2014....
What a memorable year for so many reasons....
• trip to Disney
• the first year of softball for Bri
• kindergarten starts for Kiff
• 10 year anniversary
• 20 year teaching at the same school
• working for new publishers
• Emmie takes on several volunteer roles
• Kiff loses his first tooth
• Bri has three tooth out of her front at once
• Bri is in her first parade
• Kiff and Bri both do gymnastics together
Thanks 2014....it has been a great year....can't wait to see what comes in 2015.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
The One With the Winter Solstice Sunrise
Today is the winter solstice and we continued our annual tradition of watching the sunrise. It is always fun, but this year, we had a nice twist...instead of trying to rouse the kids (which sometimes happens), they were already awake and ready to go.
We wandered over the Beverly, wondering if we would be able to see the sun. After all, there was a thick cloud cover and a few snowflakes in the air. But, when we got there, the big guy was indeed looking out for us. There was a sliver of clear sky. Although we did not truly see the sun itself rise, we saw the glint of sunlight in the air, ushering in the first day of winter.
We had hot cocoa and tea and donuts, listened to some winter music, and then made our way home.
What a nice way to usher in the winter season.
We wandered over the Beverly, wondering if we would be able to see the sun. After all, there was a thick cloud cover and a few snowflakes in the air. But, when we got there, the big guy was indeed looking out for us. There was a sliver of clear sky. Although we did not truly see the sun itself rise, we saw the glint of sunlight in the air, ushering in the first day of winter.
We had hot cocoa and tea and donuts, listened to some winter music, and then made our way home.
What a nice way to usher in the winter season.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
The One With the Candy Cane Hunt
The other night, we went to the first ever Candy Cane Hunt in our town. Picture it as an easter egg hunt, only at night, with Candy Canes.
Clever idea, right?
Indeed....it was a ton of fun.
We arrived at about 5:00 and noticed one thing - there were a lot of people who signed up to be hear. We gathered by a big bonfire in a field and shortly after, it was time to line up by a rope. Something told me this could be a quick night. It reminded me of Far and Away, when the homesteaders were standing by a rope, waiting to claim land.
We waited...and waited...and waited with about 200 other kids. I believe they realized they needed more candy canes.
Before we knew it, it was time to go and collected candy canes scattered across the ground. Kids were everywhere as flashlight beams danced across the grass.
We dashed carefully all over the field - competing with others for collecting candy canes. Bri found one and Kiff found two. We were hoping there would not be disappointment and there wasn't. Most families actually only found one or two...though one kid claimed to have found 35.
Overall, it was a fun time. They definitely could use more candy canes, but it was creative, fun, and well-planned.
Clever idea, right?
Indeed....it was a ton of fun.
We arrived at about 5:00 and noticed one thing - there were a lot of people who signed up to be hear. We gathered by a big bonfire in a field and shortly after, it was time to line up by a rope. Something told me this could be a quick night. It reminded me of Far and Away, when the homesteaders were standing by a rope, waiting to claim land.
We waited...and waited...and waited with about 200 other kids. I believe they realized they needed more candy canes.
Before we knew it, it was time to go and collected candy canes scattered across the ground. Kids were everywhere as flashlight beams danced across the grass.
We dashed carefully all over the field - competing with others for collecting candy canes. Bri found one and Kiff found two. We were hoping there would not be disappointment and there wasn't. Most families actually only found one or two...though one kid claimed to have found 35.
Overall, it was a fun time. They definitely could use more candy canes, but it was creative, fun, and well-planned.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Happy Halloween
Indeed, what a happy Halloween it was. This past Friday - I love Halloweens on Friday - we celebrated Halloween in great fashion.
First, Kiff and I worked outside and set up our lights. We try to have a nice display outside for Halloween. We then came in and had our standard Sweet and Sour Meatball meal. Emmie always loves that to usher in Halloween.
It took a little time to get ready, but we put on our costumes.
Emmie was a medieval lass.
Bri, who had gone as a pirate fairy for a school function, went as a Native American princess.
Kiff went as a police officer.
I was a pirate. I am going to do this costume again.
We went trick or treating in our neighborhood. It was hardly busy. We only saw a handful of people...which is sad. Many people left candy bowls at their doors....usually, we only run into three houses like this; but this year, I think we found ten. We were able to see some neighbors get into it, which was great. Nana held the fort at our house. We only had about 12 visitors, down from 26 last year.
We did our typical routine and actually wanted to extend it...but the kids were tired.
We came back, they had a visit from the Great Pumpkin - who always visits in the back - and then we came in to have a few bites of candy. Bri wanted to watch the Disney Legend of Sleepy Hollow (I love that show) which we did. Then, we watched some fun Halloween shows while they fell asleep downstairs campfire style. We brought them upstairs then watched a Halloween History show (which was cool) and the end of Bride of Frankenstein.
What a Halloween!!!
First, Kiff and I worked outside and set up our lights. We try to have a nice display outside for Halloween. We then came in and had our standard Sweet and Sour Meatball meal. Emmie always loves that to usher in Halloween.
It took a little time to get ready, but we put on our costumes.
Emmie was a medieval lass.
Bri, who had gone as a pirate fairy for a school function, went as a Native American princess.
Kiff went as a police officer.
I was a pirate. I am going to do this costume again.
We went trick or treating in our neighborhood. It was hardly busy. We only saw a handful of people...which is sad. Many people left candy bowls at their doors....usually, we only run into three houses like this; but this year, I think we found ten. We were able to see some neighbors get into it, which was great. Nana held the fort at our house. We only had about 12 visitors, down from 26 last year.
We did our typical routine and actually wanted to extend it...but the kids were tired.
We came back, they had a visit from the Great Pumpkin - who always visits in the back - and then we came in to have a few bites of candy. Bri wanted to watch the Disney Legend of Sleepy Hollow (I love that show) which we did. Then, we watched some fun Halloween shows while they fell asleep downstairs campfire style. We brought them upstairs then watched a Halloween History show (which was cool) and the end of Bride of Frankenstein.
What a Halloween!!!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
What a Windmill
Last week we were able to enjoy a special treat down Cape Cod. The Judah Baker windmill, located along Bass River, was open for visitors.
Growing up, I spent summers down Cape Cod. The windmill was always a constant landmark. We visited it, we talked about it, we went to the beach that dotted its periphery. However, only once was the windmill open...and then for repairs. I may have visited it that one time, but never again.
Yet, the windmill is now open for a few hours several days a week in the summer. We happened to be there when it opened. And wow....what a treat. We were able to go inside and saw the amazing structure. First, it was three stories high. It has an amazing view from the second story - you can't go to the third one . And it truly shows that a windmill looked like. The volunteers sharing about the windmill were great, too.
What a treat! As a family, not only were we able to see a historic landmark - complete with much of the original wood - we were able to see a part of the landscape of my memories.
It is definitely worth the trip.
Growing up, I spent summers down Cape Cod. The windmill was always a constant landmark. We visited it, we talked about it, we went to the beach that dotted its periphery. However, only once was the windmill open...and then for repairs. I may have visited it that one time, but never again.
Yet, the windmill is now open for a few hours several days a week in the summer. We happened to be there when it opened. And wow....what a treat. We were able to go inside and saw the amazing structure. First, it was three stories high. It has an amazing view from the second story - you can't go to the third one . And it truly shows that a windmill looked like. The volunteers sharing about the windmill were great, too.
What a treat! As a family, not only were we able to see a historic landmark - complete with much of the original wood - we were able to see a part of the landscape of my memories.
It is definitely worth the trip.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
One Bad Bumper Sticker
Earlier today, I saw a bumper sticker that stuck out to me.
It read:
Unless you are a hemerrhoid, get off my butt!
Well, the word butt was replaced with another choice word, but given the nature of family audiences, I have changed it to be more "sanitary."
Now, don't get me wrong. I am a fan of bumper stickers and honestly, I get the point of this one. Still, upon a closer investigation, the bumper sticker is actually scary. Nay, disturbing.
In essence, the person is actually suggesting that you should get off their butt unless you are a hemerrhoid. But, honestly, who really wants a hemerrhoid on their butt, either. Let's face it, there isn't too much you want on a butt and hemerrhoids are chief among them.
So, I am thinking that the bumper sticker should be rewritten. Something like:
Don't be a hemerrhoid...get off my butt.
Gets right to the point. Pleasantly!
It read:
Unless you are a hemerrhoid, get off my butt!
Well, the word butt was replaced with another choice word, but given the nature of family audiences, I have changed it to be more "sanitary."
Now, don't get me wrong. I am a fan of bumper stickers and honestly, I get the point of this one. Still, upon a closer investigation, the bumper sticker is actually scary. Nay, disturbing.
In essence, the person is actually suggesting that you should get off their butt unless you are a hemerrhoid. But, honestly, who really wants a hemerrhoid on their butt, either. Let's face it, there isn't too much you want on a butt and hemerrhoids are chief among them.
So, I am thinking that the bumper sticker should be rewritten. Something like:
Don't be a hemerrhoid...get off my butt.
Gets right to the point. Pleasantly!
Friday, July 11, 2014
Buzzzzzzz
We had a weird incident happen yesterday.
As I was cleaning out a portion of a garden weeding, little did I know that a group of yellow jackets had been working on one of their ground nests.
My knee - it appears - sat squarely on where their nest was.
Before I knew it, I felt a sharp piercing in my arm, then neck, then knee. I quickly lept, batting at the air. Then I dashed to the driveway, waving about furiously. I quickly ran to Kiff and Bri and rushed them inside, my sides, neck, and arm burning.
I got inside and found two of the yellow jackets still on me.
After putting an ice pack on my neck and having help me out, I started counting. I had about ten stings.
Yikes.
As I was cleaning out a portion of a garden weeding, little did I know that a group of yellow jackets had been working on one of their ground nests.
My knee - it appears - sat squarely on where their nest was.
Before I knew it, I felt a sharp piercing in my arm, then neck, then knee. I quickly lept, batting at the air. Then I dashed to the driveway, waving about furiously. I quickly ran to Kiff and Bri and rushed them inside, my sides, neck, and arm burning.
I got inside and found two of the yellow jackets still on me.
After putting an ice pack on my neck and having help me out, I started counting. I had about ten stings.
Yikes.
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