You Know You're a Mom (or Dad) When....

So I have been thinking about the changes that occur once you become a parent. Let's be honest, LIFE completely changes. It takes on a whole new meaning. And your purpose and desires transform with these little people. I came up with a list of 30 "things" that remind us that we are parents. Keep in mind, our littles are only 2 and 4 years old, so we haven't even entered the world of school-goers and talk-backers. I am sure more will be added when that phase hits. But for now, here goes!

You know you are a mom/dad when....

1. Four hours of sleep straight feels like a victory!

2. You hear phantom cries or screams (this can happen anytime, but most times when you are in the shower or watching TV. You turn the shower water off to make sure it's phantom or you mute the TV and sit in silence waiting for the sound...no sound, cause it's phantom)

3. You don't shower before noon (moms of newborns especially)

4. Grocery shopping becomes grocery fighting/crying/screaming. Isn't grocery shopping the worst???

5. Talking on the phone is your child's chance to create Hell on Earth. No more phone calls please, but if you DO call, leave a message, I will for sure respond via text or email. 

6. You find yourself singing, while alone, Barney songs cause they are stuck in your head.

7. Your staple foods are Mac and Cheese, Pancakes, and Peanut Butter sandwiches.

8. You are constantly taking pictures, because you want to document it all, but know you'll NEVER have time to write in a journal (at least not like you used to).

9. Peeing with an audience is normal.

10. Hearing "Mommy, Mommy!" a thousand times in the day is below average.

11. Going to the Park is your outing.

12. Eating out is ordering Happy Meals or from the dollar menu.

13. YOUR bedtime is 9pm.

14. The book you're reading consists of letters, colors, and shapes.

15. Baby wipes are a must have.

16. You know that each baby wipe costs 3 cents.

17. Disneyland is the dream vacation you are saving for.

18. You are a referee (and of course nurse, chef, therapist, financial planner, maid, problem solver, healer, entertainer, plumber, teacher, hairdresser, etc) .

19. Getting out of the house takes 30 extra minutes....PER KID!

20. You are perpetually 10 minutes late to EVERYTHING!
21. You have mastered the 3 P's: Puke, Poop, and Pee!
22. You are a human garbage can ("Here take this....I'm done with it!").
23. You're buried in laundry.
24. Clothes shopping is fun because it's for your kids. I don't get discouraged shopping for kids, cause I KNOW they make everything look cute and that the clothes will fit.
25. Quality time is spent in the car, cause let's be honest, you're now a full-fledged FREE taxi service.
26. You carry a bag similar to Mary Poppins'.
27. Date night is now take out and a rental movie.
28. You buy washable crayons and markers.
29. Your paper pile seems to be having babies. Kids sure love to draw and color.
30. There are finger prints everywhere; on the mirrors, night stands, windows, tables, couches, walls, dressers....I mean EVERYWHERE!

You know, I feel like I have been through and done hard things in my life, but being a parent has been the hardest experience, hands down. This does not mean that I don't love it and find the greatest of happiness in it. Because I do...so much....even on the LONG days! The best payment I get each day is peeking in on my sleeping angels at the end of the day and feeling the sweet peace that encompasses their little bodies as they prepare for the next day's energetic activities! They are tender seconds that only last for a moment, but in that moment I am reminded that.... 

"...When ye are in the service of your fellow 'children', ye are in the service of your God."  Mosiah 2:17

Enjoy the journey!!!

The Story of My Life

"That's the story of my life" is often a phrase my husband gets to hear. A phrase that makes him roll his eyes and walk away. When things don't go the way I planned (and most often they don't), I huff, "That's the story of my life!" or "I should've expected that; that's how things seem to go for me!" I know, super pessimistic right? But that is often how I feel. Do you ever look around and think, "Man they really have it together" or "Everything seems to work out perfectly for them". Okay, maybe you don't, but I do. And it often leaves me frustrated. But not anymore! I had an epiphany of which I am documenting so that I remember it. Here it is: When things don't work out the way you planned, it's because something better is going to work out.

Let me explain.

First I will back up. Years back when I was a teenager, I protested being a sister missionary. I never wanted to serve a mission, I felt sisters could do NO good without the Priesthood. I mean, who could I baptize if I didn't have the Priesthood? So I told myself I would NEVER go on a mission. Well, clearly my plan did not work. In 2004, I left on my mission before my 21st birthday. But when I turned in my mission papers, I told myself I was going stateside and that if I did go foreign, I would go anywhere except I didn't want to learn German, Russian, or any of the Asian languages (Asian languages seemed way too hard with all those character looking picture things and German and Russian just sounded butch and mean). Well, where did I go? Moscow, Russia. Okay, so then when I was on my mission, my companion and I knew transfers were coming and where we wanted to be transferred to. I wanted to go to Nizhni (nicknamed Paradise) and she wanted to go to Yaroslavl (nicknamed Prison because it was such a HARD area). Many times while I was serving with this sister, I would tell her how nothing EVER went how I wanted it to. I explained various different life experiences that proved this true. She would laugh, and when things went awry we'd look at each other like, "See, I told you!" Well, as you can probably predict, when transfer calls came, I was called to Yaro (Prison) and she was called to Nizhni (Paradise). I can't tell you how devastated I was. But yet again we laughed and she said, "You are right. Things really do never go your way." I felt like saying, "Hello, I know!!! I have been telling you this!"

And this seemed to deem itself true over and over throughout my life. Nothing ever seemed to turn out like I planned. 

So,  recently I had another encounter with MY plans falling through. I had planned two very fun surprises for my family. Both of which had to be canceled or postponed. I was so sad and honestly felt like, "Fine, I'm never planning anything fun again. If no one cares then why should I care?" I know that sounds so immature, but that's really how I felt. I was the victim of everyone else's carelessness. Nothing was going my way!

As time went on, eventually both events played out perfectly and went better than I had ever planned. I was thrilled and my negative thoughts disappeared. And that leads me to my point.

This year, instead of writing my own new year's resolutions, I had my husband write them for me. He gave me 5 things to work on or accomplish this year. One of the resolutions he listed was, "Don't Be a Victim". I thought that was so fitting for me. And I know it is because he is tired of hearing me negatively say, "That's the story of my life." Now you have to understand that my husband rarely acts like the victim of any situation. He is amazingly optimistic and offers me a remarkable, undeniable balance. I have thought a lot about this resolution and how to make it come to pass. Am I a victim when my plan doesn't work out or am I just being introduced to a better plan? Do I have to be negative or can I sit back and patiently wait for what is to come?

As I have analyzed this, given the situations that I have shared with you, I can happily say that although my life (thusfar) hasn't gone the way I planned, and probably will continue to go differently than I have in mind, I rarely look back thinking that what I had in mind would have been the better way. I have learned that if my plan doesn't work out, it means that better things are to come. I know this isn't rocket science and it is truly something we have heard before, but it is something to me that I have not only heard, but now experienced. I have confidence that I can go forward, free from a victim's mentality, and optimistic that things work out, and not only do they work out, but they work out BETTER. 

I loved being a sister missionary, I loved speaking Russian (can't imagine my mission any other way), I loved serving in "Prison", and I continue to love planning things with my little family. I won't stop making plans, cause I am a planner girl, but I won't give up when things don't go my way. I am not the victim and the story of my life does not have to be negative but can be positive and uplifting. 

January Sweet January

So I am not going to play catch up on the past 4 months. Too daunting to say the least. But I will recap quickly, and archive later. When you hear all that has gone on, you will understand why I am jumping straight to January. 

September was awesome! Had our friends the Sedgwicks come visit over Labor Day. Later that month I celebrated my 30th Birthday in New York City with my little clan. In October my brother Chris' family came to visit for a week.  We did all the touristy stuff with them. My niece Shelby (who raised enough money to come) came with my sister and mom (who surprised me!) the next week. In between my brother and sister's trips, we packed up our house to move. We moved on October 29th, celebrated Halloween, and got my Christmas projects started. Well, shortly after our move, we realized that the neighbors cigarette smoke was carrying into our apartment and I was having allergic reactions to it. After putting up enough of a stink, we got clearance to move to a different apartment. But before that, we celebrated Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving out to eat at Uno and went to see Frozen. It was a delightful, relaxing day. In November, I learned how to crochet, made a rag quilt, painted a toddler kitchen, and made a Lego table. December 7th we moved into a different apartment. Phew! Problem solved! December 8th we put up our Christmas tree. December 14th we had a mock Christmas Eve. December 15th we celebrated our Massachusetts Christmas and December 17th we left for Christmas in Utah. It was a wild ride. An 8 hour travel day turned into 20 hours, but finally we were in Utah. Well, as out-of-staters understand, visiting family and going on vacation are NOT the same thing. Our Utah trips are jammed packed with stuff to do. They are fun, but BUSY!! We were sick with the stomach flu and a few other illnesses at the beginning of the trip, but we made the best of it. Christmas, New Year's, and everything else was amazing. We returned home, excited to get back into our routine and 'normal' life. I am not sure what 'normal' is anymore. After many weather delays, we finally arrived home mid January. Saying the past 4 months were busy and overwhelming would be beyond an understatement. 

So here is what follows:

January Sweet January

First thing Mav did when we got home was play with his train set. He is ALL boy! He took his Lego animals and put them in his train like a circus train. He is such a fun little guy.

Our favorite Wednesday activity is story time at the EcoTarium. This week's live animal was a Macaw. The kids got to hold real feathers. They were fascinated.

One of my favorite things to do is spy on my kids having free play. They are so explorative and curious. It is fun as a mom to watch your kids learn. We spent so much time playing and brought a sack lunch and ate in the cafeteria for the first time. We love the EcoTarium and Maverick's puffy vest!

Watching Super Why

Today Lanie said, "Mavwick is my Best Fwend!!!" with the biggest smile on her face. They really do love each other so much. Every time we drop Lanie off at Preschool, Mav cries for "Lay-Lee" and when we pick her up he excitedly exclaims while pointing at the door, "Lay-Lee!" They have such a sweet relationship.

The Hudson Library

Lanie calls this the "Different Library." She likes it because she gets to play computer games there. They also have a toddler music and story time that the kids like. Lanie gets really into the fire truck song and the Teddy Bear book. Plus they get stickers at the end and who doesn't love stickers? It is a cute library with lots of moms to get to know.

Yay for baby girl Penrod!

My sweet friend, Amber Penrod, has been doing fertility since they moved here (and before) and they are finally getting their baby girl. The day of her shower was a blizzard, but because so many are so thrilled for them, she had a HUGE showing at her shower. They are a very loved family in the ward. The joke that day was that the storm was bad enough to cancel church, but not bad enough to cancel Amber's shower. So happy for them! And it was a GORGEOUS snow day!

Lanie and her friends at Ethan's "Monster Party". The bottom right picture are all of the kids acting like monsters. They are a spirited bunch of kiddos!!!

Oh how we love our Lanie. She is little miss independent, and she makes me laugh. We have been encouraging her to put her own underwear and pants on after she goes potty, and this is what we get. Pants inside out with underwear over top. She had no idea. These are such blackmail pictures for when she is a teenager! She was cute fishing with her daddy. We had a bowl with papers of land and ocean animals. She got the stick from her princess castle and made a fishing pole out of it and with magnets and paper clips, fished for land and sea animals. She has such an imagination.

ELMO!!!! Or as Maverick would say, Mehmo!!!!!

The kids had a great time meeting Elmo and Cookie and watching the Big Bird movie. This was Lanie's Preschool field trip that daddy came to. Fun family day!

First puzzle completion all by herself. Victory! This girl LOVES puzzles. Yeah!

Best Daddy Award!!!

Shawn takes the kids to the library (and grocery store) on Saturday mornings to give me a break. They love daddy time and I love MY time.

Not Valentine's Day

So last year I made a goal to do something special for Shawn each month. I am sure he didn't totally notice (especially cause there is usually a holiday every month), and I think I only did well half of the year (until things got crazy) but I tried. I felt like it added a lot to our relationship and made me a happier wife. This year, I vowed to do the same. So I started the year off with this: A box filled with notes. I put this on the seat of his car and inside there were instructions. He was to open 1 card on the 14th minute of every hour (example 9:14am, 10:14am, 11:14am.....10:14pm) for a total of 14 cards. This was to kick off the 2014 year right. The idea was for him to feel loved all day long. I think it worked (sigh). And folks, it was not expensive and not hard. The box was a buck and those hearts were a buck so for $2 and a few minutes of thoughtfulness writing notes, I was able to do something nice to make someone's day, which in return, made my day!

I call this boy my "Sweet Treat" and that is exactly what he is. He smiles through EVERYTHING! He fell the other day and banged his cheek HARD. He cried until he could get a hug and then he bounced back to his bubbly self. He is just delightful! That bruise is now healed, but he has a new-found dimple in its place. I call it his "Man-Made Dimple" which makes him even that more adorable and charming. Love him more than words can tell!!!

Remember me mentioning that I learned how to crochet? Well here are a few of my projects. Love learning new things and making homemade Christmas gifts. I am now selling these on my Etsy Shop under TeamHooper. Check it out if you'd like.

Well that is our January in a nutshell. It was fun and never dull.

See you next month!

My Broken Heart

Dear Friends and Family,

Today I have a full, but broken heart. I feel that I must share some thoughts in hopes that someone, somewhere will hear me. I also believe that writing is a great form of therapy. So hear it goes:

Ten days ago, I received the news that my beautiful, 25 year-old cousin passed away unexpectedly. It has been such a whirlwind of a week with family flying in and out, organizing funeral services, offering financial and emotional support, and meeting LOTS and LOTS of people. Not to mention the travel, managing our 2 kids, and loads of snow that continues to dump on us. As I sit back now, after all the dust has settled, thinking, I can't help but mourn her loss. I mourn for those who are left behind. I mourn because of the hardships this amazing girl endured. And I mourn for those without a belief in eternity and immortality. I am so grateful and rejoice in the knowledge I have that she is in welcoming arms in heaven with those she loved and missed ("Bup" and Papa Pete). I am in shock at the chain of events in the past 2 years since I have been able to be closer to her. I never would've imagined being in this place.

Angela Brynn Schiavoni 

at Walden Pond

October 2013

 Eleven months ago today, I received the news that my sweet cousin Skyler passed away at age 28. I won't ever forget that phone call. So not what I was expecting. I remember the world stood still as I sat helpless and unknowing what to do. I wanted to offer my support, love and condolences but didn't know how. The least I felt I could do was pray, which was also the most I could do. Pray for him, pray for his family and friends, and pray for his strong, enduring wife and kids. Sending money and cards just didn't seem like enough. So I prayed (and continue to pray).

Skyler Evan Parker

You may ask, 'why is she writing this?' And here is the answer to that. Because in less than a year, I have lost 2 cousins, 2 cousins that were younger than me! Cousins that I grew up with, shared memories with, and have loved. And in honor of them, I find it important to speak out.

Although these two are from different sides of the family (Angela is from my mom's side and Skyler is from my dad's side), they share a common denominator: Bipolar Disorder.

I don't find this correlation fluke or coincidence, I find it alarming. I speak out for those who know someone or who themselves suffer from this disease. IT IS REAL!!! It must be diagnosed and treated properly. These two cousins of mine did not deserve the hardships they endured. Their disease combined with life's trials lead them down destructive paths. It is heart breaking. 

As one personally attached to these untimely, unexpected and tragic deaths, I am speaking out! Take care of yourself! Take care of your family! Seek help if needed! And cherish those you love! Make wise decisions and wise friends! 

Remember our actions echo through eternity.

Share this if you feel so inclined. 

One voice can become many and hopefully many voices can be heard.

Mommy Fell

So, a few weeks ago my husband read an article to me about a mom who had gone 400 days without yelling at her kids. I loved the woman's experience and made a goal to do the same. As a mom, I often find myself short tempered and flying off of the handle, so I knew I could benefit from this challenge. Well....I failed!
Today I was at Walmart looking for a few items to finish up a Christmas project. My 18 month old son was buckled in the shopping cart, and my 3 1/2 year old daughter was walking beside us and chatting, kind of off in her own world (that happens a lot when I've let her skip her nap). I kept encouraging her to stay close to me and saying, "I need you to stay by me. If you can't see me and I can't see you then you have gone too far. Please stay close to me." I was VERY calm. I try to let her have SOME freedom. She was doing really well, walking beside us with a sword she found and honestly she was being really cute AND good. Whew! Then there came the time where I was intently searching and comparing items that I needed, and she was GONE! I couldn't find her anywhere, and Walmart's a big place. I walked the aisles saying her name, nothing. I shouted her name. Nothing. I tried to look frantic so people would know I was looking for her and hoping they would secretly help. NOTHING! I know I am not alone in the world of losing a child in the store. It is the scariest thing cause there are some crazies out there and you don't want to be the next headline story. I get it! Then this older woman rolls her eyes at me and says, "I saw her all the way down there!" pointing down the fishermen aisle. Feeling completely judged, and like a failure of a mom, I wanted to respond with something snide in my frustration, but honestly I was so relieved, I couldn't have cared less if this lady was judging me. So I found my daughter and what did I do?? I yelled at her. Nice. Good job mom! I threw her toys down, and I forcefully pulled her to the cart and told her everything she did wrong. I know you are all judging me right now, or maybe you are relating to me, who knows? In any case, I admit my wrong doing. You want to know what my yelling did? Made my daughter pull a tantrum. So we had war right in the middle of the store with countless people glaring. I really felt like Hell was burning a fire in my soul with all the dirty looks we got; seriously laser beams searing us up and down. Wow! I pretended to ignore them, but deep down I was hurt.
I got home and saw a post by a friend basically talking about how we judge each other as moms. Whether we judge because we are jealous of their "perfections" or we criticize because we think they are not doing a good enough job. Both are destructive!
Okay so I yelled at my daughter today. Mommy Fail! I hate it. I feel bad every time it happens. I wish I didn't go to bed completely regretting it. I wish I didn't repeat the words in my mind, "Mommy Fail." And every time I do, I feel awful. So today as I read my friend's post, I had the thought, "Mommy Fail....no, no, no....Mommy Fell!" You could say I tripped up, biffed it, stumbled and crashed today as a mom. But that doesn't mean I failed, I'm done-with, or that I can't brush myself off and do better. When we use words like 'fail' we are programming ourselves to believe that. But when I use the word fell, I'm confident I can get back up. It may be a small fall that gets a little scuff or a hard fall that causes some pain and deeper wounds but in both cases I am capable of getting back up. In some cases I may need a boost, and in ALL cases I'd hope there was a helping hand to lift me. No one needs to be scorned at or looked down upon. No one needs to feel like a failure. Everyone needs a boost! Especially moms!!! So the next time you feel like you failed, remember you just FELL. And get up!!! And hopefully there is someone there offering their hand with a smile of encouragement.

No Bummer Summer Part 2....Wait It's Fall, You Mean, Almost Winter!!!

Could it be??? You mean I am really catching up on our blog??? No really???? Oh I am so HAPPY!!!

So, it is not my style to back track 5 months and try to catch up, but since I print our blog and it is a way for you to be involved in our lives out here, I found it important to catch up. I haven't updated it since the end of June and you'll see why (We've been kinda....just KINDA....busy!). Here is July and August and hopefully in the next few days (before the holidays) I will get September, October, and November in here. 

I will.....I WILL...I HAVE TO!!! 

In any case, I hope you enjoy this entry on our summer adventures.
Summer sure flew!!!! And calling it a "No Bummer Summer" is precisely what it was. Whew!!!

June 27th, my brother Preston and his family came to visit. They took a 3 week cross country drive and saw many sites along the way. We were one of their stopping points.

Day 1

The kids and I met up with them on Thursday, June 27th in Springfield, MA about an hour away. 

First stop: the Dr. Seuss courtyard. 

Dr. Seuss was from Springfield.

The kids played at the library and 

we went to the Natural History Museum.

I think the kids' favorite part was the butterfly exhibit, 

shoot I liked it a lot too!!!

While we were at the museums, Preston and Dalan went to the 

Basketball Hall of Fame (also in Springfield).

Day 2: Boston

On Friday, June 28th, we spent time in the North End of Boston. 

My favorite!!! 

Above is Paul Revere Park (where Preston is covered in children...so cute), 

Paul Revere's House, and Bunker Hill Bridge.

Bunker Hill or as Lanie calls it, "Rapunzel's Tower". Lanie, big girl, climbed all 294 stairs to the top! Our Boston day was cut short a bit by picking my dad up at the airport. Oh man, were the police officers scary and mean at the terminal pick-up. I rarely am THAT flustered!

Day 3 (Day 1 for my dad)

Sautrday, June 29th, we took the kids to Wingaersheek Beach. Boston was a long day for the kids (lots of walking), so we thought they should have some 'kid' time at the beach. They loved finding hermit crabs and sand dollars. Lanie and Landon had a blast running and splashing together. RaKell LOVED the water. And the tide came up quite quickly and we lost the sand bar pretty quickly. We really enjoyed this play time. Awesome beach (our first time there)!!!

After the beach we made a quick stop in Lexington at Old North Bridge. My dad wanted to go there. We had never heard of it or been there. It was where the "Shot Heard Around the World" from the Revolutionary war comes from. This has become one of our favorite spots to site see. 

We ended the day having a BBQ with Gayle. We were all pretty wiped out! 

Hotel Hooper right here!!! We hosted Preston's family, my dad, and Aunt Bev flew in that night. So fun!

Sunday, June 30th, my dad and Preston went to visit Fitchburg, an area in my dad's mission. Poor dad didn't recognize anything after 40 years of being away. Preston's family left after that for New York and Philly. Bev and Dad came to church with us. Dad helped in the Nursery teach a lesson on the Priesthood. After church, we went to the Boston Temple. Pretty pretty temple grounds!!! Mav ended up in girl clothes cause that's all we had in the car and he had diaper overload that day. Poor cross-dressed lil man!

Monday, July 1st, was Dad's Boston Day. We did the Trolley Tour with Dad and Bev. We absolutely love the Trolley Tours.

Boston Tea Party Museum. Another favorite of ours!

Our lil city boy!!!

Funny story, so Shawn and I left for the city at the same time. But Shawn headed to Boston, and I showed Dad and Bev around our town "real quick". As we were showing them Chauncy Lake, the center square, and our little area, Bev remembered that she forgot her trolley ticket, so we headed back to our house and picked it up. Shawn calls from downtown Boston to see how close we are, and we hadn't even left Westborough yet because of our delays. SO he and Mav spent 40 minutes or so hanging out waiting for us to drive in. Poor Shawn, always waiting for me lagging behind!

North End

Paul Revere Mall and the Old North Church

Boston Highlights from our day's adventures:

Boston Tea Party

Paul Revere's House

Old North Church

Paul Revere Mall

Harvard

Boston Common

and

Quincy Market (for some Clam Chowdah and Lobstah rolls)

Took Dad and Aunt Beverly around our town and showed them all of the quaint little farms to feed my dad's farmer ego. 

Is this not the cutest thing??? Dad's riding in the back seat with the kids. Lanie serenaded his entire ride with "I Am a Child of God" and "A Whole New World". I think he enjoyed his grandkid time.

Tuesday, July 2nd, we took the 8 hour road trip to Washington D.C. for the 4th of July celebrations.

We met up with Preston's family in D.C. The kids liked the Motel 6 stay so much that they probably could've just stayed there the entire 3 days watching movies and been thrilled.

Wednesday, July 3rd, we rode the subway into downtown D.C. It was extremely hot and humid. The city was surprisingly not that busy but it was all set up for the big 4th festivities. 

Capitol Tour

Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot. Pretty solemn place.

White House

If you look closely you can see snipers on the roof protecting the White House. Look even more closely and you'll see the Obamas on their balcony. This escalated quickly. The snipers came out, the Obamas came out, and security evacuated the premise all within minutes. It was pretty awesome to witness. Glad we got these pictures BEFORE all of the commotion.

After a fantastically enjoyable day, we took the subway back to the motel and prepared for the HUGE 4th of July celebration.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

All dressed in our festive red, white, and blue....oh wait.....dad is in YELLOW!!!!!

PARADE and National Archive Tour

Making friends and hanging out in the blistering humid heat in our spot waiting for the FIREWORKS!!!

Met up with Uncle Steve, Aunt Shanna, LaDawna, and Adam & Christy for the fireworks. What a fun time together. What a great group to spend it with. We kept saying this was a once in a lifetime experience because.....we will NEVER do it AGAIN! Too many people and way too hot! But it sure was a great experience, and we were so happy to be in great company.

Such a fun getaway sure wiped out our two little kidsies. 

Friday, July 5th, I dropped my dad off with everyone in Gettysburg, PA and they went to the 150th anniversary of the battle. I headed back home, traveling alone with my little ones, doing the 8 hour drive alone. Knowing that the Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment was not something my kids would do well through in the heat, I opted out and headed home during daytime hours. Lanie kept me company the entire drive back, not sleeping a wink, but talked and sang the whole time. So happy for my princess buddy!

How did Shawn spend his 4th???

Kayaking the Charles River in Boston and watching the fireworks front and center. How did he tell me he was going to spend the 4th? Working and staying home. Now I know why he really 'couldn't' come with us to DC. My adventurous husband! Have him tell you the story sometime...

 Life After Visitors

July

Sunday Stud popped a squat on daddy's head!!!!

Monster's University

What a blast we had! Mav was a bit restless and wild but Lanie was glued to the screen. First movie we've taken her to since The Lorax. She LOVED it. Classy snacks, right?

Activity Days Summer Swim Party

I love my calling and I love love love this group of girls.  

Future babysitters!!!

"Tallest Tower in the WORLD!!!!"

OMG July was HOT!!! Water and splash days were a MUST. Water Balloons and the Assabet Splashpad. This is real summer fun!!!

So look at Lanie on the bridge of the playground. She was pretending like she was a troll and not letting the other kids pass. She would growl and grumble at them. One little boy thought it was SO funny and they had a blast playing trolls. Lanie would chase him if he tried trespassing. Seriously entertaining stuff right here!!

This little man has my heart. He is so happy, so explorative, and so much fun. I wish I could bottle up this age and come back to it in the future. I can't stand his cuteness!!!

Manchester, NH

 This theater has significance because it is where my mom had dance recitals and was in pageants growing up. Not to mention the cute Disney productions for us to currently enjoy. This is Rapaunzel at the Palace Theater with Gayle. Lanie was star struck. It was adorable.  After the play, we went to my mom's childhood house. I made the mistake of telling Lanie we were going to Nana JoJo's house. When we got there, she said, "Let's go inside and see Nana." I tried explaining to her that Nana doesn't live there NOW, but she did not understand, and as we pulled away, she cried because she wanted to see her Nana JoJo. Sad and cute moment. One of those times I felt torn, loving what we're doing here, but wishing Lanie could be with her Nana. So we called Nana to try and bridge the gap. So.Not.The.Same.

I am sorry, but this kid hardly cries so when he does, I have to document it. This is what 5 minutes before bedtime looks like. He is so tender-hearted and does NOT like to be teased. But it is so much fun to tease him (Mean Parents)!

   

Chuck-E-Cheese's where a kid can be a kid! 

  

Ashworth-McAfee Park

AKA "Lady Bug Park" at our house. Lanie requests this park over any. It's not even that good, she just likes the ladybug. She found this twig and said, "I found Captain Hook's hook!" She was so proud but quite concerned for Captain Hook.

Uhlman's Ice Cream is a darling mom and pop shop near our house. 

Has real cows for the kids to see and a darling play area. Not to mention, 

Cookie Monster Ice Cream!!

This girl is an angel. She really is my buddy. She is so easy going and loves outings. This is her first "bike ride," first library book (grandma would be so proud), first almost skinny dip, and first troll. She is just a wonderful daughter to have. We sure are lucky!!!

Two of Lanie's favorite things:

Reading Books and Disney Shows

Why not have them both at the same time!!! Life is good!

 

Shawn's 30th Birthday!!!

This was the absolute highlight of MY summer. I spent months ordering 30 books and collecting 30 letters from 30 of Shawn's favorite/closest people. I surprised him on July 25th, his half birthday (June 25th really but I won't explain). Since Shawn's birthday is on Christmas, it is hard to make it special, at least any more special than you can make the best holiday season of the year. I wanted to do something different for his 30th birthday. So I bought a helium machine and balloons, wrapped up the books, and printed the letters that I had received from family and friends. I put a book, letter, and balloon together and decorated the house with them. When Shawn got home from work, I had the house decorated and a birthday dinner and a doughnut cake ready for him. The kids had a blast with this and Shawn smiled so big all night long. It worked out JUST like I wanted it to. 

Success!!!

Oh how we love Boston! Lanie often requests to go to Boston. We had a gift card to P.F. Changs so we took that as an excuse to go spend an evening in the city. Love it!

Our fortunes: 

"New and rewarding opportunities will soon develop for you."

"You will move to a wonderful new home within the year."

Seems like both of those are coming true!

Pretty girl all dolled up for church and sick boy Mav staying home in PJs.

Potty Training reward box! 

This was a hit. Went to the dollar store and had Lanie choose her prizes. Can't tell you all we did to get this girl going in the toilet, and after a year and a half of working towards our goal, I can declare that she is THERE!!! She is potty trained!!!  Victory!!!

Ecotarium Fun!

Lanie loves the "Animal Center." We go almost every Wednesday for story time with a live animal and craft. The kids love this museum and the train ride. It's the best when daddy can join us!

AUGUST

Tougas Farm

Pick Your Own (PYO) Blueberries

Lanie really liked the wagon ride to the orchards to pick the blueberries. I didn't have my camera with us, but she was so good at getting the berries off of the tree. She liked this more than strawberry and apple picking. She was such a good helper. And all of us loved EATING these yummy fresh blueberries.

Train Ride into Boston

For the past year I have wanted to figure out the commuter rail into the city. 

I finally did it and it was so easy and so fun. 

Free Day at the Boston Children's Museum

We rode the "T" into the city and visited the BCM for the first time. Daddy was working in Boston at the time, so when he had a break, he came and joined us for a bit. Lanie climbed the "pirate ship," loved the green screen to be on Arthur (she couldn't get enough of the Arthur exhibit), she colored a circle to help decorate the museum birthday cake, and was chosen to perform on the stage as a frog. Saying we had fun is an understatement. And we only got a third of the way through the museum before the kids were wiped out. Guess we'll have to go back!

This is what the kids looked like by 4pm after the BCM. Slept the whole train ride back home. 

Fantastic Outing!

Oh my! These pictures make me laugh. Shawn had work on Saturday in New Bedford which is a few minutes from Newport, RI. We decided to join him and after go to the Newport Mansions. Well, while daddy was at his appointment, we were to explore New Bedford. Ghetto! This is the park we found. Scary right??? Luckily there was a McDonald's we could go to to kill some time. Got some breakfast with the kids and got some smurfs that they have loved. Man, was I ever relieved when Shawn called saying his appointment was done. Phew!

Newport Mansions 

Simply Exquisite! Words cannot describe them. Basically a must do/must see spot in New England!

Newport Cliff Walk

Gorgeous, and Lanie chose to pee her pants along the way. Naked girl! 

And I'm happy to say, I kept my cool!

Easton Beach in Newport

Kids loved it!

Mav started standing for the first time here. 

We spent lunch at the cafe on the beach and witnessed a beach wedding ceremony. 

I was intrigued and a hopeless romantic. 

Lanie's friend, Sydney's birthday party. Over 30 kids attended. Super good time!!!

Hedge Hog at the Ecotarium

Hermit Crab reading time and craft at the Northborough Library. 

We love the library and go OFTEN!!!

Solomon Pond Mall playtime. We can't leave the mall without getting a pretzel and going to the Disney Store. AND Mav is learning to walk....FINALLY!!

We love library books!!!!

Ope...more library fun!

Church

So, having the 1-4pm church time seems to not interrupt Lanie's routine. Such a hard time for toddlers. Lanie sleeps through church almost EVERY Sunday, Mav does NOT. We just lay her on the floor in nursery. One week the was the object of the other kids' bowling. And no, she did not wake up. Deep deep sleeper!!!

Sunday Daddy Time

Ecotarium

The kids learned about bugs and met a cockroach. It wasn't as gross as it sounds.

They learned a cute song, "Head, Thorax, Abdomen....Antenna, Big Eyes, and Six Legs" to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. They also had an exhibit on Marsupials...hence the Koala picture. It was a Marsupial Maze that Lanie got lost in. 

Yoga at the Library

Lanie learned Down Dog, Balancing, and Baby Cobra. Mav did his own thing. Lanie LOVES going to the gym with me and "practicing her exercise." She was so excited about doing her OWN yoga class.

Pool Party

We had lots of these this hot, hot summer. Cheap and easy entertainment.

"Lady Bug Girl at the Beach"

Mommy/Daughter date at the mall. This chica may challenge my every mommy skill, and make me stretch in ways I never imagined, but she is my favorite little girl in the whole wide world and I would do anything to make her happy. We have fun together, my baby girl and me!!!

Palace Theater

We enjoyed Rapunzel so much that we decided to go back. Daddy came and we went to Beauty and the Beast. Lanie dressed up in her Belle Princess dress and we had a great family day at the theater with Gayle. The whole time, Lanie asked to see "Papa". I kept pointing out Papa to her (Belle's dad) and she seemed confused. I learned later that "Papa" to her was the Beast. She got excited every time the beast came out. She kinda likes the scary characters in movies more than she should. haha!

Playing outside

Practicing Pedaling and Walking

We love our Family Funday Sundays in the summer when we can go to the park and sit on a bench and make crazy faces. Before this, we played catch and frisbe and just enjoyed the nice summer air.

Hudson Library Playtime

Meet Maverick: Bottomless Pit, Mess Maker, and Mr. Curious. 

So much happiness and fun in such a small little body. Couldn't love him more!!!

Ecotarium

Lanie met spotted turtles and frogs. Best of all....making giant bubbles outside.

If that wasn't enough for you then stay tuned. There is more, much more to come!!! 

Happy Black Friday!!!