So cool, so funny...

Cassidy and Caragh are in school together!

Caragh's pre-school is part of the high school Child Development class. I guess you could say she and her friends are guinee pigs for the highschoolers taking the course. Although, they do learn from eachother.

I took a similiar class when I was in high school and I still remember most of the children (who are in college now!). They were very special to me and I loved the class. I always wanted to send my kids to a program like that when I in fact had kids~and here I am. Lucky for me, it's offered at Ipswich High.

Reilly took part in this program for two years and certainly made a name for herself w/ all the highschoolers. I think she knows more people in town than her Dad!

So now, it's Caragh's turn. She started this fall and really looks forward to going each day. She's a lot more quiet and reserved than Reilly is/was, so it's interesting to see the difference in the two.

Cassidy is taking the class this semester as a big buddy and Caragh is one of the little buddies. When I drop Caragh off at school, Cassidy is there waiting for her. I think this is pretty dang cool. Considering the age difference (12 yrs), who would have ever known they'd be in school together. They're both loving it!

Happy Birthday Emmet!

Emmet turned 7 this past Monday. This lil' guy is full of gusto! He's lucky to be seeing 7 years old...I've seen him take on a German Sheppard, a Chow Chow, the neighbor's cat~you name it. He even showed (Katie's) Rocco who's boss! We should have named him Cujo, like Jay wanted.
I think he's the spitting image of Emmet Otter of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, hence the name.
He sure is the cutest dog I ever did see! ♥



Notice Caragh isn't too close~she says he smells like shrimp...sooooo gross! Not true!

THE SENSATIONS ALL STARS

Cassidy has started cheering for an All-Stars team out of Amesbury since Ipswich doesn't have winter cheering. Her teammates are from other high schools in the area, which is cool. She's meeting new people and making new friends.

They had their first competition at UNH on Sunday. It was a great show! They had no competitors in their division/level and therefore took 1st place! ;)

It was for the experience and to put themselves out there since the team is very new. They did great and will only get better. WAY TO GO SENSATIONS!!!

Next stop...Rhode Island on Valentine's Day. It should be fun!

Okay, okay!

Katie's mad at me for not blogging and thinks that I'm lying about not having any material to blog about. Just b/c she's able to pull stuff out her butt and write about mostly anything...I cannot. I'm writing now so y'all know that we're still alive over here in Ipswich. I also don't want anymore harassing emails from K saying, "Your blog...NO excuses! Fyou!". She cracks me up b/c she really, truly means it, she gets angry at lil' ol' lazy blogger me.

Let's see, the holidays have come and gone and I am so glad that there's just nothing anytime soon. I prefer to just relax and hibernate for the winter and that's what I've been doing. I started Weight Watchers a week ago and I'm doing great~feel great, already see results...HAPPY!!! Dang, I put on some poundage this fall! Jeez! Now it's time to get back on track.

And...Katie & Jeannie have gotten my creative juices flowing on the home improvement front, so again, we're starting to make this house more our own but w/ no real chunk o' change. Poor Jay will be working hard makin' money to only be spendin' the money. We both love home improvements though and we have the same taste and desires, so it keeps us excited. Our house is about 50 yrs old and outdated in areas but w/ some minor improvements, it'll be perfect to us (bigger would be nice, but that ain't happening). I have to say that I LOVE my house and mostly everything about it. I appreciate it being ours' every single day. Sappy, but true. We'll be here forever and that feels great.

The kids are all doing well. They're all at such great ages, they are each becoming so independent and it makes my life a heck of a lot easier. We can go places w/ no strollers, kids are on foot...it's just great.

♥Cass continues to do very well in school, she's a nice teenager 90% of the time and I'll take that! She'll be visiting her dad in CA in a couple weeks and she's looking forward to her trip out there to see a new cousin. She's doing All Star Cheering and that'll keep us traveling fairly local the next few months: Rhode Island and Hershey, PA to name a few places. It'll be quite an experience going on these road trips. It'll be good family time.

♥Reilly is doing well in Kgarten, although begs and pleads and comes up w/ new ailments each morning to have a "day off". For an active chatter box, this kid is lazy! She's very smart but I think she takes after her Daddy and enjoys the social part of school more than the lessons. She does well, but I get the impression homework will be a big pain in the a** w/ this one. Let's hope not though. She's got a mind of her own and it is much wiser than it should be!

♥Caragh is loving preschool and is becoming quite the character. She has the most amazing memory and it just shocks me w/ the things she says. I forget sometimes that she's not my baby but a little girl. She does like to be reminded that she's the baby of the family numerous times a day though. She and Reilly are inseperable but can be vicious w/ words and fists! These two fight like cats and dogs and they go for the juggular(sp)!!! Ahhhh...reminds me of my childhood.

♥♥Katie and Megann are back at home after spending the week after xmas here. Katie's back to college in TN and Megann's doing senior things in highschool. They are such great kids and I've said it before (I'm sure) but I'll say it again...the bond these 5 have as sisters is truly AMAZING, considering the distance between them. We are complete when they are here, my kids are complete. We miss them for so many reasons and we talk to them through email, phone calls and texts as much as we can. The little ones even write them letters every now and again. Sisters sure are special.

So, I think that may be it or at least most of it. Emmet's doing well, he fattened up like his pack leader, so we're both laying off the snacking and grazing.

Emmet & the Grinch...Doreen, you're a PIG!

And a few more:

Caragh looks *exactly* like me when I was this age! It's uncanny!

Uncle Jay & Reese...why I think Jay's got baby fever lately! haha...NOT!

Getting to know you II...

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Getting To Know Your Family and Friends, Christmas Style. You know the drill.
Get crack-a-lackin'!

1. Do you put up outdoor Christmas decorations? YES! That's the best part of any holiday. I wish I could put lights up, but Jay is severely afraid of heights and isn't willing to hold the ladder while I try it out either.

2. Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie? I love sugar cookies but I think I'll say my mother's Greek or Italian cookies, made for every holiday.

3. What is the best gift you ever gave someone? I can't think of any best gift. I get excited about any gift b/c I put a lot of thought into gift-giving, so I always know the recipient will be happy.

4. Do you like fruitcake? never really had it

5. What is your least favorite Christmas song? I HATE Feliz Navidad, it's just soooo annoying!

6. Do you go to church on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day? a guilty no...I'm still waiting for that calling, but nothing yet. Someday I hope.

7. Do you hang Christmas stockings? Where? Santa usually puts them under the tree for xmas morning

8. Do you truly believe "it's the most wonderful time of the year"? yes, even though I do hate the crowds and I am not a shopper...I hate shopping! Once I get started though, I get very excited. Aside from the shopping thing, yes, I do enjoy seeing everyone in the spirit. It makes you appreciate your family and friends, heck even strangers!

9. Have you ever worn a Santa hat? no, I'm not opposed to it though. Aren't I cute??? splllrt.

10. Are you more like Scrooge or Father Christmas? ummm, in between?

11. Do you hang mistletoe? no I should get some

12. Does Santa wrap presents or just place them under your tree? some wrapped, some displayed w/ no wrap. There was nothing better as a kid than running down on xmas morning and seeing a new doll in her carriage...I wouldn't wrap that. Those are the memories, baby!

13. Can you ice skate? no and I have made quite a fool out of myself trying!

14. Do you love snow? I LOVE snow but it does get dirty looking come March

15. Which do you prefer--giving or receiving? giving

16. Candy Canes--yuck or yum? maybe one

17. The 3 best things about Christmas? the smell of Christmas (if anyone knows what I mean), family & friends getting together surrounded by xmas decor, xmas spirit~everyone is just happier

18. What type of decoration should stop being made? christmas balls...

19. Do you listen to 24/7 holiday radio? I listen to my CD's all day long, while burning my bayberry candle...ahhhhh the smell of Christmas!

20. Rudolph or Frosty? Frosty was always so cute and so nice, I love his voice.

First snow!!!

Catching up...

Bad blogger...spank, spank, spank! ;)

Some pics of my beauties~

Cass, having her first driving lesson w/ me~

Cassidy's cheering banquet~

The Coach's Award goes to.......Cassidy Rich! Yay Cass! WooHoo!!!!!

♥

They take 3rd!!!

Great job girls~another trophy! They've received one from each competition this season. This is a great feat for the Ipswich Cheerleaders! Way to go Tigers!

♥