Characteristics

I think I may be one of the most proud mommy's.  I think about the kids and smile.  I love their personalities and what they have become.

Ryley is so smart.  She loves to read and she is so sweet.  She is good at math.  She is thoughtful and caring and goes out of her way to help out.  She is beautiful inside and out. She also has a sassy side.

Joey is so witty and has a memory like no other. He is smart and handsome.  He loves to chat and he knows everyone and knows about everything going on.  He is a boys boy and he has such a sensitive side.  He also has a ton of energy.

Owen aims to please.  He is a rule follower.  He is smart and has the cutest smile.  He is very sensitive but is strong yet doesn't realize it. He is playful and sweet and loves family nights.  He can be very picky with clothes!

TJ makes us all laugh.  He is funny, sweet, smart and super affectionate.  He can run with the best of them.  He loves to be with siblings and also loves to torment them at times too.(like singing when he knows everyone wants him to be quiet.)

They are all sweet, loving, and caring.  They are adventurous and have a great spirit.  So proud to be your mommy!

A star

This past week was theater week at school.  I never would have imagined  Ryley volunteering to be part of a play.  I was so proud of her.  She is never afraid to try something new.  She has a quiet personality yet she always wants to learn and she puts her all into everything she does.  Ry was up on stage singing and dancing and having a great time.  She was so proud of herself and I am so proud of the little girl she has turned into.

Special people in our lives

We are very blessed to have such wonderful family.  My kids think the world of their cousins and their aunts and uncles.  This past Sunday, we met Aunt Maria, Uncle G, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Dave for a winter hike.  The Dargan kids love hikes.  It's part of our routine.  It's even more fun and special when family joins us on our favorite adventures.  TJ hikes the mountain - no problem.  Joey can climb a rock like a pro.  Ryley has a little of her mommy in her and jogs up the mountain a bit.  Owen sticks with Joey no matter what.  He is a trooper.  They all adore Aunt Melissa and being with her makes them so happy.  Their eyes light up when they see her and they are so proud to show her all they know.  We are fortunate to have such a special person in our lives.  Thanks Aunt Melissa for coming on a hike with us.   I hope you realize how much these kids love you and look up to you.  We love you!

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.