Things that Make No Sense....

Our fish Alex is a beloved pet in our house. Recently, Lucy surprised us all by adding some items around Alex's fish bowl so "he would feel better." It started out cute...a postcard with seashells on it. However, after entering her room this morning, I learned that Alex would also "feel better" by adding other random things around his bowl....



1. 3 creepy ponies with flowing tails.
2. A large shells 4 times the size of Alex that he most likely thinks is going to try and eat him.
3. 2 mermaid figurines that are smiling creepishly into the bowl.
4. A "Jesus Loves Me" cross from Sunday school (another post in and of itself).
5. A random dried rose from a dance performance, spring 2007.
6. A Disney frame with her faraway but much loved friend Shaelyn displayed proudly.

I think it's safe to say ole' Alex is officially freaking the freak out....and I don't blame him.

An Open Letter...

Dear Nair,

I have been very disappointed by your products in recent months. I have tried to remove various hairs on my face in areas I would not like to speak of at this time. However, your products continue to fail me at every chance I have given them. Directions are followed closely, pain is endured and sometimes blood is involved. That might have been a bit much, but I'm just keepin' it real, Nair.
End result? Hair still there. Barely any removal at all.
I'd like to think that I only have a TINY ITSY BITSY bit of hair that even needs removal in the first place, at my young age of 34 years (ahem...35 in 3 weeks). Even still, these very minimal hairs do not go away as promised.
Nair - what is your story?

Sincerely, A concerned, frustrated, hairy citizen.

A Long Journey...

A friend's invite for a sleepover this morning at school, kicked off an afternoon adventure for Lucy....

"Mom? I am going on a mysterious adventure and it is a long, long journey."

"Oh really? Where are you going on your journey?"

"To the basement. That is where the adventure will happen. Can I have a picture of you to remember you by?"

Thirty minutes later....I peek down the stairs to find pictures of our family placed strategically around her suitcase, she is in outfit #45 of the day (per usual, in 4T summer clothes that make no sense), while doing a full dance routine for no one.

The kid kills me.

Excuses are Lame...

I am so sorry to not be writing more this week.
My excuses include...
1. The new season of Nip/Tuck.
2. The new show "Trust Me." (Tom Cavanaugh is a babe AND has a great name, might I add). I recommend!
3. Free HBO = Big Love - the best show around right now!
4. American Idol. Seriously, still love it.
5. TRYING to get through The Poisonwood Bible before book club on Monday night.
6. Wine and cookies. And wine.
7. The children have likened to getting up at 6 a.m. for the past 2 weeks and I am pretty much ready to keel over at 8 p.m.

Life is good! I'm sure I will be inspired soon!

Cheeseball Valentine's Day Post...

I love those two ridiculous children...

Tommy's large head.
Lucy's one curl behind her ear.
Their chubby feet with no socks on.
Tommy trying to pull his sweatpants up.
Their giggles from Lucy's room at 6:30 a.m.
Lucy's outfits she puts together each day, usually from her ill-fitting size 4T summer drawer of items.
Their vocabulary and/or topics of conversation that usually throw people off when they are around us.
Tommy's intense love of Spiderman that makes no sense.
Yelling to everyone in Target that they just got new "buzzing toothbrushes!"
Tommy telling Lucy and I at random moments of the day that he loves us.
Lucy still asking me to "hold her."
Valentine's cards to "Dad's Dad," who died years ago, and Lucy asking if she should "throw it in the air" so he gets it in heaven.
That they really believe that even a trip to the grocery store is a great adventure.
The fact that anyone coming over deserves the red carpet rolled out for them.
How excited they get to wrestle with Daddy every night.
How Lucy still holds her ear when she drinks milk.
Holding hands to be safe.

I love all of my 456 Valentine's that have been given to me over the past week. Lucky am I!

Weekend Moments....

The Concept of "Mothering" this Weekend....

Saying goodbye to the kids as I leave for an overnight away, still struggling with that "I'm going to miss something" feeling that always gnaws at me.
It's that feeling that keeps me home with them.
I feel like I have it more than the average person.
A very raw feeling I experience.

Listening to a friend laugh her worries away...but knowing that they really are big worries and needing to feel like it's all going to be o.k.
I told her it all will be, with hope in my eyes for her.
She's tired and unsupported and struggling and I wish I could take it all away for her.

Driving by my old childhood home yesterday...on a cold, sunny morning.
I wasn't prepared for what I saw or felt.
A "For Sale" sign out front. Another family leaving.
We were there for 25 years.
The obvious recession oozing from every store, neighborhood, car and business still surrounding it.
The house, and street overall, still stands...looking just fine.
No one knows all our memories.
I stood outside and suddenly started to cry.
The wall I played tennis, the little door to hold treasures.
My bedroom window.
The kitty in the garden.
The basement window where I sat and sang.
I stood on the porch and looked around....the street I rode my bike, drew with chalk.
Thanks to my parents for the childhood still in my head.

A friend's terrible news. Her spouse died on Sunday after a year-long battle with a brain tumor. Little kids, all alone.
And through the clouds and storm, she decides she must celebrate her son's 3rd birthday party this Friday.
He needs to eat cake, get some toys and play with friends.
THIS is motherhood at it's bravest and most profound moment.
Creating normalcy and fun in your least normal moment.
The show must go on.

Good Work...Good Deeds....

Continuing with the Valentine's Theme....I just wanted to post a few items I was lucky enough to receive today from da Luce. It is important to note that this is the first school project in which she wrote, unassisted, a word other than "Lucy," "Tommy," and "To". I am happy to report that word was: Mom!
I was also proud to watch her take the hand of a girl in dancing class that was having a hard time and pay very close attention to Miss Amy's instructions when others were sort of....flailing. When that little girl isn't whacking her brother...she makes me proud. :)

A Heartwarming Valentine...

On our way home from school this morning, Lucy was anxious to give me a Valentine she made for me from her backpack. I opened up the cute pink card and inside, it read "Lucy and Tommy."

"Thanks, Luce! How cute - you wrote both of your names in here!"
"Yep! Now, when we die you will always remember what our names were and you won't ever forget us."

Okey dokey.....