P365 - 2015 - Day 365 - Happy New Year!

P365 - 2015 - Day 365 - Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe, but another year has come and gone.  2015 was a pretty eventful year for The Leonard Five.  I went back to work as a substitute teacher in January after being at home for 12 years. The Bear and The Princess graduated elementary school and began middle school.  The Boy started 5th grade as the only Leonard in the school.  There were good days and not so good days.... My Wonderful Husband's finger healed well and then The Boy broke his pinky!  There was soccer, soccer, and more soccer.. oh and basketball... There skim boarding, boogie boarding, and surfing...  There were quiet family days and days spent with friends.  The winter was brutal and the spring not much better, but summer was beautiful and we were rewarded with an amazing fall and holiday season with mild temperatures and lots of sunshine.  All three of the kids amazed us and made us proud with their many accomplishments.  My Wonderful Husband and I finally found some closure with our former contractor and we worked on completing the final details around the house.  It was a good year - we were blessed with good health and many happy days.  As I close the book of 2015, I am reminded, once again, how quickly the pages turn.  This story of ours never gets dull, has many twists and turns, and I really love the characters.  I can't wait to see what happens next.  Happy New Year! xo

P365 - 2015 - Day 364 - December dinner

P365 - 2015 - Day 364 - December dinner

What an awesome surprise - our neighbor dropped off her awesome soup and garlic knots tonight.  It was the perfect addition to a December dinner.

P365 - 2015 - Day 363 - 5 years ago

P365 - 2015 - Day 363 - 5 years ago

It is hard for me to believe that this was 5 years ago.  Hard to believe that it was only 5 years ago while at the same time it seems even longer ago.... if that makes any sense.  They were 7 (going on 8) and 5.  How is it possible that they were so little just a minute ago?  My, how they have grown.....I have to keep reminding myself that they are not these little monkeys anymore.  Two of them are fast approaching their teens and my baby is well into his first year of double digits.  But, oh how I miss these faces... I miss having them all to myself.  Because, now that they are older I feel more and more that I have to share them with the rest of the world.  Friends are starting to be chosen over family at times and while I know that is normal, it still makes me sad.  It makes me long for the days when the holiday break was spent playing with all of their new toys instead of plotting all of the things they want to do and places they want to go.   Five years ago, they were all still my babies but now with each passing day, I realize they are growing up.  With another year about to fade into the photo album of memories, I am reminded once again how quickly time does fly.  As a parent, our days with our children are some what numbered but we don't tend to realize that until the numbers get smaller and the children get bigger.... as I have said before, the days move slowly, but the years are swift.  My hope is that the memories of the days stay with us always and the next 5 years slow down just a bit....

P365 - 2015 - Day 362 - some days

P365 - 2015 - Day 362 - some days

Some days this is the only face that I get in a picture....  and what a cute face it is.   It was a long day for this guy while The Bear was at basketball practice and then we all went to The Princess' soccer tournament followed by dinner at a diner.  He waited patiently for us all to get home and as you can see he missed us.

P365 - 2015 - Day 361 - impromptu holiday get together

P365 - 2015 - Day 361 - impromptu holiday get together

We had an impromptu holiday get together with some of our beach friends.  With the warm weather and short sleeves while the kids played outside it was hard to tell if it was a holiday get together or if Spring had returned.  Either way, it was nice to see our friends and the kids had fun playing outside in the warm December air.  Merry and Happy!

P365 - 2015 - Day 360 - Happy Boxing Day!

P365 - 2015 - Day 360 - Happy Boxing Day!

It was Boxing Day and in this house that means that My Wonderful Husband has a reserved seat in front of the tv to watch soccer.  Add to that the fact that it is a Saturday and all three of my boys enjoyed a day of soccer and an evening of football.  Their shirts changed based on the game and they pretty much didn't leave these positions all day. (although I did get My Wonderful Husband to go for a run with me to use his new Garmin... and the boys did get outside a bit to shoot some hoops.. but other than that, what you see is what you got today)  I, on the other hand, organized my photo/game/movie closet and uploaded photos to my new laptop.  It was an all day job and the perfect day to do it.  Happy Boxing Day!

P365 - 2015 - Day 359 - 'Tis the season...

P365 - 2015 - Day 359 - 'Tis the season...

I am going to borrow some words from Jimmy Buffet and one of my favorite Christmas songs...

'Tis the season to remember
And count up all the ports of call I've known
And to thank his mercies tender
For I'm never far from home.

Merry Christmas to my saints and guardian angels
Who protect me as I roam
All the faces and the places that were home

'Tis the season to remember
that we're never far from home.

Merry Christmas! xoxo

P365 - 2015 - Day 358 - Christmas Eve

P365 - 2015 - Day 358 - Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a favorite of mine and always has been.  It's not about the food - when I was kid, I actually hated the seven fishes.  As I got older, I learned to appreciate it but over the years we have simplified it all because it is just too much food for just the five of us and I want one simple holiday....  Instead, I love the feeling of Christmas Eve... the anticipation, the quiet, the simplicity of the day, the togetherness... I love the traditions that we have kept and the ones that we have created.  I love our casual, quiet day together. I miss those that are not here but I am grateful for those I have around me.  Merry Christmas Eve.

P365 - 2015 - Day 357 - channelled my inner elf

P365 - 2015 - Day 357 - channelled my inner elf

I channelled my inner elf at school, along with all of the other teachers.  It was the last day before the holiday break which included a class of very excited second graders, Christmas movies, a holiday party, Santa, and a great reason to wear my elf hat.

P365 - 2015 - Day 356 - all Christmasy up in here...

P365 - 2015 -  Day 356 - all Christmasy up in here....

In a continued effort to redecorate my house for Christmas, the elves surprised us with this in the kitchen..... just a few days left and they are really working the Christmas spirit.  It's all Christmasy up in here....

P365 - 2015- Day 355 - redecorate

P365 - 2015 - Day 355 - redecorate

The elves have been busy trying to redecorate for the holidays.  I guess they though that the toilet paper was garland?  Those silly elves...  The Boy's response - "Yes!"  I guess he thought their decorations beat mine.

P365 - 2015- Day 354 - makes me happy

P365 - 2015 - Day 354 - makes me happy

My Christmas tree makes me happy.... I love the kids' ornaments that show the passage of time, I adore the ornaments that I have from my childhood and my parents' tree,  I love to relive the places we have been through the ornaments from those travels, and I am so excited about the additions to our tree that really represent where we live and our true happy place.  Mermaids, starfish, seashells, lighthouses, and touches of sea blue make me happy.

P365 - 2015 - Day 353 - simple

P365 - 2015 - Day 353 - simple

I love this framed stitched decoration that I have had for several years... it's not an old decoration but one that has been with us through almost all of our children's Christmases so someday it may be an old one to them.  It always makes me smile when I put it out for the season and it continues to make me smile every time I see it.  It reminds me that in the hustle and bustle of the season, the important part is the peace and joy that we find in the small moments of the season.  I love the simplicity of the stitching that reminds me of the simplicity of the holiday...it's about family and time spent together and that is as simple as it gets.

P365 - 2015 - Day 352 - basketball

P365 - 2015 - Day 352 - basketball

I missed one of The Bear's basketball games during the week  because I had a faculty meeting, so I promised him that I would be there for this game.  It was a Friday, so we all went to see him play.  It was a great game and the 7th grade team won.  My soccer guy is really enjoying basketball..... :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 351 - handsome guy

P365 - 2015 - Day 351 - handsome guy

I came home from work and was greeting by this handsome guy.  He went to the groomer today as you can tell by his shiny coat and dashing, sparkly, Christmas bandana.  Love this guy.

P365 - 2015 - Day 350 - photos

P365 - 2015 - Day 350 - photos

I am getting there with my Mac.  My photos off of my phone are finally uploaded - now to upload all of the rest of my photos.... and I am already at close to 4000.  I might have a problem.  Perhaps.  Probably.  Ok definitely.

P365 - 2015 - Day 349 - He's home

P365 - 2015 - Day 349 - He's home

He's home.  It's finally winter break!  It could not have come at a better time.  We will be tag teaming a bit right now as I pass the baton to My Wonderful Husband while I head off to work each day.  I am thankful for this next month with him home to help me out.  I have always had respect for teachers and ANY mom that works both inside and outside of the house....but in just a couple of days it is dawning on me just how difficult and time consuming it really is.  So I am super thankful to have My Wonderful Husband home on break to take some of the weight off of me while I start this job.  I'm also just glad to have him home each night... and if some of the "honey do's" around the house get finished... all the better.  No pressure honey... ;-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 348 - first day

P365 - 2015 - Day 348 - first day

It was my first day of my long term position.... I was equal parts excited and nervous.  This is my new normal for now... my "school bag" is packed and near my desk and I getting back into the swing of teaching.  The kids are sweet, my coworkers are great, and I left the day smiling so - so far, so good....

P365 - 2015 - Day 347 - share a little "island Christmas"

P365 - 2015 - Day 347 - share a little "island Christmas"

Yes, it's December 13th.  Yes, it's almost Christmas.  Yes, we had some family down for a pre-Christmas get together and walked on the beach in t-shirts and ate outside.  It's slightly strange weather but I'll take it.... Regardless of the lovely weather, it was a lovely day with family.  Glad they could make it down and share a little "island Christmas" with us.

P365 - 2015 - Day 346 - Great start to the season!!

P365 -  2015 - Day 346 - Great start to the season!!

Today was the first game of the St. Francis basketball season.  The Boy and his team, Jayson's Pancake House (the defending champs), won 23-11 and The Boy scored a three pointer.  Great start to the season!!

P365 - 2015 - Day 345 - It's official...

P365 - 2015 - Day 345 - It's official...

It's official... I am a full time, long term sub until February.  Second grade, here I come. :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 344 - wreath

P365 - 2015 - Day 344 - wreath

My wreath arrived this evening and I was thrilled!!!  My porch is complete now.

P365 - 2015 - Day 343 - great additions

P365 - 2015 - Day 343 - great additions

The Princess had soccer practice an hour away.  The Bear had basketball practice at the middle school in the evening, and The Boy was going to be home alone until My Wonderful Husband got back from work.  Thankfully our neighbors brought him with them to the school ornament making event.  I am so glad that he was able to go since I wasn't going to be able to get there.  He made these two ornaments that are pretty cool.  He drew the emblem for his soccer team and also a punched metal Jets ornament.  Great additions to our tree.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 342 - my "it's new to me Mac"

P365 - 2015 - Day 342 - my "it's new to me Mac"

It's been more than a year since my Dell went to the big computer in the sky.... or as I like to say the piece of crap Dell that  gave me problems from word go finally kicked it and took all of my photos and files (that were not backed up - don't lecture me) with it.  I went back and forth about what to get to replace it given the fact that I didn't have that Dell for very long in the first place.  I wanted a Mac but I also want to eat, pay for my car and mortgage etc... and needless to say a Mac wasn't in the budget big picture at the moment.  So I got a chrome book instead.  I figured it was a good quick fix and I knew that if I were to finally get a "real computer" that I could pass this on to one of the kids to have for school work.  The day has finally come....My Wonderful Husband's school does a preowned sale of all of their apple products every so often and today I became the proud owner of my "it's new to me Mac".  Yeah!  I can not wait to get it!!

P365 - 2015 - Day 341 - return

P365 - 2015 - Day 341 - return

The tree went up last night and that meant one thing...the return of Burke, Isabelle, and Barnes this morning. They have been visiting us in December for so many years they are really like part of the family.  I'm happy to see them back too... they bring many memories with them.  xo

P365 - 2015 - Day 340 - perfect

P365 - 2015 - Day 340 - perfect

We found a new tree farm today and I think it's a keeper....lots of trees, a gift shop where I found starfish garland, an ornament for Jersey and a Seashorse too, free refreshments, and SANTA!  It was a fun day and the tree looks perfect.

P365 - 2015 - Day 339 - Parade

P365 - 2015 - Day 339 - Parade

It was a beautiful day for the Ship Bottom Christmas Parade.  We had a fun time at a pre-parade party with friends and enjoyed the sunshine and warm temperatures during the parade.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 338 - a little crafty

P365 - 2015 - Day 338 - a little crafty

I got a little crafty today....  spray painted an old frame and added a cute little printable for the holidays.  :-)  I love it!

P365 - 2015 - Day 337 - cleans up pretty good

P365 - 2015 - Day 337 - cleans up pretty good

Today was the SRMS basketball team's first game of the season.  They had to dress for game day so this was how this handsome guy went to school today.  I might be biased but he cleans up pretty good....:-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 336 - Cookie Headquarters

P365 - 2015 - Day 336 - Cookie Headquarters

Since I didn't go in to sub today, I used my time efficiently and wisely.... I got a 5 mile run in this morning and then spent the rest of the day operating Cookie Headquarters.  The butter cookies and the mocha butter balls are finished and I even had a little helper for the mocha butter balls...  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 335 - necessity is the mother of invention

P365 - 2015 - Day 335 - necessity is the mother of invention

The basketball team is required to dress up for game days and The Bear is ready... well almost... he needs to wear a tie and doesn't know how to tie one.  My Wonderful Husband is still at work and tying a tie is not in my wheelhouse so.... he went to Youtube and tried to teach himself how to do it.  Necessity is the mother of invention they say and after I had a very good laugh at his first attempts (while admitting that I could do no better) I was actually pretty impressed with how close he got to tying it correctly after watching one video.  Luckily his dad will be back tomorrow and will be able to help him tie it for Thursday morning.  But he might have it perfected by then....he is one determined kid.

P365 - 2015 - Day 334 - two honor roll students

P365 - 2015 - Day 334 - two honor roll students

The first marking period report cards are out for the middle school and I am super proud of my two honor roll students.  They worked so hard all marking period juggling school, school soccer, and club ball.  They stayed organized and on top of all of their work.  They were responsible and motivated.  I am proud beyond words of the awesome well rounded kids that they are.  xoxo

P365 - 2015 - Day 333 - sweet reminders

P365 - 2015 - Day 333 - sweet reminders

Look what I found?!!  When we packed and moved almost three years ago, I had taken these frames down off of the playroom walls and packed them away with the kids' school papers.   All of a sudden they popped into my head today and this spot on the wall was perfect for them.... The art work may not be current, but it is appropriate and each were sweet reminders of a time not too long ago.  I'm so glad that I pulled these special frames out of storage and found a perfect spot for them in our home.

P365 - 2015 - Day 332 - be merry....

P365 - 2015 - Day 332 - be merry....

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care... along with all of the other decorations around the house.  This weekend was phase one of the decorating - getting the house ready and the lights out.  Next weekend will be the tree.  I love decorating for Christmas and bringing out all of the old and new decorations - everything has a story and a memory.  As I find a place for every little tree or Santa or angel I remember where it came from and how many Christmases it has been decorating my life.  It's no wonder that phase one takes all day.....  I love that Christmas is a season and not just a day.  I love that there is almost a month to reflect on the special time of year and all of the memories it holds.  I love that just decorating the house with some shimmering lights, lights up smiles on our faces and in our hearts.  Much like Thanksgiving is a time to pause and remember to be thankful, Christmas is a time to be merry....

P365 - 2015 - Day 331 - Sky Zone

P365 - 2015 - Day 331 - Sky Zone

The kids had a great time today at Sky Zone!!  It was a fun addition to Thanksgiving weekend and we made it home in time to see Santa arrive by boat to Barnegat Light.

P365 - 2015 - Day 330 - Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

P365 - 2015 - Day 330 - Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

We ended Thanksgiving Day by reading our thankful notes and remembering all of the big and little reasons we have to be thankful and grateful.  There are too many to list here (and I have been listing some daily on Instagram this year anyway....) but I would be remiss to not list a few in my Thanksgiving Day blog I suppose....  I am thankful for my family - the one I came from and the one that My Wonderful Husband and I have created.  I am thankful for every day that I have to live, learn, and love....  I am thankful for all that we have and all that I am able to share with others.  I am thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving with family that ended with giggles, smiles, and silliness. Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

P365 - 2015 - Day 329 - High Honor Roll

P365 - 2015 - Day 329 - High Honor roll

Report cards came out for the LBI School today and The Boy earned High Honor Roll again with straight A's!  After the end of the year awards ceremony in third grade, The Boy told he that he really wanted earn, not only honor roll, but high honor roll in 4th grade.  He set that goal and last year, earned high honor roll for the entire year.  He came into 5th grade hoping to continue the same with the understanding that the work load increases this year...  I am proud to say that he has worked so hard to achieve his goal this marking period.  Keep up the great work!!!!  xo

P365 - 2015 - Day 328 - Student of the Quarter

P365 - 2015 - Day 328 - Student of the Quarter

I am super proud of The Princess for being named Student of the Quarter in her Language Arts Lab class. She works so hard and I am so proud of her academic accomplishments!

P365 - 2015 - Day 327 - sick today

P365 - 2015 - Day 327 - sick today

The Bear stayed home from school sick today with a fever that reached 105!  Basically his day consisted of sleeping in bed, sleeping on the couch, going to the doctor, drinking water, and going back to bed.  Hoping that he kicks this out of his system (and the house) before Thanksgiving.  :-(

P365 - 2015 - Day 326 - down for the count

P365 - 2015 - Day 326 - down for the count

It has been a busy few months...school soccer, club soccer then basketball started and club soccer just ended for the season last night... It may have all just caught up to this guy.  He is one pretty tough cookie who doesn't get sick too often but when he does he is down for the count and usually understates just how down he is.  This morning I was off early to bring The Princess to her game, My Wonderful Husband was off to his game and The Bear woke up and layed on the chair.  That is where I found him when  got back around lunch time - he said he had a headache, took some motrin, and turned down lunch.  Then I was off to The Boy's game and when I got back he was under this comforter, said he still had a headache, was cold, and turned down dinner.  This prompted me to finally take his temperature.  It was 103.8!!  Here's hoping this is just a 24 hour bug.

P365 - 2015 - Day 325 - basketball uniform

P365 - 2015 - Day 325 - basketball uniform

It was another day of three directions, three kids, two parents.  My Wonderful Husband took The Princess to the tournament she was asked to guest play in, I took The Boy to his game and thankfully my cousin took The Bear to his basketball practice.  When I got back he was so excited to model the basketball uniform that he received before changing into his soccer uniform for his last game of the season where he and his team clinched second place!   Busy day.

P365 - 2015 - Day 324 - wood shop project

P365 - 2015 - Day 324 - wood shop project

The Princess came home from school with her wood shop project for the marking period.  My Wonderful Husband and I were so impressed!!!  She did a beautiful job on this clock and I can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in the house.

P365 - 2015 - Day 323 - proud of the young man he is becoming

P365 - 2015 - Day 323 - proud of the young man he is becoming

I was really impressed that the middle school basketball coaches had all of the boys complete this exercise.  I think it is really important to get kids thinking about who they are and who they want to be....  I know he's my kid.... but I was really impressed with The Bear's responses and it goes without saying that I am proud of the young man he is becoming.

P365 - 2015 - Day 322 - he travels with his indoor shoes..

P365 - 2015 - Day 322 - he travels with his indoor shoes..

My Wonderful Husband got home pretty late last night... but for a good reason.  He was able to stop on his way from work to play some indoor soccer with some guys that he knows.  He was pretty excited to go play and I am happy for him that he is back to doing what he loves.  Luckily he travels with his indoor shoes in his car so he is always ready if someone calls! :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 321 - Memory Lane...

P365 - 2015 - Day 321 - Memory Lane...

It was World Preemie Day and I posted my "thankful" photo on Instagram of my preemies.... which set me on a trip down Memory Lane...  It seems like lately I am constantly reminded how big these three are getting.  Time seems to be moving at warp speed and try as I might I can not slow it down.  It seems like yesterday that my three little monkeys were this small - chubby cheeks, little hands, and ooohhh the PIGGIES!  It is hard to believe that they are now almost 13 and 10 1/2......

P365 - 2015 - Day 320 - what it looked like

P365 - 2015 - Day 320 - what it looked like

Everyone was in bed...lunches were packed...laundry finished..cleaning done...no one left to drive anywhere for the day... and this is what it looked like.  Pjs, glasses, and a comfy chair so I can finally get to sit down.

P365 - 2015 - Day 319 - SWISH!

P365 - 2015 - Day 319 - SWISH!

After the second day of weekend tournament for The Boy and The Princess, we were all finally home from our separate directions.  The Princess went to her room to finish up homework, my Wonderful Husband and I went for a short run, and The Boy and The Bear went outside to shoot hoops....  I happened to be walking out the front door when this happened... SWISH! From the 3 point line. :-)

P365 - 2105 - Day 318 - Road Trip Project (#2)

P365 - 2015 - Day 318 - Road Trip project (#2)

To round out the week of projects, The Princess came home from her soccer tournament and got right to work assembling her Road Trip project.  It looks great and she is happy to have it finished.

P365 - 2015 - Day 317 - Middle School dance

P365 - 2015 - Day 317 - Middle School dance

The Bear and The Princess went to their first Middle School dance... just a casual Friday night dance with friends.  They were so excited to go and had a blast!  They can't wait for the next one.

P365 - 2015 - Day 316 - Bring on basketball season!

P365 - 2015 - Day 316 - Bring on basketball season!

The Bear was so happy to find out that he made the SRMS 7th grade Basketball Team and we are very proud of him for the accomplishment.  He had his first practice today after school and came home proudly sporting the practice jersey. He is super excited to play with this team.  Bring on basketball season!