Head of the Class

Every ending is a new Beginning.

Erin is finished with Pre-School and headed to the big "K". And I don't mean Kansas or Kentucky or Kakalaka.  Kindergarten.  Where normal family life ends and State mandated scheduling begins. (more on that later).  But for now here is a glimpse of the special friends Erin made in Pre-K.  Both little ladies have the same July birthday and are thus a quasi year younger than Erin.

 For those of you who don't know, Erin picked Creative Gardens for herself.  We had such a time with her first Pre-K experience that I let her visit three schools and pick the one she wanted to attend.  I believe there was guidance from above in her choosing, as Mrs. Kathy was a wonderful teacher with a perfect balance of firmness, confidence, and love.

The Best Things in Life are Free

"Children are like wet cement.  Whatever falls on them sticks."

Dr. Haim Ginott

This weekend was full.  Full of Cement, Full of Free Fun.  We started Saturday morning by annoying the Crofton Kiwanis 10k runners with our bells and shakers.  Saying go runners, good work runners, to the point that Erin asked "Mom, why do we keep saying the same thing over and over".  So, we switched it up with some good mornings, looking goods, and keep it ups.  Eoin enjoyed the breaks in the crowds, anticipating the next runner over the small crest of a hill near our house.  Excitedly stating "wook mom, mooooore runners", while Bridgie consistently shook her tambourine.

As the last few runners passed the house, the stamped concrete guys started pulling up more than ready to pour the front walkway.  Unfortunately, they had to sit for an hour or more because of the race as they could not get to our house.  The guys got prepped and ready with a giddy Eoin pacing the garage waiting for the "concwete mixer, mom".

Meanwhile, Erin was inside playing blocks with Bridgie and she created this Manger scene.  That would be Joseph on the left, Baby Jesus in the manger in the middle, and Mary on the right.  Sometimes she is simply amazing.

Back to the concrete.  "Concwete mixer" arrives and the men busily fill and empty their wheel barrows onto our front walk.  Unbelievable fun for a 3 year old boy and his sister.

You might think them rude to be sipping cold drinks while watching these guys sweat profusely pouring the walk.  However, Erin and Eoin have been providing impromptu water and lemonade breaks for the guys all week.  At one point on Thursday Eoin was handing out juice boxes from the garage refrigerator!



And don't worry Miss Loo Loo Belle was in on the action too, although sometimes relegated to the bottom of the step!

Watching from the garage.



You know, everyone wants the BEST for their kids.  The Best food, clothes, education.  Happiness, Health, Love, Ambition, Success. 

After watching my kids this weekend, and especially Eoin, I want them to enjoy the best REAL life has to offer.  To me the hardwork of the concrete workers is a great example of REAL life for my kids.  And we talked about how hard they were working, and how hot it was, and how nice they were to us, and why they do the hard work etc...  I want my kids to be hard workers.  Whether at McDonald's, Giant, the construction site, the Pentagon.  I want them to work hard, to feel like their work is meaningful, to be satisfied with their efforts.

Jerry and I come from a long line of hard workers.  People who knew how to sweat, persevere, and get the job done.  These qualities have been passed on and I hope we can continue the tradition in today's world.

Personally, I hope Eoin gets to drive a "concwete mixer" one day.

We ended our weekend at a wonderfully fun and simple birthday party for Cousin Ben.  Backyard play, plastic pool, slip n slide, cake....what more do you need.  A nice relaxing, fun end to our concrete weekend.
Thanks Aiden and Mandy, sorry to trash your house and

Happy 5th Birthday Ben!

Are we there yet?

We're going on a trip!

We're going on a trip!

It's thrilling to be filling with such wild anticipation.

Packing the suitcases

And counting off the days-is

Nearly as exciting as the actual vacation.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

My excitement's getting stronger.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

I really can't wait much longer.

Meeting some new faces

And going to new places.

By bus, by car, or even boat, perhaps we'll take train.

By Moose A. Moose and Zee

Thanks to songs such as this on Nick Jr., shows like Toot and Puddle and the Little Einsteins, and the few trips we have taken with the kids, Erin and Eoin are "counting down the days" until our trip to Myrtle Beach over the 4th of July holiday.

I have such fond memories of Myrtle Beach as a kid.  The little pools that form at low tide, perfect for little people.  Floating on rafts in the calm waves, getting sunburned like no other, and eating at "all you can eat" Callabash restaurants.

I particularly enjoyed the travel to places as a kid.  I can remember when I was finally able to read the Pedro signs for myself.  My parents would tell you a different story about my behavior in the car on long trips, but I truly did enjoy them.  Perhaps that is why I enjoy driving around in the car so much with the kids.  Or maybe it is just because they are strapped in and can't touch me!!!

Nevertheless,  the anticipation is nearly as exciting as the actual vacation.  At least the trip there anyways.

Eoin on his way to "china, mom".

The plane ride to China

Erin and I took a mini trip to Lancaster, Pa to see her cousin McKenzie's big dance recital.  Two hours up and two hours back.  Home after 11:30 pm.  Some people might say it is not worth it and stay home.  But to me it's these little adventures and the wonder and awe in a little girls eyes that makes it WELL worth it.  The performance was at the sight and sound theater which was wondrous in itself.  Great work McKenzie, we love you!  Erin is all ready to take Irish dance class next year.

So, it's 19 days and counting until we leave for Myrtle Beach.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

 My excitement's getting stronger.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

I really can't wait much longer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExigIpJ286w



Noggin - Moose A. Moose "Are We There Yet?" Song

Well, Looky, Looky...Update

Bridgie is now going from laying down to sitting outside of the crib.  I still have not seen her do it but have come back from laundry or potty training Eoin to find her sitting up.

Here is what I found in Bridgie's room this morning:
(don't know how to turn the picture???)

Beans and Greens

"Salad is the Main Dish" 

Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Most of you know that I have been following the diet advice of Dr. Joel Fuhrman in his book "Eat to Live".  Eat to live calls for you to eat foods that are nutrient dense and advises that the stomach in particular desires nutrients and volume to provide fullness.  Eat to live is not a "diet" in my opinion.  It is an education on food and the blarney we are fed by the US government on healthy eating.  Dr. Fuhrman is an advocate for health and longevity, not a politician or a get rich quick gimmick salesman.  I am a huge fan and would recommend reading Eat to Live even if you don't need to lose weight.

So, Dr. Fuhrman is a Vegetarian and so are all of his recipes.  However, he does not say one must never eat meat.  He just chooses not to and recommends that less than 10% of your diet come from animal product.  Once you read his book you may just find out that you do not really even like meat.  Like I did.  So, as I chose to follow this idea of nutrient density, Jerry became a virtual vegetarian.  Not against his will but he chose not to bite the had that fed him.  Subsequently, Jerry lost 10 pounds.  Does Jerry look like he needs to lose 10 pounds?  NO.  Is he hungry all the time?  NO, well yes but he was hungry all the time before.  Does he enjoy the foods I have been preparing?  YES.

So, as a consolation prize I made Jerry this Beer Can Chicken and Baked Potatoes dish I found in Parenting magazine.  A recipe from Jamie Oliver for those of you who know who he is?  The Verdict: 
"It was okay.  The Skin was awesome but it was just chicken".

I am telling you, once you start eating foods that your body needs to function properly, i.e. real whole fresh beans and greens, meat will just be well "okay".

I am  not here to convert you or tell you to stop eating meat, I just wanted to share our experience.



"Since the foods Americans consume are so calorie-rich, we have all been trying to diet by eating smaller portions of low-nutrient foods. We not only have to suffer hunger but also wind up with perverted cravings because we are nutrient-deficient to boot."
— Joel Fuhrman

Well Looky, Looky

"The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step"

For the past two days, this is what I have found when going to retrieve Miss Bridge-a-boo from her crib after naptime.

You might be scratching your head and saying well, duh, it's Bridgie.  Upon further examination you will find you are witnessing a very huge milestone for Miss Loo Loo Bell.  Bridgie is still unable to get from lying down to sitting up and vice versa on her own.  So, somehow, someway, she has emerged victorious in her crib.  This is the FIRST time I wish we had a video monitor, I would LOVE to know how she achieved this most wondrous feat.

Rock on Sister.