Oh, how my children flatter me...

So many things have happened since my last post.

My eldest daughter has turned 5.  This is a major accomplishment for both of us. 

Some days I feel like I could cry all day at the loss of my baby, as no traces of toddler remain in her growing body. 

Other days, I am joyful at all of the grown up changes I see in her.  Her personality is really developing and she is actually pretty fun to hang out with.

Along with that personality comes some really (painfully) honest observations.

Example 1:  Last weekend, we're out to lunch, and a young, adorable, blond waitress approaches our table.  Daughter notices right away and comments on the cuteness of waitress. After the waitress leaves, she whispers in my ear, "Mommy, our waitress is much prettier than you, but I love you much more".  Ouch.  

Example 2:  The next day, while grocery shopping, daughter gets huge compliment on her adorable dress from another 5 year old.  She is over the moon and feeling beautiful.  She then quips, "Mom, that little girl LOVED my dress.  She probably thought you were my grandma."  Double Ouch.

The Food Chain Explained

This morning at around 5am.

Lucy:  "Mom, do animals eat animal food or small children?"

Mom:  "Neither, they usually eat smaller animals or plants."

Lucy: "I thought they ate meat."

Mom:  "Animals are meat."

Long Pause.....

Lucy:  "That's silly.  If a lion ate a mouse, he would just get a little bit of cheese, because mice eat cheese,"

The amazing mind of a four year old.

Embarrassing Questions, No Good Answers

Lately my little darlings have had many questions from the mundane to the brilliant. 

My favorites are the ones that make me stifle a laugh as I struggle to regain my composure.

Here goes:

Mom, if they're Irish, what species am I?

When I grow up will I have boobs?  Will they be big?

Can I sit by your friend with the big hiney-do? (Our word for behind)

Nana

Why doesn't that boy match his parents?

When will I get my princess hair?

Doesn't Nana's hair look like Dora's?

Would you like me to get you a little diaper? (Tampon)

Why is there a mustache on your lap?  (Can't even use the bathroom alone, see also above)

Look at that girl with the pink hair.  Isn't she beautiful?

Personal Style Issues

One of the (many) things that I'd like to work on for the new year is having a better sense of personal style.  I'm one of those who, since I've had little ones, have kind of let things go in that area.  Now that my girls are getting older, I'd like to get back to the fun side of fashion.  I don't want my girls to pretend they don't know me because they're ashamed of the Ugg boots and bleached out sweats "uniform" look that I usually rock.

So, another issue is that now that I'm 40, (I've chosen to embrace it), is figuring out how to dress in a way that's somewhat stylish, age appropriate, and of course, flattering.

It's a quest...join me. 
Please post your opinions, too.

Some ideas:


Love the idea of one bright piece and cool, updated shades.  www.theglamouri.com



Black is always a good idea.  Love the jacket. 
atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolutions

So, I'm a little late on this one, which means I've had some time to really think things through. Every year, I seem to make the same resolutions...lose the extra holiday pounds, get into shape, find the perfect hairstyle, etc. This year, I resolve to do all of the old things, plus a few new ones. Here goes. 1. I will be kind to those closest to me, and save the nastiest stuff for strangers. This may sound a little strange but I find myself being the absolute best version of myself to people at the mall, and save all of my super bitchiness for those whom I care about the most (sorry to the Mr.) 2. Stop making the same mistakes I always make. This one goes for the small mistakes like cutting bangs every year, then spending the rest of the year growing them back out (this one is for you Michelle), or deciding to move to a new city, making great plans, then changing my mind. 3. Most importantly, appreciate all of the awesomeness in my life, of which there is an abundance, and pay little mind to the struggles and annoyances. 4. Lastly, spend less time reading about celebrity news and actually pay attention to what's going on in the world. Yes, this is a little embarrassing, but perhaps it's actually time to grow up. Who's with me??

Happy New Year!

I've been away for some time, but I'm back!

First, let me say that Christmas this year with the girls was absolutely magical.   I know it sounds a little hokey...to say it was magical, but it was.  More magical than Disney, more magical then Fantasy Island, more magical than the friends and family sale at Sephora.

My two lovely daughters fell madly in love with all things Christmas this year and we fell in love right along with them. 

The first thing they did when they woke up Christmas morning (after they checked to see that Santa did indeed show), was to investigate and see if the cookies and milk were gone (they were).  Next we had to traipse outside in the freezing cold to make sure that the reindeer had eaten the carrots (they had).

Next they played with their ginormous (and sure to fall apart by New Year's) Disney Princess Castle, complete with new princesses, (crowns still attached) for about 45 minutes before they noticed that there were presents under the tree.  Amazing.

My favorite part had to be the night before when my husband sat in a chair by the fire and read The Night Before Christmas to them.  After explaining that Santa would not be burned by the fire,(he is after all magical), it was off to bed.

My eldest asked, just before falling asleep, "Mommy, do you think I will still get a present even though I picked my nose today", classic.

Elf on the Shelf and Other Musings...

I've been on hiatus...which really means things have been mayhem.

 Between working full time and attempting to spend quality time with my two daughters, it's been hard finding the time to blog. 

With a three and four year old in the house, things have been absolutely magical for the past few months.  Halloween...what can I say???

We fully enjoyed wearing makeup and feeling very princessy, albeit pissed about being forced to wear sweaters under our ball gowns.  Just when I thought we looked perfect, my eldest reminded me that all princesses need beautiful lashes.  A bit "Toddlers and Tiaras", sure, but after all, it was Halloween.

Now with Thanksgiving being tomorrow, it's a bit hard to enjoy the moment and not fast forward right to Christmas.  At school, they made the most adorable Native American and Pilgrim outfits, which are now barely held together with scotch tape.   As my youngest explained, "We have to be a Flative-Americoff", for Thanksgiving,  "We came on the Mayflower".  At three, history is not a strong point.

On the way home from school, my eldest informed me that we needed to get an Elf on the Shelf, like her teacher has.  She told me all about how these magical creatures watch how kids behave and report back to Santa.  She suggested that we write to Santa and ask to get one for the holidays, before adding that her sister really deserved to be on the naughty list.

It is fascinating to watch them.  They are amazed by everything...enchanted by the things we grown ups take for granted.  It makes me long for the "good 'ole days" when it was the simple things in life that gave us such enjoyment.   

We are just basking in the glow.

Fall Has Arrived!

Hi everyone!

I've been super busy this month...fabulous wedding, back to school for me, new school for the girls.  I feel like I can finally breath again.

Sadly, a new school for the girls brings diseases.  We've had a troubling case of the snots around here for the past two weeks.  The kids share everything at school, including germs.  Luckily the pukes hit just in time for daddy to go away for his fun weekend with friends. (help)

Here are a few pics of our fun goings on this month!  More to come soon.

Mommy & Daddy at Meg's Wedding

Grandma & Grandpa Florida are here to visit

Twist and Pull

Teddy Bear Parade day at school

Sweet Sisters

Story of Rapunzel

Here is the story of Rapunzel, according to Lucy:

Once upon a time, there was a very hairy princess who lived in a castle deep in the woods...

(Kinda sounds like Sasquatch, or one of my elder lady relatives)

Plymouth Invasion

 Trying out the Pilgrim chair

Enthralled with the Native People



We really just want to play hide and seek



The Pilgrim Garden

An amazing thing happened on our family vacation...I learned a lot about my children. 


 At Plymouth Plantation, my eldest, refused to use the politically correct term "native people" saying, "I like to call them Indians".  (Insert mom cringe) 

She became quite shy in the face of history.  We had talked all about the Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation, which she was very excited about visiting.  She referred to it as "the place where people pretend to be from long ago".  I told her about how she could ask lots of questions. 
 She had nothing to say. 

But she did ask our waitress at the hotel what all the spots were that were on her arms (freckles).

My youngest, who never sits still, found the one child "actress" at the plantation and quickly initiated a game of hide and seek, tempting her to break character.  When the actress fell and skinned her knee, mommy rescued her with good 'ole fashioned 21st century Neosporin and band-aids while the other tourists looked on.

The most interesting discovery was that no matter how hard we try, the girls absolutely refuse to ride in the stroller at the mall, but insisted on riding in the stroller through every museum and attraction we visited.


Most enlightening of all, the hotel was the best part, as far as they were concerned. My daughter sat at the breakfast buffet, enchanted and acted like she was the Queen of England.

Hotel Gymnastics

The Mom Suit

                                   
"I got a mom suit," my sister reported, resigned to the fact that her bikini days have passed, or least put indefinitely on hold.  She was talking about her new summer bathing suit. 

We can kid ourselves into thinking that it's "retro", or that we're rocking the '50's pinup style...

It's still a mom suit. 

There comes a time when all moms realize that for one reason or another, the mom suit is necessary. 
Most common reasons for having the epiphany:

1.  The bod calls for it.  The stomach is in no way ready to have the light of day cast upon it.  How horrifying it would be if a saggy boob might slip its way into the sun.

2.  Your child may cause you to be arrested for indecent exposure.  No matter the age, young children seem compelled to pull at the straps, or are just curious to see what's in those padded support cups.

Don't feel that you need to run to the granny section right away, there are some cute options out there.

             

Quote of the Week

Lucy: "Daddy, do princesses pick their noses?"

Daddy:  "No."

Lucy: "I don't think I'll be a princess today."

Priorities

It wasn't so long ago that I had, perhaps, unusually high expectations when making plans for long weekends and vacations.  I would spend lots of time planning, shopping, and generally prepping for these times.  Vacations weren't a complete success unless I could be where I wanted to go and could wear what I wanted to wear and be with whom I wanted to be with.

This past week, I've spent a lot of time hanging with the girls doing things that, in the past, I wouldn't have found especially interesting, and certainly not relaxing... and I've had the absolute best time.  It's amazing how the simplest things seems to be the best.

Nowadays, having a good time means watching the girls have a good time, regardless of my own comfort.  Of course, having a stack of my favorite magazines makes it even better.  I can at least enjoy fantasizing about the vacation of my dreams.  I must be growing up...   

Sometimes you resort to this...

Now that summer is officially here, I'm getting a severe case of the doldrums.  Not accustomed to being with the little ones all day, my patience has been wearing a bit thin. 

I've tried all kinds of things to keep us busy.

Running out of ideas, my eldest suggested a beauty day.  Always up for a makeover, I've sadly allowed this to happen.  

The Princess Cops a Squat

My eldest is a little princess.  She's dainty, wears dresses, plays with makeup, has tea parties while speaking in a british accent...you get the idea.

One of my favorite passtimes is to watch her play with her sister in the backyard, while doing dishes at the kitchen sink. I can see them, but they don't know they're being watched, which is actually really fun and often very informative.

Imagine my surprise while observing one day, to see my eldest excuse herself from her tea party, (she actually said "excuse me madame" to her younger sister), exited the little pink playhouse, took off her skirt and peed right there, drunken sorority girl style, in her front yard.

I stood at the sink with mouth agape.  Where had she learned this little trick??  I yelled from the kitchen and asked her what in the world she was doing. 

She replied, fake british accent still intact, "So sorry mommy, but  I didn't want to pee pee in my pants.  How rude.". 

Actually that makes perfect sense.

The Black Eye and Hitler Mustache

 Sephora is one of the best places that a girl can spend the day.  You can come in with a naked face and leave looking like Lady Gaga, if you want to. 
This past weekend, I decided to venture into Sephora, with the girls in tow, to see what was new.  I must admit, I shed a proud tear that my girls have inherited my  love of all things beauty, but on this particular day their interest was quite the source of humiliation.

As I browsed through the latest Urban Decay eyeshadow colors, my girls did some browsing, and sampling of their own. 

No sooner had I turned to the display to begin, when I noticed a small person to my left attacking the new (gasp) Makeup Forever eye shadows.  She turned to face me and I noticed that she mad managed to create the perfect purple-pinkish facial contusion on herself.  It was a CSI quality bruise. I ignored her for the moment, after all she was busy and quiet, and returned to my work.

Next,  I glimpsed a blonde, curly mop bobbing past.  At first look, a happy two year old.  Upon closer inspection, a small Charlie Chaplin impersonator, or could it be...Hitler?  Oh no...she had gotten a hold of the latest Kat Von D eye shadow kit and had applied an offensive mustache to herself.

In horror, I grabbed them and ran off toward the elevator.  Another shopping day ruined.

Note to Self

Dear Self,

I'd like to suggest that you put down the Oreos and remember that you ordered that bridesmaid's dress in a size smaller than you should have.

 Listen, I know you're thinking that you still have plenty of time to fit into it, but don't kid yourself...it's really going to be awful if you have to wear two pair of Spanx just to zip it up, and you can forget about enjoying your dinner while wearing those torture devices.

Just Trying to Help,

Self

P.S., I know the cupcakes taste good, but they are not your friend. 

Thought it many times...

I can't tell you how many times I've thought this...but have not voiced it.  Definately going to pick this one up!  Who's with me???

New iphone (that I never get to use)

38 pictures just like this one...

I could not wait to get my new iphone, and now that it's here, I don't really get to use it. 

Well, if there was ever any doubt that children these days are better at using technology...I'm here to tell you it's true. 

My two year old can operate my iphone 4 better than I can.  She can take pictures (see above), use all of the apps (especially the annoying ones), and can make calls (sometimes to people we know, sometimes not), but most of all she can text.  She sends LONG texts.  Sure they mean nothing now, but I have high hopes.

Magic Times

This weekend, I brought my daughters downtown for the first time this year.  It was a beautiful day and I had some errands to run, so I explained to them that we would be heading into the city.   They were very excited and were expecting to see something like "Berry-Bitty City" on their Strawberry Shortcake Cartoon.  When I explained to them that we would be going into an underground tunnell (the concourse), Lucy was excited to see all of the dirt and bugs???

We all skipped across the plaza, holding hands, windblown, the girls each wearing one of my sweatshirts, laughing all the way.  A simple errand had turned into something magical. 

A moment of clarity: these are the magic times, times that seem like they're just about the best that life can offer, times when you just want to freeze eveything, capture the moment and remember it forever.

For a second, I thought of fishing through my purse to take a picture with my phone, but decided against it, choosing to just enjoy being there.  Can a picture really capture it anyway?