Author: M. Sullivan Photography

We spent a quiet Mother’s Day at home yesterday.  The kids spent Saturday preparing for Mother’s Day by whispering to each other and Mike about their plans.  I was told “do not look in Sebastian’s closet”.  I wasn’t quite sure what was hidden in there, but I knew I did not want to get caught opening his closet door even if I was only looking for dirty clothes from his laundry hamper.  In the pictures below you can see the giant card that was hiding in his closet.

Before any showering or changing out of pajamas could take place, the kids brought me gifts and cards.  I think they may have been more excited than me. 

We were lucky to have great weather and spent a good deal of time outside working on the yard and gardens.  Mike fixed the flat tire on Sophia’s bike so that we could head down to the Lakewalk.  The kids rode their bikes and Mike and I walked – or “power walked” as Mike calls it.

Although Mike and I were not able to spend the day with our mothers, we each called our Moms in the morning.  I’m amazed that my Mom (Mary Rose) could raise eight kids and still retain her sanity.  We grew our own vegetables in the garden and my Mom made a lot of our clothes when we were young.  I can’t imagine that she ever slept.  Mike’s Mom (Karen) raised two amazing boys.  With some of the crazy childhood stories that Mike has told me over the years, I’m quite amazed by Karen too –  especially her patience. 🙂

If you look closely, you can see the gum still in her mouth.  She doesn’t even take it out when she bathes.  The kids have the same gum addiction as their father – Thanks Mike!  At least it’s sugarless gum. 🙂

We took over 200 photos on Sunday.  Some were good, some not so good.  Here are a few more random photos from throughout the day.

It was a bit paparazzi-like during communion and again after mass during the group photos.  The parents and family members of 30+ kids all with cameras vying for the best spot to get photos.  We snapped a few of the whole group, but there are heads and hands with cameras in all the shots.

Sebastian changed out of his “dress up” clothes as soon as we got back to the house.  He picked out shorts, a t-shirt and his MN Twins hat for the party.  We were lucky to get one family photo outside before he changed.  He certainly is the opposite of his sister who would be happy wearing a dress and tights every day.  After swinging, going down the slide and running around the yard in her “fancy” dress and shoes, we made her go inside to change.  We are hoping that she will be able to wear her “fancy” dress and shoes for preschool graduation this month and again for my nephew’s wedding in July.  So far the dress has held up well to stains and made it through one washing.  I cleaned the mud off her white shoes and will polish them up before preschool graduation.