Girl Scouts, Groceries, Meltdowns and Lightning...the Saga Continues.

After a morning and afternoon that could have gone smoother I had an evening that was anything but perfect.

Addi had Girl Scouts. That meant that I was on pick up duty. I needed to be at the school by 3:45  promptly.
I mean PROMPT!
These three, yes, three troop leaders mean business.
Phone calls will be made and apologies expected if arrival is not made in a timely fashion.

I am usually there at 3:45.
Ready to sign my fourth grader out.
Parents are no longer allowed to "pick up."
We need to sign receipts in order to claim our children.

Addi was baggage being stored by an institution. (one that I like a lot so it was o.k.)
What a world...what a cruel, cruel world.

I arrived in the school lobby by the designated time.
Addison was waiting patiently on a bench.
She sat alone. There weren't any other kids.

What is going on here?
This isn't normal.
How am I the last one at pick up when I'm on time?!
This is not cool.
I remember the waiting game.
Those moments spent wondering where, oh where, could Mom be?
Has she forgotten?...
Doesn't she care?...
Those...Oh, No ...Not again, Mom moments...


This is not something that I have ever wanted my kids to endure.
Have you picked up on the fact that this is one of my traumas from childhood?

This is not intended to be passed on.

I gave a triple quick room scan:

-No kids except mine and the lone troop leader's.

Again, not normal. Why weren't they in the class room doing "Girl Scouty" things?


-Addi was smiling.


WAIT...


-Addison was happy!

Oh well...I wasn't wasting my time on it. Addi was happy. We were outta there.

CRISIS AVERTED...NEXT GENERATION IS SAFE FOR THE MOMENT...

I was cruising down our street, when I noticed Addi looking pitiful.
I asked what was wrong?
Addi said,"I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't want you to be upset with me. But, Mom...I don't want to go home."

Ok...I thought no big deal.
Addi continued: Why don't we ever have time together with out my sisters? Just us? We never do that anymore. (she was looking super sad)
Me: Add, why would I be mad at that? I'm not mad. Sometimes we don't have time for "dates." There are three kids and only one Mom. We will again. We've just been busy.

--Not good enough.


Addi: Can't we just go somewhere? Anywhere? With out my sisters? How about Trader Joe's? They have good stuff there, food that we like.

---Smart kid. I smiled, knowing full well that she really didn't want to go grocery shopping. My little girl was just that in need of mommy time.


Me: Trader Joe's? Really? Ok. We can pick out something good for dinner tonight. We'll go now.

Addi: (shocked and smiling...straightening up her posture) Really?! Can I pick something out? Let's get Slurpees too! Then maybe we can go to the toy store.

Now she was pushing it. I didn't even need to go shopping. I just wanted to make my little girl smile. I was exhausted, craving my couch. 


I said,"No. Just Trader Joe's and then home." I reminded Addi that her sisters needed some Mom time too.

She accepted it.

There we were grocery shopping together. Addi was happy as could be. This was proof that small gestures mean a whole lot.

She journeyed to the back table. ---Sampling Kung Pow chicken (I think) and pomegranate juice.
She asked the guy a few questions and reported back to me with two more samples. One for each of us.
---such a thoughtful kid.

We grabbed some of our favorite dinner items and I let her pick out snacks for school.
We headed to the check out area and were rung up.
Time to go home. My little ones, the couch and the Voice await.
I reached into my wallet for my trusty debit card,
OH NO!
IT WASN'T THERE...
I HAD LEFT IT IN MY COAT.
...The one that I wore to DC, which was in my weekend bag.
...nowhere near here.
...way back at home.

Ok...the average person might say "No big deal. Charge it."

NOT ME>
I've made it my mission not to use my credit cards.
I never even carry them anymore.
With $95.00 in groceries bagged, $20 in my purse and long line building behind me I wasn't sure what to do.
I hesitated.
...and explained the predicament to the cashier.
She was very pleasant and told me that she'd put the groceries on hold and to come back. They'd be waiting for me.

OK. I didn't know that this was possible. I've never had to put groceries on hold before!! This was seriously embarrassing!

None of this phased my daughter. She was pissed when I told her to put her chocolate bar back in the grocery bag because it wasn't ours yet.
-A natural kid response. I'd be upset too.

"Huh?...Why?? You got it for me. Mom...I just want to carry it."

"Addi. (gritting my teeth and trying to whisper) I forgot my card. We have to leave everything and go get it, then come back."

"I don't get it. Just use another one Mom."

"Addi...Let's go. I don't have another one with me."

"So use your money. Don't you have any money?"

Oh, dear God...Please quiet my child. I wished that I could put my hand over her mouth and push her out the exit. Instead my palm rested on her shoulder and nudged her forward. 


She questioned me en route...

"Can't you go back and get our food now?"
"Isn't there money in the car to use?"
"When are you going to get it?"
"Do we have to go shopping all over again?"
"Mom, I really wanted that chocolate. Can I really have it later?"
"Can't you go to the bank instead of home? I don't want to get my sisters."

Oh Addison! I wished that I had earplugs or a fog machine to give the illusion that I had vanished.

I answered all of Add's questions...like always.
I've taught the kids that it's important to question and now it was kicking me in the butt while I was down.

We drove home and sang to the music. I grabbed my debit card. We grabbed Grace and Chloe, swapped the Trailblazer for the Caravan and were on our way to rescue the groceries that were being held for ransom.

CHLOE WAS NOT IN A GOOD MOOD.
GRACE HAD BEGGED TO STAY WITH JULIA.
THIS WAS NOT GOING TO END WELL.

The groceries were waiting for us somewhere in the land of Trader Joe's.
The woman cashier was no where to be found.
The dude that I was telling the tale to looked utterly perplexed.
He scratched his head and said that he'd be right back.
Fifteen minutes later..after Chloe begged me for chocolate, green tea mints, organic licorice, lemonade and a sample from the back table...he was back...pushing our cart.
Now the guy had to figure out how to re-enter the receipt.

The line grew longer once again.
People stared.
Chloe begged.
Gracie asked for chocolate politely, taking the calmer, more respectable route.
Both the whining and the polite kid got what they wanted.
Sorry to Grace...You're self control will win out in the end some day baby.
I would have bought a puppy to keep them hushed at this point.


Once home I gave our poor, attention starved dog affection. Three out of four of us decided that Lightning needed to go for a walk. Chloe was the "odd chickie out."

She wanted to ride her bike...not walk.
She complained that "her legs would get tired trying to go fast like bigger people."

I said...No because it was going to be getting late...Too late to ride.

Lightning, Addi and Gracie were ready to go.
Our pup was harnessed and excited.
Chloe on the other hand refused to move.

So I said,"Then you'll have to stay home, in the driveway , by yourself."

...thinking that she wouldn't allow that.


WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!


...Why do my kids continue to prove me wrong?


Chloe said,"Fine then...GO!" (stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and turned her back to me)

THIS WAS A DUEL.

We are stubborn people. This was going nowhere fast.

The tribe moved on with out us.
I began to sllloooooowwwly move down the road.
Chloe didn't care.
She stood in front of the neighbor's house, crying, with arms crossed.
I held the dog's leash and tried to keep him from pulling me too far away.
Lightning is an 85 lb. lab and not an easy walker.
He's a great tugger!
I would have carried Chloe had I not needed both arms to hold onto him.
Chloe followed ten paces behind....making me nervous when I turned corners and lost her from view.
At one point I stood behind a perked Caravan, peering around the corner with Lightning, waiting for her, hoping that she wouldn't see me...and would keep moving.
My neighbors must all think that we are a total mess!
She cried the entire way around the block.

Grace commented:

"She deserves a time out. You're not supposed to act this way. This is a very rude way to be. Lightning is such a good dog. He deserves a walk and now Chloe is ruining it."

Chloe overheard this and cried louder! --"Am not!!!"

I kindly asked Grace "not to worry, that I'd handle it, everybody has bad days. This was Chloe's."
(and mine)


We ate Trader Joe's tasty, Chicken and rice with edamame on the side. I thought that it was going to be on the table by 5:30 not 7:30...
I found out why Chlo Chlo was such a grump. She sat on the floor complaining about her leg and foot itching. I took a look. She had an allergic reaction to something. Her ankles and right foot were red, puffy and scratched raw. I grabbed the after bite hoping that it'd help. It made things worse. Chlo cried saying that it burned her skin. I put a cold cloth on her puffier foot and had her take a dose of Benadryll.

Looks like there may be a pediatrician visit after kindergarten.
I'm soooo done for the night. Pajama time!!!
--Nope, not yet.---
Addi came walking in. Her head ached, stomach was hurting and her neck was in pain.
When did this start?!
Addi began to cry. I heated up, what Jim calls,"the smelly, pink thing." Four minutes in the microwave.
DING!
She wouldn't go near it because it smelled.
I tried to explain that is was lavender, a nice flower and meant to be relaxing. She didn't want anything to do with it.
At this point I wanted it!
I wrapped "the smelly thing" around my neck. I was getting some kind of relief one way or another.
Now two out of three are headed to the doctor.
Our little brick house, Miss. Grace should be fine.
She always is.

Where is my couch?

Where is a glass of wine?

Where is my husband?

Can Calgon take me away now???

Oh, well...S@#T happens...

I rarely curse.You've just gotten two out of four "S" Bomb letters from me! That's a big deal in Billie Land. Proof that this has stressed me out and made me cranky.

It's 8:30pm and three, beautiful, little girls are fast asleep on our lumpy, brown couch. Bed time!
I had decided to abandon the actual beds tonight.
I'll pop open a bottle of wine. Pour myself a glass and squish in between the kids.
Jim will walk in the door five minutes later.

Chloe, drawing...before the melt down.

He'll think that I've been eating bon bons all night.

Gracie, checking out the world through rose colored glasses. 

Note To Self: Never, I repeat...never leave with ATM card and a back up credit card again!

Wham! Bamm! Crash!!

This week is full of promise and adventure.
Great things will happen!
I can feel it!

I'm back home and ready to go, after a well rested weekend with my guy.
...just call me BUNNY.
...You know, after the Energizer.

Hop Hop Hop...
I'm bound to drive people nuts by Wednesday!
My body doesn't know how to respond to TWO full nights of sleep.

Monday began in a weird kind-of-way.
I welcomed my Media students.

When I can't get my student's attention I do one of a few things:
A) Quietly say," If you can hear the sound of my voice please stop talking and look this way." -Then repeat if needed. (usually don't have to though)
B) Wave my arms in the air and say,"Hey, remember me? The strange pink haired lady- your teacher?" (This one's good closer to the middle of the day)
C) I stand on the nearest chair or hop onto a counter top. (I'm short. Height is a powerful advantage) Then say," Hi guys. I need your attention for a sec."

These methods also work at home...Try one! Standing on kitchen chairs works wonders.
Just get up there as if it happens everyday and stand there quietly for a moment. Whatever is going on will stop with out you having to say a word! Your kids will look at you strangely and quiet down...
...wondering what the heck Mommy is doing?!
That's the cue to talk!

My other fave works really well in places like Target or the park: "If your last name is _____________. You're Mommy is leaving." Then wave and slowly walk in any direction. Works like a charm. Those little heads turn, ears perk up and tiny feet follow.

Today was a chair day.
Too bad that a kid nearly pulled it out from under me!

He leaned back with out paying attention to the fact that I was behind him and said,"Don't sit..I'm stealing this chair."

Maybe I need to talk louder...

He only heard the "Don't sit part" and thought that it was because I was walking behind him.
I thought that my students knew me better than that by now!
When do I sit?!
---Never.

I planted my foot and was about to place the second...I bobbled in the air...
...WHAMMO!
The chair jerked.
He pulled it out from under me!
I teetered then jumped off.

He apologized, red faced.
The class laughed.
I laughed too.
I said,"No worries. It all worked out. I got everybody's attention...So thank you Gerard!"

Remember I had mentioned ADVENTURE and PROMISE?
Here I come!

I walked toward my classroom after lunch. There was a strategically placed garbage can toward the right of the hall.
I looked at it... saw a stream of water pouring into it from above, took note of it and continued past it.
HOLY CRAPOLA!!

SLIP...
BANG...
WHACK!!!

I kept hold of my travel, coffee mug as I glided, ungracefully toward the ground.
I slammed my foot into the wall.
It kept me from landing on the hall floor.
Students looked on in horror.
None of them laughed!
...I would have.
What nice kids.

The garbage can was not doing it's job well.
I now had to continue my job in pain.
CURSE THIS PLACE...
It's falling apart.
...and now so am I.
I'm hoping that the rule of 3's doesn't apply.
I don't want to "almost fall" again.

On a lighter note...It's only Monday.
I'm hopeful that positive adventures await.
Oh...please, I hope they do!

I get to go home and clean out the garage with my little girls...
...talk about adventure!
There is so much buried treasure in there.
Artists tend to be pack rats.
Throw on the art teacher gig and that equals tons of stuff.
This should be great.
We are bound to dig up some old toys well worth rediscovering and some new projects to work on.

***I promise that there will be photos added shortly... Check in later.***

A Weekend Without the Babies, But With My Honey

This is normal. I must remind myself that this is what's supposed to happen.
--Completely natural.
This is what's supposed to happen.
--It's one more shift in our little family.

Jim and I have been given more "alone time" than we've ever had.
Well...since Mommy and Daddy hood happened anyway!

I never thought that I'd ask this once placed in the current situation...
BUT...
WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT????

I've waited patiently for this time to come.
Yes, my nights are still filled with interrupted sleep.
Bad dreams...
Sleep walking...
Falling out of bed...
The midnight, sleepy, stumbly, bumping trips to the bathroom still exist.
They have forced me to become a light sleeper.
I have one ear to the hall.

--- Ready to spring out of bed with the sound of the slightest creaky floorboard!
---There to catch one of my babies if she trips.

Jim slumbers on.
Dead to the world.
His head hits the pillow...
...and he's out!

That used to be me.

On my way to D.C.!

He was once jealous of my ability to catch "z's" at the drop of a hat.

Those nights are long gone.

How I function, let alone multi-task is a mystery to me.
---Scratch that...I know how I do it... I just can't get over the fact that I can do it every day!
I've been labeled as high energy by other mom's.
Maybe that has something to do with the "it" factor?
Who knows?
I, like most others, manage.

Mismatched socks, underwear on inside out...
I'm ready!

Lately, things have been easier.
When I say this...I do not mean easy.

Just
Easier.
IT'S SHOCKING!!
When did this transition happen?
I have moments to breathe...to write...to read my own books.
...AMAZING!!
This past year Jim and I have stolen two mini vacations together.
...AMAZING!
Happy, happy...joy...joy!

In February I tagged along on one of his business trips to Florida.
This was the first time since our Addi was born that we had spent this much time together with out our mini-me's tagging along.

Do you know what this meant?!
---Mom, this is where you should stop reading.

Not only were we able to sleep in but...
Here it goes...
What's better than sleep?
Not chocolate.
Well, sometimes...chocolate.
SEX!!!
Uninterrupted.
Steamy.
Hot.
Longer than ten minutes.
Fully nude...
With out fear of kid intrusion!!!
Mess up the hotel room...
S-E-X.

Am I horrible?
Have I gone too far?
I'm not sorry if I have...
This is honesty.
This is life.
This is time with out kids...
...AMAZING!!!!

This is what we both longed for and finally got!
We were lucky enough to steal a second trip together.
Dare I say it?
Should I think it?
Something will go horribly wrong...
No way that this is going to happen twice...

A cute D.C. Cafe with a sweet, little fox.

...in the same year.

I jumped into the Trailblazer as soon as that ninth period bell rang.
I booked it out the door...
...dropping my classroom keys on the floor, not once, but twice and nearly knocking two kids with very large instruments over trying to flee the scene! (sorry kids)
Barbara, our trusty GPS, was tucked in my bag and awaiting her orders.
Quick.
Change of state.
Virginia.
Not found.
Maryland.
No match found.
Enter state and address one more time.
Ooooh...this thing is way too specific...finally got it.
The school parking lot is a crowded, teenage mess now.
I wasted too much valuable time!
Every second counts on a Friday...
District of Columbia!
Washington, D.C.
SCORE!!!
Stopped to spend a fortune on gas...
and was on my merry way.
The Clash, Maroon Five, Flo Rida, Blondie, Guns N' Roses, Adele, Moby and an old mix CD got me through Long Island and Manhattan.
I have eclectic taste...what can I say?
I stopped at a rest stop for coffee.
No Luck.
I'm addicted to French Vanilla Creamer.
--No flavors here.
---Bummer.
Does this mean that I'm high maintenance?

Saw another option.
Five Hour Energy Drinks!
Hmmmm...
My guy is waiting!
Can't crash on the Jersey turnpike.
Bought it and slammed it.
It was nasty but wow, it did the job!
Baby, Here I come!!

I sang... Feeling fly...Like a G6...Like a G6...
La Isla Booooniiita!...the Spanish lullaby..Lalalalalalaaaaaa!
La Isla Boooniiiiiita!


Will the real Slim Shady...Please stand up? Please stand up??


I was rockin' out the whole way!


Other drivers catching a glimpse must have thought I was nuts.
That's ok...I was flying high on tourine...
Many thanks to the creators of the energy drink.

One of my favorite D.C. murals.

Jersey would have been Hell with out you.

I called my little sister...while I was flyin' high like a G6.
She laughed at me.

"Bill, that's old news! Did you just discover energy drinks!? "

"Ummm...No. I was always afraid of them. I was desperate."

(More giggles)

I caught up on lots of phone calls.
This was more talk time than I've logged in the past five years!
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends...It was great.

Our hotel's corner.

I made it there in record time.

By 8:45 pm I was sitting in a cute pub off of Dupont Circle sipping a glass of wine and eating dinner with Jim and another couple.

Did we spend a whole lot of time talking about our girls?
Of course.
What else would we talk about?!
...I brought up Addi's latest:

She had pushed Chloe, calling her a mean, brat.
I had overheard.
I intervened.
Me: Addi, I heard that. (from the bathroom)
Addi: I didn't do anything wrong.
Me: Then why is Chloe crying and saying that you pushed her and called her a name?
Addi: Ugghh. I said sorry.
Me: That doesn't excuse it. Head to your room to chill out for ten minutes.
Addi: (stomps to her room and slams the door)
Me: (as I open her door) That was not the way to do this.
Addi: (as she rolls her eyes) Now what? Listen woman! I didn't do anything wrong!
Me: Whoa! I am Mom, not woman! That was totally disrespectful. Now you're stuck here longer.
Addi: (crying) What did I do? I didn't do anything?! YOU ARE A WOMAN! (in a softer voice, sort of to herself)...aren't you? (louder) Yes...you're a woman. Mom...I didn't say anything wrong.

I heard that last desperate plea from my bedroom and I nearly peed myself laughing.
I mean...she's right. I am a woman. There's that teenage drama and attitude beginning to possess my beloved, oldest daughter.

Can I throw her into a time machine?

Addi made a BIG kid mistake. That eye rolling thing is so snotty.
We had a good laugh over it.
Then it was Jim's turn.
He talked about so many of the clever things that our girls do and how smart he thinks they are.
We chatted about our girls to this very nice, childless couple.
Just what they wanted to hear on a Friday night.

We had bored them to death by 11.
They politely said that "It was getting late" they "were exhausted after a long week."

We strolled hand in hand, back to our hotel, loving the clean, picturesque city.

We were back in the quiet of the modern, mish mosh decor of our hotel room.
I washed my face.
Turned toward the bed.
There was Jim...
...crashed out with the remote control on his belly.
We are wild ones!
I tucked him in and went to bed.

What is almost as good as sex?
...sometime even better?
SLEEPING IN!

Saturday was all ours. Brunch (too late for breakfast) was eaten out doors at an adorable cafe that doubled as a book store. Coolest idea ever! You give your name and browse the book shop while waiting for your table. Genius!

My title for this is "Phallic DC Building."
This architect obviously spent way too much time
with his penis. 

We didn't have much time to be tourists. Attractions like the White House and The Washington Monument will come another time.

We wandered aimlessly and loved every minute of it.
It's not easy to finally have time.
Who knew?
I began to feel sorry for the "empty nesters" of the world.

Note to self: Get used to it now. Ease in before it's too late!! Baby steps.

Jim worked out at the hotel and I said,"Screw that!"
---Not this weekend!
I took a walk by myself, in the rain.
There's nothing sweeter to me than cities, at night, in the rain.
The shadows of the evening are softer when coated in mist.
People scrambled looking for shelter.
I wrapped my scarf over my head like an immigrant on Ellis Island and kept going.
It was lovely.

Julia, au pair extraordinaire checked in.
Grace was a mess!
She walked the house in tears, clutching a photo of us all night.
Chloe was a little easier...she stayed up past 11pm, but drifted to sleep after a five minute cuddle.
Addi sat panic struck, yelling," I need Mom Julia!!"- "Juliiiaa! Julliia! Where are you?" while Julia lay with Chloe, even though she knew where Julia was.

Oh no.

It's good to be missed...
Love is grand...
My poor babies.
Our poor Julia!
Maybe they aren't old enough for this yet?
Wait.
There, is never a good age for us to be gone.
This is healthy.
Repeat.
This is healthy.
I reminded Julia to tell the girls that we'd be back very soon (stress very) and that we loved them.

---HOME---
arrival time of Sunday, 6:35 pm

Julia had survived.

Chloe squeezed me harder than ever before. She allowed Grace come in for a huge hug, kisses and a big squeeze. Then Chloe came back for round two. Addi stayed outside, playing it cool. She's not supposed to like mushy, baby stuff anymore. I called her in saying,"Hey you! get over here, Missy! Where's my kiss hello?"
...smiling the entire time.
Addi gave me the cutest, crooked smirk, "What? Oh, ok."---then shyly dropped her gaze and kicked at the dirt.
Me,"Yeah, yeah...tough guy. Get in here you."
Addison sauntered into the kitchen. I gave her a ginormous hug and kiss, messing up her already messy hair. She didn't like that but she stayed anyway...pitying her silly Mama!

I heard Chloe and Gracie attacking Jim in the other room.

Life is good.

CALAMITY JANE...That's MY Name.

HAAAAPPPPPPPYYYY THURSDAY!! YEEEEHHAAAAaaaaaaaa!! Come on Friday!

We have almost made it through another work/school week.

Sigh of relief. Little grin sneaking onto my face.
Lalalalala...a little bitty closer to Summer.
A tiny, teeny, smidgen nearer to days spent on the beach.

I'm pinching the air close with my fingers and peering through the space...
...soon I'll see a shore line instead of a computer monitor.

... almost done checking backpacks and homework for the week.
The thought makes me want to kick off my shoes and stretch.
Moms and Dads... --- We are soooo close to Friday!

Today was part blunder, part accident, unexpected mess and all completely normal.

---On The Professional Level---

Oh so many things were happening!
Let's tally them up!

!) I am dealing w/a photo paper shortage. Not good at all when two of my classes are studying photography and printing their hearts out. (That was an "!" on purpose!)

2) Found myself talking to two young artists for 20 minutes in the hallway. Wonderful conversation...got so caught up in it...assumed (silly me) that they had lunch!
WRONG.
THEY WERE IN AN ART CLASS AND ON A BATHROOM RUN!
They got in trouble and I felt really badly. (not for them...for their teacher. Sorry Marg...your class is important. I pointed that one out to the girls as well.xoxo) Oh...kids, kids, kids.

3) Dealt with 3 broken digital video cameras. ---Really bad when 3 of my classes are making movies and needed them! OUCH! (We only have 6.)

4) My importing equipment was possessed. It mysteriously stopped functioning!!!! Again, really sux when kids are trying to import their movies into an editing program....and CAN'T.

Yes...There's more...

5) Had two Digital Video Cassettes vanish from a locked cabinet. POOF!!!! GONE.
They have been safe and secure for 9 weeks! Why now? After completed movies were being stored on them, ready for importing?! (by the importing equipment that doesn't work) I mean...COME ONNN! (very upset students = very upset teacher)

This was all before NOON....

---HOW I HANDLED THE CALAMITY--

!) Nothing left to do but smile... I am not the Photo Paper Fairy. I don't have wings made of unprocessed film. My dress is not constructed of light sensitive paper and stitched together with filament.
---If it were I'd tear off sheet by sheet.
Put them all in a box...
and give it to my kids!
...Then go find something else to wear.
VOILA!! FAIRY POWER AT ITS BEST.


Unfortunately, I'm only a temporary fairy.
Only permanent fairies can do this type of magic. (quick! Go get Alice The Fairy...awesome book)

Instead, I used my thinking on my feet art teacher magic...
I created a new project in a pinch. My ninth graders are now making their own "pin hole" cameras out of film cartridge cases...aka snap caps. They are going to be making "baby" images with them. -Only two by two inches and smaller. We'll eventually make a large artwork with all them collaged on a board. Can't wait! I'm actually really excited about this! Thankfully, so are my students!

2) My "blog note" made it apology #2. Next time I'll remember to remember that I am surrounded by teenagers who get caught in the moment easily. Yes...kinda like me. This isn't going to be easy! 
Does that make me a teenager?! Nope...but it does tell me that I'm in the right place! I simply have to put my adult shoes on and ask if a kiddo should be in class before starting up an art talk. Rules, rules, rules. On the positive side, at least they were learning about art.

3) The 3 digital cameras are still broken...Again, I'm not a permanent fairy so there's not much that I can do here.
I lied.
I created a photoshop/digital camera assignment for 1/2 of the class to work on while the other half uses the remaining video cameras. This was a BIG PAIN IN THE BUTT!
I spent 1/2 of the period rummaging through a very unorganized, unused cabinet looking for the proper equipment.
FWWWEEEW!
Once found...we were back in action!
Driver's start your engines!!
Let the extreme close up photo race begin!!
Winner is the first to upload six ECU's and begin enhancing them!!!
I think that my classes liked this idea...mainly because it was a change of pace and they were allowed to wander the campus snapping pics.

4) Thankfully #3 was also the solution to #4.

AHHHHhhhhhh...almost done!
This is exhausting.
Did I really do all of this?! ...Yup, I did.

Mental Break...had to check in with myself. The brain still works.

5) After multiple searches of cabinets, lockers, folders, drawers, shelves and lockers I have come up empty handed. I feel horribly for these two groups of kids. Their original movies were really good! I told them that 3 lessons were learned:

1- Don't leave your DVC's in the cameras. Put them away every day. (like they are supposed to)
2- This time it will be even better! Last time could be thought of as practice...This is the real deal. (don't think they bought that)
3- Don't ever leave anything with Weste. (me) I move in too many directions at once! I told them this rule in advance.

I need a tall drink.
Forget that.
I need a shot.

---On a Personal Note---

I'm hopeful that this evening will be a mellow one.

Who am I kidding?!

After 5PM...
...Thursdays are a disaster.
Addi is bound to be terrorizing her little sisters at some point.
Grace will have her ever popular Thursday meltdown. These are good ones!
Lots of foot stomping...
Frown wearing...
Breathe holding fun!
Chloe, like Addi and Grace, will be exhausted.
She's the easy tired one.
Chloe breaks down and cries.
I'll find her curled up and teary on a floor somewhere...
---desperate for a tight hug and to be carried.
After a case of the "nasties" and a tantrum, that's all that her sisters will want too.

Then we'll have my favorite part. A quiet goodnight.
Jim is away on a business trip.
That means the four of us will pile into our bed for a cozy, snuggly night's sleep together.

Fingers crossed for success after the kiddie storms.

Tonight's Photos:
1) Snap Caps 
2) Pinhole Image #1
3) Crazy Kid Car 


...all were photographed and enhanced by me.

Gadgets and Gizmos Begone!!

My house has become so many things over the years.
Our imaginations run rampant on a daily basis.

Typically, my kids aren't alone in this.
I freely admit it...
I love to froggie leap around the house and roll down grassy hills!
...I know, not typical of a woman in her mid thirties.
BUT WHY NOT?!
I am sometimes more childish than they are!

I do not understand parents or caregivers that stand by, plant themselves on a recliner or garden chair and idly watch.
---Watching as the kids have all of the fun.

Ok... I understand if you are multitasking and you set them up with paints or play dough in the yard while you garden.
I even get the whole, I was exhausted after a terrible, stressful, painfully long day at work bit.
These things happen to the most adventurous, involved people.

But.
COME ON.
iphone time...
ipad gaming...
online chat sessions...
e-mailing(unless work related)...

GIVE IT A REST.

Log off.
Put the gadgets and gizmos away...

---UNTIL AFTER THE KIDDOS ARE IN BED.

One thing that I've tried to do each day is to carve out time for on-line "stuff."
This time is never when my kids are active.
It's never when they deserve my attention (which is always.)
Unless I'm playing a game with them or showing them a site, the mac is closed down.
I'll be the first to admit...IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY.
That's why I'm sitting here, writing at 10:42pm.
I'm beginning to feel like the digital era has turned us into distracted, "A.D.D." like, media monsters.
We are constantly "being fed" information.

Why should my daughter have to beg me to log-off when she wants to show me the new pipe cleaner art that is hanging from her ceiling?
Why should any of them beg for attention...over unanswered e-mails?

You may not like to hear this,
but...

THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

It's obvious that I'm having a preachy kind-of moment.

Hang in there.

Reality checks are good for the soul.

It's no accident that my kitchen tiles were volcanic ash.
The grout turned into molten lava.
I have spent two evenings hopping on my tip toes, trying to avoid cracks!
Addi, Grace and Chloe have being doing their damnedest to knock me over and push me down as I have done my damndest to cook dinner each night.
Now and again I'd shout out: Girls, careful...hot stuff!
or
Not by the stove! Someone will get hurt for real!

Then the fun continued.
The kitchen has been ready to burst.
...with laughter.

I always knew that Tiny, our Chloe was a tough cookie.
I had no idea that she was this tough! Out of all three she was the only one able to knock me off my feet!
This royally pissed Addi off.
How could her baby sister be stronger than her?!


It was so funny!

My Mom was over for the first round, during night One.
She cleared out after a few minutes.

Mom, I'm not crazy...really!
By the way...you stepped in lava!! OUCH!!

I'm proud to say that this is the "NORM" in our house.

Perfectly Imperfect.

Children inherit so much from us.
They are born...
-created from a union.
-perfect combinations of two people's visible traits.
-new to the world.
-cherubic and fresh faced.

They become...
-beautifully flawed.
-perfect combinations of their loved ones' personalities.
-human by nature... forced, ready or not, to take on the world.
-little sponges... absorbing everything!

I have passed on much to my girls.
...poor kids.
...just kidding. Well, maybe not.

I can't believe that I'm about to do this...
I'm going to reference a movie that happens to be one of my husband's favorites.
I never thought much of the film, until I was exposed to it CONSTANTLY for  a decade or so...

Does anyone out there know the movie: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly?
It's an old spaghetti Western, starring Clint Eastwood and directed by Leone.
I have, over the years, become very familiar with this film. (thanks to my husband)
It's your textbook, 1960's, low budget Italian Western. (just stating the facts folks)
It's focus is on the three main characters, their plight and their characteristics, which are inherently predictable.
They are judged by their physical appearances and personalities through out the entire film!
...hence the title.

This my dears is life.
-Whether we like it or not.

It is human nature.
We come.
We see.
We judge.
-Some good.
-Some bad.
...and yes, some deemed ugly.
You may begin as one type of person and like the Bianca of Shakespeare become someone else...
...beautiful on the outside but not so pretty within.

Sometimes I feel as if I am too harsh a critic.
Am I too hard on our girls?

I'll have to wait decades in order to know the answer.
Some day our girls will look back.
They will review their memories.
...some half forgotten.
...others in tact and vibrant.
They will judge our parenting skills.
They will weigh their childhoods on what I hope to be a well calibrated scale.

I wonder how we'll stack up?
Will Jim and I pass the age old parenting test?
What will they choose take from us and pass on to the next generation?
Even better, what will they inherently force upon the next with out realizing it.

Hmmmm...I wonder.

My children have a love of the rain.
They take pure delight in creating art, music and the written word.
They are creative by nature...curious to no end.
My girls are hell on wheels! (literally rolling everywhere...)
Our children have a great fondness for the outdoors and nature.
We are raising beach babies.
Each is especially observant...nothing escapes any of their attentions...EVER!
Stubbornness runs rampant in our children.
So does shyness in public or with strangers.
They are very determined young ladies.
They are verbal, vocal creatures when the time is right...and sometimes when the time is very wrong.
They can at times be argumentative.
Each of our children is caring and has a tender heart.
They have varying shades of blond hair and the colors of the sea and sky twinkle in their eyes.
People say that they are lovely. (inside and out)

These things have been inherited.
Some by modeling and mirroring and others purely given by nature, destiny.
I can't wait until we discover where these traits take each of them.
What journeys await my children?

According to the kids:

Addison: Will own a horse stable and have a son named Devil. (We don't quite know where the name choice came from.)
Grace: Will become an art teacher and never wants to get married. "Boys are gross!"
Chloe: Will someday be a rock star Mommy.

-The future sounds great!

Sometimes I wish that the next decade would fly by.
I want so badly to see who they will each become.

Then I remember to slow down and enjoy the steps along the way.

Dancing, storytelling, cuddling and crafting are in the now.
Tea parties and stuffed animals are all the rage.
Happiness comes with stacking empty, plastic, Easter eggs on the living room floor.
Hanging color swatches on your wall and selecting your own, "big girl" room decor is thrilling.
Learning how to write letters to loved ones and actually getting mail, with your own name on the envelope is amazing!
Wondering how the post man does this is equally intriguing.
Eating ice cream on the floor, in front of the open front door, while the rain falls is "the best time of your life."

I so love how so many of us rushed to become adults. Once there it's our children that take us out of the mundane, adult world, back to simplicity and awe.

There is time for the future.
It's always there...
...one step ahead of us.

Top photo: Grace's Camping Hair
2nd photo: In Mom's Shoes (Addi and Grace)
3rd photo: Holiday Fun
4th photo: Chloe's Egg Towers

Rainy Nights and Lullabys

Time soars. It flies. It often escapes us.

Tonight I lay with Grace on the top bunk, under the magic fairy tree, curled up in her softer than soft red comforter.
She had asked me, ever so politely, to stay with her.

"Mom, I know that you won't really sleep with me, but can you snuggle with me for awhile?"

--Of course I would.

Addi had fallen asleep on the couch next to us. I walked her to her bed in a state of sleep walk. She will never remember it in the morning.

-Keep walking baby.
-Good job.
-Uh oh...step...good job.
-Almost there.
-Now, hop up.
-Ok...you did it.
-Sweet dreams my love.
...all while my hands rest on her shoulders to gently guide her.

Chloe was fast asleep below, nestled with her favorite "soft, pink, nigh night."
She had smiled when I kissed her cheek. It was a sleepy, baby smile. The kind that sneaks into your current dream.
--Dream something amazing baby.

Gracie waited patiently, standing next to the bunk bed. I climbed the ladder after her. I thanked her for being "such a good girl, a patient kid"...
She smiled at me, said, "No problem." and told me that she loved me.
I returned the love and gave her my favorite goodnight...
"I love you more than the sun and the moon and the stars, forever and ever...and that's a whole lot."
Gracie gave me her favorite response, "I know Mom. I love you too."
She pursed her lips into a perfect bow, waiting for a smooch. Grace is such a lover. -Such a romantic.
So like her Mama...

I stroked her hair and cheek with my fingertips and sang her to sleep:

I'll love you forever.
I'll like you for always...
As long as I'm living...
My baby you'll be.


This was on repeat for fifteen minutes.

It has always put all three of my girls to sleep.
This is a song sung in one of their favorite bedtime stories.
The title is the same as the verse, I'll Love You Forever.


I lay there, singing in my strained, allergy riddled voice.
I thought...
She loves this.
It doesn't matter how bad my voice sounds or how horribly it is cracking...
My baby will love this forever.

Grace fell asleep and I lay there a bit longer listening to the rain.
It beat against the house in torrents.
The wind whistled through the trees in my backyard.
Pure magic.
These are my favorite kinds of nights.

I thought there nothing better than being lulled to sleep by the rain for so long.
Now I see that I was wrong.
Helping Gracie fall asleep is far better.

*TEA CUPS, courtesy of Photobucket.
*Raining Hearts and Rainy Heart in Traffic =  Me.