Happy 4th Birthday Little Bean

Happy Birthday Little Bean!  It is so hard for me to believe that 4 years have passed since you decided to enter this world.  It was a rough start for you when you were born 6 weeks early, but you are amazing and looking at you today, you would never know.  You are my little fighter and are so head strong.  I am so lucky to be your Mommy and you teach me something new every day.  You love to learn and will speak French to me at the most random times, it is the cutest thing.  You are so caring, compassionate and loving.  I hope that I make you as proud as you make me.  I love you more than you will ever know. 

My Mother's Day

Thank you Arabella and Jay for a fun Mother's Day!!

It started with toast in bed and the most beautiful cards that I have ever received.  It was nice to be able to relax a bit before getting up, but I couldn't lounge all day long as I had my Spartan Race training (I had to run stairs, do sprints and practice my rope climbing skills for 1 1/4 hours!!)
After returning home, we packed up and made a quick, impromptu trip South of the Border to Plattsburgh, New York.  Jay was planning on going Monday morning to deal with his Nexus appointment and planned a hotel stay for us.  Now Plattsburgh is nothing glamorous but he did get a "A" for all the effort he put into finding a good hotel and yummy restaurant to enjoy our meals at.  Arabella was excited to go to the hotel and loved it even more since it had a pool!  (For some reason, she loves staying in hotels and on Monday morning, she didn't want to check out!)  We had a super yummy dinner at Mangia - I had the best pizza I have had in a very long time.  Arabella and I were supposed to share the Spumoni...but she ate most of it!  When I am in Plattsburgh for my next shopping trip...I just may have lunch at Mangia!



After dinner we walked back to the hotel and Arabella had a blast picking and blowing dandelion wishes!

We then enjoyed some pool time. It was great we had the whole place to ourselves! Arabella loved swimming with her new goggles (they are actually an old pair of mine) and she even was able to practice the swimming skills she is learning in her lessons.

On Monday, we packed up to head home and so that Jay could get to his Nexus appointment. But before that, we explore a bit of "Downtown Plattsburgh". It was a beautiful, sunny day and we walked around and found a park by Lake Champlain. Arabella had fun looking for flowers and throwing rocks in the water. We than had another yummy lunch at Iris' - another fun restaurant that Jay found.

I had a great Mother's Day weekend!  Thank you again for all the fun!  I love you, both, more than you know.

Owl Obsessed

For Christmas 2 years ago, Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill gave Arabella a pair of pj's with owls on them.  She feel in love with them, wore them out and until they were high-waters and ever since then has been owl obsessed.  She loves them and talks about them to anyone who will listen.  And in keep with her owl obsession, she receive a package in the mail from Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff this week...she loves it!  Thank you both!!

Wordless Wednesday...A Day Late

Happy Mother's Day

Until I became a mother, I never realized what a difficult but rewarding job it can be.  My mom made it look easy when she was working and raising my brother and I.  I am so thankful for the warm, loving home that we were raised in.  Thank you Mom for all that you have done and continue to do for me and our family.  You are still a role model for me.  I love you Mom and have been blessed to have you for my mom.

Field Trip to the Ecomuseum

Arabella and her class went on a field trip to the Ecomuseum last week.  We had a tour with one of the guides.  It was a lot of fun to learn new facts about the animals at the museum.  It was a bit chilly out, but Arabella still had fun running around and learning about all the exhibits and animals.  Her favorites were the sea otters and of course, the owls.  All of the animals were beautiful and it was a lot of fun.  Arabella was so excited about the field trip and can't wait to go back...she wants to bring Grammie when she visits in a few weeks.  I love that we have such a fun place to explore Nature so close to us - it is literally about 15 minutes away.

Mother's Day Concert

Last Wednesday, Arabella's preschool class surprised us with a special Mother's Day concert.  It was so adorable and all of the kids were excited to sing us songs that they had learned especially for this day.  Arabella also presented me with a handmade sunflower, a card and a heart necklace.  She was so proud of her work and it just melted my heart.  She sang her little heart out and had such a fun time.  Thank you my Little Bean, I am so blessed to be your Mommy!

Old Books

Much to Jay's dismay, I have a collection of books. New books, old books, textbooks, I just love books. I have passed on that gene to Arabella too. She loves books and loves to read! Jay keeps some books, but usually when he is finished with one, he gets rid of it. I on the other hand can fill shelves with books without a problem. I am especially fond of old books and when I was on my solo trip to Connecticut a few weeks ago, I was given a family heirloom. My great aunt Moona asked me if I had any need for a dictionary. Truth be told, I have no use for one as I already have one and more often than not when I need to look something up, I go to the internet. But when she pulled it out and told me that I could not get rid of it, I was sold. It is a Webster's from 1930. She told me that she remembers when her father, my great grandfather, brought it home - she remembers being in grade school. It is an amazing book and I am so honored to have it in our family. Arabella was excited to look through it, she was so gentle with the pages. I need to find a good stand so that I can display it. Thank you so much for sharing this with our family Aunt Moona.

Thursday's Thoughts...Catching Up

Hearing: Silence - Arabella is at a lunch playdate with her friend Ronald. Tasting: Cilantro, strawberry & mango gree smoothie! YUM!! Seeing: Bright blue skies. Smelling: Freshly laundered clothes. Feeling: A little nervous...the Spartan Race is in 23 Days, 20 Hours, 11 Mins!