243/365: teachers

Every time I walk along the bike path with Luke in the stroller, I read each and every plack on the benches along the way. Each one is has a nice little sentiment about a parent, grandparent, mother, wife, father, uncle, but this bench is located right by Seaview Elementary School and I just loved what it said and how true it is! Mimi and I were on this particular walk and it caught both of our eyes! And how appropriate as we head into a new academic year...Luke is starting at the JCC 3 days a week and I just love his two warm and loving teachers. And just like this special teacher's dedication, I too will always have a special place for the kind and loving people that cared for Sam & Luke and nurtur them and guide them as they grow. Thank goodness for teachers

242/365: our future X-gamer

Today we took a family walk/ride on the bike path...we pushed Luke in the stroller and Sam rode his new bike. Our goal was to ride to the library for practice and ride back, but we were barely off of our street when Sam said he was thirsty and wanted a drink! We thought for sure that Jay or I would be riding that bicycle back or Sam would need a piggy back ride or somehow the family exercise would not end well, but wow were we mistaken! Sam did awesome!! He pedaled so fast and so well that I logged 16,000 steps on my pedometer just jogging along side of him! He stopped for traffic and waved to thank drivers. He has such a feeling of accomplishment when we made it there, snagged a few books and movies and then pedaled to the playground and eventually home! I can't wait to see what he can do once those training wheels come off...thank goodness for our future X-gamer

241/365: little helper

Day two of Hurricane clean-up...thank goodness for the little helper

240/365: helpful friends

Between Chrissy and Phil welcoming Jay to crash at their house through the storm and then Dean coming by to help fix what the hurricane destroyed, thank goodness for helpful friends

239/365: Pop's mashed potatoes

Everyone piled in Mimi & Pop's house to brave the storm was fun enough, but a superb home-cooked meal was icing on the cake! Yummy chicken, string beans, a great salad with sourdough bread and Pop's famously fabulous mashed potatoes...there is nothing better! Mashing the whole potato with the skin adds great texture and the perfect blend of milk and butter makes them the best! Thank goodness for Pop's mashed potatoes

238/365: braving the storm with those we love...

Hurricane Irene is on her way and after following the news broadcasts these last few days, it seemed best to pack up the boys and head to Mimi & Pop's house. It was shaping up to be a pretty big storm that we were bracing for in our area, but then it quickly turned into a mandatory evacuation of our area which scared us enough to get out! It was a fun escape! Sam loved sleeping with me in Elizabeth's old room and Luke had NO problems sleeping, napping, eating, especially pooping...he felt right at home!! There were strong winds and rain and a brief power outage, otherwise, it was loads of fun with all my favorite people...except Jay who stayed back with Chrissy and Phil in order to be local for work. Sam was certainly sad when the state of emergency was lifted and we were able to pack up and head home. Thank goodness for braving the storm with those we love



237/365: mosaic fun

The cousins fun continued today with a little family lunch followed but hitting up the pottery store for Lola to paint pottery and Max & Sam to make mosaic picture frames to match their rooms...everyone had fun and it will be a blast all over again when we go back to pick up our creations after they put it in the kiln and finish up the grout. Thank goodness for mosaic fun