Mommy Musings

I swear this month has just flown by.  I can't believe tomorrow is July already!  I'll be honest, I completely forgot I even made these goals, so I'm a little nervous to see how I've done.  Let's take a look! {one} Finished the first half of my second novel.  I'm 4 chapters in already and if I  keep up my current pace, I think I can get it done.  Done!  This book is split into two parts, and I'm finished with part 1 and have even made some headway with part 2. {two} Donate our old couches and clean out the garage.  I have the Salvation Army coming to get them this week and it could not come soon enough.  Our garage is the messiest I've ever seen it and I'm excited to get it all cleaned up. Done!  Well, mostly.  Our garage is organized better and we got rid of our couches.  The clothes to donate are still sitting in our basement, but overall, lots of progress. {three} Run...at least once.  As I said last week, I'm still una...

Father's Day was a pretty low-key affair this year.  Unfortunately we mixed up our dates and forgot to have Skip take off for it.  So we only had him home in the morning with us.  The girls and I tried to make the most of it by letting Skip sleep in and giving him breakfast in bed. After a few presents and a little relaxing, poor guy had to leave for work, and the girls and I spent the rest of the day playing outside. Skip was off the next day though, so we packed up and headed down the shore to spend time with my dad.  It was a perfect  beach day and we were all sad to leave the sun and sand. I love getting to celebrate the two amazing dads in my life.  And if this is a preview of what are summer is going to look like, then count me in!

One of the things I love most about summer is all the fun activities in our area.  There is never a shortage of street fairs, farmer's markets, and carnivals.  For one of the most populated areas in the country, it helps bring a small-town feeling.  So we try to go to as many of them as we can. We recently went to a carnival at my old elementary school.  It was so weird to walk around the same parking lot I had when I was 13, now with my own kids. Emmy was amazed that I had gone there, and loved all the stories I told her.  The highlight of the night was running into a friend of mine who went through school with me there.  We've been friends since kindergarten, and sometimes I just can't believe how much time has passed since then. The girls rode rides, played games, and of course topped off the evening with some ice cream! About a week later, our town had its annual street fair.  The main street closes off to traffic and is filled with all sorts of fu...

Last year was Emmy's first year in dance.  However, do to some unfortunate rescheduling, we were in Disney for her recital last year and had to miss it. So you knew I was going to do everything in my power to go this year!  It was actually a tough yeah for Emmy with dance.  Last year was a combination ballet/tap, and it was a little more fun and carefree.  This year she was in ballet only, and it was a much more structured program.  And honestly, Emmy was not happy about it the first few weeks.  She didn't want to be in a class that regimented...she wanted more fun.  But I felt like it was important to stick with something once she had committed.  Next year she could do what she wants, but this year she had to finish ballet. She fought me the first few months, but then really began to blossom.  She started to make friends {which is normally easy for her, but most of the girls were older} and find her groove.  It's tough for Emmy to sit s...

Today would have been my Grandma's 92nd birthday.  It a strange turn of events, it is also the day of the close of the sale of her house.  I won't lie, it hurts.  Many have told me that it is a sign, that Grandma must have had a hand in it all.  And I'm sure that's true, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. My Grandma bought that house back in 1956.  She and my Grandpa were the sole owners of the house.  In my 32 years, my family and moved a few times to different houses.  But the one thing that always remained constant in my life, was Grandma's.  I have so many wonderful memories there. Now I know that I will always hold these memories in my heart, but it was nice to have a place to go where I could really feel them.  And that is going to be hard to deal with. I will give myself time to be sad today, but also focus on all the wonderful years I had with my Grandma and the thousands of memories we created.  I will also try and be happy f...

We had a wonderful day celebrating Charlie's fourth birthday.  We got up early to open presents and have some donuts for breakfast. Then we headed off to the aquarium as a family.  We've been there before and absolutely love it.  It's not too big and perfectly kid friendly. After we came home, we relaxed for the afternoon and had some dinner and of course some cake! The rest of the night was spent playing with all her new toys. We love you so much Charlie Bear...and hope you had a day as special as you!