Where Will It All Go....

Joe's household shipment arrives from Australia tomorrow morning at 8 am ~ Where will it all go???

Our Last Few Weeks

So Joe came home and we have been busy doing things around the house and getting the kids ready for school. We bought a new car - a few days later we were hit from behind and the new car has now been in the shop longer that we had possession of it before the wreck. Included in the wreck was an all expenses paid trip to the ER for me - hurt my neck. I am still sore, but will survive. Can't really be mad because the guy that hit us was so nice - I feel bad for him! Oh well - the car will be good and broke in when we get it back!

Had to replace the girls car seats after the accident - Lilli's head hit her headrest so hard that it snapped the styrofoam core in half. YIKES. Amazingly, we were blessed and neither of the girls were hurt at all. Did you guys know that you have to replace car seats after an accident? Even if they don't appear damaged? I know this now. I thought that only Lilli's would have to be replaced but was told by the paramedic, the police, and the insurance rep that no matter what all have to be replaced. What a fun trip that was - to the store to replace the seats. Lilli wanted the bright pink or purple (Princess colors) one and Abby wanted the black and blue (Batman colors) seat - we settled on boring (yet safe) beige!

Joe and Daniel made their way to Atlanta for a Braves game. They sat directly behind the "V" of the dugout. Daniel was on cloud nine! And... the Braves won - so it was that much better! Daniel was able to get his baseball signed by the pitcher - and he took some great photos! He would give anything to live in Atlanta and have season tickets to the Braves and Hawks! He is very loyal to the city of his birth! : )

More exciting is that school is back in full swing. The older kids have all "tweaked" their schedules and are as happy as teenagers can be. I will say this much about their classes - Holly made an offer to me the other night - If I could complete one of her math problems (showing all my work) she would only apply to the one college of my choice. Obviously, she knew this was a safe bet! I was CLUELESS! And... sadly, math was my strong point in high school and university - where did it all go?????

Abby and Lilli are also settled back into their school routine now. They have continued at the same small private school that they attended last year; however, they are both going 5 days a week. I figured since Abby was in kindergarten with a 5 day a week schedule, I did not want to explain the "fairness" of a 3 day preschool schedule to Miss Lilli who is a Supreme Court Judge when it comes to "fairness". So they both hop in the car at 8:45 ~ M-F ~ with their backpacks and homework and water bottles and off we go. We are home around 1:30 at which time they grab a quick snack and huge glass of milk and hit the bed for a little nap!

As for today, Dad and 4 of the kids will be working in the yard and painting the master bathroom. Holly and I are off to a Jonas Brothers concert - Oh The Joy - hehehe! Holly loves her some Jonas Brothers - -- Me - not so much! But Jordin Sparks opens the concert and I actually like her music. All is not lost.

Pics to follow soon.

Yes... It is From 2007... But If You Have Not Seen It... DO!

I have already blogged about my love of Netfli*x ... what a wonderful concept! I love the ease of making a list and having movies just show up in my mailbox! And... NO LATE FEES... that is the BEST!

Anyway, I received a movie yesterday that has been on my list for quite a while. It has always been shuffled down by the kids "arranging" my list or requesting a movie be moved to the number 1 position; however, yesterday "The Martian Child" was finally the movie that arrived!

Joe saw what it was and immediately told me that I would LOVE this movie. He had watched it on board an airplane 37 thousand feet above some ocean some time ago. He was CORRECT!

Even better - this feel great movie - is based on a true story! You don't even have to watch it after the kids are asleep or ask them to leave the room... Seriously, if you have not watched this movie yet... get yourself a copy and enjoy!

Any great movies you love... I could have missed them ... so leave me a comment with your must sees!

Daniel's July

Daniel's July was spent in North Carolina in or near water. He was happily swimming, fishing, and crabbing. But above all, I think he enjoyed his Uncle Jeff's cooking... and Aunt Helen's homemade macaroni and cheese too!

11,000

Holly and I learned that there are approximately 11,000 yellow cabs in New York City. We also learned that when it rains, approximately 11,000 people quickly hail those yellow cabs - leaving Holly and I to stand in the rain under the Washington Square Arch near NYU.

Yep... Holly and I hopped on a plane last week headed to New York. The main reason being an information session and tour of New York University - but believe me, we had lots of side reasons also!

Holly had completed a project in English Class this past year where she had to plan every detail of a trip to NYC. She had to research every detail - from sightseeing to food and many more. We put her research to the test over our long weekend.

Our hotel did not blow us away... but the location did! We were a block off of Broadway, across the street from the Carnegie Deli, and had a magnificent view of Time Square from our window. I won't mention the two twin beds and the room that was barely able to accommodate them!

We saw everything - with the exception of the back of our eyelids! In other words... we did not sleep very much - opting to squeeze every minute of city life that we could into our trip!

We strolled down 5th Avenue (with a few million other folks) to Central Park, stopping at FAO Schwartz, The Disney Store, and The NBA Store. I so wanted to visit Tiffany's... but knew I should NOT! We were able to see two Broadways Hits - Mama Mia and Wicked. They were both amazing... but I think Wicked is now my all time favorite Broadway production. It was beyond great!

We ate Smores at Cozi's that were so yummy that we had to go back for more. We enjoyed famous New York City Pizza by the slice at Famiglia and we also took in Bagel's at Carnegie Deli and Lunch at Hard Rock in Times Square. Coffee and muffins at Dean and Deluca was also on the menu! We did not go hungry!

We took an elevator ride to the top of Rockefeller Center to view the skyline of the city. Keep in mind that I am petrified of heights... even with the glass barriers... I was shaking until I was on the ground again. We took in a taping of the Today Show in which we were invited to stand next to the stage and dance along with the guests of the show. We were on TV!

We both have a sunburn to prove that we spent nearly 3 hours on top of a double decker bus seeing all the sights - including the World Trade Center Site. We saw where Betty Davis lived, where Project Runway is filmed, Madison Square Garden, etc. etc. etc.

Our cruise around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty was cancelled because of horrid weather - but we will look at this as a reason to return very soon!

We spent one afternoon and evening with my cousin Wallace, who has been a NYC dweller for 15 years now. He is an amazingly multi-talented artist, with books and art and music credits to his name. More importantly, he is the funniest guy I know. I was so happy to see a bit of his very unconventional world.

Finally NYU. The reason for the trip. I must admit that I was hoping the tour would cause Holly to rush home and scratch the university off her list - the top of her list! But alas, every good plan made by parents backfires doesn't it??? Holly LOVED the university! I also must admit that I have a better opinion of it now also; however, going to school in such an urban setting at a College that is all but conventional, is a huge decision. I am hoping that Holly might stay close to home for her undergraduate degree and then tackle the big city and NYU for her post graduate studies... I can hope can't I???

Now we are heading into the kids' final week of summer break. Daniel returns today after a month with my brother, his wife, and my parents. Holly and Joey both have picked up their schedules and parking permits (much more important to them) for school and I received the girls Open House paperwork for school. Basketball will start next month right along with school and we will be back to normal - all 7 of us!

The Last Three Trips, They Lost His Luggage, This Time, They Lost HIM!

I am finally over the fact that Joe was a day late. YES... it has taken this long for my eyes to clear! Joe was supposed to arrive Sunday night. There was a delay along the way;however, United assured me that Joe had made an earlier connection and would arrive as planned. NOT! The airline lost him. Three different agents told me he was on three different flights ... CRAZY! Loosing luggage is one thing... loosing my husband... THAT IS SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Bottom line - 365 days is very hard - 366 days is agony! : (

But times does not stop and Joe arrived on Monday morning - very tired and under the weather. As of today, jet lag seems to be but a memory and his cold is improving.

I am thrilled beyond words to be part of a pair - a tag team - duo - couple - partnership - again!

As for the kids... Joe is like a very strong magnet and they are medal... can not pry them away from him.

Life is good!

MUST Share! Too Funny!

Must scroll to the bottom of the page and pause the music player before you watch. Enjoy!

Where Have We Been....

... Or better question, where have me NOT been! : ) We started our 4th of July vacation in Tennessee. A visit to Pigeon Forge which included stops at the Dixie Stampede, Nascar Speedway, Dollywood, and Cade's Cove National Park. We then headed for the East Coast to spend a few days with my brother and family in North Carolina. We all had a blast! My sister-in-law is pretty much a saint as she smiled when a party of 14 humans and 2 canines moved into her home for the long weekend!

My brother is the BEST cook! Seriously takes after my mother who really is the BEST cook in the world! I gained more than a few pounds during this visit (I guess one or two of those could be attributed to the multiple funnel cakes that I inhaled at Dollywood... LOVE funnel cakes!!!!) .... but happily so! I could devote an entire post to the food that we consumed... yummy!

It is so good to be back "home" so holidays like this are possible.

And guess what... FIVE DAYS until Joe comes home FOR GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS... if you are in need of a "floatation device" for your child, go to Wally World right now and head straight for the "fishin' section" and pick up the BEST Coast Guard approved Floaty ever invented! You see it above on Abby and Lilli in the pool pics.... seriously... the BEST until they are perfect swimmers!