What's in a Name?

What Ember Means

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I'm not sure what to think about this. It's a little creepy! This nailed me right on the head about most things, (Not rocking the boat!) but I really don't think I am as intense and high energy as it portrays. Maybe I need to step it up?? I can do Crazy things?? Who me??
Yeah, ok I'm a little nutty at times.
I don't have a bad temper!!!!!!****@##$%!!
Do you think this is an accurate description on me?
WAIT a minuet!!! This isn't me.....this is my daughter Jennica!!! Can I say exhausting???

Getting "miles" on the costume

Have you ever seen a cow ride a bike?
Would you laugh if you passed this little cow "Moo-ing" his way down the sidewalk?
Jace has always loved cows. I couldn't pass by a $9 dress-up at Costco! He wanted to wear it to the Library.. so I let him!
As I followed I laughed the whole way.
It was fun to see the smiles he generated.
"MOOOooo!"

Walk to School Day

Dear Dad, (sam)

I thought it would be fun to ride bikes to school for "Walk to School" day. Poor Jen didn't like that idea. You saw how she was at the bus stop. Before we even left Husted Lane she was already in tears. First it was because of her backpack, then the cross walk button, then the breaks , then somehow it all became MY fault. I think it took us 35 minuets to get to school. (A ride that shouldn't take but 15 min.)

If I rode behind her she would stop and refuse to get back on her bike. If I rode in front of her she would scream for me to stop.
At cross walks I would stop in the middle of the road to make sure she would make it across safely- but upon seeing me stop, she would stop short of the cross walk. There I was in the middle of the street coaxing a MUEL to cross!

The only solution I could see to the situation was to keep moving. I didn't even dare look back at her, I was afraid too!
I figured if I could hear her yelling at me she was still following.

She expended more energy on her fit than the whole bike trip itself. Once we got to the bike rack I was so feed up I was so angry that a "fun" activity turned out this way. This bike ride was for them- why was I the bad guy?

Jennica took off her helmet and ditched her bike and turned to me with her sweat plastered hair and asked longingly:
"Mom, will I see you at lunch?"
I really didn't like her at that moment but was amazed at her ability to get over this "tramatic" bike ride once she took off the helmet!
"I'll see you at eleven."
And away she went smoothing her hair and wiping her face of any evidence of the monster she just was.

As I left the school I passed a dad carrying his toddler on his sholders. The boy was thrashing about and yelling and crying about how stupid they were. The mother had the mortified look on her face as I appraoched her and I couldn't help but smile at her and say I've had a similar morning.
I felt a little better after seeing them. My life is normal....right?

I wish I could say it all ended there but it didn't. When we got home from school I asked her to pick up her room, but the second the words escaped my lips I decided that was a battle I didn't want today. She did just what I expected and I calmly responded by telling her never mind. It can wait another day.
She paused, considered my option then rejected it.
"Mom, but I don't want my room to be a mess!"
"You decide Jen. I don't mind what you pick."
"But I WANT to clean my room!"
"That's your choice."
"But I don't want to do it myself!"

I've learned the best thing for me to do now is VACUUM!
I love the vacuum. It softened the whine as she continued to follow me. The question of the day was which one would win?
I really wish our house were bigger. I pulled out the hose and climbed under the tables, under the rugs, doorways....
The Vacuum won!!
Then I drew a hot bubble bath.....for her!

It's a tough job being a kid!

Sorry you missed all the action. At bedtime she asked if you would give her a kiss when you got home.
Save some for ME!!

Love,

Mom


PS- She did clean her room all by herself. :)


Party Pooper

Halloween redemption!

Some of you may have read about my last years Halloween mishap. (Read it here)
This year I have changed my ways!!
Fri. Oct. 3rd I made my comeback!
This year I am going to "Embrace" Halloween! While the kids were at school I decorated the house!
I hung a giant hairy spider in the Entry, baked Halloween cookies, blasted some spooky music and even dressed up! I totally freaked them out!
This year it's Halloween every Friday during Oct.!


Jace and his buddy Luke attacking the Spider we've named "Legs."

A Day in La La Land

Dear Dad, (Sam)

Fall is in the air! I love the crisp cool air. This morning I couldn't warm up. Yes, I was still wearing my sexy pink trenchcoat of a robe and my cozy slippers, but it didn't do the trick. After sending the kids off to school and kissing you good-bye I made Jace his oat"more" and drew myself a HOT bubble bath! Ahhhh
Jace found me after 2 seconds and thought it totaly absurd that Mommy was in the bath. I think that must mean I don't do it enough. It really shouldn't have been so silly to him.
I emerged from the bath red as a tomato and happy as ever. (There's something magical about taking a bath in a green tiled bathroom adorned with a frog certain shower!)
Jace and I then decided to go play in the Attic! I brought down all the winter clothes and Jace found Jarom's train set from Christmas. He was in Heaven!
Around 2pm Jace asked me if I wanted to be Dora and he would be Boots. At that moment I was staring at the hall filled with clothes and a kitchen that needed some TLC and I willingly accepted his invatation.
Playing Dora required that we "hop" on the bike and go to the "Spooky Forest."
So, I loaded him on the back of my bike and off we went. He informed me that when he sang a certain tune that meant I needed to pedal faster. There I was huffing and puffing away to Boots' demands down South Ave. toward our destination.

Once we got there we threw rocks in "Crocodile Lake." That was fun, then we were off to find Benny's Barn. I was relieved to hear the Barn was located next to our house, I had a school bus to met soon.
We made it home with time to spare so we played bike tag. Our boy can haul on his little Thomas bike!
Once that wore off Jace wandered and I found myself at the garden taking pictures of... "BOO."
Then I heard:
"Dora, give me a push!"
"Sure thing Boots!"
Jace had ploped himself inside his little red wagon and was waiting for another adventure at my expense.
We were off to the bus stop. I made it up the hill with him chanting faster, faster, faster!
What kind of Dora does he think I am??

Jarom didn't seem to even notice I was at the bus stop. He and Abe were already plotting their adventures.
Jennica, on the other hand, came and sat by me and immediatly pulled out her leftover snack and had a little picinic there on the curb!
I was feeling a little creative this afternoon. I followed Jarom and Abe around and took pictures. Shadows made the lighting difficult so I loaded them in the car and we went to Waveny. (good thing too, on the way I remembered to pick up your dry cleaning!! I would have spaced it otherwise!!)
Did I mention I got a little crazy? We didn't get home till 6pm. Once again I was freezing and the kids were HUNGRY!!
French Toast did the trick and lights out at 7:30pm. (with an extra trip into Jennica's room to take away the markers and coloring book she was hiding under her blankets.)
It's almost 9pm. I hope you will be home soon. I'm feeling a little chilly again. I wish you were here to share some hot cocoa with me. Perhaps I'll save you some! :) and maybe I'll turn on the furnace!!

Love,

Mom


Boots and his red wagon


Jennica's curb-side picnic and "BOO"


Jarom and Abe doing what they do best:

B+ Mom

I live in a community FULL of A+ moms and find I do possess A+ potential but seldom live up to what other mothers are doing around here. I'm not running a Company over Seas. I'm just running up and down South Ave.
I don't have important deadlines, unless bedtime at 7:30pm counts. I go to the grocery store with my kids,(yes, all 3 are mine) and No I'm not the Nanny. I wore these clothes on purpose, and yes, that Honda Accord is mine!
I am a B+ Mom!

I am a mom that kisses my kids good-bye and hugs them when they return. (what do you do all day?)

I am a mom that agrees with the dad that we shouldn't have a TV in the house, and we haven't for 2 years! (child abuse!)

I am a mom that feels there is No one more capable to watch over/protect/teach my kid more than me. (No Nanny??)

I am a mom that volunteers at the school just so I can see them at lunch! ("There's your mom A G A I N")

I am a mom that replaced the toy shelf with BOOKS! (easy clean up!)

I am a mom that doesn't arrange "play dates" for my kids. (We are quite entertaining ourselves)

I am a mom that didn't sign my kids up for After School Fun.$$$ (Probably the only one who didn't)

I am a mom that thinks an empty schedule is a GOOD thing! (R.S.V.P. thanks, but No thanks)

I am a mom that has her walls covered with finger prints, her kitchen chairs plastered with oatmeal, and a garage littered with bikes, joggers, scooters, and booster chairs! (what?? Not a perfect CLEAN house???)

I am a mom that coaches the soccer teams because I love playing with kids. (aren't i selfish?)

I am a mom who believes we are living in a crazy world and my kids need a mom by their side.
A mom that does what she can in a day, and starts anew the following day. A mom that signed up for only ONE assignment at the school Open House, a mom that didn't plan a birthday party for her 5 year old because I didn't WANT to. A mom that didn't purchase school pictures because I am a photographer! A mom that didn't purchase 500 rolls of wraping paper for the school fundraiser just so my kids could get a "Funky Monkey!"
I am a mom that isn't perfect and enjoys the chaos of an unorganized life and I sometimes even go to bed without getting the dishes done! (gasp!)

If this make me a B+ mom...I'll take one for the team!


One of these things is not like the other (sesame street jingle)
One of these things just isn't the same....

I am the Darth Vador in the land of the Princesses!

Jarom turns 7!

Today, Oct.1st, my oldest turned 7!
He is such a stud. Maybe I love him so much because he is so much like Sam. Those two are two peas in a pod!
This morning I decorated the house with balloons before he woke up and I made "birthday pancakes." This year his gifts were once again- Star Wars. ( I think this is 3 in a row)
This summer we introduced him to the Harry Potter books, it has been a welcome distraction. Consequently, Harry will be joining us Halloween night. I'm crossing my fingers that Harry and Yoda will occupy his thoughts rather than returning to Power Rangers. He discovered them at age 5. I haven't allowed Jarom to watch any of the movies on account they were rated Y7. I thought for sure I he'd lose interest by the time his 7th birthday would roll around. Well, last night he said: " Tomorrow I am old enough to watch Power Rangers!!!" Can you guess what conversation I'll be having on movie day?

He was so happy today. I dropped in at lunch time to see him. The whole cafeteria sang to him. He liked that. We went out to eat tonight and they sang to him, he liked that too. Birthday's are so much fun as a kid.


Yoda joined us for dinner:

I Made it!

The Triathlon was fun. Here it is 2 days later and I am still sore. (it's the I feel so good sore)
Two of my New Canaan friends participated too. It was fun having them there. I had just as much fun taking pictures.
I wanted to take more pictures but I sadly put my camera down and jumped into the water.
I did better than I expected in the swim, really enjoyed the bike, and SUCKED at the run! (as expected)
I was well into the 1st mile before I could even feel my legs. My brain was running really fast but my legs weren't getting the message. It was a strange "out of body" experience. I eventually made it to the finish line. My time was 2:08:18.
There is always room for improvement in the run! As for the other events, I am happy with my results. This was my 4th Triathlon and the longest distances.
My friends were awesome, they kicked my butt in the run! Those College athlete's aren't human!!
Here are some pics:

Treva, Ember, and Lindsay going to dinner



Before the plunge


Lindsay's victory cheer. Her time was 2:07:06


Treva's victory cheer. Her time was 2:04:01


My victory smile! (A photographer's fate)

Pre-Triathlon jidders

Tomorrow morning while most of you will be snuggled in bed, I will be enjoying my Triathlon.
Tonight is Carb load night and you guessed it- I am eating PIZZA with my girlfriends!!!!
I'm glad the day is here. I am ready to jump into that murky water and swim my guts out (hate the swim) and take in the awesome beauty of New England on my bike (right through my hometown) and run the painless 5 MILES!!!!
Bring it on!!!
I like doing triathlons because they never get easy. It always stinks running 5 miles and my legs are always rubber when I complete a ride. (notice I didn't mention the swim?? I pretend it isn't there)
I like completing something I am trying to talk myself out of the whole time. It's giving me a workout I wouldn't normally attempt.
Training for this triathlon was a challenge for me in the run. My ideal run is 3 miles, so to kick it up to 5 miles (especially after a 15 mile bike) took work. I know when I hit mile 4. I get a lovely cramp right in my butt. On my light days I'd run 3 miles and feel like super woman!! I'm glad I've had to move up to 5 miles just so running 3 miles is so enjoyable now!

I guess I should post my expected completion time.
I will cross the finish line in 2 hours and 20min.
Stay tuned.....

A Day of a 3 year old....

Yesterday, I got down on the floor and looked at life from Jace's perspective. After doing this I realized I rush him to often.
A task that I could get done in less than 20 seconds became my entertainment for quite some time.
First he picked out his own clothes. ( I wasn't surprised he chose his Elmo shirt. He wants to wear that everyday.)


Then he had to start all over again!

Is it lunch time already?

Then it was time to make the bed!
But first we had to talk to each "friend" and inspect them!


And tell a few stories...

Laugh at a few jokes...

Take a little rest...

Give some love....

TaDa! The finished product!

Now our day is ready to begin.

Or NOT.....

We get to start the process all over again!

New York

From New York City

Last week I had my first photo shoot in NY! I had so much fun following these two around. I loved the photos of them next to the graffiti. I saw NY through their style.
Here are a few of my photos.

From New York City

From New York City

From New York City

From New York City

Watering Children

From Rain

I LOVE rain! I especially love the smell of rain! Today we had a pleasant wet day.
I dressed Jace up and sent him out to jump in puddles! Kids are so lucky. I love that a kid doesn't care if his shoes get wet.
I love that they run right out into the rain without thinking of what it will do to their hair or even their clothes. They don't hesitate to enjoy the blessing of rain. They embrace it.
It's not that often that you see an adult speeding through puddles on a bike just to see how high the water splashes, or stomping through a puddle that wasn't there yesterday. I want to live like a child again.

I'm thankful for a rainy day! Here's to all the kids that LIVE life and allow the rain to help them grow!!

From Rain

From Rain

From Rain

From Rain

Full day Kindergarten!

Today Jennica is a Kindergartner! She has been ready for this day for quite some time. She watched Jarom as a Kindergartner last year so nothing was a surprise. She rides the same bus, goes to the same school, and even has the same teacher he had. I was much more subdued this time around. I guess the difference now is Jennica and I are both ready for this change. She got on the bus without even looking back. Once her mind was set on going to school she was off. I wasn't surprised she didn't need any encouragment from me. She is 5 going on 15.
Now that I am down to one child at home I am able to go running with Jace in the stroller right after the bus leaves, instead of 6am. The course I run takes me pass the school, so I thought I would swing by and say hi while she was on the playground, NOT to check up on her. I arrived a few min. after her bus and found her on the kid swarmed playground buzzing around. I called out to her and once she saw me she gave me a annoyed look and said: " Mom, why are you here?"
I had to laugh. It was obvious she was enjoying her life away from me. The feeling was mutual. :)
I continued my run and thought Jennica and I are experiencing simialr freedoms today.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

Imagine a mom with a 3 year old, 2 year old and 8 months pregnant living on the 10th floor.

Imagine a mom who drives a car full of car seats.

Imagine a mom that sleeps with kids on top of her!

Imagine a mom that goes running with 3 kids in a stroller.

Imagine a mom that sits in the hall at church every week with a baby!

Imagine a mom that knows every song Dora the Explorer has EVER sung!

Imagine a mom that knows the exact countdown to bedtime on a rough day.

Imagine a mom that has read Green Eggs and Ham a billion times.

Imagine a mom that listens to her kids read bedtime stories to her!

Imagine a mom that doesn't have a child in diapers!

Imagine a mom that gets love notes saying; I luv you. You R the best mom evr!

Imagine a mom that only makes her own bed

Imagine a mom that can send a child to the kitchen to find their own snack.

Imagine a mom seeing her kids walk to the bus stop comforting each other from the back to school jitters.

Imagine going from constant 3 to 1 again!!

I didn't imagine it happening so fast!

No Visitors!!

I am a mom to 3 kids. Ages being 3,5,&6. They were born with special powers.

These special powers notify them if and when I enter the bathroom! I've even wondered if there is some kind of silent alarm on my bathroom door that signals bells and whistles that only they can hear. Like those dog whistles only the dogs hear.

To this day, I haven't made it through a session without being disturbed. It doesn't matter what time of day it is, or what summoned me there to begin with- they always find me! I have sat in the same room with them for long periods of time without being needed...until I step foot on that tile! Sure enough, one of them (and it's not uncommon for ALL of them) come running into my room calling for me. How do they know I am in there???

The best is when they come running to the door fully expecting it to be unlocked and slam into the rejection. They freak out! I missed the rule that states; Moms are not allowed to have privacy...EVER!!! I hope someday they lose the Special Power.

This is what it feels like:


Please don't knock when the door is locked! Please don't smash your face into the door frame and yell!

Please don't yell louder if I tell you to talk to me when I am out of the shower. Please don't play with the light switch while I'm in the shower!

Please don't camp out by the door and wait for me. Please don't shove toys or wave your little fingers to me under the door! It was cute the first 10 times.

Please don't announce to a caller that I am in the bathroom. Please don't tell me stories or ask questions while the hair dryer is running.

Please, Please, Oh Please, don't disturb me while I am in the bathroom!!!

I've noticed they also have special powers with the telephone!!!

Dead End at Memory Lane?

I laugh every time I pass this sign. This is a funny Oxymoron.
I can't help but imagine a neighborhood of Old people.