It is written in the stars above

E and I are getting ready to mum in the Philadelphia's Mummer's Day Parade.  She has wanted to do this for a few years and this year it has worked out that we are able to go.  My best friend has organized it for us and her house is on the parade route.  E is super excited as am I.  I hope to get lots of good pictures.
We are continuing to do our acts of kindness and it feels good to help others out. I'm thinking it should be like this all the time.  The Golden Rule, you know?
What are your New Year's Eve plans?

Reeling from Newtown I knew I had to do something.  I saw where Ann Curry started 20 Acts of Kindness (you can read more about it here  and it turned into 26 Acts of Kindness for the children and teachers of Sandy Hook. I decided to take part in doing this in their memories.  It won't bring them back (God how I wish I could make it never have happened) but to be doing these acts and reading about others paying it forward helps a little.

I am devastated with what happened in Newtown.  This has hit me hard. My heart goes out to all those families.  I keep thinking about those little ones and their teachers and all of their families.  I don't know how their families will go on.  Jack Pinto and Noah Pozner's viewings and funerals are today.  I will remember them and their classmates and teachers always. I pray for them every night.  I wish this never happened.
I work in the Kindergarten building in my school district as a teacher in a kindergarten readiness program. Maybe this is why (also having E, Peanut and Squeakers) has left me reeling.  I had to stand up front by the office this morning to make sure that anyone that was going to a classroom signed in and wore a visitor's badge.  It was so hard seeing all of the kindergarteners come in knowing that those little ones from Sandy Hook were not doing the same.  I saw moms and dads walk their children in and hug them and kiss them.  Because you just don't know anymore.  I greeted them all with good morning and a smile.  But it was hard.  I just wanted to cry.
I sent E to school with a hug and kiss as I always do.  You take it for granted that your child will be safe in school.  Because it is supposed to be a safe place.  You always expect them to come home.  For 26 families their loved ones will never come home.
I was awake Friday night thinking about the children, their teachers, principal and school psychologist.  They had to be positively identified before they could be taken from the school.  I kept thinking that they were laying on a cold floor and should be held by their loved ones.  Their moms and dads didn't get one last kiss and hug good bye.  It is so unfair.
Our schools have security guards that aren't armed.  They are all older and although I know they would do anything for the kids I don't think it's enough.  Anyone can be buzzed in.  In E's school (catholic) the office is on the 2nd floor.  Scary to think that anyone can get in and go anywhere.
I believe that if someone wants to get in and do something bad that they will.  I also believe that if you can slow them down and buy some time that that can make a world of difference.  That's what the principal Dawn Hochsprung did.  She turned on the intercom and bought them some time.
I do hope that we can do better. That things can change concerning school safety, gun control and mental health.
I will always remember those innocent lives lost in Newtown forever.  I hope you do too.

                                              E trying to keep warm


I was up at 5:30 to get ready for the flea market.  I got E up at 6am and off we went.  M and I packed the truck the night before.  But how funny am I--I forgot to get small bills to make change.  So we went to D & D and paid separately and asked for small bills for our change.  Then we went to a mini market, got gum, and asked for small bills for our change.  My Dad was there and he helped us unload.  We had baby clothes and toys, high chairs, an exersaucer, bath tub and an easy bake oven.  By 10:30 am we had sold most of our stuff.  I would say it was pretty successful.  I was happy that I separated the clothes by month and season.  The only thing I would do next time is bring tables (I had the clothes in boxes and the toys on a blanket) and dress warmer!  lol  E hid in the truck for a little bit trying to get warm.  It was about 38 degrees when we arrived.  She did very well with making change.  I did have to talk her down on some of the prices.  I told we don't want to bring anything home with us.  My Mom came later to visit us.  There was a lot of people there--both vendors and buyers.  I am so glad we cleaned out our house.  We are going to be repainting it soon and decluttering will be a big help.

I am finally taking the boys for new sneakers today.  A little overdue.  We were supposed to go last month.  E is off today so she will be my helper.  Which is a good thing because Squeakers cries, well, screams really.  It's quite the ordeal.
We finished painting E's room.  She picked a nice lilac for three walls and a darker purple for an accent wall.  I painted all her trim white.  It looks so clean. She likes it and is excited to decorate.  We have to look for new bedding and accessories.  Because she looooves to accessories!  lol

Today was E's first day of gymnastics.  She did awesome!!!  She smiled the whole time :-)  It made me feel so good to see her so happy.  She really needs this boost of self esteem and self confidence.  She did the uneven bars, beam and floor. 
I don't know what our plans are for today.  It's supposed to rain off and on all day.  I wanted to take the kids to the covered bridge festival but not with this unpredictable weather.
M is painting and spackling E's room.  I will post pictures when he is done.
Alrighty off to find something for lunch.

Yay for the weekend and no homework!!  I feel like we can't do anything during the week because E always has homework and at least 2 tests everyday.  I know I didn't have this much work in 4th grade.
We emptied out E's room and are repainting it tomorrow.  She picked out two lilac colors.  One wall will be a darker color for an accent wall.  Her room was the first to be painted in our house.  We picked out a bubble gum pink color.  We thought it was so dark!  We have learned not to be afraid of color.  Hence the dark chocolate living room walls, mossy green in the hallways and a darker grey/blue color for the addition.  And now we are going to repaint the whole house.  So many knicks and marks on the walls.  As my husband says, O the joys of ownership.

Rain all day today!!  Oh, well.  My flowers and grass will be green and luscious :-)
Waiting to hear from E's soccer coach if she has practice tonight.  Our routine is drop her off and then head to the dike to walk two miles with the boys.  But with the rain it might be cancelled.
I am thinking about becoming a morning person so I could work out.  (insert laugh by my husband.  he knows how much I don't do mornings)  I am usually up early (E starts school at 7:45 am  Huge change from last year's 8:45).  Plus I don't sleep that well anyway.  I want to change my weight, get toned and have more energy for the day.  I have nice clothes that I want to fit into and I want to get rid of the twin belly/IF weight. I've got to get my mojo back.
Anyone work out in the am?  How do you do it?
The cornbread turned out great!!  Everyone liked it.  I did add a 1/4 cup of sugar.  Next time instead of using cupcake wrappers I am going to spray my muffin pan and pour the batter right in.  I do not know why I used the cupcake wrappers.  The muffins stuck right to the paper.

It is raining here again.  That's ok.  We could use the rain.  I cleaned out the boys' closet and put away clothes.  Their clothes  are usually in my bedroom in a clothes basket.  I put away clothes when they are sleeping.  And I won't go into their room because I don't want to wake them up.  I am getting rid of so much stuff.  E is going to sell all the stuff we don't want at the flea market.  We don't have room to keep stuff we don't use or need anyway.  Plus I feel more relaxed when things are orgazined.
Have you discovered Pinterest?  What a good time!! Tons of ideas for getting organized, meals, diy projects, kids, dogs, clothes, make up, make your own W.index, etc.  I have pinned tons of ideas now I just have to actually do them!
Yesterday's corn bread didn't turn out that great.  It was very dry and didn't have the usual yummy taste.  I'm going to try The Pioneer Woman's corn bread for our leftover gumbo.  I have made some of her recipes in the past and have had good luck with them.

It is pouring here today.  It does have benefits (besides watering the trees, flowers and grass):  I put away all of the boys's clothes, did all the laundry, straightened up E's room, and I'm going to get started on Zac Brown's cornbread which we will eat with our gumbo.  I loooove cornbread.  And it's made with bacon drippings.  Oh, yes, healthy eating today!! lol

Life. Is busy. Crazy. Fun. Let me catch you up: E is in a new school.  She was teased at her last school.  I feel this new school is a more nurturing and caring environment.  I feel she needs that right now.  I know it's tough being a kid.  I feel that today it's even harder.  I don't allow her to have a facebook page or a cell phone (she doesn't go anywhere yet without us). I think kids say, post or text hurtful things.  I don't want her subjected to that.  I think she has been through enough.  She is a very sensitive person.  She definitely wears her heart on her sleeve.  It is a big transition for her.  She is doing well with her course work. I just wish the whole "making a friend" thing was going faster.  I think she needs a buddy to hang out with or call. E is playing soccer again and her coach is really great. This is her 3rd season with him.  She is starting gymnastics next Saturday.  She wants to learn how to do a cartwheel in the worst way. After soccer is finished she will start basketball which she says is her sport.  I'm glad she is looking forward to it.
Peanut and Squeakers are well.  They are trying to speak. They will be evaluated for speech at their next pediatrician appointment and we'll take it from there.  I think they should be further along.  They sign and they can certainly understand a multi step command.  I feel they get frustrated sometimes because they can't tell you exactly what they want.  Peanut is definitely pulling ahead with weight gain and height.  Squeakers doesn't eat as much as Peanut does.  They love construction vehicles.  That is going to be their theme for their 2nd!!! birthday party.  And they loooove books. 
Our new addition is done.  We needed the extra room.  We are looking at kitchen tables for in there (then I can have my kitchen island :-)  ) Eventually we will have some living room furniture in there and a bar. 
We went to the local fair on Wednesday.  We picked up my Dad and headed down.  We looked at cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, tractors, RVs and had really yummy food like gyros and smoked pulled pork sandwiches.  I had an apple dumpling with cinnamon ice cream.  Gotta love fair food.
Our double jogger is on the way out.  We use it a lot and I'm surprised at how it's falling apart.  I found a double Bob on sale and I'm going to order it.  I would really like to get back into running and the Bob is better suited for it than our B.aby Trend.
I told E about a pumpkin race in October.  You can run or walk and you can dress up if you want.  I emailed for more information about how to sign up for it.  It's been so long since I ran it.  I was Clifford the big red dog.
I go back to work Nov 1.  I don't want to be away from the boys.  I am still only a part time employee.  So I will be gone for four hours.  My Dad will be watching Peanut and Squeakers. They love being with their Poppy.  We are so fortunate that he watched E and now the boys.
I had an ultrasound done because my monthly cycles are terrible.  I have fibroid tumors and a polyp.  My appt is Nov 9 with the doctor.  I know I will have them removed and maybe have an ablation to stop the cycles (which are irregular and heavy).
I need to step up my game to lose weight.  I have really nice clothes that I want to fit into for school and I am not happy with my body.  Hence the want to start running again.  Plus I need to eat better.  How you look is 80% what you eat and 20% exercise.  I found a really great blog about a young woman who lost half her body weight. It is packed with information and recipes and advice.  It's called http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/  She is a real person and she tells you like it is.  That it's hard work that will get you to your weight you want.  I like when she asks herself, "Andy can you do it for just today?"  Yes I can do it for just today.  Baby steps.

                                                                E and Squeakers
                                            Peanut and Squeakers in the old farm
                                                     equipment building
                                                M, E, Peanut and Squeakers
                                                  with the biggest pumpkin

Please give some love to Mrs. Pithy today.  It is one year ago that her beloved Adam left this earth. 

Hello to all! I know I've been neglecting my space here. Everyone is getting big and we are always doing something. The latest being E and myself going to Disney on Saturday. M will stay home with Peanut and Squeakers.
A special thank you to Photogrl @ Not the Path I Chose for sending me some yummy goodness. She found my cafe latte french vanilla and sent me some! Suzy @ Not a Fertile Myrtle for sending me happiness via snail mail. Thank you!!
I'm trying to lose weight. I got the whole set to Brazilian Butt Lift. Some workouts were ok but I felt like I wasn't doing enough. I found Bodyrock via P.interest and I really like it. The exercises are old school and it's HIIT (high intensity interval training). I am getting out more now with the babies in their jogging stroller for walks. I also reconnected with an old friend and we've been meeting to go for long walks. I've lost 7 lbs but I still have about 15 or more to go. I found out that with getting in shape it's 80% what you eat and 20% working out. I am doing better with eating but I need to knock off the bad snacks at nighttime. And also drink more water.
The weather here has been soooo nice! It's almost 70 degrees today. Unreal. I have to shave my legs more often! I keep checking the weather for Orlando and it's going to be in the mid 80's next week for our vacation. Shorts it is.
I have E almost all done with regards to her clothes. I bought some shorts for me. I hate clothes shopping. I do wish Gap would bring back the classic preppy look. I'm not much of a trendy clothes horse. I like my polo shirts, classic t's and regular pants/shorts. We each still need new sneakers and I have to get stuff here for the babies and odds and end for our trip. It's a lot to get me and E ready and the babies/M/house.
I started to read again because I find it relaxing right before I go to bed. I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"--excellent!! And now I'm almost done with "The Help"--very riveting.
I hope everyone is well!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good holiday season. Ours was crazy! E had a good time and did well in the gift department. Peanut and Squeakers were a little overwhelmed and cried when they saw Santa. The poor dears-so many people, all the presents, two different houses. They just really wanted to walk around.
We took E to NYC on Dec 26 for the day. The city is so magical all dressed up for the holidays. We packed a lot in one day: Rockefeller Center, American Girl store, FAO Shwartz, Central Park, handsome cab ride, Tiffany's to just name a few. We probably walked over 5 miles! E was mesmorized by the city. I did tell her about homeless people to give her a heads up. She kept asking me where they were--we really didn't see any. There was a guy sleeping on the steps at Port Authority but I don't think he was homeless.
The kids were sick over Christmas vacation. E had a cold and the babies had RSV. We had to get a nebulizer for the babies. They didn't like it at first but then after a few treatments they were alright.
E started ice skating lessons. Her first lesson was this past Monday. She fell and got a nice cut on her leg. But she got right back out there after I cleaned her up. I was very proud of her for doing that :-) Next lesson is bring a friend for free--I'm going!
I am going to start doing something for myself--working out. I ordered Brazil Butt Lift and I now have a beachbody coach. It's time to get back into shape. I believe working out first thing in the morning is the best time. However, I am not a morning person. I'll have to see how it works out. I'm also debating on whether or not to take before and after pictures. I have looked at myself in the mirror holding a little hand mirror and I don't like what I see.
We took down the gates in the living room. After baby proofing the downstairs the babies can walk around the kitchen and hallway now. I think I may have to order the magnets for the kitchen doors/drawers. I did give them a cabinet with plastic lids and containers. It's nice to open it and tell them they can play with the things inside.
M and E with Balto-the dog that saved Nome, Alaska

E read about him in one of her stories.

E, Me and M going for our handsome cab ride


Peanut and Squeakers with E's grocery cart. They loved pushing this around!




Peanut, Logan and Squeakers. I can't tell you how hard it is to take their picture! They are little whirlwinds! I couldn't even get one with all three kids for our holiday card. Hopefully next year!


That's me!


I'm not going to make any resolutions. I would like to lose weight, eat better, do more things with just E, see my friends more, organize the house and go to sleep a little earlier. That's not to much, is it?