 1

A few weeks ago the Sharp clan traveled to Indiana to attend a first birthday for my 2nd cousin, Addyson. Her mom, Leigh-Ann and I are 1st cousins.

Friday night we were able to meet up with the Piasecki clan and walk the streets of Goshen, IN for their First Fridays. It was a nice way to get out some of the energy and enjoy some of the beautiful weather.

Saturday was the party and it was a nice easy going afternoon. Ry and E were well behaved although E does have a tendancy to scream at strangers and there were lots of them there but after a nap he had a nice disposition. It was a nice weekend and we hope to visit again soon.

Long Overdue

Friday morning we had our favorite twins come over for a visit. The kids played outside for a bit then the queen diva had a small meltdown and decided she needed some space so she went to her room. Andersen was done playing outside too so he came into play with the crazy amounts of toys on our first floor. I decided to check on the kids inside and heard the best laughter ever coming from Ry's room. Andersen, being a good friend, went in to cheer Ryleigh up and they were giggling like crazy. I love catching kids having such a good time with no care in the world.

Thanks for coming over! We need to do it again sooner rather than later.

Lots of good

Today was a really good day!

Ry had her last day at preschool. She was pretty excited for it to be over and have a summer of fun. Here she is with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Sullivan, giving her a goodbye hug.

Then this afternoon while Ry napped away the excitement of the day E took his first steps BY HIMSELF. He was walking between G & I and did a fantastic job. I am sure in the next few weeks he will be a drunken sailor in our backyard instead of the grass stain knee wearing crawler. I am so proud of both of my kids today for all their accomplishments!

Shhhhhh

Things are quiet and I don't have much to say... okay that's a total lie but honestly I am not sure what to write about since there are so many things swarming in my mind. I could chat up the spring cleaning (boring but necessary), my husband's absence (frequent and old news, hey he is a pilot), my procrastination (we've been there before) or I can talk about something that makes me uncomfortable (WINNER)!
Lately I haven't been a good mom... actually I am downright ugly horrible mom. Ryleigh and I have been have been having issues with one another. My sweet pea and I aren't seeing eye to eye on a number of things and her way of dealing with me is physical (hit, slap, kick...). And my response is to YELL LOUD. The last 2 nights I have yelled so loud I feel the next sound I will hear are Children's Services knocking at my door to remove my children from my home because no parent should ever yell at their children to the point it sounds as if a physical altercation is about to happen. I am not proud. I just wish I understood where is comes from, how I can let myself get so frustrated with someone so small and unable to truly defend herself.
I admit I have my 'normal' faults as a stay-at-home person... I don't play enough with my kids, I don't attempt to engage them enough in things to keep their minds growing, I don't always listen to them.... but we all falter there from time to time but the yelling...that's a completely different ball of wax.
There is a woman I know (SHAM) who I have watched yell at her children with no regret (or at least it appears that way) when she is discipline them. The kind of yelling you're embarrassed to witness. Now, I am in control in public, at times I may raise my voice, but never do I yell with the phenom I seem to have over the course of the last couple of days. I am worried that I am losing it...my composure, my confidence and the values that I've been trying to teach my children (that clearly I am not following). I don't want to be that other person who can lash out in public or private.
My hope about being public about my missteps in my 'behind closed doors' life is what I need to straighten up my act. Here's to keeping it cool and using my indoor voice.