Girlfriends are Gold

Joe and I decided after the kids were born that we needed to take time for ourselves and eachother. So, for the second time in two years, Joe watched the kids and I carved out a weekend to spend with just the girls. Only, unlike last year, the girlfriends and location remained local.

No agenda...just the beach...some good conversation...and fun.

This first picture is for my Dad (and maybe Kate's). We were filling up, checking the oil, and adding a quart before hitting the road. Even at 32, we are still following the road rules.

It was "Hot Rod" weekend in Ocean City, Maryland. Therefore, it offered up as much entertainment as a Jimmy Buffett concert. People lined the streets for miles just to watch the hot rods cruise main street. We, of course, got stuck in the parade while in route to the beach house, and didn't know what to do. Do I look? Do I wave? I felt like a chimp at the zoo. The people watching us...watching them. And the exhaust...gawd. I get naucious all over again just thinking about it. Still, we found time to do a little shopping for our loved ones. We were feeling pretty old, and getting laughs out of what all the kids (and by kids, I mean teens) were wearing. We found these beauties at a local surf shop.

We were so intrigued by this on the display, Louise had to try them on. They are flip flops, with leg warmers attached. Can you imagine the tan lines?
The next was my personal favorite. For all my Texas dance team gals, you will appreciate this. The picture didn't turn out, but I can describe the latest fashion trend in two words. Elastic belts. The eighties were in full effect. Having lived through the decade, I don't think that is a good thing.


After some stressful bathing suit shopping and many needed Margaritas, we headed out on Saturday to Fager's Island for dancing. There was a great band playing, and we closed the place down at 2am. We learned a few things about eachother that night:

• Katie has a keen awareness of dance floor odors


• Marci can't go anywhere without a bodyguard


• Louise can fall asleep anywhere


• Jill gets very excited over Zac Brown's "Chicken Fried"

Sunday started late, with the perfect greasy breakfast at a local dive. Then, we took a stroll on the beach and found someone fishing. He turned up a sand shark, and we were clearly impressed. The kids were more impressed by this picture than the silly bracelets and flips flops I brought home. No matter who I am with, or where we go, I am so blessed to be surrounded by great women to call my friends. Thanks for the fun memories, ladies!

Sweet Dreams

This post is for me. Just me.

As most Moms, I am usually the first to rise and the last to fall around our house. The house begins to settle around 8:30pm when the first toddler closes his eyes, and the dogs begin walking in circles over the place they will commit to for the night. Then, slowly...one hour at a time...the house becomes quiet until it's just me and the sound of letters rebounding from the keyboard.

On this evening, I sent my last e-mail, dimmed the lights in the office, made my rounds to ensure the house was secure, and headed for my last task of the day...kisses good night.

Under the shadows of your nightlights, I found you both sweetly dreaming. After opening and closing both your bedroom doors, I walked down the hall feeling completly full of love. I decided I had one more thing to do tonight...tell you both that I have the best job in the world, and am so lucky to be your Mom. Kisses Goodnight are my favorite. I love you.

This post is all mine.

Don't worry, that's just my neighbor swearing

With the snow melted away, and the afternoon temperatures reaching the mid-seventies, Spring has arrived in South Central PA.

Just like tulips tend to show their colors in April, so do the real estate signs in May. Three weeks ago, one went up across the street from us.

My neighbor's house is beautiful! They have done everything right for their listing:

• Removed all personal elements
• De-cluttered the rooms and countertops
• Cleaned it spotless inside
• Have excellent curb appeal, trimming bushes and blooming flowers

The one thing they forgot to do was inform their neighbors. This is where I insert my apologies...

I apologize for the mountain of rocks which blocked the roadway for nearly three days.

I offer orange caution cones for your safety.

I apologize for the mud tracks and eye sore of a yard that seems to contrast with your beautifully manicured one.

I offer a yard rainbow for your viewing pleasure.

I apologize for the sounds of Construction equipment early in the morning...through the afternoon...and into the evening.

I will offer you a beer when the house sells.

On Mother's Day

While the view from my hotel room this week was (again) of beautiful downtown Chicago and the world famous Hancock Building, I chose not to write about the city. My thoughts were at home. Little Conor had caught a stomach bug, and had been spilling out both ends for seven days, three of which were when I was away. While I knew my husband could handle the kids at home, I hated that I couldn't step in to alternate a sick day, change a diaper, run a load of laundry...anything. My heart ached that I couldn't be there to care for my family, when that's the only thing I wanted to do. Then, I learned my mother-in-law had arrived. She dropped what she was doing, and drove the four plus hours in rush hour traffic to lend a hand until I returned home. It was after learning this that I decided I couldn't write about Chicago this week, but instead, I needed to write about Mothers.

I have witnessed Mothers celebrate with their children after many victories.


I have sat next to and held the hand of a Mom in a hospital praying for her sick son.


I have seen the pride in a Mother's eyes when holding her grandchild.


I have watched a Mother bury her newborn daughter.


I have heard a Mother support her daughter even when she knew she was wrong.


I have a Mother in Texas who would stand on her head and drink a Martini if it meant supporting her children. (Okay, maybe not the stand on her head part. It would mess up her hair. But, I bet I could get her to sip a Martini...wink)


I know a Mother in Maryland who this week, reminded me what it means to be a Mom. No matter what age, what distance, or what price, Mothers will always be Mothers.


I am so thankful to have two wonderful ladies to call "Mom".


Happy Day to all the beautiful Mothers in the world!
You deserve it!

Don't judge a banana by it's peel

Since bananas are a cheap and convenient dose of potassium, I typically always have them in the house, and send them in the kids lunches often. Only, lately, the kids have been boycotting them. I sent them two days in a row recently, only to have them returned both days.

So, last night, it hit me. I love a good steak, but I can't eat it every day. So, too, do the kids feel about bananas. For those of you who know me, I wasn't about to throw them away. Even after Katie had wrinkled her nose in disgust, claiming they were "yuckie and black".

So, I did what any Mom would do. I made up a moral story out of the three little bananas that nobody wanted to eat, and then threw them into the blender with some milk, ice, and a dash of vanilla creamer (nice suggestion, Daddy). These bananas, I explained, were special. They were meant for making banana shakes....the BEST banana shakes (wink, wink).

Katie still didn't looked convinced.

So, I dropped three straws in the glass, showing her that her brother and I too were going to enjoy the BEST banana treat. She used one breath to suck the shake up the straw, and when she came up for air...she looked amazed.....This is so good, Mommy!

And another...Sluuurrrppp...I love this ice cream!

One more time...Sluuurrrppp...These bananas are the BEST! Can we buy the black ones again?

Hit me again...Sluuurrrppp...You make the best shakes, Mom!

Uh huh. This was fun to watch. My job here is done.

To my favorite Taurus

We have a little secret, Dad.

It made us laugh.

It made us focus.

It made us smile!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you!

Untitled post: A reminder from Chi-town

Hi Kiddos,

I peeked on you briefly before sneaking out of the house this morning. I could brush my fingers through your hair and across your cheeks for hours. I love to watch you sleep. You are so peaceful. Like angels.

But, tonight, I rest my head in Chicago with only sweet dreams of you.

This trip, I decided to lay low in the city. After a long day at work, I chose to retreat to my hotel room overlooking the Chicago River, sit in a big comfy chair, admire the beauty of Navy Pier, and smile at the thought of what the two of you must be doing.

Your beds are probably unmade, with today's clothes still laying on the floor, scattered where you dropped them in pursuit of the bath. I am sure damp towels lie on the bathroom floor, and colors collected in small piles across the kitchen counter next to the empty lunch boxes from the day at Ms Marci's. The two of you are probably hiding under blanketed forts, in mismatched jammies, laughing to the mischief of Looney Tunes, and begging for just one more cookie...again.

I smile at the thought of you enjoying this time with your Dad, and ask you to cherish it.

Now, go clean up your room. Mommy will be home tomorrow.

I love you. Mom