Rewind, Pause, Save.

It's a rainy Sunday morning in New Jersey.

Sofia is speaking to a mermaid, Maeve sits mesmorized, while Mo's fingers slide photos on the new family Ipad of the year that has passed.

This year, the year 2013, the year our family became a fearless fivesome has made some fabulous memories. This moment right now gives me a much needed minute to stop, to look back, and to see what the hell we did this year, because I must confess, frankly it's been a blur.

So, I'll steer clear of my usual flow and overly wordy prose, and instead let the pictures tell the story.

A Year In Photos 2013

 What a fun filled year!

One

It had been told to me when I had Margo, that time would seem to go faster.  I was warned that the year of babyhood would speed by, quicker it would seem than the first years of her sisters.

I laughed, as I held that new fresh bundle for the first time that December morning.

The sleepless nights to come, the what seemed like endless nursing sessions, and the spit up, oh the spit up! How could this possibly go too fast, I wondered, in the middle of the night?

But alas, before I had time to savor it, we were somehow back to December, planning a first birthday party. 

We had survived, all be it with a lot less sleep, this first year.

Somehow, someway, she grew and she grew and she grew and alas, she became this perfect little person. 

This perfect little person that I get to mama.  

Happy Birthday to our Stinkerella, our Margo Baby!

Party On!

Last year, while pregnant with Margo, I craved all things avocado.

I was addicted to that delicious green fruit mashed with a little salt, pepper, onion powder, & garlic powder that I was seriously worried she would be born with a green hue. It was during the end of my pregnancy when I won a House Party sponsored by Avocados from Mexico. We had a fabulous play date, children running around as the grown ups gorged themselves on various guacamole, sandwiches, and other avocado filled foods.

I didn't think things could get any better!

When nearly a year to the date, I was rewarded yet again with another House Party selection. This time Maeve & Moira are the benefactors as House Party chose us to host a Lego Duplo Party.



I began by finding inspiration and creating a Duplo Lego Party board on  Pinterest. This site combined with our own love of Disney's Planes & Jake and the Neverland Pirates, helped to set the tone for our Lego Duplo Playdate.

Numerous friends, both young and old, joined us on Thursday, November 14 for a lunchtime play date.

 Planes Posters & Goody Bags 

So Many Ways to Play Napkins made an adorable banner

Mo's depiction of Planes & Jake and the Neverland Pirates

The children bedecked in party crowns, began the event by coloring pages of their favorites from Planes & Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

After finishing  lunch, it was time to open the boxes. Dilligently, one group worked to create the airport hangar & flight decks associated with the Planes set, while another group of children were swept away to Neverland as they made the Jolly Roger and searched for gold with Cubby, Izzy, Jake, and Captain Hook.

Surprisingly, there was little friction, as more then 10 children played together with the various Lego Duplo sets for close to an hour.

The Last Two Standing

As the time wore on, popcorn was popped as the children found comfortable spots in the living room for a viewing of the Jake & the Neverland Pirates.

The ending of the movie made for a natural ending for our fun filled play date.


As for the details, House Party & Lego Duplo provided us with six kits:

Three from the Planes collection and three from the Jake & the Neverland Pirates Collections

Each box contained very visually appealing photos, provided easy to understand directions, and were simple for a parent and a child to create together. While fans of the series would enjoy finding their favorite characters in Lego Duplo form, it is not a prerequisite for play. These sets did not discriminate, as both boys and girls enjoyed creating and playing. Furthermore, the set provided equal entertainment value to our younger guests under age two, as well as those older ones closer to six years old.

As I understand is the norm with legos, having multiple sets out at the same time lead to a great deal of confusion and frustration among the children and parents alike as we attempted to take apart and put back together the sets. Pieces were mistaken and taken from set to set. The side of each box does illustrate and gives numbers for each amount, however in the midst of play this is becomes difficult to maintain.

Overall, these sets were a hit for our guests, and some ten days later, are still in heavy play rotation in our household.

Are you interested in hosting a House Party? Check out the site here.

While these products were received complimentary through House Party, my review was not compensated or sponsored by Lego Duplo or Disney.  

Simply Incredible

Happy Halloween! 

Not My Niche

Our elementary school is hosting a fundraising 5K run next week. For a small donation,  one receives a t-shirt, and runs 3.1 miles.

As it's the first year, our little town is abuzz.
Who's running?
Who's jogging?
Will there be a lot of entries?

After listening to various moms at pick up, I know many are ready and eager. They've got their running sneaks ready. Signs promoting the race have polka dotted yards, encouraging the public to sign up. My inbox included friendly reminder emails to register while a paper reminder found it's way into Mo's folder.

It seems that this race is a who's who of the parent association. It's time to get your run on!

I've been asked if I'll be there. I paste a fake smile on my face, and emphatically reply,  No.

See the truth is:

I do not run around the street. 

I do not run with my two feet. 

I do not run up or down.

I do not run around the town. 

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is not the sport for me.

I try and try to like it so.

I hate it, hate it, now you know. .

I will not be at this running race. 

You will not see my smiling face. 

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is not the sport for me. '

I've been told I'm missing out. 

You'll love it, my friends all shout.

Together they jog away all cute, 

As I turn away and scoot, 

I do not like to run you see.

Running is not the sport for me. 

A jogging stroller is meant for you, 

to push while jogging, who knew?

The running moms push in line, 

Easily maneuvering as I stroll behind. 

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is not the sport for me. 

I miss that bit of social life, 

Since I am not a running wife. 

Jealous that I do not have that, 

That happy time to run and chat. 

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is not the sport for me. 

Instead, I'm forced to find other places, 

To chat with friends, enjoy their faces.

No running for me, at the park, 

or early morning while it's dark.

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is not the sport for me. 

So Sunday morning when they run 

I'll be home, missing the fun. 

As a non runner, a 5K you say?

My response, is absolutely no way!

I do not like to run you see. 

Running is 

no way

no how

 the sport for me. 

\

Long Term Memory

Did you know once a upon a time there was a show called Rock and Roll Jeopardy? 

Everyone knows about Jeopardy. What is the most famous question and answer show on television? 

 

Now, imagine Jeopardy, but instead of topics like Operas and Famous Historians from France, topics like music from Molly Ringwald movies and Van Halen songs were the norm. 

I rocked Rock and Roll Jeopardy. For some reason I have a very unique and wide variety of pop culture references in my long term memory. In a nutshell, I seem to remember stupid stuff. 

This week Stasha and her Monday Listicles asked for Ten Things I Shouldn't Know, and so I can't help but go the pop culture route. 

1. There was a show called Rock and Roll Jeopardy. 

2. Stacy Ferguson AKA Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas was Stacy from Kids Incorporated, which also later starred Jennifer Love Hewitt. Mario Lopez was a background dancer too. 

My sister and I may not have been mildly obsessed with this show. 

3. Even though they both played baby Michelle on Full House, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen aren't identical twins. They are nearly identical. 

4. Debbie Gibson had a perfume called Electric Youth,- the same name as her popular song. It should be noted this perfume had a very similar to smell as burnt candle wicks. 

5.  Before Sex in the City, Sarah Jessica Parker was Annie on Broadway. 

6. When I wrote #5, I remembered that Sarah Jessica Parker can also be found starring along side Helen Hunt and Shannen Dougherty in one of my favorite '80's movies- Girls Just Want to Have Fun! 

7. Cyndi Lauper, who wrote and sang Girls Just Want to Have Fun also is responsible for Goonies R Good Enough,  the theme song to The Goonies. 

8.  Molly Ringwald was in the first few episodes of The Facts of Life. 

9.  When I think of soap operas, 

I think over the top, very dramatic and sexified. 

I think big city! 

However, did you know the soap opera - The Young & the Restless takes place in Genoa City WISCONSIN? 

(This one's for you mom!) 

10. I still watch episodes of Freaks & Geeks and wonder how it only lasted one season? 

The amount of talent on that show is ridiculous and speaks of a calling card for Hollywood today. 

Seth Rogen, Jason Segal, James Franco. Linda Cardellini, Busy Phillips, Judd Apatow.....

What things do you know that you shouldn't?

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