P365 - 2014 - Day 59 - Read Across America

P365 - 2014 - Day 59 - Read Across America

Way back when The Bear and The Princess were in kindergarten and The Boy was just 3 years old, I made them these costumes for Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Today, was Read Across America at the kids' school and the three of them asked me if they could go dressed again.  Why, of course!  I was lucky enough to be able to volunteer today at their school for the Read Across America program.  It was a lot of fun - it was so nice to see a school plan such a great program with teachers, students and parents alike joining in the fun!  I am so glad I was there and so glad that my Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 had a fun day! Happy Read Across America Day and Happy (early) Birthday to Dr. Seuss!

P365 - 2014 - Day 58 - Happy

P365 - 2014 - Day 58 -  Happy

We were off to get new cleats and some blue hair dye for tomorrow (you will have to wait and see what that is for) and the song "Happy" came on the radio.  The volume went up and the whole car was singing along.  These are the moments that really make ME happy. xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 57 - study group

P365 - 2014 - Day 57 - study group

The Boy has a social studies test the end of this week and we have been studying.  I made him note cards that we have been using and when My Wonderful Husband came home he joined the study group.  Go ahead - ask me about the early settlers in New Jersey, The Walking Purchase, The Delaware, and the Quakers .  I got this.  Hopefully, so does The Boy. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 56 - fort making contest

P365 - 2014 - Day 56 - fort making contest

It was an early dismissal day and while The Bear went to play at a friend's house, The Boy and The Princess had their friends here.  After some deliberation about "what to do", they began a fort making contest.  I knew those piles of blankets and comforters I have would come in handy some day.

P365 - 2014 - Day 55 - any day now

P365 - 2014 - Day 55 - any day now

Here is he, watch dog of the year.  Do you see the look of fear in his eyes?  The jittery look on his face?  Perhaps a bit of annoyance too since in his time of panic I was snapping a camera in his face?  This is what my 70ish pound "watch dog" looked like at 10 pm when something (likely the voices in head) spooked him and he in turn started to scare the bejeebers out of me.  It started with his ears going up at every single "sound", then he started staring out the front and back doors.   Then came the growling and barking and running from the front of the house to the back.  I took him seriously at first, checked around, turned on the back light...but there was nothing there.  He hid behind me as I checked around.  You know, like all good watch dogs will do.  He will be getting his medal of honor any day now.

P365 - 2014 - Day 54 - "command central"

P365 - 2014 - Day 54 - "command central"

I have been staring at this spot in the kitchen for weeks now trying to figure out the best way to set it up.  Remember - this is like a sport for me... I walk around the house holding things up trying to decide where to hang them, I draw diagrams (yes, I really do), and stare at walls sometimes picturing how something will look.  After all that - I came up with a "command central" that I really like.

P365 - 2014 - Day 53 - It was a big day!

P365 - 2014 - Day 53 - It was a big day!

It was a big day!  While I was at a baby shower for my cousin, the kids were playing their last basketball games of the season.  The Boy's team had their first win and the crowd erupted in applause at the end...these kids were so happy!  The Boy scored 8 of the 10 points in the game and all of the kids played their hearts out!!!  The Bear and The Princess won the championship after a close game.  Both teams played with all of their hearts!!  I was sad to miss their big games, but happy to be able to be there for my cousin's shower.  She looked beautiful and I can not wait to meet her new baby when he or she (ahem - she) arrives!  I came home to three happy and exhausted kids who were thrilled to show me their trophies - it was a great season playing St Francis basketball!

P365 - 2014- Day 52 - The Pooch's table

P365 - 2014 - Day 52 - The Pooch's table

I am still working my way through our stuff, moving things around and trying to find the best place for things.  This is like an olympic sport for me.  I like decorating and I love to find new uses for things.  Case in point - this table set up.  This table has lived a couple of lives since I found it in a second hand store a couple of years ago... it's newest incarnation is The Pooch's table.  I really hate the dog dish just being out in the open where you can knock it when you walk past.....so I thought this table made a perfect barrier for it and also blocked it from plain sight which is good too.... Then I repurposed these canisters that I rarely use but like to keep around because I remember them in my parent's kitchen once upon a time.... So now these canisters hold dog food, treats, and bags and make the perfect addition to The Pooch's table.  Add a little bit of my kitchen decor and we are set.  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 51 - They're going to the Championship!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 51 - They're going to the Championship!!

They're going to the Championship!!  The Bear and The Princess' team won their playoff game today.  They are ranked first in the league and they will meet the second ranked team Saturday for a championship game. No matter what happens, this basketball season was a lot of fun!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 50 - For the record

P365 - 2014 - Day 50 - For the record

For some reason, those of us with straight hair are always trying to have curls... I have spent the better part of my life trying to fight the fact that I have poker straight hair.  I have only recently started to embrace my straight hair and accept it for what it is.  But a new generation of straight hair in this house is constantly being twisted and braided and curled and rolled.  The Princess has embarked on the same quest that I recently abandoned.  She wants curls.  But nature has other plans.  We found a cool new technique on Pinterest (because even though I have given up the quest, I understand the need to go on this journey, I have been there, and I have directions...) so we tried and this was how she went to bed in hopes of waking up looking like the model in the Pinterest pin (who probably had naturally curly hair - when will I learn?)  Do I need to tell anyone with straight hair how this worked out?  Probably not.  For the record, I think my daughter has the MOST beautiful, straight, shiny, brown hair and I hope someday she abandons this quest and embraces her hair as it is.

P365 - 2014 - Day 49 - the strangest thing

P365 - 2014 - Day 49 - the strangest thing

The strangest thing has been happening.  There is a light inside this hutch that is turned on by tapping the hinge on the door.  I rarely use this light.  But for some reason the past week, this light has been turning on.  By itself.  As far as I can tell.  The first time it happened, I thought maybe someone brushed past it or the vibration of a truck passing on the boulevard turned it on.  But then it kept happening.  At least once a day, this light turns on by itself.  I am pretty sure there is a logical explanation...I just don't know what that is.  Or maybe there is no logical explanation and someone just wants to shed a little light... who knows?

P365 - 2014 - Day 48 - winter olympics

P365 - 2014 - Day 48 - winter olympics

The Boy has been faithfully watching the winter olympics and he is hooked....  He and his brother and sister spent yesterday planning different olympic events that they could do outside.  They used a nerf gun for their version of the biatholon and these two wiffle bats were perfect for cross country skiing.  He couldn't wait to get back outside today after school - we had no practices and the weather was actually pretty decent.  I ran out to catch a picture of the cross country skier in action.

P365 - 2014 - Day 47 - shopping

P365 - 2014 - Day 47 - shopping

My friend and I got together for some shopping and lunch.  We chatted and laughed and it was so great have some time to just spend with my friend.  We need to do this more often. 

P365 - 2014 - Day 46 - the movies

P365 - 2014 - Day 46 - the movies

After a morning of basketball games, we decided to take a family trip to the movies to see The Lego Movie. I think My Wonderful Husband and I may have laughed harder than the kids...this movie was awesome! Everything is awesome... :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 45 - 20 years

P365 - 2014 - Day 45 - 20 years

I am such a lucky girl to have this guy as my Valentine for 20 years.  He is my best friend and the best Daddy in the world to our kids.   I love him more with each passing year... Here's to 20 more Valentine days and 20 more after that... xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 44 - The Three Amigos! guest blogger The Princess

P365 - 2014 - Day 44 -  The Three Amigos!  guest blogger The Princess

 As you have noticed my brothers and I have not been in very many pictures lately. So,I decided why not take a picture of The Boy, The Bear, and me together! I really love this picture because there is nothing  in the world that I love more than my brothers. We may act like we hate each other, but deep down inside, and I mean right in the center of our hearts lay beautiful memories of us together having the time of our lives. Yes, we have had our ups and downs, but this picture is just one more image and memory to add to the collection!! :)

     

P365 - 2014 - Day 43 -Darn you Pinterest

P365 - 2014 - Day 43 - Darn you Pinterest

I am not sure how I get myself into these things... ok maybe I know... Darn you Pinterest and your ridiculously cute Valentine's ideas.  The kids and I started assembling the "minions" and they really are one in a minion... so stinkin' cute.  

P365 - 2014 - Day 42 - His meal

P365 - 2014 - Day 42 - His meal

Tonight, The Boy was on dinner duty.  His meal tonight was chicken pot pie and it was yummy. The kids and I have decided to compile a cookbook of each of the meals that they help make.  This is shaping up to be a new project. :-)   How many meals can we add to their cookbook this year?

P365 - 2014 - Day 41- For just a little while

P365 -2014- Day 41 - For just a little while

For just a little while, I put my feet up.... the kids were in bed, lunches were made, everything was cleaned up and put away, and I sat down with feet up and flipped on the tv.  Just for a little while though...because it's only Monday and if I am going to make it through the rest of this week I am going to need my rest.

P365 - 2014 - Day 40 - Blech!

P365 - 2014 - Day 40 - Blech!

Blech!  When I looked outside, not only did I see the flakes starting to fall again...they were already sticking too.  Enough already!!  I am tired of this white stuff, cold temperatures, and slippery walkways.  I am over this winter.

P365 - 2014 - Day 39 - The Bear's turn

P365 - 2014 - Day 39 - The Bear's turn

It was The Bear's turn to make dinner.  With a little assistance he made chicken cutlets, rice, and corn and was pretty proud of his finished product.  It was delicious!

P365 - 2014 - Day 38 - through the lens of my camera

P365 - 2014 - Day 38 - through the lens of my camera

The sun was actually shining, it wasn't snowing or raining and there was no ice on the road.  I can't think of a better way to wake up on a Friday morning.  On the way out to the bus stop, the kids and My Wonderful Husband stopped for an impromptu basketball game and for that moment in time I was almost able to forget that we are still trapped in a winter loop that keeps sending ceaseless cold temperatures and awful weather.  For just this moment in time, it almost looked like spring...at least through the lens of my camera.

P365 - 2014 - Day 37 - gadgets and gizmos

P365 - 2014 - Day 37 - gadgets and gizmos

I can tell you this - The Pooch was not nearly as excited about this new vacuum as I was.  To him, it was a scary new addition to our home - he was lurking around while My Wonderful Husband assembled it being careful to not get too close...  I, on the other hand, was thrilled.  I don't know when this happened to me - but things like new vacuums are high on my list of exciting things these days.  In the words of my favorite mermaid, this thing has gadgets and gizmos a plenty....  and it keeps The Pooch at bay while I clean - he'll take on a swiffer, but he isn't brave enough to take on a vacuum. ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 36 - our master bathroom

P365 - 2014 - Day 36 - our master bathroom

A month ago, our bathroom vanity was suppose to go in, but it turned out that the actual space was smaller than originally planned on the blue prints.  You know - those pesky things I brought with me to the supply store when I ordered the vanity - in OCTOBER.  But I digress.  When the original vanity didn't fit, the only solution was to order a smaller one and wait for it to come in.  A month later, it is finally here.  The counter was finally installed, the holes for the faucet were eventually drilled, and the plumber hooked everything up. With a few finishing touches left to do, our master bathroom will soon be complete.

P365 - 2014 - Day 35 - her first meal

P365 - 2014 - Day 35 - her first meal

I have been trying to teach the kids to cook for awhile now - a little here and there.... My goal is that they each know how to make a few of our family "go to" meals.  Tonight, The Princess made her first meal with some direction but very little assistance.  She made meatloaf, biscuits, salad, and corn.  It was delicious!

P365 - 2014 - Day 34 - make our house a home

P365 - 2014 - Day 34 - make our house a home

Slowly but surely, I am unpacking all the "things" that make our house a home.  I haven't seen some of these things in close to a year when I started the gigantic job of packing our house in PA.  So, while there have been some set backs this past week with a leaky roof, I have smiled while opening up some of these boxes and sighed as I put all of our pieces back together.

P365 - 2014 - Day 33 - A Superbowl Feast

P365 - 2014 - Day 33- A Superbowl Feast

We spent the day unpacking, moving furniture, and cooking.  I put on a pot of my favorite chili, made some chicken fingers that the kids requested, and whipped up some sausage and peppers.  The kids came home this afternoon from their sleep overs and we all decided to just get early showers, get in jammies, and have a Superbowl feast.  Happy Superbowl Sunday!

P365 - 2014 - Day 32 - a date night

P365 - 2014 - Day 32 - a date night

After the kids' basketball games, they were all invited to sleep over at friends' houses, so My Wonderful Husband and I decided to use the time to get some stuff done around the house, run some errands, and have a date night.  The last one is not something we do too often, but we had a gift card to The Arlington from The Princess' soccer team and after finishing as much as we could.... we needed to eat... and well, drink. :-)  I think after the past week (and well maybe the past few months) we needed that.