The One With Bri's Big Week

Wow....this was a busy week in our little neck of the woods. In fact, it was the week of Bri.


On Monday, Bri had to attend a school committee meeting. There, she and several of her other sixth grade classmates were honored for having their pictures selected in the local DPW calendar. That was a fabulous event!


On Tuesday, Bri had her first middle school concert. It was a blast watching her playing flute on stage for the first concert this year. She did a great job and looked much like a middle school student on stage.


Then, we wrapped up the week where she volunteered for a "Friday Fun" night for her school. She and some friends helped run activities at the event....which she had a lot of fun at.


Overall, it was pretty exhausting this week...but pretty fun!

The One Where the Celtics are Brutal

I am watching the Celtics game and they are just awful.

They should be destroying the Magic.

They are losing by 7.

They are so talented and yet are awful. I don't get it.

The One With The New Year's Eve Game f Life

This New Year's Eve we started a new tradition....though a little reluctantly. At Bri's suggestion, we decided to play the game of Life.

It was long - as usual - and it involved lots of spinning. But, we had a blast.

Bri ended 2018 by coming in first with 4.25 million

Mom came is second with 3.75 million

I was third with 3.02 million

Kiff came in fourth at 2.7 million.


It was definitely a fun way to wrap up the year. Thanks 2018 for being a great year!

The One With The Return of Mary Poppins

Yesterday, we saw an amazing movie....the Return of Mary Poppins. Now, I know what you're thinking. It was Disney and of course it was going to be amazing.

However, I am one of those people who is always wary of the sequel 50 years after the fact. After all, Disney's Return to Oz was, well, a dud....so I didn't know what to expect.

But, I was not disappointed. It remained true to the original story, while updating it by moving onto a new generation, with Michael and Jane grown up. The plot was realistic and made it engaging and the acting was superb. Emily Blunt did a great job playing Mary Poppins and the connections they made to the original movie was clever. 

I loved how they changed they focused on the males being lamp lighters in this one, honoring that idea that chimney sweeps were for the original. The bike riding and the dancing of the lighters was brilliant.

Even better was the homage paid to old-time Disney as both Angela Lansbury and Dick Van Dyke made guest appearances.

Definitely a four star classic.

The One With Peace on Earth on Christmas Day

Ahhhh, we've finally hit it....that moment when we have a little peace and quiet on Christmas day. The in between time where Bri and Kiff are playing video games and enjoying.

Thanks for a fabulous Christmas season. Such a wonderful time of year!

The One With Christmas Ideas for Next Year

Here's a few ideas to try to plan for next Christmas season....we're adding them here to remember.


1. Winter Solstice day in Toppsfield or Ipswich (we tried, but it was pouring when we planned to go)

2. Heritage Museum Lights

3. Sturbridge Village Winter by Candlelight (loved it last year)

4. Watch Man who Invented Christmas

5. Christmas Carol at Hanover Theater

The One With the Christmas Season

What we did to celebrate Christmas this year:


• Enchanted Village Trip

• Watched Christmas Marathon

• Went to Grinch movie the day for Thanksgiving

• Created on wreath through Audobon

• Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown

 • Cookie Day 

• Road trip to lights in Lynnfield