Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Ready for the Merry

We are shopped, wrapped, caroled, and ready. Merry Christmas to all.!! Celebrate family!!



Riley and Ryan







Sunday, December 8, 2013

Christmas With An Almost 4 Yr. Old

Here is my list of observations:

The Merry  (Charlotte)


  1. Santa  is everywhere, at the mall, at school, on TV, he is amazing!
  2. Candy cane on the tree. Candy ON the tree, that you can just pick off the tree when you pass by.
  3. Let me talk to my elf (on shelf) Riley about all my dolls, their names and likes. Where is she?
  4. There are a lot of things  that light up, dance, move. I can press them ALL day. Anytime I want.
  5. Those toy commercials are awesome! I want every single one. That one too. Yep, in pink.
  6. Christmas crafts . Glue Sticks , sparkles, snowflakes, melted snowman,  red and green glitter!!!
  7. Jingle Bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way, ......Repeat, .....Repeat....
  8. Our neighbors blow up Santa, Elf, Mickey, Scooby, Snoopy, Santa on a Harley is just Wow!
  9. All the ornaments are so pretty, I could touch them all day long. Let's change that one to here. Here is better.
  10. That Grinch sure is mean. Read it again. Again.


The Naughty (Mama)


  1. Non stop lying to my daughter. Of course he commutes from the mall to the North Pole.
  2. Not the Grinch again, I can't, what about this cute Christmas Bear book with no words.
  3. Really, blow up Santa with a cactus, NO!!
  4. Christmas cranky due to lack of sleep on account of  Elf on Shelf placement anxiety.
  5. Let me help you put up that impossible to replace  First Married ornament made of Waterford. No really, let me help you...., LET ME HELP ....you, .That's OK, we'll check ebay.
  6. Bruce Springsteen Christmas song,?? Nope, Jingle Bells it is.
  7. OK, smile, sit still, look Merry, merrier...I said  happy! sit down! Perfect Xmas picture.
  8. OK, who is the wise guy who put Mary in front of the wise men? Oh, OK, she is the leader.
  9. Gingerbread house roof sliding off? Just eat it. Done.
  10. Bitty Baby Doll, $80.00. That's almost our cable bill. I hope she cleans. bitiful, pitiful.
I must admit, the best part of having a 3.75  year old is there no way to avoid it, you just have to join in the fun or you'll lose your egg noggin.  So today we will watch Rudolph again, bake cookies (cut from a roll, c'mon!) and glue cotton snowmen. We all do it to see them smile!!!



 




Monday, November 25, 2013

Thankful

  


 I am always thinking about what I am thankful for this time of year. Besides of course family, friends and health, I have mostly been thinking of how lucky and blessed I was for our pup Annabelle.  A week ago today we had to make the decision to end her suffering. Annabelle was 14 3/4 years old , had kidney failure, unable to eat, drink, sleep, and recognize us anymore.  Through a sleepless weekend and many, many tears, we made our decision.
     Annabelle has been part of my life since I was single. When I met Peter, she fell in love with him too and during our courtship, I think those two might have spent more time together then we did. We lived in a picturesque harbor town and spent many afternoons walking and talking with Annabelle.
     Fast forward many years, house, two kids, just daily life, Annabelle has always been there. Always part of our family. Happy to see us, just to be in the room with us. That is what has been so hard about her passing. I understand in dog years she lived a long life, but I miss her so painfully. Oh, how I miss her.
     The kids are fine, we had a nice memorial in the yard. Charlotte said many funny lines (we can drive her to heaven) and Connor being nine was devastated at first, but looking forward to a new puppy.
     I believe I am still dealing with grief, which I know is natural. I hope I can start to forget how Annabelle was the last few months, and remember her as funny, vibrant, and full of life.  I am thankful she was part of our family (thanks Aunt Kerry) and all of us will always love her.

A few silly remembrances of Annabelle:

1. Fishing with Peter, actually in the water and rooting him on
2. Chasing the matchbox cars on Connor's race car track
3. Just sitting in the sun in our backyard enjoying the warmth
4. Snuggling with Connor after school
5. Running on the beach, crouching and pouncing
6. Barking at dinner (hey, she was far from perfect!!)
7. Our Saturday morning ritual bath and brush time, then a kiss and
    cookie
8. Trips to Cape Cod, sitting on our laps in the car, head on steering wheel
9. Tilting her head at back and forth when her name was said at high pitch
10. Taking naps on your legs, sitting on your back, and giving you a look if you moved first






 
     
     

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Fall At The Cape

Forgot to post some pics of our annual Fall Cape Cod escape. Charlotte and I went up a day earlier then Connor and Peter who came directly from a soccer game. We'll do anything for  good clam chowder!