One thing that became glaringly obvious at the Spring Concert is that Julia is TALL. Not tall, but TALL.
At one point in time the kids were standing in a row and I couldn't believe it. There was only one other girl taller than her in Kindergarten, no one in the 1st grade and a hand full of 2nd grade girls. She is literally a head taller than most of the boys, and is significantly taller most of the girls as well.
Apparently all that broccoli is doing a girl some good.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Siiiiiiiiing, sing out louuuuuuuuuuud
This week was Julia's Spring Music Concert, and it was just as precious as I'm sure you'd expect a bunch of Kindergarten through 2nd graders would be standing up and singing songs about rainbows and the ocean.
Julia's class sang "Down by the bay." It was great - and both Dan and I could clearly hear Julia's voice in the back of the auditorium. She sure does have a ummmm strong voice. For the big finale, the entire group sang "the Rainbow Connection" Now - I'm a huge, huge, huge Jim Henson fan and it was a tear jerker to say the least.
One little side note. We are officially un-cool. After the concert we were standing outside waiting for Julia's friend to come out - and Julia stood about 5 feet away from us, with her back to us while we waited. I tried to take her picture and she made it very clear that it would not be acceptable. Dan and I stood there smiling at each other. One of the other Kindergarten moms across the courtyard was experiencing the same thing and she looked at us, shook her head and said "It begins." We all just smiled knowingly.
Smack down
Anna is finding herself in a difficult place. I think she's finally moving into her role as the middle child. She's struggling with wanting to do the things Julia does, but either age or ability holds her back. Her frustration runs deep as she is an independent little spirit. "Can't" is not in her vocabulary. Today Julia is at a play date and Anna just doesn't understand why she can't participate. She is constantly assuring me this afternoon that she is indeed, "a big girl."
Then there is the issue of Em. Em is now trying to walk, and is playing more and more like a toddler than a baby. She is able to play with Anna interactively and they do have some fun. There is the obvious issue of lack of communication since Em is not exactly a wordsmith at the ripe age of 13 months (although she fake burps after drinking her milk like a seasoned vet). Anna finds this frustrating as well. Emma is an aggressive little thing, who rarely takes any guff from anyone. She and Anna are both extremely strong willed little things who don't mind a good throw down when the situation warrants.
SO - what this means is that the Dough house is experiencing a higher than normal rate of violence. There is beating. There is full out knock downs. Hair pulling, punching and kicking. Exactly what you'd expect from dainty little girls.
Then there is the issue of Em. Em is now trying to walk, and is playing more and more like a toddler than a baby. She is able to play with Anna interactively and they do have some fun. There is the obvious issue of lack of communication since Em is not exactly a wordsmith at the ripe age of 13 months (although she fake burps after drinking her milk like a seasoned vet). Anna finds this frustrating as well. Emma is an aggressive little thing, who rarely takes any guff from anyone. She and Anna are both extremely strong willed little things who don't mind a good throw down when the situation warrants.
SO - what this means is that the Dough house is experiencing a higher than normal rate of violence. There is beating. There is full out knock downs. Hair pulling, punching and kicking. Exactly what you'd expect from dainty little girls.
All systems are a go...
Well, I'm finally up and running. The business is operational. I have already been contacted by a company to put together a proposal for a year long contract. It would be a great opportunity so I'm hopeful - but we'll have to see! I have a couple of other good leads, so I'm just amazed at how fast things are taking off.
I know I live in a land of make believe to the fact that it's pretty obvious to most of you what my real name is - but I like to pretend that I'm "undercover". So if you email me or put your email in the comments I can email you the link to my website.
I have to admit, it is intoxicating to be back in the "grown up" world of business. I'm so hopeful that this set up allows me to meet the financial needs of my family and still allow me to raise my children the way I had originally intended.
I know I live in a land of make believe to the fact that it's pretty obvious to most of you what my real name is - but I like to pretend that I'm "undercover". So if you email me or put your email in the comments I can email you the link to my website.
I have to admit, it is intoxicating to be back in the "grown up" world of business. I'm so hopeful that this set up allows me to meet the financial needs of my family and still allow me to raise my children the way I had originally intended.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Earth Day
We spent yesterday morning at the beach enjoying the amazing weather. Then we joined in the spirit, and the girls filled a trash bag with garbage found on our walk home.
Friday, April 20, 2007
It was all worth it...
The fun and excitement of the past week was well worth it for what lies ahead this weekend. Ho-lee sheet!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Home again.......
We're back on the beach.
Looks like most everything made it ok. Strange things have washed up on the road, like shoes, Christmas trees and lots of rocks.
The surfers were out and enjoying the big waves. We even saw a hanglider tonight.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Safe and sound
We got out just in time this morning. The ocean was doing fine when we left - but the river was about to jump the road and then we'd be stranded at the house without power.
Apparently our power has returned, which is kind of strange since they said 2-3 days. There were wind gusts over 80 mph this morning. Trees falling, streams precariously getting ready to break bank... it was a fun drive to the hotel.
We were able to drop Trooper off at the kennel and he was so happy. As soon as we turned down the road to the kennel he stood up and started wagging his tail. He lept out of the car (not easy in the winds that were almost knocking my 350lb ass on the ground) and happily licked hands and faces of his surrogate parents.
The power has been fluctuating here all day, but I think we're past the worst part in terms of wind and power issues. Flooding will continue to be ugly for the next day or two as the rivers and streams take over.
So - we're all good. The toughest part of this afternoon is that the pool has way too much chlorine and the hot tub isn't working. WAAH!
Apparently our power has returned, which is kind of strange since they said 2-3 days. There were wind gusts over 80 mph this morning. Trees falling, streams precariously getting ready to break bank... it was a fun drive to the hotel.
We were able to drop Trooper off at the kennel and he was so happy. As soon as we turned down the road to the kennel he stood up and started wagging his tail. He lept out of the car (not easy in the winds that were almost knocking my 350lb ass on the ground) and happily licked hands and faces of his surrogate parents.
The power has been fluctuating here all day, but I think we're past the worst part in terms of wind and power issues. Flooding will continue to be ugly for the next day or two as the rivers and streams take over.
So - we're all good. The toughest part of this afternoon is that the pool has way too much chlorine and the hot tub isn't working. WAAH!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Evacuation fun...
Baldacci Declares State Of Emergency
Splendid.
We are under a non-mandatory evacuation as of right now. Because of the girls we have decided to leave in the morning. They are worried about high tide tomorrow morning and tomorrow night because of the astronomical alignment (means really high tides). Public Safety called and gave us the info on the Red Cross Shelter they are setting up, but we have decided with the girls that it would be better for us to pay the money and stay at a hotel.
We'll be there at least Monday night and possibly Tuesday - but we'll play that by ear.
We're in no real danger of having the house itself flood since we're up a small hill and the house is situated up as well, but they are concerned about the river flooding behind us and the beach flooding in front so our neighborhood would be trapped. The houses directly on the beach and lower on the hill will almost certainly flood.
We're not worried, but don't want to take chances with our kids. Our neighbors do have a really big boat trailered next door --- so maybe... nah...
I'll have high speed internet so you'll probably be hearing from me!
Don't worry about us. We'll be fine!
Splendid.
We are under a non-mandatory evacuation as of right now. Because of the girls we have decided to leave in the morning. They are worried about high tide tomorrow morning and tomorrow night because of the astronomical alignment (means really high tides). Public Safety called and gave us the info on the Red Cross Shelter they are setting up, but we have decided with the girls that it would be better for us to pay the money and stay at a hotel.
We'll be there at least Monday night and possibly Tuesday - but we'll play that by ear.
We're in no real danger of having the house itself flood since we're up a small hill and the house is situated up as well, but they are concerned about the river flooding behind us and the beach flooding in front so our neighborhood would be trapped. The houses directly on the beach and lower on the hill will almost certainly flood.
We're not worried, but don't want to take chances with our kids. Our neighbors do have a really big boat trailered next door --- so maybe... nah...
I'll have high speed internet so you'll probably be hearing from me!
Don't worry about us. We'll be fine!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The post where I get to use the word hunker....
This is from my good friends at WCSH6 NBC here in Maine -
Weather Notes: WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NICE WEATHER BREAK ACROSS PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON. WE WILL KEEP THE FAIR CONDITIONS GOING INTO THE NIGHTIME HOURS... BUT CLOUDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS A LARGE STORM MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES TRACKS OUR WAY TONIGHT. PRECIPITATION WILL GET UNDER WAY SUNDAY MORNING GENERALLY... IN THE FORM OF RAIN AND SNOW. EAST WINDS DEVELOP OVER THE REGION AS WELL. COASTAL AREAS WILL GO OVER THE RAIN FIRST... BUT EVENTUALLY ALL AREAS AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAINS WILL SEE THE SNOW GO OVER THE RAIN AS WELL. A MIX OF SNOW AND RAIN IS FORECAST OVER THE HIGHER BY LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS WITH THIS INTENSE WEATHER SYSTEM WILL APPROACH 2 TO 4 INCHES OR MORE BY THE TIME IT MOVES AWAY. COMPLICATIONS FROM THIS EVENT WILL INCLUDE HEAVY WET SNOW ON BUILDINGS... POWER LINES AND TREES AT FIRST... AND THEN AS THE SNOW CHANGES OVER TO RAIN WE WILL START TO SEE A SHIFT TO FLOODING PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY... THE STRONG EASTERLY WINDS THAT ARE FORECAST AS THIS WEATHER SYSTEM NEARS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WILL PRODUCE COASTAL FLOODING AND EROSION... ESPECIALLY AT HIGH TIDE. THIS WILL BE A SLOW MOVING STORM. WE ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH ITS EFFECTS FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY. THE STORM WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE SLOWLY AWAY FROM THE REGION TUESDAY... SLOWLY EASING ITS IMPACT ON OUR REGION THROUGH WEDNESDAY. MOST AREAS WILL SEE DRIER WEATHER BY LATE THURSDAY... AS SHOWERS FINALLY TAPER OFF. DAYTIME TEMPERATURES DURING THE STORM ARE GOING TO STAY BELOW NORMAL... BUT A SLOW WARMING TREND GETS UNDER WAY AT MIDWEEK WITH MUCH IMPROVED WEATHER FORECAST BY FRIDAY. (NWS/GYX)
Fun to live at the beach. We're pretty prepared, but hoping for no flooding. The tides are at their highest this time of year because of the astronomical pulls... so it could be ugly. The neighborhood coalition went around and warned us to be prepared. So, we'll be hunkering down! Hope we still get to go to our open house tomorrow.
Weather Notes: WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NICE WEATHER BREAK ACROSS PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON. WE WILL KEEP THE FAIR CONDITIONS GOING INTO THE NIGHTIME HOURS... BUT CLOUDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS A LARGE STORM MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES TRACKS OUR WAY TONIGHT. PRECIPITATION WILL GET UNDER WAY SUNDAY MORNING GENERALLY... IN THE FORM OF RAIN AND SNOW. EAST WINDS DEVELOP OVER THE REGION AS WELL. COASTAL AREAS WILL GO OVER THE RAIN FIRST... BUT EVENTUALLY ALL AREAS AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAINS WILL SEE THE SNOW GO OVER THE RAIN AS WELL. A MIX OF SNOW AND RAIN IS FORECAST OVER THE HIGHER BY LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS WITH THIS INTENSE WEATHER SYSTEM WILL APPROACH 2 TO 4 INCHES OR MORE BY THE TIME IT MOVES AWAY. COMPLICATIONS FROM THIS EVENT WILL INCLUDE HEAVY WET SNOW ON BUILDINGS... POWER LINES AND TREES AT FIRST... AND THEN AS THE SNOW CHANGES OVER TO RAIN WE WILL START TO SEE A SHIFT TO FLOODING PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY... THE STRONG EASTERLY WINDS THAT ARE FORECAST AS THIS WEATHER SYSTEM NEARS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WILL PRODUCE COASTAL FLOODING AND EROSION... ESPECIALLY AT HIGH TIDE. THIS WILL BE A SLOW MOVING STORM. WE ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH ITS EFFECTS FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY. THE STORM WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE SLOWLY AWAY FROM THE REGION TUESDAY... SLOWLY EASING ITS IMPACT ON OUR REGION THROUGH WEDNESDAY. MOST AREAS WILL SEE DRIER WEATHER BY LATE THURSDAY... AS SHOWERS FINALLY TAPER OFF. DAYTIME TEMPERATURES DURING THE STORM ARE GOING TO STAY BELOW NORMAL... BUT A SLOW WARMING TREND GETS UNDER WAY AT MIDWEEK WITH MUCH IMPROVED WEATHER FORECAST BY FRIDAY. (NWS/GYX)Fun to live at the beach. We're pretty prepared, but hoping for no flooding. The tides are at their highest this time of year because of the astronomical pulls... so it could be ugly. The neighborhood coalition went around and warned us to be prepared. So, we'll be hunkering down! Hope we still get to go to our open house tomorrow.
Spring Break
Here is how we spent the first day of our Spring Break.
I should mention there is snow in the forecast for tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Why you looking at my kids???
So.
Over the last 4 days or so, I've had a large number of people visit this blog. They are all finding me through Google image search on one photo.
These people are from all over the world. Like dozens and dozens. From the search they all end up on various pages in my archives. I believe it's because it's my profile photo, so Google drops them there.
Why though? What is the search really for?
They are looking at this picture of the girls.
So - if you are one of these people and happen to find your way to this page. Could you please fill me in?
Thanks!
Over the last 4 days or so, I've had a large number of people visit this blog. They are all finding me through Google image search on one photo.
These people are from all over the world. Like dozens and dozens. From the search they all end up on various pages in my archives. I believe it's because it's my profile photo, so Google drops them there.
Why though? What is the search really for?
They are looking at this picture of the girls.
So - if you are one of these people and happen to find your way to this page. Could you please fill me in?
Thanks!
So - here is some joy...
Yesterday Anna was having some POOP issues. I say POOP in all caps because I know how much you like to hear about the bowels of my kids. Isn't that what a mommy blog is all about? Telling you how amazing my kids are and talking about their bodily functions.
POOP
PEE
SNOT
Yes. I have it covered.
So - back to our program already in progress...
Anna - POOP issues - now you are all caught up.
She was trying to poop on the potty on and off all morning. Each time only a little pea sized poop would come out.
Yet. Each little pea sized poop was cause for celebration in Anna's eyes.
"YOOOOOK Mommy. I pooped. Come with me, close your eyes!"
Sure enough. POOP. Pea sized POOP.
Then 5 minutes later she'd have to go again. Same routine.
She did say her belly ached. ACHED. Not hurt. Not has an owie. Her belly ACHED.
Eventually all the potty visits paid off and we hit the motherload of poop.
Boy was she proud.
POOP
PEE
SNOT
Yes. I have it covered.
So - back to our program already in progress...
Anna - POOP issues - now you are all caught up.
She was trying to poop on the potty on and off all morning. Each time only a little pea sized poop would come out.
Yet. Each little pea sized poop was cause for celebration in Anna's eyes.
"YOOOOOK Mommy. I pooped. Come with me, close your eyes!"
Sure enough. POOP. Pea sized POOP.
Then 5 minutes later she'd have to go again. Same routine.
She did say her belly ached. ACHED. Not hurt. Not has an owie. Her belly ACHED.
Eventually all the potty visits paid off and we hit the motherload of poop.
Boy was she proud.
Is it Wednesday already??
Wow.
Time flies.
Apparently when you're not having fun, too.
Ho hum.
Aren't you glad you stopped by.
I'm tired.
I'm also tired of potty training. Spending so much time talking to a kid trying to go potty is umm tiring. Especially when I also have to entertain Em during that time too.
House hunting sucks.
Aren't I the uplifting one today.
I think I need a drink.
A coffee drink.
Is this how you regular coffee drinkers feel when you don't get your fix? I've had an iced capp (yeah - I'm hip with the lingo) for the last 3 mornings. Today. No. Today tired. Coincidence?
I'll leave you all with this pleasant thought.
"In a real dark night of the soul, it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day." ~F. Scott Fitzgerald
Time flies.
Apparently when you're not having fun, too.
Ho hum.
Aren't you glad you stopped by.
I'm tired.
I'm also tired of potty training. Spending so much time talking to a kid trying to go potty is umm tiring. Especially when I also have to entertain Em during that time too.
House hunting sucks.
Aren't I the uplifting one today.
I think I need a drink.
A coffee drink.
Is this how you regular coffee drinkers feel when you don't get your fix? I've had an iced capp (yeah - I'm hip with the lingo) for the last 3 mornings. Today. No. Today tired. Coincidence?
I'll leave you all with this pleasant thought.
"In a real dark night of the soul, it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day." ~F. Scott Fitzgerald
Sunday, April 08, 2007
In the year 2000.... in the year 2000... (a la Conan O'Brien)
Gotta love writers...
Here is a movie description from something on HBO today...
"Freejack": Emilio Estevez, Mick Jagger (1992) An auto racer crashes into dismal 2009, his body snatched by a bounty hunter for use by a dying tycoon.
Dismal 2009. We're going to be wearing aluminum foil suits and riding around in big tanks? In a year and a half??? Oh - and we're going to master time travel. Cool. Beats the internet.
Nice.
I'm going to stock up on Reynold's Wrap...
Here is a movie description from something on HBO today...
"Freejack": Emilio Estevez, Mick Jagger (1992) An auto racer crashes into dismal 2009, his body snatched by a bounty hunter for use by a dying tycoon.
Dismal 2009. We're going to be wearing aluminum foil suits and riding around in big tanks? In a year and a half??? Oh - and we're going to master time travel. Cool. Beats the internet.
Nice.
I'm going to stock up on Reynold's Wrap...
Friday, April 06, 2007
Kiddos...
For those of you who are just coming to see pics of the kidlets (Hi Aunties and Grandmas and cousins!)...
Thursday, April 05, 2007
April Fools!!
After a deceptively warm week - with Spring clothes and bike riding - we're back to shoveling snow. At least it's pretty.
I took a walk down to the beach and spent some time with brown dog 1 (brown dog 2 wasn't interested today). He apparently found a tennis ball in the snow and we played catch for a bit. He then followed me home. After realizing that his tennis ball time was at an end, he trotted back down the road to the beach. I love the brown dogs. They are my favorite part of living at the beach.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Grunch
The Grunch (you may remember this is the Anna-ism the Grinch) has made a comeback at our house.
Anna has been dealing with nightmares. Everything from a man hanging from the ceiling (eek!!!!!!) to the Grunch. More and more often the Grunch is the scary guy in her dreams.
Today she found her Grunch doll buried in the bottom of their stuffed animal basket. She told me how angry and mean the Grunch is. We then talked about how the Grunch doll has a smile on his face and he has a big heart - so it must be the Grunch after his heart grows. So this grunch doll is a nice Grunch.
Anna seems appeased with this description. She is now walking around introducing the Grunch to her other stuffed friends. Each of the friends are scared of the Grunch at first, but then Anna stages an intervention and explains that he may look scary but he has love in his heart (awwwwwww). After much persuading, the Grunch and her stuffed friends become friends. The Grunch is currently hosting tea. He's a well mannered scary guy.
Anna has been dealing with nightmares. Everything from a man hanging from the ceiling (eek!!!!!!) to the Grunch. More and more often the Grunch is the scary guy in her dreams.
Today she found her Grunch doll buried in the bottom of their stuffed animal basket. She told me how angry and mean the Grunch is. We then talked about how the Grunch doll has a smile on his face and he has a big heart - so it must be the Grunch after his heart grows. So this grunch doll is a nice Grunch.
Anna seems appeased with this description. She is now walking around introducing the Grunch to her other stuffed friends. Each of the friends are scared of the Grunch at first, but then Anna stages an intervention and explains that he may look scary but he has love in his heart (awwwwwww). After much persuading, the Grunch and her stuffed friends become friends. The Grunch is currently hosting tea. He's a well mannered scary guy.
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