Memorial Day

My family has never really been the type to visit the cemetary on Memorial Day.  We think of our loved ones and stir up old memories.  But running from cemetary to cemetary to leave flowers by a headstone has never been our thing.

This year was a little different.  Losing Dad is still pretty fresh for all of us.  We all miss him like crazy! So on Sunday night when Aunt Liz asked if we wanted to meet at the cemetary and have pizza and beer next to Dad's grave we said YES!  And then we questioned if you are allowed to drink beer in a cemetary.  So far the answer to that is yes.  But I don't know if that's because you can or because we didn't get caught. ;)

As many of as could met up at Papa's grave.  He still doesn't have a headstone because, DAMN!, they're expensive!  And because of his role as a Deacon he's buried in a special section of the Catholic cemetary and there are certain restrictions and requirements.  Maybe by the end of the year my siblings and I can come up with the funding for Dad.

In the mean time we all had a really nice afternoon eating Dad's favorite kind of pizza and drinking a beer for him.  I don't know if it's the new tradition, but for now it was just what we needed.  And I was SURE Aunt Jen would cry!!  But she didn't!  ;)

The Deuce

My baby is two.  He isn't a baby anymore.  You can tell looking at pictures of him.  He totally lost the baby face.  I'm heartbroken!!!  Where did the time go!  But I'm also thrilled he's growing and thriving so well.

For Little M's big 2 party we decided to go with a construction theme.  Mostly because I saw a cake with that theme and HAD to make it.  And Little M still doesn't have an opinion on what we do so I'm taking advantage while I still can! ;)

Here's a list of what my big kid is up to these days:

• 21 pounds even (almost on the curve!)
• 29 inches tall
• Well baby check up went great, Dr. J thinks he's a rock star, I agree!
• Still running everywhere
• climbing (Lord help my heart!)
• Charming the pants off of everyone he meets
• Following commands/understands what I say when I tell him something
• Was still not talking too much until I asked Dr. J about speech therapy.  Then he yelled "I wanna go bye-bye!!!". Dr. J isn't to worried about his speech. ;)
• Now says: Dada, Daddy, Dog, Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaama (only in a whining tone!), bug, night-night, bye-bye, BOO!, and mine.  I'm pretty sure NO! is up next
• Oh he dropped the F-bomb too.  But only once and we didn't react (at least not in front of him!) so maybe he forgot?? Hope, hope!
• Can throw a temper tantrum like no other!  Complete with banging his head against the wall and then laying down on the floor.  Seriously, WHERE DO THEY LEARN THAT!!!!!
• Has overcome his aversion to sugar. DAMN! He had his first s.lurpee and is now hooked!
  
   
And here's the pic from the big 2 party.  And yes I was accused of being An Overachiever Mom. Just because I may or may not have hand-made every sign and barricade at the party.  ;)





















Again, thank you P.interest!






My birthday boy!









I think he finally gets the concept of opening presents. :)



Avery's Lemonade Stand

A while back I posted a link to a blog about a little girl names Avery.  She has a form of Muscular Dystrophy called SMA type 1.  Her story really touched me.  On April 30th, she passed away.  I was so shocked and saddened, I just felt we HAD to do something.

So I read over her bucket list and noticed "have a lemonade stand" wasn't crossed off.  Little M and I started the ball rolling and on May 11th (Avery's 6 month birthday!) and 12th, we sat in front of Aunt Liz's house and sold lemonade.  Little M totally loved being outside!  He didn't do much in the way of help, other than hold the sign and look adorable.  But all in all we made $325 dollars for SMA research.  And we sent a letter to Avery's parents letting them know how much it meant to us for them to share Avery with everyone.