Natan

We attended the orientation at Natan's school last night. Super nice teacher and Paraprofessional...he is very excited to be going on the bus every day and being in his own classroom.

Here he is in his new classroom with his teacher, Ms. Faith and his Para-pro, Ms. Carol.

Also signing Mimi up for Girl Scouts--hadn't even thought of this until I met a friend and troop leader last night. She is excited!

Jason and I have such a calm and good feeling about this year--very different from what we've been feeling over the past few months.

New day...

Lots of changes happening around here. All good. All exhaustively discussed over and over and over...

The decisions we make in this home are in the best interest of each and every individual, and of our family as a whole. We do not think we are above any one thing, we do not feel any kind of superiority. We just know what is in our heart and more importantly, our gut!!

Being a parent is about making the best choices for your children, even if those choices do not go along with what everyone else says you should do.

So, here is to being decisive and confident in a decision...and diving into every project with passion and no fear!

Mimi's 6th Birthday Montage

Today is Mimi's 6th birthday...time flies when you're having fun!!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ode to Unca Dane

Sara, this is for you--I couldn't email it!!

Need a laugh??

Not the breast day ever...

Some of you out there may know of my plight in the bra area. I spent most of my pre-teen and teen years feeling self conscious and being teased about being flat chested.

Over the years, as an adult, I have come to realize that it really doesn't matter. In fact, I have come to see that I wouldn't want it any other way.

We hear constantly, "Be happy the way you are", "Beauty comes from within".

So I ask, WHY, when I walked into the Hanes store, was I bombarded by at least 500 bust enhancing, hugely padded bras?? And not one in my size.

I am not ashamed to be flat chested. People have laughed at me all my life for it. But why is that less acceptable than being a 38 or 40 DD--that seems unimaginable to carry around! And these massive bras were PADDED!!! What??

(FYI: In the men's section, nothing was padded. Perhaps men should start wearing padded underwear strung with wire and lift support...)

So, I was actually looking for a more grownup bra. Why am I not entitled to something pretty with color or satin or leopard print...why am I stuck wearing bralettes with no style?

I am being punished for having a flat chest.

Mimi did make a good point when we walked in the store: "Good thing Georgie isn't here--he's afraid of bras." And yes, he is!!!

More flags, more fun!

Spent today at Six Flags on a little impromptu jolly holiday! Walked around for over seven hours with no whining, no complaining, and no melt downs! We all had a blast, Jason got to ride some serious coasters, and the three big kids and I ended the day at 8:45 p.m. on "Thunder River"--soaked to the core!

I asked each of them what their high for the day was...Mimi said riding the roller coaster, George said, "Thunder River" and Natan said roller coaster. I will assume Vinny's was Thomas, where he had rocked it out earlier.

My high: Being reminded once again that I have these seriously amazing kids!

Now to drag Jason out of the pool and go to bed...

Forty & Sporty

Yesterday was Jason's 40th birthday! I managed to pull off a surprise party for him with good friends, GREAT entertainment provided by our good friend, Alan Ross, and my gift to Jason--a beautiful portrait by my dear friend and professional artist, Mary Liz Ingram of the "Jason Tree" complete with four pretty adorable kids!

The whole evening was fun, and Jason deserved every bit of it!

Check out Jason's birthday montage--points given for being able to guess the song title and singer--two of Jason's favorite artists:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dear Tim, I love you.

This is the REAL reason we drive 28 hours to Canada!!!!

Nothing beats Tim's.

This was the first one, right after we crossed the border from Maine to New Brunswick. Mmmmm....

Memories...

Photos from our recent trip home...with stops in D.C., Portsmouth, NH, Ontario, and Cleveland!

Our Canadian cousins in New Hampshire--hello!! Had a blast!!!!!!

Nana & Mimi on Papa's bench...that is Sara & Dwayne's osprey in the background.

With Auntie & Uncle

Hanging out with another cousin on the dirt pile!

"Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!"

And more...

"Unce Dane, Unca Dane, Unca Dane..."

We discovered we have a whole new set of cousins!!!

Me, Mum, Sara

Catching up with Auntie Selena...my other sister!!

Got to snuggle Baby Jackson!

The original cousins! Finally met Benjamin!

Happy Belated Canada Day!

Click below to read the front page story!

Happy 143rd, Canada! - Local - News - The Amherst Daily News

blah...

I miss my Mum.

Do you ever get too old for that?

I know we are a handful at the Blue House, but I also know my mother loves my kids to bits. And they love her too. We have all been moping since we drove away--not easy to mope in a car.

It just feels so wrong to live 28 hours from home.

Mum and I are already planning the trip next year! Six weeks might almost be enough!

Vinny is still singing his "Unca Dane" song...pretty much just singing in minor thirds over and over and over!

My sister made such a nice bunch of memories for my kids. These trips to the Blue House are still in the beginning stages, and they would be much better with Papa there. Someone to take them for ice cream...walk on the lane...wander at the back shore...but Sa Sa and Dwayne make it a place the kids think about and talk about all year. They even have "summer friends" just like I did--shout out to Jill!! I have known my summer friend for 30 years!

I lay in my Dad's bed with Mimi on our last night and I just kept thinking of how unfair life is. Not in a whiny, feel sorry for my family way. Just in the way that my Mum and Dad should be sitting on the front deck watching their grand kids together. Papa shouldn't be reduced to a mere memory that we can only talk about. It sucks.

I am so glad George favors my father so much--in looks and personality. I hope it helps.

***

We surprise visited my oldest friend this morning--woke her and her family up at 8:00 a.m.--was informed that people with older kids actually sleep in!!!! Had a great time catching up and Jason commented that it was like we just picked up where we left off.

Also took the kids to Albert College where I attended Grades 8-10 and loved! Nice to show it to my kiddos.

Spent a better part of the day with Great Grandma and Grandpa Stinny. He is in the hospital now waiting to move to a nursing home and the kids were very "big kid" handling it. They saw him. They yelled, "Grandpa!!!!!" They ran to him in his wheelchair. They mauled him. He loved it. One man in the hospital informed me we are doing a marvelous job raising the kids. He said he was a "disciplinarian" and had served in the Navy. He happened to catch us at a good time--all four sitting eating a Popsicle given to them by a nurse. Still, it made me feel good and I took the compliment with my usual sarcastic grace!

It's always hard to leave the Stinny's--just another part of missing home.

****

Heading to Uxbridge tomorrow morning to see Auntie Gail, Uncle Neb, more cousins, and finally meet Ben!!!!! Very excited--must dig out the scotch tape and paper I had packed for this part of the visit!!!!!

Then our last stop will hopefully be in Cleveland to see Selena and meet her baby finally!!!

We have indeed had a very lovely vacation--too short, but so great to see people!!

My USB cable is in the car and I am in bed. You see how that will play out. No pictures until we get home!