28 February

a hot bath last night after a day on the slopes,it feels really good. Today, back to school!

27 February

The last day of vacation......

• Trevor learned how to go up by himself on the chairlift and he is just awesome at skiing now.
• we skied in powder for the first time (challenging)
• the daycare worked out really well today for the two little ones (it was cold), Lucas stayed for the late afternoon which gave the big people a refreshing break to get tons of afternoon runs in.
• Breanna got up on skiis and took two runs down the bunny slope (and was pretty happy about it!) Awesome:)
• They ALL fell asleep in the car on the way home:)

vote for 8, 9 or 10:)

Hello!

Thank you for entering your child(ren) into my Fresh Faces contest. Voting is now open. You have two chances to choose your favorite:

1. On my blog (scroll down to below the last image): http://www.jennygironda.com/?p=2158

2. On my Facebook Fan Page, by "liking" the image you wish to vote for in this album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275913&l=48041b0f22&id=75893836924

Bottom of Form

Don't forget to share the links with family and friends. The more you share, the more chances you have to win!

Voting closes at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, February 27th, and the winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, February 28th.

Good luck!

Jen

Jenny Gironda Photography

PO Box 1012

Gorham, ME 04038

207.749.8557

www.JennyGironda.com

26 February

Right now.....

HER loves......

bowling

playing Candyland at least 50 times a day (and she says "I'm gonna win" every time-so cute!)

cheese sticks

Dance class

best friends

apple juice

flowers for her hair

coloring

running and giving giant hugs

making lots of funny expressions

everything purple and sometimes pink

Nemo

her stuffed animal fish

her leapster

playing hockey with her brothers

trains and Thomas

spaghetti and Caesar salad

25 February

I can't think of a better use for our tons of new snow than a giant snow man of course.....Oh My it's almost March!

24 February

Enjoying our afternoon, cheering on our team, eating awesome junk food. Good times.

23 February

Today....I took the boys tubin'! We went with our good friends and the kids all had a blast. Breanna would have loved it too except there has to be at least 1 adult to ride with each kid under 4 feet tall and I was it for my crew (J had to work) . the tubes went REALLY fast, it was so fun. We have lots of other fun stuff planned for the rest of the week too.... a Red Claws basketball game tomorrow, maybe the movies, bowling, and skiing on Sunday. We're going to have a fun week!

22 February

Today....

was all about bringing three kids everywhere. I'll tell you, I like them a lot better when I DON'T have to bring them to the grocery store or to get the car inspected (a month overdue), or to doctors appointments. At the beginning of the day, however, everyone got to pick a new book, and that seemed to carry us through the day just short of a few meltdowns. For Trevor, it's all about Calvin and Hobbes. He can't put it down. And Breanna is here at her cardiology appointment getting an EKG. The doctor (who was the one who showed up in flip flops and shorts the day she was discharged form the hospital after her heart surgery) asked me if I remembered him....he's a nice guy. Breanna was super good through all her tests and to our relief, we remain on the two year plan. We'll see you when she is 8:)....... EIGHT, oh my .

21 February

Right Now.....

Your loves....

Harry Potter

Legos

hockey, playing and watching

roller blading

chess

Your Mom

swimming

chocolate milk

Percy Jackson

Reading and being read too (love that!)

Your Dad

Your iPod and your music

soccer

hiding on us before we tuck you in at night

long hair (ugggh!)

Your friends

smooshy pants

Your fuzzy blanket

skiing

ice skating

laser tag

The age right in between little and big. Sometimes you want us to read you picture books and cuddle and watch PBS, other times you want to listen to YOUR music, say you're bored, roll your eyes, and call your friends. But, you still need us (and want us around). The age right in between little and big is good.

20 February

Today, the boys had a project. They had to fix Trevor's hockey net that got run over by the car last Fall. Then, after it was rebuilt, unexpectedly, all the kids flocked to the garage, for pretty much the entire afternoon. I tell you, anything they can do together without fighting for a whole afternoon....I'll take it! Happy February vacation to me:)

19 February

Saturday.

And like any normal Saturday, we are divided in many directions (sometimes we need three of us) supporting our children in their loves. Today , J got to witness a dance performance and me a double header in indoor soccer. and the littlest? Well, he was a bit under the weather with a cold today (which is why I was wishing there were three of us....one to stay home with the tired cranky one...). We also met up for a special lunch afterward at our favorite local coffee shop. I Love that picture (blurry and all) of my girl doing her ballerina stretches. She's doing awesome in this class.

18 February

This girl....

plays with her "Nemo and Dad" fish for hours. She likes to act out parts from her favorite movie Finding Nemo (she would watch it everyday). We used to let her watch a small part of the movie as a reward for potty training, now that she's trained, she always asks for it when she goes. What were we thinking? Sometimes she even asks me to play fish with her, but then ends up being pretty bossy on how to act out the characters the right way. She's still cute though.

17 February

Today....

was all about soaking up the sun that a 44 Degree day in February brings. I sat outside and read some, played, stomped in puddles, filled trucks and buckets with the melting snow, ran down piles of snow catching a little boy and spinning him around , and we rode bikes, "long bike rides". There was, "Mom, look what I discovered" (I love that word "discovered"). Then, after the afternoon buses came, we came in and read Frog and Toad because it's our favorite book right now. I think all that took 6 hours with lunch in between, because really, what else did we really have to do that was that important?

16 February

Our upstairs kids/guest bath is finished! Someday we will change the countertop and faucets, but for now a little paint (in my favorite color) , some new medicine cabinets and some little details look wonderful:)

Love this.

15 February

The other day, Lucas come up to us and said, "guess what?! We are going to have a PAJAUHMA party at school with pancakes!" it turns out he was right and he wore those pajamas the whole day and even walking down to the bus stop to pick up his brother and sister in the afternoon (it was 40 degrees and we were ready to get out the beach chairs!). How cute is this kid.

14 February

Forever can never be long enough for me
to Feel like I've had long enough with you ~Train

Happy Valentines Day to the loves of my life.....

This is good.

This video was funny.....paints a bad picture, is not all true, but still pretty funny. I like the voices.

13 February

And because Bre doesn't ski with us yet, Josh took her on a date to a very special Valentine's Day Princess on Ice show and out to dinner. What a lucky little girl (who has an antibiotic rash AGAIN-poor thing!) !

12 February

Lucy, Lucky kids! They got to go skiing with Gammie and Grampa! The conditions were fantastic, and the warm lodge "beverages" were wonderful. The kids are becoming quite the skiiers, and Josh even took Lucas down the "double black diamond" (I have know idea how he does it). What a fun and amazing day!

11 February

naptime?!?

10 February

After all I posted yesterday I wanted to follow up with it's really important to celebrate all of Breanna's successes in the classroom. Her wonderful Regular Ed classroom teacher was sharing some pictures with me today of Bre in school, snowshoeing, reading, and doing art projects. Here she is on the lap of her, "best" friend. Her teacher said that Bre was the one who was reading to her friend. Just precious, and amazing. What a wonderful group of kids this K class is. I just so enjoy each and every one of them, and what big hearts they have.

About school and special needs stuff

I have a lot of faults....I know I do. I can be dramatic, anxious, hasty, insecure and impatient. I set my expectations too high. This Kindergarten year, it's been hard. I ache inside wondering if I'm doing too little or too much. I wonder what people think of me. I don't know the system or all the people just yet. Gosh, in 6 years I have been through so many ups and downs with this daughter of mine. A year ago, I lost a really dear friend over "stuff", and I know there are a ton of people judging me out there on a daily basis. The people I try not to think about, the friend, that one really hurt.

Recently, a new conflict has come to be with the school, which is really not a big deal, but has turned into one for me. A small little behavior issue that seems to be getting bigger by the day. To make a long story short, I'm starting to lose confidence and It's not a good feeling. We have a large school district, so I assumed when we started here that they have a ton of experience dealing with problems that come up when trying to teach kids with special needs. This team is acting like they have no idea what to do, and then proceeding to take a guess at what to do without even a plan in place. Totally, not what I expected. I expected procedures, plans, and timelines. I expected things to be done, them to be holding MY hand, not the opposite.

You see, I LOVE telling someone (and their boss) what a wonderful job they are doing. I hate confrontation and I hate accusing someone of not doing their job. I see the people who educate my kids as important people in my life. Some of them I have even called my friends. You see this is the problem with me, when It comes to my kids, I expect the best (not perfection, just the best). Tonight I hugged Breanna goodnight for the longest time. She smiled at me, and hugged me back. I whispered, "You and I we are going to get through this school thing, and then onto the rest of your wonderful life...."

The people I try not to think about, the friend, that one really hurt.

9 February

I'm thankful to be home enough to take my kids on playdates throughout their preschool years. An more importantly, It's so relaxing for me to get out of the house, away from all the chores, and have adult conversation during my days. It's therapeutic actually. Lucas and his friend tear up the house yelling loudly, banging, and running like every three year old boy should. Lucas says it's how he get's his "exercise, MOM!" (Sorry about the broken spoon!) Every once in a while they slump down for a rest, or a snack, it's always peeled apples and apple juice. These two are so cute together.

8 February

This week, at Trevor's school all the kids are participating in a storytelling contest. They have to pick a book, or make up a story and memorize it and act it out loud in front of the class. Trevor has been practicing his story every night and every morning while waiting for the bus for two weeks. Trevor knew right away, that he wanted to act out Tacky the Penguin for his story. He said it was because his friend in class did it last year and came in third in the whole school because it was so funny. I think it has a deeper meaning. The book is about a little Penguin who is different. Tacky is " an odd bird, but pretty cool to have around" because he rescues the regular penguins from some hunters. Good choice Trevor, being different IS cool. We're proud of you, and you came in third in your class of 25 students!

7 February

report card time!

2011 Handbook

HANDBOOK 2011

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

6 February

Superbowl XLV

We are big fans of the Superbowl no matter what team is playing especially the FOOD (that is so bad for you we only eat it once a year). Homemade Chili (steak and sauce....no beans) and cheese over Tostitos or white rice, cookies and milk, Josh's famous sharp cheddar melted over Doritos (salty goodness to him, but really a little gross, those chips can't be good for you, I READ the ingredients), and some good beer to wash it all down. And the Commercials....Trevor's favorite was the Doritos commercial which involved licking a finger and the "baby" commercial (E-trade) and the fact that he got to stay up until 9 PM on a school night.

5 February

Today....

Had some time this morning to clean, change sheets and open windows to let just a little fresh air in. Comfort=a clean house.

An impromptu trip to Friendly's for a vanilla fribble (I haven't had one of those in years).

a trip to Lowe's to FINALLY pick out some paint for the kids bathroom. It has been white since we moved in 4 1/2 years ago and Josh and I aren't big fans of white walls.

a trip to Dick's sporting goods to get Trevor new sneakers, size 2 1/2. I think he just grew into the two size a few months ago!

Pulling out one of my childhood favorite games for family game night. It is so much more fun with 3 plus players.

4 February

I came down stairs this morning to find Breanna sharing (and reading aloud) her favorite book with our dog Lucy. These kids love their dog (and I think Lucy likes being read to, don't you?)

3 February

Tonight....

Trevor's winter concert. The songs were wonderful 3rd and 4th graders together singing and playing their recorders. Trevor even got a drum solo and his artwork featured in a slideshow. It was fun, and best of all Bre and Lucas really seemed to enjoy the whole thing as well. We're so proud of you Trevor!

2 February

Happy Groundhog Day, And happy 8 1/2 to Trevor!

1 February

Hello February.

Today.....

much more snow on the way, ALOT of snow. Snow day tomorrow. At least I got out of working. I had to make it through the grocery store today (a super-crowded grocery store) however with a cranky three year old begging for stuff and having a tantrum while I was trying to check out an enormous amount of groceries. Good times.

And here's one that made me laugh out loud (and please excuse the language)....

MOVED TO NEW ENGLAND



October 1-

Moved to a new home in Vermont. It's so beautiful here.
The lake to the north looks so majestic.
I can hardly wait to see it snow covered.
I'm going to love it here.

October 14-
New England is definitely the most beautiful place on earth.
The leaves have turned all the colors and shades of red and orange.
Went for a ride through the park and saw some deer. They are so
graceful. Certainly they are the most wonderful animals on earth.
This must be paradise, I LOVE IT HERE.

November 10-
Deer season will start soon. I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill such a gorgeous animal,
hope it will snow soon. I love it here.

Those red and orange leaves have covered my yard. Looks like a magnificent
multi-colored carpet. HOW BEAUTIFUL. Raking and cleaning up the yard will
be an opportunity for invigorating exercise in the cool crisp air.


November 15 -
Ah, more leaves and more exercise.

November 18 -
Jesus, still more leaves. Guess it's best to wait until they've all fallen before I rake again.

November 25 -
Finally, all of the trees lost their leaves and today's final raking it's over for this season.
Chiropractor suggested I use a lawn maintenance service next year.
Only four blisters became infected. Should probably remember to use gloves.

November 30 -
What the f--k? Where did all of those leaves come from?
A little wind last night and the lawn is covered again.
Oh well, they'll just have to wait until spring.

December 12 -
It snowed last night, FINALLY. Woke up to find everything blanketed in white. It looks like a postcard.
We went outside and cleaned the snow off the steps and shoveled the driveway. Had a snowball
fight (I won) and when the snowplow came by and we had to shovel the end of the driveway again.
What a beautiful place. I Love New England

December 14 -
More snow last night, I love it. The snowplow did his trick to the driveway again.
I Love it here.

December 19 -
More snow again last night. Can't get out of the driveway to get to work.
I'm exhausted from shoveling. F---ing snowplow.

December 22 -
More of that white sh-t fell again last night. As if dealing with the leaves weren't bad enough, now I've got blisters
all over my hands from shoveling, must remember to wear gloves. I think the snowplow hides around the corner
and waits until I'm finished shoveling the driveway. The a--hole.

December 25 -
Merry Christmas.
More frigging snow. If I ever get my hands on that son-of-a-bitch who drives the snowplow.
I swear I'll kill the bastard. Don't know why they don't use more salt on the roads to melt the f---ing ice.

December 27 -
More white sh-t last night. Have been inside for three days except for shoveling out the driveway
after that plow goes through every time.
F---ing gloves got wet and then froze on my hands. Doctor said it was just a mild case of frostbite, disfiguration
is probably only temporary. Can't go anywhere, car is stuck in a mountain of white sh-t. The weatherman says to
expect another 10 inches of the sh-t tonight. Do you know how many shovels full of snow 10 inches is?

December 28 -
The f---ing weatherman was wrong. We got 34 inches of that white sh-t. At this rate it won't melt 'till summer.
The plow got stuck up the road and the bastard came to the door and asked to borrow a shovel. After I told him
I'd already broken six of them shoveling all the sh-t he pushed into the driveway, I broke my last one on his f---ing head.

January 4 -
Finally got out of the house today. Went to the store to get food and on the way back I hit a damned
deer that ran in front of my car.
Did about $3000 damage. F---ing beast should be killed. Wish the hunters had killed them all last November.

May 3 -
Took the car to the garage in town. The thing is rusting out from all the f---ing salt they put all over the roads.

May 10 -
Moved to The Villas in Green Valley AZ .
I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would ever live in that God-forsaken area of New England