"Auntie's Day?"

When I picked up Ella from school last Thursday, she came out holding a wrapped Mother's Day gift for Mommy (aka, Leanne).  Ella was most excited about the gift and said, "Oh Auntie, we have to open it!"  While Ella understood that the gift was for Mommy, for the life of her she couldn't remember the exact gift.

Ella then said, "Ok, here is the plan -- we can just open it to see, and then you can wrap it up again."  So, when we got home, we proceeded to very carefully open the gift, take a quick peak, to which Ella exclaimed, "Oh yeah!  I made that!"  (It was a small baby-food glass jar hand-painted by Ella, with small candle inside.)  As we sat at my kitchen table re-wrapping the gift, Ella and I had the most interesting conversation.  It went like this:

Ella:   So Auntie, this is for Mommy for Mother's Day.

Me:  Yes, honey.  Mommy will love it.

Ella:  And you know, there is a Father's Day too.

Me:  Yes, there is.

Ella:  So, when is Auntie's Day?

Me:  What?

Ella:  When is Auntie's Day?  There is Mother's Day and Father's Day.  When is Auntie's Day?

Me:  (Not quite sure how to answer this one, because I don't think there is a Hallmark Holiday for Auntie's.  So, I had to think quick.)  Well, Auntie's Day is on my birthday.  That is when we celebrate Auntie's Day.

Ella gave me a doubtful look that said she wasn't quite sure she was buying the answer I just gave her, but she then replied, "Ok."

 I was so touched that Ella, at age 4, would be thinking about an "Auntie's Day" for me.  I tell Leanne time and time again that both Ella and Katie have such good hearts, and that they ALWAYS think of others first.

Fast-forward to yesterday.  While at Leanne's celebrating Katie's First Holy Communion, we also had a mini-Mother's Day party.  I received a gift below, from Katie and Ella, with the greatest little note:

A Mother's Day Note from Katie & Ella: 
"Thank you for being our Mommy when Mommy can't be there!  We love you!"

It appears that Ella was right to doubt that "Auntie's Day" is celebrated on my birthday.  You see, in our family, "Auntie's Day" is also celebrated on Mother's Day.


Katie, Me, and Ella


So, to all the Mommies, Grandmas, AND Aunties everywhere -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Spring Has Sprung!

Well, Spring is FINALLY here.  April was a very rainy month here in the Chicago area, but today we have sunny, blue skies and 65 degree temps.  In honor of spring, I thought I'd share some of our spring photos.

CT filling up his bird feeders for the first time this season.



A backyard project underway.



Phil Guy and CT putting together our new patio set.



Pretty purple flowers, but I forgot the name of this one!



CT still working on his bird feeders.

And a completed feeder!

Tulips.  Gotta love tulips.



Our Robin's nest.  We think the eggs have already hatched, but Momma Robin won't let us get close enough to check it out.


So, that is just a small sample of our spring.  Hope your spring has sprung too!

P.S.  Also in honor of spring, I have a new header for my blog, created by the world famous Leanne (my sister and author of From Chaos Comes Happiness.)  Now that you've seen the spring pictures, you can certainly appreciate the header.  Sis - you nailed this one completely!  It is SOOOOOOOO me and CT!  Thanks!