Chicago!

Chicago and I love each other! I love the big city and miss it so much. It has so much to offer that it's hard not to miss! A couple of weeks ago, I flew out without children to visit Jenny. We had an amazing time! I won't bore you with all the details, but I will tell you that we did very little and enjoyed every minute of it! We dined at the Melting Pot...so much fun, people watched in the Water Tower, looked at the Macy's Christmas windows...not very impressive this year, bought ornaments at the Christkingle (know that I didn't spell that right) market, and best yet had massages at my favorite spa Spacio!
If there is one thing that you do for yourself in this new year, please take the time to take care of yourself. I know that most of us (especially the moms) too often put ourselves on the list but never really get to it. This weekend in Chicago for myself was a perfect example. I came back refreshed and ready to take on the holiday season!

Little Signs

Many of you know that the four year anniversary of my mother's death was a couple of weeks ago. The days leading up to "the day" are an emotional roller coaster to say the least. This year has been no exception. Troy does an amazing job at trying to know when to step in and take over! Normally, we do something very Christmas-y and decorate and live in the moment with our family. However, this year I was in Chicago sans family. I went to visit my good friend Jenny for an extended weekend trip. It was a great choice for me!
Anyway, Friday morning found me standing in front of the church where Bren went to pre-K and where my good friend Karyn was guiding the children's choir for school Mass. I was unsure about how I felt. I have not yet confronted the feelings I have toward Him regarding my mother's passing. I felt a little uneasy walking in church on the day she was taken from me. Karyn and I had arranged to meet there before heading for hot chocolate/coffee at one of my favorite little places in Lincoln Square...I digress. I walked in for no other reason than it was freezing outside and I really was looking forward to seeing Karyn.
We had coffee and she talked me into coming back to church for the Blue Nativity program for the school. It was an amazing program! BUT the real moment for me was when the dozen or so performers sang a John Denver song! Those of you who knew my mom, know the obession she had with this man. A huge smile spread across my face and my heart leapt with joy! Was it just conincedence, or was someone trying to tell me that it's ok?! I'm not sure, but it turned out to be a pretty amazing day!

Feelings...

Just feeling so very sad lately...

Snow!!

Last night it finally snowed enough for the kids to play this morning. Now, when I say this morning, I really mean I let them head out around 7am, BEFORE the sun had a chance to make a huge appearance! They loved it! Brenden quickly made the first snow angel of the year and proceeded to get out his dump truck. Annie just ran around smiling and falling in to the snow. Even our dog Basil got into it, running and jumping around! It was fabulous! I had to make them come in to eat breakfast and lunch! Annie actually stayed out for quite a long time too.

Not only did that brighten my day, but I made baby blankets AND my new washer and dryer were delivered!!! What a day!

Thankful

There really is no end to what I'm thankful for this year! It has been a crazy year to say the least, but now we are "settled" into our new life here in the burbs. This Thanksgiving we had a yummy dinner prepared by moi with help from the kids. Bren is great in the kitchen but our Annie has her own ideas about how things should go and it isn't always easy. While making homemade whip cream, I actually shocked myself!! Really! I plugged in the kitchen maid mixer and touched the metal top, and the world hummed for a couple of seconds. After a few panic stricken minutes, I texted Heather to make sure I hadn't damaged myself. My lovely sister said I'd survive and that I'm really a slow learner in the kitchen! Yeah, well what's new?!

My good friend Gina (neighbor from Southie) came over with her 3 year old, Chloe. She brought the most delicious apple pie and pink cheese cake for the girls. After a nice meal with actual adult conversation. I threw (not really) all the kids in the bath...Bren first (he's got a thing about being naked with others around, so not like the past) and then the girls. All got into jammies and settled down to watch Black Beauty while Gina and I headed out (by ourselves) to see a movie. I'm pretty embarrassed to say what we saw, so I won't. All in all, a fabulous day!

Halloween fun

Brenden has been waiting for Halloween for weeks!! He has had his costume and has worn the mask playing in the yard! It was painful to watch him wait for the sun to dip and Annie to wake from her nap. Patience is not one of my sons best traits! Finally it was time to dress up and head out with our friend Chloe. Brenden was a Star Wars storm trooper and the girls were Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. As we gathered outside, waiting to see anybody else, the nicest policemen came by to make sure we had safety lights (the girls shoes did not count, so we had to get flashlights) and give the kids candy. Apparently in the burbs, policemen are actually here to make sure we are safe and have fun! Who knew?!

The kids marched off without a care in the world and did an amazing job with manners and patience! The night was wonderful! Candy was earned and bedtime was late! What else could you ask for?!

Fall in My Yard

One of the most amazing times in New England is fall! The leaves turn beautiful colors as if saying goodbye before they head into winter. Here are just a few of the tress in our backyard. Enjoy...

Pumpkin pickin

We headed north this year to a "new" pumpkin patch. We wanted to try to find something less commercial and boy did we find it! We went to Boston Hill Farm just north of Boston. It's a very small family owner farm/orchard. It was less than exciting BUT the pumpkins were amazing! Every single one was completely round and still on the vine! We took a hay ride out to the field and walked our pumpkins back. (Yes, Brenden is wearing a Boston Red Sox hat!!)

Carving actually happened a couple of days later. Annie and Brenden scooped their own pumpkins! I never thought that Annie would be willing to try, but she did very carefully and got nothing on her. The funniest moment was when both kids decided to lick the pumpkin lids!!! They enjoyed grossing me out!

Our pumpkins are all sitting happily on our little from stoop....

Skype

Do you know about Skype? I think it has got to be the best invention EVER! It is a computer (excuse my rough description) program that allows you to "call" people around the world and have a video phone call...the best is that it is absolutely FREE!!
It all started when Dad moved to Dubai and we needed a way to talk without racking up the bucks. Dad found skype and we got started. When it all began, I only had a microphone and no camera and that first phone call was emotional. I hadn't seen dad in about a month (after having him in my home every 2 weeks this was tough) and seeing him on my computer screen was hard on me. Anyway, I got a camera and the rest is computer history!
Why is this so amazing? My family literally lives all over and it's tough with the kids. Before skype, Brenden would be so shy the first couple of days when visiting with family. Now we can chat with them every night and stay so connected. The evidence is the excitement my kids radiate when it's time to skype with family. We skype with grandparents at least once a week and friends monthly. It has become a normal part of our little life.
To those of you with family out of state or just a little too far down the road for frequent visits, I highly recommend skype! It has saved my emotional life on more than one occasion!

Newest addition...

Today was my 18 week ultrasound and it was amazing!! I never get tired of seeing that little baby on the screen. All is well! Baby has all of its organs, it's spine is lovely, and its heart was beating wildly! The baby moved constantly during the screening, much more than Bren or Annie. I can't wait to have this little one in my arms!!

The Visit

Last weekend Sandy and dad came for a short visit. I'd like to say it was a great visit BUT I really didn't see either one the entire weekend! It was not a bad visit by ANY means, well to really appreciate the story you need some background information....

The house that I love is in need of some TLC to say the least! We bought this house from the original owners who built/bought this home in 1956!! There have been minor updates to it, but the majority of the home is still from 1956. It is a great little home and I really love it BUT could love it more if there were some improvements made, say about 10 years ago!!!

So, the plan was for Dad and Sandy to stay in the "guest room" in the basement and use the "good" bathroom upstairs with the rest of us. Dad, being the dad that he is, suggested that he'd clean the basement bathroom (I have refused to step into the place) so they could be out of our way. I, not one to turn down a free cleaning, agreed. So, here's where the story takes a laughable turn. Dad was cleaning and stepped on the threshold of the shower and the ENTIRE thing broke apart. Long story short, dad spent the entire weekend trying to repair the shower and make it livable. The good news is Troy has decided to rip it all out and really fix it (yes, scary)! Plus, Brenden got to spend some quality time helping Papa work in the basement. This involved multiple trips to Home Depot and out very own power saw (I don't even know where the closest hospital is yet)!

Dad also hung blinds in all the bedrooms, hung my curtain less rods in the living room, and managed to keep a smile on his face. The best part is that dad never said once that my home was a mistake. He's been so completely supportive as my little family continues on our journey. I love you dad more than I can express (another post I'm sure)!!!!

Birthdays...

The kids are each a year older. Their birthdays' have come and gone. I can not believe how much they've grown up this past year! Annie is talking lots, going to the bathroom like a "big" girl, and doing everything on her own (her way). Brenden has become quiet the little man. He's always been, but now he's really aware of things going on around him. He's become a leader, curious of everything, and a question ask-er. All of this I love! Here are some updated pics of them hanging around.

My home...

This is my home!!! The top picture is my backyard and the bottom picture is my front yard. It may not look like much but it's ours and we love it!!!! The kids are loving the huge backyard. They come home and run, run, run!! I wish I had pictures of Troy mowing it for the first time because the yard is HUGE and took him an hour and a half to get it done! I will post pics of the inside when it's all done...

small breaths

OK so we're in our home and have been for about a week. We just got Internet in our home. It's very weird...my home. Anyway, Internet is slow out here in the boon docks. Really people we have wild turkeys running through our yards, about 2 blocks from our house is a granite quarry, and I feel like we're in the middle of nowhere! Just my first time living outside the city as an adult. I'll get used to it, right?!

The kids are adjusting well to school! Brenden is coming out of his shell and the teacher has good things to say. Annie was never in a shell and is blossoming herself. I can't believe that this is "birthday week"! Annie will be three and Brenden six. REALLY? Why do they grow so quickly? Some kind of cruel joke...

I'm loving my job! I work with the most amazing people and the kids are coming alive. Many of them are saying that History is their favorite class. I'd like to think it's because the material is really fun to teach/learn, but I think it's because I'm the most relaxed with them. Boston Collegiate really is an amazing place to teach!!

Anyway, pictures to come tonight when the kids are in bed...

My apologies

I know, it's been a long time since my last post. Things have been busy to say the least....

After my sister's visit, my in-laws came and spent the week with us. It just happened to be the first really hot and yucky week. We made the best of it and had a great time. The best was traveling west to Kimberland Farms. It's not a working farm but there's lots to do and see. We had huge dinners, rode bumper boats (hysterical) and went up in a helium balloon. I would like to say the best part of the visit for me was Lana and her packing. Yep, you got it right, Lana packed about half my house for me!!!!

We also bought Troy a new car in anticipation of our suburban move in a couple of weeks. Very fun...

I started working at Boston Collegiate Charter School. Amazing. I am finally in a school where hard work and excellence are rewarded. I am excited to be part of such a mission. I am overwhelmed but keeping it together. I can't believe that school starts on Monday!!!!

We close on our home tomorrow!! It's been a trying experience and I will be happy when it's all done...

So my biggest news and change is that we are in fact expecting our third baby!! I'm due sometime in early March. It's really early in the pregnancy, but there are differences between this pregnancy and the other two. The biggest difference is my emotional roller coaster!! I am pretty close to feeling bi-polar! I'm still aggressive...for those of you who know me best, you know that I have been nicknamed "the beast" when pregnant. The beast is alive and well!!

Rainy day spent in the Children's Museum.

We were really lucky the the hot weather stayed away until after Heather's visit!! We had a couple of rainy days where we were confined inside but we made the best of it! We visited the Children's Museum (our go-to place when it's raining). This was Heather's last day so the girls headed out for a little girl time. Annie has never before been without Brenden to the museum and got to make all the decisions as to where we went. It was liberating for her. We had a nice lunch in South Station and headed home for naps.

I am lucky to have a sister who wants to spend her entire vacation with my little family! We pushed the kids hard and had a really nice visit! I am grateful that she was able to come up to Boston and look forward to her next visit. We love you Roo!!!

Another Day with Roo...Salem

Happy kids before the witch presentation at the Salem Witch Museum. Annie was terrified by the presentation and spent the entire time wrapped up in Heather's arms rocking back and forth!

The stockade in front of the oldest cemetery I've ever been in!

We took a trolley tour of Salem and had a great time. We had a blast visiting the creepy little town!

Day 2: Plymouth Plantation

Our next day was spent at Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower II, and Plymouth Rock. Another day of hysterical fun! The kids are a perfect age to visit the old 17th century village. They got to "talk" to historians and ask great questions (Brenden was curious about the size of the houses), visit the gardens, and the favorite was feeding the goats!

Here Brenden is actually sawing away with a gentleman. It would have taken a LONG time to cut through the log the way Brenden was working!

Annie loved the gardens!!

Feeding the goats! I took this same picture of my students last fall!!! I guess city kids are pretty curious about farm animals.

So, I didn't post the picture of this because I have to be nice. BUT when we were in the common house looking around, we went upstairs to look out the windows. Brenden loved seeing the cannons and Annie had fun poking her head out the slats. UNTIL, Annie got her head stuck in one of the windows!! We were on the other side of the room when I heard her yelling, "I'm stuck!" I couldn't stop laughing!! Too funny. Well, she heard me laughing and began screaming, "It's not funny!" which made me laugh even harder!! I was able to get her head out by lifting her up towards a wider area and we went on our way, but seriously it was terribly funny!!

Heather's visit...day 1

Dick's Resort made this for Brenden while we ate dinner!!

My sister came to Boston last week and I'm finally getting the post up! I really do have a good excuse...as soon as Heather left, my in-laws arrived. It's been never ending fun in my house!

Anyway, we had a really great time with Heather!! We were totally tourists every day. As soon as she got off the plane, we packed the kids up and headed to George's Island. It's one of the inner harbor islands that you can visit for the day by ferry. It was perfect! The weather was great and the ferry ride was absoutely the highlight of the trip. We climbed rocks, visited the fort, and of course threw many rocks.

A day at the beach

Today was gorgeous so we high-tailed it to our local beach. Can you believe that we were the first ones there? In Chicago I had to fight to get beach space! Bostonians don't know what they got! Anyway, the water was "cool" and clear, the breeze was brisk, but the sun was shinning!! Nice way to spend our morning! We buried feet, dug for rocks, and built castles. Yummy!!!