3.18.2009

steve had a meeting today so the boys and i headed over

to the fort worth zoo to check out the flamingos.

(19,000 other people had the exact same idea today we later learned

on the local evening news - record breaking attendance &

we were there!)

one of our favorite activities was feeding the birds and

trying to get them to eat all the seeds.
next we got to pet an armadillo
(only in texas)

the zoo was beautiful.

we had not been to a zoo since we left buffalo.

we lasted until our feet couldn't carry us any further.
(and of course a quick trip to the gift shop.)

we headed back to the hotel for a quick swim.

patio happy hour.

barnes & noble to explore the shelves.

fox and hound for dinner tonight.

loved the downtown sidewalks.

loved just walking with no schedule.

loved just hanging out.

spring break continues.

3.17.2009

spring break surprise.

step one: jump in the car & head north

step two: check into a great hotel in downtown
fort worth with an indoor pool on the 8th floor
step three: enjoy happy hour on the outdoor patio and
then walk the square in search of a place for dinner.

step four: enjoy dinner at uno's and window shop
on the walk home.
spring break fun continues.

3.16.2009

the boys still love this game -

gave them 10.00 & let them plan the day.

they come up with such creative ideas.

redbox for free monday dvd - beverly hills chuichua

off to the library to get some books and dvds.

can't resist 4 donuts from round rock lone star - 2.20

off to memorial park to enjoy them.

brought some old rolls to feed the ducks but they wer already full.

explored bushy creek.
went walking in bushy creek.
found perfect spot for a photo.
and yes, i had to beg them to stand still for one picture.

studied our city history.

and found our 'round rock'.

can't believe i've never been here.

hung out under the I35.

boys will be boys.

stopped for happy hour at sonic.

half priced drinks.

one burger and one order of fries.

6.50 with tip.

watched our movie while we munched on snacks.

still had 1.30 left.

off to walgreens to buy some cheese puffs to enjoy

during the rest of our movie.

beautiful night outside.

4 square and kickball in the street.

and 5 cents still left!

3.15.2009

though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,

we must carry it with us or we find it not.

-emerson

spring break continues. the boys went to the movies today to see 'race to witch mountain'. the warm weather returned and what a pleasent surprise to have greet me when i opend the door after work tonight. the warm air always still reminds me of vacation days as a kid in florida. looking forward to a week of no school with the boys. off to rest up. happy week ahead.

3.14.2009

working on summer vacation '08 pages.

came across this picture.

reminded me of colins short story he wrote this week.

title:

'my best bud'

'one day in 2008 we dove to bfloew new yourek'

'i have a best bud name danyle. we plae togethr.'

'we slep togethr some times'

'we love ech other. i rill miss danyle'

good stuff.

great story.

need to practice those speling words more.

we'll see y'all soon.

3.13.2009

rainy. sweet home alabama. last day of school before spring break. working on summer vacation 2008 scrapbook pages. spring break cocktail celebrations. making plans for next week. looking for that sun to return.

3.12.2009

rainy day. basketball parties. gattiland. pta meetings. homework. broke a plate. post office. dry cleaners. coach gifts. work projects. last nights fire still lingers in the great room. dug out a sweater. vanity fair & oprah arrived. nathans play practice. laundry. pivot tables. cannotberitwithout nailpolish by opi. xps1530. podcasts. greys anatomy. today.

3.12.2009

moon river, wider than a mile,
i'm crossing you in style some day.
oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going i'm going your way.
two drifters off to see the world.
there's such a lot of world to see.
we're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
moon river and me.
guess what movie i watched today.
who has kept this secret from me.
i'm hooked on classics.
i'm hooked on audrey hepburn.
simple. beautiful. classic.
suddenly this episode has new meaning.
watch the mini version over here.
better yet the original here.
read an excerpt here.
take a listen here.
or a newer twist here.
heres to breakfast at tiffanys.
heres to watching a classic.
heres to a rainy day today.
heres to unwrapping this dvd.
heres to finding a hidden treasure today.
may you find one also.
it might just be hiding right in front of you.
it might just be hiding in your bookcase.
it might just be.
now.

3.12.2009

morning routines.
favorite time of the day.
push the on button for coffee.
power up the laptop.
turn on the morning news
turn of the lights.
open the blinds in the kitchen.
recycle last nights newspaper.
pour cereal.
make sandwiches.
go outside and find the newspaper.
sip on coffee.
pack lunchboxes into backpacks.
catch the morning story on the today show.
test the boys on last minute spelling words.
grab a mug of coffee & sunglasses.
pile into the mom minibus.
drop off at school.
back home to say goodbye to steve.
50 minutes of jam packed fun & laughs.
there are morning bologna laughs.
the cold cuts share morning stories with us.
there are morning smiles to be put on.
you should see what happens when a tuesday smile
winds up on a wednesday morning.
there are morning tip jars to be filled upon leaving
moms limo-service vehicle.
there are deep economy conversations when nate
doesn't understand the headlines.
there are morning googles when the boys can't
remember how many medals michael phelps won.
there are espn.com visits when mom & dad can't
remember the sunday night football finalscore.
this is how we start our day.
we pack our lunches before bed.
we set the table before bed.
we load our backpacks before bed.
we find our sneakers before bed.
we locate this missing library book before bed.
we sign all school papers before bed.
we make the coffee before bed.
this is how we start our day before bed.
we love our mornings.
we relax during our morning routine.
we talk.
we listen.
we start our day this way.
it makes for a better morning.
it makes for a better day.
it makes for great morning smiles.
it makes for lifetime memories.

3.11.2009

{my first true bunko win party gift}

tuesday memories.

bunko fun and laughs and delicious new dinner recipe from mandy...nathans basketball picnic...science fair dinner celebrations...warm & sunny march days with shorts, flip flops and open windows...started bel canto tonight...watched the changeling from free monday redbox dvd pile - based on a true story - very good drama movie without giving it away...

3.10.2009

{cherry hill. july 2008. bingo night}

happy birthday charlie.
grab those car keys and drive.
can't believe there are 16 candles on your cake this year.
enJoy your special day.

3.10.2009

justins turn with the camera.

he completed the assignment as requested.

didn't like going third.

we are finishing up green week.

he's not used to being last.

stood in one spot and snapped away.

one homework pen - recently used.

one pool towel - recently used.
one guitar hero - recently used.

one green week - recently finished.

watch for our next project.

3.9.2009

monday randomness.
i havn't received an email since friday at 11:20am
i think something is not working
i'm not even going to attempt to fix it today
i've just added 3 hours to my day
the boys went to explore ut this weekend
our 4th year going - great tradition
i finished reading 'december' on friday night
a well written novel - i enjoyed it
surprise chipoltes dinner on saturday night
tgif happy hour potato skins
i've worked 33 hours this week & its only monday
colins legos are everywhere i look
nathan is a lawyer in his play at school this week
justin is as tall as me
daylight savings
warm & cloudy today
all the windows are open
spring break next week

happy monday.

3.6.2009

green week continues.

guest photographer today is nathan.

i love seeing what the boys find with their eyes.

one smiling stress ball.

one bag of candy he doesn't even like.
one valentine card that seems to still be a favorite
(and hasn't made it to the garbage can yet.)
of course it has to do with football.
thanks nathan for putting time and thought into
the green project!

3.6.2009

speed scrapbooking.

10 photos. 2 events. 15 minutes.

page 1. justins 11th birthday. june 2008.

insert into album.
backside.
add 5 more photos. 1 journaling card.
grilling mini pizza party at huttons.
insert back into album.

done.

now if i could just get thru the rest of '08 that quickly!

happy weekend.

happy to-do lists.

happy projects.

3.6.2009

happy birthday grandma!

heres to a day filled with birthday calls, birthday cards

and birthday wishes!

don't run anyone over on your way to celebrate.

3.5.2009

colin: "mom want to play catch phrase? it will help me with reading very hard words..."

mom: "ummmm....of course" (how could i can no to that request?!)

- - - colin started the game - - -

colin: "who was the actor that played inspector clouseau in the pink panther?"

mom: "ummmmmm....steve can you help me?"

3.5.2009

happy birthday dad!

singing birthday wishes into your voice mail.

wishing you warm & sunny days in florida.

enjoy your special day.

we can't wait to see you next month!

3.4.2009

green week continues.

my green eyes enjoy a fresh potted

tulip plant on the kitchen counter with the window open.

freshly purchased and washed grapes awaiting for

snack time today.
front hall homework table filled with the perfect
classic books from the library.

simple green pleasures lurking at every turn.

green grass growing.

buds on the trees.

steves polo after shave.

mini granny smith apples in lunchboxes.

green accounting paper.

limes in tonic.

colins bright green division cards.

wii's home green basket on the floor.

simple green.

3.4.2009

if i could only visit 10 blogs daily...
if i could cook/write/live on a dude ranch: pioneer woman
if i could write like this new mom: dear diaries
if i could create like this artist: {A}
if i could be young and trendy: enJoy it
if i could live in paris with my hubby & 2 children: littlebrownpen
if i could bake gorgeous sweet sugar treats: bakerella
if i could have a job reading books all day: printed pages
if i could take pictures of strangers: myla kent
if i could only see this cutie daily: pride and joy
if i could help my sister get ready for her special day: snippet & ink
-
enjoying blog land...

3.3.2009

i love this idea.

going to try to join in this green week.

colin was my guest photographer today.

look at all the green he found.

indoors.

outdoors.
at homework time.

i love that the boys always jump in on my projects.

justin was going to run onto the golf course green grass.

nathan was going to lay out all is green money.

colin was going to line up all my green limes.

thoughtful answers & insights.

great ideas & perspectives.

good stuff.

happy green now.

3.3.2009

{custom placecard i created today. see below}
5 fun spots...
rachel ray placecards here.
fashionable rubber gloves here.
smitten gossip here.
thumb wrestling rings here.
st. patricks day kids fun here.
happy day.

3.2.2009

on the refridge now. nathan at fourth grade writing camp. steves thank you d.o.g. note from school. colins spelling words for this week. homemade magnet by justin. school newsletter filled my monday. happy week.