There are unspoken rules among siblings. We all seem to obey them, often into adulthood. Setting aside the bickering, competing and drive to one-up each other, a brother or sister will show up at your side when you need them most. The chaos reached new heights at our house last week as we welcomed friends and their dog to stay with us. A few days of rain and we had all — even the dogs — had enough togetherness. Yells and yelps echoed through the neighboring streets. "You're not the boss of me!" They argued over riding shotgun, the last cookie, the next movie, who gets to hold the remote …
It was in the air this morning. I could feel it the cool breeze, hear it from the trees as the gentle wind danced through their leaves. September is coming. Fresh air and a fresh start are waiting. We'll miss summer around here. All the togetherness that nearly drove me and my three little women mad, the lazy mornings and long hot days, the do-anything-anytime mentality that has ruled supreme over the last months — we'll miss it all. But we are also looking forward to a little less togetherness and a little more independence. We're looking forward to having a routine to count on, new faces in…
My girls love to dance. They dance in the kitchen, they dance across the family room carpet, they dance in the rain whenever they get the chance. When August comes around, we sign them up for their favorite form of dance, buy little leotards, jazz pants and a variety of shoes as they anticipate another year of dancing and performing. The other night, as the sun was going down, the little princess was practicing her ballet on the back deck in the cool night air. She was singing to herself, doing arabesques, leaps and whatever felt right. I joined her. The moves came easily to me. Like riding a…
The Adventurer (age 10) loves to help people, animals and the planet. The Old Bridge Sanctuary Clean-Up was a perfect opportunity for us to work together and volunteer our time. I scheduled a babysitter for my two little ones, because I wasn't sure they could handle all the walking. And I was a little afraid of how they might behave. The babysitter canceled last minute, so we all headed out bright and early Tuesday morning for the clean-up. "Giving kids clothes and food is one thing but it's much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important, and that the …
We were three days into our annual summer trip to Newport, RI, when it happened. I had been expecting it for years. In the midst of enjoying non-stop family fun, I completely ran out of energy. Exhausted and sun scorched, I could hardly move. We did too much. Rest, relax, and take it easy. That's what a vacation is supposed to be, right? In a few short days with three energetic kids, we had snorkeled and boogie boarded, driven bumper boats and played mini golf, shopped on Thames Street and flown kites at Brenton Point State Park, overlooking the ocean. We watched sail boats glide by, visited…
I had one of those days recently. You know, the kind of day when it seems like the whole world is out to get you — from the guy who cuts you off in traffic to the store clerk with a bad attitude. On this particular day, it was so bad I started to wonder if I had a "kick me" sign taped to my back. I couldn't figure out why everyone had such a bad attitude toward me. Was I just being sensitive? Was it bad karma coming back to bite me? As the day went on, I got cranky too. I was irritated by the time I made my way to the checkout at Shop Rite. And then the cashier commented on the contents of…
Somehow, it seemed like this time would never come. Or maybe I was just hoping that if I didn't think about it, it wouldn't happen. I wouldn't have to let go and send my youngest off to preschool. Like many moms before me, I want to freeze time I admitted awhile ago that I'm not ready for my oldest to head off to Whisconier Middle School. I was so busy worrying about middle school drama that I completely forgot to worry about how I'm going to let my little princess, my baby, go off to preschool in just a few short weeks. And what am I going to do with myself? I'll have somewhere in the area …
Finally! After a lifetime of trying to avoid dentists, I was asked to leave. It's not surprising that a nervous mom could make a child — who is otherwise relaxed in the dentist chair — anxious to escape. Dr. Jenny delicately asked Mrs. Anxiety (that would be me) to go relax in the waiting room. "She'll be fine," she assured me. She would quickly remove the sugar bugs (cavity) and it wouldn't hurt her or even require the little Princess to have numby stuff (a shot of Novocain). The Adventurer (age 10) stayed behind to lend support in my absence. If she doesn't become a singer, fashion …
Just down a country road, less than 10 minutes from our home, there is a great little park on the Shepaug River. It's the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day, listen to the water rush over the rocks or have a quiet picnic and soak in the sweet summer air. This morning I loaded the kids in the car early. I told them exactly what my old friend said to me many times when we were bored and the kids needed something new or interesting to do. "I know a place. It's not far. Come on, just get in the car!" She had a talent for finding amazing little farm stores off the beaten path with …
That's what my kids are calling my mini-van these days. Even they've noticed that all I do is drive around, delivering children to different activities. This week's schedule demands an 8:30 a.m. departure, with stops at Camp Greenknoll, Super Science Enrichment Camp (at New Milford High School) and Princess Camp (at Brookfield School of Performing Arts). If you're wondering why they don't all go to the same camp to simplify things, well, so am I. The mom bus leaves again for pick up of the first two campers at 11:30 a.m., giving me approximately one hour and 40 minutes to relax. Relax (in mom…
I was informed this morning that the campers at Camp Greenknoll are preparing for show week. "I love 1985," the Adventurer (age 10) told me. Her tribe is dancing to it in the camp show. "What? 1985?" It took me a minute to remember, not the year, but the song. There's a word or two in the song that she's not allowed to say, therefore, she thinks it's totally cool. She has no clue why anyone would want to shake anything on the hood of Whitesnake's car, but its fun to sing. I guess. I've included the video (see right) in case you've been living in a bubble (like me ) and haven't seen it before…
A few days into a heat wave like this and I'm ready for some indoor, air-conditioned fun. My kids won't object to a little break from the sun either, as long as I promise they can get back to swimming tomorrow. How can we spend the day, or just a couple of hours out of the heat? My three girls have a few ideas of their own. Let the debate begin! Here are the top suggestions, along with a cost estimate for the budget savvy: Fun Factor: This indoor play area stuffed with inflatable playground structures is always the first choice for the Butterfly (age 6) and usually costs around $30 for the …
I've always loved reading to my kids. Typically, I pick the books we read together. Recently, the Adventurer (age 10) has been diligently (okay, compulsively) reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on her own. She asked me to join her. I took me awhile to convince myself to set aside time to read these books, but I'm not sure why. Young Adult Fiction is quite good these days and I'm not embarrassed to admit that I enjoy the genre. Once I got into the story (which took about three minutes) I was hooked on the constant action and clever references to the original myths. A modern …
First off, I'm astonished that there is an entire month dedicated to potty training, as if increased awareness will somehow make a difference in the success rate. Second, I thought the politically correct term was now potty or toilet learning, because it would be rude to speak of training our children as we would of training our dogs. As a mom of three, I can tell you, I have tested out every method of potty training around and have drawn my own conclusion. It seems just as with losing weight, quitting smoking or exercising regularly, until there is a 100 percent commitment, it's rather …
I wouldn't dream of managing 10 weeks at home with three kids without a serious survival plan. I always have a plan. I don't stick to it all the time, but I have it set. It will comfort me when I wake up at 2 a.m. on June 21 in a cold sweat, realizing there are only two days to go until I'm on my own. After talking to other moms, I'm confident that I'm not the only one who starts with a good, solid plan, yet wakes up sometime in August on the living room floor begging for mercy, wondering in a daze, "Is this my house? Is it September yet? Was there an earthquake?" In an attempt to keep us …
It's a husky, it's a chihuahua, it's... a wild coyote? The newest little addition to our family has a hazy past and determining which breeds contribute to her mixed-breed status has become a bit of a hobby. There is something wild looking about her and I'm not the only one who thinks so. She is nicknamed the "little fox" by one friend and was mistaken for a wild coyote by a neighbor. Seriously, a wild coyote, a lost baby wild coyote. Now, I have seen real coyotes wandering though here, so I understand how this misunderstanding could occur. The other day, the little Princess opened the back …
I can't predict what you'll hear if you stop by my house on any given day. Much of the time, it's completely normal here, but every now and then, things get a little odd. The kids get goofy or rowdy and sleep deprivation makes me silly and not as careful about how I say things. I hear myself and think, "Did I really just say that?" That would sound absolutely bizarre if taken out of context. These phrases just don't sound right. Usually, it's not intentional. Here are a few recent examples: "You don't need to touch my peppers for educational purposes." I was making soup and didn't want the …
My oldest, the Adventurer, is heading to Whisconier Middle School (WMS) in September. She's done the tour and the orientation. She's ready. She willing. She can't wait. I'm not ready. I can admit it. I'm scared. I don't want to do this middle school thing again. I know, I'm not the one who has to go. Still, I go through what they go through in a new and excruciating way and I know what lies ahead. Middle School Drama. Middle School Girl Drama. Thinking about it makes me throw up a little in my mouth. As you can see, I'm not handling it well so far. I'm not looking forward to being a middle …
Want to see happy kids of all ages? Set up a zip line in your backyard and let them fly. They'll be out there all day with a big smile. You'll be out there, too. You'll be out there catching them, until they're ready to take a break, which is never. It is kind of a fun job, as long as you don't miss anyone. Don't expect to take a break, unless Holden Caulfield wanders through the yard to play catcher in your place. On the upside, you get to see kids, one after another, come flying at you grinning from ear to ear. "You know that song, 'If a body catch a body comin' through the rye'?" J.D. …
There are a few things that really bug me. To start, the month of February. Curry. Men who take off their shirts at the park. Bagels that are not from New York and New Yorkers who think living in Brookfield is somehow comparable to living in Appalachia. Not that there's anything wrong with Appalachia. "No ma'am, we don't sell moonshine in these parts. But Billy Bob'll give you die-rections to git back to the interstate where y'all belong." Seriously now, I hate making a scene everywhere I go. I'm more of an observer (can you believe it) and being known as the lady with the screaming kid all …
It's the question on everyone's mind when they first meet the Princess. Or at least it's the first question they ask her. "How old are you sweetie?" Lately, she's been lying. "I'm five years old," she tells them with a smile. And then I correct her by saying, "She's three." And she proceeds to argue with me until I give in and say "Okay, okay, you're five." I started to wonder how old she thinks her sweet mom is. So I asked. Me: "How old am I, honey?" Princess: (Pause) "44." Me: "WHAT?! Who told you that? Mommy IS NOT 44! Mommy is 38! Can you say that? Thir-ty-eight. Say it with me. Now if …
Ever felt like you've missed the boat on something great? Today I discovered another talented mom wrote the book that has been in my head for years, and did a terrific job at it. I'm not going to get all "I wish I had written that book," which for me is the equivalent of saying "I wish I had time to craft a heirloom quilt," or "I wish I had thighs like a ballerina." What's the point? If you want something some else has, you need to be willing to do what they did to get it. That usually entails work. Gobs and mounds of hard work, sweat and tears, maybe some sleepless nights and a few missed …
It was Mother's Day. Time to kick back, watch everyone else clean house, cookand pamper us all day. Foot massages and freshly baked pie and no laundry or dishes for you to do. Have you spotted the pigs with wings flapping past your window? No? Me neither. But I'm the luckiest mom in the world. In the midst of my chaos, that's what I tell my girls all the time. This year, I had Mother's Day Insurance. Before my feet touched down on the bedroom floor in the morning, I decided to count my blessings. I considered for some time (while lingering under the covers just a few extra minutes) about how …
It isn't like me to love a burger. Really, it isn't. I've been a vegetarian on and off for years. I'm technically a flexitarian these days and no, I didn't just make that up. Anyway, I fall off the veggie wagon for things like sushi and blue cheese encrusted filet mignon and maple sugar bacon. Cheese burgers never make my oh-so-tempting list. Never, at least, until the other night when I met up with those Five Guys I've been hearing so much about. Tuesday night we went to the Art Show opening at Town Hall, then the one at Center School, then finally down every last hallway at Huckleberry Hill…
I have a budding photographer here in the house. She's the shortest member of the family and her specialty is shoes. Yes, that's my girl. She loves her shoes so much that she is constantly taking pictures of her feet in different shoes. My little Princess has been taking pictures since she was two. She manages to record her voice from time to time when using the camera on the iPhone, so we have sweet little recordings of her saying "I take a picture of shoes," and "I take a picture of kitty." She even takes the time to change the wallpaper on her dad's iPhone to a picture of herself, or her…
I woke up Friday morning with a purpose. I needed to browse the photos online from the area animal shelters, just I case the perfect dog for our family was sitting there, waiting. I am not in any hurry. I've been doing this for weeks casually, without much expectation. Perhaps my new purpose was inspired by the dream I had in the early pre-dawn hours. I was standing in my kitchen, looking out at my backyard. It was full of dogs – all sizes and breeds – they were frolicking around, barking, playing, rolling in the grass and enjoying a spring morning in the sun. I pointed and told my husband…
Earlier this week I mentioned my opportunity for a night out by myself and my options for spending my time wisely. I choose coffee, Panera and my laptop for my early evening mom time. Why Panera and not Starbucks, or happy hour at a local bar? Well, happy hour implies that people are there to have a good time. There could be laughing and guffawing. I needed to enjoy a little quiet time. We have plenty of rowdiness at home. I'm a serious person some days. Like Peek Frean serious. Remember those? They still enjoy popularity in Canada. Anyway, I'm a serious cookie. The real and most important …
I had an appointment this evening. The event I was covering has been postponed and I am left with a choice. Do I cancel the babysitter and just stay home? I've already changed out of my yoga pants and the babysitter is due here in an hour. I hesitate, like thousands of moms before me (I'm making this up) when faced with a free night by myself. Part of me thinks I should just shut it down before it even gets started, but I hesitate. Quickly, I'm evaluating my options for the evening. My many sides are popping up, shouting out, telling me what I should do, could do, would do. There's the …
Mother's Day is creeping up slowly and I promised myself back in January that I would participate in the Mother's Day 5K Run this year. It's mid April and I haven't technically started training. I'm not a serious runner, at least not since high school (referred to as Pioneer Times by my daughter). Back then I was… well… I was pretty good (mediocre). It was hard to tell really. I was the fastest (only) long distance runner on a small track team, at a tiny little all-girls Catholic High School. But who can remember 20 years ago? Anyway, I was thinking I would get back into it, mostly because I …
"Look! We found fossils," the Adventurer and her friend yelled as they climbed the stairs of our back deck. "Please tell me those are left over from Halloween," I said hopefully. You see, on Halloween we had a "bone hunt" for the kids. We split into two teams and had to find a body of bones each. It was great fun, except towards the end they had trouble finding some of the bones and I had trouble remembering where I hid them. It was a long day — blame it on mommy brain. So for a second, I thought perhaps the girls were carrying fake bones from the party. When I realized that there was an …
I've waited years for my kids to get to this point. I can calmly watch them play at the park without being catching distance from the playground equipment. I don't have to constantly worry about the threat of serious injury. They can handle themselves and they look out for each other. This allows me the incredible luxury (not exaggerating at all) of people watching and relaxing in the sun with a book. So, on a recent Saturday the girls and I headed to Kids Kingdom, book in hand, sunglasses perched on top of my head, ready for some fun. This time, things got a little hairy (literally). The …
My girls wanted to create art with their Easter eggs this year, using a fancy egg decorating kit from Williams Sonoma. Unfortunately, I'm not great at creating Williams Sonoma masterpieces no matter how hard I try. Really, can anybody? We followed the directions exactly, except when there were no directions. Half way through this fun filled family activity I realized that things weren't going to work as promised. I'm showing my Grrrr face (a family tradition). I already have distinct character (frown) lines from grrrrring. My brand new baby niece, literally born yesterday (welcome Maddie…
I'm dog sitting this week. Her name is Mealea. As you can see, she's beautiful. She's sweet too, unless you're a squirrel or chipmunk. She loathes small rodents. She gets a crazed look in her eyes and barks like a mad girl. She tries to propel herself through our bay window to get to the little rascals. And she watches them all… day… long. There she sits, except when she is methodically chewing the limbs off Barbies. But that's all okay with me. We have too many Barbies hanging around here anyway and I'm completely dog deprived these days, so Mealea is allowed to do whatever makes her little…
Easter prep is underway at our house. Okay, not really, but I'm thinking about it. It's less than a week away and I promised The Butterfly we could decorate for Easter. She was distraught when we didn't properly decorate, prepare for and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. It was my fault that a Leprechaun didn't visit our house. Never mind that we aren't Irish. And the only way I know how to celebrate St.Patrick's Day is with Bailey's. And she's only six. Anyway, we need to color eggs and bake fancy Easter cookies. If I can keep my helpers occupied long enough with that, I can whip up (and then …
Yes, you read that correctly. I think chaos is a perk, a benefit, a gift of parenthood. A little chaos is good for you. It helps you stretch and grown and learn new things about yourself. I decided to embrace it and enjoy my time with my three girls as much as possible. In the midst of the fighting and making up, the shrill screams and soft whispers, the hugs and the shoves, the baths and the endless snacks, I took a good look at my girls. They're loud and sweet, happy and fiery, charming and brutal, wild and adorable. There's the Adventurer (10), the Butterfly (6) and the Princess (3). …
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