The Kelly Photoshoot at My Parent's House

Easter 2011

"Lenten" FB posts (i.e., my list of "posts" I wrote and saved during Lent :-)

Son to me: "Mom, you should go to bed earlier and get more sleep so you'll have more energy (for exercise) and your belly will get smaller."


We've been playing the "thinking game" in the i.e., "I'm thinking of something soft and white and it floats in the sky".  Two year old children don't completely "get" the game, but it's fun when they chime in.  Two year old, "I'm thinking of a helicopter and an airplane.  What you think it is?"  Me: "Um, an airplane?"  Two year old in a tone that sounds like, "you're such an idiot" says, "No!  A helicopter!"  Hey, it was a 50/50 shot. :-)


Me to 2 year old: "What is your favorite kind of muffin, chocolate chip or blueberry?"  2 Year old: "Um, a doughnut."


My 2 year old was getting down from the table and leaving her blueberry muffin behind.  I thought to myself, "The top of that muffin is MINE!".  As she was climbing down she stopped and looked up at me and said, "Don't eat MY MUFFIN!"  How the heck did she know that's what I was thinking?  She's a smart and crafty one that one!

We were driving on the highway and "K" was screaming and crying, as usual.  We passed a State Trouper and I jokingly (but wishing I was serious at the time) said, "K, that police man said there is so screaming and crying and if you don't stop he's going to put you in jail."

Kate said, "No he's not."
I said, "Yes he is, he said there is no yelling and if you yell you go to jail."
Brian:  "Mom, you know that's not true."
Me  "It is, right to jail for Kelly."
Brian (In his most serious Man voice): " Mom, it's VERY simple - the police man is NOT going to put Kelly in jail.  Mom (pause) Not all your jokes are funny (pause) or true."
I called Jeff to tell him the story and after I told him that Brian had said, "Mom, not all your jokes are funny" I hear Brian yell from the back seat, "Mom, that's NOT what I said,  I said, all your jokes are NOT funny."
Whatever. :-)


Kate: "Mom, Brian was laughing at me to make me fun"
me: (trying not to laugh) - "Brian, tell Kate you're sorry"


Kate: "Good thing we have feet and legs so that we can can into the house.  Yup, good thing God gave us feet and legs and hands and arms and a head and hair"


I just came out of the bathroom with a mud mask on my face and Brian looked up at me and part laughing/part freaked said, "Mom, I don't think that's a very good face for you."  I said, "This is a mud mask, I use it to help my face be fresh and clean," and he said with a chuckle, "well, it doesn't look very clean right now." 

Little people keep calling, "Mom! Mom!", but I'm just going to ignore it.  I mean it could be ANY mom.  There are like a billion "Moms" in this world!  However, we ARE in my own home so it probably is ME they're calling.


"K" is not destined to be a surgeon.  She just finished beating the crap out of Winnie the Pooh's stomach with a plastic mallet.  When she finished with his tummy she took some toy pliers to his eyes and nose.  Ouch!  

"K" just told me to "leave me alone" as she crept underneath the kitchen table and then surrounded herself with chairs.  Usually when she says, "leave me alone" it's because she has some "potty" business to attend to.  After a few minutes I peaked underneath the table.   That little shrimp had markers and was coloring herself and the floor! 

"K" just went into my purse, took out a tampon and then said "Sorry Mom" as she walked by me heading down the hallway - thus proving she KNOWS she's doing something wrong but is doing it ANYWAY!!!


Today I told "K" it was a windy day.  She replied, "It not windy, it fine.  And it small.  And it big." 

While sharing a tender moment with "K" today she was gently patting my face and then said, "You're a good boy."  Not sure if she's gender confused or just thinks I'm my parent's dog.

At dinner tonight Jeff gave "K" some scrambled eggs and she looked at them and said, "I almost like it."  Well I guess "I almost" is better than "I don't."

"K" was just walking up the porch stairs and when she got to the top she said, "What a heck?!  Hold on Mom."  At this time she picked up a piece of sidewalk chalk, inspected it, and then threw it down to the ground, to which I say, "What a heck?!"

I just finished telling (it was more like an instruction session) my 4 year old that's it's *okay* to hit her little sister.  Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would be teaching one of my kids when it's *appropriate* to hit a sibling back!  At the end of the day the big sister has to learn how to stick up for herself and fight back when the little sister has been repeatedly told by the big sister, "no" and "stop hitting"!  I say, "If you've told her no and she hits you again, HIT BACK!"  I'm probably going to regret this.


"K" wanted to put her dress on "by Iself" so I let her.  First she put it on upside down and it fell right to the floor. When it fell she said, "Oh, it no problem."  Then she put it on and it was inside out and so she took it off and fixed it.  Then she put it on and it was backwards (she refused any help, by the way) and she said, "Oh, it upside down."  She took it off, turned it around and put it back on correctly. 

"Determined" - that is one word to describe her.  "Independent" - that's another word.  "Strong willed" - that's two more.  She's going to do great things in this world!

Happy Easter - Christ is Risen from the Dead!

Once again, another amazing song by Matt Maher.

Beautiful Song for Good Friday

Lost, everything is lost
And everything I've loved before is gone
Alone like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

And where were You when all that I've hoped for?
Where You when all that I've dreamed?
Came crashing down in shambles around me
You were on the cross

Pain, could you take away the pain?
If I find someone to blame, would it make my life seem easier?
Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

Where were You when sin stole my innocence?
Where were You when I was ashamed?
Hiding in a life, I wish, I never made

You were on the cross, my God, my God, all along, all along
You were on the cross, You died for us, all along, all along
You were on the cross, victorious, all along, all along

You were there in all of my suffering
And You were there in doubt and in fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear

Boston Marathon 2011

In honor of all the people running in the Boston Marathon, ESPECIALLY my cousin Katelyn, I wanted to share this amazing video of Team Hoyt.  This father and son team have been in over 1,000 races, their most favorite being The Boston Marathon, which they have run in 28 times (today marking their 29th Boston Marathon).  This video shows them completing the Iron Man.  The song with this video is "I Can Only Imagine" by,  Mercy Me.

If You Give a Kid a Cookie

This is my "real life/mom" version of the children's book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie".


If You Give a Kid a Cookie:


If you give a kid a cookie they'll probably act like a crazy lunatic immediately after it's consumed.  While your kid is acting like a crazy lunatic you'll decide it's a good time to check your email, which will make your crazy lunatic child decide that she needs a marker.   While your kid has a marker she'll remember that she's only supposed to use markers on paper, which will make her crawl under the kitchen table and say, "leave me alone" (so she can color on herself, her shoes, and the floor).  When you hear your child say "leave me alone" you'll think she wants privacy so she can move her bowels, which will remind you of the bathroom and that the bathroom needs to be cleaned.  While cleaning the bathroom you'll find a spatula and a measuring cup that belong in the kitchen.  When you return to the kitchen you'll find a newly decorated kid and kitchen, which will send you searching for the wipes.  While getting the wipes in the living room you'll realize that the rug needs to be vacuumed.  After cleaning up the kid and the kitchen you get the vacuum  for the living room.  The kid will want to help, so you'll give her the dust buster so she can pick up too.  While vacuuming you'll turn to see that your kid has the dust buster up to her lips and is trying to suck every last breath out of her body with her little cleaning machine.  When you take the dust buster off her lips you'll realize that she has crumbs in her hair and so you'll "dust bust" them out.  Using the dust buster will make you realize that it needs to be emptied and so you'll bring it to the kitchen to empty it.  While emptying the dust buster you'll notice that there is a dirty dish towel, which will remind you that you need to do a load of laundry, so you'll take your kid down to the basement with you to start a load.  After you and your kid have finished loading the washing machine you'll let her push the button to start it.  When the washing machine starts you'll hear it start to fill and the sound of running water will remind you that you have to wash the pots and pans from last night's dinner.  When you are walking up the stairs from the basement you'll ask your kid if she wants to watch a show so that she'll have something to do while you wash the dishes.  Chances are she'll say yes, and then she'll say "no" to every healthy snack you offer to her while she watches the show - and she'll continuously say she wants......a cookie.....and the whole series of events will most likely repeat themselves once the show, and the cookie, are finished.

Thank you!!

I just noticed that this blog has been viewed 5,000 times!   Wow!  Thank you for reading!!

A GREAT LAUGH!

I have spent the better part of today with tears streaming down my face from laughter because of this blog:
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/11/18/hello-my-pretty/
Some of the pictures are just an "eh" but others had me hysterically laughing.  Enjoy!  Oh, and be sure to read the captions below each photo.  Sometimes it's the caption paired with the photo that will have you wetting your pants (not that I did that :-o )

Beautiful Girl - Age 2

Beautiful Girl - Age 4

Handsome Boy

Swinging in April!!

FB present-early Feb 2011. UM, There's a lot of them!

Great weekend. Giving up fb for the rest of lent. See you all in a few weeks!

And for my last trick, before leaving on a relaxing weekend, I went outside in the spotlit dark, armed with a snow shovel to scare off two enormous raccoons, who were boldly eating out of our trash can, only to then be scared even further out of my bleepin mind, by my own shadow behind the trashcan. Maybe I should just leave now.

By this time tomorrow I will be in Northampton with my three lovely cousins shopping, eating, drinking and relaxing! I. can't. wait!!!!! I've been waiting for the first weekend in April for a long long looooooooooong time!!!!! Yay me!!!!!!!!

In honor of Boston Red Sox Opening Day. Put this as your status if you know someone who suffers from being a Yankee Fan. Being a Yankee Fan is a real disorder & should be taken seriously. There is still no known cure for Yankee Fan and sympathy does not help, but we can raise awareness. 100% of Red Sox fans will re-post this, simply because we know how to copy and paste, as well as tie our shoes and win (This post was not created by me - I copied and pasted it)

My 5 year old son just said to my husband, "Kelly's got some long tubes, doesn't she?" My husband looked at him and said, "You mean some big pipes." My 5 year old chuckled and in his old man monotone voice said, "Oh yeah, that's it. She can really yell." We got a good laugh out of that one!

Little "K" woke up at 2am last night crying and calling for me. She kept calling, "Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!" I didn't want to get up. I was like, "Maybe if I ignore her she'll just go back to sleep." Then I heard, "I'm crying in here!" And then, "Help me!" I started to laugh. It was as if she was saying, "Helloooo?! I'm totally not going to be quiet until someone gets their butt down here!"

I've decided that I am not accepting the fact that I graduated from high school 20 years ago. I mean come on, I remember when my mom was going out to HER 20th reunion! Since we didn't have a 15th reunion I'm calling this summer's reunion our 15th. There, now I feel much better (and I suddenly feel 5 years younger)!

Awful, horrible, I feel like I'm going to be sick, migraine. Make it go away!!

ATTENTION...Please join me in Remembering YET ANOTHER great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. Dough boy was survived by his wife Play Dough, three children, John Dough, Jane Dough, and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the Oven. The Funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes (This post was NOT created by me - I copied and pasted it)

You know you're a "seasoned" parent when two things have happened. 1. You've been puked on. Not "near" but "on" (it's even better if it's on your bare legs) & 2. (and this happened today) You've gone frantically searching for a missing poop produced by a diaper-less toddler. Ah, the joys of a not yet fully potty trained child. No worries, the poop was located before any catastrophes happened.

I've always thought "Dora the Explorer" should be "Dora the Explorah" so it would rhyme (but then I guess instead of a Spanish Dora, she'd be from Boston). I also wonder why it's "Handy Manny" instead of "Handy Randy" or "Handy Andy". Again, the whole rhyming thing. It's just weird to me. However, maybe you all just think I'm weird. (I'm also aware this is my 3rd post and it's not even 10am).

Little "K" just threw a block at me and as it hit me in the chest and them tumbled to the floor she yelled, "Look out beeeeeelow!" I reprimanded her and sternly said, "NO! Throwing! Blocks!". She replied with a big belly laugh saing, "Id'nt that funny?!" It was sort of funny, but can you imagine if I had laughed when she said "look out beeeeelow"? She'd be laughing while throwing blocks at me all day!

Son to me last night: "Can we plant the seeds tomorrow?" Me: "Yes. We forgot to do it today, didn't we?" Son: "Yeah, you don't have a very good remembery." Right after that my daughter said to Jeff, "You have too many imaginations." Jeff and I took our hits like the adults we are (or try to be).

"Meat. loaf. beat. loaf. I HATE meat. loaf." Ah, but that's what's for dinner. :-)

5 year old son to his 4 year old sister at the breakfast table: "Please don't talk to me right now. I didn't sleep very well last night and I really don't want to talk to anyone. Maybe I'll feel better after a rest today." Right about this time "K" was running around yelling, "I want my butt pate (paste)" (she has diaper rash). Always funny around here (well, most of the time).

Heading off to the New England Aquarium today! Say it with me, "I can walk like a penguin."

I love checking fb at 8:50 on a Saturday night and seeing that there are 15 other people on too. I don't feel like a loser (well, except for looking like I wet my pants earlier today). Okay, I don't feel like as much of a loser.

Breakfast out with the family was going super duper well UNTIL a certain "K" took a right hook to my OJ and doused me with it. We're talking a drenched shirt and upper pant leg area. Aaaaah, nothing like getting ice cold OJ poured on you to make you feel like a total Looooser. After it happened, "K" kept pointing to me and saying, "Oh, Mama wet. Mama ALL wet." :-) Good times. Good good times.

This morning I told my son that, "a very special treat was coming to his school" and he said, "YOU are coming?!" (melt my heart). I told him, "thank you but no, it's actually a dog." A little while later I was in the shower and "K" came into the bathroom, and with great care and concern for my showering enjoyment threw in several naked barbies, plastic boats and floating hippos. Love is all around this morning!

Brian got up this morning and was visibly upset saying he had a bad dream. At first he didn't want to talk about it, but after 30 seconds he said, "I got stinked in my dream by a dog with a skunk tail. It was like a stog, a stink-dog." As I was comforting him and telling him it would be okay, Kate chimed in and said, "I had a dream about a ham sandwich." The interesting world of preschool dreams.

We are making playdough birthday cakes and putting birthday candles in them. My 2 year old (you all know "K" - she likes dangerous and messy things) just help up a candle to me and said, "I want fire." Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha - No.

At the end of Snow White the evil queen falls to her death off of a cliff and two vultures are shown flying down after she falls (leave it to Disney to make those beautiful heartwarming family friendly movies). Anyway, my 4 year old said, "After the queen fell those nice birds went to go get her." I guess it is a heartwarming ending from the perspective of a preschooler.

The family was watching a show tonight and "K" (refer to last post) said, "I want to go home." Um, Where does she think we live??

A certain 2 year old, whose identity I'll protect by only referring to her as "K", had decided that 4am was the new 5, then decided 3 was the new 4, but NOW "K" has decided that 2 is where it's at! Yes folks that's right, "K" was up at 2am crying/screaming & requesting a hot cocoa & a show. To stop the screaming "K" got Benadryl (don't tell), warm milk, & a show -& then slept till 7. Stick a fork in me,I'M DONE!

(11) Marquette just beat (3) Syracuse. Gooooooooo Marquette!!!!!!!!

If I ever get the chance to sing karaoke again I think I'd like to sing Sheryl Crow's part in the song "Picture". Anybody want to be Kid Rock? I'm also up for doing Kee Kee Dee's part in "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". Any Elton John's out there? Yes, this is what I think about on Sunday nights.

During the time my brother has been running in a marathon I've been to two grocery stores & back, I've eaten some lunch, and I'm getting ready to head out to get new sneakers. He has been running for a long ass time! (excuse the "ass"). I've done swim-a-thons when I was much younger that took 2 hours? Maybe 2 1/2? But when he's done he will have been running for almost FOUR HOURS! That blows my mind!!! GO Mike!

BEST of luck to my brother, Mike! He is running in his first Marathon today!!! "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face" (that part of the Irish Blessing seems to really apply :-). Go MIKE!!!!!!!!!!

Parenting tip # 867: Never leave a pastry brush where a toddler can get her crafty little hands on it. Why? Because she just might dip the pastry brush in her un-emptied potty chair and then turn around and paint the toilet cover. A two year old doesn't know that pastry brushes are for well, pastry, and although urine may look like a fun thing to use for painting, it's TOTALLY NOT!

I thought the 4:30 am wake up was bad, but 3 am takes the cake! I have a crying 2 year old, who I refuse to let out of her crib, yelling for a show and a smoothie!! No! No! No! Do they make Ambien for toddlers?

You know what? It's SUPER windy out but it's also SUPER warm out so I'm going to stand outside and enjoy this weather, even if the roof rips off of the shed and smacks me in the face! At least I'll be warm when I get knocked out!

Guinness is my favorite beer.

"Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland, All my cares and troubles cease. As we kneel with love before you, Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace" - Lady of Knock
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Aaaaaaaand we've got a vomiting child.

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.
—Zig Ziglar

The Spring-like weather has finally arrived and so has spring-like playtime at my house. The cozy coops, bikes, plastic buckets, shovels, and sidewalk chalk are all out. Bry even found a worm. That lucky bastard (the worm, not my son) was given a swing ride, a tricycle ride, and was also offered a bottle of Poland Spring water.

To comment or not to comment? THAT is the question I ask myself on many posts. I've learned that most times when I have that thought to say "better not." Nobody ever "wins" on fb.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

The Girl you just called fat? She has been starving herself & has lost over 30lbs. The Boy you just called stupid? He has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night. The Girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her. The Boy you just tripped? He is abused enough at home. There's a lot more to people than you think. Put this as your status if you're against bullying

2 year old: "Mommy, can you hold me? I'm scary."

Well, any good feeling I had left in me, from my evening out last night, IMMEDIATELY evaporated when my two year old walked into the kitchen with a PLASTIC BAG on her HEAD! (She's fine) Anyone got a time machine so I can transport myself back to 2004? I believe that's the last year I was totally sane.

I went out with my husband last night - he and I - I and him- just the two of us - no kids - for the first time since....NOVEMBER! It. was. wonderful. It. was. relaxing. It involved alcohol and Irish music and an Irish dinner and Irish dancing. It was so great that I'm surprised we came home!

Some people think they need to spend a lot of money on young children by taking them to places like Story Land, Santa's Village, and even Disney World to have "fun". Silly people. All you have to do is leave a small child unattended in a bathroom for 20 or so minutes and I can ASSURE you they'll have LOTS of fun. Just make sure you have feminine products, toilet paper and of course, toilet water.

Toddler wakes Mama up at 5:30. Toddler wants to build a castle with Mama. Mama can't stop yawning. Toddler says to Mama, "Mama tired. Mama need nap." Mama things of several fresh and sarcastic things to say to toddler, but doesn't. Mama decides to post about it on fb instead. Mama has to get off fb now. Toddler has realized Mama's gone. Toddler is crying at Mama's feet. Mama is glad it's Saturday.

My children were playing hide-n-go-seek outside in the rain today. They both had umbrellas. It's kind of hard to hide with a huge red canopy over your head.

My daughter is eating her green "Mistachio" muffin from the grocery store, and my son told me that his friend at school got a check mark because he had a much better "appetite" (I think he meant "attitude") today. They make me laugh!

In an attempt to get more exercise in while at home with the kids, I decided to walk around my house while they played outside. Not around the block, but around my house. I must have power walked around it 20 times?? My neighbors must think I'm crazy (that's *if* they didn't think so already).

It's that time of year again! What time you ask?! The time of year when I package my kids up and send them to an unsuspecting family/person/couple for a week of fun, laughs and crying (if you're lucky). Heads up - if your zip code begins with the number 9, be ready for a parcel in 7-10 business days (overnight delivery was just too expensive).

I just came into the kitchen to find my 2 year old (who I let use the dust buster to "help"), holding the dust buster right up to her lips. She looked like she was attached to the "scream extractor" from Monsters Inc. If only it really *were* a scream extractor (huge sigh), I would have used it looooong ago.

I was just telling the kids that today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of lent. I was telling them all about lent and how we try to say extra prayers and help others out even more by giving money, food, our time, etc. And then Brian chimed in and said, "And then on Good Friday Pontius Paul had Jesus killed." He gets an A+ for being a preschooler and *almost* getting that right.

I was driving behind a car the other day that had one of those bumper stickers that reads "coexist", written in all different religious symbols. Just above that bumper sticker was another one that read, "I like boobies." All I could think of was, "yes, whether I like it or not I do in fact have to "coexist" in a world with a person like you." (I hope it was none of you :-)

Knock knock joke w/ a 2 yr old: 2 yr old "knock knock", me "who's there?", 2 yr old "xxxxxx"(totally incomprehensible), me "who?", 2 yr old "xxxxxx", me (not knowing how to respond) "oh", 2 yr old (getting agitated) "knock knock", me (afraid to ask) "who's there?", 2 yr old "xxxxxx", me "That was SO funny! Want a lollipop?" (in attempt to distract), 2 yr old "Yes!", Me - thank God that's over!

Some days could be a 10 post day, but I'll end it with only 3,and I'll leave it on a high note. Five year old son to me: "Mom, you're one of the prettiest girls I know." We'll leave out the part that he's only left the state twice and only knows about 10 other girls. It was a great compliment, and I'll take it! Oh, and he also said, "Mom, I think you're singing is pretty." Take that you cranky 2 year old!

My two year old just told me for like the millionth time to "stop singing!". So today I finally snapped and when she stuck her little hand in the air and commanded me to "stop singing!!", I reflexively stuck my tongue out at her. Honestly, I'm just glad I didn't reflexively give her the finger (that would be a tougher one to explain to people when she does it in public).

Yesterday I parked the car on the street next to a snowbank. Last night it rained and was in the 50s. Most of the snowbank melted. Now it looks like some moron parked their car in the middle of the road. It's Jeff's car. If anyone says anything, I'll just say it was him. :-)

"Mom, can I have a long piece of spaghetti from the box, too?!" Me: "I didn't give anyone a piece of spaghetti." "Yes you did. See, Kelly has one!" I look down to see that my two year old is holding a wooden SKEWER with an extra sharp tip!! (insert freak-out here) When I reached down to get it away from her she started to RUN! I need a vacation.

Quote from my husband to me tonight, "Honey, if you used the time you spend thinking about desserts on really important things, you'd be like Einstein. You be writing and solving theories and stuff." Maybe he's right. Too bad I'm not like Charlie Sheen either, because then I could just "blink and fix my brain" (or something like that).

There are BUDS on the trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are actual BUDS on the trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spring REALLY IS coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would say that the day was going pretty well until my 5 year old accidentally kicked my 2 year old in the mouth. Things have been slowly going downhill ever since.

This is the 3rd time this week that I've had 3 friends with a birthday on the same day! And March is the 3rd month of the year!! WEIRD!!!!!!!!

Well no wonder why I couldn't find the cover for the peanut butter, it was upstairs on my bedroom floor. I mean, I can't believe I didn't think to look there.

Every time I use the bathroom I have a two year old who is not only watching (like a detective) but she is also offering to help. I politely say, "No thank you. I can do this myself." Poor kid's probably totally confused. I mean, I wipe her so why wouldn't she do the same for me? (was this post TMI for fb land?)

If my posts have made even one person feel like they're not alone, that their life is "normal" relative to mine, &/or that they're not the only one who is crazy, then it was all worth it. And if you got a laugh, I consider it a bonus. The world is a better place when people laugh. If you can't poke fun at yourself then who can you poke fun at?

The kids wanted to act out Little Red Riding Hood. I thought Brian was going to be the woodcutter who "takes care of" the wolf. When I said, "Yay the woodcutter is here!" Brian said, "No, I'm the brave and royal watch duck." (Um, okay?!). I was the grandma. When I asked Kate (Little RR) what she had brought for me she said, "Kit Kats". Not sure I've ever heard this version before.

Anyone want to come over and change a dirty diaper?? Anyone? Anyone? I'm just not in the mood.

Since tracing their bodies and then letting them color them in worked so well the other day, I thought I would give it a go again today. All three of my children are lying on pieces of paper QUIETLY waiting to be traced right now. I wonder how long I can milk this for by saying, "one more minute and I'll trace you." I feel like they'll stay there for hours - okay maybe just a few minutes :-)

"Conversation" going on right now between Jeff & one of the kids: Jeff: "Why are your hands wet?" child: (no response) "WHY are your hands wet?!" child: (no response) "Were your hands in the toilet?" (no response) "Were your HANDS in the toilet?!" (no response) "Get your hands out of your mouth!!" - NEVER a dull moment around here.

Last Easter I forced my son to have scalloped potatoes, he proceeded to gag & then barf up half an Easter basket worth of chocolate. Tonight he said, "my french fries taste funny." (these were a thicker cut) I said, "They taste like potatoes b/c they're made from potatoes." He laughed & said, "oh you're just joking".I forced him to have more & the gagging started. I decided he didn't have to eat ff tonight.

Today: 2 Ariel &1 Jasmine puzzle, smoothie, homemade blueberry pancakes, SHOWER (YES!), morning shows, picked up kitchen & living room, 2 diapers, 3 kids dressed, mom dressed & makeup-ed, 3 kids in car, play area at mall, pizza & meatballs cut & served to 3 kids, walk to pet store, walk back to parking garage, 3 kids & stroller back in car, Toy Story 3, coloring, unload dishwasher, coffee, snacks..

For anyone who followed all my posts from yesterday and knows I have day 2 ahead, I'd just like to report that my youngest just woke up at 4:30 - that would be am. At least it stopped pouring and we can leave this blessed house today.

I've been awake and caring for people in this house for 14 hours. I'm too tired to write all the stuff we did this afternoon and this evening. They're watching Monsters Inc. right now. ONE. MORE. HOUR. UNTIL. BEDTIME. - THANK GOODNESS!

kitchen floor washed, kitchen cleaned, load of laundry, two diapers, crib sheet changed, 3 waffles cooked w/ 3 different specifications, 6 clay monkey & 6 clay cars painted, playdough, coloring, one smoothie, two pb&j sandwiches, pot of coffee, brownies, movie CARS, morning shows, nap for 2 year old (YES!), guessing game, two apples cut with no skin, & several arguments, crying and screaming endured.

It's just me and the kids in this house all. day. long. It's supposed to rain heavy so we'll be inside. Jeff has gone skiing until late tomorrow night, which means I've got the morning all the way thru bedtime routine 2 days in a row. We'll be baking, watching tv, painting, watching tv, eating while watching tv, watching tv, playing, watching tv, and um, watching tv. God Bless the tv.

We believe that Kelly said to Jeff this morning, "Mommy is black." Not even in the middle of July, my dear. I guess we're going to have to start working a little bit harder on those colors with her.

Jeff and I could hear our 2 year old riffling through a drawer. Jeff said: "What has she gotten into now, trouble?" Upon checking we realized the answer was YES, she had gotten into trouble, the game "Trouble", and was taking out all the little pieces.

My son is spending the night at my parents. I just talked to my mom. Brian has said the following to her: "I love you Nonni, but I love my mom more." My mom told Brian she got waffles for him for breakfast. Brian: "Oh Nonni, you make the BEST waffles. My mom is a chef, but you make the best waffles." What a kid!

Last night I was flipping between The Biggest Loser and Cupcake Wars. I woke up feeling deeply conflicted between wanting to hit the gym and going all out on the treadmill to the point of puking, and wanting to hit a bakery and going all out on the cake to the point of well - puking. I took a shower instead - but it hasn't erased the mental anguish.

Son: "Mom, maybe you should write down that I want a chocolate chip muffin." Me: "I won't forget" Son: "But what if your brain crinkles up and you forget?" Husband: "Son, we'll have more to worry about than forgotten chocolate chip muffins, if your mother's brain crinkles up." You know what, I'm going to write a list and add "chocolate chip muffin" just to be on the safe side.

I am having a day to myself today. I'm at my parent's now, but just got back from visiting my grandmother. My 90 year old Nana made me a BLT and then we sat in the living room, chatted for a while, and then quietly looked at magazines. It was AWESOME! Now I'm off to dinner - out- without children! Thank you Jeff. I love you!!!!!

I was just listening to NPR - The TSA is (or might start to ?) use mice to detect explosive devices. Someone joked and said, "Now we know why Mickey Mouse wears those gloves." I laughed.

This week we remember babies born asleep or whom we have carried but never met, or those we have held but could not take home, or the ones who made it home but didn't stay. Make this your profile status if you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a baby. The majority of you won't do it, because unlike cancer, baby loss is still a taboo subject. Break the silence. In memory of all lost angels.

2 yr old: "Stop singing!", Me: "But I'm happy", 2 year old (enraged): "No! *I'M* HAPPY!!!" (clearly). 2 yr old: "I need a TISSUE!", Me: "Okay, go get one in the bathroom", 2 yr old: "NO!!!! YOU get it!!" Me: "Okay, I will get you a tissue" 2 yr old: "NO!!!!! *I* DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Just shoot me now, okay?

I have a faith that could move mountains, & I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. Yet it's still so hard to realize when a prayer isn't going to be answered in the exact way, manner, & time, *I* want it to be answered. It's like God thinks He knows more than me or knows what's better for me more than I do. :-) In the short term, it's totally frustrating. Yet in the long term, it's ALWAYS for the best.

The water pipe that brings water from the WHOLE WIDE WORLD into our house decided to detach itself from the hot water heater this morning. It happened when we were conscious, awake, & fully alert so that we could turn off the main water valve before hundreds of gallons of water gushed into our home. This winter is testing me almost to the point of insanity, but I'm staying just sane enough to keep my sense of humor.

We've got the flu at our house. I repeat, we've got the flu! Two year old children should NEVER get the flu! It takes two adults tag teaming each other to care for a two year old with the flu. Did she get a flu shot you ask - No! Why? Because there was never a good time to take her to get one. Why? Because we had 35 snow storms in January!

Valentine's dinner at the Ladino house: spinach salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette dressing, braised pork tenderloin, sour cream mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts sauteed in olive oil & butter, roasted butternut squash & onions with dried cranberries, and Trader Joe's whole cranberry sauce. (The kids had frozen pizza - it's their loss).

Some people love Valentine's Day & some people hate it. I went 29 years without a Valentine - it had become "Black (insert day of the week)". On my 30th Valentine's Day I got a dozen red roses, a heart box of chocolates, a diamond ring, and a marriage proposal. I'm not going to say I now LOVE this day - but I LOVE my husband, and I will never say no to a day that revolves around chocolate.

I found an awesome low cal/low fat chocolate chip cookie recipe. The cookies are awesome! Then I re-read the recipe and realized it was supposed to yield 2 dozen cookies. I made ONE dozen :-). Well I'm sorry but chocolate chip cookies are not supposed to be the size of a quarter!

Poor Brian was pretty sick yesterday afternoon/last night. I was patting his head and kissing him and saying, "You're a good boy. You're a good good boy." He started patting my head and in a little weak voice he said, "You're a really great girl."

I was helping Brian write out names for ALL his Valentine Cards (24 kids in his preschool class), when he put his hand on his head, put his head down and said, "I'm disgraced". I laughed a little and said, "Do you mean discouraged?" He said, "No, disgraced. Disgraced is when you're tired." I thought about correcting him, but it was just too cute.

Brian asked me this morning "Is it true that when you love, you're able to love even more?" I said, "Yes! Love grows love. The more you love the more love you're capable of giving." He said, "that's what I meant." That whole conversation has helped turned my day around and I'm just "feelin the love!"

Kelly just found a box of vanilla pudding: Kelly "oh!, what's this?" me: "vanilla pudding" Kelly: "how bout ice cream?", me: "no, that's pudding. We can make it for later." Kelly: "how bout ice cream?" me: "nope, we don't have ice cream, but we can make that pudding." Kelly: "how bout chocolate ice cream?" I could tell that conversation was going nowhere fast!

Took the kids to McDonald's for the playland area and a snack. Brian: "Can we get ice cream?" Me: "no", Brian: "Awwww come on, give it up grumpy Momma." He made me laugh and then I HAD to say YES! On the way home I called Jeff to tell him the story. Brian yells from the way back of the van: "Don't I just take your breath away?!"

I decided to throw caution to the wind and leave my early riser (refer to last post) unattended so I could "play" Mancala with my 4 year old. I knew things were too quiet in the living room. You see, T-P-ing the living room is FUN and doesn't require any screaming at all!

Kelly woke at 4:45 this morning: me (half awake): "Hi Kelly", K: (no "hi") "want gummies, want fishy crackers" Me: "no" K: "how bout chips?" me: "no" K: "how bout a popsicoh (popsicle)?" me: "no", Kelly: "how bout a waffle?" Me: "Sure, do you want it cooked with butter & syrup?" Kelly: "No! Want it Cold!" I'm thinking of putting a mini fridge in her crib & she can serve herself. Maybe I'll get more sleep!

The blizzard of 78 was 33 years ago this month! I was 4. I vividly remember my mother sitting me on the couch in front of the fireplace & saying "hold your brother" (Mike was a baby), while she ran around getting bags ready to leave. We had no power & I remember gusts of wind blowing down the chimney & into the living room. (see below)I also remember being carried out of our house, up our driveway & then going to my grandparent's house. I would love to hear other people's memories/stories.

I'm Back - Mentally

I've decided to give up posting, and commenting on the posts of others on FB, for the rest of lent.  However, I am allowing myself  to "snoop around" or "creep" on FB.  Honestly, I think I would go crazy if I cut myself off completely.  I mean, what would I do with my mind and my time if I didn't know what everyone else was doing and thinking every minute of every single day!! (I'm mostly kidding and only partially serious).   Anyway, back to the point of this post.  I've noticed that since I'm not posting and then checking email all day, to see if someone has commented on my posts ( I know I'm a big lame loser), my mind seems to be more "free".  Now that I don't have FB clogging up all my mental energy and focus I find that I keep singing the following lyrics to an  En Vogue song, "Back to life, back to reality, back to the here and now, yeah."  It's good to be back but don't get me wrong, after posting almost daily for 2 years, it's a tough thing to give up.  I've been keeping a diary of "would be" posts during this time abstinence (my husband is laughing at me because he just saw what I was typing - he said, "so you really haven't been off FB, you're just storing your posts somewhere else" :-).  Look, I needed an outlet!  I've got kids saying and doing funny things, and funny ideas and thoughts that pop into my head that have to go somewhere! :-)  Jeff is laughing again and saying, "You're a model for us all in self control."  Hahahaha (grrrrr).  I'm trying, I really am!  I will say that during my time actually "off" of FB, I've been using my time wisely...by cleaning more, doing more laundry, playing with the kids a little extra, and oh yes, writing blog posts :-).

The RaffMoore Drama Club Invades Northampton

I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend with three people who I've known my entire life.  On Saturday morning I met my cousin Laura at our cousin Bridget's house, and from there we drove out to Northampton to spend the weekend with our other cousin (and Bridget's sister), Jen.  When we were kids we made up a drama club for ourselves called "The RaffMoore Drama Club" (combining our lasts names - what a creatively clever crew of cousins we were!).  Over the course of our childhood we created and then starred in many plays that were usually performed at the tail end of a holiday gathering.  Our plays were welcomed with open arms by our adoring fans - parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and grandparents.  At this point you should know that the sentence prior to this one was hard core sarcasm.  What we usually heard at the beginning of a holiday party was, "No plays today!!",  and then when we announced that everyone had to stop their conversations to come watch our Broadway production, there was a lot of grumbling and resistance.   Obviously they didn't know talent when they saw it!   Anyway, back to the weekend...


It was a weekend full of food, drinks, laughter, down time, music, shopping, eating dinner in jammies, walking, singing, sillies, and catching up.  We all agreed that we feel so blessed to have not only grown up together, but to also be such great friends.  I don't know many people who are as close to their extended families as we are, and it's something I am grateful for and that I cherish deeply.  I know that I speak for all of us when I say that this weekend was truly a treat and that leaving to go back home was tough (I was actually going to handcuff myself to a pipe in Jen's apartment and then swallow the key so I could stay longer, but then I realized that would be bordering on "psycho", and so I stomped my feet, threw just a little tantrum and then finally went out to the car - boo!).  I am, however, hoping we can make this an annual event!!   Love you ladies! 


PS, There were no performances this weekend, but there is always next year.  :-)

A reflection of us on the window of a building on the Smith College campus.

The RaffMoore Drama Club.  From left to right:  Laura, Jen, yours truly and Bridget.

Beautiful Sunrise This Morning

Dinner with Kelly