Reason number one that I get to take the girls shopping first next year

I took the girls out shopping the other day to get a few last minute things for The Big Kid- and I stop to look at some emergency rain poncho's - they look at me and say - no, no, no - we already brought those with Daddy the other day. We don't need them.

Sadly, this isn't the first time they've told me what he's brought....

Happy Thanksgiving

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my family and friends. For good health and the Big Kid's job (because for as much as I complain, at least he has a job). I am thankful for my kids and the laughter and love they bring to my life. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

I will leave you with How to Cook a Turkey
By Moe
First Grade
Age 6.

Do you know how to make the best turkey? No? the secret ingredient of my family recipe is sugar. First my dad pulls off the feathers of the turkey next, my mom puts the turkey in the pan we put some and mayo on top of the turkey Then my mom cooks it in a hot pan and my dad puts the oven to 1000 degrees. we cook the turkey for 50 seconds and we know it is done when it looks dead.

(copied verbatim from her paper)

If I end up at the hospital with food poisoning, it's because we used Moe's recipe for dinner :D

New Years Resolutions

We don't typically make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I put forth the question to the family. What do you want to accomplish this year?

Me: I want to reconnect face to face with some old friends who I haven't had the time to see in awhile sans kids. For starters, I've already made tentative plans for coffee with an old friend this week while our kids are in school.

I also want to try and work more. I haven't had many hours subbing picked up yet this year. I don't know if I'm checking at the wrong time or what. It's hard for me to plan ahead (making arrangements for before/after school, packing lunches, getting kids up and ready, etc) if I don't know in advance whether or not they need me. Already this year, I do have plans to work Monday or Tuesday. If I can't pick up more hours, I've already started looking for a real job. One that I need to go to everyday. Problem is, I don't know what I want to do and feel like I have no marketable value :(

Husband: His plan is easy. he wants to survive school. And letterbox more. Last year was an excellent year picking up over 281 boxes since April. He also wants to find at least one box per winter month, something we haven't done before.

Einey: Plain and simple, she wants to visit Maine. She's been obsessed with it since the Husband and I took our little kid free getaway in September. It's probably good that we didn't fly to Hawaii or something :D We have tentative plans to go camping in Maine in August for a letterboxing event. Hopefully the timing will work out with Husband's classes.

Meenie: Wants to learn how to ride a two wheeler. She'll be the first if she can. She was getting close this summer, but we don't have a good bike riding driveway. Einey has no interest at all.

Moe: Wants to learn how to play Guitar Hero.

That's ours, what are yours?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thanks S. again for your help with our Christmas cards!

Christmas Lists

The girls wrote their Christmas Lists last night. So grandma, no worries, here's what they want. Of course, you need mad deciphering skillz to figure it out, but you can't ask for everything :)


Here's Moe's list:
Meenie's list:
She also added SolpesesGog to the bottom.

Einey's list:
Also added: Donute faktery


Good luck!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is...

...letting your loved one's sleep in.

...ignoring gigantic messes as you make your way out to the car for a trip to a destination unknown.

... watching new DVD's in the van, even though it doesn't follow our "longer than an hour rule"

...having lunch amid anatomic animals and fake thunderstorms.

...hiking by historic castles, ignoring the mud beneath our feet.

...having a great day, despite not seeing any eagles.

...a simple dinner and bottle of wine at home

...snuggling up for a movie, five bodies close by.

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Today was a great day. It started off a bit anxiety on my part (but medication does wonders) and soon we were off to destinations unknown. We took the girls to the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch - a place they've been begging to visit. I think it lived up to their expectations, however, Meenie was a bit freaked out during the "thunderstorms". You can tell my girls don't go to the Mall much, they were complete gawkers! Then we travelled down Route 9 to Gillette's Castle, hoping to catch a sight of the bald eagles who winter along the CT river. We didn't see any eagles, but the girls loved playing hide and seek among the castle walls and then frolicking down the trails in search of letterboxes (the two we tried to find we missing :( ).

Then we enjoyed a long trek back, through meandering country roads.

*There was no candy, flowers, jewelry (unless you count the heart earrings we picked up for the girls at Claire's) or other "Hallmarkish" holiday gifts over here. Just a fun day spent with family, doing things we all loved. And it was fantastic!

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Our choice of music once we shut the DVD off was Milkshake. And we defiantly had a "bit of sunshine" today! You can still win a copy of their newest DVD, screen play, over here, as well as concert tickets!

Merry Christmas!

All I want for Christmas is....

Baby go pee-pee ~ Moe, age 4
Easy Bake Cupcake Maker and an American Girl Doll ~ Meenie, Age 5
A turtle ~ Einey, age 7*

Unfortunately, Santa has no plans to actually deliver said wants. So we'll probably have some disappointed kids on Christmas morning....

There are 11 days until Christmas and we were pretty well done all our Christmas preparations.

Tree ~up and decorated~ check


Cards ~issue resolved and mailed ~ check
Cookies ~ made ~ check

Holiday Festivities ~ Light Parade ~ check


Snow ~ check

Stockings ~ hung by the chimney with care ~ check


Presents ~ brought and mostly wrapped ~ checked
Letters to Santa mailed ~ check


Visit with Santa ~ Ah shit. Um.. no.



Oh wait, does Santa riding on a firetruck around town count? They didn't get to sit on his lap or tell him what they wanted though. I'm working on trying to get Santa to visit the house, but I think a trip to the mall may be in order. We missed visiting Santa a few weeks ago due to icy weather.

After leaving Santa (we ambushed him in the village because we were late for Einey's game and they had heard him coming and wanted to wait. So we drove down and met him in the village behind us), Moe looked at me and said "That wasn't the real Santa. He didn't talk like Santa". That and they commented on his fire boots....

And Holiday outtakes....

Did you know Menorah is another word for poop? ~ Einey
Um, no, but manure is another word for poop. A Menorah is a Jewish candle holder.
Oh, yeah...

***********

"Heart the Herald angels sing..." ~Meenie
It's Hark.
No it's not.
Yes it is.
No it's not.
Moooo-oooom....

*********

* we'll just call her seven, she's close enough!

Thank You

Thank you for fighting for our freedoms.

Freedom where little girls can walk down the street without fear.

We read the names and we thank you.

Know that you died for us. For us to be kids. For us to grow up. To be free.

We place our hands over our hearts. We clap.

This Veterans Day, we thank you for the sacrifices you made to ensure that we can grow up without fear. To grow up happy and healthy. To grow up free.

The perfect Christmas Portrait

The last few years, like many other people, I have gone to photo Christmas cards. I like seeing how my friends and family member's kids have grown and love sharing how my kids have grown.

Every year, I try to get the pictures taken in early fall, so that they can be mailed out the day before Thanksgiving. My plan this week was to take the kids out today and try to get "the perfect picture". Unfortunately, Meenie still wasn't feeling up to it today. With it getting dark early in the afternoon, by the time the girls are home from school and changed and we drive to the location, the sun is already setting. So that leaves me with Tuesday as my next viable day., when the girls have another day off of school. I've already got the outfits and accessories. I plan on dong some with them in their Corky coats as well.

This year, I've also enlisted the help of a friend who is a graphic designer to help design the rest of the card. I have some ideas floating around and then just need to figure out what sizes I want and where I want to print them.

What about you, have you started thinking about holiday cards yet?

Happy Fourth!

Wishing you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!

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Before heading out to your holiday BBQ's, stop by my review blog to brush up on some warm weather tips for staying healthy and safe!

"Freedom is not free"

*The post title comes from a billboard at a local VFW

Yesterday was Memorial Day. Einey marched in the local Memorial Day Parade with her brownies troop. Growing up, I remember marching in our local parade. We made stops at four cemeteries on the way where Taps was played, and there were 21 gun salutes. Einey's parade was small. It consisted of a small amount of local veterans, a middle school band, high school band, 2 brownie troops, a daisy troop and cub scout troop. The attendance at the parade was dismal to say the least. After the parade, there was a short ceremony at the town green, which unfortunately, we couldn't hear.


While I know the current war is not one many people support, but it's still hard to understand why people wouldn't want to honor those who have died giving us our freedom. Many young men and women have fought in numerous wars for our country. They are doing it for us and our children. Unfortunately that freedom comes at a cost.


The girls had alot of questions yesterday. And we answered them as best as we could. Einey remarked after looking at the Wall of Connecticut soldiers killed in Vietnam that "wow, that's alot of people". We explained that yes, it was lot of names, and that those names were from just one state for one war. Husband then showed her pictures of the National Vietnam Memorial Day.


And so, while spending the day as a family, we also took time to reflect on the past. We gave thanks for those who dies and also those who risked their lives so that we can live our lives in freedom.

Happy Belated Easter!

Eggs, Eggs Everywhere

And it's not even Easter yet!

And you know what, of course they are the girls FAVORITE toys right now. Why wouldn't they be? We picked up eggs at the town Easter Egg Hunt, Meenie's class hunt, in which the teacher gave Moe a few eggs as well and then today at drop off, a friend gave the girls bags she made which include eggs (and which means Einey will be coming home from school with them as well). The girls have been hiding EVERYTHING in them lately as well. Luckily, they were smart enough to empty the candy and put in into the basket where I will probably toss it when they are not looking give them a piece or two a day. But now I need to constantly keep check on what they are hiding. They have already discovered that many of the LPS toys fit perfectly inside as well as hair accessories. And I happen to know the Easter Bunny is planning on leaving some eggs as well.

What oh what am I going to do with all the eggs and how can I make them magically disappear?

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On a side note, I need one of those giant plastic bubbles to put Moe in. She's once again sporting a nice black eye. While entering the grocery store yesterday, she walked into the corner on a garbage can.

Weekend Recap

Friday was a perfect day by New England standards. The temperature was spring like and since there was a half day of school, the girls spent many hours outside. They played, they fought, they had snacks outside and they drew with sidewalk chalk. Side walk chalk has to be the best invention ever. It's the tool I use when I need to clean the van. Seriously, after a winter with bitter cold weather, who wants to spend time outside cleaning a van? Not I. And so, my van looked like this:


After about an hour and a vacuum, it now looks like this:

I must like bags, as I had a few in the van. I had to toss an old sports bag, so I put the emergency kit in an unused diaper bag under the seat. I refolded the spare blanket and towels and fixed the bag they were in. I need to add snacks to the empty snack box and put fresh clothes in the spare clothes box. But overall, I'm happy with how clean it it. I do need to go over it with the vacuum one more time, getting in the little cracks. I'm tempted to pull the Dyson out, but don't want to ruin it (your not supposed to use it outdoors). I also need to have it shampooed I think. All the toys found their way inside and the trash got tossed. Most disgusting discovery? The half eaten, so rotten it was liquifying and growing red mold in one of the rear cup holders. Why didn't I smell it decaying because fruit smells when it decays? There was a towel wadded up over over it, so no smell leached out. It. was. nasty. I gagged and then lysoled it after I cleaned it out. Grossest thing evah! I need to make sure I leave enough time for breakfast in the morning s so we are not grabbing fruit on the way out the door. See the air pump in the bottom left hand corner? That's so I can constantly put air in my tire that keeps going flat.

I didn't get to clean the trunk area as it currently contains the jungle gym. The girls cannot wait until it gets set up. I'm excited as well. It has to be the coolest backyard play thing ever (and no, that's not the price we paid for it). Unfortunately, at over 100 pounds, I cannot move it by myself and was not about to drop in on my feet opening the back of the van.

Saturday, we saw the Easter Bunny and leprechauns at the town's Easter Egg / Pot of Gold Hunt. Moe was of course scared. And then went to have cake and ice cream with my sister and my mom. They called that morning to say they were having cake for my mom. Happy Birthday mom! Oh and we found the ladybug.

And Sunday. I spent it cleaning and hope to work on some summer clothes for the girls. I have a few dresses cut, I just need to sit down and start sewing!

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Did you know babies actually DO come with manuals? I found two while cleaning. While you check out the baby manuals, take a look at the FREE stuff I have to give away and leave a comment.

Happy Valentine's Day

Message I noticed while kneeling on the floor fishing an item out of the bowl

This morning, I was all set with not recieving any gifts. Husband and I talked about not knowing what to get each other (because you know, we buy everything we want). That and well, who needs a holiday to tell someone they love them. After all, we show each other we love each other throughout the year in little ways. It's the little things that matter most.

So this morning, I was very happy with this little message I found on the medicine cabinet door.

So when he walked in the door, I greeted him at the door with a great big hug, kiss and thanks.

His reply. "I'm glad you liked them. Iwas worried because I thought you'd page me".

Me: ???????

...... "page you for a message written in shaving cream?"

Him: "go look again"

Inside the cabinet was a lovely pair of opal earrings from his favorite jeweler (I say his favorite, because it's where he always buys my jewelery from, I've only been there once).

Of course, Husband chose this spot specifically to hide a gift because he knew I needed my contacts. I however, choose last night as the one night to sleep with them in. I didn't even think about opening the door.

I am so lame that I was happy with just a simple little I love you message!

New Years Eve Kids Bash.

I forgot to mention the cool shirts. The back includes the names of all the kids there. Just another notch on the tree for Husband's conviction that I am turning into Martha Stewart.

5 Families. 10 Kids. 10 Adults. Lots of food. Activities. And most of all fun!

Go girls!

That's the best way to describe the New Years Eve kids bash we attended at a friends house. We arrived around 6:30 where the kids sat down to color for a coloring contest. After that, it was time to decorate for the boys vs. girls snowball fight. The snowball fight consisted of lobbing socks at the other team. Sadly, the boys took the cake on that contest.

Einey wanted to join the boys side (go figure!)

Amazingly, Einey and Meenie made it through all of the festivities (cake, karaoke, hat decorating, a story and the time capsule) to ring in the new year. They were very excited. At midnight, after the ball dropped and everyone drank their glass of champagne, the kids headed out onto the deck for some sparklers.

Moe didn't make it to midnight. She was one of four kids who missed it (they were all under three. One of them made it up until 11:55)

We left our friends house around 12:30 with Moe, after bringing Einey and Meenie upstairs where they were sleeping over. This was a HUGE deal, not only was it their first sleep over at a non-family member's house (because MMRK, you guys are family :P and we all slept there) but they were spending the night with their friends. Five of them were all tucked into their sleeping bags when we left.

The next morning, we went back over to have our first breakfast of the new year with those same friends we celebrated with the night before (sans one family). The kids had some worksheets which they filled out.= with wishes for a new year. With a full array of foods and mimosa's it was a great way to start the new year.

I hope this is the start of a wonderful tradition of ringing in the new year!

Cheers! Happy New Year!

Confusion Reigns

Einey's best friend is a boy. And as such, since she's gotten to the age of sleepovers, she has been informed that while he may be her best friend, she just cannot sleep over at his house. We just explained that boys sleep at boys houses and girls sleep at girls houses. After much protesting, she finally accepted our terms.

All was fun and dandy until we got th invitation to a New Years Eve, kids sleepover bash. At her other best friend's house. Who also happens to be a boy. We explained our plans and they happily accepted the fact that we were going to have a sleepover and play games and stay up until midnight (or attempt to at least). All the kids are camping in the host kid's bedroom - which is currently divided into "boys against girls" fun. Each gender has it's own side. Until yesterday. As we were talking about the party, she paused and I saw the wheels turning. Then I heard:

"How come I can sleep over at his house and not house?".

She finally accepted that it was because the whole family was spending the night.

So soon, we're off to have tons of fun!

We'll see you next year!

Time for Christmas

Time we were awoken Christmas morning 6:00 am. No not, by the sound of kids discovering the plethora of toys under the tree. We were awoken by sounds on the roof. Uh huh. Yup. Again.

6:30 am - The time the kids woke up for the day

8:00 am - When they were finished opening their gifts.

8:30 am - Time that I opened my new camera

8:40 am - Time that I realized that I hate* my new camera.

How long it took us to lose our first toy - 10 minutes

Amount of time it took to remove toys from packaging - 1 plus hours

Time Christmas dinner was supposed to be ready - 2:30 pm.

Time we we actaully sat down to eat - 3:30pm

Amount of time it took from opening new presents until we threatened Moe that Santa would be back to take the toys back - 7.5 hours.

Time spent with family - 4 days and counting....

Merry Christmas and enjoy your time together today!

*Possibly, I am going to try playing with it some more, but I think it may get returned.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!