Brave New World

So...I'm starting a new blog. Started it already, actually. I just haven't had the nerve to post it on Facebook. Or share it with my friends, parents or husband yet. I'm making it sound very exciting but it's really not so much. Just my thoughts on this crazy little life we're living.

I just wanted a blog with a new name. Sounds lame, I know. But, if you are reading this, know me, and want to see my new very unexciting blog, send me an email and I will happily send you the link.

Au Revoir!

Summer so far...

It's been a busy couple of months. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is flying by. At the same time, I will not miss being pregnant. The kicks from the baby are amazing, don't get me wrong. But just the thought of sleeping on my stomach again makes my heart sing. Here's what we've been up to...

Tilling...

Picnic-table-building

 Will finished Pre-K. I still can't watch his preschool slideshow without melting down. How is he 5?!

 It was National Donut Day!

 Later that night, our basement flooded. Good times. 

However, it forced us to get rid of our old couch. Yay, Freecycle! It was covered by a slipcover for the past few years, but when it flooded, we had to take it off and discovered that it was in much worse shape than we remembered.

 We joined a fantastic pool. We pretty much live there now.

 We discovered Red Mango Yogurt. I'm not a huge fan of Pinkberry but Red Mango is amazing. I highly recommend the White Peach Yogurt. 

We spent a fantastic week on Shelter Island. The ferry ride never disappoints.

 What the baby (I) HAD to have on our drive home from NY. 

Why is soda so much better as a fountain drink?

    Our new (dry) couch arrived! Sitting atop our new (dry) carpet.

 Will and his buddy passed the swim test to go in the dive well. Will had been reticent to take the test until his friend was taking it. Hooray for positive peer pressure!

 Special arm band for dive well swimmers...

 Happy Summer!! 

Go Fish!

Last weekend we went on a Saturday morning fishing adventure. Sean arranged it all and we set out to enjoy the morning in a rowboat. Thank God. I was a little worried I'd be kayaking or canoeing solo with one of the kiddos. At this point in this pregnancy, I'm pretty sure we'd capsize. Sadly, everything that still fit at 40 weeks with Will and Claire is now rising high on my belly...so sad. The bright side is that our new munchkin is the weight of a rutabaga now. Anyway, I digress...

So here are a few of my favorite pics of the outing.  Claire was as excited about the worms as she was about the fishing. I love that my little girl  isn't afraid of wiggling, slimy worms.

Not so sure about the worms...

Lovin' those worms!

Watching for fish...

It was a great way to spend the day. And I didn't capsize!

God

Before the kids go to bed, we talk about what we are most thankful to God for that day. After we talked about Will's school last night-most often that's what he's most thankful for-he asked me where God lives. I explained that He lives in heaven and in our hearts. Will kept asking if God ever comes down to Earth. Then we had to talk about how long it might take Him to get here given that He'd have to fly in a space ship. Obviously.  I explained again that we can't see God on Earth but His goodness is all around us in the people here.

Then Will looked at me with the most bewildered expression and says, "Then WHO is that man who is up on the altar at church? I thought that was God?!" And it explained a lot. Our priest is very tall and uses a walking stick that makes him look quite "Godly," I'm realizing.

It also explains why Will ALWAYS must shake the priest's hand at the end of mass. We often wait in line behind 5 other families to be sure to say good morning to Father. I thought Will just really liked our priests.

Sometimes I forget that children are so very concrete. And each day, I think, "I need to write that down..."  when W or C does or says something funny (or something that will be funny down the road). Of course I don't do it every day. But I just did=)

The days are long but the years are short...

Since my last post was months and months ago, I thought I should post a few new pictures. I've finally started to sort through pictures (from the summer months) and I realize how much older they seem these days.

We have the big kindergarten orientation meeting in a few weeks. Where did these 4 1/2 years go?

Anyway, an organized array of pictures from Will's birth 'til now is not on the docket for today. (Will only has 15 more minutes of tv time!)

Here's what we've been up to...

 Decorating cookies...

 Waiting for Santa!

 Shaving...and on a completely random note, as a mom who often buys the "boy" and "girl" version of toys, it was aggravating to find that they only made a blue play shaving kit for the tub. The girl version was a "clean off the dirty clothes" toy. What?! Obviously, I had to buy two "boy" kits. Claire would have had none of that.

If anyone out there is having splashing issues in the tub, dangling the "shaving cream" carrot is a great way to keep everyone in line in the tub.

Old School Books

This summer we spent a lot of time at my childhood home and in the house where Sean grew up. Will and Claire spent time exploring our old bookcases and discovered many of our favorite books from childhood.

Who Wants an Old Teddy Bear was not one of my favorites, but it's the picture I snapped. Some of their true faves were Berenstein Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Danny and The Dinosaur, and all of the Value Tales. Does anyone else remember those? Pioneer Woman wrote a post about them in 2009. Here's the link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/01/valuetales-a-blast-from-my-past/ We had a wonderful summer. Lots of swimming, playing, and reading. Now we are VERY happy to be home. I think that's one of the best parts of parenthood, appreciating coming HOME from vacation!

Happy Fathers Day!

Life can feel too busy sometimes and there are some dads who ignore their watches to savor the little moments with their kids. I'm lucky enough to be reminded of the importance of that quite often by my wonderful husband. Will and Claire adore him, and so do I! Happy 5th Fathers Day Sean!



We're also very lucky to have some pretty amazing grandfathers who make life so much happier for all of us. Happy Fathers Day Poppa and Baba!! We love you lots!

Wanna ride bikes?

A few weeks ago, it was time to go "Big Boy" bike shopping. After a few playdates at the park with friends who have two-wheelers, I think most parents know it gets more and more difficult to make your child's tricycle look appealing to him or her. After an epic meltdown a few weeks ago, I realized it was time to take the leap and get it. Besides, Will has been very patient-we were supposed to get it after he became potty trained. That happened in November.

Claire is now a fearless tricycle rider (note her whale horn-she chose it herself).


Will tearing it up on his new "BIG BLUE BIKE!!!" (as he calls it).


These are two of my favorite pictures from the first days of bike riding. After a busy morning of riding, Claire took off her pants to read a book, obviously.


Meanwhile, Will insisted, "I'm not tired-I just need a snack."


These bikes are the best. So happy that they have wheels now!

Things I do when I'm parenting alone...

1) Stay at the playground as long as possible. No reason to rush home for dinner if daddy won't be there.
2) Go to bed way, way too late as a result of catching up on too much Desperate Housewives and Gossip Girl. Shockingly, my husband doesn't like to watch them with me. I know, weird, right? Sadly, there are no Friday Night Lights to catch up on. Mostly because Sean loves the show too. I'm already mourning the end of this season and the show. So sad, so sad.
3) Make kids their favorite dinners and gorge myself on leftover Pioneer Woman dishes.

Risotto Primavera



Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

This is the link. Because mine did not come out as spectacularly as hers. Because I don't believe in peeling potatoes. I like to use red ones and just mash them up skins and all. Mostly because I'm lazy. I like to tell myself that the skins contain more of the vitamins too.

It's been awhile...

...since my last post. A year and 2 months, actually. But, I figure that since I love to follow everyone else's, I should at least visit my own once in a while.

Life has changed a lot in the past year. We're in a new place and loving it. Life with the Navy was wonderful and we met great people but I'm thankful to be putting down roots and staying here for a while.

That's that. Hopefully if I keep these short and sweet, I'll update more often!

February is over?!

...I can't believe how fast February flew by...

'Tis a gift to be simple

Trying to keep things simple is one of my new year's resolutions this year. In the spirit of simplicity and effectiveness in getting more posts up this year, here are a few of my favorite moments from January 2010.