At the park

It's costume time...

Brielle Elizabeth

currently taking a hip-hop dance class

and acting lessons.

My father's nickname for her was "Hollywood"

and boy, does she bring it.

Just say NO

Brielle also aced this recent health class project*.

*Create a poster warning people about the adverse effects of smoking marijuana.

My One Day to Give

I try to live my life to the fullest. To treat others as I would like to be treated. To give of my time and my resources whenever possible. Every once in awhile, I read or hear of something that inspires me to do more, give more, be more. The other day, I read this challenge:

and was instantly inspired to find another way to give. Unfortunately, my One Day to Give found me two days ago. I was told of a fire that ravished a two-family house in town on Sunday night- leaving two families with children homeless, without anything left. One of the families has four girls - three of whom wear the same sizes as my youngest three and their littlest wears the same size as my niece, Skylar. So I spent Monday afternoon going through our closets and drawers, finding a good mix of school clothes, pajamas, and outerwear to share with those children, picking up a bag of clothes and wipes for the baby (thanks Allison!), and shopping for undies, tights, kids' shampoo and ponyholders. I also filled backpacks (you might have noticed in pictures that we had quite a lot of backpacks) with school supplies and books to read. After dropping it all off, I was overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and inadequacy. Anything I could give felt like nothing in comparison to what these people will need now. I can only hope that others will give what they can and every little bit will bring the family that much closer to being okay. I also hugged my children extra tight that night and gave thanks that, at least for today,

we are okay.

My (almost) Wordless Wednesday: yum!

First thing this morning, Mackenna and I baked chocolate chocolate chocolate chip cupcakes. Seeing as the first snow of the season is in the forecast for today- it seemed like the perfect day to try this recipe. Topped with buttercream frosting, they are as delicious as they sound!

For me, for you

Thanks Heidi {The Zawisza Tribune} !!

Six things that make me happy:

When I open my eyes and realize...

I actually got to sleep until 7am!

Laying (lying?) in the crook of my husband's arm.

Laughing hysterically with my daughters.

Reading a really good book.

Random acts of kindness.

A brand new box of Crayola crayons.

Six people* I pass this award on to:
*Who never cease to amaze and inspire me
with their creativity and love of life.

1.Elexis

2. Hope

3. Mitsy

4. Erin

5. {Farm Fresh} Jessica

6.Dawn

cheez-y'mores

"Take two Cheez-it crackers and place an unwrapped Hershey kiss between them (like a sandwich). Heat in the microwave until chocolate is soft. Press down on the top cracker and eat. Yum!" - Mackenna, 4

My hubby's 15 minutes of fame

(John is the one on the right.)



The article is online HERE.

Have you ever bounced an egg?

We have!

And you can too...

Materials:

• 1 raw egg(in the shell)
• drinking glass
• vinegar

1. Carefully set the egg in the bottom of the glass.

2. Fill the glass with vinegar and let it sit for at least 15 hours.

3. Remove the egg and drop it (we used an empty baking pan).

The egg's shell will feel rubbery and won't break because the acid in the vinegar breaks down the calcium carbonate that makes eggs' shells hard.

Twenty Little Things I treasure in Autumn

1. a medium Dunkin' Donuts Vanilla Chai
2. a Yankee Candle in Pumpkin Spice
3. the crunchy sound of loose leaves blowing by my window
4. warm sun and cool breezes
5. the bright colors of Fall foliage as far as the eye can see
6. little girls cuddling up on the couch at night for extra snuggles
7. high school football games
8. John's "man pie" (super sized Shepard's Pie meant for sharing with friends and family)
9. my birthday
10. the New England Patriots games on Sundays
11. trick or treating with my girls, husband, sister, sister in law and nieces (oh, the laughs we have!)
12. lazy Saturday mornings spent warm & cozy under the covers
13. Longer nights = more time for reading!
14. a big, baggy sweatshirt and jeans
15. long car rides to nowhere
16. my sister's apple pie (yum!)
17. baking more
18. pumpkins, gourds, and bittersweet
19. oatmeal, waffles, and pancakes in the mornings
20. Thanksgiving (a whole day to spend with my family- eating, drinking, laughing, and being thankful)

Add your {20 little things} to the list

the unpink family

"My family dressed in their favorite colors."

by Shaye, age 6

crayon on back of school paper

Wordless Wednesday:you light up my life!

"experimenting with my camera"

-Mommy

It's my birthday

and I'll post about it if I want to. I won't even be coy, pretending like I am not posting about it just to get loads of well wishes in the comments section because I.totally.am. I am now thirty five - officially out of my "early 30's" and a tad bit depressed about it. So, I am throw this little (blog)party to cheer myself up. You can all hum along if you'd like:

Happy Birthday to ME

You're as cute as you were at thirty-three...

Cancer-it's time for a cure.

Last weekend, my two oldest daughters finished a five mile Walk to Cure Cancer in memory of their grandfathers- both of whom quickly deteriorated and passed away after being diagnosed with cancer (lung and pancreatic) in their early fifties, only a year and a half apart from each other. Needless to say, these were huge losses in my daughters' lives and I was so proud of them (and my sister) for turning their pain into positive energy as they joined the fight to find a cure for cancer.

(on their way to the walk)

As we all know, October is breast cancer awareness month and I am urging everyone to take a minute and do something- because it's time to find a cure.

The girl loves to dance

and she certainly has something to celebrate.

It's been a tough two months, but she is finally feeling better!

Happy First Day of October!

I love, love, love October. Today the girls have a half day of school, so we are planning a First Day of October celebration- complete with pumpkin cookies and hot cocoa. We've got gloom and doom in the form of thunderstorms outside, so it's perfect! Mackie and I spent some time this morning whipping up these cheery "placemats"...

and finished up all the laundry.

What a great way to start my favorite month.

How are you spending the first day of October?