P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 152 - Third grade college students

P365(+) - 2012 - Day 152 - Third grade college students

The Bear and The Princess' teachers asked My Wonderful Husband if he could come in and speak to the children about being a college professor and maybe do a lesson.  So today we went in and he conducted a "third grade college course" on the electoral college.  With the help of his former teacher wife (aka - me:-)), he created a fun and interactive way for the children to learn about the electoral college and how the president of the United States is elected.   It was so nice to be welcomed in to the classes to do this and the lesson went very well.  The third grade college students did an awesome job!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 151 - game

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 151 - game

The kids got comfy and watched some of the USA/Brazil game with their Daddy tonight.  They were all wishing that they had made the trip to see the game in person...  They were excitedly discussing the game they are going to this summer.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 150 - lots of memories sat in that chair...

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 150 -lots of memories sat in that chair...

I am a creature of habit.  I don't like to part with things.  But I also like to clean and organize and that means getting rid of stuff ...  It's an odd dilemma.  But it is what is and I am who I am.  So while I DO actually get rid of things that we no longer use, that creature of habit in me and the sentimental old fool team up and make it a bit hard for me.  Welcome inside my head. ;-) With that being said, we have have had this brown recliner (that the kids are sitting on in this picture) since 1999.  It was one of the first furniture purchases that My Wonderful Husband and I made for our then new house in Maryland.  Let me say that it was never one of my favorites - it was something that My Wonderful wanted and picked out and there was that whole compromise in marriage thing... it went in our downstairs family room...But I digress.  We have had it since 1999.  It has been through two moves after that where it finally arrived here in this house in PA.  (Again, it lived downstairs...)  Not getting the sentimental attachment yet?  I'll get to that.  Back in our house in Maryland, before the two moves, we brought home two babies who woke up A LOT at night.  One of us was always up with someone and in those days, The Bear and The Princess were not the best sleepers and took FOREVER to finish a bottle.  So, when one of us got up with one of our cherubs we headed downstairs to this brown recliner in hopes of some comfort while we were up with a hungry, crying baby.  This chair went through a lot in those days.  There was the middle of the night feedings while we watched late night TV.  There was copious amounts of spit up.  There was also the orange gatorade that I accidently spilled on my way downstairs (I blame the lack of sleep for that).  The Bear and The Princess loved sitting on this chair and we have pictures to prove it.  The chair didn't see as much action when The Boy came along, because he was a bit more of a sleeper..... (true story)  The chair had recently been relegated to the storage room because I didn't love having a recliner in the middle of the playroom.  So we decided that it was time that it went to a new home and we sold it tonight.  I know it's just a chair.  But lots of memories sat in that chair....  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 149 - Kicked off summer in a big way!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 149 - Kicked off summer in a big way!

After another fun (and hot) day on the beach, we headed over to Fantasy Island for the first visit of the season.  We met some friends and had a lot of fun.   The Princess and The Bear (along with two friends) went on the "Sea Dragon" (the big boat..) - it was a big hit!  They went on three times.  The Boy continued his braveness from the end of last summer and went on the Himalaya, the Scrambler, and the Tilt a wirl.  It was a great way to end a fabulous weekend.  We kicked off summer in a big way! 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 148 - Summer 2012 is here!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 148 - Summer 2012 is here!

The kids spent the day catching up with beach friends.  It was a summer reunion on the beach and after dinner we headed across the street to the Skipper Dipper to meet back up with friends for some ice cream and more time to play.  We needed to get the yearly picture under the Skipper sign... Summer 2012 is here! 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 147 - 50 years

P365 (1) - 2012 - Day 147 - 50 years

Fifty years ago today, my parents were married on a beautiful, warm, but windy day in Newark, NJ.  While my mom is not here with my dad and all of us to celebrate this special anniversary, it is no less special of a day.  I am thankful for my parents for many reasons, but as I get older, I realize that among all of the wonderful things that they did for me throughout my life, they set a great example of what it means to be married.  They taught me the importance of  respect, teamwork, friendship, patience, understanding, humor, and love.  Thank you both Mom and Dad and Happy 50th anniversary in Heaven and here on Earth.  XO

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 146 - From my chair...

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 146 - From my chair...

It is here...the official beginning of summer 2012.  The kids walked up to the beach with Daddy yesterday while I stayed behind to do some cleaning.  But today was the first day that all five of us headed up to the beach together.   I parked myself in my chair, got some sand between my toes and breathed in the ocean air.  The kids headed straight for the water with no hesitation and this was the view from my chair.  :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 145 - My Running Partner

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 145 - My Running Partner

After spending the morning cleaning and organizing the beach house, I was ready for a run and The Princess joined me.  She was determined to keep up and did an awesome job running 3 miles with her Momma!  Yeah for my running partner! xo

P365 (1) - 2012 - Day 144 - Teacher and Student

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 144 - Teacher and Student

 The Princess offered to teach The Boy multiplication in the car tonight.  He agreed and she was thrilled to have a willing pupil.  For his part, The Boy was very studious and received lots of  praise - "good job!" and "You are really getting it!"   The Princess did a good job as a teacher too since The Boy seems to know his 2 times tables! :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 143 - serious laughing

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 143 - serious laughing

 Daddy and the kids had a blast playing Whoonu tonight.  There was some serious laughing going on.....:-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 142 - not much gets him down:-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 142 - not much gets him down:-)

The kids were playing downstairs and the tell tale scream of pain came floating up the steps.... In the moment that the sound floated upstairs, we realized a) it sounded like someone was indeed hurt, not faking, overreacting, or playing and b) it was The Bear, which is unusual.  So we ran downstairs not sure what to expect and found him on the floor holding his foot.... he had stubbed his toe into the corner of the shelf and got one whomper of a cut on his toe.  The Princess ran and got him an ice pack and I cleaned the cut and bandaged it and within minutes he was propped up on the couch and smiling.  This kid is resilient and can really roll with the punches - not much gets him down:-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 141 - Saving the universe

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 141 - Saving the universe

I spent the afternoon with a friend having lunch and shopping.  When I got home, My Wonderful Husband had cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, did some other things that needed to be done around the house, and made dinner.  The kids were busy saving the universe.  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 140 - end to the day

P365 (+1) 2012 - Day 140 - end to the day


The Bear, The Princess, and The Boy all played amazing soccer today along with their fantastic teams.  It was a great morning spent at the park watching my soccer superstars!  Later on, The Boy traded his cleats for bowling shoes when he went to a buddy's bowling birthday party.  When The Bear and Daddy picked him up, the boys headed to the store so they could spend some money that they have been waiting to use for some toys.  While they were gone, The Princess and I went and got manicures and pedicures.  Once we were all back home, My Wonderful Husband and I took some drinks on the back porch while the kids played - a perfect end to the day.....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 139 - For Poppy

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 139 -For Poppy

I am frustrated today and was struggling with a picture and a story for the day.   Poppy is still in the hospital and things are not going as easily as we would like...I have confidence that he will be fine but that does not stop me from feeling helpless and frustrated both for him and for myself.  So I sat here tonight staring at my pictures from the day and realizing that none of them were right.  Then I remembered this poem - it is one of my favorites and if I remember correctly, it is also one of my dad's favorites.....  So this one is for Poppy..... xo

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 138 - A garden entrance...

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 138 - A garden entrance...

A few years back we turned our side entrance into a garden entrance.  We were going for an English garden kind of look and it has been a work in progress now for several years.  It is in dire need of weeding and then hopefully we will be adding the stone that we just did in the backyard.  But even with all of the work that needs to be done this season, this garden entrance still makes me smile as flowers start popping and draping all over the place....  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 137 - Fetch!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - 137 - Fetch!

The Bear was throwing a football around with his Daddy while The Boy had Maggie out in the yard.  She clearly was confused....when they said "catch", she must of heard, "fetch!" and she really did try.....  ;-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 136 - the pose

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 136 - the pose

This is the pose that I got when I asked these two to get together for a picture tonight.  They are very tough..in case you missed that... haha!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 135 - A Toast....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 135 - A Toast...

Today was My Wonderful Husband's last day on campus for the semester.  He still has grading, but he doesn't need to be back on campus for almost 14 weeks!!!!  He was also appointed department chair of the Social Sciences Department...so here's a toast.... to summer and his new appointment. :-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 134 - Happy Mother's Day!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 134 - Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you for making me a Mommy - you three make my heart happy! Love you!!!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 133 - The house guest

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 133 - The house guest

While Poppy recovers from surgery, we have a house guest - his puppy, Maggie.  I have faith that someday, she will be a good dog, but in the meantime, she is ALL PUPPY!  She is a bundle of boundless energy with a touch of mischief.  When we took her outside to play tonight, the kids found Sandy's old burger toy and Maggie  thought it was great!  So great, that she actually sat still long enough for a picture!  That is one powerful burger! 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 132 - Totally 80's

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 132 - Totally 80's

My Wonderful Husband was "Mr. Mom" while I was away.  He did an awesome job taking care of, not only the kids, but the dog even if it was a "Risky Business"...... 

The Princess and The Boy dressed themselves and their bears in "80's clothes" and then came down to tell Daddy that it would have been a great picture of the day if Mommy hadn't taken her camera...  But ever the "MacGyver", My Wonderful Husband dug out our old camera and got this picture!  "Cheers" to a great picture of their "Happy Days!"....  

(Clearly, I have been sitting in a hospital for too long...sorry for the cheesy post...:-)  I'm out of the 80's and "Back to the Future" now... ok last one... I swear.... )

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 131 - "dinner"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 131 - "dinner"

So, I admit that I did not get a picture today until I got back from the hospital and realized that I never got a picture today.  So, after stopping at Wawa on my way home for some coffee and a muffin, I snapped a picture of my "dinner".....
Poppy looked much better today after a very long surgery yesterday.  He was still in some pain but he looked good and even got up to do some walking.  I am really hoping that this is the last back surgery that he needs - I really hope to see him back on his feet quickly and enjoying a pain free summer!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 130 - Mixing it up

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 130 - Mixing it up

While I was driving up to NJ to be there for my dad's surgery, the kids were "mixing it up" at school for mismatch day - yes I actually knew they left the house this way. ;-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 129 - Can he really be 7?

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 129 - Can he really be 7?

Can he really be 7? Already?  I swear he just arrived on the scene, making our family complete.  But regardless of my disbelief, The Boy is now 7 years old!  He is weeks from completing first grade.  He is quite the character and keeps us all laughing.  He has been counting down the days until his birthday for weeks and he could not have been more thrilled to celebrate tonight.  Happy Birthday Baby!  "We love you to pizza!"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 128 - Birthday Cupcakes

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 128 - Birthday Cupcakes

When we got home from the beach (with a furry four legged squatter), I set right to work on The Boy's birthday cupcakes for school and his cake for tomorrow night.  I finished icing them and planted the skull and cross bone flags just in time for him to approve of them before heading to bed.  Yo Ho, Yo Ho, it's a 7 year old's life for him.... ;-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 127 - Let the birthday week begin!!

P365 (+1) - 2012- Day 127 -  Let the birthday week begin!!

Let the birthday week begin!!  My "baby" is going to turn 7 on Tuesday.  First, I know that he no longer qualifies as a baby, but he will forever remain my baby.  Second, I am dumbfounded with how quick time passes.  I can not believe that it was 7 years ago that I was waiting for this guy to arrive.  I may get nostalgic over the next couple of days... so bear with me....  To begin the birthday week, (because I am a firm believer in birthdays lasting more than one day) we had lunch at our favorite place at the beach - The Chegg - some time at The Boy's favorite park by the bay and ended the day with the first Skipper Dipper ice cream of the season.  Along with being a wonderful addition and completing our family, The Boy's arrival also came at a perfect time to herald the beginning of summer - all worthy reasons to celebrate! 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 126 - Started the day with soccer....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 126 -Started the day with soccer....

We started the day with two amazing soccer games and ended the day at the beach with friends.  To me, there is just not much better than that.  

I got this picture of the kids and their coach (AKA Daddy) while they took a break after The Bear and The Princess' game to catch their breath and take a load off before The Boy's game.  After both teams rocked it on the field, we got cleaned up and headed out to the beach where we kicked off the weekend with a Cinco de Mayo (Cinco de Lily) birthday celebration for one of our Bayberry Beach Buddies.  Fun with friends, some yummy food and good drinks was a great way to start the weekend.  Tomorrow we begin the "birthday week" celebrations for The Boy who will turn 7 on Tuesday.  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 125 - work in progress

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 125 -  work in progress

Our current work in progress - we are adding stones in all of the beds around the house.  We started around the back porch and we will work our way around the house.  I can't wait until it's done because it already looks so pretty in the back.... 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 124 - I.can.not.wait.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 124 - I.can.not.wait.

25 more days of school until summer and I.can.not.wait.  :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 123 - Boo Boo Paw....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 123 - Boo Boo Paw...

The Boy has a "boo boo paw";-)....  Yesterday at recess he fell off of the monkey bars (have I mentioned how much I hate those things?) and "landed funny" on his wrist.  I am not exactly sure what that means, but it isn't swollen, there is no bruise, and it looks quite intact to me.  All that being said, it hurts him -we iced it yesterday and this morning we wrapped it in a bandage to keep it stable so that it would hurt a bit less.  Even still, he is nursing it quite a bit.....  I am certain that he did do something, but I am not sure that he did much....but I don't want to assume that he isn't hurt... but sometimes he can be a bit ...uhhh... dramatic.  He is "second generation dramatic"... the story of me hurting my arm when I was about 5 (it was not broken and showed no signs of damage)  and holding it clutched to my body for days was that of legend in my family.  So I see it from both sides.... so  I am keeping an eye on that "paw" and if a bandage and some TLC is what he needs then so be it.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 122 - Three faces

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 122 - Three faces

I can hardly believe that it is May!  Where does the time go?  In a little more than a month, school will be out for summer and I will have two fourth graders and a second grader.  That is almost impossible for me to wrap my head around at times.  They were just babies..in diapers.. toddling around.  Those days seem like yesterday....... So today's picture doesn't have any special story - just a picture of these three faces that I love so very much because I swear every time I turn around they get bigger.