Hope everyone had a great mommy day! I did (well, at least the first half!). Yesterday, John took all three boys along with Grandpa, Hakka, and Uncle Nelson to the Mets game, so I had the whole afternoon to myself. It was niiiiice. I did a ton of catch up work on the computer, a little organizing, and even went and got myself a pedicure (with massage chairs- not as good as Asela, but what can you do?) so my feet aren’t completely hideous for the wedding next weekend.

This morning, hung out and cleaned up. Then John took ALL of us to brunch at the country club- Mom & Ken, Mom & Dad, Inez & Thomas plus their whole crew, and us. Delicious as always and a fun time. Finally got all the boys in a picture together (don’t think we had a really good one since 2 yrs ago at a family Christening). We honestly did not plan the "uniform"- just worked out that way. Handsome, one & all. Got a few shots with my boys even. How nice.My amazing inlaws, just back from a trip to Egypt (yes, really). My mother in law got me a beautiful necklace. Don’t know if you can make it out in any of the pictures, but I’m wearing it. 

And please forgive me, but I need to insert a little mommy brag here. Timmy’s been saying "Happy Mothers Day" for about a week now, every day. So cute! He made a painted macaroni napkin holder at school with a pretty, sparkly card. John got me floor seats to The Cure (yippeeee!) at MSG next month- are you ready, Robin? Jack & Patrick made me handmade cards (my favorite!) and wrote me some poetry and writing pieces. Must share, but break out the hankies- you’re gonna need them!

From Jack:

(a handmade card) Dear Mom: Thank you for all the good things in my life. It’s your special day, so you get to do what you want. So, you’re taking the day off. Anyway, if you need any help just ask, ok? You’re the best mom ever. Love, Jack

(a writing piece from school) My Mother: My mom has many special qualities. Here are a couple of things my mom is good at. She is a very good photographer. She even has her own business! Someday, she’ll be a professional. Another thing she is good at is cooking. She cooks the dinner every night of the school week! Also, she is an amazing Mom. I love when she lets me stay up late. She also has a great sense of taste. She goes to restaurants that are delicious! My mom is great. These are the great qualities of my mom.

From Patrick: (two poems)

Mom, you’re so sweet. Your pictures are really neat. Mom, you’re so cool. You’re as pretty as a treasured jewel!

Mom, I would never trade you for gold. When I look at you, your face glows like an angel in the sky. I’ll always like you when time goes by. I’ll always love you even when you grow old.

Okay, how much do I love those boys??

Went down to the beach with my mom later on to shoot some product for beaches n buckets (more on that tommorrow) but we had a lot of fun even though it was pretty freezing and so windy. It was nice Mommy time either way. Thanks for coming along and for the help, Mom!!

By the time I came back, John was all kinds of sick (puking) so he spent the rest of the day and all of tonight in bed. I feel bad for him that he’s so sick. I just hope it’s a food or medicine reaction and not a stomach virus that makes it’s ugly way thru the house- especially with the wedding next weekend. Keep a good thought on that for me, huh? And even better…John thinks he may have to have additional surgery on his back cause it’s just as bad lately as it was before the surgery. He thinks the remainder of the disc is now herniated or it’s scartissue pushing on the nerve. But he has constant shooting pain down the butt, leg, foot  just like last time. Except now it’s in both legs instead of just one. Fabulous. He is trying to get an appointment with the dr. this week and he will most likely send him for an MRI (again). I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway, Happy Mothers Day to all my mommy friends out there!

With all the music stuff going on for me lately, I started thinking about all the concerts I’ve been to in my life. Came up with a mental list, but wanted to put it down so I can get it out of my head! Trying to go in order, but a lot of them were high school and I can’t remember…it’s the closest I can come…

• The Cure (going again next month!)
• Howard Jones
• Psychedelic Furs
• OMD (orchestral manuevers in the dark)
• James Taylor (x2)
• Beach Boys
• Crosby, Stills & Nash (x2)
• Janet Jackson
• Billy Idol
• The Cars (okay, didn’t see them in concert, but I met Rick Ocasic on the plane in college and he signed my tape. So nice! He even looked for me once we landed in NY to say bye.)
• U2
• The Who
• Jimmy Cliff
• Romeo Void
• The 70’s Disco Explosion (KC & the sunshine band, Kool & the gang, gloria gaynor, dancing by Denny Terrio & motion!!)
• REM
• KC & The Sunshine Band
• Neil Diamond
• RuPaul
• Van Halen (with Sammy Hagar though. Eh.)
• Prince
• going to see Billy Joel at Shea next month
• and of course, The Turn

I’m pretty sure there are others I’m missing though. Can’t find my old ticket stubs.

Just feeling a little fried today. I know there are still a few of you out there waiting for your pictures, and I am working on them. I am aiming to have them all up and posted by the end of the weekend. I hope.

Things around here have been totally nuts. I purposely took this week off from shoots to try and catch up and catch my breath. So far, that’s not been happening. The Turn guys called and asked if I would shoot them while they were in the recording studio (more on that another day soon), and you know how I just love them- so I couldn’t say no. And I’m so glad I didn’t. Awesome pictures to follow soon (such a tease, I know). Today was out of control. It was Visitors Day at the big boys school and Timmy had PT and OT today so I was running all over the place trying to be with everyone at once. I still need a clone. Grandma was a total savior today- running interference and taking the big boys out to lunch. Again, more on that later with pictures, of course.

And since a post is worthless without pictures, here are two from yesterday. My niece (aka photographic protege) needed some help with a photography class project so we headed over to the park for a few shots. She took the hanging one of Timmy (in his new old school Star Wars tshirt  -love!!) and quickly snapped the other of the boys. 

Finally getting around to posting some pictures of the boys from two weeks ago. You’ll be seeing us getting LOTS of use out of the new blazers and shirts over the next few weeks…Mothers Day brunch at the club on Sunday and then grandma & grandpa’s wedding the following Sunday. Already getting our money’s worth.

It was a good thing I took these pictures when I did, cause very soon after, they were all COVERED in tomato sauce! I must make it to the dry cleaners before Sunday!

Above, Jack looking all presidential. Below, giving the hairy eyeball. Ahhh, just like daddy.

Tonight, Timmy’s class had a mommy & me night where we went to his classroom and played for an hour (please overlook the chocolate teddy grahams in his teeth- he had a snack in the car on the way over). We had a blast! It was so nice being in his classroom and seeing him in his element; playing with his friends and seeing which toys he liked the most. We played a bunch of playdough, he made a picture frame (surprisingly, he was wearing a pirate hat in the picture his teachers took!), he made a whole feast in the kitchen (yes, daddy, the kitchen!!), and grilled up a burger on the grill. They also did a few rounds of musical chairs (so cute!), ring around the rosy, and some hand songs.  

Of course, on the way out the "old married couple" had to run on the ramp (which they are really not supposed to do). When I told them to give eachother some love, Timmy did it for a second and was ready to split. But his wife held on tight!