Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's St. Patrick's Day today and just as we do every year, we got together with my family to eat boiled dinner and celebrate Irish style! This was the first year it was at our house and the only thing missing was Dad's Irish records playing on the turn table. I'm sure it's the first thing he did when he got home, either that or popped in his copy of the Quiet Man!

As I do every year, I put the boys in their St. Patrick's Day tees and get the annual picture! This was the second year with Evan so I went back to compare my two pictures and I can't believe how much they have grown!

Top = 2011; Bottom = 2012

I normally sport my own Irish tee, but I saw this green wig at the store this year and I couldn't resist!

While my mom and SIL Kim helped me get appetizers and dinner going, the boys headed outside to cut down some trees and brush. It's the start of our massive yard remodel. We're trying to do as much as we can on our own, plus since my parents heat their house with a wood stove, they'll take all the wood back with them!

Getting the fire going to burn the brush!

Dinner is served!  Corned Beef, cabbage, carrots, rutabaga and potatoes!  Delicious!



After dinner we made Shamrock Sodas (sprite and sherbet!) another gem I found on Pinterest!  We also made some brownie pops and dipped them in green and dark chocolate and then added green sugar sprinkles!

Me & Charlie

Me, David & Dad

My Mom & Dad

And finally after everyone left, I sat down to enjoy a piece of my from scratch carrot cake, and well, not to toot my own horn but...it was AWESOME!


It was another successful Holiday celebration at our new house and I look forward to many more!  Next up, Easter!

David's First Ski Trip!

Thanks to the 8.5 inches of fresh snow we just got yesterday, and the fact that we're still on school vacation this week we were able to take David skiing today! He's been asking when he could go, but with the lack of good fresh snow, we didn't think it would be as good for his first try.

Daddy helps get the ski boots on his little feet.

Boots...check - helmet...check!  Now all he needs is some skis!

With his instructor, getting comfortable in the skis

Ready for a ride on the magic carpet to the top of the beginners hill.

No turning back now!

While I take some pictures of David, Daddy takes the other two to a snow fort with slides!

Going down the hill, feet in the shape of a pizza as Daddy called it!

A nice gentle snow plow!

Looking good David!

Shaun is King of the hill!

Evan and I had fun sliding on the hill while Daddy took a turn watching David's lesson.

Of course there would be some falls, but overall he did really well and is excited to try again soon!

Bowling!

A few weeks ago, Omi came to visit and we decided to take the boys bowling. I didn't know much about the local bowling alley, but David and Shaun really enjoy it and I thought Evan would get a kick out of trying it out for the first time!

Shaun getting ready to bowl

Excited about his shot!

David helps out Evan until he gets the hang of it!

Bowling Pro!

Evan waits for his ball to reach the pins

Way to roll Evan!

Final Scores!

Bowling Brothers!

First Ever Trip to the ER

Considering I have been a mother for 5 1/2 years now, I feel pretty lucky that today was my first trip to the ER. But I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened and that day came today when a very excited Evan ran face first into a skee ball machine. He knocked his front teeth a little out of place and split his lip pretty bad. Charlie was on call at his hospital and I was in MA with my mom and sister watching my nephew bowl.

I called Charlie right away and tried to get his opinion over the phone on whether he thought we needed to take him to the hospital. We knew the ER wouldn't be able to do anything for his teeth but I was still a little concerned about his lip. We tried to call the dentist but couldn't get a hold of anyone. I finally got Evan calm and took him out to the van and put on a movie. I was able to get a good picture of his lip and sent it to Charlie (thank you smart phones and technology!)

The picture we sent to Daddy

At this point it was starting to look better and the last thing I wanted to do was take him to a busy ER loaded with sick people unless it was absolutely necessary.

Charlie called me back and said it looked worse than he thought and since he was working at the hospital today he said he would go down to his ER and talk to one of the doctors to get an opinion. Once we got the confirmation that his lip probably should be stitched we headed over to Exeter Hospital (since it was closer than driving all the way to Concord and that way my mom and sister could stay with me and help with David & Shaun.

When we arrived there was no one there and we didn't have to wait long. Evan was in good spirits checking out his surroundings and enjoying the kids area of the waiting room.

Hanging out in the waiting room

Angry Birds to take the edge off!

We got called into the triage area and then fairly soon after that they came to take him to a room. They gave him a coloring book and some crayons and we waited for the doctor to come in and take a look.

Following the nurse to his room

Waiting to be seen and being such a great sport!

Checking out the TV

Coloring to kill time

The doctor confirmed what the doctor at Concord had said about the stitches and confirmed what Charlie had said about the teeth. He gave me a couple options on how to go about the procedure. The pain free option sounded the best but it would have required us to wait at least 30 minutes before starting and he was already so tired and so ready to just leave. So I opted to have him get a quick shot of lidocaine which would hurt a little but would have him numbed up for the procedure in 30 seconds as opposed to 30 minutes. He was restrained using a papoose board so that he wouldn't move around and once the lidocaine was administered the doctor was done in about 10 minutes. He ended up getting seven stitches and orders to see a dentist on Monday and to limit all active play and running around to NONE!  Oh boy, that should be interesting!

In any case, we were signing the discharge papers in less time than it would have taken to do the numbing gel, so I was very happy with my decision to not sit around and wait or try and put him under.  Evan was a champ, he did so good and he was very ready to see his brothers and head home!

The shirt says it all!  What a champ!

Report Cards!

Early last week David & Shaun came home with their very first report cards, and I am happy to say they are both doing outstanding! Shaun is exactly where he should be for his age level and David is as well, receiving scores at or above level in each area! Yesterday I went in for their teacher conferences and both their teachers confirmed that they are both doing extremely well in school this year! They were so proud of themselves and we are proud of them too!

Working on his homework journal for February

Answering the questions

Beginning writing for Shaun, sill not sure if he will be a "righty" or a "lefty".  

We're going to start working on his name at afternoon Homework Time!

Finished tracing!  Practice makes perfect!

Getting Involved!

One of the things that was always important to me when we moved was to make sure that we got the boys involved in the community. It was a huge part of our lives in Revere (and I still visit our old Rec whenever I can!) and I want it to be a part of our lives here. All three boys have been taking swimming lessons since the summer, David has done Soccer in the fall and now he's doing basketball as well as a music class. And Shaun and Evan are a part of the schools Family Center, a free playgroup where parents can come and make a craft and play games with their preschooler. There is also time for playing outside (Evan's favorite part!) when the weather permits!

I am also doing my part at getting involved by becoming a member of the PTA. This is a great community and I am so happy to be a part of it! I am looking forward to checking out more and more activities as the year goes on!  Below are some pictures from some of the boys latest activities!

Evan playing at Family Center

Shaun singing a song about Penguins!

Shaun FINALLY puts his face under water to swim!

Building a tall tower on the first snow day of the year!

Evan not sure what to think about the snow

He shoots, he scores! 

The next Ray Allen?!  Maybe if he were taller!