Hubby & The Boys Hijack The Blog

So it started as a lazy Sunday in our house. We didn't have much planned and when we asked the kids what they wanted to do M shouted "Go fishing!" B was not so enamored with that plan but the boys were all in. That is until I told L he would have to use B's old fishing pole which may or may not be all pink and Barbie themed. That idea did NOT go over well. In order to calm L down I told the boys that we could go to Target to look for a more appropriate fishing pole. Thankfully we found an Ironman-themed pole which was much more acceptable to L. 

Once we finally got to the pond L immediately was hit by beginner's luck. Honestly, he was getting bites no less than every third cast. Granted these weren't fish that anyone would confused with Jaws but to a 5 year old it was the action not the outcome. L would like everyone to know, and I quote, "I caught ten fishes (Hubby note- it is distinctly possible this is an exaggeration) with my brother M and my dad. Then we had fun. I caught a lot of fishes. One tip, throw it far far away as you can." 

Though his brother's luck with clearly killing him M was extremely gracious and good about it. Thankfully in time M had his own luck and ended up catching two fish and narrowly missed a third that somehow got off the line right before we could get it up. He caught his second fish on his last cast so we all ended on a high note. M's tip of the day is to walk back when you are reeling in a fish. As you can see from the leviathan he caught you would do well to heed his advice! Maybe I can convince him to go as Captain Ahab this Halloween......

All in all it was a very successful day and hopefully not our last visit to the pond this summer. Maybe next time we can even get the girls to join us!                                

Cheers To The Weekend!

Last week two of my favorite PTO volunteer warriors join me for dinner. My sweet Hubby thought that the three of us deserved a nice dinner after a year of tons of hard work. It should be noted that the other two worked non-stop all year, I only had to work hard on one event. But since Hubby offered to cook I went along with it!

The only thing (besides clean the house) that I had to do was make a cocktail. I had an idea in mind - an adult strawberry lemonade. So of course I turned to Pinterest and they had a ton of options. While all of the drink recipes looked awesome they were all too involved and I was short on time. So I winged it!

Adult Lemon-Aid

1 pint of strawberries, washed and quartered

1/4 cup water

1 bottle of lemon-aid (I used Simply Lemonade, but you could use any kind)

1 cup vodka

In a food processor, place the strawberries and water. Pulse until the berries and water to form a strawberry like juice.

In a large pitcher add the "strawberry juice", lemonade and vodka. Stir and serve over ice. Enjoy!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Cheers!

Happenings {Part 2}

B's spring/summer field hockey season started off strong. She has really grown as a player since she started playing travel. She is just a joy to watch - well at least for me and Hubby. What can I say other than we are her biggest fans!

Unfortunately things have not been moving along so perfectly since B's last tournament over Memorial Day weekend. During the course of the tournament B's feet took a beating. So much so that she told us about it. If you knew my daughter personally you would know that this really is a big. She never complains about the bumps and bruises of being an athlete. 

We should have known it was bad when she willing to subjected herself to an ice-bath. Hubby swears by them but I have never been in that much pain that I would willing ask for one! 

As much as all of us wished that B just needed was some rest and ice we were all wrong. My poor girl has a (maybe) stress fracture! B has been on crutches since the beginning on June and an air boot for the past two weeks. If all goes well B will be able to slowly start practicing this Monday.

In the meantime, she still puts on her uniform twice a week and goes to her team practices. Boot and all! Please don't think ill of me but it is really boring watching your child just stand at a field for two hours. Maybe I should focus more on her dedication? 

Or maybe I just need to find some better hair products? NoVa humidity is not kind my friends!!!!

How To Train Your Dragon 2

I am not sure what the weather was like for you guys this past week but around here it did not feel like summer at all. It quickly became apparent this past Saturday that we would not be able to spend the day at the pool. So we came up with "plan B" - a trip to the movies.

While it was easy to get all five of us on-board with a trip to the movies, it was not easy at all to pick a movie that appealed to all. There is a six year age spread among our children and it seems like we are entering the awkward years, like when your tween and five year old are on two totally different planets. I mean really B suggested "The Fault In Our Stars". God help me!

Hubby and I decided that the best bet for all of us would be "How To Train Your Dragon 2". Five years ago we all loved Hiccup and Toothless' story so it seemed fitting that we see what they had been up.  As with the first movie, I thought it sent a wonderful message in the power of standing together to make a change in the world. Anytime a sweet and touching movie acts as a segway to remind my children that if they stand for nothing they will fall for anything is a win in my book!

Happenings {Part 1}

As a family we have been super busy during my blogging vacation so please bear with me as I get you caught up to date!

During the last weeks of May, we watched L proudly graduate from preschool. He was so very excited for his big night. I mean who would not be happy to wear a colorful tassel and mortar board, right!?! 

L and his classmates treated us to songs that they had been working on for months. And I do mean months! (Having been on a preschool school board I can honestly say that preschool teachers are saints.) It was so sweet to hear all of them signing and I really enjoyed that the children also singed some of their songs.

L walked up proudly and received his memory book from his teacher. Mrs A has known L since he was six months old so it was a little bittersweet for us that night. It has been such a blessing to have a good friend as L's teacher. With all of his "issues" I have been so grateful that L's preschool is filled with a staff that takes allergies seriously. When you send you children off to school peace of mind is priceless! 

The whole school celebrated their big night with a "make your own sundae" party. Perfect ending to a wonderful school year. But L was so over me taking his pic by that point. I mean really  - what kid can't smile next to their ice cream sundae!?!

I'm Back

I love blogs. Really I do! When I first "discovered" the blogging world, I could not get enough. The way that total strangers let me have a look into their lives was awesome. It was so entertaining to see how my life was similar or nothing like some else's kept me coming back for more. I may or may not have talked about blogs to the point of driving my family a little crazy. Then it seemed crazy that I, myself, didn't have a blog. 

So I started one, which is kind of not like me since I have never kept a diary. And let's be real here - I am not a great writer but it really seemed like something I had to try. The fact that you read the silly things I write about warms my heart. It has been a blessing to have made connections with some many people via social media. But at some point this spring I just could not keep up and blogging became one more stressful thing on an unending "school is almost over" to-do list. Simply put - something had to give!

I hope that you will forgive me for taking a much needed break. I can't wait to catch up and see what you have all been up to!!!