I think I'm gonna like it here!

American Doll Anthem.

For some reason I can't get this and "There's no business like show business.." on here - I think they must be to big. When I have time to crop them, I will. To much else going on here to worry about it now!

The Can Can Can!

Madeline's 2nd recital

Madeline's recital was back on the 17th of May. I was waiting to figure out how to add video, So here they are and some pictures too.

Madeline right before, playing the "Can Can" on the piano

Singing "The American Girl Anthem"

Madeline singing "I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here".

Get to go home!

Memorial weekend

• Ellie's Owie, parental supervision advised!

Not for the faint of heart!!

BBQ,BBQ, and BBQ.  Memorable? Yes.  We started out by having a wonderful BBQ at the Spencers, conversation and food was perfect until.... Ellie starts crying, Madeline's yelling she has a very high threshold for pain, maybe its because of the brain surgery?  When she cries, she has hurt herself.  So Christian runs into the house and bring Ellie outside, blood on her pants, shirt, hands, face, I might as well say everywhere. Christian removes the moistened paper towel and I forgot to contain my reaction - which of course caused more reaction from everyone, Rebecca saves the day by saying through her teeth "its not the bad."  Anyways, we leave Maddie with our Rebecca and Gary, they make and frost sugar cookies.  We dash off to take Ellie and head to the hospital.  They did 25-30 stitches inside and around 20 on the outside (we have to have removed).  They wrap her arms in a pillow case and then in a blue straight jacket, so we pretended that she was in a cocoon, and she'll come out a butterfly.  I think she fell asleep during the procedure!  They had to do 2 layers of stitches = about 40.  Ouch! 

So, Ellie must be running inside (no witnesses), she must of slipped on the floor matt that is on a well-polished pergo floor - right onto her chin.

• That night we had our 8 (wo)man tent set up on the astroturf, I have to say that was rather cool!  The kids an I decided to surprise daddy, and put the tent up ourselves, I was rather surprised that Christian was anything BUT excited (after 11 years, I always thought he liked camping!) - I guess not.  oops!  Owell the kids had a great time Madeline had her BFF over for the night.  Christian trooped it out but, ironically I was the one ending up in my own bed a t 4 in the morning!  Am I a sissy or what?? 
  

 

Monday, another BBQ, Madeline went swimming - sad for Ellie (can't get her stitches wet), so we took her to Blockbuster and let her pick out a movie.  And she gets a sleepover tonight.

The reason my house looks like this...

Somehow the comments that were made got deleted?  Anyway, I wanted to show you how dirty (this is the cleanest room!) my house has been since I have devoted my self to yard work, mowing, edging, trimming bushes and pruning and planting flowers.  I've really enjoyed this spring.

Some planters on the front porch
Peonies (my fav.!) and another perennial - forgot the name??

Irises, buttercups and peonies.

Really! Girls WANNA have fun!!

We started out with a group of 15 - 20 girls who were planning on going out tonight.  We had a marvelous enrichment activity on emergency preparedness.  We thought it was a perfect night to go because our husbands were already with the kids.  But, unfortunately, the enrichment activities didn't end until 10:30!  So most of the moms were all tuckered out!  These are the few who were still gearing to go!

Mimi bull riding again!  I was rather disappointed, my inner thighs aka "saddle-soar", I was not!  I was really hoping for more inner thigh workout. Especially 'cuz I stayed on alot longer and he rode me a lot harder, go figure? O'Well, I sure we burnt some calories dancing!                      

I know its dark, but you get the idea...I'm ready for the rodeo!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!

As most of you know Christian works for A&E and the History channel.  He works in the studio set where they do exclusive interviews various stars such as Anthony Hopkins, Avril Lavin, Duran Duran, America etc..  Well last week Cindy Lauper came in and I was seriously stoked!  I know I am on this serious rampage for anything 80's - and this just topped the chart!  Madeline was around when I was freaking out talking about some of her various songs, and I mentioned "Time after Time" and she said, "I know that song, isn't it on Napoleon Dynamite."  So Christian was able to use Madeline as her "Big" fan to let her take a picture with Christian (that's for you Julie!).  

She still has her "rainbow" eyebrows & unique lips... but I miss her orange hair!  Other than that, she's aged well!

Spring Break, Day 5!....NY Aquarium

Hurray!  I was feeling rather tired of all the excitment I (we) have had this week.  But we had a rather nice surprise!  Christian took the day off and we headed to Coney Island's New York Aquarium.  It was WONDERFUL having him "tag" along!

                                                       

Spring Break Day Five, continued... Coney Island

Coney Island

Had a hot dog - just for you Zach, not good. (the cities are better!)

My handsome Hero

Even Superman was drained at the end of the day!

Shoulda brought swimsuits!

Spring Break, Day four...Picnic at the Park

Today we laid low- we packed a nice lunch took a little stroll to Brookdale park.  Nothing to exciting, the kids played while I sat there being lazy!

Thats our house on the right - well the side of it.

Having a picnic with white trash cheetoes!

This is Ellie's "Secret Garden" her favorite place at the park.

Spring Break, Day Three...The Jersey Shore

84 degrees, perfect day to head to the shores!  The Jersey Shores are roughly 45 min. from our home - so not to bad of a trip, we went with the Thatchers and spent most of the afternoon there.  We had a GREAT time! 

Jameson, Ellie, Liam, Hattie & Madeline

Spring Break, Day Two...The Zoo

      

Being Earth Day and all, we decided to spend the day at the Staten Island Zoo with our BFF's, the Thatchers.  It was a small, nice clean zoo.  We had a nice time.  We came home, Madeline mowed the front lawn and I did some planting.  Nice day.

 

Madeline, Hattie, Ellie and Jameson

Spring Break, Day One...The Spa

Manicure & pedicures.  We had to start the week off right!  before our nails, we went out to lunch.  Then the zoo, but couldn't find a parking spot, so off to Rita's for ice-cream then home we went.

Ending with sleepovers!

    

Cherry Blossom continued...

We went to the Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park, http://newark1.com/branchbrook/ it was the last day, so most of the trees were sad - on there last leg, parking was a pain and the weather wasn't helpful, as Madeline said the clouds were "stratus clouds". Besides all that, I think we had a really nice time.  Next year

 I'll make sure to go at the peak!