A late Thanksgiving post

Yes, I know, this is a late Thanksgiving post. One day, this one post completely out of order and thrown in the middle of chronological Spring events will surely drive you crazy. It will.

But, this one I had to add...even if it was four months late and out of order.

I visited your Dad's office a few weeks past, and found a school craft proudly displayed for all to see. Only, I had never seen it before. The following is a creation expressing all that you were thankful for this past Thanksgiving. You were three...
I am just tickled your Father, Brother, and I ranked among such royalty as Tinkerbell and Snow White. Awesome.

Oh, and one day when you declare you aren't so fond of us, and insist on changing the walls of your room because you hate the color Pink...I'll remind you of how thankful you once were. Again, awesome.

Bikes and Basketball

It doesn't take much for us to get excited, and this past weekend all it took was the sun! After one too many months of winter, we had played with every color of playdoh, baked dozens of cookies, danced around the kitchen in costumes, colored half a dozen coloring books, built multiple forts, and went bowling. So, with the first hint of sunshine on Saturday morning, the kids were slipping on their shoes and heading out front to reunite with all their toys of summers past.

Conor and Kate ran to the motorcycle their cousin Antonio had handed down months before. This was the first clear, dry, warm day since the fall, and they were taking full advantage. They rode it up and down the driveway until the charge died. And then both sat on it, still so excited.

Conor even challenged his Dad and neighbor to a game of Basketball.

Check out the rally cap, setup, and form!

Welcome Spring!

Earrings

When she was born, her Uncle Brad sent diamond stud earrings. I remember looking at her sweet, precious ears...so small, so new. I couldn't believe that my husband and I had created her. What a gift. What a blessing. How amazing. I remember getting lost in the thought of it all.

So, perhaps this is why after years of planning to adorn my first newborn baby girl in a beautiful pair of earrings, I couldn't bring myself to place holes in her ears. The diamond stud earrings that Uncle Brad sent are still in their box.

Fast forward three years....

After stiches to the head, a broken arm, and many bodily scars later, holes to the ears seem easy. So, here I am. A regretful mother wishing she had done the deed while you were an infant.

"Don't you want earrings. honey?" I ask.

"Earrings, Mommy? They will put holes in my ears? Will it hurt?" she so innocently asks.

"Nah. It will just pinch a little bit, but then it will be okay." I reply.

She winces.

"You know, Mommy has earrings," I say. "And, Nana...and GrandMom...and Mom Mom. All girls do."

She doesn't look convinced. "All girls?" she questions.

Months have passed since I brought up the subject. I vowed to myself not to push her. Rather, I would wait patiently for her to decide she was ready. I waited. And waited.

And then, it happened. One of her best friends showed up at daycare...with earrings. I simply smiled and gave her little friend a fancy compliment upon introduction. Kate gushed with envy.

On Sunday, I told Kate we were going to the mall to get an Easter dress.

"Can I get my ears pierced?" she asked.

"If you want to," I replied.

"Will it hurt?" she questioned.

"Nah. Just a pinch." I responded.

"I want to," she smiled.

Irish Blessings

With each year that passes, I find myself growing to love St. Patrick's Day more and more. I am sure it has nothing to do with the Irish family I married into (wink, wink).

I couldn't get my youngest to wear a green shirt this morning (Red is the current favorite), and my daughter was wearing the same shirt she wore this day a year ago (yes, it still fits). So, the cute sibling picture I was hoping to duplicate from last year is not existant.

Instead, I share with you some of my favorite photos from St Patrick's Day past.

And the lovely artwork that adorns our refrigerator. Not bad for two tods under four, no?

And one Irish Blessing.

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers-

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours-

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

and a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

Happy St. Patricks Day. Slainte!

I did it...even though I didn't want to

Last week when I picked Little Kate up from Ms. Marci's, she asked me, "Mom, Can I have a sleepover with Richie?".

Excuse me? I replied.

A sleepover...with Richie...can I have one...pleeeeaaaase? she repeated.

Yep. I heard her right. A sleepover...with a boy...Oy vey. I'm so not ready. "We'll talk about it," I said.

And, talk about it we did. On Sunday, she picked out the jammies she wanted to wear. On Monday, she decided what toys she would bring, and declared that she had to take Minnie. On Wednesday, while in Chicago, she reminded me that she had to pack her sleeping bag. And on Friday, the movie event was decided...Lady and the Tramp. She was so excited! She jumped, she smiled, she sang. She was having a sleepover.

Despite our conversation, on multiple occasions, I hadn't made up my mind. I just wasn't ready. So, I did what I do with every big decision I have to make...I make a Pros and Cons list. It's simple, visual, and it works. I share my list with you...

Clearly, the pros outweighed the cons, all of which were selfish on my part. After all, I remember my first sleepover, who it was with, where I slept (or in this case didn't), and how quiet the car ride home with my Father was in the front seat of a Montecarlo in the middle of the night. The truth was, my parents were there for me when I didn't make it, just like I would be for young Kate. So, I did it. I packed her sleeping bag, pillow, Minnie, jammies, and toys, and took her down the street to the neighbors for her very first sleepover...with a boy.


Two days have now past, and she is still "talking" about it. They....

Enjoyed ice cream and a movie on the couch.

And kept eachother entertained with tales of Princesses and Transformers...for hours...

While I was restless, and lost a lot of sleep. She did fine. The morning came without issue. No calls in the middle of the night. No tears. No I missed yous. Just lots of fun talk, and a little reminder that as a parent, sometimes we will have to let them do things even though we (okay, I) don't want to.

The rest is up to them...knowing we will be here...if they call.

My Kind of Town...

Hi my sweet ones,

As I promised in the Fall, this week I take you to Chicago. Since my job takes me to the Windy City often, and there is much to share, this will be the first in a series of posts about this fun city.

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States with nearly three million people. One of the things it is known for is its Theatre District, hosting shows like WICKED, Jersey Boys, and The Lion King. There is no shortage of good entertainment in this town.

Mommy's office is on the 21st floor of Michigan and Wacker. As the name suggests, Michigan Ave runs parallel to Lake Michigan. From this location, we have an incredible view of the Chicago River. Starting this weekend, the River will be dyed green...St Patrick's Day green. Just up the street, Mommy is staying in a hotel a few blocks from the Magnificent Mile. This is a Shopping District full of World Class Stores and unique boutiques, including the Oprah Store. While I am no shopper, it is something to see. Perhaps one day I will bring you along to help me appreciate it.

And finally, I share the Deep Dish Pizza. Simply...Yum.

With my belly full, it's time for me to go to bed. I miss you both and look forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Have a good day at school, Kate, and listen to your Daddy.

I love you both. Mom.

Celebrating Us

Seven years ago, you took me away for the weekend, bent down on one knee, called me by my full name, and asked for my hand in marriage. It was a beautiful Southern California Saturday.

Today, is our sixth wedding anniversary. Since this date in 2004, we have...

• Moved from the West Coast to the East.


• Established our careers


• Bought our first home


• Had two children


• And...suffered a few losses

As one would expect, the last six years has aged us. Our hair is a bit shorter, our smile lines more pronounced, and our priorities for life a bit straighter. Still, every day remains a fun adventure, and there is still no one I would rather spend my days with than you.

May we always be as happy as we were then...

Happy Anniversary, Dear. I love you.

(Oh, yes I did.)

Roots in Boots

I have shared small memories from my childhood before because as much as I want this to be a journal of the kids as they grow, I think it is important for them to know where they come from.

When I was a kid, I used to take weekend trips with my Dad. We lived in the city, but on these weekend trips, I would spend the days with my Grandma on the Farm. The days were long then. I would wake to the smell of scrambled eggs and ham. Then, we would head out to pick eggs, feed the chickens, and dabble in the garden. After lunch, we would usually bake chocolate chip cookies, and spend a couple of hours swinging on the front porch watching the cars pass on the highway.

This is a picture of the swing we sat on. It is smaller than I remember, most of the paint has gone, and the rose bushes that used to bloom below are no longer. Still, the view nor the quiet stillness of the air has changed.

Behind the house, these small buildings were where the chicks were kept, and beyond, the chickens. One of my favorite things to do was to unlock the chicken house, sneak quietly inside, and pick eggs. I remember my Grandma always warning me to check for snakes before sticking my hands in the dark boxes. Thinking back, I was never scared.


This is a picture of the garden that sat to the left of the house. My Grandparents grew everything from tomatos, to cauliflower, to cucumbers, and squash. Even though the gate now leads to a plot of grass, I still remember the garden at its fullest, and how one weekend covered in Calomine lotion quickly taught me never to pick the vegetables without a tall pair of rubber boots and my Grandma's gloves.

Finally, around back of the garage is where we spent many hours cleaning the eggs, making sausage, and cleaning the vegetables from the garden. As a bonus, my grandparents had two deep freezers against the back wall of this garage that always had ice cream pies. They were my favorite, and the perfect summer treat!

While this is what I remember, the memories for my kids will not be all that different. Instead of a weekend a month, we will try to visit once a year. Instead of a porch swing and view of the highway, my daughter and I sit on the gator with a view of the ranch.

We have cows...

and drive tractors...

we fly kites...

and have fun slumber parties in big quilted beds.

We continue to share memories with fond loved ones, are making memories with a new generation, and may just be making a Texan out of one Baltimore Boy.

Only in Texas

We drove an hour to the airport, checked six items, and headed through security to board the four hour flight to San Antonio. It was the first time little Kate would be flying without a car seat on the plane, and the last time the Con-man would be flying on my lap for free.

The kids were so excited, watching the airplanes and choo choo cars through the windows. Kate kept singing, "Yippy Yay Yo, Texas, here we come!", and Conor yelled, "Woah!" at each airplane that passed by.

Being a native Texan, I know everything is bigger in Texas. However, in the ten years I have been gone, I am certain things have only gotten BIGGER. We wanted to take the kids somewhere for a couple of hours, and my parents suggested a place called Bass Pro Shops. I had never been, but liked the idea because one, it was free (and I like FREE), and two, Mom said they had fish (Conor's favorite).

For those of you who know Bass Pro, you know what I am about to share with you. For those of you who don't...may I let the pictures explain.

The entry stopped me in my boots. The place was massive! It must have been over 200,000 square feet, with two floors, and more stuffed and mounted animals than I had ever seen in my life! Of course, we found the fish tank first. It was an entire floor in height, and had a glass sided elevator that rose out of it to the second floor above. These weren't exactly the fish I was expecting. They were half the size of Conor and hungry.

Then, we headed upstairs to the ATVs and game room. Know that the word "game" in this sentence is not in reference to Monopoly.

Conor immediately recognized the lions, and made an attempt at communication.

We ended the tour at the indoor shooting range. It must be in my blood, because I was quickly addicted. I told Joe he could take me to dinner and Bass Pro any night, and it would be the perfect date. For a few dollars, we all had a blast!

The fact that we could walk into a retail store and be entertained for two hours without buying anything was amazing. Things have certainly gotten bigger in TEXAS.