ABC - Gospel Style

The other night, Angel was supposed to be sleeping....instead she decided to sing her ABCs over and over again....the gospel style way that she heard on Choo Choo Soul. She went on and on......

and to see the real thing:

Most of it gets in the mouth

Emma really LOVES using her spoons and forks....and she is doing pretty well!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day (a little late)

We have always loved this day in our family....not just because St. Patrick is an amazing Saint to read and learn about and celebrate....but also because we have a wonderful Irish heritage to celebrate. My Mamasan (whose maiden name was Collier and where the Irish heritage comes from) gave all of my sisters and I an Irish name. I was the Irish Shamrock and with a name like Erin...she always would send a special present to Her Irish Shamrock on St. Patty's Day....I miss her and those memories on this special day. I will forever be grateful to her for finding our Irish relatives and making that connection for us. One of our cousins, Father Val, married my parents and he and his brother Christor have made several trips to visit us here in the states. When I graduated from college, my Meme and Pepe took me on a trip to Ireland and Scotland and at the end of it we met up with my family and stayed on the original family farm for several days. I treasure those relationships I made and memories forever. It was so neat to go stand in the exact spot at the old train station where my (great +) grandfather left Ireland for America...the only family member that left.
One day I hope to go back and visit again. So on this day I also enjoy looking at the pictures from that fabulous trip (slide below) and reading my journal of our adventures....I laugh when I read about the foods I ate, the sayings I heard, the things I saw...so fun being part of a different culture! Enjoy.

We did at least manage to wear green, enjoy some time outside (Emma LOVES looking and finding birds) and did have a traditional corn beef and potato Irish dinner!! Can't wait until next year to hopefully include more of the Irish ideas I was planning. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!!!

Plans and Preparations

Hard to believe that this was what we woke up to on Sunday...snow falling - thick and fast!! We were not sure if we were going to make it home from Church. I am so glad a friend (which I met and got to know over the blog world and then she did my sister's wedding pictures last year) Ellie and her husband Steve who were in town from Whidbey Island joined us at 815 mass and coffee and donuts. It was nice to briefly catch up with you both and hope we can get together again soon!! We did make it home to almost 5 inches of snow!! Luckily it melted mostly by the end of the day. But it is crazy to think I was freezing in 5 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday I leave for 81 degree weather in sunny Florida.
Yes, me and the girls are going with all my sisters to visit my grandparents (Meme and Pepe) in Florida. I have not been back to their place since I was in college!!! It will be so nice to visit with no big event happening and just enjoy the warm weather and each other. Who knows when all my sisters and I will have another trip like this...my youngest sister Alli is traveling with me so wish us luck! Angelica will be fine but Emma.....well her temper and strong will are difficult to keep QUIET sometimes....so hoping that the fact that are flight leaves at 6 AM, I am hoping they are exhausted and sleep on the plane!! Please keep in your prayers that I continue to feel ok as well, don't really want to get sick on the flight with Emma on my lap!!
So I am trying to desperately make my to-do lists for packing....which is always fun with two toddlers. It is hard when they are out of their normal environment and routine so hoping they adjust well and have lots of fun. It has been a challenge to pack for summer weather when we are still in winter....might just have to buy some clothes and summer shoes when we get there. Questions running around in my head like: "Do I bring the potty seat?...How many of Angel's sleeping stuffed animals do I bring?" The only thing that is always hard when we are not home is the sleeping routine....so keep your fingers crossed that they get naps and good sleep at nights!! I know the girls are going to love being right on the water, seeing lizards, going to Jungle Gardens and lots of fun with Meme and Pepe and all their aunts and Baby Albert. We don't return until April 3rd, so it will be a nice trip, although they will miss their Papa very much!!!! Longest time we have been away from him!
So with the news of our new baby on the way and planning for our trip, a lot of my fun ideas for this special week of St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Feast Day today....well just did not happen....will have to save them for next year! Hope everyone celebrated!! Have to go get started on my growing to-do list including:
-making some meals for hubby when we are gone
-laundry and packing
-lots of small errands of things to get
-getting to the post office
-getting a new computer battery
-hoping to get a hair cut
and hoping to open and learn to use my new camera so we can enjoy it in Florida!!!!
Now I am exhausted just thinking about everything, so I think I will go lay down!!!