Little Paintbrushes everywhere...

A wise person once said, "I wish I was an actual artist (not just someone who appreciate art) because I really want to buy paintbrushes. And have jars of them around my studio." Ok, she posted it on Facebook...but this one's for you Coco!




I met Coco (and her awesome son Brock) while teaching at Hillcrest Jr. High in Utah. She is one of the most amazing people I know. I think of her often and especially lately as I'm packing up my house and finding these paintbrushes everywhere and in the most interesting spots.

PS: I photographed the brushes as I found them...none of them were "posed"...

The Merry Month of May

Despite the lack of postings in May, it was quite a busy month for us.

It started with the 1st Annual New London Dance Show on May 14th. Some how I got roped into performing in the staff number...as you can tell by the pictures of our practices, my "amazing" dance abilities were on display for the whole New London Community to enjoy. Oh don't worry, a video will be posted later...

While Molly and I were at the dance show, Steve and James enjoyed a guy weekend and went on the father and son campout with our ward.

Mother's day was wonderful with an awesome present of a trash can holder and a gift card for a pedicure. We bought the trash can holder unfinished and Steve did an BEAUTIFUL job staining and painting it. Steve could not fathom why I wanted this trash can holder. Well, let me tell you, all my friends who have seen it think its just wonderful and want one for themselves. I think it's a woman thing to want to cover up the ugly trash can that won't fit under your sink.

Next came a bittersweet event on May 22nd: Steve graduated! Sweet because we have waited 3 long years for this moment and it finally came...yeah we survived art school! And bitter because we are thinking: Now what???

Then came May 24th. I went up to Boston to fight a traffic ticket I got (that's another story!)...I won, then spent the next hour driving around Boston trying to get home! Steve has a much better sense of direction than I do. When I FINALLY got home, we received a call that James had fallen and hurt his leg. He was helping a little girl off a stepping stool when he fell and hit his shin on a rock. When we picked him up, we thought he had simply bruised his leg because there wasn't any swelling or anything. So we spent the evening running errands. Every once in a while James would cry about his leg but I was still convinced he was fine. Finally, around 10:00 that night Steve took James to the ER. James had fractured his leg. Yeah, I felt like a horrible mom! Anywho, he got a cast and is doing MUCH better.




May 25th was our 10th Anniversary...it kinda went uncelebrated as we focused our attention on James and his leg....

Finally Memorial Day came and we spent a lovely day with some friends enjoying the wonderful weather and of course: BBQ!

Abracadabra!

A couple of Saturdays ago (4/17), our primary had a talent show for the kids. It was so fun to see the kids show off their different talents. James performed 3 of his magic tricks and amazed everyone with his ability to make things appear and disappear.

Enjoy!

Time for a new bed...

So I'm lying in bed Saturday morning telling myself that I should get up before the kids do (Steve had already gone to work). Then I hear the following conversation take place in their room:

Molly: James...James...James...

James: (very grumpily) What??

Molly: Watcha doin?

James: (very grumpily) I'm thinking!

Molly: James...James...James...get out James

James: You want to get out?

Molly: (very emphatically) Yeah!

Then I hear some scuffling noises and creaking of the crib.

Molly: James in bed!

James: This is how you get out...

Then I head some more scuffling noises and creaking of the crib...their door opens and both kids walk into my bedroom and James announces very proudly, "I just taught Molly how to get out of her crib!" "Oh, that is so wonderful! You are such a good big brother." And of course James was beaming from ear to ear and Molly was all smiles at her accomplishment. But I was so befuddled as to how, exactly, James got Molly out of her bed, I just had to see for myself.

Spring Break

I had spring break from April 12th to the 16th. But because the weather was so freakin' awesome, the kids and I decided to go on an adventure the week before. One evening we stopped at our favorite trail on Bluff Point and went for a "little" hike....for 3.7 miles. That may not seem long to you, but for James it was VERY long! But he was a trooper and walked almost the entire way without a single complaint.

We really enjoyed the break. I loved being at home with James and Molly and I'm sure James and Molly enjoyed me not being so grumpy! Here's a short synopsis of what we did and a slide show for you to enjoy!

Sunday: we had out first fire and bar-b-que of the year. So much fun!

Monday: the kids and I enjoyed the great weather by playing at the playground. Molly and James LOVED the slide.

Tuesday: for kicks, I decided to actually "do" Molly's hair...I got creative. Then we cleaned out the car in anticipation for our trip on Wednesday.

Wednesday: we traveled up to Boston to go to the Museum of Science with some friends. While there we went to a Lightening/Electricity Show. It was too loud for Molly but James thought it was pretty cool. We definitely want to go back and explore some more.

Thursday: we had a lazy morning by sleeping in and then had a special treat of having Daddy home for a couple of hours before he went to school, his second home lately. Daddy and Molly built a kaleidascope together.

Friday: after 3 LONG years, Steve was finally able to show off all of his hard work. The Lyme Academy's senior show started Friday and we attended the open house. Steve received a lot of compliments on his work.

Unfortunately, Monday the 19th came all too soon and we went back to work and to "school". But as of today there are only 39 days of school left for me and then we are onto our next adventure....as to what that is, that is the million dollar question.

We are currently taking votes as to what we should do next. If we pick your idea, you win!

Any suggestions????

Spring...

The earth is drying out and Spring has come to New England. With all the different colors of blossoms, it almost looks like another fall...

On Good Friday, 4/02, because I had school off, the kids and I took advantage of the warm weather and headed to our favorite park to play in the sun...it's evidentally everyone else's favorite park too because it was wall to wall people. So we headed off to explore our favorite trail only to find it still flooded out. Finally, we settled on a small park with only two other people there and a little boardwalk to explore. We were so thrilled to be outdoors in the sun!

Saturday night, after Conference and Priesthood, we dyed Easter Eggs.

As always, Molly enjoys coloring...

Surprise! More Rain...

Last Saturday, the 27th, a friend and I threw a surprise birthday party for our friend, Loni, who turned 30 on the 24th. It was my first ever coordinated party/gathering of the female species at my house. Wanting everything to go just right (as I am always nervous about my lack of hostessing skills), I cleaned the house from top to bottom including cleaning the family room carpet...at 10:00 Thursday night.

Of course, I was needlessly worried because the party went off without a hitch. Loni was truly surprised and almost everyone came, we missed those who couldn't come and hope you are feeling better! We had ice cream sundays, socialized, and played "Say Anything"; a fun game that is a great way to get to know people and a great way to get some laughs. "In your opinion, what is the worst thing about being a woman...What is the worst thing about being a man...What is the most innappropriate thing to display on your desk..." Fun times!

While my friends and family in Utah were getting snowed on (NOT JEALOUS!!!) we were getting rained on for the past week. Our lawn gnomes have put in a request for a gondola because they keep getting flooded out. It literally rained non-stop all day Monday and clear into Tuesday night.

We got so much rain that there was flooding everywhere on Tuesday the 30th. School were cancelling and letting out early (all except mine of course!) and it took me an hour to get home because of all the road closures. Here is a link that shows a movie of what happened to Route 27, a road I take every day to and from work...yeah, it was closed. This is the one time I am glad I don't have a basement. My sympathies to all those who got flooded out on Tuesday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2HZJSWXA5Q

Read about the flood here: http://www.wfsb.com/flood/index.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700021202/New-England-floodwaters-recede-but-danger-remains.html

But the rains have stopped and the land is starting to dry out. I've got tomorrow off (04/02) for Good Friday and I am really looking forward to this weekend: warm weather (in the 70's!), Easter, and of course, General Conference.