Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.....

My absence can be explained by the title of this post.....we were very blessed and got to spend a week in a cottage on the Harbor in Maine.  Following a crazy busy weekend event for Kiki's Garden on July 21st, the kids and I snuck off to Maine to enjoy some R and R in a one bedroom cottage my good friend snagged in a silent auction.  For $500 we had this cottage over the sea (depending on the tides) for a whole week and it was simply AMAZING!

For the first few days, the kids and I flew solo.  My friend Sarah lives down the street so we spent a lot of time with she and her two children.  The four kids got a long GREAT and had so much fun together.  As Sarah said, it was so nice to be able to say, "See You Tomorrow!" each day instead of, "Talk to you Soon" :)  Sarah also spoiled me rotten with a homemade birthday cake and a super cool gift!!

On Thursday night we picked Scott up at the train station.  The kids jumped up and down as he got off the train which made the entire train car smile.  He was greeted with lots of hugs and a Lobster Roll :)  We then spent the next 4 days together.....so much fun!

Our week included:  dinners with friends, swimming in the harbor (COLD), making fairy houses on Mackworth Island, tide pooling, watching clammers, a day trip to visit my second parents at their lake house, exploring mudflats, bird watching at the Audubon, an island ferry ride, lobster rolls, anniversary lobster dinner, 3 visits to LLBean including 2 in our jammies, a rainy day exploration of Popham beach (we were swimming on the land), Scott's first surfing lesson and an AWESOME beach day on our last day.

It was a jam packed family vacation and one that we will NEVER forget!

Birthday Blessings.....

Although it was not planned, this week has turned into a bit of a Birthday Week for me :)  It has been an amazing week so far and if all goes as planned, by the time I go to sleep on Monday, I will have seen 95 percent of the people who mean the most to me in this world in just 8 days!!! How lucky is that?!?!?! 

This week has been filled with fun adventures, surprises, birthday parties, lots of snuggles with my favorite little people, family, good friends and there is so much more to come.  A day at the beach, time at the zoo, playdates with friends, a father/daughter Red Sox game, brunch with my best friend Lauren, special gifts and the most beautiful birthday card I have ever received.  This weekend will be filled with family, friends and a special friend from college I haven't seen in many years!  Then Monday I get to spend some quality time with my very close friend Sarah....so excited!!

This birthday week has been such a great reminder for me of how blessed I am.  I am surrounded by the most thoughtful and loving people and I thank God for them every day.  They are people who make me a better person, people who help keep me grounded, people who give me hugs for no reason, people who fill me with so much joy.....I am so incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing and inspiring people. 

Happy Birthday Mom!  Thanks for having me on your birthday and showering me with so much love and kindness.  Laura, Kristen and I love you so much and appreciate all that you do for us.  You have our vote for worlds best mother!!!

Wordless Wednesday....

An Awesome Weekend!

We had a very busy but GREAT weekend!  It was non-stop action and so much fun.  Friday morning started off with Z and I going bowling while Lil'C went with my mom and my niece to see Pinkalicious the Play :)  This was Lil'C's second trip to the theater that week (second trip of her LIFE)....earlier we saw Cinderella :)

He bowled the game of his LIFE!!!  98 :) One strike, one spare and three 10's!!!

After my mom treated us to lunch we drove down to Boston and spent a few hours at the Children's Museum. 

 We then met Scott's childhood friend and his family for dinner.  They live in TN and we haven't seen them in 2 years!!!!  It was great to see them and meet their little guy Logan :) 

Saturday we spent the day at the beach with my mom and dad.  It was super hot and we had so much fun splashing in the waves and building sand castles.  We ended the day with dinner out and ice cream! 

Sunday was my mom and my birthday party at my sisters.  My mom surprised me with a brand new food processor!!!  I had a small one but it broke a few months ago. I was able to use it if I hooked it up just so but it was a bit dangerous. I was so excited to receive a full size model....I can't wait to use it!!  Thanks MOM and DAD :)  Scott also brought me out of the last century and into this one with my first iphone.  He had to give it to me early (my birthday is on Thursday) because the man deactivated my current phone when he bought it.  Of course I was unaware of this and thought that it was a bit strange that my text messages kept failing.  Thankfully he gave it to me an hour after it was deactivated and all was well :)  I LOVE it!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie while watching Rocky II :)

My sister gave her this hat last night....she is quite the explorer!!!

Making Memories...

We had a really great 4th of July and weekend following.  We had a road trip to CT on Saturday to see our good friends from college but I forgot to take pictures :(  We had a blast hanging out with them and swimming in their pool :)  My camera has been better for the last few days (knock on wood), hoping it stays that way.  Here are some photos that I did take :)

Scott and my sister's Sparkler/Flag Extravaganza

Hot 4th of July!!!

Trip to the Planetarium to have Lunch with Chi Chi :)

Love this picture :)

Playing Fisher Price Little People at my Mom's House....That camper was mine when I was a kid!!!

Mini Golf with Auntie Kristen

Loved this course!

Auntie won!

Summer Priorities

In the middle of last week I had a bit of a melt down.  I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions and that my to-do list was ever growing.  There were so many big tasks that were left undone (our Will is among the list) and open ended and I did not like the way that my lengthy to-do list was affecting the time with my family.  The Summer Calendar was WAY too full and some of the activities written down were more out of obligation or guilt and not because we wanted to do them.  I knew that if I didn't do something, then I would look back in September and wish that I left room for more quiet days....the kinds of days that our family needs and craves.  The kind of days that I remember from my childhood.....sprinkler fun, licking popsicles, reading books....SIMPLE.

And so I made a list of our summer priorities.  I chatted about them with Scott and Z and they agreed and loved the list.  Z is actually working on his own version of meditation :)   We then looked at the calendar and cut some things out, made specific days for HOME that can not be changed and made sure that the events planned were inline with our list of priorities.  The list is now hanging on our fridge, a constant reminder to slow down and enjoy all that summer has to offer :)

*I just realized that Sailing needs to be added to the list for Scott.....will do that right now :)

Happy 4th of July!!

May your day be filled with family, friends, good food and fireworks!! 

Happy Birthday America :)

The Year of the Beach

That is what Scott has nicknamed 2012 for us...."The Year of the Beach".  We have spent a great deal of time at the beach this year already and hope to spend a lot more as the year goes on.  There is something about the ocean air and staring out at the horizon that immediately calms us both.  The days stress melts away as we dig our feet into the sand, walk along the waters edge and breathe in that fresh sea air.  Luckily our kids love the ocean as well (Z more than C) and we all dream that someday we might have a small sea shanty of our own so that we can spend longer periods of time at one of our favorite places.

Yesterday we found ourselves back at the beach.  We had hoped to go both days but work was pretty stressful on Friday/Saturday and Scott spent most of his time on the computer (up until 1:30 Friday night and 4:30 Saturday night!!)  After a yummy lunch at our favorite pizza shop, we headed to the beach.  Lil'C was once again not dressed for the weather and insisted on her long sleeves on this very hot day (87 on the Beach!!).  I finally convinced her to put on her bathing suit and the four of us enjoyed splashing in the waves.  Z had a new boogie board which he LOVED and Lil'C was giggling with each wave that crashed over her.  All 4 of us were in the cool 56 degree water and Z, Scott and I went under...BRR!!  It felt cold but wonderful on a very hot day :)

On the way home we found a new ice cream stop and daddy treated us all to an ice cream treat.  He had lost in Wii bowling the night before and so it was determined that he would buy for the winners.  It was the perfect ending to a very stressful weekend for my poor husband.  The life of a Start Up is so very busy and the stresses can get pretty high and intense. This weekend was one of the highest stresses yet....glad he managed to get in some time to relax before another crazy week.

Momma needs a new camera :(  Thankfully daddy had his phone to take pictures!!