Spring!!

We actually got quite a bit of snow on the first day of spring - big wet flakes - kids shoveled again, Chris shoveled again.

But this all melted buy the end of the day - thankfully 

so we went out to buy some seeds in hopes of planting a garden when it really is spring.

best seed planting ever!

First Day of Spring

Yup, it snowed, shocking right?  So in order to make it feel like spring we went to grab ice cream - The photo didn't really come out - but at least you can see the snow.

Time with Drew

This guy feels such strong emotion

 Either he is telling you how much he loves you or he is ready to knock your block off if he doesn't get exactly what he wants.  

VERY opinionated at the age of 3 - - very stubborn.  All things that might be beneficial once he leaves this house.....  

Until than I will savor moments like this.

Before Valentines day I got to volunteer in his classroom for his valentines day party.  When I wanted to snap a photo of his table with his special treats that he helped me put out, this is his response.  Yup, he turned away.  Geesh...

Yes, I love that I can volunteer in his classroom and not have to totally disrupt work, life etc.  I love that Drew wants me in his classroom.  That he gets to be line leader, that he gets to hug me 10 more extra times and reminds me he loves me - we sing Ants Marching -- yes I will miss this.  Yet in 10 more minutes I will need a break from this!!

...  I am also VERY thankful that Oma Sue picked him up after school for a few hours - I don't know how preschool teachers do it - all morning and than grab their own kids - no thanks - you ladies are AMAZING!

Now to pack for a family weekend away!

Love ya buddy!

St. Patty's Day

Nothing says St. Patty's day like LOTS of snow on your front porch!

Nick and Shane swapped bed unknowingly in the middle of the night and the toilets turned green - but after that - 

it was Irish step dancing for all.

the Farmington Library asked the local Irish Step Dancing team to preform for St. patty's day - they did WONDERFUL.  Ages 5-19 - 

Here is the recreation.

Here is some drawing later that night after our corned beef and cabbage.

We were waiting to hear from my folks as my father was very sick (no not the puke bug) but Diverticulitis.  Yuck right?  Painful too.  No corned beef for them.

More Skiing too - in Waterville

Back in February we were getting TONS of snow and Stosh's family was in town visiting.  We decided to book a mini vacation in Waterville NH - one of their favorite family ski spots.  We found a condo that fit the whole crew and booked it.  

Guess what - its my folks 45th wedding anniversary!!  WOW!  

I remember celebrating with my Grandparents on their 50th - granted that will be 5 years from now for my folks - but my grandparents were not taking us to a ski lodge.  

My mom and I opted to make it just a bit easier by going early and spoping out the place Friday afternoon.  Here was our one sweet companion.

He slept most of the way - when he woke up, he had to pee - I was rather motivated to get to the next exit and asked if he could hold it.  He did.  Until he asked to pee again and THAN it was an emergency.  Needless to say, he had wet pants and a change of clothes in the mini van that was due to depart 3 hours later.....  We will make due.

We checked into our condo and went to grab a bite to eat.

Drew was our photographer here...

After dinner we opted to hang out in some comfy clothes - Drew had to borrow some clothes - but he was totally fine with that.

The whole crew arrived and we filled the condo.  All the kids slept with us on the top floor.  My sister & Jason had a room on the 2nd floor as did my folks in what we will call the Honey Moon suite.

The next morning it was time to hit the slopes.  In an effort to save $$$  We purchased a groupon and hired a babysitter which meant that we spend an extra 35 minutes in line understanding the groupon (staff--not me) getting the correct tickets (extra 3 hikes up hill=much needed exercise)

Once it was finally figured out I indulged in a selfie with the mountain mascot

Chris and I took Shane and Drew Skiing (under 5 is free) while Nick got a lesson

Drew INSITED on doing the moguls.  I am saving this photo for when his kids do the same to him.  Teaching a little one to ski is hard on your back - but doable.  Teaching a little one to ski in the moguls - impossible.

Go For it Dude.

Nope, I am not helping - you brought this on yourself.

My folks enjoyed a day of putzing around life somewhere outside of their house.  They took a beautiful carriage ride and came back in time to relieve the babysitter and prep pasta dinner for us - Happy Anniversary right?

I LOVE this photo of my mom and the kids - UCONN was in the Big East Tournament and was playing TERRIBLE.  

Until the end.  

They started to win, 

they were almost winning and 

than......THEY WON!!

After that we all gathered around our table - EVERYONE.  

My folks had 2 girls - now there are 6 grandkids that all get along wonderfully in a rather tight condo.  Their kids now all live close and actually really enjoy getting together.  Husbands and all.  That gift alone is a true treasure for my folks and I can only hope for the same blessing 33 years from now.

Want to join this breakfast table?

Sunday was spent around the resort.  We debated tubing but realized we had logged enough sledding hours this winter.  I took Shane and Drew on a cross country loop.  Why?  Because I am NUTS and their skis fit.  Cross country is a work out - doing it with 2 bozos is a HUGE work out, mentally and physically.  After one lap that I am thankful we survived, I asked to do one solo lap - it was WONDERFUL.

We ended the day at the pool - it was AMAZING.  Beach entry, hot tub, showers and snow flurries outside!!  The best way to end a weekend together.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

What a wonderful weekend.

I won't mention that nick got sick Saturday night and ended up passing the flu bug along to Maddie, Riley, Jackson and Stacie - right no one needs to know that....

Wait - there's more

On Friday night I received one of the biggest birthday surprises ever.  Diane swooped in and stole our kids for the weekend - ALL 3 OF THEM.

SHE IS AMAZING and what an wonderful gift.

Time with this guy.

In the midst of all these snow days, kid schedules, family life - you often let time together slip away.  But Diane gave us the gift of time together.

I started to wonder earlier in the week when I was starting to fill up our weekend.  Little things here and there.  Finally Chris said - I have the weekend planned.  

Interest peaked

Friday night came and we were kinda waiting for something, someone, should I be dressed up?  Dressed down, have dinner.  The anticipation was killer.  The end results - amazing.

After Diane breezed in (refusing to take her coat off as she vowed to not stay long enough) scooped up my pre-packed kids and headed back to her house.  

Chris had booked a hotel for Saturday night leaving us the option to go out or stay home.  We took the opportunity to hit Chatterley's for cocktails and a bite to eat.  KID FREE.  Than Chris planned the rest of the weekend at the Red Lion Inn in Great Barrington - Cross country skiing and all.

Icy conditions according to the locals.  But I was with Chris - so nothing bad at all!

Meanwhile at a horse show across town.

So did they

I know he didn't do that for very long - but even 20 minutes is appreciated!

Outdoor body sledding

indoor library time

Is there another team?

Love this time.

Sure it was my birthday - but our weekend was all about this.

Snow flurries for Breakfast at a local diner too.

Thank you Thank you Chris and Diane. 

 The outlet splitters are really awesome.

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday was a RAINY dreay day - accornding to my folks - it was VERY rainy the day I was born, flooded basement and all.  So I guess I am happy to make light of it.  

Drew and I had sports in the morning and my mom offered to take him for a bit as a gift to me.  YES -  I never get pedicures and treated myself to the time in the chair.

The boys came home from school and we all headed to Friendly's  A place I fondly remember from childhood.  Needless to say, it hasn't changed a BIT and NEEDS too.  Matter of fact, the ceiling was falling in many places due to roof leaks.  The food was as I remembered (yummy!) with the Sundaes being the best.  The staff surprised me with some birthday singing  -  

my husband surprised me with some outlet splitters

Can you guess what I was more surprised by??

Love these are the faces I got to spend my birthday with.

I literally raced from Friendly's with my family to teach Body Pump at the Zoo - so lucky to be willing and able to do that - and selfishly cherish the memory of Roger singing Happy Birthday to me last year at Sport and Health before a Body Pump class.  

One of my most treasured memories.

My Birthday kept right on going as I went onto my new book club meeting.  We just read - Big Little Lies.  Time with other women, wine and chatting.

Birthday complete.  

Final Year in my 30s..... live it up