At the Playground . . .

 This girl of mine loves a good playground.  Thankfully, we have a few in our new neighborhood.  We could spend hours there and she'll still give you an attitude when it's time to leave. 

You have to be stylish at the playground too!! 

 "It's time to leave, Megan," I said after an hour and a half.

And that's the look I got.  Which was followed by a scream.  Which was followed by stamping of the feet.  Which was followed by "you're mean."  Then we went home and baked cookies and all was right in this soon-to-be six year old's world again.  : )


Happy Thursday!  May all be right in your world!!  ~ Wendy  

Hi Ho, Hi Ho . . .

Last weekend, we loaded up our lawn mower and weed wacker and headed north to tackle my mother's yard.  She lives on 40 plus acres of land but the woman that she rents her little house from told her she's only responsible for maintaining the grass in the immediate area around her house.  THANKFULLY!!  : ) 

This is what the grass looked like before it was cut.  About two feet tall and filled with lots of buttercups.  So pretty but a definite magnet for snakes and my mother had already seen one outside of her back door. 

My nephew Tristan and my son Trevor. 

Jim mowed while these two helped with raking and weed wacking and dragging the cut grass away.  They really did a great job but, as the saying goes, "all work and no play . . ."  No danger of that with them!!  : )

They also moved and restacked the leftover firewood from next to the house to avoid my mother or her two dogs being confronted with a snake when she takes them out her back door.  Thankfully, there was only one snake to be seen all day and that was on the far side of the house where nobody spends much time.

As a side note, I have to share a quick story . . .

My husband is seriously afraid of snakes.  While he and my mother and I were sitting at her dining room table discussing the recent snake sightings, one of my mother's dogs decided to lick Jim on his leg from under the table.  He almost jumped out of his seat!!  When he told us what had happened, my mother and I laughed until we almost cried!!!

The culprit, Seamus!!  : )

Megan was a busy girl, too.  She made a pound cake with her Nana and then wanted to help the boys outside so we gave her the task of sweeping the back patio while the cake was in the oven.

Some buttercups that I picked before they were mowed.

A gorgeous day to be outside!!!

Tristan taking a photo of me taking a photo of him.  : )

Reading her new book that Nana gave her for all of her hard work.

It was a beautiful day with minimal snakes and maximum fun.  Oh, and the pound cake with homemade whipped cream and strawberries wasn't too shabby either!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Monday ~ Wendy

"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, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Many blessings for a beautiful weekend ~ Wendy

Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages . . .

I've seriously been neglecting my blog these last few weeks.  We've been working on getting used to new school year routines and I've been working on getting used to being in the work force again after almost twenty one years (give or take a couple of years in between).  This summer, I started a job working for American Greetings.  I felt like it was time and we definitely could always use the money.  It's just part time and I can pretty much make my own hours.  I really enjoy it and am so happy I found something that truly fits my schedule.  The days I bring Meg to the babysitter are the days that I go in to work. It's been about three months now and I'm starting to get the hang of what I'm supposed to be doing.  Starting something new can sometimes take me a bit out of my comfort zone but I'm very pleased with how things are going and I thank the Universe for this opportunity that was so quickly sent my way as soon as I made up my mind to go back to work.

In the mean time, we've been filling our days with end of summer fun and friends and last weekend we attended the New York branch Shriner's Circus.  Lots of good old fashioned fun!! 

If you've never heard of Shriners International you can read about them here .  They supply free medical services for burns, orthopedics, etc. to children in need.  Such an incredible cause!!

Meggie rode a horse for the first time.  She wasn't too sure about it at first but then, once she realized daddy had a tight grip on her, she liked it.

Her friend, Cybele, on the other hand, loved every minute of it!!!!

Next came the giant slide.  I think my son's face speaks for itself as to how much fun this was!!

And here's fearless Cybele in action!!!!!

Brendan's friend, Liam.

The world-famous Shriner Clowns!!! 

A fun day was had by all!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Friday and a happy weekend ~ Wendy

A Wet But Wonderful Day!! . . .

Megan's birthday party was a wet and chilly one.  I prayed to the weather Goddesses but I guess they were busy with more important things.  : )   My wonderful husband and son built a tent city in our backyard and we made the most of it. 

All of her little friends from daycare came.  The beauty of two and three year olds, give or take, is that they are thrilled with sandboxes and bouncy castles and love to play in water.  So we had the perfect combination for a great party!!

Friends in the sandbox.

Meggie's adorable friend, Robby.  I secretly hope they get married some day.  : )

A soggy Frasier in the sandbox.

Megan with Daddy and her new bff, Cebele.

 We also had very layed back parents at her party which was a true blessing because the kids decided to make a beach, complete with sand and water, on our patio . . .

 and some of our little party guests REALLY enjoyed playing with the sand.  LOL!!! 

Remember her??  Strawberry Shortcake is one of Meggie's favorites.  : )

I think the big kids had as much fun in the bouncy castle as the little ones did!!

 When it was time for the birthday cake, everyone gathered around to sing "Happy Birthday" and in true Megan fashion she sang to herself.  Louder than anyone else!!

A very happy little three year old!!

 After cake, all of our cold and wet and HAPPY guests left and we went inside to warm up, dry off and open presents with my family that had wimped out and stayed in the house all day. This actually worked out well because my mother and sister took control of the kitchen and the food and I was able to sit and talk with our guests for a change.  You know how it is when you throw a party.  You rarely get a chance to even sit down!!

Megan's new Strawberry Shortcake party dress.  Thank you to my friend Saskia and her son Malcolm!!  She ADORES it!!

In spite of the weather, it was a beautiful day filled with friends and family and wonderful new memories.  Now, if I could just wrap my head around the fact that my baby girl is three!!!!!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful and safe Memorial Day ~ Wendy