Nothing says "summer" like some melon...

So, I think it's officially summer here in Texas.  It's been in the 90's every day since Friday!  I'm hot.  Needless to say, we're still outside all the time.  Here are the kids enjoying watermelon at the park. 

Melon4

Here's Littleman finally showing some love to his cousin.

Kiss

Uncle Tim sent us this super fun whale hat.

Whale2

And what kind of day is it if you can't finish it with a blue cupcake from Grandma?

Blueman

Papabear, Littleman, and I leave for our journey to Arizona tomorrow.  We're driving...all 1094 miles (about 15 hours) to visit my Dad and the family.  I might be off the radar for a bit...or not...they do have computers and the Internet in Arizona.  Off to finish packing! 

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Silly rabbit...

So I'm uploading some photos of a baking playdate (Baking with B****, isn't that cute?) I had at my house today.  (I know what you're thinking: baking with 8 preschoolers? Are you nuts? And the answer is an emphatic, YES.  It was complete and total chaos, but it was tons of fun.  The kids had a great time "baking" and making a mess and the moms were so helpful with the kids and cleaning up. Worth the heat rash under my pony tail!)  Oh, as a pat on my own shoulder, I'd like to say that I pulled this off while still caring for TWO kiddos, little Nini is with us until tomorrow.

Anyway, back to the pictures.  The pictures of Littleman are so you can admire how serious he takes his baking.  The ones of me are NOT to marvel at how I have only lost six pounds and still look pregnant even though I go to the gym at least 5 days a week, but to admire my awesome tan!  I don't wear less than 40 spf, applied at least twice a day, and still, golden!  I know the sun's rays are evil...but I do love a nice tan... Definitely makes me feel less fat.  Again, I KNOW!  Doesn't make any sense, hence the title of today's blog entry.

 

Baking1

 

Baking3

Nice melon. Hee hee.

 

Baking2

Good gracious, look at that belly! Okay wait...there has GOT to be a more flattering picture...let me check the photo folder..um...well, aside from looking exceptionally nerdy, this one is a little better....right?

Baking4

I SWEAR my boobs were always that big...sad to say (I know what some of you are thinking, but the grass is always greener, girls!) I know, I am silly, so, so silly.  You guys know I don't care what I look like, right?  I fuss about it and wish I was thinner (on an hourly basis), but really, I am cool with it.  I do what I can.  I drink a lot of water, try to stay away from red meat and eggs.  I use smartbalance instead of butter.  It's all good.  And it's fun to laugh about it.  

Well, it's past 10pm here and I have at least two loads of laundry to fold...ug... 

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fourth stall on the left...

At the gym, my favorite shower is the fourth stall on the left.  It has the best water pressure.  I do enjoy the mornings "my" stall is available.

Today I had a massage.  When I finally emerged out of the room, groggy, and totally relaxed, the masseur said, "How's sleeping beauty doing?"  I groaned, "Oh no, did I snore?"  He paused, smiled, laughed a little, then responded, "Not *so* much."  How awful is that?

Well, I have a much worse story...many of you have heard it before, but since it's never made it to print, here goes.  Rememer when I was about 8 months pregnant and I was offered a free pregnancy massage?  I was so excited.  However, not ONLY did I fall asleep and snore, but I farted as well!  And the masseuse was a parent of one of my students!!!!  I was mortified.  She was gracious, though, and said the two biggest compliments you can give a masseuse are either a fart or snoring!  The guy today was good - I honestly have not been that relaxed in a LONG time.

One weekend BBQ down, one more to go tomorrow.  It's 95-ish degrees and HUMID.  It's pretty gross, but every where we go there are pools, so as long as you get wet, it's not so bad. 

Hope every one out there is having a great, long weekend.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Sunny skies...

Wagon1

So, I survived my week caring for two little ones.  My brain is somewhat in tact.  And now I'd like to take a moment to to shout my praises to all the moms of mulitples that I know read this blog: JM, KBC, LF, EAB, MW (forgive me if your initials are not listed, as I said, my brain is only "somewhat intact").  AND, this shout goes out to ALL the moms out there...How you manage to keep your kids smiling and fed and happy and loved and STILL manage to work, or cook, or wear matching matching socks is nothing short of a miracle.

Littleman hated sharing his toys, hated sharing mommy, and managed to get himself in more timeouts this week than

Nic2

 he has ever had in his entire LIFE!  It pretty much sucked.  Little Nini was great.  Luckily, he's super mellow and easy going.  Cute as a button.  I think if Littleman had more time, he'd adjust to the lifestyle (a sibling kind of lifestyle), but this week was really tough.  I booked a massage...and look forward to getting back to the gym (something I had to give up this week).

Now for some really exciting, awesomely good news.  Papabear got a raise...a really significant raise.  Significant enough to iron out that stress-crease between his eyebrows.  Enough to make me feel a LOT less guilty about my decision to stay home with Littleman.  Enough to make me actually hear sighs of relief coming from my dear husband.  I could tell how happy he was...not just because he's doing a good job and the doctor he works for has noticed, but because he could really offer me the life I have always wanted.  A chance to devote myself to my family.  I can't describe how happy this makes me...or how proud I am to have Papabear in my life. I feel so lucky.

On a similar note, a couple of moms have showed interest in my "professional babysitting" services.  SO, I might actually be paid to watch some kids and make a little extra cash.  Papabear said that could be my "massage money."  I thought that was pretty sweet of him.  I think I'll save it for something really great...another weekend in Austin, perhaps.

OH, one last thing.  My dear brother Chuckie came in for a brief visit and gig.  It was bittersweet.  I miss him SO much and we only had a day to hang out.  Littleman was beside himself to see him.  Seeing him made me miss his wife and my parents, and my friends all the more.  STILL, it was a great visit.  His gig was awesome and it was nice to give him a real hug.

So, friends, the sun is shining on us.  Enjoy some pictures from the last couple of days below.  I apologize if this is a bit of a ramble...I'm beat.

These first two are from a hot dog playdate.  Good times...

Hotdog6

 

Hotdog2

Check out Littleman's FIRST happy face!  He's getting better and better at drawing them.  

Happyface

Here's Littleman in our community kiddie pool.  It's a wonderful little haven...

Fun1

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Knock on wood...

So, the powers that be have put me in the position to care for my new young nephew, known here as, Nini, for this week.  And by some incredible miracle, both boys are napping!!!  Littleman's Aunt J dropped Nini off at 6:55 this morning and we have been having a really great time.  Littleman is a little jealous, but only shows it by refusing to eat while I feed his cousin.  Other than that, they have been adorable.  Keeping my fingers crossed for a smooth rest of the day....(I still can't believe their both asleep....)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Wilco, the letter B, and characters...

So Papabear and I wisked ourselves away for a rocking, romantic evening in Austin to see a sold out WILCO show.  It's about a 3.5 hour drive from where we live.

 

Wilco_jesus

If I must say so, it was perhaps one of the BEST live shows I have EVER experienced.  It was an outdoor venue, had an excellent sound system, and the weather was about 70 degrees and breezy.  The band was absolutely amazing.  Our hotel was within walking distance.  We ate (dinner and brunch the next morning) at two very inexpensive, but extremely delicious restaurants.  Littleman slept over at Maday's and has asked to sleep over again every day this week!  I seriously could not have asked for a better 36 hours.

 

B3

Today I hosted a playdate at my house, "B is for Bubbles."  I have hosted about six "letter of the day" play dates...and have about 15 more scheduled on the events calendar up until August.  It's my little way of staying in touch with my professional self.  Usually, the same four or five kids show up (with mommies, of course).   We sing/sign the alphabet, listen to a story, make a lame little craft (bugs today), and have a snack.  Littleman has become good friends with "regulars" and I think really enjoys the "lesson."  Today, as I rang my little school bell and the kids settled down on the carpet in front of me, Littleman man said, "I'm ready, Miss Britt."  :) Somehow, the look on his face told me that he knew EXACTLY how funny I thought that would be.

 

B9

One mom brought balloons for all the kids!  It was a pretty successful playdate...except the book I chose stunk.  Usually I do a better job with that...and as a librarian, I find it embarassing that the book I read was a lame-o, Sesame Street book called, It's Not Easy Being Big .  I can do better...

 

Finally, a bit about characters.  There are many in my life, ME, to name one, but there are loads of others.  Why I have to mention this, I don't know...but EVERY time I am working out and this woman joins the class, I ALWAYS think, "I HAVE to blog about this...)  Anyway, remember Magda from There's Something About Mary?  If not, here's a picture of her:

 

Magda

Well, I work out with her.  NO, not the actress, but a woman who is literally ORANGE from the fake tan and I worry that her bleached hair will fall out on me when we're grapevining around our steps! Ew.

Recently, an acquaintence back east emailed and asked if I'd met any "real" people out here as I was afraid that all the moms were going to be perfectly made up, with their trendy clothes, perfect hair, and stiletto heels at toddler story time.  While those women actually DO exist out here and show up for story time as if it were happy hour, I have met some very down to earth, "real" people out here.  By some stroke of very good luck, I have met a small handful of really nice people, all mom's, of course.  The "meetup.com" thing has been good to me.  I am happy to report, that although there is nothing like the comfort and love of my friends back east, I do have a really nice network of friends here.  Some similar souls who I can trust to watch Littleman and whose children are sweet and loving and friendly.  I have to admit, that there have been some pretty cloudy days in the recent past, but when the sun shines on me, it really SHINES.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Mike Clarke...

The following song, written and performed by my brother, Chuckie, is inspired by an old, old friend, Mike Clarke.  Please listen while you read...(*I've never uploaded a song before, so if you'd like to read while you listen, you should open another tab or window while the song is playing)

 

The goalie 1

For four years in the late eighties/early nineties, Chuckie and I, along with our younger brother Will and our parents, lived on a particular street in Staten Island, NY.  In almost every house there lived children of all ages and all the boys were sports fanatics (and so the girls were fans/cheerleaders/and when the guys were desparate for even teams, players).  Whatever the season, whatever time of day, from hockey to manhunt, the excitement never ended for us while we lived there.  The older boys, who owned actual jerseys, created a street hockey team and were literally worshiped by us younger folk.  As girls, we'd give anything to bring them water or a bandage for a skinned knee...and our younger brothers absolutely immortalized the older boys.  Here's a picture of the three most famous and most talented of the crew:

 

Theguys

That's Brian, Mike, and Ken.  If Mike stood out, it was because he was the quiet one.  The one with the manners.  Brian was quiet, too, but his athletic skill (and ability to drink two liters of Pepsi in ONE sitting) made him something mythical.  And while Ken might not have been the best at a sport, he certainly was very good at every one AND had the personality to fill in everything else.  He could keep a group of ten to fifteen adolescents laughing to tears most of a hot summer afternoon until dinner was called and was the envy of us all.  Looking back on those years, it's hard to think of a time when those three boys were not together.  Here's what my brothers and I looked like during that time:

Us

We moved to New Jersey when I was about to turn sixteen.  And, as happens when you grow up, we all lost touch. I had heard through the grapevine that Mike became a fire fighter...and was knocked to the floor when one of my Staten Island friend's called me shortly after 9/11 to tell me that Mike was one of the first to respond.  I still have not found the words to describe that day, listening to a radio from my new job in Albany, thinking of all my family and friends who lived and worked in the city.  I used to be the poet in the family, but now it is my brother, Chuckie.  And to do him justice, here is a more recent picture of him:

Chucke

In this song, the incident with the bully is a bit fictionalized...and the crush, too...however, in those days, I had a crush on just about every boy that walked within four feet of me, so it *could* be true.  In any case, my brother has truly captured the spirit of that wonderful boy from our childhood.  In his own way, Mike was a hero back then and will forever remain a hero.

If you'd like to hear more of Chuckie's music, visit his myspace page:  http://www.myspace.com/chuckecosta. 

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

What is the greatest gift?

To wake up beside a man you love...shortly followed by the little man you made together, still warm and cuddly from sleep, crawling in bed to kiss you good morning.

Kiss

Mom1

Here are some pictures from this morning's brunch.  (Another gift is to not have to cook or clean up, with a chocolate mousse dessert, mmmm.)

 

 

 

Mom2

                               Bliss....

 

 

 

Mom3

 

 

 

 

 

Handsome

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Final Answer

I am officially MOM!  Conversation over.  Okay, I will pursue some kind of part time work...I'm going to try and think up some kind of thing I can do from home, like watch other people's children.  But, for now, there will be no more interviewing, no more fancy pants.  Just me and my boys... Papabear's on board...as long as we can pay the bills.

Thanks for your support guys! 

OH, just wanted to note that the gnat/ant situation is getting better...not sure how, as the pest people are coming on Friday, but, whatever, I'm happy.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fried Pies in Oklahoma

 

Fried

That's right.  As we drove to Oklahoma on Sunday for a hike in the Chickasaw National Recreation Center, we saw numerous, mostly homemade, signs for "Fried Pies."  So, after our four or five hours of hiking (see pictures below), my curiosity got the best of me and I forced Bill to stop at the giant sign.  And a fried pie, is basically just what it says.  Slightly larger than a taco, this place sold homemade fried dough filled with every kind of sweetness you can imagine: peach, pineapple, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, apple, coconut, apricot, and so on.  We tried the apple and blackberry pies - they were quiet yummy.  Still hot, extremely messy things...and probably full of cholesterol and all that nonsense...but worth it!

I want to thank the VOICE OF REASON who called me yesterday.  It's as if she embodied all the voices of my dearest friends in the brief minutes we had to speak. She stated, quite matter of factly, how much I need/want/should be home with Littleman.  And she is right.  And you guys are right.  And now, at this very moment, I will be working on building up that backbone of mine that tends to slip away whenever I need it.  I think Papabear is a little too attached to the "me-working-plan."  I have to remind him that I have my whole life to work and Littleman will only be little for a short while longer. (Can you hear me revving my engine?)

Anyway, J (aka the VOICE OF REASON), thanks for calling.  I needed the sureness in your voice to push me over my wishy-washy edge.  And right now, while my spine strengthens, I will post some pictures of our really lovely hike in the Oklahoma wilderness. (Yeah, who knew?)

 

Hike1

 

Hike2

 

Hike3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hike4

Can you believe I actually took this picture?????  Neither can I.  It was AWESOME!  We ended our evening celebrating Papabear's brother-in-law's birthday.  They have a hot tub the boys could enjoy.

 

Hottub

Read and post comments | Send to a friend