4 June

Yesterday this came home in her bag....yep, she's a HUGE Taylor Swift fan....love her dancing and singing and writing and braids. Love this girl.

3 June

He has carried this with him every day in his backpack since the First Day of Kindergarten.  I had totally forgotten about it until I discovered it in the front pocket......Can't believe I am almost done with K forever.....bittersweet. 

2 June

Boy Does this season seem to fly by!  Second to last week already!  this week was a tournament in South Portland.  Tornaments=5-6 hours of sitting around for Mom Dad and little siblings.  Luckily, there was a nice breeze and it wasn't too hot.  the biys played amazing in the first game and then well....lost a little fire for the next two.  Can't believe there is only one more week.  Can't get enough. 

1 June

Hello June!
Let the yard projects begin! Not sure how we pulled this off this weekend....between the two families we had a lax tournament, softball game, tball game, Girl Scout event and friend sleepovers. Not to mention that it was like 95. The guys got a full day and a half in on the new swingset/treehouse. After a full afternoon of swimming...,thank god for pools on a day like today. J stayed over to work again tomorrow and I came home to slap a few air conditioners in (with duct tape) and fall into bed. Let the summer begin!!!

31 May

{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.

30 May

Today....

As it happens every year in Maine, it jumps right from a very and cold rainy spring-ish winter to an 85 degree summer, overnight.  Suddenly we have to find the sandals, shorts, sprinklers, hats and bathing suits.  We dig out the sunscreen and bug spay.  We prepare ourselves to schlep across beaches and to pools.  Yay, it's here!  What seems like a lifetime of cold, and snow is so easily forgotten.  Finally.  Today, The Second graders all took a trip to the local Estuary (literally the school principals backyard).  It was one of the most fun field trips I have ever been to.  We sunk deep in the muck, dug for clams, found worms, snails, and hermit crabs.  We went on a treasure hunt, got a lesson about a lobster, climbed aboard a real lobster boat, and toured a pier.   It was awesome to spend  the day with B, all her bffs, and the Moms and teachers that I have grown so close to over these past two years.  Awesome day, perfect weather....great memories!

29 May

Today....
A work day
A run
A butterfly garden planted to honor a very special boy
A town council meeting attended, with two young children armed with books....in support of our schools. It was standing room only (or in our case sitting on the floor room only) the courage, the stories, the diversity of the families that came together to support the next generation. Love that. June 11 people. Vote.

28 May

Right now.....

These two LOVE, Love, love putting on Dance routines and talent shows to all their favorite music,  The last note of the song always ends with a move something like this.  Love this.

27 May

Our Memorial Day....

Involved a work day for me (which was hard b/c it was GORGEOUS out!), getting out early enough to get the garden fully planted and harvest some of the greens.  The Arugula made a REALLY yummy salad with strawberries, feta and creamy balsamic.  Then off for our walk to Dairy Corner (2 miles total)... a little stressful with the traffic, but we made it...walking scootering and biking.  Awesome end to an awesome weekend and beginning to a busy week ahead!   I hope your first weekend of summer was grand and celebratory...

And for Memorial Day....Our police Department Facebook post said it best......

While you enjoy your BBQ's and holiday time off; remember that somewhere, someplace a family sits around their table with a vacant seat. Somewhere, someplace, a service member is donning their boots in preparation for a daily routine in the military, and may very well not make it home for next year's BBQ. Somewhere, someplace, a veteran shows up loyally to work, clutching their dog tags in remembrance of a time once past spent in servitude to the colors of our great Nation. Somewhere, some place....a family cries because they are visiting a loved one at Arlington.

To all the brothers and sisters in arms who read this today, we respect your sacrifices daily. To those already passed, we will never forget your ultimate sacrifice in keeping our Nation safe, and your family that was forced to go on without you. And for them, join us in remembering all our brave men and women who never made it back home......

Reasons to join a CSA

Only a few more weeks!  The bags are ready (and a new one is ordered!)!  Can't wait to make the first trip to our favorite farm.  Need a reason to join....Read here.  or here. (I find the whole GMO thing quite disturbing)  Love this.

26 May

This weekend.....

The very first sleepover at the Bath cousins. ever.

I want to remember.....

The Lasagna dinner.
The Cupcakes from here to celebrate 10 and 6 for two special girls (I've been waiting for an excuse to try them!)
The Kids playing, outside and in, plugged in and not, muddy and clean, but (mostly) getting along really great.
How I was so excited to Give V her very first Project Life mini album set (and take her shopping for some extra accessories)
Little girls spa night...pink and purple nails all around (and I am HORRIBLE at doing nails!).
The Ponch sunglasses and pulled up sox.....
The Mustache hat and glasses.
The jokes about the item at the hardware store that was required to fix the chimney.
Guess the 80's Classic Rock music Night
Kids all bunking in together (and sleeping great!)
The awesome breakfast
Ending our evening with some amazing TV comedy.
Relaxing and laughing :)
How much I love these people :)

This week has been one of those weeks to really make you focus on what you are grateful for. Anytime there is a tragedy, really, it cuts right to the core of making me think about what matters. 

It's the people.

Not the stuff. Not the success. Not the money. Not the popularity. Not the perfect weight. Not the anything else.

Just the people. And the love. 

-Cathy Zeiskle

25 May

Around the yard......

Peach, Plum, crab-apple and apple trees are blooming, lettuce and spinach is almost ready for picking (yum!), the peas are getting higher and the herb and cucumber seeds are sprouting.  The containers are planted, all seeds are in the ground (except corn, peppers, melons  and tomatoes).   Oh, how I love this hobby.  It's so amazing to see everything come to life again after the long winters we have.  It's a miracle actually. Happy weekend!

Ten!

Happy 10th Birthday to our sweet, spirited, one of a kind niece Veronica!  Double Digits!  Have a great day V and can't wait to party tomorrow!

24 May

{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.

six.

Happy Sixth Birthday to our smart, sweet, amazing Niece Emma!  Can't wait until you live closer!!!

Thursday.

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life.”

― John Lennon

23 May

t-ball 2013.

I love.....
how big the shirts and hats are on every kid.
How sometimes they run the wrong way
How they all run after the ball that is hit at the same time and sometimes tackle each other even though they are on the same team.
HOw they throw.
How they laugh.
How they don't care about winning or losing.
How they need lots of direction
How the coaches are so patient.
The pink gloves.
How they line up.
How they hold the helmet up from falling down over their eyes as the y run
How they smile and wave to their moms and Dads at every base (instead of paying attention to running and hitting!)
The whole thing and How this Kindergarten age goes by so fast.....

22 May

Today....

My Boy got to leave real early in the morning on the VIP buses for the coveted 5th Grade Boston trip.  They've been looking forward to this for three years.    They had to have a drawing for parent chaperones (we didn't get picked) and they even made their own Boston Strong T-shirts.  They are going to walk to whole freedom trail and they were allowed to bring electronics so I hope he comes back with pictures!  Boy, you are just growing up way too fast!

21 May

Oh the games they Play.

I remember in the journal my grandmother gave me how she wrote about the fact that kids had no organized sports "back then" and they just had to play in the neighborhood, making up games like Kick the Can while any parent looking on became responsible for the disciplining if needed.  Well, the kids in the intermediate school have perfected a very complicated game called "Four Square".  Basically, you just have to catch the ball if it's in your square, BUT you should see the rules these kids have created.  Basically anything the ball can do, there is a rule about it, and the person in the four square gets to "call it".  Kind of like and all "kid run" government   There are cherry Bombs, baby bombs, Double Touches,   Air touches  body parts, pac-man, and shoe shines. Really I tried to learn, but gave up after a few rounds.  Apparently, it's the thing at recess and a huge line forms to play.  When you get out, it's to the back of the line.  Really....not so much different than Kick the Can after all, right Grandma? (thanks for reading everyday!)  Remember this.

20 May

Before I forget.....

The kids had a BLAST at the PTA night at the Seadogs game on Friday.  This Girl, would have never tolerated sitting in the bleachers a few years ago (she cried because of the noise), LOVED it.  She was banging her feet and clapping her hands to "We will Rock You" like it was nobody's business.  Love that.

19 May

Sunday....

Things are much to my relief back to normal with the tween boy after a good nights sleep....phew.  He even gave up the last Popsicle to his little brother and made me one of those new fancy cord bracelets that all the kids are wearing.  Double phew.  I did a 5.3 mile run this morning and even though it's not super far, I'm feeling it as I try to ramp up my miles again in the nicer weather.  It was cold again today, though.  We had our pellet stove on.  May 19th, Just Sayin....

We had a neighborhood clean up day where we all got together and fixed up the bus stop area that the kids have totally destroyed over the years.  We put down some new loam, mulch, flowers and made a stepping stone path to the infamous climbing tree.

Bre had another REALLY fun swimming birthday party with all her bffs.  I still do get nervous when I go to these things because all these girls and their Mom's hang out so much with each other outside of school at dance, cheer-leading and sports, and well, we're just not there. Watching all these girls together, Sometimes I still do picture in my mind what "could have been" (terrible I know...)  But, the three girls from her class picked her up and carried her around the pool like she was a celebrity, so I really can't complain.  It's such a blessing that she is still invited.  All that work to keep her in the regular class as much as possible......totally worth it.  So another weekend has come and gone in about two milliseconds.....and we're off to another workweek.

18 May

Hello Saturday.
Today was all about sleeping in, sipping tea and other beverages,  reading a stack of magazines and   taking a nice long nap in the afternoon---NOT!

Take two.....Today was all about T-ball, 4 hours on the freezing cold and windy lacrosse field, fighting with one overtired tween boy about being ready on time and helping out around the house on top of more planting in the yard, grocery shopping and laundry. AND rewarding ourselves with our first episode of Homeland and popcorn in the evening after they were all in bed....EARLY.  PHEW!  No matter how crazy it gets, it's all a blessing, really, every little moment of it.

PS, he played Middie for both the games (which meant for A LOT of running on the first game on the BIG field...110 yards each way) and did awesome, 3 faceoffs,  1 goal, 2 assists :)  LOVE this game!

And even more outrageous than the A&F CEO....

The Manhattan Moms doing this.  Seriously, there is a special place down under for people like that (excuse my French).  This letter says it perfectly....


And here's some more reading and listening for your weekend.

Still got it.
20 Things every Parent should hear.
My new Fav. song.
My new Fav. running song.
omg, THIS IS SO TRAGIC.   I would read her blog from time to time and get her newsletter for kids online.  Hold your family close and Hug them tight tonight my friends. 

And My favorite Quote from the office finale last night....
"I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them...."

17 May

{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.

16 May

the story of the very First band concert...
btw, the last band concert I went to....I was in it, playing the clarinet.  College Sophmore. 1994. Oh, the memories ...

the night before.....
He couldn't find two pieces of his music and his mouthpiece broke (chipped)...insert some freaking out and then calming down enough to make a plan to talk to his band teacher first thing the next morning.

the Day of......never talked to the band teacher but he could share music and the mouthpiece still worked (kind of).  Now....onto the outfit.  There we strict instructions to "dress up" dress pants/shirt and tie (optional but strongly encouraged).  Well, I got Mr. "jeans are my dressy pants"  his very first pair of Khaki pants (ever. since he was forced to wear them).  I ironed them and a nice striped golf shirt and then pulled out the pair of dressy black loafers that a neighbor had given us as a hand me down last year.  Well, when he saw the shoes he completely lost it and well....cried for like a half an hour and refused to take any photos before the concert (keeping it real here!).  So we got in the car to go, no more crying but just complete silence from my boy (he wore the shoes).  On the way there,  my lecture to him went something like this. "IT IS A SIGN OF MATURITY AND RESPECT  TO THE PEOPLE, PARENTS (WHO HAVE PAID FOR THE INSTRUMENT), TEACHERS AND SIBLINGS WHO ARE TAKING THE TIME OUT OF THEIR EVENING TO COME WATCH YOU PLAY TO DRESS UP AND LOOK NICE... ETC..." I was so mad I threatened to not take one photo or video of him all night (of course I still did).  And Seriously, 23 minutes later the concert was over and that was that.  Man, it never gets any easier does it.  I mean there is such a fine line between the tough love and teaching them to be kind, responsible,  respectful people and giving them a little babying when they still clearly need it at this age.  10 going on 11...oye.

You have got to see this.

I so hope this goes viral.....

15 May

Tuesday....

The annual walk.bike or scooter to school day!  The kids rode their scooters to school from where the sidewalk started.  They had a blast and got a special toe token for their bracelets.  Love this.

It's coming back!

For a while....I refused to watch this show.....Just thought it was another one of those "man" shows.  But then J got me hooked with the first season on discs and I 've seen every episode.  The last season was a little over the top, but I CANT WAIT until next May to see my favorite show again!

14 May

HIS First goal of the year last Staurday......Yep that ball went flying in.  T you are a rockstar, Love You, number 30!

13 May

Mother's Day 2013....

My favorite 5K (in the rain... :(   )
Crying and fighting with each other about being cold, hungry, wet and not happy with our time on the way home (just keepin' it real)
Sending Love, hugs and High fives out to all the mom's I know via text, e-mail and phone :)
My FAVORITE homemade cards, flowers and french toast brunch (I ate WAAAY too much), and BBQ dinner.
spent the rest of the day chillin' with my Favorite people.
Lovely, awesome day...

12 May

Motherhood...
Began almost 11 years ago and What a ride it has been.  Through all the tears, messes, heartache, exhaustion and JOY...... I wouldn't want to give back even one second of it.
When they say it changes you, it's an understatement.  What a gift....Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's I know.  Here's not not having a clue what we're doing most of the time, but doing it anyway.  Time to celebrate!   Really, I love you all :)

11 May

Today.....

Trevor's First Lacrosse Goal of the season (against their own team since the other team forfeited and left....long story).  Mother of the year missed the dance peek week (longer story...).  Rainy and Yucky but got some gardening done.  Made all our own hanging baskets and containers this year (something I wanted to do for a long time)......Tonight Movie night.  Happy Gilmore, Cars 2 and Silver Linings playbook with some buttery popcorn for the grownups.  Happy Mother's Day eve!

10 May

{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.

9 May

Randomness from This week....

Going back and forth to the elementary school at least two times a day to help with the teacher appreciation week festivities.  One of the most rewarding and fun volunteer projects at the school I've ever done.

Love the Kindness Day.  A Boy in B's class had the idea.  Love her class(and teacher!).  Thinking about Another  school meeting about B tomorrow in the am.  Would it be wrong to sleep in a little and  show up in my PJs?  Probably.  I'm feeling like a vacation from it all would be nice :)  Constantly keeping the empty boat story in my mind and loving that inspiration for my days..

 Glad I got all the laundry put away, the van vacuumed (cheerio explosion) the grocery shopping done and fridge and pantry cleaned out this week.  Feels like a big accomplishment.

Feeling good about an attempt to reach out and reconnect with an old family friend.

  Not excited about the weather this weekend.  A Mother's Day  road Race and LAX games in the rain...UGH. Gosh he looks so big in that uniform.  I can't believe he's off to sixth grade next year.

  I'll leave you with some random stuff from around the net.....enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!

Mother's with Three have more stress
Abercrombie and Fitch
Real Moms Magazine cover

Long, But good.....

8 May

Right now.....
Getting tons of love notes (and texts!) from my little. Love that
Appreciating teachers this week with a little much deserved pampering. Thanks for all you do, really could not survive without you.
Playing outside in what has seemed like endless sunshine for weeks and weeks. My gardens need a little rain.
Cartwheels and basketball and scooters and catch. Love that.
Over thinking things. I always over think.
Helping with game playing and all sorts of social stuff all around
Lots going on after school into the evenings means mama packing a dinner for her loves sometimes during the week..,
Picking up a new book, carry on warriors. Love that title. Sometimes it takes being a warrior to get through, really.
Lots of good stuff going on around here:)

7 May

I want to remember every Day when they get off the bus....How I have to make T and L oatmeal (the girl chooses her cheese stick, always a cheese stick).  With Milk and honey and maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla and chia seeds.  Sometimes two bowls.  If I can get this small moment of connection, at the end of their day where they say..."good" and "nothing" far more often than they tell a story about something that they did or learned or struggled with.  Really it's a labor of love....this oatmeal is :)

6 May

T-Ball Kick off Day.....
J and L were at the Sea Dogs game game so they missed it.  Pictures and stations with all kinds of different practice with the High School Players.  SHE did awesome (despite Mother of the year forgetting her glove at home and her having to borrow one) following directions, Hitting, running the bases, catching and fielding ground balls.  She loved getting to be a part of it.  I mean who can do a split and throw a ball at the same time?  Really,  It's a gift. :)

5 May

Sunday.....

The Kids gave Loosie Boosie a bath and then B needed to give her own stuffed "boosie" dog a bath complete with water and pet shampoo.  Well at least she is clean.  L and J had tickets to a Sea Dogs game (a belated little boy b-day gift).  He loved it!  The highlight was getting ice cream in a helmet, wearing the jersey and and sitting in the front row.  Any time one-on-one, you can't go wrong with this boy.:)

4 May

What I'm up to this weekend ..
Not parenting. Up at a friends cabin on a mountain for a little r and r. Never seems long enough...
Walking, up a mountain, and down to a waterfall, breathing in the mountain air and beautiful sunshine
Sitting in the hot tub, taking relaxing long showers
Surfing the web, shopping on line
Reading
Eating and drinking all my favorites (spinach and feta omelets!)
Listening to beautiful music
Watching the sunset over the mountain
Going through boxes of old photos, found this one of her. Probably one of my my favorite picture ever. Stitches not even healed from her surgery, still smiling....so her.

3 may

{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.

2 May

Special Olympics Track meet 2013

Yeah, You could be the greatest

You can be the best

You can be the king kong banging on your chest

You could beat the world

You could beat the war

You could talk to God, go banging on his door

You can throw your hands up

You can be the clock

You can move a mountain

You can break rocks

You can be a master

Don't wait for luck

Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

You could go the distance

You could run the mile

You could walk straight through hell with a smile

You could be the hero

You could get the gold

Breaking all the records that thought never could be broke

Do it for your people

Do it for your pride

Never gonna know if you never even try

Do it for your country

Do it for name

Cause there's gonna be a day

When your, standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion

On the walls of the hall of fame

Be students

Be teachers

Be politicians

Be preachers

Be believers

Be leaders

Be astronauts

Be champions

Be true seekers

Be students

Be teachers

Be politicians

Be preachers

Be believers

Be leaders

Be astronauts

Be champions

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

(You can be a champion)

You could be the greatest

(You can be a champion)

You can be the best

(You can be a champion)

You can be the king kong banging on your chest

(You can be a champion)

You could beat the world

(You can be a champion)

You could beat the war

(You can be a champion)

You could talk to God, go banging on his door

(You can be a champion)

You can throw your hands up

(You can be a champion)

You can be the clock

(You can be a champion)

You can move a mountain

(You can be a champion)

You can break rocks

(You can be a champion)

You can be a master

(You can be a champion)

Don't wait for luck

(You can be a champion)

Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

(You can be a champion)

1 may

A Day in My Life.....April 2013

I forogt about this project until around noon.  I was up at around 5 ish and worked from 6:16-2:45.  I got home to get the kids from the bus. 

3:17 PM: Big Brother got home

3:29 PM  Waited for the littles at the bus.

3:51 PM Grabbed snacks (oatmeal should be no problem to easily make and bring in the car right?) and took them in the car on the way to Speech....

4:30 headed home.

5:14 Dinner in Progress (Fish/Caesar Salad)

5:50: after dinner, and bathroom breaks, off to Girl Scouts

6:40 PM Doing Homework with Lucas accross the hall from the GS meeting

7:45 PM Finally home for the Day 15 hours so far.

8:20: Put the Littles to bed FINALLY and read them books, brush their teeth, get them drinks of water, lose my patience, etc, etc....I'm tired!

8:25 Contemplate going to bed myself.

8:33: Clean Up house, put in laundry, upload photos, text J and my friends, listen to some great music

9:20: J and T get home from swim, put away groceries

9:38 CRASH.... (more pics to follow)

#lovethisproject

30 April

As Promised......

The Front door photos.  Maroon and white changed to black (and we stripped the orange stain off the front porch too).  J usually doesn't  trust me with these types of projects (and he's not shy about letting me know..) and the gel paint didn't quite turn out as I expected, but overall....I like the look especially from the road :)

29 April

His 6 year old well visit. 43 lbs, 44 inches. He grew 2.5 inches and gained 5 lbs. I promised him no shots and I delivered. On the way back to school, he saw a porta potty truck and commented that he wishes they made porta potties that flushed. That's just him, always keeping me laughing always making my life interesting. Here's to many many more "well" visits. Love you boy!