Two Amazing Pictures

Me with my mom about 35 years ago.

My mom with Kelly yesterday at Thanksgiving

FB posts from 11/20 back to the end of July - there's only about 100 or so!

Me to Brian, "What's your most favorite thing about Kelly?" Brian, "She's cute and I like her hair." "Kelly, what's your most favorite thing about Brian?" Kelly, "Eggs".

Brian had a revelation yesterday. He came up to me and said, "I don't think Max and Ruby have parents." I said, "Don't worry Brian, you're not the only one who is wondering where their parent's are."

Brian to his 2 year old sister, "Want to play the thinking game? Kelly, "Yeah", Brian "I'm thinking of an animal that's red", K "Is it a whale?", B "No", K "Is it an elephant?", B "No. I said it's red", K "Oh, is it a zebra?", B (sigh of frustration) "No", K "Is it a tree?" B, "no", K "Is it a car? Is it a RED car?" B "NO!!" (at this point Brian was wishing he had never asked). The game ended before anyone found out what that red animal was.

I thought Kelly was just being totally affectionate with me. Turns out she was just totally wiping her nose on my hand.

This is a friendly public service announcement: I have strep. I have purchased 3 at home strep test kits from my children's pediatrician. At around 8 am tomorrow morning I will be lining up the 3 little Ladinos on the couch for a little "swabbing soiree." I expect to experience epic gagging, crying, & screaming from at least one child. If you live in the state of Mass find your earplugs NOW & have them ready. You have been warned.

"Mom's pancakes are so good they could take me to the moon." Brian Ladino
I believe this reference was taken from the book, "Guess How Much I Love You."

It's 5:05 am. All 3 of my children are sitting on the couch watching shows. Should be an easy day.

Earlier today: K (age 2) "Mom, can I go outside and play?" Me: "No, you're sick" K: "I meant I wanted to wear my bathing suit outside" Me: "No, you're sick and it's too cold for a bathing suit" K: "I meant I want to wear my jacket" Me: "NO, you're sick, it's cold out AND it's raining (this is all true), K: "I meant, I want to wear my raincoat. I mean I want to wear my bathing suit and run in the rain." Cute AND draining after a while.

This is a "THANK YOU" SHOUT-OUT to all the mom's out there who have lovingly & selflessly taken care of their sick children while they themselves were also sick. Because of these NOBLE women I am able to "suck it up" & refrain from bitching & complaining about how *I* want to be the one sitting on the couch covered in a blanket, watching tv, eating meals & drinking drinks prepared by someone else, & being administered medicine right on time to keep my fever down!!.....eh hem...I see I've gotten off track. THANK YOU moms of the world!

Watched some of Ghostbusters. It got to the scene when Bill Murray is trying to find out if the librarian, who claims to have seen a ghost, is crazy. He first asks if she or her family suffers from schizophrenia, then he asks if she's been drinking or is on drugs, & then he becomes very serious & says (in classic Bill Murray fashion), "Are you, Alice, menstruating right now?" This went right over my head when I was a kid, but now I find it insanely funny!

Made blueberry pancakes for the sick children today....could have done without puncturing a blueberry with my fork and having it's juice squirt all over my new shirt. 

3 sick kids and a sick mom - yuck yuck yuck and YUCK!

My friend has a 3 yr old son that is a lot like K (his name even begins with K). Today my friend posted that her K appeared to be dancing but was really grinding playdough into the carpet. I laughed & wrote back, "I thought my K was eating her sandwich today, turns out she was making teeth impressions w/ silly putty". After putting up that comment I went into the living room to talk with Jeff. When I moved I realized I was stepping on the silly putty, which is now ground into the carpet. You can't make this stuff up.

My son when to school in shorts and a long sleeve shirt and I've got the windows open in the house. I have NO complaints about this Fall!

I just peeked into the living room to see what the growing altercation was about, and saw Kelly pulling on her sister's sleeve. I yelled, "Kelly, stop pulling on your sister's sleeve!" and she yelled back, "I'm trying not to!" Being 2 is tough.

K likes to help mix her own chocolate milk, so we do it on the floor (there will be no crying over spilled milk for me - at least on the table). After making her chocolate milk Brian wanted one. I couldn't find the chocolate syrup UNTIL I stepped on the bottle and squirted syrup half way across the kitchen. Nobody said I couldn't cry over a Hershey's disaster.

I was just putting Kate to bed and she looked up at me and said, "I had sad eyes when I was watching that movie when you got married." I asked her why and she said, "Because I was missing you." I told her that she hadn't been born yet and she was still just a dream to me, and that's why she wasn't with us in the video. Melt my heart.

We were just watching our wedding video with the kids. Kelly looked at me and said, "you look different." I just smiled. I didn't prompt her to explain why (I don't want to know). Brian then said, "You look pretty, really pretty. And then you both got married and then you had us (pause)..but after a few days." We watch the video once a year on our anniversary - oh how things change. :-)

Happy Anniversary, Jeff. It's been 7 years of a wedded blur. I mean BLISS! It's been 7 years of wedded bliss. :-)

Kelly fell asleep on the couch at 4:30 this afternoon. We've put her in her crib and are going to just let her keep sleeping. My next post might be at 4:30 - that would be in the am. Pray for me!

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
Ronald Reagan

Only 3 more hours and 3 minutes until it's 11:11 on 11/11/11!! Also, 100 bucks says I miss it!!

I made my son stay at the table until he had three more bites of his corn. I then went into the living room. About a minute later he yells, "MOM! I just threw up all of my corn into your water!" Fantastic. At least he told me.

In other news, I would just like to go on record by saying that I did not intentionally mean to turn the still cold faucet water into shower water all over a certain 2 year old, at the beginning of tub time. However, I cannot say anything about what my subconscious self may have been plotting for quite some time. (I think I hear my subconscious self evil laughing right now).

This is what should happen with the misguided Penn State students: Inspired by "A Few Good Men" this is how the conversation between the Penn State students & Paterno should go: Students: "What did you do wrong? You did nothing wrong!" Paterno, "Yeah, I did. I was supposed to fight for a child who couldn't fight for himself. I was supposed to go to the authorities to fight for that little boy."

In my opinion the board of trustees at Penn State did to Paterno and Spanier what the Catholic Church should have done to Cardinal Law and any other higher ranking official that knew about children being sexually abused, and then basically did NOTHING to stop it! I am shaking while typing this because I'm so angry. There is NEVER a good enough excuse to let violence continue to happen to a child!!!!

One of my favorite things to look at in nature is sunlight coming through leaves. I can't get enough of it this Fall! I just can't stop taking pictures!!!

Mike ran the marathon yesterday in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Six years ago tonight I pushed my son out for 3 hours and 30 minutes. I was so exhausted I kept falling asleep in between contractions. I would say both of us have completed a marathon. Happy birthday to my sweet boy, and congratulations (again) to my brother who finished around 5,500 out of around 46,500 runners.

One more post: Today is my birthday and my mother's birthday. Six years ago today my water broke aaaaaand my son was born on the 7th. I'm convinced that had he been a girl, "she" would have been born on the 6th as well. Three generations of women on the same day would have been CRAZY - but we'll take 2 women on one day and a boy the next.

Mike's first marathon: LA in March of 2011, time: 3:50:00. Mike's second marathon NYC - TODAY, time: 3:30:00. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! And many thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. What an awesome birthday!! Missing my husband and kids a bit, but looking forward to seeing them tomorrow to celebrate my Brian's 6th birthday!!

I'm in a New York state of mind. GO MIKE!!!

My husband is going to have the kids all day and all night ALL weekend AND into Monday while I'm in New York, and he just left for work in the BEST mood! He's excited for the weekend with the kids and is planning on doing lots of fun things with them. Jeff ROCKS and I LOVE HIM!!!!!! Now to pack, clean, get through the day, get up tomorrow and get the bleeeeeep out of here! (I mean - leave with a heavy heart :-).

After telling my darling sweet boy to stop forcing burps out at the dinner table I heard him say (under his breath and in a very annoyed tone), "Mom, just eat your dinner."

One of my kids just wiped chocolate on my pants. I find this to be cruel.

Me to Kelly, "Please go in your room and pick out some clothes for gymnastics and I'll let you know if they're the right kind of clothes." Kelly, "Okay, Mom! You make the rules. Sometimes kids listen." Aaaaah, who stole my daughter and replaced her with this mild mannered alternate?

I just had to open a KitKat, 2 Reese's Peanut butter cups, a big bag of peanut m&ms, swedish fish and a Snickers bar for my kids. I didn't have any, but this is beginning to be like a moderate form of TORTURE! That glorious chocolate goodness was in my hands! Right in my HANDS!!

While in the shower this morning I could hear a certain 2 year old at the door trying to get in, "Mom, I can't get in!!" Me, "I know! (mwahaha) Kelly, "Mom, please open the door!" Me, "NO! I'm in the shower!" Kelly, "But I said PLEASE! Please, please, please!" Me, "And *I* said NO! NO NO NO!" She ran off crying. Victory is mine!

By this time last year I had eaten enough KitKats to single-handedly keep Hershey in business (you're welcome). This year I'm still candy free. YES!

Have not had ANY Halloween candy. WILLPOWER!!!!!

The child pictured in my last photo went to bed an hour late and just woke up at 4:30 crying. Not so sure I like Halloween anymore. It's going to be a LONG day.

Kelly quotes of the day: "I fall down and hurt my knee. Good think I have another one." AND - Me "Kelly go inside and put your shoes on, it's cold out." Kelly, "That okay Mom, I'm wearing my feet."

For Halloween lunch we will be having the following: Spookettios, Haunted Humus, Creature Sticks (carrot sticks), BOOberries, and Peanut Butter & Just Kill Me Now (although I'm still working on the wording for that last one :-).

When your 4 year old daughter jumps up backwards & smashes her head into your face, you don't need Halloween decorations (because blood will drip all over the floor from your mouth), and you won't need a mask (because you'll look like a bloody ghoul). In all seriousness, I hope your lip starts feeling better Jeff (and you don't look like a ghoul, more like Rocky Balboa after going a few rounds). Happy Halloween everyone!

This is not a complaint, it's a fact: I am scarred (emotionally, mentally and quite possibly physically) from last winter and I'm not ready for this one.

Fresh fallen snow on the trees, new toys that the kids are playing with from Brian's birthday, and pancake breakfast....it feels like Christmas morning in this house.

The weather did NOT hold out for the birthday party today. However, had it held out then a brand new party game "Musical Flashlight", would have never been born. Have a group of kids run around in a circle in a dark room (the darkness adds EXCITEMENT & greatly increases chances of injury) while music is playing. Shine a flashlight on the floor. If you're in the light when the music goes off - you're out!

Nor'easter + Birthday party with bounce house = possible disaster! Fingers crossed the weather holds out for at least part of the party!

Me to K this morning (at-grrrr-5am) "Did you have any dreams last night?" K (extremely excited in both voice AND hand movements) "Yes! I dream I broke your necklace! I throw it at the ceiling and I throw it at the floor and then I throw it at your eye!" (and she smacks me in the eye - dramatic effect). A daughter's dream, is her mother's nightmare.

I was attacked by a rabbit once. I've had a camel pee on me. I stepped in dog crap two times in one week in two different states, while wearing the same pair of sandals. I just thought I would share these random facts since there was a random 80 degree beach day on Columbus day....and tonight it's snowing.

I just came downstairs from vacuuming to find that K had not one, not two, but THREE pairs of scissors in her hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to buy a defibrillator and teach my son how to use it, should something like this happen again. Thankfully this time I ONLY crapped my pants.

1-2 inches of SNOW tonight?!? Snow? In October? Is this early or am I just having problems with my memory again?

In all my years of swimming, teaching, guarding, supervising I've NEVER seen what I saw today. Brian & Kate's swim teacher had the class swim from the deep end to the shallow end, and he followed behind doing the doggie paddle with one hand and using the other to hold his DD iced coffee (just above the surface), which he periodically took sips from. WOW!

Just buttoned a pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in a year and a half! YES!

Me (trying not to freak out) to K, "Where is the toilet paper?" K, "It's in the trash can." Me (totally not believing her) "Why is it in the trash can?" K, "Because it fell in the toilet." And lo and behold there was the wet roll of tp right there in the trash can. Dare I say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel??

Took the kids to the post office for the first time today. Before we went in I read them the riot act i.e., no running, no being silly, no touching anything, etc. Brian said to the girls, "I don't think mom wants us to run because we might run into a post."

When possible I love to make my kids their birthday cakes (I love to bake). Brian just spent about 45 minutes drawing, coloring & explaining to me the cake he would like for his birthday. Once I finally understood what he wanted & said, "I think I can do this." Brian said, "Don't worry mom, you can make two and then I'll choose the one I like better." Uh, WRONG!

My 4 and 5 year old children went from sounding like zoo animals up in their room to being completely silent (this was cause for alarm/panic in my head). WHAT are they doing???!! (is what I asked myself). I quietly went up the stairs, slowly opened the door and was SHOCKED at what I saw. They were sitting on the floor playing CHESS!!! Once I got over the shock of seeing a chess board out I remembered that there was never any cause for alarm in the first place - K was not with them.

Just wanted to give a shout out to fb land right now at 4:35 am. Was just awaken by K who was screaming/crying/yelling, "Mommy! I want to tell you a knock knock joke!" (repeat this phrase 50 times until I final was conscious enough to 1. be vertical, 2. understand what the heck she was saying). The joke has been told, fingers crossed she goes back to sleep (or I guess that joke is on me).

The kids are playing house. I just heard Kate offer Brian a slice of (pretend) cake and he said, "Not until I finish my lunch." I remember giving birth to my son, so I'm sure he's mine, but that comment has cast a shadow of doubt. Maybe he was switched with another baby in the hospital?

After two years of stomping that little foot, K finally stomped it so hard that she hurt her knee. Temper tantrums hurt.

Good morning Friday October 21st. PLEASE be less eventful than Thursday October 20th. Thank you.

Today just wouldn't be complete w/o one. more. post. The following happened in a 4 minute time span: while getting 2 kids into the tub a 3rd had an "accident" on the upstairs bathroom floor, while cleaning the floor the phone started ringing, while the phone was ringing I ran to shut the bath water off, while shutting the bath water off the tea kettle started to whistle, while shutting off the kettle a child started pouring cups of water out of the tub.

For those of you who are jealous of my life after reading my last post, I just wanted to let you know that I locked myself out of the house this afternoon (no help from my children required). K & I only had to wander the streets for a few hours. Please try not to hate me. If you want to be more like me you can (& you don't even need kids!). Just put your keys on the counter, lock your door, and go outside. NOW you're living!

Try to make a business call & of course all three of my children decide to, in unison, make the most annoying noise ever (picture Dumb & Dumber). I go out on the deck - the cold wet deck - in my pjs - with no shoes on - for some quiet. K follows me (and why wouldn't she) "Can I talk too? Can I talk too? (repeat 500 times). Time for me to give my credit card info to the guy on the phone and I realize a certain 4 year old has locked me out. Really???!!! Seriously??!!

Kelly wanted to play house with me. She was the mom and I was the baby. She got very upset with me b/c "babies don't wear glasses!" and I wouldn't take my glasses off. After the dispute ended, and she agreed that we would pretend they weren't on my face, she said, "So baby, do you want some coffee?"

Jeff is putting K to bed. I hear him say, "Where's your blanket? Oh there it is, on the couch." I hear K reply with a voice filled with delight, "Goody goody, THAT'S my style!"

Washing clothes for picture day: zero dollars (zero stress). Taking kids to swimming lessons: zero dollars (mild stress). Bathing kids, drying hair, feeding them lunch, getting them dressed AND out the door on-time for school: zero dollars (moderate-severe stress). Getting to school to find that Brian has pictures today and Kate doesn't until tomorrow? $8 - price of Riesling (and minor mental breakdown).

Over A MONTH AGO Jeff fell & dropped Kelly in my parents driveway (Jeff = sprained ankle/Kelly = small head bump). We learned that K could be an actress in a drama that day as we listened to crying & in a "woe is me" voice she kept saying, "Daddy dropped me and now I have boo boos ALL OVER my body!" This morning Kate asked Kelly to move her knee on the couch as it was bumping into Kate. K replied, "I can't. I hurt my knee. Daddy dropped me in the driveway & I went bump bump bump & now I have boo boos all over my body."

Our minivan failed inspection and now I have a big REJECTED "R" sticker on the windshield. They mind as well have just put on an "L" sticker for LOSER, because that's what I feel like now when driving. (And NO, I didn't already feel like a loser because I drive a minivan - my Honda Odyssey is THE BOMB!).

Well, it's been exactly one year since I started my fight fat blog & got (more) serious about trying to lose weight. After a year of losing weight, gaining weight, losing weight, gaining weight...I've lost a total of 21 pounds. I would like it to be a bigger loss, but will take it over not losing any weight & gaining 21 pounds. If that had happened I'd be getting used to my new role as the Stay Home Marshmallow Mom (I know - so clever).

I would like to give a shout out to my dad (who will never see this because he's not on fb) - What an amazing first game at Gillette Stadium for you to be at! Wow!

First thing Jeff and I did after we dropped of the kids today? Went to Target to buy a new toilet seat. (NOW who's jealous?? :-). First thing K did after being dropped off at my parent's house? Did a belly-flop into the freezing cold duck pond. After both these events things got significantly better for everyone involved.

Dropping my beautiful children off at my parent's house and then having a date day/dinner with my husband. YES!

IMMEDIATE clarification required on this one: If ANY of you happen to overhear my almost FIVE YEAR OLD daughter say, "I want Mama juice", she is referring to the VITAMIN-WATER that I drink and NOT breast milk!!

Now that I have permission to write funny stuff I will now write what I wanted to write yesterday: LAST WEEK K decided that she wanted to sit on B's side of the couch b/c it reclines & B doesn't like it at. all. I overheard B say to K yesterday, "Remember the old days when you didn't sit on my side of the couch? Maybe you should go back to the old days."

Regarding my last post: I asked Brian if it would be okay if I told a few of my friends some of the funny things he says & he said, "if you have 4 friends you can tell 2, if you have 10 friends you can tell 5, if you have 20 friends you can tell 10.." I said, "What if I had 100 friends? Can I tell 50?" He said, "yeah, that's okay. Maybe someday I'LL have 100 friends." SO, I have over 300 friends on here - I doubt more than 100 are checking my statuses, which means HALF of you can read them :-)

Brian just said to me, "Mom, can you please stop telling people all the funny things I say. It's just getting to be too much." I will honor my son's wish. Consider this the last public sharing of Brianisms. Sorry folks, I love HIM more than I love you.

Today I didn't need Calgon, I needed that tranquilizer gun I pleaded for (twice) over the past 2 years (that NOBODY ever came by and shot me with)! I'm serious folks - there are some days you just want to be taken down. This was one of those days. I'll be out front at around 9pm. If you've got a tranquilizer gun that could take out a horse for a few hours, that would be the best dosage for me. Elephant? Even better.

Kate, "I'm glad I have a mommy like you, just for me." Brian, "Kate she's not just YOUR mommy. You should have said I'm glad I have a mommy like you, just for us." Kelly (crying) "I want Daddy! He's happy!" Me, "Kate, you are so sweet. Brian, thank you for being so literal. Kelly, I want Daddy too....by about 3pm...every. single. day."

I was just reading in the news that the smallest full moon of 2011 is tonight. Does this mean that people will be only acting mildly crazy?

Went outside for a minute, walked in kitchen, refrigerator door is wide open, two year old is missing, I hear water running in the bathroom, reluctantly peek around the corner, K is washing an apple, I tell her she can't have it until she finishes her pancake, pancake is missing, K is questioned as to where it is, I'm lead into her bedroom and behind her rocking chair, there sits the pancake. At least she's honest. And sneaking healthy food.

I came outside and noticed that leaves had started falling and I mentioned it to Brian. Brian commented, "I know. It's like the tree and the wind are having a tug-of-war over the leaves." I just looked at him and wanted to say, "yeah, I totally had thoughts like that too when I was FIVE."

I just found out that the gym I used to go to closed. That means that "man with the extremely short shorts i.e., no imagination needed", "Joan Jett on steroids lookalike", "crazed Flea (from RHCP) lookalike mailman, who I overheard one day say, 'I would have pulled a knife on the guy', guy" & "man in his early 70s who decided to tell me about his sex life (both with his former wife and now new girlfriend)" might be coming to a gym near YOU! If you see any of them, tell them I said, "Rock on!"

This morning I present to you "the crazy mind of a 2 yr old" : K asked for a waffle with butter and syrup, I place a buttered waffle in front of her. MAJOR flip-out/HYSTERIA, K, "I SAID I didn't want butter!" (total lie) Me: "Oh, I'm so sorry (I flip the waffle over), now the butter is gone. Is this better?" K (happily chuckling) "Oh yes!" Fabulous! Glad I could help the little psycho you that lives inside your head! (I write this with love).

I am so in love with my family.

Just breath

Brian to me upon picking him up at school: "Mom, I know that the days you have the car we're driving home, and the days you don't we walk." My boy's wicked smaht!

If you've never accidentally kicked a half eaten apple across the floor with your bare foot, then you would never know how much it could hurt. OUCH!!

Caught K with toy fishing pole in hand hoping to get the catch of the day in the toilet. (Huge sigh). I guess I can't blame her, she was probably fishing for Nemo (I mean, anyone who has seen Finding Nemo KNOWS that, "all drains lead to the ocean").

I told the kids that I liked walking them to school so I could get exercise to help me be healthy & lose weight. Today I was feeling fit & thin while walking up the hill when Brian says to me (totally serious), "Mom, so when did you start getting fat anyway?" I actually let out a huge "HA" & said, "When I had you guys". Brian said, "oh" & then laughed nervously. You SHOULD be nervous little boy!

"Mom, you're the best chef in this whole family. You're even better than daddy!" I'll take the compliment even though I'm the only one that cooks (I guess I make better pb & j and spaghetti than Jeff).

My beautiful Nana passed away last night. She will forever be loved, but missing her will only last until the day we see each other again in heaven. May I live as long a life and as love filled a life, as she did. I told my children that Great Nana died and Brian and Kate said they remembered going to her house because she had chocolate and candy corns. That is EXACTLY how I want them to remember her.

I'm not one to be glued to many news stories, but I was glued to one these past few weeks - Amanda Knox is FREE!!! Yay!! I CANNOT IMAGINE going to a foreign country to study for a semester/year, be wrongly convicted of killing my roommate, and then spending the next 4 years in prison! God bless those jurors!

If I could channel all of K's unconditional love, cuteness, and humor into energy, it would light the whole world forever. If I could channel all of her screaming, over the last 2 1/2 years and put that into energy, I'm fairly certain it could power the Eastern seaboard for at least a week. See how I was able to take a negative and try and make it into a positive?

WEIRD dream night last night: I was being evaluated by a team of neurologists to check my mental state. For the eval I was required to stand on top of a table in a crowded cafeteria & sing songs from musicals (I chose "On My Own" from Le Miserables). As I started singing I began sway back & forth & flap my arms. Neurology findings? Cognitive deficits & some vestibular problems. I actually woke up with pretty bad vertigo today. Cognitive status? To be determined as the day goes on.

Went to Whole Foods today - resisted buying a whoopie pie (my favorite) & saved myself $1.99 (& probably a weight gain). Was at a convenience store tonight - bought 2, $1.00 scratch tickets - won everything on both cards - walked out with $15. SWEET!! (without the weight gain). (And yes, I realize this is 2 back to back posts with the words "sweet" in them. And yes I had some pie with ice cream. And yes, I tracked the points. And yes, I WILL BE losing more weight this week!)

I made (Swedish) apple pie for dessert & served it with ice cream. Brian, "MOM, this dessert is AWESOME!" Me, "I'm so glad you like the pie" B, "I haven't had the pie yet." B then has the pie & says, "I don't like it, it's too Swedish on my mouth." Me (totally confused), "Did you say it's too Swedish", B "yes" Me, "Swedish or sweet?" Brian, "It's too sweet" Me, "OH, you were saying it's too SWEETISH". I was like, "how would he even know if it was too Swedish and what does that mean anyway?!"

I'm going to sleep well tonight.

I've done swim-a-thons but never a zumbathon - getting ready to shake this booty for 2 hours! Anyone in the area interested? It's going on at Silver Lake High School in Kingston TODAY from 12:30-2:30 - all the benefits go to cancer research ($10 donation suggested). Woohoo!

Conversation about school with Brian: Brian: "After the 12th grade comes the 13th grade" Me, "After 12th grade comes college. You don't have to go to college but some people do." Brian: "I think I would like to go to college and keep learning. I'll know how to hold my pencil the right way by then."

Forecast for the last day of September: Mostly sunny and 79 - doesn't get much better than that! Oh and a BIG OPEN ARM WELCOME to the dry air (Mother Nature, this is FALL in NEW ENGLAND and NOT the tropical rain forest - you should know this by now).

This is to all my swim team gals: My neighbor, who is a freshman in high school and on the swim team, just had a team dinner at her house! I wanted to run over and ask if I could join in. OH the memories - the awesome spaghetti dinner memories!!

Don't ever give up on your goals!!!! If you fall just keep getting back up again!!!

Kids were playing in the living room when I hear Brian yell, "JESUS, NO!" I would have been shocked and running to the living room, had I not known the kids were playing with a Fisher Price Nativity set. Turns out the farm tractor that baby Jesus was in was about to crash into the barn.

Took kids apple picking. Parked, bought cider doughnuts, gave them to the kids, got in line to buy a bag for apples. Orchard employee's dog broke free from his leash - jumped on Brian & scratched his cheek trying to get the doughnut - 1 crying kid. Terrorized Kate and ate her doughnut - 2 crying kids. Employee offers to buy new bag of doughnuts. I suggest a free apple bag. Mother and two crying children score free apple picking. I'd say "good deal" with the exception of some mild trauma.

Brian, "Mom, I wish I had a brother. It would be so great to have a brother." Kate: "Yeah, I wish I had a sister." Brian: "You DO have a sister, Kelly." Kate: "Oh right." I guess she's not happy with the one she's got.

Hope and pray that people will give you their BEST, but expect to get the LEAST. That way you'll never be disappointed when you get the least, but surprised, inspired and grateful for their best.

While getting swarmed by mosquitoes on my walk/jog tonight I was thinking, "Wouldn't it be great if these little bastards could useful in some way? Like instead of being annoying, disease carrying, blood sucking, skin itching pests - what if they were little liposuction machines??!! And when I went on my walk/jogs I would apply bug attractent & after an hour walk I would come back looking like a new thinner me!" (This has been Deep Thoughts while exercising by, Colleen Ladino).

Driving in the car I was in deep thought and not listening to the radio when all of a sudden 2 year old Kelly said, "I'll stop the world and WHAT? What did he say?" As I came back to the current place and time I reflexively said, "melt with you?" and she replied, "oh yeah, that's it."

I feel as though my brain has shrunk/wrinkled/"crinkled" (as my son said)/atrophied over the past 6 years. It needs a shot (or 20) of botox.

A convertible drove passed us and Brian excitedly yelled, "WOW! That car can take it's head off!!"

As my relative Father Michael O'Grady would say, "What a GLORIOUS day!"

Kate (age 4) has been coming into my room in the middle of the night to sleep with me b/c she's keeps having bad dreams. In her sleep she started saying, "Mom, stop it!" I (half asleep and totally confused) said, "stop what?" Still asleep she replied, "stop singing!" OH, so THIS is the type of "bad dream" she's having, and then she comes to ME for cuddles??!!! I don't think so! :-)

I've got a 2 year old who is throwing her crayons and banging her fists on the table because the picture she is drawing is not coming out the way she wants it to. She's TWO!!!!!!

Was at an event this morning with Kelly where refreshments were being served. Kelly took a jumbo chunk chocolate chip cookie, had one bite, decided she didn't want it, and gave it to me. What did I do with that cookie?? I threw it in the trash!!!(those of you who know me really well will know just how hard that was for me to do)!!! I'm DETERMINED to lose more weight!!!!!

Listening to Kate try to teach Kelly to say "Pinocchio" correctly. Kelly, "Yay, I see Unocchio!" Kate, "It's PInocchio" Kelly, "Oh, it's Ma-unochio" Kate, "NO! It's PInocchio" Kelly, "Oh, it's PI-unocchio." Sounds of frustration from Kate....

I was just getting changed while my 2 year old watched (one of my favorite things) and when I finished dressing she said, "Mom, you ARE pretty handsome."

If any of you own/have see/ever wanted to buy "Elefun" I have re-named it to one or all of the following: "Elefrustration", "Elefight", "Elefalseadvertising" and "Ele-f-you", because after 5 minutes, "EleFUN" is anything but!!

I don't think I could be anymore relieved that I intervened a near disaster between K & K (who had gotten into some thermometers and band-aids without my knowledge). The conversation from the other room: "Let's check our fever, put it in my bellybutton" "no, just pull down your pants". Aaaaaand that's when I arrived - phew!!!

SON of a B!!! (and I don't mean you, Mike). I *KNEW* she was too quiet in the living room. She would NEVER just sit and watch a show. NOOOOOOOOO - she was also coloring the couch with her chapstick!! Good thing it's leather. At least I got to wash dishes for 20 minutes in peace.

I would like to make a public apology to my husband for accidentally walking into his sprained foot last week while it was in the air cast, & for accidentally walking into it again tonight (from a different angle) while it was in his sneaker. I'm not trying to re-injure you, I swear! I mean seriously, life is easier for me when you are fully mobile & can help out more around here. That came out wrong, I meant to say, "I love you and I hate seeing you in pain and I just want you to be able to do everything YOU want to do. Honey. My love."

Dinner this evening will be: Roasted chicken, whipped potatoes, brown sugared squash (just a little sugar, Mike :-), caramelized brussel sprouts (because I'm OBSESSED with them), cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. YUM!

I just got back with the kids from their first swimming lesson class this Fall. I'm hoping that by the end of the 10 week session he has learned the kid's names and is no longer calling every kid in the class (in the most loving way), "monkey", "goof", "nut head", "monkey butt" and "dooffus".

My son is my angel. Kelly has not left me alone all morning. She's been whining and crying and calling my name since I got her at 6:40. Brian just came into the kitchen and said, "Kelly, want to come upstairs with me and I'll read you some books and bible stories." And off they went. God. bless. Brian!!!

Passed a Pool Supply Store, next to a Halloween Spooktacular Super Store, next to a Ski and Snowboard Store. Wow - almost all the seasons are covered!

Walking/jogging while pushing 70+ pounds of kids/stroller today BETTER count for something!!!!!!

Yesterday during my lunch out with Kate she turned to me and said, "I'm glad that you and I both became alive so that we could be together." Love.

Realized while at the salon getting Kate's hair cut that I had become one of *those* moms. I told the hair dresser that I trimmed Kate's hair the other day & needed it shaped a bit. I saw a bit of an eye roll from her as she said, "oh, *YOU* cut it?? I knew I had entered a forbidden land, I had become a hair dresser's nightmare, a mom with scissors, an "untrained" idiot pretending to know how to cut hair. Last week I got to be *THAT* parent with the screaming kid at mass.

Had a Kate and mommy day - visited my Nana, went out for dinner, went shopping, got Kate's haircut - great great day. But it wouldn't be *as* great without a funny conversation! Kate, "Mom, How old are you?" Me, "37", Kate "Wow!" Me, "I know! What do you have to say about that?!" Kate, "I say that Lightning McQueen is probably faster than a cheetah." Me (in my head) "WHAT???!"

Going to visit the most stylish, witty, classy, elegant, and beautiful woman I know - Dorothy Rafferty - the greatest Nana banana a little girl (and now grown woman) could ever be blessed with.

Kate asked me for a pumpkin muffin, but they didn't have any. Me to Kate, "They didn't have any pumpkin muffins but they had a NEW kind that I got you called "Cinnamon Chip". Kate starts to cry and whine saying she wanted pumpkin, so I say, "Oh I'm so silly! I forgot that it's called "White Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip". Kate, "YAY!!" She is gobbling it down as I type this :-)

Brian to me, "Mom, my apple juice feels funny on my tongue." I think he's lying because he's decided he wants chocolate milk instead, so I say, "Give me that!" And I took a swig - yup, fermented. Pretty glad I didn't make him drink it or else I'd be known forever as "the mom who sent her son drunk to Kindergarten back in 2011."

50 degree morning in March? I'm throwing the kids out the door in short and t-shirts and contemplating putting the sprinkler on for them. 50 degree morning in mid September? I'm considering whether or not they need hats and a heavier jacket.

Me to 5 year old son: "Please put on your socks & shoes" (he doesn't do it), again "Please put on your socks and shoes" (doesn't do it) - say it a 3rd & 4th time. The 4th time he starts putting them on and says, "Mom, you said that like 4 times." Me, "I should have only had to say it ONE time." Son: "Well I only heard it the 4th time, not the other times." Me: "Then how did you know I said it 4 times??"...silence.......

On Sunday I dropped a gallon of water in a glass jug on the basement floor (it shattered everywhere), and on Monday I cleaned up two huge milk spills in the morning and then in the afternoon my two daughters soaked a whole roll of toilet paper in the bathroom sink and then tp'ed the entire bathroom. Just now I guess my daughter was playing "tsunami" in the tub and just flooded the bathroom floor. I'M DONE with liquids!!!

My kids call my dad "B". On the way down to his house for his birthday dinner (happy "B" day, dad) I told the kids that B had hurt his back and that they were NOT to jump on him or ask him to pick them up. After they all said, "ok" there was a long silence and then Kate asked, "Can he hop?"

While drilling this into the brains of my children today, I thought I would also share it on here - the golden rule - treat others the way in which you would like to be treated! This world could be a whole lot better place if people took the time to think more about how their words and actions affect those around them. Believe me, I'm not perfect either, I have to remind myself of this rule daily (sometimes hourly).

I was just reading a story about a pirate who waves his cutlass in the air. Kelly pointed to it and said, "what's that?" I said, "that's his cutlass" and she chuckled and said, "Oh that right, I forgot. I knew that when I was a pirate baby."

Kelly just asked me if I was her son. I guess that's why she thinks I'm handsome.

5 year old son to me, "Can I have another granola bar?" Me, "ANOTHER? I didn't even give you ONE. Where did you get it?" Son, "Kelly gave it to me." Of course, if your 2 year old sister gives you a snack, by all means, eat it!

*Correction on the pictures I posted earlier. As I came up the stairs I thought I heard Kate say, "Quick! Close the door before Mama sees!" However, Kate corrected me later and told me she said, "Quick! Get out and close the door before Mama sees!" Way to dig a deeper hole for yourself. I wonder who she was going to pin the whole thing on had her escape actually worked.

Kelly quotes of the day: Kelly had been licking her playdough and I kept telling her to stop. I looked over to see her crawling under the kitchen table and then she actually said to me, "Mama, look the other way." In the car I was singing and Kelly said, "Stop singing, you're too loud. Stop all that RACKET!" Just a day in my life with my 2 year old.

How many times can milk spill before I'm allowed to cry? I've just cleaned up the third spill and it's not even 9am. Maybe one more and I'm allowed to let my eyes well up???

While standing in line at the grocery I thought a few things: 1. I am forever grateful that I'm not a member of the Kardashian family on so many levels and 2. I'm glad I'm not a celebrity that goes to the beach. To my knowledge, nobody follows me around taking pictures of my backside & then posts it on the cover of a mag - for this I am even MORE grateful. Happily for me I only have 3 young children that comment on my body in the privacy of my own home.

Quote of the day: This was heard coming out of Jeff's mouth and directed towards K, "Kelly! Stop whacking your baby's head against the window!" She's a tender soul.

I really HAVE to comment on this: My most vivid memory of 9/11 was walking outside of work after watching the second tower fall, looking up at the sky and thinking, "The sky is SO blue, this DAY is so BEAUTIFUL, I CAN'T BELIEVE what is happening 200 miles from here." TODAY is so similar to that day - brilliant blue sky without a cloud - the only difference? A plane is flying over right now.

Two weeks ago K told me I was ugly. Last week K told me I was pretty (but just a little). Today she told me that I was "sooooo handsome." Honestly, I don't know how to take that one.

I've been trying to think up a meaningful post for today for a few days now, but haven't been able to come up with one. A few minutes ago I was filling out paperwork for the kid's school & when it came to "date" I asked Jeff, "what's the date today?" I guess my post can't say, "Never forget". Seriously, I am forever grateful for those who gave/give their lives to protect this country, & my prayers & thoughts are with those who lost loved ones 10 yrs ago.

"Look twice save a life, motorcycles are everywhere" Seen this bumper sticker? I like it. I'm happy to do this for every motorcycle rider that obeys the law. For the rest of you I have a new bumper sticker, "Save your own life - stop riding like a-hole"

Brian & Jeff went to a hockey game last night: Taunton High School Alumni versus Coyle & Cassidy Alumni - Renee Rancort was there, the Bruins mascot was there, the Bruins announcer was there, the Bruins sound system guy was there, the Bruins ice girls were there, oh and the Stanley Cup was there. I asked Brian, "What was your favorite part about last night?!!" "Daddy let me play Angry Birds for a REALLY long time."

Kelly told me she wanted to play "The Thinking Game" in the car and she told me to go first. This was my description, "I'm thinking of something that's blue, and you look up to see it, and the sun and clouds are in it." This was Kelly's guess, "Is is a whale?!" The game didn't last very long.

I was just thinking about this past year and all the natural disasters - tsunamis, droughts, famines, hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, flooding, earth quakes, wild fires...just incredible. And here I am living with my whole family in my fully powered, dry, still intact, house. I have no complaints - I may joke and be sarcastic at times - but I have no complaints.

One more post (it's been a big post kind of day). After I dropped Brian and Kate off at school I looked at Kelly and said, "It's going to be a special mommy and Kelly day today!" And Kelly said, "Yay! I will have a Kelly day and YOU will have a Mommy day!" And I wanted to say, "Well then, have fun, don't talk to strangers and be back here at 2:50 so we can go pick up the kids. I'm going to the spa. Seeeee yaaaaaa"

A few things: The intensity & pitch of the sudden screaming coming from the two girls down in the basement was so so so bad that Jeff & I actually burst out laughing (it was just so unbelievable). Turns out it was a spider (we thought they were ripping each others hair out). Next: Jeff came into the kitchen a little while ago to find the 4 yr old covered in about $10 worth of postage stamps courtesy of the 2 year old. I think that was actually enough to mail her.

As I walked Brian up the street to school for his first day of Kindergarten I said, "This is an important day! You are going to meet people that you might know for the rest of your life!"

Kelly to me just now, "Mom, you're pretty...a little bit." I guess we're making some progress from the "you're ugly" comment last week. (It's okay to "like" this... I'm not actually upset about these comments....if she only knew half the *honest* things I'd like to say to her sometimes.......)

I just used iced coffee as the beverage to swallow my Prilosec.

One of my fondest memories of Kindergarten was when Mr. Freely (I think that was his name) would come into our class and play songs for us on his guitar. I met Brian's kindergarten teacher today - he plays the guitar. I am SO excited for Brian!! I think he's going to have an awesome year!

Kelly just handed me a 100% water logged roll of toilet paper and said, "Here mom, this got a yittle wet." Just a yittle.

"Mommy, are you my mom?" Why yes, yes I am.

Heading down to my parent's & Brian asked for his other half of sandwich to be tossed to him in the way back of the van. Given my stellar throwing skills I managed the whip that baggied pb&j right at Kelly's sleeping head. As it slid down the side of her head & onto her shoulder she half roused, looked at the baggie, put her head on it, death gripped it with her hand & fell back asleep. Brian ended up having a granola bar instead.

Three false statements tonight: 5 yr old: "Mom and Dad, didn't you say that people aren't as smart when they get older?" 2 yr old: "Mom, you're a boy just like me, we both have blue eyes!" 2 yr old, "Yo ho ho Merry Christmas!"

Just found out that when my son went into my neighbor's house yesterday his friend said, "Sorry that our house is a little messy." Brian replied, "Don't worry, I've seen messier." I'm dying to know where. :-)

I'm happy to announce that my husband has a sprained ankle & not a broken one, & my 2 year old has a goose egg on her head & not a concussion. Daddy & daughter took a tough tumble today at my parent's house. Through tears Kelly requested a band-aid for her goose egg. Upon applying the band-aid (herself) to the left of the bump (missing it completely) she breathed a sigh of relief & said, "that better."

For the second time this week my two year old has refused my help by pushing my hand away while saying, "I can handle this." It looks like my job here is nearing completion.

About 30 min ago I told Kelly to stop screaming, she replied to me by screaming, "I'm not screaming!" Once the torture ended I told her that her screaming hurts my ears & she said, "but you don't cry, you're not a baby, you're a big Mama (chuckles), that made me laugh." Jeff said, "Your screaming hurts my ears too." Kelly, "but daddy, you have a go-tee" Jeff, "Kelly, are you going to be a politician someday?"

I'd like to take this opportunity to write about my brother Mike, who inspires me. Over the past two years he's lost over 50 pounds, & has become a marathon runner. Less than a year ago he had never run more than 3 miles, now with a marathon under his belt, he's preparing for the NYC marathon & running at around a 7 minute mile (??)!!! Oh, to be like MIKE!

Kate drew a picture of she and Brian today. Brian commented on the picture of himself in this way, "Yeah, I kind of look like the boy in that show that we haven't watched....ever. Do you remember that show?" Me, "Um, no."

My kids don't eat all that many vegetables. Yesterday and today they've been eating brownies made with spinach (a whole bag of spinach) and carrots, and this morning they had banana bread made with carrots. Any one of you tells them, you're dead!

Brian & Kate share a room. Brian just told me that Kate got up last night & was crying because she had a bad dream. Brian told Kate to ask God to squash the bad dream & any more bad dreams that she might have, & then he told me this, "But I could tell that Kate wasn't going to feel better, so I gave her my blanket for the rest of the night." I could burst right now he is so sweet!

Taken out of context, my two year old saying to me, "and now untie me" sounds, well, bad. And then when you realize she just wanted me to untie the back of her dress, you understand that I'm not *really* cruel and wicked....mwahahahahaha.

My 30s have been one. big. blur. Things seem to FINALLY be slowing down! I've got just over 2 years left for this decade in my life - time to start knowing what day it is.

Took the kids to the park. All of a sudden, where's Kelly? Oh, she was just lying on a piece of playground equipment eating the melting mound of gum she had found. Glad I remembered to bring the sani-wipes for snack time so to prevent germs from getting into her mouth.

Woke up, went downstairs, started cleaning the living room, put my son's socks up to my nose to check cleanliness and after sniffing realized I came about a cm from snorting a dime sized spider. So.......how are all your mornings starting off?

Took Kate back to school shopping today, which included lunch and then an ice cream. While having lunch Kate looked at me and said, "I'm lucky", and I said, "For what?", and she replied, "For being with you." It was so cute and beautiful that I'm going to let the fact that she just got mad at me and yelled, "you're a poop!", go.

3 memorable quotes during the great tropical storm of Irene: Brian, "Too bad we don't get a tornado too" (Um,??????). Brian, "Daddy, Kate just called me weird!" Kate, "No I didn't! I called you a weird-O", and upon arriving at McDonald's and realizing that YES they had power and people were inside Kelly yelled, "Yay! Every guy is here!!"

A BIG HAPPY 40th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SHOUT OUT goes to my parents Debbie and Brian! Married during a tropical storm and celebrating 40 yrs with a tropical storm. 40yrs - two children, 4 grandchildren, some pets, some arguments, some practical jokes, a lot of laughs, some tears, vacations, retirement, health, happiness, and most importantly, A LOT of LOVE! Now go outside and run in the rain!

Me (w/ crying 2yr old in my arms) to 5yr old brother: "Why is Kelly crying?" "Well, I might have given her a medium tap on her head b/c she was going to turn the t.v. off" "Haven't I told you to leave your hands to yourself & get me if she's not listening?" "Well, first I got the idea to be a scary monster to get her to move & then when she didn't, I hit her""Please get me next time" "ok".

I never watch the Super Nanny. Does she ever encourage parents to do a shot, or put ear plugs in, or just run out the door screaming??!

My son and I were just getting over a "tough time" between the two of us and as I hugged him and said, "Brian, I LOVE you. I love you and Kate and Kelly more than anything else in the whole wide world..." Brian cut me off and said, "you mean even more than *I* love Angry Birds??" "Yes Brian, even more than YOU love angry birds."

Little Miss. K got up this morning and while crying and rubbing her eyes she said to me, "I didn't get much sleep last night" (what 2 year old SAYS that??!). I looked at her as if to say, "And I care becauuuuuuse???" Oh I kid, I kid. I love her to pieces.

My son to me just now: "Mom does all the work and we have all the fun." Truer words have never been spoken.

Does anyone else think of "The CONE. of silence" from Get Smart, every time they talk about "the cone of probability" for hurricanes? Anyone? Anyone? No? That's okay, I'll just keep talking to myself while being ugly.

Tonight at dinner Brian was recapping the breakfast conversation to his father. When Brian got to the part when Kelly said, "you're ugly" to me, Brian said, "but I think she meant to say, you're beautiful." At which point Kelly chimed in and said, "No. I meant, you're ugly." And then she stuck her tongue out at me and blew a raspberry sound. And you people think she's soooooooooooooooooo cute!

Heading to the grocery store and there was, as usual, whining and complaining and beginning of crying from a certain 2 year old. I threw my hands up in the air and said, "I can't wait for the day that we go somewhere and there is no crying or complaining!" K said, "I not crying", I said, "Well then it must be my LUCKY day!" and Brian chimed in, "Well you don't have a 4 leaf clover." I can't win.

5 yr old son to me: "Mom, even though this french toast looks ugly it SURE IS DEEEElicious!" 4 yr old daughter, "You can say that again, BABY!" 2 yr old daughter to me, "You're ugly."

I just pulled a bean bag football, a little Woody (from Toy Story - get your minds out of the gutter), an earring, a soft grape, an alien head, a lump of dried playdough and a half eaten tortilla chip out of Mr. Potato Head's bum. If he could, I'm sure he would thank me.

2ns post-worthy quote of the day: I was out alone with Brian doing some school shopping and suggested we get his hair cut, "Hey Brian, since it's just you and me, let's go get your hair cut." "No. Let's go tomorrow." "Kate and Kelly will be w/ us tomorrow, we should go today." Huge sigh and then in a defeated tone he say, "ooookay mom, I'll do whatever you say. I don't want this argument to get worse."

1st post-worthy quote of the day: I was upstairs at my parent's house when I heard, "Colleen?! Colleen! I'm leaving now! You wanna come with me?" These words came from Kelly (2 1/2 yrs).

"Mom, I don't like the top of my banana bread, will you eat it?" "Will *I* eat it? Is the pope catholic? does a bear sh*t in the woods? does a wooden horse have a hickory dick? does howdy doody have wooden balls?? I mean, of course I will honey, it's the best part of the banana bread." (I know I've used this before - but it bares repeating at this time)

Kelly just came up to me and said, "Wanna play a game and you be the Mama and I'll be the baby?" And I thought, this is different from real life becaaaaaaause??

I get the feeling that the song "Purple Rain" would not have been such a popular junior high slow dance song if it had been called, "Acid Rain"...."I only want to see you bathing in the acid rain"....

Some days are better than others - this is not one of those days. Trying to turn it around.

Kelly seems to recoil at the sight of food just like Superman backs away in fear from kryptonite. Jeff and I feel that if Kelly could, she would say something like this to us regarding her seemingly non-existent need for food, "Do think this energy is natural?! I operate off of fusion in my core! How else do you think I have the energy to defy you every moment of the day?!"....or something like that.

In a few weeks Jeff is playing in a hockey game and will get to have his picture taken with the Stanley cup. Brian is going to get to go with him. Today in the car Brian said, "Dad, am I still going to get to go with you to see the Piston Cup?"

Plymouth Pub Crawl 2011 was a laughing, singing, drinking, walking, talking A+ GREAT TIME! Caroline Henry Brennan, Sean Brennan, Siobhan Henry, Amanda Rosa, Monica Henry, Brendan Henry, Meaghan Cussen, and everyone else - it was a BLAST! (This post looks like something that should be under my senior picture in a year book). Love you 4 eva!

Kelly was just annoying Kate so Kate told Kelly to "cut it off". heehee

Before I became a parent I didn't know how much joy I would find in watching my children play together. Right now all three of them are running around with Toy Story characters, playing and laughing. I'm LOVING it!! (of course I'm loving it until the fighting starts, but I'm thoroughly enjoying THIS moment).

4 yr old to 2 yr old, "Your hair looks funny." "Oh, thank you." "No, I said your hair looks funny." "Thank you." 4 yr old gave up at this point.

When Kelly was getting ready for bed last night she wanted to give me my goodnight kiss on my bum, but I told her that wouldn't be a good idea. HOWEVER, during some of her screeching/screaming fits over the past 2 years, you better believe I've just wanted to yell at the top of my lungs at her, "KISS MY A$$!" (But always remember, I love her more than life itself :-)

Duxbury Beach, FarFars, Blue Fish, Shipyard Lane - It was a Duxbury day!

After 9 years as a speech therapist, and a response to a post I read yesterday (which was beautiful), I've decided that the term "special needs" doesn't cut it for me anymore. We ALL have special needs for crying out loud. I've decided "special needs" should be changed to "awesome abilities" - a positive spin certainly changes things around!

It's been requested that I make pancakes that are white (with NO brown) and not fluffy. Seriously? Everyone is getting a plate of batter. Lap it up while it's cold!

Kelly is playing Curious George "video games" on the computer. She won't let me help. She's supposed to be catching balls in a bucket my moving the mouse from side to side, instead she's right up at the screen and trying to catch them with her hands. It's cute.

I just sat for about 10 minutes & very politely remained quiet while my son told me all about level 9 of Angry Birds. I heard bits and pieces of it, including dynamite, falling on sidewalks & crunching up, golden eggs etc, when I wasn't zoning out and thinking about making coffee. I finally thought I should say something so he would know how interested I was. I said, "Sounds exciting!" and he replied, "No, not really."

I was just reading a library book to the kids about a little duck that doesn't want to go to school. The duck's name is "Baby" and the duck's baby sister is called "Hot Stuff". Quote from the book, "Your sister Hot Stuff is way too small to go to school", and, "Baby put her arm around Hot Stuff." Does anyone else find this to be extremely odd yet funny?

"One thing they never tell you about child raising is that for the rest of your life, at the drop of a hat, you are expected to know your child's name and how old he or she is."
Erma Bombeck

Two of my kids were at the playground running towards each other, but looking in opposite directions. They both collided, bounced off each other, hit the ground & then popped up at the same time doing that open mouth silent crying thing. What did I their loving mother do? I burst out laughing like it was an episode of AFV. I say this to my kids:I love you, but mommy laughs when people fall down.

Down 22 pounds since last October!!!!! Yay ME!

My 2 year old might be the only 2 year old in the history of 2 year old children who ends her bedtime routine with knock knock jokes. Jeff puts her to bed at night and each night I hear this as he's trying to wrap up and close the door, "Hey daddy, I got one more knock knock joke for ya."

Made the kids pancakes. Brian was eating them and said, "Mom, these are really fluffy!" And I said, "Thank you." To which he replied, "I didn't say they were good, I just said they were fluffy."

I just attempted to throw a kitchen towel on a chair, but missed, and Kelly said, "Wow, that was a great catch mom! Crazy catch!" I guess we're both a little "off" this morning.

Watching the news over an extended period of time does to the mind and soul, what smoking over time does to the brain and body. (This has been "Deep Thoughts", by Colleen Rafferty Ladino).

Kelly took some of Kate's playdough. Kate started to cry. I explained to Kate that since the playdough was next to Kelly she probably thought it was hers. I then explained that Kelly is too young to take something just to be mean, & that she must have innocently grabbed it. Kelly watched me say all this. I then looked at Kelly & asked, "Kelly, did you take the playdough to be mean to Kate." And Kelly said, "yes."

Holy Mother of Smurfs! While outside consoling Bri b/c I was a mean horrible mother & yelled at him & then made him cry, little K was left inside. After wiping tears & giving hugs I said, "Now I better get inside before Kelly sticks her head in the toilet or something." Bri said, "Oh she wouldn't do that!" Walked into the house and guess where K was? No head in the john, but almost a whole box is tissues!

Brian has been begging to take his new hippity-hop outside but I didn't want it to get all dirty. I finally caved and said, "Fine! Take it outside! Go to town!" and Brian replied, "Well I won't go to town. I don't know how to drive."

While trying to reprimand little Miss 2 1/2 year old K today she held her finger up to me and without looking up said, "Wait a minute, Mommy. I'm busy."

I have an idea for a new spin on an old show on the Food Network. It's called Titanium Chef. Basically it's the same as Iron Chef except you have to cook with at least 2 children under the age of 5 running around you, asking questions, offering to help, and booby trapping the entire area around your feet with neck breaking objects.

What? No (fake laughter) .That coiled up rubber (eye twitch) snake (shudder) in the bottom of the basement laundry bin (10 eye twitches) didn't just scare the crap (shudder) out of me. Why do you ask (twitch, shudder, convulsion)??

Good morning! Let's make today as productive as possible! No wasting time! First thing you need to do? Get a tape measure, get to a mirror and measure your butt. This knowledge could save you HOURS over the course of a year. Confused? Don't be! Refer back to my post from yesterday morning: toilet paper tips from a 5 year old. You can all thank him later - you'll have the time.

I found myself sitting at a card table today with 4 and 5 year old children teaching them how to play Bid Whist. There is something that just seems very wrong hearing a preschooler say, "I made a book!" and "you have to follow suit" and "ace is high". Part of me felt good about teaching math skills and part of me just felt like I was corrupting the young.

Toilet paper wisdom passed on from a 5 year old boy to his 2 year old sister: "The bigger the bum, the bigger the strand you have to pull, because if it's not big enough you'll waste time." I think these are words for all of us to live by.

Found Kelly stuffing playdough in her baby doll's mouth. A few minutes later I heard water running in the bathroom. Baby's head was face up with water rushing into it's mouth. Kelly won't be babysitting anytime soon.

I would like to make a public apology to my husband. When I said to him last night, "Let's have a fun-day tomorrow," I didn't mean that meant I would get a migraine and spend the afternoon sleeping, while he took care of the kids.

Brian sadly yelled to me from the back of the minivan, "It's so boring back here! I don't even get any food!" I replied by yelling (so he could hear me), "We're not even eating right now!" B said, "But when you do eat you just throw food at me!" Which is sadly true b/c I can't reach him so I'm usually chucking things to HIM that I'm HANDING his sisters. It's like he's the family dog. I'm a terrible mother.

Brian sadly yelled to me from the back of the minivan, "It's so boring back here. I don't even get any food." I replied (by having so he could hear me), "We're not eating right now!" Brian said, "But when you do eat you just throw food at me!" - which is sadly true b/c I can reach him so I'm usually chucking things to him that I'm handing to his sisters. It's like he's the family dog back there. I'm a terrible mom.

Heard Brian yell this to his sister, "Well you're a slimy bum eyeball!!" Not sure if I should have reprimand him or given him a thumbs up for use of creative and descriptive language.

Today is the first day since last DECEMBER that Kelly has asked to wear something other than a dress! She's been forced to wear pants a few times, but has not been happy about it. It's not that I care about her wearing dresses, but a lot of money could have been saved on pants, skirts and shorts that she's now outgrown!

There is just no denying it. I've got the post reunion blues.

I have not seen one post about the death of Bubba Smith aka, "Cadet Moses Hightower" from Police Academy. That gentle giant was a big part of my childhood - as were the Police Academy movies. Please tell me Tackleberry is still alive!

Gave Brian his homemade pancakes this morning for breakfast. He took a bite and then said to me, "I'm not going to lie. These pancakes are delicious." Later on while driving in the car I noticed that Kate and Kelly were holding hands while telling each other knock knock jokes. This is going down in the history books as, "one of the really good days."

Went to my in-laws yesterday and K decided that my mother-in-law needed to be in time-out. My MIL was making iced coffee in the kitchen & I heard K yell to her, "Nana, you are in time-out! You stay in there till I get you" and then she shut the kitchen door. Then she looked at me and while pointing at me said, "No talking to her!" I'm glad, really glad, I don't swear around that child or the whole world would know.

Argument currently going on in the kitchen. 2 year old to 4 year old, "You keep interructing me!" 4 year old to 2 year old, "Well you are ignoying me!"

I was just reading a news headline that a man in Texas has invented a machine that makes water out of air, and that it's catching the eye of some celebrities. A quote: "It pulls the air through it, pulls out the moisture, and exhausts the air." Um, isn't that called a dehumidifier, like the one I have running in my basement right now?

I wonder if there will ever be a support group for facebook addicts. It wouldn't really be appropriate to call it "Facebookers Anonymous" since the whole point of fb is to show yourself. You could never "like" facebookers anonymous on fb, or follow it on fb to find meetings, other people who are also addicted etc. b/c that would defeat the purpose of the support group....huh.

I gave the kids their lunch in the living room today while they watched Toy Story. After about 10 minutes I came back in to see that Kelly had eaten her entire slice of pizza! Well, that was until I walked past the bathroom and saw half a slice of pizza floating in the toilet.

Signs you're getting older: I don't remember my hips hurting after dancing the night away at the 10 year reunion. Today I have to pause for a second every time I stand up before I can walk. My body is the bomb! (But I still stand by my earlier post - I LOVED last night!).

I loved every single second of every single minute last night! What a fantastic reunion!!!!

My plan is to have a cosmopolitan in my hand at this time tomorrow night (hopefully it won't be my first OR last).