Category Archives: Family

Top 10 Ways You Know You’ve Had Enough Snow

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Family

≈ Comments Off on Top 10 Ways You Know You’ve Had Enough Snow

In honor of the retiring David Letterman:

10.  Boston has declared the here-to-for worthy holiday of Evacuation Day a school day.
9.  A backhoe has taken up permanent residence in the elementary school parking lot.
8.  You can see neither left nor right when walking on the sidewalk.
7.  You get excited that your trash is picked up on the correct day.
6.  Preschool opens even though the public schools have a delayed opening.
5.  The Dr.’s office is ok with your being an hour late. (Hey, you got there AND found parking!)
4.  Your 2 year-old is productive with a snow shovel.
3.  You’ve tried all available snow options – no school, 2 hr delay, and 1 hr delay – in the same winter.
2.  Your kids heads droop when they’re told snow is in the forecast.
1.  Preschool has decided to add days to the end of the school year.

Fundraisers

27 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by in Family

≈ Comments Off on Fundraisers

Does anybody like school fundraisers, really?  I know lots of people who organize them, participate in them, and benefit from them.  It’s not all bad.

As a child I hated fundraisers.  Begging folks to buy things they don’t need so my school/group could get a small piece of the pie wasn’t fun.  And, if it was candy one was always at risk of having it stolen by other kids who either wanted to eat it or just wanted to see your reaction.  I vowed never to sell anything.

Then I ended up in retail in college, which wasn’t bad as there was no merchandise hawking (or commissions).  Most oddly, though, I then ended up in corporate sales though, as you can imagine, that was nothing like what I imagined in high school.

Coming full circle now I have the kids’ fundraisers to deal with.  Earlier in the month we had the shop local fundraiser.  This week it’s Scholastic Book Club.  I have no vested interest in them, but think I’m ok with books.  Especially since I have so many younger ones who will eventually reach this level of reading, it doesn’t hurt to grow our library.

I’ve been hit with this for years now, starting in preschool and now preschool and public school.  I’ve concluded that my preference is to write a check to the PTA in the fall and then I’m done.  Should something come along we can actually use I may do that too, but its pretty rare.  I’d far prefer 100% of my contribution goes to the school than covering overhead/prizes or stuff that I don’t need.

It Snowed Again!

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Family, Home

≈ Comments Off on It Snowed Again!

Here we are again with two more snow days.  We got another 16 inches on top of the two feet + 4 inches last week.  I think the boys and I are going to be tired of our property when February vacation week hits soon.

Here’s the before and afters from two spots in our yard.  Our deck is essentially full.  The tree is now accessible for exploring even though normally the boys can’t reach the lowest branches.  And, the bench is totally gone.

IMG_2907 IMG_2908

Just to point out that there really is a bench near that tree, here’s a picture from last Sunday afternoon.  You can see it peaking out just a bit.

IMG_2906IMG_2905

Dad and the older boys came home from skiing Sunday afternoon, before the Super Bowl.  I imagine quite a few folks looked at the weather, decided schools would be closed on Monday (I’m not sure the forecast at that point made us think they’d be closed Tuesday too.), and stayed an extra day.  On Sunday they were forecasting the snow to get much lighter after lunch and stop around dinnertime – sooner North and West – so driving back Monday night wouldn’t have been terrible for everyone.  But, as it was the snow stayed heavy through the afternoon and stopped more like 11.

It’s supposed to be warmer tomorrow, though still below freezing, and sunny so I’m hoping for lots of melting on our driveway before the next forecasted batches of snow roll in.

Taking 7 of Us out to Eat

30 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by in Family, Travel

≈ Comments Off on Taking 7 of Us out to Eat

The big problem with taking seven people to eat, especially if many are children, is that most restaurants insist on putting you in a too-small booth or table with the high chair on the end.  So, we’re already elbow to elbow and then one has to find a way to clear the entire reach of the toddler least hot, tippy, etc. items end up in their hands and then mouth.

I understand they’d like to make the most money by fitting more people into their restaurant.  And, I understand that kids take up a seat, but probably aren’t spending as much as adults.  But, I have little sympathy for the largely empty restaurant that insists on putting together only three two-person tables when there are only four along the wall (seems like a common arrangement around here).  I mean, really, who is going to want to be seated next to us when they have almost the entire rest of the place to choose from.  In those cases we often just claim the extra table so the high chair can be brought in like a regular chair.

I’ve learned that this problem doesn’t exist in Canada as wherever we have been the high chairs have trays, like one does at home.  I’m not sure if this is a rule or what, but all restaurants have exactly the same make of high chairs  as Wendy’s does here just with the addition of the tray.  This is excellent because we can fit at a smaller table with the high chair to the side, like at home.

Of course, all will change once he needs a chair too.

School is Back

29 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Family

≈ Comments Off on School is Back

It was nice to return to normal today.  Although, today was a scheduled half day so that’s only somewhat normal.  But, Friday will be a real school day.

They’re forecasting a bit more snow for Friday and then the potential for another big one (please, not 2 feet) Sunday-Monday.  New England does not need more snow, especially on Super Bowl Sunday this year.

Next Man Up

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Family, Home, Twins

≈ Comments Off on Next Man Up

I spent some of yesterday sorting and packing my outgrown pile. My youngest is moving to the next clothing size so I needed to get out shorts and long pants for him.  I took the opportunity while I was repacking to put everything else that’s been set aside since someone needed a new clothing size away.  A few items went to the baby boxes (outgrown by everyone), but most went into the appropriate bin for the next boy in line.

In the process I discovered I have a lot of NWT Carter’s pjs that I know I bought on sale.  I find some seasons I like a lot of their designs, but other times I really don’t like any.  I only have one child left to wear them, and I may have more than he needs.  I think I need to remember to tone down the post-twin replacement purchases to singleton levels.

Christmas Week

22 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by in Family

≈ Comments Off on Christmas Week

Friday was the last day of preschool in 2014.  The older ones have two days this week.  We’re had our holiday gathering over the weekend so things are getting busy.  It’s nice to have everyone home with largely no place to go.  And, the weather is going to be fairly nice for late December. (If its not going to snow I’d far prefer warmish.)

It feels like everything revolves around food this week.  We’re hosting Christmas so to the extent possible I’m making things in advance.  Dinners will be simple, except Christmas.  The sausage stuffing is already done.  Posts will be brief this week as there is a lot to do!

The boys decorated small gingerbread houses.  This is the second year I’ve gotten the “village” kit.  We don’t eat them, they just go on display.

IMG_2804 IMG_2808

Our Christmas menu:

  • Two types of smoked turkey
  • Sausage & chestnut stuffing
  • Apple & cranberry stuffing
  • Gravy
  • Cranberry sauce (the canned stuff)
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Green beans (with and without mushrooms)
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Butternut squash

Flying with Kids

26 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Family, Travel, Twins

≈ Comments Off on Flying with Kids

This does not need to be feared.  But, how successful you are depends on the adults and kids, and really the kids age.  In our case by far the worst age for flying is around 1.  They want to move, but they don’t walk very well so they’re on the floor and generally into everything.  Airports are DIRTY places.

I’ve checked car seats loads of times. Bring your own bags, though. 2 car seats max per bag (really only an issue once you get to boosters). Mine ride in the airplane seat once they turn two. We’ve used GoGo’s with the kids in the seats and a luggage cart with both car seats attached. If the seats are necessary both of these work. But, they’re both a royal pain going through security and boarding. I have narrow car seats and I couldn’t roll mine down the aisle. Gate checking a double stroller is so much easier. We give a backpack to each adult and that’s it for carry-ons.

In general, I prefer to carry-on less stuff.  Its been a long time since I’ve taken a trip short enough to carry everything and if you’re checking anyway lighten your load.  I try to avoid all belts and other metal stuff that might have to be removed.  I also put all our phones, games, etc together in a clear ziplock bag; you can remove that from your carry on and send it through security as is.  Each child must also walk through security alone so send an adult first to catch the stuff and them and use the other adult as a sweeper. Their lovie will have to go through the machine so be prepared.

And, don’t buy drinks before security; they can’t come through.  I take trail mix and apple slices for the kids.  It takes them a while to eat that.  We just don’t worry about meal times; its something to do.  Make sure you bring enough food for all ages in case you’re delayed.  And, if you have little ones a change of clothing for them and you is probably warranted.  I bring a book per child, a new set of matchbox cars, and the electronic games for the older ones.  Other than that, hope all goes well!

A Weekend Off!

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Family, Sports

≈ Comments Off on A Weekend Off!

This was the first weekend since August where we had nothing on our calendar.  September and October were occupied with sports, some of which continued into November.  Then we had a bunch of birthday parties since everyone’s in the nice gap between sports and the holiday season.  Anyway, we did what I think most people would do with nothing on their schedule.  We relaxed and didn’t really stress about anything!

Today I took the younger two to the Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market, where we got 10# of apples and visited the animals.

IMG_2745