Need a good book to read this summer??

I can go months before finding a book that I can't put down....this year I was lucky enough to work with THE BEST librarian (and friend) that I have ever met. I read a TON this school year, and it was all because of Marcie. She was so passionate about good literature and getting kids to read, that it rubbed off on me. I never met someone who was so into reading not only for herself, but her students too. She was such an inspiration. In the spring, I was lucky enough to tag along to a book talk conference that discussed hundreds of young adult and adult novels. I was in awe. I loved it. (I really could have sat there all day and listened to this woman). It made me realize HOW many good books there are out there, and how many we overlook because of censorship issues, themes, or conflicts that may be too touchy of an issue to read in our schools. There are soooo many good novels out there to use with our kids, why do we get stuck in literature ruts?

Here is a list of books that I could not stop reading,....we're talking one day, one sitting, simply amazing. I know there are more, but here are the first few that came to mind. Check them out on amazon.com for a summary, and let me know what you think!

Cavatelli and Broccoli

Cavatelli & Broccoli

This is a favorite in our house. We always double the recipe since it somehow disappears so quickly. Simple, yet delicious!

1 bag frozen cavatelli
broccoli (I use frozen since it's quick and easy, but fresh is always delicious)
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper
grated Parmesan/ Romano cheese (I use close to a 1-1/2 cups, I love cheese!)

Cook cavatelli according to package instructions.  Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add garlic and crushed red pepper, then broccoli.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Saute until slightly softened. 

Drain pasta and add to skillet.  Stir to combine over low heat.  Add more oil if necessary (you can also add butter for more moister.  Add cheese, plus salt and pepper to taste, and take off heat. You can also add a half cup of mozzarella cheese for a little creaminess, and cheesiness.   Serve immediately or at room temperature.

It's a Princess Birthday!

Being pregnant in the summer was not fun. Having two reasons to party during the summer with family and friends (I now see in retrospect) was totally worth it. I'd take the swollen hands, cankles, and feeling like an overheated cow sitting in a hot barn any day just to have birthday parties outside.  Since the girls were both born during the summer months (June and August), we decided this year to have one big party for the both of them. Let's face it, they're both into princesses, both love bounce houses, and both love cake (as do I).  The weather was amazing hot, but it didn't stop the kids from bouncing like animals in the la maison de bounce (don't be jealous- my french skills are awesome), swimming in the pool, and playing with the water guns.  It didn't take long to be reminded of how blessed the girls ( and Tony and I) are to have an amazing group of family and friends to celebrate with us.

Come celebrate the birthdays
of
Princess McKenzie and Princess Riley

Who doesn't love a princess castle cake with SPARKLERS as candles. (Thanks Grandma!)

Kenz just about freaked when she saw her own bounce house in the backyard.

The kids used the bounce house from 1pm until 9pm. It was the BEST investment. 

We want cake! We want cake!

 Cheese!

Trying to light sparklers on a hot, breezy day is easier said than done....

 YAY! Time for cake!

What!? Bubbles!? That's all I need....see ya...bye!!

 It took two sessions to open gifts....the girls were so distracted and excited by their first couple of gifts, that they had to open the rest...after the party was over.

The second best part of my day, was having this little cutie smile at me for the first time! 

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate! The Princesses are so blessed!

Big Rock Cottages.

I love being a teacher. I love being a Mom. I love summers. I couldn't have picked a better profession. Being a teacher and a Mom are the two best things in the world. One, because I get to teach kids all year (it's kinda in my blood, and in a sick way get a high off of it), and two because I can spend every single vacation and holiday with my girls, no questions asked. We have two and a half months to do whatever we want, whenever we want. I love it. This summer has already been jammed packed full of "things" to do, and it doesn't seem like it's slowing down anytime soon.

Our second adventure of the summer was a camping trip to the Adirondacks. We decided after our epic fail at tent camping last year we would give a cabin a try.  Since Tony and I met back in 2002 it's been a tradition to spend at least a night up in the Adirondacks camping. We have tried since having kids to continue the tradition, and I think our attempts have been good considering we've been in baby/toddler stages for the last four years. Camping with a newborn or one year old is never easy, yet we still tried. It's about the experience right?

Tony grew up spending a week at Big Rock Cottages, in Inlet for years with his family as a summer vacation. So it was a no brainer when it came to where we would stay. It's a family oriented establishment, so you know there will be kids and families around. There is nothing worse than camping next to a couple with no kids, that expect silence, it's just not gonna happen. Plus, it was kind of nice to carry on a tradition that Tony had experienced with his family for so many years.

Although it rained 95% of the time, and it was super-duper-uber cold, we were able to have some fun. The girls slept well in the cabin, and it was a much easier transition than I had expected from our tent debacle last year. Here are some pictures of our trip. I really wish I had more, but most of our trip was spent indoors because of the rain and cold.

First morning, homemade breakfast. Blueberry pancakes and sausage. Yummo!

Aquadoodle fun, Ipod love,....and toes.

And of course, we had to have a meltdown....or two....

Popcorn, soda, candy and BRAVE! Awesome!!

 Even though the weather was crummy, it was kinda nice to be stuck in a cabin, together, as a family. We are camping again in August up in the 1000 Islands with my parents. Hopefully we will have a little more fun in the sun. We have a lot to make up for, fishing, beach time, boating, swimming, campfires, and sh-mores....the girls are prepared with their fish poles, sleeping bags, and flashlights.  It's so nice to see that they  share the same love for camping and outdoors that we do.

Dance like no one is watching

McKenzie's First Recital

One of our first adventures this summer was McKenzie's first ballet and tap recital. Seven months, two routines, one tap, one ballet, and a lot of hard work went into preparing for this event. I know, I know, she's not even four, but there is something about a toddler in a tutu that gets me every time. During those seven months Tony and I only got small glimpses of a first position here, and a combo there, so I was anxious to see how well she listened and learned from her dance teacher. Hours were spent in the studio behind closed doors, while her dance teacher taught five little girls the steps to two of the cutest routines I've ever seen. 

After combing the two classes the group had one dress rehearsal a few days before the big event. Seeing her on a lit stage, with makeup, dressed in her sparkly tutu made it feel real. The rehearsal went...well let's just say I'm glad it was a rehearsal. There were a few times she took one too many turns, almost flew off stage, and spun into the curtains, (which I thought was hilarious, but tried not to laugh). I think it was just the excitement of being on a big stage with the other girls that made her act all goofy. (or that could just be my daughter) Knowing the kids were three and four years old, we didn't have very high expectations. Tony and I both said we could care less how well she did, as long as she had fun......and that she did!

Backstage.....

After the show....

I mean really, could she get any cuter? Regardless of her "hear no evil, see no evil, say no evil" mix up (which really made it even cuter), she did pretty damn good.  It was almost as if she was made for the stage. 

I'm pretty sure Riley will be following in her sister's footsteps taking dance. The entire time she was singing and dancing along in the isle of the auditorium (and somehow knew 90% of each dance). I only wish I could have caught it on video. She was so proud of her big sister on stage, and yelled "Kenzie!" "That's Kenzie dancing!!" each time she was performing. It was nice to see her so loving of her big sister.