Posts
I hate when it starts getting this dark at 7:30pm ...
... but I love sitting outside by the fire, watching my babies play in the yard.
August 29, 2011
August 26, 2011
Five Minute Friday: Older
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Something that I've been thinking about a lot lately is the fact that I'm getting older. Of course we all know it's happening to us each and every day, but how often do we actually reflect on that fact? If you're me, then it's happening every time you look in the mirror.
I've spent the last year or so fighting it on my face. Buying creams and facial cleansers designed to even out the dark spots; other creams to fill in the wrinkles that are creasing my forehead and eyes; other things like sunscreen to try to stop the damage from getting any worse. I had been thinking it was helping until I looked at a picture of myself from just over a year ago and realized how different the face looking back at me in the mirror is today.
The girl in this picture is obviously laughing, smiling. But I don't see all of the wrinkles around her eyes that I see around mine today.
I've grown older, but I'm not exactly sure how or when. I'm quite sure that it happened sometime in the last 8 years since I became a mom. Eight years when I spent more time worrying about my children and their needs than my own. Eight years where I sort of put myself on hold; stopped growing so that I could help my children grow. Eight years where I longed for the days when I would once again have time and could go back to being myself.
But the thing is, now that those eight years have passed and my children have grown significantly, I can no longer find that person that I used to be. The one that I put on "hold" eight years ago. I had so desperately wanted to go back to being her, but now I realize she's gone. Now there's an older version in her place that bears the results of 8 years of pregnancies and child bearing and parenthood. Eight years of job changes and moves and financial worries. She has sun and age spots on her face, wrinkles where there once were none, gray hairs popping up around her face, and body parts that never went back to looking like they did before.
I know that I'll probably never stop looking for her, that girl I was 8 years ago, but I also know that I'll probably never find her. She's gone, and now I'm different.
Older.
August 24, 2011
August 23, 2011
What could go wrong?
I often complain about how baking is hard. How I don't like it. How nothing turns out right for me.
Today I decided to make banana bread from scratch. What could go wrong?
When your computer's printer isn't working and you scribble down a recipe with abbreviations and things you can't even read ...
And your assistant isn't tall enough to reach the counter without a chair?
And your ingredients are so high-quality that they're 4 years old?
I mean, look at that box of baking soda! "Free 2007 Calendar"?!! I probably bought that box during my holiday baking in 2006 ... almost 5 years ago! We weren't even living in this house ... which means I actually packed up and moved that old box of baking soda with us to Illinois in spring of 2007. What is wrong with me?!!
Regardless, the banana bread bundt cake turned out beautifully ...
...and even popped right out of the pan ...
It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was edible. Maybe if the baking soda wasn't 5 years old ...
Today I decided to make banana bread from scratch. What could go wrong?
When your computer's printer isn't working and you scribble down a recipe with abbreviations and things you can't even read ...
And your assistant isn't tall enough to reach the counter without a chair?
And your ingredients are so high-quality that they're 4 years old?
Regardless, the banana bread bundt cake turned out beautifully ...
...and even popped right out of the pan ...
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| the black spots are chocolate chips because I feel every recipe can be made better with the addition of chocolate : ) |
August 22, 2011
August 21, 2011
August 20, 2011
Write your name on all supplies
Because I was feeling so melancholy and sad about the beginning of another school year I didn't take the time to write about the funniest part of my week.
It was the day before school, you know, the one where we were getting our names on all of the supplies.
Well I told you about that but what I didn't tell you was that we had to write names on ALL of Kara's supplies. Literally.
You see, Kara happens to have the same teacher that Jenna had for 1st grade. Great teacher, lovely lady. But the thing I remember most about her happened on the first day of school, the open house day where you bring your kids in to meet their teachers and bring all of their school supplies.
I was helping Jenna get situated at her new desk when the bubbly teacher asked if we had remembered to put her name on all of her supplies.
"Yep", I proudly replied, thinking "this lady has no idea how good I am ... I used to be a teacher, I get this!"
The smiling teacher then asked, "Even the crayons?".
Jenna and I shook our heads proudly and held up the 2 required boxes of 24 crayola crayons, clearly indicating that they belonged to Jenna M. "Yes ma'am!"
"Every crayon?" the doubtful teacher asked.
"Every crayon?" I said, suddenly confused. "You mean like each and every individual crayon? Haha! No!"
"Oh, well you'll need to put her name on each crayon, you know, in case she drops one and can't find it", said the clearly insane teacher.
For a minute I thought she was kidding, but quickly realized she wasn't. I quickly did the math and realized I now had 48 tiny little crayons to write Jenna's name on, all while trying to keep her 2 year old brother from destroying the classroom and her 4 year old sister from running out of the room. I began to panic and then heard her sweetly remind me not to forget about the pencils. All 24 of them. Sigh.
So there I sat, cross-legged on the floor, for about 15 minutes writing "Jenna" in tiny little letters 72 times in a row, all while pinning a toddler underneath my leg.
I never forgot that day, but eventually got to the point where I could look back on it and laugh. That was until I got the notice that Kara had the same teacher, and her school supply list and welcome letter specifically mentioned the "each individual crayon" thing.
So guess what I spent my morning doing?
Yep, 72 times.
I'm really glad I gave my kids short names, but names unique enough that there's not a need to write a last name for fear of another kid in the class potentially dropping the same color crayon on the floor at the same time. Imagine the chaos that would ensue!
This 1st grade teacher is a good one, she really is. Which is why I'm conflicted about whether or not I hope that Jack gets her. Because his name isn't all that uncommon, and I don't think I could handle the consequences.
It was the day before school, you know, the one where we were getting our names on all of the supplies.
Well I told you about that but what I didn't tell you was that we had to write names on ALL of Kara's supplies. Literally.
You see, Kara happens to have the same teacher that Jenna had for 1st grade. Great teacher, lovely lady. But the thing I remember most about her happened on the first day of school, the open house day where you bring your kids in to meet their teachers and bring all of their school supplies.
I was helping Jenna get situated at her new desk when the bubbly teacher asked if we had remembered to put her name on all of her supplies.
"Yep", I proudly replied, thinking "this lady has no idea how good I am ... I used to be a teacher, I get this!"
The smiling teacher then asked, "Even the crayons?".
Jenna and I shook our heads proudly and held up the 2 required boxes of 24 crayola crayons, clearly indicating that they belonged to Jenna M. "Yes ma'am!"
"Every crayon?" the doubtful teacher asked.
"Every crayon?" I said, suddenly confused. "You mean like each and every individual crayon? Haha! No!"
"Oh, well you'll need to put her name on each crayon, you know, in case she drops one and can't find it", said the clearly insane teacher.
For a minute I thought she was kidding, but quickly realized she wasn't. I quickly did the math and realized I now had 48 tiny little crayons to write Jenna's name on, all while trying to keep her 2 year old brother from destroying the classroom and her 4 year old sister from running out of the room. I began to panic and then heard her sweetly remind me not to forget about the pencils. All 24 of them. Sigh.
So there I sat, cross-legged on the floor, for about 15 minutes writing "Jenna" in tiny little letters 72 times in a row, all while pinning a toddler underneath my leg.
I never forgot that day, but eventually got to the point where I could look back on it and laugh. That was until I got the notice that Kara had the same teacher, and her school supply list and welcome letter specifically mentioned the "each individual crayon" thing.
So guess what I spent my morning doing?
Yep, 72 times.
I'm really glad I gave my kids short names, but names unique enough that there's not a need to write a last name for fear of another kid in the class potentially dropping the same color crayon on the floor at the same time. Imagine the chaos that would ensue!
This 1st grade teacher is a good one, she really is. Which is why I'm conflicted about whether or not I hope that Jack gets her. Because his name isn't all that uncommon, and I don't think I could handle the consequences.
August 19, 2011
Five Minute Friday: New
New
This week is the start of another new school year for the girls. New grade, new teacher, new classmates. It's also the beginning of a new era for me.
For the next couple of weeks I will still have my little buddy Jack at home with me, until his preschool goes back after Labor Day. But then the "newness" really starts.
I've been a stay-at-home mom for 6.5 yrs. now, ever since the day that Kara was born. And I haven't been alone since. My life has been schedules and routines, pick-ups and drop-offs, play dates and moms groups, doctor's appointments and grocery shopping, errands and housework, laundry and cooking, bike rides and walks, playgrounds and water parks.
Now it will be time for something new.
A new stage in my life.
Jack will be in school 5 mornings a week this year, so for 2.5 hours each day I will be alone. Alone. I can hardly fathom what the word means.
My life will probably still consist of a lot of the things above (minus the fun stuff like play dates and moms groups, playgrounds and water parks), but I'll be doing them alone. I'd imagine I might even do some other things to during the morning when I'll go from being a stay-at-home mom to a stay-at-home person. Although I doubt I'll ever be home.
People keep saying, "You won't know what to do with yourself!"
Oh yeah? Wanna bet? I've had 6.5 years to dream about the day when I would be alone again.
I'm sure there will be moments where I will miss my little companions, don't get me wrong. But the rest of the time?
Haircuts and pedicures, shopping alone and quick errands, eating when I want to, getting projects done at home, volunteer work and committees, breakfast dates with Mark, meal planning and cooking. I won't be still.
Yep, things are about to get different around here. I know that this new phase won't last forever -- I'll likely be back to work full time in the next year -- but I'm sure gonna savor it while it lasts.
I can't wait to meet the new me : )
August 18, 2011
2010-2011 School Year: 1st Day
Jenna -- 1st day of 3rd grade
Kara -- 1st day of 1st Grade
Now before you think I'm a horrible mom for posting 3 pictures of Jenna and only 1 picture of Kara, here's a look at what Kara was doing this morning while I was asking her to pose for pictures ...
After lots of photos and lots of waiting (we were ready SUPER early today), they were off!
Jack doesn't start school for another few weeks yet, but here are a few shots of him for good measure ...
Notice how sad and lonely he looked in the second picture, playing all by himself on the sidewalk after the girls left? I felt a bit sad and lonely too. So we went inside and worked on the special project that he had picked out for us to do together on our first day alone ... painting a wooden birdhouse shaped like a battleship plane carrier ...
Luckily it was only a 1/2 day of school so by the time we cleaned up from painting it was almost time for the girls to come home.
They both reported having a great first day of school, and we're all looking forward to the first full day tomorrow!
Kara -- 1st day of 1st Grade
Now before you think I'm a horrible mom for posting 3 pictures of Jenna and only 1 picture of Kara, here's a look at what Kara was doing this morning while I was asking her to pose for pictures ...
After lots of photos and lots of waiting (we were ready SUPER early today), they were off!
Notice how sad and lonely he looked in the second picture, playing all by himself on the sidewalk after the girls left? I felt a bit sad and lonely too. So we went inside and worked on the special project that he had picked out for us to do together on our first day alone ... painting a wooden birdhouse shaped like a battleship plane carrier ...
Luckily it was only a 1/2 day of school so by the time we cleaned up from painting it was almost time for the girls to come home.
They both reported having a great first day of school, and we're all looking forward to the first full day tomorrow!
August 17, 2011
Tomorrow
Today was a day of preparation. We woke up early with alarm clocks and double-checked the school supply list and made sure our names were on everything.
We shopped for last-minute items, laid out our first day of school clothes and went to open house at school to meet our teachers and take a first peek at our new classrooms.
We took showers and got into bed at our back-to-school bedtime. I'm looking forward to the return of routine, the start of a new year, the first day of school pictures and the excited little faces and they wave goodbye from the bus window.
But then I was alone at my computer, updating my blog, and scrolling through old photos and posts.
I've survived 4 first days of school now, but it just doesn't get easier.
Time just keeps moving way too quickly, each summer passing faster and faster, each year of their little lives flying past their mama at warp speed.
Tomorrow I will put my little girls on the bus to begin another school year, and I will start clinging to the remaining days I have with Jack at home until he begins preschool next month.
I may have been doing this for four years and might have been part of 9 other "first days" between the three little kids, but it never gets easier.
And it probably won't be any easier tomorrow.
We shopped for last-minute items, laid out our first day of school clothes and went to open house at school to meet our teachers and take a first peek at our new classrooms.
We took showers and got into bed at our back-to-school bedtime. I'm looking forward to the return of routine, the start of a new year, the first day of school pictures and the excited little faces and they wave goodbye from the bus window.
But then I was alone at my computer, updating my blog, and scrolling through old photos and posts.
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| 2010 -- 2nd grade |
 |
| 2009 -- 1st Grade |
 |
| 2008 -- Kindergarten |
 |
| 2007 -- Preschool |
I've survived 4 first days of school now, but it just doesn't get easier.
Time just keeps moving way too quickly, each summer passing faster and faster, each year of their little lives flying past their mama at warp speed.
 |
| 2010 -- Kindergarten |
 |
| 2009 -- 4 year-old preschool |
 |
| 2008 -- 3 year-old preschool |
 |
| 2010 -- 3 year-old preschool |
And it probably won't be any easier tomorrow.
August 16, 2011
Horsing Around
I know it's cool and all that Meijer has a horsey ride near the exit. And I know it's awesome that it's free and you don't need any money to ride.
But seriously?
Aren't you getting just a little big for a ride on a horse that barely moves?!!
But seriously?
Aren't you getting just a little big for a ride on a horse that barely moves?!!
August 14, 2011
Canoeing on the Fox River
It was a beautiful Sunday morning after a summer of horrendous heat and humidity. The sun was shining, the temperatures were in the 70's, and we finally met up with Uncle Rob, Aunt Mar and Joey, Sam and Lily to do some canoeing on the Fox River.
It was the kids' first time canoeing, and mine too! Actually it was my first time on a river, first time in a canoe, and first time even paddling anything. I fought it, I dreaded it, I resisted it, but the day had finally arrived. Despite my warnings that I wasn't outdoorsy OR athletic ... that I didn't know HOW to row and I was AFRAID of rivers.
We all met up in Ottawa at a tiny little bar where C&M Canoe Rentals is located. We packed up our things and took a quick bus ride about 7 miles up stream to our starting point. After loading our picnic and blankets and coolers and chairs into 3 tiny, tippy canoes we were on our way!
In canoe #1 was Jenna, Sammy and Uncle Rob ...
In canoe #2 was Joey, Jack and Mark ...
Once we hit the river my fears were quickly put at ease. The river was only about 100-feet across and pretty shallow in most places. Shallow enough that each canoe managed to beach itself on a rocky spot at least 2-3 times. Maybe more if you happened to be in canoe #2. But I'm not naming any names. Ahem--Mark and Joey.
My favorite part of the trip (besides the hillbilly family we saw who tied about 6 canoes together and dragged innertubes and an air mattress behind them for extra kids to float on) was the picnic lunch we had on a rocky little island about 1/2 way down the river. The kids had so much fun exploring the little island, playing in the water, skipping rocks and climbing across an old fallen tree that stretched out across the water.
I was feeling extremely moved by the whole experience. The very outdoorsy-ness of it all. Being one with nature. I even put down my hand sanitizer and stepped into the river myself. Well, at least enough to get my flip-flops wet, because who KNOWS what's in the dark, murky water beyond?
Soon we realized that it was time to get back into our canoes and continue on our way down the river. Mainly because the hillbilly family with the air mattresses had caught up with us and invaded our tiny island of peace and solitude with their 40-ounces and tattooed mamas that didn't mind dropping the f-bomb in front of their kids.
The river really was pretty, despite the murky brown water actually IN the river. I was just silently glad that it didn't smell as bad as some of those stagnant rivers that you drive across in the summertime, and even more glad that one of the canoes hadn't capsized and sentme my precious children into the mucky water. Because seriously? There's not enough hand sanitizer in the world to make me allow them into my van had that happened.
We all had a great time splashing each other with paddles, laughing each time someone got stuck in the muck, and cringing each time one of the kids (or adults) made a sudden movement and almost tipped the canoe over. Kara finally wore me down with her constant begging to paddle. I figured we were now close enough to the end that we could survive being up the creek without a paddle had she let it slip into the water below.
We had all been worried about the little ones (and quite honestly me) being able to sit still in one position for the 2-3 hour trip, but they all did great! Jack pretty much sat in one spot the entire time, and even Kara and Lily didn't get fidgety until the very end. I laughed when Sam started to ask if we were "almost there yet", but I was actually wanting to ask the same question but just didn't have the nerve.
Joey managed to find unique ways to stretch out and avoid sitting still for too long, even while aboard a canoe.
I have to admit I had as great a time as the kids did, and it turns out that I'm really good at canoeing! I didn't whine once, I did my best to help paddle. Which is probably why I was rewarded with ice cream at a nearby shop in Utica afterwards.
I love outings like these, and I love finding things to get together and do with our family who can feel so far away at times. I hope that we continue the tradition and memory making as the kids get older. I wouldn't even mind making the canoe thing an annual event.
But only if I get to float on an air mattress down the river next year : )
It was the kids' first time canoeing, and mine too! Actually it was my first time on a river, first time in a canoe, and first time even paddling anything. I fought it, I dreaded it, I resisted it, but the day had finally arrived. Despite my warnings that I wasn't outdoorsy OR athletic ... that I didn't know HOW to row and I was AFRAID of rivers.
We all met up in Ottawa at a tiny little bar where C&M Canoe Rentals is located. We packed up our things and took a quick bus ride about 7 miles up stream to our starting point. After loading our picnic and blankets and coolers and chairs into 3 tiny, tippy canoes we were on our way!
In canoe #1 was Jenna, Sammy and Uncle Rob ...
In canoe #2 was Joey, Jack and Mark ...
In canoe #3 were Lily and Kara with me and Auntie Mar ...
Once we hit the river my fears were quickly put at ease. The river was only about 100-feet across and pretty shallow in most places. Shallow enough that each canoe managed to beach itself on a rocky spot at least 2-3 times. Maybe more if you happened to be in canoe #2. But I'm not naming any names. Ahem--Mark and Joey.
My favorite part of the trip (besides the hillbilly family we saw who tied about 6 canoes together and dragged innertubes and an air mattress behind them for extra kids to float on) was the picnic lunch we had on a rocky little island about 1/2 way down the river. The kids had so much fun exploring the little island, playing in the water, skipping rocks and climbing across an old fallen tree that stretched out across the water.
I was feeling extremely moved by the whole experience. The very outdoorsy-ness of it all. Being one with nature. I even put down my hand sanitizer and stepped into the river myself. Well, at least enough to get my flip-flops wet, because who KNOWS what's in the dark, murky water beyond?
Soon we realized that it was time to get back into our canoes and continue on our way down the river. Mainly because the hillbilly family with the air mattresses had caught up with us and invaded our tiny island of peace and solitude with their 40-ounces and tattooed mamas that didn't mind dropping the f-bomb in front of their kids.
The river really was pretty, despite the murky brown water actually IN the river. I was just silently glad that it didn't smell as bad as some of those stagnant rivers that you drive across in the summertime, and even more glad that one of the canoes hadn't capsized and sent
We all had a great time splashing each other with paddles, laughing each time someone got stuck in the muck, and cringing each time one of the kids (or adults) made a sudden movement and almost tipped the canoe over. Kara finally wore me down with her constant begging to paddle. I figured we were now close enough to the end that we could survive being up the creek without a paddle had she let it slip into the water below.
We had all been worried about the little ones (and quite honestly me) being able to sit still in one position for the 2-3 hour trip, but they all did great! Jack pretty much sat in one spot the entire time, and even Kara and Lily didn't get fidgety until the very end. I laughed when Sam started to ask if we were "almost there yet", but I was actually wanting to ask the same question but just didn't have the nerve.
Joey managed to find unique ways to stretch out and avoid sitting still for too long, even while aboard a canoe.
I have to admit I had as great a time as the kids did, and it turns out that I'm really good at canoeing! I didn't whine once, I did my best to help paddle. Which is probably why I was rewarded with ice cream at a nearby shop in Utica afterwards.
I love outings like these, and I love finding things to get together and do with our family who can feel so far away at times. I hope that we continue the tradition and memory making as the kids get older. I wouldn't even mind making the canoe thing an annual event.
But only if I get to float on an air mattress down the river next year : )
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