learning to read...

Zanna is learning to read and learning the piano and I am learning PATIENCE! This probably sounds bad, because both these things are so exciting to learn and I am really happy she loves them, but sometimes I just look at the book with all those pages and have to take a deep breath.  I think I just need to do it with her when I'm not already tired, 'cause otherwise I get a little cranky. I'm working on it though, and am proud of her!

- has anyone else felt like this? 

what we've been up to...

Last week Dave went fishing with the boys- Andy, Jeremy and Rob.

They went with a guide from Port Washington and at 5:00am Dave showed up in shorts and sandals and almost froze to death.  We was able to thaw enough to catch this beauty and now our freezer is full of delicious "striper." We ate it fresh from the sea for dinner that night and we all loved it- even the kids!!

Later that day we went to the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn with the Gold Fam.  It is pretty small so great for an afternoon outing and a gimpy mom like me.  The kids both had to use the bathroom like three times each, so I was a little perturbed, but other than that it was really fun to hang out with Payton, Halle, Kris and Andy. 

checkin' out the sea lions

Zanna's school had a "walk thru" the other night where we got to meet her teachers and see all the projects they've been doing.  It was fun to hear what her teachers had to say about her and show James around the school for next year.  They will be going to school together on the bus for Pre-K and Kindergarten and I'm going to miss them!! Zanna also got to perform for Latin Days and was the letter "A"- she walked across the stage like an "A" and was so happy to be performing.  She sings in Spanish now and it is pretty hilarious- I'll try to post it later...

For Mother's Day the kids and Dave made me a "fruit platter" after church. I loved it- can you tell by my face? We did a lot of nothing and it was perfect.

I am very GRATEFUL to be a mom and love my job!!

simple and fancy

Sometimes I like to feel fancy--especially when it is really easy!

So, all I do is: 

1) wash strawberries

2) dry strawberries

3) melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments

4) hold strawberry by the stem and dip deep into the chocolate

5) twist the berry as you pull it out of the chocolate

6) lay strawberry on wax paper and allow to dry (20-30 minutes)

For even more simple fun:

1) put vanilla candy wafers or white chocolate chips in a small ziplock bag

2) melt in microwave

3) snip the corner of the bag (very tiny hole)

4) drizzle white chocolate over choco. dipped strawberries by squeezing gently and quickly moving your hand back and forth.

whoa-la! the kids loved "decorating" and eating these yummy little, fancy treats!

For more tips on chocolate covered strawberries, click here. 

what is faith?

A couple of weeks ago our home teacher was over and he opened up with the question, "what is faith?"

Home Teacher: "James, what is faith?"
James: "Fake? Oh, I KNOW what fake is... like when you want something, so you fake cry so you get it."

he was dead serious and so proud of himself-- we laughed...hard.

to all the tired mama's...

(yes, it's a forward, but just give it a chance!)

> The next reality TV series 
> 
> Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car
> and 
> 3 kids each for six weeks
> 
> Each kid will play 
> two sports 
> and either take music 
> or dance classes. 
> 
> There is no fast food. 
> 
> Each man must 
> take care of his 3 kids; 
> keep his assigned house clean, 
> correct all homework, 
> and complete science projects, 
> cook, do laundry, 
> and pay a list of 'pretend' bills 
> with not enough money. 
> 
> In addition, each man 
> will have to budget in money 
> for groceries each
> week. 
> 
> Each man 
> must remember the birthdays 
> of all their friends and relatives, 
> and send cards out 
> on time--no emailing. 
> 
> Each man must also 
> take each child to a doctor's appointment, 
> a dentist
> appointment 
> and a haircut appointment. 
> 
> He must make 
> one unscheduled and inconvenient 
> visit per child 
> to the A & E.. 
> 
> He must also 
> make biscuits or cakes 
> for a social function. 
> 
> Each man will be responsible for 
> decorating his own assigned house, 
> planting flowers outside 
> and keeping it presentable 
> at all times. 
> 
> The men will only 
> have access to television 
> when the kids are asleep 
> and all chores are done. 
> 
> The men must 
> shave their legs, 
> wear makeup daily, 
> adorn himself with jewellery, 
> wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, 
> keep fingernails polished 
> and eyebrows groomed. 
> 
> During one of the six
> weeks, 
> the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back
> aches, 
> and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once
> complain or 
> slow down from other duties. 
> 
> They must attend 
> weekly school meetings, 
> church, and find time 
> at least once to spend the afternoon 
> at the park or a similar setting. 
> 
> They will need to 
> read a book to the kids 
> each night and in the morning, 
> feed them, dress them, 
> brush their teeth and 
> comb their hair by 8:00 am. 
> 
> A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each
> father will be required to know all of the following
> information: 
> each child's birthday, 
> height, weight,
> shoe size, clothes size 
> and doctor's name. 
> Also the child's weight at birth, 
> length, time of birth, 
> and length of labour, 
> each child's favourite colour, 
> middle
> name, 
> favourite snack, 
> favourite song, 
> favourite drink, 
> favourite toy, 
> biggest fear and 
> what they want to be when they grow up. 
> 
> The kids vote them off the island 
> based on performance. 
> The last man wins only if...
> he still has enough energy 
> to be intimate with his spouse 
> at a moment's notice. 
> 
> If the last man does win, 
> he can play the game over and over 
> and over again for the next 18-25 years 
> eventually earning the right 
> To be called Mum! 
>  

I know this is a forward, and we all say "I hate forwards" but I was definitely smiling after reading this one and thought it would be fun to post. So, happy belated mother's day to all those who can relate to this!  love, Mel

Today Zanna had a play date with a little girl from her class at school.  When we dropped her off James really wanted to stay and play too... they really haven't had many (hardly any actually) days away from each other and they usually go everywhere together.  He was really good to get back in the car without a fight but as we pulled away from the house he got tears in his eyes and said, "I just miss Zanna already."  

It was one of the sweeter moments I've had with him because he wasn't crying and throwing a little fit, he just had a really sad face and little tears because he wanted to stay and be with his sister. I didn't plan to have these two so close together, but I am very grateful we did.  They have really needed each other living out here away from family and making adjustments with friends and today it was just reaffirmed to me how lucky we are to have these two... what can I say, I am "seriously so blessed." 

8 years and counting...

these are a couple of my favorites...

Happy Anniversary to us!