Monday, October 27, 2008

At the park


















































Saturday, October 25, 2008

It's costume time...





















Friday, October 24, 2008

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.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

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.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

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!

Friday, October 17, 2008

For me, for you









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.






        4. Erin


        Wednesday, October 15, 2008

        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

        Tuesday, October 14, 2008

        My hubby's
        15 minutes of fame

        (John is the one on the right.)



        The article is online HERE.

        Saturday, October 11, 2008

        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.


        Friday, October 10, 2008

        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

        Wednesday, October 8, 2008

        Wordless Wednesday:
        you light up my life!





        "experimenting with my camera"
        -Mommy

        Tuesday, October 7, 2008

        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...





        Friday, October 3, 2008

        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 Breast Cancer Site

        Thursday, October 2, 2008

        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!

        Wednesday, October 1, 2008

        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?