Three.

Happy Third Birthday Ry Ry!   Can't wait to see you riding your new bike!  At your new House!  Which is pretty close to ours! Love you!

31 July

Tuesday......

We met some Friends and went Blueberry picking!  It has been on my bucket list for like. ever.  It was a gorgeous day, we picked like 10 lbs, the kids got to negotiate who sat in the back of the golf cart (and they got in trouble for talking about throwing the blueberries at each other).  There was live music (wish he knew some Kenny Rogers when we made the kids go up and request it), and a picnic lunch.  Good Times!  

B had a fun Girls Day out with S. The beach, out to lunch and ice cream!    They really are friends:)  And a night out with Mom while the boys celebrated a special birthday with friends at Buffalo Wild Wings and a crazy baseball game (late night).  Seriously, where did July go!

30 July

Another one of my favorites form the weekend.....Four generations of women.

29 July

And a few more from our whirlwind of a weekend.....
I want to remember.....

• Stopping By Grandmas House, How it brought back memories of how we used to drive the  the "swingset way" and making that trip down Hemlock Lane. How Grandma sang to B in the back of the car the songs she used to sing to us when we were little.  How she told stories of what she would do if she won the lottery, how she gave one of her paintings to the oil furnace maintenance man, and how she makes friends with all the people working at the grocery store.  She has such a gift to be able to strike up a conversation with anyone.
• How L was working with my Dad on a fix it project and how he didn't want to leave until they finished "just one more part"
• How L missed T when he was gone.
• Photos of four generations of women.
• How T left Canada and his very First long Course state meet with six medals.  I am one proud Mama!  

28 July

Today.......To top our our amazing weekend, T participated in the healthy kids Youth Triathlon and came in third in his age group (11-12 year olds)! It was a 175 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike and 1.5 mile run.  And since I've never done a triathlon, he's one up on me at age 10 :)   L can't wait to sign up for the next one!  So, So, Fun!

27 July

Jess, You are beautiful and adorable!  This was so fun!  So happy I got to be there to celebrate your baby shower with you!  You are going to be an amazing Mom :)

26 July

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

24/25 July

So much great stuff going on  in this busy summer week!  Birthday Celebrations are happening!  Happy 10th anniversary of your 29th birthday J!  And there is the getting ready and traveling to the BIG state swim meet in Canada.  My Boy completed a 400 meter race in a long course pool!  He was so proud and is having a blast with his Dad touring the city, going out to eat and to an outdoor concert.  T has medal-ed in three events so far!    Best swim meet. ever.  The littles are getting ready for a very exiting visit and sleepover at Gammie and Grampa's house.  An Me, well, I'm working, trying to catch up on some sleep, and trying to take it all in. Trying to slow down this lightning speed of a summer and getting excited for a special Cousin's baby shower on Saturday.  Good, Good Times.

23 July

Today.....Some  Fun Thrift shopping and regular shopping with the boys for some very special Birthdays are that are coming right up!  I really can't believe how the summer is flying By!  July 23 already!   Time to get to that bucket list.  A trip to the library in preparation for the rainy days ahead. .  Our favorite backyard tree is blooming, just in time for said birthdays.   More Caprese salad.  School starts in less than  a month and a week...eeeek!

22 July

Our weekend....
Drinks ans dinner and shopping with K......always good for lots and lots of laughs (and fun!) while J watched ALL the kids.
Chores and lawn cutting and laundry
a bit of redecorating with the kids art (finally going through it all)
Beautiful cooler weather.
Finding 3- 4 Leaf Clovers (A has a gift)
First local corn and Caprese salad of the season.

21 July

Sunday in the garden.....
Some cooler temps....FINALLY!  Beets and greens still growing strong, peas are all done. Sunflowers are HUGE and blooming.  Weeds are under control (YAY!).  Squash, Pumpkin and Cucumber big and yellow flowers.  Tons of bees in said flowers.  Little tiny cumbers.  First tomato Harvest.  Like little drops of sweet golden sunshine in your mouth.  Love that.

20 July

 Our First Trip to the Aquaboggin water park this year on a hot, HOT Friday.... The kids managed all the slides and rides on their own. Lucas did the Mat slides (and ENJOYED them!) for the first time.  My girl went up alone a thousand times on her favorite tube slide.  We all LOVED swimming in the wave pool.  Love this place.

A great Read for your weekend....

The oatmeal.....on running

19 July

This moment. A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

18 July

A day in the Life of T...

Breakfast, vitamins, piano, math worksheets, chores, and negotiating with my little brother.  Waterparks, swimming,  playing with my guys.  Texting my friends, taking an online photography class.  Listening to music, playing on my iPad. Reading.  Bugging Mom.  Bugging Dad.  Bugging my little brother.  Swim Practice. Teeth. Bed.

17 July

a Day int the Ordinary Summer Life of B:

Wake up, eat cheerios juice and a cheesestick, do my hair, clean my ears, brush my teeth, get ready for school, wave bye to Mom, Go to school, Get home from school.  Run up the driveway for a big hug, play with my stuffed animals, eat lunch, play games with L, play on the playground, More Games,Dinner, shower, bedtime!

16 July

A Day in the ordinary Summer Life of L:

Wake up, eat Koala Krisp and fruit, play games, eventually get dressed, help with dishes, beg for a snack, annoy and fight with my brother, play more games, wrestle, play outside, eat lunch, hugs from Mama,  do some schoolwork (because my older brother has to)listen to music, play on the playground, dinner.  Lather,rinse,repeat.

15 July

Today.....
I am Grateful.....

That He's back working at home (I think he is too...no more ironing!).  It's just great
on so many levels,
That because of number one I got to slip away to grocery shop and have coffee with a friend during the day.
That we both have good fulfilling Jobs that pay the Bills, even if the schedules are tough sometimes.
That I'm healthy enough to survive a 7.5 mile run in mid summer.
That I get to do said Run by the Ocean (That view will never get old.  EVER).
That  all my appliances are in working order (for the moment).
That my kids have friends....that take them fun places to do Fun Things.
Our CSA, which we totally ate pretty much all of by today for this whole week!  We're eating healthier than ever.  It's the best.
For Summer.  All of it, even the hot days and rainy days or the days where the kids are not getting a long. Life is good.

13/14 July

This weekend. 

Not a whole lot of picture taking took place, there were a few errands, and some lawn mowing and patching.

There was a two day swim meet going on. My boy rocked it, but came disappointed About his place finish. We talked and decided to keep working hard. It's a tough sport. I also discovered that some of his friends have "girlfriends" oye. It's just beginning

We had Kev over for a cookout and campfire with the wild Alaskan smoked salmon and farm fresh salad. It was Ah-mazing! 

The old port half marathon and the swim meet day 2( with all the kids) the guys were cooked bc the course was hard and it was hot!! We ended the weekend with a trip to the beach some leftovers for dinner and our favorite dairy corner...the weekends just fly!!

12 July

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspiring Links for the weekend...

Letter to my 51 Year old Self

Print for Your Children's Children

The invisible Mom

The Special Mom by Erma Bombeck, 1980

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

“Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia. Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity.”

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a handicapped child.”

The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”

“Exactly,” says God. “Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But has she patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that’s not going to be easy.”

“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”

God smiles. “No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a ‘spoken word.’ She will never consider a ‘step’ ordinary. When her child says ‘Momma’* for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.”

“I will permit her to see clearly the things I see . . . ignorance, cruelty, prejudice . . . and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.”

“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, pen poised midair. God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”

11 July

Right Now....

•  in between rain showers (LOTS of rain showers) were doing tons of bike riding.  We actually found this little bike on the side of the road marked free.  L seems to have a new found confidence with it.  Even though he has been riding for a while he no longer needs Mom or Dad ":right there" and goes barreling down the driveway.    Bittersweet.
• Thinking about some lines in a REALLY funny movie  (The HEAT) that I just saw, If you haven't seen it, go.now....
• We're starting and ending our days by reading.  Again.....L is even a little overconfident at what he "thinks" he can read.  Trevor is proud that he finished two books for his middle school requirement.  
• Hand washing lots of dishes these days while we patiently wait for the fix it man (To Come NEXT TUESDAY)
• Listening to boys taking hours to change the clothes from the washer to the dryer and put their baskets away.  Good this we have no where else to go.....
• Thinking my life is a little boring these days....

10 July

the story of us (photo booth photo circa 1995).

He does the bills, takes out the trash and mows the lawn, I make the beds and take care of the kids "schedules". He is a fabulous cook, and fixer of everything broken.   He loves his DD coffee, trashy reality shows on History or Discovery.....and running. We do little things for each other and we do little things that annoy each other. It's funny on how we never have to sit down and talk about the "little things". They just are what they are and we never make them into big things. The big things to us are the same......family, love, being kind.

14 years ago, (FOURTEEN!) we walked down the isle. We had the wedding of our dreams right by the sea. We both wanted a purple bathroom and copper knobs on the drawers in our first house (well I'm not sure we both wanted purple). It's funny how dreams evolve and change. I'm sure in another ten years our dreams won't be so knee deep into child rearing, and housekeeping, maybe they will be travelling the world. But above all, we're best friends, and we just work, mostly because we are each others biggest fan (and he likes to work on whatever "project" I dream up). So here is to many more years together, and I'm sure the best is yet to come. Happy Anniversary to us:)

9 JuLY

In the garden....

Weeds, weeds and more weeds (remind me why I do this again?)

A few red strawberries

Tons of sugar snap peas

Some huge sunflowers

Slugs and beetles....ugh!

Cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and tomatoes all with flowers

Lettuce, beets, carrots and herbs

Children....complaining about weeding, discovering toads (named him Freddy) and slugs and bugs, arguing with each other, spending time with mom and learning all at the same time 

8 July

Today.....a total stranger came up to me in the grocery store and told me what a great big brother you were (I was sending you two on "missions" to get me things).  I got a lump in my throat,  a big one.  My eyes see an almost teenager.....My heart still sees my little boy.  

Love You , T..... and so proud of the person you are.....Always.

and the last horrah...

AND......after all the chores were done  (and we could barely lift another muscle) we decided our first summer vacation of 2013 needed one last Horrah....so we headed on over to Fort Williams, with a picnic Italian Sandwich dinner.  We took a walk on the newly renovated Cliff walk (even though it was still over 90 degrees out), took tons of photographs, and even got to see a big oil tanker coming in to port (Lucas was thrilled...LOVE this age!).  We walked over to the fort and got daring enough to try the tunnel.  Then we walked back and headed over to our favorite once a year treat at Willard Scoops.  The ice cream is all homemade and the "perfect kiddie size" (not too big).  An awesome ending to an awesome week.  And on deck for our next vacation....Hackney Cabin August 11-18......can't wait!

7 July

Family Vacation Sunday.....

Chores and unpacking and mowing the lawn..  But early in the am......the color run!  OMG!  SO, So Fun....
A bunch of wild and crazy people there to do a little exercise and get......"all gross" My hair is still blue after two showers but I'm sure it will come out.  Awesome fun with friends.  Can't wait to do it next year as a family!

6 July

Summer Family Vacation Friday and Saturday......

I want to remember.....
9 kids 10 and under doing everything together.
Movie nights and Movie mornings
Swimming all day at the State park.
Kids running hand in hand into the water....
The FOOD!  Hanging out in the kitchen making apps....
Playing cards until the wee hours (or was it playing with electronics and watching you tube)...
Guys on the the grill, girls in the kitchen.
Waffle breakfasts
Sending two men into the Market Basket....
Laughing.....lots.
Lots of grownups to help with doing hair, playing, and healing boo boos.
R man rocking out to Warrant at Breakfast.
Girls playing barbies, and legos.
R Man saying he wouldn't mind sleeping in the basement with the tools.
Wishing the kids had the whole summer together......VERY soon!

Love this weekend.....all of it.

5 July

Family Vacation Friday....

WE were basically doing errands, getting haircut and packing up all day for our Big Summer 2013 Couusin reunion.  So exciting!  And Today was the Day!  Out Girl got her ears pierced!  Little tiny hearts with sparkles inside.  The woman at the piercing booth said that it was the easiest child she had done in seven years.  B was so excited!

5 July

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

4 July

Family Vacation Thursday.....The Fourth Of July

WE're at the beginning of a heat wave in these parts so all we could do was.....find water.  Luckily, we have an amazing beach nearby.  After the kids complained about not wanting to go and swim in the salt water (T brought a book).....we couldn't get them out of the water.  WE happened to see some friends during our epic schlepping all the way across a very large parking lot and ended up hanging out with them for the day.  The kids had a blast walking the beach and Body surfing all day...

Afterwards, we headed to the Sea dogs game for food, baseball land fireworks.  It was a total blast and Trevor even caught a game ball.  Love this tradition

3 July

Family Vacation Wednesday......a Foggy, cloudy morning slowly faded to total sunshine.  YAY!  FINALLY, let the summer vacation begin!  T and his friend K had been planning a golf outing since soccer season (in the FALL) and Today, it happened!  18 holes, walking at 7 this morning.  To say the boys were excited would be an understatement!  They LOVED it!  Then in the late afternoon we decided to beat the crowds at the Lobster Shack for our annual "lupper" there, Hot Dogs for the Kids, a lobster roll for me, fried scallops and Clam Chowder for J.  I think we started this tradition way back when Lucas was still in the baby carrier: (summer 2008):

These are usually some of my favorite photos of the year, the kids love climbing on the rocks and watching the waves crash .     This year "cat" came along to learn about the ocean and the waves.  Great

Memories!

  

2 July

Family vacation Tuesday involved a very large stump grinder on another Rainy Day.  A Long Run with a neighbor and friend, a Rock-n- Bowl and arcade day with some new Friends (and surprisingly seeing some old friends there too!) and a Fixed washing machine.  Fun!  Life is good!

1 July

Hello  July!

Summer Vacation Day 3:
Was a great day for
The First day of Summer School
 the driving range in the morning....
moving a few wood piles (in the POURING rain)
A great run with a friend
Board Games
And the Movies with buttery popcorn in the afternoon (Monsters University)