Vermont Souvenirs

The kids and their new bears.

When one thinks of Vermont, you think of lots of things. Cheddar Cheese, Maple Syrup, Skiing, Ice Cream... and now we think of Teddy Bears! There is a cool teddy bear factory in Vermont (we weren't able to visit it when we went there last month). We decided we would let the kids each design their own as a souvenir from their trip. They were so happy to get them!

Paul Revere

Today was Owen's first field trip. The entire first grade is studying the Revolutionary Period, they are even putting on a performance next Wednesday. So their trip was to Paul Revere's house. Their tour guide selected several students to dress in costumes and say lines at appropriate times of her tour. And guess who was chosen as Paul... OWEN!!! He was so excited when I picked him up. Jonas's dad went on the trip as a helper, so he took several pictures and sent them to me. As you can see, he had FUN!

Ms. Myler, Owen (Paul) and Ms. Headley

Brandon, Jonas and Owen in "character"

Got stickers?

I have seen so many DIFFERENT things here in Boston. And yesterday was the same. I've seen people go a little nutty with the number of bumper stickers, but this owner took it to the next level. I guess when you run out of bumper, you spread out!

Back bumper

Driver's side

Passenger side

Student of the WEEK

This is the poster he made.

This week, is Owen's WEEK! He is the "Student of the Week". It means getting special places to sit, stand in line, talk about himself during class meeting and on Friday I will be bringing morning snack/reading his favorite book to the class. He's so excited! This has been a wild year, but a year of huge progress and many successes. This week is just one of the several gems in his First Grade Crown.

Training-Week 1

I ran 7 miles around Fresh Pond.

As Jake said, "I've got both feet in this training now!" I finished my first week of training today with a 7 mile run. Other than being a little cold for the first mile, it was perfect. I ran the 7 miles in 1:20. I was trying to get my feel for a 13 minute pace, so when the miles get higher I will know how fast to run. We had a busy schedule this past week, but I was still able to get two more runs in and two pain train workouts in. Now comes the best part of today, Jake and I are going on a date. Our friends the Beans are going to watch/feed the kids for us tonight. Jake has been working TONS of hours lately and since he is off we are going North Shore for some "real Italian" food. If you know me, you know I LOVE food. I am really looking forward to tonight!!! (I should celebrate every week of training with GOOD FOOD!)

These are a few of my favorite things-Boston #3

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this place! The Children's Museum is AWESOME!!! It's the perfect place for the kid and kid-at-heart to burn energy. It has been more than worth the money we spent for our membership. I took the kids there today, so daddy could have a quiet apartment to rest in. We were there all morning! It was so much FUN! Instead of write about it, I'll show you in the tons of pics I took. You can SEE the fun!

"Hello, Mr. Boa."

Learning science is FUN.

You can make bubbles with ANYTHING!

Nice BIG BUBBLE!

"Look how HIGH I can climb!"

Spider Monkey

Using "kid power".

"I see you!"

Owen at the water area.

Allie at the water area.

Working in the sand.

Putting on a shadow show.

Climbing on the giant plants.

Musical Chairs... ACTUALLY, Musical Chairs.

I know these guys!

Owen's block town. (2 houses, 1 gas station and 1 church)

Allie's in mid-knock down!

She works hard for the money.

Owen checking out the new building materials.

Allie inspecting the stability of this house.

Karen's visit

Taken in February while we were visiting Kansas.

We've been busy and had a blast! Gramma Karen spent the whole week with us. We showed her the "Arnett" tour of Boston. She got to try my favorite place to eat and Jake's favorite too. Allie and I took her to the Museum of Fine Art (it was the catch-me-if-you-can tour). Drove by both Fenway and Children's Hospital. She got to see Owen's classroom and read some of his writings. We hung out in the old church while Allie was taking dance. Took a pit stop at our favorite park. And of course we went to the library. All in all, it was a "normal" week for us... but an added perk was Gramma Karen got to experience "Boston Life" with us. Thanks again for coming!

Gramma Karen's Trip to Boston

Last night, Gramma Karen arrived for her visit to Boston. Today we hit Harvard! It was a really fun day, to bad the weather didn't cooperate as well. I hear it's going to snow tomorrow night!!?? Oh well, we'll make the most of it. I took several pics with Karen's camera and she got quite a few as well. These are just the proof pics that she's actually in Harvard.

Karen with the famous John Harvard statue.

(Allie took this one, since I was using Karen's camera.)

Here is a picture of Karen taking a picture of Harvard Yard.

Tomorrow, we visit Newbury Street and Coolidge Corner.

Training-Day 1

After my 4.25 mile run.

It has begun! Today was the first day of my "Marathon Training". I have registered to run the Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2011. It will be my FIRST! I have ran a few half marathons and loved every one of them. I'm in the best shape of my life and I won't be getting any younger... so I am going to do this. I will post an update every Sunday (that is the training/long run day). Wish me luck!

Spring is here!

With the snow pretty much gone and the temps getting higher, you will find the Arnetts at the Arnold Arboretum. It's so awesome! The kids get to run around. The view from the top of the hills are breath-taking. The dogs we run into are ALWAYS smiling. Here are a few pictures of our trip there this morning with daddy.

Owen brought a ball to kick around.

Allie chose the path we took. Straight up the side of the a big hill.

This will be a classic! Hello, SPRING!

Evacuation Day?

March 17th, most people celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But in the greater Boston area, it's another holiday. Evacuation Day. Kids are even out of school today! (I think it's just an excuse to start drinking early.) The story behind it, The 11-month siege of Boston ended when the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, fortified Dorchester Heights in early March 1776 with cannons captured at Ticonderoga. British General William Howe, whose garrison and navy were threatened by these positions, was forced to decide between attack and retreat. To prevent what could have been a repeat of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Howe decided to retreat, withdrawing from Boston to Nova Scotia on March 17.

The British evacuation was Washington's first victory of the war. It was also a huge morale boost for the Thirteen Colonies, as the city where the rebellion began was the first to be liberated.

How do the Arnetts celebrate this "new" holiday? First we put on our green clothes (it is St. Patrick's Day) and head to Natick, Massachusetts. There is this nice mall there called the Natick Collection. I'm meeting two friends (with their kids) for some shopping and lunch. We visit 2 stores.

Owen at the Lego Store. (Does he look happy?)

The newest American Girl Doll. (Guess what she wants now?)

After lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, the kids were invited to a play date at A.J.'s house. So I dropped them off and ran some errands, BY MYSELF!!! It was so beautiful outside when I picked them up from the play date, that we decided to stop at a play ground and run around for 30 minutes. We even ran into another one of Owen's classmates. Finally we returned home.

Home and HAPPY with their purchases.

My treat. Linda's Fudge Cake. (You can see where I got it from!)

I think everyone should have this day off. Unfortunately, next year we won't be in Boston. :( I guess it's just one more thing to make this year special.

Productive=Happy

I'm a mom of two active kids. I'm a wife to a wonderful man. That's pretty much all I need to say that can sum up the busy week we've had. BUSY. Suddenly I'm seeing a cartoon of myself with bee wings flying in all directions at once. But it's actually been the opposite. I've taken the time focus on the activities I'm doing. Not worrying if I'm going to get it done, get it right or even attempted at all. And surprisingly the things that matter are getting accomplished. I'm not stressed out, so I can sit back and enjoy the moment. I wish I could bottle this sense of peace I feel, but I think it comes to one in the moment you decide to let go of the control. Then your to-do lists seem different. Shorter almost. You spend your energy on the few things that contribute to you being happy. And suddenly you are...HAPPY. Thankful.

I'm a mom. I'm a wife. I'm productive. I'm HAPPY!

How do you like them APPLES?

Above you see a small apple. Not really anything special, or is it? When you think of apples tons of images and famous quotes come to mind.

1. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
2. Johnny Appleseed
3. The Big Apple (NYC)
4. As American as Apple Pie.
5. The forbidden fruit. (Adam, Eve and the apple)
6. Snow White's poisoned apple
7. Apple Computers
8. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
9. Apple-Jacks Cereal
10. The apple of my eye.
11. One bad apple doesn't ruin the whole barrel.
12. Apple Bottom Jeans
13. An apple for the teacher.
14. Apple-tini
15. Bobbing for apples
16. Apple of the Week at Morse Elementary School

What? You've never heard of the last one? Well, let me fill you in. Every week, since the beginning of school, every teacher has selected 1-2 students from their class to receive the Apple of the Week Award. The principal goes to all the classes on Friday with a cart of fruit and asks the teacher who the lucky students are.

Today, Owen was one of the lucky ones! I have never been more proud of him! His behavior and focus at school has been improving daily. He even mentioned this award a few weeks ago. That he thought he might get it, but it didn't happen then. He even tried to say he really didn't want the apple. "We have apples at home. Why would I want another one?" This was his argument. But I can tell you, after picking him up from school and seeing his face... this wasn't just ANY apple! See for yourself.

I have a feeling he'll be trying for this APPLE more often. :)

And baby makes 3...

I already know the insane thoughts that will be going through several people right now after reading that title. But let me start by saying, "I AM NOT PREGNANT!" Now that we have that established, I will continue with my post.

For over a week now, Allie has decided that she is a "mommy". And a good mommy too. She takes her Bitty Baby EVERYWHERE!!! Just take a look at some of the photos I was able to take this week.

Here we are in the car. I was able to stick the stroller between the 2 carseats, so that "baby" would be safe while we rode in it. It also make it easier to get her in and out of the car.

Here we are at the playground. Notice how we have changed the "baby's" clothes. I was informed that she doesn't have enough. I guess that's the "grandma's" job. :)

Here we are at the movies. We went and saw Rango. I was told that "baby" slept through the whole movie.

Here we are leaving the apartment and going to run errands. This has become a part of our daily routine.

I'm not sure how much longer this will continue, but until it ends I will play along.

ABC's of ME

Prompted by a blog-friend, I will be doing this post about me.

ABC's of ME

A~Age: 35 (I'll be 36 in August and I'm in the BEST shape of my LIFE!)

B~ Bed Size: King (in Wichita- I miss you) and Double (in Boston)

C~Chore you hate: Cleaning the tub/shower

D~Dogs: One, but he will be 13 this winter!!!

E~Essential Start your Day Item: Cuddle from Owen or Allie or both. Nothing like waking up

feeling

BLESSED!

F~Favorite Color: YELLOW

G~Gold or Silver: White gold or silver

H~Height: 5' 6"

I~Instruments you play: clarinet for about 2 years, I think? And I taught myself the piano

for fun.

J~Job Title: Mommy of 2 (love every moment of it), former elementary school teacher

(6 years)

K~Kids: Owen (6 1/2 years old) and Allison (4 years old) Both are my angels!

L~Live: for the next 4 months-Cambridge, MA

for the rest of my life (I think)-Wichita, KS

M~Mom’s Name to my kids: Nana

N~Nicknames: Care Bear, McD, Ducky, Red, Spot, Wild Thing (Don't ask!)

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: twice (when I had both my kids, I had to stay for a couple

of nights,

each time)

P~Pet Peeve: People who don't understand that kids act like KIDS!

Q~Quote from a Movie: In tribute to all the snow, from Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs-

"I don't even know the rules. Is there like a point system, or is it to the DEATH?"

R~Right or Left Handed: Right

S~Siblings: I have one FABULOUS sister, two step-sisters and one step-brother (that I claim!)

T~Time you wake up: 6:30am

U~Underwear: ALWAYS!!! But I bought some colorful ones that I sometimes mistake for my

daughter's!!!

V~Vegetable you Dislike: BEETS!!! (sorry, I just gagged)

W~What Makes You Late: LATE???? Not a word in my vocabulary. :)

X~X-rays You’ve had Done: One of my right foot, box fell on it and my husband was worried

I might have broken something. Even though I had run a 5 mile race shortly after it happened.

Y~Yummy Food you Make: I LOVE my Crock Pot!

Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: There are these two WILD things, that I see EVERY time I go to the zoo...

Oh, WAIT! They are just my kids. :)

Quick Response... good to know

We had an exciting afternoon. The kids were hanging out in their underwear watching TV, when the fire alarm went off in our building. I quickly told the kids to throw some clothes on, get there coats and shoes on and we were out the door. It was impressive! The fire department was there in less than 5 minutes. It turned out some kids were playing in the stairwell and accidentally pulled the fire alarm. To make this situation even more fun, we ran into our friend Emie and his mom with his baby sister. The kids got to run around the courtyard playing with each other for at least 30 minutes. They had just gotten back from a 2 month vacation in Japan. We agreed to get together and play more, now that the weather is getting warmer.

Fire truck #1 and response truck.

Fire truck #2.

Toy Story on Ice

(It's a little late, but here it is.) On February 18th, our friends the Beans invited us to see Disney's Toy Story on Ice. They had seen Nemo and loved it. This was going to be our first ice show. They got us tickets next to them and really close to the action. Jake had to meet us there, but it was a fun-filled evening!

The kids outside TD Garden.

There was a TON of merchandise for sale. (We got well stocked!)

Waiting for daddy and the show to start.

Jayln and AJ

AJ and Owen

They did an amazing job of hitting the highlights of all 3 of the Toy Story movies. Owen LOVED the green army men. Allie liked the Barbie medley, they did a routine to several of her "favorite" songs. (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Barbie Girl are a few of them.) Here are some of the pictures I was able to get.

The green army men.

Slinky Dog

Zurg!

Little Green Aliens

Woody and Buzz

Bullseye

Barbie (in blue) and her background dancers

Lotso (you could hear kids booing when he came out)

It was a late evening, buy worth it! I'm so glad my kids get to have these fun experiences while we are away from home.