Christmas 2013

"Santa came!  Santa came!  Santa came!"  The kids had a great Christmas.  Rya got the Barbie Dream House (which took Santa 3 hours to assemble!) and Currier got lots of Legos.  He was a little disappointed that he didn't get an Xbox (a $400 gift that Santa couldn't afford!) so we used this as an opportunity to explain a life lesson called "You can't always get what you want".  Merry Christmas!   

Christmas 2013

Notice the newest addition to our family?  No, not my double chin!  It's Rosy, the bearded dragon, on Trent's shoulder.  Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours. 

Elf Application

I love his answer to number 4.

Santa

We took the kids to see Santa last night.  Currier asked for an Xbox, Minecraft and new sneakers.  Rya asked for the Barbie Dream House and Barbies. 

Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade

Rya's Wildfire Dance class got to ride on a float in the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade this evening.  She was a total ham yelling out, "Merry Christmas" to everyone in the crowd.

Silence of the Lambs

It puts the lotion in the basket.

Birthday Camping

Per Rya's request we rented a little log cabin on a lake at the camp site down the street from our house.

We took the dogs and walked the nature trail, we rode in a paddle boat around the lake, we visited a nearby Plantation via hayride, we fished, we told spooky stories, we sat by a fire and enjoyed the fresh outdoor weather.

The whole family really enjoyed this mini getaway.  But I think Rya loved it the most.
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On November 17, Rya woke to a birthday breakfast that we cooked over an open fire.

Happy 5th Birthday my lovely Rya D.

Dear Five-Year-Old Rya D.,

Now that you're five that means you'll be off to Kindergarten next year.  My emotions are a pendulum swinging from pure excitement (Eight hours all to myself!) to utter sadness (Eight hours all to myself?).  I’m certainly going to enjoy my time alone but I’ll also miss my little helper, crazy co-pilot, and favorite lunch date.    

Your speech has improved greatly but you still have trouble pronouncing some words like “Currier” to you is “Turrier”, which we all think is adorable so we don’t correct you on that one.  The speech therapists and doctors think you’re caught up to speed now so you should have an easy transition into Kindergarten.   

Lately you’re obsessed with what you were like as a baby.  We look at the blog almost daily so you can see pictures of yourself and listen to the stories.  It make me feel thankful that I started this blog so you and Currier can always come back to see your lives unfold. 

I'm trying to revel in every moment with you as your school years are quickly approaching.  Sometimes I wrap you in a blanket and rock you on my lap (per your request!) just like I did when you were a baby.  We both love this.  As you grow into a young lady, I can imagine you’ll still want to be swaddled on my lap but I hope you’ll always come to me for warmth and love. 

All my love,

Mama

Beer Tasting/Painting Class

Last night I went to a beer tasting/painting class at the Westbrook Brewery with my buddy, Laura.  It was a lovely evening of beer, pizza and painting = The holy trinity. 

 

Rya's 5th Birthday Party

We celebrated Rya's 5th birthday with her requested puppy themed party, gaggles of girls, yummy treats, lots of laughs and a mountain of presents.  It was a wonderful time!  

Mrs Adams 2nd Grade Class

Lowcountry Lacrosse

Currier's playing Lacrosse now.  We're making our rounds through all the sports until he finds the one for him.

Bruco's Birthday

We adopted Bruco when he was two and today he turned ten.  It feels like it was just yesterday this little narcissistic asshole of a roller coaster ride came into our lives.  And we couldn't imagine our family without him!  Happy Birthday Bruco, you're officially a senior citizen of the canine world. 

Halloween 2013

Grim Reaper and Dorothy with Toto in tot skipped their way through the neighborhood frightening and delighting our community with their costumes.  

 Making it rain, Bitches!

Mandarin Pumpkins

It's Currier's turn to provide the classroom snack.  Seriously, what would we do without Pinterest and it's adorable ideas? 

Instructional Baseball

 We signed Currier up for Instructional Baseball coached by the College of Charleston coaches and players.

Currier was thrilled to see that the Aukamp boys were also signed up for the program.  It was every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:15-8:00 which was late for school nights and hectic for family dinners.   

Regardless he finished the program and received a trophy.  We're proud of him!

Pumpkin Patch 2013

This year our annual trip to the Boone Hall Plantation Pumpkin Patch happened to be the morning after my 40th birthday party.  Although a wee bit hungover, it was still a memorable, fun time. 

Grabbing "40" by the Horns!

This was my birthday present from my husband. He totally misunderstood and thought I said I wanted to get "bucked" hard for my 40th birthday.

I envisioned myself looking sexy like Debra Winger riding the bull in Urban Cowboy but a chicken biscuit fell out from in between one of my fat rolls and I broke my toe! 40 is fabulous.

Being surrounded by my loving family and over 50 friends along with dozens of their kids and dogs made this my best birthday yet!  I was completely passed out and in bed by 5 PM but that's how 40-year-olds roll.  

Fire Hydrant Flush Flash Dance

This child is a free spirit and could have fun in a paper bag!

Mom & Son Date Night

Since Currier's in school and I work several evenings a week we don't see each other very often so we decided we needed an evening out together—just the two of us.  We went bowling but first he requested we stop by Kohl's to buy a Tony Hawk sweatshirt that all the cool kids are wearing at school.  Being the push over that I am, I gave in and was given the title "Best Mom in the World!"  We had a great time bowling (I won just so you know!) and it was nice to spend time with just Currier.  He opened up and told me that he doesn't have a girlfriend but he wishes he did.  He also told me there's a mean kid in his class.  I felt honored that he shared this with me.  We're making this date night a monthly ritual!   

Another One Bites The Dust

This child is as toothless as a hillbilly! 

Happy Labor Day

Backyard Camping

The whole family, including dogs and dragon, spent Labor Day Weekend camping in our backyard.

 It was hot, sweaty, crowded and annoying but somehow it was EXACTLY where I wanted to be.

2nd Grade

So far 2nd Grade is off to a great start.  Currier is receiving good reports in academics and behavior.  

Not Fair

I'm over here drinking liquid kale and this bitch is stuffing her face with a giant cupcake. 

Portraits

 Currier's portrait of Rya
 

Rya's portrait of Currier

Sleepover

I love that Connor and Currier are still close friends even though they haven't been in the same class for years.  Silly sticks together! 

Gymnastics

Rya started gymnastics this morning.  Move over Mary Lou Retton!  There's a new sheriff in town.

1st Week of 2nd Grade

Paolo Turns Eight

Paolo turned eight today.  Everyday is a miracle with Paolo. 

First Day of School

Currier started 2nd grade today.  Oh, how time is flying!

That's It

Sixteen Years

Married 16 years today; together for 19. Almost 2 decades together and he hasn't wrapped me in plastic and stabbed me to death. I think he might be a keeper!

Newburyport Trip Summer of 2013

We went home to Newburyport for two weeks to celebrate Rebecca's 40th birthday!  

While we were home I arranged a surprise visit from Trent's Air force buddy, Woody and his family.  We haven't seen Woody, Monica and Ashley since we moved from Germany over 15 years ago.  They're retired in Maine now and took a road trip down to say hello.    

It wouldn't be a proper trip home without Crazy Aunt Patsy's Fried Puff Party.

We spent some time with Papa who handed the kids cash and let them have soda, ice cream and cookies!

We cured hangovers on the beach with the girls.  

Currier fell in love!

We went yardsaling with Cheryl.

We had fun playing with our yardsale finds.

We attended a pig-roast at Kristin's house on the lake and I saw friends I haven't seen since high school .

Cheryl and I went to Papa's old house, now turned swanky spa, and got body glow treatments.

We spent a weekend on Cape Cod at my god-mother Helen's house, the Cape Escape.

The kids played in the same lake my brother and I enjoyed growing up.

We spent a lot of time on Hampton Beach watching drunk people get arrested.

We ate Chinese in my old neighborhood in Malden with my Coffee cousins.

It was a vodka-soaked roller coaster ride of AWESOME!