This morning, I crawled into Moe's bed to wake her up. I like to lay next to the girls and snuggle and talk to them. Usually I wake them by whispering "good morning pumpkin pie (or some other sweet name)". As I lay next to Moe this morning, I couldn't help but yawn and stretch. I was, after all, still waking up myself.
Mommy, are you still tired? she asked.
Yes Sweetie, I replied.
Well why don't you go back to sleep and Daddy can wake us up? she asked.
Bwahahaha, um why not indeed? Because daddy is not a morning person and I have to tell him the night before "I'm sleeping in" if I want that to happen. And because while I have faith in daddy to get things done, the before school routine usually runs smoother with me :P
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Portsmouth Getaway
We survived a quick weekend getaway north with the girls. Destination - Portsmouth, NH. And the hardest part of the whole trip? Finding a hotel that sleeps 5 in a room!
The girls had been anticipation the trip for weeks - asking about it everyday - "how much longer?". And talking about it constantly.
We picked them up from school Friday after kenneling the dogs, went home so they could change out of their school uniforms and hit the road. And a few hours later, we arrived in Portsmouth. We checked into our hotel room and then it was time to meet our friends. The night ended with a stroll through Downtown Portsmouth to The Friendly Toast for a late dinner.
They were a tad chilly.
The girls had been anticipation the trip for weeks - asking about it everyday - "how much longer?". And talking about it constantly.
We picked them up from school Friday after kenneling the dogs, went home so they could change out of their school uniforms and hit the road. And a few hours later, we arrived in Portsmouth. We checked into our hotel room and then it was time to meet our friends. The night ended with a stroll through Downtown Portsmouth to The Friendly Toast for a late dinner.
They were a tad chilly.The next morning, we woke up and headed out. We wanted to make the most of the weekend. The first stop was Rye Harbor. It was still chilly - but the girls were happy.
Portsmouth ROCKS!
Portsmouth ROCKS!We hiked a few places - and then hit downtown Portsmouth for a while. All I have to say is I could live here. Parking wasn't too bad - we used the parking garage. But we could have spent hours strolling through town. The Big Kid said it could be bad living there - it would let his inner artist out - one that has been suppressed for so long. The whole feel of the town was intoxicating - it was so artsy and upbeat. Even the kids could feel it.
Scarecrows everywhere!
Zombie baby!
Scarecrows everywhere!
Zombie baby!The later part of the day was spent with a LARGE group of friends. We letter boxed, joked around, ate and had fun. There was a haunted house and night boxing and happy children.
See how happy we are? Even with a new head injury...
See how happy we are? Even with a new head injury...Sunday came and it was time to check out and head home. But not before hiking the morning through the Urban Forestry Area. All too quick our weekend away was over.
Goodbye hotel
The weekend was an overall success. The kids were happy. They slept well. They hardly complained. Injuries were at a minimum. The bickering was normal (you can't have everything, right?).
We can't wait to do it again with them!
Goodbye hotelThe weekend was an overall success. The kids were happy. They slept well. They hardly complained. Injuries were at a minimum. The bickering was normal (you can't have everything, right?).
We can't wait to do it again with them!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Looking Up
Thanks for allowing me to rant the other day.
Things are looking up a little. No, he still cannot take his vacations. But he can carry over 2 for next year so he'll only lose one. And his book is almost completed. And with the schedule - he should be able to finish his hours before the end of the year.
In other news - we are taking the kids on their first ever mini-vacation (with the exception of visiting friends in VT). It will be their first ever stay in a hotel (with the exception of Einey who stayed at CocoKeys last year and whom I feel is setting her expectations WAY to HIGH!). Wish us luck and pray that we survive.
And lastly, unfortunately, with the revoked vacation next week, the Big Kid is no longer going to be killed by zombies. he had to drop the play. However, the girls will still be zombies. Please tell me they won't be scarred for life!
Things are looking up a little. No, he still cannot take his vacations. But he can carry over 2 for next year so he'll only lose one. And his book is almost completed. And with the schedule - he should be able to finish his hours before the end of the year.
In other news - we are taking the kids on their first ever mini-vacation (with the exception of visiting friends in VT). It will be their first ever stay in a hotel (with the exception of Einey who stayed at CocoKeys last year and whom I feel is setting her expectations WAY to HIGH!). Wish us luck and pray that we survive.
And lastly, unfortunately, with the revoked vacation next week, the Big Kid is no longer going to be killed by zombies. he had to drop the play. However, the girls will still be zombies. Please tell me they won't be scarred for life!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Frustration
Have you ever had something happen that is beyond your control but that effects your everyday living but you can't do a damn thing about it? And you can't really bitch about it because the wrong person might hear and who knows if it would make things better or worse?
Something that makes you want to scream. Or cry. Or eat a whole box of pumpkin donuts. Or grab your dog and just run/walk really, really fast (because you purposly took your dog to a place you knew her friends just left, so she HAD to cover that 1/2 mile distance as fast as she could - 5 minutes :P)
So yeah, I'm pissed off. Disheartened. Frustrated. Stressed. And it's not even my problem. Only it is. It affects me. And my family. And my life. And I can't do a damn thing about it.
Oh and depending on how things work out over the next few weeks/2 months, I may have to tell my kids that their dream vacation - the one they've been talking about for over a year now when "all the HELL" started (but it was okay - because it was for the greater good - good things would happen at the end- until some asshats had to go and change the game/rules a million times and now the final rule change may make it not attainable and not worth it - because hell, he dared to take one week of vacation months in July because at that point in the game, it was okay, there was plenty of time, but oh shit let's change the rules and NOW you can't take 2 of your other 3 weeks of vacations either and so sorry you, you can't carry them over until next year/take the pay because that's not the way we play - you should have found time to use them, even though you tried and it's not allowed and you can't it's not our problem - and they finally have an end date which isn't far away at all now but again, may not be worth it to pursue) "when Daddy's done school - we're going to Atlantis/Disney (location was to be finalized WHEN we approached an end date that was always changing...)" my not happen. How disappointed will they be? Oh and the roof that NEEDS to be repaired that hell, we may not have the money for anymore either depending on how things turn out.. That they may never get to take their first vacation. Ever. In their lives. And that we're sorry. And people suck.
And that's it. And I know it doesn't make sense. But this is the shit we've dealt with since last July. We thought it was what was best for us, but now we're not so sure. Is the end result worth it? Is putting up with the head games and constant schedule changes worth it?
At least before, the messed up schedule was normal, it didn't change on a whim. It was consistant. We could plan things and not worry about it. Instead of finding out on Monday that the schedule you had for the week has changed again and possibly would before the end of the week. But it's okay because you (I) can deal with it. And thank GOD we have great friends who have helped/offered to shuffle kids around when I couldn't split myself in 2 or 3. And yet, somehow, life goes on, kids get fed, homework gets done activities get accomplished. And eventually we see The Big Kid for more then 5 minutes. But it's okay. Really it is.
Done ranting. GRRRRRR.
Something that makes you want to scream. Or cry. Or eat a whole box of pumpkin donuts. Or grab your dog and just run/walk really, really fast (because you purposly took your dog to a place you knew her friends just left, so she HAD to cover that 1/2 mile distance as fast as she could - 5 minutes :P)
So yeah, I'm pissed off. Disheartened. Frustrated. Stressed. And it's not even my problem. Only it is. It affects me. And my family. And my life. And I can't do a damn thing about it.
Oh and depending on how things work out over the next few weeks/2 months, I may have to tell my kids that their dream vacation - the one they've been talking about for over a year now when "all the HELL" started (but it was okay - because it was for the greater good - good things would happen at the end- until some asshats had to go and change the game/rules a million times and now the final rule change may make it not attainable and not worth it - because hell, he dared to take one week of vacation months in July because at that point in the game, it was okay, there was plenty of time, but oh shit let's change the rules and NOW you can't take 2 of your other 3 weeks of vacations either and so sorry you, you can't carry them over until next year/take the pay because that's not the way we play - you should have found time to use them, even though you tried and it's not allowed and you can't it's not our problem - and they finally have an end date which isn't far away at all now but again, may not be worth it to pursue) "when Daddy's done school - we're going to Atlantis/Disney (location was to be finalized WHEN we approached an end date that was always changing...)" my not happen. How disappointed will they be? Oh and the roof that NEEDS to be repaired that hell, we may not have the money for anymore either depending on how things turn out.. That they may never get to take their first vacation. Ever. In their lives. And that we're sorry. And people suck.
And that's it. And I know it doesn't make sense. But this is the shit we've dealt with since last July. We thought it was what was best for us, but now we're not so sure. Is the end result worth it? Is putting up with the head games and constant schedule changes worth it?
At least before, the messed up schedule was normal, it didn't change on a whim. It was consistant. We could plan things and not worry about it. Instead of finding out on Monday that the schedule you had for the week has changed again and possibly would before the end of the week. But it's okay because you (I) can deal with it. And thank GOD we have great friends who have helped/offered to shuffle kids around when I couldn't split myself in 2 or 3. And yet, somehow, life goes on, kids get fed, homework gets done activities get accomplished. And eventually we see The Big Kid for more then 5 minutes. But it's okay. Really it is.
Done ranting. GRRRRRR.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Fall foods
Fall is my favorite season. I love the sights, the smells, the aroma of autumn. I got married under a golden hued autumn canopy. I love hiking when the leaves crunch under my feet. I love driving through the hills and seeing the patchwork trees in the distance.
Cooking in the fall takes a new turn. I don't mind baking. Or letting stews and soups simmer in the crock pot, ready to be eaten around our busy soccer schedule. And one thing my kids always ask for is pumpkin pancakes when the days turn shorter and the air gets cooler.
Today, the kids had a day off of school. It's cool, it's rainy - just the type of day that makes you want to curl up and spend the day inside. Off hand, I said to The Big Kid "I wonder how pumpkin french toast would taste". A quick trip to the grocery store and we were ready to cook. They were very scrumptious. A post on Facebook and people wanted the recipe. So here it is.
Pumpkin French Toast
Ingredients *:
1 1/2 packages of cream cheese (we used fat free)
4 ounces of canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon sugar
bread
eggs milk
Directions:
Mix your egg and milk together (as you would for regular french toast). Set aside.
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and sugar. Spread on one slice of bread. Top with another slice of bread. Dip in egg mixture. Put it in a frying pan for about a minute - then flip over for another minute (or until thoroughly cooked)
Top with syrup, butter, whipped cream or powdered sugar.
Pumpkin pancakes
Use your favorite pancake recipe (even from a box). I prefer the recipe in my BHG cookbook. Add 4 ounces of canned pumpkin to your mix. And cook as the directions dictate.
Enjoy!
* measurements are estimates- a tad more or less may be required depending on your tastebuds
Cooking in the fall takes a new turn. I don't mind baking. Or letting stews and soups simmer in the crock pot, ready to be eaten around our busy soccer schedule. And one thing my kids always ask for is pumpkin pancakes when the days turn shorter and the air gets cooler.
Today, the kids had a day off of school. It's cool, it's rainy - just the type of day that makes you want to curl up and spend the day inside. Off hand, I said to The Big Kid "I wonder how pumpkin french toast would taste". A quick trip to the grocery store and we were ready to cook. They were very scrumptious. A post on Facebook and people wanted the recipe. So here it is.
Pumpkin French Toast
Ingredients *:
1 1/2 packages of cream cheese (we used fat free)
4 ounces of canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon sugar
bread
eggs milk
Directions:
Mix your egg and milk together (as you would for regular french toast). Set aside.
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and sugar. Spread on one slice of bread. Top with another slice of bread. Dip in egg mixture. Put it in a frying pan for about a minute - then flip over for another minute (or until thoroughly cooked)
Top with syrup, butter, whipped cream or powdered sugar.
Pumpkin pancakes
Use your favorite pancake recipe (even from a box). I prefer the recipe in my BHG cookbook. Add 4 ounces of canned pumpkin to your mix. And cook as the directions dictate.
Enjoy!
* measurements are estimates- a tad more or less may be required depending on your tastebuds
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