P365 - 2013 - Day 151 - Jersey driver

P365 - 2013 - Day 151 - Jersey driver

This morning while I was manning the yard sale in PA, My Wonderful Husband dropped the kids at school and headed up to the beach to get some stuff done before the kids and I came tonight.  One of the things on the "to do" list was to go to the DMV and get a NJ license.  So when the kids and I got here tonight, I was welcomed home by an official Jersey driver.  For the past 18 years, this mug has been seen on licenses from Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania - I have joked in the past that our licenses and plates may say other wise but we are Jersey drivers through and through. ;-)  I am next and soon the cars will be sporting NJ plates as well...

*'Mid pleasures and palaces, though we may roam, 

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. - John Howard Payne*

P365 - 2013 - Day 150 - wiped out

 P365 - 2013 - Day 150 - wiped out

Before dinner, I was watching the Food Network Star and when I got up for a minute the kids all sat down and started watching it too.  Looks to me like the heat wiped out these three a bit...so much that they didn't even ask to change the channel... :-)   

*There is a time for many words and there is also a time for sleep. - Homer, The Odyssey* 

P365 - 2013 - Day 149 - tackled my closet

P365  - 2013 - Day 149 - tackled my closet

Today I tackled my closet.  Once again, I was amazed by the "organized nonsense".  Just because I neatly piled things in storage spaces I was living with a false sense of importance of those things.  Shoes that hadn't been used in years, clothes that got moved around but seldom worn, "this and that" that found a home on the shelves in my closet. I am convinced that the more space you have, the more space you take up.  In my continued effort to pack, downsize, and simply lighten my load in life I went through today's pile of nonsense and came up with the things that I plan to keep and got rid of the rest of it.   

*The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination. - Elbert Hubbard*

P365 - 2013 - Day 148 - we'll be back

P365 - 2013 - Day 148 - we'll be back

We needed to head back to PA today - the kids need to get back to school tomorrow to finish their last 8 days and we have the last of the packing to do.  Even on a rainy, chilly day on the island I was sad to cross that bridge and leave.  But we'll be back in a few days and then one more week until we are full time residents.  The sea is calling me.....

*The sea, once it cast its spell, holds one in its net forever. - Jacques Cousteau*

P365 - 2013 - Day 147 - Welcome Summer 2013!

P365 - 2013 - Day 147 - Welcome Summer 2013!

What a year it has been.  Happy Memorial Day!  Welcome Summer 2013!  We have been waiting for you!!!

*In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. - Albert Camus*

P365 - 2013 - Day 146 - after two days

P365 - 2013 - Day 146 - after two days

After two days of working on the house, Sunday was a day of rest and fun, friends and family.  A run for me in the morning with a friend, playtime for the kids with friends while the moms had coffee and time to chat, then off to a Memorial Day BBQ with family.  The sun started peaking through and it finally warmed up and the day was a good one.  So good that my camera sat in my purse all day.... until I realized on the ride home that I hadn't gotten a picture of the day.  So here they are - my backseat crew... we had a good day. :-)

 *How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it.  How many slices in a bread?  Depends how thin you cut it.  How much good inside a day?  Depends how good you live 'em.  How much love inside a friend?  Depends how much you give 'em. - Shel Silverstein*

Happy Anniversary in Heaven Gigi and Poppy! 5/26/62 xo

P365 - 2013 - Day 145 - sit and enjoy

P365 - 2013 - Day 145 - sit and enjoy

We got a lot accomplished so far.  The reward was a family dinner and coffee with My Wonderful Husband in our cozy backyard. It was so nice to get to just sit and enjoy. 

*...there are times when we stop.  We sit still...we listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.  - James Carroll*

P365 - 2013 - Day 144 - long day

P365 - 2013 - Day 144 - long day

It was a long day - a long drive out to the beach with the truck and the car, then a game of "will the rain stop long enough to unpack the truck" that lasted long into the night.  Good news is we finally got everything unpacked and even got the dining room set up. :-) 

*Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. - Etty Hillesum*

 

P365 - 2013 - Day 143 - Another truck

P365 - 2013 - Day 143 - Another truck

Another truck is packed to the brim.  It was a long day of packing for My Wonderful Husband and I and we are worn out.  Time to get some rest so we are ready for an early day tomorrow so we can get this truck unpacked.  

*Rest and be thankful.  - William Wadsworth*

P365 - 2013 - Day 142 - One last time...

P365 - 2013 - Day 142 - One last time...

Tonight was our end of season celebration for the Cosmos and United.  As I have said, while we are confident that the new things on the horizon are good things - we are sad to leave our soccer families.  After four years of coaching and three years of coordinating and having some of the same players on our teams for several seasons it really has felt like a family.   We wish all of our players the best in all of their future endeavors and we certainly hope to keep in touch with our soccer family....  One last time... 1, 2, 3 SCOTLAND COSMOS! - 1,2 3 - SCOTLAND UNITED!  xoxo

*There is no "i" in team. - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 141 - United's last game

P365 - 2013 - Day 141 - United's last game

Tonight was United's last game of the season and The Bear, The Princess and their teammates played an awesome game!  It was a great end to a great season - a great year - and for many a great three years together.  The Bear and The Princess first donned these jerseys as first graders - their first time on a team.  They have grown as players by leaps and bounds.  They have become forces to be reckoned with on the field.  Their skills and moves are constantly improving and we look forward to seeing where they go in the future.  It is always a pleasure watching these two soccer super stars! Love them. xo

*You can't put a limit on anything.  The more you dream, the farther you get. - Michael Phelps*

P365 - 2013 - Day 140 - Cosmos last game

P365 - 2013 - Day 140 - Cosmos last game

It was the Cosmos last game of the season and The Boy and his teammates played an outstanding game.  It was a great season - a great year - a great three years with the Cosmos!  The Boy started wearing this jersey as a little kindergarten guy - his first time on a team... he has grown as a player, improved his skills, and worked to find the balance between playing hard and having fun.  We are so proud of the player he is on the field and we can't wait to see what the future holds for him.  Love that soccer super star! xo

 *Don't look back.  Something might be gaining on you. - Leroy Paige*

P365 - 2013 - Day 139 - sleep

P365 - 2013 - Day 139 - sleep

This was the time on the clock when I really really really wanted to and should have gone to bed.  Sounds simple enough right?  Then why am I sitting here now typing instead of dreaming?  Because for some reason coughs get worse at night.  When you are exhausted.  When you just want to curl in bed and go.to.sleep.  I can not even begin to tell you how frustrated and annoyed I am that I am coughing. Again.  Last night I watched the numbers on the clock tick away the hours as I remained awake and coughing.  I am hoping tonight that if I go to bed a little later and more tired, maybe I can trick myself and the cough into letting me sleep.  Fingers crossed... in the meantime I will continue to catch up on some Style network... Jersylicious, XO Betsey Johnson, and whatever else I stay awake for...Hopefully I will be dreaming about big hair, funky clothes, and sparkly shoes soon.

*I have...miles to go before I sleep. - Robert Frost*

P365 - 2013 - Day 138 - always been fun

 P365 - 2013 - Day 138 - always been fun

Today was our last Scotland soccer Saturday.  Both teams have one more game, but today was the last Saturday of games.  No matter how excited we are for our move, how much we know it is the right thing for our family, how much I am done with certain things... soccer has always been fun.  We have been completely immersed in Scotland soccer for several years now - I have been the athletic director for the program for the past three years.  My Wonderful Husband has coached k-1 teams, 2-3 teams, and 4-5 teams.  He has coached 2 teams for the past three years, fall and spring seasons, with one season of coaching a third team when no one else could do it.  I am so glad that My Wonderful Husband has been able to coach our kids for as long as he has.  I am going to brag (it's my blog so I can) - My Wonderful Husband is an outstanding coach!  Not only does he know the game and played for most of his life - he is a born teacher and leader and has been able to bring out the best in every player that he coached.  He has taught them the skills of the game but so much more.  He has taught them how to be a team.  He has taught them how to work together, trust each other, think, win with class and lose graciously.  He has taught them more than how to play - he has taught them to play to have fun - because if you are having fun, the rest comes easy.  We have had the privilege to be able to coach lots of different children over the years and the pleasure of watching those children grow and improve their skills and the game.  Whether they have won or lost, these kids have always gone out there and played with heart and love of the game and they have always been fun to watch.  Next fall will bring some changes to our soccer life.  The Bear wants to move on and try out for a travel team, The Boy and The Princess are deciding trying out for travel or playing rec another year - but that will mean we may be going in multiple directions.  That's a reality we knew was coming and a step we know the kids are ready to take but it will be different for sure.  I am thankful we had these years of soccer Saturdays together.  

*Nothing is ever really lost to us as long we remember it. - L. M. Montgomery*

P365 - 2013 - Day 137 - so pretty

P365 - 2013 - Day 137 - so pretty

In the midst of packing boxes and an unwanted sickness, a pretty flower from a Mother's Day plant  bloomed. :-)  So pretty.  

 *I must have flowers, always and always. - Claude Monet*

P365 - 2013 - Day 136 - Grrrr

P365 - 2013 - Day 136 - Grrrr

It started as a nagging cough and eventually I was throwing up!  I missed The Bear and The Princess' soccer game which I hate to do and by the time they came home I was cold and hot and achy all over with a fever!  Grrrr

*Be not sick too late, nor well too soon. - Benjamin Franklin*

P365 - 2013 - Day 135 - already up

P365 - 2013 - Day 135 - already up

When I came downstairs this morning to take out and feed the dog, The Boy was already up reading the book he bought at the book fair yesterday.  He didn't want to put it down last night and got up, made his bed, got dressed and came right down to start reading again.  He actually finished it before breakfast.  What is this great piece of literature you ask? Super Diaper Baby 2.  They can't all be award winners...but he still has his nose in a book.  

"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them. - Lemony Snicket*

P365 - 2013 - Day 134 - an unfortunate accident...

P365 - 2013 - Day 134 - an unfortunate accident...

When The Princess came home today, I had to break the news to her that he princess toy suffered an unfortunate accident today.  The Pooch can not resist The Princess' room or her toys.  As it turned out her door wasn't closed all the way and it would appear that the Pooch got in.  After biting off he one arm, he left her in my room (clearly trying to set me up to take the fall...)  The Princess was not too happy when she heard this...their were some tears...and then she decided to make lemonade out of this lemon.  Now this princess is rocking a purple arm cast and The Princess is happy again.  (but she's not talking to The Pooch right now - punishment enough for him.)  I warned him about messing with The Princess....

*Things turn out the best for people who make the best of how things turn out. - John Wooden*

P365 - 2013 - Day 133 - will work for...

P365 - 2013 - Day 133 - will work for...

So yesterday The Bear was telling me about a poster that he really wanted to buy at the book fair at school.  Since we are in the process of packing and moving, I suggested that maybe we pass this go 'round...The Bear wasn't havin' it though.  But he is a clever boy who knows how to get to his Mommy.  He knows that begging is pretty much a direct way to a "No".  So he set about doing things around the house last night including, but not limited to, folding the basket of socks and underwear.  He even put them all away.  It turns out he will work for sports posters.  Smart boy that one.... ;-)

*When you know better, you do better. - Maya Angelou*

P365 - 2013 - Day 132 - Mother's Day

P365 - 2013 - Day 132 - Mother's Day

I am so lucky to have these three call me Mommy.. (the furry one doesn't speak...but he's my baby too ;-)  These three incredible people gave me the honor of my title but I am able to be the mother that I am today because of the mother I was lucky enough to have..... xo Happy Mother's Day.

*Mother's hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 131 - I could not have done this better myself

P365 - 2013 - Day 131 - I could not have done this better myself

While My Wonderful Husband was fulfilling his graduation responsibility and The Princess was playing with friends, the boys and I were hard at work.  I have been packing, purging, and organizing in preparation for our upcoming move.  It has gotten to the point in time when I need to do something about the kids' rooms... I told the boys that we were starting with the Legos because I knew that was going to be a big job.  The Bear and The Boy went right to work and after a couple of hours we had all of the sets taken apart, organized in individual labeled bags and in bins.  Anyone that knows me will understand me when I say that I could not have been prouder of my boys and there is no doubt in my mind that my blood runs through their veins.  (wipes tear) I could not have done this better myself.  (and it was even more rewarding that I, in fact, did not have to do this myself) Thank you boys! Job well done!

*A place for everything and everything in it's place. - Ben Franklin*

P365 - 2013 - Day 130 - Chuckle

P365 - 2013 - Day 130 - Chuckle

My Wonderful Husband and I were strolling down memory lane tonight talking about our favorite childhood shows.  We were both fans of Woody Woodpecker and thought that the kids would enjoy it too.  What better way to use My Wonderful Husband's new iPad from work than to you tube good ole' Woody Woodpecker?  They got a good chuckle... SpongeBob doesn't have anything on Woody.... ;-)

*There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor. - Charles Dickens*

P365 - 2013 - Day 129 - May Flashback 2005

P365 - 2013 - Day 129 - May Flashback 2005

 This May Flashback from 2005 melts my heart - then and now.  Like many parents, when they find out they are expecting another child, I worried about how our twins were going to handle the arrival of a new baby brother.  They were not quite 2 1/2 at the time and it was hard to really know how prepared they were, what they understood, and how it would change the existing dynamic in our family.  But my concerns were unfounded.  From the moment that we brought The Boy home he was part of our family - everyone's baby.  The Bear and The Princess were over the moon excited to have a baby brother.  They were loving and kind, patient and helpful and so very excited to hold "their baby".  Today it feels like these three have always been together.  xo

*You are born into your family and your family is born into you.  No returns.  No exchanges.  - Elizabeth Berg*

P365 - 2013 - Day 128 - Magical Birthday

P365 - 2013 - Day 128 - Magical Birthday

Today was a "magical birthday" for The Boy.  He turned 8 years old on the 8th - which according to The Boy brings with it magical qualities.  I think eight will certainly be great!    It is hard to believe that our "littlest Leonard" is getting so big... no longer a baby but an 8 year old big kid.  His arrival 8 years ago completed our family of five and he has made things fun and interesting ever since.  He is passionate and determined - curious and excited - silly and lovable.  There is never a dull moment when he is around and My Wonderful Husband and I have enjoyed watching him grow from a little peanut who loved to hang out in his bathrobe and watch The Fresh Beat Band... to this cool kid whose interests range from sports to legos.  Happy Birthday!!!  We love you "to pizza"!!  xoxo

*And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.  Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. - Roald Dahl*

P365 - 2013 - Day 127 - fast

P365 - 2013 - Day 127 - fast

According to The Boy tomorrow is a "magical birthday" because he will turn 8 on the 8th.  Hopefully some cool skateboard cupcakes for school can add to that magical day.  I can hardly believe that my baby - "the littlest Leonard" - is going to be 8 years old tomorrow!  I just don't know where the time goes but it sure goes fast - as fast as an 8 year old on a skateboard....

*There was a star danced, and under that I was born. - William Shakespeare*

P365 - 2013 - Day 126 - I left my heart and my furniture...

P365 - 2013 - Day 126 - I left my heart and my furniture...

This was a big weekend.  We loaded the first truck to begin the move.  We got there late Saturday night and spent yesterday unloading and setting up.  Today we spent the morning returning the truck and spreading stones in the yard.  We got all of the outside furniture set up and the end result was that the house really started looking like home.  Unfortunately, we still have 24 more days of school and the rest of the house to pack and move so we had to head back to PA tonight.  I took one last look on the way out the door and snapped a picture...I left my heart and my furniture in NJ. 

*...this wave is stringing us along 

just know you're not alone

cause I'm going to make this place your home. 

- Phillip Phillips*

P365 - 2013 - Day 125 - Work and Play

P365 - 2013 - Day 125 - Work and Play

A pretty serious 2 on 2 basketball game was going on today after some hard work unloading the truck.  Thank you to our friends, Stacey and Dale, for coming out to work and play today! :-)) 

*I can no other answer make, but, thanks and thanks.  William Shakespeare*

P365 - 2013 - Day 124 - Thanks Coach :-)

P365 - 2013 - Day 124 - Thanks Coach :-)

It's that time of year again...the end of the Spring semester.  This "coach" is spread a little thin with grading and other work demands but that has never stopped him from coaching his kids' teams.  Add moving to that this year and you might have some indication of how exhausted he has been lately.  This Saturday was a long day - two awesome soccer games followed by packing a truck and a car and driving 4 hours....  I was telling The Princess that Daddy had a lot to do and he was a little tired and she said - "that's because he is a great Daddy."  I couldn't have said it better myself.  I hope he knows we appreciate him and all that he does!  Thanks Coach:-)

*As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  - John F. Kennedy*

P365 - 2013 - Day 123 - My Boys

P365 - 2013 - Day 123 - My Boys

There they are - my boys.  They bond over sports - watching sports, talking about sports, playing sports.  It is a shared passion and as you can plainly see they are cut from the same cloth.  Love my boys!

*My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it. - Clarence Budington Kelland*

P365 - 2013 - Day 122 - I have a system

P365 - 2013 - Day 122 - I have a system

My Wonderful Husband and I were married in 1997.  In the first 7 years we were married, we moved 5 times, lived in 3 states, rented twice, bought 3 houses, sold 2 houses, oh yeah and had 3 kids.  It was a busy 7 years.  But for the past 9 years we have lived in this house - so needless to say this move might be strategically a bit more challenging with all of the "things" a family of five accumulates in 9 years.  But I have confidence in myself.  I packed and moved once with twins that were 6 months old only to turn around and pack and move again when they were 16 months old.  I also packed my dad's house when he moved and managed to unpack and get him set up in his house in about 3 days.  I have a system.  I make lists.  I label like nobody's business.  I can do this.  This is the mantra that I have been chanting in my head since I started the Herculean task of packing up this house for our move.  I started with the things to sell or donate and then moved on to the packing.  I have gotten the dining room completed and the nonessential kitchen stuff started.  The first truck goes this weekend and I am excited to see some progress on our new adventure.   

*Yard by yard life is hard.  Inch by inch life's a cinch. - Unknown*

P365 - 2013 - Day 121 - Wednesday afternoon

P365 - 2013 - Day 121 - Wednesday afternoon

While the second graders were engaged in a Disney version of a Stars Wars battle, the fourth graders were competing in a hula hoop contest.  The possibilities are endless on a Wednesday afternoon!  

*Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.  But for children play is serious learning.  Play is really the work of childhood.  -Fred Rogers*