My Favorite Lurker

I had an interesting conversation with my oldest sister last week. She was complaining that her boys hijack her laptop and she never gets to use it. Then she told me that she found the laptop unattended for a moment and decided to check her email. When she got to the laptop, guess what page was opened? MY BLOG! Apparently, my 15 year-old nephew is a lurker on my blog. I figured I'd take this opportunity to thank him. Here are some pictures of the nephew:

"Please don't take my picture."

He doesn't smile much and when he does, it's usually more of a smirk. You have to be quick with the camera to catch it.

"Uh oh, I see a camera. I'm outta here"

A nice picture with his mom.

Nephew and his cousin, mini-me.

"Ugh, why does Auntie Laura make us pose for pictures with her?!"

Here I am imitating his non-smiling face.

I hope he's not too embarrassed by this but I'm willing to bet that none of his friends read my blog, so it should be okay. Oh, and I want him to know that I love him. So much. I wish I could pinch his cheeks right now and give him a kiss.

Birthday Recap

I feel as though I've been celebrating turning 40 for the last two weeks. It started with a dinner for my BFF's 40th, organized by her husband. He was kind enough to put my name on the cake as well. Our birthdays are only nine days apart.

Then, this past weekend, I went out with some friends that I met through work ten years ago in Boston. We call ourselves "The Vault" (more on that in another post).

The Vault took me out to dinner and gave me a beautiful Pandora bracelet.

The bracelet has a treasure chest charm on it. It took me a minute to figure it out but I realized that it symbolizes a vault. They are so clever!

Today was the actual day and it was great! I was kind of dreading it for a while, but fortunately for me, I have some really great people in my life.

First, I slept in a bit, which was glorious. Then I looked at my blog and saw this post from my sister. I laughed and I cried. It was sweet and touching. I loved it. She did a great job. It was a wonderful surprise.

Next, I headed off to meet my best friend for breakfast. She had her three kids with her and I just adore them. They are three of the most well-behaved children you could ever meet.

After breakfast came some gifts:

This gift was a beautiful silver necklace with the letter L on it. My three friends and I decided to get each other this necklace for our 40th birthdays. We all have it. Here it is on my friend Janie:

After that I went to the mall to meet Kelly and her boys. We had a great time just leisurely shopping.

For dinner I went to Kelly's where she made my favorite: her meatballs (they're famous in my family) and spaghetti. My parents came over as well.

The kids loved helping me blow out the candles.

I received some wonderful gifts: a new power cord for my computer and a purse that I really wanted.

My parents gave me these:

I've always wanted diamond earrings I thought 40 might be a good age to get them.

I had such a great day. I'm almost sad to see it end. End it must, though. I need to get to bed. I'm an old lady now, you know.

Happy Birthday Laura!!

*Warning - this is a long post*
Written by Kelly a part-time contributor on Laura's blog



Today is Laura's Birthday. I don't know if you've heard, it's a BIG ONE. Laura's turning the BIG 4-0 today. If you see her today, please be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday. Some of her Bestest Friends will not see her today, so they wanted to make her feel special. You know, on her 40th Birthday!




Here are a few pictures of Laura growing up.

This is a classic taken by our Mom. Someone's head was always cut off. This was taken at Disney World. A long, long time ago.

I like to call this photo the "Farrah Facett"

I took this one from our parents house. date: late 80's

A rare photo of Laura and our brother, Tom together.

The Sisters. From an early age we always lined up according to birth-order. As you can see we still do it.

The first one to comment was Laura's friend Jen Franklin……
Happy Birthday to my friend Laura. In the most simplistic terms, you're the Yin to my Yang, you're the Blanche to my Dorothy, the Beagle to my BT, the cabbage to my curry, need I say more? Actually yes, I do need to say more. You are also my daily call, my shoulder to lean/cry on, my friend to laugh with....usually uncontrollably, and the girl that I call my best friend. You are truly beautiful inside and out. I hope you enjoy the photo below of me doing my best Poopa impersonation, I know "he" would like it! Happy Birthday you old fart!

Next up – Kelly Lessard:
I met Laura 8 years ago at work (Loomis). We became instant friends. Along with our friend Paula, the three of us had lunch together everyday. When we weren't laughing our heads off we were coming up with inventions and ideas to become millionaires. Those ideas obviously did not pan out but through those lunches and laughs I gained something some millionaires never find - a forever friend. Laura is one of the wittiest, funniest, people I know. She is clever and creative. Most of all she has a kind heart and is a very loyal friend. I am extremely lucky to have her friendship.
Happy 40th Birthday my Forever Friend!
Much love, Kelly Lessard



Hi Aunty Laura

Happy 40th birthday i love you so much and i will never forget all the fun times we have had at our "girls night out". Whenever i hear the songs hey mickey and total eclipse of the heart i think of you and only have the fondest memories. I hope you have an amazing birthday

love
Bubbaloo.
One of my favorite pictures of the Bubbaloo when she was little. She's all growed up now :(


Some pictures from some of Laura's oldest and dearest frinds. Some of them have been friends since elementary school.








Here are a couple of pictures from her Birthday Dinner with "The Vault". This group of friends all met through work. I think only one person is still at the firm, but these ladies have become great friends. I wish I had a group photo. (hint, hint - next time you guys get together)



Some of Laura's newest friends.

Photo courtesy of "thecoupongoddess.com"

Melanie and Laura

Photo courtesy of "MassholeMommy.com"

Robin and Laura at the Toy Story 3 Disney on Ice Social Media Event

Photo courtesy of "Mommycosm.com"

Kim took this one of Laura at the Sea World Media Event in Boston

Auntie Laura and B.

Happy Birthday to the Bestest Sister and my Best Friend in the whole wide world. I hope you have a great birthday and an amazing year. I could go on and on, but we'd both end up in tears and the purpose of this post is to make you laugh and feel loved. Are you feeling the love?

Happy Birthday!

Love, Doggie

Disney on Ice-Toy Story 3

If you're looking for something fun to do with the kids this week I highly recommend Disney on Ice-Toy Story 3.

I had the opportunity to attend their opening night last Friday and I had a blast. This was a wonderful event for bloggers and their families. Since I don't have children and my sis and her family couldn't make it, I went solo.

I was so impressed with the show. A few of the other bloggers and I had several conversations that started like this: "How do they do that?" We were wondering how the characters with four legs are able to skate around and not fall down. I don't think I could skate on my two legs and not fall down.

Truth be told, I'm impressed with just about anything Disney does. If it has the Disney name on it, you can bet it's the best quality.

So, if you're looking to take the kids on a really cool outing this week, take them to see this. You won't regret it.

Have fun!

Bargain of the Week

Written by Kelly, a part-time contributor to this blog

Over the weekend I took the family to the mall. My Mom had told me that Land's End was having their Winter Sale. Whenever I can, I try to buy the kids coats for next year. By the time I got there it was pretty picked over, but I was still able to find a few gems. The Shirt below was on clearance for $8.70, after the discounts it was $1.74. At that price I wish they had more.

Below is the rest of what I purchased. A toasty jacket for Meg for next year and a jacket for one of the boys. I also got the Hubby a sweater in his favorite color. The sweater was a bargain at $6.93 (regular price $50.00).

Here's the price tag from the boys jacket. After the discounts I paid $9.73

Sometimes it's worth schlepping the whole family to the mall. I love Land's End clothing. They really hold up to the kids beating on them. I'm even happier when I can get quality clothing for such a great price.

*Disclaimer* The above opnions are strictly my own and I was not compensated in any way from Land's End

And the winner is...

The winner of the SeaWorld Family Four pack is..

Tara!

Wow what a great giveaway! Thank you!

Tara G

Thank you to everyone who entered

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Since I live alone, my bathroom door remains open at all times.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Wordless Wednesday

Someday we'll be enjoying the sandy beaches again...

SeaWorld Event Plus a Giveaway!

*Update: this giveaway has ended. Thank you to all who entered.*

Last week I had the opportunity at attend an event held at the Royal Sonesta hotel in Cambridge. Representatives from SeaWorld were visiting and they brought some of their feathered (and scaly) friends with them.

First we met this guy:

Yes, he's a guy, even though he's pink. He's a Spoonbill Bird. I understand that he's just going to get pinker as he ages. I think I'm in love!

Next we met this scary guy:

He's an alligator. I thought he was a crocodile, but he has a pointed nose/snout and that makes him an alligator. I was able to act like I wasn't scared because the SeaWorld lady held him the whole time.

Lastly, they showed us these two. I really fell in love with these penguins. Who wouldn't? They're so cute. I wanted to put them in my bag and take them home. Then I found out that they like it cold, even inside, and I decided against it.

After they showed us all the cool animals they gave us lunch. It was mostly kid-friendly food. This was a parent/kid event, after all. This was fine with me. Anyone who knows me knows that I have the eating habits of a four-year-old. I was in heaven.

They even had cookies as big as my face. For real!

Are you ready for the best part? SeaWorld has agreed to give one of my readers FOUR TICKETS to SeaWorld Orlando. They're good for anytime in 2011. Are you heading there with the family? Why not enter to win. I promise you won't be disappointed with all that SeaWorld has to offer.

To enter just leave your first name and last initial, plus your email address. The contest ends Monday, February 21 at 11:59 pm, EST. Good luck!

*Special thanks to Mom Central and SeaWorld for this wonderful event. I attended this event free of charge. All opinions are my own.*