Holiday Weekend Review

What a great weekend this was. There truly is nothing like the magic of Christmas...I am so glad I have kids to remind me of that.

One of the best moments of the whole weekend was on Christmas morning. Julia came downstairs, saw all of her presents under the tree and exclaimed (with a combination of shock and joy), "Mama, I was a good girl!" She is so funny. She really takes everything about the traditions and stories of Christmas quite seriously. She asked me numerous times about people getting coal in their stocking and was legitimately concerned that the Grinch would try to steal our Christmas.

We spent a good part of day today opening and assembling toys and organizing the house. Opening the toys was like trying to break in to Fort Knox. I don't remember toys being so hard to get in to when I was a kid, but, then again, I wasn't the one opening them. I am probably just forgetting.

I am looking forward to the week off with the kids. Hopefully, it will be a relaxing and enjoyable week.

Thankful

In keeping with tradition, I posted on Facebook everyday during the month of November (ok, well a lot of days) one reason I was thankful. I kept track of all of these posts and thought I would chronicle them here.

-Today I am thankful in advance for the patience and understanding the universe is hopefully going to bestow upon me so that I will actually survive the teenage years.

-Today I am thankful for my patience and easy going nature. Both have come in quite handy.

-Today I am thankful that my teenage daughter actually likes me for a minute. Those of you with teens know how precious a moment in time like this truly is.

-Today I am thankful for my ability to read. It may seem silly, but reading brings me so much pleasure and knowledge, I can't imagine my life without it.

-Today I am thankful because Ryun has been back to work for two weeks. I know how lucky we are that he is back and only missed seven months.

-Tonight I am thankful for the enthusiastic group of PTA volunteers who came up with some great ideas for the PTA and community.

-Today I am thankful for all who have, all who are and all who will serve this country. Thank you hardly seems like enough.

-Today I am thankful for caffeine.

-Today I am thankful for whatever this random motivation that has found its way to me over the past couple of days. Crossing things of of the to do list feels good.

-Today I am thankful for and so very proud of Julia.

-Music can be such a powerful thing. There have been many times in my life where music has inspired me, soothed me and gotten me through a rough day. For this reason, I am thankful for music and my ability to hear.

-Today I am thankful for the gift of sight. I have seen many beautiful things in my life and for that I am very grateful.

-Today I am thankful for my parents and my sisters. Put simply: my family rocks!

-Today I am thankful for my children. They have taught me more about life, love and patience than I could have ever thought possible.

-Today I am thankful for Katherine. Eleven years ago today (Thanksgiving Day 1999) I was blessed with one of the most amazing and beautiful reasons to be thankful...my daughter Katherine Elizabeth. Happy 11th Birthday Katherine...thank you for bringing so much joy and laughter to my life!


Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a feeling...

...that the "busy, I barely have but a minute of free time, oh my gosh am I ever going to finish all I have or want to" season has officially begun.

Take this weekend. Tonight the girls and I are heading to my sisters house so we can be there tomorrow morning for my nephews last soccer game of the season. After that, we are having professional pictures of the kids taken. We will drive back tomorrow late afternoon so I can be home in time to attend the First Carver High School Hall Of Fame Awards Ceremony that night. Sunday I have another wake to attend (at the exact same funeral home no less as the one I was at earlier in the week for a family friend, this one is for my great aunt).

Next weekend we have the parade in Plymouth and Ryun's company holiday party (kudos to them for planning it early) on Saturday. I am pretty sure the plan for Sunday will be decorating the house for the Christmas (which we usually do Thanksgiving weekend but we have other thing going on).

On Thanksgiving, we will be heading to my sisters house for dinner and combining that with celebrating Katherine's 11th birthday (which is on Thanksgiving this year just like it was on the day she was born). Friday I am going to join the masses and shop and Saturday we will be at the Middleboro Christmas parade.

This doesn't even consider the myriad of meeting and kids events that will be going on in between. It's all good though. Busy is what actually keeps me sane...seriously.

Summertime And The Living Is Easy

Katherine at Salisbury Beach.

Em...chillin' at the pool.

One of my favorite pics of Ryun and I...taken this weekend at a 4th of July Party.

Gorgeous sunset over Plymouth Harbor just before the fireworks.

Julia, all decked out for the 4th, at a party over the weekend.

Happy Independence Day

Two hundred and thirty four years ago today, this great nation, in a struggle for what was right, was born. On this Independence Day may we celebrate the freedom for which our forefathers fought and we are still defending today.

To our service men and women past, present and future: Saying thank you hardly seems like enough.

Somebody...

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby...

Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal," is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct...

Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring ......

Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will turn out good...

Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices...

Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.

Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.

Somebody said you can't love the third child as much as you love the first...

Somebody doesn't have three children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ...

Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery...

Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ...

Somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married...

Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home...

Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her...

Somebody isn't a mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, most especially my own mother to whom I will be forever grateful for the love and support she gives everyday!

Sugar Coma

Apparently, I was in one because Easter has passed? And I did not take a SINGLE picture! My sister took a few, including a great one of all four kids (my three girls and her son), so at least I will have some "documentation" that Easter actually occurred. We had a nice relaxing day, a good dinner, and the kids had fun playing.

I did manage to forget, for a day anyway, about the very disappointing results of the override vote and the selectman's race. There was one constant, nagging reminder and that was the sunburn on the back of my neck. I was standing outside all day Saturday holding signs and put sunscreen everywhere except there. Oops...and ouch. I am so sad about the results and what it means for the kids. I don't know what the next step will be but rest assured, the fight is far from over.

Today is going to be all about paperwork, phone calls, emails, and work. This is not exactly how I would like to be spending this gorgeous day but it's life, you know?

Regarding Last Night's Results

There will definitely be more to come on this topic but for now, I will copy and paste my Facebook status from last night:

So terribly sad. But, if nothing else this will further my commitment to advocate for the children of this town and beyond. Watch out Middleboro...here I come.

On an administrative note, I have opened comments up again so anyone can comment.

And, on a much lighter note, Happy Easter to everyone!

Julia Singing Rudolph

Absolute cuteness. Enough said.

Let It Snow!

I won't be saying that in, say late February or March, but for right now, bring it on. The part that I love the most isn't the snow itself. It's the part that forces us to stay home and just be here, together and (hopefully!) enjoying each others company. Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, times like this are far and few between. So, when something comes along that forces this, it's always welcome in my book.

Sadly, depending on how bad it is, it may mean missing a family party tomorrow. It's not scheduled to start until late afternoon so if we are shoveled out and the worst of it has passed, then we may still make it. I am kind of sad about the possibility of missing it, but if we do, I will be looking forward to a day at home, frolicking in the snow with the kids, and, of course taking pictures.

On the agenda today after Katherine's basketball game? Cinnamon-Applesauce ornaments. Christmas music. Sugar cookie baking. Christmas crafting. Homemade mac n' cheese. Christmas movies.

I live for days like this.

Ok, so I Lied.

I didn't think I had anything else to say tonight, or any time soon for that matter, but I just read this article and was inspired.

I am not one who usually make's an active effort when it comes to New Year's resolutions, but, this year? I am just going to make the overall resolution to improve on myself, in whatever small and big ways I see fit. So, from that list, I am going to try this year to do the following to improve upon my parenting skills:

Don't clip your child's wings. Your child's mission in life is to gain independence. So when she's developmentally capable of putting her toys away, clearing her plate from the table, and dressing herself, let her. Giving a child responsibility is good for her self-esteem (and your sanity!).

Don't try to fix everything. Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience.

Play with your children. Let them choose the activity, and don't worry about rules. Just go with the flow and have fun. That's the name of the game.

Read books together every day. Get started when he's a newborn; babies love listening to the sound of their parents' voices. Cuddling up with your child and a book is a great bonding experience that will set him up for a lifetime of reading.

Fess up when you blow it. This is the best way to show your child how and when she should apologize.

Trust your mommy gut. No one knows your child better than you. Follow your instincts when it comes to his health and well-being. If you think something's wrong, chances are you're right.

Show your child how to become a responsible citizen. Find ways to help others all year. Kids gain a sense of self-worth by volunteering in the community.

Savor the moments. Yes, parenthood is the most exhausting job on the planet. Yes, your house is a mess, the laundry's piled up, and the dog needs to be walked. But your kid just laughed. Enjoy it now -- it will be over far too fast.

Some of these I already do to one degree or another. Some of them are harder than they may seem (like not trying to fix everything and allowing greater independence). The independence one is especially difficult as they get older...not so much with the younger toddler years...but the older pre-teen years.

Anyway, i figure these are good goals to aspire to. We'll see how it goes.

Nothing Says Christmas To Me Like...

...Karen Carpenter.

...snow!

...homemade gifts from the girls.

...handmade ornaments on the tree.

...sugar cookies!

Motivation

I am desperately trying to find the motivations somewhere...anywhere...to wrap presents. I managed to get a few smaller items that were "gift bagable" done but, that only made a very small dent in the amount I have left to do. I am going to try and get some done today, despite my lack of wanting to. I really would like, for once, not to be rushed to finish on December 23rd. We'll see if my wish translates to "real life."

Other than that, I have a very busy week ahead. Today is the only day in which I have no place to be while Julia is at school. I have a meeting with the principal of the elementary school tomorrow to discuss PTA stuff. On Wednesday, I will actually be at school with Julia helping to construct her gingerbread house. Thursday I have an appointment at 1 and am hoping to food shop afterward, before needing to be back for Julia to get off the bus. It looks like, with an exception of today, whatever wrapping I do manage to get done will be done at night, as I obviously can't wrap in the mornings while Julia is here (not because she wouldn't let me but because she can't see half of the stuff I am wrapping).

So, as if I haven't been neglecting this blog enough of late, I am not expecting t the next week to be any different.

Weekend In Review

It was a busy one for sure! Thursday we spent Thanksgiving in Haverhill at Suzanne and Jack's house. It was fun and as usual, there was way too much food! I made my usual...potatoes and fudge. We got home around 9. The kids went right to bed, which I should have done too, seeing as I was meeting Kelly to shop at the crack o' dawn Friday. I didn't get to bed until after 11 and spent the 4 1/2 hours until the alarm went off tossing and turning. I still managed to drag my but out of bed and get to Kelly's on time, coffee in hand. We had a lot of success shopping, but more fun than that was the people watching. I was beyond shocked at the craziness of it all, and while I had been shopping on Black Friday before, I had never gotten to the stores that early. It was interesting, annoying and funny at the same time. Ryun handled the kids for the afternoon after I got back, and I managed to take a 4 hour nap. I still went to bed early (for me anyway) and woke up Saturday feeling mostly like myself, with an exception of a head cold that I still have.

Saturday was the Annual Middleboro Christmas Parade which both Emily and Katherine were in. It was a great parade and they really had fun. Julia enjoyed watching from the sidelines but did say it was "too loud" a couple of times. She made out well on the candy front, so much so that I gave a small handful away to Jay who brought the kids and watched the parade with us.

On Sunday, we decorated the house. Julia was absolutely mystified by the tree. She loved the whole process from the set up to the hanging of lights to the ornaments. It was fun to watch her. It really made me look forward to Christmas with her this year.

I took pictures.

Stringing up the lights...

The finished product.

Julia had a blast playing with the newspaper we had the ornaments wrapped in,.

She's been paying a little too much attention to her sisters, I think.

She really got in to the whole thing this year, including the silliness.

Julia started this by laying under the tress herself. I thought it would be a cute picture so Emily and Katherine joined in.

Three happy kids!

Thankful

I have many reasons to be thankful.

Halloween Town Boston

We took the kids to Halloween Town Boston yesterday. It was fun, even if it was a little overwhelming for Julia. She had fun, but in her own way, which was, you know different from how the other kids enjoyed it. The kids got all kinds of goodies, candy included. Anyway, I took pictures!

She wanted something scary. This worked. I left the red eye in for effect, which also worked.

Emily wanted candy corn eyes.

That's Dan Zanes of Playhouse Disney fame. Katherine and Julia particularly enjoyed listening to him sing and dance.

As you can tell, Julia was totally thrilled with the whole event. As for Ryun, this picture was the result of my calling his name and just snapping the picture.

The kids got to draw on a zip car. Very cool! Here is Emily's art work.

Julia wanted nothing to do with face painting when the girls got theirs done earlier in the day, free. In typical Julia style she decided as we were getting ready to leave that she did want her face painted after all. The original place was all the way at the other end of the building, and the last time we had been by, the line was miles long. So, I gave in and paid $10 which seemed like a bit much. Honestly though, at that point I may have given them my life savings for her to Julia to get her face painted. When she wants to participate in something, you just can't let the opportunity pass her by. She sat perfectly still the whole time and as you can see, the tiger face she picked out came out great! Turns out the face painter was from Art on The Spot, a local art studio here in Middleboro, just down the street a ways from us.

We took the kids to diner at Friendly's on the way home, which, as is usually the case at Friendly's, was a huge hit.

Gone, Baby Gone

For the weekend anyway. Tomorrow, Ryun and I will depart, sans kids, for a weekend getaway to Vermont, courtesy (well at least in part) of Mom and Dad. We will be married for 10 years tomorrow, and if memory serves, this is the first time that our anniversary falls on Memorial Day Weekend, as it did the year we were married. Our wedding was on a Sunday.

Ten years flies by like nothing. It seems impossible that it could really be that long, or that we could be 10 years older, or that Emily will be 11 next weekend.

Mother Nature has decided to bestow upon us the gift of good weather which was quite generous of her indeed. We will be staying at the Trapp Family Lodge, which we have visited in the past, but never stayed. It has been 9 years but I can remember being in awe of the beauty then. I am sure, with my newer and more mature appreciation of wildlife and nature, it will increase tenfold on this trip. Aside from the weekend away with Ryun, the part I am most looking forward to is soaking in (and of course taking many photos of) the beauty that will surround us.

Rejuvenation, here I come!

Seen this somewhere before...

...but worth repeating, I think.

Happy Mother's Day...

...from Julia! This is what I love about school at these young ages. Cute, handmade gifts are just priceless!

Easter Pictures: A Bit Late...

...and only two at that!

Julia was utterly amazed at every piece of candy she received! I managed to capture her expression on camera for this one.

Two goofballs and Katherine, who looks gorgeous in that picture!

UPDATE
Um, ok a picture just disappeared? Huh?

UPDATE TAKE 2
And, now it's back. Weird. Very weird.