That's what friends are for...

We were driving on our way to a practice of some sort and passed a house that had one of these...all set up and ready to go.
Jessica: Mommy! Can we play there?
Me: Nope, honey. We don't know them.
Jessica: Yes we do!
Me: Oh, we do? What's their name?
Jessica: My Friend.

Musings

I was in the kitchen. Jess was in the next room working with Playdoh. She wanted me to bring her a plastic knife to work with and so yelled:

"I need a life!"

Mommy's Little Carnivore

Happy Father's Day!

I don't think I've ever met anyone else in my life who is more selfless than my dad. When I see men who must have their "toys" and golf days and boats and 'guy time'...it is so foreign. My dad had none of these. My dad's job is one of hard physical labor repairing over head cranes. Last year for the first time, I saw one of these cranes close up and personal. What? You climb on those? You walk around up there? I had no idea how daunting they looked up close. My point? My dad had a physically and mentally stressful job and yet came home expecting nothing like golf days or time to read the paper or time to play the latest video games. He just dove right into whatever we were doing...serving up dinner, changing diapers, getting bathes and pj's done, playing softball catch out back, folding laundry, rocking a fussy baby...all in his work boots. He showed all his children, humbly, without even knowing it what a servant leader looks like. My husband and I have a running joke when he won't drop everything to do my bidding...."I'm not your father." he says. It is true that my dad had been known to run to the store just so we could have sprinkles for our ice cream cones when we ran out, but much more than that. He put his family first and their needs and wants before his own. He still does. He is spending this Father's Day alone because his daughter's well being and support is more important than his special day. That's just like my dad. Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you!


To the Father of my children:
You are strong.
You are consistent.
You are loving.
You are fiercely loyal.
You are patient beyond measure.
You are a leader.
I love you.

A Request:

For those of you who don't know, my sister Tricia ,who received a double lung transplant a few months ago, is headed back to the hospital for a Pet Scan and a biopsy due to a growth on her lung. She and her husband Nathan attend Nags Head Church in NC and their Pastor (Nate's dad) has issued this request on Nate's blog:


I'm pirating Nathan's blog for a short request since his readership is way more than mine.

A great suggestion was made to his last post about dedicating the hours of 7-10AM EDST tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11 to pray specifically for Tricia's tests and her health. I've asked my church to join in and now am asking you to be a part of a huge breath of prayer ascending to the throne of God on her behalf.

If you can and will find a quiet time during those three hours, please do so. I'm seeing to it that our church will be open for those who want to come here and pray as well, although your location isn't important.

Thanks for all the support you have given thus far. Their journey isn't over and you're needed again.

Rick Lawrenson

It sure is HOT here!

Five for Friday

Hi. Remember me? I used to have a blog here. I used to actually post on this blog pretty close to daily. Hmm. Life gets busy.

Things that make me go "hmmmm...":

1. Polly Pocket's obsession with shoes. Why must she have so many? My vacuum does not enjoy them.
2. Pretending laundry doesn't exist does not in fact make it go away.

3. I'm sure there will come a time when it will make me sad that I no longer find matchboxes in my couch. Now is not that time.

4. I think it is equal parts cute and annoying that my 20 month old attacks the vacuum every time I use it.

5. This is my new favorite obsession:

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I drink most of it before I took the picture? It couldn't be helped.

Sharing...

When you are a part of a big family sharing is a necessity. Around here our kids are expected to share...

toys
clothes
bunkbeds
space
books
germs!!!

But...I never thought I would see this one:

And now me....

I'm moving to comment moderation. You won't see your comment right away, I have to approve it first and then it will go up. Why? Because frankly, mean people suck.

Benny!

Today my middle son turned nine. We had a great family day of playing outside and after dinner had a big whiffle ball game with the neighbors. Time flies...I can remember the afternoon Ben was born. We were so excited to add someone to the family that didn't wear PINK! Love ya, Ben!

At 3 months old:

At two years old:


At three years old:

At four years old:
At five years old:
At six years old:
At seven years old:
At eight years old:



And today:

Five For Friday: My Obsession

I know I am way behind the times here, but I have just discovered how easy digital scrapbooking is. And, now I have become totally obsessed. Wanna see? I knew you did:

1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

Musings

Jessica: I didn't do it!

So, I'm not exactly sure what kind of person would scribble with pen all over a three year old's belly, but I'm on the look out!

A Little Someone is getting obsessed

Jacky Boy has found a new obsession. He will spend all morning doing this, bless his little heart.


Which reminds me of another little blond boy in my life who used to do the same exact thing.
This is my little brother Joey when he was about the same age. Isn't he too cute???

Rain, rain, go away...

So, what do you do on a day when you have to wear these?




I'll tell ya what you do...you load them up and go with your sister to the Children's Museum for the day with all the other Mommies who had the same exact idea. But, it'll be worth it...

Five For Friday

Today let's take a look at a few of my favorite places to shop on the great WWW.

1. Old Navy: Super cute, always stuff on sale, clothes for the whole fam and best of all...the $5 shipping. Um, with gas prices the way they are and the fact that the cost in effort and labor for me to load up two toddlers into car seats and trudge through the mall is about $42.50---it's a bargain!

2. Giant Giraffe: While down visiting my sister, Tricia, I helped her with organizing all the fun baby gifts that had been sent her way. I came across the most darling, thick, quality burp clothes in the most adorable patterns ev-ah that someone had very generously sent to her. So, being a Mommy to five and always being on the look out for cute baby gifts, I checked out the tag and then found my way to their website. And, oh my! Very cute stuff. The greatest patterns and materials. Seriously. Go now and check it out.
**Have you seen the new Gwyneth video on CFhusband.com??? She is wrapped in her Giant Giraffe blanket. It's cute, isn't it?

3. Paper Trey Ink: Into crafting at all? Into supporting Moms who stay at home with their kids but get to do something they love, too? Nichole did just that when she created her own line of clear polymer stamps. She also sells the most beautiful ribbon, paper and inks in the most amazing colors and styles. Everything is top quality and packaged beautifully. I predict she will become the next Martha.

4. Title Nine: This clothing store for women rocks. I can't afford a single thing they sell, except maybe socks on a good week, but I love to browse. Once I bought something from their catalog and now I am forever on their mailing list. I get so excited when it comes. It's the perfect catalog for a grown up tomboy like me.

5. Half.com: I use this site all the time. It's an off shoot of eBay for used products, but you don't have to bid. I use it to buy cheap DVD's for the kids and books for my book club here in town.

So, there. I have now enabled you to go shopping! Have fun!

Toddler Logic

Conversation in the minivan:

Jessica: I want a Happy Meal, Mom

Me: Nope. That is only for sometimes.

Jessica: Pleaassssssssssssssssse!!!

Me: Nope. That is only for sometimes.

Jessica: The weather man said today is Sometimes.

Happy Birthday...again.

Even though Jessica's third birthday had long passed us by, we waited for Cousin Josh to catch up and then held the big family party. We had the perfect weather for some playing outside, grilling some yummy hotdogs and letting the kids run wild.

That Cousin "C"...what a slave driver!

After burning off SOME of the toddler energy, we moved the party inside for some yummy cupcakes and presents.
All in all, a great day with the fam! Thanks for coming everyone!

TAG! You're it!

I've been 'tagged' by the famous BIL. So, here goes....

What was I doing ten years ago:
Funny enough...about the same thing I'm doing right now. My girls would have been 3 and 1 and I was pregnant with Ben. We were getting ready to move into the house we are in now and I think all the moving put me into early labor for which I am very thankful....the boy was three weeks early and weighed almost eight pounds for goodness sake!

Five things on my "to do" list:
Decide what on earth I am going to make for dinner.
Exercise somehow with four of my five kids before dinner.
Put away folded laundry...the very hardest part of laundry doing.
Write a note to my very special, very cool friend and put it in the mail.
Change approximately three more diapers before bedtime, barring any anomalies.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Cure cancer.
And Cystic Fibrosis.

Three of my bad habits:
Not putting away folded laundry...see above.
Sarcasm....way too much sarcasm.
My minivan is atrociously messy. And I don't care.

Five places I have lived:
a city row house
a house
a dorm
an apartment
a house

Five jobs I have held:
Nanny
Worked on the boardwalk in Ocean City---the best!
Assistant Diving Coach at our summer pool (back in the day I could do a mean inward somi)
Lifeguard
Physical Education teacher

Special Moments

As a Mom, you put in hundreds upon hundreds of hours training and teaching all kinds of life skills. It can be tiring, frustrating, time consuming and challenging. But, when they finally "get it", it makes it all worth while. For instance....when your three year old masters scissor skills and decides to shred every paper she gets her hands on. Very, very rewarding.

Moody Monday

This is how Jessica and I feel about Mondays:

That's My Boy!

So, Jacky Boy had his 18 month checkup. According to the chart, he's a bit over weight. I'm wondering if that has anything to do with his latest vocabulary word: "ice cream truck". Coincidence?

Five For Friday

Murphy's Law Version:

1. If it's trash day, the trash men will wait patiently at the end of your street until you have both babies read to and tucked in for afternoon naps and then they will come barreling and crashing down your street.

2. No matter how much prep you do (ie. filling sippy cups, checking diapers, doling out snacks, getting toys out, putting in the favorite movie of the week, topping off sippy cups), as soon as you try to talk on the phone, someone will need something desperately.

3. Even if you keep your pajama shirt on until the very second that you plan to walk out the door, someone will still manage to smear you with snot, tears, fishy cracker crumbs or worse.

4. When you finally break down and vacuum, someone will proceed to dump out the fishy crackers so they can "swim in the ocean" or throw Rice Krispy confetti or dump sunflower seed kernels everywhere right after you do so.

5. Toddlers will spend an entire playdate fighting over one toy, pushing each other, having temper tantrums, making huge messes, being "HUNGRY!" ....right up until you are ready to go. Then they will all settle down quietly on the couch to read a book together while smiling and chatting. Every. Single. Time.