Mel's Box of Chocolates

It's been awhile since I've been tagged in a meme.  Julie tagged me for " Eleven Things " a bit ago and as you can probably tell I've been slacking on this here blog so I'm just getting to it. Better late than never seems to be my motto lately. Without further ado. Here are the rules: -Post the rules -Post a pic of yourself & 11 random facts -Answer the previous Blogger’s questions for you -Create 11 new questions & tag new bloggers to answer them -Go to their blog/twitter/facebook & tell them they’ve been tagged My Eleven Random Things When a coworker told me that Davy Jones had passed away, my first thought was the pirate from Pirates of the Carribbean had died.  I had no clue who Davy Jones was. I hate spin class yet for three weeks straight I've found myself getting my butt on the bike for class. Pinterest doesn't hold my interest. I'm a self-proclaimed multi-tasking magician. When I'm busy, I'...

I can't believe that it is the middle of July already! We have been busy here at the beach trying to fill the minutes of summer with fun.   In the 34 days since school let out... Zoe participated in her biggest dance recital yet   She also performed a dance and got to accompany Ms. Rehoboth Beach on stage during her evening wear competition for Miss Delaware.   Dylan earned his first tennis medal after playing his best matches ever.   The kids and I took a trip to North Carolina with grandpa where we ate watermelons and dove in the pool. We decided to participate in our own Deadliest Catch and have been spending many of Dave's days off on the boat crabbing.  We've gone fishing {You should see all of those big ones that got away!} on the boat. Took Max on his first surf fishing trip too {even bigger ones got away!} Of course we've hung out at the beach. eating our popcorn One night we took the Bethany Beach trolley into town, ...

The balls are up in the air. They follow the juggling routine going round, round, and round. School meetings, activities, assessments, assemblies, concerts, parties, paperwork and graduation. My own children's lessons, field trips, conferences, homework, parties, performances, picnics, graduations, and just regular routines. The houses laundry, dishes, dust bunnies, cooking, cleaning, and organization. Worry about family and friends who have way bigger concerns than me.   Eventually you hit the wall. The balls drop to the floor. You attempt to grab them while they are still bouncing. Futile. They stop bouncing and become still. You stop. Stare. Cry. Then one by one, you pick up the balls and start juggling again. After all, this is LIFE! SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

I've always been one to have a lot of friends. I like having friends. It's always fun to get together with a big group of friends and just shoot the breeze and sometimes its just as fun to get together with just one friend and take time to simply catch up. However, these times are few and far between as everybody is so darn busy.  Lately I feel that I don't have time to connect with anybody. I find myself feeling kind of lonely actually, yearning to sit down and just chat with my pals. I know I am to blame in part for this loneliness though because to be honest I don't feel that I've been doing so hot at being a friend.  For some reason I've been finding it difficult to just talk.  To check in, to see what's new, to find time to have people over in the evening. I want to be that friend that remembers the birthdays, the special occasions, checks in to see how the days going, sends a little notecard just because, but it just seems like I keep ...

It's been a crazy, crazy week around here. First of all, can I just say that my computer is NOT being my friend! I only had my Dell for about 6 months before it started acting screwy on me and it's gotten worse since then. I'll spare you all the details about the arguments over warranty agreements , but let's just say we will not be buying a Dell or a laptop from Best Buy EVER.AGAIN! It boils down to I now need a whole new motherboard, which we do not have the money to buy right now not to mention I'm not sure I want to buy, considering a whole new computer would only cost about $200 more, if that. However, we are going to have to figure out something because I can only use my computer when it wants to play nice. Sorry for venting, I know it's not your problem, but if I go MIA at least now you will know why! Moving on. This week we have been going, going, going as my dad and brother were visiting from Saturday to Tuesday, then my mom joined them here from Tuesda...

I overheard this conversation as Dylan was helping Zoe create a Mii for the Wii Dylan - "What do you want your Mii to look like?" Zoe - "I want to be tall and skinny!" Don't we all, babe, don't we all?! ***************************************************************** Zoe caught a "wish" when we were outside the other night, which sparked this conversation. Zoe - "Mommy, if I make a wish will it really come true?" Before I had a chance to answer, Dylan piped in. Dylan - "Well it has to be a realistic wish. You can't be a princess or a mermaid or anything like that." ***************************************************************** Dylan and his friend were watching Nemo and our Starfish in the fish tank when I overheard this... Friend - "What is that stuff growing on the walls?" Dylan - "Oh that is just allergies." Otherwise known as algae . **********************************************************...

After deciding it was time to enjoy summer vacation, we had quite the week. We spent one whole day at the beach with friends. The kids had a blast playing with their friends and I got to sit and chat with two of my best friends so it was a lovely day. Zoe decided it was time to ride "two-wheeled on my bike" so the training wheels came off and the practicing has begun. She is doing pretty well and I think she'll be a pro by next week. Zoe wanted to treat the family to dessert one night so we broke out her cupcake maker/decorator to see what it could do. She baked a cupcake for each of us, frosted them, and added a lot of sprinkles. Brother helped her by being her taste tester! Then today we spent pretty much all day at a local waterpark . It's the perfect size for both of the kids and for me not to feel frazzled all day. Both of the kids had friends meet us there so they were happy as clams. Zoe surprised me by going down every single waterslide by herself, multiple t...

On Saturday the kids and I headed up to Philly along with Shannon and her two boys for a Picnic with a Purpose, hosted by Hebrew National and The Motherhood . Photo Credit: Sarah It was an absolutely gorgeous day. Perfect for the picnic. It took us a couple hours to get to the park where it was being held, but there wasn't any traffic and the kids were pretty darn good for such a long car ride so it was tolerable all around. Of course when we got there we made our entrance as Dylan opened the back of the Tahoe and everything in the trunk landed on the parking lot. Elizabeth , of course was right next to the truck when it all went down and got a kick out of it! Here we pull up and within minutes have strollers, kids toys, our donations, and who knows what else spread on the asphalt...hello Philly friends! We got there early so I was able to help Jo-Lynne , Shannon , Sarah , and Melissa set up. Jo-Lynne was our hostess for the night and has been a busy bee getting ever...

Julie was great enough to organize an ornament swap with some bloggers and look what I got in the mail last Friday... Theresa sent me this beautiful box filled to the brim with all sorts of goodies. There were two of cutest little angels in the box and they look quite adorable on my desk at school. She also included two snowman ornaments, one for Dyl and one for Zoe. The kids were delighted and Zoe just couldn't get over thinking somebody from my blog sent her something. Oh and do you see all those kisses overflowing from the box? I'd like to tell you that they are all still resting there, but that, of course, would be a lie. You all know me and chocolate!! I may be able to find a handful if I look hard enough. Thanks bunches Theresa for treating me and my family to a box of Christmas surprises!! Oh and thanks to Julie for organizing the swap! Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

One of my best friends is having a baby! There is a group of us, known as "The Girls", who met about 4 years ago by pure chance. While I say chance, we all know that it was basically an act of God. I was transferred to a new school and placed in a classroom right across from Lyndie . Holly was a paraprofessional in the school for a special needs student who usually stayed home bound , but came to school that year, and Manuela was a student teacher placed with Lyndie . The four of us became very close and often commented how the power to be had made sure that we were all placed in that school because we were meant to be friends. Holly was also friends with another teacher, Karlin , and slowly we all began to hang out making sure to plan a "girl's night out" at least once a month. Four years later, Karlin is now one of my best friends ever and I truly don't know what I would do without her. She is one of those beautiful people both inside and out. Her husban...