weekend recap - Mother's Day edition...

friday night, i was treated 2 a mother's day dinner at my favorite spot - texas roadhouse!

it's not only my fav spot, but also the kiddos...but 4 totally different reasons! i love the food...they love the hooting/hollering/dancing waitresses, & being able 2 shell peanuts & throw the hulls on the floor! ~lol~

we had a nice family dinner...unfortunately, i couldn't enjoy it fully because i've been having so much pain in my throat...i've finally figured out that i need 2 take my percocet every 4 hrs on the dot 2 feel any relief - but it really only takes the edge off, not completely taking the pain away
(i'll go in2 more detail about how i'm doing with my last week of radiation on wednesday, after i meet with my oncologist)

saturday, we were able 2 get outside!!! the rain finally took a break & let us enjoy some sunshine over the weekend! we still had random showers here & there, but mostly it was nice out...i was even able to hang some stuff out on the line - it was the perfect windy day!

i love that my kiddos rush outside on the weekend b4 they've even gotten dressed...here they r riding bikes in their pj's with daddy ;0)

Jaden was busy getting his workout on ;0)

the kiddos r quite the nature lovers (wonder where they get that from? ~wink~)...the girls ended up walking around the yard with me - directing me 2 take pics of this & that

bees loving our peonies...

mushrooms...

the 1st signs of tiny lil grape clusters on our vine

& their fav - snails!

later that day, daddy had 2 go in2 work & we had a family reunion 2 attend...b4 we left, we were killing some time outside & the girls asked if they could take some pics...these 2 were my favorite of the 10 or so they took of the ground/flowers/sky/etc...me & my girls!!!

do u see my "sunburn" from radiation? it's only on the left side of my neck/chest ~lol~ i also have a matching burn on my back

the other week, Crystal posted the recipe 4 "dump cake"...i'd never heard of this b4 & was intrigued...i tried it that night (using strawberry filling instead of cherry) & instantly fell in love! i can't believe i'd never heard of such an easy & yummy creation! 4 the reunion saturday, i decided 2 try it using blueberry filling - & lemon cake mix...mmmm, good i tell ya!

it did start sprinkling at the reunion, but that didn't stop us from having a good time...the kiddos still had a blast hitting the ball around & blowing bubbles in the shelter area

i love this pic of Gabby & my dad!

then on sunday, i woke up 2 the sweetest mother's day surprise! Jaden had been asking Curtis if he could fix me breakfast 4 mother's day...& when i say asking, i mean literally pestering him each & every day leading up 2 mother's day...he'd always whisper his request 2 Curtis, making sure 2 keep it a secret - but daddy couldn't help but tell me of Jaden's secret plan - he was so amused by the boy's excitement!

well sunday morning, i feel this gentle nudge...it's Jaden, telling me my breakfast is ready...i was confused because it was only about 7am & Curtis was still in bed beside me...i go downstairs 2 find this...

it brought tears 2 my eyes!

yeah, it's only cereal - but that's Jaden's favorite breakfast...& he did this all on his own! it was sitting on a tv tray, all ready 4 me! i felt so bad because 1st thing in the morning, my throat is at it's absolute worst & there was no way i could force down apple jacks! thankfully, it didn't hurt Jaden's feelings at all - i explained that my throat was too sore 2 eat it, but that i was sooooo happy he made breakfast 4 me...he simply said "that's ok. can i eat it?" ~lol~ i love that kid!

once every1 was up (so much 4 sleeping in ~wink~), i got 2 open the rest of my gifts...there were soooo many handmade presents from the kiddos! stuff they made at school & daycare...& TONS of drawings & cut outs that the girls had made last week...they'd been sneaking around, wrapping up each item in paper towels & taping em shut...i had a whole hannah montana gift bag stuffed full of them! it took me quite a while 2 open all those sweet gifts - but i loved each & every 1 of them!

then daddy gave me his gift ;0)

unfortunately, daddy had 2 go in2 work on sunday too...but 1st, he cooked us all breakfast (yep, Jaden ate again & daddy made some special runny eggs 4 mama)...& he was able 2 go 2 church & have lunch with us too!...the kiddos & i enjoyed the rest of the day 2gether relaxing & hanging out

ending our day with a mama/kiddo walk

perfect!
:0)