divas?

There is a popular song out now called "wrecking ball" that the kids like to sing.... check out Abby's facial expressions.... hysterical!

Goofing around

The life of four kids is most certainly entertaining.  Their imaginations are awesome and I love to overhear their discussions... and walk in on pictures like the below... Gabby was pretending the other two were in hospital slings. 

 Mateo loves to pose for pictures... and with that handsome face - who can blame him?

Did anyone say "chicken feet?"

Gabby appears to be the only adventurous one...  Mateo said that he liked chickens to much to eat their feet. 

fall 2013

We braced the wind and rain and filled out Halloween bags with lots and lots of candy!  Mommy grew tired of walking around with five umbrella's- one for each of us!

Our next door neighbor, Ms. Irene, knitted the scarves for us.. we love them!

AI-YA!

We are working our way up the belt chart... brown belts.  Not to long before we are black belts.

family adventure

All six of us finally have bikes.  We rode to a nearby park... and that was about as far as the kiddo's could go :)

all I want for Christmas....

is my two front teeth!!!

Time is whizzing by....

And I can barely get through the days, let alone blog.  But I really am missing the journaling of the kids as they do something to make me smile or say "I don't want to forget that"- every single day. 

Here's our fall recap:

Abby started preschool three times a week and is doing awesome!  Having the older 3 has made a difference in what she already knows and how fast she picks things up.  She has an imaginary boyfriend named "John" who often tends to throw up in our car... but she quickly comes to his aid and helps him out.  John seems to be almost everywhere we go... and makes her happy.  Way to go John!  She loves to sing and dance and is quite the smart cookie.

First Grade is full of changes for the trio.  I sit back and listen to all that they talk about - the influences that friends have on them, how they are trying to maintain their own individuality, and the recognition that life is both fair and unfair.  (What a tough concept to learn at the age of 6.5!)  We are so busy that they days fly by... piano, taekwondo, soccer, homework, and actual kid playtime.. and that is just in the few short hours before and after school... and on the weekends.   Mateo is still our sweet boy... trying to keep it together in a house full of girls that like to sing and dance and boss him around.  He has been the prince charming one to many times! 

I am so blessed that all four are thriving.  They are smart, and thoughtful... and kind... and continue to make me smile, laugh, and yes - even cringe, every day!

end of summer - 2013

Schwartz family vacation to Kelley's Island included TONS of cousin time, bike rides, a trip to Put-in-bay, and of course, Mary getting pink eye!  (what a fiasco getting off the island to get her medicine)

Summer is not summer without some favorite Cleveland sports teams - Here we go Brownies (pre-season family day)

And the Cleveland Indians... posing with the "onion"...

 

First day of FIRST GRADE!

Kiddo's participating in the North Coast Challenge Kids Run- Gabby won first place for girls 6& under (see below front page cover of the local newspaper)

To top it off - a trip to Cedar Point with a very good friend.. Ms. Cherryle! (The trio were tall enough to ride the Iron Dragon and Mary was able to ride some of the bigger rides!)

summer 2013

Between camps, vacation, and our usual "busy-ness", this summer has just flown by!  Here are various clips from the summer....

Firefly putt-putt

What?!?  a turtle with 3 heads?  (Girls having fun at the nature center while brother was at star wars  lego camp)

water fun with our cousin Keberdle's

Vacation Bible School at St. Raphael's... poor Abby was to young to participate

West Palm Beach - Independence Day!

Well Thank you, Uncle Sam

Family shot on the 4th

Vacation Family shot...

We LOVE the ocean!

AND... we LOVE the pool!

too tired to walk the Home Depot Store with Mom

Cleveland Zoo with Aunt Liz

Cleveland Cavaliers draft Anthony Bennett!

kindergarden babies...

 The trio graduated from St. Raphael's kindergarten class in early June 2013.  And they most certainly are not "babies" anymore!

with Fr. Tim, St. Raphael's Pastor

proud mamma

happy graduation!

 

our family

mateo's first lost tooth!

FINALLY!  His permanent tooth was in before the baby one popped out!

Goodbye Uncle Jim

My Uncle Jim passed away suddenly a few weeks ago.  He had really started to become a "known" figure to not just the trio, but Abby as well.  My uncle would often accompany his sister (my Aunt Liz) on visits with me and the kiddo's...  even all the way to Virgina!  (seen below.) 

We will miss him greatly on this earth - but he was a sincerely good, and honest man... a man of Christ, and I know that he is always looking down and inspiring us to do MORE. 

We love you, Uncle Jim

Abby

 There is nothing that Abby loves more than her siblings!  She can't wait to walk them to school and anticipates their arrival in the afternoon.  She is fun-loving and happy-go-lucky and is a joy to every life she touches.  

Mateo

Mateo will always be a sweet, caring boy.  My favorite part about waking the trio up so early for school is that I know I will get a hug as Mateo slowly wakes up.  (It is almost like second nature to him.)

We have tackled his seasonal allergies and fingers crossed - seem to have them under control.  He prefers to play on the computer, video games, or legos - rather than be outside- but can be persuaded if a sword fight is forth coming.

Mateo LOVES music... and whether he is singing or listening, or composing a score of his own.. you will find him doing a beat.  (Above song is a rendition of "This girl is on fire.")

Gabby

Gabby loves to HAM IT UP!  Whether it is posing for a picture, or making up songs... Gabs is the one leading the show.  She is mighty, and fierce and loves to be chased by the boys.  (And yes, I hear about the boy chasing almost daily.) 

Gabby is usually the first to help out... and the most diligent at following through on a task.  She is pretty outgoing and we usually have to make a stop every time we are out for her to say "hi" to someone she knows!

Mary

Mary has lost two teeth within the last two weeks!  Fortunately, the tooth fairy was able to locate each tooth and leave a monetary present.  (Gabby, on the other hand, didn't fare so well.)

Mary is our fashionista- down to the hair style and type of clothes that she wears.  She loves to accessorize and has started the sisters on wearing stickers as earrings. 

She has also recently started to show a more sensitive side - with hugs, kisses, and whispers of love.

ok... so March has come and gone...

and I still have yet to blog- two months later!  As you may (or may not) be able to imagine, my time is not my own and continually slips away from me.  God knows when I will actually be able to look through the vacation pictures.  I can assure you it was a fun-filled time in Disney and FL... with memories that would last a life time. 

this picture was taken in May 2013, when the kiddo's had a dress down day at school due to the heat.  I chuckle to myself and appreciate each ones unique style!

So.. as for our time, we spend it doing homework, playing piano (which the trio are doing awesomely! (is that even a word?)) , taekwondo (blue belt status already), soccer practice and games... and trying to just be a kid.  Throw in there some extra TLC for Daddy who had ACL surgery on 5/1, and our days are crammed packed. 

a little tease

Just a little teaser of our spring break trip down to FL... full pictures (and stories) to come!