... adventures in parenthood

2010-04-29T20:53:00.003-05:00

The beginning of the End"Why did you have to tell her?" Katie asked tonight referring to Jessie."Because she needed to know, I replied"how long have you known?" I asked"A long time. Longer than you" was the answer. It. hit. me. hard.I haven't blogged in a long, long time and this blog was never setup or intended to cover such hurt. But quite frankly, I'm not sure where to turn or if anyone at

2009-11-15T16:10:00.000-05:00

AvaEver since Fritz past away a few months ago, we've been telling the girls that we would *begin* the search for a new family member once David and I returned from our trip from Greece. Katie compiled the list of desired traits this morning (less than 12 hrs after our deplaning) ...... and by 4pm, we brought Ava home :)

2009-09-09T10:34:00.001-05:00

FritzToday at 3 pm, we’ll be saying goodbye to dear family friend. Fritz arrived in our household 16 years ago, when David brought him home from the shelter – 4 lbs of tan fur and face that captured your heart in ten seconds. As I recall I was a bit miffed that David picked up a long hair dog, but it didn’t take long for my irritation to dissipate. Fritz sweetness and good nature more then

2009-01-05T23:24:00.002-05:00

Jess’ first mealAt seven she’s finally reading cookbooks so we’re learning to cook meals from scratch. What was Jessie’s selection for her first meal? homemade mac-n-cheese, what else!

2008-11-19T22:11:00.000-05:00

There's a first for everything ... but at seven?When the phone rang last night at just a few minutes before dinner, David answer it while I served up chili. “Yes, she is. May ask who's calling?” My immediate reaction to his inquiry conjured up a mental response to some telemarketer, who I anticipated waited for my voice to say hello.Imagine my surprise when David handed the phone to little

2008-10-27T19:29:00.001-05:00

Melt my …Overheard tonight at bedtime:Jess “It is always be like this, Papa?”David: “What do you mean, Jess?”Jess: “You and momma loving me?”Even at seven, they constantly find ways to melt your heart.

2008-09-15T22:19:00.002-05:00

"The Talk"I knew it was over due even as we sat down to talk. But opportunities for a quality chat alone with Katie aren’t as easy as they should be when a younger sibling Jessie is constantly around. Saturday morning provided a perfect backdrop with a few hours alone with Katie and while she was still in good spirits and the conversation seemed ripe, I thought I’d take the opportunity to find

2008-08-03T21:25:00.003-05:00

CraftyJust when I thought I had been exposed to every summer camp craft imaginable… Katie brings home a new one ...

2008-07-12T19:39:00.002-05:00

Summer ReadingThe Rainbow Magic books are the rave this summer. Between Harriet the Hamster Fairy and Sophie the Sapphire Fairy, the girls are determined to read every one of the rainbow, weather, jewel, pet and fun day fairies books that Scholastic has published Kathryn tells me in that there are currently 36 titles in total. So far I think both girls have tactical 12 or 13 of them, but

2008-06-23T05:54:00.001-05:00

Update & New FocusIt’s been far to long since I’ve written anything here and to be honest a) I don’t like that and b) I miss it. One of things I’m trying determine to do this summer is simply my life so that I have more time me… my family … and my desire to make a difference in my life. My work is very fulfilling and I’ve been extremely lucky in the “make a difference” department of my

2008-05-15T17:55:00.001-05:00

Make a wishDandelions grow ferociously this time of year. One day they're dapple yellow, the next day they're a head of wispy seeds ready to take sail. I usually see them as nuisance and am reminded of my youth. My dad would pay me 1 penny/per 100 pulled from the yard. Who needs lawn guard’s weed-n-feed, when you have kids that are driving you crazy? :)The other day Jess made a comment that

2008-03-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

New Starbucks marketing campaign ideaAs relayed by David during a recent trip with the girls to purchase me a small gift of one of my favorites – good ground coffee… Jess: “Hey Papa, it’s a good thing for momma that there’s Starbuzz”If Starbucks is in need on of new marketing campaign. I know a future junior staffer that might be able to lend a hand. :)

2008-03-20T21:08:00.002-05:00

The Bricks & mortar anniversaryAccording to all the etiquette guides the 15th anniversary is suppose to be the crystal anniversary. But us this year, we’ve substitute bricks and mortar instead.Yup, this is the “new home” anniversary for us this year. Today we signed the final counter offer. Tomorrow it's out to dinner to celebrate both, house & 15 years :)If you’re curious as to how many of

2008-02-22T16:19:00.006-05:00

Homeless & Home Wishes Well, we are officially homeless. David flew down to Charlotte yesterday and did the closing on our old home – It sold in three weeks. Unbelievable in this market – and without a mortgage to pay, I guess you say we really don’t have home. We’ve started looking at areas and have a few a neighborhoods that we like. But we haven’t started officially shopping with a

2008-02-16T21:25:00.000-05:00

I love this handwriting...

2008-02-16T21:24:00.000-05:00

Just an updateIt’s hard to believe it’s only our 2nd full weekend here in Columbus for it feels like we grown a mountain in just the short time we’ve been here. The girls are doing great and are adjusting well, but we still have our moments and often time I think this move is much harder on David and I then it is on them. It’s difficult to begin to even feel a little bit settled knowing that we

2008-01-26T17:44:00.000-05:00

MovingI’ve broken into tears at least a dozen times today … Sorry I need a break. Here I go again. [crying break]Ok, I’m back. I feel a little bit better, but still awful all at the same time. Moving sucks royally. It’s not the packing up and moving the house part I hate. It’s the moving that you need to do within your heart as you realize that those people (extended family, friends and

2007-12-24T20:28:00.001-05:00

ChristmasIt’s been a crazy December full of packing, house and school hunting and trying to get the house ready for market. Not my ideal way to spend the holidays, but the good news is despite all the craziness we did manage to get the tree up and gifts wrapped. Tonight the girls unwrapped their ceremonial Christmas eve gift (we open gifts on x-mas day) of new pajamas. The unwrapping didn’t

2007-12-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

A twist on traditionAccording to this blog's records, the girls and I have been building holiday gingerbread together since 2003. But this year, I decided to depart from the traditional a bit and opt for a tree instead. The results look pretty good, don't ya think?

2007-11-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

Snow AnticipationThe thought of living in snow country has both girls anxious to christen the sled we bought nearly two years ago, but yet haven’t had the chance to use. Oh, it snowed a bit here in the Carolinas last year, but not long enough to stick to the ground and bring the sled out for.So when I told the girls the other night on the way home that someone in Columbus had told me they had

2007-11-21T22:24:00.001-05:00

GratefulThis Thanksgiving I have a lot to be grateful for. I have a healthy family, loving daughters, good friends, a career that has blossomed this year beyond my wildest dreams, and a new job to look forward to. But without David none of this would be possible. Over the past several months, the word “thank you” has been quietly spoken to him on more then multiple occasions and each time I

2007-11-10T12:49:00.001-05:00

And so begins the family adventure“Momma, you know I’ve lived in this house eight years. I think it’s good that we’re moving in way because that's a long time and ... change is sometimes good.” Kathryn’s comment at the dinner table the other day sounded so grown-up and almost like it was coached. But it wasn’t. After breaking the news the girls that we will be moving after Christmas a week

2007-10-23T20:08:00.000-05:00

FuzzyIt was bound to happen and in fact I’ve been avoiding acknowledging it for a few months now. But as I squinted and tried to read the small print on the London metro map last week and find the way to my hotel, I realized two things …If it weren’t for oversized posters and color coded maps, I’d be lostIt’s time for reading glasses.Yup, my birthday’s next week and I’m hitting the mid 40s –

2007-09-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Car ServiceWith all the extra speaking requests (work related) I've been getting over the last 9 months, I've been trying to limit to my travel to only twice a month. The girls and David have adjusted well to my short absences, but it helps that I try to arrange most trips so that I'm in and out to do my thing and home again with 36 hours.But even so, occasionally a longer trip calls (but

2007-09-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

An AIP First So the telephone in my office today rings at about half past four…“Helene, It’s Mary downstairs. I have a guest here who says her name is Liz and she's from This Full House.”“OMG, Thanks Mary, I’ll be right down”... and so I grabbed my cell phone (just in case David called. He generally does around this time to coordinate leaving & picking up the Choopas) and headed down three

2007-09-16T16:13:00.000-05:00

I like the copy better Cleaning out the backpack this weekend, I found this gem in Jess' bag. When asked, she said they had watched a video about a famous painter in art class last week. And while I've always consider my daughters talented, I hope Jess' affinity to Van Gogh only emulates his art... I'd like her to keep her ear. :)

2007-09-12T19:55:00.000-05:00

1st homework assignment ... ever!Jess brought home her first bit of homework tonight. She was so excited and read every color and got it right!

2007-08-31T07:47:00.001-05:00

GrammieIt was just the weekend before last when we last visited and spent the afternoon playing spoons (a card game) and eating klondike bars with Grammie, so when the call came this morning at 5:13 it was a bit of a shock. But if it was her time, we're glad that God called her quickly. Known as mom and grammie to us, Norma was indeed a beautiful and interesting woman. She loved lizards...and

2007-08-22T20:35:00.001-05:00

How time flys ...5.75 years ago ...70.5 months ago ...305 weeks ago ...2,138 days ago...this fresh face enter our world. ... and today, she started kindergarten. :) Yup, you don't realize how fast it all goes by until she jumps out of the car in the drop-off line, waves a quick goodbye and walks away confidently with a new book bag over her shoulder. My youngest is growing up!

2007-08-21T20:06:00.001-05:00

Filed under OMG... 2 Much Fun! Create your own at JibJab: Starring You!

2007-08-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

Sky ViewsThe local news said that both the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavor would be visible in the sky tonight for about a minute beginning at 9:29 pm and they didn’t leave us disappointed. At just before 9:30pm we grabbed the binoculars and the girls and headed out the front door. Stepping out into the yard we didn’t even have time to use them, for on our first glance

2007-08-20T20:15:00.000-05:00

Open HouseOpen house today was zoo, just like it is every year. The only exception this year was that in addition to posting the individual class rosters outside each door, they also have two master lists for all classrooms on posted on opposite walls in the school cafeteria -- Hallelujah to whomever thought up this. Smart! Anyway, Katie jumped for joy to learn that she landed in the same

2007-08-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

Traveling with friendsAlthough I’m only doing three small one-night-only trips this month, I’m not allowed to leave the house with at least two chaperones (under strict orders from Katie and Jess).And although I’m sure that either “stuffy” has the where-with-all to keep me safe from hotel thieves and potential travel disasters, they do seem to offer the choopas a bit of comfort by ensuring that

2007-08-03T18:46:00.000-05:00

On Shooting Blowing StarsThe topic of shooting stars entered into the conversation last night on the way back from the grocery store. And as I listened to Jessie's passing comment, I was struck by two thoughts ... a) how quickly kids move on and accept the passages of life & b) my baby's already got me buried 6 feet under. Katie: Hey Momma look, there's a shooting star.Me: Sorry Katie, that's

2007-08-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

My Little Kitty & other passing thoughts ...For once I feel on top things this year. It's August 1st and I already have all of the girls back-to-school shopping done. With Jessie entering kindergarten this year -- I still can't believe my baby's grown up -- the shopping list was doubled and even with amazing sale items like .20 crayons & 1.50 crayola markers (must be washable), I still didn't

2007-07-11T20:17:00.000-05:00

Still here ... kinda (& counting my blessings)I know it’s been ages since I posted over here … but in the last 6 months things have just gone stir crazy. Mostly all in a good way, but the toll of trying to maintain a balance between family, work (just the 9 to 5 stuff I put in this category) and a career has been draining. Professionally I’m on top of my game and as the hubby routinely

2007-04-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

My Little TrooperMy afternoon was spent in the waiting room today waiting for Dr. Hoover to get out of surgery so we could have a consultation over Jessica’s bum. Waiting wasn’t hard once we learned that the two hour delay was due to a child who had been badly mauled by dog and was the beneficiary of Dr. Hoover’s attention instead. [prayers said] Anyway, I couldn’t remember exactly at what

2007-04-06T21:22:00.001-05:00

Happy! After seven years, the green is finally gone! Yay!!

2007-04-01T21:22:00.000-05:00

The DressDuring our shopping trip a few weeks ago I learned something about my daughter. She's not into glitz, she’s dislikes lace and don’t even suggest a simple dress if there’s even one hint of a little embroidery. No, Kathryn’s not a dazzling diva; she’s more like Jackie O. Her taste is dresses are “plain and white”, which as mom translates into “sophisticated.” :) So when we struck

2007-03-20T15:39:00.000-05:00

Ivory ShoppingAccording to all the guide, ivory is the traditional gift for the 14th anniversary. So I guess it kinda makes sense that David and I decided to spend ours a little bit differently this year by ... shopping for new beige carpet. :)Seriously after 14 years, we've dined at about every 5 star restuaraunt in town. So this year rather then blow $200 on dinner (the double order of

2007-03-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

The rules of lifeWhen Katie started a whiney-whoa-is-me & I-give-up thing last year, we started drilling rules of life. To be honest, David and I made up the first three rules on fly one night at dinner. But the girls added the fourth all on their own (seriously they did) … and it’s stuck because it’s a really good one.Imagine if being successful in life were as easy as just these four rules.

2007-02-12T21:58:00.000-05:00

Look out Laura Numeroff :)

2007-02-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

Narnia Rewards (or 1st grown-up book)When Katie brought home the 224 page paperback from the Scholastic book sale just before Christmas, I had my doubts that we’d ever finish the book together. Up until now, the most difficult title she had ever read had been Junie B Jones, but she was determined. It took us several weeks to finish the book together with Katie and I alternating page by page.

2007-01-22T21:51:00.000-05:00

AbigailThe last time Abigail slept in a little girls bed was somewhere around 1972, but in the last 2 weeks she’s found a permanent home under the covers with Jess. Abigail Applegate is her full and proper name, given to me my paternal grandmother who made her a year or two before her death. My sister Ginny was given one too – she wore lavender and paisley and was named Gertrude Gertie. And

2007-01-08T13:31:00.001-05:00

What better way to spend a Sunday ...I'm pretty sure this is not your typical around-the-kitchen-table photo, but on a drizzly cold Sunday afternoon (I know it doesn't look it outside from the photo, but trust me it was) gathering up all the laptops and playing Cyberchase's Race to Radopolis was a great option.BTW: The CyberChase games are great and captured their attention for the whole

2007-01-06T22:22:00.000-05:00

Anatomy of a MasterpieceJess brought home this beauty from school this past week. I absolutely love it!

2007-01-01T18:03:00.001-05:00

New Year’s ResolutionsWith the career stuff going gang busters these last few months, I’m feeling a little guilty with not keeping up with things here. So in a honest effort to start the new year on the right foot, I’m pledging to blog here at least once a week. It’s hard to believe that aip (adventures in parenthood) is already in its 5th year. Every once in awhile I look at the title's

2006-12-03T23:23:00.000-05:00

WishlistsDear Santa,In case your cruising the blogs just looking for ideas, here's the choopa's wish lists...PS: Kathryn created the lists for both herself and her younger sister from the what-dreams-are-made-of-Target-Christmas-book. :)

2006-11-21T21:39:00.000-05:00

As wished for … “Oh I wished she'd just stay little forever” How often I have I said this over the last few years? I guess one time too many … for when I asked Jessie to stand at pantry door for the annual height-in measurement, I was amazed at the results. At 5 years of age, Jess still dwarfs Katie’s 4 year measuring stick by nearly 2 inches!Yup, Jessie clearly didn’t get the tall genes

2006-11-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

State Names Jess: Momma, Know what? There’s a new goowa in my skool. Her name is Virginia.Virginia hey? Did you know that momma has a sister named Virginia. She likes to be called Aunt Ginny for short.[pause...]Ohh! Then she has a vacation name too!don't you just love 5 year-old logic? :)

2006-11-12T21:11:00.000-05:00

Dinner Diva The standoff was long overdue, but tonight Jessie pulled out all the stops when she refused to follow our requests to finish the last two bites on her plate and then told us “You don’t make the rules, I do!” Yup, tonight our normal happy-go-lucky 5 year old turned into a demanding diva.It was difficult at times to keep from laughing as she screamed in frustration from timeout in her

2006-10-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

Saturdays are for ...For the past nine weeks I've spent almost every waking moment of my Saturdays doing triple duty as soccer mom and coach's wife. David took on the challenge of coaching both Katie and Jess's team this season which means only one thing ... soccer dominates our weekends. Anyway, I finally got around to grapping several photos of the teams this past weekend and after this

2006-10-19T21:55:00.000-05:00

Jessie and Tyler sittin in a tree...How many 5-year-olds do you know who get a framed photo of their future betrothed on their birthday along with a fuzzy framed photo their current boy friend? Yup, that’s our Jess … the social butterfly and mini magnet to young boys over the age of ten. Tyler has been Jessie’s “future husband” since the he first moved across the street at the age of seven

2006-10-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

How time flys ...Wow! I still can't believe she's 5 years old. Happy Birthday Pumpkin!

2006-09-27T22:13:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note ...Hi All, I know my lack of presence around here has been criminal lately. It’s been a busy September. For those of you know who know me IRL, you already know why. For those of you that don't, what I can share at the moment is that my lack of posting here hasen’t been because I’m not blogging. The truth is that over the last eight weeks I’ve never blogged more in my life,

2006-09-12T22:18:00.000-05:00

Best bday craft idea …Take a half dozen Dollar Store stuffed bears (you know I just **love** those 100 penny stores), add in a package of cut off newborn onsies and a package of iron on transfer paper and what do you have?Teddy bear T-shirtsFor a last minute-quickly-thrown-together idea, I think they turned out pretty good!BTW: The girls had a blast at Katie’s bday bash sleepover & all fell

2006-09-10T20:08:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a weekend!It took a long, long time to get her confidence up, but when Katie started telling us a few weeks ago she was ready to abandoned the training wheels, we new she was almost ready. The wheels were adjusted "up" a few weeks ago, and today we took off the left. But as she tooled around the cul-de-sac a few times, it was easily apparent she was finally ready … and 5 minutes

2006-09-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

DDR in ChoopavilleYou can't tell the gift was a hit, can ya?

2006-09-07T10:52:00.000-05:00

RA SequelI honestly thought nothing could top Katie’s rude awakening performance from 2004, but when I woke up last night at 1:30 AM to find this screenplay in production right next to my pillow, it made me think twice …David: “Helene, Helene wake up … grab a towel, something,FAST!”Jess: [gagging, wrenching sounds … Gglucccc---cchk! ]David: “Jess. don’t move…just get it out”Me: [positions towel

2006-09-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

How come I'm the one every year that feels old?With the excitement that has been building over the past week, Katie’s taken on new nickname, “Six.” But with the big event set to happen tonight at the stroke of 12, the moniker will officially be retired in exchange for a new one ... Happy Birthday Seven!

2006-09-04T20:32:00.000-05:00

Predictable ... and something long forgottenI had sneaking suspicion when he left the house to go take a look at one of these and these that by the time he return home the check book would feel several ounces lighter. I was right. But until David presented with me these (which BTW I had given him a few years ago) to make a kind of peace offering, I had almost completely forgotten about them…

2006-09-01T19:27:00.000-05:00

Fuzzy religious logicCar pool patterns at Katie’s school have been changing almost daily since school started a week and half ago. The parking lot is being repaved, so it’s normal to expect things to a be a bit up in the air for awhile. But when a full page flyer came home with carpool rules this week, I had to read it twice …“Dropping off children on Buchanan before 8:00 am in the morning

2006-08-25T18:47:00.000-05:00

Goodbyes & moving on…It was harder than I thought to say good-bye today. I thought I did very well while picking Jessie up and giving her teacher Ms. Elaine a big hug good-bye. But when I got into the car and drove out the parking lot, it hit me… Seven years of drop-offs, 2nd floor window waves, rides between the first two floors in the elevator (“What floor?” “14 Please” - this always

2006-08-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

Snakes Alive: The emailWith David's permission, I'm reprinting this email, titled "Rain Conditions at Fields", that he just sent to the other U8 (8 & under) soccer coaches tonight after a exciting evening of practice... I'd like to share with you an interesting experience I had at practice. The high water appears to have "disturbed" the normal habitat of the indigenus wildlife of the park area.

2006-08-21T21:33:00.000-05:00

Another year ...All summer long we’ve heard one thing in anticipation of the start of 2nd grade …“I hope I get Mrs. Bauner, cause last year the 2nd graders told us that she owns three doughnut factories!”Today was fateful day … open house where we would find out if Katie was to be in 2A with the new teacher or 2B?As luck would have it, we had the chance to confirm the rumor … Can you say Dunkin

2006-08-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

The Good news is ......there's a few nice faces populating my celebrity look-a-like analysis. The bad news is that nearly half of ten celebrity faces I had to choose from to create this collage were men. :( Anyways ... here's my results. I would kinda agree that I have Jennifer Garner's eyes, and Cybil Shepards chin. But Bonnie Pink --Got me? Who is she anyway?

2006-08-19T20:47:00.000-05:00

Car conversion #1879 & #1885 & #1903In the past week and half, we’ve had this same conversation at least three times …Jessie: “Momma, when I grow up I want to live in a trailer?”Me: “A trailer? Why a trailer, Jess?"J: "I dunno. I just want to, that’s all!"Yup, we try and raise ‘em to aim high around here. :)

2006-08-06T16:54:00.000-05:00

Back :)I know, I know … my absence from this blog has been criminal over the last few weeks. But to my defense, it’s been h*ll getting caught up with things since we flew back. With all that’s been going on at work and additional craziness of getting the girls back on a regular schedule at home, the suitcases actually didn’t even get put away until today - a week after we flew home... uggh!

2006-07-23T23:56:00.000-05:00

HOT!!!!Our introduction to "the Valley" today ...Fortunately today was mostly a "driving day" cause I don't think any of us would have lastested long outside. Onto Tahoe and Yosemite for the next few days and you can bet, both the scenery and cooler weather will be a welcome change. :)

2006-07-20T20:31:00.000-05:00

1st week vacation recapCourtesy of Jess :)powered by ODEO

2006-07-15T13:15:00.000-05:00

There's no place like ...... the beach. :)Well... we made it!!! And our house on the bluff has the most breathtaking view and wireless too! Although I'm trying to stay off the computer as much as I can, I couldn't resist sharing these images from our first day here ...

2006-07-11T22:03:00.000-05:00

The search for the perfect suitcase ...The search for small suitcases for girls took four stores before we found one that suitable enough for Katie. Our first stop at our favorite store, the red circle boutique, only yielded one option which was pink and perfect for little Jess. But with nothing else with girlish in color or with handles that she could pull, we set off for my least favorite

2006-07-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

Cheese Cutting & JuiceAfter listening to these two conversations in the car on Saturday as shuffled four little girls to the park, McD’s and the store , I was reminded that you can learn A LOT from two six and four year olds …1st Conversation…Katie: “Stop cutting the cheese.”Mac: “Well you’re not being nice so I’m cutting the cheese”K: “Well that’s nice to cut the cheese. I’m cutting the cheese

2006-07-02T20:20:00.000-05:00

More ChangesWhen the girls walked in the door yesterday around 5pm, Jess just stood at the window and watched the cars from across the street drive away. “I miss Faith and Savanna” she cried. “I don’t want them to go.” And hearing this I wanted to cry too. For three years, the kids from across the street have often seemed like an extension of our own and hardly a Saturday goes by when Savanna

2006-06-29T21:12:00.000-05:00

No clever title for this post - just frustrationWhen I walked into the center this morning with Jess and was handed at the door a half page sheet that read “Please stop by the Community Room after dropping off your child today for an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT” I knew it wasn’t good. For seven + years I’ve walk through the doors almost every week day, so it didn’t more than a half second to figure

2006-06-27T20:37:00.000-05:00

Trauma & DramaThis morning's summer camp drop off was interrupted by a tragic discovery. The tiniest of tiny chocolate chips had fallen from a chewy cereal bar and melted onto the very bottom fold of Kathryn's shirt. It was a mere freckle shy of being a half inch in circumference, but from the commotion that arose in the back seat, you’d never have known… . "Momma, don't make go in like this,

2006-06-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

Berry Yum!By far the best purchase of the summer so far has been the Hamilton Beach ice cream maker I picked up at Target on sale for $17.99. It’s only been three weeks since I brought it home and already we’re on our 5th batch of ‘cream. Today’s flavor of choice was inspired by the four cups of blackberries that Katie and picked from the empty lots up the street yesterday and the overly ripe

2006-06-20T22:17:00.000-05:00

Just what the Doctor ordered...The Wallace & Grommit DVD game arrived just in time to provide some much needed entertainment relief for Jess who stayed home all day yesterday because of a mystery fever. We haven’t had a mystery fever episode in house for awhile, but with a 102 spike on Monday morning, we kept her home for the day for some much needed r&r. David took day duty and ended up

2006-06-18T20:35:00.000-05:00

3 reasons to love June ...... and to say thanks to our home's former owners for planting such a beautiful (and yummy) display a nature. This was just a small sampling of today's harvest. :)PS: Happy Father's Day!

2006-06-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

Fashion PlateFor six years now I’ve been successful in sheltering the girls from becoming fashion divas (and sheltering myself from the agony of have to police their choices as well). But with Kathryn quickly approaching the age where “cool clothes” begin to matter, I thought it was time to allow her to pick out her own clothes for the very first time. In the past, I’ve done clothes shopping

2006-06-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

Summer WorkWhen the summer work package came home last week with a list of activites to keep rising second graders' skills sharp over the summer, I didn't see this one on the list. But given Katie's actions this evening toward her sister and after timeout in her room, I thought I might try killing two birds with one pencil ...3 pages of penmanship practice **cough, cough** and 30 minutes later

2006-06-10T21:24:00.000-05:00

Last Day – Last PickupThe last-day-of-school pickup detail was taken by David (who had never experienced carpool pickup before) this year since I was committed to a presentation/workshop for the afternoon. So when my cell phone range at precisely 1:15 pm (early departure time for the final day) while the workshop participants filed in, I knew I didn’t even need to glance at the caller id …“Hi

2006-06-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

SpellboundI’m fascinated … I’m spellbound … I’m totally enthralled with this site … We Feel FinePS: Be careful, it's addicting!

2006-06-03T20:56:00.000-05:00

Birds of a feather ...All of a sudden I began to changeI was on the dance floor acting strangeFlapping my arms I began to cluckLook at me..I'm the disco duckYup -- these six flocked together feathered friends dancing to Rick Dees' Disco Duck were definitely the hit of the recital!

2006-05-31T21:26:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the excusesSorry it's been awhile since I've posted anything meaningful here. I don't know why but May always seems to do this to me - catch me off guard that is. For no matter how prepared I think I am to balance the work load and plethora of activities that this mommy/career woman thing throws at me, I always seem to loose it in May. Last year I took a sablogical for a few weeks to

2006-05-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

Tooth Fairy BluesIn the bedroom down the hall, a six-year-old is currently dreaming (her goal was to stay up until after midnight – it’s 9:30 now) of catching the tooth fairy in action -- literally -- and placing her in a plastic bag with holes. ? While in the bed next to me (our bed, not hers) a four-year-old is actively resisting sleep and is afraid to go back to her room.We listened to pleads

2006-05-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

When life gives you lemons...Thank you Harris Teeter for packaging a pretty pink squeezer with 5 lb bag of lemons. A $1.99 was never better well spent --- and yummy too! :)

2006-05-17T20:17:00.000-05:00

Yummy ! ???As I mentioned before, Katie’s 1st grade class book of favorite recipes is a definite keeper…Abigail’s Mom’s Spaghetti and Meatballs1 ½ boxes of spaghetti100 lbs of meat1/3 jar of sauceCook the pasta in water in the stove for 99 minutes. Cook the meatballs in the oven for 99 minutes @ 100 degrees. Pour sauce on the meatballs. Pour that onto the spaghetti.-- From the ingredient ratio

2006-05-14T20:57:00.000-05:00

Spoiled (& the obligatory Mom's Day recap)Living up to this Mom’s Day next year’s going to be hard, especially given these highlights …Seeing the supermom trading card gallery grow, laughing my butt off (so many funny & creative cards) and discovering so many awesome supermoms and a bunch of great new blogs too.:) BTW: 60 cards was the total by Mom's Day --it's 63 by the time of this posting --

2006-05-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

Salute a Supermom for Moms Day -- yourself!!A Slideshow Salute to Supermoms Find out how to add your own card below

2006-05-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Shot TricksWhen the girls were infants and received their first vaccines, I quickly learned that a warm bottle of milk delivered seconds after the last needle quickly calmed an upset child.When the girls were two and received their third round of shots, I also discovered that a lollipop well positioned could do the same trick.When Katie was four and received her final round of the dreaded three

2006-05-05T19:58:00.000-05:00

BannedApparently David and I have been banned and barricaded from our own living room... ... At least it's better than being grounded to our room. :)

2006-05-02T20:23:00.000-05:00

1st CrushMomma K's has a post about your first unobtainable boyfriend aka crush and asks the question what was yours?Hmmm… If I had to answer I’d have to say that my adolescent crushes were several, but I think that Peter Tork (of the Monkees fame) was actually first. I can remember waiting all week long for 30 minutes of the Monkees each Saturday morning and given that this show's hayday was

2006-04-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

Katie Kicks Grass!!In honor of today's last game of the season...(click on cover for larger image)Create using the Magazine Cover generator.

2006-04-20T21:12:00.000-05:00

Conversations with KatieLast night’s car conversation at first through me for as loop...“Momma, when you get older are you like your mom, a mother to Namaw Penny?”“What honey?“Well, like how Namaw Penny’s mom was smaller than her, your like Namaw Penny’s mother cause your bigger than her.”“Hmm… I guess if you look at it that way. Yes I am a bit taller than Namaw Penny.”“Ya, it’s like when your

2006-04-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

Black shoes & other non-scrimp-ablesWhen I did a quick detour into Marshall’s last Wednesday night on my way to buying bunny basket goodies from the Dollar Store, I was on my favorite simple mission… to scan the shoes. It’s not that I have a shoe fetish –- no, I’m far from it – but in my middle age wisdom, I’ve realized one thing … it’s hard to find great looking business class shoes. So

2006-04-16T18:06:00.000-05:00

Easter Excitement The milk chocolate egg with the marshmallow peep inside was almost a substitute for breakfast this morning -- French toast and scrambled eggs followed later -- but not before this exchange … “Ouch” Katie hollered holding her loose front tooth with fingers.“Be careful” David warned her “If you eat too much chocolate your teeth will fall out.” ... and with that the wiggle race

2006-04-15T20:36:00.000-05:00

Marshmallow MistakeThis is not the type of announcement you want to hear from the twelve year-old who's voluntarily watching your children while you enjoy adult conversation at a dinner party …“Ewe … Jessie just dipped the end of the pinwheel into the fountain and ate bird poop.”Fortunately for Jess, she didn’t seem traumatized by the experience and although she couldn’t quite anti-up to

2006-04-08T20:34:00.000-05:00

Soccer StarIf you’d have seen Katie on the field a year ago, you would have been convinced (as I) that she was destined to the lead cheerleader on the squad rather then the dominating player on the field. Funny, how things change. A year ago, despite her best efforts and enthusiasm for the game, Katie only scored one goal all season long. This year, she’s averaging 5-6 goals a game. :) Today

2006-04-03T19:10:00.000-05:00

The proof is in the videoIn playing around with CamStudio (a free screencasting program) tonight, I couldn’t resist putting the mic on the girls and asking them to describe their favorite sites. This little video is of Maukie the cat and serves as proof that if you put a microphone on a four-year-old, they immediately think that they're a …PS: You too can play with Maukie here. :)