Disclaimer…..  my 1st pick is totally selfish…which I rarely (if ever) do in my “Pick’s Posts”.   So, come watch my son and many, many fantastic members of the absolutely fabulous Cape Ann Youth Hockey Program play hockey.

Pick #1:  The Sal Grasso Memorial Tournament

Cape Ann Youth Hockey will proudly welcome teams from Westmount, Quebec, Canada to play a weekend long tournament at the Dorothy Talbot Memorial Rink at O’Malley.

Come show some Cape Ann Pride and support these boys and girls!  It would be so great to see the stands full.  Shameless plug… Thatcher’s team, Mite 1 (last year’s Valley League Champions) kicks off the tournament at 4:50 on Friday.

Pick #2:  Neverland Theatre’s Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella

The Neverland Theatre Company always does a fantastic job!

Click HERE for more information!

Pick #3:  Wee Secret Home Making at Ravenswood

Using only all natural materials found on the forest floor, create your own secret home. Elves, gnomes or fairies will love them! Even our littlest wildlife friends will enjoy checking out your wee secret home. Wear your faery frock and dance along the children’s trail with wee secret homes!

Head to the Trustees Website HERE to read more!

Please see our friends at North Shore Kid for a more comprehensive list of activities

Just left the pool at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort and discovered this sight.  Wow.  Christmas is really coming.

While I’m not often a fan of the movie version of some of my favorite books, this is one that I can’t wait to see.

If it is good enough for Nathaniel Philbrick, it is certainly good enough for me!  And, with Ron Howard at the wheel, it really can’t go wrong.

Release Date scheduled for December 11th.

In the Heart of the Sea Movie Click HERE

Read More about the book HERE

I spent a minute poking around a couple of weeks ago thinking that maybe, once soccer ended and we were down to one afternoon/weekend sport for each child, I’d look into getting a second job a few evenings a week.  It seemed incredibly daunting to think of actually working MORE and being home LESS, but I thought maybe something perfect is out there and there was no harm in looking.

After just a couple of minutes, I found this.

HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANT

Private Family – ___________MA
$25 an hour

(Hmmm….sounds, interesting, right?)

I have to admit, while totally overwhelmed by the job description, I was also a bit sad.  I thought, What a phenomenal job opportunity for some spunky 25 year-old go getter!

But then I thought… Is that really a job for ONE person?  I mean really.  Who can actually do all of that?

And then, forgive me please, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that my next thought was… And what’s left for the parents to do?  

And then I felt bad because I thought…Well, maybe there’s only one parent and they are extremely busy working to provide (the main estate and 3 vacation homes) for the children.  Or maybe they are volunteering like crazy for a multitude of charitable organizations!

And then, one of my last thoughts was….If I was ever sooo wealthy that I could afford four homes, an estate manager, to throw (seemingly) lavish and catered events, (seemingly) significant holiday decorating, enough travel to require assistance in packing, vendors (?) that need to be met with, a chef, a nanny, and more…..  Couldn’t I also simply afford to work less so that I wouldn’t have to post such a GIANT job description for someone else to do in my home?  

And, then I caught sight of all the dust bunnies taunting me from all corners of the living room, knowing they are safe and sound for at least 5 more days until I might have time to grab the vacuum, and I thought….sigh…maybe I would. 

I’m honestly not judging…just wondering.

I came home from work the other day at 4:30, changed my clothes, unpacked lunch box containers, put them in the sink to rinse, and then went to hop back into my Jeep to head back to Beverly for a guest lecturer at school.

I spied the mail truck a few houses away so I decided to wait for it…as this is the season that packages begin to arrive that are not meant for the boys’ eyes.  And, by that, I mean Christmas presents, nothing shady.

Thatch and Finn began to play street hockey while they waited to see me off.  It took about 5 seconds for Finn to get mad because “he had the puck first” and to mock (maybe) charge at Thatcher.  After a quick lecture about “chilling out” they went back to firing on goal. As I uttered the words, “a few shots each and then you’re back inside to shower” Finn took a shot…and in doing so hit Thatcher right in the forehead with his stick.  Totally an accident, but still.

Thatch did some frantic hopping around in pain and ran to me.  Without looking much I immediately pushed my hands over the spot where he had been holding his.  I guess, in hindsight, I was expecting a giant egg…but, I was wrong.  At the same moment, the mail truck pulled up.  It was when I looked over my shoulder and waved “hello” in the midst of the drama, that I noticed all the blood on my hands…and running over Thatcher’s eye and along the bridge of his nose in a nice little river.  I laugh now as I think of the mail woman saying, “Have a nice night” as if we were a perfectly normal sight.

In addition to the blood and Thatcher’s moans, Finn had immediately burst into tears and started his declarations of, “I SWEAR it was an accident.”  As it was soon determined that we’d be heading to the hospital, Finn got more hysterical, and Thatch told him, “It’s ok, it was an accident.  I love you.”  The best.

Time hop to a trip to the ER and a mere 4 stitches later.  We were home before 8:00…I obviously skipped the lecture.  As we walked in the door, Finn gave Thatcher the ice cream sundae that he had made for him.  The best.

I sent them off to bed, but Thatcher was worried about his stitches opening in bed, so he had trouble going to sleep.  Finn, well..being Finn, who knows.  Finn had trouble staying in bed and got up no fewer than 7 times for a variety of unimportant reasons. While the grown-up in me knew he was obviously scared about Thatcher’s injury and by the role he played in it….I still found myself frustrated the last time he got up.  I was exhausted too….and still had LOTS to do before my head would hit the pillow.

At my whit’s end I resorted to a guilt trip.  And, no, I’m not proud of it.  While the hit to the head was indeed an accident.  JUST prior to the whack, Finn was actually charging with the intention of giving Thatcher a smack.  Luckily we had intervened.  But…there was still a lesson to be learned by the whole event.

I announced, “Enough already.  We’ve had quite a night and you are already walking on thin water.  If you know what I mean.”

Of course, the little bugger retorted,  “No. No I don’t.  Maybe if you had said walking on thin ice, I’d get it.”

And THAT is what I’m up against, my friends.

Who stepped up to feed 20 kids for free on Wednesday night?  Rockport House of Pizza, that’s who.

Thatcher’s soccer team was sponsored by Rockport H.O.P this year and they were kind enough to invite that team, along with the opposing team from their end-of-season game, down for dinner.  Way to make a difference and provide these kids with some great time to bond, celebrate, and create memories.

Photo Credit: Craig Kimberly!

Pick #1:  Apple and Wine Festival: Russell Orchards

Apples and Wine Festival November 7th & 8th!

Featuring: Wine tasting*, Live music, Hands-on cider-pressing demonstrations, Make-Your-Own Apple Pie, Apple samples, Hayrides, as well as loads of apple goodies made fresh in our bakery including hot apple crisp and cider donut caramel sundaes.
*Wine Tasting consists of several offerings of our award winning fruit wines & hard ciders, complemented by special gourmet food pairings, along with our souvenir glass and thank you gift. Reservations strongly recommended for Wine Tastings. Please call the store to reserve a time slot for your group.

HEAD HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT RUSSELL ORCHARDS!

http://www.russellorchards.com/

Pick #2: 29th Annual Boston Christmas Festival at the Seaport World Trade Center 

With something for everyone this event is not-to-be-missed if you are ready to get your Christmas on.  Yikes.

Offering everything a holiday shopper could desire under one magnificent roof. The annual Christmas Festival, features the distinctive work of over 300 master American craftsmen.  Bargain hunters, as well as those with extravagant tastes, will find an endless array of gorgeous home accessories, designer fashions, artisan jewelry, handcrafted holiday décor, tempting gourmet speciality foods and one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts unavailable elsewhere.

READ ALL ABOUT THE EVENT HERE!  http://www.bostonchristmasfestival.com/

Pick #3:  From the Forest: Wreath Making for Kids

Appleton Farms, Ipswich

Get into the holiday season by creating your own evergreen wreath! Kids will craft their 16″ wreaths by hand using local greenery, winter berries, fallen cones, holly leaves, ribbon, and more! Materials and instruction included. Parents are encouraged to attend but wreath making is for kids only please. (Checkout our adult workshop as well!) Ages 8 and up.

Saturday, November 7  from 10:00 am – 12 noon
Member Child: $15,   Nonmember Child: $25

Please go HERE to learn more and for contact info to register

http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/north-shore/event-3943.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

For a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid

It has been a couple of years….close to 3 actually, I think…and we have grown accustomed to how those wind turbines look from different angles all around town.  I’d say that we almost don’t even notice them anymore, but that’d be a lie.  We do.  We still notice them.  Actually, my boys notice them enough to pay attention each weekday morning at about 7:25 and most afternoons around 4:45 to see how many (if any) are “spinning”.

They’ve been asking me off and on, for a long time, to explain why sometimes none are moving, sometimes just one, and sometimes 2 or even all 3 are in operation.

I’ve guessed that they operate as needed.  But I haven’t been able to satisfy their curiosity completely.  Does a person actually turn them on as necessary?  Do they turn themselves on?  Is there a schedule we have not yet noticed?  How much does weather actually play a role?  What’s the deal?

I’d love some help from our highly knowledgable FOBs!

Help a kid (or two) out if you’re in the know and have a second.

Thanks in advance!

Do you know what day of my boys’ childhoods I dislike the most?  Pumpkin Carving Day.

Sure, I have disliked the days when the boys cried during doctor visit shots, I have disliked the days that they have come home with hurt feelings over a temporarily struggling friendship, I’d even go so far as to say that I hated the day that Finn had to be taken to the ER for stitches after a bad gash in head.  Seeing the boys sad or hurt…or disappointed or frustrated…is hard.  It breaks my heart a little every time.  My dislike for those moments in their childhood is based on my feeling so bad for them.

My crazy dislike for pumpkin carving day.  Well, that’s a whole other beast.  My dislike for pumpkin carving day is purely based on me feeling so bad for, well, me.

I am ALL for forced family fun.  If you read any of my posts, you surely already know that.  I am all about quality time and making the most of vacations, weekends, holidays, warm sunny days, and what have you.  4th of July traditions…fantastic!  Christmas traditions…Absolutely…favorite days of the year.  Boys’ birthdays….Pinterest hear me roar.  All things pumpkin….sigh.  NOT my thing.

That’s not completely true, actually.  I love the day that involves picking out the pumpkins.  I like arranging the pumpkins on the front porch.  I like the way the pumpkins look.  And, I love pumpkin seeds.  I just hate carving the freakin’ pumpkins.

Without fail, it starts as a 4-person gig.  Without fail, it ends up as a solo show.  The boys go off to play and check in occasionally to offer advice, support, or constructive criticism.  When they’re happy with the job I’m doing it almost makes up for the slimy, pulpy mess that I’ve become.  Almost.  But, not really.

This year, it wasn’t going to happen again.  So last night, I made a deal.  Sure…I’ll carve the pumpkins…but, you guys are separating the seeds from the pulp.  Well, that lasted about a minute.  During that minute our neighbor came home and told us, “You all look like a scene straight from a Norman Rockwell painting while carving pumpkins together on the front porch.”   Right.  A mere 30 seconds later the boys were grossed out…and off playing street hockey.  My husband disappeared to see if the rabbit would eat a chunk of pumpkin.  And, I was alone again, naturally.

That’s it. Sharp knives be damned….next year, I’m drinking a pumpkin beer while the boys carve their own jack-o-lanters.  Doubtful.

Last year, in preparation for pumpkin carving day, I got my revenge ahead of time. Does that even make any sense?  Knowing full-well that I’d be carving the pumpkins solo, I made the boys lug the pumpkins they wanted all the way home from downtown Rockport.  I’m still laughing.  If that mean parenting moment interests you, you can read it here.

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/the-not-so-great-pumpkin-caper/

I attended this free event last year and was so glad that I did.  I’ll most likely make certain to go this year too.  Anthony Amore was totally engaging as he gave “the who, what, where, why – and perhaps most importantly – the how, behind some of the most incredible tales of fakes, forgeries, thefts, and art-related ponzi schemes ever committed.”  His inside view as Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum gives him an insight like non other.

Simply RSVP to the email below to attend this free and open to the public event.

I don’t know about you, but for YEARS I have been driving to Tendercrop Farm in Newbury for a variety of things.  A long time ago it was for dried flower and the perfect basket.  Later it would be for fruits and veggies….maybe some great bread and some soup.  Once the boys came along, it’d be to see the animals, pick out pumpkins, and even, a couple of times, pick out our Christmas Tree.

While the drive is gorgeous, it is a bit of a hike.  So, imagine my thrill (exciting life I realize) when I heard that they were opening a second location in Wenham.  Just minutes from my work!

We had the opportunity to stop there on Saturday…after hockey of course.  In addition to some massive pumpkins and a couple of smaller ones, we got some swiss chard for the rabbit, some berries for the boys, and some crackers and horseradish cheddar dip for the Patriots game.  I practiced some serious restraint because I wanted about 50 more things.

Tendercrop Farm at Canaan can be found right on Route 1A in Wenham…just past Wenham Lake and the Beverly line.

Here is the link to their Newbury location   http://www.tendercropfarm.com/

Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s Mite 1 team (and my boys), had the awesome opportunity to skate during an intermission at last Wednesday’s Bruins game.  While they were only on the ice for 3 short minutes, the whole experience (from check in, to jumbo-tron, to private elevator, to locker room, to some VIP treatment from Bruins employees) created memories to last a lifetime.

I threw together this completely amateur video for them the next day.  I’m guessing this will be one of those days that they look back on pretty fondly years from now and I’m so glad this great group of kids had the chance to experience this together.

So, this has been making me happy.  Super cheap and conveniently right down the street from my work.

If you happen to be “over the bridge”, “up the line”, or simply out of town and could use a top off or a fill up, head to the Shell Station on Brimbal Avenue in Beverly.  The construction in that area (making room for the new Whole Foods) could be a bit of a deterrent, but if you’re in no rush….it is totally worth it!

If you are really, really hungry…and only have $3…and you happen to be in Rockport, on Bearskin Neck, and everything is closed except for the Country Store (such a fabulous little store, for the record), and they’re sold out of EVERYTHING else, and you’re now beyond hungry, and someone dares you…. then maybe, just maybe you’d want to give these a go.

Tuck’s Candy Factory was busy making taffy over the weekend.  Always kind of an iconic sight to see.