The Buzzard Bunch

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day 2011

I could have never imagined how much my life would change by becoming a mom! My life before having children seems like a distant memory some days. I have traded sleeping in late, for early mornings. I have traded weekends out on the town, for birthday parties and playdates with preschool friends. I have completely changed my priorities, opinions, and perspective on life. I have learned so much through the eyes of my children, and have learned to enjoy the small and simple things that I used to overlook. Thank you, Mackenzie and Caleb for the many lessons you have taught me, for the unconditional way you love me, and for giving me the role of "mommy!" I am so blessed!

*surprising Grandma Buzzard for an early Mother's Day dinner, Saturday evening

*4 Generations on Mother's Day

*me and my 2 biggest blessings

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Mother's Tea

Last week, Mackenzie was so excited to present me with an invitation to a Mother's Day Tea at her school.

Since that day, we have been counting down the days, and she has been full of excitement in anticipation of this special time together. I was a little nervous considering I would have a 15 month old in tow, and that could make things a bit of a challenge, and not necessarily all about her. But the wonderful staff at her preschool had the gymnasium filled with baby toys and had other staff members there to watch the younger siblings. Caleb, to my surprise, did really well. Which meant, 30 wonderful one-on-one minutes together to see my sweet girl in the school setting, and make a memory that I will not forget.

One by one, the children were sent out in the hall to greet their Mommy. Then they presented us with a homemade gift bag which contained a painted wooden necklace. She was so proud, and made me wear it ALL day!

The teachers took a quick photo of us, and then our little ones escourted us to our table where we enjoyed fruit salad, pretzels and cheese and pink lemonade. The centerpieces were hand painted flower pots, with freshly planted flowers.

After our snack, we were seranaded with some special songs, and then were presented with our final present. It was my favorite gift of all....a cookbook made by the preschoolers. Each child contributed a recipe that was a favorite that their Mommy made. One of her teachers commented how excited she was about this (since she is my little assistant in the kitchen), and how she was the last to finish illustrating her picture because she wanted it to be "just right."

(here is the recipe Mackenzie shared in the cookbook, that is her favorite recipe I make: "she puts sugar in the bowl, then pepper, then salt and cherry juice in the bowl. Then she cooks it in the over for 5 minutes. Then, she puts on sugar icing that's pink, 4 candles and sprinkles. Then Mommy, Daddy and Caleb and me eat it." Love it! :)

It was such a special day, and it didn't end there. When we got home, I put Caleb down for a nap, and when I came down, she had my lunch ready.....crackers, cheese, a clemintine and a glass of water. Oh, and it was waiting for me in the family room....on an end table...with the remote! She said "Mommy, I made you this special lunch and you relax and watch a show." Melt my heart! Oh, and I forgot to add, halfway through my show, she called me over to the kitchen table for snack time: chocoalte chip cookies and a kiddie size cups of water.

Thank you Kenz, for giving me the title of Mommy! I am so proud and blessed to have that title!
Thanks for making me feel so loved and special....and in case you were wondering, I could really get used to someone making my lunch and giving me a half hour of uninterrupted t.v. time in the middle of the day! :)

Friday, April 29, 2011

First Fitting

My father-in-law works in the shoe business. Is this not every girl's dream to marry the man of her dreams AND get free shoes? Bob, and his brother Dave, have run Buzzard's Family Shoes for more than 25 years (check out their website here). The boys grew up in the shoe business, founded by their parents, Leo and Mary Jane. In the midst of a failing economy, their shoe store has thrived. It's because they care more about the people they serve, than just making a sale. I couldn't be more proud to carry the Buzzard name!

So, it is only fitting (literally) for me to want to photograph my children getting fitted for shoes by their Grandpa, for the very first time. Precious moments...

Grandpa sizing Mackenzie, 1 year

Grandpa sizing Caleb, 1 year

High 5 for the great service, Grandpa!

Easter 2011

It's hard to believe how quickly Easter has come and gone. It is also hard to believe how much things have changed within the last year. For instance.....

Then (2010)

Now (2011)

As is the case with any holiday/celebratiion, there was lots of excitement leading up to Easter. We had daily egg hunts around the house, filled close to 100 easter eggs for an egg hunt we co-hosted with my high school friends, enjoyed the first egg hunt at the new church building with friends and family, made and dyed dozens of hard boiled eggs, attended easter services with the Buzzard family in Wooster, and did our annual picture with the Easter bunny. It was an action packed few weeks for sure, but we wouldn't want it any other way!

Waiting patiently at Beth's house to hunt eggs (annual egg hunt with h.s. friends)