Toys for Tots

Thanks a Lot

One of my favorite things about Nixon School in Sudbury, was the tradition of hearing Raffi's "Thanks a Lot" played by my friend Rita over the intercom every year before Thanksgiving pick-up.  Something about that song will always get me.  Not a day goes by when I don't think of my Dad, but especially each year on Em's birthday.  I'll never forget his reaction to "It's a GIRL!"  or that phone call I made the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving in 2005.  And to think he'd only be with her for 7 short weeks.

I showed Emily this picture today and she asked, "Did he love me?"  "Does he still love me?"  You betcha kiddo.

SO much to be thankful for this year.  Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Chevy's Giving Back Event

Jump Trax Rocks!

The birthday girl with Mommy

Slidin'

Bouncin'

Hilarious!

Aidan

Presents!

Last Sunday afternoon we partied HARD at Emily's 5th birthday bash.  And what a bash it was!  32 children, 2 infants and a boat load of moms and dads.  Pizza, a light up Disney princess sheet cake and goodie bags galore.  Thank you Jump Trax!  I must say, the two young guys working our party were AWESOME.  Playing with the kids, helping out, having fun.  A lot of parents were impressed with those two "lovely guys!"

If you haven't been there yet, you need to take your kid/s to an open jump time.  It's ridiculous.  Whether your kids are 2 or 12, they'll have a blast!  My favorite part of the bash was when the jumping in room one was coming to a close and the staff blew the whistle.  The two doors open wide and the kids run into ANOTHER room filled with bouncy inflatables!  They basically go ape! The opening of those door is a fabulous moment.

And get this, while at the B.I.T. Auction this past weekend at the Fidelity Clubhouse at Gillette Stadium, there was a "birthday basket raffle."  Guess what was in it?  A full on birthday party from Jump Trax!  And guess who won it?  Nope, it wasn't me.......phew, right?  MY SISTER!!!!  Tommy's getting a Jump Trax party for his 5th too!  See you in February!

Emily and all of her 31 friends had a rager.  No problem fitting all those pressies into the back of the Traverse!  Oh, and if everyone is wondering where the cute "5" birthday shirt came from, it's Grandma!  She rocks too!  I actually already put my order in for "34".

A Big Thank You!

Raffle time!  Check out that Traverse LTZ!

Chatting with a fellow Mom about everything the Traverse has to offer!  She told me about a friend who recently traded in her Lexus for a Traverse and is LOVING IT!

Walt Disney World Moms Panel - Chris and Kaylene

Just sending out a huge thank you to Best Chevrolet for hosting our Moms' Night Out event last night with Annie's Traverse Travels!  Your showroom is gorgeous and I think everyone was really pleased with the valet parking, along with the safety winter check!  That was a huge hit for all of us, including the men in our lives!  The winter months are fast approaching and our cars need to be ready for sleet, slush, snow and ice!  Bravo!

It was so fantastic to have the Disney Moms Panel on board with us last night!  As always, they are full of amazing vacation planning tips for families headed down to Walt Disney World.  Kaylene and Chris are so approachable, knowledgeable and friendly.  So great to have two amazing experts to go to when the questions arise.  If you didn't get to join us last night and have ANY kind of Disney questions, please go to their website and ask away!  You will be glad you did!

Magic Beans had some amazing toys on display last night.  I really loved the super magnetic thinking putty (can you say stocking stuffer?) and the cute little Sesame Street character hats.  They would look so adorable on my two little guys.  And those Aden + Anais blankies - to die for.  So huge and soft and lightweight!  A newborn essential!  Magic Beans has four stores in Massachusetts (Brookline, Cambridge, Wellesley, and Hingham), so pop in and check them out.  If you are not in MA, shop online at mbeans.com  Thanks for joining us Sheri!

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to use my Spafinder gift card.  I'm going to STOP BITING these nails (yet again) and get myself a manicure.  Don't forget to log on to spafinder.com and find a convenient location to spend your dollars!  Thank you spafinder and Chevy!

So what kind of Chevy tickles your fancy?  I ♥ my Traverse.  And have you seen the new Chevy National commercials?  The new baby one is a tear-jerker.  I saw it for the first time the other night while watching Grey's and I was ooooing and ahhhhhing over the adorable babies.  Then at the end I learned it was Chevy, and I thought, "YESSSSSS, Chevy has a tear-jerker commercial that totally hits home."  LOVE IT.  Check it out if you haven't already seen it!

Mom's Night Out!

What's all this talk about Mom's Night Out, you say? Check it out!  You wouldn't want to miss it.  So make sure your hubby is home early on Tuesday, so you can escape!  Or get your sitter NOW!  This is going to be a fun night out in Hingham, at Best Chevrolet.  But if I were you, I'd go down and grab an early dinner .  Then I would head over to the Derby Street Shoppes to start my holiday shopping.  Didn't know they have a Hanna store!  I am dying to get Emily into this cute little number.  AND, the Shoppes even have a Magic Beans Store!  Then I would hit up Mom's Night Out for a chance to win big and check out all that Chevrolet has to offer.  I hear it RUNS DEEP!

Time:  Tuesday, November 9 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm


Location: Best Chevrolet
                  128 Derby Street
                  Hingham, MA.  


Hors d'oeuvres, a chance to test drive the Chevrolet Traverse! And of course - be registered for a chance to win the trip to see Oprah live! 
-valet parking
-safety check for your car to prepare for New England weather!
-Disney Mom experts to answer any and all questions about your next trip to WDW!
-Brad Paisley at Mohegan raffle
-Celtics tix raffle!
-Bruins tix raffle!
-Spa finder gift cards for all attendees!

So don't miss it! See you there!

November!?

I'm still in shock that November is here.  I'll be back to work in 2 short months, so I better enjoy this.  Some days I'm loving it and getting so used to being home with my littles.  Other days, not so much.  Stay positive, Annie, stay positive.  

Goodness:

1. Owen chuckled yesterday when Emily sneezed.  A full on belly laugh.  To die for.
2. Aidan has always been a talker; we all know that.  But lately, whoa.  He just talks and talks and talks without seeming to need a breath.  Hilarious to listen to.  I love age 2.
3. My hair cut.  I'm loving it.
4. Annie's Traverse Travels - I've been so lucky to have the opportunity to blog and promote my awesome Chevy Traverse.  I really love that car.  It's time to start parking it in the garage again, however.  It's getting cold.  And Aidan didn't like being rained on this morning during the schlepping. 
5. Emily's turning 5.  She's gaining more and more independence each day and I LOVE that.
6. My husband fixed my Dyson and bathed the kids last night.  He is the one who gets up every night to reinsert O's binky when he loses it 2-3 times per night.  I send him because he's closer ;)  Thanks Chris, ♥ you!
7. We're healthy.
8. I saw eggnog in the supermarket on Tuesday.
9. Someone I know is going to be a grandfather; and that's totally AWESOME.
10. MOMS' NIGHT OUT next Tuesday!  Can't wait!

There's an App for That!

Came home from the daily preschool a.m. schlepp and tuned into some Sprout with my boys.  This is what was on this morning.  I almost peed my pants.

Technical Difficulties

Halloween #1

Where've I been?  Eye-Fi was acting up, so I didn't want to post without pictures!!! But I finally had a minute to update Eye-Fi this morning and we're back in business! Did I ever mention, I ♥ Eye-Fi!?

Yum!

The littlest Stow has new stats from his 4 month check up last week.  He is 26 inches long, weighs 15lbs. 8 oz. and his head circumference is 17 3/4 inches.  Go Owen!  He also started solids last week!  What fun!  So far he's tried brown rice cereal and bananas! YUMMY.

Chopped!

A-line Bob!

Mommy chopped her hair off on a total whim.  I was so sick and tired of the little man grabbing my hair by the fist and not letting go.  He's got quite the grip.  And my hair is falling out like crazy anyway, due to the post-partum hormones going crazy, so I figured, just cut if off.  I feel like a new woman.  Love it.  Especially for $25.00

We celebrated 2 Halloweens.  First in Foxborough, on the 30th and then again last night in Tiverton, RI with Grandma and Tillerman.  We had fun.  Emily thinks we're going Trick-or-Treating again tonight, however.  Now we're all suffering from TMH...TOO MUCH HALLOWEEN!

My peapod!

Halloween #2
No One is Quite Sure...Don't Ask