That's my girl

The other night I took Julia to the store with me to get a few things. As we walked around the grocery store she did not stop talking. The entire time. She was singing, talking, talking and still talking. The ENTIRE time.

We got home and I was talking to Dan and she was still talking. And talking.

I asked her to be quiet for a minute so I could finish my conversation and that she was being rude.

Her response: "I guess so. But I love talking. I mean I really, really love talking. My favorite subject in school is talking."

Happy Valentine's Day!

Anna helped make stuffed heart french toast for breakfast... and then as Julia says, "is it time to open presents yet??"

Ummmm - no. This isn't a birthday party! They were lucky because their Dad is a sucker for smiles.

I had purchased for each of them a giant Hershey's Kiss - because you have to have a giant Hershey's Kiss on Valentine's Day. I thought that was a fine gift.

Dan of course being the sucker that he is bought them each a new Webkinz (he has a source on them for less than $5!). I also whipped out my Hallmark store closing find... little crystal crown necklaces (90% off!!).

So - they lucked out.

Our real present was hockey tickets... Dan and I had decided not to exchange presents this year (not that we have in about 3 years) and take the kids to a hockey game tonight. The girls of course thought this was the coolest present ever.

So on Valentine's Day we'll be getting on our Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

A Whale of a time....

Last night we took the kids to Winterush to see the ice and snow exhibit. Yes, in Maine, we love our snow and ice.

The big attraction by far is the ginormous humpback whale and her calf... the largest ever carved in maine and the 2nd largest anywhere - ever. It was phenomenal. The use of lighting and sound effects made it kind of surreal. We also had the place to ourself (one of the benefits of being willing to be out in the 15degree temps) to really explore.

The girls loved each and every exhibit and had a blast watching them do ice sculptures with a chainsaw.

I of course loved the huge yellow submarine.

Should I stay or should I go....

So I'm faced with a dilemma. Should I stay put and deal with thing the way they are.... "the devil you know" so to speak.

Or... do we leave the comfort of our little home we made here - mold, wet floors and all.. and move into a new house.

Cluttering this decision is a financial mess... and of course the situation that we were originally hoping to buy a home this summer (not happening) but have to delay until possibly even as far as next summer. This summer was going to be ideal to buy our house. We could move before school started... Julia is going to the middle school and so no matter where we move she would go to school with her friends. Anna is starting Kindergarten (I KNOW!!) and would get to stay at one school instead of moving around.... but now....

So we looked at a rental house today - which is nice. It has enough room for us (still only one bathroom!!) and even has potential for a possible purchase. I could see our family living there. He isn't in a huge rush to get someone in so we could take time to move.... but it's moving again. AGAIN! In 4 1/2 years we have literally moved (and I count moving to include the hotels we lived in for more than 4 weeks because it also required up rooting our things and settling in somewhere new....) 7 times. SEVEN times. We rock.

I want the next time we move to be the last time - for a LONG time. So.... should I stay or should I go...