Free Concert In The Park With The Kids

Last night we went to the Concert in the park with the kids.  We packed up a picnic and chairs and were off for the evening.  The kids were able to run all around and be kids and we were able to enjoy the music.  This is a 100% free event which is something that I always love.  The band was actually really good and played tunes from the beetles to John Lennon.  It is nice that there are still free things to do out there in the world.  With the economy in shambles and people struggling to put food into their mouths it is nice that there was something out there that could be enjoyed.  I think that sitting back, relaxing with the family while listening to some great music is what summer is all about.

Becca

Summer Survival

Here we are just 6 days into summer and I am more then done.  The kids are NUTS.  The house is a mess and I think that I have pulled all of my hair out.  The $30 worth of crafts I bought on Friday have all been done and I have no gas to take a trip.  I am not sure where to go from here.  We are all a little cranky and the baby is wondering why all of these other people are on her turf in the middle of the day!  I am lacking the motivation to do anything about it and the patience not to boil over.

Why is it that Summer vacation is still something that we need to have.  It was started to accomidate farming.  I am sorry to say that there are few farming families left here in NY.  I know of just 3 in the town I live in.  Why is it then that we have not changed all of this.  Why can’t the kids just go to school in the summer?

I know that all of this sounds bad but I also know that I am not alone in my angst!  Please September come quick.  I am not sure how long I can hang on here!

Becca

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Micheal Jackson: Funeral Arrangements Have Been Made

Today funeral announcements were made for the late Micheal Jackson.  It has been five days since his passing and many are waiting to find out when they join with others and morn his loss.  It is said that his body will be returned to the Neverland Ranch for a public viewing on Friday.  Come Sunday the family will have their own private funeral.  I understand that there is still some debate as to where his body will lie by the end of it all.  It is rumored that he will be returned to Gary Indiana where he started his life.  I am sure that it will be covered by the media on Friday and those wishing to watch from a distance and remember the king of pop will be able to do so.

Becca

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I am Back! School year comes to an end!

After a long stint away I am back and anxious to get writing again!  I feel like the last few months have been the busiest ones that I have ever experienced.  I cannot imagine what I will do when there are three kids all wrapping up their school year!  I think that it will be nuts!  Either way I am anxious to catch up with all of you.  I have so much planned for the summer that I am hoping that I am able to get to it all.  I will be back later this evening to let you in on some summer plans!  Ta Ta For Now!

Becca

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Happy Mother’s Day

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very happy Mother’s Day. 

Becoming Mother:

As I came to there she was, this baby who had come to me.  Her entrance into the world was not an easy one.  I remember looking at her and the emotions that ran through me were too great to bear.  I sat and started.  I was in awe that this tiny thing had come from me.  She was beautiful.  She was mine!

I almost died having her.  I could not walk for about 6 months after but none of that matters.   My first baby opened a place in my heart that I had never known existed.  It went beyond unconditional love.  It is a feeling that you cannot describe.  It is the magical moment of becoming a mother. I will never forget that first moment that I met my princess.  I think about it each time I am upset with her, proud of her and even when I just look at her.

That same feeling of magic certainly entered into my heart the second time I became a mother.  This time my heart felt even more magic when I introduced Abigail to her sister.  It was as if God was in the room and blessing us with this new baby.  She was tiny just as Abby was and all of a sudden my first baby did not seem so small any more.  She was growing right before my eyes!

By the time we had our third I had thought that there was no way that the magic would still be there.  How much magic can one family have?  It was there.  The girls felt the magic the day that Analiese was born but not that mother magic.

I think that when you become a mother whether for the first time or the tenth time it is always magical.  It is something that leaves you in awe and warms even the coldest hearts.  Wether the baby is planned or not you feel that blessing from the first time you see that little baby that your love with your husband or partner have created.  That love lives on and on and never dies.

I would like to wish you all a happy Mother’s Day.  Take a moment today to remember when the magic entered into your heart.

Becca

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Susan Boyle: A New Craze

If you are anyone who watches television, surfs YouTube or listens to the radio you have heard the name Susan Boyle in the past week.  She is a craze that is sweeping the world.  I am so motivated by this story.  Perhaps it is because I am overweight and always cheer for the underdog, perhaps it is because she is a woman who would not take no as an answer in the past, perhaps it is the complete love for singing.  Either way I completely relate to her.

Susan Boyle sang on Brittan’s got talent last week.  Before she sang there were sneers and comments conming from the judges and the audience.  I personally would have cried and walked off the stage.  I guess that is why I am not the one we are all talking about this week.  Susan Boyle held her head up high and said she wants to be a professional singer.

From that point people began to snicker and be disrespectful.  Even the judges were sceptical.  They were down right rude!  Then Susan Boyle opened her mouth and began to sing.  The audience was shocked and I cannot even think of a good enough word to describe the judges.  I have NEVER seen Simon smile while someone was singing.  By the end he had to say that he knew she would be that great.  If he had said anything else he would have looked like he had no clue of his entire job.

I guess I am so excited for Susan Boyle because she showed people that we are all different.  Some of us have pretty faces.  Some of us have good bodies.  Some of us have the perfect hair and others have a great smile.  Susan Boyle has a beautiful voice.  She sounds better then then Broadway cast I heard sing the same song.  She is amazing and someone to watch!

Becca

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Webkinz Day Extravaganza: Webkinz 4th Anniversary Celebration

Webkinz is celebrating its fourth anniversary with a bang.  Each year Webkinz has an extravaganza and this year will be no different.  From May 1st through the 3rd all stores who sell Webkinz have been asked to participate.  Here are a few highlights on what you can expect:

1. Stores selling Webkinz have been asked to sell a Webkinz pet for $1 with a $15 purchase from their store.
2. There will be in store events, giveaways and prizes.

I know that last year we went to the Chester Greenery and bought some flowers and left with two free webkinz.  The kids had a chance to spin the wheel of WOW where no one is a looser.  It was a great time.  I know that all stores do it differently but I am sure no matter what your local store does it is bound to be fun.

Last year the kids each got a Webkinz and I bought two others which were on sale to save for birthday presents for parties in which we are invited to.  I would strongly suggest fining out what your local store is doing.  I know that last year we had a  blast.  I have not stopped in to the Greenery yet to see what she has planned but I am sure that it will all be a lot of fun no matter what it is!

Becca

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Easter Pictures: Spring Break Survival

OK so as I mentioned I am having a hard time with this entire Spring Break thing!  So today my mother and I dressed all of the kids in their Easter outfits and threw them into the car and were off to Sears.  Now I know what you are thinking… why did you head to Sears.  We were off to Sears for Easter pictures.  We have not had pictures in YEARS.  The last time was when the baby was a month old.  For those of you who do not know she will be 2 in a month!  So needless to say it has been a while.

We have never been to Sears so I was a little bit aprehansive.  It was great though.  They had a kid friendly waiting area which I did not have to wait in because they were ready for us when we got there.  The girls did great although it is difficult to make them all smile at once.  Abigail kept trying to make the baby smile and Emma had the fakest smile.  Even with all of these obsticales we were able to come out of the seccion with a few really nice shots.

So day two of Spring Break has been a success.  We did the pictures, went to lunch, had a play date and now we are getting ready for bed.   I am so happy that it is all working out.  I would say that going and having pictures done is a great way to survive Spring Break!  You should give it a try!  I found that it really occupied a lot of time, the kids had fun and we were out of the house.  We will not discuss how much Grandma spent though!  We will keep that part to ourselves!  Either way day two survived.  Nine days to go!

Becca

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Spring Break Survival

Oh my… I woke up this morning and remembered something.  IT IS SPRING BREAK.  Now, the words that are to follow are meant with the most love and affection.   I hate Spring Break.  It is not like Winter Break where we all get involved in Christmas.  This Spring Break thing stinks unless you are going away which we of course are not this year!  I remember back in high school and college when I went away with friends.  We had a blast.  One year was Ocean City another year was Disney.  Now I am home with restless kids, a house to unpack and no plan!  So what is a stay at home mom to do with three kids for eleven days?  I am compiling a survival guide in order to make it though.  I need you help though.  Here are a few questions to get started with:

1. What is there to do that is free?
2. What can I do with no car?
3. Is there any activity that you can think of that a 1 year old, a 5 year old, and an 8 year old?  I am drawing a blank!
4. Is there a magic potion to give children that makes them not whine?
5. How much is it a mother can drink without it being a problem?
6. How can I avoid hearing, “I am bored there is nothing to do.”
7. What fun things can you think of to make the kids tired enough to still go to bed on time?  Oh and I have to be able to do it with my not healed correctly broken foot!

I will spend the day developing a survival guide.  I hope that it works!  Today, I am just going to wing it.  So far we have had 5 fights, Abigail has bitten Emma, Emma has scratched Abigail and the baby is a whining mess!  HELP!

Becca

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Easter Traditions: Dying Easter Eggs

Our Eater Egg Dying Day

Emma and Analiese are all smiles

Abigail with a rare smile

Abigail and Rob having fun together

Emma pouring carefully

Our Left over dye

Our finished product!

I love Easter eggs.  They are a sure sign that Easter is closer then we think.  The kids had a blast.  Everyone was smiling and getting along and for the first time ever we had a lot of fun doing it.  We used two different dying kits and I would have to say that the PAAS brand really does work the best.  The other brand did not fully dissolve and I was not as pleased with the colors.  Either way we have some great looking eggs this year.  We used the clear wax crayon and made polka dots and designs.  Daddy even made an egg that says Eat Me.  I hope that you all have a great time dying Easter eggs this year.  I would love to see some pictures.

I had wanted to make the Easter eggs from an earlier post but it was a little too hard this time.  The kids just wanted to dig in.  I am not sure that I really want them to attempt the leaf ones.  I would try on my own but how many hard boiled eggs does one family need?  I think that 18 is more then enough for this family.  I hate hard boiled eggs as does Rob.  Emma will only eat the middle and Analiese just makes a mess with them..  I do not want Abigail eating them all on her own!

Becca

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