A Madison Mom

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.

And just like that...

2011-12-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

Aunt Prudy passed away 5 months ago. It's hard to believe she's been gone since July. On one hand it feels like it's been forever... but then on the other hand we're still just dealing.

Today was Aunt Prudy's birthday. She would have been 86. We would have made cupcakes for her. The girls probably would have insisted that they be pink. We would have taken her out for dinner.

Instead, we just talked about Aunt Prudy a little bit. We talked about taking flowers to the cemetery for her... but it was such a busy day... so we're going to go tomorrow. We remembered though, and we thought of her.

Tonight I did bedtime with the girls. It was the usual bedtime. Potty. Teeth brushing. 3 of us cuddled on the bed to read 2 books. Prayers (ending with blessing all of our family included "and God Bless Aunt Prudy and make her memory to be eternal.") Ana off to bed in her room. Zoe back to bed in her room with a little extra cuddle time (Zoe wants it... Ana doesn't). While laying in the dark there are always little end of the day conversations. Usually happy and fluffy rememberings of the day or plans for the next day. Today was also rememberings but it was deeper. More.

Zoe - "Remember when you told me that Aunt Prudy died? And you cried a lot?"
Me - "Yes, I was very sad. I missed her very much. I still do."
Zoe - "I miss her too. I wish she didn't die."
Me - "I know."
Zoe - "You know, a piece of me broke. (pause) A piece of my heart broke and it's with Aunt Prudy."

And just like that... my heart was shattered into a million tiny pieces.

I could hear tears in the dark. My cheeks were wet while I tried not to sniffle and sob. The conversation continued with questions about my heart... and if I have a piece with Aunt Prudy, too. Did I also have a piece of my heart broken for Uncle Jig (Aunt Prudy's husband who died long before Zoe was born). Zoe also told me that Aunt Prudy must have lots of cuts in her heart... since she had to leave us all here. We talked and we talked. Much longer than I usually allow at bedtime. I comforted her, like moms do. We kept remembering a little more. We talked about how we missed Aunt Prudy at Christmas at our house. We talked about how Aunt Prudy must have watched us open our presents. We talked about what Christmas must be like in Heaven. We slowly switched topics and ended the "goodnight" on a lighter happier note... one involving New Year's Eve parties and staying up really late playing with cousins.

A piece of me broke. A piece of my heart broke and it's upstairs with Zoe.

Grace in Small Things - 140

2011-12-30T00:02:00.000-05:00

1. Getting pictures of my niece randomly sent to me via text message.

2. Being able to send a short video of the girls being silly to their uncle... via text message.

3. The ridiculously quick witted humor that comes from my girls (I swear they get that from Uncle Jim... especially Ana.)

4. The sight of Zoe trying to learn how to play the ukelele.

5. The way Ana loads her toddler bed up with more or different toys and stuffed animals every day. I don't know how she even fits herself in anymore.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:28:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a goodnight!

2011-12-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas Eve...

We went out for an early dinner.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at church.

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to exchange gifts with them, Uncle Gene & Aunt Andrea, and cousins Larisa, Alex & Nina.

We had birthday cake for Alex's birthday (he's 8 today!).

We came home and the girls went right upstairs to make sure they would be sleeping so Santa could stop at our house.

I don't know about you... but this Mommy is ready for a long winter's nap.

Santa came!!!

(I was a sneaky Mommy and came downstairs to snap a photo after Santa was back up the chimney.)