The BIG 3-4!!!!!!

June 11, 2012

Today was Damian's 34th birthday.  Monday birthdays aren't the greatest, but hey.....a birthday is a birthday right?  Everyone was very tired from spending the whole day at Madison's dance recital the day before, so I went off to work and the 3 kids stayed home to spend some time with Daddy.  I allowed Madison to stay home from school because she was exhausted and she has done so well this past year in the 3rd grade....she deserves it.

Unfortunately, by the time I got home from work, Damian had already left work, so I picked Mayci up from Ted and Abby's, grabbed some groceries, and raced home to make Damian his cake! Then I rushed back to get the other 2 and get home in time to decorate the cake and have it ready for him(and no, it's not REALLY decorated, but at least I wrote on it) He was hoping to be home at  a decent hour so the kids and I could do the whole, sing Happy Birthday and blow out candles, thing for him.

Well, by 10pm everyone was in bed and I was feeling pretty tired, so off to bed I went as well.  I still don't know what time Damian got in, but when I woke up Tuesday to get ready for work...he was in a VERY DEEP sleep.

Clearly I need to hurry up and sign up for the Wilton Cake Decorating classes that I keep talking about!! lol

June 12, 2012

During my lunch break, I logged on to facebook and to my surprise and embarrassment, I saw that Damian had posted a picture of his cake for all to see.  I was sort of happy that he felt it was special enough to post, but pretty embarrassed because it definitely was not the prettiest cake!!!

Thankfully on Tuesday he came home from 45 minutes between work and a rehearsal so we could sing happy birthday, blow out candles, and cut the cake.  Ia m not sure of the kids were more excited to spend a little more time with Daddy or to be able to eat the cake that had been staring at them for the past 24 hours!!

So, I know it is only Wednesday, but this week is really not going that great for me. I think that it is a mild case of feeling sorry for myself and it is really starting to take a toll on me.

But onto bigger and brighter things.....amidst all of this gloomy weather that has been upon us.

Madison's dance recital was this weekend.  This marks the end of the dance season for most.  But, for Madison, it just marks a small break.  She gets about 3 weeks off and then picks back up at the end of June for the Summer Session.  And let me tell you.....I think she may have found her passion.  Dance isn't just a hobby or an extracurricular activity for her. Is truly seems like something more.....and it probably helps that she is really getting better and better at it!  This recital, she danced in 5 numbers...one being the competition number.  She had a few minor mishaps, but smiled through them all.  I was incredibly proud.  This was the first year that I did not have another kid with me, so it was way less hectic for me when she needed help with costume and hair changes.

But some of those parents, wow----we were in the dressing room and parents were getting all worked up if someone was in the way and their child was going to be rushing in to do a costume change, they would yell at the other kids and things like that.  I do have a sort of "dance mom" mentality, int hat I sometimes take it kind of serious.  But I try not to even let that show to Madison, because I know it's not life and death.  It also surprises me at how the parents need to be told to watch their little kids so they are not disruptive or getting into things like crawling underneath the table the the photographers video camera is on and shaking it---(I'm just putting it out there!!...)

And I must give a quick shout out to my mother...she is AWESOME( I use that word in hopes that she is actually reading this--she doesn't like the word AWESOME for some unknown reason) :)  She comes every year and sits through the ENTIRE performance with me and never complains.  And for those of you that have attended a dance recital, you can understand what a struggle that can be sometimes.

Here are my tired kids after the dance recital on Sunday!  Well, clearly only Madison is tired and the other two are ready to go!! :)  I was going to put the pic of Damian that I took up also, but her looked so tired in it, I changed my mind!!!

So enough of my bragging about Madison.  Ia m so bad about that.  I am always bragging about my kids...I am probably so annoying to other people....but oh well!!

Mayci has been trying to stand on her own more and more.  Every day I think she manages to stand a little bit longer each day.  She has yet to take even a step, but that's okay...I don't mind if she wants to stay a baby for a little bit longer--especially since she is my last one.

Myles, or should I say, Peter Parker-since that is who he is calling himself these day, has been asking me a lot about school and homework.  Abby just bought him some "workbooks" and "homework" and I have been trying to help him with something daily.  poor thing though..he gets so frustrated when he makes s mistake.  So really our main goal is helping to realize that it is okay to make a mistake and he needs to learn to take a deep breath and try again.  Awww man--I think I need to practice what I preach.

I'm praying that the rest of my week runs a little smoother!!

RANDOMNESS

Yuck!!  I am not a huge fan of the rainy weather and so when that is what we had for most of the week...I was not a happy camper!

I am so tired today, so I am probably going to be telling you a bunch of randomness and I apologize ahead of time.  This week has been the beginning of a very "crafty" week for me.  Let me start of by saying, I am by NO MEANS a crafty person. I was the kid in art that was always told, "good effort" and my stuff was always the last to be displayed.  In fact, I am pretty sure it was only displayed because if they were showing off the entire class's projects, my feelings may have been hurt if mine was left out.  I mean come on--- you know the bottles that the teachers used to have you wrap different colored yarn around with glue?  Well mine......well I couldn't even get that right!!

But I digress--- I have been feeling very crafty lately.  I have been going on to do it yourself websites and looking things up on You Tube for ideas.  I am even going to attempt to look at that Pinterest thing.  Hopefully this is another start to something new!!

So, off to home depot I went-- I have picked out the swatches for paint colors that I want to use in Myles room and for his dresser and the bathroom.  Now it's just a matter of getting started.  And I am hoping that will be during this up coming week because dance will have died down for a little and that definitely keeps me the most busy.  I AM SO  EXCITED!!!

Some random pics from the week....

Hey, stop taking my picture and start feeding me!!

I am Captain America.........Look at my homemade shield that my big sister helped me with

Madison's train ticket from her field trip to Essex

The pile of socks that I have been struggling to actually match up!

Yummmmmmm...this sock tastes SOOOO good.............Umm, I hope it's clean

Madison's artwork that she stitched----the art teacher took a pic and sent it home because it is being displayed at LP Wilson Center for the summer...see the letter written below!!

KIDS NEWS:
Myles has been battling strep throat this week, so it was a little rough earlier in the week.  But now the amoxicillin has kicked in, so he is feeling MUCH better---good for him, not so good for the cleanliness of my house!

Mayci is really trying to stand on her own.  She is letting go of things more and more, and I think she will eb accomplishing it soon enough. SHe is now following her brothers footsteps by getting into the cabinets and pulling out all of my plastic containers onto the kitchen floor!! UUGGHH---if she wasn't so cute........... :)

Madison is in dance recital mode right now!!.....we had dress rehearsal yesterday and besides a few minor glitches, I think it went well!  Madison was a little sad that one of her teachers told her that she needed to dance "harder", but said she knows she will do great for recital!  I can't wait....Recital is in a couple of hours and I absolutely LOVE watching Miss Madison dance....it makes my eyes water every time.  This is her 5th year dancing, so she will be walking home with a trophy today.  I will try to sneak some pictures and post them later.....

Well I better finish getting these kids ready....I hope everyone has a SENSATIONAL Sunday!!!

Still no pics!!! :(

No pictures this time either. :( :( :(

 The reason.........I have lost my beloved camera.  Unfortunately it did not make it home with the kids and I are our walk home for Mama and Popup's on Memorial Day.  And there were so many AWESOME pics on there...I actually had managed to get one of my self, Myles, Mayci, and Madison.   And to top it off...we matched.  Sadly, Damian was busy working when that miracle happened.  So we will have to try again for that.

Some good news though---I did buy a new camera!! WOOHOO!!!  And I have taken some pics, but I still need to get them uploaded and onto my computer.

But in other news.  The past 2 weeks have been pretty good!  2 weeks ago on Thursday my sister, Lisa(the older one) and I went to go see Damian play at La Kerencya on Franklin Ave in Hartford.  Such a nice evening.  Ted and Abby were gracious enough to take all 3 kids and get them bathed and in pj's for me.  In fact, it turned out to be a late night, so 2 of the kids were actually sleeping when I got there to pick them up. Myles, of course, was still full of energy...an since he normally spends the night at their house on Fridays, I just let him do his thing.  Being able to go and see Damian play was such a good thing...for both Damian, myself, and our marriage as a whole.  We spend a lot of day sort of just passing by each pother. I'm getting ready for bed when he's coming home.  He is settling into bed when I am preparing to get up and head off to work.  And sometimes the weekends turn out the same way. I have not been the most supportive wife, even though I hate to admit it, so I don't go out and see him play often.  I think I last saw him play in November, which is so bad.  And let me tel you...watching him play gives me goosebumps every time.  He amazes me, and the things that he does on the piano just make me so proud.  I am so glad that he chose me to be his wife out of all the women and the world, and the least I can do is---is show him.  I'd like to think that me being there meant something to him also, I feel like he looked at me differently afterwards...so happy!!!!!  Sad news---I got some pretty good pics that day, too bad they were still in my camera....

Enough about me gloating about my wonderful man!!

Another day that had some wonderful pictures that I will never get back--- Memorial Day.  Madison had spent the night on Sunday at Grandma Virginia's house, so Myles, Mayci, and and I went to pick her up from there.  We headed out to Simsbury to watch the parade.  We found a great place to sit right across from Damian's job.  Myles got a little antsy before the parade truly started, but the little old lady next to us, kept talking to him and distracted...Thank God for the kind people that God places in our paths.  She must have sensed my frustration with him, because she would always sort of interject at just the right moment with a tender smile and the kindest words.  Not in a condescending way, but in a"lonely grandma" way.  But once the parade started, Myles was all smiles--waving at everyone and getting super excited when they would notice him and give him a special wave back!  I tried to take a second for each group to explain to them who they were and why they walking in the parade and why we should be proud, but I doubt they were even listening to me.  Even Mayci seemed to enjoy herself even though she was incredibly sweaty and having trouble seeing because the sun was so bright!

As we left the parade, I headed to Ted and Abby's so the kids could be dropped off there with Daddy and Mayci and I headed home to rest for a little.  She took a good nap and hen I plopped her in the stroller and walked to meet the rest of the family.  So many people showed up there for good times, laughter, fellowships, fun, and just hanging with friends. I am not sure we did much honoring of those who have passed or served so we can have out freedoms, but we did enjoy some good food and great weather.  When it was time to head out..which was pretty early for us, since we had work and school the next day, Ted let me have the double stroller so thee kids and I could walk home.  Damian had to head to rehearsal so I didn't want him to have to have to stop and drop us off...plus, who am I kidding---I can definitely use the exercise!!!!!

Al in all------the past 2 weeks have been good...and I am started to think about some fun family activities that we can use to fill our summer months!!  Plus I have been brainstorming ways for Damian and I to spend our 5 year anniversary in August!!!

Getting in the groove.........

Okay, so just a heads up---------------------no pictures for this post.

 I am beating myself up for not keeping up with this post consistently.  And since I am sort of using it as a public journal, I should be doing WAY better. I was originally going to try to play catch up..posting on our dailies from Myles birthday party to now, but let's face it.....our lives are definitely not that interesting and I don't feel like looking back in my calendar and writing it all down.  I will do a short little summary though.

The past three weeks and pretty much consisted of: work and carting kids around for me; work and gigs for Damian; playing and trying new foods and getting Strep throat & her first dose antibiotics for Mayci; actually wearing the Spiderman costume everyday and being "officially" potty trained for Myles, and school, piano, last dance competition, dance pics, and dance lessons for.  Miss busy bee Madison was also reader of the month and last Friday had her picture taken with her favorite school, to be hung on the wall at school.  She had her first and only violin recital at school this past Monday also.

I have been working on myself more than usual over the past several weeks.  About 2 weeks ago, I had another one of my "meltdowns" and was completely convinced that I was an inadequate woman, mother, wife, person.  I, of course, called my mom and calmed down as she talked me through it--reminding me that I am too hard on myself and it is okay to not want to do things sometimes.  Since then I have been trying to keep positive, remain calm during moments when I would normally breakdown, and begin to get my "life together.  Le's put it this way--- I have never been much of a housekeeper...WHAT?!?!?!  Did I truly just write that for people to read?  YUP!!  I most certainly did.  I have never been a stickler for keeping things, "just so.  My house is never really SPOTLESS (and if you have kids and your house is, then I am convinced that you are even more BORING than I am) and sometimes I let my kids run around and get dirty.  But I have made a personal decision to begin to put it in some kind of order.  It is going pretty slowly.  But I have joined this website called Flylady.net and they are teaching me that my house didn't get dirty in a day so it will take more than a day to get it back in to shape and that anything can be done in 15 minutes.  BABYSTEPS for me!!!  But I can tell that I am getting somewhere.....for Heaven's sake- we moved into this house that last week of August 2011 and I still haven't hung the stuff up on the walls that I wanted and I have yet to paint the bathroom and Myles' room like I have wanted forever.

I haven't gotten the new transmission for my car yet either.  We are trying to wait until we can come up with money without putting us behind on bills....and Damian's cousin Frankie has told us that if we can get it towed to Meriden for a Saturday, he can have it done before the end of the day.  SO babysteps for that also.  Once I get it fixed, I am going to finish paying it off and then start looking for a................................................................................ minivan!  We really need one and I am no longer ashamed to get one :)

And speaking of money--Damian and I have made the decision to get rid of cable.  And it's not because I don't want my kids to exposed to the vulgar, and inappropriate things on television.  While that is definitely true--I must admit, I will probably suffer worse than the kids.  I love to curl up with a blanket, a coffee, and watch my Lifetime movies or my Discovery channel.  But realistically--that money could be goign towards something else.  Since we will still have the internet, we can still watch movies and i can still watch General Hospital on Hulu...so it's not even like we are giving it up 100%  Not to mention the fact that Damian and I made this decision last week and I have yet to call the cable company yet--I think I am struggling to let go.

I have begun to go back to church and the kids do come wit me, we have chosen to switch to the Saturday night service that out church offers.  Madison loves her class on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Myles is getting used to it, and Mayci still struggles sometimes, so I end up being paged before the end of service just to remind her that she is okay!  I have volunteered to help begin a praise dance are of worship with Promiseland...we have our first meetign next weekend...and I AM SUPER EXCITED!!!

Last but not least, I am starting something this Sunday called Project 365.  It's where you take at least one picture a day each week and post them in a weekly blog.  I will begin iwth thge picture taking this Sunday and will post by weekly Project 365 every Sunday.  But I will still do posts in between...hopefully...I mean come on---I am still A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS!!!!

Spiderman and the number 3

Friday April 27th

Our little man has turned 3!!!  Oh my word! I cannot believe that Mr Myles McCoy Curtis turned 3 years old.  It seems like just yesterday that he was born.  I remember spending the day at the reservoir the day before I gave birth----and how sore my legs were when I was in the hospital because I had the nerve to walk around the ENTIRE reservoir!  I remember walking Madison out to her bus stop that morning and telling her that her little brother would be here before she got to the hospital after school.  Thank goodness I kept that promise.  Myles was born at exactly 3:20pm...the exact time that the final school bell would have rung at Madison's school.  But anyway----

Myles, you are one of the most fascinating "little" people I know!  You amaze me almost daily with your knowledge and excitement towards life.  I can already see a "man" in your eyes and have the utmost confidence that you will do wonderful things in your life.  You are already so eager to learn and do well...Myles, God truly blessed us with you and I hope that we are able to parent you to the best of our ability while you are on loan to us from the Lord!!  I thank God for you daily...even when you challenge me!!

Since I had to work on his birthday, we didn't really do anything.  That and the fact that my car died on me on the way to work the day before, so I had no way to go anywhere :(  It was pretty chilly when I got home, but he insisted on playing at the park.  So Madison headed over and Myles, Mayci and I followed...but only managed to stay about 45 minutes before deciding that it was too cold and time to go home.  We didn't even do a cake or anything for him, but hopefully he won't be traumatized since we had a decent sized party for him the next day. :)

Saturday April 28th


PARTY DAY!!!!  Today was Myles' 3rd birthday party.  Spiderman themed of course.  The morning was rough because I had a little meltdown about the guys wanting to get much needed yardwork done 2 hours before the party.  But I am working on that....I have to learn to stop sweating the small stuff and letting things go.  Because it always works out.  And thanks to some great family and friends, we were able to have 2 grills going, some awesome fruit kabob things, and extra chairs, tables, and fun outside toys for the kids.  Couldn't have done it with out them. The weather was a little chilly,but only the adults seemed to mind.... It was nice for Myles to have some kids, especially boys,  his age to play with.  He, of course, spent the day in his spiderman costume (which he has worn at least everyday since) and digging a hole in the backyard.  He was so cute because everytime someone would say, "Happy Birthday Myles", he would respond... "Happy Birthday to you too."
Unfortunately Madison had to miss out on most of the party because of a dance competition in Hartford at the Convention Center---but she explained to him in the morning that she wouldn't be there and I honestly don't even think he realized that she was gone.
All in all, it turned out to be a great day--full of family, friends, laughs, and fun! Not to mention all of the presents Myles received from such generous people.

Me pretending like I actually know what I am doing

We feel so honored to have so many people come by and share their love of Myles with us on his special day!!

Dance Competition #1 April 22, 2012

I'm a little behind on posting, so please bear with me!!

On Sunday April 22nd, Madison was involved in her first ever dance competition.  And boy oh boy...let me be completely honest with myself and anyone else who is reading-- I am so NOT in shape.  I was dead tired after that day.  I mean so was Madison, but she at least had the excuse that she had danced!!!

Damian was out of town  from Friday the 20th - Sunday working in the studio on his upcoming CD, so he wasn't around to help out with the kids.  We found out sort of last minute that Madison and I needed to be at the MassMutual Center in Springfield Mass by 7:30a.  Now I already knew that I was not going to bring Myles and Mayci with me.  While they are great kids, I definitely made the right decision.  I would never have been able to keep those two happy and occupied for such a long day.

I decided to gather the kids and myself up and stay at Grandma Virginia and Grandpa Wayne's house (my parents).  This way Madison and I could wake up early and the other two could sleep in and not have to worry  about me trying to pack the them up to drop them off somewhere.  Once again----THANKS SO MUCH MOMMA AND DADDY!  ( I don't even know if either of them even read this, so if you are reading and you know them-please pass this message along).  Well, like a little kid, I couldn't sleep at all...I don't know if it was my excitedness(I know, I know--not even a word) or the fact that I am so paranoid about being late that kept me up.  But by 4:30a..I was up for good!  I got myself together and then got Madison and up and ready!  What a trooper...she really is a great little girl!
We were on the road by 6:15a.  And of course, because I am such a sucker--we had to stop by Dunkin Donuts and get our breakfast.  We were at the MassMutual center by about 7:15a.  YAY!!  Early!!  Unfortunately, the workers at the MassMutual couldn't  let us into the building until the judges got there, so we were stuck in the door way between the outside and the lobby with all the other dance studios until about 8am.  And of course it had to be cold, rainy, and windy...

And WOW!! I was so not prepared for this at all.  I had Madison's dance costume on a hangar, but over it I was just using a white plastic bag, and had a small makeup kit in her backpack along with a few hair supplies just so I could touch her hair up if need be. Clearly I didn't get the memo that you needed garment bags that had been bedazzled, rolling suitcases, and makeup kits larger than your rolling backpack.  I was in awe....it didn't even seem to phase Madison at all, so I tried not to make a big deal out of it either.

Madison before performing

The entire group...Madison is front and center

Madison after performing...hence why the makeup is almost ALL gone!!

But anyway...........the girls all surprised me and danced very well.  They had their smiles on and were quite the performers.  They ended up scoring a High Gold for their number and got 2nd place all together.  And since it was Madison's 1st competition ever....................................I was so PROUD!!!!  The awards ceremony for the 1st half was around 2 or so and then Madison and her friend Jessie wanted to stay and watch some of the older girls dance.  We hung around until about 545p, but by that time....I was so tired that I forced the girls out and dropped Jessie off at home.  After stopping at Grandma and Grandpa's house to pick up Myles and Mayci, we were finally home by about 7:45p.  Poor Damian didn't get home until about 9:30.

Needless to say- I need to get myself into shape so that I can handle these weekends.  What am I going to do when all 3 of the kids are involved in things??