Thursday, May 26, 2011

Jacquelynnie's - A GIVEAWAY!


Are you familiar with potty training? See my Wordless Wednesday post from yesterday. SweeTart is a wonderful little girl. Strong willed. Very strong willed. Each time I have asked the pediatrician about potty training, I've received the same answer: "she will let you know when she is ready" and "don't push her, she'll push back". Lovely, right? She is big for her age (to say the least) and is wearing size 4/5 instead of 3s, as "other" kids her age do. Tights are not an otpion for us. Nor are jeans or other pants with "no give." She frequently wears stretch pants, shorts, skirts, dresses and skorts. "Moveable" clothing. But what happens when it is too cold in the morning to wear a skirt without tights? Or after a day at the beach and you want to do the boardwalk and rides at night?


Enter stage right: Leggies by Jacquelynnies Etsy Shop. "what?" I am sure you're asking. To put it simply, they're a baby "thigh high". Others like to describe them as "leg warmers with feet". They're perfect for our little ones -- and there are even darker colors now for the little men in your life. Perfect for diapering easily OR POTTY TRAINING(!!) since they don't need to be pulled up and down for each stop at the potty. Works especially well with skirts!!

Leggies can be the answer to your prayers if you've ever had to struggle with socks coming off before you reach your destination, tights that are stuck on a dirty diaper or a little one complaining "too hot" on these lovely spring days when you dress them for the chill of the morning but it is so much warmer in the afternoon ... Leggies are what you've been dreaming of!!

Of course, Leggies aren't the only thing that Jacquelynnies carries. The store carries an assortment of items: traditional leg warmers, bottle cap necklaces, custom tooth pillows, and hooded towels too!! The inventory changes all of the time so if you do see something that you like, scoop it up now, before it is too late!!

For readers of my blog, Jacquelynnies is offering a $15 gift certificate to one lucky winner. All you need to do is leave a comment here telling me what you would get with your $15 from Jacquelynnies. That's it. If your email is not in your profile, please leave it in your entry so I can contact you if you win. You can also earn extra entries by doing any or all of these:

1) two entries for "liking" Jacquelynnies on Facebook.
2) one entry for "liking" Family, Scrapbooks and Coffee on Facebook (please leave a comment so I know you were there!)
3) one entry for following me on Twitter (Kworrell0514)
4) two entries for sharing this with your friends - facebook / twitter / blogging - make sure to tag me and Jacquelynnies in your share so that we can confirm. If you share all three ways, six entries (per day!)
5) two entries for "hearting" Jacquelynnies Etsy Shop.
6) one entry for following my blog via GFC.

The contest on my blog will run through Friday, June 3, 2011. I will pick a winner via random.org and post over the weekend. Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen. I know, it's all basic stuff, but it needs to be said.

Jacquelynnies is having a facebook referral contest that ends tomorrow night. ACT QUICKLY!! Head on over to the FB Jacquelynnies page and "like" them. Then refer your friends to do the same. Your friends need to leave a comment to let her know that you sent them (your name). Whoever sends over the most fans by Friday, 5/27 9 PM EST will win their choice of any 2 items FREE! Will you choose matching leggies & arm warmers? Two pair of arm warmers? A necklace & leggies? A hooded towel & leg warmers? It's up to you!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: On the Potty Chair

Might not be a big deal to you but our littlest - now three and almost a month is finally pottying.  Hip Hip Hooray ... or should we be a little teary because she's almost a big girl? 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

2 Days Til Sundae - a book review & where to find the exclusive Ebook pre-release (for 99 cents!!)

2 Days 'Til Sundae written by one of my favorite authors (and friend), Heather Muzik, will be pre-released for both Nook and Kindle today, 5/24/11.  Grab it now while it is only 99 cents!! What if you don't have a Kindle or a Nook?  Don't be shy about downloading any of the free reader software available from both Nook and Kindle for your computer and phones ... and just about anything else you'd like to read this book on (iPod, iPad, etc.)

A peek at the book: 

At thirty-four, Catherine Hemmings has it all—a walk-up that’s relatively free of crime and steps away from a great slice of pizza, credit card balances with the full closet and finance charges to match, still-happily-married parents with a screw loose, a younger brother with more years of marriage experience under his belt than she has continuous dating time, and friends hell-bent on setting her up with anyone but her type of guy…. What more could a girl want?

The answer… a sundae.

When a well-planned, perfectly executed, two-day trip to reclaim a piece of her youth stretches into a week stuck in the middle of nowhere tailing Joel “Fynn” Trager (a man she wants to kick, bite, and lick all at the same time), Catherine begins to realize that maybe her mother is right when she says, “Life is real, not ideal.” Her mother also says that one should always pack an extra change of clothes… maybe Catherine should have paid more attention when she was growing up.

What I thought:

Certainly not what I expected.  What I thought of "chick lit" has been flushed.  I was expecting sexy scenes, not giggles in the bedroom.  I loved it! I thought it was a quick and easy read.  Part of the story is based on an eBay deal that never happened.  We all know how much I love eBay and I could so relate! Cat is full of emotion that every female reader will relate to and part of a typical, yet disfunctional family (who can't relate to that??) Also strongly emphasized?  Friendship, family connections and love. 

A few books I've read recently have been well written but totally predictable, kind of like Sweet Valley High romances when we were young teenagers (oh, so long ago.)  This book?  Not so much.  Well written and entertaining from the beginning straight through to the end. It is full of laugh out loud moments; I would highly recommend this book.  Heck, I've recommended books I haven't read that were on Amazon for 99 cents, so you should really go download this one!  It comes with my seal of approval!! 

What did my girls and I do on Friday night, after I had finished this book (while the boys were out with their friends)???  We went out for Sundaes, of course. 

Touch base with me after you've picked up your (cheap) copy of 2 Days 'Til Sundae.  I would love to hear your thoughts!!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Doomsday? Rapture? Today????

So many things to do ... especially if the world is going to end ... today.  I haven't done much research on this topic but from what I've "heard" 6 p.m. is the time?  Eastern time?   Will it go in waves across the time zones, kind of like the New Year's Eve celebrations?  I am curious.  Will only the good go?  Leaving the rest of us here?  There are many different views of heaven.  What is yours?  Do you think that Heaven resembles "What Dreams May Come" and everyone has thier own personal heaven or hell?  Do you think that Heaven will have everyone sleeping on clouds and there is "nothing" and we remember "nothing" from our time on earth?  On my way home from work yesterday, I was listening to the radio and that was what one of the callers said - (paraphrased, obviously) "...remember nothing from life on earth ... worship only the Lord ... all others are secondary ... no housing, clothing or love, other than the Lord's..."  What do you think?? 

If today really is the last day on Earth, I think Hubs should come home from work and hang out with us for a bit.  Especially if he won't be remembering us in the "next" phase.  I will disappointed that my children will never get to see all of the beauties that this world has to offer ... the island of Jamaica ... their first kisses ... first broken heart ... the Grand Canyon (heck, I want to get there too!) ... I have a whole list of things I want to do with them ... maybe I should prepare a bucket list for "family time" as well as my own "personal" bucket list.  I will get right on that.  Maybe I will even post about it.  Another day. 

But, for today, if there only is today, my family and friends should know that I love and cherish them.  xoxoxo

Friday, May 20, 2011

How Huge The Night - A Book Review and an Amazon.com Giftcard Giveaway!!

About the Giveaway:  Kregel Publications is sponsoring an $50 Amazon.comgiveaway open to blog readers!  To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using#litfuse) about How Huge the Night or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet Litfuse will capture your entry when you use thehashtag (#litfuse). If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email Litfuse and let them know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. Peasy. 

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS:  How Hugethe Night - compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens and adults alike turning the pages! #litfuse http://ow.ly/4RBXc

FACEBOOK THIS: How Hugethe Night by Heather & Lydia Munn is a compelling, coming-of-age drama thatwill keep teens and adults alike turning the pages late into the night!http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13181161

About How Huge the Night

"Seldom have the horrors of war upon adolescents--or the heroism of which they are capable--been so clearly portrayed. I loved this coming-of-age story."
--Patricia Sprinkle, author of Hold Up the Sky

Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.

Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.

Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.

Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.

About the Authors

About Heather:  Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in a Christian intentional community in rural Illinois, where she and her husband, Paul, host free spiritual retreats for the poor, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or addiction. When not writing or hosting, she works on the communal farm.

About Lydia: Lydia Munn, daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Brazil. She received a BA in literature from Wheaton College, and an MA in Bible from Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions. With her husband, Jim, she has worked in church planting and Bible teaching since 1983, notably in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France which forms the background of How Huge the Night. The Munn's now live in Grenoble, France.

What I Thought:

I thought that this was a fantastic book.  It ropes you in with the goodness of the characters and the tumulotous journey they experience both together and apart. We are first introduced to 15 year old Julien who has been displaced from his family's home in Paris to relocate with his grandfather in the French countryside.  Julien, like any teenager, feels angst when he has had to leave his friends and familiar surroundings for the safety of the country.  He has fears of being the "new kid" at school, not being able to make friends, and the "what ifs" of World War II.   Through Julien we are shown how hard it is to change, accept change and make change. 

We see through the eyes of not only Julien, but Benjamin as well, a Jewish boy who has been sent to live with Julien's family in the countryside.  Hopefully far away from Hitler's reach and persecution.  Benjamin shows us how hard it is to be different ... Jewish in a Protestant community.  Away from his parents when everyone else has theirs.  We see both Julien and Benjamin grow and thrive in a not so perfect world. 

On the flip side of the beauty of the countryside, we meet Nina and Gustav, opraned Jewish children from Austria who are also trying to escape the Nazi regime.  While never placed in a concentration camp, these siblings enounter hardships, face others bigotry yet also learn to see the good in people in a harsh world. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this books and the facts within.  If only my high school history teacher could read this post.  He might fall off of his chair.  This book is history, made interesting.  Or fiction with a touch of history.  There are notes at the end of the book which outline the historical fact that is contained in the book, as well as pointing out items of fiction therein. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good historical novel.  Great even for teenage boys to read - no romance or mushy stuff contained!  Great items for discussion shoudl you want to recommend for your next book club reading! 

I received a copy of this book, free of charge, from Litfuse Publicity Group in exhange for my honest opinion which I am pleased to present in this blog post.  To see what others have to say about it, visit any one of the other bloggers who are joining me in this tour.

Blog Tour Schedule:



5/12


Julie Arduini: The Surrendered Scribe http://juliearduini.com/



Tina’s Book Reviews http://www.tinasbookreviews.com/





5/13

Goannatree http://goannatree.blogspot.com


Footprints in the Butter http://debrakb.blogspot.com/
Book, Books Everywhere http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/


5/14







5/16




A Heart Poured Out http://tracyedukes.com/


5/17
The Book Tree http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/

That's What I'm Here For http://www.dianeestrella.com/







5/18

Proud Book Nerd http://proudbooknerd.com/ 
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
Hobbit Door http://hobbitdoor.blogspot.com/


5/19







 Melinda Joy: Living, Laughing, Loving http://www.reviewsbymelindajoy.com/
The Twinners Reviews & Giveaways http://www.thetwinners.com/


5/20
Rambles of a SAHM http://ramblesahm.blogspot.com/

Canadian Ladybug Reviews! http://www.canadianladybugreviews.com/





5/21






Knits, Reads and Reviews http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com/


Daysong Reflections http://daysongreflections.com/



5/23











5/24


A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com/









5/25


Taking Time for Mommy http://takingtimeformommy.com/









5/26


One Desert Roses' Blog--Christian Book Reviews http://www.onedesertrose.wordpress.com/








I Dream Of Writing for God http://sharonalavy.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Rachael Ray's Nutrish - Just 6 - Limited Ingredient Dog food - free sample and review!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nutrish for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Last week, I received a sample of Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 dry dog food to give to our dogs and provide an honest review.  They even sent a cool bowl  for our participation.  Very pretty - good for a small dog - not the beasts we have.  Maybe we'll gift it to Reef - isn't her birthday soon??

I'll start by introducing my our canine kids:  Jack, an all white male boxer, with a bad back and an attitude problem and Guinness, a brindle Boxer with a black mask - generally our "happy go lucky" kind of guy.  They're both overweight - and currently on a diet.   This food was like manna from heaven for them.  Because of the diet?  Maybe.  One thing I have noticed about Jack is that as he ages, his stomach seems to get upset more easily that it used to.  Certain foods set him off.  One such food:  wheat!  I am happy to point out that Nutrish Just 6 is wheat free (as well as corn free and soy free too!)  That is a major selling point our book.  His stomach did not seem to be affected by trying this new food out at all.  (Guinness either - he was looking for more - sorry boys, the sample was only 6 oz.)  There are also no fillers or by-products in this food.  The kibble is a smaller brown, round shape which is what my dogs are used to.  This food has 100% of the ingredients necessary to give your dog a healthy and balanced diet.  Who doesn't want that for their best friend? 

Just 6 is sold by the bag, which come in both 6 and 14 pound sizes.  (Generally we buy our food by the 44 pound bag!)  This food is available not only at pet food stores but grocery stores and discount stores, such as Walmart,  for your convenience.  In my area of NJ, which is not an overly populated area, bordering between suburbia and green acres, there are more than 26 stores within a 20 mile radius who carry the Nutrish brand of dog food.  Nutrish Just 6 is also available at various, reputable online retailers (if you're like me and don't enjoy shopping!) 

Think your dog will dig it like my dogs did?   Grab yourself a free sample by using the link provided.  Make sure you stop back by and let me know what your dogs think! 

Visit Sponsor's Site

Monday, May 16, 2011

Thirty Eight=38= (3(2*5)+(4*2))

No matter how you write it, today I have been 38 for officially two days.  In all honesty, I'm not quite sure how I feel about that number.  It's awfully close to 40.  And pretty darn far away from that dreaded 30 that people complain about.  Heck, I could be halfway through my life at this very second if I plan on living until I'm 76 (I know that my card could be pulled from the deck at any given second, I'm just sayin'...) Other than the crazy blemishes (you may call them zits if you must) that have started showing up on my face in the past 45 days, there's really nothing different at 38 than there was at, let's see ... 35 ... or even 30 for that matter.  Throw in a couple of kids, couple of dogs, a zillion sports practices, birthday parties and falling out of touch with friends because they're all in the same boat ... OK 38 is more like 35 than 30, so I'll just be quiet now.

Bistro Romano
Saturday, on my birthday, the kids and hubs took me to the famous Bistro Romano for my birthday dinner.  We had a 4:30 reservation (you can make online via their website or you can use Opentable.com directly as well as calling - reservations for this place= a great idea!!)  Hubs and I have gone there a few times and this is the 2nd time we have taken the kids.  With that early of a reservation, we didn't scare too many of their other patrons away (I don't think!) Bistro Romano is in a converted row home on Lombard Street in the Society Hill section of Philly.  Takes us a good 45 minutes to get there from where we live but boy is it worth it!  We started with an appetizer of their calamari - even Twink tried it (and loved it! You should have seen her eyes when I told her she was eating squid!!) which was fabulous.  The girls were drinking fancy Shirley Temples and having a fine time (behaving, did I mention everyone was very well behaved??)  Our server was a hoot!  I wish I could remember her name so that I could commend her great service and attention to detail ... and to our kids ... which doesn't happen a lot. 


The kids ordered off of a small kids menu (seriously, how many things do you need on a kids menu?)  They ordered three different things:  mozzarella stix w/ fries, chicken fingers w/fries and ravioli with red sauce on the side.  Everyone loved their meal, 'cept for SweeTart - she filled up on Shirley Temples and bread before the meals were brought to the table!!  Ummm, for the life of me I cannot remember what Hubs had for dinner.  I was too busy with mine (and making sure SweeTart didn't tip her chair or her drink)...I had Tilapia Gorgonzola - over a bed of sauteed spinach, with a side of sauteed squash and zucchini and Parmesan roasted potatoes.  Heavenly.  Twink did try my fish and decided she did not like it.  She's not a fishy type person.  Me, I love light tasting flaky white fish.  Not so much a fan of salmon and tuna but I'll try it.  Once.  This dish that I had and should have photographed?  Delish.  Plain and simple.  Delish.  If you go there, you have to make sure that you put in the notes section of your reservation that I sent you.  KWorrell.  I'm sure they'll remember me.  I spoke with the owner, Mike, more than once on Saturday night.  And, seriously, how do you miss the family of 5 among the adult birthday parties and private dinners for two??  Did you know that their building is almost 200 years old?  The main dining room is in their basement?  The backsplash of the bar came off of an old sailing vessel?  It was a stop on the Underground Railroad?  The place is oozing with history, romance and great food! 

Afterward, Hubs and kids had cake and ice cream (and gifts!!) for me at home.  A beautiful pink cake with a "?" candle instead of those dreaded 3-8 number candles.  Whipped cream, ice cream and marble cake.  Quite yummy.  I am surprised I did not go into sugar shock at our kitchen table (and neither did SweeTart after two bowls of whipped cream.)  I had loads of facebook messages wishing me a happy birthday and appreciate all of them.  I had a wonderful weekend filled with great fun and my family.  (Hey Hubs!! Thanks so much for everything!!! xoxo)

Here's to another 38 happy, healthy, fun filled years! 


Saturday, May 14, 2011

A Summer Reunion by Kasey Michaels, et al. - A book review

A Summer Reunion: All Our Yesterdays\All Our Todays\All Our Tomorrows (Harlequin Anthology)From the Publisher: 
ONE BEACH HOUSE.

TWO SISTERS REUNITED.
THREE STORIES OF FAMILY, OLD FLAMES
AND SUMMER LOVE!

It’s a family celebration you’ll never forget…

FOR TODAY...
Now that she’s reunited with her sister, Tori Fuller doesn’t regret a moment of her life. But she’s never forgottenthe guy who got away. Heart surgeon Sam McCormack is as sexy and irresistible as he was back in college…and ready to prove to the woman he’s always loved that it’s never too late to start over.…

TOMORROW...
Lauren Sutcliffe never expected her mother’s sixtieth birthday bash to lead to romance. But gorgeous Aussie
builder Adam Hunter wants to stake his claim on the bossy, burned-by-love caterer. He wants to share all her tomorrows, if Lauren will just say yes!

AND ALWAYS!
David Longwood isn’t looking for love…until a family reunion throws him in the path of free spirit Kinsey McKeever. Suddenly the buttoned-down lawyer is rediscovering his passionate inner self and dreaming about forever after… with Kinsey.

What I thought:

  Three feel good romance stories, all tied together with a common thread - the two sisters who were separated after their parents were killed when they were children.  These are the stories of their families post initial reunion.  They were easy reads and with the summer "reading season" upon us I would recommend these stories to any one who is trying to get a "quick" read in ... You don't need to read all three at one time, but once you start, it's hard to stop!  And the eiplogue ... fabulous.  I don't know why, but I didn't see that coming!!  Short stories are great for new moms, trying to get back into their groove for reading.  Great for people waiting for planes, car rides, the beach.... You can pick up your own copy of this book on June 28, 2011.  Preorder now from Amazon.com

  Also, these are set in the South Jersey Shore ... not Jersey Shore like on MTV but the beautiful town of Cape May, NJ.  Being from NJ, I was familiar with the scenery, roads, and places the authors spoke of.  The first book contains a bit of Philadelphia in it too ... where we are heading tonight for dinner for my birthday.  Very cool!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

South of Salem by Janni Nell - A Book Review

From the publisher: 
My mother thinks my job is crazy. I'm a paranormal investigator; she's Nancy Reagan crossed with Martha Stewart. She's always preferred my sister, Lily, who is following in her perfect footsteps.

But this time Mom needs my special skills. She believes my stepfather is possessed. I admit he's not his usual dapper, charming self, but sleepwalking doesn't sound that weird. Until the sleepwalking spreads through the family and cousin Donna walks right out of her apartment window to her death. Then my sister goes missing and I have to find her and solve the mystery before Lily and her unborn child are harmed.

Normally I would have assistance, but my right hand, a hunky angel I've nicknamed Casper, has business of his own to take care of-business that might take him out of my life forever. The stakes are too high for me to lose, but I'm not sure I can do it alone...

What I thought:

Generally, I'm all about paranormal.  This book, however, was not one of my favorites.  I enjoyed the story but it seemed that some of the writing was a little shaky.  I would have left out some of the sexual innuendo and marketed this book for young adults, as opposed to the adults it is marketed to.  I think that the main character and her roommate, as well as her guardian angel have great poential to solve loads of mysteries for a younger audience.  You can grab your copy of this book beginning 5/30/11. 

I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher via NetGalley.com.  They only asked that I provide an honest review in exchange for my Kindle copy of this book.

Monday, May 9, 2011

A Creed Legacy by Linda Lael Miller - A Book Review

From the Publisher:

Rough-and-tumble rodeo cowboy Brody Creed likes life on the move. Until a chance encounter with his  long-estranged twin brother brings him “home” for the first time in years. Suddenly Brody is in Creed territory—at thirty-three, he’s a restless bad boy among family with deep ties to the land and each other. And a secret past haunts him as he tries to make plans for his future.

Carolyn Simmons is looking for Mr. Right in Lonesome Bend, as the ticktock of her biological clock gets ever louder. Then she falls for gorgeous Brody Creed, the opposite of everything she wants. Until lassoing his wild heart becomes everything both of them need.

What I thought:  (slight spoiler)

I'm a sucker for a feel good book ... and a happy ending.  I enjoy reading Linda Lael Miller's books and this one was no different providing fun characters and an interesting story line. A little bit of drama and a lot of romance.  It was an easy read, good for a quiet night or a weekend away.  I think I will go ahead and purchase the book before this Creed's Honor (The Creed Cowboys) so that I can find out how Carolyn's friend Tricia and Brody's identical twin brother, Conner, meet.  Creed's Honor will be available on Kindle and in paperback on 5/31/11 and is available for preorder now. 

The Creed Legacy doesn't come out until June 28, 2011 but it is certainly available for pre-order right now on Amazon.com and other sites.   Perfect timing for your 4th of July vacation or a weekend at the beach. 

I was given a copy of this gallery by the Publisher via Netgalley.com.  I was only asked to provide my honest opinion of the book, not the favorable opinion that I am happy to give.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

I have to give it to my Hubs - he and and our kidlets were awesome today!  They surprised me with a bagel and a cup of coffee in "bed" and then took me to a wonderful place, after Church, a little jaunt from our house (I was hoping Twink wouldn't get carsick!) The Pub in Pennsauken, NJ ~ it is famous in its own right and has downright wonderful steaks and the best fresh chicken fingers on the planet.  I used to work there while at college - as a hostess; girls wait forever to get promoted to waitress at that place because once you're in, you're in for good!  Many women (and men) have been there for years and years - the business is that good.  We venture here each Mother's Day and Father's Day to celebrate because they open early these days.  Today, they opened the doors at 12:00 p.m. for dinner.  When we left at 1:15 p.m. there wasn't a wait, but the lobby area (which is huge) was getting crowded because they will not seat you until your entire party is there and ready to be seated.

After lunch, Hubs let me take a nap while SweeTart was sleeping.  It was a weird feeling - a nap.  I kept hearing things and kept thinking I wasn't really asleep but after a bit, I fell sound asleep and woke up feeling refreshed.  Then we took the kids for ice cream locally.  Fun!  Maybe I should feed everyone dinner now?  Dinner which will consist of leftovers from our noontime meal at The Pub.  :-)

Tomorrow is the beginning of the NJ ASK test, our annual standardized tests for the 3/4/5/6/7/8 graders.  I think they are the only grades who take it but since we have a 3rd and a 4th grader, everyone is supposed to be settling down early and getting a good night's rest after a fun day. 

A shout out to our Twinkletoes!!  After working hard on her JOGA pre-team for 2 years, she has been officially invited to join the team!    She is so dang excited and so proud of herself for all of the hard work she had done towards this goal.  I'm not quite sure what next year as a "team mom" will bring but I know it will bring lots of smiles, probably a little heartache, and loads and loads of practice time.  Congratulations Twink - we are all very, very proud of your accomplishments. 

Saturday, May 7, 2011

12th Anniversary and Celebration Disney Trip!

What were you doing today, in 1999, 12 years ago?  Hubs and I were getting married on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, in Negril, Jamaica.  We've since been back to the magical place where we were married but it doesn't seem like we've been there enough.  Or recently enough, although it's only been two years ... enough time for our "frequent visitor miles" to expire.  We'll have to make up for that sometime soon, like after we hit the lottery and Hubs doesn't work quite so hard as he has to do now.    Did you know that you need to become a "resident" of Jamaica to be married there?  We had to be there for three days before we were able to get married there.  Cool, huh?  I am so not complaining.  It was beautiful.  I would get married there all over again in half of a heartbeat.  To the same man, of course.  The man who makes my world full of love.  Full of light.  Full of happy times and laughter.  Full of children.  (no that is not a segue into an "i'm expecting" segment - you can relax now.)  The man with whom I plan to spend a thousand tomorrows with on our "ride" of life.  xoxox  Happy Anniversary honey!! 

Last week, while the kids were in school, we took a quick trip to Walt Disney World in Florida for not only a getaway but to see the Epcot International Flower & Garden show.  It was spectacular, to say the least.  I've attached a few of the many, many, pictures we took throughout the week.  I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw most of the topiaries - I can see why this event is so popular at Disney!  I'd definitely go  back here again in a minute (especially if it won't be so hot - that was one thing I wasn't expecting!)




 

Friday, May 6, 2011

Goodnight Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann - a book review

From the Publisher:

Children will want to settle down for bedtime with Little Sea Otter as he snuggles onto Mama's chest in a cozy bed of sea kelp and bids good night to all his ocean friends. From sea lions to sea snails, seagulls to seals and sea urchins, it seems he'll never close his eyes. But gently rocking seas, twinkling stars, and Mama's loving arms lull Little Sea Otter—and children everywhere—to dreamland.

My Thoughts:

This book was wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated.  It is the tale of any child trying to say "good night" to everyone and anyone they can think of before going to sleep themselves.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story.  However, my 3 year old daughter, had a hard time sitting still for the entire story.  Maybe she needs to get a hard copy of this book in her hands?  She was captured by the artistry, if not the story, at this time.  I, however, enjoyed the sea otter's interactions with the animals around him.  I would definitely recommend this book to others and will be purchasing as a gift in the near future!

I was given a galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  I was asked to provide my honest opinion of the galley and have not been compensated for publishing my opinion.