PROJECT 365- Day 120 - Goals and Goals

 

PROJECT 365- Day 120 - Goals and Goals

Today was the first soccer games for The Bear and The Princess and The Boy.  Their first game had been canceled for rain and there was no game last week because of Easter.  So they were all excited to get the spring soccer season under way today!  The Bear likes to set goals for himself before each soccer season.  This season he hopes to make 8 goals in his 6 games.  During winter indoor soccer, he aspired to make 16 goals for the season and in the end made a total of 18!  So this season, The Princess also set a goal for herself.  She wanted to make a goal this season.  The last two seasons, she kept coming super close but would miss the shot for whatever reason.  Now before anyone thinks that we are over here pushing our kids to be perfect - that could not be further from the truth.  We encourage them to have fun, play hard, but have fun.  Because if you aren't having fun, why are you playing?  That being said, they are self motivated and I for one think that is pretty cool.  They set personal goals for themselves and strive to reach them.  I could not ask for more.  During today's game, The Bear made one goal towards his season total.  The Boy made two goals today in his game.  The Princess made her first goal ever in today's game and she was thrilled!!!  So now she is amending her personal goal for goals... and I am certain that she and her brothers will reach those goals.  I am certain that whatever they do in life if they continue to have fun, play hard and stay motivated they will always reach their goal!

PROJECT 365- Day 119 - Dressed for the royal wedding....

PROJECT 365 - Day 119 - Dressed for the royal wedding....

Now I would just like to say that I had nothing at all to do with this.  I know many of you may not believe that, but I am telling the truth on this one.  This was not my idea.  I was watching the highlights of the royal wedding tonight because I was not hard core enough to wake up in the wee hours to watch it live.  The kids were interested.  They took note of the clothing and hats the guests were wearing and decided to get dressed for the wedding too....  It may not have been my idea, but there was no way I was not going to take a picture of it!  :-)  So I watched the wedding highlights tonight with my two princes and my princess who looked lovely all dressed for the royal wedding!

PROJECT 365 - Day 118 - Club Chevy ;-)

PROJECT 365 - Day 118 - Club Chevy ;-)

Ok, it is not the best picture.  You try to take a picture of a moving van rolling out of the garage with three kids on their way to school.. :-)  
On Thursdays My Wonderful Husband takes the kids to school.  This morning after saying my good byes to the kids I was walking in the door and heard the tunes turn on (loud)....  I turned and saw three kids in shades rockin' out and boppin' in the back of the van.  This is a regular event and the main reason that the kids prefer to have Daddy drive them to school.  He blasts the tunes.  You know that obnoxious driver with the radio pulsing so loud that you feel it as well as hear it?  Yup, that's the one.  Except instead of some cool car, he's driving a Chevy Venture van.  With three kids 8 and under sitting in the back.  His choice of music is also now dictated by the tastes of our three children who are apparently secretly clubbin' at night when we think they are sleeping.  So instead of his own music, he is now blasting Hannah Montana, Kesha (don't judge), The Black Eyed Peas, and others....  So three happy kids made their way to school singing and seat dancing at Club Chevy! (The funniest part is that Club Chevy arrived back home with the same music blaring minus the three kids - I think they may have converted him. ;-))

PROJECT 365- Day 117 - Field Trip!

PROJECT 365 - Day 117 - Field Trip!

Today was The Boy's field trip to Renfrew.  They went on a nature hike and learned about life on a farm 200 years ago.  We both had a fun day.

PROJECT 365- Day 116 - Bare arms and big smiles......

PROJECT 365- Day 116- Bare arms and big smiles.....

I think I have mentioned before that we are a family that loves summer.  Let me emphasize that point.  We live for summer.  Better yet, in summer, we are alive - in winter we simply exist.  Too much?  Well it is mostly true.  We are a family that loves warm temperatures, beach days, swimming, skimming, and surfing in the ocean, long summer days, beautiful summer nights, days off of school and time to chill and spend together.  We all count down the days until we can shed the winter layers in exchange for summer clothes, flip flops, or even just a bathing suit.  That being said, with the weather report for today calling for even warmer temperatures and sunshine the kids were thrilled to shed sleeves in exchange for a tank top and muscle shirts.  Bare arms and big smiles....summer is on it's way!

PROJECT 365 - Day 115 - Post Easter Hangover

PROJECT 365- Day 115 - Post Easter Hangover


A weekend of later bedtimes than normal, a beautiful warm day off of school spent playing and an evening of soccer practice.  Add to that, ingesting enough sugar and chocolate to choke the Easter Bunny and this is what you get.  A Post Easter Hangover. 

PROJECT 365- Day 114 - Happy Easter!

PROJECT 365- Day 114 - Happy Easter!


It was a beautiful Easter on the island this year.  It was warm and sunny and just a nice day to spend together as a family.  Here is a picture of the kids with Poppy. :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 113 - Easter Yummyness....

PROJECT 365- Day 113 - Easter Yummyness

We cut into the pizza gain. (this is the uncut one), we colored Easter eggs, and I iced the Anisette cookies (knots).  Bring on the Easter yummyness...... we haven't even gotten chocolate yet. ;-)

PROJECT 365- Day 112 - Hello Skipper, Hello Friends!

PROJECT 365- Day 112 - Hello Skipper, Hello Friends!

We got to the beach today and enjoyed a yummy dinner together that Poppy and I made.   Then the kids looked out the window and were thrilled to see that the Skipper Dipper's sign was lit again after a long winter.  Cold temperatures or not, we put on some jackets and headed across the street to meet up with some friends for ice cream, chit chat, and giggles.  Hello Skipper, Hello Friends! 

PROJECT 365- Day 111 - Teamwork and Traditions

PROJECT 365- Day 111 - Teamwork and Traditions

Today was a busy day.  The pizza gain (traditional Italian meat pie for Easter) and the knots (yummy cream cheese cookies with anisette icing) both needed to be made today.  Luckily My Wonderful Husband and I work well together and we got the pizza gain in the oven with just enough time to spare for me to get the kids and for him to head off to teach tonight.  Here is a picture of our teamwork in action - I cut all of the meats, cheese, etc and got the filling ready and My Wonderful Husband rolled out the dough for the crust.  
I love this tradition.  When my parents made the pizza gain, they also did it with teamwork.  Now it's our turn.  Hopefully someday, our children will be teaming up with their spouses to keep this delicious tradition going. 

PROJECT 365- Day 110 - A Cute Monster!

PROJECT 365- Day 110 - A Cute Monster!

The Boy was happily surprised to get the goody bag from his friend's birthday party that he missed on Friday.  He was especially thrilled with the monster mask that he got to make. What a cute monster!!

PROJECT 365 - Day 109 - This place is going to the birds

PROJECT 365 - Day 109 - This place is going to the birds

While I was cooking dinner tonight, I kept hearing a commotion on the back porch.  I knew it wasn't the kids since it was pouring outside and the kids were actually playing at the neighbor's house.  Then I saw a bird flying back and forth.  Then another bird.  So I walked out onto the porch and this is what I found..... a mess!  These birds were trying to build a nest in the ceiling fan.  I guess the expression "birdbrain" was coined for a reason.  Umm....hey bird.... you can't build a nest in a moving object.  Let me demonstrate.  (turn on fan)  Now all you bird lovers out there - don't get bent out of shape. No bird was harmed in my demonstration.  They flew off when I opened the door.  They had only just started the process.  No nest, no eggs, no baby birds.  I was actually performing a birdie service.  Better that they find out now that they made a bad home choice.  I went back inside and watched as the one bird came back to see the fan moving and what work he had started, umm, removed.  He didn't look happy, if a bird could not look happy.  But I like to think that he then went to find a more appropriate home. It can't be on the shutters outside our bedroom window -we already have a family of birds there that are apparently of the "early bird" variety.  It seems that the front porch is already spoken for since I heard some commotion out there as well. Hopefully he won't go with the wreath on the back door like the bird last year.  That didn't work well.  We didn't use our back door for awhile while the eggs were precariously perched in that nest in the crook of the wreath.  Ok, I admit it, the birds and I have a love/hate relationship.  They love to build nests all over our house and I. hate. it.  Build your nests in TREES for heavens sake.  Is that too much to ask for?  I have birdhouses too - how about those?  I wouldn't mind so much if that didn't leave behind such an awful mess!  At first I thought it was sweet - look the birds love our house.  But between the chirping at dawn, the mess of nest materials scattered all over my front and now back porches, the bird bathrooming habits (for lack of a better expression)which actually stained the floor of my front porch , I have had enough.  So if I took a bit too much pleasure in showing this bird the error of his ways, I am sorry.  It's just that this place is going to the birds!

PROJECT 365- Day 108 - Pictures with the coach

PROJECT 365- Day 108 - Pictures with the coach

Today was picture day for The Bear and The Princess' soccer team.  The kids get to take a picture with their Daddy because he is the coach of their team.  Since he also coaches The Boy's team, we had all three of them take a picture with the coach.  :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 107 - Let's go to the movies....

PROJECT 365- Day 107 - Let's go to the movies....

We were supposed to go to Hershey Park today.  For some reason, the universe would rather we not get there this year.  We never made it for Halloween (can't remember why...), never made it for Christmas because of cold temps and sick kids, now today the wind and yesterday's flooding gave us second thoughts about going all the way there with the possibility of rides being closed.  Not to mention I was not thrilled to walk around the park in this wind today.  We decided that we'll play hooky from school one day soon and go... :-) family field trip.  So instead, we said "Let's go to the movies.." We went to see Hop and had dinner at Red Robin afterward.  :-)

PROJECT 365 - Day 106 - April Showers

PROJECT 365- Day 106 - April Showers

Just so we are clear, when I said I would like water front property and to wake up to an ocean view every day, this was not what I meant.  Well I suppose this would be river front anyway.   It rained today, in case you didn't notice.  The soccer games were canceled and we spent a lazy day inside playing games, reading books, snoozing on the couch, cooking dinner, watching the rain fall and the lightening strike, listening to the wind howl and the thunder boom, and watching as our world got greener from this big spring rain.  We are hoping that these April showers bring us those lovely May flowers.

PROJECT 365- Day 105 - Date Night with My Wonderful Husband and Harry

PROJECT 365- Day 105 - Date Night with My Wonderful Husband and Harry

We put the kids to bed tonight after an eventful afternoon of vomiting and head aches (the kids, not us) and proceeded with our planned date night.  We don't get out for real date nights often and never made it to the movie theater to see the latest Harry Potter movie.  So, we have been waiting for it to come out on DVD and today was the day.  I love these books and can not count how many times I read this last book.  I was a bit unsure whether or not I would even like this movie because I knew that I would inevitably be irritated by the discrepancies between the book and the film.  I was not wrong about that.  I huffed and puffed and wanted to pull out the book at points to remind My Wonderful Husband of the parts that they were changing or leaving out of the movie.  To be fair, I realize this was a long book with many details.  That is perhaps what I love the most about this book however - the details.  The tying up of loose ends.  The way the author answered all of my questions from all of the previous books.  Ok, I know I am ranting a bit.  I am a bit of a book snob and should probably not watch the movies that they adapt from books.  This is what My Wonderful Husband reminded me - it is an interpretation of the book.  In other words, stop huffing and enjoy the movie.  This is our date night after all.  

PROJECT 365- Day 104 - Just another day on the lane.....

PROJECT 365- Day 104- Just another day on the lane....


There is really nothing special about this picture...... The kids came home from school today to beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures.  They headed outside to play - just another day on the lane..... :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 103 - Soccer Wednesday

PROJECT 365- Day 103 - Soccer Wednesday

Today was the long awaited first soccer practice for The Boy for the spring season.  His brother and sister have already had two practices.  He has patiently waited for his turn.  Then we woke up this morning to rain. Ugh.  Thankfully a few pleading words with Mother Nature seemed to do the trick and we were still able to hold practice.  He was so happy to be back on the soccer field with his Daddy coaching.  Everyone has their first games on Saturday (another word with Mother Nature might be in order...).  This soccer family is happy.

PROJECT 365- Day 102 - Smart Kids!

PROJECT 365- Day 102 - Smart Kids!

Today was report card day.  We are so proud of The Bear, The Princess, and The Boy.  They work hard and love to learn and they should be very proud of their report cards - they are such smart kids!!  

PROJECT 365- Day 101 - Sweat is good for the soul

PROJECT 365- Day 101 - Sweat is good for the soul

Since I complained at great length all winter about being cold, you can bet you will not hear me complain about being hot.  I live for this weather.  I thrive in this weather.  I was so happy to not be cold today!!!  I went for a run and got a good sweat.  The kids had soccer practice tonight and came back hot and sweaty.  Nothing a good shower can't remedy.  Sweat is good for the soul!

PROJECT 365- Day 100 - My Wish

PROJECT 365- Day 100 - My Wish

It was a beautiful warm and lazy Sunday.  The kids hung out in jammies this morning playing Dance, Dance Revolution and Lego Star Wars - who knew they were "rock stars that had their rock moves"?  After lunch, they headed outside where they spent the rest of their day running, riding scooters, playing soccer, and just being kids.  These are the days that I hope that they remember.  These are the moments that I love to capture.  These are the pictures that are worth a thousand words to me.  Brothers and sister taking a break from a long, fun day of playing to sit and talk and laugh.  My wish for them is that their lives are full of days in which they can be rock stars, run, play, sit, talk, laugh and just be. 

PROJECT 365 - Day 99 - A clean room is so relaxing

PROJECT 365 - Day 99 - A clean room is so relaxing

Today was all about spring cleaning.  My Wonderful Husband started the outside spring clean up, pruning, weeding, etc. The kids and I tackled their rooms.  I discovered a few things today.  First, my children are hoarders.  Seriously, I am worried about them.  You have to know that I am a crazy neat freak.  A place for everything and everything in it's place.  Apparently that genetic marker did not make it to my children.  They are hoarders.  They stash crazy things in every corner of their rooms.  They keep broken toys, scraps of paper, and everything else under the sun.  The Princess has a purse obsession (that is also genetic and apparently it was passed on to her).  But her purses are everywhere with every imaginable object stuffed in them.  "How do you know where to find anything?" I naively asked them.  Their pitying looks said, "Oh silly mother, there is a method to this madness."  But in all honesty they can't find things and who do they come to when they are looking for the shoes that go on some doll, or the helmet for some guy, or one silly band in a thousand that they can not find?   That's right - me - the official toy lojac. So every once in awhile I make them clean, and I mean really clean, their rooms and playroom so that we can not only see the floor but so that toys are put away in a place where they can be found.  I know, novel concept.  I am not a total slave driver.  I share in this torture and help them clean, purge, organize, and today we even labeled.  That brings me to the other things that I learned today.  First, girls toys come with entirely TOO MANY little tiny unnecessary pieces.  Second, my kids have too many toys and I think I should start re-wrapping toys for next Christmas.  Finally I learned that my kids appreciate their rooms being clean as much as I do.  They worked really hard today even though they complained a bit here and there.  They loved the label maker and I hope that the labels help in my endless endeavor to KEEP THEIR ROOMS CLEAN.  When everything was cleaned, they seemed to play nicer together (maybe that was my imagination).   I took pictures of the clean rooms - they look so nice and I don't know how long that will last.  But I chose to use this picture of The Princess reading on her bed in her nice clean room because I think it shows that a clean room is so relaxing. 

PROJECT 365 - Day 98 - Handsome Boys

PROJECT 365 - Day 98 - Handsome Boys

The Bear and The Boy finally got their hair cut tonight. (I kept forgetting to make the appointment) They clean up pretty good - my handsome boys! :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 97 - Never let the sun go down on your anger

PROJECT 365- Day 97 - Never let the sun go down on your anger

This afternoon started out as many others.  I picked up the kids, we came home, unpacked, did homework, had snack, and they went outside to play.  Then they came inside while I was cooking dinner and things quickly took a turn for the worse as they sometimes do. There was bickering, yelling, general disagreements, tattling, you name it.  It culminated with everyone going up to their rooms and finally (after my own self imposed time out) a family meeting.  I had the kids sit down and tell each other something that the other one did tonight that made them sad and something that the other does that makes them happy.  I had them tell each other things that they like to do together and make some promises about listening to each other and thinking before they do or say something to each other.  I know they love each other and I know that siblings are going to fight.  But I hope that they can learn to communicate with each other and never let the sun go down on their anger.  (This picture was taken after our family meeting - they do love each other.)

PROJECT 365 - Day 96 - Wine for two, Dinner for five

PROJECT 365 - Day 96 - Wine for two, Dinner for five

We haven't been able to all sit down to dinner together for the past few days, but tonight My Wonderful husband was here and he brought home wine.  It was so nice to sit down with a nice glass of wine, a delicious dinner, and family conversation. 

 

PROJECT 365- Day 95 - Writing Centers

PROJECT 365- Day 95 - Writing Centers

Let me start by saying that I LOVE that my kids like school, like to read, like to learn, and above all are creative and bright.  Am I biased?  You bet!  But that is all true anyway.   So with that being said, The Bear came home from school today telling me all about the poetry unit that he is working on at school.  He was so excited that he wanted to work on some poems at home.  I have to admit - I was a bit "geeked" about this.  Since I still have some of my classroom materials from when I was a teacher, I had the perfect thing for this instance.  I have four "writing centers" that I used in my classroom for sentence writing, paragraph writing, story writing, and poetry writing.  When I pulled them out this afternoon you would have thought it was Christmas morning!  No joke.  The Bear, The Princess, and The Boy were as "geeked" about this as I was!  They spent hours writing sentences, poems, and stories.  We ended the night by working on a group story together.  We developed characters, came up with a setting, a problem, events, and a solution.  This will be an ongoing project so watch for more details as they develop.  I can tell you that the characters are a brave princess , a noisy baby , and an old man with a fishing pole.  :-)  These kids make me smile. :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 94 - Soccer Monday

PROJECT 365- Day 94 - Soccer Monday

Tonight was the first night of spring soccer practice for The Bear and The Princess. The Boy starts next Wednesday.   It could not have been a more beautiful spring night for the first soccer practice.  Warm enough for shorts and t-shirts.  Hopefully the next 6 Mondays and Wednesdays will be just as beautiful.  They all love having their Daddy as their coach and I love watching them all out there having fun and playing hard. 

PROJECT 365 - Day 93 - Brunch on a beautiful day

PROJECT 365 - Day 93 - Brunch on a beautiful day

It was another beautiful day on the island and we went to ScoJo's, one of our favorite places, for brunch with Poppy before we had to head back to PA.  It was so nice out we didn't mind sitting outside to wait for a table.  (Hopefully we weren't interrupting The Princess' "conversation" on her fake cell phone - seriously is this an image of things to come or what?)  We are back home now and ready to tackle the week after breathing some salt air this weekend. :-)

PROJECT 365- Day 92 - School is now in session

PROJECT 365- Day 92- School is now in session

Ms. Leonard (aka The Princess) had two students in her "class" today - Poppy and The Boy.  She taught them time, addition, subtraction, patterns, spelling, and reading.  She made tests and graded them.  Poppy and The Boy were model students with A averages.  The Bear played hooky and enjoyed some time to play his video game without his brother.  My Wonderful Husband and I got to go for a run and do a little shopping while school was in session.  

PROJECT 365- Day 91 - Now Showing.....

PROJECT 365- Day 91- Now Showing...

This is a familiar picture and a very familiar scene.  We are in the van again headed up to the beach for the weekend.  The kids came home from school, had a quick dinner, got in jammies and hopped in the car ready for their new movie.  Now showing in the Leonard van - Tangled.  It sure sounded good from the front seat where I can't see it... :-(....  There were lots of laughs from the peanut gallery and anything that makes the ride bearable is great in my book.  Here's to a great weekend!