A little kitchen conversation...

Noah exchange (yesterday morning) -

"Mom, is there a college near here?"

"Yeah, bud...quite a few of 'em."

"Good - cuz I want to go to one like ten minutes away."

"You do?"

"Yeah, cuz then I can see you all the time."

That's my boy. <3 br="">

May Mayhem

Between Abby's Night Owl Sleepover (only five girls stayed over this year vs nine last year - live and learn)...

Organizing and putting on the school's very FIRST talent show...(Abby and three of her buddies sang the CUPS song/Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone - they were so cute.)  
Insert video here - have yet to upload, of course

Finally finishing Noah's skateboard mural that my dad started back in MARCH...


And then getting ready for Noah's backyard campout party (actually had the party on June 1st)...


Things have been a wee bit nutty. Fun - but nutty.

But in keeping with my resolution, I forced myself to post a few pics to the blog that I already posted on facebook.

June will be just as eventful. Dress rehearsal tomorrow night. Recital this weekend. Last week of school - YIPPEE!!! Choreographing a little Aladdin Jr. Packing up for VA. Abby's gymnastics showcase, and right after, the kids and I are heading down to Virginia for 7 weeks where I will be teaching musical theatre camps this summer (hence the Aladdin Jr. reference).

This will be the kids' first time doing something like this so they are pretty excited...and they get to take the camps for FREE! We are staying with my dad and stepmom which will be fun too - a little crowded, but fun. Just trying to get all of my ducks in a row before we leave. Definitely stepping outside the box venturing off to VA this summer, but I think a escape from the neighborhood kids constantly knocking at my door ...er....change of scenery will be good.

Really, really good.

I Could Use More Moments Like These...

Nowhere to be. 

Ignoring my endless "to-do"s. 

Just playing a little Rummikub with my boy ( - took the game along to my mom's this past weekend. First time the kids had played. Noah can't get enough of it!)

Post Mother's Day resolution - play more board games. Force yourself to do puzzles even though you hate puzzles. Noah asked me to help him with his 100 piece Marvel Comics puzzle the other day. I whined a little a first, but I did it anyway. I just can't resist that kid.

She's Nine...

I can't believe it. It was Mother's Day nine years ago when we brought her home from the hospital - only two days old. Little fingers, little toes, swaddled (somewhat) in a little Classic Pooh receiving blanket.

I blinked.

Facebook post: Birthday lasagna and a full size drink! No more kid's cups for this nine-year-old!

This year has flown. I am talking by the speed of light. Seriously, I'm trying to figure out how to freeze this age. Abby being nine and Noah - almost seven.

When did this even happen?

Facebook post: 4/9 - Dinner outside at the taco stand

The closest thing to freezing time?  My camera. Even if it is just capturing a moment with my phone. The moments I want to remember. The ones I am afraid I will forget.

My facebook page has become a mini-blog of sorts over the past several months - posting (probably too many) pics of the kids and captions. Lucky for me, it's been right there at my fingertips since I haven't been able to make the time to sit down and write an actual blog post.

This going-back-to-teaching thing (just part-time among my other side jobs) has been a lot more challenging than I thought it would be...and even though most some days, I feel like I am barely keeping my head above water, I've realized that blogging was an outlet for me. I've missed it. I love looking back at these stories about my kiddos and my experiences as a mom (as long winded as they may be) and re-living those moments - frozen in time.

So I am making a Mother's Day resolution - for myself and my kiddos - to post more this next year. Write more. Tell their stories and mine - stories we can laugh about, learn from, and remember for years to come.

Because, holy cow...those years are coming faster and faster.

Facebook post: 9/4/12 - And they're off!

 

Facebook post: 12/31/12 Kiddos begged to stay up until midnight this year so pj party 

in the living room ~ Happy 2013!!!

 

FB post: 2/27 - After school donuts at Yum Yum!

FB post: 3/31 - Happy Easter! :)

FB post: 5/12 - Best part of the day: Snuggling with the kiddos on the couch watching 

dvred American Idol. Sure love those kids of mine.

 

Wreckless Abandonment

I never thought I'd be one - one of those bloggers who posted and commented pretty regularly, then dwindled down to a couple of posts a month, and then NOTHING.

There were a few blogs that I followed regularly - and would check back periodically hoping for a new post, a quick update, an explanation even as to why their poor blog had been so neglected.

ZILCH.

I hoped that everything was okay and maybe life had just gotten too hectic, and something had to give. Still, I couldn't quite understand how you could put so much time into writing and reflecting and posting all those crazy cute pictures and then just stop.

Now I get it.

Life just gets crazy sometimes. And as my kids get older, things are just getting busier, and time is flying faster. It's really freaking me out to tell you the truth.  At least, I've managed to post pictures and snippets on facebook...if only I could bring them all over here. I'd be all caught up! The only reason I am able to write now is because I skipped out on football practice tonight. (Yes, Noah is playing TACKLE football this season. All Daddy's idea, of course. I swear, I need a Xanax prescription to handle this.) Trying to keep up with everything (and everyone!), this summer seems like a blur, and I can't believe that school starts next week...

And this year, I am going back with the kids.

Yep! After an eight year hiatus, I interviewed at the kids' elementary school and was offered a learning support position. Woohoo!!! Thanks in part to the great recommendations their teachers gave me since I volunteered so much last year. I am sure some people thought I already worked there. :)

I have workshops tomorrow and Thursday - and I have no idea what I am going to wear. My semi-professional wardrobe is very much lacking after all these years of being at home. That's actually why I stayed home from football so I could figure that out. (I am procrastinating, can you tell?) I am really excited to be going back though and to be at the same school as my kids is what I've always hoped would work out.

So I can't make any promises, as I am not sure what September will bring, getting into this new routine, plus teaching dance, writing for BKids, and taking the kids to football and gymnastics - but I really do hope to be able to squeeze a little blogging in there somewhere.

Fingers crossed!

As Promised - Before and After...

Let's do this!

Marking the spot!

The anticipation...

The BIG moment!

Didn't shed one.single.tear - even surprised herself!

Cute as cute can be...

Seriously.

When did my baby girl get so grown up?


*Sure do love you, sweet girl...and your rose crystal earrings!

It Can't Be...

It can't be May. Where in the world did April go? Never has a month gone by so fast. I've thought about posting several times, but then my self-diagnosed ADD kicks in, and I am on to other things. I've also been hesitant to post...afraid of what might come out. Do you ever wish you had a switch to just turn off your thoughts? Over-thinking everything, worrying too much, what if-ing, remembering, wishing things were more like they used to be? Drives me nuts.

It can't be six days until Abby's 8th birthday. Seriously can.not.be.  When did this creep up on me? I was just now making her a pink and purple castle cake for her fourth birthday. And now she is sporting little pink crystal flower earrings that we have to clean twice a day. Yep. She got her ears pierced this past Saturday - an early birthday gift. A perfect way to end a perfectly girly day at "Sweet and Sassy" with her Brownie troop. They got their hair and nails done and had a little runway fashion show. It was too cute - although I could personally never justify spending that much on a birthday party. But their troop sold SO many cookies so this is what they picked as their reward - 2400 boxes, people! Not us - we sold a measly 75 boxes, but I didn't hold my own cookie booth every weekend like some of the other moms did. Wowzers. I will have to post some pics of Abby before and after - she was over the moon excited (after it took her 45 minutes to muster up the courage to do it) and kept thanking me over and over for letting her get her ears pierced. Such a cutie.

It can't be that my brother, sister-in-law, and their three kiddos are now in Texas - a THREE DAY DRIVE away. It hasn't sunk in. Thirteen hours was already far enough to Chicago, but he was presented with an opportunity in TX where he knows a couple of guys - short commute, all moving expenses paid, profit-sharing - so they decided to do it. I wasn't on board with it for purely selfish reasons - it's SO far away. My heart hurts thinking about it. I can't really blame them though. This 45-50 minute commute that Pat has is for the birds. We hardly see him. Brian's commute was over an hour between parking the car and taking the train into the city and then walking to work. Now his commute will be 8 minutes. Still why does TX have to be half way across the country? Plane tickets are so durn expensive. sigh....

It can't be that I have been interrupted six times in the last 15 minutes since sitting down to write this between requests for snacks from the neighbor kid, phone calls, refereeing...It's no wonder I feel like I have ADD. Now off to take Abby's friend home, then Girl Scouts, then the last TPO meeting of the year that class moms supposed to attend ( - hoping the DS will keep Noah occupied for at least part of the meeting).

It can't be that it's almost the END of the school year...

Good gravy.

The Morning Was Going So Well...

There I was, admiring my sweet boy (even though he had sneaked into our bed during the wee hours of the night once again)...

He was still asleep and it was almost eight o'clock (- a personal record).

Then he woke up...and remembered.

Remembered that Daddy had left early that morning to go out of town...

Tears ensued.

Crocodile tears.

Then he remembered that yesterday was the last day of spring break and he had to go to school.

More tears and whines and "I don't want to go to school"s and "I want Daddy"s...

Poor kid.

After hugs and reasoning attempts and trying to coax him to get dressed, what started as a peaceful morning resulted in "If you don't stop crying and get ready, you will not be allowed to play Wii for the rest of day...maybe two days!"

He finally dried those tears and got moving. 

Amazing the power that the Wii has over a five-year-old boy.

Even more amazing?

The power that my five-year-old boy has over his mama.

May I Please Have S'more?

A Peeps S'more, that is...

This was actually our second round - they were that good. You can actually see the sugar in the kids' eyes! Has to be my new all-time favorite Easter picture.

And this one is a close runner up -

Of course, I'd snap the pic right as Rocket is licking his chops. I showed it to the kids, and they were cracking up. Crazy dog. 

Take two - 

That's better! (I can't believe he stayed still that long. It's true what they say, labs really start to calm down once they reach around two years old - thank goodness!)

*Hope you all had a hippity-hop-happy Easter!

LOVE.

It's that time of year when I take WAY too many pictures of tulips...

And there are even more where these came from...

I just can't help myself.

If Only Everyday Were Crazy Sock Day...

For this mama who can never seem to find matching socks (and swears the dryer eats them), it would make my life so much easier.

Bring on flip flop and sandal season!

Really...When Did They Get So Big?

I snapped this picture after our impromptu "First Day of Spring" party - almost two weeks ago. Two weeks? It's almost April? Where did March go? I swear, I can't keep up. 

And my kids? When did they get so big? Abby is going to be eight next month. 

EIGHT.

I can hardly wrap my head around it. 

My boy will turn six a few weeks later. 

SIX. 

It scares the bejeezus out of me. It's going too fast.

Lately, I have been a sentimental wreck. Not sure what exactly has prompted this, but even as I am typing away on this keyboard, tears are streaming down my cheeks...

(cue kiddo interruptions - composure regained)

Despite Abby's seven--year-old dramatic tendencies and Noah's complete disdain for any and all errands that don't involve getting ice cream, this is a fun age.

Just in the last few minutes, Abby has come in to show me a purse she is making out of construction paper - four different colors. I love her creativity. Her enthusiasm. Her new interest in American Idol that I DVR so we can cuddle up later to watch and fast forward the commercials. Her current obsession with the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series - too funny.

I love that my boy still likes to snuggle his mama and runs up to hug me when I come to help with Kid Writing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It's amazing to see how much he has progressed since the beginning of the year. I love that he wrote in his journal yesterday that it was "THE BEST DA EVR!" because his new friend was coming home from school with him.

We've had playdates coming out of our ears...oh, and there is talk of a sleepover. Her first sleepover. Not sure if I am ready for this, but she is over-the-moon excited.

At least, she will be just across the street. I should be able to handle that.

I think.

Signs of Spring and Moment Captured

After riding his bike (with no training wheels!) up and down the bike path a half dozen times, in all his short-sleeve shirt-wearing glory, he dropped his bike in the grass for just a few seconds... 

"This flower is for you, Mama."

Oh, that boy knows how to melt my heart.

Seuss Day Drama

All was well as the kiddos were eating their GREEN eggs and ham for breakfast this morning -

The Cat-in-the-Hat-a-thon was on in the living room so I have this bright idea -

"Hey! Do you guys want to be Thing 1 and Thing 2? I could cut out some paper circles and stick them on your shirt!"

"Yeah!"

"O-tay!"

 A few minutes later as Abby is picking up the Thing 1 circle - after all, she is the first born...

"NO! I want to be Thing 1!" Noah insists.

"Noah, but I'm the oldest!"

"You should be Thing 2. You are two years older than me!"

He does make a good argument, but...

"I was born first, Noah. You were born second."

Yep. She has a point.

"But Aaaaabby! You are two years older!"

I can see that there is no changing Noah's mind, and the clock is ticking away.

I look at Abby, "Since he is making a bigger fuss about it, would you just let him be Thing 1?"

Being the sweet big sister that she is (most of the time), she concedes.

 We have seven minutes to get in the car and get to the school before the bell rings when as we are walking out the door, Noah says,

"I don't want to wear it to school."

WHAT????

"Buddy, you just argued that you wanted to be Thing 1. We are running late, dude."

"But not for school. Just for home."

Seriously?

So now Abby wants to be Thing 1. I make the switch and put the Thing 2 circle on Noah's backpack.

"Is that good?"

"Yeah, that's good, Mom."

We get to school with thirty seconds to spare.

Geez louise. Really?

Sometimes I wonder what in the world I am thinking...

Four Years and Making the Switch

This month marks FOUR YEARS - four years since I started this little ol' blog of mine.

Four years of stories - the good, the bad, and the embarrassing funny.

Four years of sweet moments recorded and priceless photos captured. It boggles my mind to look back and see how much my kiddos have grown and how quickly time passes. (Just writing that, my eyes are all misty - such a sap, I know.)

Four years of the same header and sidebar pictures from that special weekend at Virginia Beach four summers ago - partly because I am too sentimental to change them...and because we haven't been back since. Moving during the summer (TWICE over the past few years) kind of puts a damper on beach vacation plans, but I am hoping that this will be the summer that we finally go back. 

I am grateful for the blog friendships that have developed over the past four years. Your supportive comments and emails and advice...I've learned SO much from so many of you and thank you for letting me have a peek at your everyday lives. It's amazing how you can really get to know people that you've never even met.

Being a part of the Fishful Thinking faculty for two years is a stand-out example of that. As much as I would have liked to, I never had the opportunity to meet the amazing ladies behind the voices on our conference calls, but it was always like chatting with good friends.  I feel like that opportunity really helped me to discover my writing niche. I love writing about family activities that inspire and educate which was the motivation behind starting Teach It Simple. And being that I am in that transition phase right now - both kiddos in school and in the process of getting re-certified so I can start teaching possibly this fall and now writing for B Kids Toys on a regular basis, I feel like it's time to make the switch...

No, not the switch to Wordpress...who wants to learn a whole new program? Not this gal.

The switch to PRIVATE.

Yep, I said it. I've been going back and forth about this for awhile now. But I keep coming back to switching this blog to private and posting more regularly on Teach It Simple and seeing where it leads. I just feel like that's what I need to be focusing on right now - making the most of those everyday moments.

I'm definitely going to keep on "writing the waves" too - so for the handful of you that stop by every once in awhile, I will be sending out blog invites when I make the switch in a couple of days.

Well, enough of my reminiscent rambling - I hope to see you on the other side...

and over at Teach It Simple !

These Shoes Weren't Made For Walkin'

It's been two days since my giant-leap-out-of my-comfort-zone-solo-day-trip to NYC for Toy Fair 2012...

 

and my feet (and shins and calves) still hurt. That's what you get for stepping out of your tennis shoes and slipping on two inch heels - chunky heels, but heels none the less.

But it was totally worth it and a lot of fun to meet the B Kids team (and hang out with Bebee and friends) LIVE and in person -

I am really excited to be using this early childhood degree, tucked away in my back pocket, to write monthly website articles and post playtime ideas and helpful tips on the B Kids facebook and twitter (@bkidsfun) pages. Fun stuff.

As cool as it was to be at Toy Fair NY, I was so glad to pull in my driveway later that afternoon (after taking a cab, then a train, then finding my car and relying on my GPS to get me home), kick those heels off, and spend the rest of Hearts Day partying with my cute little valentines! Sure do love those kidlets of mine...

*Hoping your Valentine's Day was full of BIG SMILES and little candy hearts...and chocolate - lots of chocolate!

Not Your Ordinary Valentine's Box...

Considering that we waited until the last minute to do Abby's valentine box project, it sure turned out cute! Who knew that a Capri Sun box and a giant purple flower stashed away in my craft stuff could become this?

She was SO excited to take it to school today - even wanted me to drive them so that it wouldn't get messed up on the bus (and you know how much she LOVES riding the bus). 

Speaking of school, I have been there everyday this week except for Monday. The front office lady (I really need to learn her name) probably thinks I have attachment issues (...which I kind of do). But today, I was there to help the class with a service project for a local senior center (- click over to Teach It Simple to see what we were up to)!

Then I went back this afternoon with Noah to be a last minute "Mystery Reader" since no one had signed up. Noah wasn't too crazy about the idea of going back until I asked him if he'd like to "read" The Spooky Old Tree - his Berenstein Bears favorite. He asked to share it with his K class awhile back and was so proud of himself. To my surprise, he agreed to "read" it to Abby's class too. Those kids were SO impressed. They even started chanting, "NO-AH! NO-AH!" It was great.

Next week, I am sure the office lady will be shocked when I don't show up for the Valentine parties. I hate to miss them, but I am actually being really brave and heading to NYC for a Toy Fair media breakfast. I had no idea how huge this event was when I was invited to attend. HUGE! And yes, I am a wee bit intimidated, especially driving into the city. yikes! But I am really excited that my role as the BKids Toys early childhood contributor is finally taking off, and I will get to meet the team in person.

Just have to make sure I am back by that afternoon to spend at least part of Hearts Day with the kiddos...

Yep, I definitely have attachment issues.

Spring Sneak Preview

Cute shadow of my boy swinging - LOVE!

Groundhog's shadow showing itself tomorrow?

Not so much.

If only it would stay sunny and in the upper 50's until spring actually arrives.

*For more shadow fun (in the spirit of Groundhog Day), check out the latest on Teach It Simple!

That First Hollywood Crush...

I couldn't have been more than seven years old when I first laid eyes on Han Solo. I remember watching  The Empire Strikes Back (I think it had been re-released since I was only 4 in 1980) and wishing that I were Princess Leia. Oh, Han Solo - how brave, how funny, how charming...how handsome.

I was devastated when he was frozen in that wall of stone (or whatever it was) at the end of the movie and couldn't wait to see the next one just to make sure he was going to be okay. My little brother and I would play with his Star Wars action figures too, and, of course, I always wanted to reenact the Han and Leia scenes - much to my brother's dismay.

So this morning, as I was brushing Abby's hair, I couldn't help but smile as she was holding Noah's Will Turner LEGO guy and going on and on about Will and Elizabeth Swan. Noah's incessant begging finally wore me down, and I let the kids watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean on Halloween, and my, oh my, she's been smitten ever since. (I mean, really...who can blame her? Justin Bieber's got nothing on this guy.)

She's mentioned a few times that she wants to dress up as Elizabeth Swan next Halloween, but this morning, she confessed (between giggles) that once she saw that Elizabeth was Will's girlfriend - "I totally wanted to be her!"

Being that the kids just watched The Empire Strikes Back with Dad on TV not too long ago, I had to confess my Han Solo crush too - action figure and all. Giggles, smiles, doing hair - it was a major girl talk session, even if it was just for a few minutes. Fun stuff.

Sure love that cute girl of mine.

Sunday Morning Sleepyheads

Yep, they climbed into our bed this morning and went back to sleep. Um, make that - Abby climbed in this morning. Noah has been climbing in during the wee hours of the night - way before the sun comes up - for the last two weeks. 

Clearly, we need a bigger bed.