Let it Snow!

Days like today make the little things go away and I'm happy and 10 years old again ...

We sledded all morning at a fantastic hill close to our house. Walking as adults takes about 10 minutes. Walking in the snow with 2 kids took 1/2 a day, complete with "Are we there yet?" and "When are we going to get there?!!" In the end, we did get there and it was GREAT! There were a ton of families there ... kids being kids, adults being kids and dogs in pure heaven! Lots of screams (and barks) of pure joy. The only thing missing was a Vernors after sledding. Today ... DC could pass for Traverse City, except in Traverse the streets would have been plowed clean by 8am. We should dig out around March.

Yowza!

I am overwhelmed with life ...

Move-in continues to be a process, but we seem to be over the hump (fewer and fewer melt downs per day). A few things I missed "the memo" on ...

1. a move, even one 2.5 miles away, for a young child is as significant as a death or divorce. Not sure this would have changed anything if I had known it, but I'm telling you now ... it is true.

2. do not save "the move" for things like transitioning from a crib to a bed ... or think that the new stuff that comes with "the move" (like bunk beds!) will aid in the fear, horror and general angst mentioned in #1 above. Night Terrors are real things (especially in boys - lucky us) and #1 has them EVERY night 1, 2 and 3 hours after he falls asleep. WebMD says stress and lack of sleep are the culprit. Awesome ... parents of the year over here!

3. do not move when you are are in the middle of a.) a big charity event, b.) a holiday, c.) wrapping up work and d.) your eldest's 5th birthday.

All notes to self for the next move ... which will be never ... or into a condo when the kids are off to college.

Sweet things said in the last little while ...

#1: Mommy, I think our next baby should be named Anakin (note: there is no next baby on the way).

Me: Really? Darth Vader. I already have two, so let's think of another name.

#1: OK, I think his name should be Joseph. Because Joseph is like Josephine and that is the prettiest name for a girl, so Joseph is the right name for a boy.

I wish I could post some sweet things said from #2 right now ... but he's 2 1/2 and repeating everything his older brother gets in trouble for ... "poop head," "poopy butt," "poopy poopy," and my personal favorites - "I kill you" and "I smack your face." Seriously - a barrel of laughs in this joint. Especially if you enjoy time alone on a bottom step.

My Nephew

A perfect blend ...

The boys were thrilled to entertain him and he was a very good sport. We all hope they come for another visit soon!

As it is said ...

... when one door closes another one opens and that is the case for us. We are tearing though box after box and trying to make sense of the chaos. The boys rooms are set up (for the most part), but #2 is living in wall to wall PINK. Thankfully he is too young to care ... and thankfully (again), #1 hasn't teased him about having the PINK room while he has the BLUE room. Paint is on the way ... but not for a few weeks.

All has gone surprisingly well with the move. The boys are rolling with it and doing much better than initial signs pointed. After 4 days of no sleep in the hotel (why sleep when you can watch planes land at the airport and cars/taxis/buses cruise the street below?) we all crashed as soon as our beds were moved off the moving trucks. All of that careful attention to packing readily available clean sheets made no difference in the end. A.) is it something other than the floor? and B.) is there something around for me to put on top of me and feel like it is a cover? Check and Check ... we were all good.

The whole thing is a whirlwind ... packed up on a Tuesday, moved out on Wednesday -- walked the boys through the house saying "good-bye room" to each nook and cranny late Wednesday night. Sold our home Thursday morning ... had lunch ... picked the kids up from school ... Bought a new house Thursday evening ... went back to the hotel for pizza and champagne and some sort of "rest." Mr. Right met the moving trucks at 8AM Friday morning to begin unloading, I dropped the little boys at school and checked out of the hotel. I also indulged in a LONG ... HOT ... shower. It was my last for quite some time. Kind of like that shower the morning before a pack trip at TVRC. You don't really know what to do, other than savor it. Anyway, the unloading from the trucks took all day on Friday and until 2pm on Saturday. We've been unpacking for the last full week.

It is now day 9 in the new house and it is starting to feel like ours. Our stuff is in and thanks to fabulous friends and family, mostly unpacked. We've starting doing things to make it ours ... and more of that comes with each new day. There is a WHOLE LOT of painting to do in the next few months, but it will come with time. There are also some new bunk beds (for #1's 5th birthday in a few weeks) that has added excitement and added bedtime trouble. The bunk beds mean that #2 finally gets to dump the crib. He's slept in a bed while on vacations, but never at "home." So at the worst possible time - major transition for a small child and possible trauma - sure, let's go ahead and put #2 in a big boy bed. Let's just say that bedtime has been enough to make me swear off any thought of ever adding a #3 to this mix.

This week we start to focus on Thanksgiving! We are thankful for so much, but the ever obvious right now ... dear friends that have swooped in and made this move possible - taking/entertaining the kids while the grown ups worked and feeding us with good food, drink and company to make the monumental tasks seem somewhat manageable. And family! the reinforcements that have given, and will continue to give, a sense of calm over the chaos. houses change, but "home" will be made again, once more. My Mother-In-Law hung pictures (and much more) over the weekend and it has made all the difference. We are also thankful for the family that will not be with us over the next few weeks - those that can't travel in prep for JDB's next surgery - wish you were here and what a year it has been. And this time of year, is always the time when I reflect most on my big boy ... #1. He is nearly FIVE and I don't even know how to put that in words. In some ways, he should be 25 - he tells me all day long how he's got the whole world figured out ... and how I just don't. Then in others, there is still an innocent joy and delight in pitching a good ball, kicking a goal, etc. that makes me melt. All of those things that are so raw and sweet ... I hope they stick
(for both of us) more than the memories of me taking away every single privilege of the week while he back-talks me all day long.

Family reunion coming soon. Thanksgiving 2001 was in the old house with me 40+ weeks pregnant with #1. After a lovely Thanksgiving meal and freak out, we spent the day after Thanksgiving walking around town with a stop or 2 to the hospital to say - "are you sure I'm not in labor?"... "No ... No ... well, yes. Yes you are in labor and you're staying here." I've never seen my siblings so scared ... or maybe they were just creeped out at the time. Who knows. I was certainly creeped out. So now, every Thanksgiving after pales in comparison, but they are fun family times nonetheless. Mom and Dad are leaving the south and my brother and sister-in-law are bringing my newest nephew to his other "home" country. They are braver than I am to hop the pond with an infant. I cannot wait to get my hands on this sweet ... LITTLE ... guy! What can I say ... Thanksgiving just seems to bring more boys!

Closing the Door

We are surrounded by brown boxes and not feeling great about it. As excited as we are to move into a new house ... this is our home. 8 1/2 years, a wedding, two babies, lots of family and friend visits -- such happy memories. And the transformation from bachelor and bachelorette compromises, to building the theater, a new bathroom and overall updating from 1925 -- so much blood, sweat and inappropriate verbal exchanges. These walls can, and do, talk. We hope this house will keep some of our secrets... Not a chance in hell it will ever see a Friday night dance party like ours.

Halloween! with an unexpected costume change

... And here I was thinking it would be Day 3 of Batman. May the force - and the monkey - be with you.

Day 2 of Batman ... Calling all Superheroes

Ready for Halloween Parades at school - show your scariest face and biggest muscles.

Boo!

Day 1 of Batman

... as he comes screaming fast through the front doors of school ...



"MOMMY! Do you see my bat ears? I made them today. I learned about echolocation! It is how bats find their food."

Counting Down ...

This time next week we will officially be homeless, staying in a hotel, with all of our stuff in storage. Thankfully, it will only be for 5 days. The boys would much rather make rocket ships out of our moving boxes ... I can't really blame them.

Things will be quiet for awhile, but phone numbers are all staying the same. We'll work hard to embrace that old communication style of actually talking.

A few moments with my elders

When #1 started school, we parents got a list ... a very long list ... of volunteer opportunities and were asked to prioritize our top 5 areas of interest. Fundraising was out - I already spend a lot of time doing that for another organization. Auction committee is also out for this year - see reason above for fundraising. I scanned the list and "library" popped out and it was done. I found my St. Pat's job for the year.

This library is like walking into a Barnes & Noble - minus the coffee bar and snazzy jazz tunes in the background. There are comfy arm chairs for curling up and snuggling in with your favorite volume of The Boxcar Children. There are small tables and chairs for the littlest kids to sit together and look at picture books or Dr. Seuss. There is a huge bay window with 2 risers underneath - a perfect book nook for classroom story time with one of the 2 librarians. And the computers for the big kids - for research and I'm sure lots of things the librarians don't know about.

The library itself is gorgeous, but that's the last reason why I wanted to take on this job. There is just something about being in a library that makes me happy. It is quiet, it smells good ... it's just peaceful. Maybe it is the memories I have of visiting my grandparents during the holidays in Chicago. My Grandma Betty worked in the book department at Marshall Field's for years and we would always have at least one trip to the book department on each visit. My Grandma would show me new titles and I wanted nothing to do with any reading at all. She would try and convince me that I would enjoy this new book. I knew I would enjoy it more if someone were reading it to me, rather than me struggling through the pages myself. But she tried and I appreciate that.

The library peace could also come from my memories of story time with Mrs. Raths. Mrs. Raths was one of my Dad's patients, and would invite my sister and me to tea parties on Sunday afternoons. This is how I knew her first - as a wonderful surrogate grandmother who lived up on a hill with lots and lots ... and LOTS of hand bells. But the rest of my elementary school knew her as the lovely, 100 year old, lady who came to school every other week and read stories in the library. It was a treat to have your class invited for story time with Mrs. Raths.

Whatever it is that gives me library peace ... it is there and it is welcome. Every other Monday for 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon I check out books to a 1st grade class (and wow do I have things to look forward to), I check in books that have been returned and I re-shelve books. I am learning the Dewey Decimal System all over again. And most importantly, I am reliving a few fabulous moments of my own from nearly 30 years ago. I love what school is bringing me.

Proof he's listening to me ... a little bit

#1: "Daddy, I think you forgot to say excuse me because I smell a toot toot."

Reason #47 Why I Love St. Pat's

Dear Parents,

The Nursery School children make a special contribution to St. Patrick's Community Service program. On the third Wednesday of each month, they chop vegetables for soup that is distributed by the Grate Patrol, an organization that feeds the homeless of our city. Every month your family will be asked to contribute one or two washed vegetables that will be chopped by the children and added to the soup pot.

A wide variety of vegetables helps make our soup more tasty and nutritious. The children are able to cut, tear, or snap carrot sticks, scallions, cabbage, leafy greens, green or yellow squash, tomatoes, green beans, parsley, and mushrooms. We also need canned chicken broth, beans, rice, herbs, and bullion to give the soup additional flavor.

Our Nursery children look forward to this activity every month. If you would like to help the children prepare the vegetables, you may sign up for an hour on one of these days at Back to School Night.

Thank you for your support of this important project.

So Right

An open letter to Mr. Right ...

Eight ... and as happy as I was when I met you in Syracuse. Life is different and it isn't just you and me anymore. There is a whole lot more - most significantly two gorgeous boys. Both that have a little of me (or a lot) and a little of you (or a lot), but they remind me every day how perfect you are. Maybe not perfect, but perfect for me.

I may not tell you every morning, but I did win the lottery. Unless it is an unfair morning ... one of a small handful of mornings in the last 5 years when I've woken up with a hangover and you still make me get up with the kids. I swear at you on those mornings. But then as I'm ready to scream and lose my mind (on any given day that has served up too many servings of stress) -- you swoop in and make things right. A super-calm Daddy, ready to tackle two boys under 5 and wrestle them silly or get them ready for bed ... or you are the very steady head - ready to listen to my list of what's wrong with the world and help me work through it. You are a great partner and I don't imagine one day of this ride without you. The boys have made it more intense, but for me this ride still includes the laughter that came with "secret dating" on CNN with President Clinton's entourage ... or walking backwards in the snow at 6 in the morning. I love you. Happy Anniversary.

Growing Pains

T-minus 1 week ... and so starts the new school stress
#1: "Where will I go to school next week?"
me: "You'll go to St. Patrick's, you know that. We've been visiting a lot over the summer."
#1: "But I can't go to school, I'm not 5 yet."
me: "Sure you can, you're in a great class where everyone is 4."
#1: "But I'm 4 3/4. Where do we go?"


T-minus 5 days ...
#1: "Grandma, do you know that I can't go to school next week because I'm not 5."

Grandma came up with all kinds of good reasons why St. Patrick's would be the most fun any 4 1/2 year old would ever wish for ...

T-minus 2 days ... Mrs. K and Mrs. J visit us at home
Oh, these are the loveliest ladies ever. They rang the door bell and I saw 2 women that both reminded me of my Mom. As much as I have loved #1's school for the last 4 years ... there was an unbelievable sense of calm to see "my mom" outside the window and know that "she" would take care of my little man for the next year. Mr. Right is convinced that he'll have his knuckles hit with a ruler by Mrs. K before the year is over ... another sign that she is perfect.

Mrs. K and Mrs. J spent 1/2 an hour with #1 - introducing him to Minky and Mr. Bubbles ... or something like that. They are the classroom mascots - puppets that help them learn the class rules and all kinds of other good things. Mrs. K then pulls out a photo album of pictures of things that happen in PK2 and the second photo in was a picture of last year's class and castle with a dragon. Mrs. K and #1 spend a few minutes talking about the magnificence of the castle and the size of the dragon when #1 breaks out ... "do you know what dragons are afraid of?" Mrs. K said, "No. What?" #1 leaves the room and comes back dressed in his Dark Knight Batman costume. I'm hopeful this means, "Watch out PK2, I'm on board."


T-minus 1 day ... Mommy, Daddy & #1 head to school for New Student Orientation
We came, we saw, we conquered...
We found his classroom, his "locker", the art station, the kitchen, the loft ... PK2 is A-OK!


#1s First Day of PK ...
A bit of a disaster until he got out of the car. But he got out of the car! I picked him up 3 hours later and he asked, "When do I get to stay for a full day?" I count that as success.

... And the transition continues ...
We're now in week 2+ and there are still signs of stress. There are tears at least once a day ... and some resistance in getting out of the car at least every other day. It is heartbreaking ... and I'm exhausted. Then there is the other side of the transition - when I pick him up after worrying about him all day long, and rush, rush, rush to get to school by 5:30 so he isn't the absolute last kid to get picked up from extended-day ... and he hits me for coming too early. "I'm not ready to go home yet!!!" WTF? Kid ... you are taking years off my life!

How we spent our Labor Day

Family Bonding

Daycare closed for a week at the end of August for annual staff training and CPR certification -- a week of excellent refreshers for #2's teachers and a week of forced vacation for us. It was also a clean break for #1 as he came back from vacation and started PK at a new school. With sweltering heat at home, we headed to the NC mountains for some family time with Grandma & Pops and started September in the upper 50s.


Highlands was crisp and heavenly. Mr. Right and I actually made it to the gym most days and had uninterrupted time there. I downloaded some of my brother's recommendations to my playlist and had a little sibling bonding while working off many weeks of work-home-overall life stress. The boys were spoiled ... we all were spoiled. There were extra hands all over the place and it gave all of us some room to breathe. Heaven.

One of the best parts of our trip was watching the boys play together. During the day they were in different classrooms at school and until recently, were interested in totally different things. However, the more #2 talks, the more we all understand that he would rather be a big guy - doing big guy things. And for the first time, #1 was finding that waking up at 8:00AM means that his brother has been playing with the toys he designated "mine" for over an hour. Inside toys weren't such a big deal ... Outside toys such as the Golf Cart and the Gator ... BIG DEAL. Overall, they both shared and enjoyed one another more than not.



A second milestone - #2 slept in a twin bed while we were there! He is more than ready to be out of the crib, but we've held off on a big boy bed until we got the house sold. He loved sleeping on the bottom bunk (#1s previous post) and he LOVED sharing a room with his big brother. #1 was also very sweet. I heard lots of sweet advice coming from the top bunk - don't be scared, I'm right here if you need me, you're a big boy in a big bed ... it was all really sweet. I was a little worried about what this might mean when we got home to 2 separate bedrooms and back to a crib, but he's been unfazed. Hopefully the house stuff will be over sooner rather than later and we won't need to be so camera ready ... then we'll get his bed.

All in all, a wonderful family getaway and for the most part we were unplugged. It was nice to have the noise at a distance for a few days and enjoy the calm of the mountains (where mobile phones don't work very well). Lots of golf for the big and small boys, lots of driving trucks in the driveway, a day trip to explore the Nantahala River (which is about as warm as the Snake River - burrrr!), QT with the Grands and the first 2 kids on the brand new Cullasaja playground. Thank you Mom & Pops for treating all of us like Royalty.

On the Market

In search of a backyard that will allow for sports equipment and room to use it - without breaking glass - we've set out on the near impossible. We're hoping to find our exact same house - that we've loved and made our own over the last 8 years - on a slightly bigger lot and still with all of the city amenities we love. At least once a week we say we're not actually going to go anywhere. And now that the house is at its very best, it will be very hard to leave. But then there is that reminder of trouble on the horizon ... usually on a Saturday morning before the grown ups are fully awake ... it is clear there is a need for running room. So, we begin our quest ...

The Allergy Saga Continues

#1 had his follow up with the allergist today and we got some interesting news. His blood tests came back totally negative to everything except grass pollen (which we thought he was allergic from the prior skin tests) ... but even the grass pollen was a mild reaction when looking at his blood. In addition his total allergen count was very low - a 10 on a 0-352 scale. So he is only mildly allergic which makes no sense when you look at how he reacted to grass pollen last spring. But she firmly stated he is not a candidate for shots given this information, so I didn't have to tell her thank you, but no thank you ... a conversation I've been dreading for days. SO ... the investigation continues. The allergist, who is a long time pediatric allergist and one that I really like - one who I think is very good, thought for a good deal of time and went back through all of her notes and my spreadsheets while #1 smashed cars into each other in the exam room. Her conclusion was that we were missing something ... "he shouldn't react that severely or have been so sick" if there wasn't something else going on. She thought he might have a "silent" sinus infection - one that apparently just hangs out and waits for something to upset the system, like pollen when you're allergic, then rears its ugly head and causes all hell to break loose. OK, made sense to me. However the only way to know is to look at the sinuses on film. So we were off for #1s first and hopefully last head CT scan.

The scan itself wasn't that big of a deal. It just weirds me out. He did great. The tech was great with him. It was all over in about 45 seconds. We took the images straight back to the allergist and she read them with me. It is very clear in the images that one of his sinus cavities is completely full of goop. The other is open, but has a little goop in it also. So we're treating with a long course of antibiotics and a nasal spray and saline and a neti pot. :) East meets West, yet again. This reminds me of my sophomore year of college when I couldn't get rid of tonsillitis and ended up being on antibiotics for weeks. Only the difference there was that I was never sleeping, drinking way too much, and being a typical college kid. #1 likes a party, but let's be serious. The kid is not boozing it up all night ... he's really in great health if we can just figure this thing out ...

I've been emailing with #1s Chinese Medicine doc and have filled him in on everything. He's skeptical of the antibiotics and I am a little myself (because for the LOVE - he's been on them ... many rounds of them and still has something going on). But then again, I grew up on pink medicine as a little person and am just fine now. But, his thought is that something this chronic is probably fungal (ew!) and not bacterial. Good thing #1 is also taking herbs and getting acupuncture to cut the funk.

Senioritis

#1's days as a "Senior" are rapidly coming to an end. Here they are ... the "it" boys of the senior class. OK, they are the only boys in the senior class, but trust me ... their attitude is all IT. The new school year is starting ... some graduates are starting PK and Kindergarten on this Thursday, which is leading to a lot of anxiety at home and at school. We had a final-final graduation party last Friday and the boys had a little photo shoot with their teacher (who is barely keeping the tears in). She sent these along. You can tell they are all going to kick ass and take names at their next school. :) These three little trouble makers are responsible for many a bruise, "poop" talk, all things super heroes, power rangers, knights and soldiers ... and about 100 million questions. That said, they are three very sweet boys. I'll do my best to make sure at least one of them is nice to girls.

Shut it

#2 is finding his personality quite hilarious these days. When he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do he will often smile and say, "Um, Nnnnnooo." And it is a "no" that is like ... "oh, you are so silly for asking me to do that. Gosh you are a funny parent." Then he graduated to interrupting the parent that was in the middle of asking such silly requests with, "Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah" while shaking his head "no" from side to side. So the dialogue went a little like this ...
#2 will you ple...
...Blah, Blah, Blah.

Last night was the topper of all. In the middle of the 6:30 - all hell breaking loose trying to get dinner on the table - dance I made the mistake of asking #2 if he would like to help me set the table. He looked at me with his devilish grin and I prepared myself for, "Um, Nnnnnooo" but instead got him making a bird beak with his hand and making it silently squawk at me. Mr. Right and I (doubled over laughing) agreed that he very clearly said, "talk to the hand!" And of course, our expert parenting skills of hysterical laughter assured him that his hand gesture was appropriate and should be used often.

Acupuncture

I've written about #1s struggle with seasonal allergies often ... so here's a little update. At our last appointment with the pediatric allergist she told us his reactions were so severe that we should consider starting allergy shots. That's when the needle skidded across the record at number 10. Yes, last spring was awful. Yes, #1 was miserable ... miserable by pollen and miserable by side effects of the drug cocktail. But allergy shots is a whole new level of commitment and one that I'm not willing to step right into.

So ... #1 and I set off today for our first experience with Chinese medicine. As we entered the office ... "Mommy, it smells funny in here. And why do we have to take our shoes off? And where are the toys? And did you see that table in there - I found a cool room for us. And what do you think that little man (Buddha) is doing?" Yowza there were at least 1,000 questions - for me and our newest member of the medical team.

The visit went well and I'm very optimistic. I had visions of me holding #1 down like I used to do for his shots - NOT a good memory for me - and I nearly fell over as I watched him "help" tap the needles into his own hands! We are changing some things in #1s diet, adding in some Chinese herbs and will continue with acupuncture in another 2 weeks. Stay tuned...

Hello!

Have you met my father? Holy cow.

GREAT-ful

Thank you Great-Grandpa Howard for letting us run wild in Chicago. We are very lucky to be able to spend time with you. We hope, now that you've recovered, we'll be invited back. Don't forget ... we get some of that mischievous DNA from you.
With love,

(most of) your Great-Grands

We are Family

So it is nearly August and I have posted nothing all summer ...

Summer has brought much needed family time - for our family of four - as well as time with the rest of our family all over the place. In June I headed south with the minis for some G&G M time while Mr. Right went on an annual golf trip. The entire trip was spent hopping from pool to beach to Frenchie's to pool to pool to pool. The weather was perfect, the water refreshing and the grands and their minis had lots of bonding time -- being fish.

In July we made our annual trek to Highlands for Cullasaja Kids Camp and family time with Mr. Right's side of the family. Cousin-fest 2009 -- Part One -- left my 2 minis with a major hangover (when we arrived home). What do you mean rules, Mommy? I thought we just ran wild and ate sugar all day long? The boys had a blast with their cousins and tried so hard to be all grown up like they are (in #1 and #2's minds). They also had a blast with Grandma & Pops -- lots more swimming, cart rides, boat cruises, exploring and #1's favorite - time at the driving range and his first "real" golf lesson. The icing on the cake was topping out the trip with a dozen simultaneous fireworks shows around the city of Atlanta from the 47th floor balcony. Mommy nearly had a heart attack with visions of a mini tumbling over the side, but the boys loved it. There are no incriminating photos since we took the camera without a CF card. Smart.

And finally, we spent a few days in Chicago on a very special trip to see the boys only living great-grandparent. My grandfather. My sister and her family, my parents, me and the little boys and my Uncle all descended on Great Grandpa Howard ... and we overwhelmed him in all of 30 minutes. Cousin-fest 2009 -- Part Two -- was an equal blast, with equal hang-over. Three boys - 4 1/2 yrs., 3 1/2 yrs., 2 yrs. and A GIRL, 8 months put 7 adults to shame in about an hour. Equal meltdowns were had by all grown ups and children on day two. And things were in good rhythm by day three ... just in time for us to go our separate ways the following day. :(

Here are the highlights...

Why Every Man Should Have A Daughter

(Ev & JoJo)

Graduation - Round 1

I thought you only had a few significant graduation ceremonies in your lifetime - all which began at High School. Wrong. Today you graduate from Pre-Kindergarten ... and holy cow the tears. Most tears were from the adults, although there were a few kiddos too. Here is our most handsome graduate - ready to bust out of the only school he has known since he was 6 months old. I wonder how quickly he will wrap his new teachers around his finger?

The graduation theme was "When I Grow Up" which was incredibly sweet and telling. #1 and his two buddies were astronauts and they did a skit where they showed off their ability to yell "BLAST OFF!!!" at number 10 - and in a church nonetheless. There were also Firefighters, a Veterinarian, a Postal Carrier, Ballerinas, Police Officers, a Business Man and my personal favorite ... A Dad. It was very sweet to look at what being grown up means to a group of 3 and 4 year olds.

Dance Party

Seriously, who wouldn't have an evening Dance Party when they turn out like this? Here's your reminder to Rock On!! Pants, of course, are optional.

"Shewww"

Are guns and shooters and swords and objects for jousting embedded in the combination of X and Y chromosomes? We're on vacation, trying to enjoy a little family QT. This afternoon, #1 and his Daddy went to the driving range to hit balls while #2 napped and I worked. #2 woke up before the other boys were back home, so we went down to the dock and drove a little remote controlled boat around the lake. #2 is zooming this thing back and forth, spinning it in circles and getting a little frustrated when the boat didn't go in the exact direction he was expecting. All of a sudden he points the remote control, and it's long antenna, at the boat and says, "Sheww! Sheww! ShewwT!" Translation: Bang, Bang! You're dead.

I've Been Working on the ...

Tool bench, All the live-long day.

The majority of our house is packed and stored while we do some home improvement projects. This workbench is now their security blanket and proof that all is right in their worlds. After the initial freak out of, "Mommy, someone took all of my toys!" we've settled into a new norm. This workbench was the smartest decision by Santa - hands down. The pieces are big enough for #2 to manipulate and small enough for #1 to feel like he's not playing with a baby toy. For the most part, the boys play together. They build things at the workbench, then they beat each other over the head with whatever they built.

P.Y.T.

The death of a genius is about the only thing that can break me out of my quiet streak over the last little while. LOTS has been going on in mini-ville, but there is time for that later.

The boys and I had dance party in the kitchen after dinner tonight to an assortment of Michael Jackson songs. I tried to explain how important he was to #1 ... I think he understood a little ... I got a "Mommy, I like this music!" Then he climbed up on the bar and jumped to the floor before flailing his body in all directions ... "dancing." As weird as Michael Jackson got over the years, there is such a special place in my heart for ALL of the kid memories that accompany his songs. If I had to pick soundtracks of my life Thriller covers the earlier years and his later albums had songs that intertwined with the dark hours of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me by The Cure. Puberty is a horrible thing to do to a kid. But back to Michael Jackson ... pick a song and I can tell you what I was doing ... and most of it involves my family, The Cleavers. That is what Mr. Right calls us.

I vividly remember the day we bought Thriller as a family. We were just arriving in Chicago to surprise my Grandparents on their anniversary. We stopped for dinner at a Bennigan's restaurant and went into a music store, that was next door. We HAD to find something to mix with Abba's Super Trooper ... we had listened to it for the previous 7 hours ... thanks Ward and June. As we pulled out of the parking lot all five heads were bobbing to the cold hard truth that Billy Jean was not my lover. It was awesome. We were awesome. Our station wagon was awesome.

To my siblings that shared matching parachute pants with me ... and breakdanced on the basement floor ... with one white glove ... and still smile on these memories -- I'm thinking of you today. As I remind #1 and #2 often ... especially as they are beating on each other ... siblings rock! I wonder what the soundtrack of their childhood lives will be? I'll be dammed if it's The Wiggles.
xoxo

25 Months

I didn't get birthday pictures posted with my sappy 2nd Birthday entry. Today marks 25 months ...

32 lbs. and 36 inches of love until you cross the line. Then it turns into 32 lbs. and 36 inches of I'm opening a can of whoop ass, you should RUN!