A creative dinner

I love baked potatoes. . . . love em. But I wanted to be more creative than just a plain ol' baked potato.

Sooo, last night I created a potato bar for dinner. Each child/adult was given one baked potato. Then the fun started. I had shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, facos (fake bacon bits), salsa, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, brocoli, cucumbers, salt, pepper,etc.

The one rule was that if you make a gigantic thing, you MUST eat it. . . .

The kids really enjoyed designing their own dinner. We must do it again!

School

Last night we attended Mark's Curriculum night. I was so impressed with his teacher, and what they are going to do this year. Adam and I left feeling so impressed and in awe. His teacher is strict and structured, but fair and flexible. I am soooooo looking forward to having a whole year of Ms. Powell.

She even has an easy button for the kids to push . . . . once they figure out a problem . . . . that was easy.

Vacation

So, we took our annual (but probably our last) vacation to Storyland. It was HOT HOT HOT. I mean it was HOT! I did not know that New Hampshire got this hot.

On Sunday we checked into the Seasons Condo resort, and then off to Storyland. The kids had a great time. It was hot, but fun. Then off to Red Fox for dinner.

On Monday, we went to Storyland, and at 3 PM we were all hot. Too hot to continue (even with multiple trips on the raft ride) and went to the condo's pool. I have known Adam since Oct 1994, and I have NEVER seen him in a pool. Well, after 6 hours of walking around a HOT Storyland, the man got into his bathing suit, and went into the pool. I nearly fainted!!!!!! Then off to dinner, which was not as good as Red Fox.

On Tuesday, we ventured up to Mount Washington. We took a coach, and were very thankful someone else was doing the driving. The road was narrow (yes, I know two cars can pass each other, but too close for me), steep and at the top FOG covered. Naomi hated it up at the top. I mean HATED it. It was nice - 50 degrees with a 45 mph wind. Not so bad for the ol' mountain.



After that we went to Christie's Sugar Shack and had maple ice cream. Tasty. Went for another swim, and then off to dinner.

On Wednesday, we went to Glen Junction for breakfast, a favorite for the kids. Then off to Lost River and Gorge. Perfect for an eight year old boy. Not so perfect for Naomi. But she made the most of it. It was HOT again, and a bit humid for cave exploring. A great day.



All in all the vacation was a hit.

I am thankful

I might not be made of money, and have less of it due to our expenses this year (two floods, two bats, two water leaks, one broken computer, one tire replacement, new glasses for Mark, four plane tickets to FL)

But I have heard bad news this week: friend of the family has breast cancer (I grew up with her kids); Naomi's teacher for Pre-K is missing the first six weeks of school due to surgery (must be scary, due to the timing of it) and good kid in city wrapped car around tree and died (no drugs, no alcohol, just slippery roads).

Florida

So we are back from Florida, but I can't share any photos. . . . our computer died. . . . Adam is busy trying to figure out what we "need" and what we can afford.

But, here is a photo from my mother-in-law's cell phone. Pure bliss if you ask me.

More details when I get a computer!

Fenway Park

So we took the kids to their first Red Sox game at Fenway Park. . . . everyone had fun . . . . everyone ate something they liked!

I don't know if I would take Naomi again til she is older, but an afternoon game was great.

Mark's first slumber party

Somehow I forgot to tell you all about Mark's first slumber party. His friend, J, was turning 9, and he wanted to have a slumber party, just like his big brother. I dropped off Mr. Mark at the party at 4 PM. Birthday boy was waiting eagerly outside his out. Brought up the gear (sleeping bag, pillow and backpack containing PJ's, underwear, two pairs of shorts and shirts, toothbrush, toothpaste). Mark was wearing his bathing suit. Once the party members were all there, they did water balloon fights, etc. Then pizza for dinner, and Cabots Ice Cream Cake for dessert. Then movie night. The boys fell asleep between 9:30 PM and 10 PM.

The boys were awake by 6 AM the next morning, and the hostess made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast! I was called to pick up Mark . . . and when I arrived he was there with all his stuff, except his sandals. Long story short, another child wore home Mark's sandals, and had his own in his bag. Sooo at 8:00 AM on a Sunday morning, I had to drive with Mark to another family's house and get the sandals back.

Mark had an a super time at his sleepover. And would do it again.

Naomi during the time, was brought to Johnny's for dinner, where she had her favorite dish there - mac and cheese. We then went to JP Licks. . . . and as she was eating her ice cream announced loud enough for others to hear "Cabots has the best ice cream."

I pointed out that we were at JP Licks, and she said "I know. Cabots has the best ice cream."

Point taken . . . . I love both ice cream places (heck, I like every ice cream I eat), but the girl likes her Cabots.