MORE METS!

I wrote yesterday how I thoroughly enjoyed the Mets game yesterday....so today I wanted to share a few more photos of that beautiful CitiField. Of course Pepsi is front and center as one of the big Mets sponsors.

How loveable is Mr. Met? Don't you just want to squeeze that ball head of his? He was revving up the crowd and throwing out t-shirts to fans....the kids really enjoyed him. What a show!

David Wright...always ready for the next play...don't we just love him?

#42 to commemorate Jackie Robinson...who never played on the Mets...but we all know what an impact he made on Major League Baseball. So cool isn't it?

When you walk into CitiField you meet the Welcome Wagon from all angles!

CitiField entrance...the architecture is just spellbounding.

Daniel Murphy is red hot....here he is up at third after hitting a triple...the mom in me is wondering how the mud/grass stain is coming off his pants.

David Wright up at bat.

Is it obvious we're huge fans of David Wright????--notice no grass/mud stains.

An awesome park...and still alot of fans coming to the games despite the Met's record.

Love those views....

The best brick oven pizza in the ballpark...might even be the only brick oven pizza in the ballpark...but delicious..

LET'S GO METS!

LET'S GO METS!

LETS GO METS....YEAH A WIN AGAINST THE NATIONALS 6-2!

THE WALL OF FAME...THE LATE GREAT GIL HODGES AND TOM TERRIFIC SEAVER!

WHO MAKES CITIFIELD SO CLEAN? THE GROUNDSKEEPERS...GEE I SHOULD APPLY...I GET LOTS OF PRACTICE AT HOME.

I have been a Mets fan since 1969...the year they were the AMAZINS...and won the World Series. I might have only been 5 years old at the time...but my love affair started when my parents wouldn't turn on my beloved cartoons...and instead I was forced to watch the Mets vs. the Orioles in the series. Before long...I wasn't forced anymore...I actually enjoyed watching the games. And I stuck with my team through thick and thin...and there were alot of "thins"....but it all paid off in the 1986 World Series when the Mets beat Boston. Who could ever forget Ray Knight...or Mookie Wilson's dribbler up first base? What a season!

This year has been a difficult one (ok..maybe the past few). But you always like to be in and win it...that won't happen this year. But as a consolation prize...we the fans have been given CITIFIELD. What a beautiful ballpark. When the season began this year I couldn't wait to try and get tickets...but when you have 5 kids...and the crazy schedule I have...it was all going to be witnessed via the television set. That was until my colleage Ann at work came into my office one day and surprised me with tickets to see the Mets. I couldn't have been more grateful to her. Not only was it a chance to check out my favorite team...it was the first time I got to see Citifield up close and in person! WOW....is all I can say. The game was great because the Mets won 6-2. and believe it or not we were 3 inches from catching a foul ball. The person behind us caught it...yes we were in foul ball territory...and came close a couple of times. My girls loved the game and I loved being able to carry on the tradition my parents instilled in me...LOVE THOSE METS! When you have children its such a wonderful pastime to watch the game and root for your team. I can remember 35 years ago my dad taking me to Shea Stadium and watching the Mets play...rooting for John Stearns and Jon Matlack. Now my girls are rooting for Johan Santana and David Wright....how terrific.

Thanks Ann for the tickets...it was so appreciated! Everything was fantastic....just like I remembered it always being!

YEAH CARLOS BELTRAN WAS IN THE LINEUP....

WHAT A PERFECT DAY...NOTICE NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY...JUST LIKE MY WEDDING DAY....BEING AT A METS GAME IS ALMOST THE SAME FEELING! (DON'T LET MY HUSBAND KNOW I SAID THAT BECAUSE I'LL HAVE TO DENY IT).

APPLE PIE SEASON!

IT'S APPLE SEASON...AND TO ME THAT MEANS DELICIOUS APPLE PIE!!!

ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT...THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH!

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wasn't going to make a flag cake for my parents Labor Day party because my daughter Rebecca would think its her birthday (since we make a flag cake every year for her)...and she would wonder where her presents were. So I came up with an idea when I was in the grocery store. I noticed apples on sale for 99 cents a pound. I immediately thought APPLE PIE! Here's my recipe for a fabulous apple pie.

CHRISTINA'S APPLE PIE

PIE CRUST:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (plus more for rolling)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into tiny pieces

1/4 cup ice water

In a bowl combine flour, salt and sugar. Add butter and mix until it becomes a crumbly mixture. Add water until dough sticks together.

Divide dough into 2 equal parts and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

APPLE FILLING

5 1/2 pounds granny smith apples (approximately 15 apples)

Juice of 2 limes

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 tbs. chilled unsalted butter, cut into tiny pieces

1 large egg

2 tablespoons sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place in bowl and pour juice of lime over apples to prevent from browning (you could replace the lime with lemon if that's what you have...but I prefer the lime to the lemon). Un a seperate bowl combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. Pour mixture over apple slices and toss. Set aside.

On a lightly floured work surface roll out one dough about 1/8th inch thick. Roll dough around rolling pin, and place over a deep dish 9 inch pie plate. Place apple mixture into pie plate and mound it with all the apples. Dot butter to apples. Set aside.

Using remaining dough from fridge and roll out. Roll dough over rolling pin and place over mounded apples. Pinch layers of dough and crimp the sides.

Using a paring knife cut a cross in the center of the pie for ventilation. Whisk together egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush onto outer pie crust. sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until crust is golden brown approximately 40

minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool before serving

Sometimes I double the recipe and make small hand pies in addtion to a full fledged pie.

Before you know it...the pie will be gone...and you'll get raves of reviews!

It's apple season...make some this weekend! Enjoy....it's something alot of fun to do with the kids.

DEATH BY BOOB

IN MOST PHOTOS I TRY TO HIDE MY ENDOWMENT

My grandmother used to say I was "blessed" when I thought I was cursed. My "friends" or whatever else you want to call them (puppies, boobs, busts, breasts, companion a and companion b, my babies etc) first showed up when I was in third grade. I was the first girl to wear a bra and I was embarrassed. Mind you I was also nearly a whole year older than most of my classmates due to my December birthday...but no one pointed that out when my chest had a mind of its own and decided to expand. I remember trying to hide them as best I could...I'd wear big shirts...one time I remember sticking a book under my shirt so I would appear flatchested when in fact it just looked like I was about to give birth to a book.

I figured my endowment would come in handy when I had children and decided to breastfeed. Most women get excited when they become pregnant because their breasts get larger (or maybe I should say their husbands get excited). I--on the other hand, felt like I had two overfilled water balloons waddling around in my chest. But I knew I wanted to breastfeed because of all the benefits. I figured this was my moment to cash in---from all the teasing of my large boobs...now it would pay off. I would breast feed and have enough milk to feed a small army. I planned to store all that excess liquid gold for the benefit of my baby. So you can imagine my disappointment when these huge smack-eroos only delivered 2 or 3 drops of breast milk each. Everyone told me that was to be expected...the first few days after delivering a baby your milk is just beginning to come in...it will take time...just stick with it. When I breastfed my daughter she seemed to be satisfied...but when I pumped it was like pumping an empty gas tank...nothing. I couldn't understand how these "golden treasures" of mine could have 0% milk...and each weigh about 10 pounds...what was in them? lasagne from the night before? Was there some kind of sponge soaking up the milk and not letting me be productive. It was stressful...but I stuck with it...and even though it never fully felt like I was loaded...I was glad to have done it.

My breasts seemed to stay large after my pregnancies...and so now I am looking at triple D's when it comes to bras. My poor husband constantly asks me to get some enticing lingere...he even offers to buy some. Then I explain...no don't go to Victoria's secret...you need to go to Walmart...the plus size section...oh...I'll just go myself. I did get some just desserts though...when I went for my mammogram (imagine the embarrassment when the complete breast didn't fit on the plate (anyone who had a mammogram before knows what I'm talking about)). Anyway when the squeezing and pushing and pinching is done...it goes really smoothly (not that it doesn't feel uncomfortable)...but I can only imagine the pain if I was flat chested as I had wished over and over again.

Last night I was at my daughter's softball game. It was a cool crisp night....just perfect for a game. Graceann was pitching and working on a combined 2 hit shutout. All of a sudden I felt something drop between my breasts....(well there's not a lot of space between my boobs...they're usually snug inside that bra--so maybe not between them but on them) I didn't think much of it...until I felt something moving around. I took a quick peek down my shirt...after all I was in public. All of a sudden to my horror I saw a big black bug walking around my puppies! I HATE BUGS!!! I tried not to scream...but believe me had I been in the privacy of my own home I would have ripped that shirt off so fast and jumped to the ceiling. As it stood now I just looked like I was "playing with myself"...but I wasn't sure if the bug was out of my bra or just fell in deeper...after all theres alot of crevices in there.....I was panicked. As soon as the game was over...I congratulated everyone for winning...and then grabbed the kids and drove home...got inside the door and tore off my shirt and bra...the kids weren't sure what to think....I didn't see anything...ahh...relief....it must have flew out... Now to take a shower. I took my clothes and undergarments and put them in the hamper...and that's when I saw it. A crushed beetle inside my bra....death by boob.

LIVE EVERY MOMENT...CHERISH EVERY MOMENT...EVERY SMILE!

Every face tells a story...Caroline is expressing how happy she is that she got a great teacher this year

Grace's expression is that she's loving her yogurt!

Gemma and Becca....smiles say it all!

On her wedding day a bride is often given this advice....cherish each and every moment of this day...it will go by quicker than you know. I often tell that to my friends who are getting married...as I was told on my wedding day. But I started thinking that this isnt just good advice for your wedding. It's great living every day this way...relishing in every moment that we're given. Spending wonderful moments with family and friends and truly enjoying those moments...yes living in the moment. Even when we're working, or frazzled, or plain crazed...trying to take in those moments and learning from mistakes are valuable lessons too.

This past weekend I had some wonderful "mommy moments" that made me truly smile. Saturday I was walking into the local grocery store. I had my two babies with me...Rebecca and Gemma. They were a bit cranky and I was just at my limit. As we walked out of the store I tried to juggle two toddlers and a grocery cart full of food. All of a sudden a quick turn to the left--cost me my dozen and a half eggs. If I got home quick enough and picked out the shells we could have one giant omlet for dinner. Then Gemma wasn't looking where she was going and banged her head. She was ok...just stunned more than anything...and a little red. Where was the moment that made me smile? Well as I picked up my scrambled mess I hugged Gemma and told her she was going to be ok....it's just a little bang on the forehead. Gemma responded...MOM...I DIDN'T GET BANGED ON MY HEAD....IT'S WORSE...I GOT BANGED ON MY BRAIN!....you know what they say "out of the mouths of babes".... I headed to the car when all of a sudden a bagger from the grocery store came running after me....'mam...here's a new package of eggs. (I guess I made a bigger scene than I thought--when I shouted at the kids "there goes the eggs". It made me truly think that today was a special day. The kindness of people can be astounding...and appreciating your children and what they say is important and a blessing.

That night as I was putting my two little ones to bed, Rebecca said..."mommy tonight I'm going to tell you a story." Ok Rebecca...what is your story about? 3 year old Rebecca started off, it's about me..."when I was a little boy...."
A little boy? I guess my husband finally did get his little boy after all.

Cherish each and every day....you"ll never get back...

BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

What a difference 12 years makes....

Happy Birthday Graceann....a carvel cake was her request!

Birthday wishes...on the bedroom door!

Caroline brings a birthday breakfast to Graceann....

Birthday eggs--sunnyside up with toast...yum!

Graceann's birthday wish...Breakfast in bed! (I wonder if that included her 4 sisters too?)

Two weeks ago Graceann turned 12 years old. So I thought today I would share with you some birthday traditions we have adopted in our household that you might like to use in yours. The first idea was given to me by the great comedian Joey Kola. He said that on New Years Day he allowed his children to eat whatever they wanted to for breakfast. If they wanted ice cream—bring on the cold stuff. I thought this was very interesting although I knew that giving the girls this choice when most likely I might have an hangover from my New Years Eve reveling…or just be plain tired…New Years Day was not going to work for me with this tradition. So instead I adapted it to be the way to start my girls' birthday off right. My girls know that on their birthday they can eat whatever they wish for breakfast…no questions asked. If they want 5 candy bars, my only question is…do you want five of the same kind, or a variety? If they want scoops and scoops of ice cream, I only respond with…name your flavor and be careful not to get brain freeze. If they want as much bubble gum as can fit in their mouth…happy chewing! It’s only one day a year…and I love seeing them starting their birthday off really happy. Although I will say that when we first instituted this birthday breakfast bonanza—and I told them they could have anything…absolutely anything….chocolate fried worms if their heart desired…I noticed a very particularly strange thing happen. They would choose a decent breakfast. If my parents allowed me to eat whatever I wanted when I was their age…I would have asked for barbecue potato chips, cookies, ice cream…and a soda to wash it all down. My kids started requesting for…brace yourself….eggs, cereal…occasionally waffles, toast….crazy right? Although this past July Pauline did request ice pops…and wish granted. Graceann this year requested eggs; toast, fruit and coffee…with one more special request…breakfast in bed. Her wish was granted too.
Another tradition…and I honestly don’t know where this one came from is decorating the door to your bedroom on your birthday. For the past two years Graceann has been decorating her sister’s doors with wrapping paper, pictures, notes…to wish her sisters a happy birthday. It’s all a surprise so when you wake up…it’s another great way to start your day. Graceann asked Caroline if she was going to decorate her door. Caroline said no way….she was too tired and didn’t have anything to decorate it with. Graceann was a little bit dejected…but it was all in Caroline’s plan to pull of a great big surprise. Caroline and her sister Pauline woke up at 3:45 am to decorate her door. I am not sure if Graceann really slept through all the noise that took place. I know I didn’t and I’m all the way down the hall. My husband yelled for them to get back to bed…but I knew they were up to doing something nice…so I told him to let them finish. It made Graceann’s day.
And then another tradition is to go out to dinner with the family…just the immediate family to truly celebrate a well-deserved year. We went to Fuddruckers and ordered the most delicious hamburgers. Then back home for cake and presents…. What a glorious day…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACEANN.!

DISNEY...MOM APPROVED!

DISNEY LIVE! ROCKIN ROAD SHOW...ALL ABOARD!

3 year old Rebecca and 7 year old Pauline loved the show!

Those mice can move!

The Lights, the Costumes, the Characters....I felt like a kid again!

Nobody does it better!

If you ask my 3 year old daughter Rebecca what she is planning to be this year for Halloween you will get an answer faster than the speed of lightening. She wants to be the same thing she has been for the last two years (unfortunately the costume no longer fits and so unless I make one…looks like I’m buying a new one)….MICKEY MOUSE. Rebecca is obsessed with Mickey—not Minnie but Mickey Mouse. We’ve never been to Disneyworld but she knows exactly who this rodent is and what he’s all about and she loves everything about him. So you can imagine when I surprised her with tickets to Disney Live! Rockin Road Show how this became the very best day of her life! The show is produced by Kenneth and Alana Feld and is one of the best shows for children that I believe I’ve ever seen. Mickey and his friends have hit the road and they’re putting together a talent show that includes such notables as Cinderella, Tigger, Woody and Buzz Lightyear. All of my girls were mesmerized by the characters, dancing, and singing. So this is a great show for all ages! Even my husband Bob (who I usually have to drag to these shows to help me with the girls) was up in his seat bouncin’ around….although he most likely won’t admit to it so let’s just keep it between us).

So if you’re looking for a fantastic way to spend time with the family—go check this show out. Below are the tour dates but remember is subject to change.

Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show (2009 Tour)
Schedule is subject to change
City State Date Venue
Lakeland FL 8/22/09 Robert V. Youkey Theatre
Canton OH 8/28/09 Canton Memorial Civic Center
Charleston WV 8/30/09 Municipal Auditorium
Hershey PA 9/3/09 Giant Center
Newark NJ 9/4/09-9/6/09 Prudential Center
Erie PA 9/11/09 Warner Theatre
Toledo OH 9/12/09 SeaGate Convention Center
Fort Wayne IN 9/13/09 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
San Diego CA 9/19/09 San Diego Sports Arena
Long Beach CA 9/20/09 Terrace Theater
Fresno CA 9/22/09 William Saroyan Theatre at Fresno
Convention Center
Thousand Oaks CA 9/24/09-9/25/09 Fred Kavli Theatre at Thousand Oaks
Civic Arts Plaza
Los Angeles CA 9/26/09-9/27/09 NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live
Las Vegas NV 10/2/09-10/4/09 Orleans Arena
Phoeniz AZ 10/10/09-10/11/09 US Airways Center
Moline IL 10/16/09 i wireless Center
Des Moines IA 10/17/09 Wells Fargo Arena
St Paul MN 10/18/09 Xcel Energy Center
Rosemont IL 10/23/09-10/25/09 Rosemont Theatre
Columbus OH 10/30/09 Value City Arena
East Lansing MI 10/31/09 Breslin Student Events Center
Auburn Hills MI 11/1/09 Palace of Auburn Hills
Providence RI 11/6/09-11/7/09 Performing Arts Center
Worcester MA 11/8/09 The Hanover
East Rutherford NJ 11/13/09-11/14/09 IZOD Center
Lowell MA 11/15/09 Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Salisbury MD 11/20/09 Wicomico Youth and Civic Ctr.
Richmond VA 11/21/09 Richmond Coliseum
Norfolk VA 11/22/09 Constant Convocation center
Trenton NJ 11/27/09 Sovereign Bank Arena
Philadelphia PA 11/28/09 Wachovia Center
Hartford CT 11/29/09 XL Center
Baltimore MD 12/5/09-12/6/09 Lyric Opera House
Baton Rouge LA 12/10/09-12/11/09 Theatre for the Performing Arts
Lake Charles LA 12/12/09 Lake Charles Civic Center
Lafayette LA 12/13/09 The Cajundome
New Orleans LA 12/18/09 Lakefront Arena
Atlanta GA 12/20/09 Philips Arena
Austin TX 12/26/09 Frank Erwin Center
Corpus Christi TX 12/27/09 Selena Auditorium at the American Bank CTr.