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My little MacGyver

Posted on June 19, 2010 10:49 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

Last night, we surprised you with something. We were invited to a Pampered Chef Party at Christina and Tom’s house. Christina thought it would be fun for you and JSL to come and play with TJ. I did not mention anything to you until after school. You were so excited and quite helpful when we went to the store.

When we arrived, TJ was waiting at the door. He was so excited to see you. All of the boys went upstairs to make sure you were set to play. Eventually, we called the two dads down to participate in the cooking presentation (made sense since they are the cooks). I joked that at times it sounded like a herd of elephants were upstairs instead of three little boys. Then it got quiet. That always makes me nervous. For some reason, parents just know something is going on when there is no noise.

The noise level resumed and then again it was quiet. Shortly after this, you came to the stairs and called to Tom that TJ was really a mess. We told you to go back to playing. We probably should have listened. It seems that your guilt had gotten to you, and you were nervous about the mess that did exist. A short time later, TJ came downstairs and he was covered in something.

We had no clue what it was at first. Soon we learned that there had been unopened, still packaged finger paint in TJ’s room. From the bits and pieces we figured out you wanted to open it and got TJ to agree it would be fun. Not knowing how to open the top of the container you looked around for a tool. When Tom was cleaning, he figured out what you had done. Our little MacGyver had used a Hot Wheels like airplane to poke a hole. Yes, you saw that the plane had a sharp tip, popped it through the plastic barrier and voila! Thank goodness it was not a very large hole, that stopped the paint from coming out too quickly.

When I went upstairs, I was expecting paint to be all over everything. No, you and TJ had not done that. Apparently, you at least wanted to paint on paper-like items and did not go to the walls or doors. The carpet was just the drop zone that was an unintended victim.

We talked with you about making good choices and to think about things. You know we don’t paint in bedrooms and should have brought the paint to the adults. As upset as we were, it was interesting to see that you and TJ also tried to clean things up. Tom had heard the water running. It was the two of you trying to clean up the evidence seen here.

Meanwhile, JSL must have just been the casual observer since he hardly had anything. Needless to say, you and TJ each had scrubbing sessions last night. We found more paint under the sleeves of your shirt and your shorts when we arrived at home.

Lesson learned by the adults: When 3 children are too quiet, finger paint may have been located, opened by airplane and used all over!

Thank goodness the damage was not too bad thanks to washable paint. With any luck, Christina and Tom will invite us over again (sorry guys) in the future.

Love,

Mommy

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Family wedding fun

Posted on June 15, 2010 9:43 am by TheAngelForever

Monday night, only two days after my cousin’s wedding the boys were still talking about the events of the weekend. The best was when NHL asked if we could go back to cousin RB’s wedding again. Both of the boys had a magical time dancing, singing, and enjoying the experience of a wedding. It was amazing watching NHL and JSL as they figured out just what a wedding was about. Sure, NHL had been to my brother’s wedding, but he was so sick that weekend.

Saturday, we arrived at the hotel several hours before the wedding. We went out to lunch nearby and stopped by the LL Bean outlet store where we scored a few items for great prices. Next, we stopped by Target to pick up a few cars for the boys to be able to keep them busy at the wedding. We goofed and forgot to pack any earlier that morning when we left the house. Then we went back to the room where I rested (sinus infection and antibiotics was kicking me in the butt) and the boys played quietly. Before we knew it, it was almost 4:00 and time to get everyone dressed.

Once we were all dressed, we went to wait for Nana and Papa to go to the location of the wedding next door. When we went outside, the groom and our family were there. When it was almost time, we went inside. We were told to find our table number and we would sit there for the ceremony and the reception. My family rocked – they put us on the edge near an escape door. This was actually utilized as mentioned by TechyDad in his post that includes videos of the party boys.

After the actual ceremony, the little guy came back in and the boys were happily snacking on food, playing with their cars, dancing and saying hello to everyone. The one and only photo that we tried to get of the four of us is below. Not the best since the kids were trying to run away. Oh well, better than nothing I suppose.

Of course, after JSL had a few crackers and some fruit, he immediately wanted the wedding cake. Try explaining to a three year old that you have to wait. Thanks to being seated VERY close to the cakes, we kept them next to us and never moved away from them. Not saying that we didn’t trust them, but the cakes certainly could have gotten them into trouble. Thank goodness there was no incident. The boys kept playing with their cars and dancing the night away. Even Nana and Papa were caught dancing.

After a while, it was finally time for cousin RB and KB to cut into the cake. The boys were so excited to be up close and get to watch this. NHL was especially fascinated with the bride and groom and kept asking about them. Then, when it was time to eat the cake, both boys were more interested in the music and everything else going on.

Several hours after their bed time, NHL finally looked at me and said he wanted to go back to the room to sleep. JSL was reluctant, but eventually did not want to stay without his big brother. We got back to the room and NHL curled up to sleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

If you have kids, have they been to a wedding and did they have fun?

As you can tell, my boys had a blast and want to go to another wedding soon! More wedding photos and stories coming later on. Wanted to share some of the memories that we had from this fun family event. Mazel tov again to Cousin RB and KB on their marriage!

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Off to a wedding we go

Posted on June 13, 2010 3:59 pm by TheAngelForever

Yesterday morning, we packed up the car. In the back seat was a very excited three year old singing his own little song. In a sweet little voice, he was saying, "I goin’ to a wedding – a wedding!" – over and over. He really had no clue what to expect. To be honest, neither did NHL since the only wedding he has been to was my brother’s just over five years ago.

When I was little, I remember heading out to western NY for long weekends. We would stay at a hotel and go to visit my mother’s first cousin MB and her family. As the only girl in the group of kids, I learned to play with the boys. Here I am in the middle of RB and JB. Not sure where my brother was at this moment (probably too little for the swings).

Fast forward 20+ years and we are all grown up now. I was the first of the bunch married almost nine years ago. Here I am today with my husband, you know TechyDad.

JB was married in December to LB (another teacher in the family). Sadly, we were not able to go to their wedding across the country. I had a nice time chatting with LB several times and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Yesterday, it was RB’s wedding that we went to. He and KB are now husband and wife. Here is a photo of the newly married couple just before they cut their wedding cake.

We had a fabulous time and there is so much to share. Here is one photo of my little guys having a blast at the wedding festivities.

Thank you again to cousins MB and LB for inviting our entire family to be party of this special occasion. Mazel tov again on both of your boys being married!

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Free ice cream & Happy B-day Nana

Posted on June 5, 2010 9:50 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL & JSL,

Today, we had a very busy day. We started off going to get both of you new shoes for the wedding that we are going to. Of course, they did not have the right size in stock for NHL. Thanks to this, we went to the mall where another store was holding a pair for us. After we picked them up, tried them on and paid for them we decided to wander around for a little while. As we were walking, I remembered that Friendly’s was having free ice cream today from 12-5. I asked Daddy if he wanted to do it and he said yes. Since it was only 12:30, there was hardly a line and we got our ice cream fast. The two of you were very surprised with the treat and enjoyed it.

NHL, you decided that you wanted strawberry ice cream in a cone. JSL, you wanted chocolate, but we opted to do it in a cup to make it easier. Daddy had Apple Pie a La Mode, and I went for my usual Cookie Dough. We all enjoyed it and then went to several more stores and had a quick lunch.

After the mall, we went to BJ’s to get a few things for the house and for the picnic for NHL’s class. By the time we were finished, everyone was really tired. We went home for a little while and then met Nana, Papa and Mimi at the diner for Nana’s birthday dinner. Things were a bit shaky at times since everyone was cranky, but we made it through.

We went back to Nana and Papa’s house to play for a while and celebrate Nana’s birthday with a little cheesecake. It was fun watching JSL playing dominoes with Mimi. Before we knew it, the sky was getting dark and it was time to go home. We had a busy day and hope to be able to run around and have some fun around the house or at the park tomrorow.

Love,

Mommy

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Our Curious George Live Adventure

Posted on June 3, 2010 10:06 am by TheAngelForever

Ten years ago, I used to travel all around the northeast going near and far to hockey games. One of the places that we frequented a lot was Glens Falls. Their AHL hockey team and ours had a HUGE rivalry. Friends and I would go to see the hockey games there since it was so close and a fun, intense experience. Glens Falls is a small town and the Civic Center reminds me of old style arenas before the giant monsters were built. This building was made to house a hockey team and games and it shows.

Last night, the boys and I went back to the Glens Falls Civic Center to see Curious George Live. This was not only my first trip back since getting married/having two children, it was the first time I have gone there for something aside from hockey. When we walked into the front doors, I knew it would be different.

The boys were so excited to be able to go and see Curious George. JSL and I watched Curious George 2 early in the morning to get ready. Two Curious George stuffed friends also accompanied us on our adventure to see the live show.

What I had forgotten about the Civic Center is how steep the incline is and that there are NO railings to hold onto. This is no problem for most adults. TechyDad picked JSL up and carried him down the stairs to our front row seats. NHL and I walked slowly down together since neither of us wanted to accidentally knock the other off balance on the way down. When we arrived at our seats, we realized we had done well. We were not on the floor, but the area in front of us (by the hockey boards) was huge. The kids would be able to stand up and not disturb anyone throughout the show – SCORE!

Before the show started, we looked at the Curious George merchandise. The kids did not really need a hat or shirt (which were reasonably priced for a kids show). We toyed with a program, but knew NHL and JSL would fight to look at it. We said we would watch the first half of the show and see if we liked the music and possibly get the soundtrack from the production.

When the show started, both of the boys were ready. JSL stood up clutching his Curious George and did not move a muscle. He was leaned up against TechyDad’s leg and smiling away. It was funny listening to the audience react as familiar characters, like the Doorman, arrived on stage. Everyone cheered when The Man in the Yellow Hat came onto stage. I am sure they were excited to see him, but we all knew who would be coming soon afterward. Speaking of that, NHL cheered when the mischief making monkey made his way onto the stage!

TechyDad and I immediately noted to each other that we really liked the catchy tunes from the show. The people that created the show did a fabulous job in several areas.

They used the narrator’s voice from the PBS show. It was like we were watching a giant, in-person episode of Curious George.
The dance choreography was great. Thanks to the actors and their bright costumes and props, it was nonstop fun for the entire audience.
Lots of subtle jokes/one liners tossed in that would go over kids head, but were definitely appreciated by adults paying attention.

When the first act was over, the boys all went up to buy the CD soundtrack. JSL was so excited about it, he would not let go of it and demanded to hold it the entire second act.

The second act was a great wrap up of the adventure that George went on to Rome for the meatball contest. With a quick change of curtains, we went from the back of an airplane to the streets of Italy, and then into the meatball contest.

The fun costumes really were distinct in the second half. There was a Japanese style chef – a la Iron Chef, along with an Irish inspired one. Of course, Frankie and The Meatball Girls were hilarious. Nothing like an announcer with slick backed hair and dancing plates with spaghetti and meatballs.

The show ended just before 8:30. It was just under a 90 minute show and perfect length for the kids. NHL and JSL were both exhausted when we arrived into the car. Both slept for part of the ride home as they fell asleep listening to our new Curious George Live Soundtrack. Thank you to Curious George Live for a fun filled family evening out!

Disclaimer: Last week I read about a giveaway on Albany Mommy’s website. I entered to win 4 free tickets and found out Saturday that I had won. A huge thank you to her for meeting up with me to get the tickets. No review of this was expected, we just wanted to share the fun family night that we had.