Little things – Page 3 – Seven Friarys

Daily Snapshots

Published on January 31, 2018 by 7friarysLeave a comment

I am trying so hard to get over here and record some of life lately, I have a bunch of random photos from the last week that deserve a little spot on this big World Wide Web.

We took Chloe, Lucy and Beckett to the aquarium this weekend

After the aquarium we walked over to Quincy Market to grab some dinner

I don’t usually look like I’m about to do yard work when I’m out in the city (hooded sweatshirts are never a good idea) but the aquarium was celebrating the Patriots so I had to show my support 😉

Lucy is trying to convince us to get another puppy……. more on that later

Speaking of Lucy, she is the sweetest sister!! She loves taking care of Beckett so much!!

This kid is such a charmer!! He smiles and talks to everyone when we’re out in public. He’s such a happy little boy 💙

I had to take a picture of these three before they headed off to school the other morning. I know they’re going to complain about the picture. Ha! That’s the reason why they’re not on my Instagram more. All grown up!! *sigh

I love the way he holds my hand when he’s on my lap 😍

And a few from Instagram

Happy Wednesday

Recent iPhone Photos

Published on January 23, 2018 by 7friarysLeave a comment

One of my New Years Resolutions was to check into this spot more often. Just like my resolution to exercise daily, I failed. Ha! January has been super busy but I’ve been keeping up with my picture taking. Of course, most of my pictures are of B because he’s glued to my hip.

We had one big snow storm this month. Lucy and Beckett went outside to play ONCE

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We’ve been finding other ways to keep busy (and warm)

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Beckett got his first “job” on instagram

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He also got his very first haircut. Oh man, I was so nervous because I love his long, crazy hair!! It gets super curly after a bath or when it’s humid out. It was getting kinda straight when we had that super cold, dry weather in December too. It’s just the cutest but I knew it was time for a cut when his mullet kept showing up in all of my pictures. Ha!

He wasn’t nervous at all. Chloe and Lucy got their hair cut that day too so we were in there for a while. He kept talking to all of the other women in there and saying “nice to meet you” to everyone who walked in. He also kept yelling to Melissa (our hair stylist) to “CLEAN THIS MESS UP”. Ha! He’s a little stinker.

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He is seriously too cute!!

I love spending the afternoon with these two when they come home from school

Their stories are the BEST!! They are both such GOOD girls. We are both going to miss Megan so much when she goes to college in the fall. She decided where she’s going and we put the deposit down a few weeks ago. YIKES!! It’s getting real now!! More on that coming soon.

A few more pictures from the month:

I’m so obsessed with the winter sunsets!!!

It’s the only thing I like about winter. HA! Even though this space here is quiet I post daily on Instagram. Come say hi! Instagram.com/jillfriary

New Years Eve

Published on January 1, 2018 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Another year has come and gone. Hello, 2018!

Our New Years Eve celebration pretty much looks the same every year. We order a ton of lobsters, dance in the kitchen to the same songs (Billy Idol Dancing With Myself, anyone?) sit by the fire, struggle to keep our eyes open until midnight to watch the ball drop and get that first New Year’s kiss. Even though the traditions are the same this year looked a little different because half of our kids were out with friends and boyfriends. But, traditions are important and I want Lucy and Beckett to look back at their childhood and have the same memories as the older girls. I convinced Emma, Megan and Chloe to let me in on their nights and send me some pictures

And at home

Beckett wanted to hold the lobster

Until he didn’t. HA!

2017 was a really great year for our family. I’m excited about what 2018 will bring! Happy New Year!!

December Little Things

Published on December 30, 2017 by 7friarysLeave a comment

I can’t believe we are closing out 2017. It hit me this week that 2018 will bring Jon and I TWO adult children. How is that even possible?

December was filled with a lot of fun but also a couple of stressful days.

Trips to the doctors are never fun but when you have to bring one of your children to a cardiologist in Boston it’s pretty scary. Luckily we have 5 healthy children!!

We’re starting to get things like this in the mail for Megan

Each time I find one in the mailbox my heart beats with excitement for her but then I can feel it breaking a little. I tear up EVERY time!

We had her final (ever) choir Christmas show. We’ve been going to these since she was in 2nd grade!

I’m hoping that Lucy will continue so we have a lot more of these to go to.

Chloe sent me this picture of Beckett while babysitting one night

I can usually find Lucy and Beckett snuggled up under a blanket watching tv together or hanging out on the heater in deep conversation. Ha! It’s cold up here!!

Sometime he’ll snuggle up to the dog

I like to sit and watch him play. I try and take as many pictures as I can because it’s so sweet to watch and I’m sad that I don’t have many pictures of Emma, Megan and Chloe playing when they were little.

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We celebrated Baba’s 72nd birthday this week with our other favorite boy, Colton.

practiced a little yoga

Did a little after Christmas shopping

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The month was filled with lots of shopping, lots of music, lots of dates for Jon and I. A lot of love, laughter and really good memories.

Our 2017 Christmas Card

My best 2017 photos on Instagram

Happy New Year!! See you in 2018!!

Snow Day

Published on December 11, 2017 by 7friarys1 Comment

It looks like we’re going to have another white Christmas. This will be our 11th Christmas up here and our 8th white Christmas. I’m only a big fan of snow until about mid February and then I’m DONE. Beckett had a great time watching the snow fall this weekend

He probably doesn’t remember this from last year so it was all new to him.

Sunday morning I took Lucy and Beckett out to play in the snow

After about 20 minutes I asked him if he was ready to go in the house (he had wet mittens and hat) he reached his hands up for me to pick him up. ha! This is the first time EVER he didn’t throw a temper tantrum when it was time to go in the house. I guess he’s going to be more of a summer guy. Fine by me!

Little Elves

Published on December 1, 2017 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Our little Christmas elves are back! When the girls were little our elves would bring them little treats throughout the month of December. They had little stockings that hung on their dresser drawers. They would get things like Christmas stickers, pencils, Hershey kisses, candy canes, etc…… as they got older they got things like lipgloss, nail polish, headbands, etc…. I’m not sure WHY this tradition was started and I’m pretty sure it’s too late to tell our elves to lay off the treats. Ha! But we’re down to two Little’s getting daily treats from our favorite elves so we’re gonna enjoy this a bit longer.

Beckett did NOT know what to make of the elves this morning. He was a little nervous at first but he’s starting to warm up to the elf idea. He walks by, points and blows them kisses. Sooooo cute!!

Oh what fun!! Is there anything better than little kids at Christmas time?

Happy December!

‘‘Tis the Season….

Published on November 29, 2017 by 7friarysLeave a comment

……. for germs.

I have a bunch of little sickies in the house this week

Lucy’s been out of school all week. I finally took her to the doctors today and it’s just a virus. The doctor prescribed soup, chocolate ice cream and Disney movies. I think I can handle that.

Beckett has a cold but that hasn’t stopped him from taking care of his big sister. He LOVES having her home during the day, we both do.

Being Thankful When Things Aren’t Perfect

Published on November 14, 2017 by 7friarys2 Comments

It’s been a pretty crazy week around here.

I drove home on the highway with my tire looking like this. I had Jon and four kids with me and I’m just so thankful that we didn’t have a blowout.

Megan called me all upset after school because someone backed into her car. I’m so thankful that this was the kind of car accident that my kids were in. It seems like such a big deal to her because she worked hard to buy that car but that’s what insurance is for. NO BIG DEAL.

Tracey sent me our family pictures this week and I couldn’t be more in love with them. I’m holding off on posting them because I don’t want to give away our Christmas card photo. It’s my favorite card EVER!! I’m thankful for a best friend who captures my family so beautifully.

Beckett and I have been doing nonstop Christmas shopping this week

He likes to grab things off the shelves while I shop

He doesn’t like being told that we have to put them back.

Ha!

I’m thankful for the cutest shopping buddy in town

We saw our first snowflakes of the season. I am NOT ready for a cold winter. But I’m thankful for the warm home I share with those I love

She is the best dog!

he got a stern talking to about pulling Daisy’s ear. I’m thankful for #thebestdogever

I’m thankful for the beautiful area we call Home

Im thank for a little donut eating 😉

I’m thankful for baby snuggles!

I’m thankful for this family that I get to call mine.

November, I absolutely love you!! It’s a great month to sit back and count our blessings. I spent all last month thinking about bullying awareness. There is so much of it going on. It’s in the schools, it’s in the media. Moms bullying other moms, kids bullying kids. I can’t turn on the news without leaving the room in tears these days. It’s so sad to me that people out there will intentionally hurt someone else. I just don’t get it. Yesterday was world kindness day. One day. Yeah, I don’t get that either.I’m going focus on that for the rest of the year. I’m going to keep teaching my kids to be kind. To stand up to bullies but to also have empathy for them. Happy people don’t go around saying nasty things about others. Happy people won’t make others look bad just to try and make themselves look better. It’s so sad to me. But, I’m also thankful for all these teachable moments with my children. I don’t know if it’s the Mom in me or the Christian in me but I hope these people will find peace this holiday season. Will try to change and ask for forgiveness.

One thing I try and ask my kids everyday in November is “what are you thankful for today”? Maybe it’s getting corny the older they get but I’m trying to plant the seeds in their minds and in their hearts.

Happy Week before Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for today?

Just Wait

Published on October 24, 2017 by 7friarys2 Comments

“Just wait”, they would say to Jon whenever we told people that we were expecting our third and fourth daughters. “Just wait until they’re all teenagers”. “You poor thing”. “Your poor husband”. “Hopefully the next one will be a boy”, they would say. People can be so dumb, so insensitive. Especially since they would say this in front of me. A WOMAN!! Our third baby girl is 15. Our first is 21! I’ve been parenting teenage girls for 8 years now and I LOVE IT! I even had three teenage daughters at once. They’re good girls, all of them!! Sweet, kind, caring, helpful. Fun to hang out with and talk to. They’ve never given me any trouble! I can count on one hand how many times they’ve each given me an attitude. They don’t get into any trouble, and if they do then they’re pretty good at hiding it, so I’m going to go ahead and give them props for that, too! I feel blessed to be a mom of 4 girls. I’m on the couch right now, sick. (Probably just a 24 hour thing.) Three of my girls are home with me right now. Chloe made dinner while Megan and Lucy entertained Beckett and cleaned up the kitchen. While putting Lucy’s laundry away this morning, Emma kept me company and made Lu’s bed. I didn’t ask any of them to do anything. They all took over and did what needed to be done to help me out. So the next time I see a pregnant woman who is carrying a baby girl I’m going to go out of my way to tell her how lucky she is.

Life Lately

Published on October 23, 2017 by 7friarys1 Comment

Busy! That’s the only way to describe life in the Friary house these days. I have 2200 pictures on my phone because I am desperately trying to capture everything because if I don’t I’ll forget.

We celebrated Beck’s 2nd birthday with a construction theme party

We went shopping for our Halloween costumes and crafts.