Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day this year with dinner at Mary and Paul's house on Saturday night. Early Sunday morning, Marcia ran her 1st 5K with several of her Mommy friends. It was an awesome way to spend the morning and despite the cold temperatures Herley and Sal came to see Mommy finish! Special thanks for Grandma and Aunt Mary for getting up early to go with Mommy to the race! What makes a Mommy - sweet Sal cheering Mommy on!

The Valera family after the race - Mommy got a tiara for running her first 5K!

Mommy getting ready for her run!

Sal and Aunt Mary celebrating at breakfast (above) and at dinner (below). Aunt Mare is like a Mom but way cooler!

Spring Odds and Ends

Spring brought back lots of fun times outdoors, including a trip to Antioch Park - one of our favorites!Cousins Sal and George had fun seeing the trains at the Mall and getting Uncle Paul involved at the play area!

Sal loves staying for donuts after Mass - here he and Daddy are enjoying a Sunday morning treat!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

While Daddy isn't much for birthday fanfare - Salvador sure is! He had so much FUN getting ready for Daddy's birthday "party!" We had balloons, party hats, noise makers and cupcakes. He was so excited I could barely get him to nap - just wait for his birthday in a few months!

Sal preparing to party!Sal decorated these cupcakes for Daddy!

Sal posing with the birthday boy!

The Valera family - before Mommy and Daddy went out for dinner while Sal continued to party with Aunt Mary and Uncle Paul! Thanks guys!

Sal helped Daddy with his candles!

Easter

We enjoyed Easter weekend with much of our family. Cousin George came to play with Salvador on Friday and they enjoyed a trip to the train exhibit with Grandpa. Uncle Paul hid Easter eggs for the kids while Aunt Mary cooked dinner on Saturday - Sal was so excited to "find lots and lots of eggs." We enjoyed Easter morning with Salvador. For some reason he calls the Easter Bunny the Easter Rabbit - it cracks me up! We had family for brunch and celebrated with noon Mass. He is Risen!

The Easter Rabbit as he calls him brought Sal a new Handy Manny toolbox - he was thrilled!

Sal and George provided entertainment for the morning - note all the cars parked between the keys!

Sal loves to take Flicker into the bathroom and shut the door! Luz por favor!

Our sweet little boy all dressed up for Easter Mass. He enjoyed a picnic lunch when we got home with a Handy Manny episode.

Here's a little bit of Sal's Easter fun in the video below..."I cannot believe it!"

Deanna Rose Opening Day

Due to a last minute change in plans, we were able to enjoy one of our favorite activities - Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead - on opening day. It is a real local treasure. I had so much fun watching Sal re-explore it as an older and wiser little guy. Too fun! Thanks to Bethany for the invite!

Jolly and Sal looking for ducks after lunch.

Below Cerys, Sal and Jolly having fun at the farm.

Sal loved this slide this year and went again and again and again - last Fall he wasn't so sure. My little guy is growing up! Sal with the little train - and ice cream sandwich in his teeth. He'll still say "we had ice cream at the farm" whenever we see the ice cream truck in one of his books!

Boys Weekend

Aunt Deanna brought cousin George up for a weekend visit so the boys could just "be boys" - it was all Sal could talk about - Cousin George, Cousin George! It was hard to get many pictures as the boys kept us pretty busy but here are a few! They packed in the fun from Little Monkey Bizness, Fritz's and the train exhibit at the Great Mall - a great time was had by all!Mommy and Sal at Fritz's in Shawnee
Uncle Herley with the Piano Men - our home was filled with wonderful music by the boys!

We'll remember this joy when they have to practice!

Aunt Marcia snuggling George and Sal Sunday morning - they were beat!

Melt Our Hearts!

Salvador singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" - he loves his "Jesus" CD as he calls it, that his BFF Sarah gave him for Christmas. This one and "I've got Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart" are his favorites!

Winter Fun

It's been cold and we've all been sick. Sal can't catch a break with ear infections right now but we've managed to squeeze in a little fun this winter. Sal and Aunt Mare Mare wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses!
Sal painting waterfalls, down, down, down

Sal enjoys playing in the spare room before his bath...here he is taking a rest with his current favorite book.

One more, since we use the camera as a video recorder sometimes it can be confusing...see below. The second video is Sal cracking up at the computer.