Woodland Antics

T his morning the house shook as Reed watched a video clip of the cats hanging in a tree.  In all the world there is no laugh that can compare to Reed's Belly Laugh, I want to bottle it up.   Click  HERE! to see the clip. Only brothers and sisters can treat each other this way and love one another so much.  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY !

T ypically Ryan puts the kids to bed.  It's their special time together and my special time alone.  Tonight Ryan is hanging out with a friend and I have bedtime duty. I think they may have finally fallen asleep. I was able to wash their faces, get pajamas on and brush teeth in record time.  Their motivation? S P A R K L E R S ! I think the play-doh idea is brilliant. I picked it up from a magazine. *** **** **** *** *** In other news, Fiona wants to "pee standing up" and made a solid attempt to.

This week has been a BIG one! Ry has set a defense date of June 28th @ 1:30 .  This is HUGE . After a decent amount of deliberation we have decided to spend the next two years in Trois-Riveres, Canada. The other options: Port O'Connor, Texas - This job was offered to him first but Ryan wanted to hold out for something better.  Given the oil leaking into the Gulf I'm glad I don't have to explain to the kids that they can't swim among the tar balls. Duluth, MN - A great 3 year post-doc with the Environmental Protection Agency. I know it's beautiful, but we're not really  Minnesota kind of folk. Portland, Maine -  Ryan brought me to Portland for our first Valentines together.  A really hip city.  I can imagine us being a perfect fit.  This offer was the most difficult of them all to say no to, it was such an interesting project working with some really great people.  Washington, DC - This fellowship was working in the political arena.  T...

Yesterday Fiona found a "mama" & "baby" slug.  She played with them and then put them in her pink bucket. Later on I asked her where the slugs were, she told me "In the pink bucket".  For some reason I assumed the bucket was in the backyard. (you know what they say about assuming) Last night out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a hot pink bucket in the toy room. It was empty There were 2 MIA slugs roaming our house... disgusting! This morning Fiona came down to our room and asked us if she could put her slugs in the bucket.  Of course I told her "YES" and asked her where they were.  She picked one off of our bedroom floor and said "right here". Is it me or is that just crazy? Our Slug Whisperer & her sidekick consulting their clients :)

O ur old car needs a new starter, so we've been giving Ryan a ride to and from the office this week.  The first day it threw off my schedule and was a nuisance.  Now I think I'll be a bit disappointed when the car finally is fixed.  I truly enjoy the 15minutes each way that Ryan and I get to talk.  The little ones get a kick out of dropping Daddy off at school too.  Today after dropping Ry off we hit up a little fair at the community center. The Sno-Cones were a big hit and I'm so thankful because they really wanted popcorn . I'm not sure when I'll allow popcorn back into their diet but  today was not the day. Reed + Fiona + Christian = Buddies ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ My Monkeys have been enjoying our carnival video! What Carnival video? Click HERE   to see it. To hear Reed walk around the house singing the Carnival song is adorable. Wishing you a very safe and super fun weekend!

L ast night the Carnival was in town! It was the munchkins first time riding rides Last night was magical! Here it is in Pictures.    As we walked away Reed & Fiona sat on our shoulders giving high-fives....

Y esterday was my sister Tina's birthday. Fiona sang a special song for you Auntie Tina Happy Birthday Video Reed was being shy for the video He calls her Uncle Tina regardless how many times we correct him.   By this point I find it endearing. Happy Birthday Uncle Tina We Love Ya! Easter 1972 Tina, Todd, Tammy How cute are they in their matching outfits? My mom made them. I wish I were that good of a mom %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Before I forget them here are some quotes to add to our  WOODLAND QUOTE BOARD Fiona: Mommy, I have boogers in my ears. We can't hold them forever  this is an old quote of Ryan's I remember because I wrote it down and posted it on our Fridge for awhile.   It helped when I had a clingy baby. I still can't believe how easy it was to have Fiona! No, I didn't say this. Ryan did, and he will NEVER  EVER live it down. I was in a zone making dinner. My ears perked up when I heard Reed say, ...

Y ou know Ryan is someone important when he gets an interview with Jason Cook..... Click   HERE   to see Ry's interview while in New England. Cheers!

Did you realize 2000 was 10 years ago? Time is like paper in the wind T he weekend is almost here and I haven't written a thing about last weekend. Ryan took me away to Asheville, North Carolina and  it was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary Our calm before the storm We stayed in a B&B and we're slightly heavier due to the delicious breakfasts (I know what you're thinking Mom, "Good, you could use a few pounds") And that's what we did, we ate A LOT We drank some We finished our thoughts Spoke in complete sentences  We went to a rock climbing gym (and I'm still sore) We walked and talked and dreamed together Like I said, it was perfect. Thank you Ry Guy (A Bed of Roses is the B&B we stayed at.  I highly recommend it) Asheville reminded us of a combination of Boulder,Co and Portland, ME A great vibe Ryan apologized for combining my anniversary gift and Mother's Day gift. I to...

Rule # 7: Your spouse will make for 99% of your happiness or 99% of your misery....choose well! O n this date 5 years ago Ryan & I were wed.   I'm pretty certain we're still in the honeymoon phase because I couldn't be more tickled by my love for him H ere are some pre-marriage photo's I recently scanned. This was taken at Ryan's parents house in Winchendon.  We were in high school even though we look like we should be in the 5th grade.  We were practicing for the Tournament of Plays. (hence the silly outfits) I  was still in character (thus me kissing this boy) This picture sums up our high school relationship. Proximity wise we were always very close But we just never connected We can not remember ever talking to one another (Did I mention we were in the same grade and there were only 50 of us) I believe this was the salvation of our relationship. For instance, if we did have a relationship in school, maybe this picture of Rya...

R y was away for a couple of days doing some fieldwork,  To help us control our jealously  we too went fishing today . W ithin minutes Fiona slipped in (I just want it to be known that I did not ask her to pose like this) Yes our bait was a heart One of those plastic hearts that weigh down balloons It's curious we didn't catch anything (Fiona Cheering for Reed as he scooped a can from the water) Our little ones made me proud today when they began cleaning the litter from the lake and it's banks.  Don't get me wrong. It killed me as I watched them pick up nasty trash, but the lesson behind it will stay with them much longer than the germs. ++++++++++ S peaking of pride... I am one proud wife!  Ryan was just offered his first choice post-doc position!!!!! I am so excited for you baby! It's in Trois-Rivieres, Canada Between Quebec City & Montreal We need a little time to digest this  and Ry has an interview in Maine that really gives Canada a run f...

W hen I go on a trip,even for just a few days, it takes me a week to get things back to normal. E ight months in Iraq.  Only 8 days to spend with your wife and two young boys.   Where do you start? What do you do when you only have a week before you leave your everything for another eight months? I can't imagine. But we are at war and it's all too common of a scenario. T he Pone family is a family that has made great sacrifices out of loyalty to our country & its people Giving them the gift of captured moments together seems appropriate.  No? T his is the VIDEO the boys have watched everyday since their dad left. It's the video that I hope will lift their spirits during his next tour.

S oon enough Ryan will get a job & the kids will both be off to school full time.  I have a plan for myself too.  I'll continue my role as a stay at home mom & wife, being active in the schools and doing my best to have a clean house & hot meal for Ry when he comes home. The major change will be the giving of myself.  Both Ryan and I hold good will as a top priority.  We've viewed us currently giving our all to Reed & Fiona, as a type of goodwill.  After all they are our greatest contribution  to the world. Before we know it our roles will change and the kids will enter the world.  I'll have a little more time and because my kids will be in the world without me holding their hand....well I better do my part to make it a little bit better, more gentle. S o, I want to do good, but how?  I want something that is personal maybe even unique rather than working with an already established organization.  It doesn't have to be gran...