Smiling Mama

Over at The DC Moms

2012-01-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

Are you a huge fan of The DC Moms yet? There are some great writers over there and I'm thrilled to be part of it. I hope you'll head over and check out my post about the day I stopped buying napkins and paper towels. You can do it, too!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Do Creative Things: Handmade T-shirt Scarf

2012-01-06T08:10:00.001-05:00

If you're on Pinterest (and if you are not when WHY????) then you've certainly seen examples of these homemade t-shirt scarves (aka t-shirt necklaces). I had t-shirt in this fabulous color that I loved...BUT...it always stretched out within just a few hours of wearing it and that drove me crazy. So, the other night I grabbed it and some scissors and in about 10 minutes my brand new scarf was done!

Here's a great tutorial!

I really don't think you can go wrong in making it -- my scissors were crappy and the cuts were all completely jagged but once you stretch out the loops they roll up such that you can't even tell (well I do see one edge sticking out on the top right in this photo but whatever!)

Of course I was just dying for someone to compliment me at work the other day. The moment someone did I blurted out, "I made it!!!!"

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Do Creative Things: Photo Props

2012-01-04T19:05:00.000-05:00

It's January 4, we've been back to work and school for two days and already the New Year's celebrations seem like the distant past! Abel and I had a great time ringing in 2012 with good friends and within walking distance of our house--can't beat that!

If I do say so myself (which obviously I'm going to!) Abel and I really helped make the party with his awesome new camera (Christmas gift courtesy of moi!) and the photo booth props we worked on. Above is just a small sample of the nearly 30 different props we had. Everyone enjoyed them! And even better (though not so great for sharing on this blog post) everyone had at least one fun photo memento to take home from the evening.

Abel and I posed with me wearing a black mustache and him wearing big red lips and that yellow bead necklace above and Lucas is getting such a kick out of the photo!

The props are only printed on card stock and so I wasn't sure if they'd hold up but they all did! So now I can have them on hand for a future party, too! Plus I think I'll add some fun paper hats next time around.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Resolutions

2012-01-01T09:25:00.001-05:00

I'm reading The Happiness Project and am inspired to write some actual New Year's Resolutions for the first time in...years. Here they are -- written out and public to keep me accountable.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year's Eve!!

2011-12-31T10:05:00.002-05:00

We actually got a sitter to go out tonight! Can't wait! I find that New Year's Eve is what you make of it and we'll be hanging with lots of our friends. Plus...shhh...we have a big surprise for them... I got Abel a Fujifilm Instax MINI 25 for Christmas and we made lots of photo booth props like these along with various red lips and colorful mustaches! Can't wait to take lots of silly photos, give Abel a big smooch at midnight and ring in '12!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Jewelry Board

2011-12-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not usually one for New Year's Resolutions but am thinking hard about putting some into place this year. Near the top of the list will be: Less Clutter!

And, I'm proud to say I've gotten a jump start this year. Thanks to my darling hubby hanging a fantastic bulletin board that had been gathering dust in the storage room, my jewelry has gone from this:

A complete jumble including many tangled necklaces...

To this:

A lovely display and pretty piece of wall art!

Now I will actually have room inside my jewelry box for the remaining ear rings and bracelets that didn't fit onto the board. The bonus is that by keeping my lovely necklaces in sight I will hopefully stop wearing the same two or three again and again.

Next up: the linen closet!

P.S. Our Christmas was lovely! I hope your celebrations were as well!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Family Photo Puzzle

2011-12-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

My only nephew, Sawyer, turned one earlier this month and we had a little celebration for him over Thanksgiving (minus cake because his dad wasn't with us and so the first bite of cake was saved for his actual birthday!). The little cutie lives FAR too far away and I don't see him nearly enough. So, I took inspiration from my friend Amy and made him a gift that will help him remember or at least recognize the faces of our family members.

This is a super-easy project, and, in my opinion, makes a great gift, especially for a too-far-away baby!

I got this Melissa & Doug puzzle...

Then I gathered photos of each family member, used the shape to trace my cut lines, cut them out and glued them in. I decided to put a layer of Modge Podge over each photo to seal it. Amy didn't advise this step, but since Saywer is a boy and I know how crazy and destructive my own boys can be, I thought it might be a good step. Unfortunately, the Modge Podge caused an issue with the ink on my mom's photo...I think it might have been because I printed them at home. Anyway, I still think it turned out great and hope that Sawyer is playing with it daily!

Don't we have a good looking family?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Happy 6th Birthday Lucas!

2011-12-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Lucas,

It is nearly impossible for me to believe that my baby--my first baby--turned six today! You awoke this morning to balloons filling up your bedroom and your dream of dreams came true: Dada carried you to our bed where you opened gifts, watched Phineas and Ferb and ate breakfast in bed!

You amaze me and melt me and challenge me every single day, Big Boy. You are an emotional being and you feel--deeply, deeply feel--every emotion with every cell of your being. Your joy and excitement escapes from you in leaps and grins and cheers. Your anger and frustration comes out physically as well. But your love, your love and kindness and warmth, it exudes from you and I am so, so grateful to often be the recipient of your love and affection. Ever since you could say the words, you have taken the opportunity (often many, many times each day) to tell people you love them. It comes out equally in the middle of a quite moment or in the middle of chaos...

Mom?
Yes buddy.
You know what?
What?
I love you.
I love you, too.

My heart melts each and every time.

In the morning when I leave for work and at night when I leave your room, you always need one more hug and kiss, often following me out of the house (a few times sans pants!) or into the hallway to get one more hug, one more kiss, to yell out one more I love you. As exasperated as I get sometimes (especially when I'm running late!), I cherish every one of those hugs and kisses and yelled-out good-byes. I hope and pray that there never comes a time when you don't have another hug and kiss for me.

As it has been since the moment Nathaniel became aware of you, you are his favorite thing in the world. And, Lucas, you are an amazing big brother. I know it is so hard when he plays with your toys (especially if he ruins something!) and I know it hurts when he hits or pinches, but your Dad and I are so grateful for how kind you are to him. He is a lucky boy to have such a great big brother!

You tell us that when you grow up you want to be an engineer or an artist. I have no doubt that you will be both. You are very creative and have a beautiful singing voice. You also are constantly thinking of new inventions and creations--your ideas always impress me!

Happy 6th Birthday, Big Boy. Your Dad and I couldn't be any more proud to be your parents and grateful to have you as a son. You'll always be my best Christmas present ever.

Love always,
Mama

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Gift Wrap

2011-12-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is wrapping presents. When I was in high school, I often wrapped all the gifts for the family (except those for me, of course!). BC (before children) I would spend a day in my jammies, watching Little Women, sipping hot cocoa and wrapping, wrapping, wrapping. I often wished I had more gifts to wrap! (Luckily Abel enjoys and is an excellent wrapper as well. When we were newly married he even happily humored my Little Women tradition!)

I am particularly pleased with the "look" I've come up with this year for our gifts. When Abel's company shut down, he snagged a HUGE roll of Kraft paper from the mail room. I've used it for a million things already and have barely made a dent in its size. I'm starting to suspect it might be a lifetime's worth of paper! I decided to use that as my wrapping and ordered these simple but beautiful silver and gold rolls of twine from KnotAndBow.

Alas, with my crazy boys, I no longer have the luxury of spending hours wrapping so I have to squeeze it in when I can. The top photo is a sample of a few gifts I finished last night. I added a sprig of holly to the gift for Lucas's teacher.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Birthday DIYs

2011-12-21T08:10:00.000-05:00

Poor Lucas! Our just-before-Christmas baby is having his first year of being totally slighted for his school birthday: because they'll be out of school on his actual birthday, he's sharing it with the class holiday party this afternoon!

(But honestly. as a summer baby, myself, I think I rarely if ever got to take cupcakes to school on my birthday so I'm trying to remember that I haven't been scared for life. Or, have I?)

His big request was a monster truck birthday, which in his mind = monster truck themed plates and napkins. Easy, right? Well, when I realized that his cupcakes would be served during the class holiday party and the teacher had already requested a donation of holiday napkins, plates, etc., I had to get more creative.

Inspired by cupcake toppers I had seen on Etsy, I put these little guys together. I just grabbed two monster truck clip art files from Microsoft, printed them out 12 to a sheet, cut them out and glued them to some orange card stock. I had the plastic tooth picks on hand as well as the flame duct tape. (Heads up to all my friends who have recently had boys: in just a few short years, you, too, will see flame duct tape and think, "Wow! I've got to have that!") The tape secured the toothpick and added some excitement to the backs of the toppers.

Abel's heading over to the school this afternoon to help out with the par-tay and so will insert the toppers into the (mandated!) store-bought cupcakes before they're served. Lucas hasn't seen them yet so he'll be surprised. I'm pretty pleased with this quick project and hope he loves them, too!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Family Game Night -- A Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

I come from a big family and some of my very earliest memories of family gatherings include games. I learned to play challenging card games at a very young age and remember joining in very ~~competitive~~ spirited Trivial Pursuit games when I was way too young to have a prayer of ever getting an answer right!

We have several old favorites but are always on the look out for great family games!

So when I saw that North Star Games had set up shop in the hallway at Blogalicious I was very curious to see what they were all about.

I played a few rounds of Say Anything (and enjoyed it!) but the game that really caught my attention was Wits and Wagers. If I could pick any two words to describe the perfect game for my extended family they would be "trivia" and "gambling." And those are the two words that describe Wits and Wagers!

I took the game home over Thanksgiving and played it with six other adults. It was proclaimed a hit! The only grumbles came from my sister (also our biggest Trivial Pursuit hater!) but the funny thing is that she came in a VERY close second place. Even though she didn't love it, she was really good at it. Silly girl.

A few highlights:

1. It's fast-paced. We finished a game in less than 30 minutes.
2. You don't have to know the answers to win! Family members who don't have much to offer during those intense games of Trivial Pursuit have just as good (sometimes even better!) chances to win at this because of the wagering. My sister often had crazy guesses (way off!) but consistently bet on the right answers. My aunt often had the correct answer (or closest to the correct answer!) but never bet on herself so didn't really leverage her correct answers.
3. A large number of people can play, up to seven as individuals but you can even play in teams. That's great for a big family.
4. We liked the dry erase answer boards.

Suggestions for improvement:

Only one: include eraser tips on the dry eraser marker caps! Really, that's all we could come up with as room for improvement!

I received a complimentary review copy of Wits & Wagers from North Star Games but all opinions are my own. You can buy Wits & Wagers at Target or Toys-R-Us or, if you're local, head over to Labyrinth on Capitol Hill or Child's Play in Chevy Chase and patronize a great small business!

GIVEAWAY!
Win your own copy of Wits and Wagers for your next family gathering! Leave a comment on this post by Friday, December 16, at midnight eastern time with the word or words that best describe the perfect game for your family (or group of friends). Make sure to include your e-mail address! I'll notify the winner on Saturday and you must get back to me with your mailing address by Monday, December 19, so we can ship the game right away (hopefully to arrive in time for Christmas, but definitely for your New Year gatherings!). Good luck!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Guess who visited us last night?

2011-12-07T09:44:00.000-05:00

The tooth fairy!!

Lucas's tooth had been loose for several weeks and it finally came out last night. My mom had given me the great advice of not pulling it out because if it hurt he'd be scared/worried about future teeth. So I just made a game of having him wiggle it 10 times whenever I thought of it. Last night we were working on his homework (yes, kindergarten homework!) and it seemed SUPER loose. I suggested he push it back instead of pulling it forward and out it came!

He was SO excited!

The tooth fairy left four quarters, an Avengers activity book, a small magic kit and...the tooth!

Apparently Lucas had taken the tooth out of his tooth turtle pillow and hid it under his regular pillow. The tooth fairies couldn't find that tooth for the life of them! As Lucas raced out of his room with his gifts this morning, he also exclaimed, "She left my tooth!"

Abel and I were quick to suggest that maybe she left this one because it was his first and therefore extra-special! We also let him know that probably he got extra gifts this time for the same reason (with 19 more to go, the tooth fairy will be broke if she keeps giving so much!).

Then I casually asked where he had put the tooth and got the full story!

Oh that boy. My baby boy. How is this possible? I remember so well when that first tooth broke through. That itty-bitty baby tooth. It had already gotten way too small for my big boy's mouth but the one coming in behind it seems impossibly large. He's still my baby after all, right?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Birthday Expecations

2011-12-01T18:15:00.001-05:00

Lucas's first day of "winter break" is his birthday but I'll still be working that day. So the other evening I suggested that on his birthday dad could bring him and Nathaniel to my office and we could all go out to lunch and get special cupcakes.

I expected excitement.

I got, "Mom, I'll be busy celebrating. You know, with a pinata and stuff."

Hmmmm.....

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Christmas Books

2011-11-29T18:15:00.000-05:00

Lucas has been asking to break out our many Christmas books for more than a week but I've held him off because I wanted to start a new tradition. Last night I wrapped our 23 Christmas or winter themed books and loaded them up in this basket. Starting Thursday he'll be able to select and unwrap one each night as part of his bedtime stories. Yes, we need a few more to make it until December 25, but my parents traditionally give each boy a Christmas book for St. Nicholas day on December 6 so we should be all set after that.
By the way, if you're looking to start or supplement your own Christmas book collection, I highly recommend Humphrey's First Christmas. (One of last year's St. Nicholas day gifts!) It's the specific book Lucas has been asking for. Not only are the illustrations absolutely stunning, but the story is very, very sweet. We all love it!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Thankful

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Free printable from here.

Life is challenging and busy and hectic these days. And I'm often wishing for more time, especially with my wonderful boys. But I am so grateful for our family -- for Nathaniel, who can now say, "Mommy" and calls for me often. For Lucas who is so full of hugs and kisses and always wants one more, just one more, one last hug, okay this is the last one, but mama, one more hug and kiss! And for Abel who is my biggest fan and who is an amazing father. These days are hard and long for him, too, but our sons are so lucky to have such a great dad who takes care of their needs and makes time for fun adventures.

And, I'm thankful, too, for this outlet -- to write and share with you, dear readers.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with yummy food and surrounded by loved ones.

xoxo

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Superpowers

2011-11-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

Last night Lucas and I made a quick little fire in our fire pit to roast a s'more each before bedtime and then we hung out by the fire for a bit to ensure it was out before we went back inside. After we gobbled up our s'mores, he used his amazing imagination to start a game -- I was the captain of the ship and he was my first mate, all kinds of fish started attacking and he speared them with his bamboo. At one point a whole school of piranhas attacked and Lucas started telling me about his super power: his brain can divide into 1,000 Lucas's to make a Lucas army.

I tried to play along and said I'd make a Mama army, too. He came over, really close to my face and said, "Silly, Mama, that isn't your superpower."

"What is?" I asked.

"Sweetness and kindness and putting people on the naughty step when they do bad things."

Being able to divide into 1,000 me's would be pretty useful, but I'll happily take those three instead.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

The universe is telling me to get a Wii!

2011-11-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not even kidding.

So several months ago, I got an e-mail with the opportunity to host a Wii Play Motion party. So fun, right? The only problem was that we don't own a Wii. No worries, they said, can you borrow one? Of course!

I decided it would be ~~selfish~~ super-fun to make it a ladies-only night. I mean you know that if the guys and kids were there the moms and ladies would get NO playing time. Am I right?

Nintendo and their pals at Brand About Town sent me two HUGE boxes which were, essentially, a party in a box. Seriously. The only thing I had to do was use the generous Cold Stone gift certificate to actually go purchase the ice cream.

(Don't you just love my table scape above? I was so proud of it!)

Oh? A close up? Here you go!

Yes, the jars came pre-labeled. And yes, I saved them for a future party.

Man, those sundae's were delish! But, of course the most fun was an evening with some of my favorite ladies and having a TON of fun playing with the new Wii Play Motion!

And did I mention the favors? Everyone went home with an ice cream bowl and scoop and one lucky lady went home with a copy of Wii Play Motion and a controller!

My generous fist-pumping friend, D., let us keep the Wii for an extra week or so and Lucas, Abel and I LOVED playing. I may or may not still be obsessing about Pose Mii Plus. (Not surprising since Tetras is my first and true Nintendo love!) Oh, and ladies, Abel and Lucas figured out Skip Skimmer in about 2 seconds -- it is super fun!

So after a few fun nights of gaming with our 5 year old, Abel and I started to think that maybe a Wii should play promently on our Christmas List this year.

But, wait! The story doesn't end there!

Fast forward a few weeks to Blogalicious (totally. amazing. more coming soon!) and WHOOOO gets her card drawn to be part of the Sears & KMart Winter Wonderland Dirty Santa gift exchange?

MEEEEE!!!!! (And 24 other lovely ladies!)

I know my good friend Thien-Kim at I'm Not the Nanny won't mind me stealing this pic. That's the awesome Lindsay Maines of Rock and Roll Mama but I'm on the floor on Lindsay's left.

Man, they had some amazing gifts. And you know how this game goes -- you can pick a gift from under the tree or steal from someone else. You know the moment one of the bloggers ahead of me opened up a Wii that I was intent on stealing it. But, alas, I got caught in the 3 steals max rule and lost it. However, I did score a Wii Fit Plus!

So, let's add this up: I now own a Wii Motion Plus game, 3 Wii motion remotes and a Wii Fit Plus. What's missing? An actual Wii!

Yeah, it's on the top of our list!

Of course the disclaimers: Nintendo supplied me with the game and remotes and sundae fixings and ice cream gift card (whew!) but all opinions are my own and those of the fun ladies at my party. I paid for Blogalicious with my own dime(s) and had a grand time and totally lucked out on getting to play in the Dirty Santa game (THANK YOU to the MANY bloggers who dropped your cards but weren't "present to win" as they say). No compensation was provided for this post.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Winner!

2011-11-17T11:07:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, Katrina at Wakeboarding Mama! You won the Tiny Prints giveaway. I'll e-mail with the details!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

How do you choose?

2011-11-16T14:02:00.000-05:00

Friends, I had the BEST luck yesterday -- I won a giveaway over at Design Mom!. Do you read all of Gabby Blair's amazing stuff? Oh I just adore her! And her giveaways are to die for. I always enter (you can't win if you don't play!) but never dream of winning because she usually has nearly (or more than) 1,000 entries per contest.

But yesterday I got an e-mail notifying me that I won! And a really good one at that -- $250 to spend at House8810.

So that got me to thinking: how do you spend "free" money like that? Even if you've never won an amazing contest like those at Design Mom, certainly you've gotten some sort of reward or even received a gift card.

Do you go crazy and buy frivolous things that you'd never spend your "own" money on? Or do you go super-practical and feel as though you have to get the absolute most bang for your buck?

I go back and forth. This time I went super crazy and bought all kinds of fun things that I would have had a hard time spending my "own"money on. And, my lucky, lucky sons (especially Lucas!) will be the recipients of some pretty fun things this year for Christmas!

But I did make sure to get the most bang for my buck -- through some slight changes to my initial order, I got my grand total up to $249.45!

Photos above are a few of the items I selected from House8810. And that umbrella? Totally keeping it for myself!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Free TinyPrints Card from Santa for All PLUS Giveaway!

2011-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Lucas has already started hoarding holiday toy catalogs and is circling and pointing out ALL the toys he wants (note: just about every single item in the catalogs!). And Monday night he wore his robe to bed "to be ready in case the Polar Express comes tonight."

So while I may not be ready for Christmas, HE certainly is! One of the absolute best things about his age (he'll turn six right before Christmas!) is that he's so smart and grown up in so many ways but still has this amazing sense of wonder and excitement. I mean, he was really and truly serious about the possibility that the 'ole PolEx might rumble in front of our house that very night!

So imagine how excited he'll be to get personalized card from Santa in the mail soon!

Today only, visit the Tiny Prints Facebook page to find out how to personalize either the Checking It Twice or Santa’s Scroll greeting card for FREE!! {Hurry! Offer ends 11/9/11 at 11:59 pm (PT).}

And...even better...one lucky reader will win 50 free TinyPrints cards this year! Just head over to http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm to check out this year's selection and leave me a comment with the one you'd choose! (I know it's hard to narrow it down, so feel free to mention your top 3!)

The giveaway will close in one week, on Wednesday, November 16. One comment per person, please and I'll randomly draw one winner.

Disclosure: I was offered free address labels for giving away 50 free cards to a reader. Sounded like a win:win for all of us! All opinions are my own.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Dia de los Muertos

2011-11-08T15:14:00.000-05:00

We got invited to a very fun Dia de los Muertos party on Saturday. It was the perfect addition to our otherwise very low key weekend (just what we needed after a very, very busy October!).

The day before I decided we'd paint our faces like the calavaras and I thought the flowers in my hair were a nice touch! Our painted faces were a hit and several other guests joined in the fun (I brought the face paint and brushes with us!).

Another nice aspect was that everyone was asked to bring a photo of a loved one and many people spoke about the person or animal they were remembering. It was lovely--how often do you get to share a story or memory like that? Not often enough, I say!

We brought the wedding photo of Abel's maternal grandparents (on the left with blue background) and Abel told the group how they had 15 children and were incredibly poor (think one-room house and no indoor plumbing with all those kids!) but that there was so much love their poverty didn't matter. In fact just this summer I asked Abel's mom and aunt if they knew how poor they were and they both answered that they had no idea. Their memories are filled with laughter and love. How wonderful.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T13:27:00.000-04:00

We had such a fun Halloween this year! As always, it was a little hectic (especially since I had to get home from work!) and there were a few minor costume incidents, but overall, it was fabulous!

I took a picture of our treats this year (above). I was totally RADICAL this year and didn't give out ANY candy. None at all. Only one child yelled back to his friends, "There's no candy here!" But I got lots of "wow!" "awesome!" "look mom!" comments, so that was very cool. We gave out boxes of temporary tattoos which I got on clearance last year, glow stick bracelets (15 for $1 at Michaels!) and, Halloween comic book samples which the comic book store gave to Abel (literally about 100 of them!) for free when he and Lucas stopped by to pick up some new kiddo comic books earlier that afternoon. (If you don't already know, there are some really neat kid comic books out there--Lucas really loves them and they're the first "books" he's sat looking at for long periods of time.)

But of course you really just want to see the costumes, right?

Nathaniel was an adorable fire fighter! I picked this expensive costume up at the thrift store last September for about $15. It's really nice material (heavy canvas with reflective strips) and we already had the hat. Nathaniel spent our town holiday party on Saturday trying to strip out of it (and succeeding!) but didn't try to wrangle out of it last night.

This cutie pie LOVED trick-or-treating. He loved running after his big brother from house to house, loved saying, "HI!" "THANK YOU!" and "BYE!" to everyone. He did get quite spooked at the scariest house in town, but quickly got over it when Lucas ran on to the next house!

Lucas made an awesome Captain America. As you can see from the expression below, he was quite serious about it! His poses were awesome! Abel (aka The Best Dad in the World) hand sewed that star, the red and white stripes and the arm bands. And, he even shortened the fingers on those long red gloves so they'd fit perfectly. The coolest thing is that Lucas can now wear his Captain America sweat suit all fall and winter! And, of course, the mask and shield will make for fun toys.

(In this last picture you can see that Lucas still has his saber tooth tiger face painting on from earlier in the day! He didn't want to wash it off but also didn't want anyone to see it and be confused! Too cute!)

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Baby Boy Stroller, Part 2

2011-10-27T15:02:00.001-04:00

Do you read Apartment Therapy's OhDeeDoh blog? I just love drooling over their featured nurseries and kids' rooms. Anyway, today I just had to laugh because they featured a post about the oh-so-elusive non-pink toy strollers. My post on the same topic from nearly THREE years ago is still the #1 Google search hit to my blog!

Okay toy stroller manufacturers, you heard it here first: there's a BIG market for non-pink or purple toy strollers! Go forth and create, please!

P.S. Lucas's overpriced toy stroller is (thank goodness!) still going strong and is currently one of Nathaniel's favorite toys!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

I heart scarves!

2011-10-25T11:52:00.000-04:00

This video is fantastic! (Thanks Suzie for sharing it!) I love scarves but am often at a loss for how to wear them. This video is a great excuse to add to my (meager) collection. I've already tied today's scarf in a new way and can't wait to try out the other 24 ideas! Check it out!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Christmas Cards

2011-09-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

We haven't even finalized Halloween costumes yet and I'm writing about Christmas cards? I know. I know. But, here's the thing: for the past two years, my absolute most favorite Christmas cards, of all the cards we received, have been from Tiny Prints. I can't really put my finger on it, but there's just something about Tiny Prints that makes their cards extra special. And, no lie, I can spot them without even turning them over to see the little Tiny Prints logo on the back. Here's how it goes:

Oh this card is so so beautiful.
I bet it's Tiny Prints.
(turns card over)
Yep.

And so when Tiny Prints e-mailed to give me the opportunity to get 50 free cards in return for a blog post. Well, my friends, I am totally willing to pimp myself out for that!

Especially because this year...this year? I already have our Christmas card photos! This might be the year that I return to my pre-kid days of mailing my Christmas cards immediately after Thanksgiving, instead of barely-in-time-to-arrive-before Christmas. (And I'll be interested to see if this new mama friend, our first card received for two years in a row, will switch places with me!)

This summer when my sister and adorable nephew were visiting, we had the most wonderful photo shoot of the grandparents and their grandsons. Oh these photos! They are stunning! There are wonderful photos of the three boys together, wonderful photos of the boys and the grandparents, wonderful photos of each boy alone.... We've been oohing and ahhing over the photos since we got them back. (And Nathaniel truly steals the show--there are dozens of perfect photos of him!)

So I have the photos this year, but the hardest part is going to be choosing a Tiny Prints card....

I love this one -- the photos are clearly the focus of the card. I also love that it opens so there's room to jot a note on the inside...

But how cute is this? There's room to personalize the text around the photos. I think it really captures the fun and joy that is Christmas with young children.

And what about this? The great thing about this card is that when Christmas is long gone, our friends and family can cut the pictures off and have two lovely stand alone photos of the boys on their fridge.

Decisions! Decisions! (But of the best kind!!)

As I mentioned, Tiny Prints offered me 50 free cards for a blog post, but all opinions are 100% mine!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

S'mores Parties

2011-09-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have a fun little post up over at the brand new The DC Moms about budget-friendly, easy and delicious s'mores parties. Are you reading The DC Moms yet? You should definitely add us to your RSS feed, reader or list of regular blogs because, not only will I be writing there several times a month, there are some phenomenal women writing there every day. Seriously, ~~they're~~ we're an awesome crew!

But here's the deal, if you're local and take my tips for hosting your own fabulous s'mores party, you really need to include me on the invitation list!!

Oh, and Hershey's, if you're listening and want to sponsor my next s'mores party, feel free to send chocolate!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Launching cake to heaven

2011-09-09T19:00:00.011-04:00

Lucas asks and thinks about my death quite a bit. I'm not sure why but I always try to reassure him that I plan to be around for a long, long time. Mostly these questions/comments come about in reference to something of mine that he wants. For example, he knows/believes that when Abel and I die he'll get our house "for free." (I do try to remind him that he'll have to share with Nathaniel!) He's also looking forward to getting my wedding rings "for free" after I die. (He's always desperate to wear them but he's lost/broken so many pieces of my jewelry over the years that I won't ever let him.)

The other night, after books and songs and snuggles, Lucas told me that after I die he'll make me a birthday cake every year and put it on my shrine. (Yes, he used the word shrine...where does this kid get this stuff?? Did Phineas and Ferb recently build a shrine to someone?) I told him that was very nice, but since I know he loves cake SO much, he should just go ahead and eat it. He quickly agreed... very quickly. But, he also told me that he'd save me one piece:

"I'll save one piece for you and I'll put it on a rocket ship and send it up to heaven. But I'll put a really tight lid over the plate so the cake doesn't fly away and I'll write your name, Aimee, on it so that God knows it is for you."

I can't stop thinking about this conversation for several reasons.

1. So, so sweet.
2. How quickly he agreed to eat the cake. That boy does love cake! (Maybe even more than his Mama!)
3. So smart -- he knows all about gravity.
4. That God would need to know it was for me via a name tag and that he would write "Aimee" on it instead of "Mama."

Man, I just love that kid.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Rain, rain, go away!

2011-09-08T19:00:00.006-04:00

Between Hurricane Irene and now three days of nearly constant rain, I've been spotting really cute rain boots on my daily commute to and from work. Since it now involves the Metro and a four-city-block walk to the office, I have to think about the weather more than I used to!

Jordan's Rain Boot Roundup on babble comes at the perfect time!

As much as I love admiring tall rain boots on others, I'm just not sure I'd wear them. But I'm thinking these Dansko Vail Rain Boots might be more my style. Plus, maybe I could get away with them in an inch or two of snow, too? (Hmmm...the reviews are pretty bad.)

And there's something very appealing about the classic L.L. Bean Rubber Mocs (sorry for the fuzzy picture, they've apparently made it difficult to grab images from their site.

But how fun would it be to have a pair of waterproof red or bright fuscia shoes to brighten a rainy day?

I certainly won't be buying anything today, but it's fun to think about!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

The Summer of our Lives

2011-09-06T19:00:00.001-04:00

Fab graphic available as a free postcard download at Frolic

A few weeks ago, on the Saturday night before the first day of school, after our yard emptied of the dozens of friends who had come over for an end-of-summer hot dog and s'mores roast, Lucas emphatically declared it had been the best day of his life.

Then he reconsidered as he started listing all the other best days of his life that summer.

We ended up agreeing that it had been the best summer of his life.

Ah, how that made my heart sing.

The summer, well, late winter and early spring, actually, had started out as possibly the worst time of our lives for Abel and me when his small organization closed down and he was laid off. The first few weeks were horrible. Scary. Filled with anxiety. Dread.

Not only was Abel laid off, I had been a stay-at-home mom since Nathaniel was born 19 mos ago so our weekly income suddenly = $0.

Luckily we had some savings. Luckily Abel qualified for unemployment. Luckily we also qualified for food stamps. Luckily a free lance gig came up for me.

But more than luck, we buckled down. We counted every penny. Literally every penny. It became a personal challenge--and triumph--for me to calculate our grocery bill down to the dollar. To go for days and days and days without spending a dime. We started line drying when our dryer broke. (In February. Brrrrr.) We gratefully accepted gas cards from my parents and when they visited they brought lunch or paid for dinner.

And after I was able to fall asleep instead of laying in bed fretting for hours on end. And after we were able to go a day without questioning, worrying, wondering. After we settled into our poverty. After that?

It did become the best summer ever.

We had a house. A car. Two actually. We had the most amazing, wonderful, happy children on the face of the planet. We were together. And in love.

If there is one thing I am most proud of about our little family of four, it is the abundance of love. Of hugs. Of kisses. Of never-held-back I love yous.

Summer 2011 featured no camps, no beach vacation, no amusement parks.

But it did feature lots and lots of adventures -- parks, museums, s'mores (a very cheap way to entertain friends!), the zoo (free in DC!), back yard camping, cardboard robot making -- adventures of all shapes and sizes but with one common factor: free or very, very inexpensive.

Our yard never looked better! The floor of our laundry room was visible on more than one occasion!

Because there was time. Time together. Time around the house. Time for adventures.

And nearly every day (after I stopped freaking out) I thought to myself, "This, this is the time of our lives." We were poorer than I ever hope to be again. But we were happy. Because we were together. And as hard as it was, especially at first, I think I will always look back at the summer of 2011 as the best summer of my life.

{I'm back at work (er, outside the home!) full-time and Abel's home with the kids but still looking for a job. We are doing okay on what I make + unemployment. Thank goodness for unemployment. But we are hopeful that something will come along for Abel soon. And in the meantime, he's trying to savor his time at home, especially all the time he has with Nathaniel.}

Though I didn't initially write this post with this in mind, I've decided to link up to Elena and her Be Enough 4 Cancer Campaign. Because I think this post really is about our family, our love, our togetherness just being enough.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Brown Bagging It

2011-08-24T15:35:00.000-04:00

Of course I'm not actually bringing in a brown paper bag every day for lunch. What a waste! And I know that the most green thing to do is use what I have instead of buying a new lunch bag. But, my current lunch bag (left) leaves MUCH to be desired. As you can see.

Since I am using a TON of restraint to not eat lunch out every single day at one of the literally hundreds of cafes, restaurants and lunch spots--including a plethora of DC food trucks--within a few blocks of my new office, I do think I at least deserve a cute new lunch bag.

I'm sure you agree! RIGHT?

But, which one to get? Decisions...decisions!

This Koko Cristy lunch bag looks adorable! It definitely takes the cute factor. But, I'm a bit concerned it would be too small for my lunch and snacks. ($15.98 on Amazon)

I'm a big fan of Built NY (and also black, apparently!) and love this Built NY Getaway. Reviews assure me that it would be big enough and I know from experience that the neoprene stretches and also is easy to clean. ($17.15 on Amazon)

I'm seeing So Young's lunch boxes in all the back-to-school round-ups but how about this lovely large cooler? It is quite tempting....but do I love it as much as $36.95? Hmmm....

What do you think, friends? Or, do you have another favorite I should consider?

Here are some more great lunch box inspirations:

Apartment Therapy's Cool For School: Lunch Bags for Older Kids

Apartment Therapy's Cool for School Lunch Bags for Toddlers and Young Kids

Swistle's Milk and Cookies

Oh, P.S., I'm not even close to being sophisticated enough on this blog to have an Amazon affiliate program or anything like that so those links above are just links, nothing more.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

The DC Moms

2011-08-23T09:38:00.000-04:00

Did you mourn the loss of DC Metro Moms? Then head right on over to The DC Moms and you'll find some familiar faces and meet some awesome new ones--back and better than ever!

I'm excited to be up with my first post about recent recalls and eating local.

Enjoy!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

1st day of Kindergarten

2011-08-22T11:21:00.000-04:00

Lucas was so excited this morning! From the moment he woke up, he was raring to go.

He was in his classroom, had his book bag hung up and was sitting in his seat before Abel, Nathaniel and I could even get into the room.

Immediately before I left, I heard him introducing himself to one of his table mates and asking her if she wanted to be friends.

I'm pretty sure this kid is going to thrive this year. And I'm so excited to watch it happen!

{Yeah, the apple is for his teacher! It's a fun little tradition I started last year with his nursery school teachers. It has a brown paper leaf on the stem that says, "Happy First Day of School, Ms. T!"}

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Prep (for) School

2011-08-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

Lucas's kindergarten orientation was Thursday morning--we found out his teacher and got to spend some time in the classroom. I couldn't be happier about his teacher, and neither could he.

His school supplies are purchased and uniform shirts and shorts are neatly folded in his room. He's thrilled about his new book bag and his beloved and very durable (going on 2.5 years of use!) lunch box has been given a good wash and his name re-applied in Sharpie.

We're all set for Monday morning!

On one hand, Lucas's first day of kindergarten can't come soon enough. On the other, I think it should still be a few years away!

{Do you also get a school day report of approximately five words? Check out this adorable--and useful--School Notes Free Printable from Living Locurto. I'll be printing several copies this weekend!}

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Told you he was crazy!

2011-08-19T10:02:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned that this little guy is crazy, right? This pic is from last weekend. A ball rolled under my parents' Honda Pilot and he went right in after it...the ball kept rolling and he kept going! That's Abel's arm on the left: he was a little stumped about what to do. My mom oh-so-helpfully pulled out her phone and snapped this pic! (But, seriously, thank goodness she did: I'll treasure this always!)

Luckily he crawled out the other side!

Oh, Nathaniel, how you keep us on our toes!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Did you prefer Steve over Joe?

2011-08-15T09:24:00.000-04:00

Any and every mom (or dad!) who has sat through an episode (or 1,000) of Blue's Clues while your child jumped up and down and your brains melted out of your ears MUST listen to this segment of the Moth Radio Hour with Steve Burns, the original host of the show. Seriously. Click now.

If you've never listed to the Moth Radio Hour, I highly recommend it.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Drum roll, please

2011-08-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

In my last post I left a big teaser about life changes. Well, here it is: after 5 years as a part-time work- outside-the-home mama and then 18mos as a full-time stay-at-home mama, I've gone back to work...in an office...full time!

I just finished my second week--and received my first paycheck, woo hoo! (Though it only reflected four days of work so was tiny.)

This is a huge change for our entire family. Right now, Abel is home with the boys full-time. (More on that later...apparently I can't tell an entire story in one post!) They are doing great. I leave at about 8am every day and take the Metro downtown (SOOO fun to be downtown in lots of action!) and get to the office by 9am. So far I've been leaving at 5pm and home by 6pm, but as work picks up, my day may lengthen a bit.

There are great things about going back to work--a paycheck, a sense of professional fulfillment, fun lunch spots (though that isn't really in the budget!), running into friends on the Metro, new colleagues who may become friends.... And there are really hard things--only seeing Nathaniel for usually less than two hours on weekdays, having Lucas ask me to stay home, missing all three of my boys, having less time for my volunteer activities....

But as with any big change, I know it will just take some time and then we'll all be used to it and in a good routine. I'm so grateful to have found a job quickly when we really needed the income. And I can tell you one thing, you can be assured that you won't ever find me in the middle of a "mommy war" debate--I've now been on ALL sides of the stay-at-home v. work-outside-the-home mom debate and I can assure you, they are ALL tough!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Three Weeks to Go!

2011-08-08T15:14:00.000-04:00

I can hardly believe that my baby boy will start Kindergarten in THREE weeks. How is this possible? I'll admit that I was excited for this day for months but now that it is almost here, I'm getting a little nervous and weepy at the thought. He was in a full-day nursery school for two years so this really won't be much different. And yet it IS very, very different.

Honestly I think my weepiness has more to do with the big change in my life than this upcoming change in his. (Yes, that is a total teaser for a future post!!!)

I'm in love with this morning checklist FREE download from Children Inspire Design (one of my favorite Etsy shops and the source of the adorable counting cards I enjoy daily in Nathaniel's nursery). It won't really work for Lucas because he can't read...yet...but I think it would be fun to display nevertheless.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Courage

2011-07-22T20:15:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Lucas, who only started willingly putting his head underwater this summer, swam across the diving well, went down the water slide (which drops into water deeper than he can stand in) and jumped off the low dive for the very first times.

When I asked him what he was thinking when he jumped off the diving board, he replied, "This is crazy! This is awesome! I can't believe I'm doing this! I want to do it again!"

Tonight, Abel texted me, he went off the high dive. He also sent photographic evidence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks ago, I realized that I hadn't had my hair cut in over a year. In the summer heat, I was mostly wearing it in French braids and buns. As I was hanging clothes on the line one afternoon, I decided that I was only one calico dress away from fitting in at the Big House and needed to remedy that situation fast.

I made an appointment, sat down in my stylist's chair (although I'm obviously not an every-six-weeks customer, she's the only one who's touched my hair in over 10 years, including my amazing wedding day up do) and told her I wanted it to be at least above my shoulders but do to whatever she wanted to it.

I love it.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Caught it on camera at about the 5th out of 20 times!

2011-07-17T21:10:00.003-04:00

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Have you visited Out by Ten lately?

2011-07-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

I know posting has been light 'round these parts, but I've been going gang busters posting TONS of great stuff over at Out by Ten. And, it's not only for kids! My most recent post features free concerts at the Strathmore that would make for an awesome date night!

What are you waiting for?

Go check it out!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

I'm So Excited!!

2011-07-06T20:49:00.000-04:00

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-03T20:45:00.002-04:00

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Three Kinds of Families

2011-06-23T11:20:00.001-04:00

My aunt, a long-time and very skilled family therapist, says there are three kinds of families:

Families who gather around food
Families who gather around alcohol
Families who gather around activities

Makes sense, right? We all know families whose gatherings are all about activities--they get together to ski or mountain bike or hike. Their vacations are centered around being active. Then, there are families who get together to drink. Their gatherings have copious amounts of alcohol. Then, there are families whose #1 question when planning to get together is: what will we eat? What should I bring?

My extended family (both sides) definitely falls into the food category. There's always a big meal. Dinner is often planned during (or just after) breakfast. We're a food family. Sure, there may also be alcohol or activities, but food is the centerpiece of our gatherings.

I've been around alcohol or activity families before and, let me tell you, it has been a disconcerting experience. I'll never forget a time I was vising a friend during college and her family planned a beach picnic. Except we got there and there was hardly any food! The activity of driving onto the beach, visiting the beach, walking along the beach, was clearly the focus (I later realized!), NOT the food part of a picnic. In fact, if I recall correctly, I don't even think there were enough sandwiches for everyone to have their own!

I literally could not wrap my head around what happened that day!

I started giving all this a lot of thought recently when my brother and his new girlfriend were vising for (I would later learn!) my surprise party weekend. On Friday night we were talking about her meeting my parents for the first time the next day. She said something along the lines of, "I feel comfortable around any family that eats."

I couldn't agree more! (And she'll do just fine with ours!)

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Home Alone

2011-06-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

For the first time in more than five years (since Lucas was born!) I was recently home alone in our house for more than a few hours (38 to be exact!).

It was heavenly.

Kind of.

More times than I can count, I've taken the boys to my parents house for an overnight, weekend or several days, because Abel had to work or to let him get some major home repair project done without interruption. And while I know he was always hard at work during these times (repairing the dining room ceiling, insulating the attic, renovating our basement, building a stone retaining wall) I also know that he would crack open a beer and watch a movie at night, sleep in or just kick back for at least a few hours during the time he was home alone.

I was always so jealous!

Recently my parents wanted/needed him to do a small home improvement project for them, and due to some outside commitments (including the deadline for my first freelance editing/writing project--woohoo!) I couldn't take the time to go. So, he took the boys with him overnight.

Ahhhhhhh.....I was practically giddy as they pulled away!

In some ways it was wonderful. You wouldn't believe how neat and picked up I was able to keep the house! In other ways it was just strange. I kept hearing Nathaniel stir from his nap or wondering when he'd wake up.

So while I'd definitely take the chance to be home alone again, I no longer think it would be the best thing in the world. Even though those two boys create a lot of chaos in our home, it feels awfully lonely without them!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Surprise!

2011-05-31T11:27:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night, Abel threw me a totally epic surprise (early) birthday party. (We both agree that the word epic is completely overused right now, but, really, it is absolutely appropriate in this instance!)

It. Was. Amazing.

And I was totally, completely, utterly surprised. (Which was so fun!)

So I thought that we were going out to dinner with our good friends Chase and Ian. We headed over to their house for a pre-dinner drink and met Chase on the balcony. She got us to look over at the back corner of her yard, under the ruse that there was a raccoon back there. Suddenly, out of no where, 30+ friends came out from under the deck and yelled, "Surprise!"

I was shocked:

So much so that at first I didn't even register what was happening:

After composing myself, I went down to give everyone a hug and thank them for coming. I looked around thinking we must be grilling out in Chase and Ian's backyard or just having drinks with our friends.

But, oh no, there was more. Much more.

Abel then tells me that a bus is coming to pick us up to take us all to a restaurant in Annapolis.

I didn't believe him.

Until everyone started shaking their heads and telling me it was, indeed, true.

So we walk out front, turn to the left, and what do we see parked a block away?

This:

Yes, we all piled into a school bus that our friends had pre-stocked with several coolers of beer and boxes of wine (no glass allowed). It was hysterical and a blast at the same time. I mean, when had any of us last been on a school bus? And I know for certain I'd never cracked open a Miller Lite on one!

After a fun-filled 30-minute drive, we caused a bit of a ruckus when we pulled into the teeny-tiny parking lot of Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn with our big, yellow school bus! Not to mention that we had a party of 32 at a restaurant that doesn't take reservations! But, no worries. We socialized in the parking lot with a few extra drinks from the bus and got to enjoy a perfect evening and a great view...

To be honest, my head was still spinning and it was just so fun to hang out with so many great friends.

Before we knew it, we were led to our table--one huge table and another smaller one. (Our group is the entire group straight back and also everyone on the back left!). As we walked in, I heard several comments about the school bus full of people!

We all enjoyed a fantastic dinner of crabs and seafood and finished it off with a delish homemade cake.

By the time Stu and our school bus came back to retrieve us, we all agreed that this should be an annual event!

All day Sunday and Monday I peppered Abel with questions about how in the world he pulled the whole thing off. Apparently there had been months of planning and lots of help, but the bulk of all the work was his alone. (Numerous attendees told me how hard he'd been working on it and how he'd thought of every detail!) I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing husband and so many fantastic friends!

Here's to a great year!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

A Poem

2011-05-27T06:35:00.000-04:00

My Clothesline Meditation

Standing at the line
Shirt, clip, clip
Inhaling the incense of the honeysuckles
Towel, clip, clip
Old-fashioned ritual becomes meditation
Shorts, clip, clip
In my too-busy modern life

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Collections

2011-05-25T08:05:00.000-04:00

If I was the kind of girl who could keep up with a daily project for more than a few days then I'd start taking a photo-a-day of the contents of Lucas's and my pockets!

The other day, just before his bath, Lucas pulled out a (beer) bottle cap, a feather, two rocks, a bead, and-- as the piece de resistance--a mangled and wilted handful of (what looked like) weeds mixed with grass mixed with dandelions (oh, do you call those weeds, too?), while exclaiming, "Oh, yeah, and my bouquet!"

And on another recent evening, I pulled out a small piece of glass (worn around the edges, but still obviously something I was trying to stop Nathaniel from eating!), an acorn, a sticker backing, a rock and a lego.

Lucas's pockets contain precious and prized possessions. Mine contain all the little pieces of stuff I take away from children throughout the day!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

DYI Artwork

2011-05-23T09:36:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited about my latest DYI project!

Abel picked this frame up at a flea market years ago and spray painted it black for me. I've had it in our room, on top of a bookcase and leaning up against the wall. But, I wasn't ever completely happy with it there.

Then, recently I've been thinking about all the lovely Save-the-Dates, wedding invitations, baby announcements, and even birthday party invitations we receive--some are just so beautiful that I'd love to display them but our fridge is just a mess.

So...I thought I could use the frame as a display! Sorry I couldn't get a full shot of our dining room but the room has yellow walls (obv!) and a cool black and white carpet. I ordered a spool of yellow and white bakers twine from InspireLovely on Etsy and Abel used eye hooks to make three rows of twine for me.

Photo via InspireLovely

I grabbed some of our cutest recent announcements and invitations and put them up using some fancy paperclips I also had on hand.

I'm so thrilled with the final product and can't wait for our next invitation/announcement/Save-the-Date to arrive so I can add it to the current display or switch something out!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Uncle Eric

2011-05-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

This morning a classmate of Lucas's brought a very tiny dead snake in a zip lock bag to school. She was proudly showing it off to everyone so when we got there she immediately brought it over to Lucas. He was fairly unimpressed and told her, "my Uncle Eric has a bigger snake at his house. It's a corn snake and I pet it."

One of the teachers turned to me and said, "I've just GOT to meet this Uncle Eric. Lucas talks about him all the time." Then the other teacher jumped in, "yeah, Uncle Eric said Lucas can have a beer when he's 21."

I do believe the actual quote was, "I'll buy you your first beer when you turn 21."

Rest assured, Uncle Eric, you loom large in the mind of Lucas and apparently his teachers and classmates as well!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Coming along nicely

2011-04-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

My collection of eggshells for Cascarones is coming along very nicely. I'm nearly at four dozen and am confident that a few more evenings of breakfast for dinner or big weekend breakfasts will get us to a solid five dozen. Ohhhh...I can't wait to crack a few over my boys' heads!

It's not too late to make Cascarones yourself. Check out my tutorial here. Just make a quiche or a nice egg strata and you'll be all set!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

A New Dryer

2011-04-12T09:58:00.000-04:00

It's been about three months now that we've been without a working gas dryer but we've found something just as effective. On sunny and warm days, at least! Who knew I'd be planning my laundry around the weather forecast!

There is something soothing about carrying a laundry basket into the back yard, hanging it up and then taking it back down again a few hours later. I'm also falling in love with the smell of our line-dried clothes, sheets, towels and napkins, and the texture is much less stiff than I imagined it would be. In fact, I hardly notice.

Abel installed this rack right over the 2" pole that remained from the laundry line we promptly removed the moment we moved into this house (Total irony, right? But, the two cross bars were incredibly rusted and the line crossed nearly our entire yard.) Unfortunately it is located right under our largest tree, so, depending on how well the birds are able to aim, we may need to move it later!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Cherry Blossom Kids' Run

2011-04-04T13:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was one of those days when I just kept thinking, "The things we do for our kids...."

You see, ever since the day Abel found out he didn't win the lottery to run in the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, he has been looking forward to taking Lucas down to the Washington Monument to participate in the Kids' 1/2 Mile Run.

But then two friends decided to sell their bibs and so Abel did get a slot in the 10 miler. At first I totally assumed that meant that the 1/2 Mile Run was off for Lucas. But, I was wrong. It meant SO much to Abel for Lucas to do it, and of course Lucas had gotten pumped for the race.

And that's how my friend and I ended up trekking FIVE children ages 11mos to 6 years on the 6:59am Metro train to Smithsonian, across the Washington Monument grounds (dodging runners and blocked roads) so Lucas and his friend (team Fireskulls as you can see in the photo above) could run a quick 1/2 mile loop.

Oh, the things we do!

In the end it was, indeed, worth it. Lucas ran the entire distance and was so incredibly proud of himself. It was a beautiful morning, and other than some elevator challenges (the two youngest were in a double stroller), the trek itself went pretty smoothly.

Thanks to Abel volunteering to do an elite athlete airport pick-up a few days prior to the race (and yet not actually having to perform that duty--he is SUCH a lucky duck!), he's got a guaranteed slot in next year's race. And so I anticipate a similar trek for the Kids' Run again next year.

The photo above is my reminder to myself that, despite the 5am alarm, we should do it again next year.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Good Fortune

2011-03-25T13:32:00.000-04:00

Abel and I used a months-old gift card to enjoy a lunch date at P.F. Changs earlier this week. What a treat! I just love lunch dates. Of course, our darling companion Nathaniel tagged along although he had already eaten. (Lucas was at school--shhh don't tell!)

Nathaniel spent the entire lunch watching all the activity of the restaurant. His head turned to follow every server and he did quite a bit of flirting with the table of three ladies to his left (and behind my back!).

At the end of the meal, Nathaniel chose his fortune cookie and this was his fortune, "Your happy heart brings joy and peace where there is none."

I thought it was so perfect for our happy boy. His lovely nature and constant smiles (he always has one at the ready for anyone who gives him even a glance) bring such joy to our little family as well as all friends and strangers we encounter on our journeys. I am so grateful for such a sweet baby.

____________

My own fortune was one to remember as well: The simplest answer is to act. (The fortune cookie version of Just Do It!) Too often I dither or worry or get stuck in the circles of my own thinking. I need to just get out of my own head and act much more often. Maybe I'll put mine on the fridge!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Six Signs of Spring

2011-03-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

1. Crocus spotting!

2. Mulch (from our nearby park) in Nathaniel's diaper.

3. Bath night becomes almost every night, instead of every other night (or even possibly every third night as sometimes happens in the winter when we're stuck inside for days on end!).

4. Muddy jeans, muddy overalls, muddy faces, muddy hands.

5. Puddle hunts!

6. Lucas's two pairs of shoes turn into the "muddy pair" and the "clean pair." Unfortunately, the clean pair often gets muddy, too, and so "clean" actually just refers to the least-muddy-at-the-time.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Spring Things

2011-03-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

A friend recently offered to give me a brand new bottle of Mrs. Myer's Basil hand soap because it was making her sneeze. The funny thing is that I had just unearthed a package of Medela pump and save bags that I wanted to give to her, so it was a satisfying trade for both of us. I have to say that Mrs. Myers Basil is my new favorite scent!

I have it at the kitchen sink and find myself washing my hands extra-often just for a whiff of the wonderful, spring-like scent. (And that's saying a lot because I'm a big hand-washer anyway!) Now I'm anxious to run out of counter top spray, all purpose cleanser and dish soap so I can replace them all with this lovely scent!

Thank you, Charlotte! (Though I'm terribly sorry it makes you sneeze!)

I was at Target the other day picking up a few prescriptions and of course had to peruse the $1 section. (I just adore that section!) In my opinion, The Find Of The Season is a set of three small, metal planter decorations. Each packet contains a pink, blue and green bird on a copper stick. I am just thrilled with them (especially the pink and blue...the green blends in too much with my green house plants) as the quality is fabulous!

{I may or may not be planning a return trip to purchase several more sets tomorrow! Ahem!}

I'm thinking of so many more purposes for them than as planter decorations. For example, one would be absolutely adorable tied onto a ribbon on the outside of a gift. Hopefully your Target has them as well!

(I bought the single sprig of Rosemary at our Christmas Market and am so thrilled with the purchase! I've already used it so often! I've cut off the new growth on the top and am trying to root a second sprig.)

It is time to start saving your eggs to make Cascarones for Easter! Long-time readers know this is my absolute favorite Mexican (or is it more generally Hispanic?) tradition that I married into. Whenever you use an egg, just carefully crack off the top, dump the inside to use, then rinse the empty shell and put it back in the carton. We're unsure of our Easter plans this year, but if we stay home, I'm planning to invite some friends to our local park to have a big Cascarones celebration this year!

Spring IS on its way, right? We're just desperate for it!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Up, Up, Up

2011-03-08T09:45:00.001-05:00

Our little guy loves to climb...

Happy as a clam on top of the table. He's never even considered sitting in those lovely chairs!

Usually this stool is against the kitchen sink so Lucas can easily wash his hands...now I have to make sure it is in the middle of the floor or I'll find Nathaniel standing at the sink playing with whatever (usually breakable!) things are in there! (Note that he's climbing from the back and not going the easy way via the step on the front!)

His goal was to climb from the cart onto the top of the shelves. But as he reached, the cart slowly rolled back. Of course I had to snap a quick pic before helping him!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Line Dry

2011-03-04T14:27:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago I posted on Facebook that Abel could probably fix anything.

The next day our dryer broke.

It still isn't fixed.

Well, he's fixed it several times before (replaced the belt at least 3 times). The timing element had been broken for a few days at that point (as we found out when I put a final load in one Saturday night and came downstairs AFTER church on Sunday morning to find the drying still going!). But that was easily "fixed" by using the kitchen timer.

Now it no longer heats. (Kinda' the main thing a dryer does, right?)

The week it broke was an extra busy one. So, we figured it would be easy to line dry for a few days until Abel had a chance to fix it.

And here we are MANY WEEKS later (five? maybe six?) and we're still line drying. There isn't even a monster pile of laundry on the floor. In fact, we've been keeping up with it quite nicely.

I have to admit that almost every day (the key here is to do a load a day because you need the almost the entire day to line dry) I am shocked that: 1) I haven't yet freaked out about this situation, and 2) It isn't so bad.

(Major props to Abel who has been very creative with places to hang laundry and has been very diligent in hanging it!)

I think if we can make it into March Abel will put up a clothesline in the back yard and maybe we'll make this a regular thing.

(Don't worry, neighbors, undies will remain on the drying rack inside. A line has to be drawn!)

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Annnnnnnd he's back!

2011-02-27T19:57:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, after not finishing his breakfast, Lucas lounged on the living room couch for about an hour.

I said to Abel, something is wrong with Lucas.

I don't think that child has ever sat still for an hour (without the TV on, of course!) in his entire life. Not to mention, he asks for more to eat for breakfast almost every day.

He didn't have a fever. Nothing bad was coming out either end (ahem, you know what I mean). He seemed fine.

Except, that he didn't.

It was quite bizarre. We let him watch a few cartoons on TV, he ate about a bite of lunch, then lounged for a few more hours. Mid-afternoon I bribed him to eat with a little bit of ice cream, which he finished but didn't ask for more. (Again. Very strange.) And then I started to get worried.

Could something be really wrong?

He slept in until 8am this morning. Not totally unheard of, but surprising because he had such a low key day yesterday. But, the moment he boisterously bounded down the stairs, I knew he was okay.

After about an hour of talking, playing, hugging, moving his brother, telling stories, asking for breakfast, more breakfast please, playing, asking me to play with him, jumping, more hugging and more and more and more talking, I realized that since nothing was really wrong in the end, yesterday was kind of a nice change of pace.

But, I sure was glad to have my crazy little buddy back.

*I realize this could also be titled And, she's back. Sorry for the long absense.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Laundry Tips

2011-01-20T10:32:00.000-05:00

1. Do not ever wash a Pull-up.

2. Do not ever let a down comforter get a little tear while in the dryer.

Consider yourself warned.

Ugh. Obviously these were both total accidents but they happened literally on back-to-back days. Oh, and did I mention that during this time I had a horrible head cold (notice that I'm already setting up this story to push the blame onto something else?) and Nathaniel was (still is, poor buddy!) sicker than he's ever been in his short little life. (double ear infection, congestion...)

NOT the time when you want to have to rewash a load of laundry 3 times to remove the bizarre absorbent granules that apparently make up a pull-up.

NOT the time when you want to scoop down out of your dryer by the handful, have it fluff out all over the piles of other dirty clothes, have to vacuum out the dryer and vent all while getting yourself coated in down.

Honestly, beyond the excuse that I was a little foggy, I'm just not sure how either of these things happened. I do feel confident that the Pull-up had been dry. Lucas must have really tangled it up with pajama pants to the extent that I didn't notice it when I threw it into the washer. (He's always quick to rip off and throw away a wet one.) (Yes. We are still dealing with these issues.) And as for the comforter? Maybe a small corner was stuck in the door and then ripped? Who knows.

All I know is that every time I walk into the laundry room now, I see at least five more pieces of down floating around. It's enough to make a person stop doing laundry for good!

Yes. That's the answer, for sure.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Fondly remembering my encounter with the Shrivers

2011-01-19T10:20:00.003-05:00

Today I am fondly remembering my brief encounter with Eunice and Sargent Shriver in 2003. Below I've re-posted what I wrote about it in 2008. This may be familiar to some of you as I also re-posted it when Mrs. Shriver passed away. Although I mostly focus on my time with Mrs. Shriver in this post, it meant so much to me to be with Sargent Shriver as well. He was so incredibly kind. Meeting and spending a brief amount of time with each of them truly is something I will remember for the rest of my life. My only regret is that I didn't' wear my "McGovern Shriver '72" button on my lapel that morning!

Edited to add: This piece by Colman McCarthy is a wonderful essay and tribute. The line, "the legions with whom Shriver had shared himself were no doubt recalling those chance run-ins as encounters with grace." That rings so true for me!

Originally posted May 2008:

It’s Commencement-time across the country and famous and not-so-famous people are addressing the nation’s Class of 2008. This morning as I was driving into work, there was a short story on NPR about Maria Shriver putting an Obama sign on the front lawn of their California home and Arny following suite with a McCain sign.

It reminded me of one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

It was Commencement 2004 and I was working at a local university. My department had the unlucky task of working commencement every year (which also always fell on Mother’s Day), handling the VIPs, press and other behind-the-scenes details. That year my sister was graduating from the same university so I was technically excused from working. However, my boss did offer me one opportunity, for which I will be eternally grateful.

You see, two people receiving honorary degrees that afternoon were Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Two of my heroes. Knowing what it would mean to me to meet them, my boss offered me the opportunity to “staff” them that morning. Of course I jumped on the opportunity.

Mr. Shriver took most of my time and attention. I knew he was suffering from Alzheimer’s but was surprised at its toll. He was amazingly kind, personable, funny and attentive to me, but also asked the same things over and over again and needed constant attention.

Mrs. Shriver was perhaps the most elegant person I’ve ever encountered in real life. She was very kind but also quite reserved.

At one point, however, Mrs. Shriver asked me to go over her speech with her. We sat down and she started reading it quietly to me. She began, “Throughout my life I’ve been known as many things. I’ve been known and John’s sister and Bobby’s sister and Ted’s sister. I’ve been known as Sargent’s wife. Now, I’m best known as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mother-in-law.”

I know it is rude to interrupt. But, I just couldn’t help myself. I quipped, “But you’re still a Democrat!”

Laughing she said, “That’s a great line!” and proceeded to hand-write it into the speech!

Minutes later I was standing back stage as she addressed the crowd and when she got to my line the crowd went wild—laughing and cheering. I was beaming.

Due to the length of the ceremony and their advanced age, Mr. and Mrs. Shriver left the stage immediately after receiving their degrees and giving their remarks. As I escorted them out of the building and into their waiting car, Mrs. Shriver thanked me for the great line.

It really did make the speech.

And, it was one of the best moments of my life.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Freestylin' at Wegmans

2011-01-18T20:32:00.006-05:00

Waaaaaay back in November I was lucky enough to be invited to an event to debut the Coca-cola Freestyle at the new Wegmans near my house. I replied immediately because:

1. It was right about the time when I needed a big pick-me-up after losing the campaign.

2. I had already tried out the freestyle and, while I thought it was pretty cool, I was also a bit confused about it.

3. W-E-G-M-A-N-S. In just a few short weeks, I was already a certified Wegmans devotee.

Hot shot Coke exec (and by hot shot, I really mean super nice!) giving us a personal tutorial

I don't think I've mentioned Wegmans on this blog yet. But, let me tell you, it is The. Best. Place. Ever.

Seriously.

The hype started on our town listserv about 2 years ago. Yeah. People were doing count downs. On opening day, people were sending e-mails via their smart phones with traffic, crowd and check-out wait status updates in between their screams of glee that WEGMANS had finally arrived.

Being me, I waited for the hype to settle a bit and went about a week and a half after it opened. Let me just say that I haven't been to another grocery store since. In fact, if the other bloggers at this event didn't know me already, I think they would have assumed I was a Wegmans plant by the way I gushed about everything.

But before we got to learn about Wegmans and have a tasty dinner, we got to check out the Coca-cola Freestyle. It's a sleek, familiar-yet-unique device:

And with it, you can dispense 106 different types of drink. 106. So, I'll admit that I'm a little boring with my (delicious) strawberry Sprite. But, for our next grocery run, Abel and Lucas spent a reported 10 minutes (and so I'm guessing it was more like 15 or 20 as Abel tends to underestimate time!) standing at the Freestyle trying all different mixes. They both LOVE it!

Our doesn't-need-caffiene-to-be-crazy Lucas got to feel like a big kid but actually just tried different versions of Dasani water, like grape, strawberry and peach. Abel mixed it up Cherry Coke, Lime Coke and Peach Sprite.

Needless to say, we're all fans!

So, if you haven't yet been to Wegmans: GO. And if you have been to Wegmans but haven't checked out the Freestyle: GO. Take your time with it, taste different combos and enjoy. We sure are!

Disclaimer: Wegmans and Coca-cola provided some yummy food, free sodas, swag and a giftcard for attending this event. But, I certainly didn't have to write about it and all opinions are my own.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Surviving in Style: Free Lymphedema Sleeves Thanks to Susan Niebur

2011-01-05T22:01:00.015-05:00

I've found that when someone is a giver it is very hard for them to accept--let alone ASK--for anything from someone else. My friend, Susan (that's her on the right), is a giver. And, I'm sure that even as she has battled cancer, and the effects of cancer, time and time again, it has been very difficult for her to accept the kindness of others.

The thing is, that when you allow someone to give to you, you really are giving to them. You are giving them the joy, the satisfaction, the happy heart that comes from giving to others.

And so, even as her body was being ravaged by the effects of chemo, Susan was thinking of others. Even as she was feeling the pain of her lymphedema (very painful arm swelling that happens to many breast cancer survivors--or warriors, I like that term better, don't you?--because they had lymph nodes removed and therefore don't have lymph nodes filtering our the yucky stuff) she was thinking of others who were battling lymphedema.

You see, Susan, like my mom, purchased her oh-so-stylish lymphedema sleeves from LympheDIVAS. Luckily, they were both able to afford them, despite the little or no coverage their insurance provided. These sleeves help keep the lymphedema under control and their cool designs tend to elicit compliments instead of rude stares. For many breast cancer warriors, a sleeve and/or gauntlet is a medical necessity, but too often insurance doesn't cover their steep cost (around $100 for just one sleeve!)

And so, Susan (being the giver that she is!), with the help of another giver (and friend!), Sue (that's her on the left), has arranged an amazing partnership. LympheDIVAS is now working with Crickett's Answer to Cancer to provide lymphedema sleeves and gauntlets FREE to those who need, but can't afford, them.

Most people assume that once the hair grows back (there's my sister, mom and me--wasn't she a beautiful bald warrior?--during her chemo) and a few scans come back clear, breast cancer is over. But, for many, the long-term effects are real and painful. Thanks to Susan and this partnership, many more warriors will survive in style and with with less pain.

And one of the best parts is that every time someone posts or Facebooks or tweets or just picks up the phone and calls a friend to tell them about this amazing act of giving, Susan is feeling the joy, the glow, the happy heart that comes with giving to others. And for that, I am especially grateful.

Here are the specifics:

Read about this project directly from Susan, leave her some comment love and then share her post with everyone you know (the share options are at the bottom of her post). Read more about it from Sue. Check out the awesome designs at LympheDivas and read about the co-founder and inspiration behind the company's continued mission, Robin Troxell.

Then, click over to Crickett's Answer for Cancer and be inspired by Crickett then download the enrollment materials here and write in "lymphedema sleeve and gauntlet" on page 2. Or, forward, e-mail, snail mail or fax the forms to someone you know who needs one. Better yet, just tell everyone you know about this, because who knows who might know a warrior who continues to suffer because they can't afford a lymphedma sleeve.

And then enjoy the joy, satisfaction, and happy heart of giving!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

New Year's Resolution

2011-01-02T21:21:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

I have SO much to catch up on, blog-wise, not the least of which is a report on Lucas's fun birthday party and a post in honor of him turning five.

But, in the meantime, I wanted to jump on-line for a quick second to post my New Year's Resolution. Although generally I'm not a fan of resolutions, this year I hit upon the perfect one and I very much look forward to keeping it: spend more time with my friends!

2010 was an incredible year but between the birth of Nathaniel, my run for office, then dealing with the loss, I pretty much focused on my self all year.

And how I missed my dear friends!

So, let's plan lunch, drinks, dinner, brunch--or, all of the above!

Either way, I look forward to seeing more of you in 2011!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

A Trip Down the DC Metro Moms Memory Lane

2010-12-29T10:16:00.002-05:00

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Before I get back to regular programming (or not-so-regular programming, as it's been around here for the past few months!) I hope you will excuse some very necessary house keeping business.

As many of you know, DC Metro Moms closed up shop this past summer. I'm going to be frantically moving all my posts over here before the end of 2010 so I don't lose them forever.

Thanks for understanding!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Advent Activity Calendar

2010-11-30T21:08:00.005-05:00

via Garnet Hill

I've spent the day putting together our first (and hopefully annual!) Advent Activity Calendar.

I'm so excited about it! I bought a similar calendar to the one above on clearance at Target a few years ago and have simply been storing it every year since. I didn't want to give Lucas candy every day (he's not a huge fan anyway, why encourage it?) and we don't need more little toys in the house so I didn't know what to do with it. A daily activity is just perfect!

Read more about it over at Out by Ten (my other blog which was even more neglected than this one, if you can imagine!).

{Can you believe it? Tomorrow is December 1!}

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Advice for my baby sister, on the birth of her baby boy

2010-11-17T13:14:00.004-05:00

Dear Sarah,

Despite your radiant look, lovely locks and ever-growing belly, it is nearly impossible for me to believe that you are about to give birth to your first child. Yes, I realize that you are older than I was when Lucas was born. But, as you know, you're still my baby sister and always will be. And so you as a mom is hard for me to grasp.

Don't worry, though. I know you will be an amazing mom. There is no doubt about that. And, I am so excited to become an aunt, to begin my life-long love affair with my first nephew and future friend to my boys!

Now that Mike is back and your family is reunited, we're all ready for baby to arrive. And, so, I thought I'd better take the opportunity to give you my best advice.

1. Savor the moments. I know everyone says it, but it is so true: time will go more quickly than you can imagine, especially those first few hours, days and weeks. Hold your baby as much as you can. Truly, you can not hold him enough. You have my permission to be selfish. You'll be in a unique position of having a lot of family around for quite a while. Be selfish: hold him as much as you want and when you want. Others can hold him while you nap.

That brings me to...

2. Nap! It is so important. You'll need to get your sleep in small 1-2 hour increments. Take naps!

3. Get out of the house. Every day. It is hard: you may not have showered and most likely will have dried spit-up on your shoulder, but get out for at least a walk or a quick trip to the store every day.

4. Take my advice about teaching your baby the difference between night and day. Start early, by 3-4 weeks. I speak with the authority of a mom whose children are both champion sleepers.

5. Let Mike parent in his own way. Trust me, he will do things differently than you, and you may feel strongly that he is doing them wrong, but let him do it his way. Don't correct him. Let him figure it out. The day you leave the house without giving him written instructions, you will thank me.

6. Leave the house. This time I mean leave the baby alone with Mike. If you are breastfeeding, you can leave for an hour or so. Later, you can leave for longer. He can handle it. If you take the advice of #5 then you won't even need to leave instructions. It will make him a better father and you a better mother.

7. Go out together. At some point (but well before your baby turns one!) go out on a date. Get a babysitter (Andrea will be perfect!) and leave. Do this on a regular basis. As mom always says, having a strong marriage is the best gift you can give your children.

8. Always remember: this to shall pass. From getting through the first minute of terrible pain while breastfeeding Nathaniel, to getting through the first 6 weeks of no sleep with Lucas, to dealing with Lucas waking at 3am every night for several months not too long ago, the one constant with children is that things will change. That stage will pass, something else will come along. So you didn't get any sleep tonight? Tomorrow will be different (not necessarily more sleep, but different hours of being awake!). So baby cried all day today? He most likely won't cry all day tomorrow. Although you feel that you will never, ever sleep again, you will (especially if you listen to #4!). You might feel like you can't possibly breastfeed for another day, but tomorrow will be better. Or the very next feeding will. You can get through it!

9. Take an extra shirt for yourself. You'll (most likely!) remember to pack a change of clothes for baby. But that won't help when he poops or spits up all over you! Keep a t-shirt in your trunk for yourself. And, in a similar vein, when you are going out somewhere (especially if you're wearing a particularly favorite shirt or want to look especially cute) get dressed at the last. possible. minute. In fact, get dressed in your garage after you've said good-bye or, trust me, you'll end up with a sticky hand print on your cutest, dry-clean-only black pants!

10. Don't feel guilty. Oh, I get so sick of moms and their mommy guilt. Yes, you'll mess up. Baby will be fussing and you'll have no idea why, until 20 minutes later, you realize it's because you left the plastic tag thing in his shirt. (Not that I ever did that, ah-em!) You'll make mistakes. We all make mistakes! I can guarantee this: you won't make the same mistakes more than a few times, but you'll always make new ones! I so often think of your favorite Maya Angel0u quote, "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."

So, that's my best stuff. I hope it helps and of course you know that I'm only a phone call, text message or e-mail away for lots and lots more!

I love you. I know you're going to be an amazing mother. Your baby boy is so lucky to have you. And I absolutely can not wait to meet him!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

A good laugh

2010-11-12T22:29:00.003-05:00

Today was an amazing day with Lucas. He was awesome. Helpful. Kind. Fun. And it's something we all really needed.

We've had some rough days lately.

Tonight I put him to bed, and, while reading Olivia, we got to a page where she was just being annoying. We were talking about it and suddenly he punched the book. I immediately reacted, "Lucas. Don't hit!"

He immediately replied, "Mom. She's a pig. A pig who talks." (With a tone that said, seriously, mom, you're overreacting. She's just a pig. It's just a book.)

He was right. I started giggling and he was quick to join in.

For the remaining several pages, he interrupted every other sentence with, "Mom, she's a pig who talks!" Or, "Mom. Know what? She's a pig who talks!" Followed by us both giggling our heads off.

He loved making me laugh. He loved us both laughing together.

And so did I.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Boo!

2010-10-11T13:31:00.005-04:00

I have wanted to join in the BOO! tradition that I've long read about on various blogs and despite the fact (or perhaps because of the fact!) that this is literally my busiest October in...well, ever, I made it happen this year!

The Trick or Treat bags are from the $1 aisle at Target. I thought that three would be a good number but then got home and decided to do a few more so the cones are just heavy scrap booking paper (which I've had for YEARS and have never used for any scrap booking related purpose!) that I just made into a cone and stapled. I taped in some twine to hang them. They are filled with varying assortments of plastic fangs, glow in the dark bracelets, Halloween stickers, Halloween pencils and lollipops.

If you google Halloween Boo poem, you'll get many results. I used the shortest, most simple version of the poem I could find and paper clipped three copies onto the front of each package (making it just a little bit easier for the person to BOO two more people. Here it is:

This treat is for you, we hope you enjoy.
The idea is simple, one we hope you employ.
You pass "BOO" along to two other neighbors,
Along with any kind of Halloween favors.
If we all do our part, and spread the good cheer,

By Halloween night it will be very clear,
We're a friendly bunch, we like to share fun
So please do your part to keep "BOO" on the run!

Of course, I'm desperately hoping we get BOOed back!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Mouse-click activism

2010-10-06T09:51:00.000-04:00

Do you want to know one of my biggest pet peeves? It's people who post a facebook status update about the latest disaster/thing-to-be-aware-about/societal issue and think they are actually doing something to make a difference.

Seriously, once upon a time, the youth of our nation marched on the streets to draw attention to a cause they believed in. Now, we think we're making a difference by writing "on the dining room table" as our facebook status.

If you want to do something, really do something, I have just the thing for you. It is as easy as typing a few characters and making a few clicks, and just takes a minute. Literally. Just one minute.

Join Army of Women.

In their own words, Army of Women is a "revolutionary initiative" with two key goals:

-To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.

-Two challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women.

Sign up today. Then read your e-mails and sign up for a study if you are eligible.

Then you can go ahead and post "on the stairs" on facebook as a little joke while feeling good about the fact that you are actually doing something about it.

Because we don't need another pink cookie or kitchen appliance. And I don't care what color your bra is or where you keep your purse.

Chant it with me:

What do we want? Research!
When do we want it? Now!

Go!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Funny

2010-10-05T11:43:00.003-04:00

Every day, The Washington Post delivers an "afternoon update" to my inbox. Here's a portion of yesterday's update. Do you think that ad for a mattress is a big coincidence or was it placed next to that particular study intentionally? Either way, it cracked me up.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Favorite Things Friday: Curbside Cupcakes

2010-09-10T08:31:00.001-04:00

Picture shamelessly stolen from Curbside Cupcakes.

OMG.

Seriously.

I know I haven't done a Favorite Things Friday in, uh, forever, but this post just had to be written.

Two words: Curbside Cupcakes, my friends, Curbside Cupcakes.

(You can thank me later.) (In cupcakes.)

So, here's the story, last Saturday we attended what is most likely the most casual, relaxed, fun wedding we ever have or ever will attend. The wedding itself took place by the Jefferson Memorial, guests sat on blankets or bag chairs or ran around (um, this was mostly the kids in attendance). Then we walked through the FDR Memorial (only my favorite memorial in all of DC!) to the polo fields where the Salahis met us. (Totally stole that joke from the officiant!) Okay, where there was a big white tent waiting for us along with...wait for it...wait for it...a taco truck and a cupcake truck.

Fun, right?

The tacos were amazing (and probably deserve their own FTF post) but the cupcakes? The cupcakes were divine.

I had two.

And, the next day the bride dropped off three extras at our house.

I had 1.5 of those.

Yeah. That good.

So, apparently this truck drives around DC (find out where it is at this very moment) and you (if you are a lucky duck who lives or works in downtown DC) can buy one. Or 12.

(But let me warn you: if you by 12, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, take them all home. You will eat them. I know, you will try to resist, but it won't work. See above: 2 + 1.5 = 3.5.)

I did receive 3.5 cupcakes for free. But they were paid for by my friend (or whomever funded that totally awesome wedding.) However, if Curbside Cupcake would like to compensate me in any way, the truck is More. Than. Welcome. to come to my house any day of the year! (Do you hear me Curbside Cupcake?!)

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

The Twins

2010-09-07T14:51:00.006-04:00

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Which is Nathaniel and which is Lucas? Everyone says that Nathaniel looks like me and Lucas looked (and still looks!) like his dad, but I think these two boys look so much alike!

In a last-minute decision, we sent both boys to my parents' house this weekend--both boys gone for three nights and two days! It was great, we got a lot of campaign work done, I made some dents in our mountain of laundry and ironing and we even went out on a classic DC date night (dinner followed by a moon-lit tour of a monument!).

I was nervous about being away from Nathaniel for so long because I'm still breastfeeding. And, it did pose some challenges. Pumping was fine for about 24 hours then my body fully rebelled about the fact that there was no baby involved. Luckily in just the first few hours of Nathaniel being back things seem to have, um, regulated.

Answer key: Exhibit A is Nathaniel, B is Lucas. Did you guess correctly?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Brothers

2010-09-03T19:57:00.004-04:00

Lucas drew this picture of a good deed during Children's Liturgy at church last week. It's a picture of him standing next to Nathaniel's crib and singing to him. Indeed, that very thing had occurred just the day before. Someone was at the door and Nathaniel woke up from his nap and started crying. Before I could say goodbye and close the door, Lucas was up the stairs singing to his baby brother. It was the sweetest thing you can imagine.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Vote early, Vote often

2010-09-03T19:55:00.001-04:00

Nathaniel joined me this morning to kick off the start of Early Voting in Maryland. It was pretty exciting to mark the "X" next to my own name! I lingered just a bit before hitting submit. Here's to victory!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

"Hi," she said quite sheepishly, "I've missed you."

2010-08-22T20:47:00.009-04:00

Hello there, dear readers. I presume the only ones to get this will be those who have me in a feed or some sort of reader. I mean, when someone hasn't posted in almost two months, you kind of stop checking, right?

Well, I'm back. For today. No promises about tomorrow or next week. But, for today, I'm back.

And, I'm going to let you in on a big secret. Well, not a secret, really, but something I haven't shared with you, my dear readers: I'm running for office. Yes, that's right. I have yard signs (and even get to see them when driving down the road, which is very strange), campaign literature, a website and even a few endorsements. I was given a passing mention on a prominent news site and subsequently a prominent blogger was outraged on my behalf (and on behalf of the other even more amazing women who weren't mentioned either).

I'm running for School Board in our county and campaign season is in full swing. Every. Single. Day. I have campaign stuff to do, usually more than what I can possibly finish in a day. And, of course, it's summertime and Lucas and Nathaniel are both home with me all day (ya' know, cuz I'm also a stay-at-home mom!) and so life is insane. But, also really, really exciting. Abel is 110% on board with this and so incredibly supportive. (Thank goodness, because, if he wasn't? None of this would be possible.) When I don't feel like I can do One. More. Meeting. or knock on One. More. Door. He pushes me to do it, to go, to smile, to knock, to talk, because we believe in this effort and we know that it is worth it. Worth it for our sons and their future. Worth it for all the children in our county. Worth it.

But, now that my "secret" is out to you, friends, I'll be even more honest. It isn't just being busy that has kept me from blogging (but it is being too busy that has kept me from reading and commenting on your blogs, however, and I truly am missing you!), it's also a feeling of being too exposed.

I am putting myself out there, publicly, and asking thousands of people to either vote for me or against me. To say: yes or no. To me. And, even though I have not ever blogged anonymously, and I do think it is a very good thing that voters could google me and come here and learn more about me than literally any other candidate on their ballot, it is also a little scary. Because it's me. Yes or no to me. And, damn, does that cause some major writer's block!

But, with the wonderful encouragement of my dear friend, Dr. Blondie, I decided to come back, let you in on my adventure, ask you to cheer me on (and if, by God, you live very near to me, I ask you for your vote!), and support me in my cozy corner of the world here on Smiling Mama. A corner I hold near and dear to my heart and a corner that I have been missing very much.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Favorite Things Friday: Hydrangeas

2010-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Friends,

I can not tell you how much I am adoring my hydrangea bush! I have had beautiful purple and pink blooms adorning my dining room table for weeks and it is still blooming! I know there are methods for trying to control the color of your blooms but I am so pleased with our beautiful deep pink and purple flowers that have come with no additions to our clay soil other than some mulch each year. Oh, I do hope that the blooms continue for at least a few more weeks!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Perhaps I let him jump a bit too long

2010-07-01T10:50:00.001-04:00

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Solo Living

2010-06-30T22:44:00.001-04:00

Sorry I have been gone for so long! I find that whenever I let a few days pass without blogging then let a few more days pass, I start to feel intense pressure to make the next post a really good one. Which, of course, means that a few more days pass...you get the picture!

So, what's been going on? Well, a few weeks ago, Abel and Lucas went on a 9 day epic father and son adventure to Ohio, leaving Nathaniel and me home alone! It was quite strange and also quite lovely to be home alone (well, essentially alone!) for more than a week. Since neither Abel or I have ever traveled for work for more than a few days at a time, this was an entirely new experience for me and the longest I have been home alone in more than seven years. Here are a few things I learned:

- If Abel had left me alone for 9 days with a 5 month old Lucas, I would have been having panic attacks about caring for a baby solo for so long. When he proposed taking Lucas and leaving me here with Nathaniel, I practically jumped for joy at the thought of such an easy week.

- I am pretty messy when left to my own devices! Without Lucas here to make an even bigger mess of my mess or destroy important papers, etc., I spent the time starting a project, leaving it out and moving on to the next one. The house got quite messy throughout each day.

- I have hermit tendencies. I rationalized this based on the 90+ degree temps, but without a 4yo or husband urging me to get out of the house and do something, I was quite happy to simply be home.

- I can't blame Abel for keeping me up too late. Abel and I are both night owls but our love of sleeping in ended abruptly with Lucas's birth. Now, with two young children, it is nearly impossible. Abel still likes to stay up quite late, but I try to be more realistic and get us to bed at a reasonable hour. I always blame him when we stay up too late! So, you'd think with him gone, I'd be in bed and asleep promptly at 10pm every night (my usual goal!). Wrong! I stayed up until around midnight almost every night.

- By the same token, I can't always blame Abel for not replacing the toilet paper when it runs out. Man was I annoyed with myself when I did that!

- Our house creaks and groans at night. It freaked me out a little. No wonder Lucas prays that God will get us a new house that doesn't creak. (True story!)

- As much as I savored the time to myself (and got a lot of stuff done that is hard to do with an active 4yo underfoot), 9 days without my big boys was Far. Too. Long. I am incredibly glad they had such a great time together but am even more glad to have them both back home.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Baby in a Bucket

2010-06-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Local and Organic Homemade Baby Food

2010-06-15T10:45:00.000-04:00

Nathaniel is five months old and we've been giving him rice cereal for a few weeks. I think he is actually starting to enjoy it--he seems to know what is happening when the bib comes on and eagerly opens his mouth for the next bite. (He also likes to try to grab the spoon which makes for some messy eating! But what can you expect from a baby?)

He's ready for something more than rice cereal and I'm ready to start him on veggies. Our pediatrician actually mentioned starting with fruit, but I distinctly recall starting Lucas on veggies and I feel like it is good to get a palate for veggies developed before introducing wonderful, sweet-tasting fruits he's sure to love.

As I was thinking about what to start him with, I realized that he's starting foods just as our local farms are about to explode with a bounty of organically grown produce. Perfect! My goal for this summer through the fall is to see if we can feed Nathaniel only locally grown, in-season, organic produce.

So at Saturday's market I was ready to hunt for the best-looking veggies out there. There wasn't too much to choose from, though. If I wanted to start with fruit, I could have chosen from wonderfully red strawberries and raspberries or plump little blueberries. There was tons of lettuce, but that's not such a great baby food. Luckily, there were some adorable little summer squash--3 for $2--that I picked up from Radix Farm.

On Sunday, I peeled the squash, cut them into chunks and steamed them for several minutes until they were nice and tender. Then a quick whirl with my immersion blender and they were perfect. I filled up 12 holes in an ice cube tray to freeze them for use throughout the next two weeks. The whole process only took about 15 minutes--if you haven't ever made your own baby food, you should try it. It really is easy, I promise!!

My only regret is not buying six squash instead of three--I have enough for one cube of squash per day so I can do cereal in the morning and squash in the evening, but if he really likes the squash, I may run out too early. Luckily, there are a few more farmer's markets in the area to find more squash, but it certainly is most convenient to prepare it all at once.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Market Lunch

2010-06-13T12:14:00.003-04:00

Friends, pictured above is one of the most simple but delicious lunches I've ever had! Yesterday morning was week 2 of our community market and there was so much wonderful stuff to choose from that I totally ran out of money before I got to the Maryland wine tent! (As an aside, thanks to state legislation initiated by the woman who is the force behind our market, sponsored by one of our state delegates, and passed this year by the MD General Assembly, Maryland wineries can now come to Maryland community/farmers markets!) (And you say government doesn't do anything for you!)

Anyway...I came home and promptly put this meal together. I was so proud of it that I just had to take a photo to share it with you! (The hydrangea is from my garden--my attempt at being an artsy food photographer.)

Here's a description of the meal with links to the vendors:

A hearty slice of farmers bread from the Cheverly Breadbasket with Caprikorn's to-die-f0r goat's milk gouda (toasted to crisp the bread and melt the gouda) with a salad of crisp lettuce and sliced cucumber from Shlagel Farm. For dessert, fresh and wonderfully sweet strawberries from Rebert's Farm. (The only component not from the market is a drizzling of my homemade Sweet and Sour Dressing.)

It was so good, I'm having it again today!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Random Birthday Thoughts

2010-06-03T16:58:00.004-04:00

Lucas picked out my birthday card this year. Can you tell? (Please note that Abel crossed out the 6 and wrote in 33.) Within minutes of giving it to me (with a huge grin, BTW) he very sweetly asked if we could share it--how could I refuse?--and promptly took it back. He carried it around all day!

If you aren't on Facebook yet you should join just to be on Facebook on your birthday. What fun to get dozens and dozens of birthday wishes!

I know what I want next year for my birthday: to not be a mom. Now, now, don't get me wrong, I love being a mom! But just for my birthday, I'd rather not be a mom. Because all day I just kept thinking, "don't you know it's my birthday?" As in, "why are you whining about that inconsequential thing, don't you know it's my birthday?" Or, "why do I have to change this poopy diaper, don't you know it's my birthday?" Or, "your nap can't be over already, don't you know it's my birthday?"

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

The Letter Project

2010-06-02T08:47:00.003-04:00

Friends, I am so excited about Sue from Laundry for Six's new project. She's calling it Letter Project and the idea is to write one letter a week for an entire year--52 weeks totaling 52 letters. She'll be writing about her own letters and offering readers a prompt each week for their own letters.

And I'm totally in!

I have stacks and stacks of letters from friends and family, the large majority of which arrived when I was in college. I was a prolific letter sender during those years as well. I only knew one person with e-mail during our freshman year and honestly, I didn't understand it at all! I eventually got e-mail maybe during my sophomore or junior year but still rarely used it. Instead, I wrote letters! I have long letters from my then teenage sister and short chicken scratch letters from my dad (he was the best care package sender ever!) and my grandparents. During summer break, my college girlfriends and I wrote to each other with actual letters as well. What wonderful prized possessions those letters are!

And of course, this project will be the perfect excuse to fuel my love of stationary--especially my love of finding cute stationary on sale! (Though, truth be told, I have boxes of cute note cards this very moment!)

I am not starting this project from scratch, actually, I imagine that I still write--and actually mail!--more written notes than the average person. I know what a joyous thrill it is to receive a real live letter or even a note that isn't a pre-printed card in the mail and so make an effort to send notes on a regular basis.

In honor or Memorial Day, Sue's first prompt is to write to someone in the military or someone who is deployed or living overseas. And I actually participated without even realizing it because I sent a care package and note to my sister whose husband is in Afghanistan for a year. (Sarah--check your mail!!)

I'm looking forward to next week's prompt! Won't you join me?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Ecstasy, Despair and Ecstasy: The Story of a Cake

2010-05-30T19:23:00.008-04:00

Nathaniel's baptism was today and it was absolutely lovely! When Lucas was baptized we spent a decent chunk of change on a cake by the same bakery that did our wedding cake. It was delicious! (And actually in the same flavors of our wedding cake, we had one delicious wedding cake!) But this time around, I was determined to make a lovely and delicious cake myself.

I have no idea why baptism = nice cake in my mind, but it does.

So, my plan was a yellow layer cake. I would bake two 9" round cakes (the size I happen to own and lest you think I've turned Martha on you, please note that the mix was from a box and the icing from a can!) and slice them each in half to have four layers.

It's strawberry time and also Saturday happened to be the first day of our amazing Community Market. So, I planned to buy lots of fresh strawberries and some strawberry jam at the market.

The plan was executed flawlessly. I bought perfectly amazing strawberries, had the jam-maker select the perfect jar for me to use on the cake and baked the cake to lovely golden perfection. The, I sliced it. Not perfectly but fine enough.

I let it cool. For a long time.

Then, the creation began!

I arranged strips of wax paper on the cake stand so that I wouldn't get a messy ring of icing. I moved the bottom layer. I spread strawberry jam on it and then I began to move the second layer.

It broke.

No worries! Icing can fix that. I spread a nice, thick layer of icing on the second layer. Perfect.

Hmmm... it is lopsided.

No worries! The third layer was a bit crooked as well. If I placed it strategically, it would certainly all balance out.

I moved the third layer, placed it on and stood back: the cake was pretty much evened out. I spread a nice layer of strawberry jam. Oh my! It smelled delicious!

I began to move the top layer. It broke! In half! No worries. Plenty of icing left. I gently mushed it together and began to ice. Lots of icing. I was doing just fine.

I used all the icing. The top crack was slightly visible. Hmmm...

But! I'm wasn't finished! I had strawberries!

I decorated with some strategically placed berries and ended up with this divine creation:

ECSTASY

The glory! The pride! Ha! I didn't need an expensive bakery cake! I created perfection!

I placed the cake in the dining room, returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes and began to compose sonnets to the cake in my head. I awaited the compliments Abel and my in-laws would surely heap upon me when they returned!

Abel arrived home and said, "Great. You made the cake."

"Yes," I replied, "isn't it amazing!"

...

...

"Isn't it?????????????"

"Well, the berries are sliding a bit."

DESPAIR:

And again:

The heat! The humidity!

My! Cake! Is! Ruined!

And so I despaired for about an hour. Then, I moved the cake into the fridge. And brooded for another hour. Then I pulled the cake back out, removed the strawberries, redistributed the icing and put just a few berries on top where they couldn't slide. It was somewhat salvaged.

But today, after lunch, when I took my first bite of cake, the ecstasy returned. It may not have been the most beautiful cake ever but oh man oh man, it was DELICIOUS!

(And I enjoyed the ecstasy again with my second piece, too!)

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Summer Break Scares Me

2010-05-26T10:14:00.001-04:00

My four year old son's first year of preschool ends in just a few days. My baby is almost five months old. And, I recently resigned from my part-time job. All this adds up to mean that starting next week, I'll be home seven days a week with two boys until after Labor Day.

Can I tell you a secret?

Come closer....

I'm scared of summer!

Yes, of course, I am grateful to be able to stay home. It's taking some penny-pinching and coupon-clipping but we're going to be able to swing it. And, of course, I feel so blessed to have two beautiful boys.

But, I'm also a little scared. We've always been the type of family to go on a lot of outings and spend tons of time at the nearby park, but I've never been very good about art projects or educational games or much of a schedule. And, let's face it, even my busiest days at work were my easy days!

I'm determined to do more this summer, to really step up my game. There will be art time, there will be rest time, there will be strictly limited TV time and fun educational activity time. There will be structure and a schedule. But, I'll be sure to leave a little room for mornings in our jammies and rainy day movie time and spur-of-the-moment fun.

Hmmm....maybe this summer will be pretty fun after all!

Original post to DC Metro Moms. Aimee writes about life with her boys at Smiling Mama and about family-friendly outings and activities in Prince George's County, MD at Out by Ten.

MaryK said...
Sounds like you're on track to have a great summer. Try to have some water fun at a nearby park's kiddie pool, and maybe enroll your oldest in swim lessons too. Do some 'field trips' to the National Zoo, the Smithsonian, or even just the local farmers markets. Nothing helps beat boredom than a change of scenery, even if it's just for a half day. At 4, riding the Metro is a huge adventure! Savor every moment!!

May 26, 2010 at 09:22 AM Suzie P. said...
We are quite the opposite. I have four kids and I am looking forward to the unscheduled flexible summer time. I subscribe to the let the kids run and play and be bored some so that they create school of thought. And after five summers off (started when my oldest was in school) we are all about the unscheduled time. I'm positive that they kids will enjoy having you around regardless of what you guys do, and do leave some time for them to just be over the summer - it's a great learning experience for all involved!

May 26, 2010 at 10:52 AM Thrift Store Mama said...
I've had two kids within 22 months of each other every summer and I only work 2-3 days a week. I plan out each day, but permit/allow/encourage myself to change plans if I want to. I also try to alternate physical activities with mental ones (play time around the house, then playground, then coloring, then an errand to the grocery store, etc.) I also try to map out what chores I can do that they can help with, what chores I can do while I can still keep an eye on them while they play, and what chores are best left for when they are not around. That way I don't waste naptime doing things I could have done when they are awake.

All transitions take some getting used to - for you and your kids. Of course, you know yourself and your kids best. Look forward to another post on how it's working out.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

A Mouse in my House

2010-05-18T13:08:00.002-04:00

Eeek! We have a mouse in our house! (Yes, indeed, my friends, I am absolutely certain it is just ONE and it is a MOUSE and not a rat. GOT IT?!)

Seriously, between the lice and a mouse in our cupboards I'm certain you all think we're the dirtiest people ever. But, truly, we are not!!!

So, feel free to assure me that a mouse in your kitchen is a common occurrence. Something pretty much everyone has to deal with at some point. Perhaps you've even had one? (And don't forget, lice like CLEAN hair!)

I discovered it--or the signs of it--yesterday morning. The cheddar goldfish cracker bag had a little shredded hole. I showed it to Abel who suggested that perhaps Lucas had done that. (What's that saying about denial?)

I cleaned out our cupboards (unfortunately the lower cabinets are our only space to store food) like they had never been cleaned before--seriously, a major cleaning. Yesterday was SUCH a busy, crazy day for both Abel and me that we just didn't get to the store for a trap. And then this morning we discovered a little hole in a bag of microwave popcorn and and the oatmeal. UGH!

I've put all our remaining food into a big plastic bin and traps will be set within moments. And then....what? I guess wait to catch one (okay, okay, where there's one there are more, right?) mouse and then...what? Wait to catch another? How do you know you've gotten them?

I just hate stuff like this. It so totally creeps me out.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Sometimes yelling is necessary

2010-05-10T16:09:00.005-04:00

I took the boys up to my parents' house for Mother's Day. On the drive there, as we were coming down a mountain (well, a big hill for any West coast people!) Lucas and I both noticed the sky. It was full of thick, puffy clouds (whose specific type I'm sure I learned in 7th grade but certainly can't remember now!). The sun was above them, shining down in beautiful rays.

Lucas said, "Mama, I see God's face."

And before I could even comment, he started yelling, quite loudly: "God! Wake up! Can you hear me? Wake! Up! God! Wake up! Can! You! Hear! Me!"

Then he stopped. And we continued on.

~~~

A few weeks ago I joined a bible study. It really is the last thing I have time for, but it has become one of the nicest few hours in my week. I have considered joining bible studies in the past but this time felt very strongly compelled and so against my internal protests that I already had too much on my plate, I joined.

Maybe God was yelling at me, asking if I could year him, too.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Favorite Things Friday: Mother's Day Bouquet Artwork

2010-05-07T13:02:00.005-04:00

Oh my! What a long hiatus for Favorite Things Friday! I'm back today with a lovely print for Mother's Day or simply as a treat for a friend or yourself.

I became a big fan of Children Inspire Design as I was searching Etsy for artwork for Nathaniel's nursery and the Spanish 1-10 flashcards are from that shop. Now, of course, I'm on their e-mail list and was pleasantly surprised when this beautiful bouquet popped into my inbox earlier in the week. The artist to share it with every mother I know so, my friends, here it is! You can open up the PDF of the lovely paper flower bouquet here and then print your own copy. I think it would look lovely in a frame or as part of a card for your mother, yourself or anyone who needs a little pick-me-up!

If you click over to Children Inspire Design today you can even enter to win an original collage valued at $500! The giveaway ends at midnight central time tonight, so click on over!

Be careful because you might just fall in love and purchase some art for yourself!!!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

My Constant Companion

2010-05-06T16:14:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel is almost 4 months old and this past Saturday I was away from him for about 7.5 hours, the longest we'd ever been apart. (Of course I had to pump during that long stretch!) When I got back home, I missed my little buddy so much!

Of course, when Lucas was an infant, I spent a lot of time with him as well. But during those first few months, I was just so overwhelmed with being a new mom that I took every opportunity to make a quick run to CVS or Safeway without him when Abel was home. Obviously I adored Lucas but I do remember savoring those strolls down the aisle of the grocery store as some much needed "me time." And of course by the time Lucas was 4 months, I was also back to work 2.5 days a week and so spent some long stretches away from him.

This time around, I'm home full-time and I'm much more comfortable and casual with the infant stage: It certainly is easier to tote a 4 month old to the grocery store than a 4 year old! Nathaniel and I hang out while Lucas is at school, then we usually all go to the park. Evenings and weekends Abel and I often practice what I affectionately call "divide and conquer parenting"--he has charge of one kid and I have the other. Usually it's Lucas is with Abel while Nathaniel is with me.

And so Nathaniel and I are together pretty much all the time. He's my constant companion at home, on walks, running to the grocery store or post office. His good nature and good looks draw comments and compliments from almost everyone we pass. And I have become a pro at taking my baby everywhere I go.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Lucky No. 7

2010-05-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Just a few of the lovely lilies of the valley that are now planted in
our garden and in bloom right now!

Happy Anniversary, Babe! You are my biggest champion and fan and I am so lucky to have you.

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

In two minutes

2010-04-30T09:16:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel is this close to rolling over. Rolling over! As soon as he does that he'll be crawling then walking then running like a crazy big boy at the park. Well, maybe that will take a year or two but it feels like it will only take two minutes. Because, wasn't it just that long ago that Lucas rolled over? Yes. Yes it was.

And now Lucas is SO big. I can walk away from him in the tub. Heck, he can wash himself. He can get dressed (but still prefers to be dressed!). I can barely pick him up and sometimes his running hugs on my legs literally knock me back.

How did this happen? Where did those two minutes go?

**********

If you live anywhere in the DC Metro area, you have to come to Truck Touch tomorrow from 10am-2pm. Head over to Out by Ten for all the details!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Busy, busy

2010-04-26T12:07:00.002-04:00

Dear readers, I can hardly believe it has been two weeks since I last posted! Even as I apologize (so sorry!) I have to warn you that postings may be slim around here for the next many months. I'm jumping feet first into something big. Really, really BIG, and all my focus and attention needs to be on it and my family right now.

I promise I'll let you in on the secret soon, but in the mean time, I ask for your good thoughts!

Last week, I wrote a post over at DC Metro Moms, so if you're not a regular reader over there, you can find my post here. I am pleased to say that the votes are coming in strongly in the "still cool" column. Do you agree?

And, if you live anywhere in the DC metro area and have a toddler, preschooler or early elementary-aged kid, you must check out my latest post at Out by Ten about the 13th Annual Cheverly Truck Touch. It will be grand fun and I'd love to see you there!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

I Drove a Minivan to Adams Morgan

2010-04-21T10:20:00.001-04:00

Every now and then something happens that confirms for me, once again, that I am old and uncool. And, not just old and uncool, but an old and uncool mom. I look in my closet and realize that "comfort over fashion" has replaced my once-upon-a-time mantra of "fashion over comfort" in the large majority of my footwear. A younger colleague comes to me for Tylenol or a Band-Aid because "moms always carry that kind of stuff." I accidentally change the car radio from NPR to my old favorite Hip Hop station only to discover that I don't recognize a single song.

One such incident took place last Saturday night: I drove to Adams Morgan in a minivan. Yes, I drove one of the most uncool vehicles possible to one of the coolest neighborhoods in DC. Adams Morgan, for anyone from out of town or maybe even less cool than me, is defined by Wikipedia as, "a culturally diverse neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. centered at the intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road...and is a major night life area with many bars and restaurants."

During college and after college--when my husband and I were dating and even after we were married--I went to Adams Morgan often. Unless I was there shopping during the day, I never stepped foot on 18th Street before 11pm. And I was almost always chilly in Adams Morgan. There's really no place for a winter coat in a packed bar or club, right? So I just didn't wear one.

Before Saturday, however, I can't even remember the last time I was in Adams Morgan. Years? But, a friend was having a birthday. And she wanted Indian food. Specifically, this great little restaurant in her old (aka pre-kids) neighborhood. Since there were three couples from our neighborhood going, it only made sense to car pool. And since six people can fit so comfortably in our minivan, it only made sense for us to drive.

And so we went. Six people. (Two nursing moms and one pregnant woman.) Wearing appropriate jackets. In a minivan. To Adams Morgan. And back home to relieve the babysitters by 11pm.

Now I am asking myself: Was that the very last nail in my coffin of cool? Or, does just the fact that we went to get Indian in Adams Morgan instead of some chain restaurant at a strip mall mean there's just a hint of coolness left?

Original post to DC Metro Moms. You can read more about Aimee Olivo's very uncool life at Smiling Mama and about family-friendly adventures in Prince George's County at Out by Ten.

Cristie said...
Definitely still cool. You totally could have taken the van to Chili's! Rock On mama.:)

April 21, 2010 at 05:35 AM Sue @ Laundry for Six said...
I'm taking ye old minivan to the 9:30 Club. Embarrassing but necessary. We are still a little cool.

April 21, 2010 at 05:39 AM MommyTwinGirls/LindaD said...
Oh, hahaha...great post! I think it's the latter. It's just a different kind of cool - no need to dress up to impress anyone but yourself and have some fun with husband and friends. But imagine one day, if you end up having to drive there (in your mini van, if course) to pick up your twenty-something kid for some reason.

April 21, 2010 at 06:11 AM BananaBlueberry said...
You are so cool!
I wouldn't have driven down to Adams Morgan :)

xoxoxox !

April 21, 2010 at 06:48 AM Stimey said...
I feel that way every time I drive a minivan into DC.

But still cool. I woulda stayed in Maryland. :)

April 21, 2010 at 09:58 AM Jerseygirl89 said...
I think you definitely still have some cool going. I can't even remember the last time I was in a cool neighborhood!

April 21, 2010 at 01:52 PM amy m said...
ha! I love it--it's definitely the latter, my friend. Uncool is staying close to home because that 20 minute drive to the better restaurants is just too exhausting.

Super cool! Hope you had fun!

April 24, 2010 at 11:11 AM cecilia reifschneider said...
great post! But there is a new space for cool moms (yes- i think not all hope is lost- still a bit of cool left):Pigment. Pigment is a new art studio opening in Adams Morgan and having an open house on Saturday, June 5th.

Pigment's mission is to provide a platform for communication, collaboration & motivation among young artists in the local community by offering accessible high-quality art instruction.

We would love to have you AND your kids drop by for the open house.

For more information about the studio or our summer camp please visit http://www.pigmentartstudio.com

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Three Months

2010-04-11T19:25:00.000-04:00

Dear Nathaniel,

Today you are three months old! I can hardly believe that I've already filled one large tub with clothes you've out grown.

The insane amount of snow that fell when you were just a few weeks old has melted and our yard has exploded with color. Like the world around you, you have also awakened in the past few weeks into an aware little baby. All day long you watch me and your big brother; you want to be in the center of the action and hate being left alone in a room. Whenever Dada, Lucas or I look right at you and smile, you respond with the most amazing open-mouth grins. You're pretty quiet overall, hardly crying except to let me know you'd like a change of scenery or that you're STARVING (you go from content to starving in about 3 seconds, it seems!).

I'm a lot busier now than I was when I was home as a new mom with your big brother. I can barely remember how he and I spent our days but I know most of them were just the two of us staying at home or going for walks around the neighborhood. You and I, however, are very busy and get out and about every day. We go to the grocery store or run errands and you've already joined me at numerous meetings for all the civic and volunteer activities I'm part of. You're a wonderful companion at meetings, by the way, and will sleep quietly or lay on my lap looking up at me without fussing. And, of course, everyone comments on how beautiful and good you are!

Just before 2:45 every afternoon we walk over to pick Lucas up from his nursery school and the day seems to move into warp speed while we go to the park or do some other Lucas-centered activity.

I am also proud to report that in the past week you've gone from waking every 3 hours to sleeping for 8 hours each night. (Trust me, I'm knocking on the wooden dining room table as I type!!). THANK YOU, my son. Your brother was sleeping at least 6 hours by about 6 weeks and I truly was about to lose it after 11 weeks without getting more than 4 1/2 hours of consecutive sleep. I also am totally getting a kick out of the fact that you jumped from 3 hours to 8 in a single night. I do believe you're going to keep us on our toes, little Nathaniel!

I love you so much, little buddy, and am trying to savor you at each and every stage of your life. Thanks for coming into our lives and for being such a wonderful you.

Love always,
Mama

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Team WhyMommy's Virtual Science Fair

2010-04-07T09:00:00.003-04:00

This post is in support of Susan Nieber, aka WhyMommy of Toddler Planet, a real live rocket scientist (okay, okay, technically an astrophysicist) who is undergoing surgery today after the doctors discovered a local regional recurrence of breast cancer in the lymph nodes under her armpit. Susan has been fighting inflammatory breast cancer and educating others about it since her diagnosis in 2007.

Also in her honor, and in honor of my mom who also battled breast cancer in 2007 I recently joined the Army of Women. I hope you'll click over and join today. We need more research. For Susan. For my mom. For all of us.

I am definitely not a scientist so taking on the challenge of being part of this Virtual Science Fair in honor of WhyMommy (as conceived by the amazing Stimey of Stimeyland!) was a bit out of my comfort zone. You see, if we were at home right now, Lucas, Nathaniel and I would have simply packed a picnic lunch, hopped in the car and spent a lovely afternoon at the NASA Goddard Visitor's Center.

But, alas, we are still in Pennsylvania for an extended Easter visit with my parents so I had to think a little bit harder about what to do. Lucas has been quite interested in volcanoes lately, and you know I just love anything to do with baking soda and vinegar, so I did a google search for "easy volcano with baking soda and vinegar." Among the things that came up were directions to make a rocket! A baking soda and vinegar rocket in honor of an astrophysicist? Perfect!

Of course the rocket was a big FAIL.

Why aren't you exploding high in the air little Ziploc container rocket?

(The directions were to pack a small container with a tight-fitting lid with baking soda, add a few tablespoons of vinegar, quickly close, turn upside down, stand back and watch it shoot up in the air. We packed and repacked and added more vinegar and still, there it sat. What? Went? Wrong?)

Lucky for me, I had prepped Lucas about how experiments are a way to try something and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't but it is fun to try and see what happens.

(Whew! Score one for Mama!)

Also to be filed in the lucky-for-me category, baking soda and vinegar produce a ton of foam which is really, really cool to a 4 year old.

So cool, in fact, that we used the entire bottle of white vinegar to watch the baking soda foam over and over and over and over and over again!

Also cool to a 4 year old: a paste of baking soda!

So, thanks WhyMommy for inspiring this mama to step outside her comfort zone and conduct a fun experiment with her son. We're thinking about you today!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Wonderfully busy Easter

2010-04-06T14:42:00.005-04:00

We had three Easter egg hunts. (With a boy who really doesn't care much for candy!)

We dressed in our Easter Sunday best. (The tie didn't last through Mass!)

We made and cracked Cascarones. (Don't you just love an untucked dress shirt on a little boy?!)

We went to the "beach" in the mountains.

And hunted for minnows and tadpoles with Uncle Eric.

Add to that about a million trips to the park and a zillion bike rides around the cul-de-sac and lots of time with Aunt Sarah and it has been a pretty great Easter in Pennsylvania!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Cascarones

2010-04-02T14:05:00.005-04:00

We're making our cascarones today! This is my absolute favorite Mexican tradition from Abel's family. They are fun to make and even more fun to crack over the heads of your loves ones on Easter Sunday! Here's a tutorial from a few years ago, although if you haven't already saved empty egg shells you'll need to quickly make a few quiches to get enough!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Happy Census Day!

2010-04-01T08:55:00.002-04:00

Have you mailed yours in?

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Our Very Own Cherry Blossoms

2010-03-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

I am so in love with the new weeping cherry tree in our front yard. It is in full bloom right now--just a few days ahead of the peak bloom for the cherry trees down on the Mall.

Abel put in this flower bed last summer and built a lovely little half circle stone wall in front (sorry I couldn't seem to get everything in with my the camera on my phone!). I dreamed of putting in a crape myrtle but when I went out to our local nursery to just look around, I fell madly in love with the shape of the weeping cherry trees. Not to mention, the day I happened to stop by was the last day of a big sale: all the flowering trees were 50% off! I was almost late to pick Lucas up from nursery school so bought it on the spot (with very little deliberation and no input from Abel--so unlike me!). Since I was also several months pregnant and had our little car, Abel picked it up a few days later.

We planted it fairly late last fall and then when it got covered by so many feet of snow this winter, I was sure it was going to be a goner. But, I'd say the little tree has done quite well! The cherry blossoms are one of my favorite things about DC and now we have our own little tree to enjoy each spring. Yay!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!

Success!

2010-03-30T11:23:00.000-04:00

I'm sure over the past four plus years and into the next 20 plus years, I've made and will make about a million parenting mistakes. But there's one success I claim with GREAT PRIDE.

Nathaniel, like Lucas before him, falls asleep On! His! Own!

Yes, my friends, when it is time for bed (at whatever hour I deem that to be...usually between 10pm and midnight), Abel or I change his diaper, wash his face, put on his jammies and sleep sack (yes, my little baby has already moved beyond the desire to be swaddled!). Then I feed him, burp him and put him down in his little bassinet. He lays there for a bit and falls asleep On! His! Own!

Sweet Success!

Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!