rainy days and mondays always get me down.

Actually, rainy days don't get me down. I love the rain, it's so calming. And I like the feeling that everything is getting nice and clean. Who doesn't love a nice shower?

For the record, Mondays don't get me down either. Sometimes I actually look forward to them...everyone goes back to school and work.

So, why all this talk about rainy days and Mondays when it is neither Monday nor a rainy day? Dunno, I just like this photo of Alex (one of our Pictures of the Day) and I like that old Carpenters' song.

at the beach.

We had a great time visiting with my parents this past weekend in Vero Beach. It's always so relaxing there. We just hung around together talking, playing, laughing.

They had this awesome giant checkerboard in the yard with giant chess pieces. Helen put all of the pieces together while Jimmy set them in place. Then Mike and Yiayia had fun playing. It was a close game, but Mike won. It reminded us of the scene in "Alice in Wonderland."

On Saturday we took a field trip out to McKee Botanical Garden where they had a special exhibit called "Return of the Dinosaur Invasion." Spread throughout the gardens they had life-size replicas of different dinosaurs. They was also a little dig site where the kids could unearth dinosaur fossils. Pretty cool exhibit.

Alex and Helen getting snuck up on by one of the dinosaurs.

Good-bye Yiayia and Papouli. Thank you for a wonderful weekend. We can't wait to see you again soon!

Today.

Today I finished the book my mom gave me for Christmas. Back in the day we both used to read all of Erma Bombeck's books. I remember I even did a monologue for ninth grade drama class from one of her books. Since then whenever my mother finds one of her books at a garage sale she'll send them to me. They're still funny as ever!

Today Helen stayed home from school for the second day. On Saturday she started not feeling well. (That nap in the afternoon should have been a clue. She never stops and rests. Never.) All day Sunday and Monday she's been battling a fever and cough. Most likely the flu...and she's the only one who received a flu shot...hmmm Anyway, she seems to be doing much, much better today. Her temperature is holding steady at 99 degrees and she's more alert. Hopefully, she'll be back to school later this week.

Today Will's trundle bed was delivered. Yiayia and Papouli got the kids new furniture for Christmas and every one's rooms arrived on December 8th...except for Will's bed. In the meantime he's been sleeping in our bed. So now he can move back to his room. Well, his and Alex's room. Let the battle's begin.

Not today, but last week I finally received my Project Life kit and I've been doing well taking my picture a day and recording the stories. As usual, I'm nervous about making it look "just right" even though it's purpose is to simplify everything. I'm having fun with it and in the end that's what matters.

Today...a year ago.

Helen in her pajamas getting the morning paper, guitar in hand. This was my picture of the day for January 4, 2009. I had planned to start Project 365 but, unfortunately, something went wrong with my order and I never received my kit. Oh well. I have now ordered Becky Higgins' new Project Life kit which (hopefully) is on it's way this week and I will begin another attempt to capture a picture a day. I know I could and should be taking pictures everyday, but it's so much easier when everything comes neatly packaged in a kit. Yay, Project Life. I'm so excited to get started.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We had a very nice Christmas Day. Just the six of us, at home, together. The kids were up late waiting for Santa...and were up early ready to open gifts.

Everyone got lots of toys and other goodies. Alex was excited to get this prehistoric sea monster kit that he asked for (can you tell?).

Later in the afternoon, Yiayia and Papouli arrived from Miami. Jimmy, Alex and Helen were able to pick out gifts for each family member from their school's Santa Shop. They had so much fun presenting everyone with gifts they picked out themselves. Note: Yiayia was much more excited to receive this "World's Greatest Grandma" mug from Jimmy.

For the homemade portion of our Christmas gifts the kids made these coasters. Using an idea from Becky Higgins blog, each child drew a picture on cardstock which I then glued onto a wood block. Then I spray painted the whole thing with a clear finish and put felt circles on the bottom.
Adorable grandparents gift.

This photo of Will sums up how we all felt at the end of the day. Happy, full and completely exhausted!

Here's to a great 2010!

Thanksgiving.

Jimmy, Alex and Uncle Pete.

So thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. The six of us traveled to Miami to spend the holidays with Yiayia and Papouli. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and almost immediately the kids wanted to go swimming. The water was a little cold, but none of them seemed to mind.









After dinner Yiayia and Helen got started on the preparations for Thursday's meal. Here they are making the corn bread casserole.

Will just had to help so they gave him his own mixing cup to play with. Why do the kids love eating sour cream so much?

After a quick trip to Starbucks Thursday morning for Papouli, Jimmy and Alex we continued cooking for the big feast. Yiayia and Papouli worked together to get the stuffing just right. Aren't they cute? (By the way, their 41st wedding anniversary is on Sunday, the 29th) Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Last year Papouli tried deep frying a turkey and thought it turned out so good he decided to do it again this year. In fact, he loved his fryer so much he kept rummaging in the fridge to see what else he could put in there. We ended up having fried shrimp, frog legs, spinach pies and leftover ham. There was some talk of deep fried ice cream, but we were able to dissuade him.

Yiayia made another turkey the "traditional" way. We also had mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, yams with marshmallows, green beans, Grandma's squash casserole and cranberry sauce. Everything was delicious. Hard to believe, but we all still had room for dessert: pumpkin pie, apple pie, cookies and even ice-cream.

The best part of the meal was when Alex read some poems he wrote in school for the occasion.
My favorite one was titled "When Daddy Carves the Turkey."

When Daddy carves the turkey,

it is really quite a sight,

I know he tries his hardest,

but he never does it right.

He makes a fancy show of it

before he starts to carve,

and stabs in all directions

while we're certain that we'll starve.

He seems to take forever

as we sit and shake our heads,

by the time he's finished slicing

he's reduced the bird to shreds.

He yells as loud as thunder

just before he's finally through

for when Daddy carves the turkey,

Daddy carves his finger too.

-Alex Land

November 2009

Volcano.

Alex made this volcano in class. They put baking soda and vinegar in the middle and watched them "erupt." This is right up Alex's alley...he loves anything science. On Wednesdays after school he attends Mad Science class. This is his second year taking the class...he really enjoys it, especially all of the take home projects. This week they gave him a water bottle. Or as they called it a "hydration station."

Today the 4th grade was having an Awards Program. Of course I planned to attend...I even set my alarm clock earlier so I would be sure to get a parking spot. But then yesterday Will got sick. It started at the park when he wanted me to hold him and even said, "Want sleep." This kid never wants sleep. He slept at the park, woke up, fell asleep again after we got home, woke up, fell asleep after dinner and only woke up twice during the night to ask for juice. His temperature got up to 101.6.

So I made the call to let Will sleep in and not go to the Awards Program.

Poor Alex was crushed. I didn't think he would mind, but when I told him in the car on the way to school he put his head down and stuck out his bottom lip. Then he said, "Why is my day starting out so terrible?" Talk about heartbreak. I apologized and apologized. I will make it up to you, Alex. I promise.