18 August

:: Right now ::

I'm loving........

our trips to the shore no matter how brief they may be. I'm a little sad that summer is nearing an end in the next couple of weeks and I think we've only been here like.......twice! note to self....next year, come here more, I mean it's only three miles away:) Peaceful, breezy and beautiful!

17 August

:: Right Now ::

I'm loving........

that Trevor is finding his way around the kitchen (actually making himself quite at home in there). He's making pancakes and today a fresh Maine Blueberry pie (with only minimal help with the oven and crust). He said, "Mom, I spilled bunch of salt on the floor!"(....hey it's part of the process.) Anyway, the pie was amazing! I can't wait to see what he is cooking up next:)

16 August

The newest addition to our living room........a new memory quilt my cousin Jess made me from swatches of all the kids' baby clothes. Wow! What a surprise when I saw the package on my front porch this afternoon. As I touched the fabric, I took me back to when my tiny babies were wearing each and every one of those outfits (seems like only yesterday). Precious, precious, memories...... I love it more than words can say, thank you:)

15 August

Right now i'm loving.....

fresh flowers everywhere

meeting up with neighbors and making plans with friends

playing soccer with the kids in the front yard

fresh Maine blueberries (and Trevor is researching how to make his own pie)

How Lucas used the word, "the usual" to describe his ice cream choice

The little songs that Trevor and Lucas make up about bananas in the atmosphere and pie

building forts

thinking about and making packing lists for our camping vacation next week

Ben and Jerry's strawberry cheesecake ice cream, and cranberry island kitchen Whoppie pies (in moderation)

That I only have one more (well two more) long runs

not having to make lunches this week

Enjoying some new and inspiring books

thinking about success and involvement in the coming school year

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh, native corn and cucumbers

hanging the kids art on the wall

The fact that our girl is finally back to normal (and that she needs a time out for using potty talk)

How Lucas reminds us how many days until vacation every day when we wake up (and he is right!)

our new reading/writing/dining room

our deck and dreaming about working on the backyard and gardens next year

Taking the kids to the playground and soccer practice at the same time

crossing things off the to-do-list

All the little every day stuff.

14 August

And part of the reason that summer feels over (when it's really not-we still have 3 more weeks and a vacation coming up!) is that soccer has started. We were living and breathing it all weekend (Trevor had 7 games!) along with teams from all over New England at our major fundraiser of the year (the lobster 4v4 classic).

13 August

visitng Flora Bliss for the very first time. Those heirloom tomatoes with a little salt make a PERFECT lunch!

12 August

a boys life 4......

cooking the family a pancake breakfast (all by myself:))

11 August

A boys life 3........teaching.

Help your brother's boat across and your own will reach the shore.

10 August

the daily life of boys........take 2. building the Lego city (and I'm so impressed that Lucas can build some all by himself following the directions in the book!)

loving......

Source: etsy.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Pinterest. a virtual pinboard, inspiration galore. Not that I need another place to go online, but it is so cool.

9 August

the daily life of boys.....

8 August

a tribute to Grandma (Happy Birthday!)

Here's to so many wonderful memories made at 47 Page Road, in Grandma's kitchen.

for thin, white pancakes with real butter and real maple syrup

for letting us play"office"

for taking us out to pick out a toy at Bradlees

for rocking me and singing to me....oh the buzzing of the bees in the sycamore trees...."

for not getting too mad when we broke your elephant.

for getting up at 5 with us and letting us watch cartoons

for letting us sleep on the trundle bed

for scrapbooking with me.

for eating in the dining room with the good china on the squeaky chairs.

for sending me coupons and newspaper articles

for making the guestbook for my wedding

For coming to every special important event in my life (and sending a card for EVERY one).

for painting me pictures of my kids.

for thinking of me often

for reading my blog

To the kindest most generous person I know, you are my inspiration.

Love you Grandma

8 August

this girl......

has had a ROUGH couple of days. Yesterday, she slept for 17 hours. She's not eating and drinking much and is really quite miserable. She always asks for her ice pack. Mornings are the worst. I'm not a fan of living by medicine schedules (and I know that I have been lucky in my life). Tonight, she seemed to be turning the corner....let's hope it continues:)

7 August

Mommy had to work all weekend, but in between recovering from a surgery and handling a rainy day, you guys got to roast your first hot dogs ever and you loved them!

6 August

2011 Beach to Beacon

ramblings from my race:

the bus from the parking area took a wrong turn and then had to drop us off about a mile away from the start---uggh!

It's funny how in 6,000 people you always spot someone you know.

definitely pee in the woods, the porta- potties are REALLY gross (on a hot and humid day).

panicked thought my ipod was dead before we started, but then I fixed it

mile 1 slow and controlled

mile 2:is sweat already dripping in my eyes? get water.

mile 3: really hills already? get more water, pour it down the front of me, run through the mist

mile4: getting in my groove, downhills are awesome, going faster, seeing the ocean, awesome!

mile5: seriously, these hills suck. I think the guy in front of me is speedwalking the whole thing and beating me, I think the guy next to me is like 80.

mile5.9: turn into fort Williams, turn on the Coldplay, sprint home.

FINISH,mile 6.1: time looks good, oh my it's hot! look at all these people, grab 2 waters. Get straight to the buses, met Josh, feeling awesome:)

5 August

Today.

We gave lots of pain medicines, but our girl is doing fantastic. You would never know she had surgery only yesterday. A friend and a teacher even stopped by with a gift....so sweet! We watched a few movies, ate icecream and cheesesticks and even headed outside for a little walk (and Bre ran, jumped and danced and did all her gym exercises?!?). Tonight she was tired, and hurting. Tomorrow, Josh and I are running the Beach to Beacon 10K....early to rise!

4 August

Bye.Bye. tonsils.

Bre came through the surgery with flying colors. She is such an amazing patient, quiet, calm, cool and collected, she never complains about a thing and does everything that the doctors and nurses ask of her. Only time will tell, however what the recovery period will be like (they say day 3 is the worst). Although all the ice cream and popscicles really do help (although her first food request was a cheese stick, of course). It was great to be at my "home" hospital this time, full of all the friendly, caring faces I know. I even got to go back into the OR with Bre as she went off to sleep. Thank you so much to my special helper who woke up at 5 am to get here for the big day (and who gives Bre her medicine and drinks the best)! We are so grateful.

3 August

Summer school.

We thought it would be a real drag getting up this early to get you on the bus. We thought it would be a real drag for you to be in a different classroom with unfamiliar kids and an unfamiliar teacher. it has been fine, and you are still making progress. We have gotten a little "extra" therapy outside of school this summer which has made a difference. Tomorrow you go for your tonsil surgery, so hopefully you continue on the track upward even after that. Plus your bus comes early enough that your Daddy gets to take you out to wait every morning. I'm not sure who loves it more.......you guys are soul mates:)

2 August

You turned nine today.

If anyone asked you what the best parts of your day were you would say, for sure your party at Jokers, winning tickets and playing lazer tag. Eating cake and pizza with your best friends. opening your presents, talking to your Gammie on the phone, and soccer camp.....working on building your Lego police station all by yourself until you fell into bed. And to you, I think just being nine in general is pretty cool. Love you boy:)

1 August

The Prager/Parenteau family "jam" session. Music has always been our love. I remember putting on concerts for my grandparents when I was a kid. Now, I'm so grateful that Trevor is getting his very first trombone lesson (and that he has a trombone to use!). I'm not so certain about the future of the milk carton drums, however, LOL!