Random Thoughts

I have some random pictures that evoked random thoughts, and I thought I'd share:

Max is so proud of his painted toenails.  I think he enjoys them more than the girls!

Proof that my floors were actually clean for approximately two hours, while M and M slept.   For some reason when my floors are clean I feel like I can take on the world.

Even when the living room looks like this..........

My new/old art....Jon cleaned the garage last week (finally, thanks honey!) and I was appalled to find this fabulous print in the garbage!  Jon has been trying to get rid of this since I bought it a few years ago.  Just wait until he gets home tomorrow and sees where I put it.....(hint, it will be the first thing he sees when he goes to bed and the first thing he sees when he wakes up!)

And, at the end of the day, what is better than my three kiddos eating a summer favorite?

Have a happy random day!

Important things about Olivia....

I have just been thinking about the children's book by Margaret Wise Brown called, The Important Book.  She goes through a list of very useful items and says what is important about each one.  And this simple concept made me think about my darling eldest daughter.  So here is what struck me........

The important thing about Olivia is that she is thoughtful.  She loves to draw.  She is very funny and has a great laugh.  She is a bit too sassy for my liking sometimes.  She plays HARD.  She likes to go to bed early.  She is super-creative.  She makes friends every where we go and does this astonishingly easily.  She is a candy fanatic and is quite resourceful in obtaining her fix when I won't allow it.  She whines quite often.  She adores her brother and sister.  And, she sleeps with a leopard-print eye pillow.  

But the important thing about Olivia is that she is thoughtful.  She makes my bed almost every day.  She brings me breakfast in bed (toaster waffles with TONS of peanut butter).  She prays for people she barely knows.  She went up to her friend's mom the other day at the park and wished her well in a play she was performing in that night without any prompting from me. She runs up and down flights of stairs for me all of the time to fetch a diaper or a stuffed animal that her brother and sister can't sleep without, and she does this without being asked most times.  She calls her grandma to thank her for letters and packages and always asks her grandpa how is feeling today.

So, although this daughter of mine is many things, some of which make me pull out my hair. The important thing about her is that she is thoughtful.

Fourteen years and counting....

(Photo by Sue)

Jon and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary.  It is so hard to believe that it has been that many years (btw, I WAS a child bride).  On one hand, it seems like yesterday that we were saying our "I-do's" yet on the other hand, so much has happened in our lives that it's hard to remember a time when Jon was not by my side, being my best friend and biggest fan.  So, while this past year has been a tough one, I have so much faith in "us."  It is my one constant.  

(Photo by Olivia)

So, Happy Anniversary, Jonny!  Thanks for the past 14 years, I can't wait for the next 14!

Modbe update

You can now order Modbe products on my new website.  The link is on my sidebar under "Favorite Web Pages."  Fall products will be out soon.........happy shopping!

Max pooped in the potty

No pics, sorry, I will try to get some, it just happened so fast and we were all so excited!  He's been peeing in it really consistently, too.  Who ever said girls potty train faster and quicker didn't know my darling son!  And, yes, this is the kind of thing I get excited over these days........

Fall Down Tree

Check out these fun prints from

Fall Down Tree

......I randomly ran into this while blog surfing, and guess what? The guy who does these is the son of my mom's boss.....what a small world. So, I thought I'd share! I want one of each!

A day at the Lake!

Before we all forget.......

Since I am still awaiting my picture CD from the resident trip photographer (you know who you are!), I thought I had better let everyone know that this was a great trip with many highlights!  Here are two of the girls on the red-eye flight to the big city (I may not try that one again!)

Our first attempt to hail a cab! We got much better at it by the end!

Shopping at all the fun NY places.  My faves were H&M, Uniqlo, and Kate's Paperie.

On the way to Norma's for breakfast in a LIMO!

A picture outside of the Gershwin Theater where we saw "Wicked."  Unbelievable!

Such a great adventure.  The heat and humidity neared 100......and my pregnant body almost gave out, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, and I have so many fond memories of this trip and the dear friends I was lucky enough to share it with.

Happy BIG 3-0 Erin!

Happy birthday to you!  I hope you have an awesome 30th birthday!  We miss you and wish we could be there to party with you on your special day!  You are an awesome, special, and very sorely missed friend.  I love you!

A day at the Fountain

We had so much fun yesterday at the fountains!  We grabbed a bunch of bagels from Noah's and some ice cold drinks and headed over to enjoy some fun in the sun (which finally arrived)!  The kids loved it!  Last year, I was running after Max who was running towards the busy street, but this year they just loved the water and the ducks!  We could have stayed much longer except that I noticed we were all turning a bit pink!  This is an activity we will do again and again this summer!

And of course, we had to stop for ice cream afterwards!

Max's little adventure!

Max had his little hernia operation on Monday.  I thought I would share some pictures of my brave little trooper. He was so awesome, even though it almost killed him not to eat anything until 4 o'clock in the afternoon!  He kept rummaging through my purse saying, "have snack?"  

Here's his cute nurse Melissa checking his vitals!

Here he is on his way to pre-op in his little bed with his favorite dog!

And here we are after the surgery!  He was so sad that only sitting in my lap consoled him, which was just fine by me! I have not had the opportunity to hold him for three hours straight in ages!

And he got to eat THREE popsickles afterwards!

Our baby.....

We had our ultrasound last week, and apparently the little guy (or gal) was in a great spot to take a look on the 3D machine.  I think this is unbelievable!  He/she is 12 ounces and has all of its fingers and toes.  The heartbeat is good, and the brain is "beautiful" (that is a direct quote from the ultrasound tech).  So, all is well, and it looks like this is really going to happen.  

Isn't he/she so CUTE!?!

The library.......

So, why is it that I always let myself be fooled into the crazy idea that the library is a good outing?  It is just NOT!  Not with my brood, anyways.  

We decided on the library today because it was sprinkling this morning when we were getting ready for our walk.  Also, I have been hyping up the "Summer reading program" to Olivia, since she still claims an abhorrence for reading.  So, she picked out a tote bag which we decorated beautifully with fabric paints that is just HERS for the library.  And she was excited to go.  I have not had a book to read in WEEKS, and it's been driving me crazy, so I really needed to get a good read also.  

Here's how our trip to the library went:

We pull up, Molly is already in tears because she dropped her blanket.  Max, instead of eating his cereal bar, squished it in his hands so that the jelly in the middle was oozing out of his fingers.  Olivia, is super ready to fill her new tote.  

We head into the library, which is a task in and of itself, because all the kids want to climb on the wall that lines the sidewalk and they all need my hand to balance.  I only have two hands! Why does the library have that wall???  Then, M and M begin to fight over who gets to push the handicap button to open the door.  Max gets there first, as he usually does, and Molly goes to pieces again.  I try to comfort her by saying that it's ok, she can push it too, but we turn every head in the library upon our arrival.  We hurry to the elevator down to the children's section. In the elevator I give them all a talking to about our "library voices."  

Downstairs I try to help Olivia find some appropriate books for her reading level, while M and M try to play on the computers, climb up the drinking fountains, and disappear into the bathroom.  At one point the lights go off in the lower level, and I know it's Max, so I hurry to hunt him down.  He's gone.  He got on the elevator, by himself.  I start to panic.  Olivia hurries to track him down while I grab Molly to take off up the stairs in hopes of cornering him at some point of the three floor library.  Just as I head up, Olivia comes down with Max, pulling his arm, he is screaming.  I feel all eyes on me as I tell the kids AGAIN about our library voices. I tell Olivia to wrap it up and try to get M and M to read a quick book with me.  Molly sits on my lap to read but Max runs off.  Again, the lights go off.  UGH.  I pack up my books and round them up.  Time to go.  But I still have to get a book on the adult level.

We get off the elevator and I say, "stay with me, I just need to get one book."  Of course, no one stays with me and we have a repeat of the elevator drama with BOTH Max and Molly.  Luckily you can hear Molly's screams the whole way up and back down the elevator shaft.  I feel the eyes of the library again.  Once I round them up, I have pretty much had it.  I put Max on my hip and grab Molly's hand and head to the place I am sure to find a book that will do.  I grab the first one I haven't read by a particular author I like and as I bend down Max shouts out.......

"OOWWW, you hurted my PENIS!"

At this point, my head down, we exited the premises just as quickly as I could check out my books and pay my $21 fine.........

And my goal is to do this once a week for the entire summer.  Wish me luck.

The Big Apple

I just saw Wicked on Broadway in NYC........and I am totally going to brag about it now!  Na, na, na, na, na, I saw Wicked on Broadway..........

And it was the best thing EVER.  I am still freaking out!  

More about NY to come..........

My celebrity look-a-likes! I'm feeling pretty good right now!

Olivia's Celebrity Look-A-Likes

M and Ms little fort...........

For some reason, every day when I make my bed, M and M climb behind the pillows and play. Here they are sharing a snack, which I found all over my bed that night when I took everything off of it.  I think it's funny how kids find their secret places in the most unique spots.

Big brother is here!

Grassheads rock!

Olivia's latest school science project...........the grass head.

In Praise of Lazy Parenting

Here is the link to that cute article!  I did it!

"Look, Mama!"

Well, that's it, I am officially in the "Look, Mama" stage.  All day, Molly follows me around or shouts to me from the backseat, "look, Mama."  I look and she proceeds to do something ingenious, like..........

trying to snap her fingers

    imitating someone on TV

        drawing a circle

              standing on one foot

                balancing something on her head or hand or knee or toe

     placing her head on the ground as if she might do a somersault

                                  actually attempting a somersault

                                           doing a funny face

                                                  turning around in a circle

                                                       

And the list goes on..........I find myself all day saying, "good job, Molly.........nice............way to go"....and any other encouraging phrases I can think of at the moment.

Am I encouraging mediocrity?  I forgot how funny this age is.....and how much I love it!  I wonder if Max will go through the "look, Mama" stage or if it's a girl thing?  Either way, you've got to love how kids marvel in the smallest accomplishments, and how much they thrive on their parents' approval.  And, it's so darn easy to approve of them at this young age.  All that they do really is great, and new and fun.  

Which leads me to wonder.......why does that change?  Why, as our children get older and we get older do we tire of the little accomplishments and only get excited about the big ones?  

Today I am marveling at the little ones more.  I pat myself on the back for making my bed, combing my own hair, and feeding the fish all by myself.   I am not going to allow myself to look around and see how every other parent seems to be doing it better.  I read a funny article today in Wondertime, which I tried to find a link to, but am not technologically there (but don't worry, I patted myself on the back because I know how to check my email), about a mom who is very much like me, and it made me laugh.  She is a mom who forgets to put the money under the pillow from the tooth fairy sometimes, lets her kids watch too much tv, doesn't eat organic or grind her own flax, and best of all, stands up for the fact that even with all of that, she adores her children and will not be bullied into the mom-style of conquering a daunting to do list every day that leaves you without energy for the real stuff in life.  I laughed because I relate, yet I find myself trying to live both sides.  It has given me food for thought. 

So there is my essay for the day..........didn't I warn you that I sometimes ramble and sit upon a soap box or high horse or something or other?  

I think I may need to talk to adults more.

A face that not only a mother could love!

Patrick, 2 months old!

We miss you Sweetheart and Patrick!

(and Grandma and Grandpa, too, of course)

I have a family here on earth......

On Mother's Day they were so good to me............

Olivia made me this card with a poem using the letters in my name!

My husband pulled through with flowers!

And my favorite candy........

One of my favorite movies........

A new book that I haven't read but wanted to........how did he know???

Also, the darling made me the cutest "gift certificate," yes, you heard me, HANDMADE, which said that I was entitled to a new outfit to fit my growing tummy!  He actually TRIED to shop for maternity clothes for me, but got totally overwhelmed and gave up.  

I feel the need to repent of all the times I have called my husband a bad gift giver.......he redeemed himself and then some this year with gifts, and most of all with thoughtfulness.  He made me pancakes for breakfast, cleaned it all up, and made the yummiest flank steak for dinner.  His kind deeds and the words he wrote me in his card were the biggest treasures of all. I have an awesome family.

Sorry for the sickening sweet post!  I heart being a mom!

A conversation with Molly....

I made some raspberry jello the other day, which I love with cool whip on it, and asked Molly,

"Molly, do you want some jello?"

She looked at what I had, and answered, "no, wed (red)."

I said, "You are right, it is red, but it's called Jello."

"No, wed."  She replied again.  OK, you win.........

"Do you want any Red?"  I asked.

"Yes!"

Sometimes it's not worth the battle.

A rough morning, to say the least

The other day, Olivia got up at 6:30.  Not unusual.  She typically gets up, makes her bed, quietly comes downstairs, closes my door so softly, so she doesn't wake me, and then does her thing.  Her thing ranges from sneaking TV to sneaking potato chips, to doing totally great things like drawing or emptying the dishwasher (nice, but noisy).  But this day she felt lonely, so she decided to wake her brother and sister up, who in turn woke her mom up.  Not a good move.  I started out the day grouchy, and immediately sent her to her room.  M and M were stinkers all morning and their nap could not come soon enough.  As a side note, their nap lasted close to 4 hours, so not all was lost.  So, after walking her to the bus I went upstairs to get clothes for the kids for the day, and I found a note that said, "Mom.....I love you........I'm a brat..........Olivia."  It broke my heart!  I did not call her a brat, but she obviously got that message from me.  And I'm sure it wasn't the first time.  So, to undo her sad feelings and my pangs of conscience, when she got home, I told her that I found her note and I had her sit down by me and write five really great things about herself.  She was resistant at first, but then in a sideways glance I caught her smiling, revealing the exact outcome I was hoping for.  Here is her list:  

1. I am the love gill

2. I am a good gill

3. I am thotfl.

4. I am rilly good at reding

5. I am rilly good at lafing

So, change gill to girl and phonetically sound out the rest and you've got her list!  I could add 100 more, including, she is helpful, she has a winning smile, she is confident, she makes friends easily, and she is the best big sister and helper ever!  I highly recommend this exercise not only for our kids, but for us.  What do you consider your five greatest attributes?

This is why he can get away with anything!

For Grandma....

Grandma Bonnie couldn't believe Molly could be a big enough girl to have french braids!  And she was so patient while I did it........thanks, Elmo!

Breakfast.....it does a body good!

I started out on the right foot this morning at 6:30 when my tummy woke me up starving.  I ate a nice bowl of this:

But, at 10 AM while out doing errands I could not resist picking up a box of buttermilk glazed:

And, of course, a:

So much for good intentions!

Molly the caretaker.........

(photo by Kristen)

Today at McDonald's playland Molly and Max were up in the play structure and after a while Molly came down and walked up to me with her ever-so-concerned-brows-knit-together look and said...........

"Where's my Maxy, Mommy???"

I thought this was just too sweet.............