Off to build a playground......

This being the 10th year aniversary of Build A Bear Workshop....We are going to Build A Playground to celebrate. Not just one playground but 10! All acroos America sites in need were chossen to have a build. Michael, Stephen, Stephens friend Christian and I will be helping out Aug 1 to put this baby up. We have to leave at the crack of dawn (545am) to go to Brockton, a place not close to here that is for sure. I will keep you posted as to how it goes and might have some pictures. You all know how bad I am with posting pictures.....Well I have been getting better.......So wish us luck and much strength as we dig and shovel and build the day away.......

Just got home........

The boys and I went to Round Lake in Wakefield NH from Saturday night to Tuesday morning. We were 3 moms and 7 kids. We had a great time. Nothing like being a lazy lake bumm and floating your days away. Last night we got them sparklers after we made yummy smores.....This morning they were all so tired. I am glad to be washed up in my own shower. Theres nothing like the clean feeling of your own shower after a few days at the lake.......

You know you're a Bear Builder when....

you know youre a bear builder when:
*you find yourself bad-mouthing Vermont teddy bear factory and the bear mill*you can recite the bear promise by heart no matter where you are*the babw animals you own mean so much more to you than your other stuffed animals*anytime you hear someone mention babw you look at it as a chance to advertise this months new animal*you go into the store off the clock and sell five pairs of shoes and answer the phone*you go out with your friends and find yourself unconsciously humming teddy bear tea party or chocolate bear*you get a warm fuzzy feeling when you see the commercials on TV*you thought magic avenue was the coolest song ever*you own khaki up the wazoo*you wear your old weekend t-shirts to work out and to bed*when all your friends complain about their crappy jobs you dont say anythingyour job rocks!*you feel like maxine clark is a member of your family*your co-workers are your best friends*you visit other babws to compare technique*you get excited when you actually see a pair of solid white shoes*youve mastered the art of tying bow*you look forward to inventory*you get super excited when its time for the floor set to change*you start memorizing the skus for different items*you no longer associate st. louis with the archits bearquarters*you go to other babws and you see the product in the wrong place and you put it away*you go to reach for your sissors to cut something and your not even working*Pawsome, Bearrific and furbulous are in your daily conversations*When you can name all the shoes without looking at the back of them*When your on vacation and you still call the store to see how everyone is*When your on vacation and you feel the need to visit the store in that city*you have mastered the skill of tuning out music ..........I can attest to all of these...lol...really

Yearly trip to Boston.....

Every year since Stephen was born we have vetured in to Boston FH during Michaels vacation. Today was surpose to be Hampton Beach NH day (yes I had every intention to go to a BEACH, believe it if you may) but we had a worker coming to the house that messed up our plans...UGH...so today after he left we went. I am so very proud to report.......I yes I said I drove into Boston...Not Michael I >>>>>Yes I am not fond of driving out of my comfort zone but I am also not fond of being the passenger in the car when in a stress driving situation. I guess it is a controll thing but hey if it puts me at ease, why not........We compared the train tickets to the cost of parking and it was $12. more to park. Hey why not....The boys are out of the "yippie a train stage.." at least on a 90* day they are ...lol ...No s,elly train station. NO JERMS......lol We always go the Dicks Last Resort for nachos and something cold to drink. It is not a place for the faint of heart...lol The wait staff is trained to bug the crap out of eachother as well as the diners...lol It is very fun though......A really old women dining alone just wanted to take a load off and I don't think she knew what she was getting into.......poor thing looked at us and said this place is crazy.......Rachael the waitress said our kids were to quiet and they needed caffine or drugs to make them be monkeys and jump on the walls.....She then said really loud someone at this table farted and lit a match to get the smell away.....SO when she came back I told her it must of been the baby near us...lol she said that we have to accept that it was us and not blame poor inocent babies....lol She was a hoot....Ryan wore the famous paper hat that read I like to eat boogers on my nachos....I got a blue balloon that said when I laugh I pee trickels..and S got I heart fart smells....She left Michael alone I think b/c he is not a joker like that....BUT THEN after we got our food she put a bib on him that said "if I have to wear my diaper then I must wear my bib" Well at that point we were in stiches not only b/c of us but the other tabels around us.....lol It is a hoot going there....We also got Ryans yearly Bearded Papas Cream Puff.....OH they are heavenly.....I had a small taste of the cream and was a very good girl....Stephen got a canolli and it also looked heavenly...I to then only had a small taste of the fillin...I am so proud....Oh and Rachael said she has never seen anyone drink the amount of water that I drink and not run to the bathroom...LOL LOL I had to hav ehad 4 glasses of water and the cups were HUGH........I did get to use the BABW restroom when I dropped by to see my Boston friends....
That was our 90* day in Boston........that trip is out of the way...Still NEED to make it to Hampton Beach...We make a yearly trip there too but mostly after dinner to walk the bordwalk not to beach..but this year I vow to beach...lol Have a great night...S

My have we grow,,,,,,,, the 5 grand kids at our house for Stephens b-day 2 years ago......

Stephen and Ryan in Papa and Nannas house, my have they grown up since then.....snif snif...
The yearly Christmas picture at Uncles house........Selena is the princess with all the princes...

Stephen and Ryan in Papa and Nannas Backyard.....Selena with her favorite uncle on her 3rd b-day...........................

It is easier to Blog in the winter........

I have noticed I am not the only one. lol The posts come every so often. More often than not I am trying to get my e-mail really quick, look at some posts from others and log off fast. I guess it is just not that time of the year to sit on the keyboard. Some points to touch, Hope Jess, Kenny and the bouncy baby Nathan are well; Karen and her family looked great on the mini vacation, Norma is really into her HP this weekend, as should a diehard fan be...Paige is on the move and busy as a bee and Drew, WELL DREW he no longer blogs as well as Mel.....I miss reading btw guys....lol Also Dawn has fallen by the wayside. I hope we don't loose this circle. I really like the "theropy" of it....lol It is free and keeps us busy. As for Big Brother, I am so glad I have my fix for the summer. I long for it and wish that it were all year long. Dick is in power and showing the house he was to not be knocked down....He and his daughter are really smart. It was a tear jerker tonight when she went to her dad and broke down despite their rocky relationship. It hit home b/c not ever having a dad I was so touched at how he handled her. I know she will reach out to him more, I could just tell. I hope Jen goes home....Kail does deserve it but Jen is most annoying. Kail tries to be such a leader but NOT WORKING KAIL.........If ur a fan u go! if not sorry to bother u with my rants........Enjoy ur night and I MISS U ALL>>>>>Hope all is well and stay in touch........Blessings..and Bear Huggin andLuvin....Stephie

It won't stop raining.....

Yesterday I had Ryans 3 friends over because it was just a washout. Stephen went to the indoor skate park in NH with his friend. Ry needed some interaction without lots of cash to be spent....lol We had his friend Christian over, his twin sister and her friend. Funny 2 gals 2 boys. Beccah the friend of the sister and Ryan have been friends since second grade. They both stayed after many times together for speech help. Ryan being born 6 weeks early had not talked early and when he did talk he did not articulate as well as he should of and that lead to not being able to prononce words when reading. Phonetics (sp) ? have alot to do with reading and when you think you are pronouncing it the right way you then don;t spell correctly...So what is my problem lol ........Ryan and Beccah have made great strides since then. They are both now all A students and have basicly no speech problem at all. Funny how back them they could so relate when going through almost the same thing. She is really sporty and not all eww and girly girlish so it is ok to have her as a friend, in his mind...lol The kids were awesome. As side from one time Christian had to tease his twin sister. Hey thats common.......After they decided to watch a movie the Little Raschals.....The new one not from way back in the day, the one with Bug Hall as Alfapha.......I just had to watch in with them it is so funny, a really nice movie....
When Jane dropped the kids off she said yesterday we will be having 4 days of this rain....I was like NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish it would just end. It is so nice when the sun shines. I am sure many of you reading could not agree with me more...SUN RULES< RAIN DRULS.......Stay dry and at least I can look forward to BB tonight, live eviction.........

Back from a day at the Lake,,,,,,

Here is a picture of Lake Ossippi in New Hampshire....We went up on Friday around dinner time after we picked up a very happy camper from CHC. He was happy to see us but we know he would of stayed another week because he LOVES it there. I cooked on Friday and packed an overnight bag then drove the hour and a half or so. What a place, Stephens hockey coach and his family have a beautiful place on the cove inlet of the lake. This "cottage" I mean mansion was so wonderful. The wrap around porch and 4 level beach/yard with dock and boats was breath taking. We went on a boat ride with them to the main lake and then the boys went tubing from the boat....what a trip....Ryan held on for dear life and we were amazed that he was so dearing. Stephen had been there on Memorial Day and experienced all the activites before. It was nice to see Ry light up when he rode the jet ski with his brother ofcourse.....

Their daughter and I swam about 900 yards to a sandbar and both screamed when we saw a snapping turtle. I was called the older version of Nicole b/c I think at times we have diarea of the mouth. We just tell a story so fast and talk uncontrollably together...lol She is a great kid, really mature for her age of 11. You would think she was atleast 4 years older than Ryan but she is 6 months younger. Even to her brother who is 3 years older, you think she is the older one. Great kid. Our time was cut short when we left on Saturday after dinner about 8:30 or so, we got home at 10:10...not too bad. We were to spend all of Sunday there also but my side of the family last minute is having a HS graduation for my little cousin Rachael......Last min. thing and I could not miss it.....we are off to that today and the boys are going early to help my uncle set up and lend some hands......Have a great Sunday......It seems like the days are flying and soon September will be here....NOOOOO Slow down.........Hey a great BIG CONGRADULATIONS TO JESS AND KENNY on their new baby boy......Blessings......

Found this pic from when Stephen was going into 5th grade, day camp not over night.....He is in the middle row
3rd in.....






Counting down the minutes until we drive Stephen to CHC.......Yes it is that time again. It is bitter sweet b/c I know how much he gets out of it and loves it but we miss him so much every year. This will be his fourth year at Christain Hockey Camp. Next year he will start training as a Jr. Counc. and someday donate back his time as a fill fledge one. He enjoys the many things he learns there and comes home more mature in faith and hockey every year. He got 7 boys from his team to go this year. I was thinking of a discount for so many referals but I guess not....lol Tick tock goes the clock and I am holding back the tears. I have been giving extra hugs for him to have for the week. A camping he will go.........

July 5th....IT'S BACK BABY! BB8

Thursday night, it is Season #8...........I took a look at CBS.com and they are kind of ripping off past season 4 with a house guest from the past. It may not be an X factor one, but it is someone from their past that they have unfinished buisness with. There is one married gal 37 and one seperated gal, the rest are unattached. We will see how this one goes. You all may remember last summers dissapointment that the house guests were so called "All Stars" I am so glad to meet new HGs. We now have a DVR from Comcast so I won't have to run home from events over the summer., the family will be happy about that. I encourage your opinons and chats about this season as it plays out. I will be on the BB8 chat boards like last year to chat about this awesome show...I AM THE BIGGEST BB FAN.............Yes I am!

You're a Grand 'ol Flag.......

You're a high flying flag and forver in peace may you wave......
This week being Americas Celebreation of July 4th we must remember how lucky we are to be Americans. Lets give prayers of thanks and protection to all who fight to keep us in the free society that we are in. Most of all that we are safe.....GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE, STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER.........