Mary-after

Past Glory

As a matter of course, I get sentimental. So I started reading my posts from the beginning. At first I was looking for photos. Anything to see babies again, now that I've mostly forgot the daily agony and only remember (if by choice) the smallness and cuteness that is intrinsic to a new member of the human race. In the beginning, pictures were rare. There is one a month or thereabout. What caught my eye was the prolific typing. What captured my interest was the inane details that I needed to share with the world; how many loads of laundry were conquered, what floors were mopped, what type of lunch detritus was scoured from the table, chairs and floor. It occurs to me that I do not do very much housework like I did back in the day of mewling babies and tiny toddlers. Are we living in squalor? No (usually). Am I more proficient at my housework? No (at least not from practice). Is it getting easier? A hesitant "yes" is in order here. Also, there doesn't seem to be as much to share. Now that both girls are wonderful conversationalists, I am able to get some words out during the day instead of having it all dammed up inside, needing some sort of outlet. I guess what I am saying, Internet, is that I've outgrown the daily missive. Or at least the need for one. And there were naps.

Naps time started off split between the girls, like they had discussed some time sharing of Mama and the agreement was so that one of them was always asleep, to insure one on one parental time. Mary slept from 10-12, Emma from 1-4, Mary from 4-6. There was an allowable 1 hour crossover for meal purposes, apparently. With one child, I was able to do a chore here and there, so that all day I was parenting AND cleaning. And don't forgot the laundry. And the two children in diapers. And the feeding (I was nursing one of them). I was VERY busy. Then came a blissful period of coinciding nap times. THEN I got a lot done. Now, Emma is determined to give up all sleeping, especially the type that occurs when others are awake. And when Mary is asleep, Emma needs a playmate. I get NOTHING done. It does not matter what "quite" activity she tries, it must always involve me. And, Mary is potty training. That means hours lost in a small room with porcelain fixtures. Because, at the beginning, the new potty world cannot be experienced on your own: a parent must attend.

So, with this new found conversation during the day, potty training time, and lack of children napping together, I find myself happy to click a pic and send it to the blog. Titles, now, are supposed to convey volumes of information. "Birthday Bike" means, 'here is Mary a t the toy store with the bike she has picked out since she is turning 3 on Saturday'. "On the Plane" means, 'here we are, Mary and me, sitting in first class eating pretzels together and me reading my book while we fly the friendly skies on the way home from Minnesota'. "At the Zoo" means,'here are the girls, with their cousin Katelyn and their second cousin Darrrell, who met us at the zoo with Mum and Papa, looking at bald eagles and marveling at all of the wild (in captivity) animals while I went and ran 2 miles around the zoo'. All of that is what I am thinking when I click a picture and send it here, Internet. I think, 'here you go, Friends. Here is a speck of my life and I want you to see it and share it with you. I send it to you with the best intentions of writing more later, yet I know I will not really write more later, so please forgive my brevity and smile at my children and poignant moments.' Surely that's what you see, too. I hope you are not too disappointed when you come to my site and see another outtake of my day.

As for the archives, I need to figure out how to save them at home. I highly recommend wasting some time on them. I think I had a great sense of humor about the daily grind. I also think I wrote well, or at least better than I do now. Maybe it is my own sentiment getting in the way, but you may enjoy some old posts. I may even do a regular "Blast from the Past" and repost old ones that I found particularly funny. It's not cheating, really. I'll still send pictures.

A friend indeed

Author Donna Andrews signing in Ann Arbor. A good friend from a
previous life.

Dinner in Ann Arbor

Finding Nemo Delicious

This video is the result of trying to capture Mary's sound effects during a random dinner. We were eating salmon, and since ALL fish are Nemo, or some member of his family, our dinner was analyzed and it was decided that we had killed Nemo (!), cookd him, and were, right at that very moment, eating him. So, as Emma gulped down fish, Mary pleaded and complained in her Nemo voice about being eaten. Ths video I got wasn't quite as funny, and I didn't edit it to get the best effect, but it gets the idea across. Hope you enjoy your fish tale.

Nemo Birthday Cake

I think I forgot to put up the picture of Mary's birthday cake, so better late than never!

At the zoo

Darrell, Mary, Emma, and Katelyn

Emma's photography again

I have finally passworded my iPhone because Emma is obsessed with it.
She has managed to change my background picture, text message random
people, and call out of state family. I'm thinking the interface is a
little too easy...

New bike

Hubby finally broke down and bought the bike he has been stalking for
3 weeks. We have a bike rack, too, for all of those unexpected road
trips...

Roller Queen

More kid pictures

I guess she likes my Precious Momenta figurines. I love the
composition here.

Emma's photos

Emma got a hold of my phone and took some amazing pictures. This one
is an angel figurine I've had since I was 3 or 4.

Funny Harry Potter Video

This was put out pre- release of the last Harry Potter, and it cracked me up. Some of my friends will really like it.

The Birthday Girl

Well, here you have it! We went to Red Robin's for Mary's birthday (although she was unimpressed with the servers singing) and she enjoyed her Birthday Sundae. This kid LOVES ice cream and other stuff that is not "growing food", so this was huge for her. We didn't do too much on her actual birthday, as the family party is Sunday, and last week in Minneapolis we went to Chuck E. Cheese's with the Ruckers for a celebration. So I'm not doing a kid's party for her other than that. We bought a Nemo cake for the family party, which promptly began losing it's fins after it got to room temperature which makes me think I should have just made it myself. I'm not sure I can get the fins to stay on and it doesn't look very much like Nemo (more like some random stylized goldfish with white stripes) so I am really dissapointed with it, but the Nemo obsessed 3 year old will be thrilled anyways. Happy Birthday, Mary Leona!

If it seems a little fishy....

Is it wrong to serve fish sticks on a Nemo plate?

For those who have asked....

Last Saturday I was in a Triathlon. It was my first one ever and I swam, biked and ran for 2 hours to get through it. My good friends Diane and Derek signed me up for it last December, back when I didn't have a job to occupy my every minute. Then I got a job that occupied my every minute (and don't forget the kids), and I didn't put one iota of effort towards any of the three disciplines required to live through a Triathlon. If you don't know, it is 1/4 mile swim in a lake, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 5K run, one right after another. Right after school let out (I think it was the Monday after), I got right back to the vigorous workouts and all of it came together last week. I have pictures (that links to the profesional ones, where a random other participant was included with my pics), which some have asked for, so if you are of the sort that wants to see me being athletic (or a close approximation of that), then click here and look at the pictures. If you only read this blog for the kids, hang tight and I'll post some stuff for Mary's 3rd birthday soon - and ignore the lady on the bike. That has nothing to do with the children.

Birthday Bike

Dental Beauty

At the Dr.'s

On the plane

Mary and me headed home.

Favorite lunch place

Thinking of you,LM!

At the Mall of America

Harry Potter!

Dinner

Done!!!

Me & Olympic Triathlete Hunter Kemper

Dinner @ Rainforest Cafe

Tired girls

Sunday Summer Evening

In Minneapolis's Airport

Tomorrow we are off to Minneapolis to visit with the Ruckers and for me to do a Triathlon with them. I won't mention THAT again, but you can check out my workout blog on the side there, Tri to be Fit. Today I took the girls to Target and bought them little "suitcases" of their own. They were so PLEASED. They followed me around Target for another half hour, obediently pulling the new luggage behind them. Then Emma figured out she can WEAR it - they are really backpacks on wheels - and the hiking girls emerged behind me (they left the handles up so that they looked like they were going on 3 month hikes). When we got home, Mary immediately packed hers. What does a toddler need on a long plane trip? A pillow, a magna doodle, a treat box of goldfish crackers and Nemo. As she zipped it up, there was a brief exchange between her and Nemo which sounded like this:

"Nemo"(high pitched voice of Mary): Bahy Bahy, I don't want to go in there

Mary: Shut up, Nemo, you have to go in there.

Me: Mary, we don't say that.

Mary: No, Mama, I just had to say that to Nemo because he was being annoying.

I just can't argue with that. Anyways, since when do stuffed fish need to be treated with respect? And as a side note, Nemo's language usually consists of that "Bahy Bahy" that she does in a certain baby-ish voice. I've never heard him give her lip like that before. Maybe the fish had it coming.

Skating Queen

Mary's first time on wheels - what a cutey! I was going to get Emma in the picture, but she was busy following the enormous dog mascot around and trying to traverse the rink back and forth. And my camera battery died. So this is all I've got!

Sparklers

In case you are wondering why most of my pictures involve Mary and not Emma, it is because she doesn't want pictures taken of her any more. Mary, however, doesn't know any better. Here she is over at the Bailey's house, wondering if sparklers were fun or scary. We all enjoyed S'mores and small scale fireworks (the guys REALLY enjoyed those) and went to bed later than we should have. Hooray for holidays!

Yankee Doodle Dandies

This morning we went to the Annual 4th of July parade in Northville. Last year was mostly a disaster, so I didn't have high hopes for this year, but the girls actually enjoyed themselves! Here they are, waiting to see what's coming next around the corner:

At other times, Mary found a good spot for a clearer view:

And I was there, too, in case you thought there was a conspicuous absence:

Happy 4th to all!

Take me Away!

Quote for the day from Emma:

"Mama, just don't spank me or call the gypsies."

This particular statement preceded an admission of wrong doing. Based on this, I felt there was cause for concern.

Mary's Quote of the Day

"When we are happy, our heart will sing."

Truth out of the mouth of babes.

A New iPhone!

Well, Jim and his wonderful work contacts manged to land us (well, ME, he says) a brand new iPhone. This is the signature bag and this picture is taken with the new phone. I'm going to download movies to watch while a the park with the kids! Hooray for husbands everywhere!

7 AM

Biked for 15 miles, than I ran for a short 1.25 miles. 2 weeks to Triathlon and counting!

Day Off

Yesterday we went to the dollar movie (actually the $3 movie) and watched Curious George. Today, after a full week of fun fun things to do, we took a day off. I didn't even get up to run. We had no plans and no one to meet. We slept in! When Emma got up at her normal 5:45 time, I sent her back to bed without a second glance. She slept until 8! I chatted on the phone and stayed in my pajamas until 9:30 - an UNHEARD of luxury! The girls WATCHED TV. When my tea was gone and the phone was hung up, I was immediately bored. No where to go, no one to see, nothing on the docket for the whole long day spanning before us. The answer to that was......

Wrong! That was Zoe and the girls from Wednesday's Music in the Park (before it rained). I strapped roller blades on my feet and the girls got on their scooters and we went for a Wheel Walk! Hooray for wheels! We didn't last very long. My roller blades are OLD - pre pregnancy - so they are too small. Half way around the block I had no feeling left in my feet whatsoever. Mary gets tired on her scooter - the poor little bird is not even 3 yet, after all. So I tired to push her while skating. It would have been fun, if she didn't freak out and try to jump off every time - too fast, she said. She is not going to be our roller coaster girl, that's for sure. I did get the benefit of seeing a few neighbors - always fun to look like the active, cool Mommy on the block (or the crazy, out of control one, depending on your perspective). But we had a fun 1/2 hour. Then the girls spent the rest of the day playing with the scooters in one form or another.

I intended on mulching in eggshells and coffee grounds for some of the poorer looking rose bushes, and I had potato salad to make for the family gathering tomorrow and meatloaf to put together for dinner. Instead, I took a long, much needed 2 hour nap snuggled up with Emma. If you can't take a moment and lay down, what good is summer break? The meatloaf and potato salad still got made, but the roses will have to wait until tomorrow. And we had an unexpected last moment guest for dinner, which was odd, because I've never had anyone accept like that, standing at my front door trying to sell me things and accept a dinner invite. It was odd but yet neat. Turns out the young traveling man is far away from his wife and little girls and was grateful for some company. The randomness never stops!

Tomorrow I'm planning to get up early as usual and try a 20 mile bike. You should know, Internet, that I am signed up for a Triathlon on the 14th of July. That's only 2 weeks away. I've been swimming, biking, and running to beat the band these last two weeks and I can't stop now. Then lots of family gatherings this weekend from out of town relatives, so it will be run, run, run in more ways than one!

Dinner!

I made this fabulous Salmon dish the other night and just had to share. Check out the recipe for Honey Glazed Salmon with Black Bean and Fresh Corn Salad. One of the best salmon recipes I've tried yet!

Family Fun in the (not so much) Sun

This week I've been committed to doing things with the kids that they would enjoy. So, Monday we went for a bike ride (they love that). Tuesday we met Zoe and her Mommy at the spray park. I brought a blanket, water, a few snacks and lunch. The girls immediately (at 10 AM) wanted to eat. This was right after they consumed all of the water I brought, claiming extreme thirst. So they ate. Then Zoe showed up and they all ate some more. Finally, they played. In the sandbox. A blistering 92 out and a whole park full of sprinklers and they spent 2 hours playing in the sandbox, which is not unlike the sandbox we have at home. And then they ate some more. Today we met Zoe and her Mommy in the main park in Plymouth for the weekly Music in the Park.Based on yesterday's success with food, we decided to get there early and have a picnic. That went fabulously, except Emma thought the hot dog stand had Popsicles and there was a period of time spent obsessing over those. And, then, just as the concert started, so did the rain. There were 2 drops and then the skies opened. Mrs. Bailey was quick thinking and inverted her handy vinyl lined blanket over our collective heads (which seemed to be more fun than picnics even) until the concert goers all decided to run for the covered farmer's market across the street. Mrs. Bailey suggested we call it a day, even IF the storm was going to blow over. We did, and it did not blow over. It continued to be blinding rain all the way home. Mary asked me how we were going to find our home if we couldn't see out of the windows at one point. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was sure I didn't know. Now, however, as I sit and write this and my soggy children are passed out from all of the excitement, it is sunny and beautiful out.

Good thing I watered my flowers this morning.

Running Anyways

I said that school as ending, so I am sure there has been anticipation and excitement, knowing that any MINUTE now I would post something. I certainly understand that sentiment. I have officially been on summer vacation 1 week today, and let me tell you - I don't understand how I have effectively added 10 hours to my available daily time yet I still cannot get everything done in the span of a day. It's not that I'm slacking - I've been up at 5:30 running almost every day, even weekends. The girls have had playdates, pool fun, bug hunts and field trips, not to mention puzzle time and stories with Mama. I'm flummoxed. Now, there have been days where I've planted for five hours to get flowers in that should have been done in May, and I completely understand those days. It's the endless laundry and cleaning that have bested me.

In random kid events, My little Mary uttered a dirty word. She was maneuvering a particularly difficult section of a self imposed obstacle course and uttered "Oh, shit". I said, "Mary, what did you say?", she replied, "Um, I said..... O......cean". So she also knew to change the word when confronted. Emma's newest expressions are, "Oh, HEAVENS!" and, "This thing HATES me". Both of them send me into fits of giggles.

The things these kids learn!

Toady Day

The girls explore a toad with Daddy in the back yard. They caught it themselves (notice Mary has gardening gloves on) and the camera waited to die until the very last good shot. Now that's fortunate!

Going Calling

Emma Grace and Mary Leona, going to cousin Bobby's First Communion. Beautiful!

Multimedia message

Ice cream love

Would you like a tour?

Internet! I have been so VERY busy! Teaching is going well, although it sucks every spare minute of my time into oblivion. The girls are doing well in daycare. And we just put our house on the market. Would you like to have a tour of my home? Of course you would! Check it out here!

Multimedia message

Happy birthday Daddy!

Multimedia message

Gymnast

My Snow Day

Here I am, trying to do lesson plans on a snow day. It's not working out like it should, I tell you. Thanks to hubby for capturing this horrible moment in time.

Multimedia message

After

Multimedia message

Before

A New Deal

Well, I kept my chin up and bet my bottom dollar and in the end, the sun did indeed come out. It just came out a lot quicker than I thought it would. It came in the form of an interview, and then another interview. And now,right now, you are reading information typed by a teacher. Well, I was a teacher before, really. I just didn't have my own classroom. So, starting tomorrow (yes, tomorrow! tomorrow! How I LOVE ya, tomorrow!) I am teaching in a classroom. A JOB! YES! That is what you are understanding! I. Have. A. Job!!!! I will be teaching High School Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Forensic Science. Yes, Internet, that is what I will be doing. So you may not see me around here too much, I'm afraid. I'm pretty sure no one will be seeing me around too much, except maybe the students I will have! Well, that is all. Mary will be going to day care full time. I have to pull Emma out of the wonderful Real Life Farm Nursery School, since they 1) are too expensive, and 2) do not have any full time openings for either child. I'm all broke up about it, really. Emma doesn't take change very well and it took her forever to make friends at preschool. But there is not much that can be done about it. She seems excited about going to "school" with her sister, so it may work out.

So, Internet, it's been real fun - me and you - late nights and long afternoons together. I'll try to give you a call now and then. Maybe send you a few pictures, too. I'll let you know how things are going. But it's going to be great, I tell you. It's what I'm made for, after all! Teaching! I Won't forget what we've had. It will just be different now. A New Deal.

Multimedia message

After!

Multimedia message

Before

The Reward System

Mary is potty training. We are doing stickers on a chart, which did not have any effect on Emma, but seems to motivate Mary nicely. I made the chart so that every 4 stickers she gets a reward. The first one was to bake in the kitchen with me. She choose a cake. She was fabulous and managed a lot more by herself than I would have thought. Her only drawback was she kept sticking the knife INTO the cake instead of dragging it across. Otherwise, it was a wonderful dessert. She already earned the next reward (two days later) - a trip to the library - and is well on her way to her third prize - a craft project. Then then golden award awaits - a shopping trip to Target. Can I tell you that the girls consistantly try to put their stickers in the Target row? It is obviously a well anticipated reward!

Emma is doing a sticker chart, too, which seems to be working better han in the past. She receives stickers for staying in her bedroom after being put to bed. She only needs 3 stickers for each reward. I am trying to give her a concept of delayed gratification, but it is apparently lost on her. It took her over a week to get to the first reward, and she did end up losing a sticker for biting, a criminal offense in our house. Then, after she had earned her reward it had to be postponed because she ran off at the store. Not just for a minute, but for a looooooooong search time where both parents were frantic and the store personnel offered to lock down the store, as is procedure for a clost child I was told, until she was found. It was that bad. So, she fianlly got to bake inthe kitchen and she chose cookies. It just so hapened we had some fancy cookie dough from Mum that made up four fun fun colors for us to play with. We were at a creative loss until we realized that Veggie Tales are incredibly easy to shape from cookie dough:


That's Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato, for those who don't know Veggie Tales as well as we do. There was a lot of cookie dough, so we continued to make vegetables out of cookies and a wide array of other characters that made us laugh:

All said and done, it was wonderful family time in the kitchen on a Sunday night. And the cookies were goood, too!

Mary's Reward