Weekend Snow Day? We'll take it!

I was awakened at 7 am by my wonderful four-legged Alarm clocks, that wanted to go outside.
When they completed their task, back to bed we 3 went, while the other 3 (two-legged) family members slept. It seemed like 5 minutes later, but, actually it was about two hours later, my children were squealing with delight over the SNOW! OK, maybe it wasn't 'squealing' but on a Saturday morning that one hopes to catch up on a bit of sleep deprivation, it sounds like SQUEALING!!!! The other thought I had was, "they are insane, I was just up, there was no snow."

Well, the joke was on me, the fluffy white stuff must have started when I shut the door at 7 am, and crawled back in my cocoon, and it apparently did not let up. I am one who enjoys snow days. Let me clarify, snow days where none of my loved ones or I have to be out driving in it, today met that criteria. The next thought was, "I have no food!, why didn't I go get that milk last night?" Oh, yeah, because this snow caught me totally off guard. Last night, I took the boy shopping for some much needed sneakers. It was actually a quit enjoyable time spent with my oldest. As we left the Shopping Center I had to drive past the Grocery Store, I chose to squash the little voice that said,"run in and get those few items that are desperately needed in the fridge." Instead, I laughed at that little voice, with a flippant," there's always tomorrow" you see where this is going? We arrived home, and I speak with my Mom on the phone. She asks if I heard that there's going to be snow on Saturday? I double check with the resident Meteorologist (my hubs) who states he thinks it's not suppose to snow until Tuesday. Mom and I end our call, and I settle into a (false) sense of security that we will not deal with white stuff until next week. Well, that wasn't true, as referenced by above information regarding squealing children. The phone rang at 9:10 am this morning, just so my Mother could say, "TOLD YOU SO!"

Let the Good Times Roll!

New Year, again?

Really, it feels like we just did this! Ready or NOT, here comes 2011.

This is another one of those Holidays that we do here, in our home (read:MORE cleaning, MORE stress)I am glad that this event has grown, and that there are actually people who look forward to joining us each year. That fact still blows me away, but they all do still show up, so I'm gonna run with it :)

The kids look at this as their party. They love being home and they love parties, win/win. When all is said and done, there really is no reason to stress the condition of my home for this event. The people who come are the most relaxed, enjoyable people I have had the pleasure of knowing. We hae a house full of kids, and that is not an exaggeration. The run freely and happy in my messy house (that I say was pristine, but 'those darn kids'....yes, I blame the kids, it works ;)

We eat, we drink, we laugh...neighbors (new & old) who haven't a chance to really connect for awhile due to busy lives, sit and chat. Babies are passed around and loved. I look around, and I am....happy. I would not want to ring in this inevitable New Year, any other way!

An amazing New Year's Day meal was lovingly prepared for us by Mom McCay. Pork and Sauerkraut, always a crowd pleaser. We left with bellies full and heart's content. Prepared to meet 2011 head-on, Bring it!!!!

and a P.S.....we snuck in some sledding time at MOM MOM's hill as Juls calls it. It is a hill at my parents development that Jul and my Mom always walk to and Jul proceeds to roll down. She had a light bulb moment when she thought of the added fun snow would lend to the experience. So off we went, We visited with my parents for a bit and dropped off some Christmas meal to them. Good day indeed!

Christmas, Blissmas, bring it on!

Things were fast and furious around here the last couple of weeks. The kids vacation began 12/23.

I love the feeling that comes with knowing we are officially on no formal schedule. Sleep in my Babies, enjoy the comforts of home, prepare your beautiful minds for all the splendor of this Holiday Season.

The Hubs and I are always working on this goal: to be more prepared 'early' so we can actually ENJOY said Holiday Hoop-La, and not feel frenzied, distraught and overwhelmed. Seems like a simple concept, but one that manages to elude us, even after almost 14 years of this parent stuff!

I have to say, we did make time to enjoy. Enjoy the small moments, enjoy the moments that didn't go as planned, enjoy the fact that our kids really aren't expecting our version of 'perfect' and enjoy the fact that to them, it is ALL perfect, imperfections and all!

My little family went out without me and brought home the most lovely of Trees, very majestic. This was waaay ahead of schedule for us, so we felt....what's the word?.....productive! I love that my kids LOOOVE to decorate the tree. We go through each of their ornaments as they get hung, telling any interesting stories over and over for each, or making up one where no story existed, (whaaat?)

We spent the last weekend before Christmas in Philadelphia at our tiny dancers Irish School Winter Recital and Ceili (Irish party). While it stressed me initially, "who plans an all day event on the last of the days to actually get stuff done!!!!!" When I let that go, I let in the fun. The travel was fine as we left early. Got a great parking spot, and got the Wee one upstairs to her group to start practicing. It then became obvious, that since the event did not begin for another hour and a half, the facility had not turned on the heat! It was like sitting in a Meat Locker. All the Irish Dance families were asked to donate an appetizer/dessert type thingy, guess what I forgot? There was not going to be any formal food (for a five hour production?!?) But, in keeping with Irish tradition and custom, the Bar(cash) would be open. Can you guess where most of the Dad's were positioned? I guess it took the chill off :)

We were very fortunate that Mom & Dad McCay wanted to join us. I always feel a little bad asking people to come to such events for my kids, 1) for the travel involved 2) for the brief minute or two my child performs, then they being 'trapped' there to watch ALL the other performers! and 3) no REAL food.....Believe me, I get it.

But, I put it out there, and people can make up their own minds whether they want to come. I always feel I need to stress, "no obligation" so they know I am holding them to no contract :) But, these wonderful, loving Grandparents chose of their own accord to take part. They met us there, with a Veggie Tray Dad picked up for us, as it was one of those 'things' on my list that got over looked. We were lucky that Juls' group was at the very beginning of the program. Mom & Dad hung out for a bit more, then gave us a double blessing when they took our 'bored' 13 year old home with them. SCORE! Larry is always up for supporting his little sister. He clearly fulfilled his Brotherly obligations, and was ready to LEAVE! Jul was having soooo much fun running around with her friends in an amazing old building, The Commodore John Barry Irish Center, that we didn't want to pull her away from the excitement. The music was great, performed by Two Quid. And, the food, was actually, phenomenal! People brought so many variations of appies and desserts, you were left wanting for nothing. It was a beautiful experience for all of us.

Christmas Day we spent at our home as we always do. We have been very Blessed over the years to have both sets of parents join us for this day. Our parents truly adore each other, and we always have so much fun being together. The last few years I have invited my Aunt Dolly and her daughter and her grandchildren to join us. This year, they were all in attendance. My heart was a bit saddened when it became evident that my parents would not be joining us. My Mom rushed in to drop off gifts, and then she was rushing over to my brother's to drop off their gifts. My Dad was home in bed not feeling well, and she didn't want to leave him for too long. We missed them terribly. I was exhausted when all was said and done, but grateful for the happiness that took place under my roof.

My 'real' Christmas day, was December 26! The day I wanted, lingering in jammies all day, kids playing with their newly acquired Booty from Santa, grazing on all the leftovers, and not needing to cook due to all the leftovers. And not worrying about cleaning my house. Throw in a Snowstorm, and this day was hand-picked just for me, BLISS! Our dear friends, that live about 4-5 blocks away, CHOSE (without bribe) to walk over our house with their two children during to the Snowstorm, just to hang out with us. More food was brought out, and we all sat and watched hours of Candid Camera!!!! Thank You Christmas Gods!!!!!