Gratitude

My family got through hurricane Sandy with minimal damage and inconvenience. I am especially grateful for this after hearing the accounts of two ladies that were at the Dr. office today. One lost her home due to fire and the other came back to over 4 ft of water. Their calm demeanor and resolve was impressive. I wished them well but there was very little else I could say.

Saving Halloween

Although it was strongly recommended we not take our children out to trick or treat we went. Of course our route was scouted for safety earlier in the day.

We are strong willed New Yorkers and won't let this storm or anything else break our spirit!

;-)

Seeking the Holy Grail

Today, 3:30 PM I have been standing in a line of people patiently waiting for one of the most desirable and elusive items this week; no it's not Rolling Stones tickets, it's a generator.

3:45 PM There was just a head count and I'm number 38. Don't really care about the capacity just as long as it can run the sump pump! Lets see how this all turns out.

4:00 PM. Second head count, now I'm 25. Some folks are disappointed the item is being rationed to one per customer. Be grateful you're getting one at all. If I do I sure will be!

4:15 PM line is moving, slowly. Very quiet for such a big group. 6 more ahead of me. Cold and windy for sure.

4:30 PM just paid for and I'm waiting for the captain and the princess to come and pick it up.

4:45 PM The captain and the princess arrive bringing Taco Bell.

5:00 PM next on the list extension cords and gas cans.

5:30 PM got extension cord but no gas can.

6:00 PM borrowed gas can

7:00 PM borrowed extra extension cords

8:00 PM last minute comfort food run.

9:00 PM dinner and Lego. The princess and captain aren;t very hungry as they stopped at Mickey Dee's after they left me.

9:45 PM Be well and stay safe

Amish County Chopper sweatshirt. Shows a buggy with a chopper from. Cute. Except the shirt was mfg outside the us.

;-)

This is a true story.

Three 8yr olds

Four freeze pops

Getting back into house...priceless.

Went to the store to get a few things before the school bus. Upon my return I realized I had no key as I had given to my MIL the previous day. Didn't have my phone so I went to a neighbor explaining my plight and asking to use their phone.

Call 1: MIL not home, FIL didn't know where key was.

Call 2:  The captain's phone was off.  Really? wonder of I shut it off if he'd notice.

Not panicking, I'm home. It's a nice day. So what about the perishables. LOL

My options


1 Grab Miss Prishie off the bus and go shopping. Oh, I just came from the store. That's how I got into this mess to begin with.

2 Drive to the captain's place of employment and try to track him down. Just what I want to do, not.

3 Find a way to get in the house.

I opt for number 3.

Step one: push up the storm window from the outside.

Step two: After prying open the screen just enough to get my hands in. I was able to release those stupid lock thingies on the inside an push it up enough to remove a window fan.

step three: release window locks and push up the double hung window.

step four wait for the school bus.

This is where it really gets fun.

Miss Prishie "What are we doing today?"

Me " We're having a little adventure. I need some helpers."

Kids all volunteer.

OK who's going in to open the door?

Miss Prishie is reluctant, but her bus buddy didn't even hesitate. He was through that window in a flash. As if he's done it before. Door is open. time to celebrate. Freeze pops for all!

No I haven't even shared this with the captain, yet...

Oh, I didn't even break a nail.

FNO and FDOS

We are still the gate keepers of fun! 4th grade and Fashion Week;it's almost
overwhelming . These are the diversions that keep me from losing it. 

Miss Prishie is wearing an sophisticated ensemble. Great for work or play!
Accessories include floral print scarf, oversized sunglasses and a multi color
straw hat.

I'm always planning the next big adventure. Broadway next spring! Kinky Boots
for the mommies and Matilda for the kiddies. Can't wait.

In search of... and other excercises in futility

Been seeking the perfect trash can for my less than perfect kitchen. I'm feeling a bit like the 3 Bears. The first one was too big, next one too small, wrong shape, wrong color, couldn't assemble it and the list goes on. The captain put the old one back in its less than perfect spot in my less than perfect, but freshly painted kitchen for time being.

So as to distract myself from my disappointment I decided to search for other things my daughter was needing and wanting. School supplies(easy), clothing(like she has nothing to wear in her closet) and moshi monster figures(not so easy). Visited 2 Toys R Us, 2 Walmarts, 2 K-Marts and 1 Target. The store clerks, all very eager to help shared the same expression of bewilderment. Mosi, Mushi? What is it? Is it something new. Perhaps I should have looked for a trash can instead.

Camp Week 5

Yes, camp is half over. Where does the time go? We have had our share of excitememt. The princess came home looking like Smurfette, she had blue paint on her hands and legs. Blue and White day. The blue team won. The usual things like bug bite and sunburn. So glad I gave her Bullfrog Mosquito Coast. Now if she bothered to use it. Also a few wardorobe malfunctions concerning swimwear. LOL

Meet Mr Fish aka Jaws 2

Introducing the newest member of the household, Mr Fish.

Prishie decorated his habitat.

Hi ho hi ho it's off to camp we go.

After an extended absence from writing it's time to get back. My personal life has been in a bit of a tail spin as you may know. Was trying to think of catchy title for this post. Like 50 days of play. LOL Google that and you can imagine what came back. Its really more like 39 days of play, lunch included.

Bummer that the weather is so lousy this morning.

Third grade was a success. The caterpillars all hatched, Got the shopping list for 4th. Let's see what I can recycle, re purpose...

HS Graduation was great. Now to get the boy off to college. 

Will I post every day? Can't promise much of anything but I'll do my best to at least post weekly.

Happy Birthday Grandma P

One of my favorite pics of you and Prishie. Miss you mom!

You're so special because

Because of the kind things you do each day. When I see you smile it makes me feel special too!

When I hear you laugh I am reminded of how much you like to have fun. The party never starts until you walk in.

You are special because of all your enthusiasm in everything you do.

I think I want to be you when I grow up. That's how special you are.

Love Mommy

;-)

Cat a pillas day 6

Traveling to the next destination, the top of the cup!

Way too much fun...I need a nap!

Talent show
Communion
Wedding

I'm pooped!

;-)

Say yes to the dress,communion edition, epilogue

What can I say other than everything worked out just as planned! LOL Love living life on the edge. Or is it over the edge? Let the partying begin. I'll have a mojito please.

Things that happened before we got to church. Fredo ate the waffles I planned for breakfast. So I found my self cooking waffles from scratch @ 7:30 this morning. Just as we're leaving for church the princess tells me she'ds forgotten something. I discovered her standing in her closet with a fairy wand and lady bug wings in hand. he tells me her outit needed a splash of color. Does the fun ever end? not around here.

Cat a pillas day 5

OMG they're huge!

Cat A Pillas day 4

;-)

Cat a pillas day 3, mothra

Getting bigger by the minute. Dancing in a conga line. And they like to watch ice hockey

Cat a pillas day 2

Look at us were growing and eating everything in our path.

Cat a pillas day 1

Just got here the trip from CA was pretty quick. Gonna settle in, have a snack and nap for a while. Seems nice here but that little girl is silly. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Say yes to the dress, communion edition final chapter

Went to pick up the princess dress yesterday. Much you our surprise it needs further alterations. Seems that little rascal went and grew. LOL
Got to go back in 5 days. Check back for the next installment.
;-)

The Science Fair

Material: balloons, peppermint syrup, orange extract. Add a few drops of the flavoring and inflate and tie off. Caution: Don't overinflate, peppermint syrup is sticky! Good thing I was wearing glasses.

4 weeks to go!

Four weeks until communion. Got the dress, most of the accessories, the invites are out!
Have to take the princess for the dress fitting this week.
;-)

Happy St Patty's Day

Those pesky leprechauns did such an imaginative and thorough classroom redecoration they've actually been offered a design program on one of the cable channels. A little silly string(OK,alot), strategic furniture placement, a few chalk dust footprints and voila' a makeover in minutes.

The looks on their faces when they discovered the room in disarray! All kidding aside. They will be missed but not soon forgotten by the students and Mrs D.

And the Oscar goes to...

The red carpet was rolled out and the room was filled with family, friends and paparazzi. The kids and teachers were decked out in their finest attire and bling for a very special event. The program was the culmination of a grade wide interdisciplinary project

Everyone was a winner at the 5th annual Third Grade Oscars. Nominees for each category were voted on by their classmates. Once all the votes were tabulated by the the auditing firm of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe; it was time for the fun to begin.

It wouldn't be an awards show without a splashy musical production. (At least this ceremony had one) Special awards were presented to Dr S as well as three retiring faculty members. The third grade teachers were the presenters with Mrs B serving double duty as the emcee. There were jokes and a couple of plugs for local merchants too! Each recipient was allowed sufficient time for their acceptance speeches.

After all the awards were presented the winners struck a pose for the parent paparazzi. The it was time to return to class. Congrats to all the winners!

Spacebook, curls gone wild and no French fry left behind

Those are just a few of the ideas that went through my steel trap of a memory of late.

Spacebook is the princess names for Facebook, curls gone wild is a hair roller job gone bad and no french fry left behind speaks for itself.

Valentine's Day or the Super Bowl of Sugar Party

Attended the class Valentine's Day party yesterday. Very nice time, the kids all had a great time.

Had a little photo fun this morning! We're sending a Flat Patricia along with her cousin on his European adventure tomorrow. We can't go but she can! Keep you posted.

Fashion Week...is green the new pink, you decide.

New York Fashion week has kicked off and it would be rather dull if the princess wasn't part of it.

She vehemently insists that green is not the new pink, contrary to what her outfit might say. She does rock it though.

Color! We embrace it.Much more fun than all the boring white communion dresses of late.

Now about that red headband. Bribery has not been effective. I certainly don't want to create a dramatically traumatic scenario but it's time for it to take a vaca, maybe I'll stash it in her cousins bag before his European adventure. Asked him to stop at Gucci for me in hopes of replacing the bag the captain tossed in the trash a while back. He thinks I'm kidding, I'm not!

The dress chooses the girl

Much like the wand choosing the wizard, the dress chooses the girl. We spent some time today, seven dresses but not one that chose the girl.

Yesterday was even worse, none of the anchor stores in the mall had much of a selection. We did however choose the shoes, or shall I say the shoes chose the girl.

Say yes to the dress, communion...My First Communion Dress

How times and styles have changed. Grandma still had this in the attic. I had the princess try it on but to her disappointment it's just a bit too snug on her. She promised not to complain if I allow her to use it. I suppose I can take it to my dressmaker tomorrow for a professional opinion.

Say Yes to the Dress First Communion edition...extreme dress shopping

Starting to look for a dress for the princess' First Holy Communion. She of course will expect the perfect dress, what girl wouldn't. I should never have allowed her to watch the communion episode of My Big Fat Gypsy wedding. She even suggested asking her cousin, an aspiring fashion desginer to create a dress for her. Nice idea however he's busy living the life of a HS senior.

I've been looking online to get some ideas. As you might well imagine there are price points ranging from reasonable to extremely outrageous. Now if I could only get her to stand still long enough to get a good measurement I could probably shop alone. I'm not the most patient when it comes to shopping with her. Hey, she's a squirmy kid. There have been a few shopping adventures gone awry and I really don't want to add another to the list. Wish me luck

The Runaway Christmas Tree

While driving yesterday, a Christmas tree blew in front of my car. My choice, hit a parked car and a pole or take out the tree. The tree lost clipped the tip end of it; now there is a scrape along the drivers side rear. It should come out.

The princess and I just laughed it off however the captain is not at all amused.

Bed Invasion and Sleep Laughing

The princess has mastered the art of invading our bed, most nights with out me noticing. Last night however was somewhat different. Both the captain and I were awoken by her laughing heartily. You see she was sleep laughing. After a few minutes the laughing ceased and she was once again sleeping quietly. At breakfast I asked if she recalled having a funny dream, then explained the sleep laughing. She had no recollection of it, never does when she sleep walks.

Happy New Year

Hoping you all have a happy, healthy and successful New Year. Keep reading to see what kind of mischeif we'll get into next.