Happy Anniversary, Mr. O!!!

You are loving...

You are funny...

You are kind...

You are strong...

You are loyal...

I love you more!!!

Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?

I saw this on Mom x 2's blog, and thought I'd give it a whirl. It turns out I'm an Audrey. The description was pretty much spot on...I just wouldn't mind being as pretty as her though.

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
• I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.
• Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
• Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and non-judgmentally.
• Ask me questions to help me get clear.
• Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
• Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
• I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
• Let me know you like what I've done or said.
• Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life
  

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• being nonjudgmental and accepting
• caring for and being concerned about others
• being able to relax and have a good time
• knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
• my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
• my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
• being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe
  

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
• being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
• being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
• being confused about what I really want
• caring too much about what others will think of me
• not being listened to or taken seriously
  

Audreys as Children Often

• feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
• tune out a lot, especially when others argue
• are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves
  

Audreys as Parents

• are supportive, kind, and warm
• are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take the Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy.com!

Time on the Farm

Before picture:


After picture: See how well they clean up!!!

That was then (10.05.03)...this is now!!!

No doubt, our lives were blessed with the birth of Banana and Tank. Here's a picture of them in the bassinet of the pack n' play. I think the bassinet had a maximum weight of 15 lbs. Since Banana weighed in at 6 lbs. 5 oz, and Tank at 6 lbs. 13 oz. at birth, I think they only lasted a week sleeping together there. Whenever we put them down, we had them as far apart as possible...no matter, within minutes they were snuggling together. So precious!!!



How did 5 years pass by so quickly?!?!?! Like siblings everywhere they play like the best of them as well as fight like the best of them. They also love like the best of them!!!



Happy Birthday, earth angels of mine!!! I love you more and more each day. Stay happy, stay healthy, and most of all, keep those laughs coming...music to my ears!!!

W*I*C*K*E*D Swap

Many thanks to The Pink Clutch for organizing a WICKED swap!!! I was paired with the lovely Sooo Cute. I received my package a week ago, but with the craziness of preparing for Banana and Tank's 5th Birthday and entertaining the 7-9 outlaws who crashed at our house for the weekend, I didn't get around to opening her package until today.

I just LOVE all the gifts Sooo Cute sent my way. Here's what she sent:

W - way adorable tea towel



I - Incredibly cute cupcake candle



C - crazy spider napkin rings



K - knife, perfect for yummy fall dips



E - entertaining with preppy polka dot napkins



D - delightful delicious cookies (Nam's Bits)



I'm looking forward to using all my gifts. Thanks Sooo Cute!!! I hid away the cookies so I don't have to share with all my lovelies!!! I lurve Nam's Bits. I had them for the first time this past June. My brother and SIL gave bags of them out at the rehearsal dinner. Since Mr. O and the kids were there as well, I had 5 bags to munch on....Yummy!!!

Last days of Summer, and Baseball!!!

Last week started with a road trip to NYC to see the New York Yankees play.

Back in DC on Tuesday, I went to a DC Nationals-NY Mets game with my dad and baby bro. Here's my dad (he's a true baseball fan...he wears other team caps as well) and baby bro (die hard Mets fan)...Baby bro is getting Shea seats for his birthday.



Then, just yesterday Mr. O and I took the kids to see the Nationals play the San Diego Padres. The Nats LOST, so my streak is broken. The Nats have won every game I've gone to...until yesterday. Now, I'm 3-1.

During every game, the Nationals 4 favorite presidents run a relay race. Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington race to the finish line. Teddy Roosevelt has NEVER won...in 4 seasons. Here's Banana with President Washington.



The Nationals' mascot is Screech, the Eagle! Tank and KK wouldn't step near him, although they were the ones that goaded him to join our section. Once again, Banana stepped up!!!



Tank was totally into the game, and was disappointed when we were leaving in the 7th inning. Banana liked the people watching...but KK was plain ole BORED. I hope it's just an age thing as she's only 3. We got some more poses as we were leaving.








Like I said, KK was not impressed!!!

Summer Part III

Since Fall season doesn't officially start until tomorrow or the next day, I'm going to wrap up our Summer weeks. Here's how we spent the rest of August. Banana and Tank spent two weeks in day camp from 9a-2p, while Mama and Baby Girl hung out with CoCo and Master B and Lulu.

Once camp was over, some days we HUNG out at the pool.

Graceful Tank!!!



Baby Girl is only 3...how can she be doing this???



Big Girl is going!!! How can I catch her?



Most days we hung out in our front yard!!! I love this picture...It's a perfect interlock of hands and arms and Summer Loving!!!

Gangsta Tank

OMG, does this hood have DIMPLES?!?!? lol

Timbuktu

Conversation with Banana this afternoon:

Today I took the kids to the Outlets so I could get them new sneakers or running shoes as they call them. We were in the car about 20 minutes when:

Banana: Where are we going, Mama?

Me: Timbuktu!

Banana: Where?

Me: (singing) Timbuktu

Banana: (looking very confused) Have I been there before, Mama???

Me: LOL No, honey!!!

Banana: Have you?

Me: LOL No, honey!!!

85 Years Old...Counting the Last Days!!!

The last regular-season game at the House that Ruth Built will be next Sunday, September 21, 2008. Next season they will be playing in a new stadium being built right across the street from the current stadium. Yesterday, my brother, sister and I drove up from Northern VA to see a game. The Yanks beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4.

Current Yankee Stadium



New Yankee Stadium



We got to see A-Rod hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the first. This was the first grand slam I've ever seen "at" a game. Very exciting!!! Here's A-Rod coming home...that's Jeter (Mags is drooling) waiting to greet him.



Speaking of Jeter, we saw him hit a home run in the 5th inning; he also tied Lou Gehrig for the most hits at Yankee Stadium. BTW, my husband knows that I will leave him if I ever have a chance with Jeter. He's not sweating it, however.

Preschool Started!!!

Preschool has been in session for one week now. Banana and Tank are repeating Pre-K. They missed the cutoff for Kindergarten by 5 days. I'm not complaining...I think even if they were born in September, I would have held them back another year. I'd much rather have them be one of the older kids in their class than the youngest. Here they are on their first day....



My monkey is in the 3yo class...she's loving it this year. Well, she loved it last year too, but she much preferred to hang out with me than go to school. Every day but the last week of school, she cried for me. As soon as I walked out the door, she would scamper away to play with her friends. So far this year she's off running...I have to beg her for a kiss goodbye. I didn't get a picture of her all by her lonesome, but here she is with her sibs.



Here's the monkey dressed as a princess at a princess tea party the day before.

WICKED Swap

So Cute, please get in touch with me so I know where to send your goodies.

Our Summer - Part II

For the past 3 Summers (including this one), we have rented a house in the Hamptons for the month of July. The first 2 Summers we were able to rent a ranch home right around the corner from my parents' beach place in East Quogue. We were bummed when we found out the owners had a long-term rental in place this year. It took some scrambling, but we lucked out when we found this cute Cape by the Bay in Hampton Bays.

Me with KK and Tank in front of the house.



The ONLY negative about this house was that it wasn't right around the corner from my parents' place. This place was perfect for us though. I initially was worried about the kids sleeping upstairs while I (& occasionally, Mr. O) slept downstairs. The front and back yards were spacious for the kids to run around. We had a deck and a patio to lounge around on. We had a waterview of the bay, and we were very close to the ocean beach we frolic.

We celebrated Mim's birthday on July 1st at our house. Here she is with KK and LuLu.



We always look forward to the 4th of July BBQ at a family friend's home. The fare is normally the same...lobster tails, london broil, baked potatoes, corn on the cob. The biggest draw is the lobster tails. Well, last year there were no lobster tails...the horror!!! Everyone was stunned, and the poor host still has not heard the end of it. People are still talking about last year even though he redeemed himself by providing the tails this year.

All the kids posing at the party.



We had exceptional weather the 5 weeks we were there. I don't think it even rained more than 3 days. Our days began by packing the cooler with sandwiches, snacks and beverages; lathering up with sunscreen lotions, and heading to Ponquogue Beach.

Mr. O with the kids!!!



Me with Tank and Banana!!!



Cool dudes...the kids with their cousin, Master B!!!



No beach day is complete without having a Marino's Italian Ice. KK especially loved the cherry ice.



Check out Tank on his boogey board...



Tank is somewhere in here...what a scary wipeout!!!



Banana and her lifeguard friend, E!

Our Summer - Part I

Over the next few posts, I am going to share some of the highlights from our Summer.

We started off our Summer break with a long long car ride down to Charlotte for Uncle P and Aunt K's wedding.

Banana & KK in their party dresses at the wedding...



Daddy & Tank at the wedding...



The family at the wedding...



Mim & Pop with the bride and groom...

Boohoo....

I'm changing the look...and the colors of my blog to show my love for VA Tech. As I am doing this, I watched the Hokies lead the game most of the way to lose it in the last two minutes. They lost the game 27-22...and they deserved to lose. It sucks to start the season off with a loss. I'm worried about the rest of the season too, because the Hokies looked pretty lackluster out there. They certainly didn't look like the Hokies that won the ACC Championship last December in Jacksonville, FL...that was a great game, and I was THERE!!! They better improve and win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win and win, so I can go to the ACC Championship again this year in Tampa, FL. GO HOKIES!!!

Whew!!!

I had a hard day yesterday...and last night I slept HARD. I feel so much better this morning.

We have nothing special going on today. We're having a playdate this morning, so I'll be scooting around the house making it look neater than it is. Then, we're off to preschool where I'll drop off the kids' forms, which were due last week. Great!!!

OMG

I can't stop hugging my kids. I had one of the worst scares of my life this morning. Tank knocked down the 36" TV in the basement. Thank God none of the kids were in front of TV, because it would've killed them. I need a drink...it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right? I'll settle for all the hugs they will let me give them.

Back to the Beach!!!

I'm back to the beach tomorrow...all by my lonesome!!! I'm leaving with Baby Bro. I'm going to miss some special ladies and a big & little man. The kids would kill me if they knew I was going to the beach...so I'm telling them I'm visiting a friend.

Banana Boat, I'm going to miss snuggling with you in the morning and also threatening to cut your hair off to put on mine. Have a great weekend...We'll catch up on Monday morning.



Tank, you make me laugh every morning, especially when you show me your freckle on your belly and on your butt. Be good for Daddy, and laugh all weekend. Everyone always comments on your dimples.



KK...I had a blast hanging out with you the last two weeks while Frick & Frack were at camp. You certainly are one of a kind.



And to my SWeetie, Thank you for taking such great care of us. You always go out of your way to make sure that we are happy!!! I love you more and more and more. Have fun this weekend.