A Madison Mom

Cruise Days - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-24T22:36:00.000-05:00

Nick and I went on a cruise to celebrate our 10th Anniversary (which was actually January 13th). We left the girls with my parents. While they enjoyed their time with Grammy and PopPop we enjoyed our time cruising around the Bahamas. I'll post more details on our kid free trip when we're actually back home (we get a couple more days with my family)... but for now... you get some quick #FebPhotoADay shots (which weren't always easy to come up with!!!).

Day 18 - Drink (2/18)
Yep...officially the best day ever.

Day 19 - Something I Hate to Do (2/19)
It's hard to think of something you hate to do while on a cruise... but I sure do hate drinking bad coffee. It wasn't all bad. The little coffee shop was actually pretty good. I could use a coconut latte about now! But, some of the coffee was downright evil.

Day 20 - Handwriting (2/20)

Day 21 - A Favorite Photo of Me (2/21)
We enjoyed a slightly different type of trip while kid free. I hadn't been snorkeling since before Zoe was born. Really snorkeling. Coral reef... off the catamaran... snorkeling. So, while this isn't a fabulous photo of me... it's a photo that reminds me that I still have a little adventure in me. (I also road a horse! On the beach! IN THE OCEAN! for the first time in my life!!!)

Day 22 - Where I Work (2/22)

While I was on the cruise this was my job. Let me assure you... it didn't pay well.

Day 23 - My Shoes (2/23)
My cruise feet were not happy that it was "only" 65 degrees when our ship docked back in Cape Canaveral. These shoes are already wondering when our next cruise is going to be booked.

We're back to my parents' house in Orlando. We have a few more days to ease back into life before heading back to the "real world". Re-entry can be tough.

A Few More #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-17T14:49:00.001-05:00

Day 15 - Phone (2/15) My iPhone. I'd be lost without it now. I had the cover personalized last summer before heading to the BlogHer conference.

Day 16 - Something new (2/16) I bought the girls each their own new suitcase today. We're heading to Grammy and PopPop's house tomorrow (2/17) and I figured it was about time to get Ana her own suitcase. Usually her stuff gets packed with my stuff in the LARGE suitcase. Now she's been upgraded. And you know... you can't buy one girl a brand new pink suitcase and not get the other one a pink suitcase too! (Or is that just me?)

Day 17 - Time (2/17) Just waiting for the school bus to bring Zoe home and then we're off! Grammy & Poppop... here we come!

Catching up with #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-14T10:44:00.000-05:00

I have been keeping up and taking my daily shots. I got lazy about posting them here every day though. So... catching up!

Day 12 - Inside My Closet (2/12)
Hmm... I guess I'm a pretty colorful person.

Day 13 - Blue (2/13)
Ana's blue toes. They were blue (Clever Girls blue polish from BlogHer11!)... but now they're kind of blue (sad and pathetic). It might be time for a new pedicure!

Day 14 - Heart (2/14)
Happy Valentine's Day! My dining room table is fully scattered with hearts and pink and red. Love love love.

I'll try to post a few at a time instead of 1 at a time for the rest of the month.

A NYC Adventure with Zoe and Freckleface Strawberry

2012-02-13T23:57:00.000-05:00

On Sunday I stepped out of my comfort zone and went on a bit of a NYC Adventure. Don't get me wrong... I enjoy going into New York City. There are a couple criteria usually though.

If I go into NYC it's usually with Nick. Nick used to work in the city... so he's just at home there. Driving, on the train, hailing cabs, getting in the subway. No problem for Nick. So I just connect myself to him and barely pay attention to where I'm going (other than to gawk a bit and stare in awe at the awesomeness of NYC).

The few times I've been into the city without Nick I could probably count on one hand (unless I count the couple times while we were dating that I got on the train alone and he met me at the train station in NYC).
1 - I went with my parents to see the Rockettes Christmas show once (I think).
2 - I went in high school for a band trip (just a day trip).
3 - I went in to meet my college friend Amanda for dinner (I don't remember how I got there... maybe Nick dropped me off??? It might not count.).
4 - I went to BlogHer 2010 (but I actually went with Danielle and then I was surrounded by 2 or 3000 bloggers).
5 - And, I left my iPhone on a cruise ship... so I took a train directly to a cab directly to the cruise terminal to get my phone. Then I walked back to the train station and came home.

We live an hour (depending on traffic) from NYC. I never go. I'm just SO adventurous!

This time was different.
I drove by myself with Zoe.
Myself.
With Zoe.
I DROVE.
EEK!!!

It was kind of spur of the moment. (I was invited Tuesday evening for Sunday.) We already had Sunday morning plans and afternoon plans. There was no way I could catch a train. I just couldn't say no to this invite. Freckleface Strawberry the Musical AND meeting Julianne Moore. No. Way. So I sucked up my anxiety and nerves and we went.

And do you know what? It was SO worth it!

The drive in was simple. It took less than an hour from the time we left until the time we walked in the door of the Manhattan Movement and Art Center. There was no traffic. I didn't get lost (thank you TomTom app!). I didn't get sideswiped by a taxi. I didn't even come close to hitting a pedestrian. I found the parking lot the MMAC suggested with no trouble, and it only cost $10, and it was less than a block from the show. (All of my fears... totally uncalled for. At least this time.)

And Zoe? She had a blast.

It was a nice small theater... and we sat in the 3rd row.

The show was AMAZING. We love Julianne Moore's Freckleface Strawberry books (there are 3). And while the show had to contain more story than the book (or the show would be 5 minutes long) it really stayed true to the book. (Sorry for this horrible photo... but there were no cameras allowed during the show... and I snapped this with my iPhone near the very end.)

After the show Julianne Moore came out with The MOMS to chat and answer a few questions. I don't have a picture, but Zoe and I also went up and asked a question. So... just imagine Zoe and I standing there talking to Julianne Moore (maybe The MOMS will have one to share with me?). Zoe asked if she always liked writing books. She talked about how much she always loved reading but never thought she would write. She also asked if Zoe liked to read and if she liked school. Then I asked how much involvement she had in turning her book into the musical. I was amazed when she said other than giving permission to absolutely go ahead with it... she wasn't involved at all. It really is a perfect extension of the book. I was sure she must have had input. So... bravo to Rose Ciaola (the writer/etc. of the musical) for staying so true to Julianne Moore's writing!

Zoe was excited to talk to a real author, especially since they talk a lot about authors at school. Writer's Workshop is a big part of our first grade... and Zoe has been authoring quite a few short "books". I will say I was slightly starstruck by Julianne Moore (oh my gosh I talked to Julianne Moore!!!!) and she was so nice. I was especially impressed by how she took the time to really answers the kids.

And Zoe... while she was impressed by meeting an author of a book she likes... I think she was more excited when she got to talk to Freckleface Strawberry and Danny.

We had a little after show snack and then we headed back to the car. We listened to our new CD all the way home (because we both decided we couldn't live without one). Unfortunately (or fortunately) there was no traffic heading home, and once again I succeeded in not getting lost... so we didn't even get to listen to the whole CD!

I'm pretty proud of myself for actually driving myself into NYC. There will definitely be more trips in the future.

Disclosure: I was given tickets to see Freckleface Strawberry by The MOMS and presented by Target. We were also treated to an after show snack and a gift bag. In return I had to do a shout out on Twitter with some mentions and a hashtag. No review was required. This post was written solely to share my NYC experience and personal thoughts and to tell everyone I DROVE MYSELF INTO NEW YORK CITY!!!

Grace in Small Things - 143

2012-02-12T21:56:00.001-05:00

1. A dinner out with my sis-in-law and bro-in-law (adult time out)

2. A school parent social (adult time out)

3. Kids who LOVE to sleep over Grandma and Grandpa's house.

4. An afternoon in NYC with Zoe.

5. An evening with friends and their kids... and NO fighting. (11 adults and 11 kids ages 2-9 and 1 baby-on-the-way)

Makes Me Happy - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-11T16:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes they make me slightly bonkers... but usually they make me happy. With their smooshy faces. With their silly smiles. With their ridiculous senses of humor. With their squeezing hugs. With their wet kid smooches.

Yep. They make me happy.

Self Portrait - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-10T18:14:00.002-05:00

I'm sick today. I spent the majority of my day in bed. I can't remember the last time I spent an entire day in bed. Thank goodness it was a Friday off day for Nick. Moms aren't allowed to be sick. I'm going to go back and lay on the couch now. Hopefully I'll be more with it tomorrow.

Go visit Fat Mum Slim. Hopefully there are some more exciting self-portraits for #FebPhotoADay there.

Front Door - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-09T10:24:00.001-05:00

Nuthin' special. Just my front door. Come on in!

Go visit Fat Mum Slim if you 'd like to see what everyone else thought of the theme "Front Door".

Sun - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-08T20:02:00.003-05:00

This morning? The sky looked like Winter. It looked like snow. The sun was trying to fight it though.

Winter in NJ hasn't really been a normal one this year. We started out with that crazy snow storm Halloween weekend (which was technically not Winter) and then we've only had one other real snow. The temps have been in the 30s and the 50s and the 40s and the 60s and the 20s. Ya just never know. Usually NJ Winters are pretty predictable. Sometimes snowy. Sometimes icy. Always cold. It's Winter. I usually know what to expect. This year... I never know what I'm going to wake up to (mostly because I don't pay much attention to weather reports). I'm really not complaining. I'm not a huge fan of "Winter". But... I'm really starting to wish it would be a little more seasonally correct.

Today it looked like snow. Then this afternoon we got just the littlest bit of flurries. Winter was just in the air. It felt right.

Button - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-07T11:37:00.001-05:00

Not a day goes by that I don't push this button. This might very well be my favorite button in the house.

Ya know what? I think I'm going to go push it again right now.

Whatta ya think? Nantucket blend? Breakfast blend? Or maybe a little Winter Carnival?

Go visit Fat Mum Slim if you 'd like to see what everyone else thought of the theme "button".

Dinner - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-06T20:07:00.001-05:00

I had every intention of taking a picture of dinner on the table. We had steak. We had broccoli. We had egg noodles with butter. It was yummy.

But... we had dinner a little late (big steak... wouldn't thaw... grrr). We also had girls who NEEDED a bath night but also wanted to have time for a little ice cream and TV before bedtime. (Our girls... they like routine... bath, dessert, TV, potty, brush teeth, 2 books, into bed, yadda yadda yadda.) So we ate quickly. The girls cleaned their plates (they LOVE steak and broccoli and noodles). We rushed upstairs for bathtime. We came downstairs to a perfectly cleared table, full dishwasher, empty sink. I suddenly looked at the lovely clean-up (thanks to Nick) and realized... OH NO I FORGOT MY #FebPhotoADay DINNER!!!! There wasn't even dinner aftermath to take a photo of.

So, you get a photo of my dining room table. The place we eat dinner together as a family (almost) every single night.

10 am - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-05T14:37:00.000-05:00

We are not a "go to church every Sunday" kind of family. We go randomly. Sometimes once a month. Sometimes 2 or 3 weeks in a row. Always on days Nick tells me are important holy days. Always on holidays. Today was a go to church day.

To see more pics from the #FebPhotoADay challenge visit Fat Mum Slim for links!

A Stranger... #FebPhotoADAy

2012-02-04T20:48:00.002-05:00

A stranger way to spend a Saturday evening.

Zoe and Ana have a new obsession. It's called Small Potatoes and it's a new "short" on Disney Junior. They don't really ever see it on TV since it's on while they're at school. Since they don't get to watch it on TV... they watch it online. Over and over and over. 25 episodes. All about 3 minutes long. Including the opening song. It's actually a pretty cute little musical show with English children's voices. But when you need to listen to the opening Small Potatoes theme song every single episode... it gets a little old.

Let me just say... Nick was thrilled beyond belief to sit and watch a few episodes with the girls before bedtime.

And now I know you'll be thrilled too since I found an episode on YouTube!

Hands - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-03T18:38:00.000-05:00

Why bother using a fork when you've got hands? They certainly work better for lo mein than a fork does!

I have dreams of Ana, one day, using utensils for an entire meal.

Words - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-02T20:56:00.003-05:00

Today's #FebPhotoADay challenge was "Words". You would think it would be an easy challenge... we're surrounded by words all day long. There are signs to read everywhere. Nothing really spoke to me, though. Nothing really said "photo challenge worthy".

Then tonight, after a busy day, we went out to GK's Red Dog Tavern at the Madison Hotel to celebrate Nick's birthday. The Cesar salad was the best I've had in ages. I had an amazing steak that I split with the girls. Nick had some lamb that he said was great. The fries were way too good. The mashed potatoes were amazing. Even the veggies were yummy. And then the girls had the cutest little mini ice cream cone sampler and I shared my orange creamsicle cake with Nick. I don't even want to tell you how delicious my Mexican coffee was. So Nick's birthday was pretty much a dinner success.

Finally... the words above... they spoke to me.

Well... they at least spoke to my stomach.

Make sure you click over to Fat Mum Slim to check out the #FebPhotoADay link list for more pics!

My View - #FebPhotoADay

2012-02-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

What can I say... I was in the car A LOT today. Ana to school and back. Ana to dance and back. Zoe to dance and back. To the pharmacy. To drop off Girl Scout cookie money. We were definitely on the move today. It's not too bad a view though.

I've decided to take part in the February Photo a Day challenge that was created by Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim. I'm #563 on her link list... so there are a LOT of photos to look at each day if you're interested.

The challenge rules are pretty simple. Photo prompts are provided. Some seem pretty straight forward while others are vague. All are open to however you like to interpret. You take a pic any way you want. You post it anywhere you want. There is a link list to sign up on. And, if you share on Twitter or Instagram you should use the hashtag #FebPhotoADay.

Simple right?

Yes... simple. Unless you're me.

I'm making it difficult on myself. And probably confusing for you to follow. I am including a disclaimer right here from the beginning. We are going on a trip later this month for Winter Break. There is every likelyhood I won't have access to post at A Madison Mom. But... I'm hoping I'll at least be able to take a shot a day and get it posted somewhere.

I'm going to take all of my #FebPhotoADay pics with my iPhone with Instagram. (If you're on Instagram and want to connect there I'm amadisonmom) I can post to Tumblr from Instagram (and I do) so you could follow me there. And, if I can get my iPhone blogger app to work... maybe I'll be able to post here.

Instagram. Tumblr. A Madison Mom. It'll be a surprise. My #FebPhotoADay could just pop up anywhere.

Want to join in too? You can keep it simple. No need to complicate things like I am.

I suppose it's too late for Christmas

2012-01-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

I suppose it's too late for a post about the Christmas, huh?

I suppose it's too late to tell you how the girls did an awesome job building and decorating houses at the Gingerbread House workshop at Zoe's school.

I suppose it's too late to tell you that Zoe really enjoyed caroling at a local nursing home with her Daisy troop.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how Ana (in a red dress and antlers) surprised me by getting up on stage and singing her little heart out at her preschool holiday show/party.

I suppose it's too late to share the video of that holiday show (for Grammy).

I suppose it's too late to tell you what a cute angel Zoe was (in the middle) in the church pageant (and how Ana was GOING to be an angel too... but changed her mind at the last minute).

I suppose it's too late to tell you about the yummy gingerbread cookies Ana INSISTED we had to make... and how I sat on my hands and let the the girls decorate them all by themselves.

I suppose it's too late to tell you about the "Holiday Sing-a-Long" at Zoe's school (she's in the middle in purple).

I suppose it's too late to tell you how this is Zoe's FAVORITE photo from all of December because Ana is the silliest sister ever.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how it is suddenly SO difficult to get a decent picture of the girls together... both smiling... both cooperating.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how it took FOREVER (and 48 clicks of the camera) to get the 5 cousins to all smile at the same time... and even then they didn't all look at the camera.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how my favorite gifts I gave were these superhero capes from BabyPop. (5 for here in NJ... and 3 for the kids in FL... and 1 for my brother... heehee).

I suppose it's too late to tell you how Santa magically appeared at our house with gifts after the girls were sound asleep.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how our house became full of Strawberry Shortcake and all of her friends.

I suppose it's too late to tell you that Zoe got the pogo stick she wanted.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how happy Nick was that I replaced his lost noise reduction ear phones... especially since Ana has decided to enter a screaming phase.

I suppose it's too late to tell you how much Ana loved the hat and mittens sent to her by Grammy... and how she wore them to school after Winter break IN SCHOOL FOR MOST OF HER MORNING for a week.

Yeah... I suppose it's too late for Christmas.

Grace in Small Things - 142

2012-01-22T09:37:00.002-05:00

1. The smell of coffee brewing.

2. The first sip of coffee.

3. The last sip of coffee.

4. Every sip of coffee in between.

5. Making another cup of coffee.

Saturday Snow

2012-01-21T22:21:00.000-05:00

We had snow today... oh yes we did.

Our neighbor, Jim, works for the town... so we're always happy to see him driving down our street on a snow day!

It was the first snow of 2012 (and the first snow since Halloween weekend!).

We had some happy snow angels in our front yard.
Ana's snow angels only got one arm and one leg at a time.

Zoe's snow angel started out looking like a falling angel.

There was a lot of shoveling done by Nick.

There was a little shoveling done by Ana.

There was a little shoveling done by Zoe.

And even thought there is no picture... I swear there was even shoveling done by me. Nick even questioned me about the fact that I never shoveled my parents driveway when I was little. He seems to think I do a pretty good job since I didn't have any childhood practice. (I think maybe he just wants me to shovel with him more often.)

There were a couple pink cheeks here and there.

And there were also quite a few smiles.

Oh... and then there was this. This right here is the face that says it's time to go inside for a while.

Where you covered in snow today?

Happy Family

2012-01-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

We had our annual family portraits taken on Monday since the girls were off of school. I had purchased an insane coupon package from mom.com (which stopped doing group coupon deals now) for the Picture People. SO much nicer to go to Picture People on a weekday (even if it was a holiday). The mall was packed... and I think we parked further away from the entrance than I've ever parked... but the portrait studio was really quick to get us in and then spent a lot of time trying out a lot of different poses.

I'm pretty happy with what we came home with. It was actually really easy for us to decide on which pose we liked (for a change). Usually Nick and I end up liking 2 different things... so we end up getting some of each. This year we were totally in agreement.

I just love this picture of all of us!

Even though we went in just for our family photo... I can't resist when they ask if we want a couple shots of the girls alone. Zoe and Ana were in full cooperation mode for the photographer. (Why can't they do that for me anymore???)

I smile every time I look at this photo.

I had to get a copy of this photo too. Ana isn't looking right at the camera... but I love how Zoe is holding Ana and how Ana is leaning on her big sister.

Sisters who totally love each other... most of the time.

So... we had a successful portrait session I think. It was quick and painless. The girls were so well behaved. It just gets easier and easier since the girls love to ham it up for the camera (as long as it's being held by anyone but Mom).

I just want to mention that the gorgeous sweaters (that I am madly in love with) were a Christmas gift from our tenant. He has to be the greatest tenant on Earth. As far as I'm concerned he can just rent our extra space forever!

10

2012-01-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

10 years ago today...

I donned a large puffy dress.

I had a woman apply makeup that was NOTHING like the test she did in the store.

I had my hair done by a woman who forgot she had scheduled us for the day.

I had a photographer completely off schedule because of hair and makeup... and then he took pictures that were so-so and slightly disappointing (I know at least a dozen women online now who would have done a million times better could I have just asked them 10 years ago!!!)

I had a florist who didn't quite do what I wanted.

None of that ended up mattering then... and none of that matters now.

It still all came together beautifully... if I do say so myself.

What did matter then is what still matters now.

We were surrounded by the love of our family and friends.

Those friends and family... they knew how to have fun.

At the end of the day... we had each other (and beer and wine... heh).

10 years later... we still have all of those things... and more.

We have a life filled with amazing things.

We have awesome friends and family. We have fun. We have our beautiful girls. We have a home. We have each other. We have love.

What more do you really need?

Happy Anniversary Nick! Here's hoping the next 10/20/30/40/50 years are filled with as much "awesome" as the first 10.

Grace in Small Things - 141

2012-01-11T23:52:00.002-05:00

1. Packages that arrive with what you expect... and little added goodies (Amanda... the girls were over the moon! Thank you!)

2. The call of "Mama! Will you sit here on the couch by me?"

3. Coffee in a shiny red travel mug.

4. A satin ribbon.

5. Story time before bed... 3 books... all read by Zoe.

Busy Bees are Expensive Bees

2012-01-09T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Y registration catalog came in the mail.

$856 for 2 girls to each take a swim class and a dance class.

I cringe.

Plus Ana would actually love to swim 2x a week.

Add in the fee I already paid for Zoe's Spring softball.

And Zoe would love to take piano lessons.

Sigh.

I don't know what makes me cringe more... the dollar signs or the juggled puzzle that is my schedule.

So... anybody wanna sponsor a stay-at-home mom and her 2 wanna-be-really-active girls???

How do you decide what activities are the ones you do and which ones you give up?

I guess 3 year olds DO understand responsibility

2012-01-05T12:43:00.000-05:00

Ana grabbed a stuffed animal under one arm and a story book in the other.

She turned to leave the room and announced with determination "I'm going to read this book."

She took a few steps out of the room.

She stopped in her tracks.

She turned around.

She looked me right in the face.

She gave me this look of "wait a minute! What am I thinking????"

She announced "No. I'm not. That's YOUR responsibility!"

If this is 3 years old what does our future hold?

Excuse me... where did December go?

2012-01-05T00:57:00.000-05:00

Wasn't it just here? Wasn't I just going to post photos from the Gingerbread House workshop at Zoe's school? And photos from Ana's little holiday performance? And Christmas Eve? And Christmas day???? I swear we were just on holiday break and I totally was going to post all of those things.

Now somehow it's January 2012.

2012.

I'm even 5 days overdue for saying "Happy New Year" here!!!

Sigh.

You're just going to have to deal with Christmas in January.

I'm just a little bit behind (again).

I haven't even gotten all of the photos off of the cameras.