We Will Meet Meet and Talk With Friends... Speak of Everything and Nothing...We WIll Laugh and Reminisce

I took a picture of this at Anthropologie, but the stock picture on the website did it much more justice. Loved it and immediately "got it", but decided to save the 15 bucks...maybe next time though. It reminded me of my last trip to Utica to see my dear friend Tara and her family. Precious times, really. And, as always, with old friends the conversation just flows. I love the "speak of everything and nothing"... those have always been our conversations. It's easy. Love it and miss it.


I love seeing this. I think she and I imagined it this way in high school...

Love these two...

The Beach

Last summer, we went to the Jersey Shore. We chose a more secluded beach to avoid fist pumping and cat fighting made famous on TV. I thought that since we were in that vicinity of the country, not going to the ocean was a bad move. Truth be told, we hated it. It was over 95 degrees. The sand burned our feet. The water was too scary for the kids. Adam's sensory quirks were not conducive at all to being covered with sand. There was little interest in building or digging in the sand. So, this year we were invited to Crystal Beach in Canada with a friend. I reluctantly agreed to go, secretly hoping that we'd wind up in her nice clean backyard pool.
Well, subtract 15 degrees, add a breeze, and a less threatening body of water, and we had a blast! Maybe we're beach people after all!

Swimming!

Snack time! Watch those birds! Everyone loves a beach nap
Castle O 'Vinkle


Lots of body burying...
Loving that water!

But When You Think Tim McGraw, I Hope You Think My Favorite Song...

I love country music, many of the lyrics are ones that have spoken to certain places and times in my life. Have you noticed several references in my blog? Like here, here, here, here, and here

My Aunt Kathy was amazing enough to GIVE us some concert tickets to Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, and The Band Perry this past weekend. I knew they'd be great seats, but had no clue they were going to be FIRST ROW center.


I have a feeling they are definitely up and coming... The Band Perry.

Luke Bryan was really good, (and just a little bit attractive)

In case you want a second look
TIm McGraw... we were sooo close!!

Me being cheesy

Disney 2011

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia. ~Author Unknown

This quote could not ring more true for the trip we just took! While a wonderful and unforgettable time, we had some, ummm... moments. Vacations with kids has an oxymoronic quality... but honestly I would not have it any other way. A quick four day jaunt to Orlando was the vacation this time... stayed on Disney property at the All Star Movies Resort and had a jammed packed schedule. As with most things, the planning was all futile, and we wound up having to make lots of adjustments for two little guys in 90 degree heat and LOTS of walking. We enjoyed the theme parks, good food, and they LOVED swimming in the pools.
Moms planning a Disney trip with kids too big to want strollers but too small for a full day, be sure to make your plans for parks on half day increments... and take time to rest up in-between! Do what the kids want and are enjoying, not what you think should be a part of "the plan". I mean, who knew that the mist sprayers in Adventure Land would provide to much joy??
And, if at all possible opt for direct flights, and use, buy, or borrow a portable DVD player.

I smile looking at our pictures... and, you can thank me later for collaging them and not making you look at a 115 picture album. (-:

“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” Lucille Ball

It was another great year, and I celebrated my 25th birthday simply with friends and family, and for the 6th year straight!

It began on Thursday night, where my sister and I celebrated our birthday's with our mom(we're 72 hours shy of being Irish twins). We had an amazing dinner at Encore in Buffalo. Check out their menu, and yes, it's as good as it sounds. I had duck. It was awesome. Then, we checked out Dreamgirls at the local theater, Shea's. What a treat!

The big news for The Vinkle LIfe:
It's now published, thanks to my thoughtful hubby who somehow in his techie ways, made me these beautiful book- hard bound versions of this blog. There's just something about flipping through the printed version of the last couple years of our lives that really is amazing and touching...you cannot put a price tag on that feeling.


And, thanks again to Paul and the boys for helping me enter the world of e-readers. I am loving The Nook so far. I already borrowed and loaded two e-books from the public library on it! It's a whole new experience for me, and so far would definitely recommend it! This was sort of a "bonus gift", as we had decided to get one anyway, so it just turned into a present. My sister Sarah also knows me well, and the Barnes and Noble gift card she gave me will be put to great use!



This gift from my friend Nancy was quite a pleasant suprise as well... I have been admiring this pattern and thinking "well, when it's on sale with an additional 30% off and free shipping then I will get it"...
What a blessing!

And, I luckily get to have more fun this year, as my sister Eileen knows full well about my mascara problem... can't wait to try them all!

What The Little One Is Doing...

Wooden Peg Puzzles? A joke.
24 pieces? Whatever.
Even a 36 piecer is no match for the (self proclaimed)
PUZZLE MASTER


Some of our favorites include this and this from Crocodile Creek, and this one by Mudpuppy.

Tag Me

I have a good husband.

Chances are you have a good husband/significant other/friend.

But, next time you open a spatula and socks for Christmas or your birthday, you might wish you had these.
(for the record, this has not happened to me lately)


Old Navy, $3.99

Just the 4 of Us

We had a great vacation!!
Great in the sense that we got away, saw some sights, and had some time away from the responsibility of everyday life.

Great also in the sense that it was just us. I am certainly not complaining about the fact that we have a ton of help in the form of loving family who love our kids and want to see (and babysit) them as often as possible. I know it's a luxury that few have.

But, it's also nice to be just us.

Here are some highlights from our Sesame Place/Adventure Aquarium/ Beach day (which lasted about 2 hours plus driving due to heat. We found a cute farm to go to at night)/ Chocolate World trip.

Try This!

I have been known to forget all about my overgrown eyebrows for obscene lengths of time. Truthfully, I just don't think about it. Once in a while, I horrify myself as I catch a glimpse in the rearview mirror, but then usually am on to the next thing and just forget.
So, when my sister told me to walk with her in the mall to get my eyebrows threaded the other night, swearing it was quick and mostly painless, I agreed. To me, threading involves a needle. Fortunately, the hair removal process of the same name does not. It was quick, intricate, and definitely impressive (and only ten bucks).

Here is how wikepedia.com defines this process:
Threading is an ancient method of hair removal practiced in many Asian countries, including Iran, India, Vietnam, China and some Arabic nations.
Practitioners use a pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, moustaches and so on, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing where a single hair is pulled out each time, threading can remove an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line. However, due to a larger area of hair being removed at once, it can be quite painful for some.
Like other methods of hair removal such as plucking or waxing, threading can result in skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
As the top layers of skin are not peeled or traumatized, if done properly, threading is an alternative for those with sensitive skin or who use Retin-A, Accutane, and similar products.

Watch here:


Now, I am not going to lie to you, it did not tickle, but it was WAY less painful than tweezing or waxing. There was some redness, but not so much that I felt the stares of others like when I have waxed in the past. And, most definitely it did not rip my skin off or burn me, like what happened before my senior prom (that story is for another day...)

These pics aren't the best, a little creepy even, but you can get the idea

Our "Staycation"

A little school break in the middle of winter prompted us to book a room at the Great Wolf Lodge . There are several locations, but we chose the one right across the border to get away overnight. Who does not love a 10 minute drive (and thankfully a free and clear border) to a place that makes you feel like you're hours away.
This place was tailored to kids (but with plenty of adult friendly amenities), and the water park was a blast. I have not felt that completely worn out, swimming all day in warm weather feeling in so many years- it was a nostalgic feeling!
But unfortunately, the water area was not camera friendly... but there are a few videos from inside the water park at the end.

"This is how you swim"

So excited to be here!

A new way to play skee-ball, apparently.

The cool Adirondack Chair


The Moose, Bear and Tree who performed a little show for the kids.

There were tons of cool carvings like this around.

Quirk: def: A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy

SORT OF...

"Every man had his own quirks and twists" (Harriet Beecher Stowe).


I am the kind of person who is probably annoyingly diplomatic, until I reach a point where I am just done and spill out some borderline inappropriate, but usually true, statement about the situation . ( I've gotten more than a few raised eyebrows and chuckles out of my chosen few I let see that side...)

When watching TV in my bedroom I have to know exactly where both remotes are or I just can't relax...

I've been known to have 25 windows open at once on my computer and not even know it...

I have a strict system at Target for shopping end caps. Only my sister Sarah gets it. Straying from it ruins the whole experience for me.

I truly do not like others doing my laundry. While putting it away is no fun, I do have a specific way I want things washed, dried, and hung up/folded. (Paul sighs with relief...)

I do not like to wear foundation makeup... I just feel gross all day. So, I skip it and hope for the best!

I check my e-mail like 20 times per day... I never get any but always hope! You'd think I would have given up by now (or started sending an e-mail once in a while)!


These are some of mine... I'm dying to know some of yours....

Exactly What I Needed

A few weeks ago I just had this feeling that I needed a friend. But, not just any friend... my "BFF" Tara. We must have been on the same wavelength because after a series of text messages (the preferred communication method between busy moms these days), or trip was planned. We got Adam all pumped to see his Selah Grace, and made the trek to Utica, NY for some relaxation. Now, mind you, relaxation is a different thing with 4 kids under 4 in one house, but we make the most of it! Let's just say that this was exactly what I needed. Several (many) cups of coffee, conversations that were (semi) able to be completed, seeing the kids play (fight), and some after-the-kids-were-in-bed reminiscing (bantering) about old times with Tara and her husband.... perfect (missed).

I also take this opportunity to give an excerpt of 3 year old conversation:
Selah: Adam, dance with me!
Adam: No thanks
Selah: Please Adam?
Adam: I no dance
Selah: But I'm a princess (lip quivering)
(both moms crack up)


So, here are some highlights... the camera got a little neglected this time.

I gave up getting them to "say cheese"

Seriously gorgeous. My future daughter-in-law (crossed fingers)

Adam attempts a smooch

Mother Nature Missed the Memo

The headlines were national..
Travelers were stranded, roads and schools closed, flights cancelled,kids were bundled up having snowball fights! Winter was here in full force.
In Virginia.
Yes that's right folks. Buffalo, NY celebrated Christmas with green grass and, blah, rain.

But, apparently mother nature missed the memo and the white stuff arrived a few days later. So, here are some highlights (Zachary was napping during the backyard fun).

The big wet flakes drew a crowd!

Did I forget to brush my hair? Yikes.

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid"

Snow Angel!

Just a dusting, but we'll take it.

Mittens and snowball making do not go hand in hand.