May Madness

May is always a busy month for our family. It was my intention to keep up with the events as they occurred, but things were just too busy. So now, here for your viewing pleasure, is one mega post with a look back at our May adventures. (Warning: Lots of pictures ahead...)

Happy Birthday Karen!

We're not really a sentimental card kind of family, and my birthday was no exception. Here's my card: "Birthdays are like boogers... The more you have, the harder it is to breathe." The kids thought it was hilarious. It was a great birthday with my favorite breakfast, dinner out, yummy cake, and great presents.

Happy Birthday Courtney!

It's hard to believe Court is 7! This year, she wanted to have a flower birthday party, so we made flowers out of craft foam, tossed a flower for hot potato, played pin the little flower on the big flower, had a flower pinata and a flower cake, and even planted real flowers! She had been counting down for weeks (with a paper chain) and was so excited for her party day to finally arrive!

It turned out to be a fun little party. I let Courtney invite a few more kids than I normally do - thinking (incorrectly, as it turns out) that several wouldn't be able to come. Luckily, Courtney also invited her aunts and uncles, so we had plenty of extra hands to help.

I only discovered this almost-attack later...when I saw the photographic evidence. =)

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Alyssa celebrated her 9th birthday with her two best friends. They went out to eat at Alyssa's favorite restaurant (O'Charley's), then had presents, crafts, cake & ice cream, and a sleepover.

Strawberry Picking!

We took our annual trek to Patterson Farm to pick strawberries with Aunt Melanie and Aunt Joanna.

Time to Dance!

Our final May activity was the girls' recital. In their program, a dancer earns a trophy after dancing for three years, so the girls both received one. In fact, that was really Courtney's main motivation for dancing this past year, and she does not want to continue on in the Fall. =)

For the recital, Courtney had a ballet dance and a tap dance. Alyssa had the same plus a jazz dance.

Courtney is on the far left.

Now she's on the right.

Right in the middle.

And second from the left.

Alyssa is on the far right.

And second from the left.

Alyssa is on the far right.

Now she's front left.

She's at the front of the left line.

And second from the left.

My Nose Job!

I've always hated my nose. Thought I always would. But I guess I complain about my nose more than I realize, and I guess Jason got tired of hearing about it. So when the tax refund came, he simply turned it over to me and told me to schedule an appointment. I couldn't believe it!

It was actually a pretty simple procedure. Obviously, there will need to be a better "after" picture once the swelling goes down, but here's what we have so far...

OK, I'm completely kidding. I did have surgery, but it was for a deviated septum. Just thought it would be a funnier post this way. (And I don't really hate my nose.)

Spring Soccer

We've had at least one child playing soccer every season for the past 7 years, but this was the first time all three kids wanted to play in the same season. Thankfully, the league was able to get them all on teams that practiced the same nite at the same place. The Saturday game schedule was a little crazy. =)

Here's Jordan in action...

...and fighting for the ball.

Jordan played both the Fall and Spring seasons with his best friend, Avery.

Here's Alyssa in action.

She really loves soccer!

And here's Alyssa with her awesome coach - her Uncle Ben!

Here's Courtney taking the kick...

...and attacking the ball.

After looking thru all of the pictures of Courtney, we realized she plays with her tongue sitcking out! Jason likes it because his basketball hero, Michael Jordan, was known for doing the same thing. =)

Spring Break Road Trip

For the past few years, the Mattingley cousins have converged on Nana and Grandpa's house for Spring Break fun, and this year was no exception. Jason had to stay and work, so the kids and I left him in the charge of the gerbil and the fish and took off on our own.

The kids love this electrical box in Nana's front yard! It was used as a Jedi jail, home base for tag, and even for painting fingernails!

We surprised Nana with an early birthday party...

...and had an Easter egg hunt.

And what would Spring Break be without a ride on the Metro? We've decided the kids care more about riding the Metro than the actual destination! Here they are lined up at the station, ready to go.

Why sit when you can stand? Notice the lack of other passengers nearby. There's something about a group traveling with that many kids that sends people either to the opposite end of the train or to another car altogether. (In their defense, the kids were very well behaved.)

Here's our group on The Mall in DC headed towards one of the Smithsonian museums.

Julia and Courtney checking out a giraffe at the Museum of Natural History...

...and looking down at the elephant in the foyer. It was a lot more crowded than we expected, so we didn't end up staying too long.

We had a picnic lunch on The Mall...

followed by tag for some...

and digging in the dirt for others.

The Mattingley cousins

There are four missing (partying elsewhere for Spring Break) and one on the way, due to arrive later this year.

Ice Cream Fun

We were having ice cream for dessert, and Jason gave Alyssa exactly what she asked for... "a big bowl of ice cream."

Getting every last drop... She is definitely my child!

Happy Easter!