Lent

40 days and 40 nights of no Facebook. That is what I am giving up for Lent. Facebook is a time zapper for me, I check it multiple times a day, spent mindless minutes reading about the minutia of others days...meanwhile I have vast amounts of laundry, chores, meal prep, errands to do....oh and um, three kids to tend to.

I am hoping my little hiatus will leave me with a newfound sense of time management and hopefully a shorter to do list.

Groundhog Day...again

Motherhood is alot like that Bill Murray movie: Groundhog day..where the same day happens over and over again.

Consider this:

Today I woke up at 622am....Like I did yesterday.

The sounds I heard were Maeve pulling books of her shelves, since her older sisters rescued her from the crib.
(Like yesterday)

I reluctantly pull back the covers, tell David I get the shower first and head out to the bath.
(Like I did yesterday)

After the quickest shower ever. Its time to get the girls dressed for school. They complain about the clothing choices (like they did yesterday) I scoop up Maeve and quickly change the diaper and then head downstairs for my beloved cup of Joe.
(just like I do every day)

While I wait for the coffee to brew, I fill the sippy cup and get out the cereal bowls and spoons. I also need to put David's dinner dishes in the dishwasher, since he never does. (Oh, and that is just like I did yesterday, every freaking day actually)

Maeve and I now are back at home, Mickey Mouse clubhouse is on and I start the chores. Make the beds, collect the dirty laundry, wipe the toothpaste off of the sink...blah, blah, blah. (Remember its just like the day before)

Maeve comes to find me, the show must be over and it is snack time..its only 923am. (just like the day before)

Throw in an errand or some other random nonsense and it brings us to Kindergarten pick up time. Its only 1115am (just like yesterday)

Lunch, homework, TV time, coloring, crafts....let's bake a cake...Maeve takes a nap...shhh, don't wake your sister..This comprises the afternoon agenda..(Just like the day before)

Maeve is awake, how did that go so fast?...playtime for all..read some books, clean some more mess, color again, you need another snack??

Its now 444pm...dinner gets started..call to the husband..what time will you be in? 630pm cannot come soon enough. (just like yesterday)

Please eat your dinner, put your dishes in the sink...dance party time...(Didn't we do this yesterday?)

Up to the baths, brush your teeth better than that..2 stories each..its 730pm and husband is still not home. (Just like yesterday)

Daddy is home ..we eat in peace..clean up the kitchen again...collapse on the couch..he reads the paper (just like the day before) and I'm on the laptop. (just like yesterday)

I fight to keep my eyes open its 937pm...Crawl up to bed, tuck the girls in and kiss their sweet heads...(just like the day before)

In the morning I will wake up and do it over again and again and again....until I guess I won't have to anymore..

That is my Groundhog Day...and I wouldn't change it for anything..

(Except maybe the dishes part.)

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, join in over at Soule Mama


Her first strike

Trash to Treasure

Of course when the last of the Christmas decorations are taken down, I always have this undeniable urge to throw things away. I clean out cabinets, sort through old clothes and purge the toy bins. It feels good. I collected quite alot of "trash" here in our little home. The girls even got in on the action. They each gave away some of their treasures that they were willing to part with, things like 2 Sillybands and an old Happy Meal toy. I fear these two might be pack rats. It runs in the family...not my side :)

After an intense two days of decluttering and reorganizing, I needed a stop off at Target for some essentials...Clorox wipes, paper towels and garbage bags..

And then it happened..I spied the Valentine tchotchkes in the dollar bins..
glitter and foam hearts..imeanhowcutearethese??

Damn you, Target, clearly its all your fault for my clutter.

And just because I think she looks absolutely lovely in this ensemble I give you...

Maeve.

Good Riddance 2010

ahhh, 2010. Not such a great year. It was filled with alot of emotion, tremendous loss and moments of uncertainty. We did manage as a family to pull through and create happiness again. Nothing worthwhile in this life is ever easy. I would like to say that the events that took place in 2010, shaped me in some ways. I think I have learned that life is for living, family is most important and everything does eventually turn out alright. As we start the new year, we all have resolutions and changes we like to make. I have my own too, I think we all are works in progress.

So, as 2011 in in full swing. I have started by clearing the clutter, clearing my mind of worry and focusing on what really matters to me.

Even though 2010 was not so great, we did manage to have some good times.

* Family vacation to Disneyworld in March. Priceless memories
* Starting a blog! Although I did not write that many posts, I am glad that I did
update it. This year I hope it will grow even more.
* MY 365 photo project. So I missed a few days here and there but looking back
through the slideshow, made me realize how every day really does matter. It is
like a photo journal of the year.
* Maeve turned 1!
* Ava and Olivia started Kindergarten
* Summer vacation in Maine was amazing
* Meeting the GooGoo Dolls

Not too shabby. So bring it 2011, I am.

Snowflake Wishes Cranberry Holiday

Turn your holiday photos into holiday cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Two weeks in December

It started with the town Holiday parade


Holiday Dance Expo






Gingerbread house making





Tree shopping

Irish Tenors Christmas Concert

Goo Goo Dolls

A weekend away

Its been a busy December and its not over yet...Christmas is coming--eve here at home, a road trip to visit family and a rocking New Years Eve bash in the lovely Chatham. Excuse me while I go take a nap, I am tired already.