Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Sunday

Hello!  I'm here tonight but rather tired and not feeling 100% into blogging.  So this may be short.  You've been warned.

1.  It was a big religious week for us here in the McGrath household.  #1 was confirmed on Monday night and #3 had her first communion this afternoon.  

I'll be the first to admit, I'm still not really down with the whole "being Catholic" thing, but the hubby is and I needed to support him and the kids.  So I went along with it all.  I don't really think about it at all these days so there is that.  Anyway, we got through the week and celebrated the girls and that is what mattered!

Monday's night mass was nearly two hours long.  That was an hour too long in my book.  Thank goodness we made it through and #1 was confirmed!

Here's the proof:

 

#1's sponsor was our summer nanny, Maddie.  And seriously, #1 could not have been more lucky to have such a special person for her sponsor.  Maddie means the world to us and we were delighted that she could join in on the special night!  Plus, she drove two hours from college just to do this for #1.  We are so lucky she's in our lives.  Not to mention she is going to nanny the kids again this summer.  Can't wait!!

My mom also drove up from Arkansas to be there for #1.  I thought that was really awesome of her.  Plus, she managed to squeeze in two soccer games - #2 and #3.  Not bad for a quick trip!

2.  The rest of the week was fairly normal to busy.  We had soccer practice (times 3), swim practice, and guitar lessons.  We are totally on the countdown to being done with school.  I can't wait!

3.  I joined in with my friend in her garage sale.  I came out $250 ahead.  Score!  We are socking that money away for our Okoboji trip this summer.  

And that hat #4 was wearing in the picture above?  Yeah, she totally stole that out of the garage sale pile.  It's been a "dress-up" hat for years but I guess she thought it was the perfect accessory to Monday night church.  OK with me.  We all thought it was awesome!

4.  My mom, my in-laws, and the hubby and I all went in together and bought #4 Laser Tag guns for her birthday.  There are several different options but we went with these.  You guys - they are so FUN!  Even though her birthday was on the 15th, we waited so she could open them in front of all of us.  She opened them last night and we all played with them out in the cul-de-sac.  I can't wait to play with them in the dark.  I totally got into it.  We ran around hiding around parked cars, trees, in our garage, and had a blast!  

We have six total guns which is the perfect number for all the cousins.  Or the kids and their friends.  Or the kids and the neighborhood friends.  Of course all the cousins played with them today and they were a total hit.  So fun!

5.  Have I written about a new TV show on TV Land called Younger?  I love it.  It's on Tuesday nights at 9:00pm CST.  I think I love it because the main character is my age but pretending to be 26.  It's so funny to see her see the world through 40-year-old eyes but pretending she's younger.  Seriously, if you have free time you should check it out.  I barely watch any TV shoes anymore but this is one I make time for every week.  So good.

6.  Today was a big day.  Both #3 and my nephew had their first communions.  Since they were on the same day at virtually the same time we weren't able to be there for both kids but we celebrated together.  And isn't that what it's all about?  Wait.  Don't answer that.

Anyway, the in-laws stayed with us and joined us at church.  My mom stayed with my sister and joined them at church.  And my sister's ex-in-laws (is that a thing?) went to church with them as well.  And then everyone came over here afterwards and we had a blast!  I felt like it was the "new normal".  

The kids had so much fun just being together and having everyone they love under one roof.  I loved it.  We all got along really well and enjoyed each other's company and all the good food!  It was really a fun afternoon of catching up with everyone and just hanging out together.  I'm so glad we were able to do it.  In the end, I was really glad the kids's communions were the same day because it meant everyone was able to celebrate together.  And it was perfect!

Here are just a few pictures:

 

And there you have it.  

Have a great week!

Six on Sunday

Hello!  I hope you had a nice weekend and managed to stay dry.  

1.  OK.  I try to keep things on more of an upbeat tempo around here but I have to level with you...my teenager is bumming me out a little bit.  Before I complain, I have to say she is a really good kid.  She's kind to her sisters, a good student, a hard worker.  But...

She is a teenager.  First, she's hardly ever home and when she is home she's up in her room.  That makes me sad.  I think I'm going to just start dropping in on her because I don't know if she's really doing homework or just surfing around on Instagram or Pinterest?  

I feel like a glorified chef and chauffeur these days.  We made a deal where I made her lunch if she takes quick showers when she gets home from swim practice.  (She doesn't get home until about 9:45pm, so fairly late.)  And, I also cook dinner at home most nights of the week.  Cooking at home means doing dishes.  Conveniently, she can never help with dishes because she has to "get ready for swim".  Annoying.  And given my schedule, it's all I can do to get dinner on the table before she even leaves for swim.  So eating dinner earlier really is not an option.

And the driving?  Yesterday I picked her up from the mall to take her to get her eyebrows waxed and then took her BACK to the mall to continue shopping.  WTH?!  And that wasn't it.  Oh no.  Her dad picked her up from a friends house, took her to buy dessert for a party, then I picked her up from the party. 

I guess I just feel like she's taking me for granted.  I suppose all moms feel this way at some point in their lives?  I'm pretty sure I did the same thing to my mom but damn!  It is not giving me warm and fuzzies.  And I know I'm going to go through this same thing three more times.  Any tips for surviving these teenage years?  

2.  You know how I said #1 is never home?  Well, this is proof: 

We had so much fun last night as a family just hanging out in the driveway.  The hubby and I drank a couple beers while the kids played.  It was so fun to watch the three girls having a blast together!  They played soccer, rode their bikes, and shot hoops in our neighbor's driveway.  

3.  Yesterday I had a blast being a spectator at the Garmin Marathon!  I made two signs:

I was able to see my friend, Carmen, twice and my other friend, Vicky, once!  Plus, I ran 9 miles with Carmen (mile 8 - 17) as she ran the full marathon.  She's a rockstar.  I can safely say I will never willingly do another marathon.  One was enough!  And this was her fourth!  

The weather held out for the first hour or so - maybe hour and a half - but then it started raining.  And thundering.  And lightening.  I have to say, I was kind of surprised they didn't close the course.  But I guess everyone had signed liability waivers so they didn't care?  Anyway, it was a great way to start my Saturday morning.

4.  Since we're in a standstill on the bathroom I've been working on little projects.  (We're waiting to find an electrician.  Any recommendations??) 

Last weekend I framed my gallery wrapped canvas that I painted.  I adore the way it turned out!

I need to do a Thrifty Thursday post on it because it was seriously easy!

And yesterday I finished the little girls' marquee letters.  I think they're simply adorable!  And just a few minutes ago they asked me to turn them on - so I know they like them!

I will put together a post for these, too.  They were a little harder but definitely do-able if you don't have "perfection" standards.  You know, sometimes "good enough" has to be good enough!

5.  My mom is in town for #1's Confirmation tomorrow night.  When I came home from running an errand with the hubby, I found this:

I love this for twp reasons:

1. First, it's adorable that my mom is helping.
2. Second, this means I don't have to do it!  WooHoo!  A week off from homework?  I'll take it!

6.  Guess who turned six this week?  My baby!  Seriously, how did that happen?

Oh man, this girl.  She is awesome!  

• She is bright and smart and funny.  And sometimes she doesn't know she's funny which makes her even funnier!
• She has the most adorable voice - high pitched and she still doesn't say her "R"s very well.  I love it.
• She has SPUNK.  She may be the youngest but she keeps up with her big sisters.
• She still loves to cuddle.  And she especially loves to cuddle with her biggest big sister. 
• She loves to play.  And play.  And play.  
• She gets lonely if her sisters (at least one of them) are not around.  She will ask repeatedly how much longer until they get home.
• She absolutely, without-a-doubt, completed our family when she made her appearance 10 days early six years ago.

I love you, Kennedy!

And there you have it.  Our week in a list.  I hope you have a good one!

 

 

Six on Sunday

Welcome!  Did you have a good weekend?  I hope so!  Let's get started.  As always, total random, stream of consciousness...

1.  I ran Rock the Parkway again this year.  I am happy to report the weather was nearly perfect!  It was right about 50* at the start of the race, low humidity, sunny skies, and little wind.  Seriously, near perfect.  I think the weather contributed to my performance.  I PR'd and I wasn't even trying for a personal best!  Can you believe it?  I came in just under two hours which I never thought possible.

 

I started out with the 2:05 group - not even sure I could keep up with them after last year's dismal performance.  But after mile three, I still felt great so I started running a little faster.  I don't wear a watch when I run so I'm never sure of my total time.  My running app only reports the distance and current pace.  So I wasn't sure how much ahead of the group I was because I never turned around to look back.  I just kept running my race.  And the miles kept ticking off.  Five, Six, Seven.

I felt like I was holding back because I was so afraid to bonk.  But after mile nine, I kicked it up a little more.  My last two miles were both under 9 minutes.  As I neared the finish line I saw her - the 2:00 pace girl.  She was waving her arms and encouraging runners to kick it in gear.  I had 30 seconds to finish in under two hours.  You better believe I sprinted the tenth of a mile or so!  And I did it!  1:59:43.  Ha!  But it still counts as under two hours.  It was a great feeling.

Plus, it meant I was able to stand at the finish line and watch my friends cross, too.  And my friend, Christi, ran it for her first ever half marathon.  That was really cool to watch!  What can I say, it was a fabulous start to the day.

2.  We eat a lot of fruit at dinner; especially now with strawberries and blue berries getting better.  But my girls are like me - we don't like our food to touch.  So the other night when their plates were "dirty", this is what I looked up and saw:

Rather than get a new plate, they both just started eating out of the bowl.  Nice, huh?  Oh well, I pick my battles and this one wasn't worth fighting that night.

3.  As you know, #2's soccer team were the champs during the indoor season.  And today they were recognized (along with all the other champs).  The FCKC women's team played out at Sporting Park this afternoon.  The game was really fun to watch.  But to make it even better, all the champion teams were recognized at halftime.  Here is #2's team walking down to the field:

Sadly, they didn't get to walk out onto the field but paraded across from side to side.  Regardless, it was still a fun opportunity for the girls!

4.  My family went to Omaha without me this weekend.  That meant I had the house to myself for 48 hours!  It was FABULOUS.  

Friday night I met Christi and her family for pizza and beers.  Chad and the kids had to leave early but Christi and I were able to stay and hang out together.  It was such a fun night and very much needed after a tough day at the office.  Plus, carb loading!

Saturday was the race.  Then I ran errands to my favorite places:  Ikea and Home Depot!  I worked on several smaller projects this weekend:

• Finished a floating picture frame for the powder room downstairs (forgot to take pics - Oops)
• Spray painted a Goodwill frame and hung it in the dining room
• Stripped the clawfoot tub (so gross)
• Cut out plywood for marquee letters for the little girls:

I still need to finish the letters but I love the direction they're headed.

Saturday night I bought This is Forty and got Panera for dinner.  It was nice to have the TV to myself and actually be able to hear it!  Plus, I didn't have to cook.  At all.  Bonus!

This morning I got a massage which was heavenly after the half marathon.  I ran to the grocery store and  worked on a few of the above projects.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my alone time but was really happy to have my family back tonight.  Two nights alone is just about right.

5.  I forgot my lunch one day last week and picked this up:

I got it in the corporate cafeteria, but damn!  It was so good.  I may have to "forget" my lunch more often.

6.  Taxes.  I hate them.  I do them myself because I'm too cheap to pay someone.  Which is why I hate them.  I'm still not done.  I mean, I'm 97.82% done.  But that is not 100%.  I need to get them wrapped up this week.  Why am I such a procrastinator?!  Ugh.

And there you have it.  I hope you have a fabulous week!

 

Six on Sunday...Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  Hopefully you were able to take advantage of the day today - doing something you enjoy.

1.  Speaking of Easter, we had a lovely day.  #4 woke up first at the early hour of 7am.  After she saw "free (three) Easter eggs downstairs!" she promptly woke up the rest of her sisters.  #1 was not amused.  But I have to give her props.  She got up and joined her sisters!

As per usual, the Easter Bunny left a poem for the girls so they would know which color egg to hunt.  Here was the poem he left:

To make your egg hunt fun

while finding Easter eggs one-by-one,

Focus on looking for just 20

of one color.  That's plenty!

#1 = pink

#2 = blue

#3 = green

#4 = yellow

Please be kind and share

the other colors.  That's only fair.

Love,

E.B.

Kind of clever, no?  Anyway, the girls had fun and all enjoyed the goodies in their baskets!  Here they are sorting through the loot:

The Easter bunny went a bit overboard this year.  Of course they each received a chocolate bunny in their basket.  The littles also found some Legos laying underneath their baskets and a darling plush bunny in their basket (that the Easter Bunny had forgotten to give them the previous year!)  #2 had a jean vest and a pair of shorts stashed in her basket and #1 found the Triangl bikini for which she has been dying to buy.  (To which I told her to dream on!)  

We followed up the egg hunt with a delicious brunch.  Church was not so good as we had to stand.  That is all I'll say on that topic because I was pissed.

This afternoon my sister and her kids came over to play and they joined us for dinner.  It was great to hang out!  All in all, it was a really nice day.

2.  Saturday was a busy day for us!  The highlight of the day was when I took the big girls shopping.  They were each in desperate need of shorts and a few staple tops.  We hit American Eagle, Tilly's, Old Navy, and DSW.  We found success in each store.  But I have to tell you, I am not a sincere shopper.  I could have been done after the first store!  This was me in one of my happier moments:

Let's break down the picture, shall we?  I was happy for four reasons:

1. I was sitting down.  
2. I was drinking coffee.
3. I was not holding my heavy purse.
4. I had not yet pulled out my wallet.

I spent a TON of time running back and forth for different sizes, colors, styles, etc.  All in all we spent four hours shopping - about 3 hours and 30 minutes too long.  But in all seriousness, the girls were fabulous.  They were very appreciative and had great attitudes.  We still need to find #1 a couple more staple pairs of shorts but we made a great start!

3.  After we got home and rested from our shopping excursion, the girls dyed eggs.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?  

They each decorated six eggs.  So far today I made half a dozen deviled eggs (bacon and cheddar - delish) and egg salad.  The girls have each had a hard boiled egg for a snack.  It's safe to say none of the eggs will go to waste!

5.  Yesterday I ran my last long run before Rock the Parkway.  We ran 8 miles on the trails behind Corporate Woods.  It was started off really chilly but started to warm up towards the end.  It really was a beautiful morning!

I can't decide what my strategy will be for next Saturday.  Honestly, I think it depends on how I feel on Saturday morning and what the weather will be that day.  Last Thursday I ran four miles over lunch when it was REALLY humid.  That was a tough run.  I'm not used to humidity yet.  And Saturday looks like it could be north of 60% humidity.  Yuck!  I'll report back to you next Sunday on how I perform.  I just hope it's better than last year!

6.  It is that time of year again - time to go THRIFT SHOPPING!  My friend, Christi, and I take off a Friday in April and October to spend the day shopping at thrift stores.  Now this kind of shopping I can really get behind!  We started off in Olathe at Lone Elm Antique mall where we had great luck!  And then we headed down to First Fridays in the West Bottoms.  Where we also had great luck!

Our main goal of this trip was to find a prom dress for each of us.  And guess what?  We did it!  We each found fabulous prom dresses that are probably circa late 60s/early 70s.  And by that I mean they are FABULOUS!  We are going to Afentra's prom on May 1st.  (It's a free concert but you have to dress up.)  Now we just have to find outfits for the boys.  We're thinking powder blue suits, ruffle tops, you know - all kinds of awesomeness.  Even though I have pictures of the dresses I am going to keep you in the dark until we're all dolled up.  You'll love them!

Besides the dresses we each had luck with other things as well.  Here are my finds:

• Wham AND Madonna albums for #2 now that she has a real record player.  So good.
• 7 brass candlesticks for $7.  I love them and they look great in my dining room
• Brass and glass box - it's so pretty and I'm going to put my sea shells from Ft. Lauderdale in it.
• A pair of brass cats - in honor of our own stone cold killer cat.  I think they were like $3?
• A set of 4 dessert dishes with matching tea cups.  The girls ate breakfast on them this morning.  Ignore the fact that the design looks like marijuana leaves.  The colors are spot on.  $12 for the set.
• A milk glass vessel that I am going to use for a planter.  I can't remember how much - but it was a great deal.  I know my milk glass prices nowadays!
• That oil painting.  It reminds me of a Paris scene and I am going to Paris this fall with my mom and my sister.  So of course I just HAD to get it.  Plus, it was only $15!

But wait!  That's not all!  

I found these Readers Digest books for $2 a piece!  Can you believe that?!  They are just adorable.  And they will be awesome to use around the house for styling.  Those colors are just fab.  So in love.  I could have bought more but they would have been too heavy to carry.  I stopped myself.  My husband is thankful.

Phew!  And there you have it.  My week in a nutshell.  Have a good one!  See you next week.