Girls Weekend

Before I fell in love with Facebook there was a website for Mommy's called Cafe Mom that I cam across which had groups you could join. I found one called Pen Pals, and I thought this should be interesting as I had a Pen Pal from France in High School and loved writing back and forth. So I thought what the heck.....and that's where I met my now good friend, April who lives near DC.

We started writing back and forth through email and then while in Washington DC for our 2009 vacation we met. Don't think I meet friends all the time online, I really don't but April is different we have a lot in common and she keeps me sane even though it's through email and texting. She is very special to me, and I am so glad I took the leap and decided to write her and she decided to write me back!

So last year we decided we were going to have Girl's Weekend and met in Somerset, PA....which is the where the site for the Flight 93 Memorial is located....and as we found is the only exciting thing in Somerset!!! Even though it was only a 2 day trip we had a blast and decided this was something we were definitely going to do again....which brings me to this year's trip.

Since April lives 30 minutes from Washington DC and I LOVE DC, I decided to book a flight and we are having our 2011 Girls Weekend in DC!!!!!!!!!

Since I am a Food Network Junkie, one place we have to go is Georgetown Cupcakes and if you have ever watched DC Cupcakes you know what I am talking about. Who wouldn't want one or two or a dozen of these delicious cupcakes......my mouth is watering just thinking about it.....

**picture taken from here**

I can't wait!!! Since we saw the Flight 93 Memorial, and are in DC this year we are going to try to find the Pentagon Memorial and the Cherry Blossom's are hopefully still in bloom...something April says is awesome to see. Plus all the other fun stuff do eat and do in DC!!!!!

So the countdown has begun....and now it's just counting down the days until.....

Girl's Weekend!!!!

Until our next "girl's weekend" adventure......

Flashback

February Fun!!!

Making Valentine Cut-Out Cookies with Gma Beth

Opening Nico's Valentine Gift

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Daddy & Nico's Snowman!

It's been a crazy weather month in February and although Nico loves the snow, Mommy is over it!!! We are ready for no coats, shorts and playing outside until dark with friends!!!!!

Until our next "cold weather" adventure....

Liar, Liar

No one told me being Mommy was going to be the hardest, but most rewarding job in the world. Yesterday and today was one of those moments when you think....where did I go wrong?

Let's go back.....since we got back from our Vacation and Nico spent an entire 9 days with us by sleeping, eating and enjoying every minute but we were together all the time. It was a great 9 days, one that will never be forgotten but it has caused him to have problems when we leave him somewhere or he has to go to bed. The transition of our normal routine was about a week, he fought it but we thought everything was back to normal....or so we thought.

The last couple of weeks, Nico has not wanted to go to Pre-School he would make every excuse in the book from "I don't feel good" to "I am too tired" but we just told him he had to go and that we were not negotiating. My favorite line to him is "when you are 32, you can stay up or not go to school but since you are 4, Mommy and Daddy get to tell you what to do." Which ends up with him looking at me strange and walking away....probably thinking I am a crazy person!

The end of last week he didn't have to go to school because of snow days but as we talked about school again he started with the excuses....but what caught me off guard was when he said "Mommy I am scared to go to school, Matthew (name changed) hits me", and my first thought was Nico do you tell the teacher, why is hitting you, really he is hitting you? All those things go through a Mother's head and I said "Nico, Matthew is hitting you? Did you tell your teacher?" And he looked at me and said "No Mommy" and so we had that discussion of why he didn't tell her and if he is really hitting you, it's OK to tell her. This broke my heart to think that my child is being hit at school at the age of 4, but I was very cautious to think that he is being hurt and no one noticed.

So Daddy and I discussed it and we decided to talk to the teacher to see what was going on and explained to Nico that we were going to talk to his teacher. So today on the way to school Nico says, "Daddy, don't talk to my teacher, Matthew doesn't hit me." Now I am thinking, seriously Nico how could you lie about something like that after last week we had the discussion about lying when we asked you a question we knew the answer too. I know he is only four years old but he knows the difference between right and wrong, and we just had this conversation about lying.....how could you lie about someone hitting you Nico????

So here I am mortified that we were going to even put the thought in Nico's teacher head that that child was hitting our son, when in all reality all he was trying to do was get out of school. I don't understand and I don't want to dwell on it, but how do you deal with a child who is only four years old and starting to lie about another child hitting them???

This is not one of my better Mommy moments and I feel like I have failed somehow and how do you sit down with a 4 year old and explain lying? We are honest people and we like to think we don't lie but I don't know where he could possibly have come up with such a big lie? His teacher stated that kids just go through these phases and I am sure they do but this is something that I want to nip now before it gets out of control.....

Any ideas on how to explain lying to a 4 year old?

The snow is never ending.....

Until our next "snow storm" adventure....

It's a sad day for the Law Enforcement Community, Capt. Dan Stiles of the Uniontown Police Department was killed today in the line of duty. He was struck by a car while directing traffic at an intersection and passed away at the hospital. He left behind a wife and 3 children.

Please take a moment and say a prayer for Capt. Stiles and his family.

Look at what my Valentine sent me!!!

I am so lucky!!!

Hope everyone remembers to say "I love you" to all the important people in their lives today because as the quote by Virgil says:

"LOVE CONQUERS ALL"

Guess who get to go and see Elmo again?!?!

Until our next "Elmo" adventure....

HE DID IT!!!!!!!

LOOK.....

We are so proud of Nico, he finally wrote his name all by himself!!!!!

Slinky the Dog is in your near future Little Man!!!

Until our next "Proud Mommy" moment....

The Fun Continues

We had a fun day out at sea, when we woke up on Sunday it was really windy but the air was warm so we relaxed, kept eating until we couldn't eat anymore, explored the ship and hung out with Family. Daddy and Nico decided it would be fun to try out the pool....but what Daddy found out is that salt water from Tampa isn't very warm. We finished our evening with another Fantastic dinner, and ended our night with a drink with everyone in one of the many lounges.

See Daddy, it's not that cold!!!

Making a Build-A-Dog

We continued on to Grand Cayman Island where we had to take a small boat from our ship to the island. Of course the first thing you see is all the shops and restaurants. We walked around for a while and then took a bus to the beach. It was BEAUTIFUL, the sun was shining and the breeze was perfect, and we could see our feet in the WATER!!!!

Yes, we are typical tourists!

Mommy, can't I take this home too?!?!

Our final Port was Cozumel, Mexico and it was just as beautiful as the Grand Cayman's. Although this time we got to watch the ship park at Port, it was amazing how they can get the HUGE ship into such a small area. We spent the day holding Iguana's and playing at the beach, which was just as beautiful as the day before. Daddy snorkeled and had a great time, while Nico and Mommy played in the water and sand. It was another great day that ended with another fantastic dinner!

Look Mommy, I am holding him all by myself!!!

Daddy & Nico playing in the crystal clear water.

The final days at sea we had beautiful weather. It rained once in the morning but it was short lived and the sun came out shining bright! Our last day out at sea, we played in the Water Park that was on board. Nico loved the small slide, where Daddy braved the big water slide that looked like something out of a water park back home.

Weeeeeee, look at me!!!

Although we were sad to leave the ship, it was a great time spent with family and definitely something none of us will ever forget. Nico's already asking when we can go on the big ship again!!!!

Until our next "Cruising" adventure....

The Fun Continues

Tampa, Florida

Port for Carnival, Inspirations Ship

The Kids!!

The water slides on board!

Getting back from our first formal dinner

and look what we found!

We arrived at our port around 11am and had to take back the rental cars and drop off our bags. Once everyone was together we stood in line, and stood in line some more until finally it was time to get our picture taken for our card. As we boarded the ship we were amazed by how big it was and how much food!!! Food was EVERYWHERE!!!!! We ate, drank and finally our suitcases were at our rooms. We started to get comfortable with our home for the next 5 days and couldn't wait to set sail!!!

Before we knew it we were on our way and it was time to get ready for our first formal dinner, and I have to that was one of the best parts as our waiter was awesome as well as his assistant. After dinner we roamed around and after a long day, we went back to our room and crashed.

As our adventure continues.........

And we are off....

Tampa/Brandenton, Florida

or Bust!!!

January Family Vacation

2011

Nico on his 4th plane trip!

Sky Bridge, Tampa Florida

Our first day of vacation started out right with sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures, we couldn't of asked for more. Everything went smoothly and we made it to Aunt Patty's without any hassles. Friday was spent with our Florida family and friends, and getting ready to get on our Cruise the next day. It was great to put on shorts and be able to be barefoot again!!!!

Our vacation certainly started out right!!!!

As our adventures continue......stay tuned!

Disney On Ice: Toy Story 3

We had so much fun on Friday night at the Q watching Toy Story 3 on Ice! It was an adorable version of all three movies and they did a great job recreating the stories on ice. Nico now has to have Slinky the Dog toy, but instead of buying it we have decided to make it a reward for learning to write NICO. So far he has really tried hard, but the thing that is giving him the most trouble is the N.....but hopefully soon we'll have a Slinky the Dog at our house!!!

Dippin' Dots!!!

Toy Story 3!

Sugaring Kourt up!

So glad Kourt could take Daddy's place since he had to work, and I know both kids had a great time!!!!

Until our next "Toy Story" adventure.....

New Year's Eve 2010

We had so much fun this year on New Year's, Nico had his neighborhood friends over to play for a New Year's Eve kids party. We ate too much, played too hard, and watched to much TV but the three kids had a great New Years. They even stayed up until Midnight to watch the ball drop and we toasted into 2011! Of course the kids had sparkling grape juice and looked at all of us like we were crazy when we showed them what toasting was, but it definitely was a memory we'll never forget.

Braden hiding, and Nico finding him acting crazy!

The Chase is on...Nico I am gonna get you!!!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Until our next "2011" adventure.....

Christmas Eve/Day 2010

Watching Santa's Video

Tracking Santa on Norad

Putting cookies out for Santa

Nico & Athena right before Bed!

Santa Came, Santa Came!!!

Our present from Nico

Nico's Gift to Daddy....His Hero!

Grandma Beth & Nico making Christmas Breakfast!

Merry Christmas!!!!

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Until our next "New Year's" adventure....

To all our Family & Friends,

Here's to a great 2011!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Hugs & Love,