They Are Off!

I dropped the big girls off at sleep away camp yesterday!

They are gone for 2 weeks. *hiding excitement*

They have gone to this camp in New Hampshire for several years. This is Sami's 4th summer and Casey's 3rd. It is the same camp I went to in the 6th grade!

They are so excited, as was I!

They go the same 2 weeks every year. Many of their friends go the same weeks also. It is so great, they have met people from around the world and country. They loved going and seeing all of them!

It is a "nature" camp. They will be boating, hiking and lots more. Sam is doing a Community Service project this year with her group.

This is the view out Sami's cabin!

Here we are, happy as clams, before I left!

It Happens In Three's!

Like the most of the world I was sad to see the passing of 3 stars. Micheal, Farrah and Ed. All of them icons on some way.

MJ's death and music is everywhere! I think it totally overshadowed the others. That was sad.

It also made my son terrified.

Yes, it did.

I put him to bed last night and left the room. 3 minutes later he was screaming for me.

Tommy "Mom, I am scared!"

Me: "Of what?"

Tommy: "Of that Micheal Jackson guy! He died and he is scary How did he die?"

Me: "I am not sure. I think he was sick and his heart didn't work anymore"

Tommy: "Well, I saw him on the news and he looked so scary. He had weird yellow eyes"

The light bulb came on! He saw clips of the Thriller video on TV! Poor Kid!
That video is classic! I remember sitting watching MTV waiting for it to come on. It was like a mini show!

And of course, we all learned how to do the Goul dance. Say you didn't, but I know you all did at some time or another!

I also know you all tried to Moonwalk!

**Note to self.......no more watching MJ documentaries or the news in front of Tommy!**

Rain Rain Go Away!

Seriously....it has been raining here for a month! Lat weekend we got 1 day or so of sunshine.

I have cabin fever.

My house likes it though! I am cleaning out closets!

I just left Casey's room with a GIANT trash bag filled. Serves he right for not doing it. I asked her to clean it a week ago.

She didn't.

So I did!

I bet she doesn't even notice!

Katie Talk

Some talks Katie, my 3 year old, has had with me the past few days.

"Momma, when I was a boy last year I liked boy stuff!"

*Watching her big sisters get in the bus*
"Last year I was big to go on the school bus"

While I was getting dressed she said
"Momma, you have no hair like dad, except for your butt!"
**DISCLAIMER.......she was looking at the FRONT of me, not the back. I do not have a hairy butt!**

Got to love the mind of a 3 year old!

My 5K Race!

I DID IT! I DID IT! *doing happy dance!*

I completed the race with 2 out of my 3 goals checked off.

1. To finish the race. *DONE*

2. To not come in last! (I came in 908th out of 1500!) *DONE*

3. To do it in 30 min or less *NOT DONE*

I ran the race in 33.11 minutes. Not bad for a girl who just started running 3 months ago.

Me and my 2 good friends, Jen and Meg, met before the race.

Yes, that was our Chariot that took us behind us....NOT.

It was amazing to run! There were 1,500 registered runners! What a thrill to stand at the start line and see a sea of people running!

Half way through the course I made it up a hill that I didn't do the week before when we did a trial run of the course. When I got to the top I told my friend to keep going. I was slowing down. In fact, up ahead was a water station and I grabbed a water and had to walk for a few seconds. That is until another friend, who I didn't know was running, came up behind me, tapped me on the back and told me to start running! We ran the last mile together. I am SOOOO grateful to her. If it wasn't for her, I would have stopped more! I was dying (it was very humid out!) and she kept me motivated to keep running. We crossed the finish line together.

I really am proud of myself. I said to myself 3 months ago I was going to do this and I did it!

Here I am just after finishing, hence the messy hair and bright red face!

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Dad's Day to all the Dad's in my life!

My husband, Chris. He is a wonderful father! Not only to our 2 kids we have together, but to my 2 daughter's. He treats them like his own and always has. You would NEVER know that the are not biologically his. People are surprised when they find out. He loves and supports all of them.
Thank you for being a wonderful husband and father.

My Dad, Frank. He is a GREAT Papa! He makes the time almost every weekend to see his Grandkids. One week it is mine, the next my brother's and then my sisters. Whoever is available that weekend. He loves spending time with them all. He takes them out to breakfast or lunch. He never comes empty handed either. Whether is is a cookbook for me or something he saw for the kids.

My Step Dad, Manny. A wonderful guy who is not only a 2nd dad to me, but a great Grampa! He is a great guy to bounce ideas or troubles off of. For that, I am grateful.

My Father in Law, Ron. Without you, many things in my life would not be. He is a great supporter to our family and a great Grampy. We love spending time with you at the Vineyard and in Florida! Thank you for everything.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Freaked out!

OK....I just pulled a tick of of Katie's coochie!

I am freaked.

She probably got it from spending 5 hours at the park. I am so mad at myself for not checking!

We were in Target and she said there was something down there. She had a dress on and I took a quick peek in the isle. She didn't want me to touch. I thought it was some lint.

I get home, she goes pee and I look.

It wasn't lint.

It was a tick. One that has sucked some blood out already.

UGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screaming Child in Isle 5!

Last night was a shopping trip from HELL!

Casey decides to tell me the night before she needs a new bathing suit for a pool party tomorrow. Of course she does!

Chris had a meeting last night.
Of course he does!

Sam and Casey needs stuff for sleepaway camp, so they ALL need to go to Kohls.
Of course they do!

Off we go, me and 4 kids. Mind you, we had just spent 5 hours at the park then went to playgroup, so Katie and Tommy were tired. I knew I was pushing the envelope going, but it needed to be done.

Little did I know Mommy should have taken some serious pills or had a Martini before entering the world of shopping with 4 kids.

Casey picked out 2 bathing suits that were meant for a 20 year old with boobs.
Of course she did!
I put a stop to that and and made her pick something else. She was NOT happy.

In the mean time Katie decides she doesn't like the cart and rips off all the bathing suits at her level and tosses them on the floor, while Tommy yells "She keeps looking at me!"
The poor people trying to shop around me. I got "the look" from several of them.

As we are looking they each spot a character watch. I figure I will let them hold them so they will be quiet.
WRONG IDEA!

While Katie accepts the fact that Mommy isn't buying them, Tommy decides that he NEEDS a Matchbox Car watch. His is broken and he has to have it.
Mind you, he is 5 and can't even tell time yet!

He proceeds to cry and cry. Mommy is NOT giving in.

We race to the cash register with a hysterical 5 year old. I can't get out of there fast enough!

Sam, Casey and Katie decide it will be easier to wait in the car for me. THANKS!

While I am getting rung up, he continues to cry inconsolably. People around me are frightened.

I offer him as a prize to some. No one will take him.
I offer him to moms with teenagers as punishment......no takers.

We finally leave the store to people offering me prayers and hopes of a better night.

He cries the entire way home. To the point he needs his inhaler.

He says to me "MOM! The woman on the loud speaker say "BUY SOMETHING YOU LOVE!" I love that watch and you didn't buy it for me!!"

Yes, because I am the worst mom of the night and I should have listened to the advertisement on the loud speaker!

Happy Birthday Grampa!

Happy Birthday to my Step Dad, Manny.

He has been in my life for about 20 years. Yes folks, he entered my life right smack in my teenage years. God love him. If you anything about my teenage years, that means A LOT!
But, I won't get into that. **smiling**

He is a wonderful parent and grandfather. He is "Grampa" to all the grandkids.

He is at every birthday, holiday, get together and even Preschool graduation! (see above picture!)

He is a special guy to me and my family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMPA!!!

Trial Run

Yesterday I ran the 5K route with my girlfriends.

I did it! I couldn't beleive it!

The first time in my life I have run 3 or so miles!

We did walk for a short time at one point.

I did want to pass out a several points.

But in the end........I did it!

This was a trial run for the race on Saturday!

Dear Department Store Cashier

Dear Mall Department Store Cashier,

Tuesday I went to your store, which I normally do not shop at, to purchase a pair of running pants. I have my first 5K next weekend and I wanted to look "somewhat" like a runner and not an amateur. We all know fashion plays some part in running. Right?

Well, I found a pair of pants/capri style pants that I liked. You were having a sale and I thought I could justify it. I passed on a matching top since I just bought several at different store, for MUCH less!

I dragged my 5 and 3 year old in the dressing room. 1/2 way through, my newly potty trained 3 year old informed me she needed to pee. **SIGH** I raced to get my clothes back on and went to pay.

Did I look rushed and annoyed when you tried to make small talk with my son while my daughter cried to pee? You didn't seem to notice. Did I look annoyed when you got flustered with register? You didn't seem to notice.

Today, I went to put on those pants so I can go run/walk/crawl the 5K route. I have been trying to pump myself up all morning. I pull them out of the bag and see the SECURITY TAG STILL ON!!!! Why didn't it set the alarm off when I left the store?!?!

Man, I was so upset.

Seeing your store is 30 minutes away, I tried to take matters into my own hands. I marched to the garage and placed the tag in my husbands Vice.

I did notice the tag said "tampering will break glass and cause ink to leak out, please see sales associate for removal."

I didn't beleive it.

It is true, glass and ink come out. Red ink. Thank god they are black pants and I was smart to put a towel around it! It is all over my hands, but not the clothes.

So please, when you are cashing someone out, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember to take the security tag off! Is it really that tough to remember? Don't you have them on ALL the clothes? So it wasn't anything new to you.

Not So Sincerely,

Angered Shopper with Red Ink Stained Hands.

My Win has Arrived!

I was away all weekend and came home to a package waiting for me! If you remember, I won the book "I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can" from Dipoala Momma over at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom. Go check her out, she is funny and you won't be disappointed!

I open the package and out spills so much more! Not only did she send me the book, but she put stuff in for my kids!
She totally rocks! Seriously........ROCKS!
So thank you girl for all the goodies and the note you put in for me!

To my Bloggy Friends....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go check her out. She is having a really cool giveaway while she is away on vaca! Tell her I sent you!

My Budding Artist

Tommy made this picture of a Bionicle named "Gresh".

Is it just me and my sick mind.....or are you laughing too?

I am still here!

I am here. I have been so busy since I was away this weekend.

I have lots to share! I had a great weekend with old friends and then I came home to my package from DiPaola Momma waiting for me!

So stay tuned for a post. I just need to get my feet back on the ground from my weekend away.

Like Old Times

This weekend I am blogging remotly!

I am in upstate NY with my childhood friends! Joc is getting married this fall so we are having her wedding shower.

We got here yesterday and had a wonderful sleepover. Her parents, sisters and friends are here. I have not seen her family since I was in high school. I will not say how many years for fear of dating myself!

Today we are going on a wine tasting tour! I am super excited. A new experience for me.

I am sitting back enjoying the friendships with them. It is like we were never apart!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

On my way to a 5K

As you may know I am running my first 5K at the end of the month. A local one, Sharon Timlin Memorial Race.

When I started running I could not even run the length of my backyard without wanting to stop!

Well, this weekend I ran my first 2 miles without stopping. That is huge for me!

My trick? I ran it on the main road (I have been running in the neighborhood) so I would:
A) Run so I wouldn't get hit by a car
B) Run without stopping because I didn't want anyone to see me stop and think I was a loser!

It worked! I did it!

I have 3 weeks to get that solid 3 miles in. I know I can do it.

The best part? I have realized I love running. I do it with no kids. It is peaceful.

I have also lost some inches on my waist line and fit into some capris I didn't fit in last Spring.

Now that is all the motivation I need!