Hurricane Irene...We Survived

This past weekend, New England felt the effects from Tropical Storm Irene. It was a very long 48 hours from Saturday into Sunday seeing that it was pouring rain out with high winds so we couldn't exactly go out to play. I never realized how much I appreciate the fresh air.

Sunday we spent the entire day indoors. Jeremy made a yummy breakfast for everyone. (We knew we would need our energy for the day) Then there was a day full of reading stories, making Jell-O (because everyone needs Jell-O in their fridge during a hurricane, right?), playing with toys and the occasional Dora the Explorer/Diego video.

Samantha let us know what she thought Mother Nature should look like. We determined that Mother Nature has short curly hair and wears a long pink and purple dress.

After we finished dinner, the wind and rain were still howling around outside. So we decided that maybe it was time for a snuggle in and watch a movie...we decided that Happy Feet was very appropriate. The girls absolutely loved it and watched it all. We had popcorn and had blankets and just had a lot of fun. There was lots of yawning, and from the girls too. Ha ha. We figured once the girls were down we would have a game of Scrabble and maybe a glass of wine to toast to for "surviving" Tropical Storm Irene.

Nature had other plans...that's when we lost power. For about 12 hours to be exact.

We can't complain though. We've seen the footage of our friends up in Vermont and the destruction that the storm left behind. Some houses and state highways were completely washed away. We just had a few large branches down in the yard. Clean up was pretty easy, especially when the Madore-ables want to clean up and help Nanny.

So goodbye Irene. Please don't stop by anytime soon...or anywhere for that matter.

A Spa Day For the Divine Bovine

Meet Moo Cow.

Sarah's beloved fluffed and stuffed Bovine.

Moo Cow made a much needed appointment to go to the spa.

The stress of moving really did Moo Cow in.

Luckily, there was an open appointment just in time for Moo Cow.

So Sarah helped Nanny get Moo Cow all ready.

Sarah said her goodbyes and tossed Moo Cow into the washing machine err...the spa.

Moo Cow had 39 minutes of complete and clean bliss.

The staff at the spa was very good to Moo Cow.

They were so gentle with her.

After the spa was over, Moo Cow was transfered to the sauna/steam room.

40 minutes later, Sarah knew that Moo Cow would be ready to be picked up.

Sarah waited patiently as other laundry clients were in the sauna/steam room too.

Sarah finally met up with Moo Cow, and inspected to make sure that this was the right one.

Moo Cow enjoyed her day at the spa, but she was really happy to see Sarah.

And Sarah was happy to see Moo Cow too.

Samantha's New Wheels

Samantha turned 4 this year, so Jeremy and I thought she could use some new wheels.

Not these kind

But this kind

And this kind

I think Samantha was very surprised and very happy about her Birthday gift...don't you?

Samantha adapted pretty quickly to pedaling

And Sarah was right behind Samantha the entire time cheering her on!

Oh The Funny Things Kids Will Say

Yesterday while we were at my Mom's house, the girls and I took a trip over to the playground. In order to do this, we need to cross through a parking lot. There's usually a lot of traffic that runs through the parking lot anyway for the after school program that they run. So we really need to be extra careful.

Well, of course there were a few cars that zoomed past us before we crossed the street. So what does Sarah yell out to the cars as they drive by?

Not slow down!


Not be careful!



Only Sarah would yell out:

"DESPACIO!"

(Which means, "slow down" in Spanish)

Thank you Dora :)

Yardwork: It's A Family Affair!

This past weekend, Jeremy and I, along with my brother and the Madore-ables did some yard work at my Mom's house. It was a family affair and we all had a great time...even the girls. (Which I have to say now that they WANTED to help), so we accomadated for them of course!

Sarah understands the importance of getting the tools set up to do the job.

Sarah directing us where to dump the piles

Jenn: "Where do we go Sarah?"

Sarah: "Over there Daddy!"

Samantha loading up the wheel barrow




Off to dump the piles of bark mulch to Daddy and Uncle Chris.

Playing peek-a-boo

After a long afternoon of slave labor, we decided it was ok for the Madore-ables to play some hide and seek.

Even after a long afternoon of yard work and bark mulch, Daddy still had energy to run around with his girls.

Play Ball!

Boston was introduced to something we haven't felt in awhile.

Sunny, warm temperatures.

So if we were to convert this into a math problem:

Sunny(warm temperatures) + 2 children (who become bored very easily) = Lots of fresh air and playing outside.

So that is what we did. We went down to my Mom's house for the afternoon and had an afternoon of fun in the sun.

Sarah testing out her new t-ball set from Nanny. The most stylish t-ball player out there!



Nanny coaching Sarah on where to hit the ball

Go for a home run!

Playing t-ball is hard work. In the dugout and resting with a popsicle.

Sarah took her time...she really loves popsicles.

I'd love to know what they're thinking here...

Samantha didn't go for the t-ball much today...she was more into the bubbles.

Thumbs Up!

We've always made sure that we praise and compliment the Madore-ables when they do a great job at something. These days, the Madore-ables are returning the favor. Recently Sarah started clapping and saying "YAAAAAAY MOMMY!" whenever I clear my plate at dinner. Samantha told Nanny recently that she is "Super Nanny the laundry lady!" because my Mom got a fruit punch stain out of Sam's shirt. You always hope that your children follow your example...we think they're doing a great job.

It's Springtime...Just Kidding

Last week, Mother Nature played a cruel joke on us. Boston experienced something we haven't seen, or felt in months:

Warmth

Sunshine

"Spring-Like" temperatures

It. Was. AWESOME!

I worked last Thursday and drove home with the windows wide open, listening to some Fleetwood Mac. Then I drove to my Mom's house and found this in the driveway :)

Boston's BIG Snow Storm 2011

So last Wednesday the Boston weather men/women predicted a snow storm and they were 100% spot on. Mother Nature certainly delivered.

We live just outside of Boston, and I think we were hit with about 15" of the white, pretty frozen product. We weren't able to go out the first few days, but we certainly went out on Friday at Nanny's. Over the weekend we christened the new sleds that Mamere & Papere gave the Madore-ables for Christmas and went sledding with our friend Joe and his son Brandon.

Samantha already loves the outdoors. It was freezing out on Friday, and she didn't seem to care. She just wanted to shovel Nanny's back porch. Sarah had fun, but couldn't figure the snow out. Before anyone comments, I would like to mention that if you do not see any mittens on Sarah's little hands in the pictures, that's because she was not interested in wearing any. She fought me left and right. Let me just say that Sarah's playtime in the snow was short lived because her hands were cold.

Otherwise, here's a few pictures of the day :)

Slumber Party At Nanny's

Last week Jeremy had to fly to Washington D.C for a business trip. So while Daddy was away, the Madore-ables and I played at Nanny's house! We had a pre-New Year's eve sleep over and went out in style...Madore-able style of course ; )

The Madore-ables Were All Packed And Ready To Go!

Sarah All Ready To Go To Nanny's

"Go Mommy! Go!"

Sarah Being Silly With Nanny

Time For Lunch!

Sarah Pouring Afternoon Tea

Time For Baking Cookies!



Sarah Stirring The Cookie Dough

Samantha Taking A Turn

Samantha Lining Up the Cookie Sheets


"Mommy! The Cookies Are Getting Flat!"

Sarah Starting To Get Sleepy...

Does that mean we're ready for bed?

No silly rabbits! It's a sleep over!

Time for movie time!

Time for the necessary refreshments!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm...yummy!

What movie was playing that evening?

Why Elmo's Bedtime of course

After the movie was over, the Madore-ables went right to sleep.

Playing, tea parties, baking and watching movies is really hard work!

So you might be asking, what did Nanny and I do after the Madore-ables went to sleep?

Well, we had our own "tea party".

"Tea Party" = Kahlua Sombreros

We didn't have a movie marathon, but instead....

Game started at 8:00pm

Game finished at 11:52pm