kiss your babies...

tell them you love them more than all of the M&M's in the world!!!

I hope to see you all at the beef & beer this Saturday...think I'm taking off tomorrow, not feeling very well. Hoping Pop has some antibiotics at their house...otherwise, I'm gonna have to go to the doctor tomorrow! M & I have hair appointments Saturday, nails Friday, T is getting hers done tonite...we're gonna be gorge!!! I just hope I feel better...I'm going no matter what...I'd just like to feel great & have a perfect time! I have this sinusy thing...I'm thinking it's an infection...ear ache, headache...a few antibiotics & I'll be all set!

Please say a prayer for the Tennesson family...hoping you feel the love & best wishes we're sending...Braeden will be just fine!

Happy Thursday!

(let me just say...THANK YOU Moosh...for the perfect pic of me & Brandon...i love seeing those moments you think are just between the 2 of you & being able to share them...it's so sweet when it's caught on film...i love that neither of us knew this was being taken...just us loving each other!)

eclipse, snow, snow day...

This is what we've been up to...looking forward to the weekend!!! #9's for Mommy & some fun with our faves!!!

Come to the Beef & Beer on 3/1...it's so important!!!

SAMMI MOYER...

GOT INTO PENN STATE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO, SWEET GIRL...WE'RE ALL SO VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!!

I might just become a Nittany Lions fan for a while!!! At least 4 years...!!!

VD...

In the words of Al Leytham…Happy VD!

I’m looking forward to my dinner date tonite with Mooshie, Mommy, Meggie & my babies! It’s Barry’s late nite so he wanted us to do something fun…& we can’t wait!

The kids loved their Valentine’s Day gifts & were all chatty this morning about how many valentines (or balentimes) they were going to get, what fun treats Mom Mom was going to have for them & how much fun their parties at school were going to be…I remember the anticipation of a great party at school in the afternoon…remembering my youth never gets old!!!

Miss Kate has been such a big girl on the potty, we’re just so proud of her! So, the Disney World vacation planning has begun! Brandon might just burst out of his skin in anticipation of this trip! All Kate wants to talk about are the Princesses she’s going to see…& how tall she thinks Mickey Mouse is going to be…I am too excited for words at the thought of their reactions to WDW! I was 18 the first time I went & it was still this incredible, magical place to me…I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like to see it all with my children…& my adorable hubby!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all…I love you!!!!!!!!!!

& MOST IMPORTANTLY...Happy Birthday to my beautiful mother-in-law, Carol Thompson! You are incredible & we love you so much more than you can imagine...thank you for being a phenomenal mom & grandmom! You raised a remarkable man, that I am blessed daily to love & he is; in return...the world's greatest Daddy!!! Thank you for making my life perfect, I'd be lost without you & all you've done!

i may have lost the battle...

BUT, I'M WINNING THE WAR!!!!!!

Ok, so Barry didn't vote yesterday...which breaks my heart! I did beg & lecture & I forced him to sit with me to watch the election coverage all night (after we watched American Idol like any other red blooded American family...LOL!) But he didn't vote...why you're wondering...wouldn't it be easier to SHUT me the hell up & just go pick someone???

He has this theory that he doesn't know enough about politics to choose someone...even though I'm a huge fan of a debate & he's seen them with me. He thinks, "One vote doesn't count!" He tried..."I'm tired after work"...I think it's all BULLSHIT!!! It's your job as a tax payer, as a person who enjoys these freedoms thousands are dying for & as a PARENT; if nothing else...to vote. To choose who will be in charge of the country we're blessed to live in. To decide who will be forming the world we're giving our children!!!!

So...I let him off this hook for the primary...I did however tell him he WILL vote for our next President!!! Or he will be very sorry!

I have to say...this was the first election in a long time...probably since the very first time I voted at 18...that I SERIOUSLY felt excitement! I was excited to watch the #'s coming in last nite...I know it's just the primary...but knowing that something ENORMOUS is happening & I'm part of it is electrifying! I challenge you all to find your candidate & support them, RESEARCH them...do your part to be an educated voter! You don't have to support Hillary Clinton just because I do...I enjoy discussing politics (not like my mother does) with people who take it as seriously as I do. This is a BIG DEAL...this decision is life changing- you should feel blessed to be able to make it FREELY!!!

So...I lost Barry for the primary...I voted with butterflies in my tummy & practically skipped out of my new polling place!!! But, I got home, told Brandon I had just voted & he gave me SERIOUS STINK FACE...I asked him why, told him how important it is to me that I vote...& he replied...


MOM, I WANTED TO GO VOTE WITH YOU, WE ALWAYS GO TOGETHER...I LIKE TO VOTE TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My work here...with these children...shows itself to me daily...I'm doing a pretty damn good job if I do say so myself...I have a 7 year old who was COMPLETELY bummed that he didn't get to vote!!!!!!!!!! BRANDON ROCKS...& I think his mom might just be pretty stinking cool too...he was later telling Kate how "we're the luckiest country in the world because it's our freedom that lets us pick whatever we want to eat for dinner or to have for President!" He's funny...but he's been paying attention!!!

by the way...

GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REPORT CARD DAY

was yesterday...a PERFECT report card from my sweet boy!!!! I'll be scanning it in to show all of you...all VG's & G's again...this kid is THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEW YORK GIANTS!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe it...I'm still pinching myself! It was a moment I'll never forget...I know some of you are thinking it's just a game...& I know it is...but, football is one of my greatest passions & last nite, I totally won! I will admit...there have been games in the past that I've shouted at the tv & bitched in my blog that we had the wrong Manning...I can't apologize enough for thinking that...Eli has been playing incredibly well. He believes in himself...you could see it. Eli wanted this way more than Tom Brady...who came in there just knowing they had no competition from my New York Giants. We showed them...I am so happy...you have NO IDEA!

I am so proud of how well my Giants played...they were beautiful! I loved the dancing lizards commercial...you know I'd have to...it had Thriller in it! It was an incredible weekend...

Saw my girl Laura Cheadle on Friday nite with Moosh, Dawn, Kev, Katie, Zach & Dezi...Saturday morning breakfast was perfect, the Thompson fam took a great nap on Saturday afternoon, I cooked my tail off for our Super Bowl party the rest of the day & on Sunday, my favorite team in the world became the World Champions & ruined Tom Brady's perfect season...what's better than that??????????????

Oh...I've got about 50 home made meatballs leftover...if you're hungry...STOP BY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry that yesterday was the last party of the Football Season at Club Thompson...we missed Zach, Dezi & Brent...but I'm glad Stevie stopped by...Moosh had to be there, it wouldn't be football without her...Mommy, Meg & Shel...loved you girls being there & of course...the Choyce family...how sweet it is to be loved by you...all of you...THANK YOU FOR A PERFECT ENDING TO THE PERFECT FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!

& a special THANK YOU to all of you who texted me all nite...THANKS for cheering on my boys & supporting them with me...& for letting me know how happy you were for me...it means the world to know that while we're not physically together...we were watching that moment of greatness together...& that you LOVED IT just as much as I did! & I hope the Magic had you remembering...perfection!!!!


WAY TO GO GIANTS...I'm lucky to love you boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


as a brilliant & beautiful boy once told me...there's only 1 game needed in football to determine the winner, because it's a real man's sport...& anyone can win that one game...ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY! ~sjm

Thursday nite & my MAN!!!

Our new Thursday nite date is with the Crowding family...the kids get to play & the Mommies get to relax & catch up on our week! Last nite Katie & Savanna played dress up & were "sister princesses" according to Katie! It was so cute...then the girls put on a show for me & Dawn...it was so funny! Savanna is a dancing machine, just like her mommy!

Brandon & Josh had the ultimate Wii competition...they're so funny! The kids get along so well...it makes my heart happy to see that they have these 2 little sweet friends that they just love as much as I love them!

So...thanks to my sweet boy...we all get new friends! What's better than that??

Also yesterday, I got a note home that my MAN is Student of the Month!! FOR MATH!!!!!! Go figure...I'm the proudest Mommy in the Universe of this little guy! I tell him all the time that I am so blessed to be his Mommy...it's completely the truth!! Thank you, Brandon...for being an incredible human being...I must be doing something right!

Looking forward to date nite tonight...can't wait to see you all!!! Hope you feel better real soon, Tia...we'll miss you!!!

Lots of love...ALWAYS!!!

GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thin mints & a manicure

thank goodness it's Wednesday!! This week is going by fairly quickly...of course now that I've said that it's going to poke along...LOL!

Last nite me & M went for our manis...she got a pedi & waxed too...we're gonna be lovely for date nite! I can hardly wait!!

She brought me my Girl Scout cookies...GOD BLESS BELLA...I'm having Thin Mints for breakfast as I write!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's better than that??? Not much is RIGHT!

I know I'm insane...but the thought of a NKOTB reunion tour has me completely fired up!! Heatho thinks it's nuts...but I wanna take Katie Kate...I LOVED those boys BEYOND words!! I figure, it won't be happening for at least a year, she'll be 4 by then...plenty old enough to see a concert! LOL! We'll see what Barry has to say about that!

Check it out...i'm not nuts...it's coming!!! http://www.nkotb.com/

Why can't you eat just one Thin Mint?? I'm almost done an ENTIRE sleeve...& I can't stop...I'm a Thin Mint addict!!!!!!!!!!!! I need a damn meeting!!!

Here's hoping you all have a beautiful Wednesday...CHEERS!

1.24.08...NO THAT ISN'T SAVANNA'S BEER IN THOSE PICTURES!!!!!

it was one of those weeks last week...so on Thursday, we decided we needed some #9's, some pool & some pizza...

Pop knew it was a rough one when he came home to me & Norton in the basement playing pool & enjoying a few #9's. Brandon & Katie loved it...even though Norton thinks it's ok to heckle a 7 year old about his pool playing abilities, they think he's pretty cool!

Dawn, Kevin, Josh, Savanna, Tia, Drew & Margie quickly arrived & joined us for a nice relaxing Thursday, the perfect way to unwind & do our Friday dance a little early...even though Friday was inventory day!!!

The kids had a blast & Kevin...the biggest kid was a great playmate for them all...he had just returned from a convention in VEGAS...tough gig if you can get it! They played pool, a game of catch & he let them tackle him! The boys loved it. Katie & Savanna played girl stuff all nite & it was so sweet to watch. Katie wasn't her usual bossy self...at one point, she was even snuggling Josh on the sofa...UH OH!

I so needed a stress free nite with my girls, no drama, no nonsense...just some laughs, some drinks & some good times...& somehow, the yearbook made it's way out of the closet again!!!!!!!! So scary to see those eyebrows...how am I still friends with you all...I needed some serious waxing back in 1993!!!

We can't wait to do it again real soon...although, Barry would like to feel like he's not the party pooper next time...everyone left like the party was just busted by the cops when he got home Thursday nite...it was pretty funny!

So, it was a great time & I was in bed early enough to be at work by 5:30 on Friday...good times!!!

Thank you Margie, Tia & Dawn...I needed that...I'm glad I've got such great neighbors...a good time is never more than a few minutes away!!!

i was just hit by a car...

yep...that's what I said...I thought Margie was going to have a heart attack!!!

I'll back up for you...Margie calls me every day on her way home from work, somewhere around 5:03...we talk until she gets in the door, we have some weird rituals.

Yesterday we're happily chatting about the hysterical emails we were sending with Tia in the afternoon & all of a sudden...my car jolts forward & there's an enormous noise...Margie says "WHAT WAS THAT" & I say..."I was just hit by a car...I mean, I was rear ended by a Mini Cooper" & I rattle off the license plate # because I clearly can't just pull onto Kings Highway & pull over & I'm not sure this chick is going to stop. I was at a STOP sign, wasn't moving...just sitting there...waiting to go & WHAM...HIT BY A MINI COOPER!!!

So I make my turn & she follows me, I get off the phone & get out of my car & by that point, this sweet little 20 something in an outfit that happens to match her cute little car is running towards me screaming- ARE YOU OK??? I, of course, was & so was she...she hugs me...notices my car seats & says...YOU HAVE CAR SEATS & is almost in tears...I tell her "It's fine, they're clearly empty & I wouldn't be this calm if they weren't."

She goes to the rear of my Mom car to check for damage & there isn't any...Fords don't bend...she's all upset & worried & I tell her, "It's fine, it's a Ford Taurus, not a Mercedes & everything is REALLY OK."

She sees me still smoking my cigarette...& says..."I was lighting my cigarette- that's how I hit you, I was lighting my cigarette...but I threw it out the window because I thought you'd think I was a complete idiot!" I say..."We're both complete idiots for smoking...but, I get distracted in the car too & we're both ok!"...She hugs me again & asks if I want her info. I say "No, seriously, just please be careful!!"

She thanks me for being so sweet & hugs me some more... but I'm really not, it was just an accident...a tiny one...but a big enough one to make me realize that there are close calls in life & that I should do a much better job at living!!

So, I called Margie back told her I'm fine & Wilma (my car) is fine...& she insists on seeing for herself (lucky me)! So we get together a dinner order, she picks it up & we had a perfect dinner. Me, Barry & the kids & Margie...& I was really grateful that I was there, being loved & eating take out...what's better than American Idol, FAMILY & FREE DINNER!!! She's a phenomenal sister...& I'd be lost without her...so would my other sisters!!!

Tonight's meal...& some #9 (for Tia...& me, LOL) is on me...can't wait to see you girls!! I love an early Friday celebration! The kids can't wait to see the Crowdings & Drew...& I can't wait to relax in front of the fire with the girls & a few drinks! It's been a long week!!!!

Happy Thursday!!

INVENTORY tomorrow...I'm NOT excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with all of the Heath hype...i have a sweet one...

I tried to get a close-up so you could see the beautiful face of our angel...she goes on the top of our Christmas tree every year & I absolutely love her! She is a brunette...something I searched for for about 2 years. Not all angels are blond was my theory...but, that's another story!

Well, as you know I just got Christmas down this weekend & in packing up all of my beautiful & beloved ornaments, my sweet Katie was gorgeous!!!

The Angel was sitting on my coffee table...over walks this sweet little girl who I've told a million times, "Please just sit down & look at them, you don't need to touch them." She walks up & stares at her for a moment & out goes her little hand...yes, I'm watching out of fear that something will be broken...the idiot that I am. My love strokes her fluffy wings & rests her hand on her perfect dress & says, "Mommy, it's Ganmom...Oh My God, look at her, it's Ganmom!" It was the sweetest thing ever...she asked if she could please hold her & of course, with the tears welling up inside me, I said yes. & you know what, Kate was right...she does resemble Barry's mother...who just so happens to be a real life angel!

I called over there to tell Mom how sweet it was...she was napping but Pop thought it was hysterical...it was a really sweet moment!

Then it came time to put her back in her plastic Macy's bag & put her in the box until next year...Kate was very concerned with how she'd breathe...kept telling me I told her never to put bags over her head because she would "suffercate" & die, why was it ok to do it to "Ganmom the Angel". I love this little sweetie...Brandon kept laughing at her, Barry thought it was one of the cutest things ever...I've been waiting to share it with you...until I could provide the pics. Finally got around to it...babies are simply the best!!!

I'm looking forward to a fun girls nite in tomorrow...Moosh & Dawn are stopping in for some Thursday nite action (maybe Tia & Drew too...) & Bran & Kate can't wait to see Josh & Savanna...me too!!! I'll have to see if I can rustle up some #9... Happy Wednesday my loves!!!

GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!

better late then never...

Finally some pics from our visit from Dawnie...doesn't she look incredible STILL!!!!! She's clearly doing something right, she hasn't aged a DAY since 1993!! I love you, girlie!!!

Super Bowl!!!

Margie has rug burn on both of her knees this morning & I've got 2 bloody & bruised fingers...no, we weren't brawling! She was praying & I was jumping up & down in victory over the Packers loss to my beloved Giants (and blasted my closed fist against the beam in the ceiling...I've got some cheerleader left in me...LOL!)! My entire day yesterday was perfect & I'm still in shock!!! I'm also completely stuffed still...I do love the massive amounts of food Margie & I whip up for a football game...what's better than a buffet of your favorite things??? I'll have her turned into a gourmet goddess before she knows what's hit her!

Yesterday goes right up there with the Florence victory my Junior year of high school! One of those incredible days when I am part of a greater victory...when I can watch someone else's greatness & feel like I'm a small part of it! Chuckie Kirby saved the day on that cold rainy day in South Jersey...he was a hero for a little while because of it...if my Dad sees him, he's still a hero for it! Yesterday, Lawrence Tynes was the hero for the Giants & I still get goosebumps when I think of the excitement that was racing through my entire body in those last moments. Manning was incredible & our boys fought the good fight!

Barry was holding my hand & laughing at me as I freaked out...I was trying not to watch that last field goal attempt...him & Margie insisted I watch because I would have been so sad if I had missed it & they both know me so well- THANK GOD, I can't believe I almost didn't watch...Moosh was crawling around, Meggie was panicking & pacing (the little Packers fan wasn't loving me so much last nite!) & finally, the kick was good. I love a game that goes into OT.

It was a great weekend & a great football day...I think probably the very best this season! I love partying with my faves...& can't wait for Super Bowl Sunday...we're gonna have to put the big table downstairs for all of our food!!!! Wings & meatballs & hoagies...OH MY!!! I have to get more No. 9 before then...one of my new loves! Good call on that one...I should never doubt your knowledge!!! :)

Other than that...our Saturday date with Aunt Margie at the Colonial was the same as always- pannycakes & eggs & a bagel delux...until we did our sprint to the car- it's a race we do, she holds Katie & I hold Brandon's hand & we run. Kate didn't want to be held this Saturday so she held Aunt Margie's hand. I think we'll go back to our normal race next weekend. Kate wiped out & has matching Band Aids on her knees...which she loves!!!

Christmas is finally down at my house...better late than never, LOL! I can't do it before 1/8 it's just a personal law of mine, nothing comes down before Elvis's birthday...& then I ran out of time...but it's finally done & again...it broke my heart! I am so sad when it's all over, it's one of my favorite times of the year. The excitement in the kids is a miracle to watch & I know it! My days are limited in the whole "believing"...so I appreciate it while I have it! Now I just have to get the last 2 Christmas presents to their recipients, wasn't in the cards this weekend, I guess!

That was our weekend, my loves...Happy Monday & GO GIANTS!!!