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!

Easter Fun

I wanted to give the kids the most normal Easter as possible. After having the new baby, the kids had their spring break and I felt awful because I really couldn't do much with them. I don't think they noticed as much as I did, but we did have some fun with all the Easter festivities. Cedric took them on a Easter egg hunt with some friends and we had one at our home as well. We also had some good times dying Easter eggs. Hopefully they will forgive me for a boring spring break!

Hunting for eggs in the backyard...



Easter baskets!

M thought the dye tablets were Smarties and tried to eat the orange one, hence the stained shirt...


T with her favorite egg...

Picture with the Easter Bunny...can they sit any farther away?

Another egg hunt!

Being silly with some friends...

From the Home Front

This is a late post, but we wanted to give you an update now that we are home, from a sleep deprived mom. Everything has gone more than smoothly. B is the best baby we have seen. He eats well, sleeps well, and of the two weeks that we've had him with us, he's cried maybe a handful of times when he was getting changed and starving or bathing. He is the best kid we could ask for! We feel so blessed because I don't know if I could do it if it were different. In a sense, I think we deserve it because G man cried enough for all four kids!

Our sweet kids spent several days with my parents at our home. They wanted to have something special for us when we arrived home. They made my mom go out and get some balloons and a cake for us and they taped this cute note that they had decorated and colored to the door. Here's what it said:

"Welcome home, mom, dad and B. We love you. Dear B, your nose is very cute. Dear mom, I know your belly still herts. Dear dad, I know you have to help mom."

We heard all sorts of giggling behind the door and as we opened it, all the kids yelled "surprise!" It was the cutest thing.

Here are a few shots the kids at home. It was nice to be out of the hospital...it was a little depressing being there, if you ask me! We actually came home a day earlier than planned because we were sick of being there. It's nice to be home!

We're already starting him early on baseball attire...

He's a great sleeper...

Proud brother...every morning the kids run in to see if he's awake yet. Sometimes this starts some contention in our home as to who gets to hold him first.

The girls and their little bro...