In (Not So) Perfect Balance

BANG BANG BANG

2011-02-13T19:34:00.001-05:00

As we speak, hubby is putting up my under-the-counter-tv. To accomplish this task he had to empty two cabinets, including my pan one.

The boys, cherubs 2 & 3 (ages 8 & 7 respectively), are drumming on the pans. They are having the TIME OF THEIR LIFE!

I remember rainy days when they were little, I used to take out the pans and let them have at it! WOW! I.must.have.been.CRAZY! It is really, really, really loud. How can you say no though! They look so cute!

Happy Hearts Day or Not?

2011-02-12T10:41:00.003-05:00

Quoting Miranda from one of my fav movies, SATC, "Is it me, or is Valentines Day on steroids this year?" I feel your pain. It seems like for a second grade teacher, hearts day is on steroids!

I strive to be a fun and creative teacher, however, this year I feel like we have missed sooooo much school from snow storms, mixing learning and hearts is more of a challenge! It is funny because the kids can't talk about anything else. You would think the Valentine's Santa was coming! On one spectrum, you have the "well beyond their age kids" who think that "girls should be paired with boys" and vice vs. and those blissfully innocent kids that that don't even understand what that means (thankfully)!

By the end of the day Thursday, I wanted to PUKE hearts. So, when I had to go home and help my OWN 2nd and 3rd grade cherubs fill out and organize their Valentines (skull sport heads with tattoos...so cool), I wanted to run away really fast, leaving a pink dust wake).

Then...something happened.

Cherub 1, now in 5th grade, told cherubs 2 & 3, "Enjoy it this year boys, because when you hit middle school, they don't let you pass out Valentines. It is all over!" She was so sad! She asked me why I thought this happened. It was a slap in the face for me of just how much they LOVE this tradition, both in school and out!

So no matter how much your childs teacher is sleeping, breathing and speaking in hearts, just know that they are ensuring that your child has the opportunity to build memories in the classroom, in the spirit of friendship!

As for me at home, we are continuing our tradition of decorating our windows with hearts, writing our valentines and taking the time to cherish friends and family!

Proper or Adorable?

2010-11-29T21:15:00.000-05:00

Every mom wants their child to speak using proper English. However, I know that personally there are some sayings I will miss. Tonight while staring with wonderous eyes out the car window at Christmas lights, cherub 3 exclaimed "that house is the AWESOMEST"!

This seasons fashions...

2010-11-27T22:37:00.000-05:00

On Turkey day, mom was telling a story about knitting (at least I think that is how it started). Suddenly, I heard her telling hubby all about "topless mittens". I think BigSis, BabySis, Hubby, BIL & I were going to giggle our way right off our seats. Poor mom just didn't get why we were laughing~even after we tried to explain. She then proceeded to tell him all about the "flap that goes on and off the topless mittens". At this point, we told her she could now rename them "peepshow mittens".

Antique Hubby

2010-11-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

Even though in less than 40 days I will be turning 40, it is hubby that is looking a tad antiquish. Last week I was walking by my bedroom window when I stopped dead.in.my.tracks. Outside hubby was ~~bringing~~ WHEELING out the trash to the curb. He was using.a.dolly. I was laughing so hard I could barely make fun of him! Sigh. We are getting old.

job blog stop

2010-11-27T22:11:00.000-05:00

Get job. Stop blog. Seriously. I absolutely love my new career and our whole family has transitioned wonderfully. However, ~~the house cleaning~~ blogging has taken a hit. I am going to try REALLY hard to blog. So today...a few snippets. Sadly, I am truly in second grade! When I typed the post title, job blog stop, all I could think of is 'those are all 1 syllable words'. I need to get a grip (also a 1 syllable word).

Some things I know...

2010-10-16T23:53:00.002-04:00

1) Cherub 1 is slowly entering the ~~i.hate.my.mother~~ tweenhood stage.
2) Cherub 3 IS taller than cherub 2 but is still the baby.
3) Cherub 2 has a softspot for his baby brother.

More Than They Bargained For...

2010-10-12T21:25:00.001-04:00

As a new teacher, the first month of school is like a treadmill that you just.can't.get.off. Seriously. Honestly though, the most nerve wracking thing for me wasn't the first day, the first time my principal observed me, or the first mix-up on the job, etc.

Three words for ya: parent-curriculum-night.

It is the night all you parents come and ~~fall asleep with your eyes open~~, ~~check out the new teacher~~, ahem, spend an hour with me to learn all about the wonderful things I will teach your child this year. So basically, I have to be prepared to ~~babble~~ talk for forty five minutes straight!

That night, I arrived back at school 45 minutes ahead of schedule. I read over my material one last time, double checked my handouts, and shared some info with other teachers. With about 20 minutes before you were ~~gonna size me up and down and ask me difficult questions I probably couldn't answer because I am new~~ scheduled to arrive, I popped into the ladies room to change into my neatly pressed jackie o type dress and cute little sweater.

Dress off hanger.
Dress over head.
~~Zip and Clip~~
Shriek

The hook was broken off my dress so I couldn't get the dress zipped! It is in these times that someone's true personality shines. I ~~blinked back tears~~, ~~swallowed the swear on the tip of my tongue~~ , threw the sweater over my bulging out side (zipper was on the side under my arm) and skuttled to my teacher friends room. I entered her room, ~~red-faced and sweating,~~ closed the door and told her that she was being initiated, like it or not, to be just like a roommate to me. That's right. She got to zip me (which entailed seeing half my naked self). I couldn't decide if I wanted to faint or cry from the embarressment. Zip. No ~~darn~~ clip. We decided that it was best to keep my

left
arm
down.

Ummm ok. I am Irish. I literally talk with my hands. For the remainder of the night I prayed that my dress would not pop open. I am sure that meeting the new teacher ~~who was popping out of her dress~~ was not what the parents had bargained for.

Next year, skirt and blouse.

10/10/10

2010-10-10T21:29:00.003-04:00

September 10, 2010.
Abbreviated 10/10/10.
See you in 1000 years!
Seriously. Everyone should be playing the lottery with 10's!

What we WANT to say...

2010-10-10T21:05:00.014-04:00

I said~ "Boys, don't wrestle."
I heard~ A large bang.
I heard~ Lots of giggles.
I heard~ A louder bang.
Cherub 3 said~ "OUCH! MOM! He bent my arm back!"
(I wanted to say "You Dope. You asked for that one.")
I actually said~ "Are you ok? Let me see honey..."

Thankful

2010-10-09T17:39:00.010-04:00

Thankful for
hubby's strength, humor, unconditional love, and inventiveness.
hubby's whole-hearted support of my decision to go back to work.
cherub 1's sweetness, creativity, and determination.
cherub 1's positive energy and happiness.
cherub 2's sense of humor, creativity and determination.
cherub 2's imagination and ability to make one live in the moment.
cherub 3's sweetness, loving nature and determination.
cherub 3's love of tradition and ability to make one live in the moment.

Tick Tock

2010-07-29T21:29:00.009-04:00

As a "change of lifer", I have been interviewing for a teaching job, thinking about interviewing for a teaching job, preparing for an interview for a teaching job, searching for an available teaching job, losing sleep over the lack of teaching jobs, for what seems like an eternity. I am exhausted.

I had another interview today which felt like it may have gone well, which means...
nothing.

I hope someone hires me soon.
Tick tock.
Off goes my working "internal clock".
If it takes much longer, it will be time to retire.

Mid-Life Crisis?

2010-07-25T23:58:00.009-04:00

Jokingly, hubby has been teased a great deal recently because he seems to have started a traditional mid-life crisis. First came the ~~monstersized~~TRUCK:

Which was "needed" to tow the CAMPER ~~that one of our neighbors hates and asked us to relocate because it was "highly visable from every aspect of her home"~~:

Which led to the ~~current OBSESSION~~ BOAT:

It is a good thing ~~he does not have a secretary~~ we are HAPPY...

...so his crisis does not worry any of us! Enjoy mid-life hubby! xoxo

What's really in your nest?

2010-07-07T21:16:00.008-04:00

Big Sis and I have a ~~morbid~~ agreement. If one of us dies, the other will rush over and clean out "that closet" before all the relatives get to our home to gather. You know, the closet or space that everything gets shoved into when you are having a party ~~or if you are just being plain lazy when picking up~~. The pile of, ahem, stuff that needs to be sorted through but NEVER does until either 1)the closet won't close anymore 2)the crap falls out when the door opens or 3)a good friend opens the closet door by mistake and you feel mortified. So having said that, it seems like lately, ALL my closets are "that closet".

So, here I am, nesting. Nesting~ traditionally this action takes place right before a woman gives birth to her babies. A time when she cleans every closet, organizes, purges, makes everything ship-shape. I am nesting. Big time. I am on a mission to rid myself of ~~dig myself out from under~~ the 39 years of clutter and disorganization that I have bequested upon my home.

Do you know how many pens I found in the "craft bin". Let's just say, I'll never buy a pen ~~, crayon, sticky, sticker, or googly eye~~ again. I won't even tell you how many mittens were in this house! I have donated enough mittens to keep half of our state warm next winter.

One closet, one corner, one room, one bin at a time, our house is going to be like new!

Statute of Limitations

2010-07-07T00:10:00.007-04:00

What is the statute of limitations on your favorite wardrobe item? I guess it's time to start purging here. My recent conversation with cherub 3:

Cherub 3: Mom, how old is your shirt?

(Pause to look down at my fav t-shirt ~~that only has one tiny hole~~.)

Me: About 15 years old.

Cherub 3: Hey, next year it can drive!

Vroooom speeds the shirt right to the trash.

Trapped!

2010-04-14T13:02:00.002-04:00

The picture doesn't do it justice but this is the construction at the end of my driveway. We can't get in or out with our cars due to the BIG hole. Happy sewer project!

They Do Hear Ya~ Keep Talkin'

2010-04-12T07:34:00.005-04:00

Sometimes, we parents babble about things: elbows off the table, chew with your mouth closed, use your manners, be kind, the list goes on and on. The list can seem so long that we feel like drones...like the parents on Snoopy, when they talk it's "wha, wha, wha, wha". However, every once in a while the cherubs do something that makes you realize that some of that droning sunk in. :o) Hubby, this one is for you!

Cherub 2 brought home from school:

My Role Model is
"my Dad because at hockey he teaches me how to be a good sportsmanship."

Sweet Saturdays

2010-04-10T19:29:00.008-04:00

After I ran a 5K with BabySis (below post) and said a BIG THANK YOU to hubby for shlepping the cherubs to their baseball and softball practices, we enjoyed a sweet Saturday:

Cherubs 2&3 battling and giggling during a hockey game

Cherub 1 & hubby building a bunny cage!

Cherub 3, our daily waiter, took orders for dinner after I asked hubby "what fine establishment will be making our dinner tonight"? He graciously accepted my hint not to cook! Love him!

So pooped from the day outside, cherub 3 fell fast asleep on my lap.
Sweet Nothings.
Sweet Saturdays.

Run, Run, Run

2010-04-10T17:15:00.010-04:00

**Note** Completely unflattering pose of me (on right) with sistas outta control in old, baggy sweatshirt. Why, oh why did I forget my running jacket at home?? GREAT pic of BabySis (on left)! You go girl!!

A beautiful day for a road race! BabySis & I ran a charity road race today to benefit Breast Cancer. Here are our (typical) antics for the day:

*running our usual 15 or so min behind, put the "pedal to the metal" to arrive on time (yes we still live in the 80's)
*rely on the force to get there cuz we aren't so good with directions
*lock ourselves out of the car
*figure out a way in
*ran in the "flat,flat,flat" 5K road race (Margie lied!)
*renamed the road race "The Rolling Hills of NH" cuz it WASN'T so FLAT!
*our heads remained DOWN during the hills so we "couldn't see them"
*enjoyed the peaceful, colonial style atmosphere
*tried to keep up with twin of "Airbud",dog from the movie, who rocked the race
*tried to keep up with BabySis who didn't break a sweat
*got giddy when BabySis won a prize of cute basket with water bottle and candy
*cracked up when I won, appropriately, a "wine diaper", ahem, wine cooler (pic below)
*cured our caffeine withdrawal headaches with coffee and breakfast after race

As a person that is BLESSED to have TWO wonderful sisters, I cherish these days. Days that I can spend uninterrupted time with one of them, catching up, giggling and creating bonding memories. Love you BabySis!

My Cup Runneth Over

2010-04-08T16:48:00.006-04:00

Cherub 1 is currently writing a book about a little bee. Seriously...she is becoming an author as we speak! She quietly told me today that she completed the dedication page and wanted me to read it. Below is the dedication page...

I would like to dedicate this book to :

My mom and dad who helped me write this book. They were also there for me when I needed their help. They helped me get through problems that I couldn't do on my own and made me feel much better by supporting me and telling me that they went through the same thing when they were my age. They understood every way that I felt. They understand me the way nobody else does. I love them sooooooooo much.

Of course, I cried when I read it! All I can say to you cherub 1 is thank you and WE LOVE YOU MORE THAN 1 MILLION CHOCOLATE COVERED MOUNTAINS!

Up to my neck in smarty pants!

2010-04-07T09:09:00.004-04:00

Cherub 3: Mom, can I have some of my chocolate bunny?
Me: Sure!
Cherub 3: How much can I have?
Me: You can eat to it's neck.
Cherub 3: (Pause) Ok, then I'll start at it's feet! (Laughs)
Me: Good one! Nice try though!

Turning the Lights On!

2010-04-07T00:28:00.005-04:00

It's like driving with your headlights off. Being an unorganized mom that is. Without organization you end up on the wrong baseball field, missing a registration deadline, running out of milk (again), forgetting dentists appointments, the list goes on and on. For some reason I have been on an organizing tear! You would think I was nesting the way I am acting.

I would like to give credit to The Happiness Project, my recent book club read, but that would be a half truth. I only actually made it through 3 chapters (before dying of boredom). The book was about a real life woman's quest to be happier, starting by being more organized. So quite possibly, the book was good for something. It sparked my nesting, turned my headlights on!

My house looks better, it is easier to find things, I waste less time, I stay calmer, I feel calmer. Well what do ya know, organization can make you happier. It only took me 39 years of driving in the dark to figure that out!

Keeping Me Going

2010-04-06T04:22:00.005-04:00

I went to bed last night feeling sick. As soon as I ate dinner~ it all started so I feel like something I ate might have been spoiled? Anyhoo. Now it is the middle of the night and I am blogging because I can't sleep! It is kind of nice, kind of quiet in the wee hours. I had time to catch up on Sarah's blog (In the Trenches) and I must say, thank you Sarah!! I love the ticker tracker thing you suggested for keeping track of my running. I am taking your advice~ I added one to my blog so now it is out there. You can see what I am running (or not running). A few short weeks ago I accomplished this:

...but then I stopped. Sickness fell on the scale and my running fell to the wayside. Starting tomorrow! Thanks for the motivation Sarah!!

Perfection

2010-04-02T00:11:00.007-04:00

Hubby will always keep them up later
He will always appear to be more fun
They will never appreciate my rules until kids of their own
I can live with that :o)
I would walk through fire for them
So would hubby.

Each day I cherish more and more
I appreciate the giggles, gangly teeth, mischievousness, innocence
Realizing that the first 4 years were a blur...
Knowing I can't get them back
This knowledge fuels me to cherish more deeply
Play more games, do less dishes & laundry (can I get away with that?)

Each day our bond gets stronger
We bond in different ways
Advocating for our cherubs
Ensuring their safety
Teaching them
Hugging them, loving them.

Not in balance
Not perfection
Not ideal
Not rich
Not in harmony
Yet, perfection.

Lingo Lango Lungo

2010-03-31T14:02:00.002-04:00

If you have kids or have been around kids chances are you've seen the movie Monster's Inc. A hysterical animated film about monsters jumping out of kids closets to steal their screams. If you haven't seen the movie~ stop right here...this post will make noooo sense. If you have, enjoy!

As with any industry, the teaching industry has it's own lingo. This morning, hubby & I attended a teacher/parent conference for one of our cherubs. I was using industry terms such as differentiated, active learning, 504, and IEP. Hubby, a software guru by trade, said at one point while drowning in a conversation filled with teacher lango, he wanted to stand up and yell "2319! 2319!"

A Little One's Perspective

2010-03-30T14:59:00.003-04:00

Cherub 3: Mom, when you were little like me, were schools invented?

Me: Yes, believe it or not, we did have schools back then!

I wonder how old he thinks I am??

Baby Nephew

2010-03-26T14:41:00.002-04:00

Here is a borrowed post off of BigSis's facebook page. Had to put this one down in history as one of the funniest things Babynephew has ever said.

Having a nice family dinner, Nana is over and BabyNephew asks " was I born in a cab?" What??? I don't think you have ever been in a cab.... we have not seen Nana laugh that hard in a long time!!!

Time Check

2010-03-26T14:33:00.005-04:00

When: Today
Time: 7:42am

Cherub 3: Mom, we gotta get up it is SEVEN HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO!!

Me: (Giggle) You are right! We gotta get ready for the bus. We are running reeeealllly late if it is in the 700's!

2010-03-18T23:00:00.005-04:00

Hubby is not a salesman, yet is a salesman at heart. My mom always says he could sell anybody anything. Her big line is that he could "talk a dog off a meat wagon". Tonight RLF, Kris & I were at our kid's Middle School taking a tour when we came upon a little art show. All the students had created artwork based on real life phobias. After checking them all out, I realized there was a rational explanation for my muchprefertakeoutsyndrome:

I have Mageirocophobia. Fear of cooking.

Think I can sell that one to him? That's my story...I am stickin' to it.

*Disclaimer* This is in no way meant to offend a true mageirocophobic.

PS- We actually decided I probably have fear of cleaning as well but I couldn't find the word for that one. I am sure he would agree because my house is SO messy right now it looks like it got robbed!

MB's Back

2010-03-03T11:33:00.004-05:00

So it has been years since this chick has entered a road race. To be specific, it has been 6. That's right, I ran a road race a few months after cherub 3 was born and then I seemed to stop running when I unknowingly entered the race to become big and fat. Not anymore.

Sunday, I ran in the 1st of a 3-part running series. It was an Irish run, so naturally it started and ended at a pub.

Here's a quick recap of the race:

Hubby backed out of the race the morning of. Determined to do it, that didn't stop me.

40ish min wait for bathroom, I was in the MEN'S room (hey all the rules go out the door when you have to go and your limited on time) when the gun sounded. That's right, I wasn't there for the line up. Didn't let that stop me either, I hopped out of the bathroom, onto the street, saw the runner's waaaaayyyyy down the street and just started running to catch up.

Realized after the first few minutes that I was STILL running up hill.

Still running up.

Still running up. Questioning, is there a top to this hill?

Reached the top of the hill, rounded the corner and saw the cone saying '1 mile'. Yes, the first WHOLE mile was UP HILL.

Since I managed not to stop going up hill for a mile, all my nerves left me because I realized I could do it.

Ran. Mile 2.

Ran. Started seeing people running towards me. That is when I smiled knowing that I must be near the end. You know, all the CRAZY runners that run the other way after they hit the finish line (to show off) ehem, to get just a little bit more exercise in because the run wasn't long enough for them.

Ran faster.

FINISH LINE! For me a record, 34 min 10 seconds!

Cherub 2 asked me if I came in first. I told him I came in 142nd. He made a horrified face. I told him how wonderful that was. He looked at me like I was crazy. But for me, I finished. That was the beauty. No more entering the "race" to get big and fat. Now I am just in a big fat good mood knowing that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Can't wait for the 4 mile and 5 mile. Can't wait to assemble the other two thirds of this medal together. MB's back (even if I run in the back-wink)!

Dear Sarah,

2010-03-03T11:19:00.006-05:00

I broke my promise to you because I told you I would FINALLY blog on Sat. I think it was because you all kept me up till 3am on Friday after the Black Eyed Peas Concert! We had so much fun I had to go to bed at 8:30pm Sat night to recover. The night definitely was a "Good Night"! This pic was taken from one of my neighbors that also went~ they had 4th row seats. Go Fergie. Ours were almost just like theirs. We were in the 2nd row...ahem, from the back! Nosebleeds and all, we had a blast. (Just don't dance to fast up there...kinda steep.)

Afterwards, we danced at two bars till closing time. Thanks to my girls for an awesome night. I still can't believe we found the 80's band with the flock of seagulls hair! We might have to become official groupies! As always, I am still giggling a week later. Love ya!

Love,
MB

PS to Sarah- I will start blogging now~3 months off is long enough!

Thud.

2010-01-27T20:09:00.001-05:00

Open fridge door. Thud. A Nintendo DS crashes out of the fridge to the floor. So many unanswered questions there.

My Baby Doll

2010-01-26T23:55:00.004-05:00

As cherub 1 grows up, figuring out what makes her tick can be more tangled than the hair knots after her nightly shower. Lately, she has slowly started to gravitate away from the little girl things like barbies, "playing house", etc. Yet, today was special. We ran our very own beauty shop. Cherub 1, her friend and I got all her American Girl dolls all gussied up for their "proms". We had a blast picking out glamorous outfits and shoes for each doll. I relished each braid, bow, and ponytail we put in.

Even though it was easier to untangle the knots of her dolls hair than those of her emotions as of late, I cherished each and every moment with my little baby doll and have locked this fun memory for safe keeping.

Santa's Belly

2010-01-22T10:41:00.002-05:00

Over Christmas time, cherub 2 asked me how Santa's belly got so big. I told him it was probably from eating all those cookies everyone leaves him. He agreed and told me that Santa's belly was "so big it was like 17 cookies big"!

The FurSulMurphsAgers 12/12/09

2009-12-31T09:39:00.018-05:00

In harmony, four families combine to share some updates, giggles and good times before the holidays engulf us! Here are some fun pictures of our BIG Xmas party, hosted this year in our home. Presenting the FurSulMurphsAgers!

**Please note** "Small" pictures were downloaded from FB page. Can't seem to fix size. Will try later!

This year's winner of the "candy jar"!

That face is priceless!

Yummy!

Everyone is posed!

Smile!

Just the girls!

They look so innocent! Say cheese!

Singing Xmas Carols as Cousins cherub dazzles us!

Hubby (before he turned into Minnie Mouse) & Cherub 1

Hubby (as Minnie Mouse) in a parade with kids!

Uncle B!

Me & Cherub 1

Cousin's Babygirl...also dazzling us!

Pops & Eldest Nephew

BIL & Cousin, dodging a phote (stinky boys!)...

BabySis & Cousin!

Cousins! Say Cheese!!

Aunt N, me, BigSis! Say Cheese!

Nana & Sis!

Boys, boys, boys...and that is only some of them!

BabySis dishes with the young girls!

Don't forget your purse!

Cherish the SISTAS

2009-12-31T09:26:00.006-05:00

Some we are born with, some are chosen
In a heartbeat, we are there for each other
Stories, advice, honesty, giggles, gossip
Together we celebrate the holidays
And cherish time together
Simply priceless

Love my SISTAS!
12/6/09 Christmas Dinner in North End!

Building back up the Pieces

2009-12-11T23:47:00.006-05:00

This is the snowman that cherub 2 built.

This is the hockey rink that hubby built~ right where the snowman was. (Look closely, you can see the snowman remains.)

These are the pieces of cherub 2 that mommy had to put back together. (Sigh.)

Me: What's wrong????
Cherub 2: (In between sobs.) I am SO mad at Daddy! He took down my snowman to build the rink! I worked SO HARD ON IT! (Mind you, he is the one that will use the rink the most.)

All Wrapped Up

2009-12-11T23:43:00.002-05:00

Cherub 2 purchased our dog a Christmas gift at his school holiday shop. He asked hubby where the wrapping paper bin was. Mindlessly, hubby told him and continued what he was doing. Next thing you know, cherub 2 came up the basement stairs carrying this HUGE bin! He wrapped the doggy bones all by himself and labeled it:

To: Haley
Love: Cherub 2

The best part was when hubby told him to put it in Haley's stocking and cherub 2 replied, "I can't! Santa's gonna fill it!"

Democratic Decision

2009-12-09T12:15:00.005-05:00

The cherubs shopped at their school holiday store. On the way home in the car cherub 2 announced that they "voted and decided to give each other their presents right now". I asked if they wanted to at least wrap them and cherub 2 told me that they weren't going to because it was just "a waste of time anyway" (takes time away from getting the gift right away). I love that they live have created their onw democracy (and that they are so excited and can't wait)!

Where's Cherubs?

2009-12-09T08:48:00.005-05:00

It's like where's Waldo? Where's Cherubs? You can barely make them out in the snowstorm as they walk to the bus stop with Daddy.

(Cherub 3 too fast to be caught on film!)

Husky Angry Guy

2009-12-08T08:53:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I ruined someone's day.

Yes, I know I should feel bad.

On the way to work I stopped at the local gas station to buy a diet sunkist. Of course their was only one teenee, tiny little parking spot. So, I did what any commuter would do. I squeezed my big but minivan into the spot, got out of my car sideways, and ran in for my soda. I was only going to be in there a minute anyway.

While waiting in line, some guy BURST into the door and screamed in a husky growl, "WHO'S GOT A BLUE VANNNNNN?". Startled, I answered quietly, "me". He then growled, "WOULD YOU MIND MOVING IT SO I CAN GET IN MY CAR?" With a smile I answered, "sure". (He was kind of raging and I did check to make sure he wasn't armed to go poastal on me.)

I put my stuff down, walked out, squeezed into my van, moved it as he STOMPED TO HIS CAR, SLAMMED HIS DOOR AND DROVE AWAY AT 100 MILES PER HOUR.

I couldn't help it, it was funny.

What I can't figure out is why he didn't just squeeze by and slam his car door into mine like any other self-respecting MA commuter would have? Why be mad? Why make a scene? Many a time I have gotten into my car via passenger seat because someone parked to close (I didn't slam their door). Inconvenienced? Sure. But seriously people, take a breath. It was a convenience store, clearly I would've been out in under 2 minutes anyway.

Back in the line everyone was laughing and commenting, "somebody needs his coffee", "someone's ragin' on a Monday". I feel bad for his co-workers because they were sure to get an earful that morning.

So, sorry I ruined your day, husky, angry guy but next time...just breathe.

Parent's Penance

2009-12-06T11:49:00.005-05:00

(Disclaimer: The below is sarcasm at it's best.)

I decided this morning that going to church has become my penance for all my sins. I remember the day when I used to go to church, my place of peace, beautiful music, serenity and prayer. I used to have the time to listen, learn and try to be a better person. It is way different now.

My penance looks something like this:
Wake up. Corral 3 children to shower, eat and get out the door, with appropriate clothes, on time to make it to mass. (Today, cherub 1 came down with a summer dress and open toe high healed shoes on. Ummm, turnaround and go put leggings and boots on. It is snowing!) This change is the point where we run late for mass.

Whisper on the way in to be quiet, because we are a tad late.

Pick up worksheets on the way into mass. My children are "required" to fill out these worksheet during each mass to "help them learn about the mass and the church seasons. In essence, it is to prove they were there. Who is kidding who?

I find myself whispering things throughout the mass like: feet down, stop banging, hands off your sister, what? you have to go to the bathroom again?, yes-it is almost over, don't scribble on your worksheet, don't grunt at me, etc, etc, etc.

We continue to annoy the elderly people sitting near us as I whisper throughout the mass helping them with their worksheet, since it has words like 'sanctuary' on it. In the end, I do not hear the true message of mass today because I am too busy assisting my kids.

After mass, take 1 of 3 children downstairs to ccd. Leave for 1 hr. Come back to pick child up. Corral cherub 2 because he has decided to LAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR OF CHURCH, GRAB CHERUB 1'S LEGS AND SCREAM THAT HE IS GOING TO TAKE HER DOWN. In the end, I pick him up (by his jacket sleeve), point my finger and say sternly, "Cherub 2! Stop it! You are in church!" He looks at me like, "What did I do?"

In the end, I looked crazy.

In the end, my kids look out of control.

In the end, I feel the need to cry.

So as a true sinner would, I will pay the piper, do my penance next week at 9am mass. Who needs to go to the confession booth?. The priest should simply 'absolve' me (for all my bad thoughts throughout my mass experience) on the way out of mass each time in hopes that I will come back next week.

Not a Couple of Misfits!

2009-12-02T20:36:00.003-05:00

Watching Rudolph, being Rudolph! Treasure these times!

Fancy Pants

2009-12-02T08:17:00.002-05:00

Scene: Cherub 2 getting ready for school, putting on cackies.

Cherub 2: Mom, I am not "going to picture day" why do I have to be fancy?
Me: Honey, those are the only pants clean, please put them on.

Fancy? Cackies? I remember having like 2 pairs of levi chords, 1 ALWAYS had to be blue, hating them and STILL never complaining.

Saintly?

2009-12-01T09:01:00.002-05:00

Saintly.

It is not usually a word that I would use to describe hubby. He is an amazing hubby and father, full of life, hysterical, handsome, hardworking, creative, always right (ha, ha), but saintly? However, he recently has change my mind...at least for now.

Last Friday, we went to my high school reunion. As one can attest to, if it isn't your reunion it can be boring. Not having those connections, being introduced 4,000 times, not understanding the old stories. Having said that, hubby was amazing! He was his usual self, meeting people, making the best of where he was (even if he was bored). Here is the proof for his new definition:

*He was the drink fairy. Where ever we were, hubby kept "delivering" drinks. We would be off in the opposite corner of the party talking with an old friend and a beer/glass of wine would appear in our hands. The next day, RLF, H said "how is it that I never spent a dollar but had a drink in my hand all night?" Ironic b/c my money had disappeared from my wallet. (I vaguely remember him taking it all when we first got there.)

*At any given moment he could be seen carrying around H's shoes. He was afraid she would leave them there. Where is the picture of him holding her strappy little sandals?

*First trip home~ At the end of the night, we all decided to go to the local bar. Hubby left to relieve our sitter. He was five minutes around the corner when I texted him to come back (b/c I changed my mind and wanted to go home with him). He got back to the hotel as I said "oops".

*Second trip home~ He graciously said no problem when he heard oops (hey, it took him five minutes to get there...they convinced me to stay again) and left when we told him we decided to stay. He got all the way home to the driveway when I called him and said "oops".

*Third trip home~ He laughed (on the outside) as we rehashed our conversation "honey, we got to the bar and it was closing!". He came back AGAIN to pick up all of us 'over-imbibed' individuals.

So Mr. Shoe carrying, Mr. Socializer, Mr. Gentlemen, Mr. Keep-your-sense of humor...it is a consensus.

You are saintly!

Just a can of Cranberry Sauce

2009-11-29T21:00:00.007-05:00

Hubby has officially given me permission to turn it all into a book. Here's an excerpt from It's Just a can of Cranberry Sauce (the title he strongly suggests):

Preparing for our Thanksgiving Feast, I reached for a can of cranberry sauce. With a quick turn, turn, turn, I opened the can with a can opener. Next step, turn it over and tap, tap, tap to the bottom of the can. Realizing I forgot to do my trick (gently run a knife around the cranberry sauce to loosen it enough...making it slide out), I put the can down to get a knife.

SWOOP! In swooped hubby and MIL. To save me of course. Everyone knows that even I couldn't quite possibly know how to open it all by myself. Right? (No, I am not sarcastic at all!)

So...I backed up quietly and watched their little escapade:

Hubby: You have to open both ends. Open the other end with the can opener too.
MIL: (Agrees.)
Hubby: (Tries.)
Cherub 1: Can I help?
MIL: (Uses this as a teachable moment.) Sure, you want to open the other end. Then you'll be able to slide it out.

Hubby & MIL soon discover that the can is rounded on the bottom so the can opener won't work on that second end. (Discussion ensues about how the ends are so different.)

Hubby: Where's the bottle opener? We can poke a hole in it.
MIL: (Agrees.)
Me: (I am thinking, WHA?)

No one can find it.
After watching them struggle (approx 5 minutes worth), I quietly and politely ask MIL if they are ready to give me the can back. MIL nods.

Me: (Grabbed knife, gently go around cranberry sauce. Gently taps the bottom of the can and cranberry sauce slides out gingerly onto the plate.)

MIL: (Laughs.) I guess she knew what she was doing all along.

Later when we were laughing about it, hubby asked me when I was going to accept that they both were the same ...always "having to step in, control the situation and be right" (his exact words~ not mine!). I told him it took me 12 years, but I finally have learned to just step back and let them have at it. It is just easier that way.

After all, it's just a can of cranberry sauce.

(And yes, I still love you both, even if you are always right!)

The Lumps and Bumps of Life

2009-11-18T22:52:00.004-05:00

A week and a half ago, my OB found a lump in my breast. There. I said it. This lump made a big bump in our life on the scale for the short time we feared it. Finally today, I got the answer I had prayed for. I am fine.

I always try to make sense of things, trying to figure out why fate has led me down a bumpy path. Trying to figure out the message being sent to me. I have been struggling to find balance in my life lately (like for years). I have been providing and giving, yet not taking care of myself health-wise. I think the bumps in this path jolted me into a clearer state.

So this scale may never be in perfect balance but somehow I will find a decent amount of balance so that I can provide, give and be healthy (so that I can be blessed to continue to provide and give).

Message heard.

Choose the Correct Answer

2009-11-10T20:22:00.003-05:00

Why is it the mom's job to be the 'bad guy'? Hubby asked cherub 1 to paint a bookshelf with him tonight. Great idea, bonding, fun, creative. Love it actually!

However, why would you let your daughter use non-washable RED! paint while wearing her BRAND NEW outfit? I notsonicely suggested that he have her change (actually I pretty much barked at him b/c this is the millionth time he has had a cherub painting in NEW clothes).

Choice: does this situation make me mean or him just a glutton for my nagging?

Double Dippin'

2009-11-07T23:26:00.002-05:00

In my most recent post, it is mentioned that the tooth fairy didn't come on time (simultaneously when I had 102 fever and was delirious). Once the tooth fairy came (when she came home from ahem, vacation, she left cherub 2 $2 (an extra for the wait). That next morning, cherub 2 woke me to tell me that he lost another tooth and I replied, "Great. That means the tooth fairy will come again!" I watched him do the happy dance all the way out of my bedroom. I fell right back into to temp-a-coma.

The next day, cherub 2 told Daddy that the tooth fairy left him another $2. Hubby asked him if he lost another tooth and he answered, "No, I have no idea why she left it for me. I'm gonna put that tooth pillow under my pillow tonight to see if she'll do it again!" Hubby is relentless! He has not stopped laughing at me.

I guess I dreamt the whole thing in my delirium? $4 a tooth. Not bad.
Hey~no double dippin.

Did You Know?

2009-11-06T12:08:00.003-05:00

That when mom has 102 fever, she still made sure:
1)you had your library book
2)had your favorite outfit clean so you could speak at your assembly
3)fed the kids, the dog and the bunny (with some help! Thank you!)
4)gave you your medicine
5)disinfected the house
6)made sure you studied for spelling and did your math
7)tracked down your missing school picture
8)helped you plan your art contest picture
9)gave up and let you play football in the house
10)still loved you even though I couldn't lavish you with hugs & kisses
Most of all, did you know that when mom is sick, she wants her mom too?

PS- Did you know, that even though I had 102 fever and I forgot to 'send the message' to the tooth fairy that your tooth was under your pillow, I still love you? She got the message the next day and whala, $2 instead of $1. Maybe it pays to have mommy sick?

The Transitions

2009-10-28T20:04:00.005-04:00

I have been teaching my 2nd graders how to use transition words in their writing: first, next, then, last. Since I have seemingly forgotten how to blog, I will re-learn how to write again, transitions included.

First, I took a job teaching second graders.
Next, life become caotic, sleep became extinct, yet all were happy.
Then, the cherubs became very ill with the H1N1 flu.
Last, hubby & I lost our marbles. Seriously.

It is all about how you Recover!

2009-09-25T00:22:00.004-04:00

Can you believe we have been so busy that I FORGOT I used to blog. Like, everyday. It wasn't until I was teaching my little 2nd graders about how 25 pennies would weigh more than 20 and showed them with my hands up in the air (one higher than the other) that I pictured the scale from my blog page.

I love, love, love teaching. However, working moms balance a very delicate mix of juggling balls. If one, just one of those balls falls, it all unravels. Add a hubby that is gone every other week on business and it is a sure fire guarantee that that one of those juggling balls will fall. Everyday. What I have learned this year...what I hope to teach the cherubs...it is how you recover that matters.

Oh, you want a funny? How about the fact that I can't keep track anymore. I actually didn't know my own kids had a 1/2 day until last night at 9pm. That's right. Best mom of the year award. Try keeping two school schedules balanced (among the sports schedule etc).

There are just too many falls from grace (balls falling) to catch you all up. How about this one for a chuckle. My fourth day into the school year, I get a call from my new sitter. Cherub 2 is "gone". WHA? I am panicking from work. I called in my neighbor for emergency backup and my sitter & I nearly lost ours mind. Within minutes he was found hiding in the dining room. BLECH. Imagine the feeling in my heart I had when I heard he was GONE. Gone. Gone. My mind was racing. After gracefully recovering (or not so much) from that first near tragedy, within two hours my kids school called all my emergency backups (b/c I was in class and didn't get the call apparently) b/c cherub 3 is sick. BabySis saved my but and picked him up. BigSis saved my but by taking him the next day. BIL and BigSis continued to save my but by taking him the rest of the week. Ah, huh. That was fun.

So, since then, it is all how you recover. I have come to terms that I will mess up. Alot. I have to try my best, just like I teach the cherubs and my students and follow my mantra "no worries" (courtesy to RLF, K). There is always tomorrow. Tomorrow the scale might be in balance.

First Day of School

2009-09-02T02:03:00.002-04:00

Cherub 1 ~ 4th grade
Cherub 2 ~ 2nd grade
Cherub 3 ~ 1st grade

All cherubs had a wonderful day! So far, the transition to a new school for the cherubs and mommy going back to work simultaneously hasn't given us any hiccups...yet. :o)

Happy First Day!!

RE-ENTRY PART II

2009-08-29T06:26:00.033-04:00

Before we get to the RE-ENTRY...

BLAST OFF!

There is no feeling in the world like leaving for vacation. Doesn't even matter where you are going really. Over here where we try to keep our scale balanced, vacations are precious. With hubby traveling every other week, we don't get alot of that family time anymore. So a week away ~together~ is the best! We headed to Seabrook, N.H. for a week~ our annual trip to Nana & Pop's beach house. We are lucky, because BabySis always join us for at least half the week.

ADVENTURES!
We had a week filled with family, sandy toes, wave ridin', walks to the rocks, castle building, arcade games, go-carts, water rides, beach juice and lots-o-fun on our adventure!

Grammy & Grammy Visit
Bocci on the Beach with G&G

Aunt N & Cousin E watched the Bocci challenge with me...

Turtle first, turned into a GREAT BIG DINOSAUR!

MIL (Grammy) helping cherub 1 work up the courage for the go-carts...

FIL (Grampy) & Cherub 3~ holding their own!

Hubby & Cherub 2~ determined to win the race!

Cherub 1 & I~ going...really...slow...per...cherub 1's....begging!

BabySis joined us just in time for the last race!

Arcade fun~

Cashin in...

Side note: on day two of the arcade escapades, I turned around to find Cherub 2,
"aka Mr. Independent", trading in his tickets all by himself to get his prize. ALL he wanted was goofy eyeballs!

Cherubs & Cousins...beach, fireworks, flashlight tag...lots o giggles!
One is NEVER too old for 'don't let the wave get ya'!

Hubby's box-o-fireworks...what a bang!

Can you see it?

Cherub 3 huggin Pops in between displays...

Cherubs 2&3 blocking out the bang!

Beach sparklers...

Beach Olympics
Hubby, BabySis & I enjoyed beach juice as the cherubs jumped over the REALLY big beach hole...we cheered and cracked up as they did tricks...
cherub 2

cherub 3

cherub 1

Soon I cheered hubby & BabySis on as they joined the fun (many a beachjuice in)...

WaterCountry!
Last day adventure...

THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you Nana & Pops (me mum & dad), we had a great week, as always! Poor Nana, suffering from a root canal gone bad the whole week did her best to have some fun. We will miss you until you return after Labor Day! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

RE-ENTRY
So, after a wonderful trip with Nana, Pops, and BigSis, hubby & I packed up the cherubs to take them home. We were all tanned and happy. Cherub 3 cried when he left. Just like him, I wanted to stay at the beach forever. However, it wouldn't be so special if we were there everyday! We packed up and got in the car JUST IN TIME...the hurricane that was wizzing towards New England brought a nasty stomr right to the beach. Made it a little easier to re-enter the world. As we left the beach the last time for the season, I had the cherubs turn as always and exclaim, "Bye Beach! See you next time!" We will be dreaming of the sounds of the waves and the tickle of the sand between our toes until we meet again.

Re-Entry PART I

2009-08-22T14:26:00.002-04:00

Re-Entry into the real world after a blissful week on vacation is always hard. We had a wonderful week at Seabrook beach with family. Lots to post. Coming soon- Re-Entry Part II!

Irish Twins

2009-08-14T02:09:00.003-04:00

I remember when I had an 8 week old baby (cherub 2) and I found out I was pregnant (cherub 3). Still to this day, I call it "God's plan" that these two little cherubs were born a SHORT 11 months apart. Truthfully, I was in such a sleep deprived state for the first 2yrs of their lives, the details are still a little fuzzy. Seriously. Now?

They are best friends. However, on any given day...they can plot. Take over the house. Drive cherub 1 (or me) crazy. Make double the mess. Make double the noise. Those Irish twins can certainly be double trouble.

Yet the other day at BigSis's pool, it was like they were the only ones on the earth. They spoke their own language. They needed nothing other than to giggle together as they made up swimming games. They made me smile- double time as I watched them enjoy the moment and each other.

New Fashion Trends

2009-08-12T23:40:00.004-04:00

Pause. This ensemble had to be noted. The jean on jean, the tank, the boots. A look that only a mom can love. Cherub 1 is growing up fast, experimenting with her looks and still remains so sweet and cute. (Although I don't think we'll wear this to some places, like say, school or church or anywhere out in public.) Cherub 2 & I told her she looked beautiful!

Back to the 80's!

2009-08-12T22:49:00.007-04:00

Last Saturday night was girls night! It was a gorgeous night in the city. A perfect night to enjoy cocktails and dinner outside and enjoy and outside concert. Flashback to the 80's~ we headed to see Blondie and Pat Benatar! Here are some snap shots of the night...with a few quick laughs.

Kidnapped
The night starts by all of us kidnapping RLF, C. She was in town with her family and were on the awesome deck of a restaurant ordering cocktails and apps. Text, we are here. Text, come with. Next thing you know, she has entered the 80's.

Celebrate Friends
This is a great pic of BigSis and her college roomies. Such a great one!

Chocolate Cherries?
C,C, & I were the last ones to leave the restaurant. On the way to the concert we stopped in to the neighborhood store for contact solution~for the kidnapped one. We stocked up on chocolate for late night. Hey, girls will be girls. PS- How many times did that lady count the chocolate cherries?

Dare- not truth!
A conspiring bunch. We were left to our devices after half the group went off to sing to Blondie. Before she went off to see Blondie, BigSis saw a group with matching black and pink t-shirts on. They were all part of a bachelorette party. C vowed to wear one of the shirts by the end of the night. BigSis said there was no way. C&I agreed, why does she doubt C? It became a challenge. Of course, C had the t-shirt on within 20 minutes! She is hysterical!

80's Flashback
Here are just two people of the MANY that took the 80's concert seriously. I was trying to do the whole "C, pose over here so I can pretend to take your picture thing" (not for this couple but another chick). C cracked me up as she just walked right over and ASKED the girl if she could take her picture! OMG. We laughed and ran away! Notice the comb in his back pocket!

All together...a blast!

Mr. Fix-It

2009-08-12T22:22:00.006-04:00

I was always say, hubby is amazing. He fixes everything, installs anything, builds many things. When we bought our first home in 1997(!) hubby took down a wall, put a hole in our house (to put in a slider), among many other things. Over the years (and in our 5 homes), hubby has self-taught himself plumbing, electricity (some scary moments there), flooring, etc. You name it, he has probably tried it. I used to ask, "why can't we just hire someone?" It was awesome he could do anything but it took us longer to get through all our projects. He is the type that would not hire a plumber to do something he could try himself- not unless his entire house was flooding.

I have learned to appreciate and admire his can-do-anything trait. I understand that he loves the challenge and I have learned alot from him. I am NOT being sarcastic, I really mean that. Seriously.

Our most recent project was replacing our master bathroom toilet. He has done this in the past many times with no problems. (Remember, cherub 2 used to flush binkies, matchbox cars, etc down our toilet ALL the time.) This toilet project, projected to be easy, was kind of a nightmare. Here is how it played out:

~ Take off old toilet.
~ Install new one.
~ New one leaked.
~ Start over. Three times.
~ Change cap.
~ This doesn't help.
~ Become frustrated and leave bathroom project for weeks.
~ Do not seal the cap.
~ Find HUNDREDS of gross bugs in bathroom.
~ Realize they are from the poop pipe. Freak out.
~ Watch hubby freak out.
~ Hubby did not get rid of them. I had to.
~ Curse hubby. Three times.
~ I sterilize home. At least three times.
~ Hubby caps pipe and announces that "that must be why they should be capped".
~ Sigh. Agree.
~ Last weekend, hubby motivates and tries again.
~ Succeeds!!
~ Master bathroom in working, clean order.
~ Vow never to leave another cap off.

Here is a pic of hubby last weekend lowering the new toilet down. Cherub 3 was helping him "guide" it to the right place. I was laughing that his 6 year old was the guidance chip in the master plan.

Other than the leaving the bugs to me, I am very thankful for hubby & the bathroom!

Alien Invasion?

2009-08-08T10:24:00.004-04:00

Cherub 2 emptied all of the trash today. Without being asked. Who stole my cherub? Aliens? When I realized what he was doing I ran to get the camera for evidence!

Poodles!

2009-08-08T10:20:00.003-04:00

Last night our friends made balloon creatures with the cherubs. Cherub 3 unwrapped his this morning and made this poodle all by himself. Sooooo cute. :o)

He was smiling ear to ear until it popped. :o(

Snacks

2009-08-07T22:30:00.004-04:00

Pre-requisite to story:
Dark & Stormy, n. ginger beer, mixed with Bermuda rum. L&D's Bermuda wedding drink. Makes a quite tasty cocktail during happy hour. When made too strong may be referred to as a "Hurricane".

RLF, L sends her son J over to invite us for some Dark & Stormies tonight~ a little happy hour. Below is the invitation conversation between her son and cherub 3.

J: Hi! My mom wants to know if you guys (speaking to all of us) want to come over for a Dark & Stormy.

Cherub 3: Yeah! I've never seen that movie.

J: No, it's not a movie. It is food.

Cherub 3: Oh, we already ate dinner.

J: It's not dinner, it's a snack.

By now, hubby & I are keeling over laughing. We headed on out for some neighborhood "snacks".

VBF 2009!

2009-08-07T22:20:00.005-04:00

Vacation Bible Fest, "VBF", is one of the cherub's favorite weeks of the summer. As always, this year was no exception! We "rocked the dock" with FABULOUS music, had our faces painted, played games, watched skits, participated in our own bible lesson plays and shared tons of giggles. Sharing this week together, even at their different ages, brings them closer- sharing the experience. They reconnect in their own young ways to our beliefs and we just have a TON of fun! It truly is one of my favorite things to do with them. This is how church SHOULD be for the cherubs (and adults for that matter). Age appropriate, fun and spiritual. VBF rocks!

Hotel for Frogs

2009-08-04T23:30:00.004-04:00

The cherubs, like most normal kids have a frog fetish. They love chasing frogs, catching frogs, following them around, drawing pictures of them, etc. Recently, cherub 2 had caught two frogs in his bug catcher and he played with him all day. We convinced him at the end of the afternoon to set them free~ explaining they live in nature and can not live indoors with us.

About a week later I was going to the bathroom at midnight in our upstairs bathroom when something jumped over my leg! Stifling a startled scream, I found that this little jumper was a frog! Hubby rescued the frog setting it free into the yard. In the am, over breakfast, I told the cherubs of the amazing story about the frog that made it upstairs to our bathroom. I asked them if anyone had any idea how that could happen? Cherub 2, all guilty-eyed, giggled and told me that the frog had been living in his bedroom for a week and must have gotten free. WHA? That poor thing had no food! I made sure to hide how hilarious I thought this was so he didn't make a habit out of bringing little creatures home then decided it was time to find a new way to enjoy our frogs...

Off on our recent camping trip with FIL, MIL & BabySis, the cherubs and I spotted a "Hotel for Frogs". A little copycat from the movie Hotel for Dogs, we were enthralled with that handmade wooden box that had been painted lovingly and was in someones garden. This hotel welcoming all the local frogs. I suggested to the cherubs that we build one of our own.

The cherubs & I, joined by our neighbor friend, got busy recently on a Saturday afternoon. We picked through our old wood, broke out the paint and planned out our own original version of "The Hotel for Frogs". While I was spreading mulch (and to keep them busy) I told them they needed to have a meeting to decide together what their roles would be in the building process, what the design would look like and how they would work together-in harmony (no small feat for the cherubs sometimes). Neighbor friend made a "blue print" of the hotel, cherub 3 insisted the hotel must resemble a "castle", cherub 2 wanted to design a "flag" and cherub 1 was the "manager". Working together, settling minor disputes and giggling ALOT they produced the be all of hotels!

Here's a picture from part-way through the process:

Of course, in true cherub form, I learned later that they had added a "slide" for the frogs~ for the frogs entertainment of course. Unfortunately, this slide was catapulting the frogs from quite the height. The slide came down after our "you want the hotel to be a place where they come to visit, somewhere they can be safe" talk. (Needless to say, not too many frogs have visited.)

The Climb, Our Climb, Faith

2009-07-27T23:29:00.006-04:00

I love the lyrics to Miley Cyrus's song "The Climb". I realize I haven't posted in a while but the lyrics to that song summarize the challenges that we have shared lately. We have had such wonderful and fun things happen this summer but over the past couple of weeks we have had our share of sadness and challenges.

The sudden death of our friend and neighbor has shaken hubby and I to the core. We are heart broken for our friend and her son and ask the question everyday, why? Why would a God want our dear friend to live her life without her soul mate, her best friend, her husband. Why would he want their precious little boy to grow up without his Dad here to guide him. To love him. Their are no answers. Just silence. I have always considered myself a woman of faith. However, I will not lie. My faith is shaken. I have been questioning everything lately. It has taken me a week and a half to find the words to type. I want to believe that there is the same God that I have believed in my whole life. Believe that our friend was needed as a young angel. It is just unimaginable. So in many ways...it is The Climb of right now.

In many ways, the lyrics to Miley Cyrus's song acknowledges the challenges that we struggled with; mourning and helping our friend, saving face in front of our cherubs, explaining death to our cherubs, keeping our faith. The lyrics give me my faith back for my friend. They give me hope that she will be able to overcome this. I know that her life will never be the same. Never be what she thought it would be. Somehow, this song makes me want to believe that there is a higher power out there to help her keep CLIMBING. I guess that I would like to share the lyrics with our cherubs so that someday they can remember and use them as a stepping stone to overcome any challenge. Use them to encourage them to get them "to the other side" of their challenge.

The Climb
I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on, cause

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

Whoa a oh oh
[ Miley Cyrus Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]

Opening Day

2009-07-10T22:03:00.009-04:00

No, not for baseball, opening day of summer! To me, summer doesn't start until the first day I hit the beach. Today was the day. After almost a month of mostly rain, the cherubs & I packed up and headed toward RLF B's beach. All "my girls" (college roomies) & I met with our heard of 10 cherubs/combined for the PERFECT opening day. Soooo good to catch up with the girls. Here are a few pics for fun!

Cherub 1's first attempt at "laying out" and reading on the beach. Hmmm. Pre-teen? Yikes!! (Notice the bottle of suntan lotion. When we used to lay out it, we were slathered with baby oil! No skin cancer there.)

Cherub 2's moment of zen!

Surfer Dudes!

Strike a pose!

RLF, J & I were giggling as her daughter "Sporty Spice" was spending some pre-conjugal time chatting it up with "Mr. Ripped" (cherub 3). Yup, we are marrying these two off~our little Irish babies.

The "Crab Hunters"~ collecting hermit crabs to place in their man-made sand pool:

Cherub 3, dubbed the "watcher of the crabs", he kept the 50 or so crabs in the 'pool' safe while the rest of the cherubs hunted for more.

Nana Day (Wed)

2009-07-10T20:05:00.007-04:00

With the cherubs finally feeling better we picked up Nana and headed to our favorite breakfast diner! (Hey, when everyone has been sick for days, no one shopped for food. Diner or go hungry. We chose Mickey Mouse pancakes.) The cherubs ate up a storm after their basic three day diet of Popsicles and soup. Cherub 2 exclaimed as he was finishing his FIFTH pancake, "I am ALMOST full mom!" So funny.

We headed to a shoe store (THE FIRST TIME) for new sneakers. Cherub 3 has been begging for his long awaited "skate-board" sneakers (Hubby gave in, not me). You know the ones that the kids leave untied. Blech. They are groas looking but whatever. He LOVES them! According to hubby, "he is a good kid, he never does anything wrong and NEVER asks for anything. Just buy them." Ok. Cherub 2 got new "fast" sneakers and Nana treated cherub 1 to her first pair of coveted Skecher hi-tops. However, we got them home and they seemed too big for her so we headed back to the store. After trying on what seemed like 750 (thousand) pairs of sneakers, for an HOUR, cherub 1 was ecstatic to have found the PERFECT pair! How can they be described? Well...no words can, here is the best way:

I think the picture speaks volumes-LOUD and clear. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES them. Thank you Nana! (I am waiting for the circus tent to go up so they can worn in their natural habitat.)

So happy to have the cherubs feeling better. Great "Nana Day". :o)

Triple the Fun (Sun-Tue)

2009-07-10T20:02:00.002-04:00

Three cherubs, three strep throats. Odds of that? Maybe we should have played the lottery with the number 3! No excitement here on the scale as the cherubs tried to recover from strep, high fevers and basically feeling like junk. At least we didn't mind the rain so much these couple of days...we weren't missing much.

Independence Day (July 4th)

2009-07-10T19:51:00.006-04:00

Happy 4th of July! Here are our little runners all geared up for our annual 2 mile road race in town. Short of losing one of the race trackers and one little tumble off a curb (cherub 1) we all had a blast and ran, ran, ran! Had a blast at the annual parade and party at BigSis and BILs house! Thanks for hosting!!

The cherubs brought their RED SOX stuff to the race...still jazzed up about their first game last night!

Our little runners!

Cherubs, babycousin and their COOL friend at the starting line. Check out the red, white and blue spiked hair! So awesome!!

First Time at Fenway! (July 3rd)

2009-07-08T23:08:00.013-04:00

Go Sox!!

Cherub 1 was totally into the game!

Cherub 2 loved Fenway Franks and his Flag!

Cherub 3 turned the inning around with his Rally Cap and loved The Wave & Sweet Caroline!

Hubby & I? Well, we couldn't stop smiling. Not because the Sox won (they lost in overtime), but we just love the cherubs and were grateful for the experience and the fun! Thank you hubbies work for 4 tickets. Stubhub rocks for the 5th.

We tried to get a couple of 'hellos' onto tv. One to the Sox's biggest fans in our family, Nana & Pops and the other to Grammy & Grampy! Happy Birthday Grammy!!

Antiquing

2009-07-01T23:33:00.005-04:00

Must I remind everyone that it has been raining for what feels like a repeat of the original 40 days and 40 nights in the Bible. When raining this many days in a row (in reality about 2 weeks or so), moms must get creative. While cherub 3 had a birthday party to attend today, I decided to take the older cherubs on a new adventure. Antiquing.

We have been looking for a book shelf for cherub 1's room for a while. Her existing one is tiny and broken beyond repair. So, off we went with new goals. 1) Find a book case. 2) Teach the cherubs words such as unique, vintage, antique. 3) Have fun! Not showing my true feelings, I was a tad uneasy because cherub 2 is by far a TOTAL MAN SHOPPER. In other words, he hates shopping. Hates being in stores. Hates behaving in stores. Hates keeping his hands off breakables in stores. However, today, cherub 2 rose to the occasion. He thoroughly enjoyed checking out all the vintage items, including vintage toys.

Cherub 2 fell in love with a vintage pull toy with clowns that played the drums and symphony. He is coveting his new toy & being very careful of it's fragility. Cherub 1 just loved the experience and in the end, even though we did not find the perfect bookcase, we did have the perfect adventure.

P.S. I found Wizard of Oz mini-dolls for my future classroom! Yipee! (RLFs K&J~ how awesome is that?)

P.P.S. Here's a (blurry-whoops) pic of our 'tents' made tonight! Rainy day adventures!

Summer StartUp

2009-06-30T23:08:00.004-04:00

Summer has begun. You can tell because I have NO time to blog, my cherubs have moved past the 'honeymoon' stage of being home together (aka, lots.of.fighting) and on the flip side, we are all just a ton more relaxed.

After finally feeling better from a two week struggle with a UTI, I was relieved to feel normal on Friday, the first day of the cherubs summer vacation. To celebrate, we had a spontaneous Friday Night Neighborhood Happy Hour. We celebrated 'summer' with neighbors for "just one drink". Yay, right! We spent some time wondering if koozies can actually make our butts look big, if corners can come in all shapes and sizes and if it is actually possible to stop BEFORE 2:30am...lots of laughs! Calling it quits around 11pm was a necessity this week only because hubby & I had to be in tip top shape for Saturday night. Where...

We kicked off the summer in style, going to Buffet with RLFs G&T. We tailgated in their garage for 3 hours due to the torrential rain and HAIL storms that we were having! But hey, we had a cooler full of beer, parrot juice, many appetizers, and good friends. What else could we ask for? We traditionally tailgated on site when the storms passed and danced our tooties off during the concert. We were officially wasting away in Margaritaville. :o) I was convinced all night that our newly found parrot juice was our new summer drink, until dawn, when I woke up justalittlehungover. It.is.not.our.new.summer.drink. But it was sure a blast! (Pictures of hail, friends, crazy tailgating stuff and more to come.)

Buffet sings, "Come Monday, it'll be alright." However, Monday came and it was still raining. We persevere. We played games, read library books, did ALOT of crafts and snuck outside as soon as the rain subsided. Each time. Since the honeymoon was over quick for the cherubs during their, so far, rainy vacation, I was hoping an unplanned outing would remind them they CAN have fun together. Relieved when the rain disappeared for a few hours after dinner, we headed out to play tennis, basketball and have fun on the play ground at one of our local schools. We had SO much fun and it worked. The cherubs giggled, played together and GOT ALONG. Amazing, I know.

This morning I made the mistake of taking all three cherubs to Walmart. What was I thinking? Enough said. Shopping 101, do it alone.

Aside from shopping, I do love summer vacation. As the cherubs get older, moms only get the snippets of moments. In my case, that means the before school (when they are sleepy and the rush is on to get to school on time), the after school (when they forced to do homework yet just want to play) and the night time (when we have wonderful moments mixed in meltdowns resulting in the can't.take.another.second feeling we moms get). In the summer, we moms can take that break from the rush, the packing of lunches, the schedules and treasure what time we are given with our cherubs. We can run out and play tennis, go on a hike, ride bikes, do crafts, just be. Together.

Here's to together. (Will update with pics soon.)

Happy Bday Mom!

2009-06-22T22:24:00.002-04:00

Mom stands for courage.
Mom stands for love.
Mom stands for strength.
Mom stands for acceptance.
Mom stands for friend.
Mom stands for grace.
Mom stands for beauty.
Mom stands for funny.
Mom stands for stories.
Mom stands for kindness.
Mom stands for selflessness.

Happy Birthday Mom! We love you more than a zillion chocolate covered mountains!
xoxoxoxoxoxo

On Father's Day

2009-06-21T22:11:00.003-04:00

Hubby
Our caretaker
Their Dad & hero
My soul mate
Warrior, comedian, best-friend

Dad/Pops
Our rock
Their Pops & biggest fan
My hero
Gentlemen, confidant, heart-so-big

FIL/Grampy
Our "caiva"
Their Grampy & camping buddy
My friend
Gentlemen, comedian, heart-so-big

It is supposed to come in 3's not 6's.

2009-06-20T08:32:00.006-04:00

Last week:

MIL was tested in hospital b/c she had been sick for weeks. She was treated for a blood/kidney infection and changed one of her medications. Thankfully, she is feeling awesome again. (Ahem. Next time, we have to go to go to the doc RIGHT away when we aren't feeling good. And yes, I know I will be trouble for posting that!) :o)

BIL, in his quest to outdo her, was hospitalized when they thought he had a heart attack the same day. After two days of testing they went from heart attack to virus around heart to another cause (still unclear as to the cause-getting the scoop when we head to The Cape today).

Cherub 1 had a very bad case of strep throat. She was out of school almost all week.

Thank you for my beautiful flowers...RLF's C&C. Absolutely beautiful! Cheered me right up out of my fog. I am very blessed to have my second set of sistas!

This week:

I have a UTI (too much information-sorry). Not life threatening at all but very painful. Meds make me nauseous~that stinks. (Now it is the day before Father's Day and I have not a stitch to give to anyone. Gotta jump start through my UTI haze and shop!)

Hubby traveled all week. (AND after being gone all week will now be heading out for an all day golf tournament. Which...he SHOULD go to and have fun. He needs fun too. Somehow in my UTI haze...I am not feeling so generous.)

Middle nephew broke his wrist. (Although he is sporting a new, cool, green cast; casts don't mesh with summer, swimming and baseball.)

They found a stress fracture in my dad's knee. (Not sure of details yet.)

In BigSis's words, "Enough already."

(Feels so much better to get that all out.)

Good Advice

2009-06-19T16:28:00.003-04:00

Hopping in the car today, cherub 3 & I were soaked because of the pouring rain. He told me, "Mom, you should really put on your windshield now because it is not just spitting rain out."

Good advice. Never drive in the rain without your windshield.

Buzzzzzzzzzz

2009-06-18T22:05:00.003-04:00

Ever want to be a fly on the wall? Today I wanted to be there...on that first grade wall. Cherub 2 had his "talent show" today in class. The kids could do anything: sing, dance, perform magic, tell jokes. Mr. Rhythm was gonna dance.

For those that have never met cherub 2, he SO has rhythm. Clearly takes after hubby. He loves to put on "rock and roll" and dance. His dancing is like a half rap, half break dance. He is hysterical.

He jumped off the bus this afternoon and told me, "Mom, my friends told me mine was the best." He's modest too.

Display of Love

2009-06-18T17:18:00.003-04:00

As the school year winds down, the cherubs are bringing home all their work from the year. Each has brought home an awesome art portfolio. We love seeing all their creative pieces. This reminds me of five years ago when...

Cherub 1 had brought home all her beautiful art work. The home we lived in at the time had an office with (grody, old fashioned, but in good shape) wide, bead board walls. It was a room we never got around to sprucing up. I came home from a day with the girls and hubby had NAILED each and EVERY piece of cherub 1's art pieces to the wall.

Now, before you go, "Ohhh, that is SO sweet!", stop. He NAILED them, haphazardly, into the wall creating about FIFTY holes in the wall. So, instead of a wonderful, artful display, it looked like crap. However, it looked more like crap when we took them all down to show the house. Yup, those 50 holes in the wall looked GREAT.

It wasn't funny then but somehow, looking back, I can see his sweetness and his intentions. I love that hubby loves his cherubs and wants to display his pride for their work~ even in his haphazard fashion.

I will be in charge of hanging the artwork in our new home. :o)

That Sappy Stuff

2009-06-17T23:01:00.003-04:00

What is it with first kisses? When a mans hands gently hold a woman's face and slowly begins to kiss her. Eyes closed. Gently. Romantic moment at its best.

I am a sucker for sappy movies and my soap opera. When hubby travels I tune into all the romantic chic flicks and my dvr'd Guiding Light episodes. I am sure that he would appreciate the fact that I don't torture him. :o)

This week:
The Bachelorette (disappointing this week)
Grey's Anatomy-rerun of finale-Izzie's wedding
Two Week's Notice
Guiding Light

And it's only Wednesday.

All time favorites:
The Notebook
SATC
(I just know I am missing one...)

The Lottery

2009-06-17T00:28:00.003-04:00

Each year in science the cherubs study little creatures and plants. They are always bringing home plants at the end of their science unit for us to (kill) ahem, take care of and nurture. Each year when the permission slip comes home and one of the cherubs begs, 'can I take home a snail,crab,frog,guppy...' I never sign it.

This year, I signed. I must be going soft. Cherub 1 went into a lottery for a frog and cherub 2 for snails. (I am not totally crazy, I said no to the crabs. Hello? They smell wicked bad!) I figured with 28 and 22 kids in a class respectively, we probably wouldn't get picked.

We are now the proud owners of two skittish little frogs and 4 snails.

Guess who feeds them?

What's the Magic Number?

2009-06-17T00:20:00.003-04:00

Sixteen is the magic number in our house. Basically anytime cherub 1 used to ask me when she can do something, my response is 'when you are 16'. That is right, 16 for wearing makeup, getting earrings, driving- you get the picture. (Zip it-I know I am living in a dreamworld.)

Today, cherub 3 asked me, "Mom, how old will I be when I get married? Will I be 16?"

After I explained that people get married at different ages but definitely NOT when they are 16. Clearly I need a new magic number. Onwards and upwards.

June 13th~ Happy Birthday Cherub 2!

2009-06-15T20:42:00.016-04:00

Happy Birthday buddy. I love you more than a zillion chocolate covered mountains! Seven? How did that happen?

SEVEN reasons I love you:
1)Every morning you wake up filled with sunshine, song, and smiles. You truly wake up with full expectations that you will have a great day. Every day.
2)You can brighten anyone's darkest days with your goof ball humor.
3)Your air guitar skills rival those of your favorite band, KISS.
4)Your heart is SO BIG, it loves so much. You love your family, friends, hobbies, pets, stuff...all SO much. You openly show your love. You wear your emotions on your sleeve (just like me).
5)You are predictable, right down to your every little ocd habit.
6)You are a homebody, a mini-Daddy, and a momma's boy.
7)You amaze me with your strength, kindness, humor, creativity, happiness.

SEVEN adjectives that describe you:
1)Sweetheart
2)Comedian
3)Inventor
4)Artist
5)Fun
6)Super smart
7)Determined

SEVEN reasons the first six years may have seemed long (oh come on, I must share my humor with my little guy who is filled with humor himself):
1)You like to stay up late and wake often during the night.
2)At any moment I would find your name, written with a sharpie, on a wall-or door.
3)That twinkle in your eye was a dead give away to trouble.
4)I had poison control on speed dial because you got into EVERYTHING.
5)You have a system for everything. A little invisible ocd schedule. If I mess with it...a tantrum was inevitable.
6)If I said left. You said right.
7)You officially broke at least half of cherub 1's toys or trophies. I had to lock her room for about a year.

Here are some pics from your special day!

You requested "to sleep in while mommy works really hard to make pancakes like we made her on Mother's Day". Daddy made the pancakes, you decorated them, and we all had fun. :o)

Tech Deck Dudes were your favorite gifts (little funny looking skate board dudes that go skate boarding on cool ramps).

Just hanging around!

Slip N Slide with sis, bro, & neighborhood buddies!

After your big game we took you out for your favorite meal, spaghetti & meatballs!

Make a wish (for the second time that day)!

We love you buddy!

It's Funny

2009-06-03T23:16:00.002-04:00

It's funny because I am not very funny lately. I need to find the funnies again. Maybe some sleep would help?

Daily Funnies

2009-06-02T23:08:00.003-04:00

Cherub 2 played against one of cherub 1's best buddies tonight in baseball. Best buddies dad approached cherub 2 after and jokingly asked,

Best Bud Dad: Hey, do you know (insert name of cherub 3)?
Cherub 2: (States with true excitement) (insert name of) cherub 3?
Best Bud Dad: Ya.
Cherub 2: Nope, never heard of him.

Wise guy.
************************************************************************
Much to the moms chagrin, the ice cream truck is at EVERY baseball game. When you have three kids, you can't buy them ice cream all the time. Why? Cuz it is EXPENSIVE. So, I told them to stop whining every time they see it and I would surprise them with a 'yes' some night to their question, 'can we get ice cream?' Tonight however, I only had $6 on me and I didn't think it was enough so the answer was no. Tears, tantrums. The works. Then cherub 2 won the game ball! The perfect night to celebrate. They were thrilled with the new answer of 'yes' and I was thrilled that they had ice cream offered for $2-which stopped the WHINING.
************************************************************************
Cherub 3 told me while we were driving in the car that his teacher told them that we weren't "oppostu" to roll down the windows in the car. I asked him why and he answered, "I don't know that is what I learned in school, you aren't "oppostu" roll them down. (I love when they mispronounce- "oppostu"= supposed to.

SIX things for your SIXTH Birthday!

2009-05-29T21:38:00.006-04:00

Dear Cherub 3,

Happy Birthday! I can't believe you are SIX years old today! Here is a picture of you in your new ATV drivers helmet. It is ALL you wanted for your birthday because it "looks like a Darth Vadar motorcycle helmet with a 'place' to talk through". Thank you Nana & Pop! You were so cute zooming around the neighborhood on your bike tonight wearing your new helmet. For fun, here is a bunch of SIX lists for your SIXTH birthday!

SIX things you did this past year that still make me laugh:
1)You are very literal~kind of Amelia Bedelia-ish minus the flighty-ness. One example is when you watered the Xmas tree by pouring a cup of water all over it.
2)You played your first real trick on me by telling me that you went on a field trip one day. You had so many details, I believed you. Imagination rocks!
3)You have been practicing for a school play-role elephant. It sounds like their are wild elephants running around the house!
4)You call yourself a 'good looker'. That means that you can find anything when you are looking for it.
5)You are learning numbers. I love this stage of made up ones: '80hundred'.
6)You have a very BIG vocabulary. Words like "terrible" are second nature to you.

SIX ways why you are super sweet:
1) You are always super kind, asking people how they are, helping others.
2) You literally exude happiness.
3) You genuinely try to get along with everyone. Always the peacemaker.
4) At the mere age of six, you are always giving genuine compliments to others.
5) Your smile warms the room. Your giggle is a side splitter.
6) You worship cherubs 1&2. :o) You are sensitive to others happiness.

SIX reasons why you are still my baby:
1)You still want to come in and cuddle with Daddy & I every morning.
2)You are a big kid who still sneaks his blankie (and thumb) at night.
3)You still sneak in a car nap so you can keep up with the big kids.
4)You will still give me hugs and kisses in public.
5)If you are unsure of something you still hide behind my back.
6)You love baseball and big kid stuff but when no one is looking you can't resist the 'baby' toys.

SIX things you want to be/do when you grow up:
1)(Be) A policeguy.
2)(Be) An ATV driver.
3)(Do) Buy a car.
4)(Do) Ride a motorcycle. (Yikes.)
5)(Do) Play football.
6)(Do) Buy 'skateboard' sneakers (scary looking ones).

I love you more than "60hundred" chocolate covered mountains!
Love, love, love you!
Mommy

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2009-05-28T22:38:00.002-04:00

Happy 38th Birthday Hubby! I love you more than 10,000 chocolate covered mountains! (WINK)

Carpe Diem

2009-05-26T09:12:00.004-04:00

This weekend, the world lost an inspiring young woman, one of BigSis's close friends. A strong spirit, who had many wonderful friends, a family that loved her, a husband and three adorable, spirited young children. 2 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and has braved a battle to try to save her life. She lost that battle Saturday night. We are all devastated, and yes, angry by this loss.

As many of us followed her CaringBridge blog and facebook page, we were 'with' her as she muddled through her terrible fight, head held high and humor very much in tact. We celebrated the times of peace when she was feeling well, and cried our way through the blog during the hard times. I feel as though I have to blog about her because she changed so many people's lives. She made them realize that the small stuff seriously doesn't matter. In the blink of an eye, it can all be taken away. Her death has shaken the faith of many of us, even those that have a strong one. We do not understand why God would take such a young vibrant mom, wife, sister, daughter, athlete, mind. A woman with such a zest for life, love and humor. She will make a wonderful angel but was very much needed here on earth as well. Fair, notsomuch.

So as I sit here, a 38 year old woman, I wonder why something like this would happen. I ponder how I can take this and turn it into a life lesson for me and my family. The old saying of Carpe Diem comes to mind. My late Aunt Helen used to say it and sign all her cards that way, seize the day. Maybe she had something going on there.

For Kim's sake, please, make the most of each day. I am sure she was not perfect, none of us are. Yet, if we could have an ounce of the grace, humor, and strength that she had during her fight to the end, the world would be a better place. In honor of Kim, I hope to give my kids a piece of that grace. We all wish Kim the peace and healing that heaven is hopefully offering her. She will be able to care for her family in a different way now.

Carpe Diem.

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T21:38:00.018-04:00

Relaxing morning:

Rocky I (RLF, J) and Rocky II (cherub 3) boxing with cherub 2 as the ref. The rules: no under the belt and no face shots. Lots of giggles.

Cherub 1 playing outside, singing to herself! Me reading a book in the sun!

Hubby washing the cars (and cherbus got a little wet)!

Family filled afternoon:

Lots-a-lobsters!

nana

cherub 3

hubby, middle nephew, cherub 3

oldest nephew (on left) & his RLF

Tommy the Toolguys pondering how to fix our mosquito magnets:

BIL & hubby

pops (my dad)- gettin in on the mystery

mom & I entertaining ourselves during discussion

Lots-o-bubbles:

cherub's 1,2 & baby nephew

middle nephew

Cherub 2 missed the WHOLE party. He napped, napped, napped the afternoon away. First inside then outside on hubby's lap (when we tried to wake him). Hmmmm, hubby getting some nap action.

Awesome night filled with icecream, bikes, street hockey, ping pong, family time :o)

Cherubs pose on an old tractor at ice cream stand:

Happy Memorial Day Eve

2009-05-25T11:06:00.002-04:00

Great time yesterday with friends and family! Lots of laughs, giggles, drinks, marshmellows and fun!

Reaching New Heights

2009-05-23T15:25:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, hubby called me to tell me he was on the way to golf store:

Me: Why?
H: I have to get my golf clubs shortened.
Me: (LOL) Why, did you shrink?
H: THAT IS NOT VERY NICE! No, I bought them and they are too long, they need to be shortened.
Me: Oh, cause I thought you might have shrunk.
(Maybe he should have used the word 'adjusted' instead of 'shortened'.)

As we all know, my vertically challenged (5' 6") hubby has a GREAT sense of humor surrounding his height. Seems this year, he is taking a hit. Last year he renewed his license online:

H: I am SO mad!
Me: Why? What's wrong?
H: They took two inches off my height when they renewed my license.
Me: Why, what does it say for height now?
H: 5' 5"!!!!
Me: But that means you had 5' 7" on it before?
H: Yeah, so, that is how tall I am!
Me: Yeah, right. Maybe they sent a private investigator and researched that you were stretching the truth on your height!
H: (Word I can't repeat.)

We love you hubby~ all 5' 6" of you~ JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!

Sleep Over

2009-05-23T15:20:00.003-04:00

Cherub 1 just left for her first sleepover at a friend's house. As a mom my heart is full of emotion. On one hand I am so excited for her because she is going to have so much fun. On the other I want to hold on tight...she is growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday I held her in my arms as a baby, held her hand as she toddled around, walked her into school for the first time, put her on the bus, etc. The next stage...here we come!

The Drama of it All

2009-05-20T23:47:00.004-04:00

Who needs a 13 year old teenage girl when you can get all the sassiness wrapped up in the package of a 9 year old one? It has been a long week my friends. Long. Here is our little drama queen's escapade of the day:

Scene: After school, with nothing on the calendar, we are finally free to enjoy a trip to the library to get our habitat and animal project books. Both cherubs 1&2 have school projects due in June.

After arriving, cherub 2 is thrilled and ecstatic (really, I am not kidding) to learn how to use the reference computer and locate the books that he needed on a tropical rainforest. We actually had fun picking them out and picture walking through the books. He settled down in a comfy chair to start reading on his own (when did he get so old?) and to figure out his favorite facts.

Cherub 1 chose orangatangs. Then red eyed frogs. Then. Then. Then. You get the picture. So after she had gone through (and picked out the books for) three or four different animals she changed her mind AGAIN and wanted to do some wafoo or fazoo or whatever it is called from Madagascar. Yup, you guessed it. They didn't have any reference material on the whatchamacallit. So, the sulking begins and then she is fixated. It is the whatchamacallit or nothing. (Sure honey, let me make books magically appear. Moms have superpowers.) In turn, AND AFTER 1 1/2 HOURS AT THE LIBRARY, I told her it was an animal that they had books about or nothing. So in the end, we left WITH NOTHING. I had to though, had to teach her that you can't throw fits and get what you want. You act like that and we leave.

That is right. To recap, almost 2 hours in the library and SQUAT. So, the consequences of sticking to my guns? She was mad ALL night. Miserable through dinner, after dinner, the bedtime routine. She was MAD AT THE WORLD. Mean to me, her brothers, and just plain grumpy. I went upstairs when she should have already been ready for bed and found her in my room. Asking her what she was doing she YELLED, "I was writing you an apology letter! Why don't you read it already!" Then she whipped it at me. Best apology ever. Having something thrown at me. Nice. Ok tired one, time for bed.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall
Who is the biggest drama queen
Of them all?

You cannot tell a lie.

2009-05-17T21:14:00.003-04:00

Tonight after dinner, cherub 3 disappeared. Nana & Pops (my rents) had eaten dinner over and Pops, Hubby and the boys were out playing ball. I called upstairs to try to get cherub 3 outside with them:

Me: Cherub 3, what are you doing?

Cherub 3: Ummm (the guilt start to an answer), I was (pause) just about to start folding your laundry.

Me: What? You were not. You have NEVER folded my laundry. That means you were in my room. Let me guess, watching TV?

Cherub: (smiles)

Me: Get outside.

Ya think she could've come up with something better than laundry. She is the WORST liar- EVER.

All CRACKED up.

2009-05-15T11:07:00.009-04:00

Dear Cherub 2,

Before I tell you this short and sweet story you need to know that on many separate occasions I have had MANY adults tell me the same thing, "No matter what mood I am in, if cherub 2 comes to visit me, I can't help but be happy. He makes me laugh. He is SO funny!" You definitely bring sunshine and humor into people's lives. So, having said that...

If you are reading this someday, you have dug right into our books of blogs. When you get to this story, please know that your 1st grade teacher LOVES you and thinks you are hysterical. I think she is really going to miss you next year. She'll miss your sweet side, your empathetic nature, AND, your class clown antics, colorful stories, silly faces, zest for fun. She is (on the sly) always updating Daddy & I with the story or joke of the week. This is your conversation with her yesterday:

Cherub 2: Mrs. Teacher, I think my weiner broke.
Mrs. Teacher: (Stifling surprise and laughter) Why do you think that?
Cherub 2: Because I heard it crack.

She had no response, too shocked to answer I guess. Later she did send me an email posing the thought, "I wonder how loud the crack was?"

Keep your sense of humor my little buddy. It will serve you well in life! (We are all still laughing!)
Love,
Mommy

Goldilocks Goes Jock

2009-05-13T23:12:00.008-04:00

So, the typical afternoon. Rush out of work. Pick up kids. Start homework. Make dinner. Eat dinner. Clean up dinner. Dress cherub 2 for baseball. Deep breath because we are actually on time.

Notice that baseball bag is NOT in my trunk. (Note: the baseball & softball bags are KEPT in my trunk. If used, they are returned so that we are never without equipment for games and practices.)

Go back. Search garage. Sigh. Cherub 2 starts BAWLING. Call hubby.

Me: Do you have the bag?
H: Oh &*#%!
Me: Where are you? Can you meet us at the field?
H: I am on the highway. I won't make it on time.
Me: CLICK. (Yes, that WAS the hangup sound.)

I get back in car, rush to neighbors and beg to borrow their son's equipment. They lent cherub 2 two gloves so that he could try them on and see which one fits best. They SAVED US! Start driving to game (again).

Me: Ok buddy, I am passing back the two gloves. Try them on and see which one you like best. See which one fits you best.
Cherub 2: (CRIES.)
Me: It's ok pal, just try them on. One of them will fit.
Cherub 2: (Continues to CRY, LOUDER.) But(GASP)I(GASP)want(GASP)to(GASP)wear(GASP)MY(GASP)glove!
Me: I know buddy, just try them on. You can wear whichever one fits the best until Daddy can get there with your glove. Ok? Come on buddy, we've got to roll with it.
Cherub 2: CRIES.
Me: Please buddy?

Cherub 2: (Tries first glove on.) But this one is too BIG! (CRIES.)
Me: It's ok, try the other one on.
Cherub 2: (Tries second glove on.) But this one is too SMALL! (CRIES.)

This is when I fully expected someone to miraculously pull another glove out of thin air so that he could exclaim. "but this one feels just right!" Instead, I begged him to try them one more time and he agreed to use the small one and stop crying because let's face it, there's NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!

(Oh, and btw, once this season, I sent hubby & cherub 2 to a game an hour late by accident. I had the time wrong on my calendar. He gave me the business BIG TIME for about TWO weeks. He can NO LONGER give me the business~thou stealer of equipment.)

Reflection for a better next time.

2009-05-12T21:59:00.006-04:00

My SIX year old son, cherub 2, exclaimed that he didn't want to wear his sweatshirt because it made him look FAT. After I picked my chin up.off.the.floor, I asked him what would make him think that. He told me his "friend" told him he looked fat.

There are MANY reasons that I was unprepared for this conversation:

1)I was having it with my son. Typically girls struggle with this issue. I didn't even KNOW that boys could.

2)He is such a strong willed little guy that I couldn't believe in the blink of an eye someone made him feel so bad about himself.

3)I always knew he was sensitive but I didn't realize how deep it went.

4)He is so YOUNG. This was like a 12-16 year old issue. Or not.

5)Per usual, we were on a 'deadline'. We had exactly 2 minutes to leave the house or the schedule would be thrown and they would be late for school. Time for trama.intervention.mommy.101. Right?

What I said/did:
Buddy, there is nothing FAT about you. You look handsome. Then, I made him throw on the sweatshirt because we NEEDED to leave for school so we weren't late. He did, to make me happy.

What I WISH I SAID/DID:
Why do you think he said that? How did it make you feel? Do you think he was being a nice person, a good friend when he said that? Then he would have probably talked to me. Told me his feelings. Maybe he would have realized that his little "friend" wasn't being nice and his comment had nothing to do with cherub 2, more to do with himself. Maybe he would have worn that sweatshirt with PRIDE that day instead of hiding it in his backpack as soon as I turned my back.

Next time, I will be prepared. Next time, I will be late. It will be worth the conversation. I learned alot about myself, my son and parenting that day.

Poor Neglected Blog

2009-05-12T21:53:00.003-04:00

Dear Blog,

I am sorry I haven't written. The keyboard has been still. It is just that for some reason I have been scatter-brained. So much has happened this past week, yet I can't seem to find the motivation to write. To share. To record. Please forgive!

MB

PS- Now my RLF's are laughing b/c the 'sorry girl' just apologized to HER BLOG. Maybe I have finally lost it.

Priceless

2009-05-05T23:58:00.002-04:00

This weekend, at cherub 2's baseball game, RLF L & I were trying to convince our hubbies to let us join the pool club here in town (since our move left us minus one really awesome inground pool). They were being really stubborn and complaining about all the costs involved. Here was my response:

Swim lessons: $45
Tennis lessons: $45
Keeping mommy happy: Priceless

Been to the farm lately?

2009-05-05T23:55:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, cherub 3 came home and told me he went on a field trip to a farm. I was home sick yesterday with cherub 2- we both had fevers, etc. In my feverish state I thought to myself, "OMG, I sent the kid to school not even knowing he had a field trip?" Then I remembered that I never signed any type of permission and I asked him if he really went on a field trip. He giggled. That is the first practical joke he has every played on me, all by himself. Little devil!

Can I hide with no seek?

2009-05-04T21:40:00.003-04:00

I have always bitten off more than I can chew. From the moment I knew how, to now. This year, no exception. I am relieved that my kids are done with CCD (so I can stop worrying about teaching it) for the year. I can't wait until Girl Scouts is over (so I can take a break from leading/planning/keeping up with ppwk). I am overwhelmed by school paperwork that I receive in TRIPLET everday, and I am frustrated that I do not have the time to apply for the job that I am suppose to be trying to find this year.

I actually want to HIDE for a while. Just simply hide.