tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920048404084573712024-03-13T18:53:36.189-04:00mes petit chouxmes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-11297819914791910272015-02-24T12:04:00.002-05:002015-02-24T12:04:38.217-05:00Most daysMost days I am not 'killing it' as being a mom. Most days we resemble a hurricane of craziness. Maybe we're over scheduled. Maybe we need to slow. it . down. Most days I'm pulling jerseys out of laundry piles... begging my kids to take a shower (because I smell something funky and well to be honest I can't remember the last time they showered but I know it wasn't yesterday)... yelling to turn off the electronics because they've duped me and gone longer again!... hastily "closing' the basement (the basement that we finished FOR THEM, yes that one) for fighting... <br />
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But today...Today, the stars have aligned. My house is clean... People were dressed and ready and dare I say happy for drop off. The little people all had their appropriate folders and lunches and hats and coats... There was even fruit on their breakfast plate... and it got eaten! I hope when my kids remember their childhood they remember today and not yesterday or the craziness that is inevitably tomorrow. <br />
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So for the 6 days I'm not winning at being a mom. The one day I am feels GOOD. REAL GOOD.mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-1741072530713825732015-01-21T11:52:00.001-05:002015-01-21T11:52:25.985-05:00Where can I find a envelope?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I. Can't. Even. I can barely get this kid to sit still and read a book for 7 minutes... But suggest he asks the CEO of apple for an iPad cause he has a better chance of that happening than us buying him one... and this is what we get. Solid effort. "Mom, did you notice I used two of my spelling words?"<br />
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<br />mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-76513865175454967372015-01-21T10:29:00.001-05:002015-01-21T10:29:11.613-05:00#winningDo you know what I call #winning? Helping my third grader with his math homework and it not ending in tears. From him. Or Me. Take that Singapore math. Take. that.<br />
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Killing it in 2015. Killing it. mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-3719023525902946082015-01-01T09:27:00.000-05:002015-01-15T20:15:57.418-05:00Be awesome and do awesome.<br />
To my children,<br />
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Oh my dear babies... you drive me crazy on most days that end in 'y'. "I can't find my pants, oh wait here they are in my pants drawer..." "I'm starving, but wait, I don't want what you made for dinner...", "I hate spanish but listen to this Duke's exchange student taught me how to count from 30-50." "AGGGHHHH not church clothes... AGAIN (It's Sunday, isn't it!?)" "Nooooooo! I showered last week!" are only the tips of the iceberg...You should know that your shinanigans have no effect on my love for you because when you are 'wronged' in any stretch of the imagination... I feel it in my core. <br />
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If you are reading this, now would probably be a good time to thank your father for "yinging" out my "yang." For being the voice of reason that saves you from the embarrassment of a mother bear like actions throughout your youth. He is the calm cool and collective that you need to be your biggest advocate. He reminds me that life isn't supposed to be perfect and that there are plenty of lessons, big and small, to be learned. It might sting for a short while but what isn't going to kill you will make you into a stronger much more awesome person. It is the kids whose parents take care of everything and make excuses for them... that can't cope as adults. You will not be one of those kids. So while watching you learn a lesson that truly isn't fair... it's painful for me. You're going to be great. You're going to turn out just fine. You're going to be awesome and do awesome. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.
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- <a href="http://boardofwisdom.com/togo/?viewid=1010&search=Vernon+Saunders+Law+">Vernon Saunders Law </a>
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mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-53545812936142071472014-12-10T22:29:00.001-05:002014-12-10T22:29:28.710-05:00We thought it would take a drive by!?It's no lie that keeping up with this blog is more than I am capable of at this point in my life... I wish you could see the countless posts that I've started and haven't finished... or maybe they are finished... and I just need to be more ok with "complete" and less ok with "perfect." But this is a place for memories and one of my greatest memories has gone to a better place this week. <br /><br />Heaven has gained a character! This I know! My kids will remember Catherine Barry Higgins as "Great Nana"...the lady we went to visit. The old woman in the wheel chair who bragged about their drawings, pictures and accomplishments. The one who giggled, smiled and nodded as if she could hear the very important information they were telling her about their camps, strawberry picking, bike rides or books from RJ Julia each time we visited. But I, however, will remember her for SOOOOO much more. <br />
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What an amazingly feat those 98.5 years she lived were! Maybe I love her most because she lived through <i>all </i>my favorite decades... She was too young to roar in the '20s but my guess is she made a decent effort trying with her aunt Doo Doo and Nell? and 5 other Barry siblings that lived with her. In 1916 the president was Truman (she lived through 12 Presidents! She voted in 12 elections. Let's hope she voted in that Eisenhower election since women could finally vote! Prize to whoever can name them: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama). She met my grand father Daniel Higgins and married when he came back from War. Then he went back to War! They got married and he went to war! I mean let's be honest... I freak out when I have to pull clothes out of the dirty laundry pile for my kids (ok, and maybe me) to wear again before washing... (work with me, everyone does that right?!) This woman lived through sending her husband to war, a Depression, Prohibition (God love her), the first flight, the invention of the credit card (can I get an AMEN), a man on the moon, the assassination of a president, the invention of TV, dishwashers, microwaves (how she cooked dinner I'll never know), computers, email, cell phones, iPods, iPads, facebook, selfies and the list goes on and on. <br />
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During this time she managed to raise three amazing kids: Danny, Patty and Ricky and love countless neices and nephews. I don't remember all the stories from their generation but I know Higgins' playground was a place everyone was welcome to play as long as they had a good attitude and played fair. Pop-Pop had no time for naughty words or bad attitudes (see: Making it through a World War. I guess playground fights pale in comparisson). I'm guessing it's during this time she looked out her kitchen pantry door while she perfected her orange jello salad, pumpkin bread and cheese cakes on a backyard full of kids having fun. There is no doubt in my mind that she made all the girl cousins wear different bathing caps summer after summer at the Jersey shore so that she could repeatedly count them from her chair making sure they were all there. I didn't have to be there to see that to know its true. As amazing as she was nervous was her middle name. <br />
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While I know my kids will remember her, and I am feel so blessed and thankful for that, I realized in the last few weeks in times they caught me sad or crying and didn't understand why, that there are so many things they won't remember of "My Nana." We'll start with something she has told me many times... "I was there when you were born, you know!" They won't remember sleepovers in their house in Roselle watching Family Ties (it's true, mom, she let us stay up till 9:00!) eating ice cream sodas at the kitchen table. They won't remember shopping trips and surprises of the coveted Esprit shirt and Jessica Mclintock dress. The words "drenched in holy water!" and "Bless yourself" mean nothing to them! I'm going to tell my mom to bring that back! It's priceless. They won't remember her eating toast, butter and jelly every morning for as long as I can remember. Or being embarrassed of the white Chevy Nova and its slow drivers that dropped me off at soccer or dance during the 1 of 18 million times they were there to babysit us. Thank God that chevy nova loved some McD's-- always a reward when they were here. Crocheted blankets, kleenexes stuffed up her sleeves and proclamations of "and how!" are forever etched in my mind. In college nothing brought a smile to my face quite like an enveloped taped up tight with a random quilted bear or knights of columbus sticker on the back placed solely to ensure no one was going to steal my card of sweet words, random updates and most importantly my $20 'mad money"! Was anyone more surprised to see you? Throwing her head back and
hands up and saying "Oh my..! I can't believe it! You're here!" even when she knew you were coming. I don't think I realized at the time just how amazing it was that my Nana was not only at my wedding but rocked that pink suit and killed it on the dance floor! <br />
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There are a couple things that are for sure. I know that we can hardly pass a Dunkin Donuts or talk about the Yankees without a reference to Great Nana. I know that in her later years we laughed about things like "Patty, I didn't have a heart attack, tell them I didn't have a heart attack" and "Have you seen how OLD all the people in here are (as she shakes her head!)? I know that somewhere along the line we realized she wasn't going to die of a broken heart after Pop died and it was indeed going to take more than a broken hip, heart attack or bacterial infection to take this tough cookie out... We were thinking somewhere along the lines of a drive by or gang fight... And I know that there are very few things that can be constant over 98.5 years. But her love for her family and friends stood the test of time and will be felt for many more decades to come. And now the perfectionist in me wants to find the "perfect picture" ... the one of my wedding or four generations with her holding Jack for the first time... or thomas... or kate... but now i'm going to press "publish" because sometimes finished is better than perfect. mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-39140125688430620412014-05-29T20:48:00.000-04:002014-05-29T20:48:41.997-04:00Sometimes just when you don't expect it...you learn from your kids....<br />
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I feel like my heart has been learning from my kids since 8/18/05. It grows and grows and loves them so fiercely. Feels pride when they accomplish, sad when their feelings get hurt and excited and nervous for them when they face opportunities for the first time... Not too long ago my buddy showed <i>me</i> how to be mature and I thought my heart was going to burst. I doubt I will forget this but I want to capture it so that one day when he reads this he will be proud of himself and how he dealt with disappointment. <br />
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Things come easy to J. We showed him the word "the" and next thing I knew he was reading chapter books. He picked up a golf club and hasn't missed the ball since. With the exception of having to have a quick chat about "celebrations" after making a basket this winter (I blame NBA2K ;)), he is not cocky or obnoxious but humble. I have been surprised by emails from his coaches complimenting his sportsmanship and leadership on and off the field. He's an old soul. However the truth is things come easy. This Spring he tried out for the travel team he did awesome! He made the B team. It's a really competitive league so we were so proud of him, but we thought he might be disappointed when we told him because his best buddy is on the A team. And he was disappointed... For 1 minute. And then he walked in the kitchen and asked me if he could see the email from the coach. He looked at that email and turned to me and said. "Mom, I'm going to make that A team. I am going to work really hard and I'm going to move up to the A team." And.... Bam. Sometimes just when you don't expect it.... you learn how to put your big girl pants on and face life from your 8 year old. Go get 'em, J. Show them what you're made of! <br />
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<br />mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-10169768221743165782014-03-21T14:52:00.001-04:002014-03-21T14:52:27.071-04:00Freeze!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We LOVE Kates teachers Mrs. O and Mrs. L. They are the most caring women I think I've ever met. She is having the best time and I am having a hard time believing she's ready for school! I got over that quickly (when she locked us out of the house on the first day of school and I had to push her through the back family room window that happened to be open. Thank God she is a girl and can focus long enough to meet me at the back door and unlock it! The boys for sure would have found something along the way to play with complicating the situation even more) I am now enjoying my free time and my tennis game loves that she is in school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love this letter. They have captured her personality perfectly-- fiercely independent yet so sweet and helpful (in her own time!) </span><br />
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<br />mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-49236653357737850442014-03-12T13:57:00.000-04:002014-03-12T13:57:25.978-04:00The Homestead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the river and through woods... to the Homestead we go! My sister and her husband were so gracious to invite us to The Homestead with them on President's Day weekend. I think I started giggling the second we got there and didn't stop until I almost barfed from the windy/icy road home. It was too much fun had by all. The kids made the trip so fun by being so good. My littlest friend got left at home with Nana and Pop Pop and we managed to non stop with older two. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kids had so much fun ice skating and swimming in the hot springs pool OUT SIDE in the middle of winter. Is there any thing more fun than that!? Swimming outside... in the winter... minds blown.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first night the kids went to "kids club" that they deemed LAME!?... Saw that coming. But the parents went to the dining room that was not LAME at all. It was so adorable/classy. Our table was right on the dance floor where there was a three piece band and all these cute people getting up from dinner to dance. It felt very old fashioned - like I had been transported back in time and was channeling my inner fancy nancy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tubing where I was sure one of them (or us) was going to break our necks! You get some speed on those puppies.</span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a rocky
start to the skiing business. Fortunately a lot of things have come
easy to the kids and let's face it skiing is hard stuff... but once you
get it... you got it. No shock that Crazy T figured it out first. I
got so nervous taking him up for his first big run that I forgot to put
the lift gate down and said "hail marys" and "don't move" the entire way
up. My skis gave him a good smack on his fall but he got right up for
more. Me - i need to recover from my ride up sans lift gate. I am so
proud of them for pushing through the tears and 'owning' that mountain.
I never thought they would be riding the lift by themselves to the top
no less. I lost a few years of my life when AJ took T to the top and he came whizzing down like he was in a downhill ski race at Sochi. They really rocked it. And made me smile to see them all
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After skiing these knuckleheads (after a "$5 bet you won't" by the supreme knucklehead) jumped from hot tub to snow. Cray Cray. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I had some footage of the lipsync contest - priceless. It's all about the song choice. And these kids can pick some songs. I'm getting my songs lined up for next year.... </span></span></div>
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mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-26977469888485219852014-03-05T10:35:00.000-05:002014-03-05T10:45:25.178-05:00Old Man Winter 2014<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I mean if this doesn't sum up January/February 2014 I don't know what does... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://mopsofkennettsquare.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/the-winter-that-nearly-killed-all-the-moms/">The Winter That Nearly Killed All the Moms</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh it was fun, oh so fun. The 5:30am "All Call" messages proclaiming "no school!"... hot chocolate...cozy movie days... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Epic snow ball fight.</span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sledding The Mount</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little helper. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then.... not so much. The kids don't even want to sled anymore. And I for sure do not want to shovel anymore. I really do not want to shovel any. more. </span>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-70678917818861894722014-03-05T10:18:00.003-05:002014-03-05T10:43:11.113-05:00Expensive Winter<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Dear Husband, while you "enjoy" balmy London, I've bought a snow blower and generator. Hurry home before I buy a house in the Keys. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Xo, k</span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">*AJ has been in London for 3 out of 4 storms this winter. </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Coincidence? </span> I'm about to jump in front of a snowplow (kidding). I love you guys... and I really love playing in snow with you.... but I'd rather play in a pool... on a sunny day... or better yet the beach. Can we play at the beach? </span>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-2874540887374329812014-03-05T10:18:00.001-05:002014-03-05T10:18:31.364-05:00mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-5222358533587544092014-02-21T12:10:00.001-05:002014-02-21T12:10:25.172-05:00"He" was a "She" **2/20/14: I just found this in my drafts... I must have had to referee something and pressed save instead of publish. The funny thing is if I had known this existed 2 weeks ago i could have given Sare a much more accurate memory of her birth... Just prior to her own little ones birth! <br />
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As recalled on 5/11: I was supposed to call my OB at 3:30p on Sunday to let him know I was feeling... absolutely no signs of labor pending. He was convinced I was going to go on my own that weekend and not need to be induced. There was also some concern about how quickly I tend to go and didn't really want me to continue to dilate prior to active labor and then deliver in the car. Naturally I agreed with that theory as our car is not equipped with an epidural. So at 3pm I barfed. I started to remember this was the way I went into labor with Crazy T. Barfs but no contractions... great. I called Dr. and we decided that I would come in Monday morning to start the pitocin. I got in the shower to hopefully feel better. Dr. called back and talked to AJ and said - ehh why don't you come in tonight my friend is the one on call and he'll put your cervidil in. Barfed again. So la-dee da- blow dry my hair...put on make up. I am having a baby after all - you do know how many pictures are involved in having a baby, right.... a girls gotta look good for her newborn (whose eyes can't even see more than a spec infront of them and in black and white!) Mom - Mom came over to watch the boys and off we go to the hospital - I think we got there around 5pm. During the car ride i was starting to feel much more cramping... continued to barf and felt like maybe... my water had broken. Not like in the movies broken, but just a little broken. When I got there i was 3+ dilated and sure my water did break - which was a bit of a relief because the alternative was that I peed in my pants... and well, I'm glad it was the water breaking. I was staying and we were having a baby!
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Let the drama begin. I go fast... I had pushed it one contraction too far in previous births so I immediately asked for my epidural- I had magazines and movies to watch. That was THE PLAN. Country Strong with Tim McGraw and Gwennie and some USWeeklys to catch up on while I watched the contractions on the screen and say - "wow that was a big one" without really feeling it. That was THE PLAN. Enter anesthesiologist... a face that is now forever etched in my mind because after not one, but two attempts at getting me my epi cocktail, we had nothing. As in nothing numbed by my right foot. And well if your right foot was where babies came from I would have been all set. But we all know that's not where babies come from so THE PLAN was foiled and I was REALLY wishing that I had taken that labor class at some point. The anesthesiologist wanted to try for a third time but after she told me that could result in an indefinite headache (as in forever), I saw the writing on the wall... I was likely still going to feel this birth AND have an indefinite headache. It wasn't the call I was looking to make, but it was time to get my head in the game and... go sans drugas. Thankfully they broke the rest of my water around 7pm I went from 4 -10cm in 45 painful minutes. And after a couple quick pushes -bam she was born at 8:03pm. And "he" was a .... "She!"
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After all the drama during her birth, I can definitely say - I would not change a thing about this experience - the sheer amazement and surprise and instant love for this little family we have made was irreplaceable. Two boys and a girl! I couldn't believe it. I hope I will always be able to remember that feeling of pure joy.
mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-39571883093068596512014-02-20T11:05:00.003-05:002014-02-20T11:05:33.206-05:00Epic Fail.Recently my friend Chrissy responded to my text ramble "I can't wait to read your blog... get started!" And I thought - "Yeah, I should write a blog- what a great creative outlet since I don't have time to sew, craft or DIY much these days"... and then it dawned on me... oh wait, I DO have a blog. I've just abandoned it for TWO (almost 3 but who's counting at this point) years. Between changing all those dirty diapers, making lunches, working, class momming and shuttling those stinky boys to soccer, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, soccer, baseball. I missed it. I missed jotting down the minutia. The minutia that today I think might break me and one day so soon I am going to miss. And then I'll want these days back... all because I forget why it was all so perfectly exhausting. <br />
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I am so sad that I haven't written one memory of the kids in 2012 and 13... so so SAD. Aren't these supposed to be the best days? The ones filled with "he touched me" and "that's MY ball." And I'm missing it. I'm missing the memories of all their funny (and not so funny) moments! Augh! I could cry...<br />
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Once I dust myself off.... I'm getting back to blogging... for my kids (not at all for my sanity and attempt at remedying a terrible memory). For my kids. <br />
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mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-37174729286796558162012-01-02T19:36:00.002-05:002012-01-02T19:49:54.110-05:00Happy New Year!Ugh. One of the things that I love to do at New Years (or at least for the last couple years) is go back and read the blog and remember all the funny times with the boys that year. Which is so fun except for the year that you didn't do a good job making time to blog and then, well, its a MAJOR BUMMER. I know probably no one reads this anymore-and to be honest the real reason that I am writing it is for a memory keeper. My kids are going to think that 2011 didn't exist! ;) Or maybe they'll realize that I had a baby and a job and it did exist it was just that I had to choose between feeding them and blogging and for 2011 I chose feeding them. 2012 - different story... blog all the way! <br /><br />2011 has been an amazing year- one of the bests to date! 2012 has got it's work cut out for it ;) Kate is for sure the best baby that lived at our house (maybe the world). Jack and Thomas continue to amaze me at how unbelievably loving and great they are at being big brothers. They literally love her to pieces! These days are tiring but they are the best. One day soon they are going to choose their friends over me so I am trying to remember that even if i am not the best StarWars player- they will remember me playing StarWars with them. <br /><br />There's no way I'm going to be able to remember all the giggles that we have had, but I am thinking i have enough scribbled on post it notes to do a top 10 or something for 2011. Or maybe Top 11. One of my resolutions is to be a better blogger so that the kids can have this to help them remember these fun days together.<br /><br />Cheers to 2012- may it be a year filled with health happiness and lots and lots of wine - oops i mean laughter!mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-49039638704538891952011-05-24T14:24:00.014-04:002011-05-24T15:34:57.746-04:00A day I'll never forget...<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>On April 17th at 8:03pm we welcomed little Baby Kate to our family! Katherine Ryland - named after my Nana and a building at the college where we met and got married. I am beyond excited to be a mom to a little girl and she is such a sweet baby. After having two boys and knowing we will get to do all the great things that come along with little boys- tball games, star wars parties, unlimited visits to the ER room. I am so excited to think that now we will also be able to experience all the great things that come with having a little girl... filling the house with pink, shopping the pink side of the stores, maybe someday throwing a wedding.. Oh right and not to mention I just know she will make sure that we go to the nicest old folks home when were old geezers. We couldn't be happier with the newest addition to our family. It now just feels complete.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610366981078299394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPlqIt7muIg/TdwHC1bAswI/AAAAAAAAAzE/7wWtnPDpRAE/s320/Prt0009.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610365896851143794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXYbzeOGV4s/TdwGDuXHPHI/AAAAAAAAAy0/pN1argpcmhw/s320/Prt0016.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610366687440839058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mabmY4T4Zc4/TdwGxviYoZI/AAAAAAAAAy8/jwP2kMQJLiM/s320/Prt0022.jpg" />Her brothers are pretty much infatuated with her. She's got them and her daddy wrapped around her itty bitty finger already! They are so sweet and curious and loving- I am sure there will be a day they want to send her back to the baby factory, but for now I am relishing in these sweet moments and hope I can bring them to the forefront of my memory when they are all fighting for rights to use the car one day.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Welcome to the world, baby Kate!</div></div></div></div></div></div>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-9972245883121303062011-03-28T14:05:00.007-04:002011-03-28T14:15:47.992-04:00Richmond Thrifter Giveaway!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="messageBody">Run, Don't Walk to my sister's new blog, <a href="http://richmondthrifter.blogspot.com/">Richmond Thrifter</a>. She posts all kinds of great ideas of how to class up your thrifting treasures. Today she is hosting her first give away sponsored by Tula Designs! Check out her super cute crafty ideas and be sure to let us know which Tula Designs is your favorite... </span></span><br /><h6 align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="messageBody"><a href="http://www.richmondthrifter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" " src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Premades/Templates/button-1.png" /></a></span></span></h6><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589195197750360178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8yfY2UOZw0E/TZDPa2Y6uHI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Tq_RDi55gMc/s320/Emerson" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589195094452155682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJXFZqSLGV8/TZDPU1ktNSI/AAAAAAAAAyE/WqElC_f1_aU/s320/DSC06365v2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589194847358855058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4WfZEj_7XU/TZDPGdFEp5I/AAAAAAAAAx8/2q-fMQYHSQw/s320/DSC07620.JPG" /> <br /><h6 style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="'{"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="messageBody"></h6></span></span>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-42091587991220929052011-03-09T12:17:00.005-05:002011-03-09T13:27:35.936-05:00Copying is the greatest form of flattery, right?you know the saying "my eyes are bigger than my stomach"... well unfortunately my taste is a bit richer than my pocketbook ;). And, you know me - I LOVE a good bargain... so that is the moral of the post- not necessarily --"ooooo, look at my boys new room. ;)"<br /><br />Once I moved Thomas into a big boy bed in Jack's room- I started falling in love with this (and about 10 other) rooms from Serena and Lily's collection:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3_2HPCFy0g/TXe4kONcXPI/AAAAAAAAAxU/qsFAnLtRuWw/s1600/Ronan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 260px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3_2HPCFy0g/TXe4kONcXPI/AAAAAAAAAxU/qsFAnLtRuWw/s400/Ronan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582133195578301682" border="0" /></a>Here's the problem...<br />Twin Duvet .....................$150.00<br />Twin Quilt........................$180.00<br />Euro Pillow Sham.............$ 68.00<br />Regular Pillow Sham........$ 58.00<br />Initial Pillow Sham...........$ 58.00<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Total ............</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">$514.00</span><br /><br />AND... an even bigger problem... I have to multiply that by 2 twin bedding sets for a grand total of $1028- which clearly even if I did try to justify it every way possible... is just not realistic for something that is going to get peed on and barfed in (sorry but that is the reality of the situation at our house - pee and barf). Oh right, that and my husband would have shipped me off to the insane asylum before I could have clicked "check out" on the Serena and Lily website.<br /><br />I was DETERMINED to DIY it. I loved, loved, loved the room just knew I (with a little help form my mom!) could do it for a fraction of the cost. It's not an exact match but I am happy with the final result- and I feel like the boys have a room they can grow into!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHciMo5_3Qc/TXe74M6Pw9I/AAAAAAAAAxc/BsIEbeuMgoI/s1600/DSC07590.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHciMo5_3Qc/TXe74M6Pw9I/AAAAAAAAAxc/BsIEbeuMgoI/s400/DSC07590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582136837361615826" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2q25tXhu1A/TXfBiUk0S0I/AAAAAAAAAx0/LtwtqLhWxY0/s1600/Three%2Bpics.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 85px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2q25tXhu1A/TXfBiUk0S0I/AAAAAAAAAx0/LtwtqLhWxY0/s320/Three%2Bpics.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582143058531863362" border="0" /></a><br />Here's my cost breakdown:<br />Twin Duvet and <span style="font-size:78%;">(7 yards of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00160036">Ikea fabric</a> $7.99/yd )</span>...................~$56.00<br />Euro Sham <span style="font-size:78%;">(made from left over duvet fabric)</span>.............................$ 0.00<br />Twin Quilt <span style="font-size:78%;">(<a href="http://www.target.com/Circo-Basic-Quilt-Set-Green/dp/B004BH9DYM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=green%20quilt&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-3&qid=1299693312&rh=subjectbin%3A1041482%7Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%3AGreen&searchRank=target104545&id=Circo%20Basic%20Quilt%20Set%20Green&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0">from Target</a> --included regular sham! Bonus!)</span>.............$29.00<br />Regular Sham..................................................................$ 0.00<br />Initial pillow- Yet to be made! (**<span style="font-size:78%;">but lets be honest, my boys already have two more pillows than they use on their bed so I am sure that will get made sometime between now and their next room make over!)</span><br />Sub Total <span style="font-size:78%;">(for new bedding)</span>/...............................................$ 85.00<br /><br />Even if I include the accessories-I come in $402.00 LESS!:<br />Frame<span style="font-size:78%;">(Ikea)</span> ......................................................................$ 14.99<br />Letter.................................................................................$ 3.00<br />Bookshelf <span style="font-size:78%;">(is really a picture ledge from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20126065">Ikea</a>)</span>...............................$ 9.99<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Total Room Make-over........... ..........$112.98</span><br /><br />And it really was a sinch to make... the hardest part was just dealing with the excess of fabric for the duvet...<br /><br />So this is what I have been up to while hibernating this winter...<br /><br />On a totally unrelated note... i almost started crying at my Dr. Appt yesterday... He told me I was 34 weeks.... I THOUGHT ALL WEEK I WAS 35 WEEKS! UGH!mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-89086121285211917162011-02-22T22:09:00.004-05:002011-02-22T22:23:59.683-05:00What a difference an inch makes...We were about 1 inch of snow away from a MAJOR meltodown of epic proportions today! Today we woke up to 3- 4 ish inches of snow...Today also marked the beginning of Jack's Student of the Week at school (a week that he has already managed to figure out is a special day short due to the Presidents!)... Today also happened to be the only day that "Dad" could join us for SOW festivities...<br /><br />We have been SO happy with Jack's teachers and were ridiculously impressed with the efficiency with which they run their classroom...I think I witnessed a miracle, but I am not sure - there were no angels singing or lights shining, but as soon as his teacher said "1,2,3 eyes on me" The whole class stopped what they were playing with and said, "1,2 -eyes on you!" and proceeded to clean up the entire room. just like busy little bees... poof the whole room is clean. I could use some of that magic over here chez P...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO71Q7IBgr0/TWR8T2Gy0dI/AAAAAAAAAxE/n4yLbdvj28Y/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO71Q7IBgr0/TWR8T2Gy0dI/AAAAAAAAAxE/n4yLbdvj28Y/s400/photo%25287%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576718918974886354" border="0" /></a>We have the whole Star Wars theme going on for the week...Jack had to put together a poster of pictures (which he PRESENTED! to his class! Presented- like i would have lost sleep for 2 nights - he just got up and presented the pictures to his class!He clearly has his daddy's genes there) Naturally - he included a few from Disney where he "got his Jedi Training and defeated Darth Vader." AJ read a Anakin in Action - a family fave...Snack was chocolate covered pretzel "light sabers". Tomorrow we will play Star Wars bingo...<br /><br />Without getting too cheesy - I can't believe his confidence! J, you impressed me so much today!mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-80732070297555087982011-02-12T21:52:00.003-05:002011-02-12T21:55:09.714-05:00Happy (almost) Valentine's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc59UJP36Rs/TVdHn06c2pI/AAAAAAAAAw0/08dox7hGXpo/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc59UJP36Rs/TVdHn06c2pI/AAAAAAAAAw0/08dox7hGXpo/s400/photo%25283%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573001813438552722" border="0" /></a>I saw these on a blog and I can't remember where (which I hate when that happens cause I would love to give them credit! They clearly did the hard work and I am just a copycat!) I thought J. would have no interest but it looks like we have put off the Star Wars Valentine's for one more year!mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-21770368369111271052011-02-05T19:29:00.003-05:002011-02-05T19:52:42.010-05:00brusha brusha brushaWe had been implementing the whole - sing happy birthday to yourself twice while you brush your teeth in attempt to actually get some of the sugar bugs out. Jdog totally caught on, Crazy T would put the toothbrush in his mouth and actually sing happy birthday... no brushing occurred per say.<br /><br />My new obsession... picked up on a whim at Tarjay:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TU3uVZlguoI/AAAAAAAAAws/OR9jahEMmQY/s1600/firefly-orginal-toothbrush.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TU3uVZlguoI/AAAAAAAAAws/OR9jahEMmQY/s400/firefly-orginal-toothbrush.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570370365540055682" border="0" /></a>The boys love them and I am no longer having to be the tooth brushing police! The tooth brush flashes for 60 seconds - bonus is its even a bit longer than the old happy birthday song and dance... Eventually we will get to one flash for the top and one flash for the bottom... baby steps.<br /><br />And... just for the record, no, i am not getting paid for this public service announcement... but if the fine folks at firefly want to hook a sista up... i'll happily oblige.mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-59652929591332313312011-02-03T11:13:00.007-05:002011-02-03T12:58:38.488-05:00a little of this and that<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TUrrRQAUtbI/AAAAAAAAAwk/EXvm0gTOBMs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-01-24%2Bat%2B16.13.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TUrrRQAUtbI/AAAAAAAAAwk/EXvm0gTOBMs/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-01-24%2Bat%2B16.13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569522570783667634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TUrq_jAyPoI/AAAAAAAAAwc/agsS576uVF0/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-01-24%2Bat%2B16.13%2B%25233.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TUrq_jAyPoI/AAAAAAAAAwc/agsS576uVF0/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-01-24%2Bat%2B16.13%2B%25233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569522266648231554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">apparently the photobooth on the apple never gets old! :)<br /></div><br />* if it doesn't stop snowing soon I am going to make plans to migrate south with the birds next year... my kids haven't had a full week of school since I think 2011 started... killing me. not them. just me.<br /><br />* I just realized that my due date is smack in the middle of the kids spring break. Nice.<br /><br />*You really shouldn't register your first born for Kindergarten while hormonally pregnant. It's not pretty. You might do the ugly cry on the way back to your car.<br /><br />*Eeeeek! AJ finally signed off on knocking the wall down between our kitchen and playroom. I am getting nervous- demo day was supposed to be today but since the snow is pushing back other projects for "Fix It Dan"- it is now scheduled for this weekend. It won't change the fact that we still have a kitchen from the days of Mad Men, but I'm kinda partial to my 1950's stove and oven as they still work! My Bosch 3 yr old dishwasher that was purchased by the previous owners has been a total NIGHTMARE- a story for another post! ;0)<br /><br />*Thomas has made it till 5pm two days in a row with dry pull ups... so maybe he won't go to college in diapers... however- he's playing me because as soon as he got sent to his room for, insert inappropriate action of choice, he peed in said dry pull up.... BOTH NIGHTS.mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-16854923807757535782011-01-11T13:33:00.002-05:002011-01-11T13:36:06.724-05:00So much for my new years resolution....Me: "Thomas, Why don't you want to go on the potty like all the big kids?"<br /><br />Crazy T: "I can't go on the potty, I'm allergic!"<br /><br />How can I argue with that logic.mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-37580938707884488422010-12-22T13:43:00.004-05:002010-12-22T13:45:44.505-05:00Merry Christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHTGnyqfI/AAAAAAAAAwE/YNaSoUCaXuI/s1600/DSC07417%2Bv2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHTGnyqfI/AAAAAAAAAwE/YNaSoUCaXuI/s400/DSC07417%2Bv2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553579684021840370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHLfFxq5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/-RB9YqSqotA/s1600/DSC07402v2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHLfFxq5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/-RB9YqSqotA/s400/DSC07402v2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553579553151101842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHElmViGI/AAAAAAAAAv0/fSnG6_dCdkM/s1600/DSC07429v2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TRJHElmViGI/AAAAAAAAAv0/fSnG6_dCdkM/s400/DSC07429v2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553579434639198306" border="0" /></a>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-70798060458868962632010-11-06T08:12:00.002-04:002010-11-06T08:19:29.194-04:00a toddlers take on "Fall""The twees are bwoken... all the leaves falled off!" - Thomas, age 2.5<br /><br />....a conversation that followed the breakfast debate of when to get the super power leaf blower....<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TNVHtOPVJEI/AAAAAAAAAvg/A23npQxD9cw/s1600/bare+tree.htm"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TNVHtOPVJEI/AAAAAAAAAvg/A23npQxD9cw/s400/bare+tree.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536410159163974722" border="0" /></a>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-392004840408457371.post-74845230492817989422010-11-01T14:47:00.002-04:002010-11-01T14:50:14.846-04:00Halloween 2010!It's crazy-ville around here! Wanted to just post a quick.....<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TM8Lg6hXdZI/AAAAAAAAAvY/FIS3o7CmD-c/s1600/DSC07315.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CuD4ddHvlMQ/TM8Lg6hXdZI/AAAAAAAAAvY/FIS3o7CmD-c/s400/DSC07315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534655127154554258" border="0" /></a>this will be our last Halloween as a family of four! ;)<br /></div>mes petit chouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07996767738920028443noreply@blogger.com3