Disney Dads :)

Last night I was blessed with a visit from Chris and Bernie...two of my Moms Panel buds. :) Bernie was in Massachusetts for a NASA commitment, and this opened up the perfect opportunity for us to get together. They drove to the Cape and we dined at Seafood Sams (it's a great local "counter service" restaurant). While the pouring rain was not pleasant, it meant soccer was canceled...so Steve was able to join us. I was so excited to introduce him to some of my new family members :) We spent 3.5 hours chatting...and the time just FLEW by. It was SO fun to talk about the training trip, ESPN-The Weekend and how much we enjoy answering questions for Guests. We shared a lot of laughs together and it was as if we had known each other for a lifetime...just like when we first met less than 4 months ago. Bernie brought some NASA posters, bookmarks, stickers, etc for our kids. Shawn was so excited, that he brought them to school today...and our playroom now has "super cool" posters all over it. Bernie said that he may be coming to our neck of the woods more often...I sure hope so! I can't wait to see them both again and pick up where we left off. :) I'm so blessed to be a part of such an amazing Moms Panel family. :) Chris treated us to dinner, which was unexpected and very sweet. Thanks again for a wonderful evening, Chris and Bernie! :)

A photo of me between my buds Chris (left) and Bernie (right)

Last "First Visit" from the Tooth Fairy

My littlest girlie lost her very first tooth tonight. She was SO excited saying, "this means I'm a big kid now". Ow, that hurt my heart...*sigh*

Yes, Kasi lost her tooth. Tonight we will have our last, "first visit" from the Tooth Fairy.

Just in case you can't see...


I don't think she could be any more excited...or any cuter. :)

It's Me...in Zannaland :)

Fellow Disney Moms Panelist Suzannah has a wonderful blog called, "Zannaland". Each Wednesday she features a new Panelist...as a way to get to know each other more. This week was my turn in the spotlight.

Click here to read: http://zannaland.com/disney-moms-panelist-kaylene/

Be sure to check her blog each Wednesday to read about all of my new friends. Better yet, read her daily...she has a fantastic blog!! :)

THANKS, Zanna :)

Piggie Tails in the Breeze...

It was FINALLY a sunny, warm day on Cape Cod today. In fact, the weather was gorgeous compared to how it has been for the last few months.

Kassia decided she wanted to go for bike ride, and asked me to ride my bike alongside her. Now, yesterday I ran around the block while she was in school, practicing for the 5k in October. Disclaimer: I have a LONG way to go to get ready for that, so if you saw me waddling around, no laughing allowed. Anyhoo, I had planned on taking it easy today. However, when my littlest brown-eyed girl asked so sweetly...I had to say yes.

We actually ended up doing the "figure 8" as I call it...(the big block and the upper little block as well). There are some good sized hills in there, but we did it. Kasi is SO good at riding her bike. She ditched the training wheels at 4 years old, and is a VERY good little rider. We had a lot of fun together, pedaling our hearts out and enjoying the sunshine.

She had asked for "piggie tail braids" this morning for pre-k.


While riding along side her, I wondered if there is anything cuter in the world than pig tail braids flying in the breeze behind an adorable 5 year old who is riding her 2-wheeler w/ease. Not a care in the world, she giggled and chatted the afternoon away with me. It took my breath away for a moment as I realized that this is my last Spring that I can do this with her. Next year, she'll be in Kindergarten. Sure, we can ride together after school...but passing the time in the afternoon together, while we wait for the bus to come...just the 2 of us... :( I decided instead to focus on the positive...to seize the days that we have left...

We had a wonderful time together, just me and my littlest girlie :)

When she undid her braids tonight, her hair was, "wicked curly" as she called it...


I told her she looked like "Goldilocks", the color is truly like spun gold. Right away she ran into her room to find 3 bears to sleep with. :) Then Malia, Kasi and I read, "Blueberries for Sal". That was always one of my favorite stories when I was little. :) I took a little extra time to snuggle with my girls tonight.

Time is fleeting. If I can't stop time, then I want to be sure to cherish every single day that I have with my precious children.

Tomorrow's agenda: Run Week 1 of the 5K with Shawn after he gets home from school...that should be interesting ;)

Project Linus - Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

Even though Malia participated in the Valentine's "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" event, she wasn't old enough to receive a voucher for it. She and I had been searching for a project that she could do, and we located the "Project Linus Handmade Blanket" opportunity. This is a National nonprofit organization that provides new, handmade, washable blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. She was excited to be making a blanket for a little girl somewhere in the America. Malia chose the fabric, helped cut it and made the "hug" to wrap around it.

We were going to tie off the fringe, with little knots (like tassels). However, she thought they looked, "beautiful" just like they were. So we left them :)

We measured her hand and she wrote on them: "Get Well Soon"
"Love Malia age: 7 Massachusetts"

Kassia has helped with both, "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" opportunities. However, because she is 5, she is not eligible for a voucher. That's okay though, she has had a blast helping both times. She's such a bright girl, she completely understands how these projects will help bring smiles to others. She has such empathy at a young age :)

The blue blanket was from Sierra and Kassia. Those are Kasi's hands on the "hug" (below). Sierra did not want her photo taken, so you'll just have to imagine her helping (I did send a photo to Project Linus of her making it as required though).

The completed blankets that will be shipped tomorrow:



I talked the Malia and Kasi about how it makes me happy to imagine the smiles on the faces of the little girl and boy who will receive these blankets. The blankets are distributed through hospitals and shelters. I also thought about the Mommy's and Daddy's whose children are hurting and I hoped this would help to ease their pain in a small way. Not everyone has been as blessed as we have with health and a happy family. It makes my heart full to be able to help others, and even more so to have my children participate in such a special event. :)

If you'd like to donate a blanket to a child in need, visit Project Linus at: http://www.projectlinus.org/

I Haven't Forgotten...

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten that I owe an ESPN - The Weekend Trip Report. I haven't been able to get the rest of my photos uploaded yet, as my computer isn't behaving. So, until I can get that fixed..I'll just have to keep the memories in my head. ;)

It was a fantastic weekend, and I can't wait to share the details with all of you soon...

Always :)

This morning as Kasi hugged me goodbye on her way out the door to pre-k, she said, "I'll always be your girl, Mommy...even when I'm a Mom". ♥

I'm so blessed to be her Mom...she is so full of love and brings me immense joy.

College!

Sierra found out today that she was accepted into one of her top choices for college! I am SO happy for her and incredibly proud of her.

I am now neck-deep in Financial Aid Forms...trying to find a way to finance this dream of hers.

She and I will tour the University together on Sunday, March 28th.

I just can't quite believe that my baby is going to college in 6 months!! Where did the time go?