Stuffing Stockings on a Budget

I am going to miss the days when a box of Dora band-aids no longer qualifies as a stocking stuffer. At the same time, I do feel a bit guilty that I was able to fill their green and red Pottery Barn stockings for just $24 and on one trip to Kroger’s. Sure, it will look like St. Nick has raided our medicine cabinet or personal care travel kits, but I guess that is the upside to the fact my kids are still too young to get the commercialism of Christmas and expect a $49.99 Wii game and the fact that a Lightening McQueen Toothbrush is just as exciting as a Lighting McQueen with four wheels.

So we stocked up on all the possible practical household items that have gained a new identity with a cartoon character make-over: Winnie the Pooh bubble bath, Thomas the Train toothpaste, Little Einstein silverware, Disney Princesses drinking cups and the items already mentioned above. We thank the merchandizing gods for our new found economical Christmas gifts that the kids really will use every day throughout the New Year.

Alex's First Christmas Show; My First Mistake

I learned the hard way that 10 minutes early is not early enough to get good seats at a pre-school Christmas pageant. Today was Alex’s first holiday performance, filled with storytelling, singing and dancing. It was held in the church sanctuary at Sycamore, and although I arrived ahead of time, I found myself six pews deep, but at least on the isle. However, once the kids paraded in the room single file and took to the stage (a.k.a. the alter), everyone else in rows two thru five also felt their seats were inadequate and flooded into the isle like paparazzi going after Britney. Thus, I then had full bodies, not just heads and shoulders, blocking my slim view of Alex.

But overall I stayed the course and waited patiently in the back row taking in the performance as much as I could – which by the way was very, very entertaining and I was super proud of how much enthusiasm Alex put into his performance – and then capitalized of the encore act when all parents were invited to stand and sing along to We Wish You a Merry Christmas. That was my moment, and as all other bodies began to rise, I went to the ground and slithered – Navy Seal style – as far to the front as possible to get my money shot. It was well worth the 25 minute wait and the dignity lost by crawling around on the church floor.

Giving Thanks

My 10 year old niece, Allison, started a new tradition this year at Thanksgiving where we went one by one around the room stating what we were thankful for. I have to admit, I was pretty focused on the moment and mumbled something about Avery liking her piece of cheese and me enjoying the peace and quite while she was eating it.

But if I look back now – after our flurry of holiday activities and feasts – I can give a more intelligent answer. Obviously, at the highest level I am thankful for family, health and our jobs (especially given the economy this year), but if I am honest and look at this specific moment in our lives, then I am very thankful for being surrounded by people – family and friends – who ensure our kids are loved, safe and growing physically and mentally to their fullest. And possibly just as important, we give thanks to the people who help Andy and I stay sane and continue to be somewhat successful in the act of parenting.

But to be even more immediate – as of 9:00 am this morning – I am extremely thankful that Dani had an extra pair of underwear and a car seat to lend us after Alex had an accident as we were heading out to pre-school. But I am even more thankful that my son does not mind wearing mint green panties with lace trim or riding in Peyton’s pink, ruffled car seat.

Click here for pictures from all our Thanksgiving celebrations.

Bribing for Memories

Although it seems like we have had been pretty good luck this past month getting Avery and Alex to pose for pictures, I have to admit my secret. It’s pure bribery. I offer them cookies or M&Ms for sitting through one of my photo shoots. But my method has its drawbacks. Now every time Alex wants an Oreo, he brings me my camera and tells me it is a good time to take a picture.

Click here for more photos from November.

Dining Out is Over

We just declared our 29 minute lunch at Paxton’s our last meal in a restaurant until Avery turns three. We must have been disillusioned for even trying in the first palce – our craving for fried bar food after three straights days of turkey, ham, casseroles and veggies made us temporarily forget the typical trials of eating out with an 18 month old.

So as Avery continued to eat waffle fries off the floor, dance to Madonna next to the bar and scream as if she was receiving four vaccination shots every time we attempted to put her in a high chair, we finally asked for the check and two to go boxes leaving behind a goldfish mess, an untouched fruit cup, cold drinks and our wishful thinking.

Mommy Anatomy 101

Let the records show. At exactly 8:08 pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, I was pre-maturely forced (and notably unprepared) to answer my first human anatomy (borderline sex-education) question from Alex. Neither of us was being recorded at the time, but below is a very close to accurate transcript of the conversation. Believe me, it will be burned in my mind forever.

Alex: “Mommy, how do babies get out of mommies’ tummies?”

Sherri: (very long pause) “Well, there is a path. Kind of like the walkway from the front of our house to the driveway.”

Alex: “Like at the park? Like the paths at the park?”

Sherri: “Yes. Even better. Exactly.”

Alex: “But Mommy, how do babies get out once they go down the path? Do they come out the foot?

Sherri: “Hmmm … Andy?”

Andy: “Who wants to watch Mickey Mouse?”

Luckily, distraction seemed to resolve this issue for everyone. I will miss the day that TV, bubbles and ice cream do not work in our favor.

High School Musical Moves

Alex doesn’t even know the latest sequel is about to be released, yet his love affair with the Wildcats (and especially their music) continues to grow. I am pretty sure seeing HSM 3 on the big screen is not the next father-son outing that Andy has planned. But in any case, it looks like we have a Troy Bolton in training (and in snowman PJs).

I am a Mom and I am a FaceBook Junkie

It’s been exactly 55 days and there is no denying it – I am hooked! What I thought was going to be a fun and simple way to keep in touch with long-distance friends or maybe even act as an update version of “classmates.com” has instead become a daily (sometime hourly) obsession to see what is going on in the world (a.k.a. my world and everyone I choose to be in it) as I am inundated with status updates and wall postings, along with groups to joins, photos to tag, pages to become fans of, quizzes to take and drinks to pass out. And yes, I get all of this on Facebook while sitting in my cushy office chair (multi-tasking on a weekly conference call) or while sitting on the couch (watching my children mindlessly watch the Disney Channel).

For those that don’t know Facebook, the tool is absolutely amazing from a technology perspective and it is truly worthy of being called the number one social networking site. It is smart and intuitive, each day finding new ways to suggest “friends” based on everything and anything that I have typed onto my page. At the same time – once you are consumed – you are almost unknowingly giving and taking, lifting up your skirt and showing all the pieces of your life (good or bad). For example, it became way too obvious that I was an Obama supported and Madonna fan given the groups I joined, and it automatically linked me to my husband, who still re-fuses to put up a legit profile picture (no, I am not married to the Greatest American Hero).

But what has become the most telling about me, and not specifically stated on my profile, is that the number one activity consuming my life is parenting. Nothing like reviewing your status updates over a month to drive that point home and having Facebook serve as daily reminder of what we signed up for three and a half years ago. Below is a quick glance at recent posts and since I haven’t been blogging much it also serves as a run down on what’s been keeping us busy (and on our toes). And yes, you have to quickly get over the fact you are talking about yourself in third person.

- Sherri is late to Avery’s tumbling class.
- Sherri is wishing that Avery wouldn't wake up at 4:00 am ready to play.
- Sherri is getting an impromptu (and atypical) biblical lesson from her three year old.
- Sherri is still feeling guilty over sending Alex to school on Silly Hat Day without a hat!
- Sherri is glad not to have two little mouths to feed this morning.
- Sherri is glad that Alex said he dose not like the taste of wine, but concerned that he adamantly said he would be drinking it by the age of four.
- Sherri is officially destined to get up with kids at 5:00 am ...
- Sherri is reluctantly buying one more Doodlebop’s video and a case of Benadryl. You do what you have to do!
- Sherri is shopping for ski pants … and again, not for her.
- Sherri is mastering the ability to yell at her children in a whisper.
- Sherri is wondering why Avery woke up with a two inch screw in her hand and where exactly it came out of the crib.

So I do question if people really need to know this about me or if I need to know that someone’s trip to Florida got them tan and drunk or that their new homemade babyfood recipe turned out fantastic. But I play along thinking it matters, because secretly I do enjoy everyone’s little insights and acting as a voyeur into lives outside my living room. Again, I am a parent of two little kids and don’t get out much.

However, the one comment I posted the other day that I find most interesting is that “Sherri is realizing her lifespan on Facebook is ten years.” This stemmed from a conversation with a friend who has teenage boys. And as she pointed out, once kids are that old the thought of your mom on Facebook is just plain creepy. I see the point and the opportunities for confusion – who has the right to post the prom picture? So I’ll just enjoy my time for now and wait for the third wave of social networking or high school reunion tools to surface for my generation.

Historical Events

They said it couldn’t be done. The odds too high. The probability too low. But on a brisk autumn day in November, two suburban parents were actually able to be spontaneous. They found a sitter at the last minute, and were then able to attend an event that had not been on their calendar for three weeks. Some questioned them for even trying. But there’s been no precedent for this. And we are not sure if it will ever happen again, so this one is going in the history books.

Oh, and it is also probably worth noting that the mad scramble was about seeing Senator Barack Obama – who ended up speaking in front of a crowd of 30,000 people who waited over two hours in a mile and half line – just 48 hours before he became the first African-America President-Elect. Some will say that was also a pretty significant moment in time. Glad I could be a part of them both.

Halloween and Month End

I think it is safe to say that chocolate is by far their favorite part of this holiday and the entire month. We are only hoping they can recover soon from their sugar overload, so that Alex can actually fall asleep again by 9:00 pm and Avery can preserve those incoming incisors (also causing little sleep). As for the Dremmel, it proved to be an innovative pumpkin carving tool that produced a compelling Grandpa Simpson. But at the same time, it splattered our kitchen with minuscule pieces of orange, pumpkin guts. I am sure I will be picking them off of the cabinets for the next seven weeks.

Click here to see more pictures from Halloween 2008.
Click here to see miscellaneous pictures from the month of October 2008.

Tumbling Over

We are getting these girly, gymnastics-related activities out of the way early. I have patiently waited 18 months and finally soccer sign-ups begin next week. Worth noting, I wouldn't feel so bad making that comment if she didn't routinely meltdown the last 10 minutes of every class. Guess she has a limit to running wild and having full permission to climb and jump on everything.

Click here for more pictures from Tumbling Class.

Run Like Hell 2008

If October wasn’t busy enough and already filled with great traditions – Hocking Hills, the Toddler Halloween Party, Andy's Weekend with the Pager, Pumpkin Patches and Pumpkin Carvings, Football, Fall Shopping and Fall Cleaning – I have to add another annual event to my list. This past weekend, Laura helped my recruit some runners (and partiers) for the 2008 Run Like Hell Race to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The course winded through the streets around Xavier, and never in all my days of driving over to their campus from UC did I think I would be running down Victory Parkway with a sombrero, fake moustache and maraca in hand. But we can’t wait to do it again next year!

Click here to see more pictures from Run Like Hell.

Toddler Perception and Party

So I guess this is the first glance at Alex’s Halloween costume. In the end, we were able to compromise, although I might have taken advantage of his age in doing so. But I felt great about buying a Gandalf the Great robe and hat, he felt even better bragging to his friends at the Toddler Halloween Party about being a nice witch.

As for Avery, she looked more like Yoda or an alter boy without the head piece. Let’s hope we can get the hair buns on her for at least one Princess Leia photo.

Click here to see more pictures from the Toddler Halloween Party.

The Trash Man

I am not sure what is worse … his overall obsession with garbage or his obsessive behavior to line the cans up in a row?

Not that we are complaining, as there is now one less chore for the adults in the house. However, we still need to convince the eager boy that the garbage cans do not need to be put out on Sunday night for a Wednesday morning pick up. We may be getting a call from the HOA.

The Pink Lady

I had to go against my strong beliefs just three months after Avery was born when a server at Bravo’s first asked me, “how old is your little boy”? Little boy! Was it because Avery was wearing dark brown pants and a blue shirt? Did she not notice they were capri's with a bow at the ankle or the tiny ruffles around her neckline? At that point, I broke down and bought pink.

But this past week, I conceded again. This time by going against my most hated fashion blunder: inter-matching all the various shades of pink as if it they were truly one universal color (like black). Yes, Avery fell victim to cotton candy shoes, fuchsia socks, magenta sleeves and a multi-stripe jacket, that included shocking, thulian, ultra and rose. Ouch!

That hurts my feelings …

I can’t even remember which parenting book or advice column first suggested that a great way to deal with feisty or defiant behavior is to tell your child directly and honestly how that makes you feel. So that means, while the little one is throwing a fit or yelling in your face, you calmly get down on one knee, make the Supernanny eye contact and say “that hurts my feelings.” Well, since we are always looking for new and improved ways to manage our Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde toddler, we quickly adopted the strategy. But what the article forgot to mention is how much three year olds like to mimic or adopt your behavior, and now this super-sneaky parenting trick is coming back to haunt us.

Typical phrases now coming out of Alex’s mouth include:

- That hurts my feelings to wear a jacket.
- That hurts my feelings to take a bath.
- That hurts my feelings to pick out only one pumpkin.
- That hurts my feelings to share with my sister.

I realize that according to Oprah being a “sensitive male” is all the rage, but I think we have created an emotionally (and linguistically) confused monster.

Bling on my Butt

Has it been that long since I bought nice underwear (aka. not from Target) that I didn’t know I needed to inspect both sides before they got wrapped in pink tissue paper and placed in my shopping bag? The other day I got home to find that three of the five pairs all had Victoria’s Secret written across the back … college style and in glitter.

I am guessing this must be some type of payback for actually taking two kids in the store with me, as one of them emptied a storage drawer – bra by bra, G-string by G-string – while I was busy helping the other clean up a bag of spilled M&Ms next to the winter line of camisoles. I guess there is a reason I usually shop online.

But not quite there yet ...

No matter the lodging, really the best part of Hocking Hills is always the time we get to spend with our friends.

I have to admit, this was the first time in four years I wasn’t pregnant or nursing, so it was WAY more enjoyable for me. But overall, as the kids are getting older and more independent, we are finally able to relax with a drink by the late night fire. I am not saying we are totally there yet – as many times I still had to stop mid-sentence to pull my kids away from hot coals, off the porch railing or out of a cactus (don’t even ask!), but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I think maybe next year I will be able to sit down (in a chair) for at least five minutes and finish a conversation with someone in my age bracket.

We’ve come along way baby …

October means our annual weekend in Hocking Hills, and this year our simple friends and family camping trip stepped it up a notch. We added an extra night and upgraded to a million dollar lodge. Forget the old days of cramming 8 people in a 4 person A-frame cabin (that was obviously pre-kids and when hours of beer pong altered our judgment), because we were just spoiled and we can’t ever look back.

The owners of the Mesa Vista Lodge, which we declared our new HH residence through 2028, were amazing and offered more hospitality than any other vacation home I have ever rented. And if I could rack up points with them and enjoy cocktails on a private floor next to my platinum level suite, then I would say they topped our good friends at the Marriott. But until then, we will still take advantage of all their on-site amenities and extras, such as seven bedrooms, four baths, gourmet kitchen, 2000 sq foot wrap around porch (Ok, I am estimating on that but it was huge!), the “stone hedge” firepot, ping pong, corn hole, foosball, karaoke, 100 acres of hiking trails and their on-site “haunted forest” complete with spider webs, ghosts and strobe lights. What else do you need when you are camping?

Well, for starters, I guess we now need to drop that word (camping) when describing this trip or else Alex will be greatly disappointed the first time we throw a tent on our back and pitch it two miles from a parking lot with no DVR, gourmet scrambled eggs or fresh linens.

Click here for more photos from Hocking Hills 2008.

Pimpin’ my Kids for Politics

I know … I have become what I have despised the most. And Andy is just plain embarrassed that I actually bought them. But after hearing him rant for four hours one night about how the “un-informed” voter’s vote counts the same as his, then I thought we need to walk the talk and do something about it. So my simple solution was to search through over 1,500 kids Barack Obama t-shirts on Cafépress, and dress them up as political billboards over the next five weeks.

If someone is not going to read Obama’s five-point policy paper on providing affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, then maybe they can at least look at my kids and think – that’s cute, I will vote for him. So please forgive me in advance for stooping so low and putting my kid’s likeability on the line to make a difference in this swing state. But believe me, it is safe to say that others have cast their ballot in the past using even more disturbing logic.

So does this mean after “yes we can” chants and Obama Girl clothing, Alex and Avery are now destined to vote party lines out of genetics, cultural up-bringing or just plain habit? Hopefully not, as we are sincere in calling ourselves Independents with a few (ok several) liberal biases on social issues. And our intent is to stick with our two-point parenting plan that will encourage them to explore their own interests and develop their own beliefs over time ... but for now, can’t they just help mommy out in ’08?

September Photos

From Alex’s first day of school to the category one hurricane that hit the tri-state (and the week without power that followed) to Allie’s October birthday being celebrated in September, this past month literally blew by.

As for the storm, we survived with just a small amount of roof damage, but a big story to remember. It felt good to have a few peaceful nights with no TV, no internet and no kitchen to clean up after a hot cooked meal. And we thanked the higher powers for Panera’s free wi-fi, our neighbor’s generator and cold milk, Shooter’s tasty carry-out and an old-fashion land-line phone that kept us connected to the outside (and continuously moving) world.

Click here for more pictures from September.

Halloween, Gender and Costume Equality

Even though as a kid I dressed up as the Fonze, a baseball player, a vampire and a Smurf (note I did not say Smurfet) for trick-or-treat and then continued to cross the gender equity lines by playing three years of pee-wee tackle football, I am finding myself very reluctant to agree to my three year old son’s request to be a witch for Halloween this year.

As you know, I am all for title IX, equal pay and every other feminist principle that demands the sexes be treated equal, and in this day and age when woman can do anything, I can’t help but wonder (in a Carrie Bradshaw kind of way) can men (or boys) really do anything, and am I being hypocritical for telling Alex they are out of witch costumes at Target and he should be Luke Sykwalker instead?

So why do we cheer when a woman takes to the stage in her pantsuit to run for president, but raise a weary brow when we see a little boy playing dress-up in his older sister’s princess gown? Although some may say this is just reversed discrimination (and men deserve better), I agree with those that say they are missing the point and that this is really just another sexist stereotype that is still working against women. Any feminist theory book would cite that this is just society perpetuating the idea that a man should not lower himself to act, dress or behave in a “womanly” way. At any age or in any context on in any costume.

But enough feminist musing (or ranting), and let’s get back to my immediate dilemma at hand. So do I send Alex out in a tailored, knee length black skirt and purple trim hat just to make a point, or do I consider his slow-building, street cred – protecting him from being teased by other kids and me questioned by other parents?

Only time will tell (or my blog in five weeks), so in the mean time I’ll continue to try to trick my three year old by merging the identity lines between wizards and witches (they both have pointy hats!), and hope a good warlock costume will be a win-win solution for everyone.

But given his costume inspiration came from his good friend Minnie the Mouse (in last year’s Halloween episode), I think I have a tough sell ahead of me and maybe other issues to be worried about ...

First Day of Preschool

Alex was more than ready (and very excited) to officially begin his 20 plus years of schooling. He just started as a Bumble Bee (a three year old class, two days a week) at Sycamore Presbyterian Preschool. I am sure down the road he will wonder why he was in such a rush – literally forcing Andy to leave the house extra early on the first day to be the first in the classroom.

But his 2 hours and 20 minutes were a success and he had a great time – from painting to computer games to reading to recess. If his enthusiasm continues at this level, then we may have a post-graduate degree (and tuition bill) on our hands.

Four Hundred and Sixty Eighth Day of Separation

As a working mom, separation from your kids unfortunately becomes second nature. I remember handing Alex, at 13 weeks, over to the Barely Tall Daycare Center with tears and guilt. But after that (from the Goddard to Dani’s and from Alex to Avery), I had to become ambivalent (and strong) as their tears and looks of confusion could be powerful enough to drive me to write my letter of resignation for work right there on the community diaper changing table.

Some may argue that is a good thing (since the opposite is cutting the cord the first day of school and experiencing two-way separation anxiety at the age of 5 and 35), but a side effect is that we all somewhat become numb to the process. As we saw other parents give extended hugs and weepy goodbyes (and take thousands of pictures of every section of the classroom with the purpose to go home and print and paste them together to form a one dimensional model representing their kids whereabouts), we just calmly and somewhat routinely patted Alex on the back and told him to have a good day.

So I guess we should have this down to a science, but sometimes I wish I didn’t. And when I second guess the choices we have made and when I wish I felt more (one way or the other) when I drop them off at school or daycare, I have to force myself to find comfort in the confidence, self-reliance, personablness and any other resilient attribute my kids are hopefully developing from being forced to explore the would outside my reach.

August Photos

Too hot to pose for pictures. Too hot to take pictures (but at least the camera is working again!). Click here to see more pictures from this past month.

ps. And yes, this is the first picture taken of just Andy, Avery and I since the wee hours of the morning on May 13, 2007. It is always tough to be the second child and these are moments we should cherish. Not for the Hallmark reasons you are thinking, but because Avery has developed a six sense of when her brother is sleeping, at a friend's house or completely out of the picture for any other reason that transforms her into the quietest, sweetest and most content child we have ever met. Guess it is much easier to be good when there is no competition.

Labor Day Weekend

Hiking. Cook-outs. And the backyard Olympics. Click here to see more pictures from Labor Day weekend.

Ty’s Birthday Party

Cincinnati Reds gear and matching Carter’s PJs. Click here for more pictures from Tyler’s 8th Birthday.

Summer Water Adventures

Here are two things I thought my kids would not do this summer:

1. Go to the Kings Island Water Park. Not because of their age, but because of a million other obvious reasons. For example, I prefer my kids to swim in water that does not smell like the boats (or patrons) from White Water Canyon. Last year I took comfort in the fact that the “typical” Kings Island crowd was becoming extinct, but I was wrong. They all just migrated to the water slides and wave pool at Boomerang Bay.

2. Go Boating (and even Tubing). Not because a day at Ceasers Creek isn’t enjoyable for most people, but because of my own water-induced anxieties. Once again, I am glad to see my neurotic behavior is not hereditary and that Alex has an adventurous spirit, a surprisingly natural affiliation to the water and the ability NOT to be distressed by the color, smell, texture, density and depth of the lake.

Click here to see more pictures of Alex on Aunt Jen’s boat. And sorry … the camera didn’t even make it out of the pool bag at the water park. So there is no evidence (except my scarred memory) that we were there.

Hip House Concerts

Andy and I are once again trying to prove we are young, hip and urban, despite the fact we are old, somewhat out-of-touch and live outside the I-275 belt way. Our latest adventure was attending a “house concert” at our neighbor’s home. It was being organized by her college-age son (who is from Georgia and therefore has few acquaintances in Ohio) and he had tasked her with putting bodies in the room. We eagerly volunteered because we claim to listen to NPR, along with new and alternative music. However, we kept it to ourselves that recently the High School Musical soundtrack has trumped intellectual talk radio and that the last band we can truly say we discovered was Dave Matthews (which, by the way, my tweener nephew has now seen in concert more than me)!

But determined to have a life beyond Disney and our outdated iPod, we got a baby sitter and sat through a two hour acoustic set in her living room played by two up-and-coming artists: Jon Black and Eliot Morris.

It turns out, it was a good show. And as the music industry is shifting from big labels and big concerts to independents and MySpace pages, these house tours fall right inline with making the musical experience that much more intimate. The jury is still out if either of these artists will make it big or if this personal road show will pay off – our donations at the door and money spent on the pampered chef style CD soliciting in the kitchen was probably just enough to cover gas for the next leg of their trip – but we walked away feeling like winners with some modern folk rock for the Matrix and, more importantly, a cool story about hanging out with the band after the show. How many suburban parents do that on a Sunday night?

Is Anything Made to Last?

I think we are becoming grumpy old men (and women) at a much too early age, longing for the days that when something was built, it was built to last. July was the vortex of everything falling apart or falling down in the Muse household. This included items not working right out of the box (a decorate wall clock that immediately lost time, Alex’s remote control car that didn’t drive and the kids swing set that was sent with an un-proportional “metal tube” that the quality department obviously missed). And it also included items that just expired well before their time (a lawn sprinkler that didn’t sprinkle, a TV that wouldn’t turn on, a washing machine that couldn’t hold water and a 60 foot oak tree that couldn’t withstand the high winds of a late summer evening storm).

In any case, my camera was also making funny noises and the optical zoom was opening and closing as if it was on an old, squeaky hinge. So I didn’t take any chances, and therefore, didn’t take many photos.

Click here to see a few pictures from this past month.

Fight Club

I thought I had a few more years until sibling rivalry sets in and that there wouldn’t be any family feuds until they hit their teens. But in between every hug, kiss and hand-holding moment, sparks are flying (and a few punches) between Alex and Avery. What makes it worse is that it’s the younger one who is the instigator and the aggressor – torturing her older brother with little pokes, bites, hits, pushes and an ear wrenching scream that even drives Casey to hide under the bed.

I have yet to see a Super Nanny episode where she leans down in front of the 14 month old, makes eye contact and then calmly tells the baby what they did wrong and that they must sit in time-out for five minutes to fully understand their behavior. So the best I can do is point my finger with authority at Avery and firmly say no, give Alex a soothing pat on the back and remind him she is only one and then send them to their separate corners to await the next round.

Two Wrongs Don’t make a Right

I have two kids. Both are still in diapers. I use disposables. But what makes it worse is that each time we have a stinky one, it gets wrapped and sealed in a plastic grocery bag before going in the trash. That’s two strikes against the environment in one fell swoop.

These actions are driven by both convenience and my OCD, but I have made a big first step given I am a creature of habit. I took my own fabric bag to Krogers. I can’t say I slept easier that night, but in hindsight I know I saved one plastic bag. Ok, maybe four – it is Krogers and despite the employee discount, I can’t get out of there for under $50!

So what inspired me? The Green Bag Lady. A friend of a friend forwarded on a link to an artist in Nashville donating her own time and resources to start a revolution of fabric shopping bags. She will send you a free bag, which she hand sews with material recycled from other supporters, with the premise you will use it (and hopefully only other fabric bags) for all your shopping needs.

She has given away close to 1000 bags (each with its own personalized number) to shoppers throughout the US and around the world. Her initiative is growing so quickly that she recently had to put a stop to all requests so she could catch up on e-mail and finish the bags in her queue. However, the site is still worth checking out. You can download her pattern to make your own (for those that can sew) or hopefully when she is taking orders again, you can get on the list.

Dancing Queen

We were really hoping Avery would end up with her dad’s rhythm and moves, but I guess there is still time before her first junior high dance ...

July Fourth Festivities

Despite all the clouds and rain, we made the most of our 3 day weekend and even convinced Andy to walk in our (impromptu) neighborhood parade. Is he finally becoming one of those dads?

Click here to see more pictures from our July Fourth festivities.

Kings Island: Round Two

Due to our overwhelming successful and mind-changing trip last year (and now that we are back in Ohio and have kids), we decided to sign up for my parent’s traditional family holiday gift – a Kings Island Season Pass. Well, actually the kids still get in free and Andy still refuses to go, so the gift was for a single rider. But in any case, we broke it in this past week. Avery got to ride on the Go Diego Go cars and Alex still loves Swiper’s Sweeper.

Click here for more pictures from Kings Island.

WALL-E: Now Playing in Theaters for Alex

Not sure if we did this too soon or too late, but Andy took Alex to see his first feature length film in the theater last weekend (or as Alex put it, he saw WALL-E on the really, really big TV). The outing was a success and he was able to introduce Alex to all the important movie rituals and rules:

1. Order movie tickets online (it is 2008)
2. Select a PIXAR film (can’t beat the animation; can’t beat the humor for kids AND adults)
3. Buy $5 bag of M&Ms (left overs will be used as potty training incentives)
4. Do not eat all your popcorn before the movie starts (not a chance with 25 minutes of previews)
5. No talking during the movie (definitely not a chance given a three year olds inherit ability to ask “why” every five seconds)
6. Remain in your seat throughout the entire movie (it’s possible, but Benadryl helps)
7. Ask daddy when you can see your next movie while leaving the theater (guess we are going back!)

Pictures from June 2008

From swing sets to swimming to soccer, click here for more pictures from last month.

Outdoor Living Made Easy

Our inexperience as parents at the time we bought our house has become grossly apparent over the years, as Alex and Avery have grown into extremely mobile toddlers who rebel against confined spaces and always seem to be going in two different directions. We had no idea what our "kids" would need and we were already overwhelmed by all the challenges of house hunting in Ohio (remember, we were going from secluded mountain living to a suburban neighborhood). So it was actually the small, wooded backyard with a raised deck (somewhat resembling our place in Colorado) that sold us on Hunterwood Lane. We envisioned privacy and late night cocktails among the trees. We did not envision kids running into the creek, playing in poison ivy and having no where to go due to a steep hill and limited grass.

Therefore, outdoor time for us as a family has been challenging these past two summers, so my number one goal this year was to make our outdoor-scapes as kid-friendly as possible (which would then equal adult peace of mind). Here's a look at what we have done:

• Project #1: Pave over the small, unnecessary area of grass between the driveway and the house that I had to continually re-direct the kids from since it only served as a doggy business mine-field.
• Project #2: Extend the deck with a lower level in order to 1) eliminate the steep, five steps (without a railing) that used to sit on a dangerous (think head-splitting) cement landing, and 2) create a non-redneck, outdoor living area where I could sit with friends and still watch the kids play on the driveway. (Kudus and THANK YOU to Grandpa Muse and Great Grandpa Muse for all their time and hard work in building our deck!)
• Project #3: Put in a small (and plastic for easy maintenance) swing set so the kids would have an outdoor play center of their own and I wouldn’t be dragging them out of the Glenwright’s backyard on a nightly basis.

After two months, all projects are finally complete and the past two nights have been extremely enjoyable for all of us outside. Although I have to admit, the biggest gain so far is the over-sized swing set box that Avery likes to set up as an outdoor playpen (which also traps her in a single location.) If I only knew that the solution was so simple, we could have saved some time and money by avoiding construction and buying a summer’s supply of cardboard.

Lilly Lapp Straley Goes to Loveland

In their whirlwind tour of the United States, Kathy and Lilly made a weekend stop with the Muses. We were so excited to finally meet Lilly, and enjoyed our short time together swapping stories and kids (I got to take a break from my toddlers by feeding and rocking Lilly; Kathy got to take a break from a newborn by playing games with Alex and Avery – and watching Snowbuddies).

And yes, we did force Lilly and Avery to wear matching outfits for at least one picture. It was much easier getting them into the clothes, than having them sit still for an outdoor photo shoot.

Auf Wiedersehen, and click here to view more pictures.

Ground Hog Day in Gulf Shores

Once Alex and Avery finally recovered from the stress and side effects of a 15 hour car ride (they started the week sick, tired and shy and ended it fearless, energetic and outgoing thanks to plenty of rest and baby Tylenol), our days in Gulf Shores, Alabama ran like a well-oiled machine with very little breaks in the action or the laughter (or even our daily routine)! The kids enjoyed every minute with their “older” and “newer” cousins, as well as all the extra aunts and uncles.

So except for a fun-filled, four hour dinner at Lulu’s (don’t worry, the kids and Andy only had to sit still for 45 minutes) and an after hours excursion by the middle generation to Tacky Jacks (don’t worry, no one was arrested), here is a recap of our daily vacation schedule …

· Breakfast
· Bubbles on the porch
· Walk (or run) on the beach
· Pool time
· Lunch
· Pack the cooler
· Beach time
· Three hours at the driving range (Ok, that was just Aaron)
· Three hour drive to Pensacola (OK, that was just Mary An and Denny)
· Miller Lites and pretzels under the tent
· Ride the waves
· Wine, cheese and crackers at the beach house
· Watch Alvin and the Chipmunks (Ok, that was just the kids)
· Happy Hour at Tacky Jacks (Ok, that was just the grandparents)
· Grill out or order pizza
· Evening wiffle ball game
· Night swimming
· Watch the fireworks
· Night cap (or two) on the porch

More pictures are below or click here to see all the pictures we took from the Foley-Kirwin family vacation to Gulf Shores. Click here to see photos taken by Jen and Mark.