First Day of School

Today was Ben's (and my) first day of school. The entire ride to school every time we passed kids waiting at the bus stop or saw a school bus he told me, "Those kids are going to school. Just like me!" He was very eager to begin his day - particularly since it started with sitting down at the table at school to eat his yogurt and cereal bar. Yum! He didn't even notice my leaving, and I was too stressed about making it to work on time that I didn't even have time to cry. I did tear up a little when I recounted it to my office mate later in the morning, but we all survived.

Of course I couldn't resist taking some pictures before we left the house - we were only running a few minutes behind.

First I asked Ben for a thumb's up. Instead he flashed me his gang signs.

Wait, that's better - complete with a totally cheesy grin. That's my boy!

And of course Claire couldn't resist getting in on a photo-op!

When I picked Ben up he was just getting up from his nap. All we can get out of him about his day was, "I went outside and played and stuff and sleeped." Sounds like a busy day to me! When I ask him about his teacher, Miss V., he tells me that she helped him go potty. (She told the parents at the meet and greet a few weeks ago that she would have the whole class potty trained in 2-3 months. Good luck with my stubborn boy, I will support you every step of the way. He told me tonight that he is excited to go back tomorrow, so that's a good sign. I think we're going to have a great year!

bring on the smiles

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my lovely, long-time friend, Colleen, had given me a very special gift.



The Rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)
2. You must post these rules if you recieve the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to recieve the award after recieving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

I definitely have #3 and #7 covered. It was just the kind of pick-me-up I needed yesterday to know that someone else sees all of the other characteristics in me. Colleen is such a kind person, always doing something for others. If you have a minute to take a look at her blog you will see how much time and energy she puts into making her house a happy home for her husband and her three gorgeous kids. I wish she wasn't all the way up in Maine, but I keep trying to convince her that a trip to DC would be a fun way to spend their vacation. Maybe one of these years!

I'm going to break one of the rules and pick only three people for this award today. Some of the others that I would have chosen don't have their own blogs - imagine!

1. Julie at Rarely Home Mom is an amazing person. She has such an enormously good heart. We share a love of reading, cooking, and having fun with our kids. Although I've never met her in person I've known her online for probably close to 5 years. I consider her a kindred spirit, and am lucky to "know" her.

2. Paige at My Home is My Heart fills her blog with a delightful combination of humor, fun, and adorable pictures of her kids. She is an amazing woman and mother, and I really enjoy getting to read these snippets of her life every day.

3. I know my friend Leah doesn't typically participate in these sorts of things, but it just wouldn't be right to leave her out. First of all, her kids are so freaking adorable that I love being around them. Not to mention that mine have a blast when we play together. Leah is someone I haven't known for very long, but it seems like that doesn't matter at all when we're together. She's one of the few people that I can talk to about absolutely everything, and when we go out for our "ladies night" dinners we talk and talk and talk until the waitstaff is ready to throw us out of the restaurant. And then we leave with things still unsaid. She is a true friend, and a wonderful mom, so I had to include her on this list.

Thank you ladies for being a part of my life - even if most of the time it's only via the computer screen. I really enjoy the glimpses into your lives that you post on your blogs.

Behind

I've missed two Best Shot Mondays - and not because I don't have pictures to share. Things have been a little bit crazy around here lately, and I just haven't been making the time to post, so I thought I'd share some of the kids latest funnies.

Claire: Hey mama, you know what?
Me: What?
Claire: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Me: Probably not. What are you thinking?
Claire: We didn't see any shark pajamas when you bought my new polar bear pajamas.
Me: ....

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Ben: I'm a scary dragon!
Claire shrieks and hides on the couch.
Claire: Help! It's a scary dragon!
Ben: *offended* I not a dragon any more. I a Benjamin!

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Yesterday we went to a Beach Boys concert with the kids and my parents at a local outdoor venue. All week I'd been talking about it with the kids, but Ben had a little trouble keeping things straight.

Ben (Monday after nap): We go to the Beach Mans today?
Me: Not the Beach Mans, buddy, the Beach Boys.

Ben (Tuesday morning): Today we see the Beach Kids?
Claire: It's the Beach BOYS, Ben.

Ben (Friday afternoon - finally catching on): We're going to a picnic-concert. The Beach Boys. Not the Beach Mans.

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Yes, we've been very busy, but it sure has been fun!

Best Shot Monday - hula

Ben takes a break from learning to hula hoop to pet the turtle.

I don't know what it is about this picture, but something about it just strikes a chord with me. Click on over to visit Tracey at Mother May I for more great pictures from Best Shot Monday.

What a way to start the day.

Ben: I don't want to be a good listener. I want to be a grouchy boy!

Best Shot Monday - story time

This is probably my favorite image from our recent trip to North Carolina. On our very last night there, after putting on his pajamas, Ben wandered out to the family room, and asked Brian's grandpa to read him his bedtime story (Paddington Bear). Claire joined them as soon as she got her pj's on. Seeing the three of them all sitting together in the chair, and knowing how much that moment must have thrilled Papa Jim made my heart melt.

Head on over to see more shots from Best Shot Monday at Mother May I.

The times they are...

a changing.

Around here anyway.

In just a short time - a month from tomorrow to be precise - I will be headed back to work. This is not something that I was seeking out, however it is an amazing and exciting opportunity that was too good (and unpredictable) to let pass by.

I will be working at the same middle school that I taught at before Claire was born. This time I will be serving as a math resource teacher - helping the students who need it the most. Our goal is to raise student test scores starting with the incoming seventh graders.

I can't tell you how immensely flattering it was to have the school seek me out and tell me how much they wanted me to take this position. I have been lying awake nights ever since coming up with ideas of what we can do for these students, and how to best accomplish it. I have dozens of ideas of ways that I can help the classroom teachers.

At the same time I am extremely anxious at the prospect of being away from my kids for so long every day. I have no doubts that they will flourish in their respective schools, but I worry about missing out on so many little moments in the day, or feeling like I have the time to just stop what I'm doing to roll around on the floor with them - or dance in their pajamas.


I know there will be a learning curve for the whole family as we get used to a new arrangement. I know that we will continue to make many happy memories together. I know that there are times that I will love it and times that I will hate it. I know that we will have lots of help as we get used to things.

It's not going to be easy. But it will be good. For all of us. I know.

Stolen moments

This morning the kids were at a high-level of neediness. I, of course, was running around trying to get a lot done in not enough time. Welcome to my life. I put on our Imagination Movers DVD, which usually makes everyone happy while they dance and sing along. They squabbled. "Don't touch me!" "No, Claire! I don't want to dance with you!"

Until I separated them. You get this half of the carpet, you get this half. As soon as I looked away, they were sneaking onto each other's space - giggling together. Conspiring against me. I'm all for it since the whining stopped. Temporarily.

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Some of my favorite recent memories:

Ben: Mama, I want to tell you something.
Me: Yes?
Ben: A car got broken, and a tow truck fixed it and a fire truck fixed it.
(He repeats this at every rest and bedtime. In its current incarnation there are also usually five tractors of different colors who also help fix the car. Staller extraordinaire.)

Me: Why are all of the pillows on the floor?
Claire: All of my friends are coming. We're having a hotchskop (hopscotch) tournament. If you need me send me an email, ok Mama?

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Right now the silence is wonderful. The dog is sleeping in Daddy's chair, head resting on an Elmo slipper. (Oh yes, he is a daddy's boy.) Ben is quietly snoozing in his crib - he chatted for approximately 12 seconds after I put him in, and then dropped right off. When I last left Claire she was setting up her chairs and her bunny blanket to make a tent for all of her "friends". Now I hear no pitter patter of footsteps on the dining room ceiling (no KABLOOM of jumping off of her bed, either). I imagine her up there on the floor in a tangle of blankets and stuffed animals, legs stretched out in what appears to be an impossibly uncomfortable position. Flushed cheeks and even breathing. I wish I could sneak in, but her door sticks, and invariably wakes her. I will just have to hold onto the picture my mind has built, and wait for her to wander downstairs with creases on her cheeks, and eager for hugs.

Best Shot Monday - uncles

Growing up I had two uncles, one aunt, and no cousins until I was halfway through college. One of the things I am so excited about for my children is being part of a big family. They have 7 uncles and 4 aunts, and more great-aunts and great-uncles than I could possibly count.

We don't always get to see a lot of all of the aunts and uncles, though we do really try to make an effort to do it whenever possible. I was pleased to get this picture on our recent trip to North Carolina.


Ben was intrigued by what Uncle Calvin was doing on his computer (looking at magic cards).

Check out more shots from Best Shot Monday over at Mother May I.

Happy Anniversary

Eight years ago right now I was a nervous wreck. I was probably getting ready to go with my mom to get make-up done, and then back to the house to get hair done.

I'm not sure I spoke more than a 3 word sentence to anyone the entire morning. When I am nervous or stressed I tend to become much more introverted than normal.

I can still remember the feeling of taking those first few steps into the church, and seeing Brian at the altar, and our friends and family smiling at me. All of the butterflies magically disappeared. The rest of the ceremony is a blur, I couldn't wait for it to be over, and to hear those magic words, "husband and wife."

The last eight years have been full of a variety of challenges and excitement. I can't wait to share many many more years together.


Happy anniversary, baby - I love you!

Best Shot Monday - hydrangeas

I love hydrangeas. They remind me of all of the beautiful ones we saw on our honeymoon in Nantucket - almost 8 years ago! This is the first summer of the 3 we have been in this house that we have successfully managed to get our hydrangeas to grow and flourish (and not get eaten by deer).

This one was in the backyard when we bought the house. Brian accidentally mowed over it the first year trying to clear out brush. The next year the deer ate it, so no flowers. This year it is a vibrant purpley-pink brightening up the corner of my shade garden.

This is one we bought this spring. It is a lovely pink - Merritt's Pink I believe. It has been flowering quite prolifically.

And the more traditional Nikko blue hydrangea. How can anyone resist the beauty of these flowers?

Check in with Melody at Slurping Life for more wonderful Best Shot Monday pictures. Tracey will be back next week!

Happy Fourth of July

We certainly hope everyone had as much fun on the fourth as we did. We spent much of the day getting ready for our friends - primarily preparing food. Brian smoked salmon, chicken, and ribs which is an all day affair. I made panzanella, a sweet and spicy cucumber salad, dessert, and the kids helped by shucking the corn.

We proudly flew our new flag. Our old one was badly faded, and our flagpole desperately needed replacing. We also bought 5 small flags that are decorating our front walkway. As we made our way through the store to purchase them, the kids waved them in the air, and loudly cheered, "Go Hokies" much to the amusement of the other patrons. Eventually I convinced them instead to chant, "U-S-A! U-S-A!"

After everyone had stuffed themselves, and we'd all been dampened a bit by the rain, the dads brought out the fireworks. Claire was a big fan.

Some of the children preferred to watch Noggin.


So from our tired family to yours - a very happy fourth of July!

Knock knock who's there?

Yesterday I was determined to get in my 3 mile training walk, despite Brian being out of town on business. So after lunch I piled the kids in the double stroller, hooked the leash on Lucky, and we headed out. It was a beautiful day, so pushing an extra 80+ pounds wasn't as brutal as it could have been. At one point along the way the kids started telling each other knock-knock jokes.

B: knock knock who's there?
C: you just say knock knock, and I say who's there.
B: oh. knock knock who's there?
C: who's there?
B: bush!
C: bush who?
B: bush stop sign!
*both kids break into uproarious laughter*

C: knock knock
B: who's there?
C: banana
B: banana who?
C: banana TREE!
*more loud laughter ensues*

It was a good day.

Best Shot Monday - summer fun

Does it get better than spending a summer day in the sun, hair blowing in the ocean breeze, eating a slice of watermelon? If you look carefully you can see a tiny slice of the ocean on the very right side of the photo. Our beach days were almost a month ago, but they were great. The kids still talk about it all the time.

Today Melody is guest-hostessing Best Shot Monday over at Slurping Life while Tracey enjoys a well deserved vacation. Head on over to check out the photos that others are sharing.

Best Shot Monday - soccer

Tracy's Best Shot Monday picture is about having summer fun, and boy did Claire have a blast at her one week soccer camp last week. She did a great job, and I was really proud of how hard she played, and how much she learned. Here she is focusing on the coach, waiting to go again. They had to dribble around, and then when he yelled a body part stop the ball by putting that body part on the ball. The funniest were when he yelled, "LIPS," but I didn't get any pictures of that.

Check out more summer fun by visiting Tracey at Best Shot Monday!

My little songbird

Ben loves to sing, and after Happy Birthday, this is his favorite song:




Thank goodness I bought a Flip video camera, so you won't miss anymore moments like these!

Best Shot Monday - beach

We just got back from our week at the beach, so I had to use these photos for best shot Monday today. Tracey should have this weeks post up soon, so head over to Mother May I to see who else has pictures to share.

Four Years Old

Dear Claire,

Today you turned four years old, and I cannot figure out where the time has gone. I can still remember so clearly the day you were born. It was one of the scariest, and one of the most joyous days of my life. When I was at the doctor's office and they couldn't find your heartbeat, and then it was so low, I didn't know what to think. Thank goodness we had amazing doctors that we really trusted to tell us what was best to do. And we wound up with such a beautiful, amazing little girl.

You are so joyful, Claire. You have an amazing energy. Your teacher, Miss Pam, often tells me that I am so lucky to have you all day long, and how you light up the classroom when you walk into it, and you make her day when you give her hugs. I am glad to know that we are not the only ones who think of you this way, because we might be a little biased.

Lately you struggle a bit because you are the smallest, and the second youngest in your class. You have told me on several occasions that you don't want to do something or wear something because you don't want people to call you a baby. It breaks my heart that so early in your life you are so worried about what other people think of you. This is something that I have battled all of my life, and if I could figure out how to make it better for you I would. I just try to tell you over and over how amazing, special, smart, and beautiful we think you are.

Your teachers and other parents who know you have told me on several occasions how sensitive and mothering you are with other kids. I think you get that from me, also. I hope that this part of you never changes. It will take you far in life.

You are so very smart, Claire. You frequently amaze Daddy and I with the things that you are able to remember. The other day in the car on the way to school you made me help you count to 120. We only stopped there because I was tired, and I distracted you by pointing out a dog in a yard we were passing. I think you would have gone on forever if I was more patient. You want desperately to read, and I think that it won't be long. You've already read the first 3 Bob books almost all by yourself. We'll work on this more once school is over for the year. You also love to spell (another Mommy trait). Frequently while we're driving you ask me to help you spell a word, and I will slowly pronounce it so that you can hear the different sounds of the letters, and you will repeat the sounds and say the letters that make those sounds. You have mastered writing the letters in your name, and also BEN, NONNO, and NONNI. The other day you were writing BEN, and you reversed the N, as many little kids do. What surprised me is that you noticed right away that you had written it wrong, told me so, and wrote the name again, this time talking yourself through the N - "up, down, up!" I think when you get back to school in the fall you are going to be leaps and bounds away from where you are now.

On Saturday we had your birthday party. It was a great time. You had so much fun. Ben and I picked out an inflatable pool with two slides at Toys R Us, and for $25 it was just perfect. You and your friends jumped, splashed, slid, and climbed. About a half hour before the party was supposed to end a big storm rolled through. The timing was good because it drove everyone inside just in time to watch you blow out the candle on your sandcastle cake. I still can't figure out how we fit 47 people in our house, but we managed somehow. The rain, thunder, and lightning came down fast and furious, and about 5 minutes before your party was supposed to end the electricity went out. I don't think we'll ever forget this party because of that.

Right now your favorite color is pink. And you tell everyone you see. There must be no confusion. Pink. Daddy and I gave you a book for your birthday called Pinkalicious, and before bed you gave me a hug and said, "I love my new book!" It made me so happy to know that you liked what I chose for you.

You asked lots of questions before bed about when you were born. You kept making me show you with my hands how big you were when you were born, and you listened in amazement to the list of people who were there at the hospital anxious to see you when you were born. You asked what they did when they saw you, and you asked about the people that are part of your life that weren't there, and why they weren't there. Daddy and I told you how lucky you are because there are so many people who love and care about you. You were surprised that Daddy was the first one to hold you, and that Papa was the first person he talked to after you were born. I can still remember how frustrated I was that I had no feeling in my left arm from the epidural because they wouldn't let me hold you for such a long time. But I could see how beautiful you were. Daddy held you right next to me so that I could talk to you and kiss your sweet head, and learn your beautiful face. You were so precious to me then, and even more so now. When you were born my heart filled up with an amazing amount of love, and I thought it could never get better than that, but it does. Every day.

I love you, Claire-Bear. I hope you always know how much.

Mommy

Best Shot Monday - birthday girl!

Today my little girl turns four! Where have the years gone? Stay tuned for a sappy mommy post, but for now you can enjoy this picture of her at her birthday party on Saturday. As you can see she was having a blast with her friends!

(Photo taken with my camera, but by my friend Tara.)

Don't forget to check out more great shots over at Tracey's!

Presenting...the Queen

A few days ago I was cleaning out Ben's closet making room for some clothes that will fit him in 1-2 years. I like to shop clearance, and he has a bigger cousin who gave us a great big bag of hand-me-downs, but I digress. I discovered, in the bottom of his closet, several articles of clothing he received for his birthday in January that I had set aside until the weather was warm enough to wear them. Happy day! New clothes for the rotation. And one was a Lightning McQueen t-shirt. Ben was thrilled as one of his very favorite friends is currently obsessed with Lightning McQueen. I told him he could not change then (5:15 PM), but could wear it tomorrow. He carried it outside to play with, and then dutifully brought it back in for dinner.

Yesterday morning I put the t-shirt on him, and called him Lightning McQueen. A few minutes later I overhear part of a conversation. I'm not sure what Claire said to him, but he replied, "I not a baby, I a QUEEN!" Then moments later when I called for him to get ready to go downstairs he told me, "I not Benjamin, I a QUEEN!!!" Well, alrighty then. This perhaps explains his obsession with shoes. Let's get your royal hiny (is there a correct way to spell that word? I've tried 4 variations, and it keeps getting flagged by spellcheck) downstairs and into the car so we can take Claire to school.

Rocking at the Park

Last night I got an email telling me that Rocknoceros was going to be doing a free concert in a public park that is not too far away from us, so Ben and I stopped at Subway on our way to pick up Claire to get lunch, and the three of us headed out for a concert/picnic. We drove 3/4 of the way around the park while the kids ogled the playground and the gathering crowd before I found some parking, and then we had quite a hike to get to the area where the concert was, but we arrived and spread our blanket about 3 minutes before they began. I handed out milk cups and sandwiches, and we sat down to eat. After a few minutes of music I told the kids they could get up to dance if they wanted to, and they never sat back down. They ran around like crazy, pausing long enough to watch caterpillars crawling across the grass and take a sip of milk. The last three or four songs found them sitting on the front edge of the gazebo just staring at the band members and their instruments in awe. At the end Claire picked a buttercup and gave it to the guitarist when he came out with the Rocknoceros stamps for their hands. We packed up the remains of our picnic, and then headed to the playground for some more fun before we made our way to the car.

While trying to keep an eye on two kids who of course went in opposite directions I overheard a mom nearby talking to her daughter. She had suggested that her daughter go and say hello to a girl who looked about her age, and the daughter said, "why do you always tell me to go say hello to someone?" The mom explained that they were new to the area, and didn't know people, and that's how you make friends. I caught Claire coming down the slide, pointed the girl out to her, and asked her to go and see if she wanted to climb with her. Without pause Claire ran over, asked her to play, and when the girl said yes Claire grabbed her by the hand and off they ran. The mom caught my eye to tell me thank you, and we struck up a conversation while the kids climbed, slid, and who knows what else.

I was really pleased to see Claire being so confident and sweet with this other girl who was a year older than her. They had a fun time together, and maybe we'll see them again if we make it to the next concert.

All in all, it was a very fun way to spend our lunchtime. Ben was exhausted, and napped for almost 3 hours after we got home. I've already checked out their summer schedule, and we should be able to make several more free shows fit into our schedule (psst - Mom and Dad - they're doing a free show at a library in Charlottesville the week you guys have the kids. Their Louisa show is a week or two later.)

Hey, what's that big pink thing?

That one. Over there. Sitting in the sidebar all lonely and unclicked. Over the past several months my younger sister, Sarah, and I have been discussing the possibility of doing either the Avon 2 day walk for breast cancer, or the Susan G. Komen 3-day. Due to timing (and perhaps foolishness) we decided to start big. And what could be bigger than signing up to raise a lot of money, and then walk 60 miles in 3 days. We conned talked our older sister, Jen, into signing up, too. Well, she still promises she will, and formed the team Three Sassy Sisters. So the first weekend of October we will be joining hundreds of others in the Washington DC area to walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days to raise money for breast cancer research.

This cause is incredibly special to me because of the death of Brian's aunt, Jacki, a little over two years ago. She fought a brave, hard, long struggle against breast cancer. She was an amazing woman, who we loved very much, and miss dearly. I think of her so often, and someday soon I will compose a more fitting tribute to tell you all what a special person she was.

In the meantime, what can you do to help? Well, you could click on that big pink link over on the right, and make a donation. Also, there is a new company that is trying to give Paypal a run for its money. It's called Revolution Money Exchange. If you click on the button below before May 15th, not only will they give you an automatic $25 (that you can then have transferred to your bank account), they will give me $10. I am going to use any money that I get from referrals as the starting point for my fundraising for the 3-day walk. So if you have about five minutes to sign up, please do. I promise your money will be going to a very worthy cause.

Best Shot Monday - cardinal

Here is the daddy cardinal that comes to our feeder. His sweetheart is usually not far behind. This was taken with my telephoto lens.

Head on over to Tracey's to see more pictures from Best Shot Monday.

snippets

Me: Claire, what did you work on at school today?
Claire: Well, I did the appaloosas. You know? Where you have a picture of the horse, and you color it, you know? The appaloosas?
Me: So you colored in a picture of an appaloosa?
Claire: No.
Me: ...

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Ben is currently at a stage where he wants to do everything right! now! His conversations are peppered with questions designed to get me to say whatever it is he wants.

Ben: We go play with J.
Me: Yes, after rest time. If you take a good rest, we'll play with J.
Ben: We go play with J. Walk or drive?
Me: What?
Ben: WALK? Or DRIVE? Play with Jake! Walk or drive!
Me: (finally catching up again with the conversation) Not now, after rest time.
Ben: No rest time! No like rest time! WALK OR DRIVE????

It's a lose/lose people. If I tell him we're walking he's out the door, if I tell him he has to rest first then I get to listen to him scream for the first half hour of his rest.

The boy has a hard life, really. This morning he got to sit in our double stroller next to one of his favorite friends, and fed banana bread and bunny grahams while I walked 4 miles, then he got to run around and play tag and hide-and-seek while I stretched. Then a trip to the library after we picked up Claire, and this afternoon a playdate at the caboose. But oh yeah, he has to rest first. I am such a terrible mother to torture him like that.

Speaking of hide-and-seek these two kids were too cute. One would hide their face on a tree and count, and the other would always hide in the exact same spot, facing a bush, but completely out in the open. The seeker would count, and then say "here I come!" Then they would turn around, and yell excitedly, "I found you!" Each time they were equally thrilled and surprised when they "found" the other, and they would both laugh, and then the hider would run to the tree to become the seeker. Rinse and repeat.

Best Shot Monday - irises

We spent part of the weekend at my parents' house on Lake Anna. They planted this beautiful bed of irises (they moved them down from MA) right along the sea wall.

These dark purple and white ones are my favorite.

These burgundy ones are very unusual.

However, I think that this is my official "best shot".
Which one do you like the best?

Check in with Tracey at Mother May I for more pictures from Best Shot Monday.

(all pictures taken with my dad's PnS camera)

Best Shot Monday - neighbors

Claire, and our neighbor and friend, J, visit over the backyard fence. One of the many reasons I love where we live -- great neighbors.

For more Best Shot Monday fun head over to visit Tracey at Mother May I.

Love Thursday

In general, Brian and I try to purchase something lasting, or make a memory together to celebrate our anniversary. Last year we decided that we wanted to get a magnolia tree, but in the middle of July magnolia trees are fairly hard to come by. So several weeks ago we headed out to the nursery in search of one. We decided on this Galaxy Magnolia. The tree is relatively small, but the man told Brian it is between 7 and 8 years old - just like our marriage - perfect.

We hope to be able to watch it grow and bloom for many many years. Right now it is starting to get it's leaves, but I am already looking forward to watching the buds form and flower next spring.

Make sure that you stop by Shutter Sisters to see what else is inspiring the love today on Love Thursday.

Tales from the kids...

I have been remiss lately in posting stuff about the children. Well, in posting much at all, really. Hopefully I can catch up on all of the things that have been floating around in my head.

The other morning Ben brought me the old favorite, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to read to him. Claire then asked me to read Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? The next morning Ben picked up Brown Bear, Brown Bear and began to read it aloud to himself. This is about how his story went:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?
I hear a duck in my ear.
Duck, duck what do you see?
I hear a cat in my ear (ed: he skipped a few pages)
Cat, cat what do you --
Kitty cat, Kitty cat, what do you see?
I hear a doggy in my ear.
Doggy, doggy, what --
Lucky dog, Lucky dog, what do you see?
...

It was so cute to listen to him - mixing the words of the two stories, but remembering the gist of it. I loved how he corrected himself with the cat and the dog pages. I hope his love of books continues to grow.

Claire continues to pick up things without anyone realizing she has learned. In some discussions with her teacher we've discovered that she has learned things at school that neither of her teachers has taught her. She is quite observant, and likes to pay attention to what others are doing around her.

Monday she took Ben into her room with a bag full of foam letters. She had Ben sit on her bed with her other "friends" (stuffed animals), and she taught them their letters. From my room I could hear her telling Ben, "You're in school, you can't behave like that. You need to listen. No yelling! You won't be able to go out and play if you don't behave!"

I have vivid memories of setting up school in the basement with my sisters and brother, and our dolls and stuffed animals. It is fun to relive those memories through Claire. She is quite the strict teacher - particularly where her brother is concerned. I couldn't help but giggle as I stood quietly in the hallway listening to them play together.

Best Shot Monday - Donald Duck

Yes, another picture of our bulbs. This is a Donald Duck tulip - they were our first tulips to flower, and they're really very nice. When the sun is warm they would open up wide to soak it in. The kids loved looking at them, and the colors are so cheerful.

Check out some other sunshiny posts at Best Shot Monday. On this rainy Monday, we could use all the sunshine we can find!

Best Shot Monday - spring flowers

Last week I went out to try to capture some of the lovely things growing in our gardens now. I could go out everyday and find new images, but I chose these for Best Shot Monday. This looks exactly the way I envisioned when we picked these bulb collections out of the catalog last year, and then when we planted in the fall. Just an hour ago I sat with the new catalog in my hands, dreaming of where I can put new bulbs to enjoy next spring.

I couldn't decide which shot was my favorite - the perfect detail of the grape hyacinth with the white tulips in the background, or the creaminess of the tulip with the grape hyacinths leading your eye back to the trunk of the maple. Below you can see the complete scene - we built the bed around our maple in the front yard specifically for these bulbs. We've gotten many compliments from the neighbors, so it was obviously time well spent.



Check in with Tracey to see what other heavenly shots await at Best Shot Monday.

Tag - you're it!

My friend, Colleen, tagged me to write my six-word memoir. I've put this off for a while, trying to figure out what six words really speak about me. Are they the words that I think I am, or that others see me as? Are those the same words? I don't think that they always are.

Observant.
Mothering.
Thoughtful.
Loving.
Reader.
Friend.

(I'll edit this if I can find the picture that I really want to put here - it's either on a different computer, or belongs to someone else in the family.)

Here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post
4. Tag five more blogs with links
5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Tag!
Stephanie
Leah
Sarah
Julie
Christine

Best Shot Monday - cherry blossoms

Saturday we had a picnic at a local park and I took some pictures of one of the cherry trees. We were unwilling to brave the traffic and crowds in DC this weekend, so we did this instead. This is my favorite of the photos I took.

Check in with Tracey over at Mother May I to see what else is blooming for Best Shot Monday.

Snippets

Easter pictures are coming. Soon. Ish. In the meantime, last week was Claire's school vacation (today was her first day back), and having both kids around the house lead to many interesting conversations.

C: OK, Ben! We must! go! to! the! jungle!
B: OK, Cware!
C: But first! We need our hats!
(ed: yes, it is quite important to always wear appropriate headgear when in the jungle. Claire's is a new pink and green sunhat, and Ben's is his tan Polo baseball cap.)

C: Mama? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Me: A mommy.
C: But you're already a mommy!
Me: Oh good!
C: Don't you want to be a doctor, or a dancer, or a train?
Me: A train?
C: Then I would always have a toy train to play with.
B: I want to be a train! Tracks!
C: You want to be train tracks?
B: Yep!

Yesterday I managed to find some new, cute, wide-width shoes that didn't cost a fortune for Ben (thank you, Marshalls). He is very excited by his new shoes. So much of today has revolved around his new shoes. We had this conversation in the car.
B: I lub my new shoes.
Me: That's good, buddy.
B: And Nonni lubs them. And Daddy lubs them. And Cware lubs them. And I lub them.
Me: Good, I'm glad.
B: I want to go Ryan's house in my new shoes.
Me: Not today.
B: I want to watch Little Einsteins in my new shoes.
Me: OK.
B: I lub my new shoes.
Perhaps he will become the next Jimmy Choo.

Car Conversation

Claire: I'm just furtending!
Daddy: No, it's purtend.
Me: Actually, it's pre-tend.
Daddy: At least mine is closer.
Claire: No daddy - it's FURtend. Can you say furrr? Say furrr, Daddy!

Like Sunshine on a Rainy Day

When you have a new raincoat and boots it doesn't get more exciting than a rainy day!





This little guy in the hand-me-down frog coat and boots would rather eat fruit snacks in the garage.

Welcome Back!

Today (well, due to the latest delay, very very early tomorrow morning) Uncle Adam comes home from spending 15 months in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne. Claire, Ben, and I couldn't be there in person, but we're there in spirit. We can't wait to see you again!

Love Thursday

Today Claire was standing on her stool ("I think I'll use the panda one today.") making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ben came running through the kitchen laughing, and hiccuping, with a ball in his hand.

Claire: Ben has the hiccups. MOM! *laughing* Ben has the hiccups!
Ben: *holding out the ball for me to see with a puzzled look* This a hiccup?

One of the things I love most about my kids is how much they make me laugh.

Check out Love Thursday over at Shutter Sisters.

*My family thinks I need to add a disclaimer here - I do not make my son sleep in a dog crate. We had returned from a weekend trip to my parents' home, and Ben thought it would be great fun to climb inside and pull the door shut. Generally he sleeps in a cage of the more standard crib variety.

Best Shot Monday - ice

A few weeks ago we woke to a coating of ice on everything. Here is a shot of the dogwood tree that overhangs our deck.

Skate on over to visit Tracey at Mother May I for more Best Shot Monday fun!

It almost made me forget all the whining

So today Claire was talking to me on the way from her school to the grocery store.

Claire: When you and daddy get married?
Me: Almost 8 years ago
Claire: Wow. That's a looooooooong time.
Me: Yep, it sure is.
Claire: Mommy? When I get married?
Me: When you're an adult, and you fall in love, and you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, then you can get married.
Claire: But. But. But Mommy? I love you the mostest.

*******************************************************
In other news, this morning when I was showering Ben found my glasses. He looked so cute when he came up to me as I got out of the shower. "Look me, Mommy!" So I sent him to Daddy so he could see him, too. Then about 90 seconds later I see him holding two completely separate pieces of my glasses. Umm yeah. I definitely should have known better.

So I dug out my old frames that Claire had damaged about a week before Ben was born. Putting them at just over 2 years old. Do you know what that means? That means that they won't just make me new eyeglasses, I have to go in tomorrow for an eye exam. And then pick out the frames. And then wait for them to get made. Because Hour Eyes? Doesn't really make many glasses in an hour. In the meantime I have a brutal headache from these old glasses. I'm sure that by the time my body adjusts to them my new glasses will be ready.

The Pronoun Conundrum

When my boy isn't tantrumming he is awfully cute.

Ben: It's me!
Me: It's you?
Ben: No! It's me!

********************************************************
In other news, I was having trouble with two different laptops, but that will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to my siblings. I was able to use Sarah's consumer perks from Bank of America, and in a few days a lovely shiny new MacBook should be arriving at my door! Meanwhile, my old Dell laptop had become a very expensive paperweight (with about three years worth of digital photos and videos trapped on the hard drive). My brother, David, told me about a nifty device that I could use to take the hard drive out of the laptop and turn it into an external hard drive. For about $30 (as opposed to the $150 that Geek Squad wanted to backup my files for me), I put it together yesterday afternoon, and now it is hooked up to my computer downstairs and I can access all of the old files, and get them organized and backed up onto another computer or DVDs. Hooray!

Don't envy me

Get up and come downstairs with Ben - 4:56 AM
Claire arrives downstairs - 5:23 AM
First timeout of the day - 5:37 AM

I have the feeling it is going to be a very. long. day.

Conversations with Claire

Last weekClaire and I had this conversation on her way to school. (Note: She had been out of school sick for three days.)

Claire: I don't want to go to school.
Me: Then you can't go to dance class either.
Claire: Fine. I'll go. But I'm not going to do any work.
Me: OK.

later

Ben: Kiss! Kiss!
Claire: I don't like you because you're a boy. And I only like girls, not boys. Well, I like some boys. But not all of them.
Ben: Kiss! Kiss!
Claire: Mommy,what day is it today?
Me: Wednesday.
Claire: I can't kiss you today because it's Wednesday, and I only give you kisses on Fridays.

******************************************************************
Yesterday Claire and Ben received some Valentine's cards in the mail (thank you Aunt Heather and Uncle Adam!), and Claire was very excited.

Claire: Ben, want me to help you open yours?
Ben: Ok, Cware.
Claire: *tearing envelope* I will read it to you. Dear Ben. I would like to invite you for a playdate. I hope you have a very nice birthday. And lots of birthday cake. Thank you.

Best Shot Monday - Choochoo!

Dad has been spending some time repairing old wooden toys that belonged to me and my siblings for when Ben and Claire come over. Here is one of the ones he's worked on.
(SOOC shot on the macro setting.)

Make sure that you ride on over to visit Tracy at Mother May I for more Best Shot Monday fun! Then check out her newest project, Shutter Sisters, which is just amazing.

A Mommy Equation

2 sick kids + 4:30 AM wake-up (thanks Ben) + 1 husband on a plane to Vegas

= 1 exhausted mommy

Best Shot Monday - Birthday boy

Last year I was able to take a picture of Ben on his birthday at exactly 9:48 - one year to the minute after he was born. I was about 15 minutes early on this picture, but we had MOPS, and were already late, so here's the birthday boy. I'm glad I was able to capture this expression - I think it shows a bit of his personality.


And as I went through pictures of his last year, remembering the fun we had I came across this one from April, and couldn't resist posting it. I don't remember what he had for dinner, but whatever it was makes some pretty great hair product!


For more great pictures go visit Tracey at Mother May I.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ben!

Dear Ben,

For nearly twenty months your daddy and I thought we had been given such an amazing blessing (your sister), and we were so excited that you were coming, but we had no idea what we were in store for. We never imagined how much better our lives could get, or how having you in our family was like fitting another piece into the puzzle - the picture suddenly got a whole lot clearer.

You amaze us each and every day with new things. We think you are brilliant, but we're your parents - I'm pretty sure we're required to think that. But you can count to 13! Never mind that you typically start at 3, not 1, and that you are not usually counting anything at all. 13! Genius!

You like to sing, and your favorites are the ABC's (I'm not sure you say a single real letter in there), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Happy Birthday, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. You will surprise me during the day by strolling in with your guitar and singing me a song.

You still wake up far too early in the morning. Today you decided to start celebrating at 4:30. I was not thrilled. But after you morphed from your usual droning, "maaaamaaaa. MAAAAMAAA!" to true crying interspersed with "ay ahh you, Mama??" (where are you, mama?), I could no longer pretend to ignore it, so up we were. Of course, within seconds of being picked up you sweetly asked, "a gween one, Mama?" requesting your typical breakfast of a green nutri-grain bar. You are irresistible, and you're damn lucky that you are, at that hour of the morning!

You know how to turn on the charm, and you have a laugh and smile that are totally infectious. You melt me every time that you run up to me, and give me a hug or a kiss, and so even though you broke my heart yesterday when I asked if you were my baby ("No! Big boy!"), I forgive you. I love that you are so very ticklish. There is one spot between your neck and your shoulder, and a tickle there makes your legs buckle underneath you as you collapse to the floor, convulsing in giggles. Your feet are ticklish, your knees, your chubby thighs, your tummy, your ears, your neck - almost every inch of you. Frequently when tickled until you can barely breathe, you wait a moment to catch your breath before loudly exclaiming, "Gain! Gain!!" (Again! Again!!)

You fancy yourself a comedian, and you think it is incredibly funny to ask me if all of the people we know are in our house. You will run down a huge list, and you ask each question with a lilt on the end and a twinkle in your eye that lets me know exactly how funny you think you are. Finally, when you can hold it in no longer, you will explode with laughter. Yesterday it was after you asked me if there was a "di-no-roar?" (dinosaur) in the car. I wish I could put your voice on here, so everyone else could experience what I am so lucky to be able to every day.

You have a bit of an aggressive streak, and are currently in a big hitting mode. We are trying to curb this by frequent use of time-outs. So far no luck. Sometimes you will hit, and then put yourself in time out. The problem is that you are so happy-go-lucky, that most often, while you are in time out, you are swinging your legs, tapping your feet, and having a grand old time with whatever thoughts are racing through your head.

One of your more recent habits is that frequently, after I read you a book, you will then climb off my lap to the floor, and sit down to open the book back up and read it to yourself. I watch as you turn the pages thoughtfully, and occasionally say a few words aloud. I hope that you love reading like I do, it will let you experience so many things.

You have become quite attached to your "bwanket", and have to have it for naps and bedtime. We, also have another new bedtime tradition. When we go in your room, you request "snuggiepuppy?" in your most hopeful voice. So I will sit in the glider, and rock with you while I sing the song to you. At the end you reach up to me for a kiss, and say in a quiet voice, "tank you, snuggiepuppy!" I hope you will always be my snugglepuppy, little man. I love you so very much.

Ooooo, snugglepuppy of mine,
Everything about you is my favorite kind.
I love what you are,
I love what you do,
And oooooooo -
I love you!

This last year has been full of all kinds of milestones, and I have loved being right here to experience them with you. I can't wait for a lifetime more. You are an incredible little boy, and you are so very, very loved.

Mama