21 March

3-21  World Down Syndrome Day.  (3 copies of chromosome 21), I figure I should honor it with a really good piece of writing.  I'm sure, though, that nothing can really do justice to the gift that I have been given.  There has been so much I've wanted to write about lately yet mere facts have been the only things gracing this here blog for a little while now.  So much,  like parenting struggles, Never feeling like you are doing it right.  Losing my patience way too much.  Trying to eat healthier then not having time for lunch until 2 in the afternoon.  Wishing for more peace.  Feeling Tired.  Wanting to write down the conversations and the funny things they say, but forgetting a minute later.  Navigating Changes, new jobs, new sports, new schedules, new schools next year.  Trying to figure out what's best and still not knowing.  Being overwhelmed and grateful all at the same time.  Loving and laughing at this post.   Reading this book.  Listening to this song. Grateful that success and opportunity are the same reasons for feeling overwhelmed at times..

The other Day I was on a run with a friend and she asked me what I thought Breanna's future (you know grown up life) would be like....like where should would live, if she would work etc....  I didn't take offense to it one bit, but funny how no one asked me what I thought Trevor would be doing 10 years from now.  Who knows, there are no guarantees people!  She is not suffering.  Her life is full of the normal amount of ups and downs, same as my other kids.  The Truth is that right now, every day we celebrate all he little successes and abilities that continue surprise us.  Her future is bright.  She may have more or even less obstacles than other people to get there.   There is always talk about what makes us different as a family and what values we need to portray because of it.  I think if she never came into our lives, we wouldn't be as good, our family wouldn't.  We would be too wrapped up in ourselves, sweating the small stuff.  Now have the aweome responsiblity to be out there changing the world.  I am so honored to be a Mom to a child who gives me that perspective and that vulnerability even.  SHE makes us look outside of ourselves every day.  SHE is pure joy who loves with every fiber of her being, and to to answer the question, she will live a wonderful, amazing and fulfilling life.    That is what this Day means to me...

20 March

Hello Spring.

And this year, Spring greeted us with over a foot of snow......really, enough already!  At least Lucas got to try out his new snowshoes   Looking back, at this time last year, we had already had a trip to the beach for a few days in the 70s and 80 even.  Well, we're still looming in the 20s and 30s over here and I would be lying if I didn't say that I was dreaming of some warmer weather.  AS Far as our very small scale syrup making season goes.  It was too cold for much sap.  The kids were in and out of the process.   And the very fun fire that we were planning on making and sitting around all day watching the sap boil, didn't happen due to lack of time and lack of motivation to shovel out the fire pit.  So, we stuck the pot on the gas grill burner and boiled away during the kids snow day....finished indoors, filtered and made a label complete with Kindergarten handwriting.  And that, folks is all she wrote.

19 March

And this Month....they are in charge of planning, cooking (with help as needed) and cleaning up form one meal per week.  Only Rule is that all the food groups must be accounted for.   Week #1 was Pigs in the blanket.  Week #2 is Pizza.  Going well so far, except it takes A lot of time.  These boys of ours are not super speedy at doing anything that they need to stay on task for.  They're still in the stage where they think they have an infinite amount of time for everything (which can wear on one mama's patience).  There is always something else that needs to be attended to, while working on your current task.  It's real tough to hold back from my constant reminding, but I'm working on it.

18 March

And after the party....the cousins came over for a total lego fest (after they ran wild outside and came in crying).  Dumped out ALL the LEGO sets and made building "stations"  Didn't think it was going to end well, but it did, and the floorstill has the mess to prove it....

17 March

Last night, an impromptu and delicious Irish dinner with some friends (the kids went to bed past 10---YIKES!)  WE watched Skyfall...not good.  4 our of 10 I would say.  Too much action, not enough story.  As Josh said, way to much "What the Hell?"  Today, a 6th Birthday party for my boy.  The kids had a blast bowling (it really is a lost art), and having cake and playing in the arcade.  Mama was a total slacker in the homemade cake department, so he had to pick from what was at the store on that day....the lady at the checkout said "I bet that cake is for the birthday girl..."  Funny story, but I guess she didn't see the name. He could have cared less though He also picked out 5 silver and 1 football balloon, and blue table cloths..  Still can't believe he is six......

16 March

He LOVED that state meet.......all three days.  All three exhausting days of driving there, waiting in line and squishing myself in....to watch him for a few minutes.  Seems like just yesterday, I was swimming in this pool.  Sitting out there with my friends waiting for my events with my Walkman tape player (there were no electronics back then, now everywhere you look people are plugged in with their laptops and apple devices).   He couldn't wait to go back each day and swim.  He didn't care about his place.  Five events and Five personal bests, plus a whole lot of fun with his friends. He improved so much this year.  He's sad that we've reached to end of the season, so he's going to keep on swimming, through the summer and will go to a camp.  Love that he loves it, and can take it with him forever.

15 March

{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.

14 March

People ask me and wonder sometimes how I do it  (I definitely don't do ti ALL)........work, get three young kids to all their stuff.... homework, meals, keep up the home, organize, scrapbook, blog, laundry, meal planning, gardening, PTA, school volunteering, keeping up with IEPs and special education (at least 1 meeting a week) etc...... Well, First of all, I have an amazing husband who picks up the work right where I leave off.  I mean yesterday, I had the best intentions of grocery shopping and stripping all the beds and washing the sheets and putting them back on.  Then, I had to unexpectedly go into to work last night to cover someone who couldn't make it in, and he was able to meet me at Piano  bring the kids home, get them dinner (actually the kids made the dinner!), arrange swim carpool, clean up and finish the sheets.  So lucky.  And LOVE that he always cooks.Second of all, I would suggest not looking in my drawers and closets. I mean  keeping it real here, since I have really not much to do with  what the kids wear these days.  And a lot of the time they put away and sometimes even fold their own clothes.  So, their drawers look somewhat like a tossed salad of clothes, and I'm totally able to let that go.  Real life.  

13 March

This Boy, has just a super busy week this week.  He had a huge team rally to get psyched up for the State meet last night (which went LATE into the evening!) The older kids made the younger kids signs, they made up cheers, they got special bathing caps with their names on them.  He is excited and nervous, nervous and excited and  I am so happy for him.  Go Trevor, GO!

12 March

Six.

We celebrated last night with dinner and acoustic Music at our favorite fancy kid friendly pizza restaurant downtown.  Gammie even made the drive uo with us to celebrate (thank you!) He ordered a whoopie pie, complete with six candle) and then went home to open his presents.  He LOVES his legos, books and new showshoes!   My baby is six.  I can't believe it.  Six fits him really well.  Little and big.  Still likes to take baths sometimes and cuddle with Mom, but also has a great understanding of things.  He reads everything.  He's as strong willed as they come, doesn't believe anything until he finds it out for himself.  Which can be a really good thing, but also there is a lot of "finding out the hard way...".  He's my cuddler, and realizes that love makes the world go round and gives away a ton of it.   Love, Love this boy.....Happy Birthday Lucas!

11 March

Sometimes, as parents....we look back at what our kids are doing now vs.what they used to do, sometimes it seems like certain stages last forever (and EVER!) and sometimes it goes by so fast we're like, "well when did that happen?"  I mean all the kids in this household, all getting in and taking their own showers by their own choice (without an argument, just b/c they just  like being clean), totally independently managing their own washing....and then getting dressed for bed.  Yeah, when  did that Happen?   March 11, 2013.

10 March

Today.....(and yesterday)  The Last regular swim meet of the season. This boy did amazing.  Qualified for states in a second event (plus 3 relays)  and took 9 seconds off his 50 free time ( I mean who takes 9 seconds off in a 50!).   First year in and he LOVES it.  It's been a lot of work and a LONG season (September until now).  He's made some amazing friends, and has been able to see where hard work gets him.  Awesome lessons learned.  Can't wait for the States!

9 March

Today......our girls Dance "peek week"  a little mini recital of sorts.  They wear matching skirts and crowns.  It's our third year in dance and this girl is totally rocking it.  I mean, last year at this time she would have taken a break every five minutes to run around the room, look at herself in the mirror and do anything besides be on task.  THIS year, it's hard to put into words the change in her.  So much concentration, and ABILITY.  I mean can you touch your nose to the floor while doing a split?  not I!  I'm just so so grateful for the wonderful people at school that have helped her grow so much over the past few months.  Just So awesome. Oh and Trevor's second to last swim meet?  He qualified for states in a second event and is super excited.  Today is good.

8 March

{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. 

7 March

cookies are here!  Yum!

6 March

Happy PJ and read across the world day!

5 March

And just because I love this photo and this girl who is seeming so grown up these days.....  Bracelets and sparkly hair bows,  oh my.

4 March

So I won't say that our chore project is perfect, but It's pretty darn good.  These kids are trying and learning and motivated (after only a small amount of complaining) to get their chores done.  This month, they were "learning" how to fold laundry.  It's funny how much "more" they have learned than just how to fold a shirt and get it into a basket.  How everyone works at their own pace, that praise motivates others so much more than criticism, and that if you jump on the bed and knock your brothers pile over, well you may just get hurt.  That asking politely works so much better than whining and it doesn't really matter who does the most as long as the job gets done.  These are the times that I want to remember forever.  Funny, how I never thought of laundry in such a positive light before.  Yep, better than a trip to Disney world.  Next month....onto cooking meals.   Love this.

3 March

Last night, Josh had been given a couple of tickets to a Pirates game at work and decided to take our hockey loving kid to a game.  They had a blast (and got home late!)  Fun, Fun Saturday night.

2 March

Another ski day for us at our little Lost valley.  Lucas tried poles and totally rocked it.  It seemed so small after the other mountains we had skied at but perfect for a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon, even if conditions were getting a little slushy.  Bre had her ski lesson her her favorite Nicole.  On our third or fourth run up Lucas turned to me and said, "Mom, when do we get to go to the top?"  Ahem, we were at the top!

1 March

{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.  

28 February

The things you say......

as we are walking out of school today "Mom, how old are you?  Like twenty something??"

"Mom, I DON'T like corn in pie!"  (Shepards pie)

Love this boy:)

27 February

Right now.....

I LOVE that you come home and use your ipod to take videos, videos of yourself and all your cool Dance moves, your brothers, the dog, yourself eating a cheese stick,  your stuffed animals.  You never know what you are going to find on there. i LOVE that you are getting help to ask questions and make conversations.  It's helping you so much with your friends, at school and you are so much happier and confident.  It's amazing how far your language has come.  i LOVE that you help me to see what is important, and let go of the small stuff, to wait and be patient.  I LOVE that you teach me those things.  Girl, you will and WE will get there:)  P.S. I love your hair in the freshly showered pigtail braids.

26 February

It's time.   Been watching her blog to see when it was time to tap the trees.  We had so much fun with this last year.  If only we knew for sure which trees were maples, hmmmm.  We tried tapping 5 trees this year in the hopes of getting a little more syrup.  Honestly,  it tasted like nothing else I've ever tasted, that fresh syrup, totally unexpected that it would actually work out.    And no, we are not pioneers, we live in the suburbs, seriously. And we may not really get any syrup, but the process is fun (well, wading through that deep snow to get to the trees may be not so fun). But it's about the process and the friends and the memories and life slowing down enough to sit out around that fire all day.  That's what it's about.

25 February

Last week, our girl had her check up with her heart doctor.  She had open heart surgery to fix a hole in her heart when she was 10 months old.  Luckily, her surgery was fairly minor (as far as open heart surgeries go), and she is not expected to have any further heart problems. Still, it was the most stressful times of my life and I'm so glad that is behind us.   It's good to remember where we have been and what we have overcome when we are facing new challenges head on.  At the appointments, they always do and EKG and Cardiac Echo (ultrasound).  This time "cat" came with us and needed to have a "turn" with each of the tests also.  I always get nervous, but things are looking real  good and I'm so happy that the doctor and I got to talk about our favorite ski mountains instead of any further surgeries.  SO back in two years, just for a check up, phew.  SO grateful.

24 February

Today....
a huge heavy wet snowstorm.  Just beautiful and we couldn't wait to get out in it.  Trevor and Josh decided to try out Cross country skiing for the first time (and LOVED it), the little ones snow-shoed and I was left with no special apparatus for my feet (gotta get some snow shoes!)  so I just walked, breathing in the fresh air and taking it all in.  LOVE, LOVE , LOVE being out there.

23 February

February Vacation Saturday.

And just because you haven't seen enough pictures of us skiing, Here's a few more (and Bre was there, just no pictures of her for some reason).  We're packing it all in before winter ends (if it ever ends!).  We had an amazing deal on tickets and ski lessons at our favorite small mountain today so we decided to take advantage (and get some grownup only ski time in). Lucas has really taken off in his skiing since his sitting down incident just a few days ago.  Now he's tackling the intermediate slopes, WOODS trails, and tucking it down the "easy parts" with not even a second thought.  He's also independent on the chair lift and so excited to ride up with his big brother. The kids all loved their lessons, and are improving so much every day, and hay, we are OUT there.  I love how they say they are "ripping down the slopes".  We're getting there, and as Josh says....it will all be worth it someday:)   Another fantastic day of family skiing in the books.  

22 FEbruary

"mommy our goggles are kissing!"

{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. 

21 February

Today....

Hanging at home, resting and recuperating from our great adventure.  Unpacking, laundry, errands.  Finally spending our book store gift cards from Christmas and hitting the library.  Reading and picking up our furry friend (who was so spoiled at my brother's place, thank you!) February Vacation ahhh....

20 February

Skiing Sugarloaf Mountain Day 1:

We got about 8 inches of new powder over night and Kevin headed up before the lift even opened to be the first to ski down the White Nitro in the fresh powder.  He actually had to take a t-bar and hike up some to get there, crazy..... as for the rest of us, the boys headed out early as well and the littles and moms stayed behind to pack up and we would start our skiing day around 10-11.  I stayed with Bre most of the day teaching her on the bunny trails  (I don't care much for powder....pathetic, but my legs were burning!) , and Josh took Lucas out everywhere.  The amount he improved (and all the kids improved!) was amazing.  By the end of the second day, Lucas was turning up a storm on the intermediate trails and Trevor and Aiden were ripping up anything, we couldn't keep up.  SO, SO, Fun, we can't wait to go back and are already planning a 5 day trip for next year.  We closed the place down and on the way home, Josh picked a crummy hole in the wall place for dinner (but the people were so nice), so we didn't end up getting home until 10, totally exhausted.   But really,  the best day. ever.

19 February

Skiing Sugarloaf Mountain Day 1:

Ok, so just to keep it real, I'm not going to pretend even for a second that skiing with little kids is all fun.  First, there is managing all the gear, then bundling everyone up to head over and try to sign them up for lessons while waiting in a total sauna (we ditched that idea real fast).  Then the five year old boy, was thirsty (we hadn't even skied one run yet), crying and hit himself in the eye with his goggles (insert more crying), then took him up the wrong trail for the first run, where he promptly fell, took his skiis off and refused to go ski down anymore (within 5 minutes of our very first run), insert more crying by child and adult alike.  WE FINALLY made it down that OONE run and I peeled my stuff off and  lay  down, totally exhausted and sweaty.  Wow, ONE run down (did I mention just keeping it real?  ...) Then we decided to take turns with the little ones and Josh and I and Audrey headed out for some fantastic skiing on this fantastic day.  WE headed to the top, and once you make it to the top of this mountain you have a good 15-30 mins of great skiing ahead of you.  it was just awesome.  I got a whole days worth of skiing done in two runs, literally.  LOVE this mountain.  That night for dinner, after hitting the hot tub and pool again and getting a nice LONG HOT shower, we headed over to the village again for some melt in your mouth burgers (and a VERY small booth).  The kids watched the fireworks right from our condo window.  Just an amazing moment.  ANother round of cards, and many more laughs.  Awesome Day.

18 February

We're were all packed up and ready to go, 7:30 am on the dot we left for the big mountain after our traditional ski morning Dunkin Donuts breakfast.  This was the big mountain....everyone was sooooo excited.  The wind seemed unbearable as we making the 2 1/2 hour drive there, but we were not going to lose hope of skiing that day, we were all dressed and ready to go!  Finally, we rounded the bend and could see the mountain, it was breathtaking   Well we got there, and the mountain was mostly closed, so we hung at the pool and the OUTDOOR (yes even in that wind!) hot tub until our condo opened up to check in.  We unpacked and hung out at the condo, reading,, talking, playing and studying the trail maps.  Karly said she couldn't wait to take "buckskin".  We noticed that we had brought enough chips for one bag per person.  Love vacation:)  Kevin Got Josh this new "fun" t-shirt from his favorite show, then Josh forged a trail (think we took a wrong turn, and I don't think everyone is going to forgive him for that one!) through some knee deep snow to dinner at Gepettos right in the village.  Any type of food you could imagine and a cool arcade room for the kids downstairs (to keep them out of our hair while we enjoyed mingling after dinner...).  After we tucked the kids in, we enjoyed a couple rounds of our favorite card game, and laughed and caught up with our good friends until midnight.  Just a fun, fun, day....(and we hadn't even skiied yet!!)

17 February

     Today.....it was a blizzardy cold mess outside, we celebrated our best friends girl with some gymnastics and fancy cupcakes.  She ended up with some serious rope burn poor thing.

     Trevor recovered by the fire from a sleepover last night, with some good music.  He's just looking so big these days (notice the pants!) (and PS, I do have plenty of newer larger size pants that fit this boy, he just won't wear them)

      We packed for our ski trip.....We can't wait to head up to the mountain early tomorrow with our good friends.  It's going to be quite an adventure.  God knows we packed enough.  Lucas helped out by taking "orders" and writing them down for our Dunkin Donuts breakfast tomorrow (love, LOVE five year old handwriting!)    I'll see you back in this space when we get back later in the week (and I'm leaving the big camera at home to conserve space).

Remember this:
The other day when we were going out to get K  a Birthday  present for her Fifth Birthday party we asked Lucas what he thought she might like.  He said, "well, she likes Barbies, and we probable shouldn't get her something that I like, because it's about what she likes.  I know we'll get her a diamond."  (Seriously,  true story, I can't make this stuff up), then he went on to say a plastic diamond because her older brother and sister have one.  Yep, it will be a story for their wedding:)

16 February

Today.....
getting ready for a sleepover birthday party and a gymnastics birthday party this weekend.  Skiing lessons on Saturday.  An impromptu visit with Kevin.  Laundry and grocery shopping and packing for our big trip to the Mountain coming up.....so excited.  A softly falling snow and another 4-8 inches tonight, just in time for some fabulous skiing.  Can't wait!

15 February

{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.

Funny stuff.

14 February

2-14-13.

I have never been one that has been totally into Valentine's Day, but if there's a Day to celebrate love and life and friends ....I never miss a party.  This Year I wrote hand written letters to all my loves and left them at their breakfast table along with their favorite vanilla bean and honey cinnamon pancakes (LOVING the new Hannaford Pancake mixes).  They LOVED it, it was simple and I can't think of anything that would mean more to me than getting the gift of words about what someone important in my life loved about me.  I plan on continuing this tradition for years to come.  Oh Yeah, and Bre had her annual visit this morning with the eye doctor and she's in the clear....no glasses for at least a another year!  In the afternoon my volunteering time consisted of watching a friendship movie with Bre's class and watching the Kindergartners have a Valentine's Dance in the gym.  Love that.   Happy V Day!

Inspiring Post for today

Read here.

13 February

In her room.....

Animals and More stuffed animals.  Seriously though , each one has a purpose, a name and a special place in her heart.  Stuffing coming out and all... Love this.

12 February

In their room.....

The nightly ritual, keeping track of their days and all they have going on.  Little brother has to do everything that Big brother does....with his own flair of course.  Love this.

11 February

Trevor (age 10)

 " Why do teachers think we have all the time in the world to do Homework?  Homework, it ruins people's lives.  Teacher's don't understand people's lives, like with sports and stuff.  School should be a thing you do at school and not in your free time....."

10 February

Today.....
Well, the snow was all cleared and well, we were back to a regular Maine Winter Day.  Trevor spent a very long day at his third swim meet of the season.  This kid rocked it, shattering all his personal best times including improving his 100 IM time by about 18 seconds and having a great time with his friends.  Go, Trevor, GO!

9 February

The story of the weekend was the Epic Snowstorm that they were calling Nemo.  A blizzard actually that crept in Early Friday morning and didn't finish until Saturday night.  I had to drive home from work in the beginning of the worst of it.  The wind, the whiteouts, it was pretty scary.....but hospitals never close and duty calls.  Saturday Am we woke up to an amount of snow that we had never seen.  WE got about 31 inches total and apparently that was an all time record for one storm.  Snow blocked doors and covered windows.  Josh went through 2 snow blowers and spent all day trying to fix them and get the driveway cleared.  The kids and I cleared the porch, some of the deck and played.  IT was cold and the wind was still howling, and well it was SOOO deep that it felt good to call it a day and head in for some of my famous hot chocolate.  We can't wait to head up to sugarloaf in a few weeks for some epic skiing!

8 February

{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. 

7 February

Happy 100 th day of School!

We'll see how many kids come to school today with their 100 eye googlie monster shirts.  Gotta LOVE Pinterest!  They were so fun to make!

5 February

Today......The day we have been talking about at work for 13 years FINALLY happened.  The doctors are entering their own orders.  And That is that, monumental I tell you.  and This Boy.....comes home from school and says he thinks he has a loose tooth (I don't think he does). Then later, he tells his Dad and says that he plans on saving up ALL the teeth he loses and puts them all under his pillow for one big "payout".  Yep, this boy is going places.  And this shirt.......we plan on taking one picture in it a year until 2025, to see how he grows into it.  His Big brother is jealous that we didn't get one for him, but hey, there was no Pinterest back when he was in K to get these types of ideas!

4 February

This girl.....is a total rock star right now. Just coming into her own independent self at school and at home. Couldn't be happier and any more hopeful for the future than I am right now.

3 February

I'm so in love with this weekend....

Hanging around the house and getting lots done
Signed Bre and Lucas up for T-ball!
Signed T up for Spring Lacrosse
Making French Toast for Breakfast
Kids played outdoors sledding down our icy front yard for hours and hours.
Reading and drawing and organizing and sharpening pencils
Drinking Hot Chocolate and Chai tea
Kids cleaning  up breakfast dishes by themselves and GETTING along (for the most part)
a 10 mile race ran.
Valentine's Cards made
100th Day of school t-shirts made :)
Piano and Saxaphone practiced.
A super bowl menu planned and made .....
      Pigs in a blanket (Kids), 4 types of wings (josh and Trevor), bbq chicken and caramelized onion homemade thin crust pizza (Cindy), Doritos with sharp cheddar (Josh)
.....and game watched.

SO, so in love with life right now.....

2 February

Today.....
another hanging around in our jammies until noon kind of Saturday.  Some food planning for the big game tomorrow, and some serious book making, outdoor football playing and sledding by two boys.  And tonight, Our second annual Father-daughter Dance with the girl scouts.  This girl loved getting all ready, curling her hair and getting into Mom's make up bag.  I swear she was eight going on 13.  She wanted Dad no where her on the Dance floor as she rocked it  out.  It was so cute how she said , "Yes!" with a fist pump every time a new song was announced.  They had a blast!

1 February

{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.