Mother's Day with Family

We spent Mother's Day weekend celebrating with our families, of course, and got some pictures of some of the sweet moms in our lives. I am constantly in amazement at the women in my life. My grandmothers, our mothers, aunts, sisters and sisters-in-law, all incredible women who do a fabulous job mothering. Seeing all of their different strengths and the way God uses them is inspiring. I am blessed by their examples as they challenge me to be a better mom.

The Critz crew complete with growing twins and the sixth grandchild on the way!

The moms on my side of the family - my grandmothers, aunt, mom, and sister-in-law

The May birthdays - we celebrate in groups : )

I don't know if you can see it in the picture but the flames on the candles were colored like the candles! It was pretty cool!

Gymnastics Show

I'm just going to keep moving back now through all the things I've missed blogging about. I should have plenty for a while! : )

John V wrapped up his spring semester of Little Gym with his show. Daddy came to watch and John was a total ham, as usual, when anyone out of the ordinary is there. Little Gym is one of his favorite places and we recently found out that his teacher also goes to church with us! John thought that was cool. This spring he has started doing backwards somersaults and is doing really well with the bars. We're already rolling into our summer semester which will be a good thing for him to have going with the baby's arrival and all the change.

A big jump

Mr. Brian coaches on the bars

Getting his medal

Posing with Daddy

John's 4th Birthday

On the 19th, John V's actual birthday, we went to lunch at his favorite restaurant, Cracker Barrel. We ate with Uncle Cam, Aunt Carli, my sisters and mom. Aunt Carli has to miss the parties because Saturday is an important work day so it was fun to still get to celebrate with her.

That night, John got to pick an activity for our family to do together so we went for some mini golf. We saw a rabbit and Kailey loved walking around with a pink ball and little club. It was a fun day celebrating our favorite big boy!

One of John's favorite things about his birthday this year was getting cards, especially in the mail. He would look at them over and over and tell me who they were from. He had quite the collection that is now hanging on his bedroom wall. One of his favorites played a praise song and he loved to dance to it.

John's Birthday Party

Cupcakes with our small group

"What did Mom and Dad get me?"

Tigger and Pooh were the theme for the day

Yummy cupcakes!

"YUM!"

This is less than half of the obstacle course

This year we decided to scale down a little from our usual, "every-kid-John-knows-is-at-our-house" birthday party. He chose his five closest buddies (his age) and then we had the cousins and family, of course. He wanted to have it at home and he and his dad picked a huge inflatable obstacle course to rent. It was fun! The obstacle course was already set up when he got up that morning and he was so excited when he looked out the window and saw it! He and Dad had to make a few runs before the guests ever arrived. The next day we had cupcakes with all of our buddies in our small group and then Monday he got to pick a special activity with just our family, so he had quite the long weekend of celebration!

Progress and Transitions!

I feeling like I'm working my way out of the deep sea of undone things. We have made some huge progress the last few weeks on some things that I was really wanting finished. Pictures will be forthcoming on all the excitement. Two of the biggest were big, growing-up changes for both John and Kailey.

First, just in time for his birthday, John is officially potty trained! He is doing fantastic and needs very few reminders. Accidents pretty much don't happen. I knew when he got it, it would happen quickly because of being older, but it really seemed overnight! He is proud and we are thrilled and relieved! Now there won't be three in diapers! : ) Kailey seems determined to join John in his potty endeavors and likes to stand in front of the potty and try to go. It's hilarious. We'll have to work on sitting before the real training kicks in with her.

A proud guy in his big boy underwear

Next, Kailey moved upstairs to her big girl bed in her new room and has done absolutely perfect!!! We have not lost a bit of sleep, she stays there, still goes to sleep on her own, and I am in total shock that she could do it this easily. I knew it would go well with her because she loves to sleep and doesn't seem as thrown by changes as her older brother, but this was beyond my wildest dreams. She seems to welcome the challenge of something being different and new and loves to talk about her "bed upstairs." Thank you, Lord, and bless you, Kailey!

A happy girl in her big bed

Working Away

The Johns putting Kailey's new bed together

We're working away over here at the Critz' house. The last weeks could not have contained any more events, fun, and friends. After having my whole family sick, being on vacation, hosting bachelor and bachelorette parties, and being in one of the most precious weddings I have ever seen, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. :) I know. . . a little dramatic. I have been struggling with first trimester symptoms like exhaustion and nausea. My midwife says this is common for some women when they hit their third trimester. Hooray. ;) Anyway, we're plugging through it and my kids, while making enormous messes that I am tempted to leave on the floor, have been precious about playing together for hours and hours. Their relationship is blowing me away already. Kailey hugs and loves on her brother and John tells Kailey that she is his beautiful, favorite sister. I tear up every time they do it!!! Sure, the playing often turns to squabbling, but they're learning to resolve it and that love far surpasses insignificant irritations or inconveniences. I thank God for how He is already working in their hearts turning them towards each other!

When we finally get a project finished around here, I'll post some pictures. I'll also try to get some beach trip pictures up this week. We had such a blast!!!