P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 366 - (+1) Happy New Year!
As 2012 is drawing to a close, I have been sitting here trying to come up with poignant words to wrap it all up in a neat little bow. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time doing that. 2012 is a year not easily tied up into a neat little bow...there were ups and downs, happiness and sadness, hellos and goodbyes...but then what year doesn't have that to some degree. So instead of summing up the year that I spent 366 days summarizing as we went along, I will instead end the year with this wish for continued health, happiness, love, and laughter. May 2013 bring positive changes, exciting endeavors and time spent with family and friends.
To that end, I need to go get comfy on the couch with My Wonderful Husband, The Bear, The Princess, and The Boy for the movie they are waiting for me to start.... Happy New Year!
"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.
Write a good one." - Brad Paisley
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 365 - Clean up
It all started innocently enough this morning. I was going to take down the Christmas decorations and the tree since we were home and had no plans. That was how it all started.....this is where it all ended... When I went up to the kids' rooms to take down the trees in their rooms, my spidey senses were assaulted by a mess beyond all my neat freak mind could comprehend. Thus began a clean up to end all clean ups - "What is this?" "I don't know." "Do you need it then?" "I guess not." "Ok then lets get rid of it." We made donate piles and trash piles and cleaned the remaining belongings so that miraculously one might even know what is there.
I did end up getting all of the Christmas decorations down and put away and then I moved on to the playroom closet and added even more to the trash and donate piles. In the end, we filled three large trash bags, four bags of clothes, and a pile of books, toys, games, puzzles, etc to donate that looks like Mt Everest.
I feel better already and so do the kids if they are being honest...We are going into the new year clean and organized. Bring it on 2013.. we are ready.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 364 - Snow Surfing
These kids are all about the boards - surf boards, skate boards, and even these makeshift snow boards. They were "snow surfing" down our big hill today and they had a blast!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 363 - Start the healing
These past few months have been some of the most difficult in my life. My dad's sickness and death followed by a hurricane that damaged a place that was special to us all and a connection to my parents was all almost more that I could bear. So when we finally got back to the island yesterday, I literally sighed in relief. I had missed this place so much. My Wonderful Husband, the kids and I made a trip to a favorite spot for lunch today that had just opened back up yesterday after cleaning up the damage from the storm. It was bittersweet to be back at Scojos without Poppy who had loved it as much as us, but it seemed a fitting place to come and start the healing in our hearts.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 362 - Heavy sigh
The kids and I have not been to the beach house in almost four months. My Wonderful Husband has been there a few times for clean up after the storm, but the kids and I haven't been on the island since before soccer season started. The plan was to go to the beach house yesterday. But snow in PA kept us housebound. We were annoyed, but we rolled with it, changed our plans, and left this morning after the weather cleared. I joked yesterday that "come snow or high water" we would make it to the island. Little did I know how true that statement would be.... We made it to the island in great time and without incident and then started seeing the water as we crossed the bridge. Uh oh, not looking good.... then we stopped. This picture was actually a borrowed picture - we didn't even get this far and I was far too upset about the situation to grab my camera. The island was so flooded that the boulevard was closed. The police officer explained that it was impassable and it would be about two hours before they would be letting anyone pass. Heavy sigh. Ok...where does one go with a car full of three kids and a dog that just drove four hours from PA? Thank goodness my cousin lives close by and let us "gate crash" and even fed us while we waited. THANK YOU! :-) xo After an impromptu visit and once the water receded we were able to get back on the island and finally made it to our house.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 361 - Lego Boys
My Lego boys spent the day putting together their new sets. They are both very proud of their handy work :-)
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 360 - Merry Christmas!
It really was a merry Christmas - some gift highlights from the day included a Lego Hogwarts set that The Bear has been asking for for a very.long.time, an American Girl doll for The Princess that she has named Kimmie, an Imaginext castle that The Boy was really hoping for, a sock monkey toy for The Pooch which he has already stripped of all of it's stuffing - it is now a sock monkey rag but he loves it just the same, a beautiful Coach purse that I never in a million years thought anyone would get for me, and some cool headphones for My Wonderful Husband. While these gift highlights were all great, the real gift today was the time spent together, the good food we shared, and the love we all have for one another. The gifts are just icing on the cake. I think I have mentioned before that this year has been one full of quite a bit of heartache, stress, sickness, and sadness....but as this year winds down to a close and a new one approaches I continue to be thankful for the good that we have in our lives. We are so very lucky and I am so very grateful....and as always - Merry Christmas to all our family and friends far and near, those still with us and those not here... xoxoxo
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 359 - my favorite night
Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year. This year was tinted with shades of sadness as we missed special people no longer here to share in the day, but nonetheless this night is my favorite part of Christmas. When I was little, it was the pinnacle of the season - the countdown had ended and I knew that Santa would be coming. Then as I got older, I reveled in the traditions - even if I didn't eat all of the traditional seafood - there was something so special about the meal and the time spent together preparing and eating, talking and laughing. With the arrival of our children, the night took on another special meaning... that same anticipation was reflected in the eyes of our children. There is a magic to this day in its stillness. In its quiet waiting. In its togetherness and warmth. When the snow started falling today, it was just added magic...a fluffy white blanket of snow to warm our hearts on Christmas Eve. We reveled in the traditions - the seven fish, the family gifts, the cookies, the reindeer food, the cookies for Santa, a farewell to our elves, new jammies, and children nestled in bed. And even through the sadness, the magic of this night is not lost - it's the night before Christmas and all through this house not a creature is stirring not even a mouse.... Merry Christmas from the Leonard Family!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 358 - Cookie Lovers
The Pooch didn't take too long to figure out where we keep his treats (cookies). He, like his predecessor The Puppy, can be found many times of the day sitting in front of the cabinet where we keep them staring and willing it to open. The kids aren't much different when it comes to Christmas cookies... While they might not sit in front of the pantry staring and they can actually use their opposable thumbs to open the pantry they find ways to beg nonetheless. On the eve of Christmas Eve, I decided to lift the ban on eating the Christmas cookies (you appreciate them a lot more on Christmas if you haven't been already eating them for weeks prior) and let them have some with hot chocolate for dessert. All cookie lovers were happy!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 357 - Two Days Left!
The excitement is building...another link came off of the Christmas chain and there are two days left until Christmas morning!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 356 - Woo Hoo!
This is what the first afternoon of winter break looked like. Four kids chillin' in the playroom with a movie and popcorn. You can almost hear the sighs of relief....from the kids and from me. No early morning races, no making lunches, no rushed breakfast requests, no checklist reminders on the way out the door - "Did you brush your teeth? Do you have everything?" etc. etc.., no checking backpacks, no homework....NO SCHOOL for almost 2 weeks! Woo Hoo!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 355 - Christmas Wishes
We ended the day with a visit with Santa. I love watching the kids talk to Santa each year. I love the smiles, the pure happiness. I think Santa got a bit of an earful of Christmas wishes from these three...:-)
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 354 - ZIP LINE
It is a wonder that Burke, Isabelle, and Barnes have the time to keep an eye on the kids and report back to Santa with all of the mischief they have been up to. They have Santa'ed the kids' pictures, graffitied the blackboard in the playroom, taken over the Nutcrackers' jobs, sledded down the stairs, played with the dog's toys, played hide and seek, planned beach trips, and last night they set up a ZIP LINE! They have been having quite a time during their visit this year. But mischief or not, the kids will sure miss them when they go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve....
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 353 - The stockings are hung
Our newest four legged family member has been living with us for almost 2 months now and yet he did not have his very own Christmas stocking until today. We have been meaning to get him one and just hadn't gotten around to it and then when I looked yesterday, none of them were right for him... But today My Wonderful Husband found the perfect stocking and we added it to the mantel to join the rest of ours. We are ready - the stockings are hung by the chimney with care - My Wonderful Husband, Me, The Bear, The Princess, The Boy, and The Pooch! :-)
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 352 - New Hats -
When the kids woke up this morning they found gifts from the elves in their rooms - New Hats!!! The Bear has been talking about this Steelers Santa hat for years...I guess the elves finally got the hint. The Boy was thrilled to get a Jets hat and The Princess could not look any cuter in her leopard Santa hat. Good job elves:-) and three more deserving kiddoes there can not be....xo
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 351 - A quiet day
Today was a quiet day. I cleaned, the kids played. They watched football with their Daddy. They read. It was perfect.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 350 - ♥
Our Christmas 2012 new ornament finally came in the mail today. ♥
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 349 - simply grateful
In light of tragic events in our world today, I am simply grateful for these three children that My Wonderful Husband and I are so lucky to have.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 348 - big discussions
There are big discussions going on in the Leonard household these days. Some decisions have been made, some steps have been taken, and we continue to hold our breath and cross our fingers for other developments. Most importantly though, during the discussions there were smiles - from the kids and from us. Once we made our decision I feel like I took a deeper breath than I have in months (completely unrelated to my allergies;-)) and I have been smiling more than I remember smiling in quite some time. I think good things are on their way.....
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 347 - 12*12*12
So today marks the end of my 12 on 12 project - 12 pictures on every 12th day of every month this year. But today was no ordinary 12 on 12 - today was 12*12*12 - the last repeating date that we will see in our lifetime. I think that is pretty cool. It was supposed to be a "magical" day - well I don't know about that but I certainly tried to harness any magic today might offer. It was a good day - but when I got the kids to bed and turned on the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief Benefit concert and got to hear Bon Jovi - my day got even better. Then he and Bruce sang my favorite song - Who Says You Can't Go Home...and this Jersey Girl was very happy.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 346 - firmly crossed
Dear Universe,
You and I have not been seeing eye to eye for quite some time. We have even had some words - ok I have had words...but you have done your share - be honest. But I am calling for a truce. Not only that, I am asking that we change this dynamic that we have had going on. Why can't we just get along? So tell you what, I will be nice and I will not say any unflattering things about you, what you can do, or where you can go... instead I am sending all positive visualizations out to you while I keep my fingers firmly crossed (and boy is it ever hard to type with my fingers crossed all of the time) I really think if you and I work together on this we can make some good things happen.... think about it and I will be in touch. Love ya!
Your new friend xo
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 345 - pretty cool
Homework, it seems, has gone by the wayside (at least in the schools here) and I guess you can say I am "old school" - I think kids need homework. Despite this no homework trend, The Boy's teacher this year has incorporated book reports that the children complete at home and I am thrilled. The Boy chose Hour of the Olympics for this book report and he was thrilled that he finished reading the book tonight. So thrilled that he got started on his project right away! I am going to brag a bit here - all three of our kids are great readers! I know this and yet as The Boy read me this book over the past week, I was just reminded of it. He reads with inflection and expression. He asks questions as he reads. He is pretty cool and I am pretty proud.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 344 - could not be more true
I love these magnets that my friend gave me yesterday - they could not be more true! xo
Throughout my life I have learned some lessons over and over. But as I get older, the lessons finally seem to make more sense.... I only hope that somehow my kids don't have to do all of the leg work that I have spent a life time doing for them already. In other words - dear children of mine - learn from my mistakes and I hope to set a good example for you. Make sure that you surround yourself with people who truly care about you and who you truly care about. Don't waste your time on those who really do not. Learn to know the difference between the two.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 343 - absolutely perfect ornament
Our friends Stacey and Dale came to visit today on their way home from DC. We were so happy to see them and share some holiday cheer and yummy food with them! While just their visit was certainly gift enough...they also came bearing a few goodies for the kids and the puppy and they brought us this absolutely perfect ornament which I LOVE!! It is front and center on our tree and a great reminder of beach days that make this family so happy.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 342 - Resident Paparazzi
My resident paparazzi took this picture of me and My Wonderful Husband tonight before we headed out to a faculty holiday party. xoxo
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 341 - The (Christmas) Baker
I love to cook but I am not a big fan of baking. I think this has something to do with my intense dislike of following written directions. Yes - there I said it - I hate following directions. I am the person that looks at a picture on a box in order to put something together. Now, My Wonderful Husband would tell you that this doesn't work - but it just doesn't work for him - for me - it works just fine. So back to the cooking/baking conundrum. Cooking, to me, is easy - I cook things I know and cook how I like things to taste....it's all second nature and what not.... Baking requires reading recipes which, as I stated, doesn't work for me and since I can't look at a picture of a cake and bake it, I tend not to bake. Except at Christmas (well and Easter). At Christmas, I am The Christmas Baker - I am a baking machine. I am a cookie extravaganza! This year (either due to fantastic baking skills, great time management, and two angels making sure that I am not cursing under my breathe while baking OR due to the steroids I have been taking for my sinus infection) I have managed to get all of my cookies done in less than a week! (My Wonderful Husband has two types of cookies that he bakes too - but he is waist deep in grading right now...) Tonight, while I was chopping pistachios for my biscotti The Princess asked if she could take a picture of me. My first reaction..."ugh I hate having my picture taken...how do I look?" She rolled her eyes and said "You look fine." "Fine?" I said. "You look beautiful. Now let me get one of you chopping then one with you looking at me. Let me turn off that light behind you - it's too bright. Do you have a picture of the day today?" Ah, another crazy picture lady was born today and her first subject was The Christmas Baker.
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 340 - They were Santa - ed!
What will those silly elves think of next? The kids woke up this morning to find out that they were Santa-ed! I guess Burke, Isabelle, and Barnes thought the pictures of the kids needed to be dressed for Christmas! Those elves.... :-)
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 339 - Climate change
Christmas lights in the background while grilling in short sleeves. Just weird. Climate change - a myth - I think not. It was about 70 degrees today and I could totally get used to this! But knowing that it won't last...while in spring - Grill and Wear short sleeves!
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 338 - the next Parker Brothers
The Bear made a game board as an after reading activity in his class. He has been talking about this game board for a few weeks and I know that he put a lot of work and thought into it. Today, he finally got to bring it home (with an A as a grade) and The Boy couldn't wait to play it. Even though this sweet picture of the two of them playing The Bear's invented game turned into a big argument and a very mad 7 year old, I kept this the picture of the day. The way I see it, The Bear could be the next Parker Brothers or Hasbro... they had to start somewhere too....
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 337 - Who let the elves out?
Who let the elves out? Burke, Isabelle, and Barnes made their yearly trek from the North Pole and arrived this morning! The kids were excited to see them and we are all awaiting the crazy shenanigans that they will be engaging in until they go back with Santa on Christmas Eve. Oh silly elves - we have missed you..... :-)
P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 336 - 'tis the Season
We went to the tree farm today - an annual tradition that My Wonderful Husband and I started the first year we were married. This year, our new puppy joined the ranks and together we all searched for the perfect tree. I remember the Christmases when it was just me and My Wonderful Husband at a pretty tree farm in Maryland - then the year I was pregant with The Bear and The Princess - which had to be the fastest we ever picked out a tree...there was about 2 feet of snow that year. I stood at the top of the hill and said - "That one looks good." Then their first Christmas when again there was tons of snow and we had two buddled up babies we were carrying through a new tree farm - we wondered that year if it was the best idea - but we found a tree and our tradition was intact. But for the past 9 Christmases we have been going to Seven Springs Tree Farm, first with two little ones, then another year with me pregant with The Boy making it a short trip and a quick pick, then three little ones.... Finally we had three kids not only big enough to walk but big enough to start to help with the search and eventually even help a bit in the cutting. Sixteen Christmases so far and each year a new adventure and another beautiful tree to bring home and decorate. 'tis the Season!
