2 more from the shower

Forgot to include the plate pic so you can appreciate my theme matchy matchiness. The balloons matched the dots too. (Crazy, but makes me happy...) Okay, just realized my blog theme sorta matches too. But that was not planned, I swear.

And a blurry but cute one of Miss Lil. That girl is a bundle of personality. She had an adorable comment for each gift. With every gift she handed to Cate she said, "Happy Birthday Auntie Cate. Oooooo, see what your present is. What's inside? What's inside?" Then she would comment on whatever it was. Too cute.

baby shower day

Today was Cate's shower. Man it was a lot of work, but it all worked out really well. Matt ran all over the place picking up food and balloons this morning. Jackie, Caitlin, Emma and I were decorating machines. The Amherst College food ended up being quite yummy. The guests all seemed comfortable and relaxed. Cousins Debbie and Rachel stepped right up and helped in more ways than I even could keep track of. Cate got tons of gear and super cute outfits. The afternoon flew by. Now that it's over I can put my feet up and finally try a piece of leftover cake...

Our gift assistant Emma

assistant Lily and gift writer Caitlin

cute lion stamped favors

happy easter!

First the only pic I took of just my kids today. Watching a video podcast on my iphone while they're waiting for their cousins to get to grandma & grandpa's. I have been very bad at photographing my kids lately...

Then a shot of grandma's seasonal beenies. Emma made me take it. She appreciates grandma's obsession. And thinks that it is not at all crazy...

Then a nice sister shot of Kristen and Hayley.

Then the annual Easter shot of all 9 cousins. They agreed to pose for exactly 3 pics. 2 silly, one nice. Deb, you will have your work cut out for you in July. (plus one newborn to make a nice round 10 Odells ...)

hop-a-thon

Lesson learned - sponsor with a flat donation, not an amount per hop. Jack's PE class participated in the MDA hop-a-thon today. Each child wore bunny ears that he/she made in class earlier. Those bunnies just hopped their little hearts out. I helped count along with Mrs. B. Mrs. G. and a few other moms. Too, too cute. Jack hopped 115 times in one minute. Another kid I counted for hopped 150 times. She was crazy fast. Sadly, I was too busy counting and did not get any actual hopping pics. Afterwards the moms got to stay and watch gym class. The kids played a very fun game involving hula hoops (one for each kid) called "Bears on the Move." They gym teacher says, "Sit in your hoop. Put your thumbs on your hoop. Put your left foot on your hoop. Are you comfortable, bears?" They all yell - NO! Then she yells, "Bears on the move!" And they all have to run to a new hoop. And so on with different body parts... Too cute. And a great moving game on a rainy indoor recess day. I am so impressed with how well the class works as a group. Everyone listens, participates, cooperates. These kids (especially mine) have grown so much this year. Very fun afternoon...

harry potter intervention...

"Accio Swiffer!" Hahahaha Some bad words - don't watch with kids near by.

my old man...

Took this of Kitty-Brain (aka Mr. B) with my iphone. His "wtf" expression makes me laugh. He will be 15 years old in May.

dad/daughter dance

Tonight is the girl scout dance - rescheduled from a snowy night in February. Emma loves the dance and has attended every year since kindergarten. Matt does not love it, but is a good sport.

night at the museum...

Emma's Brownie troop did an overnight at the Boston Science Museum last weekend. Lotsa fun, little sleep. The girls all were curious, enthusiastic, and gung-ho for trying everything. I think 9 is probably the perfect age for an event like this. I'm trying something new, a slideshow. We'll see if it works...

funny jack

My dad stopped by the other day to pick up his GS cookies. He asked Jack if he was taking care of me. (I have a cold - no biggee.) Jack's reply was, "I'm not taking care of her. If you're affiliated with her, why don't you take care of her?" When we laughed he asked, "What's the problem, Poppy, are you or are you not affiliated with her?" My weird little man cracks me up sometimes...

GS cookie update

We are sold out! Sorry! Apparently GS cookies are like crack. Or as Kelly says, "the devil's food." Thanks!

Oops!

So our Girl Scout Cookies came in. It's kind of a long story (involving e-mails and excel spreadsheets) but we ended up with 70+ extra boxes. They are all sitting in the back of my van. We have lots of thin mints and caramel delites (formerly samoas) as well as a few other varieties. No pressure, but if anyone is interested, please let me know. $3.50 per box. Thanks!