Things For Dad's Butt!...Don't Ask.

June 12th has always held a special place in my heart.
Jim and I have dubbed it "OUR DAY."
It falls directly between our birthdays...his being the 11th and mine the 13th.
20 years ago we began to jointly celebrate on this day.
--one more thing to share.
--sentimental and sweet.

2 intense careers and 3 kiddos later we have carried on with the tradition out of necessity.
--Who has time for 2 birthdays in one week?!
--Not us!

This year, however...
We ditched the 12th.
WHY?
--Not sure.
WHO DECIDED?
--Not sure of that either. It just happened...like so many other random things.
Whatever the case:
A) the kids deserve 2 days of party cake.
B) we do too.
C) The girls wanted to pamper their Dad.

My guy spent a week home from work. He was suffering the ill effects of a severe concussion.
He's still recovering but, being the stubborn workaholic that he is, decided to brave the LIRR and the wild streets of mid-town Manhattan in order to head to the office...
ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

This alone, deserved the most decadent, chocolate cake that we could find!

The fact that we, and by WE... I mean ME, drove him nuts all week is another.
After a head full of staples, stitches and 2 trips to the ER I was more than a little worried.
I love him and let's face it...He does not know how to take it easy.


Jim's words: Try not to use my mind?! I get paid to use my mind.
The Doctor: Not now you don't. Your mind needs time to heal.

After the doctor informed my husband that he needed a minimum of 2 weeks rest before commuting into the city he said:
Nope. I'm going back on Friday. I don't care.
The Doctor responded with a stern look in both our directions, a shake of the head and the comment:

We'll discuss this on Thursday.

After all that Jim was a surprisingly good patient.
Proof that this must have scared the crap out of him.

Thanks to my FOUR MINI SPIES/NURSES...Julia,Addi,Grace and Chloe...Jim was watched and babied all week.
NURSE BILLIE was on the job and he was going to rest if it killed him! My nagging could send him to the grave.
Jim's week consisted of being in the audience for 3 grade school performances, a first grade farm trip with Gracie and light repairs around the house and lots of nap time.
Again---I was totally impressed!

The "comfort Dad" theme carried over to his birthday gifts.
The girls and I bought him:
*a blue Adirondack chair complete with Lime green cushion.
*a soft cushion for his ladder back chair in the kitchen. (this is where he does most of his work while home)
*a groovy new Hawaiian shirt.
*jogging gear (for when he feels up to it again)
*2 support pillows. They are pretty and masculine! Wait...is that possible?(he's soar and has been using
    2 nasty old pillows, from "I don't know where"... since he got hurt.)
Did you catch onto the theme?
The girls and I went to the local Italian American Bakery for the cake.
Addi, Grace and Chloe dominated the shop. They had the attention of the owner. She happily answered all of their questions for over 10 minutes. She offered to add special flowers to the double chocolate, canoli treat that they had agreed on for their Dad.
---Hmmmm. I wonder if she babysits?!

A woman struck up a conversation with the kids.
Woman: So, it's your daddy's birthday?

All 3 girls "yessed" her at various moments as they flipped through a cake catalog.

Woman: Did you give him his presents?

Addi: No, not yet. He's at work still.

Woman: What did you get him for his birthday?

Chloe: We got him things for his butt.

Woman: Oh?

Grace: Our dad hurt his head so he needs things for his butt..to make him comfortable.

...The lady looked puzzled.

Chloe: Or you can call it a tushi! Tushi Is a good word for butt!

The woman placed her order and smiled in my direction.

Did I intervene?
NO.
Did I clarify?
NOPE.
Have I loved retelling this story to family and friends?
YOU BET!!

Happy Birthday to "My Guy." I love you and am proud of your strength and determination.
Your ability to stay home an entire week, in a house with 5 concerned women (of various ages) is beyond impressive!

Birthday Season and Crying Mamas

Have you ever had "one of those moments"?
The world comes to a screeching halt...
You know, the ones that cause a lump in your throat so big that it's hard to swallow?
...butterflies that feel more like dragonflies form from nothing only to flit back and forth in your stomach?
...a gentle trickle swells up inside of you, bursting out into a flood of tears?

I had a moment.
It was memorable.
It was beautiful.
It was all about my girls.

This past weekend we celebrated.

Addi and her buddy Danielle. That's ice cream on their noses!

My kids celebrated JUNE.
They romped though the yard into the night.
Our girls put the antics of "the wild things" to shame!

They wanted to turn the sprinklers on..
...at 9pm.
Addi asked Jim.
Jim said,"Ask your Mom."
He thought that I'd say NO.
SURPRISE
The answer was YES.


This is one more reason why I'm happy to live on a street packed with kids.
Four girls, running through sprinklers...
...cartwheeling.

...and playing "slippery leap frog" in the front yard, on a Friday night is no big deal!
Kids being kids is messy, stinky, wet, and grass covered, but beautiful.
By 9:45 they were cold and pooped out.
So were the grown ups, but we played it cool.

SUMMER is here... the kick off of "BIRTHDAY SEASON"is upon us.

Jim's Mom's birthday was this week...My Mom is next on the list..., then Jim, followed by me, my cousin, my aunt and a few friends. Did I mention that everyone listed after Jim all fall on the same day? Did I forget to mention that swirled into all of this are Mother's Day, Father's Day and our anniversary?
After a brief swim to the surface for a gulp of air we have Addison's birthday and then we are blessed with a lull.

Throw kiddie birthday parties and end of the school year fun into the mix and it's a rockin' month!

SATURDAY was a family friend's birthday party. Alexis was 7. She had a pool party complete with glitter tattoos (custom made by her aunt), pinata, an amazing blow up contraption that blew balls into the air (entertaining for everyone there), relay races and pizza!

Who could ask for anything more?
It was an all day affair.
One more day that ended in the best type of exhaustion!


We headed over to my Mom's place bright and early Sunday morning.
If you're wondering where "my moment" is..It's coming.
-Just building momentum.
-Keeping you hanging for a while.

We gave Bannie her gifts.
The last was a ticket for the kids gymnastics show.
THE EXPO.
The deal was, wear the new clingy dress (that she looks amazing in! -and was bought for you. Grace told my Mom that, "We didn't buy it! It was Mom's old dress."), accessorize with the heart bracelet (that Addi says she gifted to her because she didn't like it anymore! Quite the charmer isn't she.) and find the ticket waiting for you at the door.
PERFECT.

The Gold Medal Gymnastics Family Expo is a time for our children to shine.
They look forward to strutting their stuff and demonstrating what they've learned all year.
...Wait, did I say that?
I should have said...
All but one child looks forward to strutting their stuff and demonstrating.
You see, our Addi, at times becomes painfully self conscious during moments like these.
She loves gymnastics but does not love being in the first group to perform.
Nor does she enjoy being called out individually to do solo floor exercises.
Being the center of attention and not 100% positive that the outcome will be great freaks her out.
Addison panicked.
As the kids were ushered into their class groups and assembled in their places Jim and I witnessed the scene and saw our baby's nerve unravel.

Her body language changed.
...shoulders hunched.
...fingernails were bitten.
...her gaze shifted into her lap.

OH NO>
We had a feeling this might happen.
I had butterflies...Screw that...I had a swarm of bees in the pit of my stomach.
My poor baby.
NO PANIC ATTACK...PLEASE NO PANIC ATTACK.
COME ON ADDI YOU CAN DO IT!

Then she she flagged a teacher over.

Jim looked in my direction," Oh no. What's going on?---She's not going to do it is she?"
In a whisper I said,"No. I don't think so."

We watched as the coach gave words of encouragement and placed a hand on Addi's shoulder.
Addi shook her head "no" a few times.
The teacher understood.
She left defeated.
Addi sat, pretzel legged, frowning into her lap.
If we could have performed for her we would have.
-Instead we watched.
It was agony...

Addison's name was not announced.
She did not perform her solo floor exercises.
... But she was a happy kid.
Her group moved on to the balance beam, then to the "horse."
SO DID ADDI.

Our brave girl performed with a bright smile.
SHE DID IT.
THE BEES WERE GONE.

I shed silent tears.

At the same time Grace started her floor routine.
She was ALL BUSINESS.
Good old Gracie Skylar...dependable and on task.
She kept her eyes locked on her teacher.
Grace had a look of determination on her face the entire time.
Her brows were knit and her lips pursed.
We watched as she'd nod to the coach, point a toe, flip a wrist, make eye contact and move on.
She saved the funny business for the sidelines. Giggles and whispers are cool then.
SHE WAS GREAT.
Off to the right Jim and I saw Chloe reach out for her big sister. As she walked past Addi she gave her a squeeze and huge smile. Addi smiled and returned the squeeze.

It was getting hrder and harder for me to fight off the tears.
We were very proud. This was sisterhood at its shiniest.

Addi's team was done and sat, waiting for their trophies and certificates of excellence. Grace's team was on deck for the "bars." Chloe's team was in line and ready for the "beam."

As they waited the little girls began to sing out loud and dance. Chloe was PSYCHED! She bounced like a jumping bean and belted out her favorite tune. It was her lucky day. She'd get to perform while
 "Call Me...Maybe" played.
Chloe bounced.
Chloe waved and waved and waved.
Cloe laughed.
She had her turn.
CHLOE KICKED BUTT!
She went back to her place and danced some more.
We laughed as we watched her head bop up and down while she belted out "So here's my number. Call me maybe!!"
She has a way of making everything look so easy.

I wasn't making anything look easy. I was holding back a flood. - Wiping the tears away and hoping that I didn't have raccoon eyes.
Jim glanced my way and gave me that boyish smirk that I love so much.
The one that says, "You're sentimental and silly and that's why I love you."
I cried more.
It was no use...I couldn't stop.

Chloe and Gracie's groups past by one another.
The sisters stopped. They hugged, high fived, laughed, exchanged "thumbs up," and moved on.
I nudged Jim," Do you see our girls? They're so beautiful. Look at them."
Jim nodded, yes and smiled in their direction.
He and Addi gave a high "thumbs up" from across the room.
Addi waved her trophy in the air, smiling proudly.
I cried some more.

It's going to take a monsoon to top this memory.

JUNE...Spring Month or Torture Device?

I step onto the merry go round.
-Passing up a dainty, white horse clad in pink roses and heading for the ostrich caught in mid-prance I think to myself, "This could be fun."

I know...OSTRICH.
In my mind it promises for a more interesting ride.

I hop on the over sized,plastic bird, buckle up and hold onto the gold pole.
The music begins...

I turn, glancing over my right shoulder, then my left.
My head turns full circle.
The music grows louder.
I relax, looking at the fair and passersby.
The ride picks up speed.
The music plays louder.
People become stretched out burs.
Colors run together, morphing into abstractions.

Panic sets in...

Where are my kids?!
IT PICKS UP SPEED
Why am I on this thing with out the girls?!
IT SPINS FASTER
I don't see them on here.
They love the carousel.
THE CIRCUS MUSIC IS BOOMING
I'm dizzy and clinging to the ridiculous ostrich's neck.
My hands are sweaty.
I continue to scan the crowd.
Where could my family be?
-Ahh. There they are.

I spy all three of my girls.
With each pass I strain my neck to lock eyes with one or all of them.
At first glance I notice that their hair is pulled back with looping curls.
Streaming ribbons frame their faces. Cheeks are blushing and lips are ruddy...
They look so pretty.
Why are they all dolled up?
...Are my kids wearing lipstick?!

Holy...Bad Make-UP!

Who let them out like that?

They look like porcelain dolls...or street walkers...take your pick.

My head is pounding.
WHEN WILL THIS END?
The ride continues to spin.
With each turn I catch a glimpse of the kids.
I feel relief until...

....PS. All make up was added in Photoshop.

I see that they are laughing.
My little ones crowd together, pointing outstretched fingers in the direction of the carousel.

I spin...
Their squeals get louder.
Their make up grows more vulgar with each pass of the ostrich.

This ride is pure torture.

Where are the baby wipes?
Girls take that stuff off!
Stop laughing at your Mama!

I never wanted to get on this ride in the first place...
I did it for the kids.

      the ride continues - i cling to my ridiculous bird - nausea sets in - the girls vanish

I walk with a drunken swagger down the steps of the carousel.
I go to my car and drive to the elementary school...

...3 more performances, 1 more in school birthday celebration, 2 field trips to chaperone, 8 more days of lunch bag filling, 3 more gymnastics sessions, 3 more after school clubs and 12 teaching days to go.

I can make it through with a smile on my face and a camera in my hand.

THIS IS JUNE.

Its definition has changed greatly over the years.

Like the Grateful Dead once sang, "What a long strange trip it's been."

Sand, Sun and Fun!

Here I am, a few days shy of a fresh blog, thinking about this past four day weekend.
The memories are new but have the feel of bursting bubbles.
Pop...
Pop...
Gone...
I'm waiting to chase another.

My family had it's first true taste of Summer. We didn't want it to end.
We fought off bedtime rituals on Monday night...
...Opting for one more evening of firepit S'mores in the backyard.

Tuesday?!
What did that mean?
School? Work...

For real?!

We are ready for Summer to sweep us up like one of the recent storms that have breezed through our neighborhood.
The countdown has begun...
12
11
10
9
8...
...soooo close.

I'm going to give you a glimpse of the playful antics that overlapped, creating our "fantastical four days" the best way that I know how...
...in picture language.

Chillin' out under a canopy of umbrellas on a rainy Friday afternoon...

...even the flies were slow.

Chloe saw the sun peek through the trees.

...then it was gone and the umbrellas became important again.

Sister "power struggles" were adorable and solved diplomatically.

Grace chose not to get involved. She was in love with her "tent."

The littlest sisters brought the fun onto the lawn...

They decided that the deck was better!

Mommy had alone time! It was the 1st voyage of the season.

I look serious but I'm really happy...I was afraid of tipping over with camera in hand!

Chloe is not part of Hell's marching band...We had the fire pit on full blaze.

Gracie pretended that her flashlight had mystical powers.

Goggles are the "new" fashion must have for Summer 2012! Julia's next.

Big Sister priviledges = S'Mores until you're sick and Staying up late!

Back to the beach...We found the best Indian paint pots...

...and put them to good use. We are now the Bear Bird Tribe.

To each his own... This made Jim happy. Each baby spot got water.

...Then it was back to the pool...
and the beach...
....and the pool!

Time Outs and Babies With Five Eyes

The conversation at lunch went this way:

Me: Damn it!

Grace: Mom! You just said a bad word.

Chloe: Mom, if you say a bad word like that, like dad again you will be grounded!

Me: Man, Chlo...You are strict. Not a time out first?...Straight to grounded?

Addi: (laughing from her seat at the table)

Grace: Yeah...grounded! What does strict mean?

Me: That you are very serious.

Grace: What does that mean?

Me: That you guys are harsh.

Grace: But what does that mean?

Me: That you will be tough parents someday...tougher than me. I'd do a time out first.

Chloe: No way! GROUNDED!

Addi: GROUNDED!

Grace: GROUNDED!

Julia: (smiled and laughed the whole time)

Me: (laughing) Boy, your kids are in trouble.

 **Here's the rest.**

Me: Wait, are you going to have kids?

Grace: I will, but I don't want to get married.

Me: OK. Addi, what about you? You don't want to get married either, right?

Addi: (1/2 smirking over the edge of her pizza)

 Me: (smiling back) Oh, did you change your mind?

Addi: Maybe I want to now...maybe!

Chloe:(very eagerly exclaims) Someday when Gracie and I live together and get married we will have to adopt a baby.

(Julia and I laugh)

Grace: I don't want to marry you!

After a lot of laughter I explained the facts:
Sisters are not allowed to marry each other.
Chloe was totally confused. She didn't understand why.
Addi then asked if brothers and sisters could get married.
I explained again...It's against the law
Addi then asked "WHY?"

My explaination: The babies will have five eyes.

??????...For real, MOM?!

Me: No...But it would cause a lot of terrible problems that we, thankfully, don't have to worry about. If you know any brothers or sisters that want to get married tell them that it's a bad idea.

...and that was that.
A lovely lunch time conversation during our holiday weekend.

PHOTOS: All of theses images were taken using the iphoto-booth app. on my laptop.
*1st Photo= Addison...three years ago.
*2nd Photo= Grace and Chloe...last September.
*3rd Photo= Addi and I...three years ago.
*4th Photo= Addison and Me...last night.

Gertrude the Fairy Fluttered Our Way!

I don't have much to say today.
A rarity, I know.
A few things have happened this week that are noteworthy.

*Grace lost her 2nd tooth!...This is amazing for a few reasons.
1) Because it was literally pushed out by the adult tooth that broke through the surface in record timing. One week it was loose and the next, BINGO, BOINGO...out it came.

2) This is the first tooth lost NATURALLY by Gracie. The OFFICIAL FIRST was knocked out by little sister, Chloe's head after a collision! An ER visit later and the tooth fairy was flying our way fast.
...Her Name is Gertrude the Fairy...Gert or Gertie for short.

Our Gertie likes to leave sentimental notes and money (of course) tucked under pillows.
I'm happy to report that all three of my little ladies get more excited over the Gertie letters than the cash!
...maybe I'm doing something right after all!
Grace asked if she could bring her "fairy letter" to school to show her teacher and her friends.
I said,"Of course!"---thinking that was one of the coolest things ever.
...like the millions of other cool things that I have kept catalog of over the years.

After school Grace reported back on the events of letter sharing:

"I had to put it away. My friends were grabbing at Gertrude's note and I was afraid that it would get hurt or ripped. So, not that many people saw it...but that's ok."

Gracie is such a responsible kid.
...or maybe she's just treasure hungry?!
...guarding her booty like good pirate.

The world doesn't need pirates. But I'm sure that it'll take a responsible, protective kid any day.

I need to report that the fairy note is now in a safe place.
Gracie has put it on top of her jewelry box.
... a true place of honor.
It now hangs out with her boxed, four leaf clover remains (it disintegrated, but is still treasure)

*Addi survived the movie Captain America.

...However she didn't make it through the night in her own bed.

She told me that her bad dreams were filled red faced, bad guys this time.
HOLY imagination!!
...and smooshed Mama and Dad.

* This week was Book Fair at the local schools.
This meant that I was out $60. in a flash. I can't say no to books.
The plastic, tiger, pointer paw that has come home 3X over is not a book.
What is this doing at a Book FAIR!?
JEEZ!!!...One more thing to cause bodily harm. I can't wait to see who gets whacked with one first.

Grace can now eat apples...and still thinks that her sisters are nuts.
...Addi isn't using her hands to eat her apple...one more talent.
...and yes, Chloe is  shirtless!

* Field Day...aka (the more PC title) Friday Fun Day... You know, where every kid gets an achievement award for participating and no one places 1st, 2nd or 3rd. (here comes more sarcasm)
This of course, because every child is equal, no one can be left behind, everyone is special, mediocrity is celebrated and kids that have a talent for sports are no longer allowed to celebrate success!!
Do you think something is wrong here?! I state this proudly and fully aware that not all of my children are "good" at sports and I was horrible at sports as a kid and never got awards on Field Day. I however, am all for ways that build character and allow our difference and achievements to shine.

...Ok...Next...

* I am on an organization mission. This means that I will be driving the entire family crazy and making many...I repeat... many...trips into the attic.

It also means that my house is in the middle of what looks like the Bible Belt during a fierce hurricane.

Julia beware! I may need some help.
I hope that my trusty sidekick is ready!

Kids beware...Mama is going to make you clean!!!

AHHHHH!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!

PS...I lied. I had something to say.

Super Heros, Gray Men and A Wimpy Kid...

The tamest of the Zombies

What do you do when your oldest kiddo is a big ole' wimp?
Some help me with this one...pretty please.
I love her to pieces...Oh yes, I do...
My baby has got soul and she can groove,
My girl is a dancing Queen.
Her vocals are astounding.
She can sing with the best of em' and will blow you away.
She draws as if her hands were on fire!
...Moving fast and scorching page after page.
But man oh man...
...My kid is a wimp.
_________________________________________

We avoid "certain movies" in our house.
THOR can now be added to the list along with
What can I do when I'm half asleep, brain dead, a walking zombie and have to get up for the umpteenth time, dashing to the rescue because the "grey snow people" are coming after her?
or
"there was a noise out there!!"
or
"MooooOm!! I'm really scared! HELP."
...the dog scratches and she jumps, yells, waking me and no one else ...of course!
I don't like my big/little girl crying in the middle of the night and asking me if  I'm mad at her because I had to get up again?
OR
If I hate her?
OR
If I can pleeeeaase snuggle because she's not lying, she's really, seriously, scared of  sounds that she hears and the pictures in her mind from the movie!

I believe her and never think that she's lying.
I understand that she's scared.
I love snuggling!!
I don't love dragging my butt out of bed in a 1/2 sleep..
...1/2 understanding what she's saying.
Maybe that's the "mad" part.
I don't want her to think that I'm angry.
At 3a.m., I literally, don't know which end is up, taking more time than necessary for speech to register.
Would I rather be back with Johhny Depp on a yatch or cruising through the night sky with Thor, hammer in hand, the wind blowing us close together...
Ummm...
YEAH!

But I am supposed to be Super Mama.
Troubled children...never fear... Super Sleepy Mama's coming!!
I am the hero with a utility belt made of daisy chained hair ties, Mrs. Meyer's spray cleaner and Oxy Clean are tucked around my waist tightly along with a spatula and glue sticks. My mask is a crafter's dream and my cape, a stained, but well loved "nigh-night".
Did I mention that I wear a tu-tu and my fish nets are torn?
But I'll be there...
...come hell or high water if one of my babies cries out.
That, after all, is how I got this way...
...I'm dishevelled and proud.

Addi is just not an action packed, scary movie kind of a girl.
She's not a scary, action filled ride kind of girl either.
Our Addi is a Ferris wheel, carousel kind of a kid.
Slow and steady...no tricks...or things that "go bump."
She is incredibly visual...
-A blessing, but an over active imagination has a way of torturing its host!
Trust me.
I speak from experience.
There have been many nights where I have refused to go to the bathroom for fear that a murderer lurked behind a door, or in the shower...
....waiting...waiting.

Do Addison's worries hold the family back sometimes?
SURE.
But that's life...
...Grace refusing to ride a bike holds us back from certain things as well.
...Chloe wanting to be held a whole lot does the same.
They are kids.
We're a family.
It comes with the territory.
It will be years before Jim and I sleep together, comfortably in our own bed.
We get it.

Their willingness to try news things enables us do alot too.
We have been jumping and diving into water for years, thanks to my little fish...all swimming by age three.
We navigate rocky beach shores and go camping, fishing and on "girlie road trips" thanks to our adventurous spirits.
My house, furniture and yard are transformed into magical, often uncertain places because my girls image fantastic things and then bring them to life!
Roller Derby fever strikes every night thanks to active chickies on wheels!
Now I need skates too!
My kitchen is arranged "just so"...meaning all at certain levels in order for my little people to reach them. They have accerted their independence at early ages. They get plates/cups on their own.

The future holds endless possibilities.
This stuff is just "stuff."
--Bumps in the road.

Let me leave you with a special thanks to Addi, for allowing me to sleep in 20 minute increments and eventually return to my own bed, undetected ( at 4am).

Thanks to Gracie love, who slept planted on top of my legs, due to lack of bed space.
--She sweats...I felt like I peed in my pants when I got up.

Thank you to Chloe who complained about being "crushed" and "having no room" for what felt like an eternity. (I reminded her that she could always go in her own bed.- Lots of room there!)

Thank you to Jim...who did nothing but sleep. How did you do that?! Damn it!

Lastly, thank you to Lightning who scratched himself silly all night, leg thumping, collar jingling... and in the process scaring the hell out of Addi every time...So in that process, I was woken EVERY TIME!

--OK...I'm stopping now...The sleep deprivation is catching up with me.
4 o'clock tea is calling my name.
  Note to self: Wipe the counters after spilling tea. - I'll use my cape for the job.