P365 - 2013 - Day 58 - Give me your paw

P365 - 2013 - Day 58 - Give me your paw

When The Pooch comes in from outside, he goes straight to the cabinet and gives me his paw before I can even say "Give me your paw" - he might even give you two paws and he will hold it until you throw the treat in the air.  It's his one and only circus trick (so far) - He is very treat motivated.  So I did a little experiment tonight -  would he give me his paw and hold it while I took his picture?  The answer is a resounding YES! Don't worry, he got his treat after my experiment:-).

*If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. - Phil Pastoret*

P365 - 2013 - Day 57 - Happy hands, Happy feet - Happy Girl!

P365 - 2013 - Day 57 - Happy hands, Happy feet - Happy Girl!

Today was a gloomy, chilly, rainy day.  The perfect day for me to escape for a little pampering!  In my unending quest to invoke summer, I realized that while my fingernails were in need of some TLC, my toenails were completely not flip flop ready!  Now if you, like My Wonderful Husband, are asking why on earth my piggies need to be flip flop ready in February - when it was 35 degrees outside - with icy rain - well then you - like My Wonderful Husband are not paying attention.  If I convince my piggies that it is summer by making them flip flop ready, maybe I can also convince my head and maybe even convince Mother Nature to see things my way.  I mean she's a woman after all - she must love a cute pair of flip flops as much as the next girl!  Since the Ground Hog is on my list of most hated rodents for getting my hopes up that spring was on it's way, I will try swaying Mother Nature instead.....Even though my pretty nails did nothing to improve today's weather, they did improve my mood - Happy hands, Happy feet - Happy Girl!

*Life is better in flip flops! - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 56 - Interview

P365 - 2013 - Day 56 - Interview

The Boy received an assignment from his teacher to interview a family member and he chose Uncle Joe.  He had his clipboard ready with his list of assigned questions and called Uncle Joe with my cell phone.  He took notes during the interview and he will be writing up a report next.   He did a great job conducting the interview and I look forward to reading his report.  

*Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.  - Thomas Henry Huxley*

P365 - 2013 - Day 55 - A Magic Box

P365 - 2013 - Day 55 - A Magic Box


The boys found a box in the garage today.  First, they used the box as part of an elaborate obstacle course outside.  Then, when they were done and I asked them to clean up the obstacle course from the yard, they used the same box to collect all of the things left outside.  Finally, they came in and asked if they could take the box inside so they could "make something".  I told them they could and aside from a few requests for markers and a couple of trips to their room for Legos, I did not see them for about three hours.  During the hours of the magic box there was no arguing, no crying, no claims of anyone being a "baby" or "unfair", no angry and emotional declarations...etc. etc... (if you do not have boys and think that drama is strictly a girl thing, I am here to tell you otherwise - but I am getting off topic...).  When I finally ventured downstairs to see what they had spent hours making - I found the magic box had transformed into this soccer stadium - complete with Lego players.  How cool is that?  Who says that a box can not be magic?  I know for a fact that it can be...if there is one thing that I have always loved - it is my children's creativity and imagination and with those two qualities a simple box can be magic and hold endless possibilities. 

*You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have. - Maya Angelou*

P365 - 2013 - Day 54 - Italy!

P365 - 2013 - Day 54 - Italy!

Today was The Boy's last indoor soccer game.  His team, Italy, played great today - it was a hard game but these kids are speedy and have some skills.  They finished a great season with an undefeated record!

*If you want to see me, you must be quick.

If you want to catch me, you must be fast.

If you want to beat me, you must be kidding. 

-Unknown*

 

P365 - 2013 - Day 53 - Artist

P365 - 2013 - Day 53 - Artist

The Bear has always loved to draw.  When he was little he perfected drawing all of his favorite super heroes and movie characters and as he got older he moved on to drawing his favorite athletes.  Yesterday he told me that there is an art gallery in Sports Illustrated Kids that features drawings that kids send in to the magazine.  He said how he thought that was really cool and he would love to get one of his pictures published.  My Wonderful Husband and I told him to go for it - "work on a drawing that you want to send in and get the address."  Well, he did just that - not just one drawing, but four.  We are getting ready to send these all in and I do hope that at least one gets selected to be published.  But even if they don't, I think they are awesome and I think The Bear is a great artist. 

*He who works with his hands is a laborer.

He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.

He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. 

- St. Francis of Assisi*

P365 - 2013 - Day 52 - glasses

P365 - 2013 - Day 52 - glasses

The Boy got his first pair of glasses today.  He was slightly apprehensive about getting them - but with some encouragement and the realization that he could see better he was on board with the change.  I think he looks super handsome in his new specs!

* I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

-Johnny Nash*

P365 - 2013 - Day 51 - you, you, you

P365 - 2013 - Day 51 - you, you, you
 
"Ok small humans - you over there - entertain me.  You over here, scratch my back.  You - I will bestow with kisses."  

*Every dog has his day. - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 50 - summery feelings

P365 - 2013 - Day 50 - summery feelings

In a constant effort to infuse wintery days with summery feelings, we decided to have a truly summer staple meal tonight for dinner - grilled veggies over linguini with grilled chicken.  I LOVE grilled veggies and the smell and the taste really gave me a little summer fix tonight.  It was a great dinner filled with great dinner conversation with the kids and for just a little while I forgot that it was still winter outside....

*If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. - J.R.R. Tolkien*

P365 - 2013 - Day 49 - Beautiful baby blues

P365 - 2013 - Day 49 - Beautiful baby blues

The Boy had an eye exam today and it turns out that he needs glasses.  He was not thrilled about this prospect but he picked out a nice pair of glasses.  I think he looks even more handsome in glasses!  His beautiful baby blues will be rocking new lenses in a few days when they are ready....

*Jeepers, Creepers, where'd ya get them peepers.

Jeepers, Creepers, where'd ya get those eyes? - Louis Armstrong*

P365 - 2013 - Day 48 - He's home and not at all tired...

P365 - 2013 - Day 48 - He's home and not at all tired...

The Bear came home from his sleepover this morning and has claimed all day that he's not at all tired.  Apparently it was an "up all night" type of sleepover but The Bear was determined to not nap today like his sister did after her all nighter sleepover. I'm not buying this not tired at all act...but he managed to stay awake all day... We'll see what time he sleeps until tomorrow morning....

*A well spent day brings happy sleep.  - Leonardo da Vinci* 

P365 - 2013 - Day 47 - these two...

P365 - 2013 - Day 47 - these two...

The Bear went to a birthday sleepover tonight so we took The Princess and The Boy out to dinner. These two have a unique relationship that can turn on a dime from fighting like cats and dogs to laughing hysterically together.  They had one of those hysterical moments in the car on the way home from dinner....

*Families are like fudge...mostly sweet with a few nuts. - unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 46 - This girl has style

P365 - 2013 - Day 46 - This girl has style

The Princess was very proud of this project today.  She made herself a "nail polish station" with some cardboard and duct tape - animal print duct tape of course.  There is so much animal print currently in her room right now, it is beginning to look like the jungle. ;-)  She's got personality and pizazz....This girl has style. :-)

* Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess. - Edna Woolman Chase*

P365 - 2013 - Day 45 - My forever Valentine and my loves

P365 - 2013 - Day 45 - My forever Valentine and my loves

This year marks the 20th Valentine's Day for me and My Wonderful Husband.  It is crazy to me that so much time has passed....  While Valentine's Day is always a special day for us, we don't really and have never really gone too crazy with the holiday - we are pretty low maintenance that way...  and ever since the kids came along, it has been a day we share with them as well.  We are each others Valentine's every day of the year and our hearts expanded with each of our kids and the love just multiplied so we enjoy making the day a special day for everyone.  So Happy Valentine's Day to my forever Valentine and my three loves. (and The Pooch too)

*For you see, each day I love you more.  Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow. - Rosamonde Gerard*

P365 - 2013 - Day 44 - New Washing Machine!

P365 - 2013 - Day 44 - New Washing Machine!

When we bought our first townhouse in 1999, we got a new washing machine and dryer.  Two moves later and they came to reside here in this space... We had to replace the dryer several years ago, but the washing machine kept on truckin' until recently.  Last week, after 14 years, it decided that it had washed it's last load of laundry.  So yesterday we went to buy a new washing machine and I was shocked at just how excited I was at that prospect.  Today my gleaming new washing machine was delivered and hooked up and I was ridiculously excited to start making my way through the loads of laundry that had piled up since my last machine retired it's services.  I will admit, I really don't mind doing laundry - there is something about it that appeals to my very ordered "place for everything" personality.  The folding I can do without....but I digress.  I'm not sure when this happened - well I guess as a friend said, when I became a mother of three and began to spend a large part of my life doing laundry.....could be. :-)  Whatever the reason, I am very excited to have my new washing machine - I am already on the second load of laundry...

* If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the piles and piles of laundry will disappear all too soon and that you will, to your surprise, miss them profoundly. - Thomas S. Monson*

P365 - 2013 - Day 43 - back home

P365 - 2013 - Day 43 - back home

My Wonderful Husband was at a conference in Long Beach, California for five days.  Given the fact that the conference was in Southern California, he took the opportunity to stay in Huntington - Surf City U.S.A - and do some surfing in the Pacific where many surf legends had surfed before him.  He enjoyed the conference and, of course, enjoyed the surfing time.  He came home today in the wee hours of the morning and the kids and I were all happy to see him when we woke up.  Just having him back home was good enough - but he also came bearing gifts:-)  He brought the kids sweatshirts from Huntington, a really cool sign for the house and new coffee mugs for me and him.  I'm glad that my surfing professor husband had a great trip, but I am really glad that he is back home.   

* A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. - George Edward Moore*

P365 - 2013 - Day 42 - nothing I like better

P365 - 2013 - Day 42 - nothing I like better

There is nothing I like better than a warm day in February when I can open the door and let the fresh air in.  The only thing better is knowing that My Wonderful Husband is on his way back home tonight... :-)

*And now, this is the sweetest and most glorious day that ever my eyes did see. - Donald Cargi*

P365 - 2013 - Day 41 - Helping

P365 - 2013 - Day 41 - Helping

We have been really working on specific chores for the kids - one of those chores is folding and putting away the socks and underwear (a job I was more than willing to give away).  It is a one person job on a rotating schedule.  Today was The Bear's rotation.  After taking their sheets off their beds and making their beds with fresh sheets, The Bear still had to take care of the basket before getting to go to his friend's house this afternoon.  Being the agreeable kid that he is, he went upstairs to get it done.  A bit later, I headed upstairs and found all three of the kids working on the folding together.  "Whatcha doing?" I asked.  "Helping" was the response.  After prying my chin off the floor, I quickly went and grabbed my camera because I felt like this picture was like capturing Big Foot.  Helping each other - without being told - for no other reason except to be helpful.  Amazing.  Maybe I am teaching them things after all. 

*Many hands make light work. - John Heywood*

P365 - 2013 - Day 40 - Tornadoes!

P365 - 2013 - Day 40 - Tornadoes

Today was The Bear and The Princess' last indoor soccer game of the season.  Unfortunately My Wonderful Husband couldn't be there to coach the game since he is at a conference.  But our friend, another dad, was a great substitute coach.  The Tornadoes played an awesome game today - they fought hard, played with heart and finished up with a great, undefeated season!  

*There is a difference between playing soccer with your feet and playing soccer with your heart. - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 39 - My Girl

P365 - 2013 - Day 39 - My Girl

While waiting in the drop off line this morning, The Princess whipped out her (new) make up bag and her (new) lip gloss, pulled down the mirror, and started applying her lip gloss.  "I love this pink color" she told me.  I smiled and then grabbed my phone and snapped this picture.  She asked me why I took the picture and I said, "Because you make me laugh and I love you."  I really do - I love my girl.  Pink lip gloss or not - she is beautiful inside and out! 

* To the world
You may be just another girl
But to me
Baby, you are the world!

- Brad Paisley*

P365 - 2013 - Day 38 - February Flashback - 2005

P365 - 2013 - Day 38 - February Flashback - 2005

Remember my plan to include a flashback picture every month?  Well, here we are at the February Flashback from 2005.  The Bear and his Daddy in their matching Manchester United jerseys sharing a bowl of cereal and a chat.  This is where it all began.  Their mutual love of sports, soccer, ManU, and time spent together.  The Bear was 2 years old at the time, really starting to talk up a storm, coming into his own goofy, happy, easy going personality and already wanting to do everything just like his Daddy.  I feel like this picture captured the heart of their relationship then, now, and hopefully forever.  xo

*Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice. - Charles F. Kettering*

P365 - 2013 - Day 37 - 100th Day of School

P365 - 2013 - Day 37 - 100th Day of School

Today is the 100th Day of School and The Boy's class is celebrating by dressing up like they are 100 years old.  (this school year has aged me too.....;-))  Happy 100th Day of School!!  We are more than half way through the school year!!  


*Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. - Henry Ford*

P365 - 2013 - Day 36 - bonus

P365 - 2013 - Day 36 - bonus

My Wonderful Husband has another work trip coming up.  He leaves early Thursday morning for a conference in Southern California.  While it really is a conference for work...while he really has been preparing for this by reading many papers and I know he will be busy with the different panels on teaching and learning, he will not be passing up an opportunity to surf in the Pacific.  So tonight after getting his clothes packed, he made sure to carefully pack his surf board too.  I tease him about his surfing trips that include some work -  I mean - work trips that include some surfing...;-)  but I am just teasing.  This guy works really hard both at his jobs and here at home and getting a bonus of some surfing time while he's at a conference is just that..a bonus:-)  I just hope he is safe and has fun. xo

*You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land, there is no other life but this. -Henry David Thoreau*

P365 - 2013 - Day 35 - totally worth it

P365 - 2013 - Day 35 - totally worth it

Yesterday was the superbowl and this little guy partied it up - wings, chips, sausage and peppers, and he watched the whole game!  His big brother wanted to stay up to watch it and we agreed to let him.  The Boy managed to get in on the deal too with strict instructions that he was not to be whiny in the morning when he had to wake up.  It was important enough to him to stay up and watch the game with his brother and Daddy that he agreed and followed through. He watched the whole game, waited for the lights to come back on in the stadium, stressed over the 49ers comeback, paced as the Ravens fought hard in the end, and cheered for their victory.  But by tonight at 5pm, this is what he looked like.  He didn't even complain when I told him he was going to bed earlier than normal tonight.  He was exhausted  - but it was totally worth it.  :-)

*I firmly believe that any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear ... is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. - Vince Lombardi*

P365 - 2013 - Day 34 - Just Dance Tournament 10th Birthday Party

P365 - 2013 - Day 34 - Just Dance Tournament 10th Birthday Party

Today was The Princess' party day.  She had a Just Dance Tournament party. We asked the girls to come dressed as dancers or rock stars and they did not disappoint.  There were leg warmers, tights, animal print, tutus, funky hair, makeup, and tons of fun energy!  These girls don't mess around! :-) Much like yesterday, we had groups and the girls all danced against the other girls in their group and earned points.  The winner in each group went on to the finals and the dancers who came in second in each group danced for third place honors.  The Princess made it to the finals and won the dancing queen title and crown, but she gave the crown to her competitor which I thought was great! A fun time was had by all and it was a great way to bring in The Princess' 10th year! 

*  You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life 

See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen! - ABBA* 

P365 - 2013 - Day 33 - Mario Kart Tournament 10th Birthday Party!

P365 - 2013 - Day 33 - Mario Kart Tournament 10th Birthday Party!

Today was The Bear's 10th birthday party.  We planned a Mario Kart Tournament party and it was a great success!  Each player was put into a group and they played each person in their group.  The top two players of each group went on the semifinals and the winners of those games went on to the finals to determine the first, second, and third place winners.  It was a tough competition but all of the boys had a ton of fun!  It was a great way to bring in The Bear's 10th year!!  

*Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. - Dr Seuss*

P365 - 2013 - Day 32 - If I am tired, it must be time for you three to go to bed.

P365 - 2013 - Day 32 - If I am tired, it must be time for you three to go to bed.

My mom and I used to have this running joke over the years.  Whenever she was cold at night, she would put extra covers on me and whenever she was hot at night, she would take my covers off.  After years of doing that, it became a joke - it didn't matter if I was hot or cold...she was and therefore she was worried that I was too.  I have taken that joke a step further with my kids.  They know the drill.... I have added "If I am tired, it must be time for you three to go to bed."  Tonight was one of those nights.  They stayed up to watch a show they wanted to watch...but then I was getting awfully tired.....so it must be bedtime. For the kids.  I know that this will not always work.  I realize just as bed times have gotten later over the years there will also come a point when these three may stay awake later than me.  But we aren't there yet.  I am tired.  The kids are in bed.  I am headed there soon myself.

*There never was a child so sweet, but his mother was glad to get him asleep. - Author Unknown*