I am happy to report that Miss Ava will soon be celebrating her first birthday (June 5). The festivities begin on Sunday with a big bash at Guga and Papa's house - complete with ponies and a magician. Whereas Ava has not made many friends yet, Ally has the honor of inviting some of her friends to help celebrate her sister's birthday.
This is to be followed by a week long celebration as Michelle is coming up for a week - AND Allison and Michael will be joining us on Tues., Wed, and Thurs. I cannot believe that all 5 kids will be together once again this year - thank goodness we are all convening for happy occasions. Too many times, families only gather for sad times.
Lest I forget, it is also Bobby's birthday (June 4). I am sure we will continue his graduation celebration along with his birthday. AND last, but not least (ok, maybe it is least) Chip is turning 50 (June 6). There will be a lot of cake this week!!
I am looking forward to lots of laughs and little sleep! I plan on going food shopping Saturday to stock up on all their favorites. I see many meatballs in my future....
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Need a rest now...
Hershey was wonderful! The Hotel was simply magnificent. It is old, but in an elegant way and updated where necessary. The grounds and gardens were just breathtaking. All this added to the special time we were all able to share on our family get-away (notice the absence of the word vacation).
Traveling with kids is never a vacation. It may be a vacation to them - no bed times, no schedules, no vegetables - but it is merely a change of environment for us older folks. There was still bath time, feeding time, nap time (for them, not us). We all enjoyed Hershey Park, Chocolate World, the pool, the side trip to Lancaster. We managed to squeeze 25 hours into each day! I fell asleep each night before Ally!!
We traveled with our kids when they were young - it was nothing like traveling with the grand-kids. Being a part of their everyday lives is such a privilege for us. I guess this is our bonus for making it through the teen years with our kids - ALL 5 TIMES!
Traveling with kids is never a vacation. It may be a vacation to them - no bed times, no schedules, no vegetables - but it is merely a change of environment for us older folks. There was still bath time, feeding time, nap time (for them, not us). We all enjoyed Hershey Park, Chocolate World, the pool, the side trip to Lancaster. We managed to squeeze 25 hours into each day! I fell asleep each night before Ally!!
We traveled with our kids when they were young - it was nothing like traveling with the grand-kids. Being a part of their everyday lives is such a privilege for us. I guess this is our bonus for making it through the teen years with our kids - ALL 5 TIMES!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Summer Begins!
Hard to believe Memorial Day Weekend is nearly here. The official start of Summer! We are celebrating the weekend in high style. We are off to Hershey with the oldest offspring and her family!
We've been to Hershey - years ago. My sons remember it well - cheap hotel, lousy food, trekking through a chocolate world. Trying to enjoy the sights while keeping the boys clean and keeping their sugar intake at an acceptable level. This time will be different.
We're older, with slightly thicker pockets - we are staying at the Hershey Hotel AND doing it on a holiday weekend!! Ally will be travelling in our car and staying in our room - a perk of being the first grandchild. Who cares if her sugar level spikes? Do you think Ava will enjoy her first chocolate bar?
I hope someone else remembers to bring wipees - Mr. Wonderful and I will be too busy going on all the rides and buying junk at all the concession stands!!
We've been to Hershey - years ago. My sons remember it well - cheap hotel, lousy food, trekking through a chocolate world. Trying to enjoy the sights while keeping the boys clean and keeping their sugar intake at an acceptable level. This time will be different.
We're older, with slightly thicker pockets - we are staying at the Hershey Hotel AND doing it on a holiday weekend!! Ally will be travelling in our car and staying in our room - a perk of being the first grandchild. Who cares if her sugar level spikes? Do you think Ava will enjoy her first chocolate bar?
I hope someone else remembers to bring wipees - Mr. Wonderful and I will be too busy going on all the rides and buying junk at all the concession stands!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
"Thanks for lunch..."
Yesterday, my youngest child graduated from college. Quite a milestone - another stage of our lives over. He put up quite a struggle and offered a good argument NOT to attend and I was convinced. Originally there was to be a crowd attending the ceremonies (Parents, Grandmother, Sister, Brother-in-law, nieces, etc.) I talked everyone out of going, not sure if we were even going - I was choosing my battles. BUT, the night before, Mr. Wonderful thought he really should go - so off we went.
There was a graduating class of over 2000 students so the ceremony was held at the Nassau Coliseum. He was told to get there at 8 - so we all arrived at 8:40 (I am the only prompt one in this family) and still got very good seats! The procession started at 9:10 and he was one of the first 100 students to walk in - the procession continued until 10:15! Do you want to hear how bored we were???
Thank goodness for text messaging as we were plotting an early escape even before the first speaker! Our plan was in place - the speakers did their thing (and they were quite good). Bobby was called to the stage way before noon! - OK, set the plan in motion and we are out of here!! NOT!!! - There were faculy member lined up at all exits on the ground floor (where the graduates were seated) - NO ONE WAS PERMITTED TO LEAVE!
Plan B, set in motion - "Excuse me sir, I must use the bathroom" - at which point, my son was escorted to the men's room and then escorted back to his assigned seating area!! - FOILED AGAIN!!
At 1:00, Mr. W., Bobby's girlfriend, and I ventured out to the parking lot. We sat in the car, taunting Bobby with text messages, "We are in the local bar on our second round of drinks - call when you are released and we will pick you up!"
By 1:30 we were ALL on our way to a delicious lunch at "Houston's". I was very proud of my son. Proud that he graduated (in the allotted time) and proud that when his father asked him to please go to the graduation ceremony he simply said, "OK".
We had a wonderful lunch with lots of laughs - just the 4 of us. I guess this was the way it was meant to be... As we were finished paying the bill, my son simply said, "Hey, thanks so much for lunch... Oh yeah, and my college education."
There was a graduating class of over 2000 students so the ceremony was held at the Nassau Coliseum. He was told to get there at 8 - so we all arrived at 8:40 (I am the only prompt one in this family) and still got very good seats! The procession started at 9:10 and he was one of the first 100 students to walk in - the procession continued until 10:15! Do you want to hear how bored we were???
Thank goodness for text messaging as we were plotting an early escape even before the first speaker! Our plan was in place - the speakers did their thing (and they were quite good). Bobby was called to the stage way before noon! - OK, set the plan in motion and we are out of here!! NOT!!! - There were faculy member lined up at all exits on the ground floor (where the graduates were seated) - NO ONE WAS PERMITTED TO LEAVE!
Plan B, set in motion - "Excuse me sir, I must use the bathroom" - at which point, my son was escorted to the men's room and then escorted back to his assigned seating area!! - FOILED AGAIN!!
At 1:00, Mr. W., Bobby's girlfriend, and I ventured out to the parking lot. We sat in the car, taunting Bobby with text messages, "We are in the local bar on our second round of drinks - call when you are released and we will pick you up!"
By 1:30 we were ALL on our way to a delicious lunch at "Houston's". I was very proud of my son. Proud that he graduated (in the allotted time) and proud that when his father asked him to please go to the graduation ceremony he simply said, "OK".
We had a wonderful lunch with lots of laughs - just the 4 of us. I guess this was the way it was meant to be... As we were finished paying the bill, my son simply said, "Hey, thanks so much for lunch... Oh yeah, and my college education."
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mother's Day Re-Cap
OK, it wasn't terrible. We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant and everyone was in a good mood. I guess that counts for something. (In other words, it was wonderful, I was worried for nothing!)
We all came back to Guga and Papa's house for dessert. We played an impromptu, make believe softball game in the yard with Ally, Adam, Aunt Wendy, Guga and Papa - even Chip joined in for a couple innings! Papa even put together Ally and Ava's playhouse. Ava and Ally enjoyed their "child-sized" glider and most of the women folk enjoyed my new glider.
Everyone was gone by 8 and Papa and Bobby helped clean up - (What A Mess!!) - I re-read all my beautiful cards and rearranged all my gorgeous bouquets of flowers. Mr. Wonderful surprised me with a most beautiful pocketbook and Trisha and Chip bought me a matching wallet. So extravagant, so unnecessary - so thoughtful.
As you know, I had my reservations (no pun intended) about eating dinner out on a holiday - but, I have to admit, it was pretty nice and I DID thoroughly enjoy the afternoon in the yard AND I was not too tired to play along. I will not put up a fight should anyone suggest doing this again next year!!
We all came back to Guga and Papa's house for dessert. We played an impromptu, make believe softball game in the yard with Ally, Adam, Aunt Wendy, Guga and Papa - even Chip joined in for a couple innings! Papa even put together Ally and Ava's playhouse. Ava and Ally enjoyed their "child-sized" glider and most of the women folk enjoyed my new glider.
Everyone was gone by 8 and Papa and Bobby helped clean up - (What A Mess!!) - I re-read all my beautiful cards and rearranged all my gorgeous bouquets of flowers. Mr. Wonderful surprised me with a most beautiful pocketbook and Trisha and Chip bought me a matching wallet. So extravagant, so unnecessary - so thoughtful.
As you know, I had my reservations (no pun intended) about eating dinner out on a holiday - but, I have to admit, it was pretty nice and I DID thoroughly enjoy the afternoon in the yard AND I was not too tired to play along. I will not put up a fight should anyone suggest doing this again next year!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
You call this a Holiday Dinner??
Sunday is MY holiday. I love Mother's Day - it gives my kids a chance to send those great cards that make me cry.
I cook for all the holidays and everyone comes to my house. This year we will be doing something different. This year, we are going to a restaurant for Mother's Day. Already, I don't like it. What kind of holiday is it going to be sitting in a restauant for 2 hours and then everyone going home - WHAT THE HELL IS THAT??? I like it when people start showing up around noon and we eat all day and play with the kids. I like it when the kids critique eachother over dinner - when the guys solve all the problems of the world over dessert. I LOVE it when Ally requests to sit next to me and when Ava yells, "GUGA" from her high chair. I love handing out all the leftovers to the kids to take home.
Everyone thinks this will be nicer - to sit and be served - to have no mess, no fuss, no bother. I beg to differ - I like the mess, I like to fuss over them all, it is no bother to have them all visit me.
Hopefully, we will all hate this restaurant thing and never have to do it again on a holiday.
I cook for all the holidays and everyone comes to my house. This year we will be doing something different. This year, we are going to a restaurant for Mother's Day. Already, I don't like it. What kind of holiday is it going to be sitting in a restauant for 2 hours and then everyone going home - WHAT THE HELL IS THAT??? I like it when people start showing up around noon and we eat all day and play with the kids. I like it when the kids critique eachother over dinner - when the guys solve all the problems of the world over dessert. I LOVE it when Ally requests to sit next to me and when Ava yells, "GUGA" from her high chair. I love handing out all the leftovers to the kids to take home.
Everyone thinks this will be nicer - to sit and be served - to have no mess, no fuss, no bother. I beg to differ - I like the mess, I like to fuss over them all, it is no bother to have them all visit me.
Hopefully, we will all hate this restaurant thing and never have to do it again on a holiday.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The simple things...
I came home from work yesterday to a wonderful surprise - my glider was assembled and swinging in the yard - just waiting for my butt to lay its impression on the cushions. I quickly grabbed a drink, my book and my dog and off I went to my own little piece of Heaven. Mr. Wonderful puttered around in the yard while I gently swayed in the warm breeze. I am not sure who was happier - me or him.
You know you picked the right partner when all you have to do is look at each other to know what the other is thinking. He still calls me "Beautiful", I still see him with "Blonde" hair. I am truly blessed to be growing old with this man. No one has ever loved me like he does. He is far from perfect, but he is all mine!
You know you picked the right partner when all you have to do is look at each other to know what the other is thinking. He still calls me "Beautiful", I still see him with "Blonde" hair. I am truly blessed to be growing old with this man. No one has ever loved me like he does. He is far from perfect, but he is all mine!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Quiz
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, My Grandmother
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? When the surgeon told us that Chip was cancer-free.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not especially
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? BALOGNA, of course!
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? too many to keep track of!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? As much as humanly possible
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope (traded them in for a balogna sandwich)
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, Never! Well, maybe for a balogna sandwich.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruity Pebbles!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? NEVER! - I only bend down for my grandchildren!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yep! - In every way!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Vanilla
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their demeanor
15. LIPSTICK RED OR PINK? pinks
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my body
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my father
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'm not sending it to anyone!19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING ? Jeans, black and white flip flops...gotta love em
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Hershey's Kiss
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? not a thing
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? RED!
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? A baby fresh out of a bath.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mr. Wonderful
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Absolutely!
26. FAVORITE DRINK? Raspberry Crystal Light(with a splash of Vodka!)
27. FAVORITE SPORT? Anything my grand-daughter happens to be playing at the time!
28. HAIR COLOR? Brown with a hint of grey, umm white!
29. EYE COLOR? Hazel (Just like Ally's!)
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? never, can't touch my eyes
31. FAVORITE FOOD? PASTA (You thought I was gonna say a Balogna sandwich, didn't you?)
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Hoax
34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White Tee Shirt with Navy Blue Button Down shirt over it
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
36. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs and kisses!
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? ice cream
38. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No one! (see Question 18)
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? see question 38
40. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Patterson's - Step on a Crack
41. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? nothing, it's acrylic with a gel filled wrist support
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? (I missed Idol, boo hiss) Watched "House"
43. FAVORITE SOUND? Granddaughters squealing with delight as I approach their house!
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles - early Beatles
45. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Punta Cana or Cancun
46. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENTS? I can entertain my little cousin with my words - does that count? I cook, bake, sew, crochet, needlepoint, understand football, baseball and soccer, keep Mr. Wonderful happy, work full time, play the accordion, piano and clarinet - in answer to your question, NO, no special talents.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? in a hospital in Brooklyn - but lived on Long Island all my life
48. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Again, refer to question 18!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? When the surgeon told us that Chip was cancer-free.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not especially
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? BALOGNA, of course!
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? too many to keep track of!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? As much as humanly possible
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope (traded them in for a balogna sandwich)
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, Never! Well, maybe for a balogna sandwich.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruity Pebbles!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? NEVER! - I only bend down for my grandchildren!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yep! - In every way!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Vanilla
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their demeanor
15. LIPSTICK RED OR PINK? pinks
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my body
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my father
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'm not sending it to anyone!19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING ? Jeans, black and white flip flops...gotta love em
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Hershey's Kiss
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? not a thing
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? RED!
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? A baby fresh out of a bath.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mr. Wonderful
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Absolutely!
26. FAVORITE DRINK? Raspberry Crystal Light(with a splash of Vodka!)
27. FAVORITE SPORT? Anything my grand-daughter happens to be playing at the time!
28. HAIR COLOR? Brown with a hint of grey, umm white!
29. EYE COLOR? Hazel (Just like Ally's!)
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? never, can't touch my eyes
31. FAVORITE FOOD? PASTA (You thought I was gonna say a Balogna sandwich, didn't you?)
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Hoax
34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White Tee Shirt with Navy Blue Button Down shirt over it
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
36. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs and kisses!
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? ice cream
38. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No one! (see Question 18)
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? see question 38
40. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Patterson's - Step on a Crack
41. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? nothing, it's acrylic with a gel filled wrist support
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? (I missed Idol, boo hiss) Watched "House"
43. FAVORITE SOUND? Granddaughters squealing with delight as I approach their house!
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles - early Beatles
45. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Punta Cana or Cancun
46. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENTS? I can entertain my little cousin with my words - does that count? I cook, bake, sew, crochet, needlepoint, understand football, baseball and soccer, keep Mr. Wonderful happy, work full time, play the accordion, piano and clarinet - in answer to your question, NO, no special talents.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? in a hospital in Brooklyn - but lived on Long Island all my life
48. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Again, refer to question 18!
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