Mini Break

We had a long weekend so headed to Plymouth for a mini break. If you think we singled out Plymouth for its historical value as birth place of America, you would be wrong. Keeping in theme with early patriotism we were lured, along with 10 other families, to the Pilgrim's Cove Indoor Theme Pool. The brochure reads:
The exclusive Pilgrim Cove features lap lanes and a life-size replica of the Mayflower. A giant, 80-foot water slide winds through the historic ship and passes by a refreshing waterfall.The large, relaxing island whirlpool is set in a replica of Plymouth Rock and is accessible by a bridge over the splashing waterfalls below.
Amen, sign me up. This can't be the vision the first settlers had in mind for the area when they pushed ashore but nonetheless we went.

So we all loaded up our toddlers and drove 45 min. south to the splendor that is The Pilgrims Cove Theme Pool at the John Carver Inn (sister property to The Cape Codder, also a fine establishment with a wave pool). We had a walk through the main street in Plymouth, found a local pizzeria and then hit that 80' water slide which Max wasn't a huge fan of but he loved the pool. We had a great night hanging out with friends, playing games, some amazing rounds of mafia, and tons of junk food. Unfortunately, Max had a terrible night and we had to leave early in the morning so the closest thing we saw to Plymouth rock was in the theme pool. Next time, the real deal.

Candlestick Bowling

Yesterday was a long, snowy day so candlestick bowling was the perfect activity. We met the Crimson Kids at Lanes n' Games and though we were a rowdy bunch, the kids had a great time. The balls are about 3lbs each and the pins about half size, perfect for toddlers and young children. They even had small bowling shoes for Max's little feet. Max bowled a 66, about what his mom usually bowls, and loved throwing the ball down the lane and spinning around and around on the slick floor.

Max watching his ball hit the pins with Oliver looking on.

Cheering for himself after a stellar set.

Checking out the snack selection with Carter.

Pushing his constant companion "dump" down the ball track.

i covet

she's a beauty.

Four my Valentine

Last week I had the 4 days of Valentines starting with this on Monday morning...


and ending with this Valentines Day morning....
this is what I saw on the way back from the gym at 8am and thought...0h someone must have done something for their sweetheart until.......yep, that's my name and that's my balcony (now you know I live in a penthouse). The humiliation was made up for with the personalized sweetheart necklace that awaited me at home. The other days I received chocolate in various, beautiful, delicious forms and best of all...LOVE notes. Thanks sweetheart.

Mixed Up Love II

One of my favorite posts last year was "Mixed Up Love" so I've decided to do a repeat. For our (and your) listening pleasure, I make a mix CD for Corey on Valentine's Day. We listen to our mix as we reminisce about our past five years together and enjoy a fine assortment of cheese and chocolate. Please tell us your favorite LOVE songs and I'll make a list and you too can share them with your Valentine.

1. Every Heartbeat (compliments of Jamie).
2. Sea of Love by Cat Powers (compliments of Ali).
3. No One by Alicia Keys (Corey is a fan).
4. God Only Knows by the Beach Boys (compliments of Ali).
5. Do You Remember by Jack Johnson (compliments of Britton).
6. Sweet Escape by Gwen Stephanie (compliments of Lane).
7. You Picked Me by A Fine Frenzy (by me).
8. Bubbly by Colbie Caillat (compliments of Britton).
9. Escape by Rupert Holmes aka. the Pina Cola Song (by me).
10. She is Beautiful by Andrew W.K. (also compliments of Brit).
11. Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk (compliments of Jamie).
12. Escape by Enrique Iglesias (a great sappy entry by Grant).
13. I'm Always in Love by Wilco (compliments of Katie).
14. I'll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday (compliments of Anne Marie).
15. Eternal Flame by the Bengals (Corey loves the Bengals).

Paris in Cambridge

Paris and Harvard are not two forces that you would usually put together but today Paris was on the Harvard campus. How did I miss this? The award was presented at the Lampoon Castle which is just across the bridge. It is one of my favorite buildings at Harvard- a funny, stout, little structure that looks like a comic figure in and of itself. Paris was presented the "Woman of the Year Award" by the Harvard Lampoons. Read more about it here. I wish I would have waited it out in the rain mostly because I want to ask her where she got that super cute coat!

Catalog Control

Headed for your mail box expecting a Valentine from a special someone only to find junk mail? End your junk mail woes. I did with the help of our Campus Green Living Representatives. They set up a desk and lured me it. They must have seen right through me to the AWESOME hippie stage I had in the 8th grade (of which a little part has always stayed with me...still heart Cat Stevens). Anywho, I was an easy target and they suggested I do the following:

1. Register for free with www.catalogchoice.org

2. Register with www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing

3. Call and ask to be removed from credit card companies central mailing lists 1-888-5-OPTOUT

There are some other options out there but those will get you off to a great start. If the nuisance of junk mail piling up isn't convincing enough then here are some stats that might help you along.

STATISTICS;

1. Each person will receive almost 560 pieces of junk mail this year.
2. The average person gets only 1.5 personal letters each week, compared to 10.8 pieces of junkmail.
3. More than 4 million tons (62,000,000,000 (billion) pieces) of junk mail are produced yearly.
4. The majority of household waste consists of unsolicited mail.
5. California’s state and local governments spend $500,000 each year collecting and disposing
of AOL’s direct mail disks alone.
6. Individually, about 40 pounds of junk mail are sent to every adult each year. Approximately
44% goes to a landfill unopened.
7. Lists of names and addresses used in bulk mailings are in mass data-collection networks,
compiled from phone books, warranty cards, and charity donations (to name a few).
8. Your name is typically worth 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.
9. $320 million of local taxes are used to dispose of unsolicited mail each year.
10. It costs $550 million yearly to transport junk mail.
11. The production and disposal of junk mail consumes more energy than 2.8 million cars.
12. 100 million trees are ground up each year for unsolicited mail.
13. 42% of timber harvested nationwide ends up as pulpwood for paper.
14. It wastes 28 billion gallons of water for paper processing each year.
15. If you cut your bulk mail for 5 years, you’ll conserve 1.7 trees, 700 gallons of water and
prevent 460 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the air.
16. 40% of the solid mass that makes up our landfills is paper and paperboard waste. By the
year 2010, it is predicted to make up about 48%.
17. Scarce landfill space disfigures rural areas and pollutes ground water.
18. The majority of household waste consists of unsolicited mail.