The Wizard of Oz

A little while back, Jillian went on a school bus for the first time.  We went with her school to see a play based on the Wizard of Oz.  I always teased yelled at my Mom for watching me, watching things. I gotta say... ya...  I kinda understand now.  -smile-  Sorry, Mom.  The play was sub par at best, but watching Jillian watch the play?  Awesome.  We had a great time together. 

Happy Mother's Day, 2012

Click HERE to see all the photos from our Mother's Day!

It was a great day.  I love this family.  Very, very much.  We woke up, snuggled and then went out to a beautiful golf course for a snazzy brunch.  After brunch Ryan and I brainstormed some about changes/additions/planting we are going to do in the yard.  It's super awesome to be rounding the bend with our inside of the house projects so we can start to focus a bit more on the great outdoors!  Just in time- our weather is awesome.

Enjoy the photos!

 

Bliss.

Preserving my thoughts...

I'm not sure what it is, but lately I've taken to watching our sweet kids as though I'm someone staring through a window.  Just silently standing there, trying really hard to make sure I don't disturb the magic of what's happening.  It's Jillian and Liv playing so sweetly with each other, or both of them running toy after toy to Evan in an attempt to make him happy.  It's each child in the same room playing completely independently from each other.  It's Jillian in her room crafting something very important at her desk while Liv whines for attention from her big sister.  It's Evan bouncing happily in his jumper babbling sweet baby noises. It's pure bliss.

And then, there's the moments I'm a part of.  Liv running over to me with an open chap stick (red tinted no less) and I thank the powers that be I managed to swallow my scolding sentence for her to "put that back inside my purse young lady" long enough for her to run to me with tiny pursed lips and offer, "Some for you Mommy?"  I nearly have tears in my eyes as she oh-so-generously briefly taps the stick on one part of my lips and announces, "That's enough for you." Thank you baby.  It is enough.

There's Evan- starting to get so brave with his tiny body- lunging for me any chance he gets, usually in an effort to eat my face or chew a button from my shirt.  He usually ends up with his face planted in my clothes or the bed and comes up covered in smiles and drool.  He melts my heart.

And Jillian, our sweet girl that is so expressive with her love.  She says the sweetest things to us.  Every. Day.  She loves so hard.  She likes to cuddle, she writes love notes, she adores any attention she gets and she is ridiculously appreciative for all things.  She seriously makes parenting a complete joy.  While the little two are napping she and I have taken to watching a cooking show together.  I really like that and feel beyond lucky to have a situation that provides me the flexibility to do that.

And, on the less rosy side of things (which exists too, of course) there's those moments where you go from the picture perfect moments above to all 3 kids needing you at the same time.  Demands for ice packs, and tears of frustration or pain.  It happens.  Less than you might think, but it does happen.

Liv is frustrating me with her lack of interest in potty training. (*Although after typing this we ended the day with multiple successful trips to the bathroom today, a dry diaper during nap, and no accidents! Wa Hoo!)
Jillian tries SO hard to be helpful and sometimes that can be a bit draining ;)  She is also developing a bit of school aged humor I could frankly do without.  Ha.
And Evan, let's just say he is likely breaking 4 new teeth right now and is very interested in trying them out. (Ouch.)

And so, life is perfectly imperfect.  And, we're loving it.

Everyday I do go to bed feeling like I should/could have done more.  I am hopelessly ineffective at doing laundry and have delayed grocery shopping so long that at this point we have hardly have anything fresh to eat in the house.  I'd like to straighten/do my hair more.  I know I take a ridiculous amount of photos but I wish I took more.  I have complete anxiety about this- why is it that I feel like something barely happened if it's not documented?  Probably because I don't really have the best memory.  Probably because I don't trust my memory to remember what it's like to have a sleeping baby curled up next to me breathing their sweet little air into my face.  Probably because I know in my heart that no matter how many pictures I take or journal entries I write these moments are just that... moments.  I am trying SO hard to soak them in as deep as I can while I have them happening to me.  And, while I know that as our kids get older these sweet baby times will be replaced with new 'moments' it's hardly a comfort.  Will someone please invent a way for me to slip back into today for just a minute or two in 10 years from now?

I've been wanting to write all this down for awhile and as I re-read this post it's hardly doing justice to just how lucky I feel like I am.  But, it's here at least.  So, Nancy in 10 years from now...  I'm trying.  I know you miss this time like crazy (and rightly so) but I hope some of the pictures and videos transport you back at least a little.  It's the best I can do.

Enjoy your day, everyone.  I am!

Nancy

Happy Valentine's Day!

The story behind the picture:

I hurt my shoulder... not sure what's going on but I had to put the camera down between photos it was hurting so bad.

I watched cooking shows with Jillian during 'quiet time' and almost went out to the store to buy nice ingredients to make a fantastic meal for our family but ended up serving everyone bean burritos for dinner instead.  Although, I did make my own flour tortillas which turned out pretty nicely.  I even made a heart shaped one for Jillian.

I hosted a play date at the house today for some new friends in the area.  It was nice to get to know some new people but a little bit exhausting due to my shoulder.

Tonight I have about 1 million things to do online but my computer is so full of photos I had to stop and move pictures around so it would work properly.

Ryan had roses delivered for me today (very pretty!) but aside from that (and a gift the girls gave him this morning) we are pretending Valentine's Day is this coming Friday.  I thought I had a couple simple things for the girls but I guess my order was not recorded properly?!  Argh.  Oh well.  Also, Ryan overheard me telling a friend of mine what I got him for Valentine's Day so I'm thinking a few extra days for him to forget won't hurt.  Ha!  Why Friday?  Because that's when something Ryan ordered for me will arrive.  I guess we are Valentine slackers this year!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Nancy

Smart Jillian

I know she's mine so I'm naturally bound by the oath of Motherhood to think she is one (of three) of the most brilliant creatures on the planet.  However even if this notion was not mandatory, I think I'd be amazed by her.  I'll assume you don't have 9 minutes to watch this video, and that's okay. But... if you do, prepare to be impressed.  -smile-   

She's getting so big!

It's not just the kids I attack with the camera...

Also, I just think this is so cute...  I told Jillian Evan could sit all by himself now, but she's "too nervous to let him do it" because...

"He might bump his precious little head."

Love this. 

Christmas, 2011

To see all the photos from our Christmas, click HERE!

The note we left for Jillian before going to bed.  She snuck out of bed in the night and read it but, "knew it was not true yet because the sun was still in Egypt."  Side story for Christmas this year- Jillian does not believe in Santa.  Long story, but the short version is that she asked me point blank, and I answered.  Ryan and I never had over the top Santa experiences as children so we're not heartbroken about this.  The only trouble is at the grocery store (or insert other errand here) where adults ask, "Are you excited about Santa?" and she nods politely or says things like, "yes, wouldn't that be a fun idea."  lol.  After this happens she always wants to have a conversation about how silly these people are and how they, "didn't know she already knew the secret that is for adults".  Oh... this kid...

Ryan was VERY excited to buy a telescope "mostly for Jillian but to share with the whole family".  He was however, unaware this gift would require him to get a serious education in astronomy.  We're getting there...

I ADORE how Liv is excited about anything anyone else is excited about.  She's such a sweet girl.

Liv's favorite gift:  Jillian's new rain boots.  And, candy.

Evan got a football & other fun baby items.  He looks less that enthusiastic in this photo because he was EXHAUSTED and his mother thought it was a good idea to make him push through his morning nap for the sake of Christmas morning photos.   That mother of his is obsessed with photos. 

Love her. 

Love him.

Love how our kids will "cheers" with any beverage they may be drinking.  Bonus if they are drinking out of glass cups.

Love how Jillian said her favorite thing I "made" for breakfast was a sliced strawberry.  She went on and on about how nice it was.  Of course using as many descriptive words as possible.  She was far less enthusiastic about the eggs, or hash browns. 

Liv was less verbal about how great our breakfast was... more visual, and more appreciative of hash browns. 

Evan checking out his new toys. 

Last one...  I love that these people are mine.  I love that even though sometimes I feel a little left out hardly being on the other side of the camera I feel better knowing that the photos I'm capturing are the things that MY eyes are seeing.  These are my memories in concrete form.  You can't beat that!  I love these people with all of my heart.  They are the most important things to me in the world.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Day!

Hope your day was as fabulous as ours was!

Wishing you and yours a fabulous New Year!

Christmas Eve- 3rd year to NYC!

To see all the photos from today, click HERE!


2011

2010

2009

This was our third year taking the train to and from NYC on Christmas Eve.  It's a BUSY day, but totally worth the effort.  It's getting to be more and more fun as the kids are getting older too.

I'm really REALLY big on traditions, so this is perfect for me.  Ryan's really into this one too, so that makes it easy.

We don't quite have our breakfast part of this tradition mailed down yet... last year we drove through somewhere on the way to the train (I think?) and this year we bought $17 worth of food from the cafe car on the Amtrak (which is just a coffee, muffin, yogurt, milk & 2 bagels).  Since we're usually in a hurry to get out the door, I'm thinking some kind of make-the-night-before breakfast casserole we can take with us might work well.  Suggestions?!?

Anyway- we were a little up in the air about where our NYC lunch favorite would be (Mr. Broadway would have been our pick but they are closed on Saturdays...) so today we went to Johns Pizzeria and holy cow, we're never turning back.  That's nothing against the awesome Shawarma you can get from Mr. Broadway but this pizza... and the pizza roll appetizers?  Oh. My.  So fresh, so tasty.  Must try if you are in NYC.  We watched the guys make our stuff and then shove it into the massive brick ovens.  Mmm!  And, it's a good sized place (HUGE in NYC standards) so there was plenty of room for us to all sit at a table and eat.  It was perfect.

After lunch we headed to the tree in a taxi.  Jillian looks forward to the taxi ride (and "pushing the TV") the whole year.  Seriously.  If you mention NYC she will always bring this up.  It's a (totally germ ridden) highlight for her.  Go figure.  Taxi without car seats= terrifying for parents.

The tree was a little sparse this year to be honest- there was a guy behind us critiquing it for about 5 straight minutes.  It made me want to defend this beautiful pine so here it goes: The tree in NYC was beautiful!  I always love to see how many lights they manage to squeeze onto it, and I love to read the story about where the tree came from.  This year it is a 75 year old 74 foot Norway Spruce from Middinville, PA.  There's a good article/photos about it HERE.

This year Jillian took ice skating lessons so I think the people ice skating were of particular interest to her.  It is always fun to watch all the people going around but we've yet to stand in that (very long) line to participate.  Once all the kids can do it, I think we will.  Liv barely looked at them because at this point she was exhausted.  She was a trooper though!

After the tree it's a little walk over to Carnegie Deli  to grab dinner to bring back on the train with us.  We've done this all three years and there's no going back- one sandwich feeds all of us (granted, it costs about $20) but it's always tender & delicious.  So yummy.  This year we tried a roast beef and while it was lovely, we'll go back to the pastrami with provolone next year I think.

Taxi back to Penn Station and 3 hours back home.  Long day?  Yes.  Worth it?  TOTALLY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!  Hope you day tomorrow is WONDERFUL!  We're so looking forward to our little sweeties opening their gifts!

Nancy

Yup, we're still here!

Lots to do, lots to post, little time to do it all.  So, I'm still taking pictures but I'll have to share them another time.  Just a tiny effort to live in the moment during this crazy season and hang onto my sanity at the same time!

Hope all is well!  Only 12 days to go!!!

Happy Fall!

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp...  Ah!  My favorite time of year!  Except maybe Spring... that's pretty awesome too :)

Hope you're out there enjoying it!

Back on Aug. 22nd...

Jillian started Pre-K.

Before that, we went back to school shopping and Jillian was quite excited to purchase the things she needed for her class.  Particularly scissors.  She's really excited about using scissors as much as possible. -smile-

We had a great time picking everything out:

Sweet Jilli:

And even made a guy at Office Max take our picture:

Jillian carried the bag herself and was very excited to show it to Daddy, Liv & Evan:

Before the first day, we picked out her outfit (a new dress!) and talked a lot about how things would go on the big day:

After she went to sleep I added this little note and necklace to the top of her clothing.  The necklace was special because I wore it just a few days before in my friend Natalie's wedding.  I let Jillian wear it and Ryan and I 'filled it with kisses' in case she missed us while she was at school.  We told her she could touch the necklace and think about how much we loved her and how we would be back at noon to pick her up:

Here she is in the morning on the way to school eating some bagel in Ryan's truck.  Our whole family went to drop her off together:

She RAN to the door and opened it:

Sniff, sniff... really?  Our baby in Pre-K?!

Here's Jillian with her teacher, 'Miss Kelly'.  She also has Miss Laurie & Miss Linda.

This photo was posted on the school website after the first day.  Doesn't Jillian look tiny?!  She did great at drop off without a single hesitation or tear- although we did not keep that streak alive and had a bit of a hard time for about 3-4 mornings toward the beginning... all better now though!)

Afterwards, our whole family picked her up and asked where she wanted to go for a special family lunch.  Chipolte:

Usually she just shares food with me, but our school girl got her VERY OWN kids meal that day.  Oh la la!

One more set of photos...  After pick up she happily posed for a few photos outside of the school:

Silly Sassy Girl:

Love this kid:

And there you go- LOTS of photos to document her first preschool experience.  We've been at it for about 8 weeks now and she is really enjoying the school, teachers, and new friends.  It's interesting for me to have her away from the house from 8-noon three days a week.  I gotta say, I miss her while she's gone!  However, even though I do miss her, this whole preschool thing has not been as hard for me as I thought it might be...  (I didn't even cry the first day when we dropped her off!!) I love watching Jillian reach milestones like this!  We could not be more proud of her!

Nancy