Jen and I (and our families) made it through the MS walk. It was only 2.5 miles but there were a lot of steep hills! Check out the one behind us in the above picture. It felt worse than it looks and that wasnt the worst one! Thats ok, I needed the exercise. Even Steve, who walks for a living was feeling it afterward. We walked in Simsbury at the Westminster prep school. We lucked out with a beautiful day a really pretty walk. The shirts we are wearing were donated by a friend of my stepmother Sue. They read "Team Root, in memory of Sandi Root (Jens mother in law) and in honor of Sue Buck". That was really cool. Our team (9 adults and 4 kids and 2 dogs) came in 5th place for raising the most money at just about a thousand dollars. Hopefully this is something we will both continue in the future. We all had a lot of fun!

RICHIE BUCKS 15 MINUTES OF FAME

Everyone check out my sister Suzie's blog for my dads 15 minutes of fame. http://dorothygale.blogspot.com/. My dad grew up with John Ashton, who went on to star in many movies and tv shows. Most notably in my opinion as Detective Taggart in "Beverly Hills Cop". Click here for a list of all his accreditation's. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039226/. They grew up right in Enfield and were friends throughout middle school and high school. Anyway, dad hasn't seen him since high school and John happened to be in Florida for a celebrity golf tournament. My dad ended up walking the course with John and was introduced to several celebrities. Don't ask me who, their mostly sports people so I forget. If anyones that interested I will ask Steve, he knows. After they got together and reminisced over some beers and saw each other again the next day. (It seems Dad had one too many as shown in the picture!) Suzie and her family were in FL while this was all going on so she got some pictures. Maybe Suz will blog about it some more, but dad says he had some really cool stories about celebs. He hangs out with Robert Di Nero sometimes (they did Midnight Run together) and he just did a movie (not yet out yet) directed by Ben Afflack! And much to our surprise, we learned he once went out with my mother, right before my dad asked her out. Steve says "You guys could have been celebrity children like Paris Hilton!" Hahahaha

Sorry its been a while kids. Ryan has decided he doesnt require sleep. He seems to forget how crabby Mommy can be when sleep deprived. There have been nights when I have been up every hour, two if Im really lucky. I will blog more when I can keep my eyes open without toothpicks and 18 cups of coffee.

HEHEHEHE

This is too funny not to share!

1. go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. click "Get Directions"
7. Read and scroll down

Mary Jo, maybe you can use this on an RSD call!

Know what I love about Zachary? Most times he is like any other 11 year old boy - he knows his mom is a dork, he's too cool to talk to me in public or hold my hand anymore, he doesnt want
any part of family time, and is famous for saying "You people just dont understand me" (you people meaning Steve and I). But beneath all that sometimes rough around the edges, is a kid who hugs and kisses me good night and snuggles in with the stuffed bunny(Fluffy) I bought him the Easter he was 4. I love that kid!

SMOOCHIE SMOOCHIE

The other night Steve brought home Chinese. I ate a fortune cookie and this was my fortune, again, I will preempt with "I swear I'm not joking". Ok here's my big fortune. DON'T KISS AN ELEPHANT ON THE LIPS TODAY"...What in the sam hell kind of fortune is that? What happened to "your a lovely person and will have a windfall of money come your way". Did the fortune cookie physics go on strike or something?Ok fine, I will try and refrain just for today, there will be no elephant kissing. Got it. Oh, and in case anyone is wondering "Hai-zi" means "children" in Chinese. Sounded like a sneeze to me.

Birthday Girls

Happy Birthday to my 2 adorable nieces. Ally and Emma both turn one within a few days of each other. (Emmas 5 days older). I love you both!

GET OUTTA MY KIDS FACE!

Yesterday Ryan and I were at the mall. We were at the Clinique counter and I was waiting for the lady to ring up my purchase. Ryan was in his stroller. This woman who worked at one of the other make up counters, came over to us and started talking to the baby and trying to make him smile. As if I wernt uncomfortable enough with her being in his face, she then took his binki out of his mouth! Dont people realize thats not cool? You dont touch someone elses baby when your a stranger. I dont know where her hands have been, or what germs she has! Its just not right. I didnt know what to say to her, so I just moved him out of the line of fire. What should I have said? I didnt want to be rude, but I cant let people get in his face either. I find it easier to tell a young kid not to get so close because they dont know any better, but an adult should know better. I dont mind kids I know, like my nieces and nephews and my friends kids are ok to get down to his level and talk to him or whatever. But I did have a problem with a small kid with a runny nose Ive never seen before at Zacharys basketball game. He was trying hard to pet and kiss Ryan. When I told Steve about the mall incident, he was actually pissed that an adult would have the nerve to touch something that goes in a babys mouth. He said "usually you think of the right thing to say once its over but I cant even think of what I would have said to her! "Then he came up with "Touch my kid again and I will hit you in the face with a shovel ". He probably really would say that too. He is way better at speaking up than I am not to mention very protective of me and teh kids. Ryan who is now smiling all the time, wouldnt cave for this lady. Who can blame him, she was a freakaziod. He was thinking "Who is this whackadoodle in my face and why is she wearing so much make up?"
But seriously, any suggestions? I was stunned and didnt know how to handle it!

CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET?

Who ever said "dont let tv babysit your kids" was obviously nuts and didn't have children. At 3 months old Ryan is already mesmerized by tv. Often times not paying attention to his bottle when I feed him in the living room and Steve has a hockey game on. Ryan is already aware that we are not big fans of Rachael Ray but we love Dr. Phil and Oprah. Oh and he knows every little detail of Erica Kane's life on All my Children. I do think kids can benefit to learn from tv if your watching the right show. We've already learned so much by watching Rosie Odonnell. This morning, I had some MS stuff to do on the computer so I tried to be a good parent and instead of watching Regis and Kelly (repeat anyway- as my Reeg is still recovering from heart surgery) I turned on On Demand and tuned into Sesame Street. Zachary never watched it because when he was little it was on at 6 am, and my 2nd shift baby and I were still in dream land at that time. And there was no on Demand or DVR back in the day. We caught it every once in a while but thats it. So its been a while. But even still, as soon as the jingle comes on, I can sing every word. After watching a few episodes, heres what I have observed.
I still cant get over that Elmo is played by a big black man. That mans got some talent to make his voice do that. Either that or he has no balls.
Speaking of Elmo, I think everyone should have a fish named Dorothy to confide in and a friend named Mr. Noodle to help answer everyday questions like "What should we wear when it rains?" A fire suit? NOOOOOO!'
Im really hoping Ryan doesnt start referring to himself in the 3rd party when he starts talking as Elmo does. "Elmo loves Dorothy" "Elmo wants to hold baby" "Elmo likes the rain"...etc....
Snuffolufogus really needs to trim his eyebrows. I dont know how that dude even sees.
Bert and Ernie were without a doubt, tv's first gay couple. Not that theres anything wrong with that. But cmon folks they sleep in the same room and there not even brothers. When Ernie gets scared in the night, he crawls into Burts bed. Um hmmm. And Bert is always yelling at Ernie like an old married couple. Im pretty sure Ive actually seen them go in and out of their closet. Did they suspect we wouldn't notice what they were implying?
I love Oscar the grouch. He appreciates sarcasm and passes it along to little children.
I love Cookie Monster because he likes cookies and well, I do too.
Grover has some serious dance moves. Maybe he could teach me?
Maria and Luis seem to never age. How can that happen? I watched them 30 years ago and I swear they still look exactly the same.
I really love those "yippers". I dont know their actual name. But they look like a deflated cookie monster. Theres one blue and one pink one. And all they do is go "yip yip yip yip yip" in an animated way and it cracks me up. Does anyone know their name?
The count is still creepy to me. Anyone who laughs like that to children is probably a pedophile. Im sorry, I know thats an awful thing to say, but think about it. Do you know anyone else who laughs like that? I didnt think so.
I cant believe that Caroll Spinney who plays Big Bird is 70 and yet Im still seeing big bird on roller skates. I saw a PBS show about him once and he obviously is not as tall as big bird. The top of his head is about at Big Birds neck, and he has this scope thingy that he looks into to see. Big birds mouth is actually Carolls hand. So his hand is always above his head operating the mouth to talk, while looking through a scope to see all the while on roller skates! Whoa. That's impressive. I cant even pat my head and rub my belly simultaneously.
When I was a kid I always wanted to be one of those kids on Sesame Street. I wanted to sit on that stoop with Maria and just hang. I envied Jose and Juan cuz they got to hang and why cant I? After watching today, I still do! Oh and Jose and Juan havnt aged either.
So it seems theres always things to learn on Sesame Street. I cant wait for my next lesson! Now I cant get the Elmo tune out of my head! "La la le la, la la le la Elmos World!"

Heres a few more that I couldnt resist posting. What can I say, Im a proud mama!

DRUMROLL PLEASE............

The moment we have all been waiting for. My little boy in his first uniform! Nice Huh? Come to the Shad Derby in may and you might even find him patrolling around or directing traffic! Were so proud of him. Doesn't he look smashing? He's so grown up! I swear he is only about 4 years old. Where does the time go?

BRACES

Blue and green braces. Luckily the colors can be changed frequently! He was going to get blue and white. To match his brand new sneaks. But green was far too tempting. Oh if only life were that simple again!

DUMBASS!

I was reading a snipit on aol about the 20 worst song lyrics. And the #1 spot made me chuckle. The worst song lyric was in the song "Smooth Operator" by Sade. You all know that song. Sing with me now. "Coast to Coast L.A. to Chicago...."....HUH? LA to Chicago is not coast to coast! LMAO..I never noticed, I always just sang! Hey, she could come work for AA, she'd fit right in with those I (and Mary Jo and formally Judy and Crystal) work with who think you need a passport to get to New Mexico!