Wiffle

Today Currier got his first ever wiffle haircut.

Friday Favorites—Random Acts of Kindness

At Thanksgiving time this anonymous card was sent to us with a $100 bill in it.  There was no return address and the card was signed "a friend".  This incredibly generous and totally random act of kindness took my breath away and still baffles me.  I have no idea who sent it, but I keep this card on my desk to remind me of the good in the world.  Whoever you are—thank you.

Easter 2011

Although the Easter Bunny had a raging sinus infection that landed her in the hospital early Easter morning, she still managed to fill Easter baskets for the kids and dogs with lots of goodies!
  

Seeing my kids this happy makes me feel better.  That and antibiotics!  Happy Easter.

Bottles and Brushes Part V

Last night I went to Bottles and Brushes to paint my rendition of Rainbow Row. 

It was a lovely evening spent with lovely people.  I can't wait for the next class.

My Darlings

Currier and Rya's first day of school.

Charleston Riverdogs

Our neighbor gave us free tickets to the Riverdogs game for Family Sunday.  It was Kid's Opening Day so Currier and Rya got free t-shirts, hotdogs, chips and a drink. 

And we got to see the comedic classic and Riverdogs owner Bill Murray.  It was a good day!

Giddy Up

Currier had three birthday parties to attend over the weekend.  One of them was a cowboy theme with horseback riding for all the kids.  Of course now he's expecting the same high standards for his 5th birthday party next month.  Ugh.

Food Fight

Note to self:  DO NOT leave these two "darlings" unattended while eating dinner.   

Double Trouble

Little Miss Rya D. is having her BFF Riley over for a sleep over tonight. I anticipate a lot of giggling and pure silliness.

Friday Favorites- Sushi With Friends

Now that I'm a full-time working girl I don't get to see my workout buddies as much anymore.  I've resorted to waking up at 5AM to workout with the rest of the half asleep working moms of Mount Pleasant.  The gym isn't nearly as fun without these ladies sweating by my side.  Jean and Ella met me after work for sushi, cocktails and serious chit chat last night and it was so good to play catch up.  Giggling over sushi and drinks with these two ladies is certainly one of my favorites.  And I highly recommend the crunchy roll at Fugi.  It will make you want to go off and be by yourself for a little while.  Happy Friday!

Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway

We escaped for a quick weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach right after work on Friday.  About an hour into the drive, we stopped at Litchfield Beach Fish House for dinner and couldn't have scored a better place to eat.  The owner, Bob, excitingly showed the kids around his restaurant filled with sharks, prized fish and gators.  He gave the kids toys to play with during dinner (which was delicious) and then gave them t-shirts to take home.  Currier hasn't stopped talking about Bob and his awesome restaurant!

We stayed at the Breakers Resort which was a HUGE hit with the kids.  It had a pirate ship pool, a heated lazy river, several Jacuzzis, and a heated pool. 

We spent the majority of the weekend being carried away.

And relaxing in the hot tub. 

The only time we left the resort was for lunch at Joe's Crab Shack at Barefoot Landing where we sucked down some beers and ate a whole lot of crab.  It was a lovey and much needed mini family vacation.  

Surprise Weekend with Dad

My dad has been fighting multiple myeloma (blood cancer) for two years now and was just diagnosed with Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP which is much easier to pronounce, a bleeding disorder in which his immune system destroys platelets that are necessary for normal blood clotting.  The doctors are confident that they can control this with medication and my dad assured me that he's fine and in good spirits; Alas, I still felt compelled to go home and be with him.  With the help of Trent's sister getting me a plane ticket home (Thanks Tracy!) and my cousin picking me up from the airport, white-knuckleing the steering wheel in a snow storm and putting me up/putting up with me for the weekend (Thanks Cheryl!), I surprised my dad on April Fools Day!  Our first stop was of course the Park Lunch where we enjoyed some chowdaahh and exchanged jokes and laughs.          

My dad took me by the Commonwealth Newburyport Cancer Center where it was a pleasure to finally meet all the wonderful nurses who have been putting up with my father's bullshit and sexual harassment for the past two years.   

After an evening of take-out Chinese and the Red Sox game at Dad's house, my brother PJ and I hit the Winner's Circle for some beers.     

And we shared some laughs with Cheryl and Eliza until we got kicked out of the Winner's Circle for being losers.

Of course it wouldn't be a proper visit with my dad without a couple rounds of Scrabble coupled with Christy's Beach Pizza, Moxie and verbal abuse. 

I rounded up the girls on my last evening home and hit downtown Newburyport for drinks, giggles, catching up and more drinks!  It was a good visit home and I'm thankful for the time spent with my dad, my brother and my friends.