What am I reading these days???

Georgette Heyer

About a month ago while wandering through Barnes and Noble, I stumbled upon a book called 

The Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer. The cover looked so pretty to me, I was intrigued. 

I flipped it over to read the back cover and noticed that there were several references and comparisons to Jane Austen. 

I adore Jane Austen and am skeptical towards any comparisons to her.

So I bought it.

I read it.

Loved it!

I went back and got two more. And guess what?

I loved them too!

So now I have officially jumped onto her bandwagon of fans.

And guess what else?

I think I like her more than Austen.

She is much easier to read.

I have, so far, read 8 of her 50 novels.

All them are wonderfully developed plots with casts of interesting characters, filled with humor, and romantic love stories.  

I do have to say that most of her endings are somewhat abrupt to me.

(I am always wishing for one more chapter!)

But I am wiling to put up with that single "flaw".

If you love the Jane Austen genre of love stories, check her out.

For Danielle's Guest Room

Yes or No?

Let me know.

(I won't be offended if you don't like them or they don't work.)

These are photos of the tree in my front yard.

About 3 weeks ago.

The buds were just about to burst open.

Now the tree is thick with leaves.

mother's day weekend... part 2

What a wonderful day....

A nice card.

An allowance to Barnes and Noble.

Belgian waffles, blueberries, whip cream, bacon, and orange juice in bed.

Lazy time in the morning to read.

Philadelphia Zoo.

Lots of smiles and laughter.

Dinner on the grill.

Kids in PJ's.

Piled in the car for the drive home.

Started a new book.

Kids fell asleep soon into the trip.

Safe drive home.

Climbed into bed.

Fell fast asleep.

Thank you.

(It's nice to have an "almost armed" bodyguard following your child around everywhere she goes. Uncle Luke will make sure that no matter how much he teases her, no one else will!

Note: in the first photo... see him standing behind her?)

mother's day weekend.... part 1

Phillies vs. Braves

Off to Philadelphia again to be with our partners in crime....

Luke and Danielle.

We had great seats on the 3rd baseline.

The Philly Fanatic never came up to our seats but the kids had fun just the same.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous!

Sam and I wore our Yankees hats.

(I don't have anything else!)

Brian opted to be somewhat of a fan by wearing an Eagles visor (but he did have his Opening Day T-shirt on from Yankee Stadium.).

Sam did have his McNabb jersey on.

I did have a Yankee hater in front of me the entire game.

He didn't see my hat until the end of the game and then just rolled his eyes.

(That was very kind considering I heard his remarks all afternoon long when the occasional Yankee fan would wander by.)

Brian, Sam, Beth, Luke and Danielle

Beth was off and on through out the game.

She almost pushed Luke to the brink by not staying in her seat for longer than 5 minutes.

Making all of us have to constantly move into a position that would let her pass.

She couldn't decide whose lap she wanted to sit on.

She just kept walking back and forth and "couldn't get comfortable because she was bored."

(whine, whine, whine)

He shut her up by making her double fist cotton candy and popcorn.

In the last inning she decided that Daddy's was the best.

Luke getting in a quick jog with his fellow rookie recruits.

Some Zeke Loving.

After a long sweaty day, milkshakes, cheese fries, Zeke lovin'....

it was time to go for a swim in the tub!

:)

Opening Day

As much as I am known for loving the winter,

 I equally love the benefits of warmer weather and summer.

Something happens to my hibernating state of mind and the hunt for the "Norman Rockwell" version of American life comes into full focus.

I get a heightened sense of love for lemonade, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, 4th of July, playgrounds, flowers, sprinklers, laying in a hammock, bubbles, concerts in the parks, mowing the lawn, picnics, ice cream stands, fireworks, all things red, white, and blue, and... baseball.

Really list goes on and on.

Saturday morning was our introduction into the most simplistic form of

 Americana summer life. 

Sam's opening day of Little League.

After a Little League parade down Rt.11 he had his first "real game". 

It. Was. So. Much. Fun!

I really did not know what to expect. 

Well, I honestly was thinking that it would be just an 

extension of the last 3 years of ball at the Y.

 But it wasn't....

He GOT it!!!

As my aunts said, "He's got his head in the game!"

There was no doubt about that.

He was focused and knew what he was supposed to do.

The most important part was that he LOVED IT!!!

Coming into home plate he decided he needed to slide.

(Just wanted to test out his new skill.)

Brian is  great coach for these little guys.

And as if he knew what Sam was going to do, he pulled the T out of his way.

(I wish you could see Brian's huge smile on his face in the image above.)

On the pitcher's mound, in his "ready position."

Going for the grounder...

... throwing it to first base.

After a great hit, running to first with everything he had.

Playing first base and "encouraging" the pitcher to throw him the ball.

Part of #10's cheering squad.

Aunt Donna, Beth, and Grammie Theresa

#10 Himself.

Get outside. Enjoy the gorgeous weather. Have an ice cream.

I think I have finally been able to put away the boots, coats, mittens and gloves. 

But it was close.

This past Thursday had been awfully close to snowing again.

But in crazy NY weather fashion it went from the 30's on Thursday to the 80's  for the weekend.

The kids are thrilled to be able to wear shorts again.

I'm thrilled that sandals and flip flops are once again part of the daily wardrobe.

I will be able to knock off 10 -15 minutes a day hunting for pairs of socks that match.

Two weekends ago we took the kids for the first ice cream of the season.

Beth of course wanted her 2 berry twist, (the pink/purple one) with rainbow sprinkles.

Sam, on the other hand, dreamed big.

Banana split.

So go outside and enjoy the change in seasons.

Listen to the happiness of some Jack Johnson.

Go get some ice cream tonight.

It's Baseball Season Again!

Yes, it's that time of year again. 

Months of hopes and disappointments lie ahead us with the beloved NY Yankees.

Brian and some of his friends headed to NYC this past weekend for a Mets game on Saturday and the Yankees game on Sunday. 

He wanted to experience the new stadiums.

The Mets stadium was 800 million while the Yankees was 1.5 billion.

When I asked him how the Mets' new place was he said, "Really nice. It's beautiful."

When asked about the Yankees... a huge ear to ear smile developed, "It's another whole world. It's gorgeous. There's nothing else like it."

So there you have it, Brian's official review.

If you'd like to see it for yourself we have season tickets.

Come for a quick NY visit!

So while Brian was living it up in NYC at some major league games, I took the kids to the minor leagues, Syracuse Chiefs. Miss Emily joined us for a fun afternoon of hot dogs, cotton candy, and peanuts. We had so much fun although Sam was mad at me for forgetting to bring his glove. We were trying to tell him that he could use his hat but he didn't believe us until the guy in front of us caught a foul ball with, guess what..... his hat!

But we didn't get lucky and thank goodness because I was starting to have little flashbacks from last summer.

Let me paint the picture for you.

It was a hot and humid August night......

 Heather and I took all the kids to the game. We were sitting on the 3rd baseline in the front row. We weren't paying attention and gossiping about something when all of a sudden we heard the crack of the bat. With everything next happening in slow motion. The ball came towards us and eventually hit Heather in the foot. Well she was 8 and 1/2 months pregnant and for a few hours it was uncertain if her foot was broken or not. 

Seriously we were in so much shock all we could do was laugh.... hysterically.

I will confess I wasn't the best friend I should have been because instead of trying to dive in the path of the ball and shield her unborn child, I moved out of the way and covered my head.

Don't worry she has forgiven me.... I think. 

You have, haven't you?

Heather?

:)

Beth has now inherited Sam's old cap and his Mattingly jersey.

It's always interesting going on an outing with a friend that doesn't have kids.

Emily took Beth with her to get something to eat. They came back with food, stickers for Sam and the most obnoxious noise maker for Beth. 

Thanks Em.

I'm already plotting my revenge.

:)

The kids taking the 7th inning stretch literally.

Sam is officially in Little League this year.

Brian is coaching his team.

And so it begins.

My mother has made remarks to me before that I have more posts of Beth than Sam.

This is why.

He is finally exerting his maleness and independence by not wanting me to take his photo.

I knew it was just a matter of time.

I do pity him having a mother with a camera permanently attached to her body.

Oh well, someday he'll appreciate it.

 :)