P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 182 - Thunder and Lightening and Hail ...oh my!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 182 - Thunder and Lightening and Hail ...oh my!

This was the earliest in a day that I have ever taken a picture of the day.  In the wee hours of the morning around 2 am, we were awakened by what was one of the worst storms I can remember.  I woke up first, heard a loud crack of thunder and saw lightening lighting up the house.  I figured that the kids would not be far behind me in waking up and after counting down from 10 to 1, the first of them was down the stairs.  The Princess heard the storm and came down looking slightly nervous - and I could not blame her!  After a couple of minutes The Bear and The Boy came down, also looking nervous and telling us that they were going to try to stay in their room, but there was "something in there - a loud noise....not the thunder...".  It turned out that the wind that was whipping outside seemed to be blowing under the window somehow creating a very loud moaning noise - again, I could not blame them - it was one scary noise!  While my Wonderful Husband was upstairs checking the window to make sure it was not going to blow in, the hail started banging the windows and I am not gonna lie, it. was. scary.  But I was trying to keep these three kiddos (who had taken over our bed) calm....  We turned on the weather channel to see what was up and the orange band on the map was sitting right over us along with warnings running on the bottom of the screen to get to a safe indoor place away from windows... that was going to be difficult in this house.... The electricity went off and thankfully back on but the storm raged on for at least an hour.  Finally it quieted down and everyone went back to their own beds.  When The Boy got to his bed, he said, "Oh, I should have taken all of my bedtime friends....Were you guys scared up here?"  ;-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 181 - Life is like a wave

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 181 - Life is like a wave
 

"Life is like a wave.  You can't change the way it breaks, but you can change the way you ride it."

-Author Unknown

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 180 - He's back home

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 180 - He's back home

Poppy has been struggling a bit the past few weeks with some unexplained pains.  He made a trip to the ER this morning to try to get to the bottom of it....  I headed up to the ER to meet him and after a few tests and a few hours, they sent him home.  Even though we didn't get any "answers", I was happy that they didn't find anything that required keeping him and happy that he's back home. 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 179 - Happy Once a Year!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 179 - Happy Once a Year!

I can hardly believe that another year has gone by!  When we got to the house tonight for dinner, Mike said "Happy Once a Year!" and I thought that was a fitting title.  While it stinks that we only get to see these friends once a year, it's also really cool that every year in June or July we are certain to see them and we have now for the past 17 summers.  Is that right?  I just had to do the math....might be 18... either way - that is crazy .  Time sure does fly.  It was a fun night with dinner, conversation, s'mores, and laughs and I look forward to the next Once a Year! :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 178 - Thanks guys!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 178 - Thanks guys!

The kids let me sleep in a bit this morning, got themselves breakfast, AND cleaned the kitchen when they were done.  When I walked in to the kitchen they were taking turns washing, drying, and putting everything away.  Thanks guys! 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 177 - Yummy!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 176 - Yummy!

It was rainy and stormy on and off today - a perfect day to put on a pot of gravy with meatballs and sausage and have some seriously yummy subs for dinner. 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 176 - Rock Star Status

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 176 - Rock Star Status

We had a beach visit today from "Miss Stacey" and "Mr. Dale" and the kids were thrilled!  I was happy to see them too mind you - I got to chat with Stacey and it's always nice to hang with them both.  But they have truly acquired rock star status with my kids -the kids still speak in hushed, awed voices about the time that Mr. Dale ate that banana split. ;-) Tonight's dinner conversation was all about how Miss Stacey and Mr. Dale went swimming with them and threw the ball around with much approved of silliness.  Mr. Dale even helped them dig their hole (even if he tried to give them "guidance", they allowed him to help) As always it was a fun day with the rock stars. :-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 175 - Catching up

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 175 - Catching up

It was a mini high school and college reunion today on the beach.  A couple of friends that I haven't seen in forever stopped by while they were on the island doing some shopping.  The kids got to play with their daughters and we got to do a little catching up.  :-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 174 - Thanks to a rainy day...

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 174 - Thanks to a rainy day...

After a hot start to the day, it finally started to storm - and boy did it!  We took the kids to the library and got back just before the heavens opened up and once they did we were housebound.  We all did some reading and then I started practicing my braiding... (The Princess is not always a willing model, so I was on my own today while she read...)  I thought a) the braid came out pretty good for my first try at this kind and b)I haven't had a picture of me in the blog in quite some time.  So, thanks to a rainy day... here I am. :-))

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 173 - Lucky

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 173 - Lucky

"If you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough."

Enough said.

P365 (1) - 2012 - Day 172 - Beach Frisbee

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 172 - Beach Frisbee

It may have been a scorcher today, but it was a great beach day - so great in fact that we headed back up in the late afternoon.  The kids ended the day with some beach frisbee with friends.  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 171 - How to handle a shark attack...

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 171 - How to handle a shark attack....

While My Wonderful Husband was out in the water playing with the kids today, I grabbed my camera to get some pictures of course.  When I uploaded them tonight, to my surprise, there was a little shark sneaking up in one picture... But never fear, this is one way to handle a shark attack.... ;-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 170 - That smile never changes... :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 170 - That smile never changes... :-)


There is something about summer... I know I have said this before but... to me, summer marks the passage of time more than any other time of year.  While we are always watching our children grow - and that process goes by too quickly I might add - we always seem to see the differences the most each summer.  So tonight when I snapped this picture of The Bear, it so reminded me of a favorite picture of him from when he was a wee little guy of 2 1/2 years old.  For all of the changes and growing up that has gone on in the past 7 years....that smiles never changes... :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 169 - Happy Father's Day!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 169 - Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and My Wonderful Husband - we all love you and are lucky to have you both! xo

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 168 - Summer Reading

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 168 - Summer Reading

While My Wonderful Husband was giving surf lessons this morning and I was making my way through tons of laundry, the kids all found somewhere comfy to chillax and read.   The Princess is on her second summer reading book, The Boy just finished his first, and The Bear is almost done with his first book and looking forward to starting The Percy Jackson series next.  Once I was done with the laundry, I too found a comfy spot on the beach to work on my summer reading. :-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 167 - "It was awesome!"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 167 - "It was awesome!"

At the end of last summer, The Boy got brave and went on his first roller coaster. (first willing roller coaster - since we sort of tricked him onto The Barnstormer in Disney 3 years ago...)  Since then, (although he declined an opportunity to go on another roller coaster in Hershey in the fall) there has been much discussion about what rides he will try to go on.  On our last visit to Fantasy Island a few of weeks ago, he made some strides going on a couple of rides he had never gone on before.  With our upcoming Disney trip on the horizon, the discussion of rides has gotten more intense.  What you need to know about The Boy is that he does not follow the crowd.  If he doesn't want to do something, there is nothing that will make him do it.  On the flip side, when he sets his mind to do something, there is no stopping him.  So tonight at Fantasy Island, he matched his brother and sister ride for ride (except that crazy big boat....;-)).  Tonight's new ride for The Boy was "the drop ride" (that's what the kids call it - you know the free fall thing...) He decided to give it a try and with all the determination he could muster, he got on line with everyone and got on the ride.  He looked nervous. I was worried.  But when he got off, he said "It was awesome!"  We have another convert! :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 166 - quick trip

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 166 - quick trip

We made a very quick trip to the beach and back today.  It was WINDY and rather than brave the wind with sand and water pelting us, we picked back up and walked back home. Despite the weather the kids found some stuff to do and My Wonderful Husband and I got some stuff done around the house...but I am really looking forward to a warm and sunny beach day....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 165 - Letters

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 165 - Letters

The Princess has three friends back home who she plans to write to this summer.  Last night we went to the store and bought paper and envelopes and put them all in a pretty folder.  This morning she wasted no time getting out her "stationary" and writing some letters.  She even got her first letter in the mail from one friend today and she was thrilled to respond to her.  In this world of technology, texting, cell phones, instant messages, and immediate gratification I can tell you that getting a letter in the mail from your friend is just as exciting as it was when I was younger and had pen pals.  (yes, I know I sound old.  no I did not walk to school. uphill. both ways.) I am happy that The Princess and her friends are going to experience the fun of writing and receiving letters this summer.  Now just to go get some stamps so we can mail these letters..... :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 164 - "Jersey Diner Experience"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 164 - "Jersey Diner Experience"

We went to dinner with Poppy tonight to a diner near his house.  I realized that our kids were sorely lacking in diner knowledge.  I have been negligent in this area apparently....  so we quickly schooled them on the "Jersey Diner Experience".  While it was not 2am and no one had been out dancing and/or partying and we did not have cheese fries or a taylor ham and egg sandwich, we still did partake in some yummy diner fare - omelets, pancakes, a cornbeef and pastrami  sandwich, and coffee.  Jersey blood clearly runs through the veins of our children because they declared it awesome and delicious.  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 163 - I finally got it!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 163 - I finally got it!

In my cheerleading days, my hairstyle of choice was a french braid.  My mom would do them for me, so I never learned how to do one myself.  I have tried on myself over the years to no avail.  Then I started to try on The Princess when she would consent to me doing her hair. (because she has wanted to do it herself since she was about 2 years old)  But once in awhile she will appease me and let me use her as a mannequin head to practice this skill that has eluded me for years....  Today was one of those days - she relented and let me try again because I recently asked the girl that does my hair and her explanation clicked so I thought I had it.  But alas, I did not.  My mannequin grew impatient and I needed to remind her that my "Farrah" head that I had as a kid was a much better subject!  But she was done after my several failed attempts.  But through the power of the internet and Facebook - I gathered more info, watched a couple of videos and then tried again on my own hair...and voila!  Not too shabby!  When The Princess saw my handy work, she was on board for letting me try once more and VOILA - even better than mine!  I finally got it!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 162 - Car 1 and Car 2

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 162 - Car 1 and Car 2 

We set out on our annual pilgrimage to LBI this morning with two fully packed cars.  Car 1 was driven by My Wonderful Husband who had the "girls" with him for the ride - The Princess and her American Girl doll Josephina.  The Princess told me after the drive that her and Daddy listened to music and chatted about the beach and Disney and "stuff".  They had a nice ride together.  Car 2 was driven by me and I had the boys with me for the ride.  They played their Ds's , watched The Smurfs, played question and answer games and after the ingestion of a whole box of Skittles, The Boy was endless entertainment. ;-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 161 - First day of summer vacation

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 161 - First day of summer vacation

It was the first day of summer vacation and the kids spent the day playing and even had a little impromptu ice cream party while My Wonderful Husband and I cleaned and packed.  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 160 - THE BIG REVEAL!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 160 - THE BIG REVEAL!

Today was the last day of school, the kids all had OUTSTANDING report cards and we had the BIG REVEAL tonight.  We had the kids read this sign - "You just finished third grade and first grade...what are you going to do next???" and The Boy (ever the sports fan...) said.. "We're going to Disney World!" and we said... YES!!! WE ARE!  There was screaming and jumping and tons of excitement and now My Wonderful Husband and I can stop holding in this secret!  We are just as excited and three more deserving kids there can not possibly be:-) xo Yeah! We're going to Disney World!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 159 - Field Day

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 159 - Field Day

Today was field day the kids' school.  They had a ton of fun!  

P365 (+1) - 2012- Day 158 - Jump Rope Queen

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 158 - Jump Rope Queen

The Princess won the jump rope competition at her school today - out of all of the classes!  She jumped for more than 7 minutes!!  She was thrilled and we are so proud of our jump rope queen!  (We got her a new jump rope as a special treat when she got home.)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 157 - celebrations

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 157 - celebrations

I love the end of the school year because it means that summer is here, but I also love all of the end of the school year celebrations.  Today we spent the afternoon with The Bear and The Princess' third grade classes having a pizza party and kickball tournament.  Then tonight we had our two soccer teams at our house for the end of season ice cream party.  These are all really great kids and it is was a fun day.:-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 156 - Lesson learned.

P365 (1) - 2012 - Day 156 - Lesson learned.

The kids' school planned to have the kids make tie dye shirts for field day on a day that we were not here for school.  So, since I wanted the kids to have the chance to make their own, I decided that we would make them at home instead.  My thinking was that I had made my fair share of tie dye shirts in college - as an RA I would have tie dye programs - so I figured "I got this."  That being said, I learned a few things today.  
*First of all, I was in college a. long. time. ago.  Seriously, how did it get to be so long ago.  The a fore mentioned programs were probably 19 years ago.  
*Second, it is hard to remember how you did something 19 years ago.  
*Third, when  you are tie dying in the resident lounge of your dorm, you pay very little attention to the things that you pay attention to when you are tie dying in your home 19 years later.  (have I mentioned how I am not a big fan of a mess?  and dye messes that have the chance of permanently dying things - even worse) 
* Finally, when you are grabbing some random shirt from your drawer to throw in some dye as a college student, you do not stress about how the colors will come out. However, when you are tie dying three shirts for your three children based on their color choices, you can become quite stressed that the colors will not come out as they planned. 
So, the lesson learned tonight could possibly be that I am too darn old for tie dying - either way, after all of my stressing, I think they came out pretty cool and the kids approved but more importantly were thrilled with the results.  If they want another one, however, they can wait until they are in college. 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 155 - only took 5 years

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 155 - only took 5 years...

I spent the day cleaning, organizing, and moving furniture.  It only took 5 years but we finally found a good way to arrange The Boy's room.  I love it this way.  :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 154 - UNDEFEATED!!

P365 (+1) -2012 - Day 154 - UNDEFEATED!!

The Boy's team (Scotland Cosmos) and The Bear and The Princess' team (Scotland United) both finished  not only this season, but the whole year UNDEFEATED!!  These kids are AWESOME!  I am so proud of them!  (and I am a bit partial to their coach too... hee hee) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 153 - Happy National Donut Day

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 153 - Happy National Donut Day!

So I read online this morning that today is National Donut Day.  When I told My Wonderful Husband, he thought that was a great excuse to get donuts for when the kids got home from school.  They were THRILLED to hear that there is a National Holiday for donuts - they were clearly on board with this holiday and will undoubtedly be marking their calendars for next year. ;-) haha!  Happy National Donut Day!  who knew....? ;-)