Happiness in midst of sadness

In the midst of the sadness that I have felt over the weekend, I found happiness too in the moments with my children. We spent a morning in the front lawn, laying in the grass beneath our tree, balancing on a mini stone wall, singing and dancing to ring a round the rosy, swinging, drawing with sidewalk chalk and just enjoying each others company. I even took Isla to have her very first pedicure...which I'm sure is the first of many other mother/daughter mani/pedi outings. :) She LOVED it! For the whole hour she sat completely still in my lap with my toes and her toes soaking in the pool of warm water. She watched so closely everything the lady did to my toes. After the nice lady had massaged my feet and legs Isla looked up at me so sweetly and asked, "Is it my turn to get a massage, mommy?" Isla got a mini massage and then picked out bright purple polish for her toes and a pretty Easter pink color for my toes. We enjoyed sharing a Cherry Coke while our feet were pampered. I can't wait to share in these girly moments with my little Isla for many years to come. And sweet little Leo is just such a happy little guy. He can sit up now without using his hands for balance and play with tiny toys. He's napping a lot better too, which is nice for all of us. Thank goodness for my two kiddos who bring smiles to my face no matter what comes my way. Oh and I had to mention that John ran the River Run this weekend with a time of 1:08!!! He beat his last year time by 40 secs. Go Babe!!!

Angels in the sunshine

Such a Sweet face

Letting Leo smell her flower

She loves picking flowers

Walking the "balance beam"

Ring a round the rosy

First Pedicure

Me and my angel

Purple and Pink - So girly

My baby boy sitting up and playing with his parrot

Goodbye Grandad

We lost a wonderful man Saturday morning. My Grandad, Paul Henry Shea, passed away at 98 1/2 years old. We knew it was coming as he had been in the hospice center for almost 2 months but it is still so hard. Grandad was so loving and the wittiest guy I ever knew. He was even still cracking jokes just 3 weeks ago about Leo...who by the way smiled ear to ear every time he saw Grandad. Grandad loved seeing Isla and Leo on Sunday night dinners or wherever else we were. He was there for both of their births and for that I am truly thankful. Grandad, I love you so much and you will always be in my heart. I can only hope to lead the kind of life you led. I pray that you are at peace now and will watch over us and keep us safe until we are 98 years old too. :)

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the family with Grandad:

Isla's First Birthday

Holding one day old Isla

Christmas with Leo 2009

With Leo the day he was born

Lil Brother and Big Sister

I had fun with my two little munchkins yesterday. John was home sick so we hung out like it was a Saturday. While Isla was at preschool in the morning, we took Leo for a walk in the beautiful 70 degree weather. Then we hung out on the front porch while the robins sang to us and the breeze blowed through our Camphor tree. In the afternoon the whole family went to the beaches library, Isla's favorite place to be. She absolutely loves checking out new books to read and doing the puzzles. She definitely has a photographic memory too because you can read her a book one time and then she'll recite it back to you. It's so cool to watch her immersed in her storybooks. I love that she loves to read!

Puzzle time

Day Dreaming

I'm ready to go mom

Sweet rear view

Watchin Daddy

Rockin with mommy on the front porch

Close up cuteness

Lovin Life

This past week we were just lovin life. Little Leo was rolling all over the place, he discovered his toes and his first tooth appeared (the lower left front tooth). Isla has turned a new page in her book and is behaving like a little lady. She truly has been such a great little girl this week. Maybe the terrible twos have ended and we are heading into the terrific threes. I don't want to jinx it, but it's been amazing to have my sweet, cuddly, adorable Isla back. She left the building when Leo was born (which is natural) but I think she has returned. They enjoyed their first bubble bath together this week. I snapped many pictures which I plan on showing off when they are older. :) I look forward to the week ahead and the beautiful weather that is coming our way. I see many walks, trips to the park and swinging sessions under the tree.

I don't think you fit in his tub, Isla ;)

Sure I do, mom!


She loves having the water from the faucet poor over her head

It's cold mom! (a half pouty lip)

Isla took this picture of me and my boy

They love each other so

Leo discovered his tosies

So Happy!

Roly Poly Part 2

Last week Leo mastered rolling over from his back to his tummy and does it constantly now. The problem is he doesn't like being on his tummy so he fusses for us to put him back on his back but then he just rolls over again. It's a vicious cycle but sooooo cute!!! :)