FIVE Star Performance---Three Nanny Goats Gruff!

This afternoon Christopher's Kindergarten Class performed their annual Show, Three Nanny Goats Gruff. It was an awesome performance! The class did a fabulous job! Christopher was a troll...a pretty scary troll and he sang like he could be on Broadway someday! Super job Christopher. Mommy, Daddy, Anneli and Meme were so proud of you! Way to go! Here are some pictures! Check back later, I'm trying to figure out how to add a video from my new SONY Handycam! Hopefully it's easy!!

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TV Turnoff Week RESULTS!!

WE DID IT!!!!

We survived "TV Turnoff Week"! I am so proud of Christopher and Anneli (and myself and Shaun too!) We did it! Okay, we only went Monday thru Friday with NO TV--but we didn't really watch much this weekend either. It was nice to see them play together and find other things to do when they got bored or tired--that's when they usually turn the TV on. I will admit, when they start to get on my nerves at let's say 4pm it is nice to say, "Go and relax and turn on the TV."...am I a bad mother?? It saves my sanity! I really missed watching the morning shows in the early morning, the news at 5-6pm and then relaxing at night with Shaun watching a show alone and then the news before bed. Yeah...I guess that's a lot of TV...UGH! Here's my excuse--"I pay a fortune for cable and I'm going to get my money's worth!" Alright, I guess we don't need to watch so much TV. Summer is coming though and we do watch less. It does make you think... Anyways, Way to go guys! We did it!

Here are some TV FACTS.

How many people are in the average American household? 2.55

How many televisions do they have? 2.73

We are a society of more televisions than people!

50% of American homes have at least 3 televisions or more19% of homes have only 1.

In 1975 only 11% of US households had more than 3 TVs…and 57% only had 1!

How many TV's do you have in your household?

We have 3.

The average American home has the television on for well over 8 hours every day.

I hope to think we don't have our on that much...

That is an hour more than just a decade ago.

The average American watches 4 hours and 35 minutes of television each day.

I think we average a little less...

Young people 12-17 years of age increased their television viewing by 3% just this year…a pretty big increase in just 12 months.

Teenage girls have dramatically increased their television viewing late at night and early in the morning…maybe they just don’t sleep anymore?

Chris & Anneli will never have a TV in their room!

All the above statistics are from Nielson 2006.

Our Weekend!

Weekends in the spring are so CrAzY with kIds!! We woke up early, raked the back yard and then off to swimming lessons we went! The kids did a great job! Christopher jumped off the diving board again and Anneli went off in the water with one of our Lifeguard friends and had a super time! Next week they test and then the week after is FREE PLAY! Super fun! (sorry I didn't have my camera with me!)

After swimming Christopher had his first soccer game! It is so much fun watching beginning soccer players. Both teams did a great job and all the kids had a fun time. We even had fun watching and cheering on the side line for BOTH teams. Christopher was the goalee two times. He did awesome! Way to go Chris. Just keep your eye on the ball! (Christopher is purple #3.)

Waiting for the ball to come his way!

Goalie in action!

Keep going Chris!

Turn the ball around Chris!

Anneli watching her big brother on the sideline!

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In town this week it is Big Trash Pickup. We put our old Microwave that kicked the bucket a few weeks ago out for the Big Trash Pickup. We put it out at about 11:30am on Saturday and when we came back from soccer it was gone! A "trash picker" (as we call them) picked it up. We had a bet that it wouldn't last an hour!

One man's trash is another man's treasure...

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We also had a blast as a family in the garden this weekend. We are looking forward to harvesting our own squash, zuccini, beans, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and maybe even pumpkins and watermelon! Super fun! The kids had fun with their first garden last year--hopefully our vegetables will be more plentiful this year!!

It's small, but a good size for our backyard!

Chris hard at work while Anneli gets filthy!

Happy 1st Birthday Bryce!

Our nephew Bryce turns 1 today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

April 2007

January 2008

We love you!

Happy 1st Birthday Elizabeth!

Our neice Elizabeth is 1 today!

HAPPY BIRTDAY!!!

April 2007

January 2008

We love you!

Breakfast!

Last night my dad brought Anneli home her favorite sandwich from his work, Chicken Salad. Anneli LOVES the sandwiches he brings home! She was so cute as soon as she woke up this morning she ran to the refrigerator and wanted her "special PePe sandwich". How could I say no? So Anneli ate half of her Chicken Salad Sub for breakfast as Christopher ate his usual...2 big bowls of Kelloggs Corn Flakes! :)

YUMMMMM...My favorite!
This sandwich is almost as big as she is!

Check out that bite!

Killer Whale Extravaganza!

A Florida April 2008 trip Highlight

Christopher was excited because he had lunch with Shamu---actually a Killer Whale named Tilly--and a Killer Whale Trainer named Kristen. He was able to enjoy a great lunch, sit and watch Tilly swim and perform tricks right up close, and then ask the trainer questions! What a super fun day for Chris!

A day he'll never forget...

The BEST Day!

Our little Princess meeting her favorite Princess... Sleeping Beauty. Disney is definately a place where Dreams Come True! :)

Even Christopher got his picture taken with Sleeping Beauty! Thanks Christopher for being such a good sport! :)

A day she'll never forget!

Finally--Vacation Pictures!!

Sorry it took so long to arrange our photos! You can all stop bugging me! Here are the slide shows from our Spring Break in Florida! :)

Meagan & Chris's Wedding

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Day1

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Day 2

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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6

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Silly Anneli!

This evening Anneli and I made Shaun his favorite dessert, Strawberry Shortcake. Okay, I admit it's mine too--with Frozen Sara Lee Pound Cake---I love that stuff!!! :) Anyways, I asked Anneli if she would help me make Strawberry Shortcake and she said no she wanted to make Holly Hobby! How cute! I didn't realize that she knew that Strawberry Shortcake was a doll like Holly Hobby!!

She had so much fun making this with me--it's came out a bit messy, but she had a blast making it for her Daddy! She was so proud to tell him that she made it! :)

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Anneli was feeling rather grown up today because she went to her first Kidzersize class today at the Rec Center in town by herself! In the past her classes have all been "Mommy n Me" classes, but now that she'll be 3 (in 16 days!) and is potty trained, I can leave her for the 45 minute class! YIPPEEE! She was funny because she didn't want Christopher and I to leave her all alone. We told her it was just like Church Nursery and that we'd be back before she knew it! She looked me in the face and said, "Fine, I'll try to be happy." We left and when we came back she looked like a big shot and said that she liked being left along at Kidzersize. She even told Shaun and my mother that she really liked it that Mommy and Chris left. Definately no more baby! She is an independant "big girl"!

TV Turnoff Midweek Update!

We are still keeping our promise of no TV on in our home this week! It's been tough, but they don't even ask to watch it anymore! Christopher did say tonight that he misses his shows though! He can't wait until this week is over. I can't either! I really miss unwinding at the end of the day and turning on the five o'clock news. I also miss the Today Show, Morning Joe on MSNBC and NBC Local News in the morning! Okay--I admit, I'm a news junkie! It was really hard for me yesterday and this morning not to watch because of the Pennsylvania Primary yesterday. I like to be informed!! I did listen to Rush Limbaugh this afternoon to hear about what went on in Pennsylvania, since I couldn't turn the TV on. Hopefully we can continue the TV Turnoff for the rest of the week! Wish us luck! :)

I'm a Soccer Mom!

Last night was Christopher's first Soccer Practice. We got to the park and he was a little nervous because he didn't know anyone on his team. (Our town has probably 10 different beginner soccer teams!!) He was a big guy and joined right in! He did very well and had a ton of fun! Anneli was so cute cheering for him on the side line! He was dissapointed that he didn't have soccer practice again tonight! His team is a good team because they are all about having fun and enjoying soccer---the big emphasis is on having fun and learning how to play not really the winning part--which is good because we heard they lost their first game last Saturday when we were in Florida! Go CHRIS!!!GOAL!

TV Turnoff Week

This week, from April 21-27th is

TV Turnoff Week!

We as a family decided to give it a try!

UGH--it's not going to be easy...

It was really hard last night to NOT turn on the TV to watch some mindless show before bed. We were out late getting Christopher's soccer cleats and then we went to Friendly's for supper and ice cream. When we got home Anneli wanted to watch TV before bed. We said no and decided to go upstairs to their bedroom to read--where there is no Television so we wouldn't be tempted! It was early to bed for everyone!!

So far today--it's 1:50pm--we haven't turned the TV on. This morning Christopher asked me, "what do we do when you are in the shower, since we usually watch TV?" I think he thought I'd tell him to go ahead and watch it, but I didn't! I told him he could play a learning game on the computer with Anneli. Since he left for school Anneli has been playing with her doll house and hasn't asked for the television. YIPPEE!! After I'm done on the computer, I think we might throw in a load of laundry and then go outside and do some yard work--or I might turn on the television... This evening will be the hardest though...Shaun and I like to relax before bed watching House on Tuesday night and then the news....UGH! We can do it! Wish us luck!!!

The Winner is!!!

**Sorry I took so long announcing the winner of my 200th Post Giveaway. We got back this weekend from our getaway and I've been trying to edit my vacation photos--over 1,000 of them! I'm just about done. Super fun!

Anyways,

The Winner of the 200th Post Giveaway Apron is....MEM!

Congratulations--I'll mail it tomorrow morning!!

You will look super cute in the kitchen!

We are BACK!

It's nice to be home...we'll post more later!

More Florida Fun!

Day 5 4/17/08
Today we went to the Magic Kindgom. It was a very hot and sunny day! We all got a little color in our faces as we stood in the long lines! There were TONS of people there. We expected that though being April and school vacation for many families all over the country! In spite of the long lines Anneli (and Christopher too!) was able to see Cinderella's castle, meet Ariel as a Mermaid or as she called her Ariel with "no feet", meet Mickey and Minnie, see Donald Duck again, meet Pluto and Goofy and go on a few rides and see some shows. It was so crowded there at the Magic Kingdom, that we park hopped to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We got there just in time for supper and then we saw the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. Anneli LOVED it, even though Ursula was there! (The mean octopus!) It was fun watching her little face watch so intently! We couldn't do much else because it was getting late and we went and got our seats for the nightly Fantasmic! show. It was great! Anneli and Christopher both enjoyed it very much...especially the end when a boat came floating by with a TON of Disney Characters on it! Super fun!

Day 6 4/18/08
Today was our last full day in Florida. We started off our day with a Sales meeting at the resort we were staying in. My parents have owned their timeshare there for 18 years and we thought we would look into it. We were there for 4 hours and had a terrible experience with the sales guys--they were terrible! Oh well, they lost our sale! We'll check it out again in December when we go with Mom and Dad. The kids had fun though playing with other kids--Christopher LOVED the video games and Anneli loved playing with the play kitchen and baby doll. She really missed her toys this week! After the sales pitch we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios (or as I know it MGM Studios!) again. We were able to catch a bunch of the shows and meet a bunch of characters like the Little Einsteins, Jo Jo and Goliath and Matar from CARS! The kids had fun running around getting their pictures taken and getting their autographs. Christopher and Shaun were able to split up from Anneli and I and go on the Star Tours ride and the Tower of Terror. Yes, Christopher went on the Tower of Terror and wasn't scared at all! He can't wait to do it again in December with Pepe, Cole and Uncle Nick! Get ready Cole!!!!! :)

Sea and Sun!

Day3 4/15/08
(Our 8th Wedding Anniversary!)
We were hoping to rest a bit today. That was not so! The kids decided they wanted to go to Sea World, even though we were planning on going there tomorrow to Dine with Shamu! The first thing we did when we got there was buy food to feed the sharks! Christopher and Anneli thought it was totally disgusting! They wouldn't touch the food--it was squooshy ikky squid! Okay, I admit it was pretty gross feeling and smelled HORRIBLE, but it was cool to watch the sharks gobble up the food so fast! Christopher thought it was funny that on our Anniversary Dad made me touch the ikky squid! We checked out a few things and then we had lunch at the Sharks Underwater Grill. We had a great time watching the sharks swim around as we ate and visited with each other. It was fun, and the food was good, but not really highly recommended by us--we thought it was a little overrated!! Christopher enjoyed the Dolphin and Whale show, but Anneli wasn't too happy about it. Christopher decided to sit in the SOAK ZONE and well Anneli got WET--or as she kept saying, "I'm soaked!" Later in the day we went to see the show again, and she LOVED it--this time we sat far enough back that nobody got wet! The highlight of the day would have to be feeding the dolphins! The kids were so excited to just see dolphins that when we had the opportunity to feed them and touch them they were thrilled! It was definately worth the extra fee and the wait in line! We totally recommend it to anyone! Dolphins are such silly animals! Christopher was sooooo excited and Anneli thought they were super funny!

Day 4 4/16/08
Today was Christopher's special day, since he had to sit in Lunch with the Princesses, we booked him to Dine with Shamu at Sea World. We started out our daying heading to Sea World again! We checked out some of the kids favorite things again, like the dolphins, manatees, sting rays and sharks. We saw the Killer Whale Show BELIEVE and then we headed off to The Cove to Dine with Shamu. We got a good seat, up close and personal with the killer whales! The meal was a buffet--which was pretty good, but who wanted to eat when you could watch these amazing creatures swimming around and jumping right in front of you! As we were eating we also got a special behind the scenes show. Christopher also loved asking the trainer some questions and getting his picture taken with her! Anneli told Kristen the trainer, "I don't like Killer Whales--not even Shamu. I only like dolphins." The Killer Whale Trainer, Kristen, smiled and told Anneli that dolpins and Killer Whales are from the same family! It was very imformative and super family fun! A day we won't forget! Definately a wonderful experience! We would do it again and recommend it to all of you!

200th Giveaway Reminder!

We are basking in the sun in Florida and just wanted to remind you of our 200th Post Giveaway. The deadline is Sunday, April 20th! We will be back in town and will be drawing and announcing the winner on Monday, April 21st! CLICK HERE to read about the giveaway and to enter to WIN! GOOD LUCK!

Our Wedding Anniversary!

Today Shaun and I are celebrating our 8th Wedding Anniversary. It's amazing how time flies. Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's only 8 years--I feel I have known him forever! I'm so grateful to have him as my husband, my companion, my love, my confidant, my best friend.

Happy Anniversary Shaun, I love you!

Our Weekend--and Florida Fun!

We are here in good old sunny Lake Buena Vista, Florida! We had a busy Saturday! My cousin Meagan got married in Boston so we were able to attend her ring ceremony and reception and then we flew out from Logan at 8:30pm.

***Wedding photos to be inserted later***

It was cute--Anneli thought my cousin Meagan was beautiful "Princess Meagan".

She was so beautiful in her wedding gown! I'm sure every little girl dreams of their wedding day when they can be a real "Princess" for the day!

DAY 1
Our flight (on Jet Blue) finally arrived here at about midnight, after a brief thunder and lightning storm delayed us. We finally got our car about 1am and everyone was asleep in our Villa by 3am. Of course we were up early--8am--I know it's not too early, but for falling asleep at 3am it was early! Then we headed off to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The kids had a great time! Their favorite thing was the Kilimanjaro Safari. Anneli loved seeing the Elephants! She kept singing some Diego Safari song! I was happy--I got my picture taken with Jiminy Cricket. He's one of my favorite characters from my favorite movie Pinnochio. It was fun! While there we had our pictures taken with a few of the Winnie the Pooh charaters. Neither of the kids wanted anything to do with it, but I forced them both. Christopher thought it was "for babies" and Anneli thought they were scary. I forced them both and they ended up having a fabulous time! I'm not a mean mother---really, I'm not! That night we went to Downtown Disney and shopped at the massive Disney store there, it's always been one of my favorite stores! No, we didn't go to Ghirardelli's--none of us are really chocolate fans--plus the website says it's currently closed for renovations--I didn't even notice! Of course we had to go to the LEGO store and buy a toy for the boys. After a super long day, the two kids feel fast asleep in the car!

***Animal Kingdom Slide Show to insert later***

DAY 2
This morning we got up and ate breakfast at the Villa and got dressed. Anneli dressed up in her Sleeping Beauty gown and crown. What a sweet little Princess!

***Insert Princess Anneli picture later***

Christopher looked rather handsome in his new Mickey Mouse Polo shirt and kaki shorts. What a handsome Prince Charming!

***Insert Prince Christopher picture later***

Today we went to Epcot Center--my favorite Disney Park! I love wandering around the World in a matter of hours. Anneli was a happy Princess because she was going to Norway in Epcot to meet Sleeping Beauty, her favorite Princess! Christopher, as you can imagine wasn't too anxious to go though. When we got to the park we rushed off to The Seas with Nemo and Friends--it's a new exhibit since Shaun, Chris and I had came last. We waited about 20 minutes for an interactive show with Crush the turtle from Finding Nemo called Turtle Talk with Crush. Chris wanted to leave, but he later confirmed that the wait was "so worth it, dude". Crush chose Christopher as the little human boy to as questions to. He was soooo excited and a little nervous! I even had a conversation with the turtle! Super cool I must say!

After a few rides and exhibits, it was time for lunch. We had reservations for a Disney Princess and Friends lunch at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway. It was Anneli's highlight of the day and perhaps the whole trip! She got to meet the Princesses! She met, got autographs and pictures with Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. She was super excited, she could hardly eat her Pizza. Christopher also ended up having a great time and got his picture taken with all the Princesses too! She got lots of hugs from Sleeping Beauty, her favorite Princess! It was well worth it to see her little face light up each time a Princess said hello to her.

Christopher's highlight of the day was the Test Track. We waited 2.5 hours for the ride! He was so excited because he was tall enough to ride! Super fun!!

After that we went to Old Town, walked around a bit, got some candy and a soda and called it a night and went back to the Villa with two crazy laughing children! It's so much fun to see them having so much fun together! :)

Happy Birthday Memere!!!

We hope you have a great day!
We love you!!

My 200th Post & GIVEAWAY!!

Today is my 200th Post! Wowzers! I really like the Blog thing!! I know that our family and friends who lives afar enjoys keeping up with us via our posts and pictures too. It's a great way to keep a family journal of sorts--because I don't really get to that like I should! I have really enjoyed posting the entries and sharing our daily lives with all of you since August 7, 2007!

In honor of our 200th Post, we are going to have a GIVEAWAY! All you have to do is leave a comment below on this post, be sure your name is included!! The deadline will be Sunday, April 20th. I will draw and announce the winner on Monday, April 21st, since we are going away on a family vacation to Florida tomorrow. YIPPEE!!

The giveaway is going to be a Nosegay Half Apron from Anthropologie!

Good Luck to you all and have a super week!!

Homemade Juggling Balls!

Yesterday, after school, Christopher, Anneli and I made homemade Juggling Balls from Balloons. It was a fun simple craft using just rice and balloons. Afterwards, the kids had fun watching me juggle--yes i can juggle--and then trying it themself!

• First we inflated the balloon a bit--try not to get spit in the balloon!
• Pour about half a cup of rice into an empty water or soft drink bottle.
• Stretch the balloon over the neck of the bottle.
• Turn the bottle upside down so all the rice falls into the inflated balloon – then remove the balloon from the bottle and let it deflate.
• Cut the neck off the balloon – the rice will stay in the balloon.
• Cut the neck off a second balloon and stretch it over the hole to seal the rice into your juggling ball.
• Cut the neck and a piece of the top off a third balloon and stretch it over the ball to get a single stripe of color.
• Then you are DONE! Your balls are ready to juggle!

8th Grade Science Quiz

I am not a science fan, but I saw this on RAE's website and I thought I'd give it a try. Not too bad! Click on the box below to give it a try! What was your score?!

A Whirlwind Weekend!!

It seems that all our weekends are a whirlwind around here! Let's see where do we start... Saturday morning we had swimming lessons.

Anneli blowing bubbles with her friend Darrin.

Smiling after blowing bubbles!

Christopher and his friend Sean Michael---notice the mohawk!

Christopher doing the back float!

Check out Christopher diving off the diving board!

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Immediately following swimming lessons, we jumped in the car and headed up to Maine to visit with Shaun's family! It was a nice ride--not many cars on the road. Probably due to the high gas prices and uncertainty in the economy. I was rather impressed when we stopped to get gas in Hampton, NH.

Yes, for those of you who live here in good old Connecticut--that's 3.09 a gallon for regular! Even their super+ is cheaper than a gallon of regular in Connecticut! When we were coming home last night we saw regular gas in Plainville was 3.36! Hmmmm...

Anyways, we visited with Shaun's mother and friend Jim at her home where we dropped off our suitcases. We then went over to Shaun's Memere's house and caught up with Shaun's sister Nicole, brother-in-law Jeff and his 11 month old nephew Bryce. The kids had an opportunity to play with Bryce. Christopher was excited about seeing Bryce because he wanted to see him walk! They had to skip out because it was Jeff's father's 60th Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Then, Shaun's sister Amanda and her husband Miles came over with her two little ones, Alexander (2) and Elizabeth (11 months). The kids had fun hanging out together! We (Amanda and I and then Miles joined us) had to take them outside to kick a ball around so they wouldn't snack anymore while Shaun was out getting take out dinner for us all!

The highlight of the night would have to be the UNO Game! Lisa (Shaun's aunt), Shaun, Christopher & Memere and Grande Memere started a game of UNO at about 7:45pm or so and it lasted almost 2 hours! It was a fun game with lots of laughter!! Christopher had a great time (even though he was exhausted!) and was excited because he is the "UNO Champion!" Watch out for Grande Memere! Christopher can't wait to play again with you all! :)

We went back to Memere's house and slept. Thanks for having us!! Also, thanks for the great homemake Sunday Breakfast! We then met up with Shaun's dad and his friend Nancy at their home. The kids always love to visit Grandpa and Nancy because they have a big fish tank and a cat named Chino. Anneli was very excited because Chino hung around a bit more than usual and let her pet him a lot! She even said to Shaun, "We can buy a cat like him." She's really been dying for a pet other than two fish! She wants a "real live one"! Anneli hated to leave their house with the cat there, but we left to have lunch with Grandpa and Nancy at my favorite restaurant--Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, ME. It's definately a "must stop" place when we go to Maine. I love seafood!! It was great to have Nicole, Jeff and Bryce meet us there too!!

After leaving Grandpa's house Sunday evening we took a quick trip to the Beach! Anneli talked about going ALL day long, but it was FREEZING! We took a ride along Long Beach Ave in York so Anneli and Chris could see the beach. It was way too cold to get out! We then took a trek up to Cape Neddick to see the Nubble Lighthouse. Another "must stop" when we are in Maine! The kids got out there and it was super windy! You can tell from the pics.

That's pretty much our whirwind weekend! We had a great time, but we are glad to be home!

I'm sorry, usually I take tons of pictures, but this weekend I was soooo lazy(tired actually)! I promise next time we head up there I will take more pictures of all the cousins playing together!