Putt-n-around....

Here's just a few from our afternoon of mini-golf.

We waited for some more monsoon-like rain and

thunder showers to pass.

Then we headed out for a round of golf.

Followed by dinner and ice-cream.

What a day!

Somebody's batteries.....

were charged!!!

When I returned home today after a trip to Fenway Park,

followed by the boys' doctor appointments at Children's Hospital,

our local newspaper had the following picture on the front page.

Check out the link.

http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x390617829/Pot-of-gold

This is the rainbow that I enjoyed last night but wasn't able to capture!

Photography 101....

I should preface this post by saying we had monsoon-like rains at dinner-time.

Without warning the sky turned black and the winds and rain blew in rapidly.

Thunder and lightening ensued.

The boys were a bit frightened.

I told them that before you know it, the rain will be over and the sun will be shining.

We'll probably even see a rainbow.

My prophecy came true.

The rain ended.

The sun came out.

While I was running along the beach, a rainbow appeared.

Finishing my run, I quickly made it home.

I replaced my dead camera battery and headed back across to the beach.

Not only was there a rainbow, but a magnificent sun-set too!

I began to snap away - my replacement battery was dead too!

Note to myself - always charge my batteries!!!

And you may have thought.....

you were having a bad day!

Let's just say Abby was near the end of her

rope, after a fun-filled day!

This girl is full of expression

(and cuteness!!!!)

(and lots of drama!!!)

Summer luv'n....

It was a bubble blowing. side-walk chalk drawing.

getting dirty. hanging out. dancing to the music.

kind of day!
Today was the "Back to the Beach" festival

at the beach across from my house.

There was a side-walk chalk contest, a sand sculptor,

a D.J., slushes and more.

Life is good!

The three amigos...

This photo captured the day perfectly.
Yesterday we spent the entire at the zoo.
Thomas stayed in the stroller almost the whole time-
he was awesome!
At the end of the day, I bailed him out.
He LOVED roaming freely.
It was a great start to our summer.
Thankfully there will be more great days life this!
Next time we need our other buddies with us!

Not a little kid...

Tonight John and I were leaving the grocery store when I rubbed the top of his newly cut, hair.

He quickly told me not to do that.

I asked him why?

He said, "Mom I'm not a little kid anymore!"

Ouch my heart hurts about now!

Not the best....

quality photo, but it sure captures his personality!

Take Five

Last night I ran my first 5 mile road-race of the season.

I ran it sans my running partner.

Usually by this time of year, we have already completed a few races, together.

Generally we operate as a team.

Lately circumstances just haven't allowed

us to run together,

in prepration for a season of road-races.

In any event, I drove to the event,

all the while wanting to stay home.

I have been running, but only in three mile increments.

Usually by now, I would have already run a few 5 milers or 10 K.

With the encouragement of John, I ran solo.

I am so happy that I ran anyway.

It was a great night for a run and the scenery

along the route was beautiful.

Afterwards, I met up with a friend for a

few drinks at an outdoor bar near the race's finish.

My confidence is up and I am ready for another race.

Here begins the road-race season-

better late than never!

Now I just hope my running partner

will be ready soon!

Standing up....

while blogging - that's how I NOW roll!

In my efforts to keep my blogging addiction

under control,

I no longer blog sitting down during the day.

Instead, I keep my laptop on a shelf.

When I get a few minutes during the day,

I peruse my google reader, but I do NOT sit down.

For me, sitting leads to way too much blogging.

I love to read, but need to get things

accomplished during the day.

Mainly, I want to be outside enjoying the sun

that I missed so much during the long winter.

Have no worries though - in the evening,

I rest my dairy ere and "catch up" with all of you.

A great year...

Today was the last day of second grade for John.

Each day, he looked forward to school.

His teacher was fantastic.

He flourished in her classrom.

She enclosed the following poem in a card to us.

Whose Child is This?

Author Unknown

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day

Seeing a little one out at play

"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile

"Mine" to keep a little while

To bathe his hands and comb his hair

To tell him what he is to wear

To prepare him that he may always be good

And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again

As the door opened and someone came in

"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile

"Mine, to keep just for a little while

To teach him how to be gentle and kind

To train and direct his dear little mind

To help him live by every rule

And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more

Just as the little one entered the door

"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled

And each took the hand of the little child

"Ours to love and train together

Ours this blessed task forever."

My friend....

and my sister!

You're a year older!

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

This means we will have to go shopping!

These are the times....

to remember!

Matt and Charlie graduated from preschool Thursday night!

What a tear-jerker it was.

Where did our babies go?

We can be rest assured, the future will be bright with these guys!

Finding the good...

Something became clear to me over the last couple of days. I have grown up thinking things are always black or white – good or bad. I know now this is not always the case. Often times there’s some gray mixed in – things can be cloudy. The same is true with people. I want to see the good things in people. I want to believe that there are some positive qualities in everyone. This may not always be true. However, if I don’t at least seek these out, I may never know. Sometimes good people make bad decisions or mistakes. This does not make them bad individuals. I want to see the good. Life is too fragile – it’s just too brief.

Gramma and me....

I still have more pictures of Abby's recital.

Please bear with me. =)

A dancing princess.....

otherwise known as Abby.

She had her dance recital today and she was awesome!

Children need love...

I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride… (Excerpt from the song, "Greatest Love of All" Written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed Performed by Whitney Houston)

I just have this on my mind today. Children need love. In order for our world to be a better place, all children need to be loved and need to know that they are loved. My mother always made a point to tell me that of course she and my father loved me, but additionally she would always go through the list of other people who cared (ie, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc). I grew up knowing that these people loved me and were proud of me too. These people also had high expectations of me. Knowing this, helped me to succeed. I wanted to make these people proud. Children need this love, and they need to know that other people are committed to them and rely on them. Of course children fail - we all do. Despite the failures, its easier to get back up again when one knows others are counting on them and believe in them. There can never be too many people cheering for a child. Whether it be your children, your friends', neighbors, family members' or neighbors' children, make all children know that they really matter. I think this would make our world a better place - they are our future.

Because you asked

Not the best pictures, but they're all I could muster!You can just barely see my shoe, but trust me they were dazzling! lolJohn was a good sport regarding this shirt. I really like it though!

Forget the little black dress...

its really all about the shoes! The shiny red shoes, that is. Upon my sister's coaxing the other day, I went shopping with her. While I had no intentions of buying anything, that notion quickly went out the window. It usually does, and thus I don't shop very often.

I bought the cutest outfit, which I wore to a party last night. The highlight of the outfit was, of course, the shiny red shoes. I have been told that there's nothing like wearing red shoes. Until last night, I did not know this first-hand. Alas, I have now experienced the "high" which they bring. If you've never tried them, I recommend purchasing a pair. They need not be expensive - mine weren't.

They say the 30's are like the 20's, the 40's are like the 30's and well forget that "little black dress" -now it's all about those sparkly red shoes!!! (The red necklace, earings and purse were great too, but let's just say I borrowed those items. It sounds better, right?) LOL