Brooke!

So, I've mentioned that the cousins from D.C. came to town to visit. Let me introduce you to Brooke. I LOVE this cuz. The fantastic thing about Brooke is she is part of the "girl group" of cousins born within a year of me. There are 6 of us. Shannon, Brooke, Elizabeth, Heather, Me and Cherie. I *totally* loved growing up with these girls. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that not everyone has 5 girl cousins their same age. On Sunday nights our families would gather at Grandma Smith's to hang out, eat cheese toast and Farr Better mint chocolate chip ice cream, collect snails in the yard for stacking and racing, and we even played a little Pong (you know, the first video game ever). In the summer and on holidays we would beg and beg to sleep over at Grandma's house. It was seriously the best ever. We of course didn't have any pajamas so we would crawl into Uncle Richard's enormous T-shirts and Grandma would turn over her queen sized bed to us little ladies. She would take the bed in the beautiful blue guest room, but not before telling us faith building stories about her childhood. She seriously is the best story teller of all time!

I have to be honest with you, it has been years since I have seen Brooke, but when you grow up with someone and know and love their family so well and then are reunited years later, it is like time travel. She is the same fun playmate as ever and at the same time it is like sitting in a room with her mom and dad, so many things about Brooke shout Spencer, and I love them all. I am kicking myself that it has taken so long to get together!

And did I mention that her family is *nearly* the perfect match to mine? She has this awesome husband who not only just happens to be an appeals attorney, but is also a *Federalist*. Pops was psyched to have some to talk shop with. They also have a boy Superkid's age, a girl Abizella's age, and a boy Tadpole's age. All they are missing out on is the boy for Tadpole to play with. In the end it was okay, the girls were really sweet with Tad and included him in most of their fun.

We took them out to show off our town, starting at the USS Constitution. It was a blasted hot and humid day. We were expecting rain, but it turns out that the umbrella's were better for staving off the sun while we waited for our turn on the boat.

*Someone* insisted on the guided tour that you have to wait for (but get to view 3 decks of the ship) instead of taking the crappy self guided tour.

This crowd wasn't big into listening to the Sailor tour guide,
but we were happy to have the license to explore the ship!

And try our hand at navigation...

We were wiped after that big excursion, the only thing that could resuscitate us was Chinese from our favorite restaurant MuLan!

Oh we are so happy the cousins came to play!

Tadpole Turns *5*!

*FINALLY* Tadpole's birthday came. 

Those 5 days between Abizella's birthday and Tad's are simply unbearable to him (and me). 

This kid was SO pumped for his big day. We wanted to make it super special for him.

The birthday boy got to pick where he wanted to eat dinner. 

Only a McDonald's Happy Meals would do.   

If you would have told me on August 15, 1998, the day Pops and I got married, exactly 14 years later we would be dining at McDonald's on our anniversary, I may have re-thought the day. But since exactly 9 years later we got the BEST anniversary gift EVER, I wouldn't want to spend it any other way. I LOVE putting a smile on this kid's face.

And another sure-fire way to make this kid smile is Angry Birds. 

It is *kinda* his universe. 

He rarely steps out of the Angry Birds world view.

He received the long awaited orange puffer birds.

Jackpot.

A few days before his birthday, Tadpole knew it was time to make his birthday wishes clear, although he is a bit more subtle than his sister. This was our conversation driving to the grocery store the weekend before his birthday. Tadpole said, "Mom, are you tired of my toys always being all over the floor?" Me, "Ya, it would be nice if they were put away." Tadpole, seeing his opening, "Well, then you should get me Wall Tracks for my birthday. Then my toys won't be on the floor!" What a salesman. He has a good point (Wall Tracks attach to the wall). As we were heading into the store he said, "Mom if you need to distract me so that you can buy my Wall Tracks, I promise I won't look... and even if I do look, I promise I will forget what I saw." I screwed up. I did get him a Hot Wheels track, but it was one of the ground models. He and Superkid both were still pretty pleased... and now he has something to dream about until Christmas!

Tadpole's birthday was extra great because he got to share the fun with our D.C. cousins who were here for a visit. We loved having lots of kids to party with!

Dad saved the day with this Cold Stone birthday cake that Pops covered with Tad's favorite little characters. This kid was pleased as punch.

Nothing can make me happier than giving this kid a wonderful birthday. 

This one has a heart of gold. 

He never misses a chance to tell me that I am the most beautiful girl in the whole world. If he gets in hot water, he always apologizes and says that he loves me so much and would never do anything on purpose to make me mad. He is simply wonderful.

Happy Birthday Tadpole! We LOVE you!

Toad version 5.0

Introducing Tidepool Toad version 5.0. To be released in February 2013

Not sure what this release will include, but be sure to check back for updates from the R&D team.
One thing's for sure, he/she will be as whacky as the rest of the Toads!

Sensational Seven!

This girl celebrates 

*BIG* 

Every element of her birthday has been planned for months. 

The execution was flawless. 

First up on the itinerary, the American Girl Doll Store, and even better with our favorite Sara!

Where Abz picked up her twin sister, who she named after herself. Hey, what else are you going to name a girl with, "fair skin, brown hair, blue eyes and freckles"? Like I said, Abz picked her out when the catalog amazingly appeared at our house about a month before her birthday. She meticulously cut out her picture and taped her next to her birthday on the calendar. She carefully peeled her picture off and presented her to the first salesperson she found upon entering the store. 

No room for error.

So the big ladies...

...and the little ladies enjoyed a 3 course meal complete with birthday cake and ice cream! ...and a little shopping. Abizella, knowing that she had met her birthday spending limit, repeatedly assured me that if I wanted to buy ANYTHING in the store (you know, for myself) that she wouldn't stop me.

Thanks for coming Sara and Jeni! We will never for get this day!

Next up was the actual big day! And nothing but all of the finest clothes a girl can own would do. And even better, REAL, LIVE COUSINS to celebrate with! I gave Amelia a big squeeze because nothing could be better than having a girl cousin your age show up to celebrate.

It just makes a party better to share it with lots of kiddos, we're just so happy our D.C. cousins are here to play!

...even if they come in for the kill at candle time! Hilarious, but mostly because this is Abizella's role at every other kid's birthday.

And lots of presents to open from Grandma's and Grandpa's! Thanks for making Abz's day special!

We love you Abizella! This family would be no fun without you!

Lettuce is NOT Invited

"One thing's for sure. I'm not letting SOME things go to the party in MY tummy." 

Oh ya Tad, like what? 

"Like lettuce. I don't want lettuce playing in my tummy." 

I'm not sure what the threat was, we were having pizza and grapes for dinner.
But now I at least get the reference. Pops just showed me the Yo-Gabba-Gabba "Party in My Tummy" song. Seems Tad is making sure we don't ruin this song by making him try yucky foods just like we ruined, "Try It, and You'll Like It".

Little Abizella Homemaker

Abizella's power to read has unleashed her homemaker self. 

She loves to pour over recipe books and find tasty treats to make the family.

Including these scrumptious little turtle rolls!

Delicious! She has also taken over Sunday morning breakfast, and she is a short order cook! One Saturday night she went to every family member and wrote our orders down, and then served us all breakfast in bed! ...okay someone had to get out to help her handle the oven scene and also to help open the can of blueberries for the muffins (a family fav), but other than that, she is a one man show. I am happy to turn over the reins of breakfast, one less thing to do on an hectic morning!

She also is always looking for a sewing project, which has pushed my own seamstress skills to the limit. I may have to break-down and learn a few more stitches besides the obvious straight line.

It is a good thing Holly dropped by a couple of months ago to teach us all a thing or two!

Zeller Time!

Some of our favs spent a few weeks in Massachusetts while they were in-between their home in New Jersey and their new home in New York. We played with them nearly every night for 2 weeks and they left us still wanting for more. We had lots of fun at the park, the pool, Plaster Fun Time, the beach and all over town. But we also just enjoyed chillin' with our friends at our home.

Here the little ladies have opened up a cookie bakery! Mmmm! Mmmm! Good!

These two little guys have always loved playing together. 

They just picked off right where they left off. 

Although Superkid does not have an age-mach kid with the Zellers, he can always find some fun. 

He scored super big this night. We bumped into one of his school friends at the park.

LC and Lily did not always play peacefully. They both are quite independent and assertive, which does not always make for good times. But LC always asked for Lily after she went home at night, and by the last night at the beach I think they made their peace.

It is a good thing Miss Sara is a quick 6 hours away! 

Even better that her grandparents live here. 

We will get to see them a few times a year. Love it.

Can't live without our best bud Mathew either!

We love you guys! Hurry back!