I thought they were being too quiet...

I didn't have the heart to tell them to clean up when they were having
so much fun.

First Day of School! Again!

We had the usual morning frenzy on the first day of school, with an added twist - it was also my first day of full-time work! We all made the bus, and even had time to take some photos. Matt's friend Joe joined us, along with our neighbor Johnny who was starting first grade. Christina sat with him on the bus and took him to his classroom.

MoMo MaMa

Like my new ride? Bob let me borrow his bike for a couple of days. Too fun!

Central Park

Took the train in to the city, got on the subway and went to the Childrens Zoo. LOVED the polar bear and the penguins!
After lunch at the cafe the kids humored me and rode the carousel.

Karen
Sent from my iPhone

Change of Plans

We had to leave the Keys early because of tropical storm Fay, so we
dropped in on Gin & George in Lake Worth. They have LOTS of dogs!

Breakfast, Swimming & Snorkelling

After stuffing ourselves at the buffet breakfast at Hawks Cay (except Mackenzie, who doesn't know how to enjoy a feast), we hung out at the resort's pool and lagoon.


Later we walked over to the marina and got right onto a snorkelling boat. We saw the coolest fish! Courtney and I saw a shark! Just as well Mackenzie didn't pig out, she wasn't feeling too well on the boat.

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We're on Vacation!

The kids got to swim with dolphins! Gypsie, Therese and Jax took turns towing them around by letting them hang on to their dorsal fins. Christina says, "It was awesome!"

After dinner we saw some big fish swimming around by the dock behind the house. They were as big as one of the kids legs! We thought about getting the fishing rods, but weren't sure what we'd do if we actually caught one of them!

Outdoor Movie Night

Hanging with the crowd last week at Newsday's Outdoor Movie Night. We
brought a picnic dinner and watched the Spiderwick Chronicles. They
gave out goody bags full of popcorn, glow sticks and fun stuff. We
showed our appreciation for Entemann's sponsorship by eating as many
of their cookies as we could.

Adventureland

Crazy Hat moment at Adventureland with our friends Kristen and Joe.

Nerpie!

What do you call a nerdie hippie? Courtneys earned a new nickname,
Nerpie, cuz she likes to wear bandanas, cutoffs and tie-dye. Plus
she's always reading.

Women's Run

Mackenzie ran her 2nd 5k race and won 5th place in her age group!
Christina won the Fun Run and Courtney came in fourth. I got 3rd in
my age group.

Beach Day

Nuthin on the agenda today but catching waves.

Friday Fun

Fridays adventure was mini golf and the batting cage. I didn't mind
the arguing and sniping until it was MY turn at bat.

Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens is what you'd expect, but the kids enjoyed
touring the mansion and seeing all the gardens. We are such a bunch of
nerds!

Randy & Fire Island Lighthouse

John's college buddy Randy is visiting from California. We went to see
the Fire Island Lighthouse. Courtney got to the first window and decided she wasn't going to the top. Maybe next year.

Firecracker 5k

Mackenzie ran her first 5k race today with a time of about 36 minutes. Christina finished a minute faster, but really ran the whole way with Mackenzie. I'm so proud of them both for finishing.
They insisted I run my pace, and not with them. I ended up winning 1st in my age group! I also won 3rd in my age group in the Lift-N-Run competition. Before the race I had to bench press a percentage of my weight, which turned out to be 60 lbs. I lifted 13 times. For every lift I got 20 seconds off my time. On top of that, I won a raffle prize. Just my lucky day!

4th of July Parade

After I ran the Bellmore 4 mile race this morning, Mackenzie marched with me and The Massapequa Road Runners in the Massapequa 4th of July Parade. Everyone loved us 'cuz we gave out ice pops!

And Christina marched with her tournament softball team.

Happy 4th of July!

We saw fireworks at Walker Field.

Courtney got her ears pierced!

It took some convincing from her sisters. They kept pinching Courtney
to show her it hurt less than that.

My Little Musicians

The kids all want to play an instrument in 4th grade. Courtney got the
flute. Matthew got clarinet, because he checked off that we have one.
(Its my old cruddy clarinet that probably doesn't even work!)
Mackenzie wasn't listening to me when I said nothing bigger than your
arm, and got the bass. Its bigger than she is!

Matt can blow a bubble!

Getting our toes done...

Mack and I are getting pedicures.

The Triplets Are 9 ! ! !

Check out Mackenzie's idea on how to eat birthday cake!

Trisha

John and I saw Trisha Yearwood at Westbury Music Fair with some friends. She was fun and it was very cool how much she interacted with the audience.

The Pool is Open!

I won!

For a little race, I got a really
Big trophy! I won the CPAs 4 (a)Cause 5k! I met John and the kids at
Friendlys afterward.

Mackenzie Got Her Ears Pierced

And she didn't even say ouch.

Horse Ranch

Christina's magnet class went to Deep Hollow Ranch, the oldest ranch
in America. We learned a little about Captain Kidd, indians, Teddy
Roosevelt, and the early settlers.

Blowing Bubbles

Mackenzie finally learned how to blow a bubble with gubblebum. (that's
what she called it when she was little.)

Soccer tournament

Hanging out at Christina's soccer tournament.

Christina's First Communion

Christina had her first communion at St. David's Lutheran church.
She looked very beautiful (we don't do the 'white dress.')
She celebrated with some friends at an ice cream parlor in the afternoon.

(nice bunch of girls... so ladylike!)

Glug glug glug

I'm not into political commentary, but I just hit $62 for a tank of
gas! Holy cow!

Sent from my iPhone

Mothers Day

How many moms get a Rip-stick for Mothers Day? Plus I got to run a 5k race this morning. Johns cooking up a feast for me and his mom today. Doesnt' get any better than this.



Okay, I wasn't quite so smooth at first....

Working at the Car Washer

It was so beautiful out, we washed the car!

Yesterday was the usual madness: John left with Christina for an early soccer game while I made pancakes for the triplets and the friend who slept over. John came back and took Matt to his baseball game, then to coach Christina's softball team. There was a delay getting Courtney to a birthday party when I locked us out of the house, but fortunately Mike was at Christina's game and drove over with John's keys (on his cool new motorcycle!). Courtney got to her party, and Mackenzie made her soccer game on time. I was even able to get my hair cut before going out to dinner with all my running buddies and their spouses.

Friday Fun Night

We planned on going to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, but ended up at Dave & Busters. They don't serve beer at the museum, as John says.

A beautiful day

We planned to go to the Cradle of Aviation, but the beach was a better
idea. Good thing we brought towels!

Museum of Natural History

We started our week off from school with a trip into NYC. So much for educational endeavors, their favorite part was climbing rocks in Central Park.

Little Ladies Dance

Christina, Mackenzie, and Courtney looked beautiful in their pretty dresses for the dance. John got them all corsages, and took them out to dinner.
I went to Matthew's baseball game. He got so muddy he needed to change before going out to dinner. We decided instead to get some pizza on the way home and make ice cream sundaes while watching Speed Racer videos.

Forgot One. Again.

I forgot Courtney at gymnastics. Again. Oops.
It was another run-around-crazy day. John and Christina left early in the morning for her soccer game. Mackenzie and Courtney came with me to Matthew's baseball parade at 9:00. We walked from Birch Lane Elementary to Burns Park, and waited (and waited and waited) for team photos. At 10:45 we saw Mackenzie's soccer coach, and she walked over to warm up for her game. John arrived with Christina, and took over waiting for the team photos while Courtney and Christina came home with me. (Are you still with me?) They ate, I put Charlie Brown in a box, and on the way to gymnastics we passed John's car. We stopped, Christina jumped out to go with him so they could go to her softball practice at 1:00. I leave Courtney and bring Charlie Brown to the vets. He has mites. As I'm cleaning his cage, Courtney calls and wonders when I'm going to pick her up. Oops.
But wait, there's more! When everyone ends up back home, I have just enough time to run, shower and take Christina to her friend's birthday party. We don't have a gift, so I head for the mall. We get home just as Courtney's friend arrives for a sleepover. The friend's dad helps John get the garage door open, which got jammed closed. It's open by the time I get back with pizza for dinner. Christina and I go back out to buy her a new softball bat.
Is it any wonder I forget one, once in a while?

Expert Night

Christina put together a really nice presentation about Search and Rescue Dogs for her magnet class 'Expert Night.' Even though she scrambled the night before to put together her display board because she thought it was actually next week, it turned out very well. She was awesome at explaining her research to her visitors, even offering dog cookies (for people) and dog treats (for pet owners).
And guess what! Courtney, Mackenzie and Matthew have all been accepted into the magnet program! Yay for us.

Easter in Maryland

No matter where we go, the Easter Bunny manages to leave lots and lots of goodies. This year we spent it with Peter, Laura, Maxx and Kyle in Maryland. Allen and Donna were there, too!

On Saturday we all took a trip into Washington, DC to see the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Viet Nam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History.

The Whole Gang
Ice Cream for Dessert, Kyle-style:

Mom Rips It!

I borrowed Matthew's friend's ripstick, and with just a little skinned knee started riding it.


Christina got it after awhile, too, but it's not as easy as it looks...

Toby Ate It

Just when we thought he'd consumed the weirdest thing so far, our dog Toby continues to amaze us with his appetite. Today we came home to find him in his cage, and he'd chewed up and eaten his own collar! To see more bizarre comestibles, check out the list at Toby8it.blogspot.com, or use the link at the right.

Sledding at Cedar Creek Park

Christina's Wipeout

Snow Day!

Finally! A Snow Day! Unfortunately the kids were already home from school all week. They suited up and were outside after breakfast. They came in for some hot chocolate, and were back out after lunch, doing all the required snow day activities: building snow forts, snowball fight, making a snowman (cowboy theme this time), and shoveling the driveway. They even shoveled for the old lady down the street, who gave them a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates for their efforts.

Science Fair

Only two entrants this year. (Go figure - last year all four participated, despite everything we were dealing with!)

Mackenzie tested her theory that chocolate tastes good, no matter what brand or what price.
Christina compared which made better pets, dogs from shelters or breeders.

Happy New Year!

It can only get better...

Merry Christmas!

Gifts that got the biggest screams... ipod, fuzion scooter, fly pen, nintendo ds, diamond bracelet (me). Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas!

He doesn't like penguins

What do bad dogs get in their stocking?

Runner Of The Year!

As if my running club didn't do enough for my family this year, they went and awarded me the "Runner of the Year."

Making Gingerbread People

Okay, we cheated and used store-bought, pre-baked gingerbread men. We ate lots and lots of icing and candy while decorating the cookies. Then we ate them, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Joining us for our feast are John's parents, and Allen and Donna from Virginia! Looking forward to some good turkey, but can't wait for all the yummy desserts!

Sunday

It was the usual run around, except John's away. Poppy helped out and came over at 8 this morning, with donuts! He took Matthew to his last football game, so I had time to get the girls to Sunday School, because they'd rather do that than watch his game.
We all wound up at home around 11:00, had an early lunch and went back out to get Matthew to his last deck hockey game. I had a stupid attack and drove the wrong way to Marjorie Post Park. As usual, I didn't get to see all of Matt's hockey game, because I had to leave to get Mackenzie to her soccer game. I came back to pick up Matthew who ended up going home with his friend Joseph anyway, and returned to watch Mackenzie's game while Christina whined about having to watch her sister's game. (She did NOT get the irony.)
Left the game, picked up Matthew, had a snack, left again for Christina's soccer practice. The triplets and I managed to get some groceries and get back to pick up Christina in an hour. Back home so I could make dinner, and have a glass of wine.
Somehow all four of them managed to get a shower or bath today.