Chuckee Cheese

My sweet baby boy chose to go to Chuckee Cheese as his treat for being a great citizen at school and winning the Citizenship award. Auntie Meg happened to call to see what we were up to - she missed the kid - not me - just the kids, according to her! - so we managed to convince her to come hang out with us and bond with the kids by playing games and eating pizza. It ended up being a fun night but we were all a little grumpy by the time we left - there is a lot of stimulation at CC. Poor Annie was SO tired that she was falling asleep in her chocolate ice cream!

We were amazed at how much the kids loved the little show that they do with the fake animals at the front of CC - they were mesmerized by it. BTW - is Chuckee a mouse or a rat? That was the adult debate last night - I may have to call one of our family experts - both Brigid and Shannon still know the CC happy birthday song from when they worked there!
Molly girl also loved the show - we actually ate in peace and quiet because their eyes never left the show - kind of cute!
Annie was more interested in the french fries than the show!
Daddy and Peter started out on the Star Wars game!
Molly is such a great big sister - she took Annie on all of the little kid rides and took such good care of her.
Molly riding the horses- it takes so little to please her!
Annie Bananie loved being on the big girl rides - Auntie Meg kept a good grip on her as she rode the horses!
Molly and Annie riding on the "roller coaster ride". How cute are our girls??
The girls on the roller coaster ride again!

Annie loved the rides and the attention from her big sister!
Riding the big foot truck - Annie was a bit more nervous on this one.
The three kids on the big foot ride - this was the end of the night and we had all gotten tired and grumpy.
My love bugs taking a ride together!

And a little ice cream to lift our moods - Peter got the gigantic Popsicle!
Molly and Daddy share a Neapolitan ice cream sandwich - yummy!
Auntie Meg and Ann in their matching pink!
Annie finally gets her hands on some chocolate ice cream!
One more game before we leave!

Molly girl's Grammy blankie has seen better days so Grammy took it the other night to try to fix it - or at least keep it from falling apart more. Molly was VERY relieved to get it back and Grammy found a way to put a trim around it that will keep it from falling apart.
I took this picture because Annie was curled up in Bob's arms and she never looks like a baby baby anymore - I loved it!
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a slight obsession with roses. My grandmother Mack took me to get pictures taken when I was around a year old and there was one hanging in my house growing up of me in a rose outfit holding a rose in my hands. I wasn't the cutest kid but the picture is very sweet and reminds me of my grandmother and the time that I know we got to spend together even though I don't remember it because she died when I was so young. So the point is that I think that may be a bit of my obsession with roses but my girls were dressed in roses from the moment they were born and will be as long as they let me pick out their clothes! All of you saw Molly's white rose - the first bloom that was bestowed lovingly on KK - picked because the name of the rose is the Santa Maria. This is Annie's rose from her rose bush picked especially for Annie when we found out she was a girl by her big sister. Molly took at least and hour picking out the perfect rose based on the pictures and names of the roses - this one is "joyful song" rose. It is beautiful and Molly is hoping to bring the first bloom to Auntie Ann very soon since she is who Ann is named for.
The rose bud ready to bloom - Molly checks on both of the bushes every single day!

We got to see KK for a while this morning while we had brunch with her students before they began their service project out at Amazing Grace. Peter ended up going out to AG with Auntie Kate and staying to help - he loved being with Kk's students and informed me that he planned on going to live with one of the boys named Anthony. It was nice to meet some of the people who KK works with and to see the students - they loved Auntie Kake's brunch! It occurred to me on the way home from Auntie Kake's house today how lucky my kids are to be loved by so many - they receive unconditional love and support on a regular basis from more people than I can count!

Our latest Citizen of the Month

It is safe to say that since Auntie Beth came home a few weeks ago Bob and I have had more than our share of time together. The kids could not get enough of their auntie and this is the first time in a long time that Beth was home for an extended period and was not rushing around like a crazy person trying to fit everything in. It was so nice to have the kids really get to know her on a day to day level - she knows their discipline issues, their bedtime rituals, their bathtime fun and everything in between. The best part was that each night that she spent with the kids I also got a little quality time when we put the kids to bed. Beth and I were born four days apart - she is MUCH older than me! Our mothers are twins and our families as close as two families can get without living together. Beth and I moved in different circles when we attended the same high school, barely saw each other though we both went to college in Worcester and now live 3,000 miles apart but there is a bond between us that only grows stronger as we get older. We have very different lives and at times I think each of us envies the others just a bit but I feel so blessed to have Beth as my cousin and friend. I felt so blessed to have her here the last two weeks as I struggled with a little health crisis and desperately needed a break that did not make me feel guilty about being a horrible mother. Enter Auntie Beth - There was bowling, Friendlies, McD's, shopping, Kake's house - you name it they did it and they never missed me a bit. Bob and I snuck in a dinner alone, a few naps and even some much needed house cleaning. AHhhhhhhhh! Auntie Beth is in midair flying back to LA right now but we're hoping that her nieces and nephew's adoration over the last few weeks will be enough to convince her to come back soon - maybe a summer trip!

Auntie Beth and the chickies last night as they said their last goodbyes before Auntie Beth flew home today!
Molly girl and Annie this morning - how beautiful are our girls?
My handsome boy sitting with his class waiting for his big award!
Peter's class lined up for the assembly!
Molly's class lined up for the assembly!
Anesza, Molly and Kimyra waiting for the assembly to start!
Auntie Ann came out in the pouring rain this morning to see Peter get his award! She was getting a little Annie time in this picture!
Ari also got a Citizen of the Month Award today - Yeah Ari!
Peter receiving his Citizen of the Month Award!


I have no idea what I did to these pictures - they suddenly lined up funny! Sorry about that!
Peter didn't even smile once while he was getting his award. He was far too nervous about getting up in front of everyone. He wanted to wear his tie this morning but it had snowmen on it and I thought it might be better to go with a less formal look. He did put a bunch of pens in his pocket so he could look like a doctor - I love his logic!
Peter's award read as follows:
Peter is always so kind and thoughtul. He puts forth his greatest effort at all times. He is an OUTSTANDING citizen!

That's our boy! We were so proud - as were the rest of his fan club - his sisters, Mrs. Nelson , Auntie Ann and Papa. Grammy would have been there but she is sick!




Peter's teacher, Mrs. Greenberg was so excited for Peter. He is going to miss her next year but Molly is very excited to have her!

Papa was also proud of Peter and his citizenship award - look how cute our two Peter's are!

Today was wonderful for Peter. on top of everything else the kids had a half day and are home under blankets watching a show. We don't let them watch TV on school days so this is a treat!Pete gets to pick a special family activity tonight so I think we may be going bowling again - uggggggg!

KK is bringing some of her class home tomorrow for a service project and we are going to have brunch with them and then hopefully head to Noah Webster for the June Fair! I can't believe that we are finishing our second year at NW and I almost have a 1st and 2nd grader - good thing the babies are keeping me young because I feel old today!

Say some extras prayers for Grammy as she recovers from her surgery - she's doing well but we hate to see Grammy suffer at all!

GNM - ILY!

Sweetey Petey!

I can't believe I haven't posted the biggest news of the week in the H-W house yet! My sweet baby boy is FINALLY the Citizen of the Month this month. He has talked about getting this award since the beginning of the year and came home busting at the seams because he was so excited. In January Peter's teacher and I decided to try a behavior chart to work with Peter on his concentration and focus during school. After doing it for about 4 months we were able to stop doing it because the reports were perfect every day and not really necessary anymore. When he came home to tell us about being Citizen of the Month Peter said that his teacher had informed him that it was because he had worked so hard over the last few months and stuck with it to become a leader in the class. I am so proud of him! The ceremony is on Friday at 8:45 am so there will be lots of pictures!

Annie Bananie

Auntie Beth, bless her little heart, took the big kids out for a night of fun again. She came after homework and despite intense stomach pains took the kids to Friendlies and bowling again. She is amazed at how much they love bowling - It doesn't take much! So Bob and I were home alone with Annie and bored - we decided to teach her how to walk out in the yard.

"Mama, come get me!"

Yes, she finally says Mama!

Those beautiful little piggie toes being tickled by the grass!
Look at that big girl standing with the help of the tree! She was actually pointing out an ant to us but we missed it!
Now she is grabbing at the ant and about to put it in her mouth. Bob got her away just in time! Good thing there were two people watching her!
"Look at me, Mom!"

She was so proud of herself. Right after this

Bob and I started doing the whole swinging her up in the air in between us thing. After a few times of that she refused to put her feet down anymore because she wanted us to keep swinging her. We had fun with her and then Grammy and Papa came over to visit and Auntie Beth came home with the big kids - I love having a full house and the kids loved having Papa put them to bed!

I was very interested to see Hillary Clinton's speech tonight until it turned into a boring "non - concession" speech! Come on already! Does anyone feel like this election has been going on for 3 years? Oh wait - it has! And that is as far as my political commentary will ever go!

GNM - ILY!

Our Family Weekend!

We had a long drive to NH this weekend so we decided to break up the trip by going to Boston to visit KK. We had a nice relaxing afternoon together - we went to lunch and then hung out at KK's apartment for a while. It was nice to sit and visit and just let the kids play. We also got cannoli's - mmmm-mmmm.

Annie sharing KK's cannoli and Molly's cookie.
Pete making a fashion statement.
Molly brought KK the very first rose off of her rose bush - she was so excited and KK LOVED it!
We went to Fanuiel Hall to see the dancers - Peter loved this move
and is trying to learn it as we speak!
My babies enjoying the nice weather in Boston.
KK made the kids little snack plates - too cute.

When we got to NH - we dropped off our bags and went to the pool.
I forgot a swimmee diaper so Annie went swimming nudie! Molly loves swimming with her!
Molly in her new HSM bathing suit that KK had waiting when we got to Boston. KK spoils the kids but in this case it was much appreciated - Molly and Peter wore them three times in one day - whether they were wet or not!

Cute Molly story - check out her white at the bottom of the bathing suit. Just after this picture she jumped in the pool and then came running back out crying. She was very upset because she had forgotten to take her underwear off because she was so excited to put her new bathing suit on. We told her it was no big deal and quickly took them off Mommy Style - you know - without taking the suit off at all.
The kids in their new bathing suits that KK got for them - they loved them!

Molly girl - taking a swim!
Peter and his new surfboard (another gift from his wonderful godmother) - it got lots of use!

My silly - beautiful goddaughter!
Peter's handstand - he's getting good!
Molly - literally kissing Annie's soft baby butt!
Tyler hamming it up for the camera!

Papa and the kids playing in the pool.
Abby riding on Molly's shoulders.
All the big kids hanging with Annie in the pool.
Happy and ready for bed!

Pete looks ready for bed but it took a while to fall asleep.
Breakfast in NH - the kids love those little cereal boxes.
Annie looking so cute eating a big pretzel.
The big kids outside of Pizzeria Uno - hungry and ready for lunch with Grammy and Papa.

The kids at Uncle Bobby's party.
The soul train!
Molly and Abby dancing.
Uncle Bobby "Rock On"! Uncle Bobby looked a little tired but he seemed to have a great time. There was at least 200 people there to celebrate Uncle Bobby's life and spirit.
The day was wonderful - I was a little bit nervous about going to the party - not really knowing what to expect but it was typical of my cousin RJ and his wife Brigette. They put everyone at ease and made it a true celebration of Uncle Bobby. It was also nice to see my dad and his siblings with their brother. I can't imagine how difficult this is for everyone but what a blessing it was for them to give us the chance to all be together with Uncle Bobby in such a positive environment. The kids had a blast - The older kids kept Peter entertained by playing frisbee and football with him and Molly always loves being with Abby.

Gary and Shannon were here from Las Vegas and it was great to see them but we didn't see much of the kids. Their flight came in so late that the kids slept alot during the day and poor Molly was sick for most of the day. Good thing we'll see them in a few weeks. Michelle and Todd came from San Diego and are having a baby in November - Yeah! Michelle is due three weeks after me and still has no belly or anything - how embarrassing for me!

Uncle Ig is coming home in a few days and then going to Rome and coming back for a few more days! It will be nice to see him but he has lots of traveling to do while he is here. He is absolutely amazing! A man half his age would not be able to do the kind of traveling and work he does!

I'm off to sleep before my big presentation at work tomorrow - wish me luck!

GNM - ILY!