Show time for daddy

A couple of weeks ago, Joe was playing a hockey game with his former St. Peters Prep guys in an arena in Newark.  We all took a ride to watch and support daddy as he played.  The kids got to see daddy in action with his very quick and smooth moves.  Joe scored a few goals and the kids shouted "yeah daddy".  I could tell for Joe how good it felt to play with his friends and to have his kids watching and cheering him on.  We were all proud of him and happy for him.  After the game, Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ got a chance to skate where the guys just played.  Joey was showing off his moves.  Ryley happily skates around at her own pace.  TJ is starting off and smiling as he tries to get more steady.  Owen does not like to fall.  He is getting better and I have a feeling once he gets the hang of it, he will be flying around with confidence. 

Happy Birthday TJ

Happy Birthday to my little sweetheart.  Each birthday, I can't believe that one of my kids is a year older.  I think I would freeze time if I could just so I can keep them little.  We celebrated TJ/s birthday all weekend.  Friday night, Joe and I took the cousins bowling.  They are at a good age right now where they can enjoy bowling more.  TJ would put the ball between his legs and roll the ball or basically drop it and watch it roll.  Owen got a strike and was so proud of himself.  He had a good eye and he was good! Joey would roll the ball and then dance through the lanes while waiting for it to hit the pins.  Ryley was very serious.  She was in it to win it.  I got involved myself and acted like I didn't care but secretly wanted a strike each time.  The kids had a blast and I had more fun watching them.    GG and Grandpa were there too.  Owen needs his Grandpa everywhere he goes. 

We woke up Saturday morning to just enjoy our morning together.  I said "Happy Birthday"  to TJ and he said happy birthday back to me.  We all took a trip to Grandma and PopPops.  The Dargan kids pick grandparents over everything!  We went night ice skating for TJ's bday.  The kids thought it was the greatest to be ice skating at night.  I treasure our time when it's just the 6 of us.

TJ is 4.  Happy Birthday baby.  Your favorite things are yogurt, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese sticks and macaroni.  I love how you always out of the blue say, "mommy, I love you."   I love how you sleep in Ryleys room every night.  I love that you like to be funny and make everyone laugh.  I love how affectionate you are and how you give the biggest hugs.  I love that you always want to sit next to me when we go out.  I love that you are sitting next to me right now and leaning on me as I write this.  I love everything about you and am so proud of you.  I love being your mommy.

A new year

The holidays are over and things have finally slowed down a bit.  The past few months have been exciting and busy.  The kids look so forward to Halloween and Thanksgiving and all that goes with Christmas.  There is so much planning and shopping and parties and holiday songs are on every radio station.  The kids are all smiles in anticipation of Santa.  It is such am exciting time.  When it's all done, there is a slight sigh of relief.  Things will finally calm down.  At the same time, I get sad each year at this time.  I realize that half of the school year has gone by and my babies are getting older.  I know that TJ's birthday is coming up and that he will be a year older.  I am so proud of their accomplishments, yet I wish I could slow down time.  I love watching them grow and learn new things.  I am proud and lucky to be with them each day and I realize that.  I just love them so much with all my heart and want them to stay little sometimes.  I hope someday Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ realize that they make my world complete and that being their mommy is the best thing that ever happened to me.  Here is to a healthy and wonderful 2013.  Looking forward to making more new memories.

Jingle all the way through December

December has been very busy for us.  It started off with Christmas shopping. A surprise trip to Disney definitely added some excitement to the month.  Owen and TJ were surprised at home and we all surprised Ryley and Joey at school.  Their smiles were priceless and watching their innocence in Magic Kingdom is something we will always treasure.  

We had an amazing trip together.  There is nothing better than being away with your kids and just spending time together.  I loved not having a schedule to follow and I loved holding their hands as we walked through the parks and seeing them smile.  Just being together is what matters most.   We came home to a 70th bday party for Pop Pop and a family Christmas party and didn't stop for a few weeks. It was busy and fun and exciting.  It always seems like Christmas comes and goes so fast.  You have to treasure each moment and it  truly is magic to watch your kids at Christmas time.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I appreciate what I have and know that I am lucky.  Tonight I sit here and smile.  All is quiet.  The Dargan kids are sleeping, and as I put them to bed earlier, I took a few extra minutes to just kiss them a few more times and hug them a little longer. With such a busy month,  you sometimes have to stop for a minute and look around and take a few extra minutes to just hold whats most important to you.  Love you guys so much.

Thanks from the Dargans

TJ -  I am thankful for my family and for the sun!

Joey  - I am thankful for my family, my home, my bed, the ocean, my puppy, my cousins (the list was endless)

Ryley - I am thankful for my family.  My mommy always takes me fun places and my daddy always tucks me in.  My puppy always plays with me in the backyard.

Owen - I am thankful for my family and my puppy Hobson, grandpa (he really has a special bond with grandpa)


As for me, well I too am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for a marriage filled with love.  I am thankful for our 4 beautiful children and their health.  I am thankful that I wait each day at the bus stop for them and I get to see their smiling faces when they get off the bus.  I am thankful for what I have in my life, and I want to cherish it always.

2012 - Joe, Ryley, Joey, Owen, TJ & Hobson - Life is wonderful with you!  I love you all so much. 

Highlights of my week

TJ watching "The Muppets" and telling all of us that he doesn't want "stick up hair" like the character on TV.  He made us all laugh.

Owen coming downstairs in his Spider man "feety pajamas"  (actually feetless) and being so proud of them.  He was so excited that he had to get Joe in the bathroom just to show him.  He said he loved his new feety pajamas even though his feet stick out the bottom.  Pure innocence!

My parents stopped by after school one day and said it was probably a bad tine to stop by because we have so much going on.  Joey says, "GG and Grandpa, any time is a good time for you guys to stop by."

Ryley got invited to a birthday party at Bounce U.  Ryley says, "Mommy, I  would rather stay with you guys and GG and Grandpa then go to the party."  That is so cute to me.

Ryley needed socks for school this morning.  She was tired so Owen said, "Ryley, you rest, I will get them for you."

After trick or treating in the parking lot at school, Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ combined their candy and  shared.  They felt bad that TJ didn't have a lot so they put all their candy together so they could all share it.  They did this on their own.  It makes me proud.

The kids helped Joe and I rake all the leaves and pick up all the sticks from the lawn.

I am so proud of who they are.  To top things off, as I write this Ryely just came downstairs and handed me my phone.  She recorded a message on her itouch and sent it to me.  In her message, she thanked me for the wonderful tine she had these past few days and told me how much she loved me.  Just keeps getting better!  Those are a just a few highlights of my week!

Happy Halloween?

It's November 2012.  I have no pictures to post just yet since my computer is being fixed.  There was no real Halloween this year since Hurricane Sandy payed a visit to New York and New Jersey.  School parades were cancelled and it was too dangerous to go trick or treating.  The kids at least got a chance to dress up and head to the elementary school to have a make shift Halloween and trick or teat at tables instead of houses.  I have to say that the kids were such good sports about it. 

TJ was the cutest dragon ever with his long tail.

Joey was a skeleton which was perfect for his skinny little body.

Owen was the green lantern.  He was very proud and excited to be a superhero.

Ryley was the prettiest pirate.

The Dargan kids rallied.  We all made it through a very cold week with no power, no heat an no electricity.  Joe was away and I was very proud of myself for holding down the fort.  I am proud to say that I can build a great fire and I know how to work a generator.  My, I can do anything, attitude continues.  I did kind of let that attitude go one for night when I packed up the kids and dog and headed to my parents for warmth and company.  I always feel that I can just handle things on my owen and I don't need any help.  The temperature dipped down to 30 Sat night so I figured that was an OK time to screw all that.

The kids were in their glory with GG and Grandpa and I spent some quality time with my parents.  We created a memory.  I slept in my old room and it was comforting to know that my parents were in the next room and Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ, and Hobson were all safe and warm.  We missed daddy very much but the Dargan kids have one tough mommy!