Out and about...

The Kingdom's royals couldn't be more excited about the arrival of warm weather. While fans of all four seasons in general, summertime (and no school), definitely brings increased opportunities for weekend getaways and escapes to locations unknown. An additional day tied to any weekend ensures unplanned adventures for the royals. Whether lounging about in their kiddie pool, picnicking with friends, or jumping in the car towards a surprise location, the royals have fully embraced summertime and prove that 'it's great to be a kid!'

We couldn't agree more...

Princess Abigail selects her seat at Chunky's Movie Theater http://www.chunkys.com in preparation for a viewing of Toy Story 3.

Prince Aramis has Woody in his grasp as he selects his black leather Cadillac chair...

At the end of the movie, Prince Alec has stolen Woody, and Prince Aramis now favors Buzz Lightyear....they are sad the movie has ended... :(

An unexpected roadtrip leads to interesting (thankfully temporary) sleeping arrangements....

Oh, the joy of a ball room....Prince Alec is buried alive on a recent trip to Storyland (www.storylandnh.com).

Princess Abby jumps into the fray....

King Tony takes the boys and Abby on the carousel....Giddyap Horsey!

Prince Aramis finds a sandbox....

King Tony spots Alec as he tackles a new park....

And yes, yet another carousel...we think all the royals are fans which isn't too surprising given that horses are of such high importance here in the Kingdom!! :)

The twin royals....getting big!

Into the bouncy house...!!! Every man, woman and child for themselves!

Gorgeous King Tony having an anniversary dinner high above the city.....

...and the view from our table--just

magnificent!

Just wrestling around as brothers do. Thanks, Testosterone!

Prince Alec just 'hanging around...'

King Tony convinces Prince Ari that jumping off something SO high may not be the right move at this point in his life.... :)

Prince Aramis takes a dip in the pool. The Colombian blood runs strong in this one... :)

Princess Abigail out for a 'Girl's Day' including shopping at the lovely and very fully stocked Rose & Dove (www.roseanddove.com). She's SUPER happy with her purchase of a lovely flower tote bag that also now serves as her very own luggage. :)

And, finally, a quick shot of several Kappa Deltas (Queen Wendy(in polka dots, is in fact ,a sorority gal) who traveled toBoston for a long weekend reunion. We saw more in four days that most residents of the area. The Seaport Hotel will never be the same--nor will Boston Cruise Company, Tia's on the Waterfront, or Boston's Back Bay. Not to mention, the blue men of Blue Man Group!

More adventure-filled posts to follow!!

Another year of wedded bliss.....

Eight years ago today, King Tony and Queen Wendy exchanged vows with one another on the grounds of a gorgeous New England Castle --SEARLES CASTLE(http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/searles1.htm) -- a fairytale from the very beginning.

Their romance was a whirlwind of special moments and activities which culminated in a very special bond and lifelong relationship between two people who most would agree were simply 'made for one another.' Our lives, while riddled with numerous unexpected challenges, have proven to be in sync each and every day since we said our 'I do's' and we look forward to many more love-filled years to come. :)

Skiing together in gorgeous Lake Tahoe

All spiffed up in wedding attire (All I really remember is that it was the HOTTEST day on record for the year and we held and outdoor celebration! Note to self: Air conditioning!!!

Our royal family....2008

and...December 2009.

Together we walk, hand in hand, on an untraveled road filled with bumps, potholes, hills and valleys. If we're lucky, some straight aways will allot us breathing room...but if not, our strength, love, and belief in one another will most definitely carry us through.

Happy 5th, Princess Abby....!!!

Our little princess has turned another year old. For us, time is going by so quickly, but we gather that for her, it's not moving quickly enough. Isn't that always the way? When asked what she wanted for her birthday (over the course of 4 months....), all she kept saying was, 'birthday cake.' (CLEARLY, this is Queen Wendy's child as that is all Wendy wants for every birthday!).

So, to satisfy her request, Princess Abigail was presented with an obnoxious birthday cake covered with extra frosting (again, her request) and tons of frosting flowers. Let's just say this was exactly what she wanted...and her face proves her absolute excitement! :)

Opening presents is more of an ancillary process for Abby. She's all about the cake, so cake came first, then presents. According to her, "who wants presents when you have cake?"

Daddy helps Abby work through her stack of gifts and goodies...

And a little something special (including an 'abigail' necklace that she refuses to remove from her neck!!) from Carol results in some smooches and hugs! Nice work, Carol! :)

As we say in the Kingdom, "Let them eat cake!" And...here are the results of that mantra...!

Yes, you are seeing this correctly. Face-first into the cake goes prince Alec. I guess a fork just isn't a necessity when it comes to cake... :)

Happy Father's Day, Tony!!!

While there are many wonderful fathers in the world, we have a very serious preference for our own, King Tony. He's kind hearted, thoughtful, funny, super smart, very handsome, and most importantly, a truly wonderful father. He changes diapers, horseplays, arranges superb family trips/vacations, works very hard and was just named to the distinguished 2010 list of New England's Super Lawyers!

This past Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day with King Tony. After swimming in the pool of the Seaport Hotel in Boston, we all strolled along the Charles River before returning home to open a few gifts especially made for our Papa. So here's to King Tony--an awesome human being, and an excellent father! Without any real role models, you still turned out to be 'the best of the best, sir!'

The royal kidlets deliver goodies for their Papa to open....

He struggles with some of them as they were wrapped in child-proof fashion. :)

A few Boston-oriented goodies have made their way into the batch...of course!!!!

Handmade blanket designed from many special t-shirts worn over the years--highlighting King Tony's role as father, son, brother and husband. :)

King Tony gets hugs from Prince Aramis...

....and Alec 'Monstah' ....

and a big smooch from his baby girl to top it all! :)

Tea at the Ritz and Family BBQs....

What young girl wouldn't be smiling when seated with her best girlfriend in the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston--enjoying her very first "Tea at the Ritz"?

Our guess is that all young girls would cherish this moment where cupcakes and tea time meet girl bonding at the most posh and luxurious hotel in Boston. And that is where Princess Abigail spent a recent afternoon--after receiving a mani/pedi and getting dressed up. Along with best friend Colleen, the Princess continued to revel in her royalty by beginning an annual tradition of Tea at the Ritz.

Princess Abs and Colleen pose mid-giggle for the camera....

The first lick is the most important--especially since Princess Abs LOVES frosting....

The trio of cupcakes presented to the girls--chocolate, red velvet and vanilla--complete with M&Ms, oreos and gummy bears to decorate them with before eating!

The moms in attendance each received a flight of five gourmet cupcake concoctions....

The favored and voted 'best' from the group was the chocolate bliss. Check out the superb embellishments!

Miss Colleen shows off her Strawberry Shortcake glasses....


Then breaks to pose with her mother, Jean, for a memorable photo....

After ingesting so much frosting, the girls are unflappable. They cannot stop giggling and enjoying every minute of their upscale adventure. Thank goodness they were so cute and managed to ensure that every person in the hotel fell madly in love with them. They ended up with more unexpected gifts from hotel staff prior to departure!

(Note to parents: Take adorable, smiling little girls everywhere for TONS of freebies!!!) :)

Abby opening some of her special gifts from the day--including some new jewels and a purse within which to put them.

"Oh, I just cannot look! Are all of those goodies just for us??? Yummy!"

Queen Wendy, Princess Abs, Jean and Colleen....a lovely girls tea in the afternoon....

The week wouldn't have been nearly complete without visits from Godparents Abra and Peter. They always bring with them humor-filled stories and adventures and don't at all mind getting 'down and dirty' with the Kindom's royals. Auntie Abra even said "okay" when her God daughter Abby asked her to play "horsey"--proving yet again the absolutely incredible character of our special Auntie Abra and Uncle Peter who we love so very much!!

"Giddyap Auntie...."

Auntie Abra: "Okay Abigail, let's stop. I'm tired."

Princess Abigail: "No....keep going Auntie Abra...Abby's not tired!" :)

Uncle Peter and his God daughter Abigail--an unbelievable duo--getting into hijinx every chance they get!

Cake and Crab....

For many years, I (Queen Wendy) have tried to remain under the radar when it came to birthdays. While I'm excited to invest in the celebrations of others, I'm rather uncomfortable when big 'to-dos' are made in my honor. It's just not for me. I'm more of a 'behind the scenes' kind of gal.

Today, I celebrate my...er....25th...birthday. Okay, I'm short a couple of years, but you get the idea. I'm not young, I'm not old, I'm somewhere in the middle. :) And, to respect my wishes to remain under the radar, King Tony and the royals put together an intimate, very special, incredibly well-orchestrated celebration which began with my favorite food in the world--birthday cake! I don't understand how cavemen managed without this glorious concoction, since it may very well be the fruit of the Gods! (at least in my book)

As I'm a fan of Deadliest Catch, my husband (King Tony) had former client, Cakes for Occasions (www.cakes4occasions.com) put together an awesome F/V Northwestern birthday cake--which he presented with a number of sentimental goodies, a birthday serenade by the entire group, and of course, king crab legs (his favorite!).

On this most special of days and amid all the celebratory attention, I took serious inventory of my life, my life's work, my passions, my accomplishments, my failures, and all that I have left to do. (A proper time to do so, wouldn't you agree?)

I am proud of many things--predominantly my three incredibly strong, courageous and beautiful children--and my loving and supportive husband, Tony (who may just be the most awesome human being on Earth).

I'm a woman rich in many ways, but richest within my four walls. I have no regrets. Not one. I've lived an honest life--sometimes to my personal detriment--but I would never change myself or my past actions. I'm beyond content. I feel I have it all--although I don't have nearly that of many others. I relish the smallest of gestures--be it an unexpected visit from a neighbor just to say hi, a phone call from a geographically distant friend, a note from my husband tucked inside the cup holder of my car, or the gentle kiss from one of my children reminding me that I'm not just 'me' anymore, but someone's mother--three someone's to be exact. I've had to learn how to be a "good" mother in ways that others could never imagine or wouldn't dare consider.

While others question and complain about the littlest of life's intolerances, I instead choose to leverage the experiences of family members who have returned from the brink of tragedy due to illness or worse. These individuals have become my role models (Uncle Mario, Auntie Penny, cousins Doug and Shae, Beth, Tia Juliana, to name a few.) and I am thankful that through their experiences, I continue to forge ahead even when the challenges seem too burdensome. I have perspective--something that so many people do not have nor will ever acquire. I don't live in a microcosm of just myself or my family. I don't revel in the past, but dream of what the future holds. I raise my children through experiences, friendships, and the knowledge that they have two parents who limitlessly love them, will never give up on them, and will forever be their biggest advocates and champions.

On this day of personal celebration, reflection and introspection--I feel incredibly blessed. I not only have a delicious chocolate cake and ice cream, but more love than most people will ever have in their lives, and the knowledge that every step I've taken, word I've uttered, or deed I've completed, has been the right one. And that is a truly amazing gift worth celebrating!

Oh yeah...not just cake, but cake WITH Cold Stone Creamery's Birthday Cake Ice Cream--the best!

Before the 'real' party begins, the kids enjoy some cake. Prince Alec really likes the blue icing...

..while Aramis prefers the chocolate cake. :)

What a fantastic way to celebrate--cake and crab--a winning combination! :)

Togetherness.....

So, the question is, does it matter where you do your reading, as long as you do it? :)

Our answer is, of course not!!

Princess Abigail has spent the last few weeks encouraging and assisting the twin princes in their efforts to toilet train. She shows them how it is done, helps them select proper reading material (and vice versa as you can tell from the photos) and cheers them on when they succeed! We're all learning in our expanded family what it is like to share...an important lesson which the three royals are resisting at every turn--much to their parent's shagrin. Yet, we forge ahead and try to teach our little ones the rights and wrongs in life--even if they hate the lessons they are forced to learn.

One of the best ways we've found to teach sharing and working together is the three-person see-saw which requires all participants to put forth effort for results to occur! Fortunately, the royals realized how this worked and have spent many hours working together towards the common goal--lots of fun on the see-saw!! :)

Into the attic have gone our winter jackets, boots, mittens and hats, now replaced by shorts and tees. And, instead of hot cocoa, the most popular treat on the list is of course, ICE CREAM!