I Heart NKOTB

Me and the girls

20 years ago, every Friday was NKOTB day in 5th grade. We all wore all the New Kids stuff we could and pledged our never ending love for these 5 random boys in the hottest boy band of the year. And then one day, they broke up and went back to normal lives.

And here we are.....as moms, professionals.......adults.....all together seeing our boys again in concert. You never really do forget the first band/artist you fell in love with, you know? We all still know every word to the songs from back then. And yes, I will admit - I know all the words to their new album too. What can I say - its really good treadmill music AND I am a sucker for remembering the days before real life started. :)

Enjoy - I took over 100 pics at the concert - these are just a few of my faves and video of one of the classics......if you can hear the singing over all the screaming girls!!!! :)

Jonathan - my FAVORITE New Kid.

Jonathan (with his back turned), Jordan, Donnie, and Joey.

NKOTB. 2009.

Family Time

We left town this weekend. Opportunity knocked and we did it - took off for a long weekend of family time and a few hours on the beach.

What would a weekend trip post be without photos!?!?!

Grace enjoying a "hot" chocolate at a diner in Norfolk. LOVE the high ponytail, dont you!?
The Diva on the beach.

Look - an actual picture of me!!

Ta-da! A sand castle built around her feet buried in the sand. It was hysterical to watch her try to get her feet free!!! Now THIS is what a tired little girl looks like.

I Know the Grass is Greener but....................................

..........there are some days that all I want to do is pack up my pictures and my "stuff" and head home....to stay there. Away from office politics and away from expectations impossible to meet (cause they keep changing and getting higher and higher!). I just want to be able to breathe easily for more than 2 seconds....just for a little while...even just a day would be nice.

But then again, the cell phone bill, the preschool bill, and the pool boy all need to be paid.

Its A Tough Commute

Part of my job involves networking....well, my job DEPENDS on networking. Its all about who you know! I am part of the leadership in one of the largest chapters in a large professional association for the meetings industry. And I attend educational events at least once or twice a month - mostly with my chapter but sometimes other industry groups.

me on the boat....what you dont see is the glass of wine!

Tonight was such a night at another groups event - the group my mom belongs to. And we traveled across the Potomac River in style........by boat.

Its a tough commute for us sometimes. :)

My mom en route to a work function via boat

Our destination - The National Harbor. That's the new Gay.lor.d resort in the background.

The beautiful sunset on the way home.

Talent or Just Obsession?

H.annah Mo.ntana/Mile.y Cyru.s. Tayl.or S.wift. H.igh Sch.ool Mus.ical. The soundtrack of my life these days. There isnt an evening that goes by, after a long day at the office, that I get to listen to one, if not ALL, of these songs with Grace singing every word.

I cant really complain. If these celebrities are the ones she is idolizing right now, so be it. At the core, they seem to be good "kids" and are age appropriate for the 5 year old. And let's be honest - they wouldnt be this popular if they werent any good.

Grace can hear just a few notes of a song and identify the artist. She can repeat the lyrics after hearing a song just a few times. Hubby has exposed her to all sorts of classic rock (Ze.pplin, Clap.ton, etc) and she can tell you when J.immy P.age is playing the guitar in a random song. Amazing.

I mentioned this to Grace's doc at her 5 yr old appointment last week. His response surprised me - he said that since she has always had (whether we knew it or not) a vision disability, her hearing may have developed faster and compensated allowing her to pick up these details at a young age. He encouraged me to sign her up for music lessons if she seems so pulled to that activity. Which is great since Hubby got her a Fender Acoustic guitar for her birthday.

It was the word "disability" that struck me. Yes, her lenses are dislocated. Yes, at some point in her life, they will most likely require surgery. And yes, every day of her life, she will have to manage her syndrome and its limitations and risks.

But is this music thing a talent she has hidden somewhere or simply an obsession with her current favorites? She tells us she wants to be just like Hannah or Taylor all the time. Is that real or does she just like their glittery outfits and cool dances? Hard to tell at 5 years old.

And so, this weekend the search begins for music classes and guitar lessons for the kindergarten age group. Maybe they have stage mom classes as well?