Kids say the darnest things...

Sadie, "I told my friend Caleigh what Mommies and Daddies do in bed. They get in bed and take their underpants off...... (yes it is at this point that my mouth is wide open and I am in fear of the next part of the sentence) and they put their underpants under their pillow!" PHEW!

How in the world is she already EIGHT?

My baby turned EIGHT this week!! How is that possible?? I told Natalie the night before her birthday that I was going to refuse to celebrate her birthday because she was growing up too fast. She needed to stay seven! Well, that didn't fly with her... so it is official... I have an eight year old!

My sweet Natalie... now ending her 2nd grade year and doing great. She is an official reader. Nick or I still "put" her to bed every night - meaning that after she brushes her teeth, one of us cuddles up in her bed with her and we read a book together. This past year, we have moved on to reading chapter books and have read though many Junie B Jones and American Girl doll books. It was about a month or so ago, when I asked Nick how much longer we should put her to bed. She no longer needs us to do it and there are some nights that I feel like I have other stuff to do, that I wouldn't mind not doing it. However, we agreed that it sends a good message that reading before bed is a good routine and that special one on one time she gets with one of us is important. Not a week after we talked about this, I found Natalie in her room about 30 minutes after we had left (after our bedtime routine) reading away... Gotta love it!

Natalie remains a super star student. SOOO proud of her grades (all excellent) but even more proud of the effort she puts into her work. She always seem to try hard and wants to do well. She takes pride in her work and seems to already understand fully that school is important.

This past year, Natalie has tried new sports.... still likes gymnastics, but has explored with a year of dance, tried downhill skiing and most recently zumba! Natalie still enjoys girl scouts and is completing her first year as a brownie!

Natalie is our little adult. She loves to always know everything that is going on and will try at any cost to join into adult conversation. She will even try to overhear conversation and then try and make a comment to join in. Although, this usually drives me crazy... I am sure one day I will see how this quality is one for the good.

This year has begun the hardships of being a girl and the stress that comes with friendships. She has cried her first tears over girls being mean and although I know this is just the beginning and part of the challenges of pre-adolescents (and then life) but it breaks my heart to hear her talk about it. Natalie tells me that she tries to follow the "golden rule" and can't understand when others don't seem to follow it. I know that these tears will bring her strength in years to come.

Natalie... we love you. Always and forever...

I still DO really love my husband...

This blog is long overdue, but time is something I don't have lots of...

In light of our 10 year anniversary coming up, I have been thinking about this a lot. Nick and I have been together for 13 years... that is a LONG time and I, guess I am feeling very fortunate that I still DO REALLY love him. Not only do I love him, but I even like him a lot. I don't say this to be silly or weird, I really do think that we are fortunate in our marriage, that 13 years in, we are still going strong. We are not two peas in a pod, nor are we complete opposites - I guess that is what makes us work. Yes, sometimes I wish his idea of a dream vacation would be to sit on the beach in the sun for hours and hours, or that he would want to go on long hikes and bike rides with me and stroll hand-n-hand down the street, but I guess I have come to a full realization, that we work completely well, having the differences that we do, yet appreciating each other fully. All this mushy love, love stuff came to my attention over our Spring Break. Earlier this month, we had 10 days off from school together and for those 10 days, we spent every moment with each other and our kids. Outside of the trip to NJ and the Bronx Zoo, we really just hung around the house, Nick wasn't busy with a project and I wasn't off and about with the kids... and after those 10 full days together, I realize how much I liked just being with him. I didn't need to be doing anything or part of a big vacation, just laughing with him and parenting with him made me happy. I feel lucky in love!

A couple days after Spring Break was over and I was feeling all warm in the heart, we were playing in the driveway with the kids. Sidewalk chalk was out and Natalie was writing in the driveway all the people she loved....being a copy cater, I wrote down "I love Nick." Well, Nick came up after me, and wrote "I love Kerry," in the other direction. How sweet is that?! He might not wear a wedding ring or buy me flowers every week, but that was about the most romantic thing I think he could have done. Had to take a picture...

Happy Birthday Colin!

Happy 2nd Birthday Colin!

Our dear, sweet Colin... what a wonderful little boy you are. So happy to celebrate your "Happy Birthday," today with you. You have done a lot of growing and changing in the last year. I am sad to no longer have my baby and I already miss holding and cuddling you, however, the things that do now bring such love and laughter into our days and your increasing independence is amazing. You have such curiosity and courage that we have not seen in toddlers before. It is hysterical to watch you walk around the house with your little step stool so that you can figure out how to get into and be party of anything you want. However, at the same time, you need your routine and don't seem to fight or challenge the aspects of your life as long as it is part of your routine. For example, you clearly could crawl out of your crib, but you don't... because you know that when you are in your crib, you sleep. You know on daycare days that you have a breakfast bar, and you never seem to question that or demand something different. You know that you get to watch, "Wiggles," before bed, and you never fight bedtime, as long as it comes after some Wiggles.

Some fun highlights of recent times... it seems as if you are left handed (something you must get from your Poppy), the moment you figured out how to use a fork and spoon, you have chosen your left, you love to high five and POUND it with your left, and have recently found the love of sports and enjoy basketball and baseball with your left hand. You love diggers and tractors, you love talking about your Nannie and Poppy, you always want to be outside and have just recently learned to ride your tricycle.

The love you have for your Daddy makes me so happy and yet, so jealous. You light up everytime you see him and it is as if, you know, that the two of you will forever have a special bond as the "men" of this house. You already love doing, "work," with Dad and can point out a digger or tractor from a distance. I knew I was 2nd rate for sure, when Nick mowed the law for the first time this season, and you acted as if it was on the verge of child abuse that you did not get to go and help Dad. Seeing Daddy and the "tractor" out working on the yard... was more then you could handle. I know that you want to be with him and part of the work whenever possible. I can't wait to watch you continue to grow and share special projects and times with Dad.

The true sibling relationship with your sisters is beginning to emerge. You have figured out what you want and how to advocate for yourself. You no longer just let your sisters do whatever they want with you... you have an opinion and it doesn't necessarily always match theirs! Pretty funny to watch from the outside. Currently, you can relate better to Sadie and you have a harder time figuring Natalie out. I think that will change and go back and forth many times over the next many years and in the end, I hope you value and love your sisters for who they are.... your FOREVER friends.

Me... I just simply love you. There are a many day, that I wonder if I was really meant to have three kids. I can get so flustered by the chaos and time commitment of all three of you, that I fear it gets the best of me. However, waking up to your smile and your sweet silly words, makes me know that no matter what, our family is just the way it is suppose to be. I thank you for your cuddles, your sweet smile, your desire to be goofy, the times you are sensitive, the little boy that you are and will always be....

Happy day to you, Colin!

Bronx Zoo... a story I never want to forget!

Because I never want to forget this story, I figured I must blog about it... that is what this blog is suppose to be about, right. Creating and storing memories from the Giumarra Family! On Monday, we went to the Bronx Zoo. It was a good trip, it was a typically family adventure (not like the bliss I explained in my last blog), but good times. The highlight of the trip for me, and what I want to remember FOREVER, is when we saw the camels. They were doing camel rides (which cost extra, so of course, we were not doing them) and we were watching and looking at the camels. Nick commented to the kids what a large belly that one of the camels had. I think his exact words were, "Wow, look at the big belly!" and Sadie replied regarding the same camel (and said so matter of factly), "Wow, look at his big penis!"

Gotta love the innocence of kids! Keeps me happy!

We can do it!

Lately (as in the past 7 years), the vision of doing family activities has alway been easier than it actually turns out to be. I tend to make grand plans in my head to go apple picking, or bike riding, or a walk around the park and it seems like such a good idea and I think that we would all have so much fun... however, typically it turns into immediatlyneeding to find the bathroom, instantly hearing about how hungry my kids are and that they need snacks, or someone being so tired that they are cranky the whole time and my vision of a perfect family activity is shattered.

This has happened so many times, that I have actually re-designed what "a perfect family activity," actually means... as long as some of us have fun and no one gets sick or terribly hurt, I considered it a success. Now, I think about at what age will the kids been when they are old enough so that we can have a good time together without complaining, but then I worry by the time that Colin is old enough to make that possible, then Natalie probably won't want to hang out with us anymore!

Well... this past Saturday, we beat the impossible and had a delightful family activity!! With beyond perfect April weather, friends invited us on a family hike up the Pilot Knob Nature preserve. Since they have small children, I figured it was going to be more like a walk, than a hike... but I was mis-taken again. With Colin on Nick's back, the girls were troopers. Up the mountain we all hiked and no one complained and everyone seemed to have a good time. The temperature was perfect, the view was beautiful and although the hike was long, it was the perfect distance. The success of this trip made me realize that we CAN do it. We CAN have successful family outings and they aren't necessarily going to just be a figments of my imagination, but something we can pull off. Now, I am a realist, and I understand that it won't be perfect bliss from here on out, but at least I have felt the taste of it!

Colin loving his daddy and enjoying his ride. Nick said that the whole time they were hiking together, Colin kept saying, "I'm up here!"

My awesome kids (and they are actually loving each other).

The proof that we all made it to the top!

An Easy $10

The typical bedtime routine at the Giumarra house usually starts just before 7 when Colin goes off to bed, shortly after that Sadie usually goes to bed. Since Natalie has been 7 years old, she has been able to stay up till 7:30. She loves the fact that she is allowed to stay up the latest and will make a big deal about it to Sadie. On the weekends, we tend to be more relaxed and Sadie and Natalie often go to bed around the same time.

Well last night, I told the girls it was time to go to bed and Natalie was all bummed out that she and Sadie were off to bed at the same time. Natalie asked if she could pay me $10 to stay up late. I figured that could be a quick $10 for me or a good lesson to her about the value of a dollar... so I think she was surprised when I said, "Sure!" I told her that it would cost $10 to stay up till 9pm. She quickly got excited, but then had to really think if she wanted to spend her money on that. She tried to negotiate... "How much would it cost to stay up till 8:15?" I told her $5. Now, Natalie does not have lots of money laying around... we haven't figured out how to work in allowances yet, nor do we just give her cash for any reason.... so $10 is BIG money for her.

After some hemming and hawing, Natalie decided she would give me $10! I couldn't believe it!! I am a little nervous about her spending!! We didn't even have anything exciting going on... no real reason to stay up!! But, Natalie went and got me two 5 dollar bills and proudly handed them over and watched Sadie head off to bed!

Natalie then quickly started making plans on how she could earn back her money. She made grand plans about doing all sorts of chores and hoping for $ for a good report card in June! She ended the night by giving me a back massage and foot massage for $1! Not a bad night for me!!

Happy Birthday Nick!

To the best Dad and husband around...

We love you!
Happy Birthday!

May your final year as a 30-something bring you good health and much happiness!

Our little lady... SADIE

This post is dedicated to our little lady.... my Sadie. Sadie has a very special place in my heart, as of course all my children do, but there is something a little extra special about her. Maybe because she was my 2nd baby and I knew a little bit more about how to be a mom... thus I was always more comfortable with her. Or perhaps because my mom likes to tell me that Sadie reminds her of me when I was little. Could be because of the cutest bit of freckles that she has on her nose, or maybe because she is so unpredictable. Regardless, whatever it is, Sadie is a very fun kid to be around.
Wow... 5!! What a big number. Seems like such a milestone of a year! While she is 5, she will start Kindergarten, she'll ride a school bus, she will lose teeth, and maybe (just maybe) she will no longer wear pull ups!! Looking back over the past year, she has grown up so much... she is writing her name so well, has improved on her coloring, has developed a full independence with so many of her self care skills, learned to ride her bike withOUT her training wheels, can tie her shoes and has even begun to read. It's funny to me to think back to when Natalie turned 5 and I remember her being so BIG and old... yet to me, Sadie seems so much younger. I wonder if she is less mature than Natalie was at this age or if it is just that I have a different frame of reference because I have Natalie to compare her to.
I am in wonder of what this next year will bring. Sadie likes to keep us on her toes and I NEVER know what to expect from her and new situations.
Today was lots of fun to celebrate her birthday and she was so excited to have the day all about her. We look forward to a weekend full of celebrations.
Below are some fun and recent pictures of our little lady....

This is Sadie and her very bestest friend, Caleigh. Caleigh and Sadie have been in daycare together since they were babies and are now in preschool together. They love each other so much, that they even can act like sisters. This picture was taken a couple weeks ago when Caleigh and her family were over. Caleigh and Sadie had arranged their wedding and the two of them got married right in our living room! Now, they are gotten married many a times before... but this was really hysterical because they had the outfits on and Sadie (the husband this time round) got down on her knee and gave Caleigh a ring!! How funny!

Sadie today in her Birthday Girl shirt. She woke up to this shirt this morning and loved wearing it. (I would love wearing it on my birthday too if I could find one that would fit me!). If you look close, you can see her necklace that Caleigh gave her today. It is a picture of Troy Bolton (from High School Musical)!! Is she really boy crazy already?? No, probably just crazy!

Many years ago when Natalie was a toddler, I remember her asking me if she could have a piece of gum. Now, I have no idea why I said what I did... but I simply responded to her, "No, you can't chew gum till you are 5." Well, Natalie never forgot that and couldn't wait to turn 5 so that she could have gum. Surprisingly, for the past 2 1/2 years that Natalie has been chomping away on her gum, Sadie has NEVER asked for a piece. Until last night... when she asked if she could have a piece of gum in the morning!! Well, she got a pack of gum for her birthday and managed to have 3 pieces today. If you look close, you can see it in this picture. I think that is why her smile is funny... she didn't know how to smile and chew gum!

love you Sadie!

NYC!

Recently, I feel like I have become a homebody. I enjoy just being at home, wearing sweatpants (ok I ahve always loved that), sleeping in my own bed and just enjoying our everyday life. It is probably because it is just hard to do things out of our routine. With 3 kids and all the different scheuldes, not to mention how expensive things get... we just try to enjoy Queensbury the best we can! Most of the time I am very content with this, but every once in a while, I feel like we are missing out.

Last Sunday, we went out of our box and hit the road. Leaving Colin with Nannie and Poppy, we headed to Times Square. Nick found a great deal on a hotel right in Times Square and we got tickets to Mary Poppins! The girls didn't know we were going until that morning and it was so fun to watch thier excitment as we headed off to the big city. Especially as we got close and went over the bridge and talked about the Hudson River and how it comes all the way down to the city from the Adirondacks. Seeing as I grew up right outside of big cities, you would think that it wouldn't be a big deal for me... but I must officially be an "Upstater," because I couldn't believe how big and busy things looked.

This is us trying to get a family picture in front of the Amsterdam Theatre, where we saw Mary Poppins. There were SOOO many people walking by that it was practically impossible to get a picture. Check out the look on Nick's face. He was not loving the idea of getting this picture, but did a nice job humoring me. Chris was laughing at what a tourist I had become.

All in Times Square

At Ellen's Stardust diner for dinner where the waitstaff sing and entertian while they serve the meals. They were really amazing singers and it was very fun! The Jets had made it to the playoffs (who would have known when we planned this trip????) and luckily the diner had the game playing up on the big screen. Nick got to watch the 1st half of the game... which is good since that was the 1/2 that they were winning!

My girls in Heaven... the American Girl Doll store!

So amazing and such fun to watch them be soooo excited!

Rockefeller Plaza ice rink. I remember skating here when I was a little girl with my Dad who had taken me up on a special trip to NYC. I think we lived in Maryland at the time and we rode the train up to NYC for the day. I told the girls about this while we were here.

Such fun and look forward to creating more memories like this with my family.

Big thanks to Nannie and Poppy for hanging out with Colin. This trip would have been much harder and not nearly as much fun with a toddler around.

Such fun for Chris and Amanda to join us for part of this trip. Thanks for taking pictures of us even if you you think I am weird.

Much love to Nick for organizing this trip and for being such an awesome dad and husband.

love, love, love

Snowflake Ball

Girl Scouts Snowflake Ball

Post Holiday Season, the area Girl Scout troops hosted a Snowflake Ball. All the girls dressed up and lots of little girl giggling and dancing. I took both our girls and LOVED watching them be all excited with their friends. I was pleasantly surprised how "out there" Sadie made herself. She knew a couple of the girls there, all through Natalie, but she was willing to be out on the dance floor having fun. The girls had a great time and I was loving this age when it was still fun and cool to have their Mom part of their evening!

Pictures of Natalie and some of her friends at the ball and another picture of the girls and Colin before we headed out! I did learn that I must not be as talented or prepared as a mom as many of the others there... Lots of the little girls had their hair all done, curled and styled and even with little bits of make up!

When your a Jet... you're a Jet all the way...

With perfect timing, our neighbor (also a Jets fan) gave us some hand-me-down Jets stuff and this jersey fit Colin. So Nick and Colin got to sport some Jets spirit for the big playoff game.

Since High School, I have been the anti-football fan and although I still don't know anything about the game or care to watch it, I am thinking that it will be super cute for Colin and Nick to do together as he grows up. Nick enjoys lazy Sunday afternoons watching the game. Now I can see in our future.. Nick and Colin loving Sunday afternoons and getting into the game and cheering from our living room. I guess, just another reason I am loving having a little boy. (However, just to have a complete picture of our reality... notice the American Girl doll in the picture!)