Minor League Game

We always enjoy a good minor league baseball game. The crowds are fewer, we get a wonderful view, and the tickets cost less than $30 for our whole family! We are fortunate enough to have a stadium less than an hour away. After every home game, they have fireworks and the kids can run the bases. We just layed out a blanket and enjoyed the game from the lawn. It was so much fun!

To the Falls

In our attempt to make up for not going to the beach this year, we tried to take the kids to a fake beach with some cousins...sort of the cheap way out. Cedric didn't have any vacation saved up since he just started a new job a few months ago. We weren't sure how Baby B would do on a long drive and then all the sun exposure...so we headed to a state park about an hour away. It has a sandy area for the kids to play and a little lake for them to swim in.

I hesitate to post my feelings about this trip because we have heard nothing but great things about this place. I have to say that the kids had a wonderful time, which is all that matters. I do, however, want to get on my soapbox for just a minute about this place. The signs were all there from the time we stepped foot out of the car. First, as we are walking into the park, I see dirty socks just lying in the parking lot, along with a bunch of trash. No big deal. Then, we get there and lay our stuff down and see dirty diapers, just left right there on the sand (if you look closely enough at the very top picture, you can actually see one). Disgusting, but I can handle that (as long as the "goods" stay in the diaper). As we were there, I looked around and there were at least three small children (obviously not potty-trained aged) swimming in the "lake" area...with nothing but their birthday suits on. Wishful thinking was that they'd hold it if they had to go. And what topped off the day and what completely culminated my feelings of utter disgust was the trip to the bathroom when we had to go home. I have seen filth, but never like this before. People just did their business right on the floor next to the toilet. Seriously, is that necessary? Women's hygeine products that weren't so hygenic, left right out in the open. I felt like running into the woods and doing my business there...it would have been cleaner! What's sad is that the facilities are so nice (several stalls and showers) and have great potential to be a wonderful family place. Why do people have to be so lazy, dirty, and inconsiderate enough to turn it into a disaster?

Anyway, one of these days I may be brave enough to go back, but if I do, I will make sure we do not have to use the bathroom, and that the kids do not do any scuba diving in that water! Maybe that's what we get for taking the "cheap" way out on the beach experience!

Reason #1 to Never Fall Asleep Before Your Brother...

You will find a cat on your face...



We had been spending quite a bit of time at my brother's house. They have this neighborhood cat that roams around and likes to hang out in front of his house. The kids took a liking to it and named him "Gnochi (from Curious George)." Well, one night T decided she wanted to sleep with her pretend Gnochi. I came in to say goodnight to her and found her passed out, with Gnochi plastered to her face. I think we all figured out who the culprit was pretty quickly.

All Because of...

Gobstoppers, Pixi-sticks, lollypops, popsicles, cupcakes, Air Heads...anything and all things sweet...used as potty bribery. I can say that we are about three weeks into this with no accidents and I couldn't be more proud of her. One day, she just decided that diapers were for babies and she wanted to give them up to her baby brother. From that day on, she just started going on her own. I am a huge fan of letting kids go when they are ready. I've tried agonizing over it, spending hours trying to get them to go, resulting in no progress, screaming kids, and messy accidents (with G and T). Then it was like a light went on for both of them and they decided one day to do it...no coaxing or kicking or screaming. The same happened with M. She also, of course knew that if she did go in the potty, there'd be a nice hunk of sugar (in one form or another) waiting for her afterwards. That was enough to get the job done!

Way to go, M!

Summa Summa Summer Time...

Here's a summary of the "summa" time happenings so far in the Moran home...

G ended the school year with a bang. He received the principal's award for his class. This award is given out to the student who demonstrated good character throughout the year. One boy and one girl is chosen from each class. In a testosterone filled class of 18 boys and 6 girls, he came out on top. He was so proud of himself...

Baseball also ended, what a great season! Here's G with one of his best pals...

Summer does not officially start without the good old slip n' slide...

...and a jump on the moonbounce.

Our tradition each year is to do outdoor summer concerts...

B also enjoyed his first show.

We have also done a lot of running through fountains...

...and pool days in the backyard.

We went to a 4th of July parade...

...and saw some fireworks too.


When it's too hot out, we hang out at home (sit back and unwind)...







...and when it cools down in the evenings, we try and go for walks almost every night as a family.




Thanks for going on our journey through the first part of summer. I can't believe it is well into July already! We have been having a wonderful time together. Stay tuned for more pictures of our adventures this "summa!"

An End to Preschool

T with her best friend, Lily...

T getting her preschool graduation certificate...


The pictures above are from T's last day of preschool and her field day (sniff, sniff). T had a great year at preschool. She learned a lot and made some great friends. Now, we have a kindergartener on our hands. Watch out, elementary school, here she comes!

The New Do's

For those that know me, you know that I am one to go from one extreme to another when it comes to my hair. I finally grew it out pretty long. I went to get it trimmed about a month ago, keeping the length. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed a new "do" fast. So I chopped it a few days ago (sorry, I don't have any pictures yet). Immediately when I got home, Miss T wanted her hair just as short. I had just taken her a month ago when I got mine trimmed. I couldn't bring myself to pay another $20-30 to get her hair cut at the salon again. I was feeling a bit adventurous, so I decided to do it myself. I've cut her hair before, but not this short. So, 1.5 hours later and several repeated snips here, there, and everywhere, this is the end result... I am still not used to it being this short yet, but I think it looks cute on her. I cut M's hair while I was at it, but she has such little hair that you can't tell.
G also had "crazy hair day" at school. He decided to do the mohawk thing. He also borrowed some of his sisters' hair clips, which probably wasn't such a good idea.
Now, we are ready for a hot and wild summer!

Our Two Month Old

I don't really celebrate the "monthly" birthdays, but it is so amazing how much a baby can change from month to month. B turned two months yesterday. He had his shots yesterday, which was sad. Later that night, every time he moved his legs, he'd screach in pain. I felt awful for him. He is healthy and happy, and that's what really matters. He is over 12 lbs. now, which is in the 65th percentile. All of my other kids have been in the 10-25% range, so he is our big boy!

Also, take a look at his hair. We seriously have a variety of hair colors in the Moran household. I think this one is going to be lighter like T. I can't figure out if it is on the blond side, or has a redish tint. Pay attention to the peach fuzz on top :)

He coos and gurgles at us and we eat it up! Check out the video below of him in his swing. There's a mirror under the mobile and he just smiles at it all of the time, thinking it is someone else smiling back at him. It's the cutest thing.



We are so blessed to have him. We love you, Bubbie!

Who Said Housework Couldn't Be Fun?

Oh, the joys of life...cleaning! I guess we can try and make it as fun as we can...if that is possible! My kids love to follow me around with the fake vacuum as I do each room. Then, I found this bad boy at a yard sale for $3. It was exactly G and T's size and they can actually vacuum things up with me as I go! M, of course still uses the fake one, but it doesn't hurt to let her think she's helping. I guess it eases the cleaning burden a bit when we all pitch in!

Mother's Day Blessing

Happy Mother's Day to all the dear moms out there! This year, Mother's Day means a little more to me because of the recent birth of our baby. I cannot describe the feeling of holding an innocent and precious newborn baby in my arms. I know you mothers understand it well. It also frightens me to know that it is up to me to love, teach, and provide for my children. I remember after having G, I didn't think I could love anyone more than him. When T came, I quickly found that there is always enough love in a mother's heart for each child. We have such a huge responsibility that has been entrusted in us, as mothers. I know that through the sacrafice and hardships we face, comes more and more love for our children. It is only through that sacrafice that we gain that love. When I wake up at 2am with B, all I want for him to do is chug his milk and go back to sleep, in my tired state. When he looks up at me and smiles, I can't help but think that these are the little things in life that keep us going. How can you not love that?

What makes this Mother's Day so special is that we were able to bless B today at church. Cedric's parents came down for the blessing and we had a nice weekend. Cedric gave a beautiful blessing. It reassures me that if we are rooted in our beliefs and values as a family, we will all turn out okay in the end!

Baseball Begins...

Well, it began several weeks ago, but hey, I'm a little slow. I absolutely love going to G's games. It is the highlight of our week. It's amazing to see how much he improves each season. I know I've said this before, but our family LOVES baseball!

Seven is Heaven

This posting is a few weeks late, but our G man turned 7 at the end of April. This year, we decided to do a small family celebration. I also had G pick three of his closest friends to go to a sports bounce place for some fun. They came back for some pizza and cake afterwards. I did not have time or energy to plan another big party this year. It ended up working out wonderfully! G told me that this was the best birthday he had ever had. That makes a mother happy...especially when it didn't take much preparation, as it has in previous years. Here are some shots of G at his celebrations. I also can't forget to do a shot out to our G...

Mr. G: You came into this world as a little 5 lb. peanut. You have grown into a 65 lb. solid boy. You were by far, our hardest baby. However, the boy that you have become makes up for all the sleepless nights and crying fits you put two clueless parents through. You are the kindest, most sweetest boy anyone can meet. You are reserved at first, but anyone that gets to know you will say without a doubt that you are a great kid. You are honest and loyal and considerate. We know that you can accomplish anything that you set your heart to. We thank our lucky stars every day to have you as our G man! Happy birthday!