urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli "What was I doing again?" mommartinelli 2009-03-19T04:18:50Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:39531 2009-03-19T04:18:50Z 2009-03-19T04:18:50Z I am no longer posting here. I will delete this if I can ever figure out how. In the mean time, you can read our blog at <a href="http://aslanssong.wordpress.com">http://aslanssong.wordpress.com</a>. I have moved all the old posts there as well so that nothing should be lost. See you there! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:39252 2008-08-06T03:18:44Z 2008-08-06T03:18:44Z July was filled with trips to the lake, the pool, fireworks, and of course, gymnastics. We even squeezed in a hike! It's probably good that there was only one, because July was hot, humid, and sticky! The dog days of summer indeed! :oP<br /><br />Hiking with Hiking Summit County<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2733745179_5462e0b804.jpg?v=0" /><br />I suppose it's technically sitting with Hiking Summit County, but you get the idea...<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2734577142_8aaca53201.jpg?v=0" /><br />Heron along the trail.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2734575590_052d7e8904.jpg?v=0" /><br />Dragonfly by the pond<br /><br /><br />At the lake<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2734591134_d948d64e92.jpg?v=0" /><br />Gregory, Ian and Tess splash in the water.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2734596260_d2bcda9ac2.jpg?v=0" /><br />Jeanne<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2733765017_a000bc1187.jpg?v=0" /><br />Jason<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2734595606_f9dba1f250.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2734597956_246b392fb3.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2734596822_67493b47d8.jpg?v=0" /><br />Lunch<br /><br />Tess had summer camp, which meant I killed time at the park<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2734606364_b0f96b24e9.jpg?v=0" /><br />Helping Eric master the fine art of table tennis<br /><br />And, of course, the kids had gymnastics<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2734611550_8f19b058e5.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess and Emma<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2734611126_2230ec52fd.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian and Gregory<br /><br />I told you we were busy! :o)<br /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:39155 2008-08-06T03:00:21Z 2008-08-06T03:00:21Z I am hopelessly behind with the blog and I don't know how I can ever hope to catch up, but I'll give it my best shot. June was busy with trips to the zoo, trips to Nature Realm, hiking and planting. My birthday was here before I knew it! :o)<br /><br />We went with some members of our local homeschool group to the Akron Zoo. No stitches this time, yea!!<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/2733733191_52c1d3fa62.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />At the Nature Realm<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2734573458_edbb19d19a.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian and Gregory are seeking shade.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2734628404_897b7d68be.jpg?v=0" /><br />The girls are the picture of sweet innocence. If only it were true...<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2733798215_ed8c144287.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Eric have no idea who caused all that trouble. Really! That's not a maniacal grin...<br /><br />Some of the jellies at the new zoo exhibit. Very cool!<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2734560652_4d6e60ac08.jpg?v=0" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:38780 2008-07-07T00:24:40Z 2008-07-07T00:29:14Z kids in bath! Visit <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/byourlove1/">Homeschooling and Loving It</a> to enter. <br /><br />Ok, so I don't really want you to win, I want to win, but hey, what can I say?! :oP urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:38616 2008-06-18T04:56:55Z 2008-06-18T04:56:55Z We hadn't been to the zoo in a while and the weather today was perfect. We met some friends there and had a really nice time.<br /><br />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2588471821_8eec7c7234.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian, Warren, and Tess in The Rainforest.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2589304922_1883d7da28.jpg?v=0" /><br />The kids really liked watching Blackie swim around.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2588473327_b5df2fe93d.jpg?v=0" /><br />The kids always love Touch: Amazing Rays and Sharks, and today we didn't have to wait in line! Ian is in the green shirt, Warren is in white.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2589306326_03e3fb4d03.jpg?v=0" /><br />Evan, Avery, and Tess (in white) at Touch: Amazing Rays and Sharks.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2589302180_8605f83130.jpg?v=0" /><br />Rays<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2588469179_95585535fe.jpg?v=0" /><br />We got to see the baby rhino! :o)<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2588474059_7532109ee9.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess admiring the Smooth-Sided Toad (he's hiding in the foilage).<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2588464531_693593e526.jpg?v=0" /><br />What soulful eyes. You can see the intelligence in them. <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2588465329_c91751f8db.jpg?v=0" /><br />And these eyes are cold and calculating. This picture makes me feel like I am truly eye to eye with a dinosaur. One that wants to eat me! <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2588472205_00f3391b93.jpg?v=0" /><br />Heading for the car at the end of the day. This is the tired kids preferred method of traveling through the zoo. Unfortunately the self-propelled version for mom is not yet available. :oP urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:38257 2008-06-18T04:33:32Z 2008-06-18T04:33:32Z This morning we met some friends at Monroe Falls for some lake swimming. It was really nice. The water was a bit cool as you went out, but since Warren was not too sure about that, I was stuck close to shore anyways! :o)<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2589331046_8eaecbd812.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian heading for Monroe Falls Lake<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2588496307_a40e9ce1eb.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian and Gregory<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2588497677_e2c0b040e5.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2588499005_02ca3c47e0.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren preferred to splash in the shallows. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:37887 2008-06-16T04:53:02Z 2008-06-16T04:55:31Z Untamed & Uncut on Animal Planet Ian, and I (and Tess on and off) worked all day on our gardens. We had started seeds in April and transplanted them mid-May, but the weird weather and Memorial Day frost killed off about half of our plants. Stacey told me about a really great farm that was selling plants cheap, so I went Saturday morning to see what they had. Here's my loot:<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2582364819_60062f74ae.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />So with a good bit of plants to plant it was time to get to work. Here are the before pictures:<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2582219737_be5a82ff8b.jpg?v=0" /><br />Garden 1 - we had transplanted our seedlings here in mid-May, but only the corn survived the Memorial Day frost.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2582220467_8e79a82eab.jpg?v=0" /><br />Future sight of garden 2.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2582364019_fc8b7e3111.jpg?v=0" /><br />No fancy rototillers here, just simple hand tools and lots of mom-kid muscle! :o)<br /><br />Our seedlings transplanted to containers have done fine. We're not sure why! <br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2582365481_de975c5a49.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tomato container - we started the seeds in April, moved to the container outside mid-May.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2583045952_7c038e0dfb.jpg?v=0" /><br />Beets and peppers. I have never grown beets before and wish I had planted more! <br /><br />With no room in the containers and not enough room in the 2 gardens we had already, we were going to have to dig up some turf and make another bed. We worked almost all day, starting at 10 this morning. We took a break from 1:00 - 3:00 to avoid the heat of the day.<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2582362917_693835ce5b.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian helped me all day. Here we are in the morning getting started. <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2583192354_1e4be49fd1.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess helped us on and off throughout the day.<br /><br />Here are the fruits of our labor:<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2582216679_1a1b8f09aa.jpg?v=0" /><br />Back door garden - I don't know how these plants will do as this area gets really wet when it rains, and does not receive full sun, but some of our seedlings transplanted here have done well. <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2583044680_8b40a83ef3.jpg?v=0" /><br />Garden 1<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2582217811_d52f477cae.jpg?v=0" /><br />Garden 2<br /><br />Here's to growing what you eat! Yippee! :o)<br />&nbsp; urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:37526 2008-06-08T03:32:24Z 2008-06-08T03:32:24Z dog snoring, seriously My friend found some groovy seventies pictures of her as a wee one and posted one to <a href="http://wendee.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/groovy/">her blog</a>. I thought I'd join the fun and see if I could get some other funky photos out there, so here are mine:<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/813802077_28c29c502f.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1392/813802155_fad0fcab70.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />Now it's YOUR turn. Get your plaid polyester groove on! :o) urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:37182 2008-06-03T01:47:57Z 2008-06-03T01:47:57Z <div align="left">This morning we met up with some of our friends at Hinckley Reservation to wade in the creek and enjoy the weather.<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2546167035_54bfbaa00b.jpg?v=0" /><br />Hinckley Reservation<br /><br />We discovered snakes - and <i>lots </i>of them. Immediately after arriving we could see three and when watching them dart off, we saw lots more. <br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2546993744_4061e1b59f.jpg?v=0" /><br />Northern Water Snake<br /><br />Thanks to the totally awesome <a href="http://www.oplin.org/snake/quick%20id/quickid.html">Quick ID page at the <font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">Ohio Public Library Information Network</font></a> I think I've identified the two types of snake we saw as the<a href="http://www.oplin.org/snake/fact%20pages/water_snake_northern/water_snake_northern.html"> Northern Water Snake</a> and the <a href="http://www.oplin.org/snake/fact%20pages/queen_snake/queen_snake.html">Queen Snake</a>. The Northern Water Snake was not as shy, and more photogenic, the Queen Snake was shy and ran(swam) from the camera. I did manage to get video of one of the Queen snakes swimming. I'll edit the entry and post it here after I get it uploaded to <a href="http://www.viddler.com/mommartinelli/">Viddler</a>. <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2546171455_b4b3deca6a.jpg?v=0" /><br />Queen snake<br /><br />We also saw some crayfish. The kids had a great time wading in the water. :o)<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2546996342_62d0c87bd0.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Noah<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2546990038_da50a37173.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2546994780_a40d2831ab.jpg?v=0" /><br />Stacey, Warren, Tess, and Evan<br /><br />Of course, after arriving at the park I remembered that the doctors had told me Warren could swim in "chlorinated water only." Oops. I guess it'll be another year before I receive that "Mom of the Year" award. Oh well. We had fun. :o)<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="right"> </div> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:37089 2008-06-03T01:00:07Z 2008-06-03T01:00:07Z Sonic the Hedgehog Tuesday the 27th was supposed to be a great day filled with fun at the Akron zoo. We were meeting up with our homeschool group to celebrate the "May birthdays." We arrived more or less on time and met up with everyone by the penguins, just inside the gate. <br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2535760406_b481f001a1.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess by the penguins, just a couple of minutes before things got ugly.<br /><br />For those not familiar with the Akron zoo, there is an upper viewing area by the penguins that is accessed by way of stone steps which have lovely sharp edges. At the top of the viewing area there were children (from another field trip?) <i>playing tag. </i>One of these children pushed Warren and he ended up falling down the stairs. He received a nasty bump on his head, a deep cut that went down to the bone, and a concussion. He needed two layers of stitches. <br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2535760640_21446b9e12.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren the following morning. His bruise hadn't really developed here, but he had quite a nice lump.<br /><br />He got his stitches out on Saturday and is cleared to resume normal activity as of Tuesday. He had to spend a quiet week due to the concussion. For our trouble the zoo gave us two free passes (no that is not a typo) which we don't even need since we are Cleveland zoo members and get in free anyway. I am really not sure what to make of that. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:36613 2008-05-14T03:54:29Z 2008-05-14T03:54:52Z We had a great time on Thursday, hiking Fort Island with Hiking Summit County. There was a lot of Skunk Cabbage and Poison Ivy along the trail as well as a very invasive non native plant, Garlic Mustard. A lot of parks in the area pull it as it is squeezing out the native plants,&nbsp; but a word to the wise, don't pull it at Fort Island without a full haz-mat suit. Poison Ivy is everywhere! :oP<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2490560239_b20bde808d.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />Which way are we going?!<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2491376804_d05cae7b29.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />Gee, I wonder what that is...<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2490281318_a0f5845313.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />Ack!<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2491373792_70dc80fe47.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />And they're off...<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/2491372506_ec7569401c.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />Hmmmm, I wonder what that is... (BTW that's the invasive garlic mustard in the foreground)<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/2490559811_e2185290d0.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />I'm really not sure why we like this trail....<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2490558677_87798aec50.jpg?v=0" alt="" /><br />May they always take the road less travelled...<br /><br /><i><b>Happy trails!</b></i> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:36547 2008-05-14T03:41:20Z 2008-05-14T03:41:20Z The kids are really doing great. The weekly swimming and gymnastics are really maing a difference. I have seen huge changes in water confidence and athletic ability. :o)<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/2489387825_f461b8db14.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian learning a new move on the rings.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2489390055_f4c03da6f0.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess learning a new move on the rings.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2490203800_d78db17d8a.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren is such a crab (I crack myself up)! :oP<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2490229180_889467eba6.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian works on hand stands.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2489412251_44d575b330.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess works her arms.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2490279478_9e8e844a8d.jpg?v=0" /><br />Evan and Warren hiking near our house. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:36167 2008-05-14T03:30:40Z 2008-05-14T03:30:40Z <div align="center"><font color="#ff00ff"><b>Jeanne's birthday bunny<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2490570317_8ca288903b.jpg?v=0" /><br />front<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/2491386962_607912858b.jpg?v=0" /><br />back<br /><br />:o)<br /></b></font></div> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:36094 2008-05-14T03:25:42Z 2008-05-14T03:25:42Z <div align="center"><font size="4"><b>Isn't it great?!<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2489388715_aa6b6b7195.jpg?v=0" /><br /><font color="#000080">Happy Birthday, Ian!</font></b></font></div> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:35760 2008-04-30T04:46:55Z 2008-05-29T04:19:37Z <a href="http://www.westsidegymnastics.net/">West Side Gymnastics</a> which offers our Homeschool Gymnastics classes is simply wonderful. The kids are having such a great time and the staff there is just amazing. They are patient and friendly and even good with Warren which is really amazing; he's a handful to say the least! :p <br /><br />The kids are really making progress! Here are some more pictures to prove it! :o)<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2452984417_77b00c4331.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2452983429_210405083a.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2409656162_7daee3c862.jpg?v=0" /><br />The pre-K siblings class<br /><br />Note: Since I am so far behind getting my own videos up here (and I am sure it has nothing to do with Warren dropping the laptop) I am posting Carmen's very cool video here. Thanks, Carmen! :o)<br /><br /><lj-embed id="42" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:35472 2008-04-30T04:34:59Z 2008-04-30T04:34:59Z With the weather improving we've been getting out to enjoy it as much as possible. For us that means hiking. Here are some pictures from our latest adventures!<br /><br />After gymnastics on Monday we headed to a local park that has short walking trails. The kids found some really cool seeds, and of course, rocks. :p<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2452973539_d547b19e1e.jpg?v=0" /><br />Jacob, Emma, and Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/2453801994_41957c89f8.jpg?v=0" /><br />Kiersten shows the kids some cool seeds<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2452976219_2f20cbf1de.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Ian urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:35283 2008-04-30T04:27:21Z 2008-04-30T04:27:21Z With the weather improving we've been getting out to enjoy it as much as possible. For us that means hiking. Here are some pictures from our latest adventures! <br /><br />First, with HikingSummitCounty we hiked a portion of the Towpath Trail, beginning at the Musthill Store trailhead.<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/2453788784_6cc2a17c20.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian, Gregory, Tess, and Warren as we head out on the trail.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2452960177_30f228a175.jpg?v=0" /><br />Duck (Gregory), duck (Ian).....<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2452959699_8a0742f823.jpg?v=0" /><br />GOOSE (goose)!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2453791430_b58f2d909f.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2452958705_532e1278c6.jpg?v=0" /><br />Bird urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:35060 2008-04-13T05:43:45Z 2008-04-13T05:47:35Z We've been on spring break! Well, sort of, the kids have continued their reading and phonics, and in Ian's case most of his reading has been non-fiction. Lately he's been into reading about big cats and primates. He really should be a wildlife biologist/zoologist, he reads this stuff voraciously. We now have gymnastics twice a week, hiking has started up again (when weather permits), and we still go swimming on Fridays! We've also had some awesome field trips, including one to our <a href="http://pokemomto3trainers.blogspot.com/2008/03/fairlawn-city-hall-field-trip.html">local town hall</a>. I've also started singing again, I am the newest member of the choir at the Unitarian Universalist church! :)<br /><br /><u><b>Gymnastics</b></u><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/2408820697_e823517564.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian and Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2408824599_951b246d5e.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren<br /><br /><u><b>Swimming<br /><br /></b></u><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2399416237_1f95829a95.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/2400246224_632e0e5078.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2400241198_96bd8ff9f8.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian and Gregory<br /><br /><u><b>Hiking</b></u><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2380588669_34900f0031.jpg?v=0" /><br />Gregory, Ian, and Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2381417790_63c301994b.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian<br /><br /><u><b>Friends</b></u><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2400247790_ca92da10a7.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess and Jacob<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2400245044_2d2f613c5d.jpg?v=0" /><br />Joshua, Gregory, and Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2400250802_9011cc84e9.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Evan urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:34664 2008-03-29T04:13:12Z 2008-03-29T04:13:12Z Pokemon game We celebrated friend Aiden's birthday on Thursday with our first ever (for our kiddos) bowling experience. Gregory was sleeping over at our house, so we dragged him along. The kids had a GREAT time (THANK YOU, Stacey!) and our new retirement plan is to get Tess into professional bowling. She kicked some serious booty for a girl who'd never held a bowling ball! We hope to make bowling a regular occurrence both for fun and retirement savings! :o)<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2367179801_74921a59e8.jpg?v=0" /><br />Birthday boy, Aiden, checks out the cake.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2368016234_602915b2eb.jpg?v=0" /><br />Big brother, Lucas; look at that form!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2368025524_75742bda29.jpg?v=0" /><br />Future champ? Look at her go!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2368023710_0745de7f3a.jpg?v=0" /><br />Gregory would bowl...<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2367093611_342745121d.jpg?v=0" /><br />and pray.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2368023914_3c64d43b83.jpg?v=0" /><br />While Ian and...<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2368056574_e27ec54a1c.jpg?v=0" /><br />Aiden <br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2367115481_f9e9fa72bc.jpg?v=0" /><br />preferred to bowl and then tell the ball which direction it should be going. Right, please!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2367181541_0a14302ec8.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren and Evan enjoy the refreshments!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2367191447_3f5ceede25.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren bowled with renewed vigor after eating two cupcakes!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2367092701_951e8fe1ca.jpg?v=0" /><br />Evan gets pointers from Mom!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2367118007_cdb7bbe0c9.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess and Gregory have their own unique way of watching the game.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2367180167_a9f9c42068.jpg?v=0" /><br />Happy Birthday, Aiden!<br /><br /><br /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:34308 2008-03-28T04:32:33Z 2008-03-28T04:32:33Z computer hum Monday we celebrated Evan's birthday. We started out at Chuck E Cheese, then went to Evan's house for more play time. The kids had a great time and way too much sugar!<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2367911830_60642d1a18.jpg?v=0" /><br />Birthday boy!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2367909558_ac72097296.jpg?v=0" /><br />Lucas, Tess, Warren, and Evan plan their next move.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2367908728_c8217a958e.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren, Evan, and Noah<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2367073355_d823ca725c.jpg?v=0" /><br />Evan and Warren<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2367072115_c83a591da4.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess, Aiden, and Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2367076635_5011e8fae1.jpg?v=0" /><br />Evan and Warren enjoy cupcakes and Coke!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2367079613_4fc2c219e7.jpg?v=0" /><br />The gang plants seeds back at the house!<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Evan! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:34230 2008-03-28T04:21:47Z 2008-03-28T04:21:47Z computer hum A few shots of the kids at the latest gymnastics class. They are getting much better.<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2367890474_ebe27f9cca.jpg?v=0" /><br />Ian<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/2367056205_4bc916e367.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2367890248_3473bef967.jpg?v=0" /><br />Warren urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:33937 2008-03-28T04:15:27Z 2008-03-28T04:15:27Z computer hum We had a lovely Easter. It involved an egg hunt. church, dinner with friends, <i>another </i>egg hunt, and way, way, way too much food. :) I have video of the kids egg hunt at our house before church that I need to edit and upload, but here are some pictures from the afternoon at our friends house. <br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/2367049243_3a2e396041.jpg?v=0" /><br />Lucas spots an egg<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2367049519_7d7f3293f0.jpg?v=0" /><br />Aiden and Ian check out the foyer<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2367884588_03f9379fe4.jpg?v=0" /><br />Tess checks out the laundry room.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/2367884926_b050182f4f.jpg?v=0" /><br />Drew's drawing is out of this world.<br /><br />I'll post the video as soon as I get it done! Hope you all had a Happy Easter! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:33594 2008-03-28T04:04:17Z 2008-03-28T04:04:17Z computer hum We have been very busy! Between field trips and birthday parties (and let's not forget Easter), I don't know where we're going or what time we're supposed to be there! :) Here are some pictures from Ryan's Round 'em up birthday party.<br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2367032907_e87839c3da.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2367032535_337e647852.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2367031899_9d8bd84f26.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2367031563_b50dc0dd42.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2367032281_3b40568d97.jpg?v=0" /><br /><br />The kids had a great time. Yee-haw! :) urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:33310 2008-03-20T20:07:36Z 2008-03-20T20:09:11Z <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" class="tblBorderAll"><br /> <tbody><tr><td><img alt="" src="http://quizfarm.com//images/1110820124sf-2001-polar-bear-1.jpg" /></td></tr><br /> <tr><td><br /><a href="http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=2985N" target="_blank">Which animal totem best suits you?</a><br /><font size="1" face="Arial">created with <a href="http://quizfarm.com" target="_blank">QuizFarm.com</a></font></td></tr><br /> <tr><td>You scored as <b>Bear</b><p>You are the bear. You have a great strength in your limbs as well as in your heart. <br />You enjoy being playful more than anything and love life.<br /><br /></p><br /> <table width="50%"><tbody><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Bear</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="92" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">92%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Wolf</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="92" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">92%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Crow</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="83" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">83%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Eagle</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="83" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">83%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Dragon</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="83" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">83%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Dog</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="75" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">75%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Salmon</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="75" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">75%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Deer</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="67" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">67%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Ram</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="58" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">58%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Horse</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="58" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">58%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Stag</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="58" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">58%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Fox</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="50" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">50%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Bull</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="50" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">50%</font></td></tr><tr><td><p><font size="1" face="Arial">Snake</font></p></td><td><br /> <table width="33" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" bgcolor="#dddddd"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><font size="1" face="Arial">33%</font></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><img width="0" height="0" border="0" alt="" style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/CIMP/JnB*PTEyMDYwNDM2NTQ4ODgmcD*2OTA4MSZkPSZuPWxpdmVqb3VybmFs.jpg" /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mommartinelli:33004 2008-03-16T01:42:49Z 2008-03-16T01:42:49Z America's Most Wanted, kids fighting Thanks to evil supervillain <span class='ljuser ljuser-name_talon2claw' lj:user='talon2claw' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://talon2claw.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://talon2claw.livejournal.com/'><b>talon2claw</b></a></span>, I'm a superhero. To see if you're a member of my superposse, take the quiz! :o)<br /><div align="center" style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><form action="http://quizzes.blogquiz.net/fun-quizzes/LiveJournal-Memes/Superhero-Team-Quiz-livejournal-meme-quiz_aWQ9NzU4MA.html" method="post" name="quiz7580"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"><tbody><tr><td><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="0" style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#003366"><td valign="middle" align="center" colspan="2"><div align="center" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://quizzes.blogquiz.net/fun-quizzes/LiveJournal-Memes/Superhero-Team-Quiz-livejournal-meme-quiz_aWQ9NzU4MA.html" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none;">Superhero Team Quiz</a></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">LiveJournal Username</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><input type="textbox" name="ljusername" value="mommartinelli" size="20" maxlength="64" /></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Your Primary Super Power</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:0"><option value="0">Energy Control (ex. Fire, Cold, Electricity, etc)</option><option value="1">High Tech Devices / Armor</option><option value="2">Intangibility</option><option value="3">Kung Fu</option><option value="4">Magic</option><option value="5">Matter Manipulation/Transmutation</option><option value="6">Probability Control/ Luck</option><option value="7">Psionics(Mental Powers)</option><option value="8">Shape shifting</option><option value="9">Super Human Intellect/Deduction</option><option value="10">Super Speed</option><option value="11">Superhuman Physical Ability</option><option value="12">Tantric Yoga</option><option value="13">Weather Control</option><option value="14" selected="">Zapping (eye beams, sonic scream, etc)</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Cape?</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:1"><option value="0" selected="">Cape</option><option value="1">Half Cape</option><option value="2">Cape AND Cowl/Hood</option><option value="3">Feather Boa</option><option value="4">NO CAPES!!</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Identitiy</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:2"><option value="0" selected="">Public, my real identity is commonly known.</option><option value="1">I have no identity other than my superheroic one.</option><option value="2">I keep my real identity hidden from most.</option><option value="3">No one but I knows my real identity.</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Origin</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:3"><option value="0">Accident Involving Blowup Doll</option><option value="1">Alien Abduction/Experimentation</option><option value="2">Alien Heredity</option><option value="3">Bitten by Radioactive Creature</option><option value="4">Blessed by / Champion of Divine Power(s)</option><option value="5">Constructed (Robot, Replicant, etc)</option><option value="6">Cursed</option><option value="7">Government/Military Project</option><option value="8">Granted Item/Weapon of Cosmic Power</option><option value="9">Intense Training</option><option value="10">Massive Amounts of Lethal Radiation</option><option value="11">Mutant</option><option value="12">Self Experimentation</option><option value="13" selected="">Sheer Inner Badass Nature</option><option value="14">Toxic Chemical Accident</option><option value="15">You’re just that wealthy/influential</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Location of Head Quarters</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:4"><option value="0">“School” For the Gifted</option><option value="1">Artificial Island</option><option value="2" selected="">Crystalline Fortress in the Arctic</option><option value="3">Fashionable Hair Salon</option><option value="4">Floating Citadel</option><option value="5">Government Facility</option><option value="6">Hippie Co-Op</option><option value="7">Moonbase</option><option value="8">Night Club</option><option value="9">No permanent HQ, We’re organized in cells</option><option value="10">Orbiting Satellite</option><option value="11">Ostentatious Complex Downtown</option><option value="12">Refurbished House or Brownstone</option><option value="13">Rental in a Trailer Park</option><option value="14">Secret Cave</option><option value="15">Starship</option><option value="16">Temple</option><option value="17">Undersea Complex</option><option value="18">Your Mom’s Basement</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Primary Costume/Uniform Colors</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><input type="textbox" name="input:5" value="blue/green" size="20" maxlength="64" /></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Why are you a Superhero?</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><select name="input:6"><option value="0">Bored</option><option value="1">Commanded/Ordained by the Divine</option><option value="2">Destiny</option><option value="3">Duty</option><option value="4">Flip of the Coin</option><option value="5">I can get away with beating people up</option><option value="6">I can get away with wearing this outfit</option><option value="7">I get sooo much tail being a Superhero</option><option value="8">I prefer ‘Vigilante’</option><option value="9">I’m paid a sh*tload of cash</option><option value="10">It beats the hell out of Tech Support</option><option value="11">It’s my fetish</option><option value="12">It’s my way of defying my dark destiny</option><option value="13" selected="">It’s the right thing to do</option><option value="14">Merchandizing</option><option value="15">My deeply messed up background</option><option value="16">My friends wouldn’t go for being villains</option><option value="17">Superhero? I’m a spy for the badguys!</option><option value="18">With Great Power, comes Great Responsibility</option></select></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#6699cc"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Your Superheroic Codename</td><td valign="middle" align="left"><input type="textbox" name="input:7" value="MeanMom" size="20" maxlength="64" /></td></tr><tr height="5" bgcolor="#6699cc"><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The veteran grim member of the team</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">gothamgal</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The sexist and crass but annoyingly effective one</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">hklbry</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The bright-eyed novice or sidekick</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">witchi_1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The teammate that will eventually go evil or insan</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">hklbry</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The inept yet determined/reoccurring supervillain</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">talon2claw</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The sinister Arch-Villain and team's greatest foe</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">talon2claw</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The perky civilian that keeps getting kidnapped</td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">mommartinelli</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#336699"><td valign="middle" align="center" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" colspan="2">How often does your team actually 'save the day'?<br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="middle" align="center"><table width="250" height="20" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" background="http://images.blogquiz.net/percentbar.gif"><tbody><tr><td width="46%" valign="middle" height="20" align="left"><table width="100%" height="10" bgcolor="#000000"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></td><td style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>46%</b></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height="5" bgcolor="#003366"><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#003366"><td valign="middle" align="center" colspan="2"><div align="center"><input type="submit" name="submit" value="Fill in your answers and click here!" style="font-size: 9pt;" /></div></td></tr><tr bgcolor="#003366"><td valign="middle" align="center" colspan="2"><div align="center" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">This <a href="http://www.blogquiz.net/" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Fun Quiz</a> created by <a href="http://www.blogquiz.net/users/uberdude" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Shannon</a> at <b>BlogQuiz.Net</b><img width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" src="http://70.84.102.91/x/blogquiz.net-blog/28" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://weightlosstips.tv/">Weight Loss Tips and Diet Advice</a> from WeightLossTips.TV</form><br /></div>