Whoop, Whoop! It is officially summer vacation!

It is here again! When I sent them off yesterday I gave them each a last Kindergartner and third grader hug. Weston remembered to give me my first, first grader hug in the afternoon (love that boy). I got to enjoy a nice breakfast with some of the other moms while the kids were at school. It was really nice as always, but it will now be kid time all the time. After I picked Ella up at school and Weston up at daycare we headed over to Buttonwoods and had our ice cream. I really love this tradition. I skipped lunch so that I could afford those delicious calories, and boy were they yummy! We had to go back to the school to get Ella's report card because she forgot it. Weston got Mrs. Bettini for first grade and Ella got Mrs. Lalima for fourth. They were both disappointed until Weston found out Max was in his class. The cute part was Ella calling all her friends and asking them who they had. You can tell she doesn't talk on the phone often. At one point I heard her say "So what do you want to talk about now?" LOL. In the early evening, I went to walk the track with Missy while the kids played on the playground. For the most part they had fun, although as usual Matt and Ella seemed to be ganging up on Weston. He would complain every time we made our way around the track. It was good for Missy and I though. On the way home we got McDonalds for the kids (I had a salad...no need for extra cals yesterday). They were able to play outside until bedtime. The best part, no lunches or homework to do and make!! Whoop, whoop! Off to a great summer vacation!

Summertime...funner time!

This weekend has shaped up to be a great start to summer vacation. To bad the kids still have one 1/2 day left of school. Today they go into school as a kindergartner and a third grader, they will come out a first and fourth grader. These years sure do fly by. That is why I am trying to enjoy every minute of the ones we have. Saturday we had my friend's baby's first birthday party. It was HOT! The kids enjoyed the bouncy house and took a dip in a baby pool. I got to catch up with some friends which is always a plus for me. That night Andy built a fire pit with rocks and we started a camp fire. The kids made smores, and then because of the sugar they got very silly. We took some crazy pictures of ourselves, but then it was time for bed. Yesterday was father's day. We (I) made Andy breakfast in bed. Which consisted of scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, hashbrowns, and sausage. The kids love doing that as a tradition on Mother's day and Father's day (this year I opted out as I am trying to watch what I eat). In the afternoon, we left for Mammy and Poppy's house for a father's day lunch. Nana and Pa went as well. The kids had a blast riding bikes in the driveway and Aunt Anne taught them how to sew. They loved it. Will and Ben ended up showing up later in the day so they got to play with their cousins which they are always excited about. I received a gift from Mammy. It is a Alex and Ani bracelet that 20% of the proceeds go towards families with CF. It is a shark fin and signifies stability, strength, and courage. I love it! While we were at their house, the air show was taking place so we got to see some military jets flying overhead. That was a nice plus.

Almost there....

While the kids have one more 1/2 day of school on Monday, I am in summer mode. Yesterday I had Brady for the day, as his school got out on Wednesday. Since it was our special 1:1 time together we went to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods to ride and video tape elevators. Then we ate out at California Pizza Kitchen. Yum! We also went to the dollar store and I let him pick out some prizes for the prize box. This way he can earn tickets for good behavior when I have all three of the kids at the same time. I am hoping this makes Fridays a little easier. :) Then last night, we kicked off our fun summer season with a trip to the drive-inn movies to see Madagascar III. We stocked up on snacks and packed the Suburban up with blankets and pillows. The kids loved it. I forgot how uncomfortable the back seat can be. I think next time we need a air mattress. We haven't been in a couple of years and I remember now that the movie starts so late that we don't get home until 11:30. This was the first time the kids were actually awake for the movie. They loved it and had a blast. Andy and I were tired, but it was a nice treat. Speaking of air mattresses, we booked a overnight next Saturday at Salt Rock Campground. The family we met last year in New Hampshire is camping there next weekend and so the kids can play together. When Andy heard about this his response was, "Have fun." I guess he doesn't plan on sleeping in a tent with us. I figured it is only one night, so we can deal. :) I def. will need an air mattress though. Especially after the experience last night. I am so looking forward to the kids being out of school. This is the opposite of how I usually feel, but because of school and how busy the last year has been I am so much looking forward to fun with the kids. Next week we will have ice cream on Monday. Tuesday they will be with my sister. Wednesday, I believe we will sign up for the summer reading program at the library and go strawberry picking. Then maybe make chocolate covered strawberries. Thurs, they will be with my dad. Friday, I am hoping for our first beach day. Then Sat. and Sun. we will be at the campground. I think it will be a fun filled week. Uh oh, I still have two papers to write by June 28th. Hmmm...I'll figure it out.

Spring is in the air!!

The spring semester of graduate school is coming to a close. One more year until I have those three beautiful letters behind my last name! I am gearing up for the summer semesters in which I am taking 4 classes. Yicks! It is going to be easier on me come next year, and two classes are done before the kids get out of school. Still it will be a lot of work, and I am missing all the opportunities to hang out and have fun with my kids like I used to. We have tried to enjoy some of the nice weather when possible. It is hard with lots of papers to write.

About a month ago we had summer like weather and it hit 80 a few days in a row. Weston asked me if we could go ride bikes. The bikes they have here are old, too small, and rusted. There was one at my mom's house but they would fight over that one. The weather put me in such a good mood that I just said "f*ck it" and we went to buy new ones. We went to Hopeville Park and they had the best time riding around. They even played on the beach and Weston got stuck in the mud. They must have been draining the pond because the water had receeded farther than normal and Weston got stuck in the muck. I had to pull him out. ICK! He also found some driftwood, and said "Hey mom, look at my driftwood. It is very special to me" That is code for "I want to take this home and keep it". Sorry buddy ain't happening. It was a really good day and I realized how much I had missed these days when I could take the time to really enjoy them and have fun outside together.

Something about Christmastime

Well it isn't summer, although the tempature is pretty close. It definetly doesn't feel like Christmas eve. We are however approaching another Christmas rapidly. As I ask myself every year, where does the year go? I was looking back at pictures from Christmas 2007 and I am astonished that it was four years ago. I guess I will have to get over how time keeps speeding up and the kids keep getting older, and cherish every moment we have and celebrate the new stages.

This is my favorite day of the year. It was a huge holiday tradition throughout my childhood and I love to see the excitement on my children's faces. I even got really excited when I tracked Santa a few minutes ago. He is in figi! There is nothing like seeing the glow of smiling, happy children.

merry Christmas Eve!

Half way!

Really? July 25th already? Where oh where does the summer go every year? Well, I haven't been writing. Not because we haven't been having a good summer, but because I have an old school journal at home and well summer has been buuusssssyyyy! My last week of summer school is this week, but I still have two papers due. One of which I am avoiding doing right as we speak!

So what have we been doing? Ella did her first overnight camp this year. She loved it! It was only a half week program (Teddy Bear Picnic) and we all wished that she had the stayed a full week (LOL). That was the week of the 4th. She missed Fourth of July with us. :( Every since she was in my belly she I have dressed her to the nine on Independence Day and most years (even nine months pregnant). This year she chose that week though because it was her birthday week. So we went to the parade and to Missy and Joe's house afterwards without Miss Ella. It was still fun. Weston loved the large combine and all the tractors. Lately, he is also into tractor trailer trucks for some reason. He likes to count them on the highway. LOL!

Speaking of Ella's birthday what a day! Her actual birthday I had to work and had school, but I left work early to spend a few hours with her. My sister, Brady, Weston, Ella, and I went to the Dinosaur Place in Montville. The kids have been dying to go for years but it is so expensive for what they offer. Don't get me wrong it is a nice place. They have a splash park, trails, playground, maze, and lots of other things to look at but for almost $20 each... It was a nice day though. HOT!!! I went to school very sweaty that night.

Her birthday party was here this year and we got ponies! Which were a big hit with her friends. It was a nice day. The next day her friend Ava called and invited her to her birhtday party. Ella was very excited and I was happy for her. She was upset at not being invited to many parties this year. Plus, she was driving me crazy that day so I got five free hours while she had fun!

We have been to the beach a couple of times. Once with Laura, Molly, and Ryan. Another time with Missy and nine kids in all!!!! Ella's friend Ava came along. Nine kids is way too many to supervise. Thankfully we had two eyes and soem of them were older and good swimmers.

The kids have slept over my in-laws house twice this summer and went to the beach both times. We also have done the summer reading program again. Which is always fun. Last week was Vacation Bible School. Unfortunetly, Weston never stayed. Which was weird because he loved it last year. Oh well. Ella had a blast. Last Friday was their little production. I love that program.

Ella is at Day Camp this week (My favorite Color is Pink). Which means Weston and I get to chill out (and hopefully write some papers!). Today we went to the library and he played the game. They had reserved a bunch of tractor books for him from other libraries so we had to go pick them up. We also brought Mack to the vet for shots and Weston got his hair cut.

I am hoping that next week Weston will do Farm camp. I've been telling him about it all summer so I have to follow through. It is only a half day program and goes from Monday to Thursday. I had hoped to get them both out of the house at the same time, but sometimes it is nice to have only one at a time and spend some special time with them.

I cannot wait for summer school to be over so I can enjoy the month of August and read for FUN!!!! Yippee!

Here again!

Here we are again! I'm in denial. Today while driving I realized that I am in spring break mode rather than summer vacation mode. I'm trying to avoid thinking about the kids being with me 24/7 for the next 10 weeks. As always though I will be making the most of our time together and by the time September rolls around I will be sad to see them go back to school (and a little happy too).

Well we started off with a bang this summer. I had Brady on Friday and he was having a tough time with Lizzie getting all the attention, so while Kris and Scott went to her graduation we went to Chuck E. Cheeses. Fun! Really. It was! My kids really loved it. We hadn't been there since Ella's birthday party last year. Ella didn't even care about the rides anymore. That girl was on a mission to get as many tickets as she possibly could. 381 tickets for her! Once she found a machine that produced the most tickets she stayed there. We may have a a gambler on our hands! Weston loved playing the games too. Brady loved the pizza and the ice cream...and then wanted to leave after that, but he was a trooper and stayed for another hour while the other kids used thier tokens up. That night we hosted a mock awards ceremony were the kids got certificates for the accomplishments they did over the year. I think the kids loved it. Ella got an award in her class for being the classes star reader! Woohoo! I'm so proud of my girl!

Saturday the kids and I went to Lake Compounce since we had free tickets! Free parking, free admission, free soda all day, and a free dinner. Can't beat that!!! The kids had a blast! Mostly they loved the water park. Ella loves her waterslides and water rides. That part was a little scary since it is hard to keep an eye on both kids at once. The rest of the day was spent with Laura, Tommy, Molly, Julio, Katie, and Junior. It worked out well because Weston could go on the kiddie rides with the other little kids. Ella definetly thought she was way too old and cool for those rides. While Ella and I went on a roller coaster, Weston stayed with the others. I came back and Laura apologized for traumatizing him. Apparently he wanted to go on the mini "drop" ride were you sit in seats and they drop you. He wanted to do it, but was terrified when he got up there. Later we went by the adult version and he said "I wouldn't do that!" It was just a great day all around. I felt refreshed from being in the sun all day and having fun with the kids.

Yesterday we stayed at home. It was fathers day. Unfortunetly Andy had to work most of the day, but we worked in the yard mulching the front flower bed. I woke up sore this morning. The good kid of sore! I also woke up at seven today which is sleeping in for me! It was great!

Today, we went grocery shopping in the morning. I did a little school work in the afternoon. Then Ella wanted to do something and she asked to go to the aquarium. I caved because I thought the library had a free pass. Unfortunelty, it was only a discounted pass and I still spend $57. Ugh! Then an additional $3 each for the 4d movie theater. Ofcoarse Ella wanted something at the gift shop. I made her spend most of her own money. It was still fun...well except for when Weston peed his pants and when I say pee picture a bucket of water pouring into his shoes and on the floor. I used all the changes of clothes I had for him in the car on Saturday's trip to Lake compounce because we were soaking wet when we came out of there. So I did like any good mother and let him walk around like that. LOL! He didn't care and after paying that much money I wasn't willing to leave, neither was Ella. The 4D movie was cool. The penguins were cute. The beluga whale tried to eat us through the glass. Afterwards we had to stop at Drawbridge Ice Cream. We HAD to. While in Mystic it is a must. Oh yum it is so good.

So that was our summer so far. Tomorrow is school and work all day, so we'll see what Wednesday brings!