Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday....

So last night I appropriately ended the night with a high end, high alcohol Chardonnay.

It was my son's 10th birthday, and we took 10 friends to Canobie Lake Park. It was a fantastic day - no lines, no waiting because it was chilly and overcast, but truly - those are the best days to go because you get no lines and no waiting. The kids went on everything multiple times, everyone got along which I was afraid might be a challenge because there's only one of my son - and of course, everyone was wanting to pair off and ride with him on rides - but it all worked out. All the kids got along great and despite a few hiccups here and there it was a really great day. But definitely exhausting....(and expensive, might I add.)

I can't believe T is 10 years old. Double digits. A decade. Officially a "tween". And Princess Petunia, well.... soon to be 7, going on 15. Where does the time go?





Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Winning....

Hopefully today was the beginning of the season for the Sox. They needed this win badly, for a variety of reasons -- but they aren't entirely out of the woods yet. They absolutely need better starting pitching. And dare I say it at risk of sounding prejudiced - better catching. I know Salty is going to get there, and offensively he's seemingly good; but his defense is less than stellar at the moment. And this is the big leagues baby, I just don't think this team can afford to spoon feed a catcher. It hasn't worked in the past, I don't know how it can work now. I suppose that I'd have rather seen a more seasoned catcher, that's all.


It was really a fun day today - the first time I was able to watch the Opening Day game while I was at work. Gone are the days of listening to it on the radio. Love it.


Usually whenever the military jets do a fly by for Gillette or Fenway, we see them over our house; today we saw them over the store. We heard the rumbling, and ran to the window where we saw them fly overhead. Pretty cool. Actually - when I ran to Starbucks to get a coffee, I ran into one of my customers who showed me this on her cell phone - and she promtply posted it onto YouTube as well. Good times...


On the downside today, Princess Petunia has some bizarre random virus; she woke up at 4am with a slight fever and stomache ache - but fell back asleep and woke up fine. She looked flipping adorable actually -- it was Red Sox day and she was in a vintage Johnny Damon jersey with pig tails and feeling fine. So off to school she went.....but after school, mild fever reared it's ugly head and she napped. She's up now and feeling better, actually eating - but still looks so tired. Hopefully a good night sleep will do her some good.


In the meantime, this girl is snuggled up on the sofa with the Princess Petunia...sipping on a glass of wine and enjoying all the postgame online chatter. Tonight is going to be low key, just like this - without even a game plan for dinner. And you know what, I sort of like it that way for a change. I'd love a cheap Chinese food night, but we will have to see what the majority rule is.


Happy to be home. Happy to be with the family. Guess I'm "winning" too, today.

Monday, Monday...it's here to stay...

So sad to have seen the weekend end.

Saturday, the kiddies and I went to the most beautiful town in the Boston area - "SWellsley" (Thanks AE for the backstory on the nickname!) where we spent the day at Elm Bank and enjoyed the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival. It's an annual event where local farmers market types come and sell their wares. We got to get food from our favorite little Amish farm, StoneyBrook out in Montgomery, MA. The BEST peach pie in the whole entire world!! Pear Bread, Shoefly Pie...mmmm, good.

I found a few new food vendors that I'm excited to see their products at the store; but I was rather disappointed in this year's event. There were far less vendors than before, and the food wasn't as good either; I packed a sheet for us to picnic -but there was no food to have lunch with. Usually there's a caterer, but this time it was one guy working the grill, and everything was sold out by 12:30. But that's okay - we still had so much fun.

Sunday, it was the Feast of the Madonna in the North End. One of the smaller ones - but still so yummy. I had an Arancini and I am now good for at least another year with that incredible indulgence. Speaking of indulgences, the chocolate covered marshmellows - were insane. Insane!

We then left after a while and went to the Nevin's Farm shelter in hopes of seeing adorable little puppies; but we got there just as they closed. So, instead we hopped in and out of store and the Rockingham Mall before settling in for dinner. (Not that I was incredibly hungry after that Arancini, but hey - I found the room for it.)

It's weekends like these that make it difficult to enjoy Monday.
And I'm always thankful for this blog, because when the kiddies get older and don't want to hang out with me anymore, I can always look back and see all the fun we used to have.

It's your birthday....Happy Birthday....

Six years ago today, Princess Petunia arrived.

And it was literally 6 years - today. Meaning, it was a Monday that she was born.

I'd been in labor all day the day previous; contractions were 7 minutes apart consistently - but nothing incredibly uncomfortable. I spent the day at a girlfriends' house for a bbq/potluck, and stayed off my feet most of the day.

Around 2am I woke up, because I had a dream that I was giving birth. Those contractions were now back labor and much more intense; still 7 minutes apart, but definitely more substantial. I actually drove myself to the hospital at 3:30am, because our son was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him up so I told G I'd call. I thought for sure since I was 5 weeks early, they'd keep my contractions at bay.

By 5:45, they were 2 minutes apart and my doctor said "How quickly can G get here, because we're taking her now". Now?!?! Now. I'd had complications that required me to have a C section and it could have been rather traumatic had nature taken it's course and natural style birthing took place, so when I tell you my doctor didn't wait - I'm not kidding. They were already under way in trying to get to her by the time G arrived in the operating room in scrubs.

She was born at 9:04 a.m., and I was out of the operating room by 11. Being a preemie, she was decent size and initally they thought she might need to go to neonatal; but the neonatologist initially told me no, she was 5lb 7 oz and well within normal weight. But due to the Csection, they changed their mind because she had fluid in her lungs - so off to neonatal she went. I got to see her afterwards, but didn't get to hold her in my arms until after 9pm that night when she was able to come out and come in my room.

She's had a twinkle in her eye since the day she was born....it's still there, and she's full of sugar and spice -- and a whole lot of sass. She's fiesty and spunky...but sensitive and thoughtful. She's got an incredible amount of wittiness for someone so young, and loves to laugh.

(that's her on the left!)

Happy Birthday, Princess Petunia.

I always have been, and always will be "Overjoyed" with you.

Making your way in the world today, takes everything you got....

Say it with me....
"Ahhh. It's Friday...."

I am really looking forward to my day with the kids tomorrow. I have not a clue what we'll do; but I do know that Princess Petunia's birthday party is Sunday, and it's not quite the all out soiree I usually do --- so I'm well ahead of schedule with supplies and being ready. I'm actually pretty much done. I'm having it at my mother in law's because she has a pool - and so I go very minimal with both guests and food so as not to inconvenience her much. When it's at my home, it's an event -- a full blown affair, complete with a hundred guests and food that's cooking until the wee hours of the night. But this time it will be easy -- pizza, salad, fruit salad, pasta salad and cake. Besides, Princess Petunia's birthday is notoriously and insanely hot - and not always condusive for eating a heavy meal. So it's all good...

She decided at the last minute to switch from a "Littlest Pet Shop" party to a Scooby Doo party. So we went to the party store tonight to pick out all our supplies, and she had so much fun. It should be a good time - and as always pictures will follow.

However you plan on spending your weekend, I hope it is filled with love and laughter - surrounded by those who mean the most to you.

God bless the beasts and the children....

Yet another missing child case that absolutely disturbs me.
This time, Kyron Horman.

Mind you, there is no proof that his step mother was involved - but unfortunately, there's no evidence to prove otherwise.

What I don't understand, is how one person can be so hurtful to another - much less a young, and incredibly innocent child. And why? What purpose does it serve?

The horror of the atrocities played upon the young and small who can't defend themselves - is appalling; even worse, at the hands of those whom they would naturally trust - their very parents or guardians.

And they unfortunately seem to be happening more and more these days....

Time in New England, takes me away....

It was really just a lovely, lovely weekend for this girl.
Truly.

Yesterday, the kiddies had a birthday pool party to go to and we had lots of fun; I'm friendly with the boy's mom and her family - and we just had such a nice time. Then, I went and worked at the Boston store which is such a switch for me! It was funny trying to get acclaimated to where all the wines are and how the register works because it's all so different from my store; but it was really fun to see different walks of life because it's such a tourist area, it's just so different from where I am day to day.

Afterwards, G and I had dinner at Monica's in the North End. It was pretty good; the service was a little slow, but it was a booming and beautiful Saturday night so needless to say - the place was packed wall to wall. But it was good; a little pricey given the quantities, but the flavors were good.

Today, we went to Fanueil Hall and really just had so much fun. The only downside to the day was that the Brown Derby Deli was no where near as good as I remembered it being. I had a deli pickle that was horrible and the corned beef sandwich was less than impressive; but everything else we ate was rocking! Besides, even bad food being eaten outdoors at Fanueil can't be all that bad, right?

So a funny thing happened; last year when we took T for his birthday, he was picked to help out a street theatre duo. He was beyond pleased and loved it. Well, today that very same group was there, and.......you got it! Out of all the people standing around there, they picked him again!! He couldn't have been any happier. It was so much fun, watching him ham it up being the center of attention with everyone calling his name. Seriously, there are few things that make me smile more than seeing my children shine.

All in all, it was a fun and laid back weekend - and one that I'm sad to see come to an end. This is the last weekend my Dad will be here with us, he's going to stay with my sister before heading back to Florida. It's been nice having him here with us - and I know the kids are going to be sad to see him go.

But one never knows what the future holds.

Pop, pop, pop - says each kernel bright and yellow;pop pop pop they are clever little fellows..

I am the Queen of making snack mixes.
Oh, yeah.

I love taking popcorn and mixing it with different things for the kiddies; and I can go either very sweet - or relatively healthy. Just depends on my mood and what I've got in the house.

Tonight, was a little kettle corn (have to go with the healthiest variations of a theme, so reduced calorie and not terribly sweet either), sprinkled with granola, raw almonds and a little bit of chocolate Cheerios. (Yum!)

Sometimes, I'll melt a little chocolate and drizzle it on, then sprinkle banana nut Cheerios and mix it up -- possibly toss it with a little coconut for funsies.

Occasionally, I've been known to mix a little peanut butter or caramel with the chocolate; other times, I'll mix in raisins and dried bananas with Special K Raspberry.

The kids love it because it's never the same thing twice - and they love it!
Who's the coolest Mom ever?
I am!

...Well, until they're angry with me. Of course.

Maybe far away...or maybe real near by....

So, it's a dreary Saturday morning - and maybe my plans of taking the kiddies Strawberry picking today might have to wait for another Saturday. We're holding out hope though. Right now though, we're watching one of my very favorite movies from my childhood "Annie". She has the DVD, but never really got it - but now that she's soon to be 6 -- she's loving it. (And I am so loving Carol Burnett in this... she was amazing.) What thirty something girl didn't grow up wanting to be "Annie" in the musical? I know I did. I even auditioned once....but, clearly did not get the job. Could be because holding a tune doesn't compare to true singing; but when you're a child, you're convinced you sound amazing.

Speaking of the Princess Petunia, she's got her first loose tooth hanging by a thread! Ready to meet the Tooth Fairy at any moment....

Yesterday, I got a new refrigerator. Our old one (truly not that old, I think we bought it 5 years ago?) leaked freon everywhere in my kitchen and we lost all of our food in the fridge and freezer. You just don't know how much money you have in your kitchen until you have to replace it all. Anyway, it's a beautiful French door one with the bottom freezer and I am just loving it.

And it shines....like the top of the Chrysler Building.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine....

Today, my son had me in tears - but in the best possible way.

It was his final school concert, and was patriotic themed given the Memorial Day weekend. I'll be honest, since 9/11 - Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" gets me all teary eyed anyway; but to hear a group of children singing it, well....it got the water works going a bit.

Then came "We are the World". Again, to hear little kids singing so proudly "we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day so lets start giving" literally just had me smiling with my eyes all watery.

And finally, they ended with "Peace Begins with Me" and I was just mush.
Fugheddaboutit.

There's nothing like seeing children, so innocent and pure -- singing songs about hope and change; and then we as adults sit back, and see hope and change in them. Maybe they will be the generation to take heed to the lyrics they sang today.

So, in addition to the pride I felt in seeing my son on his performance day -- I felt a surge of hope for our future. Because maybe, just maybe -- it will be my son, who some how changes the world.

Even if it's only his small corner of it.

Who let the dogs out....who let the dogs out....

So, it was quite the game last night....
Welcome to Boston, New York. Last night is just a little sample of how we roll....
(Though truly, Beckett was off. Really off....)

I've got some fantastic pictures from Easter that I have yet to download but must share. I can't stand how cute the kids were - -and we had a picture perfect day. It was gorgeous outside. We ended up on Saturday going to our favorite ice cream place and having lunch, playing mini golf and being incredibly indulgent in everything we ate.

Speaking of indulgences, yesterday was my last day of doing so. Today, I started my detox and I had my first run since September. Pretty good, 3.25 miles in 36 minutes. I'm not going for time so much as I am endurance, but I felt great -- no breathing issues or side stiches, just some minor tweaking in my knee (the one that didn't have surgery -- not sure what that's all about!) and I was euphoric after, which is sort of the high that you chase when you run. I do need to get myself fitted for good running sneakers - I have yet to do that and I do believe I'm going to do that tomorrow. It's a nice slow week for me at the store this week, so I should be able to catch up on little errands I haven't had the opportunity to do.

It's almost impossible to be in anything but a good mood these next few days. Fantastic weather is on the agenda, baseball is back in season -- and so to wake up and see sunny skies makes everything seem happy and shiny. It even makes my headaches tolerable -- and just a reminder that I need to go back to acupuncture. Yoga is on the agenda this week as well....and maybe, a new lip gloss too.

I've neglected myself quite a bit over these last few months, and I think this week it's time that I show myself a little love.

And that is how this girl is going to roll.

Happy Friday to me.....

Just a little postscript to yesterday's post.

1. Princess Petunia and I had a fabulous Girls Night. She got her nails done, bought some fun little gatzy's at the Dollar Store (truly, the place is a parent's dream for inexpensive toys that make the kids feel like they hit the jackpot.), we went out for sushi -- and topped it off with the acquisition of Big Top Cupcake. Pictures will follow from tomorrow's baking experiment with that creative set.

2. Really, who cares about Tiger Woods? Not this girl. He cheated on his wife, he's not a perfect person, and he's not the idol everyone imagined he was. He was a wolf in sheeps clothing. So not Earth shattering. Get over it and move on....


3. And finally, the Captain. As always, coming into training camp in fantastic shape.


Check it out....




*sighs*

Thursdays Thoughts....

1. Why is taking so long for the state of Florida to prosecute Casey Anthony? It's obnoxiously disturbing to hear each new revelation and see her phony crocodile tears at the hearing. I caught just a few moments of Nancy Grace last night and it made my stomach turn. There is no way this woman is innocent and I can't possibly understand why it's taking so long for the case to go to trial. I am all for ensuring that the case is air tight so there is no way she won't be convicted; but truly, this is ridiculous.

2. Hello Spring Training! Thankfully, it's that time of year again which means it's almost "All Red Sox, All The Time" on NESN. The other night, I caught a tail end piece of an interview with the Captain which was fun.... speaking of the "C", I do believe he'll be catching more than 30 games this season; I think that would be a smart decision as well, but time will tell as to how the organization utilizes him.

3. I just found out tomorrow is going to be a Girl's Night for the Princess Petunia & myself. How fun! I don't know what we're going to do.... maybe a little shopping, or a little sushi...or both! Oh, the fun she and I can have.

4. A week from today we find out how my Mom's chemo is working. She's been staying with me since Christmas for this round of chemo and my gut says it's working, because I tend to think if it was progressing given her last prognosis -- we'd have some indication by now. But we shall see....

5. "One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

Really, Doesn't that just say it all?

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

Or wine glasses clanging as they hit the table....

Today I got my new kitchen set, finally -- and of course, it's got cream colored seats. Fabric, no less -- but I figured I'd scotchguard them after dinner.

Well.... my son was reaching for chocolate that I told him not to get - and while rushing to do what kids do best (not listen) he knocked over my glass of red wine. You know where I'm going with this......

So much for the new kitchen set.
Oh well. Such is life.....