Robin's Nest

Happy adoption day Abby and Ben!

2010-08-01T17:09:00.001-05:00

It's been 10 years with Abby and 8 with Ben. Today we had a special private celebration.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.9

Sonny and Ben

2009-09-23T10:17:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Puppy Love

2009-09-20T15:35:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Blackberry

beninpool.3GP

2009-09-20T13:52:00.001-05:00

2009-06-16T13:01:00.001-05:00

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

He beat me again...and that's not easy!

2009-05-24T15:16:00.002-05:00

Ben beat me by just 2 points. My boy is getting very good at cribbage.

It takes two...

2009-05-11T17:26:00.002-05:00

The tango.

2009-05-10T16:21:00.002-05:00

My beautiful Mother's Day flowers from my darling Abby.

2009-04-29T17:59:00.002-05:00

Ben gave me the G for 'graceful'. Yeah, right!

Twins?

2009-04-24T14:37:00.002-05:00

They've been calling themselves twins

Out Shopping

2009-04-24T12:08:00.003-05:00

Out shopping - Getting ready to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

2009-04-20T10:21:00.002-05:00

Ben used his birthday money to buy a punching bag. Here's his first try at it...He didn't believe me that you should have someone stand behind it to buffer the swing.

DS (Dual Screen) Duo

2009-04-18T12:37:00.002-05:00

Ben and Dom

Simba Doing Yard Work

2009-03-31T15:15:00.002-05:00

Simba cleaning the yard, chewing one stick at a time.

First Tooth Lost

2009-02-10T10:17:00.001-05:00

This morning Ben yelled across the house with that panicked voice that most moms recognize as "come here RIGHT AWAY". I thought something terribly wrong had happened but thankfully it was only his first tooth - it finally fell out!

Best Friends

2009-02-06T18:38:00.002-05:00

Ben's best friend Tuan slept over last night. We stopped at a local pho shop for some dinner on the way home from picking him up. Crispy spring rolls, pho and fresh limeade. YUMMY!

I (Mostly) Love This Blog!

2009-01-29T16:58:00.001-05:00

The Day Rebecca Went Against the Grain

Middle Eastern man surrounded by bags of rice: Would you like to buy some rice?
Young woman: No, thanks.
Middle Eastern man: But it's good rice. Good strong rice.
Young woman: Oh, I've got plenty of rice at home.
Middle Eastern man: But your rice no good. This rice much better.
Woman (offended, screaming): You don't know what kind of rice I eat!
(long pause)
Middle Eastern man, sheepishly: Only $20.

--F Train

Overheard by: really wondering what kind of rice she eats

via Overheard in New York, Jan 29, 2009

Boxing Day?

2008-12-25T17:16:00.000-05:00

Ben got some boxing gloves for Christmas. My only hope is that he doesn't use his sister as a punching bag.

Icicles

2008-12-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

These icicles are hanging from the roof outside my living room window, formed after the snowstorm a couple of days ago. The ice is so bad that we have ice dams on the roof and water is seeping in the house. We had to open up a hallway wall because it was coming in over a window and dripping down on to the carpet, drenching everything. The front stairs had a 3" layer of ice that we had to chip off so no one would slip and fall. It's too early in the season for this!

Sliding Fun

2008-12-21T16:18:00.001-05:00

We have a great yard for the kids to play in, but unfortunately we lack a hill for sledding. No worries though! We have deck stairs!

Let it Snow

2008-12-20T12:15:00.006-05:00

We had a big snowfall yesterday, and it hasn't stopped yet. There's about 1 foot of snow on the ground and the kids have been outside playing and shoveling. It's absolutely beautiful and more is forecast for tomorrow. We'll definitely have a white Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-14T20:49:00.001-05:00

Tree decorating

My husband assembled Ben's gingerbread tree, Ben decorated it. We decided to forgo the usual houses this year and try some new shapes. My sister took all the photos, view her photo stream here:

http://www.flickr.com/lallalori

Chocolate-kissed choo choo

2008-12-14T20:46:00.001-05:00

Chocolate-kissed choo choo

Here's Abby's gingerbread creation. I assembled this one for her, she decorated it.

You must be really proud of him, Robin

2008-12-14T20:37:00.001-05:00

You must be really proud of him, Robin

My sister took this photo today while we were making gingerbread houses with some friends. I know, it has absolutely nothing to do with gingerbread, but it is just a great photo. My daughter had made this paper chain to decorate the house for Christmas, but the only thing it was used for was decorating my husband.

View the original here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lallalori/3109268866/in/photostream/

A Christmas Card

2008-12-06T10:26:00.001-05:00

Here's one of the cards I considered sending, but instead saved it for this blog. E-mail me your address if you want the real one. We set up the Christmas tree this week. Well, mostly the kids did. I took pictures and laughed a lot. We went through 3 tree toppers before we found one that fit (at the store). Either the tree was too tall, or the branch too fat to fit what we had already, so I had to go buy a new one.

When we went to buy the tree Ben feel asleep in the car so just Sonny stayed with him and Abby and I had the job of picking out the tree. I let Abby decide which we should get, and I think she did a great job! Now we just have to wrap the presents and send out our cards.

Parent Teacher Conference

2008-11-26T19:48:00.001-05:00

We had a chance to meet Ben's classmates at his Parent/Teacher Conference last week. I thought they were a great looking bunch, except for the little guy who was under the weather with chicken pox.

Like Father, Like Son

2008-11-25T22:04:00.001-05:00

Ben's trying again to grow facial hair like his dad. The first time he took a brown marker and drew one on. This time he thought tape on the chin would make him look more like dad. I think I might have to get this boy involved in sports...he just has too much time on his hands.

Halloween

2008-11-08T07:23:00.000-05:00

Ben dressed as "Pikachu", Abby dressed as "I was supposed to be Sharpay, then I decided I didn't want to dress up but my mom told me I'd have to pay her the $24.00 back for the costume so I'll wear it like this and beg for candy and look happy because she threatened me if I pouted".

The Spider Song

2008-10-21T17:56:00.000-05:00

Ben learned a new song at school and recorded it for everyone to see:

Sonic the Hedgehog

2008-10-18T23:33:00.003-05:00

Abby wanted some new nail polish this summer so we went to the local beauty supply store. As we were wandering the aisles we walked past the aerosol cans of hair color and Ben and I thought it would be fun to try out the blue. He said he looked like Sonic the Hedgehog . I tried to convince him to wear it to school for just one day. He's just not adventurous enough to do it...probably a good idea because it would be awfully distracting to the other students I'm sure.

Hey! She did it again!

2008-09-06T15:44:00.001-05:00

This was printed in our local paper this week, celebrating the first week of school. Abby is in the back on the left. She's 8 years old and has been in the paper about a dozen times already. She's a SUPERSTAR!!!!

1st Day of School

2008-08-27T17:55:00.002-05:00

I really didn't want the kids to go back to school this year. I worked at home all summer, logging into the shop computer with http://www.gotomypc.com/ and tried to keep up the work load. It was tricky but I was able to keep my head above water. At the beginning of summer I actually thought it might be easier to work at home but I was so wrong! I don't like letting the kids play alone outside so that meant I had to bring the laptop on the deck and try to watch them in the yard or in the pool. Sounds like fun? Well, only until you try processing customer payments and you have checks and cash blowing all over the place. Things are going much more smoothly now that the kids are back in school. They're doing great! Ben's in 1st and Abby's in 3rd grade now. Except for Ben telling me almost every morning that he doesn't want to go to school they're adjusting well. But not too worry, he comes home every day and says that he's had a good day.

Here's How To Pull Her In...

2008-08-24T21:48:00.002-05:00

This is an ad I found on a website for our town. It has a scores of pictures of streets, schools, businesses, transportation and ads from as far back as the late 1800s. This one ran around about 70 years ago I think. I don't suppose this ad's copy writer made much money.

"Let's say you spot her strolling down the beach...
and you wish...oh, how you wish you knew her!...
you know she's beautiful and all that!
Only one way to do it m'boy--use the right kind of bait!
And what a job flowers will do!
Try it sometime.
CUT FLOWERS and POTTED PLANTS."

Mom's GI Consult

2008-08-14T15:47:00.002-05:00

My mom had a little "incident" that required a short hospital stay. We were told she'd need a consult with a GI Doctor, also referred to as a "GI Guy". When he didn't show up quickly enough my brother and I decided to take matters into our own hands and and bring our own GI guy in. His recommendation was to hang tough and drink plenty of fluids with a bendy straw.

Daddy has new slippers

2008-08-07T17:57:00.001-05:00

Daddy has new slippers

Happy Adoption Day

2008-08-05T22:51:00.001-05:00

Hooray! We celebrated our family day twice last week...
July 29th for Ben and August 1st for Abby.

Abby begins babysitting duty

2008-08-05T22:47:00.001-05:00

Though not officially babysitting, Abby likes to spend time with a friends son, Owen. Owen likes to be a passenger in the Jeep and today spent about 40 minutes being chauffeured around the yard, sitting contentedly in the passenger seat. Way to go Abby!

WATAHHH!!!!

2008-07-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

Now I know Ben has absolutely no idea who Bruce Lee is, but when you look at these pictures side by side you could swear he is imitating him. I think that stick he's holding is in for some real trouble.

Sonny's Perfect Potato Salad

2008-07-14T11:08:00.001-05:00

Yes, Sonny, it's perfect. The most perfect red potato salad I've ever tasted. None compares. The perfect balance of mayo, celery, egg and potato. Cooled to perfection. Did I mention it was perfect?

Galaxy Defenders

2008-07-08T00:27:00.001-05:00

"M.I.B."

I've been rummaging through some old files and videos and came across this old favorite music video. Let's see how many of you can date me by it.

Something Smells Fishy

2008-07-06T08:41:00.001-05:00

We went to the 1st Annual Allard-Poulin-Sullivan Fishing Derby this weekend. Abby won 1st place (9" fish) and Ben won 2nd place (8.5" fish). They knew there would be prizes involved, but were shocked when they found out that instead of the expected dollar store fare they received actual cash prizes!!!!!

We had a great time and are looking forward to next year's tourney.

Misquamicut Beach

2008-06-27T22:56:00.001-05:00

My husband has always been in love with the ocean, but me...not so much. The sweat, the sand and salt sticking to my skin and stinging me is just not that appealing. Bodies packed liked sardines on blankets in super hot sun frying with only the salt water to rinse in, jelly fish waiting to sting. I'd rather have a nice clean pool to lounge around, with my own bathroom just a short walk away. Maybe a little A/C to duck in to in case the sun gets too hot, a refrigerator full of watermelon and Coke. But I have to admit, I really enjoyed watching my husband and kids play in the sand and experiencing getting bowled over by the waves with them for the first time.

Bringing home dinner

2008-06-05T00:09:00.001-05:00

Bringing home dinner

Ben's usually a good fisherman, but today he didn't catch anything. The lake was recently stocked and I think it was fished out within a couple of weeks. Just last week he caught 5 fish, but we had to throw them all back because they were kivers (sun fish).

Gymnastics at the Lake

2008-06-04T23:46:00.002-05:00

It's almost recital time and Abby's been practicing her gymnastics moves everywhere. Even in the middle of the lake! I love the splash she got with this jump.

Grampy

2008-05-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

My Grandfather always had guidance to offer. Whether we wanted it or not! One of the lingering memories is this saying I discovered today in my daily Google offerings: Quote of the Day - Vince Lombardi - "Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser."

Day Tripping

2008-05-19T15:28:00.001-05:00

Today I chaperoned Abby's class on their field trip to the museum. As we were ready to leave the butterfly exhibit this butterfly landed on Abby. I think I may have been more excited than she was!

On The Road Again

2008-05-15T15:48:00.001-05:00

We're off to the Six Flags Lodge and Indoor Water Park for a few days of R&R. We've been on overdrive for months and worked right through spring vacation. We hardly spent any time with the kids and they were troopers about it. Mom and Dad decided to bring them for a long weekend get away to Lake George, NY to unwind, but they seem to be getting a head start en route. Maybe I should have sent them to bed a little earlier last night!

That New Car Smell

2008-05-14T20:22:00.000-05:00

This is my "new" used car, a 2004 Nissan Quest. I like the way it handles, and it's loaded with features. The resale value seems pretty good, much better than American made cars (which are the only ones I've purchased in the past.)

It fulfills 2 of my kids 3 wishes: they wanted a DVD player and double sliding doors (got them) but this car doesn't have second seat windows that open. We did however get 1 sun roof and 4 moon roofs. Sweet.

How do I love thee?...Let me count the ways!

2008-03-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

Is it wrong that I lust after lobster? That as I took an array of pictures I was grinning? That as I was about to cook -- yes, murder for my pleasure -- one of God's creatures, I felt deep joy? Well, it's all true!
As I took the 6th or 7th picture I suddenly became aware of the smile on my face and the sick joy I was feeling as the water boiled on the stove. Something MUST be wrong with me. I understand enjoying food, but taking pictures and feeling joy? SICK!!! Maybe the pleasure stems from finding such a deal, only $5.99 a lb, and this lobster was almost 10 pounds. Three of us ate it, and we had left overs too. *AND FUN WAS HAD BY ALL!!*

Locks of Love

2008-03-04T15:36:00.001-05:00

Abby had a huge knot in the back of her long beautiful hair over the weekend from wearing a winter coat. It was just a horrible matted knot that we struggled to get out. We decided that we needed to schedule an appointment to get it cut a bit so it wouldn't be so hard to keep untangled, but on Monday morning we thought we just might stop by Snipits after school and get it done right away. When we walked in Abby decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love, and this is the beautiful cut she ended up with. A very surprising decision, but I am proud of her!

Well That's Just Ducky

2008-03-04T15:17:00.001-05:00

Ben sleeps with SO MANY stuffed animals its a wonder he can fit in the bed with them. They each have a name, and they each get turns in the bed with him. Sometimes I'm told they want to sleep with me. And their feeling are hurt if they are not positioned in MY bed just so. His most recent acquisition is the Webkinz duck.

Tucking him in can take a while with the prayers, positioning them all and covering them with the proper blankets. Sometimes he and Abby will spend an entire afternoon positioning them and shooting still pics and videos of them too. Amazing.

Hubba Bubba

2008-02-17T20:37:00.001-05:00

Abby learned how to blow bubblegum bubbles this week and has gone through a 9 foot roll of bubble gum tape practicing. We'll try to catch her biggest one on camera and post an update.

Abby Turns 8

2008-02-09T19:05:00.001-05:00

Abby received the most coveted of all presents this birthday: tickets to the Hannah Montana 3D movie. Her cousin will be taking her on Sunday and they will be wearing Hannah Montana t-shirts too! Happy birthday Abby, and thanks for 8 wonderful years. I love you.

Her Legacy Lives On

2008-01-23T18:25:00.001-05:00

My Grandmother has been gone now almost 2 years and we still have so many wonderful memories. She loved to crochet, and made so many beautiful things. This hat was not one of them.

Yet, she wore it often and proudly, perched on her head like one of those little covers that you'd put on a roll of toilet paper on the back of the tank to hide the spare roll, to cover it's indecency as it waited for it's turn on the spindle.

Every so often someone would mention to me that they ran into my grandmother, they really weren't sure it was her way over there across the mall until they noticed that toilet paper roll holder on her head, then they were sure it was Alice. Then they could confidently approach knowing they had the right person.

It's one of the 2 things I wanted when she passed. This and the funny looking ceramic roosters she kept on top of the refrigerator all my growing up years. I was at an estate sale 2 weeks ago and purchased a smaller matching pair that I will display in my kitchen when I re-do it later this spring. I will build a special shelf for all of them and give them their rightful place again.

Gram, we love you still, and miss you.

Spring Reminder

2007-12-27T16:21:00.001-05:00

My brother took this picture in the Spring of '07 when the flowers first started blooming. It's been so dreary and gray lately I wanted to post something to remind us what is to come just a few months from now.

Moon Shoes

2007-12-24T23:08:00.001-05:00

Ben and Abby received these Moon Shoes as a Christmas gift. Without a doubt they are fun. All of their cousins will be getting them too, so I can only imagine what my yard will look like this summer with 5 or 6 kids jumping around on these things at once! I'll post an update if we call 911.

Little Hands, Big Gifts

2007-12-22T14:24:00.001-05:00

Ben made a gift for me at school this week. It's a candle with 3 snowmen on it, each made with his fingerprint and the details drawn with permanent marker. The accompanying poem reads:

Little snowman, one, two, three,

Made with my fingers-

For you from me.

When you light the candle,

It will burn so bright,

To remind you that I LOVE YOU,

Day and night!

This is most definitely one of the most precious gifts I will receive this year.

The Creche

2007-12-19T17:29:00.001-05:00

Each year I set up a creche (French for Nativity Scene) for the kids. This year we did it a little differently because they are getting older. As I told the story of Jesus' birth I let them put the pieces in place. We've reviewed the story 3 times now this month, so they were able to fill in a lot of the story themselves, and as the story progressed they put each piece in its place. We used to withhold the baby Jesus until Christmas morning, then put him in the manger and say a prayer of thanks for His birth, but we'll let him stay there now and just pray together on Christmas morning.

Fruity for Fruit Cake, Now Accepting Donations

2007-12-16T22:27:00.001-05:00

My husband is a fruit cake addict. Every year he buys himself a fruit cake and actually eats it. All of it!

He asked me to post and ask if anyone has a fruitcake they won't be eating and would like to pass it on to him, he will gladly accept it. Please send your fruit cake to Jerry Brodeur, 100 Grand Street, Worcester, MA, 01610

Snow Day

2007-12-16T22:21:00.001-05:00

In the last 4 days we've had about 20" of snow followed by sleet, freezing rain then rain. Today we played outside for at least 2 hours. I'd like to say fun was had by all, but for me it's just participating to make sure the kids are safe. I'd really rather be inside doing something more adult. I always have this fear someone will drive by and snatch one of my kids, so I rarely let them out without an adult somewhere very near. We live in a nice neighborhood, but bad things can happen anywhere, and I try to be diligently watching them all the time. It's hard for them to understand why their cousins, who visit their grandparents that live downstairs from us, have more freedom than they do.

Annual Gingerbread Houses

2007-12-09T23:09:00.001-05:00

Today was our annual ginger bread house building day. We meet with friends every year and make an afternoon of it. The top two pictures are Ben and Abby (my kids), the middle two pictures are Li and Tuan. Their family has been friends with ours since Abby was a baby. Tuan and Abby are from the same orphanage in Hanoi, and we met Tuan's parents through our agency Alliance for Children.

Ao Dai

2007-12-01T12:01:00.001-05:00

I was looking through some old memory cards and found this picture. We took it on Christmas Eve 2005. We bought the Ao Dais when we traveled to Viet Nam in 2002.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

2007-11-26T23:03:00.001-05:00

Abby begged to put up the tree this weekend, and in hindsight it was the best time possible for us. We have a tradition where we have a couple of slabs cut off the bottom of the tree each year and let them dry a few months. Then I sand them and glue a picture of each kid on a slab and polyurethane over it. When that is dry I write the year on the back with a sharpie and add a hook and ribbon to the top and I have an ornament for the next year's tree made from the previous year's one. When each kid moves on and has a tree of their own someday I'll be able to pass on a collection of each of their trees with pictures of what they looked like that year.

"Pacman Pie"

2007-11-24T00:49:00.001-05:00

I made 4 pumpkin pies trying to find the perfect milk free recipe for Abby (allergic to milk). Two ended up in the trash...one I forgot to add the sugar to, the other just failed all taste tests. This one was the favorite, and was dubbed "Pacman Pie". Let me know if you want the recipe for a decent milk/soy/egg free pumpkin pie.

By the way, it's midnight Friday, and she hasn't eaten a bite of ANY of the pumpkin pies yet.

All Dressed Up

2007-11-24T00:15:00.000-05:00

I never posted pics of the kids dressed up at the end of October, so here they are. Ben, obviously is a fireman, Abby a cheerleader. This is her actual cheerdance costume that she's used for her dance recitals. Neither one of them likes to stray too much from the norm.

Grey's Anatomy, Our Anatomy

2007-11-23T10:54:00.000-05:00

Abby and I had our first true conversation about racism. We were watching Grey's Anatomy and she asked why the brown doctor couldn't operate on the patient, and why the girl one had to (Sandra Oh). I explained some about race, discrimination, what a swastika was and how symbols identify people and their beliefs. (All in brief and according to what a 7 year old could take in.) Nothing like starting a sentence with "Well, you know how you and I don't look alike, right..."

Giving Thanks

2007-11-22T18:56:00.000-05:00

We spent the day with family and friends (who we consider family). We ate in abundance, but laughed more. I haven't had a Thanksgiving this good in years. Thanks to all of you for making such a special day for me.

This Just In...

2007-11-19T20:46:00.001-05:00

"Parents help children through math problems Thursday night. Among some of the conundrums —
just how many M&Ms are in a typical bag?"

WEBSTER — How can one measure that elusive inchworm? Just how many M&Ms are in the typical “fun size” bag? If Billy has three cookies and Martha has five, how many cookies are there? Children and parents mulled over these questions Thursday, Nov. 8, during Park Avenue Elementary School’s “Supper and Books” event, which featured a night of stories, math problems, and of course, classic squared-off cafeteria-style pizza.

We're published...again! This appeared in our local newspaper after we participated in our children's school "Supper and Books" activity.

...More news at 11.

Shutterfly | Photo Cards

2007-11-19T14:05:00.000-05:00

Shutterfly | Photo Cards

Christmas Card

2007-11-18T15:27:00.001-05:00

I spent some time today trying to get pictures of the kids for a Christmas card. It took a Herculean effort to get Abby to co-operate (2 days of fighting and tears), and you can see what it was like with Ben. You might think I mistreated or tortured them. Geez, if the worst they had in life was to put on nice clothes and have a picture taken, then what a blessing life is! Maybe they need a little more hardship in their lives to understand Christmas card time isn't so bad after all.

The Best Gift of All

2007-11-16T23:58:00.001-05:00

Abby and a friend have been rehearsing a couple of songs for a performance the music teacher at her school will be directing for the second grade parents. Here is a video they wanted me to make for him.

Le Petit Chef

2007-11-04T12:33:00.000-05:00

Ben LOVES to bake. Really, to help me with anything I am cooking. I try to let both of my kids help with as much of the work as they can (except working with the stove) because I think it builds their confidence, helps them with their math (counting measurements, etc.) and the sooner they can take the task over for me the better! I've been doing family cooking for about 30 years and to be honest, I'm pretty sick of it. I also started doing the family grocery shopping when I got my license at 16 years old. I figured if I was doing the cooking, I might as well do the shopping too. That way I could make sure I had what I needed on hand. My mom was working full time, and it made perfect sense. I'm sure she was glad to have one less chore to do. My brother always came with me and made fun out of it.

As I'm making this blog entry my husband is at the market with both kids doing the grocery shopping. Thank goodness he doesn't mind it too much because I've been avoiding it at all costs lately, even using online shopping w/ grocery delivery services!

Our Commemoration of the Red Sox in the World Series

2007-10-27T21:12:00.000-05:00

Now, there's no doubt that these guys will *never* play anything more than wiffleball, but maybe they'll feel more at home on stage at the Improv. This is my husband Jerry and our friend Brian goofing around in our yard over Labor Day weekend. Yes, Brian does have a steel plate in his head. Feel free to e-mail your comments to my husband Jerry.

Pumpkin Time

2007-10-27T15:47:00.000-05:00

Abby and Ben working diligently on decorating their pumpkins.

Ben is determined to hammer in all the pegs that will light up when he is through. (Remember "Light Bright"?)

The finished pumpkins. Ben's is on the left, Abby's on the right.

The Harvest

2007-10-20T16:39:00.000-05:00

Ben sees an apple at the top of a tree that he wants to pick.

Abby has shined her apple to a brilliant red. Now just for the eating.

We made the annual pilgrimage to the Tougas' Farm to pick our apples this year. We were too late for our favorites, Honeycrisps, but found plenty of Macouns and Cortlands for baking. The kids and I have been eating a couple a day and we have a peck so I don't think we'll run out soon. I'll be scouring the Weight Watcher's cookbooks for some new apple recipes.

Abby's First Day of 2nd Grade

2007-08-28T21:38:00.000-05:00

Today was Abby's first day of 2nd grade and Ben's screening for Kindergarten. The summer is over far too quickly. Our town is talking about an extended school day, trying to add about 200 hours to the school year. I am against it. My kids are away from me too many hours as it is. My husband and I don't like other people having so much influence over them, but they do need an education. And in our town we've seen it before where the budget cuts have eliminted the arts and extras and left only the academics, which I expect will happen once the grant money runs out. So, I fear it will be less hours with the family, and eventually less of the benefits of the talked about grant that we hope to receive for the return of the music programs, recesses, etc. My way of dealing with it all is by volunteering as much as possible in the P.T.O., in the classroom, to the principal, and keeping my kids involved in activities and with their friends. With working and running a business it is exhausting, but it has to be done.

Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea?

2007-08-14T23:46:00.000-05:00

We just returned from a vacation in Lake George, NY. If she's going to be sucked dry in an arcade, Abby's money is going to Spongebob Squarepants! I like the squishy yellow guy, but how many quarters can one machine take?

A Cut Above

2007-08-06T13:58:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back I gave Ben a haircut which drew blood. This time he cut his own hair. Well, some of it anyway. By the time we got to the sides and back his defenses were down and he was beginning to trust me a little. That, plus the offer of $5.00 to get the ordeal over with ;-)

What's In A Name

2007-07-22T19:21:00.000-05:00

Think you can prounounce this? It's the name of our town lake. We call it Webster Lake for short, but I can say it pretty easily. But I've been practicing since I could read. The rough translation for it is "Englishmen at Manchaug territory at the meeting and fishing place at the boundary". It is the longest place name in the United States and 6th longest in the world. Its 15 uses of "g" are the most instances of any letter in a word. The name also contains 9 instances of the letter "a" (not including the "a" in "lake"), more than any other word in the English language. Well, off now to play Trivial Pursuit...

Good Fortune

2007-07-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

I've got a couple of new projects in the works related to my volunteer work with Vietnamese adoptions. Now, I don't believe at all in fortune cookies, but Abby gets a big kick out of them, and I think she even believes in them. So, for the sake of playing along with her, I'll apply this fortune towards my new project. I'll announce it when it launches!

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

2007-07-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

I love this time of year, especially poolside. It seems as if time stands still. Hot summer afternoons, the humidity, the cicadas, hot dogs on the grill. My kids have both learned to swim.

I've been working from home a lot. I take my laptop outside to the picnic table and log in to the shop's computer. It takes longer to get stuff done but it's harder to keep the kids occupied in a little office with me if I take them to the shop. Cramped, hot (no air conditioning) and trying to talk business with a television and kids in the background is not too professional. And there's only so much dusting I can get them to do in the showroom area. You know they like to swiffer but a dusty rag only holds so much fascination for a 5 and 7 year old.

We're having a ball

2007-07-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

We have a large driveway, and live in a 3 family house. Add a pool to the mix and the result is a yardful of children, which is great for my kids. Here's a picture of my kids with their cousins. Outside playtime starts mid morning (or earlier) and continues until 8:30 or later durning the summer. I love a house full of life.

Mrs. Thuy and her Mom

2007-07-05T23:36:00.000-05:00

Last week I took the kids and went to NYC via Amtrak for a couple of days. We went to see Thuy who owned the Claudia Hotel up until a short time ago when she converted it into a retail clothing store. When adoptions from Viet Nam closed to Americans she didn't have the business to sustain her as she catered to American adoptive families. It was a wonderful reunion, and her mother is so nice. I really appreciated the opportunity to visit with them.

I had many firsts: first train ride, first subway ride, first time hailing a taxi and of course there was Grand Central Station, Penn Station, Central Park and Times Square. The best part was connecting with all of our internet friends, and getting re-acquainted with old ones.

Let Freedom Ring

2007-07-05T23:19:00.000-05:00

Like so many other bloggers, I couldn't resist the urge to post a picture of our local fireworks. Partially funded by the town, partially funded by a local restauranteur, they're better now than I remember in all of my um, 29 years. (No, you can't have my mother's phone number to verify that!

Wheeeeee!!!!

2007-07-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

We took a leisurely Sunday ride today and ended up at Roseland Park in Woodstock, CT. The kids were having so much fun on the slide that Sonny decided to join them. It was very good to see him enjoying himself, he works so hard (see our website http://www.furnitureplusrepair.com/ and our blog http://www.furnitureplusrepair.blogspot.com/ to see what we're always working on).

Twist and Shout

2007-06-23T23:45:00.000-05:00

Abby's dance recital performance: Cheerdance, June 23, 2007

Dancing Queens

2007-06-21T19:34:00.000-05:00

Abby and her cousins had their dress rehearsal today for their recital. It was long, but I always love to see the it, sometimes even more than the recital itself. It's relaxed and a good time to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a while. My littlest niece was a hoot, completely ignoring the routine and making up her own on the stage. Hers was better than the choreographed one! Way to go girls!

Swim Fishy!

2007-06-19T22:18:00.000-05:00

Abby is practicing some of her pool moves.

Google...er, goggle...

2007-06-19T21:06:00.000-05:00

School got out for the kids last week. I introduced them to Alice Cooper's "School's Out" which they LOVED! I think it was the "no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks". They're only 5 and 7 years old and already are amazed each time Sonny or I know a song that has been re-made by some young artist. You know how it goes...life only begins when the young are born, nothing existed before their awareness. Abby is so much like me in thought, word and deed it's scary. I can almost read her mind. I tell her what she's going to do next (I used to think and behave so many of the same ways she does when I was her age it's scary...and surprising and sometimes frustrating for her...she can't get away with anything). I hope it works this way when she's a teen, it ought to make my life easier, a little less difficult trying to figure this teenager out.

Plane Spotting

2007-06-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

My husband Jerry (aka Sonny to close family and friends) and Ben were watching the sky for planes. We live under an active flight path and we can count 15 to 2o planes an hour in the afternoon to evening sky. Ben and Abby like to imagine which ones might be traveling to Vietnam.

Abby Girl

2007-06-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

This is Abby's self portrait.

Abby and Ben got Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital cameras for Christmas. If anyone is looking for a good kid friendly camera that can take a dropping, this is it. It is very easy to use for about 4 years old and up. My kids even plug it into the USB port on my computer, download the pics (minor help from me in the beginning) and modify them by themselves. They love it.

Trinkets from Vietnam

2007-06-13T21:09:00.000-05:00

Here's another picture Abby took with her camera. I have an endless stream of photos from both kids....gigs of stuffed animals posed in so many ways.....

Rainy days

2007-06-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

How else should a 5 year old dress for a rainy day? In a fireman raincoat and head gear of course!

Time out

2007-06-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

I was searching through my photo archives and found these. When Ben was around 2 years old he was getting frequent time outs for not listening. He would put his hands on the wall and stand perfectly still but his eyes would dart left and right looking for me. I'd wait for a minute or two then call him to me. He'd turn around with the biggest smile on his face. I'd ask him if he knew why he was having a time out, he'd say yes and tell me exactly why. He's a very smart kid. They we'd hug and move on, with an admonishment not to do it again.

Beautiful

2007-06-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

My heart overflows with joy.

Important Lessons

2007-06-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

Here is a VERY IMPORTANT LESSON: When cutting your child's hair, avoid the ears!

I was cutting Ben's hair and he objected to the electric clippers. I offered to use the scissors, but we were pressed for time so I was cutting too quickly. Bad idea. He moved, I snipped, he yelled "YOU CUT MY EAR!" and I ran for the bandages. And the ibuprofen. And the cash to buy him off. Yup, I'm that kind of mom.

Anyway, here's the sorry picture, my shame exposed. Go ahead, laugh at me.

Mommy's Girl

2007-06-05T10:59:00.000-05:00

Abby wanted a Tshirt with "Mommy's girl on it.
We took this picture for the front and had it printed up.
One of the few where I'm not behind the camera.

Happy 5th Birthday Ben

2007-03-27T22:45:00.000-05:00

Because Ben is playing T ball in Little League I thought I'd make a baseball cake. It looked wonderful until I transported it to the party. Good thing I took a picture of it *before* we traveled.