A Life Lesson

The kids tested for their tiger belt in Karate today. That would be a striped yellow/orange belt. The kids are really enjoying Karate. They go to Elite Freestyle Karate; the school motto is 'Arm Yourself With Life skills'. Last week we took them to the school's 'Black belt Extravaganza'. This kids got to see the brown belts test to earn their black belts. It was only a fraction of what these kids had to do to be awarded their black belts, but it did teach my kids what it meant to go to Karate and what attaining the goal of Black belt meant. Zac was wide eyed when their instructors did a wood breaking demonstration. Both Jac and Zac are motivated to take the challenge of earning a black belt.

This week's Karate lesson was conflict resolution. The kids learn how to deal with bullies. The students are taught to find a solution using their words. After Karate, we were driving through our town. The kids noticed some peace demonstrators standing at roadside with signs to stop the war and waving peace flags. Jackie asked what those people were doing. We recognized a friend of Mimi and Papa's we affectionately have nicknamed 'Big Bob'.

It was a perfect teaching opportunity. I explained to my kids that those citizens were free to voice their feelings that the war should be stopped. I reminded them that our country was fighting a war in Iraq and our young soldiers were in Iraq putting themselves in danger's way because the leaders of our country ordered them to be in Iraq to 'solve a conflict' I explained that war was the worst fight ever and that people get killed with guns and weapons. I explained that in Iraq there were people who were innocent and peaceful and there were also terrorists causing lots of trouble and hurting people all around the world, the worst bullies imaginable. I said that some people in America feel that our soldiers should be in Iraq to control those bullies. That is what our soldiers are doing, but they get hurt and killed doing so. Other Americans, like 'Big Bob' feel we should try to solve the conflict with actions of peace, use of words, so we don't kill our precious soldiers. I said that our country has to make a difficult decision how to solve this conflict happening between the mean troublemakers and people who follow some rules of peace.

I knew they understood what I was saying because then they pointed out some of the bullies in their class don't follow the rules and get into trouble and can be bad. Wow, these kids are smart, they get it. I would never have had that serendipitous opportunity had it not been for the lesson of the week at karate and then seeing some peace demonstrators. Elite Freestyle Karate, you ARE arming my children with life skills….Thank you! I will end with saying, I love that my kids are going to Karate. Next visit at EFK, I hope to get a picture of the kids at Karate with the leaders that are showing them such valuable life lessons.

Greetings Winter

Remember what I said about it not feeling like winter or Christmas for that matter, nevermind, forget what I said. Three days later, a snow storm, a Christmas mystery ride revealed, winter has arrived. Last night, we surprised the kids with a mystery ride to a Polar Express ride on the Essex Steam Train in Conneticut. The first snow of the season was bonus. We listened to the high school superbowl on the radio, the Reading Rockets defeated Natick for the state championship.

Here we are waiting for the Polar Express. The train station had imagination stations for the kids to play at and a toy train display to view.

The announcement was made that we were heading to the North Pole and Santa would be making his round on the train.

We were invited to join the Ferrone family car. Our friends and neighbors from Long Island had reserved an entire car of the train for their own clan. Here is Lisa and Scott, our next door neighbors from our Long Island days gone by. They have a 5 year old son named Tyler.

Coloring books were handed out and Jackie decided to color a picture for Santa.

Santa arrived, and to his surprise Jackie gave him a picture.

"For me?" he said.

He graciously thanked Jac and Zac for the thoughtful gifts and tucked them into his boots for safe keeping. I think Jackie and Zac remain on his nice list.

Here's Scott and Tyler visiting with the Boston 'cousins'.

We sang Carols lead by Santa's helpers, enjoyed the bells given by Santa and had hot chocolate while viewing the lights and snow out the window.

Mrs. Claus came for a visit and we thanked her for the hot chocolate and cookies she made.

The snow was welcomed by all kids, there were many tongues catching the flakes.

Waking to a bright sunny day and freshly fallen snow cover is a delight.

New Englanders know how to embrace winter. As I snuck away to do kid-free grocery duty, I took a little detour to get some fresh air and enjoy the scenes of first snowfall. As I drove through a nearby state park, I saw lots of dog walkers, some mountain bikers on the trails and other photographers excited about the first snow.

Ok, back to getting the groceries......

Farewell To Fall

With Thanksgiving behind us, the pumpkins and Autumn wreath have been replaced with Christmas decorations. The holiday season is in full momentum. Today's weather started with a driving rain, only to clear into a sunny windy day with record temperatures hitting a high of 68 degrees in Boston. We have only had a few frigid days so far. It doesn't feel like December never mind Christmas, but we have carols playing on the radio, the holiday push commercials and empty bank accounts to remind us we are to be merry and bright. I had little time to slow down to enjoy my most favorite time of the year, now it's gone! This fall was busy. The kids after school activities were swim, soccer, and karate. We all came down with swine flu right at Halloween while having west coast visitors here for a visit. I was sick for 3 weeks with a bonus of pneumonia and an ear infection. I've recovered just in time for the hustle and bustle of the holiday errands and duties. I haven't played with the camera as much as I would like this fall, but here is a tidbit of our fall happenings.

Our good family friend, Sheila, knit these sweaters for the kids. I promised I would send her some photos of the kids modeling the sweaters. Beautiful sweaters, beautiful kids (if I do say so myself).

Jac-n-Zac trick or treating at our next door neighbors home with their pal Lucy.


Here they are saying hello to our other next door neighbor, Richard.

Here is Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kitty. We were all sick on Halloween. I couldn't say no to trick or treating....the kids wouldn't have that! Grampsy and cousin Bryon had come a long way to watch the kids trick or treat. Ahh, the dilemmas of parenting. Needless to say, I didn't make much of an effort to get that perfect Halloween shot.



Here is team Charge. It was Zac and Jac's first year playing soccer.