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lazy sunday
February 12, 2012
For the most part,we spent today being lazy. We lounged in our jammies. We went out for lunch, and we played in the house. We did art work instead of folding laundry (as you can see, by the huge pile of clothes behind Ben in one of the shots), and we took advantage of family time. That is a pretty good Sunday.
ben’s prediction
February 1, 2012
We’ll have to see if he is right tomorrow…
(It says the groundhog will not see it’s shadow 
Ben: Mommy, is love a toy?
Me: Huh?!?
B: Is love a toy?
M: No, honey. But, I don’t think I understand you.
B: Well, how come in all the songs people are sad they lost love? Is it like when I lose a toy?
M: Oh, I see. Hold on, let me turn off Adele, and then I’ll try to explain love to you.”
questions from the back seat
January 10, 2012
2011: up in flames
January 1, 2012
We had no plans for NYE, but Sean said he thought there was something we should do. Our town was hosting a NYE bonfire, and in accordance to Scottish tradition, they said to bring a list of all the bad things that 2011 held and that you can throw it into the fire, as a symbolic way to rid our lives of these ill tidings and start fresh. I loved the idea. We arrived with our lists* in hand. The fire was too big and too hot for The Boys to be able to throw their lists into its flames, so I appointed myself the family list burner. I got more out of it than I would have thought. Something about putting it on paper and then burning it to ashes was very cathartic. I got teary thinking about some of the crappy things we have been through, or watched our friends go through this year. I think this tradition is awesome. I love the symbolism and I love the family effort to ring in the new year: clean, fresh and with tons of potential.
* I did not photograph Sean’s list, but it included such things as: long work hours and car repairs
gift tree
December 24, 2011
Every year since we have lived in the area, we have visited the “Wish Tree” at a local mall. You select an ornament made by the child in need, and the tag on the ornament states the gift they are hoping for. Each of us pick one ornament and fulfill that wish. The Boys typically pick a child that is asking for something that they like, too. Ben got some Transformer toys for a 7 year old, and Robert gave an 8 year old a big race car and some matchbox cars. Sean and I gave some clothing items to a pair of little boys who needed clothes and books. My parents even joined us in this holiday cheer and gave to a little girl in need. I love the whole process of explaining to the kids about giving and then letting them partake in the choosing of the children as well as the gifts. Afterwards, we add those ornaments to our tree at home, so every year we have a little reminder of the children we have helped. This is a holiday tradition that I hope we will continue to do every year- no matter how busy, or crazy life gets.
tasty tree
December 23, 2011
I am ridiculously behind on my blogging, but I decided that I’ll just have to post some things out of order, just for the sake of getting them blogged!
Today we made little Christmas trees from ice cream cones and candy. Surprisingly enough, they didn’t eat as much of the candy as I thought they would, they actually did use it to decorate their trees. Ben was not feeling well today, so this proved to be a perfect, low key activity for the two of them.
philly trip {part 1- music & food}
November 22, 2011
When we can orchestrate a getaway that involves some kid-free time, food, and music, we have hit the trifecta. The music portion of the getaway was during our Friday night out. We enjoyed an awesome performance by Ryan Montbleau and Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds at the World Cafe Live. The venue was great. We ate dinner and enjoyed some drinks while chilling out on a cozy couch on the balcony overlooking the stage.
We continued our food portion of the getaway the next morning with some coffee and donuts before we headed over to Reading Terminal Market to walk around. We didn’t actually eat all the food we saw (or I photographed), but we did enjoy looking at it all. Upon a recommendation from a friend, we ended up at Parc for lunch. Let me tell you, enjoying a champagne cocktail in the middle of the day made this girl especially giddy. Pair it with tasty breakfast food and I was in heaven.
In my next entry I will post some photos of our self-directed walking tour. We had to do something to burn off all those calories!
putting ourselves first {philly bound}
November 22, 2011
If you are a parent, chances are, one of the last people you put first, is yourself. You spend your day taking care of kids, or work, or both! You are planning meals, saving for car repairs, figuring out how to fit in soccer practice and making it to the store for more Goldfish (with coupons!). And when all of it is done (is it every really done?), you may get a little sliver of time to call your own. I think you get what I am trying to say. Life is busy. All the time. Everyday. Sometimes I feel like I go on, non-stop. If you know me, you know I don’t sleep much. I like sleep, but I just don’t do it. Thankfully I am happiest when I am busy, and I actually enjoy juggling many tasks. But, I digress. My original intent of this blog post was to sing the praises of taking a time out.
My hubby and I manage to “getaway from it all” once or twice a year if we are lucky. And actually, luck doesn’t have much to do with it, family has a lot to do with it. We do our “escapes” when my parents or my MIL is kind enough to wrangle The Boys overnight. It is a blessing. It is a gift. It does a world of good. So, I put this message out to anyone reading this. Do it. Ask your family, ask your friends. Find a way to get away kid-free. It will recharge your soul and add some spring in your step.
Ok, I have rambled on enough. In my next post I will be sharing some photos from the recent trip to Philly that my hubby and I went on. It was ridiculously great. But hanging out with my best friend usually is.
goal!
November 21, 2011
All the boys enjoyed a game of soccer in our backyard. Every time Robert and Ben scored a goal against Daddy, they hugged and screamed with joy. It was too darn cute.
