31 March

Today.....

The second annual race to the point 5K.  It's a race from the school down to the beach and back, lots of hills but fun and I finished with my best time (LOVE my new shoes!).  The kids had a blast in the fun run (Bre was at ballet) and we all wore orange to support Kyle.  Read more about Kyle here, our whole school and actually our whole town is rooting and praying for this family.

30 March

If I could say anything to Suzanne Collins, I would say,  you stink for giving us these hard parenting decisions.  I mean,  I am so excited that all the tweens are so excited about a book...A BOOK, it;s all they talk about!  I mean reading is in again, wow.  However,  In order to make it exciting,  your content about kids killing kids, well I'm not sure that It's appropriate for a nine year old, or anyone who can't stomach that.  But, reluctantly after I had read it, I let him read it, all three books actually because after all they are just books and he knows the difference between fantasy and reality.  THEN, you had to go and make a movie about said kids killing other kids, I mean like 20 kids die in the movie right?  And you had to make it PG-13 not rated R so us parents of the nine year old children who have read the books have to decide if this type of violence is not too much for them.  Then we feel like the worst parents in the world for letting our kids see the movie,  or not see it,  because "all their friends are seeing it."  Yeah the book was pretty good for a grown up, and thank you for making my boy so excited about reading, but REALLY?

29 March

He's all registered and is going to be riding the big yellow bus This September!

I can't believe the time has come, really just yesterday he was born.  Not to be dramatic, but I felt like I needed to be on top of my emotions even for today, since this is the last time I'll be doing this. I was excited that he would say to all the teachers we knew and waltz right in, do all his tests with a smile on his face and then we would get to practice riding the bus.  Well, he was sacred, didn't talk to anyone, cried and clung to my shirt when we walked in.   Eventually, it was fine  he ran around with his friends and colored with one of our favorite teachers.  We didn't get to practice riding the bus because it was too late when we were finished.  that I was really bummed about, because that is usually the really exciting part.  Oh well, here's to lasts......and to my daily Mantra these days by Dr. Suess......Don't cry because it's over.....smile because it happened.:)....I'm smiling.

28 March

::Right Now::

Our seedlings are emerging
We're building castles in the living room
I'm spending all the extra money I earned last week on new tires for the van.  Yippee!
I'm thankful I have the rest of the week off to catch up on some sleep
We're getting a little snow (just six days after it was 83 degrees...only in Maine!), luckily it melts fast
We're going to school, book fairs, therapy, piano lessons and teacher conferences..
I'm happy to have the rest of the week off to catch up on my sleep
We're trying to make a decision about whether or not we are old enough to see a certain movie that just came out, it's a hard one.
We are realizing that sometimes children need to take a step backwards before they are about to take a giant leap forward in development and we are trying to be patient with the process.

27 March

Favorites at Five

Movie: Veggie Tale Pirates

Food:  Shells Mac and Cheese

Activity: Play in the bucket and build with my blocks

Animal: Deer, Becuase I have never seen one

Color: Red and Blue

TV show:  Berenstain Bears and Word World

Thing to say: Boy....that was clever.  When I close my eyes you are are invisible.

Season:  Summer because of Aquaboggin

Book:  Elephant and Piggie

Game:  Sorry

Song: Somebody that I used to Know By Gotye and I like it Like that

Place: Swingset

Friend: Evelyn

Shirt: Football and Redsox

Toy: Car ramp

Superhero:  I don't like superheroes

Superpower: Firebombs

Letter: L   Number : 100

Drink:  V8 fusion

Dessert: orange Popsicles

Things on the playground:  The Slide and tires wing

Shoes: Bog Boots

26 March

Today.......You have your very first all alone play date.  I know it sounds silly, that a seven year old should be going on tons of drop off play dates, but this is really great.  The other Mom picked you up form school even and e-mailed to say you were doing great.  You are really blossoming this year and all of a sudden you want to be right in the thick of it all with your peers.  You are having conversations and asking questions.  Another little girl at school told me once that  she like to play with you because you were not like the other little girls that wouldn't let her play with them.  Girl stuff is hard, cliques and bullying happen so quietly, but with you, you are the real deal. You  accept everyone.   I also know its not about trying to make you "not different", to your peers,  It's about teaching them to accept what is different.  And when that happens, it's just awesome.

I'm here

Just was taking a little blogging break after working almost full time this week with J away and Mom visiting.  I've been falling into bed each night late after finishing the chores and getting up REALLY early (5 am EARLY!) So no blogging at night for me! I'll be back to regular blogging tomorrow.....have a great week!

25 March

Home.
I spent Friday night and Saturday and Sunday at work.  Yes, I volunteered for this because someone just left, I'm one of the most experienced people there and it really would be nice to have some extra money to pay for the kids summer clothes/camps and it was only for one week.  BUT, I'm totally fried after working all those hours and Josh being away for half the week and still keeping up with the chores etc.....I love my job, I really do, but I'm so glad to be home (and I think a nap is in order!)

24 March

Saturday.

The family took a five mile bike ride while I worked, then Gammie and I went out for a nice dinner and clothes shopped a little.  I ended up with a new outfit from Eddie Bauer (my favorite store) and Mom ended up with a really great deal on a sweatshirt form Old Navy.  Girls nights out are really not often enough, we have to do this more often.....it was so fun!

23 March

Today......I tagged along with my neighbor and her friends for their 11 mile long run (for about 1.5 miles then turned around) and we had a really nice walk in the woods with Gammie and her dogs (except for the tick she got on her!)  This is the last of the nice weather days....then back to the reality of Spring in Maine, and for me a REALLY long weekend spent working.

22 March

Today....

Gammie is here!
They've been counting down the days and we were so lucky to be able to take another beach rendezvous and eat popsicles outside in the afternoon, before the temps drop back to the true Maine March weather (the 40s).  I mean people were swimming in that 39 degree water, crazy!

03-21-12

Celebrate World Down Syndrome awareness day:)  Great Post Here.

21 March

Today.....

Lucas had a day off from preschool to give time for some parent teacher conferences.  Lucas LOVES his preschool (I wish they had a Kindergarten!) and they love him.  They used words like leader, creative, bright and confident to describe him at school.  Great stuff.  In other news....the WEATHER, OH MY!  75 degrees in March, well that slashed all records by 10-20 degrees.  Usually we're lucky to get temps in the 60s.  Tomorrow, it's gonna be in the 80s. It's amazing how we can so effortlessly get used to warmer temps, shed everything, put on shorts and head right for the beach (water temps..39 degrees).  Today,  me and my boy had a nice long walk down to the rock wall collecting everything along the way (and negotiating who was going to carry the BIG rock all the way back).  Just Awesome.

20 March

Happy Spring!

And you'll have to excuse me for just learning that the day and night are the same exact length on the first day of Spring.  Well for the first time, we are trying to start seedlings indoors.  I have no idea what I'm doing, and didn't really plan on anything to set these pots on except my jelly roll pans (they get wet).  I guess I'll just learn as I go along like I do with most things.   I'm so happy that the seeds (and the children!) will get to spend their first few days outside since we will be having temps in the 70s and 80s.  Lucas and Bre did a great job spooning the dirt putting in the tiny seeds and watering.  We have 4 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon and pumpkin.  We really did baby them and just ever so gently misted them with the hose, covered them with plastic wrap, and placed them in the window. It's always good to bring a little dirt inside.  And I bet you didn't know that reading to seeds helps their growth.  It really does.

19 March

This week....
I'm working ALOT of early mornings and Josh is traveling, which makes for one tired mama.
We fixed Bre's training wheels and after a bit of protesting, she is up and running on her bike.
We had out First BBQ and uncovered the deck furniture
We relaxed in the hammock.
We are expecting 4 straight days of beautiful weather
Lucas and Josh took a 3 mile bike ride on the tandem bike, had a picnic and watched the lobster boats come in.
We had a decision to make about a job and it didn't turn out to be the right one after all.
Lucas brought his books to the bus stop in his backpack to read while we were waiting.  As the kids were walking home, I pictured in my mind what every day next year would look like.
"Mama read to me?"  is an every 5 minute phrase these days.  I'm  reading some longer books out loud to him now ike Charlotte's Web and My Side of the Mountain.
Gammie is coming to visit three VERY excited children....we have her bed all set up and ready!

18 March

Getting outside for the first few times after the long cold winters are over, especially when we can shed our coats and walk.  Especially when the sun is glistening through the trees and warming our faces.  Especially when you can smell the mud in the air.  Especially when these two set out to do some collecting and rock throwing into the stream and hold hands and run just because. I picture it is just about what heaven is like.

17 March

Today.....
Happy St. Pattys day!  Trevor and Josh headed up to Sunday River for a fantastic day of Spring skiing.  I stayed home with the littles who aren't quite ready for a trip up to the big mountain yet.  Well, they loved it and their legs were sore by lunchtime, but they kept on going until four.....moguls and slush and all, skiing successfully all seven peaks.  I hate to say winter went by fast, but that ski season sure did.....can't wait to get everyone up there next year!

16 March

It's here!  My First issue of Taproot..  There's just something about having something in your hands written by people local to you.  I sat in on the deck, sun warming my face and devoured the entire thing in like 40 mins.  It was some great writing, some of which I didn't really relate to, some of which spoke to me. My Favorite Article was by Stacy Brenner (who lives like five miles from me by the way.) "Healthy Soils, Strong Girls".  Where she compares the raising of her two daughters to growing and managing her farm.  I am aware of the tie between parenting and farming when my hands are in the mix of the days activities, she says.  Knowing when to tend, when to let go, how much to coax is an art that no classroom can teach.  It happens with the passing of the season, learning to yield to the realities of how things grow best.....The legacy of the farmer is in the health of her soil, the legacy of the parent is in raising children who are strong confident and thoughtful....I'm not sure there is another way to learn it except to live it.  Great Stuff.

15 March

Reasons to celebrate today.......
 (even though the fact that a parent has to ever attend an IEP meeting for a child is not really a reason to celebrate.)

It was the shortest meeting so far, less than an hour.
We had some great help watching the kids before school:)
We have an AWESOME team, when I say AWESOME, I mean above and beyond awesome.  We've always had an awesome team, school and administrators.  They LOVE Bre and want her to shine, but it has just taken them this long to get to know her enough to know what makes her tick.
Bre is fully included in the classroom at all times, even for most therapy sessions and even when she is learning different stuff from the other kids.
The Administrators get what we want in terms of inclusion and know what our vision is for Bre's education without us having to fight for it.
The Transportation director is having seat belts installed on all the buses.
Bre has friends, a best friend,  and everyone plays with her (We really just want her to have friends!).
She is reading at a first grade level.
The IPad, it has been a miracle for her.
We're making homemade pizza from scratch for dinner (even the crust)

14 March

Today.....

was just one of those days where I went from one thing to the next and didn't stop (and I didn't even work!). But my favorite thing in the world is playing outside after dinner until it gets dark.  Even when it is still cold, cause hey It's light out until seven and this is spring in MAINE people:)

13 March

Around Here....

Were getting Spring Fever.  We're outside after dinner riding our bikes in mud puddles and racing around the loop until dark.  I got my seed catalog in the mail yesterday and promptly ordered up a whole garden's worth and then some.  We're going to start indoors this year.  And guess what is going to be delivered to my door this April?  Three trees!  An apple, pear and peach tree.  I can't wait to add them to our garden:)  Exciting stuff!  Oh and the piano lessons?  Well, Trevor has had five 30 minute lessons so far, and he's playing Beethoven (mostly b/c he practices while watching it being played on you tube!)  See below, Exciting Stuff!

12 March

I hugged you last week and told you you had to stay four forever.  You said, Mom....I can't".   I know. I want to remember how how excited you were about the fact that your birthday spanned across two days.  I want to remember that you said, Mom I like presents but it's also special because of you... (really)."  I want to remember your cooking party and  your friends and how you wanted to make you own homemade chocolate cupcakes for your real birthday.  I want to remember how you wanted pigs in a blanket, mango and strawberry Kabobs and raviolis for dinner.  I want to remember your sweet smile, you laugh and your voice.  You are my sweet, sweet boy.   My baby is five, its so bitter sweet. Happy 5th Birthday to my spirited, smart, loving, artistic, witty, boy who gives the best hugs and loves his mama more than anything .   May this day be as spectacular as you!  

Don't cry Because it's over, smile because it happened. ~Dr. Suess

11 March

Today.....
5 People(Plus one dog) twelve times March
on the day of a very special birthday party. (and I LOVE how Lucas really thinks that his Birthday spans two days:)  More on that and the grandparents visit this week.  Now if you will excuse me, I have some chocolate cupcakes to bake for the special dinner tomorrow!

10 March

Today.....
Her dance recital, she was off the wall silly with everyone there to watch her.  This time, just four little girls with Down Syndrome are in the class, different sizes, ages, abilities and behaviors.  We celebrate all of them and all of it.  She's getting it , the positions, the moves and the music, and she loves it:)

9 March

This week.....

We had some really challenging parenting days.
We signed Lucas up for his Kindergarten Registration appointment and filled out tons of paperwork
We narrowed down the choices and sighed up for a few summer camps (I know....already?)
We bought corn and bean seeds.
One almost five year old is trying to grow such seeds indoors
Josh was travelling some.
We did lots of reading (the requests these days are always for longer books...)
We soaked up every last drop of the warmth that Wednesday afternoon and Thursday had to offer.
We took our last ski lesson of the year
We got new insoles for Bre's shoes
We went to two swimming lessons.
We sold girl scout cookies outside of Sam's club
We had a lunch date
We made lunch and dinner for a friend who really needed a night off from cooking.
We planned one very exciting weekend/Monday for a very special Birthday Boy:)

funny stuff.

read here.

8 March

Only in Maine......can it snow 13 inches and be 20 degrees on one Thursday and be 65 Degrees the very next Thursday!

7 March

Mom's Wednesday random mental checklist:

is everybody up? Did everyone have a healthy breakfast including whole grains and fruit, vitamins?
Are the bags packed, is the homework done?
Does everyone have all their winter gear?
What appointments do I have today, does anyone need to be picked up at the end of the day?
Are the beds made, are the dishes cleaned up, dishwasher emptied, counters wiped, floor swept?
Does the dog need to go out?  Pellet stove need Filling?
I need to go for a run
I have to get up earlier....
How am I going to set limits for this four year old and teach my nine year old to be respectful (raising up babies was so much easier than trying to raise up good people!)
Did everyone wash their hands?
Is the laundry in?
Should I get myself dressed? is 10 minutes enough to shower.....sure!
I have to start thinking about summer camps and Kindergarten registration (the paperwork!).
I have a work newsletter due today and a presentation on Friday that I haven't started yet....yikes!
What is for dinner tonight, do I need to take something out of the freezer?
I should ask Josh if he wants to go out to lunch, we haven't had a date night in a while.
I have to get there to pick up Lucas by 1 PM.
I have to make sure I teach him how to tell time, read , recognize numbers and how to count money, I want him to learn those things from me (and how to be polite and respectful to adults).
In fact, I want Trevor to learn what it means to give back (with his own ideas).
Time to start working on that presentation.
I will also make time to read to Lucas for a little in the  afternoon and stop by at a friends for an hour before the bus comes, I haven't seen her in a while.
I should check the e-mail, and write a few responses (and my blogs, Facebook and Pinterest while I'm at it)
I need to think about what I'm going to make my neighbor for dinner tomorrow night, she's had a tough week.
Need to get the kids off the buses, I try to encourage Bre to be a little more independent getting off by herself, I talk with one of the other Moms for a little while, I like connecting with other Moms.
Trevor is off to Piano lessons, I wait for another friend to come pick up some girl scout cookies while the littles play outside with the dog, I feel good they are getting outside on this lovely afternoon, but they should come in and use the bathroom.
I need to talk to Trevor's teacher about giving me a little more feedback about his work in school, I wonder why she doesn't respond to e-mail and I've only e-mailed her twice all year about Scholastic book orders?
My Real Simple magazine came today, time to look at the mail and take a peak at my new magazine.
Dinner....I need to teach Trevor to be more respectful of adults, for sure.  Consequences given.
Grocery list and meal planning for the next week, I need to do that, and coupons for grocery shopping tomorrow.
I am in desperate need of a haircut, I need to make an appointment, the car inspection is overdue and we need new tires on the van.  The cars could also use a vacuum.
Laundry folding....not tonight, the kids need baths.
the little kids need to be read to and tucked in, Trevor needs special time
I need to take a few pictures with the big camera, catch up on my blog and Project Life.
Back to that presentation, a little IDOL and bed, gotta try to get up a little earlier tomorrow.

6 March

The story.....real life.
This time of year, we are wearing thin.  We are ready to be done with these inside days, these winters are long, no matter how much or how little snow we get.  Well the day on Monday  started with meltdown after meltdown (probably due to the consumption of a little more sugar than we are used to in the form of girl scout cookies), and this boy was just not happy with anything.  I found myself getting mad at him and staying mad at him for most of the day (a phenomenon that rarely happens, how can I actually hold a grudge with a 4 year old child for a whole day, ridiculous!).  We missed our special library story time and lunch due to this special morning.  We ll later in the afternoon, Lucas went up to his room to fins something to play with (so I thought), and got real quiet so I went up to check on him.  He was in the hallway and said, "Mom.....DON'T go in my room!"  I said "why??" and he got real nervous so I went in his room to find a box of someone else's girl scout cookies on his bed, opened with scissors and he took a bite of one.  THAT WAS IT!  This day could get no worse with this sneaky, smart little boy.  Unfortunately, he had to "pay" for the box of cookies with four of his favorite toys (which he has now added to his birthday list)...that should cover the $3.50.  I spent the rest of the day cleaning a few garbage bags out of the toy room as well to give to Goodwill.  Surprisingly,  Purging things, not shopping  always makes me feel better:)  It certainly fixed this bad Mommy day, so as I got to enjoy these sweet moments of the evening.   And as hard as it was, whatever we did yesterday worked because today, my sweet boy was back again.  Good times.

5 March

 The cookies are here!  My girl did a great job selling (and is doing a little bit more selling at Sam's club booth next weekend), helping sort, and helping carry the boxes in and out of the car.  It was work, but fun work and for a great cause.  Our troop is going to use the money to help a little boy get a service dog.  Just awesome, what these girls can do.  

4 March

Today......

the second half in our little adventure of syrup making.  We got a roaring campfire outside and boiled the three or so gallons of sap that we had collected in the last week over the fire (using clamps)  for about 2 hours in the lobster pot.  It was steamy and fun just to be outside around the fire with nothing else to do but listen to some good music and build a snowman.  When it had boiled down almost all the way we brought it inside and finished it on the stove and then filtered it through a coffee filter.   We got about a pint, and I'm not even sure if we boiled it enough, but it tastes like nothing else I've ever tasted.  Sweet goodness. A new Tradition?  Most definitely.

3 March

On a rainy Saturday....

We ran a few errands, went out for a grilled cheese and homemade soup lunch and went to see The Lorax.  The kids loved it, especially the toothbrush part.

2 March

You have a gift, that learning just comes really easily and quickly to you (love the head lamp!).  Your preschool teacher told me the other day that you are reading and spelling (thanks to a little Mommy help and a little "Word World" TV show  help). Best of all, at this age (LOVE this age), you are ready to learn about the whole world (and are excited about it too!).   You are ready to move onward and upward to "big school"....sniff,sniff.  We're so proud of you!

1 March

In like a lion.....

and the storm ranged for a good 24 hours (and it's still going).  We had our first snow day of the year today (before this, I was quite certain that the kids were going to be ending their school year in EARLY June). .  Today, In between reading to children, grocery shopping, fixing dinner earlier in the day, cleaning up and doing laundry, I stole a few minutes on the couch to read (a book that Trevor has been begging to read that I had to preview first, Ahem.).  It was at this moment that I was ever conscious, hyper-aware actually of the blessing of right now.  Of this day.  Of everyone home together, on a work day, on a school day, we were all home. I know that these days spent at home together will be fewer and farther between as time passes.  Josh may not always be working at home, the kids will be off and running, with friends, school and activities.  Change comes about swiftly and quickly, and for that reason I'm so glad I can notice the absolute blessing of today, snow in March and all.