I'm Back (sort of)

After a long, exhausting, exhilarating summer full of road trips, vacationing, visiting family and friends, indecision, laughs, date nights, lots of change, and one month as a single Mom we are officially getting settled in our new home: Walpole, Massachusetts! You forget how much work moving is, until you are in the thick of it, and even worse once you have to unpack and resettle your lives.  We are nearly there and so I can safely say that one of my goals over the coming few weeks is to return to blogging!  I'm going to attempt to catch up our lives but no promises it will ever actually be complete.  Either way, we are happy to be in our own place again (even if it is the third story apartment and we have a cranky, older woman that lives below us and hates noise of any kind).  We are happy to have Jesse working crazy hours, thus providing us income again.  We are happy to have the children all settled into school for the year.  Now it's time to branch ourselves out and get some friends out here :)

Until then, I've got a blog that can keep me some company..... 

Picking Peaches

We found this adorable farm on our way home from taking Maddie to gymnastics.  On a whim we stopped and decided to check out what you could pick. (Eli didn't even have any shoes with him)  We were so glad we did this.  They had the most delicious peaches and nectarines ready to be picked and enjoyed.  The boys and I purchased the bag and off we went.  We had a wonderful time selecting the juiciest, ripest peaches on the trees.  

When this was done, we decided to walk around for a bit.  The boys loved all the farm animals you could see and pet.  They also loved the fun old fashioned swings, slides, and gigantic sand box.  What a fun day was had by all!  

I was so excited about this find, that four days later I took all the children back there.  To my disappointment the peaches were no longer being offered to pick.  Thank goodness we had stopped the week before.

Blocks

Eli was so excited and proud of his building that he created with blocks. When it accidentally got knocked over that excitement turned into despair with many tears shed. After that he was determined to get a picture next go round that way he wouldn't forget how he made it! I absolutely cherish this age right now. He says the cutest things, adores his mama, is normally excited about new things, and is quite the comedian.

Strawberry Picking

Now that school is out and we are fully immersed in packing and preparing to move, we have been pretty busy.  And not in a fun day for my little kiddos.  Because of this, we have to find activities at least every few days that are purely for pleasure.  Today we decided to check out the local strawberry field and pick us some berries!  Robby wasn't sure if he would enjoy this, but luckily he changed his mind!  He turned out having a blast picking the "juiciest, reddest" one's out there.  We also brought our cute neighbor friend, Natalia, to do one last activity before she left with her family that evening.  We are sure going to miss our fun neighbor friends.

Natalia, Maddie, Eli, and Robby

Kind of a blurry picture of myself, but I had to document the fact that I was also there :)

 Robby wanted to make sure I took a picture of him eating a delicious strawberry!  He has the craziest hair right now that is in desperate need of a trim

TP Besties

I cannot believe I am already writing this farewell friends post.  Two years have gone by way too quickly in many ways.  I remember how nervous I was moving all the way across the country in 2011.  Three lovely ladies made that move much more tolerable and easier.  I knew that once we all got to New Hampshire, we would all be living in the same neighborhood, while our husbands attended the same graduate program, all living far away from our families.  The best part was that I already knew our personalities clicked after spending admitted student weekend together.  It was like having built in best friends.

Once we all arrived, we immediately became fast friends.  These were the ladies I could count on day in and day out to listen to me when I complained too much, without ever telling me to stop complaining.  They have all offered advice and encouragement when I have been discouraged, with patience.  We have been able to share exciting news with one another whether big or small.....pregnancies, births of new babies, personal bests on running achievements, husband internships and job offers, clean houses, happy children, fun vacations, etc.  We have also uplifted one another through hardships as well.  We have all worked together to make every small birthday and holiday a big celebration.  We have ran together, cried together and even laughed so hard that we were once again crying together.  They have been here as I have continued to grow older and become more confident as a mother.  They have seen me at my very worst and at my very best.  They have been the reason that these past two years have been some of the happiest years of my life.  They are all an inspiration to me.  

Each of them are amazing mothers, friends, wives, sisters, and daughters of God.  They inspire me to try a little harder every day.  They remind me just how important friendships are in our busy lives, especially as women.  They have all taken precious time out of their lives to get to know and love me and my children.  They know me well enough to know many of my flaws, and yet they still love me.  Not only are they all beautiful on the outside, they each have incredible spirits.  They are kind and loving, funny, sarcastic, selfless, creative friends.

As we all prepare to move far away from each other, it absolutely breaks my heart to have to say goodbye to them.  I honestly can't imagine finding a better group of friends anywhere else in the world.  The only thing holding me together right now, is the knowledge that we will continue to get together for girls trips, reunions, joint family vacations, and races.  

Thanks Michelle, Maren, and Andrea for your friendships.  I will always think of you as my family.  I will always remember all the great memories we have shared together.  You will each have a piece of my heart wherever life takes you.

Tiffany (me), Michelle, Maren, and Andrea

Swim Lessons

This Spring we decided to put Robby and Maddie in swim lessons at our local aquatic center, the "UVAC". They had so much fun refining their swimming technique and Eli & I enjoyed cuddling together on the sidelines while he entertained himself with kindle games. 

Robby had a phenomenal instructor, Karen, and he did a tremendous job under her instruction.  Although lessons are now over, we are so glad we did it.  Now we just need to move and get settled in the new place and then look for a swimming center for Rubba.

The Beach Bash that was NOT

We had our last Tiny Tuckie party this past Saturday.  It was supposed to be a "Beach Bash" theme, unfortunately the weather refused to cooperate.  We had a dismal rainy day complete with a high of 47 degrees and that evening we received snowfall {didn't accumulate on the ground}.  So, in an effort to continue forth with a party our fabulous party planners changed it up a bit.  Instead it became a movie day with pizza and yummy treats.  My kids still enjoyed the camaraderie of all their friends and had fun running wild throughout our community center.

I also enjoyed spending some more time with my Tuck Partner friends for another last hurrah.  One of my besties, Candace, spent her last day with us at the party.  The next day she took off with her son JJ for North Carolina for the summer.  I am trying really hard to stay in denial about the fact that we won't be neighbors anymore.  The Monteleone's have been fantastic friends to our whole family and we will sorely miss hanging out together.  The realization of our impending graduation is sinking in more and more with each goodbye.

Eli, Nash, and Donovan enraptured by the movie

Me (Tiffany) with my sweet friend Andrea

Robby loves to head into the studyrooms at the community center and draw on the white boards

{he gets a little overwhelmed with large, noisy crowds of people and tends to hide himself in a quiet room at these get togethers}

Maddie seemed to have missed the memo about the cold weather and dressed herself in her finest summery attire, complete with all the colors of the rainbow.  Purple and black slip on shoes, turquoise leggings, pink skirt, yellow & white striped shirt, and purple star glasses. Just plain awesome in a nutshell. In case Miss M blames me someday I want her to know loud and clear that I didn't dress her in this outfit.....it was ALL her.  Now that this is clear, I want to add how happy I am that she has the confidence to pull off any outfit she chooses.  She dresses herself almost all the time and wears her clothes with all the confidence in the world.  I hope she always maintains this sense of self.

The clean up crew! Candace, Laura, and Stephanie are all TP14's and I am sure going to miss living by each of them and spending so much time together.

The Best Neighbors

Anytime you move somewhere new, there are always a list of worries you bring with you. 

 Some of mine are always the same: Who will be my neighbors? Will I like them?  Will they have children?

  When we were preparing to move here to Hanover, I was even more concerned about this.  I knew we were moving into townhomes that are hooked to each other.  It could be a very long two years depending on who your neighbors were. But I was also hopeful.  I knew this could also be a chance to get to know a really great family.  I had hoped that they would have children, that we would get along, that we could go outside and hang out together while our kids played. 

I was more than thrilled when I met the Thielen's.  They are some of the friendliest, funnest people I have met here.  They have two children, now ages 2 and 4.  They are great kids that our children adore.  Their parents are also fantastic, they are down to earth, relaxed, friendly, creative, loving people.  We have truly enjoyed getting to know them.  Natalia and I have spent countless hours outside talking, laughing, learning about each others cultures/lives, discussing party planning, swapping stories, etc.  Maddie has loved being a big sister for their little girl and she enjoys dressing up with her and having tea parties.  You know, the sort of things that you are too cool to do in your own house, but you can do if it's with a younger girl.  We have shared babysitters, listened out for the others kids sleeping at night, fed each others children MANY times, traded toys, clothes, borrowed ingredients while cooking, you name it. 

Our children know each other well that they tend to basically roam back and forth between our houses. It's comforting to know that if Eli walks out our front door, chances are he will be inside Natalia's house playing within minutes. 

This weekend we have enjoyed sharing kids back and forth once again.  With the yucky, cold, rainy weather we have had recently it has been nice to let our kids take turns playing at houses.  On Saturday they all spent about 2-3 hours at our house plyaing and then they switched and went next door for about 2 hours.  While they were at our house, I walked downstairs to this sweet sight.  They had set out Monopoly Junior and they were all playing together (minus little Enrique as it was nap time).  I love these cute little neighbors of mine and we will miss them greatly as we all move on to bigger and better things.

Maddie, little Natalia, Robby and Eli

We couldn't be Prouder

This little boy cracks us up ALL THE TIME.  Today he came walking down the stairs like this, with his blanket stuffed up underneath his shirt.  When I asked him what he was doing, Eli replied that there is a "baby in my tummy".  We couldn't be prouder :)

Nearly Impossible

Getting this little booger to take a normal picture is a feat in and of itself.  He has a lot of personality stored up inside him and he isn't afraid to show it.  I have probably 20 other pictures we took with funky faces before I got one semi-normal one. 

Happy haircuts!  I guess I have another 15 years of crazy face pictures from Mr E right?!

Sunday Dinners

Some of our favorite memories that I know we will have once we move, is all the fun Sunday dinners we have shared with our friends.  None of us have any family near us, so we have basically become each others families. My kids look forward to these nights and have grown close to all of our friends little ones.

Maddie loves this little girl: Brynlee.  She is the daughter of our friends, Laura and Josh.  She is darling and creative and adores Maddie.  She thinks the sun and moon rises with her.  I love watching her copy cat Maddie's every move.  In return Maddie also thinks that Brynlee is extremely cute.  She loves having the younger kids here idolize her every move.

On Sunday, Maddie and Brynlee decided to take their food into one of the study rooms at our Community Center.  Then they proceeded to have a private dinner together!

The boys tend to all run around like wild animals when we get together.  To combat this at meal time, JJ pulled out his trusty kindle and they all gathered around and watched a movie while they ate. 

Getting Bigger and Older....Eeeeek

Spring has sprung {finally} around here and we are quickly headed into a hopefully long and warm summer!  We are loving the beautiful flowers and greenery that surround us and have remembered once again why we love New Hampshire.  It was easy to forget these reasons, after a less than desirable winter that seemed to never end.  As we have been busy cleaning and organizing around the house, it has left my children with more free time to wander and play outdoors together. 

I love to hear their imaginations firing as they come up with all sorts of make believe games.  The newest craze is that they all pretend to be spy kids.  They run around "spying" on me with handcuffs, sunglasses, binoculars, and sheriff badges all firmly attached.  It makes me laugh to see them trying so hard to be sneaky as they peer at me doing the laundry, cooking dinner, and working on the computer.  It is moments like these, when they are all getting along so well together, that I am reminded once again how great it is to have three children so close in age.  

This year has been a great one for Maddie and Robby.  For the first time, they both attend school all day and they both get to ride the school bus together.  Even though Maddie is smaller than her little brother, she really does do such a great job making sure he is taken care of.  Kindergarten through Second Grade share a recess together and Robby has loved tagging along with Maddie's friends.  Maddie's class also does Reading Buddies with Robby's classroom.  All in all, they have become much closer this year. 

{although unbeknownst to me Maddie REFUSED to allow Robby to sit next to her on the school bus this morning because it was already her seat.  Instead Robby sat one row back and began to cry as the bus pulled away......can we say stinker?}

All kids have their moments, but ultimately they have become little buddies.  As I always tell them, they are "Best Friends Forever".

When I took these pictures recently, it blew my mind how much older they are both starting to look.  Maddie has really become a little girl and Robby is getting taller and taller and more grown up every day.  As they both continue to grow older, I hope they continue to stay close to one another.  I hope they remember how important they are in each others lives.  I hope that regardless of the circumstance, they can continue to stick up for and love each other unconditionally.

The Montshire

Another fun day at the local chidrens science museum.  Maddie is always asking when we will go here.  Most of the time she is either at school or gymnastics so it remains a novelty for her.  Luckily the museum is really good about changing around there exhibits frequently, so the boys continue to be entertained each time we go back.  Today they had this really cool volcano class where they were able to learn about the four different kinds of rock that come out when it erupts: Basalt, Pumice, Obsidian aka "black glass", and Granite. They were able to examine each type with a magnifying glass.  The "scientist" showed the kids how pumice is one of the only kinds of rock that floats in water.  After showing the kids each rock and explaining a little about each, all the children were able to tell him what their favorite kind was.

Maddie's favorite was Basalt because of all the shiny mineral flecks

Robby's favorite was the Obsidian because it was smooth and shiny

Eli's favorite was the Pumice because it floated on water

Maddie and Mr E on the elevator.  They have this fun window so that you can watch the elevator move up to the second floor

Robby and Eli love the "how it works" exhibit and they particularly enjoy putting together these trolley cars.  You can put them together and then roll them down a ramp and watch them crash and break apart

Baseball and Just Plain Silly

One thing I have really enjoyed this school year is the introduction of many different sports to Maddie and Robby.  I was always somewhat disappointed that my parents never put my sister and I in the traditional sports.  Because of this, I always offer the chance for each of them to try them out. So far this year we have played soccer, basketball, and now baseball.  Maddie and Robby are not the most talented children out on the field, but they have had a blast learning the how to hit a ball, catch a ball, throw a ball, run quickly to a base, etc.  Who knows if they will choose to play again next year, but I am sure glad we did this year.  They each proudly don their hats, shirt, and mitts on baseball days and head out to the field with a big smile on their faces.  Eli also enjoys going and playing on the playgroud equipment next to the field.

After practice we had some fun shooting "silly" pictures together with my brand new $89 camera. 

 High class, I know.  It does the job in graduate school.  Now I am on the count down until graduation and real hubby paychecks so that I can buy a nice camera and/or smart phone with a good camera!

*Maddie recently lost both of her top front teeth and is sporting this fun little smile

Maddie's Gymnastics Show

At Maddie's gymnastics club they have been doing some serious prep work for their annual show.  This year the theme was "Aca-Amazing".  Maddie has been faithfully practicing her routine at gymnastics, home, the grocery store, outside, etc.  She was so excited to perform even though she did admit that she had to sit for "a long time" at the dress rehearsal before it was finally her turn.  She was also excited that they had choreographed a round off backhandspring into the routine for her to do. {she learned this skill on floor about 1-2 months ago} 

The gym was super crowded, smelly, and it was hard to see all the routines from where I was sitting.  But when I saw my little girl out there with her group, a big smile on her face, and giving it her all during her routine I felt like the proudest Mama of the bunch.  I have to admit I got a few tears in my eyes as I watched her perform. 

I am so proud of how far she has come. 

I am proud of the fact that my 7 year old is already learning about setting goals in life.

I am proud of how motivated she is to "work even harder" so that she can make team.

I am proud of how excited she is when she learns something new.

I am proud of her following in my shoes and loving a sport I have also loved for 20+ years.

*Afterwards she really really wanted a flower, so of course I bought her one of their super expensive $5 ones.  Next time I really need to remember to buy them at another place.

Girls night out at gymnastics <3

Facebook Funnies from the kids

9/21/12
Eli: "Mom c'mon, we're having a baby-que tonight."


9/24/12
Robby this AM: "Mom, you're combing the front of my hair like a girl. That's just NOT going to work."


10/3/12
This morning it was pouring rain and so I made Maddie change from high heels to rain boots. Her response: "Mom, you just don't understand the importance of fashion."


10/11/12
While driving in the car today Eli sits up really fast and says "Mom, waka waka with 'Akira is on!!!" #mykidiscoolerthanyours


10/29/12
My kids (and mine) social security cards have been missing the past two months. Today I found them in Eli's piggy bank, he is emphatic that they are part of "his money". #gottalovethreeyearolds

11/9/12
Apparently Maddie is not as much like me as I thought. She surprised me by singing a duet with her friend in front of the ENTIRE elementary school and parents this morning at "Morning Sing". #icantsingtosavemylife

11/21/12
I love when my daughter looks at our professional pictures and says "Mom, you look WAY different in these pictures then you do right now" #selfesteembust


11/26/12
Robby quote of the day: "Mom, eating candy makes me remember Jesus being born. {trying to convince me why he should get lots of candy for Christmas}


12/21/12
Robby yesterday morning during the dreaded get ready for school regime: "Mom, I don't think I will EVER get used to this school thing".

My response: "Well, I guess you have the next 20 years to get used to it". LOL


1/28/13
Eli: "Mom, not only will I buy you a brand NEW car, I'm also going to buy you a SPEED boat." #officiallymyfavoritechild {today}


2/5/13
Robby: "When I'm big and ALL grown up I'm going to have you stay with my mom while I'm searching."

Me: "Searching for what?"

Robby: "A girl to marry of course.....oh and she's going to be VERY pretty"

#loveourconversations #ivegotacuteboy


2/21/13
I love how my four year old still proudly announces that he's going to marry me when he grows up #nevergrowup #pleasestaythislittle


4/23/13
Confessions of a four year old: "Mom, don't eat my cookie because my germs are rainbow shaped."


5/2/13
I love when Eli announces to the workers in our neighborhood that "smoking see-rettes and the rainbow drinked called ow-cohol are very bad for you" :)


5/17/13
I love getting home from work to a four year old who announces that he's going to "take care of Mommy today and make her a breakfast of bagels." #eliloveisthebest

Broken Leg

After a fun Saturday that included Baseball practice, JJ's birthday party, Montshire Museuming, we ended up at the park in front of our neighborhood for just a few minutes of playing per my kids insistence.  I went to preface this story with a disclaimer that I have truly wild and crazy children.  They are constantly climbing on the outside of the play equipment exactly the way they shouldn't.  This day was no exception and Eli had climbing onto the outside tunnel part of the slide.  Next thing I knew he slipped and fell 3-4 feet to the ground in a heap.  The tears quickly followed and he cried out loudly when he tried to stand up and walk.  I scooped him up and headed back home. 

When we got home I gave him a once over.  He kept pointing to the medial part of his foot stating that the "circle" hurt, aka his ankle.  I put ice on his ankle immediately and let him rest on the couch.  A litttle later I rechecked on him and he hadn't move AT ALL.  At this point I examined his foot/ankle again.  He seemed to be able to move his ankle around moderately and only jumped with extreme movements.  He also would yell "owe" when I pushed on the bottom of foot.  There wasn't really any visible swelling so I sent him to bed thinking it was probably be all better by morning.  That night I woke up to hear him calling to me.  He was sitting up in bed and needed to use the bathroom but wouldn't get up because of his ankle.

Again I figured by morning he would forget about the injury and walk just fine.  When morning came he woke up but still wouldn't walk.  We got ready for church and tried to bribe him to put weight on his foot.  Chocolate, candy, ice cream, popcorn....nothing worked.  As we were prepping to go out to the car, I looked out and saw him crawling on his hands and knees on the sidewalk leading to the car.  At this point I started to worry that maybe something else was going on.  I decided to give it until the afternoon and if he didn't improved markedly I would call one of the orthopedic residents that I work with.  I spent the entire afternoon trying to trick my child into putting at least a little weight on his foot. Didn't work.

Of course he wasn't better around 6pm, so I gave Garrett a phone call and he nicely offered to check Mr E out at his house.  My neighbor, Natalia, offered to watch Maddie during all of this and so off me and the boys headed.  Garrett examined him and recommended outpatient xrays and casting for two weeks even if there wasn't any visible breaks.  The next stop was my hospital where we met up in xray and had his pictures taken.  Garrett had already called over and talked with the orthopedic resident that was on call and so Dana was already aware that we were there.  After X-rays, we headed into the ortho office where Eli was able to pick out a red cast.  Soon after we headed home, two exhausted boys and a tired Mommy.  Eli crashed FAST and was asleep within minutes of laying down. What a whirlwind few days for him.

The next day while I was at work, I was in touch with orthopedics and they informed me that he had indeed fractured his Tibia.  The official diagnosis is: Spiral Fracture of the Tibia aka "Toddler's fracture". Because it is broken he is now in a cast for FOUR long weeks. 

I have been amazed at how quickly he has grown accustomed to a cast.  Within a few days of casting, he finally walking again.  As soon as he realized he could now walk without pain, he transitioned into running, jumping, climbing, you name it. 

I have to say I have been extremely grateful for the connections I have at work.  It was such a blessing to be able to call up a friend and get Eli evaluated on a Sunday without going through the ED.  It was also a blessing to be able to get him casted on the side. 

After 1.5 weeks in a plain red cast, Eli had nearly worn his way through the bottom and so they recasted him.  He was a bit overwhelmed with all the choices they offered him.  In the end he picked out a black sock, and red cast with a blue stripe.  He is pretty pleased with himself.  Robby is now jealous of Eli's cool cast and announced to me that he is going to try to also break his leg because he wants one?! Oh my goodness, got to love kids.

Art Projects

I have a love hate relationship with art projects.  On one hand, I love the time and enthusiasm my children put into these fun little projects.  But there is also SO MANY OF THEM.  How can I possibly keep every single one they bring home?  Solution......I have started snapping pictures of their school work.  That way I don't feel so bad throwing them out and I still have a record of these darling things for when they grow older.

Here are the latest and greatest:

 *Eli's hand pot of gold from St Patrick's Day

 *Robby's morning papers that they work on when they first arrive

 *Maddie has started to do these fun research projects on different topics.  She loves dogs so this was a perfect subject

 *I was shocked at the depth of Maddie's poem she wrote at school.  I can't even believe my seven year old came up with this #shesaprettycoolkid

 *I don't even remember when she was "a little frustrated" and gave me this note, but I receive countless notes from Miss M about various things

 Robby's corn that he made last fall around Thanksgiving

 Maddie's art project in abstract

 *Robby's hand tree: this was when he used to write his b's in capital for his name #socute  

 *Robby's hates writing so him writing me a note that says "I love you" meant a lot to me

*Maddie's school Mother's Day gift