Harvest Party

Yesterday, we attended a friend's Harvest Party. We all had a blast.

There was food, oh so much food. Chicken pot pie, beef stew, chili, homemade bread, cornbread muffins, baked mac and cheese, chicken nuggets (for the kids), buffalo wings, crackers and cheese of all kids, apple pie, pumpkin doughnuts, apple cake, bacon biscotti bread, stuffed pumpkin, apple danish, candy apples, cupcakes and cookies. I'm sure I missed something. Then there were dozens of types of October Fest beers and pumpkin spiced ales. They had apple cider, hot cocoa and spiced teas. To end the night, there was a giant bon fire where we sat on hay bales and there were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in.


For the kids, there were games and activities, pumpkin painting and cookie decorating. There was a honey comb ball to roll around in and a moon bounce to jump in. A word of advice, put the kids shoes somewhere where you could find them before it gets dark. There were soccer balls and baseballs. Frisbees and beach balls. There was an innovative bobbing for apples game where you had to use your foot to grab the apple.


It was a great way to usher in the season.


The only problem was the weather. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to find fault with a clear 85 degree day. Except when the weather should be crisp and cool. Where you should be wearing jeans and sweaters and huddling your loved one's for warmth by the fire.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Curvy

Today we took the girls to the local orchard to pick some pumpkins to bring to a friends' Harvest Party. Just look at the curves on these pumpkins! Like apple picking last week in 90 degree weather, picking pumpkins when it was above 80 just didn't seem right. The Harvest Party will likely be fun, but with such autumn staples like pot pie, homemade bread, warm cider, pies, hot chocolate and a bon fire, I just can't seem to fee l in the festive mood. Hopefully it cools down before they light the bon fire.

For more curvy items, click here.

Sign Me Up

I am the type of person you look for when you need a extra hand. I have this tendency to volunteer for everything. EVERYTHING.

Case and point, I'm active in my local MOMS Club. I already do their monthly newsletter, so when they needed a new activities coordinator, guess who raised their hand. Yup.

Last week at the open house at the girls school, guess who not only volunteered to be a room mother, but also to be on their playground fund raising committee, home school committee (PTO), development committee AND marketing committee. Yup. I did. I think however, that I may just do two of them as it's probably too much. They'll probably get sick of me. I also try to do most of the fund raising they send home as I know just how important it is to the school. Even though my yearly contract is $400, I usually surpass that.

And people know I'm a sucker for helping out. The girls soccer organization is undergoing alot of changes and will be in need of an entire new board come December. Einey's coach asks his wife if she knows anyone who would be interested and without hesitation she says "I know Whirlwind would probably help out some way". So far, I've been able to bite my tongue and not jump right onto their board.

On the town level, I have been involved for the last few years with a group that is trying to build a "Boundless Playground" - a playground geared for handicapped children where they can play side by side with all kids. And finally, all the hard work is coming to an end. They had the ground breaking last month and construction should begin any time now. My local MOMS Club is even going to be hosting a walk-a-thon to raise more money for the project. And I'm at a loss to whether I should help out or not. It was an idea I suggested and I should help out, but I hate asking my friends and family to donate to yet another cause I'd like to help.

After all, they have already generously donated to our annual family project - the American Heart Association walk. And for some reason, one I am only going to admit to you guys here, I just am not into it like I have been in previous years. Sure I'm raising money and yeah I'll walk the whole 5+ miles, but I just am not pushing myself to ask for donations.

I think I may just be burnt out.

Toys, Toys, Toys

Moe just celebrated her third birthday last weekend with a small party with friends. I didn't obsessively check the toys point of origin or give them another thought. But maybe I should have. I came across this link and my fist thought is not again. We have/had? some of those Baby Einstein blocks. They may be long gone by now, I haven't seen them in awhile and have slowly bee weeding out the baby toys.

[Click Here to Read the Rest...]

Car Seat Woes

Lately Moe wants to sit in a booster seat when her sisters aren't around. She is three and 36 pounds, so technically she doesn't meet the state requirement of 40 pounds. Neither does her 37 pound five-and-a-half-year old sister (but that besides the point).

It's been alot of hair pulling on my behalf trying to get her to sit in her seat. I've even resorted to telling her we'll leave her where we are (which upsets Meenie every time).

Today:

You need to get out of Meenie's seat and into your seat.

I don't want to.

Fine you can stay here and be the monkey girl who lives at the park. We'll come visit you on soccer days. It looks like you'll be awfully hungry though as I don't see any fruit trees.

No I don't wanna be monkey girl. The monsters will eat me.

At least she didn't fight me moving her back into her seat.

Does anyone else's child protest sitting in their seat?

Nice Matters

A few weeks ago, Jenifer at Mommy 911 bestowed me with the "Nice Matters" award. Jenifer and I grew up in the same hometown and even danced at the same dance school for many, many years. She was a few grades ahead of em in school and while I may recognize her, I really don't know her very well. I first came across her on the blog-o-sphere through a friend of a friends blog. It's amazing how small a world we really live in. Thanks again for the award.

And to keep it going, I am passing the award to:

Fairly Odd Mother is someone who has been reading my blog for awhile. She always has something nice to say in the comments. She has three children close in age to my own, so I feel a kind of kinship with her.

Who Am I ?

Recently, I was asked for a photo and blurb about who I am for the New England Mamas blog. Always being the person behind the lens, I don't have very many good photo's of myself. Having no drawing talent, I can't draw one. So I did what any sane person would do. I handed my camera to my four year old.

The results?

Um thats the bars.

Not sure what this is.

Warmer.

Even Warmer.

Okay so that's not working. Let's try giving it to the three year old.

Well I am actually in this shot...

Well since that didn't work, I'm going to have to try something else. Luckily, I have a tentative family photo shoot set up for October 15th with a friend. Maybe she can get a decent head shot for me.

31 for 21

A fellow New England Mama, Tricia from Unringing the Bell, asked if anyone was willing to post once a day for the month of October in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness month.

One thing I think of immediately is a project I am helping work on in the community. For the last three years, I have been on a committee to raise funds and help design a Boundless Playground at a local park. A Boundless Playground is a playground designed for children with and without disabilities. Their goal is to build playgrounds that children with disabilities can use, and play alongside their peers. They create barrirer free playscapes - with ramps and walkways, where all children, with and without disabilities, can play along side each other, and helping to teach lif skills throughout play. Last month, we attended the ground breaking for our local playground. Soon, the park will be filled with workers constructing the playground. In November, the MOMS Club I belong to is organizing a walk-a-thon to raise extra funds for the playground. Although I will not be actively walking, I plan on being on hand to help sell tee shirts, bears and brinks to line the playground.

So check back often for new posts!

A is for Apples

We've all heard the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". But what do you do when life* hands you 20 plus pounds of apples?

The girls and I went apple picking Wednesday afternoon at a local orchard. It was 90+ degrees and we were wearing shorts and tee shirts. There was sweat rolling down their little faces. It wasn't typical autumn in New England. Apple picking is supposed to be done in sweaters and jeans, while breathing the fresh, cool air. Sampling the crisp, cool apples as you walk from tree to tree, trying to find just the right apples to pick. Our foray was anything but that.

So back to my question, just what do you do with 20+ pounds of apples?
Wednesday night I made some homemade applesauce.
There's the obvious apple crisp, apple butter and apple pie.
But I think I am going to attempt to make apple cookies, apple brownies and apple crisp pizza. Maybe some baked stuffed apples.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Now if the heat would just go away so I felt like baking....

* And by life, I mean Einey, Meenie and Moe

I LOVE Daughter's school

This morning, for some reason, Einey wasn't keen on the idea of going to school.

"We're not supposed to bother Daddy when he's busy right?" Yeah that's right. "And I know your sick, so you don't have to bring me to school. It's okay, I'll just go downstairs". After reassuring her that I could bring her to school even though I didn't feel good, she said she just didn't want to go. She said it was because she needs more practice coloring in the lines (which is coming from the junior artist and I know her teacher would never criticize her work - she's much to positive with the kids).

So I told the teacher that she may be a bit moody and why.

Then a half hour after school started this morning, I got a phone call from the school. The office called to tell me that the teacher said she was in a happy mood and having fun.

I can't tell you how impressed I was that they took the time to let me know she was doing fine. I didn't expect nor need it, but it definitely makes me feel better.

It's just the little things they do that make me really happy we sent her there. It's like a second home for us.

Upside Down Cake

Last night we were celebrating Moe's birthday as a family. I had made her a strawberry cake earlier in the day that Husband used the new dye-pens for cakes to draw her a walrus on an ice berg and stars. Meenie was so excited when we finished dinner that she ran inside. A few minutes later, she returned carrying the cake sideways - when Husband shouted"What are you doing?" she got startled and dropped the cake. Moe was right behind her with the ice cream. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken pictures yet so no one beside Husband and I had seen it. Oh well, the cake still tasted good....

Three Years Ago...

Three years ago I was scared. And tired. And hungry. But mostly scared. I didn't know how we'd do it - me, you, your dad, and your sisters - then 15 m and 33 m. All three of you under three years old. Neither of your sisters were potty trained so that meant diapers x3. We let you sleep in our room - we had an old cradle in there but you preferred to sleep in my arms instead.

Little by little, we made it. We figured out what worked for us and stuck with it. In no time at all, I was able to get all of you out of the house. I kept a backpack with all essentials in the car - diapers, extra clothes, ect - and a box of snacks under the seat. That meant it was less I had to grab on our way out of the door. People asked how I did it or if you were all mine. They commented on how relaxed I looked and how carefree your sisters were. And also how well behaved you all seemed (even if I thought differently).

You were so different from your sisters and still are - that's part of what I love about you - your uniqueness.

This past year has been one of ups and downs for both of us. You had (and still have) some aggression issues. I had some anxiety issues. Both are improving, but we take it one day at a time. I would love to be able to tell you that it's not okay to use your body to hurt other people (and I do) but it's taken more than that. Now you can play on some days without incident. Others not so good. You try to reason with me when something happens "but I didn't hurt the baby, I was nice to the baby" (the older sibling, not so nice). The other day I wrote about a new you. Two days later you hit your friend with a shovel.

Now that your sisters are both in school (at least part time,
a few days a week), I am able to spend time with you and only you. And I can't tell you how much I've missed that. You are a different child when you aren't trying to compete for my attention. Your happy, your a chatterbox and above all we can "talk" without interruptions. I feel that I've missed things (with you and your sisters) by not having that one on one time. But to see the bond you guys have, makes all my guilt disappear.

To read more about Moe, click here or at the tag that says Moe below the post.

And be sure to read the post below about our "Rules for Three".

The Rules of Three....

It's no secret that two has been a trying time for us. Moe has been very aggressive for most of it - often targeting kids for no reason. She knows what she's doing and that it's not okay (we talk about it) but it doesn't stop her. It's not an issue with acting out because she doesn't have words to explain it - she's fairly verbal (not so articulate - but enough so I can understand her).

SO this morning when she woke up, we snuggled in my bed for a bit and discussed the new rules she needs to abide by now that she's three.

1) We need to be nice to our friends. No hitting, no pushing, no fighting.
2) We need to be nice to animals. No pulling tails, no pushing, no sitting on.
3) We need to be nice to our sisters (they threw this one in)
4) We clear our own dinner plates (which she usually already does)
5) We use our words when we have a problem instead of getting too upset
6) We pick up our toys when we are done playing.

I'm not sure if this will work, but it's worth a shot. She seemed to really like getting some "rules" that make her a big girl. Violation of the rules will make her two again and she doesn't like that.

Here's to crossing my fingers and hoping it works!

Happy Birthday Moe!

Peace Today

Today is Peace Day. Below is our commitment.




Click on the image for more information!

New Beginnings

I have a new child. Or more precise, an old child with a new attitude.

It all started when Einey and Meenie started school. The first two weeks, Husband was on vacation, so I didn't notice much of a difference as we were busy hanging sheet rock. Then, last Wednesday, I met a friend and her little girl at a local coffee shop. And while both girls were very well behaved, given their ages and the location, Moe was exceptional. She stayed seated, didn't reach across the table and was really quiet. After coffee, we went back to said friends house so they could run around a bit as both were getting a little restless. And the two of them played together great! No hitting, no fighting, nothing. We've started taking walks in the morning while her sisters are in school and those have been enjoyable as well.

Today, we took a little drive and then met some friends for a morning hike. Moe stayed near us for the most part, or took her little friend's hand and walked carefully down the trail. We looked over the lake and inspected the caterpillars - so far we've seen a giant green (Luna moth?) one, three woolly bears and a fuzzy/spiky white one. We took our time and had a really pleasant morning. In the car, she was a non-stop chatterer. We stopped at the pet store for crickets, but they were all out. She looks at the owner with sad look and says "but my wizard is hungy". She was very upset that her lizard would starve even though I tried to tell her they were getting more lizards later today and so we'll just stop by tonight.

Above all, she has been a very enjoyable child to be around. I don't know if it's her getting older or if it's just the one-on-one attention, but I really, really enjoy being around her now!

Avast, Me Hearties....

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so here the kids have their pirate slang going at full speed. I advise all you land lubbers to go check it out Smartly.

It's Raining, It's Pouring, But you Still Have to go to Soccer....

Taken last week when it was sunny, hot and 90+ degrees.

This morning, it was pouring so I took my time getting the kids up. At 8:35 I went into the kitchen to make pancakes when I suddenly realized A) It's 8:35 and still raining B) neither soccer coach called to cancel soccer and C) I was due at the field 5 minutes ago for team pictures.

Throwing the pancake batter to the side, tossing on some jogging pants and a clean t-shirt and throwing sweatpants, their jerseys, socks and cleats on them, I got them dressed and out the door as fast I could. I threw a handful of snacks and juice boxes in the bag with their shin pads, and after I switched vehicles, we were on our way. The field is not to far away, so we made it there at 8:55, just in time to catch Meenie's team right before they took the team photo. I quickly brushed her hair and sent her to the photographer. I managed to get both girls photos taken with their team's and individual and then handed them some rice crispy treats and cheese-its for breakfast.

I sent Meenie with her coach for the game because her first 1/2 is with a trainer and figured I would watch 1/2 of Einey's and then switch fields. I watched a bit and then switched over the Meenies, only to find out they were going to have a full hour with the trainer as the other team didn't show up (WIMPS!). Since it was essentially a practice, I left her with the coach and went to watch Einey's game. It was fun and wet to watch. 1/2 way through, I noticed she was shivering because in my haste, I forgot to grab jackets (and I was silently hoping they would cancel the game) I found one of Moe's long sleeve shirts in my bag and put it on under her jersey (thank god she's small!). Meenie's practice ended and she came over to me. I figured Einey's game would be over soon as well since they are only supposed to last an hour. A few more minutes and we could head home and have breakfast. Wrong!

Apparently because the trainers were paid and there anyway (and most of the micro's cancelled their games) , they asked if they could train with Einey's team after the game. So we stayed. Two and a half hours later, wet and cold, we left to go home, dry off and have pancakes for lunch.

Did I mention it was only 58 degrees?

The Real Purpose in Life.

This week, I found out the real purpose of this tie. I have caught Einey flipping it up and using it as a napkin to wipe her mouth. It's a good thing I brought an extra (I mean, really, under regular circumstance, how dirty can they get?) because she needs it. I've caught her a few times doing it now.

Photot Hunt Saturday - Plastic

Last week, while grilling some steaks out on the back deck, we looked up and saw that. While checking Wikipedia for hot air balloons, I noticed it was made of nylon, thus making it fit into this weeks theme of plastic.

For more plastic, click here.

Round and Round we Go...

I've tried the gym thing. And for awhile it worked. I'd drop them off at a baby sitter's (read grandmother) house and go to the gym for a at least a half hour. But then something happened and I'd try to bring the girls with me. They'd sit for 5 seconds and then try to use the equipment (the blocks, movies and books were no match). SO there I was, paying a monthly gym fee and not going. I was to worried my little angles were disrupting the other gym goers - some of them other moms using the time to be away from their own brood - exercising in quiet.

SO then I got the idea of walking the track after dropping the oldest off at school. And would you believe, this actually worked? Id' strap Moe into the carriage and Meenie would walk beside me. We'd make up silly things to do when we reached the 1/16 of a mile mark (1/4 mile track). Each time we passed a marker, we'd hop, skip, walk backwards, tumble (not I), twirl or what ever silly thing we could think of. This came about when Meenie needed physical therapy as a way to improve her muscle mass and has continued ever since. Can you believe that my three year old can walk/run a faster mile than I can? It's true.

I took the summer off as with the three of them, I just couldn't FIT it in. Someone was always whining - it's to hot, I'm too tired - it wasn't worth the hassle. But now that school has started, I've started up again - and you know what? I feel great on the days I walk. I drop one (or two) of them off at school (depending on the day) and drive to a local track. Sometimes I ask a friend to join me, and other days I do it with just the girls. I shoot for at least a mile, but if I can get them to cooperate for longer, I go as much as I can.

Of course, with all that walking, you tend to need new shoes. Shoes like these Ryka's that they are giving away for free. Five pairs of them to the lucky winners of today's Parent Blogger Blast.

Miscellaneous Ramblings

Chocolate and school-ism:
I'd like everyone to meet Chocolate. No he's not an addition to our home, but merely a guest for the past weekend. Chocolate is the first grade class pet and we had the pleasure of hosting him for the weekend. Let me just tell you, when you walk into the room the morning after you bring a classpet home and he's belly up, your heart stops. Luckily, this is just the way he apparently sleep.s He looks completely like the male he was, sprawled out on his back with one leg up.

Other points to note, when said class pet comes home with a ball to roll around in, do not, and I repeat, do not let him roll around with a two year old in the room. Said two year old will proceed to try and bounce, spin and kick the ball as often as she can. Of course, it could be because said two year old is just evil....

In other news, the girls came home with school fund raising packets. They are selling Yankee Candle items. "Hey look ,your kids came back to school - time to send home a fund raiser. When this one ends, we'll give you another one..." Really though, I just need to say no, we're not going to do this one. So far, my family has been good sports, but one of these days, they're going to figure out just ho much they are funding my kids to go to school.

Meenie absolutely loves school. She goes three 1/2 days a week and has already told me "she's not learning enough and needs to stay all day. She also needs to go everyday". Which is why I was scratching my head as to why she didn't want me to leave this morning.

Einey also loves school. She is over her fears that first grade will be too hard. I'm sure it will be challenging, but her teacher is always there with encouragement. She shocked her teacher on the first day with how well she reads, so I guess thats a good thing! As she says "Tomorrow is going to be more fun than today."

Driving, driving, driving...
Yesterday, we decided to do something we haven't done in a long, long time. We woke up early, grabbed some snacks, the camera and hoped in the car. With no destination in sight, we just drove. After driving by a cement manufacturing plant, Husband and I heard from the back "what the HELL are those guys doing?" A quick "what" and repeated of said statement proved our ears were not playing tricks on us. Just don't go repeating that in school please! Now if you've read any other posts in this blog, you'll know the girls are fascinated with death and cemeteries. We happened to pass an old cemetery when the girls started asking can we stop? They love wandering through cemeteries looking at the stones and trying to find the oldest one (I know odd hobby). So since we were right near the big one where their Great-Meme was buried, we decided to stop. The girls hoped out and immediately found the one with their name on it (well last name, but you get the picture). Now this is the only person they know who has died, so we talked a bit. I have to say, they are starting to forget things about her. We pulled some grass back that was growing over hers and their great-pepe's stones as well as took their picture next to the stone. It also dawned on us that it was Grandparent's Day (when exactly did this become a holiday?) so it holds special meaning to us. We continued on our drive and I have to say, we didn't really see anything too interesting. I was a little bummed, but the kids were great in the van for 1/2 the day. It give me hope for when we decide to drive to Virginia (or gulp, Disney). We did end our trip at a small river (stream?) which we definitely want to go back and explore. Einey caught a frog (of course). It looks like a great place to take them fishing! A great place to relax, if only we could keep them still for more than 3 seconds!

We were driving through Springfield later that day and some Mass-hole cut us off. Husband yells "jacka$" out the window which was immediately asked "why did you yell checkers at that car Daddy?" Umm... they were playing checkers, thats why.

Soccer:
In other news, the child that could be found standing around mid field, watching the others run byy, well that would be mine. Einey would run a little bit, but if the pack got to far ahead, she would stop and watch them, waiting for them to kick the ball past her again. Then since the others were running towards the ball, she'd stand and watch them run to it. I think running is not for her. We spent 3 1/2 hours at the soccer field, because their games were scheduled for 9 and 11 am. This week - they are both at 9 am so I need to figure out how to split myself in half as Husband is working this weekend.

And lastly, how to keep your kids occupied:
This last week has been an eye opener of keeping my kids occupied. As the ysat and quietly watched the tree guys trimming some branches off the oak out front for FOUR hours, it dawned on me. Contractors are the best thing in the world. The kids aren't fighting or watching TV. They are however, sitting engrossed in front of a window, watching the work go on outside. As a bonus, after the tree guys let, the neighbor's house painters showed up! Now if I could just afford to hire more contractors...

And who needs toys? Moe has been loving the set of bottle caps she found. Those, along with a tin dish provide hours of fun. Pog is a great game -why did kids stop playing it? Oh yeah, because new toys come with batteries.... Grab a bottle cap and toss, grab and toss. Now all we need is some more cardboard boxes, because we all know how kids would rather play with those instead of the toys that come inside....

If the Shoe Fits.....

Last week at soccer practice, I could not figure out why Meenie was just shuffling her feet as she ran. She is always full of energy and just plain moves! I finally realized that it must be the shoes. A trip to the sports store for new cleats and yup - I was squeezing her feet into shoes a size and a half too small. Einey needed bigger shoes as well.

It only made sense that if I brought new (bigger) sneakers that they would need bigger cleats.

So now in addition to the two pairs of barely used black tap shoes size 10, I have 2 pairs of cleats, worn one season. At least Moe can wear one of the pairs when she gets bigger.

Summer Rituals

Summer and Autumn in New England usually mean ending the night with a fire pit or bon fire. Most BBQ's end with roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. My family is no exception.

The other night, my friends had their worst nightmare come true. The night started out as a relaxing evening of pool, play and fun.

As they wound down the evening to get the kids ready for bed (it was a school night) their nightmare happened....Their bubbly dancing princess (age 3) twirled around and to their shock, lost her balance and stumbled right into the fire. As her husband grabbed her daughter out of the fire and put her in the pool my friends world started to spin.

After a very long night at the ER their princess proved how resilient children are, believe it or not she never cried!!! They visited her Pedi. today and it looks like she has 1st & 2nd degree burns on both arms and her upper thigh and some on her upper back but she will be just fine. Her wounds should start to heal soon, but the memory of what happened and what could have turned out much worse, will be in their minds forever.

They ask that their friends pass on this message: Enclose all outdoor fires!!!

Always Labor Day Weekend.....

For as long as I've been around (and quite a long time before) Labor Day weekend always meant a trip to the local Agricultural Fair. It's been about 3 years since we last went, but we took the girls today. Here are some picture's (and comments) from our trip.

Moe: I know I ordered a hot dog, but their chicken tastes so good.

Einey: (excitedly) Are the Ox going to battle? (Dejectedly when we told her they were waiting to pull some bricks) Ok let's go then.

Meenie: Why are the sheep wearing jackets?

Ok Meenie, let's look at some more cows. "Please give the lady back her cow." She started to walk away still holding the lead....

The joke about the reason the grills were outside the cow barn? That's where the cows go when they are bad. It went right over the girls heads.....

Meenie to Me: I'll trade you some cotton candy for some snow cone.

We gave them the option of snow cones or cotton candy. Einey and Moe picked snow cones and Meenie picked cotton candy. No sooner had we left the booth and they were already negotiating between themselves a way to split the snacks between themselves. There was no fighting and they all got some of both! Husband an I just sat back and watched as they worked it out themselves. We were very impressed and proud of them!

Moe: Mazes are easy! Get stuck and you just hop over the bale....

Moe: I'm a little tired....

Einey: This pumpkin is 891 pounds! Wow!

Anyway, we all had a great time and can't wait to go back. The girls were great - no whining, fighting and they had fun! They even made their own decisions when offered rides or ice cream (2 chose ice cream and one chose a ride) and realized they probably wanted the other option. Overall it was a great day. We just didn't eat enough fair food!

Oh and Einey found $10 on the ground and tried to give it back to the booth owner all by herself.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Dirty

This week's photo hunt is dirty. Now I have tons of pictures from when the girls were young of them eating. I also have the raspberry picking pictures from the summer where they decided to paint themselves. In fact, I seem to have enough dirty pictures to last a lifetime. We've seem to have come to the conclusion that you are not having fun if your not dirty! The picture I chose is from a birthday party last week. I happened to look down and see Einey's hand like this and had to take a picture of it.

Click here to find other dirty pictures.

It's Been Awhile....

Hey down there, miss me? I know, it's been awhile since I've been down to visit. Please don't be mad. It's just , well, I've never really enjoyed our time spent together. Don't look at me like that. Yeah I know. Well I've got some news, I'll be down to visit more often now. Yeah you see, Einey has these nice dress shirts. And well, you know, the wrinkles don't come out themselves. And thats where you come in.

I've never been the best ironer. In fact I hate it. H - A - T - E. Hate. It. Maybe it's because I've never really learned the proper way to iron. I sort of BS my way through it. And really, there are just some wrinkles I can't get out. Plus I seem to add some. I only use it if I have to. Days when we have somewhere important to be. Days where we need to wear something besides t-shirts and jeans.

Now that daughter has to wear a uniform, I'm going to have to get better acquainted with my iron. It's a good thing she wears a jumper over most of the shirt so you can't really see if I miss a spot. And the arms. Oh the arms. How do I fit the teenie- tiny arms over the big end of the iron board? I tried tonight, I really did. And I think I did alright. But I didn't touch the sleeves. They are puffy sleeves and well, have lots of pleats. And they're small. Oh so small.

Maybe in the next 8-12 years I'll finally come to master it. Or I'll get smart and find all wrinkle free gear.

Back to School

I can hardly believe it's time to go back to school already. Last June, I dreaded summer break. It seemed like whenever the three of them were home at the same time, they were always arguing. So I dreaded the almost three months of them being together every day. But I was wrong. They played well together all summer long. Sure, they had their moments, but they were few and far between.

Today we ran around doing some last minute things - haircuts, new soccer cleats (because I naively assumed that their feet wouldn't grow a shoe size and a half over the summer), and grabbing some lunch money for the week.

Yesterday we threw a end of summer - back to school BBQ with a few friends from school. It was nice. Everyone brought a dish, the kids played and the parents talked. I think it was the first time Husband actually got to sit down with other parents. We littered the back yard with school supplies and sent the kids on a scavenger hunt - which they loved! The weather cooperated. We were so worried with the reports of rain and thunderstorms, but in the end, aside fro ma few sprinkles right at the beginning, it was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day!

We are still waiting on two more things before I can declare us ready for school.

We need the backpack from L.L Bean to arrive for Meenie. Note the time next to the delivery date? I hope not!


We are still waiting on the short sleeve shirts for the formal uniform. The one's I ordered back in March. Only to pull out of the closet last week and realize that the collar is wrong. A call to customer service and not only did they allow me to return them for a full refund, they would send me the news one's right away. But then. They only had L and XL. For Einey - my XS first grader. And of course, this was the ONE time I didn't have a list of items I needed to order from ON. But wait, I can pick them up at a store near by. Oh wait, the closest store that has them in stock is Billerica? Um where is that? Luck was in my favor though as I was able to call the store and not only did they have the four shirts I needed in the color and size I needed, but they let me place my order over the phone. Hopefully I'll be lucky and will receive my order before school starts. If not, she can always wear the "summer" uniform. There is always that option.

I love the fact that they will being wearing uniforms (well the oldest one at least) as it means I don't have to spend hours with them deciding what to wear. They have a choice - navy shorts and a white polo (pants for winter) or a jumper and button down shirt and then gym uniform on Wednesdays.

As for the kids, are they ready? Meenie can't wait. It will be her first foray away from us for any amount of time. She's very excited and hates that she has to wait an extra week. Einey on the other hand is not as excited. She welcomed kindergarten last year with open arms. This year, she is afraid of work. She's afraid that first grade will be all work and no play.

We have one more full day home together before Einey starts school on Wednesday. Meenie starts the following Wednesday for three consecutive 1/2 days. So it will just be Moe and I. Uncharted territory. And I look forward to spending some quality time with her.

Playgrounds, Picnics and Rabid Raccoons.....

Which of these doesn't belong?

Today we met some friends at a local playground for a back-to-school lunch. We met so the kids could play with their friends before going back to school next week. To get "in the mood" for school, I packed a brown bag lunch for all the kids there and we had a picnic.

The kids were playing, the moms were talking, it was all good.

Until the Parks and Rec supervisor comes walking over to us and tells us "you may want to keep the kids close to you as we've had reports of a rabid raccoon in the park". The he proceeds to walk and focus his search over where the kids were playing!. So we call the kids away from the (fenced in) pond and trees and over to the playground area. Needless to say, we didn't stay long. It was hot, we'd been there for awhile and the kids were getting a bit cranky.

As we left I noticed a few other guys join him around the pond area to look. On of them was armed with a shovel.

The scary part is, it had to have been reported while we were there. because shortly after I got there (and about 1.5 hours before he came to look) the Parks and Rec supervisor had been there mowing the fields. He left about 1/2 before he came back with the warning.

Edited to add:
What is it with nature and us today? Not only did we have the raccoon issue, but Moe got stung by a yellow jacket. Has anyone else in New England notice them come out in droves this last week? They are everywhere! Then swimming at the lake, the "friendly" neighborhood water snake decided to come swimming by, not once, but twice! The first time it headed right for the dock Moe and Meenie had just vacated!

Sheesh!

Meet our new friend....

Last week we were offered a new pet. it's actually something we had discussed in the past and it's current owner didn't want it anymore so we said sure.

New Pet: free Glass Tank: Free
Crickets (1 dozen): $1.06
Reptile lamp: $20.00
Light, water dish, bedding, climbing rock : $75.00
Hearing Moe scream when it jumped out of the tank when we were putting it in: Priceless


So in the end, meet Minty. Err Charmeleon. He is a green anole and fairly easy to take care of. The kids like him. Husband likes him. heck even I like him. Yes I know, he looks brown. That picture was taken RIGHT after he made his made dash for freedom - off the table, along the cabinets, through Moe's flailing legs (she couldn't move fast enough away), 1/2 way up the refrigerator and into a corner. He was a little stressed after his jaunt.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Two

This week's photo hunt is brought to you by the number two. I chose this picture because I felt it best shows the innocence of a two year old. See the hand tightly gripping the stem of a rose? She had just leaned in to take a nice long sniff. She's not always gentle, but she was learning which flowers were okay for her to pick from Mema's garden. For me, I am also drawn to the two big blue eyes looking into the camera. She is the only blue-eyed child in a family of brown-eyed people. I know somewhere along the lines on both sides of the family, there had to have been blue-eyed people. Since the blue-eye gene is recessive, for two brown-eyed people to have a blue-eyed baby is one in four. You would have to hit the double recessive blue-eyed gene from both parents.

For more two's click here

If you are having problems with your phone, press 1, with your DSL press2...

1.

our records show...

So if you didn't guess, I'm having problems with my phone.

No, I'm not ignoring your calls. The kids aren't picking up and setting the phone down. Apparently (and both Husband and i noticed this yesterday) the phone rings once and sounds like it is answered. Then the caller is greeted by static. On our end, it rings 1/2 ring then stops. Not even enough to send caller ID data so I know who is trying to call. Not enough for em to set my answering machine to immediately pick up (I tried). Not enough to go to voice mail. If for some reason, I can answer on the 1/2 ring, you can talk to me. And I can call you.

But I'm waiting on an important call. Daughter's school called yesterday and apparently the paperwork the doctor filled out showed she didn't have her Hep B shots spaced out right (and thus, cannot start school until she gets another). A quick call to the doctor showed she actually had 4 (not sure why, it wasn't in my book) and when they filled out her school paperwork, they just put the last 3 (so yes they are in fact spaced correctly but just missing the first). Anyway, I need the school to call me back so I can get the fax number so the doctor can fax the correct paperwork over. however ,they can't call me.

And I haven't heard from Meenie's soccer coach (new so don't even know who it is) so hopefully they haven't tried calling and gave up. Please call back.

So a call to the phone company and I get automated crap (I just wish to talk to a real person, thank you very much) and according to them they will do line tests and have it repaired by 6:30 tonight. I hope so!

So in the mean time, call my cell phone if you need me. Or drop me an email. Or just wait a few days. I'm still alive and not ignoring your calls. Honest!

Edit: 2:30 pm and the phone company shows up. They fixed the issue (a corroded jack in the basement) and went on their way. Note to self: Get dressed in the morning so you don't greet the repairman in boxers and a tee shirt. Note to self 2: Assume they will send out a tech to fix problem and not call.

Family Time

We spend alot of time as a family. So much that I sometimes run out of ideas of things to do.

Some of our favorite things to do are spending time outdoors. Our favorite new family activity is letterboxing. I can't blog enough about letterboxing. It basically combines hiking with treasure hunting. You get clues from letterboxing.org and then try to find a box that is hidden in the woods. Inside the box is usually a log-book and a stamp. You stamp your book with their stamp and their stamp with your stamp that you carry. You should bring in a bag a logbook, clues, a stamp, stamp pad, pen trail snacks (you'll never know when you are going to be stuck in the woods for five hours), bottled water and a compass. We've been doing this since our girls were 2.5 to 5.5 years old. And amazing, while they may complain for normal everyday walking that they are too tired, they never complain about being out in the woods.

In addition to (as my pediatrician says) teaching them great lifestyle habits (as hiking is a great physical activity) they are learning all sorts of things about science. Nature wise, we have seen red-tailed hawks, frogs, toads, deer, chip monks, red squirrels, salamanders, great blue herrings, and woodchucks. The girls are learning how to read a compass, what to do if lost in the woods (we always carry a cell phone, but need to pack a whistle) - such as following a river downstream to a road/body of water, how to find adequate shelter if needed - what plants are safe to at and also which should be avoided.

But most of all, we all enjoy spending time together as a family. For more of our letterboxing stories, click the letterboxing tag at the bottom of this post.

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What are your favorite family activities and how do you find the quality family time?
And if you don’t have quality family time, how do you make up for it? What challenges do you face?

Write and post today by midnight and you will automatically be entered to win a Wii game system and/or "Boggie," a new video game where you get up and move. Or as the girls say "shake your booty, shake your booty..."

This post is brought to you in conjunction with Parent Bloggers Network & EA’s Wii-Boogie, a family gaming experience. Shake it. Sing it. Create it.

One year ago...

Wow, I just realized that it was one year ago today that Meenie was admitted to the hospital. SO one year ago, I had a very sick little girl, a girl who in a days time, lost all her motor skills. Who in the 24 hours before being admitted, spiked a high fever and appeared to be seizing whenever she laid down. A girl who had been vomiting for 24 hours. A girl who was able to walk unsteadily into the doctors but within the hour we were there, was quickly losing her ability to walk. A girl who all of a sudden startled at loud noises. One year ago right about now, she was undergoing a CAT scan and Lumbar Puncture.

Over the course of four days, she was on IV fluids and antibiotics. She underwent MRI's, EEG's and numerous blood tests. She had neurologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, hospitalists, residents, med. students and a host of other doctors and nurses. So many, I couldn't keep them all straight. Through it all, she was a trooper. She never once complained. I had always wondered how they were able to treat squirmy active kids in the hospital. And then I found out. Once they are sick enough to be admitted, they usually just respond to tests and treatments (sure she kept knocking her IV out, but it's hard to keep that arm straight!).

One year ago - she couldn't walk. She couldn't raise her arm a few inches up. Her face twitched. She had a hard time sitting up. In four days - she lost all the muscles she had. It didn't take long though, with physical therapy and being home for her to regain those abilities. At first she had to crawl to get around. We had to feed her. But within days she was walking with assistance. At the end of the month, she showed so much progress, she no longer needed visits from OT and PT. By the end of summer, she still walked with a little limp, but if you didn't know her, you wouldn't have noticed it.

It's amazing what difference a year makes. She is now running, leaping, twirling and swimming. I cannot keep up with her.

And still I worry. I always stay awake when she is sick now. When she spikes a fever, I think back to then. I sit by her side and pray that she will never be that sick again. Oddly it is just her I worry about like this and I think it's because she was the only one so sick.

I worry more about bugs - ticks and mosquitoes - because they can make her this sick again (even though they were not the cause last year). I never really worried before about Lyme Disease or West Nile. We always apply insect repellent when going on hikes now. I make sure they get checked daily for ticks (and if we find any, I use a sharpie to draw a picture around the spot so I know what to keep an eye on). One thing however, I don't let my fear of these disease ridden pests hinder our time outdoors. We still enjoy hikes, swimming, playing, soccer. We are just more aware of the little things in life.

Photo Hunt Saturday - Row

This week's photo hunt theme is row. Sometimes I feel like a mother duck with her little ducklings in tow. They like to walk behind me in the grocery store in a "row". In pictures, they are usually sitting in a row next to each other. The photo I am going to share is of the girls sitting in a row while taking a break during a recent letterboxing hike.

PhotoHunt

Blogiversary...

Checking today I realized I was a month late on my blogiversary. Yup, one year ago July I started this blog. Now my being late shouldn't come as a surprise. I tend more often than not to be late for most things these days. How I managed to get daughter to school every day but two last year tends to amaze me.

I didn't always be this way. Way back when I used to be a perfectionist. I ALWAYS had to be on time. The only exceptions were when driving to school with my sister as we always had to go out to breakfast. I had no choice (well except to ride the bus..) and had to face the fact that at least 2-3 days a week would require a stop for breakfast. But anything else and I would be there early. So what happened? Husband happened. Then kids.

Husband is the laid-back- I'll get there when I get there type of person. Doctor's appointments, parties, church. It doesn't matter. We all used to joke that he would be late for our wedding (He wasn't)... Then came the kids. And well hey, we ALWAYS go through a 20 minute timewarp stepping out our door. I swear we lose 20 minutes just walking from the door to the van. I don't know how. Maybe I need to check and make sure our clocks are set right... Luckily, most people understand. And I've come to realize that being a little late isn't that big of a deal most times. The world isn't going to end if I'm not there on time.

Anyway back on topic... Blogiversary...

While I haven't had much to say over the past year, I do enjoy reading everyone's blogs. And hey, some of you have come back to read mine...even better some of you keep coming back. It must be the pictures. I can say, the last year, I think I've learned to relax even more. I've learned that some things are just out of my control and I need to let them flow. I've learned how to let go. I've learned that kids will be kids and that mine ARE normal (okay maybe not). But most of all, I learned that we are all in the same boat. We don't always know where we are headed or what we are doing, but that someday, somehow, we'll survive parenthood.

Salty Water

Why do sharks only swim in salt water?
Because pepper water makes them sneeze.

This is the jokes repeated by Einey and Meenie on our drive out to the Cape the other day. Moe on the other hand kept saying "not going in the salty water, sharks". Even though we tried to reassure her that there were no sharks waiting in Boston Harbor to eat her, she was still afraid. Add that to the tiny waves that were breaking near the shore and she was a tad leery of the water. After she got used to being there though, she entered the water ever so slightly.


We took the advice of a friend and headed out to Sandwich for the day. We wanted something that wasn't "touristy", and loaded with the summer crowds. A place where we could watch the kids and not have to worry about them running into a road or losing them on the beach. We couldn't go to the beach she recommended as it was a resident only beach, so we hit one of the public beaches instead. It was a tad too rocky for my liking, but the girls had fun. We watched crabs scurrying in the salt marsh, fish swimming around and cormorants diving for food.


The kids enjoyed walking on the Sandwich Boardwalk. Einey found a plank that had her and her dads' name on it (it was one of those memorial type deals where people purchased planks). We ate at a small seafood place where the girls had a shrimp popcorn meal, grilled cheese and fish nuggets. After lunch, we went over near the Cape Cod Canal and found a letterbox while walking along the trail there. We brought clues for a few, but only sought out that one. The weather started out iffy. It was supposed to be sunny and warm. When we got out to Sandwich, if was very overcast and had started to spit. By the time we got to the beach though, the sun started breaking through the clouds and warming things up.


It was a short but sweet stay. Next year, we rent a house for the week! While the drive is only 1.5 hours, it still tends to be a long day and limits what we can visit.

Goodbye Little Friend

Last night, the girls lost a little friend. Rainbow the wonder Hamster passed on to that great rodent space in the sky.

Rainbow was given to the girls three Easters ago, making him roughly 2.5 years old. We knew his time was coming this summer, but it was still hard for the girls.

Over his time on this planet, he only bit Einey once and that was when she squeezed him. He survived the wrath of Moe until he was moved to a better spot high above. He wasn't played with alot, but he still liked to be cuddled when we took him out.

He is now buried beneath the lilac bush in the back yard. He's resting comfortably in his plastic tube (where he went when it was time) inside a sealed little box. Moe keeps asking if we are going to go out and get Rainy when he wakes up. She says "I miss Rainbow". The girls came down with us when we buried him to say goodbye. The each drew a picture and slid it inside his box. The placed flowers onto of his resting space. We found a perfect rock which we are going to clean off and paint as a reminder to our little lost friend.

Goodbye Little Friend, Goodbye....