Quote of the Week: Geography Lessons

Quote of the weekend:

"Guess what? I leave for Austria on Saturday! I can't wait - I'm so excited - I've never been to Germany before!"

- 12-year-old Spunky Kid about his upcoming baseball exchange trip...

We have a lot of work to do...I'm buying him a geography book to take on the plane.

(Editor's note: Actually there were TWO funny quotes this weekend...click here to read the other one on my "Chick on a Boat" blog)

Three brothers are we (plus Dad)

Check out the three brothers and Dad! Ages 22, 10 months, shall-not-be-told, and 12. What do you think? Who looks like whom? (Is that correct? I'm off grammar duty...)

Happy Summer!

The guys on the radio said today is the first day of Summer. WOOT! Happy Summer!

Spunky Baby has a terrible head cold. He's wheezing and sneezing and all sorts of other 'zing things that are yucky. It's not fun for him. But it's amusing to hear a 10-month-old talk when his voice is hoarse. Yes, happy Summer...

He saw a woodchuck in our yard yesterday and totally freaked out - trying to climb out of my arms to go down and pet (what I assume he thinks is) the kitty. Uh, no...bad kitty.

And, now that Summer is here, his love of watermelon continues. Thank goodness! I swear he's one big watermelon lately!

Here a snip, there a snip...

...everywhere a snip snip.

How much cutting is required to qualify as "first haircut"? If a snip here and there - bangs and over ears specifically - qualifies, than yesterday (Father's Day, June 15th 2008) Spunky Baby had his first haircut!

Before, with major bedhead...

After, with kinda crooked bangs but a smile.

Who knew a baby could be so squirmy??? But we have a few tufts of light brown hair in a ziplock baggie to keep forever!

Location, Location, Location

When we decided to start a family, I never put much thought into the state in which we live. I don't mean mental or physical state - I mean "New Hampshire." Our house has an extra bedroom for our child, it is in a nice neighborhood on a dead-end street, there are decent public schools and tons of affordable private school options nearby, etc. I focused on the small picture.

Little did I know, the decision to relocate to New Hampshire in 2005 was actually a very wise move!

Today's headline: New Hampshire rated No. 1 for kids

Huh! Yeah, I knew that. I agree for the most part - no place will ever be ideal - but overall, it is a wonderful place. I'm happy to call New Hampshire "home". Now, if we can just get rid of the "Live Free or Die" license plates...

Wordless Wednesday: Tribute to New England's Heat Wave

The EXTERNAL air thermometer reading in my car at 4:06 p.m. in Bedford, MA on 6/10/08 (the good news is it was down to 104 when I got home an hour later!)

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/

You can call me "Flower" if you want to...

When you see an orphan animal, your heart aches and you just want to help.

This weekend, we made an unlikely friend: a baby skunk.

You can call me "Flower" if you want to...from Disney's Bambi

Flower joined us for a day at camp - he was calm, friendly and didn't stink! The kids got a kick out of seeing a baby skunk, and the adults were very cautious about letting the kids come close to a wild animal.

The skunk will do quite well in its new home although we will miss seeing him.

Who knows what new adventure next weekend will bring!?

Mini Furniture Is Just Plain CUTE

Work With Me Here

Camping.

Well, if you call spending our weekend in a 35 foot long fifth wheel with central heat/air, a bunkhouse for three in the back room, queen bedroom in front, kitchen/living area, 27" HDTV w/ DVD and surround sound, and even a central vac "camping." But, we are on a lake in a small campground in Vermont, so camping it is.

Spunky Baby has been camping since he was two weeks old. He doesn't remember much about camping though, nor the rides to camp which run us about three hours. He slept for the first 2 hours of our trip. Then he woke up and couldn't understand why the heck he was 1) still in the car and 2) hungry. The last hour was very, very long...

But, we opened up camp and settled in for a gorgeous weekend. The weather forecast told us that it was going to be "one to remember" with sunny skies, summer temperatures, etc.

Reality: mid-50s and rainy with wind.

And the boat and the truck both broke (that's a whole other story).

So, while the others braved the weather, I turned up the heat and popped in Disney's Ratatouille while I made dinner.

Uh, oh...

I have a booster seat...but nothing to strap it to (there are padded benches but no rungs to attach the booster straps to avoid tipping - and he'll tip!)

Hmmm...

Well, I have a step stool.

TA-DA!

Instant high chair.

Spunky Baby does dinner and a movie in style...

A high chair where once was none.

Happy Provider Appreciation Day

Today, May 9, 2008, is Provider Appreciation Day. Timing is perfect - just before Mother's Day! I know I couldn't have gone back to work in November when Spunky Baby was just 10 weeks old unless I found a great babysitter - and I was lucky to have found her. Next month she moves far, far away and we are going to miss her. I've lined up childcare, but life without her won't be the same. She's like family. Thank you for all that you do!!!!!!!! I had planned to give her a little Mom's Day gift, so learning about this day of recognition and the timing of it is ideal!

To that end, anyone have any ideas on going-away gifts? I already have a few in mind (and a couple ordered) but I'm looking for something nice to give her as a lasting memory - always remind her of her time with Spunky Baby.