P365 - 2014 - Day 273 - the mums arrived

P365 - 2014 - Day 273 - the mums arrived

The mums arrived today from The Princess' fundraiser.  You know what I didn't take into consideration?  How many mums we sold, the size of my car, and the two extra bodies that were supposed to be in the car with me.  Oopps.  So after three trips back and forth (so actually 6 times over the bridge), I managed to get all of these beauties delivered and get back in time to get the kids from the park.  Looking forward to putting mine out on the porch tomorrow.  Happy Fall. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 272 - apple central

P365 - 2014 - Day 272 - apple central

I am co-chairing the Teacher Appreciation committee this year and tonight my co-chair and I got together to assembly these adorable "back to school" gifts for teachers.   It was apple central on my kitchen island today while my co-chair and I got to know each other, chatted, and assembled.  I am looking forward to a great year!!  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 271 - proudly wore the armband

P365 - 2014 - Day 271 - proudly wore the armband

Each week on The Boy's team, two players are chosen to be "captains" based on their performance in practices all week.  The Boy has been working toward this since he learned about it preseason.  This week, he was hopeful that he would be chosen and he was.  Do you see the pride in his face?  He proudly wore the armband as he and his team won 4-1 today.  It was a day of wins for The Leonard kids....on two other fields in two other towns, The Bear and his team won 6-0 and The Princess and her team won 2-0.  Super proud of all three!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 270 - We "heart" the beach

P365 - 2014 - Day 270 - We "heart" the beach

The calendar and the almanac may say it's Fall, but the weather said summer.  It was a beautiful Saturday!  Before heading off the island for The Bear's State Cup game, we hit the beach for some sand, sand and surf.  The Princess and her friend borrowed my phone to take some photos and I though this one said it all.  We "heart" the beach.

P365 - 2014 -Day 269 - lunch date day

P365 - 2014 - Day 269 - lunch date day

Fridays are lunch date day with My Wonderful Husband.  I love our lunches together for the time to sit and chat and catch up and for the yummy food we try each week.  Last week was tacos from El Swell and this week we finally used a gift card he got from his girls' team and had a delicious lunch at Mud City Crabhouse.  We figure with our "leftover" gift card we will be regulars there for a few Fridays.

P365 - 2014 - Day 268 - fitting

P365 - 2014 - Day 268 - fitting

We finally hung the ship's wheel that we painted for above our bed.  The next step is to paint the cardinal directions on the wall.  I recently got a compass Alex and Ani bracelet and this was the explanation:
An instrumental aid, a compass provides guidance and navigation through life's unexpected twists and turns. Each cardinal direction has a significant meaning. North represents home and infinite possibility. South embodies passion and the present. East signifies new beginnings and the future. West symbolizes emotion and new beginnings. Wear the Compass Charm to guide you in the right direction.
I thought that was a fitting  thing to hang over our heads and our hearts. :-)  

P365 - 2014 - Day 267 - "virtually" with us

P365 - 2014 - Day 267 - "virtually" with us

Do you remember a few years ago when I was "jumping into technology"... I started this blog, we started using skype, etc....  It is hard to believe how quickly things have advanced since then both in the world and in our house.  While I was driving The Bear and his friend home from soccer practice last night The Princess and The Boy were "virtually" with us in the car through Facetime.  I couldn't help but be struck by the strangeness of this "normal" event.   When we got back home, I found these pictures on my phone....because Facetiming in the backseat of my car was not enough, The Bear needed to take screen shots of everyone as well.  Including The Pooch.  What an odd world we live in, no? :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 266 - "home made Halloween"

P365 - 2014 - Day 266 - "home made Halloween"

What would September in my blog be without a "pre- Halloween" costume post?  In this house conversations about Halloween costumes begin roughly around November 1st.  Nothing is ever set in stone mind you... the kids change their minds multiple times through the year but at any given moment you might hear someone say "Oh that would make a great Halloween costume!"  I take full responsibility for this crazy obsession.  I enjoy Halloween.  I enjoy making costumes.  Yes, making costumes.  No offense to people who go to a store and buy a costume - some of those costumes are amazing - some not so much.  But to me, Halloween is a time to flex my creative muscles.  I have explained over the years that I didn't pay close enough attention when my mom tried to teach me to sew.  So my costumes are not the hand sewn masterpieces of my mother's.  But I have my own strengths in the costume department that I have explained and shown over the years - duct tape, velcro, hot glue, scraps of fabric... if it's in the house it's far game.  But this year it seems that the torch has been passed slightly.  The Bear came home from school with an "Epic" Halloween costume idea that he came up with on his own.  He then designed it and even wrote a story to go with it.  Yes, he did.  Then he spent the afternoon coming up with ways to make it.  And my heart smiled.  In this world of prepackaged everything, store bought you name it, and easy fast ordering there is still room for some "home made Halloween".  I can't give any more of this epic idea away...but I will share this sketch that The Bear made..... and then you will just have to wait for Halloween to see the finished product. ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 265 - "bus stop soccer"

P365 - 2014 - Day 265 - "bus stop soccer"

Monday morning started with a quick round of "bus stop soccer".  As far as Mondays go, it wasn't so bad... everyone did everything they needed to do and managed to get outside before the bus with enough time to kick the ball around.  And they all remembered a sweatshirt for the cool September air.  I call that a banner Monday morning.

P365 - 2014- Day 264 - See ya next year Skipper!

P365 - 2014 - Day 264 - See ya next year Skipper!

Say it ain't so... summer really is ending.  After a day of soccer games in the beautiful sunshine - with a win for The Bear and The Boy's teams and a tie for The Princess' team - we ended the day saying goodbye to Skipper Dipper.  Once again, we closed the place.....in the final moments of the season, we enjoyed one last ice cream and even brought home some sprinkles to remind us of summer all winter long....  See ya next year Skipper!  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 263 - "summer" day

P365 - 2014 - Day 263 - "summer" day

It was a beautiful "summer" day in September.  The Bear's soccer team had a State Cup game.  After a great win, we went swimming at a friend's house to end the day.  We are soaking up every bit of warm weather that Mother Nature has to offer... because before long we will be back in the throes of winter.

P365 - 2014 - Day 262 - Surf happy

P365 - 2014 - Day 262 -  Surf happy

Look whose new surfboard came in today....  He's like a kid on Christmas morning.  Just for the record, I helped design the color of this one.  That's right.  I can even decorate surfboards. ;-)  Surf happy honey!  Love you! xo

P365 - 2014- Day 261 -living on an island

P365 - 2014 - Day 261 - living in an island

Today I was reminded once again of why this was a great move and why I love living on an island....  The Bear and The Princess' 6th grade classes took their Science classes outside to the bay for some seining today and My Wonderful Husband and I got to be there!!  How cool is it that the kids got to leave the classroom and make the few blocks trek over to the bay to take a closer look at sea life?  How cool is it that we got to go help out?  The kids had so much fun discovering all of the sea life in he net and I was just happy to be able to be there.

P365 - 2014 - Day 260 - Memory

P365 - 2014 - Day 260 - Memory

I am not going to lie, I was a master at playing Memory.  The stories of my amazing memory were legendary... ok maybe only in my own head, but still I was pretty good at this childhood game.  So yesterday when The Boy had to make a spelling Memory game and play it with someone I was pleased to see him beat his Daddy with much of the same legendary memory skills I was "famous" for.  It was a proud moment.  Then I went and made it a throw down.... and challenged my 4th grader to play the master.  I might have problem.... ;-)  But hey, he's learning his spelling words so how bad can it be? ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 259 - this is where you can see him

P365 - 2014 - Day 259 - this is where you can see him

The Pooch is slowly getting used to his kids being gone all day.  There is only so much tail chasing and napping one can do all day......  He knows their schedule pretty well and listens for the bus in the afternoon.  When I head out to the bus stop, this is where you can see him.  Nose to the screen, craning his neck to see his kids get off the bus.

P365 - 2014- Day 258 - wall of fame

P365 - 2014 - Day 258 - wall of fame

The refrigerator wall of fame is back.  This year we are highlighting a paper a week... a good grade, a writing they are proud of, a special art work....  So much to choose from with three smart and talented kids.  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 257 - 7, 5, and 18

P365 - 2014 - Day 257 - 7, 5, and 18

Another soccer season is upon us...three kids, three teams, three bags.... and we are off!  Wishing our  numbers 7, 5, and 18 a great season!! xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 256 - Thank you for sharing your special day with us

P365 - 2014 - Day 255 - Thank you for sharing your special day with us

Time sure does fly.... We went to our nephew's wedding and family that we don't get to see very often marveled at how big the kids are getting.  As for me and My Wonderful Husband, we still can't believe that our ring bearer is now a married man!!!  Thank you for sharing your special day with us Will and Elena and best wishes for a lifetime of love, laughter, health, and happiness. xo

P365 - 2014- Day 255 - you might not miss me

P365 - 2014 - Day 255 - you might not miss me

With just a few weeks and only two more long runs left until my big race day, time is running out for me to get new running sneakers.  I found a pair that I want but couldn't decide on the color... there is a cool pink pair that all three kids agreed was probably the most "me" but these yellow ones were a crowd favorite that I am seriously considering....  If I go with these, you might not miss me running the 18 mile race....

P365 - 2014 - Day 254 - no going back now

P365 - 2014 - Day 254 - no going back now

I finally did it!  I filled out the registration form for the LBI 18 mile and put it in the mail.  No going back now..... in a few weeks I will be running this island.  The kids all have soccer tournaments and My Wonderful Husband will be with them, so I am in the market for some cheerleaders.  If you are around Long Beach Blvd on Oct 12th... come cheer for me:-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 253 - ball runners

P365 - 2014 - Day 253 - ball runners

The Bear's soccer team had an opportunity to be ball runners at the Southern Regional High School boys soccer game for Senior Night.  It was a fun night!

P365 - 2014 - Day 252 - juggling

P365 - 2014- Day 252 - juggling

I spent my Tuesday evening juggling soccer practices and Open House at school and ended my evening sitting here looking out on the fields over my steering wheel while dialing in to a business call.  That is what I call a productive day. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 251 - "ber" at the end of it

P365 - 2014 - Day 251 - "ber" at the end of it

The air got chilly today and the calendar month has "ber" at the end of it....so after my 12 mile run this morning I set to working decorating the house for Fall.  This Summer girl was actually pretty happy to pretty up the house for Fall.  I realized that I hadn't seen these decorations in 2 years.  I didn't decorate last year because of construction and not living in the house for most of the fall and I didn't decorate the year before because we were planning a move and frankly I was unmotivated.  If you are doing the math, that is Fall 2012 that I last saw these decorations.  I was pretty happy this afternoon to see the house all ready for Fall.  Check me out finding the positive in a season besides summer... :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 250 - Chegg

P365 - 2014 - Day 250 - Chegg

After the official start of the Fall soccer season, we went to dinner at the Chegg.  We didn't fight the crowds this summer and I hadn't been there at all this season... that is practically a crime.  It was a yummy meal and nice time together on a Sunday night.

P365 - 2014 - Day 249 - S'mores

P365 - 2014 - Day 249 - S'mores

It may have been a hot one today... but when the storm passed over us we decided to light a fire in the newly finished fire pit and make some s'mores.  Because...well...just because. Who doesn't like s'mores and a fire?

P365 - 2014 - Day 248 - lick the bowl

P365 - 2014 - Day 248 - lick the bowl

So there is an expression around here (and probably most shore towns) in the post Labor Day weeks.... "Locals' Summer".  The crowds are gone (friends are not counted in this by the way....so don't worry we still miss all of you;-)), the traffic has subsided, no one is setting up their beach "village" 16 inches from my chair, and the weather is still beautiful.  Today was a beautiful "Locals' Summer" day on the beach.  The kids had another half day of school, My Wonderful Husband was home and done with lessons, so we grabbed towels, chairs and surf boards and walked up to the beach.   I love summer - that is a fact....but this time of year - it's like we're cheating...like we're licking the cookie dough bowl when no one is looking...like we're getting some extra secret special treat....this was one of the reasons we moved here...so we could lick the bowl.

P365 - 2014 - Day 247 - check

P365 - 2014 - Day 247 - check

New computer.... check (although the jury is still out on whether or not I like this Chrome book)
New calendar...check
New notebook...check
New pens... check
Getting myself organized to take my business to the next level....CHECK!  :-)

P365 - 2014- Day 246 - best year ever

P365 - 2014 - Day 246 - best year ever

Another first day of school is here.... The Bear and The Princess are in 6th grade, their last year at LBI grade school and The Boy is in 4th grade.  Super proud of this trio and wishing them the best year ever!!  xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 245 - freeze this moment

P365 - 2014 - Day 245 - freeze this moment

I was driving The Boy home from soccer practice and I looked over at him....and it hit me.  He is starting 4th grade!  How did this happen?  When did this happen?  I remember preschool orientation and the nervous look on his face.....preschool graduation when he cried after saying goodbye to his teacher....kindergarten, reading the same books over and over, his first time on a soccer field....oh my where does the time go? I realize he isn't off to college yet but 4th grade?  That's awfully big for my baby.  This will be the school year he turns double digits for heaven's sake!  So when we reached a red light, I snapped this photo... because he is about to start 4th grade... and when I blink he may be heading to college so I want to freeze this moment.  This cheesy grin, those gorgeous blue eyes, and that floppy hair (that was actually just cut).  Slow down please... I am not ready for you to head off to college just yet... ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 244 - "last day"

P365 - 2014 - Day 244 - "last day"

I feel like Summer just started and here it is the "last day".  Now don't get me wrong, we will be back up at the beach on Wednesday after school and before soccer practices.... but the days of slow starts, jammies and tv, lunch at home and afternoons at the beach with friends are done for this year.  We made the best of this "last day"....tomorrow My Wonderful Husband goes back to work, the kids have hair cuts, we need to do some last minute prep for school, and there are practices tomorrow night... so today we basked in the sun.  Today we went to the beach as a family since MyWonderful Husband only had lessons this morning.  Today the kids surfed...and skimmed...and swam...like so many days before this one.  But as we basked, surfed, skimmed, swam....we knew.  We knew that the time is ticking.... Summer 2014 was wonderful, but it's moments are numbered.  I am glad that we spent the last moments together enjoying everything that summer has to offer....a beautiful day at the beach and dinner out.  I am never ready for summer to end.  I live for the warm, sunny days spent on the beach...I dread the winter with it's cold, snow, and ice.  But more than the beautiful weather, I will miss this summer because it is another year gone...another stage passed...another season a memory...  Goodbye Summer 2014...xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 243 - "beach moms"

P365 - 2014 - Day 243 - "beach moms"

I am so lucky to have such awesome friends and fellow "beach moms" to share my summer with. Days spent with our feet in the sand watching our kids play and laughing together.  I am not sure where our summer has gone.  As we sadly say goodbye to the moms of summer that we don't get to see during the year...it's not really goodbye - It's Until Next Summer!  xo Love you ladies!

P365 - 2014 - Day 242 - words

P365 - 2014 - Day 242 - words

Sometimes the words are the picture and the blog..... I am proud of my strength.

P365 - 2014 - Day 241 - Watch out world!!!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 241 - Watch out world!!!!!

Their safety patrol letters and contracts came in the mail today.  We had a conversation about organization, responsibility, and leadership.  They talked excitedly about their goals for their 6th grade year and my heart swelled with pride.  Watch out world!!!!  I see big things in their future! xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 240 - final cooler

P365 - 2014 - Day 240 - final cooler

At the end of The Bear's practice tonight his coach participated in the ALS Ice Bucket challenge by having each of the players dump a cooler of ice water on him.  The team needed a few hands to lift this final cooler....  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 239 - nostalgia

P365 - 2014 -Day 239 - nostalgia

The summer is winding down, the school supplies have been purchased, and I am falling into my back to school nostalgia.  It seems like just yesterday that these two were sitting on this beach as soon to be Kindergarten students.  Here they are now ready to enter 6th grade!!  Their last year in elementary school.  Where does the time go?  I am so proud of their accomplishments and hard work and look forward to watching all that comes next for them.  For now I am happy to just watch them on the beach......

P365 - 2014 - Day 238 - Happy National Dog Day

P365 - 2014 - Day 238 - Happy National Dog Day

They say every dog has his day.... I say every day is this dog's day....  But as it turns out there is a national day for dogs.  Who knew?  So that being said, Happy National Dog Day to the furry member of our family.  You bark a lot and jump on guests and are often under foot.... but we love you and wouldn't trade you for anything.

P365 - 2014 - Day 237 - first scrimmage

P365 - 2014 - Day 237 - first scrimmage

The Boy had his first scrimmage of the fall soccer season.  Number 18 was on fire.. gone are the days are of a tentative boy on the pitch.  If you wanted to get to that ball you were going to have to go through him....and good luck with that.  Here's to a great season!!  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 236 - This little guy

P365 - 2014 - Day 236 - This little guy

This little guy interrupted a moment.....  My Wonderful Husband and I had celebrated our 17 year anniversary a night earlier but on this our actually anniversary we took the kids for some ice cream and came home to manage a quiet moment in the backyard.  With three kids and a busy life conversations are sometimes hard to come by and often difficult to complete.  So as we "hid" in the yard for a little quiet time together, it turned out that there was another culprit bound to interrupt our conversation... and ice cream.  When we felt a "shower" of pine cone bits rain down on us, we looked up to see this squirrel sitting in the tree above us feasting on pinecones and dropping all of the leftovers down.  As we looked up and found him, the final piece went right in My Wonderful Husband's ice cream dish.  I guess 17 years is pinecones right?  That must be good luck! ;-)