P365 - 2015 - Day 301 - made me feel better

P365 - 2015 - Day 301 - made me feel better

I can not remember the last time that I had all three of these goofballs home after school at the same time. Today The Bear and The Princess both got out of middle soccer practice early and there were NO OTHER practices tonight.  I repeat, no other practices tonight!  I was still feeling under the weather, but just having all three of my kids home, sitting at the counter having snack, doing homework and chatting made me feel better.  Add to that dinner made and eaten at home, no running around, and time to just relax and this might be in line as the best day ever....

P365 - 2015 - Day 300 - "nurse"

P365 - 2015 - Day 300 - "nurse"

I was home sick once again today - coughing, sneezing, sleeping, and feeling yucky.  Good thing I had a four-legged "nurse" taking good care of me.  Actually he was less "taking care of me" and more demanding to be fed but either way he was very attentive to me. haha!

P365 - 2015 - Day 299 - the Halloween we embraced our inner monsters

P365 - 2015 - Day 299 - the Halloween we embraced our inner monsters

I was home feeling sick today and reminiscing while looking through old photos.  So I am sharing a throwback to the Halloween that we embraced our inner monsters.... where has the time gone?  How have these monsters gotten so big and grown up?

P365 - 2015 - Day 298 - just being brothers

P365 - 2015 - Day 298 - just being brothers

Another day, another moment...this time between the brothers.  The Bear was working on an assignment and The boy was paying close attention to what he was doing.  They were talking and laughing and just being brothers and once again I hope that they always find time in their lives to connect like they do now.

P365 - 2015 - Day 297 - the sound of laughter

P365 - 2015 - Day 297 - the sound of laughter

The boys set out early for soccer games this morning while The Princess and I stayed behind.  I got in an awesome 14 mile run and then we both went shopping for Halloween supplies.  When the boys got home we went to the Chegg for what will probably be the last meal there until the spring.  When we got back, the kids went upstairs and I heard the sound of laughter.  So of course I followed the sound....  They were just hanging out, listening to music together and laughing and my heart swelled.  I hope they always find time in life to hang out and laugh together.

P365 - 2015 - Day 296 - sparkles

P365 - 2015 - Day 296 - sparkles

I found a reason to wear this sparkly skirt...Tonight was the LBI Auction and Casino Night fundraiser for the schools.  A perfect occasion for some sparkles.:-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 295 - beautiful evening for a run

P365 - 2015 - Day 295 - beautiful evening for a run

I have been getting a lot of subbing days - which is great.  But that leaves precious little time for running when my evenings are also full with running kids all over the place.  I worked again today but was determined to get out tonight for a longer run.  The weather had warmed up again and it was a beautiful evening for a run.  I set out with the intention to run at least 6 miles and ended up running 7 miles.  I felt great and can't wait to get out there again.  Maybe I should embrace early morning running before work.  Maybe.

P365 - 2015 - Day 294 - Student of the Month

P365 - 2015 - Day 294 - Student of the Month

Last month The Bear won Student of the Month in his History class.  He also got the best mile time on his team and the third best time in the school.  I am super proud of his accomplishments and super glad that he brought home the certificate now.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 293 - my all time favs

P365 - 2015 - Day 293 - my all time favs

Many years ago I set a standard of making Halloween costumes.  Not in the same way that my mom made costumes.  My sewing abilities are strictly the button variety but I learned to play to my creative talents and with that a tradition was born.  This year, The Boy came up with a plan while The Bear and The Princess have been struggling even with my MANY suggestions.  I realized today that time is ticking and with lots of days subbing and lots of soccer I haven't gotten anything even started yet.  I am more of a last minute person but this is getting serious.  I need to get moving on this so that my streak of costumes doesn't end prematurely.  I got thinking about past projects and thought a photo of three of my favorite costumes was a great picture of the day...  The Mad Scientist, The Lalaloopsi Doll, and Kick Buttowski were my all time favs.  Hopefully this year stands to rival these... if I ever get started.

P365 - 2015 - Day 292 - in the pockets of time

P365 - 2015 - Day 292 - in the pockets of time

It was close to two years ago since our ill fated contractor relationship.....My Wonderful Husband and I both busted our behinds to complete the work that was left incomplete or downright wrong.  But ultimately it became difficult to complete everything while still working and maintaining a family life so we agreed to finish the last tasks in the pockets of time that we could find with the understanding that everything would eventually get done.  It was last November that my Wonderful Husband found that next pocket of time and was getting the unfinished trim complete when disaster struck...  Once the cast came off and he was getting the use of his hand back, he was back to work and once again short on time, not to mention, perhaps a bit gun-shy to get back to the circular saw.  So, again, we decided that everything would get done but we would not stress over it - most of the unfinished trim was in our room so we could deal.  Our bathroom didn't have a door, but our bedroom did, so we could make it work.
While I was at work last week at the start of My Wonderful Husband's Fall break, he texted me to tell me that he was going to get the trim done...get back on the proverbial (saw) horse and complete our room.  I was beyond excited!  Today, after several days of working in between soccer games, our bathroom has a door and there is trim!  We may still have two closets that need doors, but I am confident that will happen soon.   We might actually be done soon!

P365 - 2015 - Day 291 - Just because...

P365 - 2015 - Day 291 - Just because...

Just because... it's been awhile since I got a photo of the three of them together....
Just because... it was another weekend of soccer...
Just because...I am so proud of how well they are all doing with school and sports....
Just because...when I went upstairs to get this photo they were laughing hysterically together...
Jut because...I am so thankful that they have each other and hope they always do...
Just because...they are my greatest achievement...
Just because...I love them more than they will ever know or understand. xo

P365 - 2015 - Day 290 - purged and organized

P365 - 2015 - Day 290 - purged and organized

Every fall and spring the PTA coordinates a clothing drive as a fundraiser.  Each year that we have been here, we have had soccer games and either I couldn't get there or I had to send my stuff with someone else. This year, The Bear had a game but he was going with just My Wonderful Husband, so I spent the morning under the house going through my yard sale pile.  I purged and organized and brought two car loads down to the school.  It's always a good feeling to get rid of unnecessary clutter but even better when it's a fundraiser to benefit the school.

P365 - 2015 - Day 289 - Boot season

P365 - 2015 - Day 289 - Boot season

Boot season has arrived.  We started the weekend of games with a cold Friday night game for The Boy.  My toes may have been numb by the end, but The Boy and his team played  a great game and won 6-1.  It might be time to break out the Uggs for the rest of the weekend.

P365 - 2015 - Day 288 - handsome guys

P365 - 2015 - Day 288 - handsome guys

This was the first year that there was only one school lunch to go to during National School Lunch Week.  This was also the first year that I wasn't able to go.  I was subbing today but luckily My Wonderful Husband was able to meet The Boy at lunch and take him to the book fair.  This was the photo they texted me...... two of the handsome guys in my life.  My hubby and his mini.

P365 - 2015 - Day 287 - nose in a book

P365 - 2015 - Day 287 - nose in a book

It seems like lately, The Boy always has his nose in a book which I LOVE.  He is so into the newest book that he is reading that while waiting for his friend to get to the bus stop, he pulled out a chair and sat down to read.

P365 - 2015 - Day 286 - third place

P365 - 2015 - Day 286 - third place

I was supposed to be registered for the 18 mile run as an "islander" - a title reserved for full time residents of the island - but at first I was mistakenly not registered that way.  So a neighbor of mine checked on it and had the error corrected.  In the process he found out that I earned 3rd place in the division and the bronze medal!  I was so excited.  In full disclosure, there may or may not have been more than three people in this division.  But I don't care.  Running this island and running this race means a lot to me and to have earned a medal for my effort is pretty cool.

P365 - 2015 - Day 285 - old school

P365 - 2015 - Day 285 - old school

When My Wonderful Husband and I were in college, and for years after, we lived and died by calendars similar to this.  Over the years, My Wonderful Husband embraced the digital age and moved from paper calendars to the all mighty Google calendar.  Personally, I have been an old school hold all of this time.  I need to see things in print to organize myself.  So when My Wonderful husband sent me this photo with a text saying "I went old school planner"... I laughed and then said I told you so.  After years of online calendars, text reminders etc, he realized that he needed to get back to basics and simply write stuff down.  Welcome to my world honey.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 284 - LBI 18 mile

P365 - 2015 - Day 284 - LBI 18 mile

Today was the big day!  The LBI 18 mile run.  My friend and I have been training since July and we were so ready for today.   I hoped to finish in 3 hours but after a 15th mile conversation with my uncooperative calves I managed to finish in 3 hours 5 minutes and 57 seconds.  Not too shabby regardless because I shaved more than 16 minutes off of my time from last year.  So I guess I just need to do it again next year and get that 3 hour finish!  I love doing this race... I love seeing the familiar faces on the sidelines cheering.  Unfortunately My Wonderful Husband, The Bear, and The Princess were cheering for me from afar while at soccer tournaments.  But The Boy was here with a friend and able to high five me as I passed out house.  When everyone got home, we celebrated soccer and my run with dinner at the Chegg.  That's what I call a good day!

P365 - 2015 - Day 283 - #runningthisisland

P365 - 2015 - Day 283 - #runningthisisland

This year will be the third year that I run the LBI 18 mile run. The first time I ran it in 2008, I just wanted to finish and not be last.  In 2014, I wanted to improve my time a bit and I did.  This year, I am setting a time goal that I hope to accomplish.   I am ready and looking forward to #runningthisisland.

P365 - 2015 - Day 282 - rain or no rain

P365 - 2015 - Day 282 - Rain or no rain

The Princess and The Bear had middle school soccer games... although after traveling all the way to his, The Bear's was cancelled because there was no ref.  Once they were home, it was time to head over to the fields for The Boy's game under the lights.  There was a major storm watch in effect and on our way there the skies lit up and the rain came down in buckets.  Wonderful Husband, The Boy, and The Princess were already there and when The Bear and I pulled into the lot, this was the view outside the car.  So we stayed dry inside until they decided to play the game.  Rain or no rain, it turned out to be a great win for The Cannons with Matty scored a beautiful goal in the upper 90.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 281 - the question

P365 - 2015 - Day 281 - the question

Bus stop or NFL training?  That is the question.

P365 - 2015 - Day 280 - out of the park

P365 - 2015 - Day 280 - out of the park

As a busy parent, doing all of the crazy things that multitudes of parents are doing every day...I don't think I am alone when I say I don't always feel like I am rocking this job.  Yes, I get through the days and sometimes breath a sigh of relief at the end of the day that I fit it all in, everyone is ok, and lunches are made for the next day.  Parenting is a demanding job with many roles required, many tasks to perform, and on most days, many directions to go....  So when you add math to the mix, a self proclaimed "non-math person" like myself sometimes finds her breaking point.  Reading, writing...I'm on it.  Math....ugh.  This day was no different than most.  I was going in fifty different directions.  After picking up the mums from The Boy's fundraiser, delivering said mums, and then making dinner for the masses, I realized that I was short one mum.  That meant making another trip over the bridge - about 40 minutes both ways to pick up the mum.  The kitchen would have to wait to get cleaned, lunches would have to get done later, The Bear was headed to practice with My Wonderful Husband but The Boy and The Princess were still home and The Princess needed help with some math homework.  I found this out when she called me on my way home and tried to read me the problem over the phone and ask for help.  That is so not how my mind works, so I told her to do other homework and wait for me to get home.  When I got home, #46 was waiting for me.  I am not going to lie, I had to read it a few times before I figured out what they were asking and how I could help my daughter.  But, here's the thing...I did figure it out.  I even drew a diagram to help her understand my explanation.  I "phoned a friend" who is a math teacher to confirm that I was teaching her correctly and as it turned out I was right!  So, while on most days I feel like I am just surviving.  Hoping that I am doing an ok job at the toughest job in the world.  On this day, I was vindicated!  I figured out the 7th grade math problem and knocked this parenting thing out of the park!!!

P365 - 2015 - Day 279 - lights are blinking...sun is shining

P365  - 2015 - Day 279 - lights are blinking...sun is shining

A much anticipated day on this island.... the lights are blinking!  I am finding it bittersweet... don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to zip down the boulevard with the speed limit up and not have to stop at lights on my millions of trips off the island to practices and what not.  But I also know that these blinking lights are the harbinger for the coming cold weather.  I could do without that.  But for now, the lights are blinking and the sun is shining and all is right on this island.

P365 - 2015 - Day 278 - 9:30 pm

P365 - 2015 - Day 278 - 9:30 pm

My Wonderful Husband's Mondays start with a 4 hour drive to work for the week.  Once he gets there he is in classes and meetings pretty much all day.  After his last class, he hits the gym.  At 9:30pm.  At that point, my crazy evening was finally winding down and while I was making lunches and getting the kids to turn in for the night, I got this text... "Going to the gym."  So of course I asked him to take a picture.

P365 - 2015 - Day 277 - the early days

P365 - 2015 - Day 277 - the early days

It was supposed to be a really crazy soccer weekend.  Six games were planned but due to the Nor'Easter that came through our area, two of The Boy's games were cancelled.  So that meant we only needed to go in two different directions on two different days.  No sweat.....  But after two days of games, while I was getting a few unusual minutes to sit on a Sunday night I was waiting for My Wonderful Husband and The Bear to get back from the last game (where The Bear and his team won the first round of the NJ State Cup) and I couldn't help but think back.... Waaaay back to the early days of soccer.  This photo popped into my head - The Boy was in kindergarten and The Bear and The Princess were in second grade.  My three favorite soccer players with my favorite coach.  xo

P365 - 2015 - Day 276 - all smiles

P365 - 2015 - Day 276 - all smiles

The Bear is all smiles tonight after his game today.  He and his team, the SSC Gunners, beat the 7th rank team in the US!  They won 3-1 in the first round of the EDP Open Cup and are moving on to the next round! Great job boys.  You should be smiling!

P365 - 2015 - Day 275 - There may have been...

P365 - 2015 - Day 275 - There may have been...

There may have been a Nor'Easter blowing outside but that wasn't stopping these two from getting practice.  Indoor practice albeit, but practice nonetheless.  The Boy's game was cancelled so the rest of us were in for the night listening to the wind blow outside all night and hoping that the flooding on the boulevard didn't stop these two from getting home.

P365 - 2015 - Day 274 - This year

P365 - 2015 - Day 274 - This year

The Bear and The Princess came home with their school pictures today.  Each year it amazes me how much more grown up they look than in the previous year's photo.  This year marks the first photos from middle school and the first photo with braces.  I might be biased, but those are two gorgeous kids right there.  :-)  Love them.

P365 - 2015 - Day 273 - famous

P365 - 2015 - Day 273 - famous

As part of the Appreciation committee, I was in charge of goodies for Custodian Appreciation day.  So I decided to make my famous pumpkin bread. (ok, it's not really famous.... but it's so good it should be ;-) ) When the kids heard that I was doing that they were certain to ask if I was making enough for the house as well.  So, long story short, my house smells like yummy pumpkin, I have baskets to assemble, and the kids have a yummy breakfast treat for the morning.

P365 - 2015 - Day 272 - almost there

P365 - 2015 - Day 272 - almost there

I'm almost there.... one more day and I have completed my 30 day Abs challenge for the month of September.  Gotta love a good challenge.... especially one that ends with over a two minute plank.  At 5:30 am.