The BIG Surprise

My mom and stepfather did something awesome; they surprised the kids with an unplanned visit.   When my mom heard that Sam's patriotic sing-along at school was coinciding with her actual birthday, she just had to be there. 

My mom loves a good surprise.  She came up with an elaborate plan on surprising the kids. I came up with a simpler, just as effective plan for the kids to be surprised. I was going to take the kids to Cold Stone for ice cream and as we were enjoying our treat, my mom and Jim would just happen to walk in.  We had a bit of a bump in the road when they got to NoVa area earlier than expected.  As I was driving back from Sam's therapy appointment, I got a call on my cell phone that they were only 10 minutes away.  Oh my!!  Since the kids hadn't had dinner yet, I couldn't very well make our next stop Cold Stone. Without hesitation I told my mom on the cell phone that the kids and I were headed to Chipotle for dinner.  I said it like I was reporting on the weather.  Since I speak with my mom a gazillion times a day, it is not unheard of for me to report on something as trivial as this.

Upon walking in, the kids always go grab a table.  Chipotle always has a line.  I go to stand in line with camera in hand, ready to get a picture of the kids seeing their Mom-mom and Pop-pop Jim.  I am walking backwards through the line. I don't want to miss this Kodak moment.  I order the kids and I dinner with my back towards the counter.  I am sure the woman taking my order thinks I am completely off my rocker.  I make it all the way to the register and pay for the food, still with my eyes focused on the door.  I now juggle the tray of food and my camera, still ready to take a picture.  Looking back, it's probably best that I made it to the table with the food before they walked in.  I would've either abandoned the line (and pissed everyone off behind me if I was in mid-order) or dropped the tray of food in my excitement.

I get to the table and Ian instantly starts to complain there is too much lettuce on his chicken tacos.  OMG!  I tell him to take off whatever lettuce he doesn't want.  He tells me the next time to just ask for a lettuce taco and it would be the same thing he is eating now.

Meanwhile, Mom and Jim walk in.  We make eye contact and they go stand in line to order.  Sam who doesn't miss a trick, is looking around the restaurant taking it all in. She loves to people watch.  Within 30 seconds of Mom and Jim getting in line, Sam looks over and says, "Mom-mom?  Mom-mom is here?"  Ian then looks over to where Sam is looking and gets the biggest smile on his face.  Both kids are beside themselves with giddiness and shock.  They can't believe that Mom-mom and Pop-pop Jim are in Chipotle.   Sam and Ian instantly get out of their seats to hug and kiss Mom and Jim.  Sam asks what they are doing there.  Mom answers with, "We made a wrong turn and this is where we ended up."  Got to love it!

Sam saying,  "Mom-mom?  Mom-mom is here?"

Ian realizing that Mom-mom and Pop-pop Jim are really here.

From Thursday night to early Tuesday morning, we had a spectacular visit.  I love that mom and Jim don't mind driving 1,300 miles each direction to spend 4 days with us.  That is love!

The next day my mom asks Ian what he thought when he saw them in Chipotle.  Ian says that he saw them before Sam even said anything but he thought to himself they were just another old couple.  Ian quickly turned red in the face when he realized what he said out loud.  It was pretty funny.

Grandparents are the best thing ever. Like EVER!

My mom and Jim flew in a week ago Thursday and left to return home yesterday morning.  Yes, that's right.  10 days of having a set of grandparents under one roof.   It was beyond amazing having them so close for so long. 

When I found out the new preschool job I accepted started the week before my kids started school, I knew I'd need some help.  Unfortunately camps aren't available this late in August and I really didn't want to hire a sitter for the whole week.  My mom and Jim graciously offered to come and help me.  And boy did they!  I was living the high life for 10 days.  It was wonderful getting to work my 3 jobs and check in with Mom, Jim and the kids when I was able.  In addition, Jeff and I got a date night.  And, the kids had a blast.  Mom and Jim kept them very busy and very entertained. 

Walking in one afternoon and finding everyone playing monopoly. 

I know there are cultures out there where it is common to have the grandparents, parents and children all live in the same house.  Boy do I understand why that would be a good thing.  I am envious and ready to convert.  Sign me up.  Although, we could probably use an extra bedroom.  I don't think Mom and Jim would appreciate sleeping on an aero bed permanently. 

My sister is having a baby in early November.  I may have a difficult time getting my mom to come back for such an extended visit once the baby arrives. I got lucky my job started when it did. However, my sister is the lucky one to live in the same city as mom and Jim.

 

 

Grateful.

I'd like to dedicate this space today to my parents.  My mom and dad got divorced when I was in college and each have gone on to remarry.  It could've been messy, it could've been ugly, but my parents took the high road and made it a very amicable situation.

I am so grateful that they remain friends.  I am very appreciative they can be in the same room, plane, car, restaurant, graduation, party, bris, baby-naming and birthday party and get along.  And not just get get along, but get along GREAT!  All holidays (Thanksgiving, Passover, birthdays) are usually spent together.

My sister Lori and I for the 2nd year in a row, went in on a joint Hanukkah present for our parents.  Last year we surprised them with tickets to the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show.  And, this year we surprised them with tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld.  When we came up with the idea, we knew both Mom/Jim and Dad/Rita would enjoy the experience.  It was a no-brainier to get them tickets all together.

Saturday night was the Jerry Seinfeld concert.  Rita called right before the show and said how great the seats were and they were excited to be there.  My mom called afterwards and said she had never laughed so hard in her life.  She described truly having to hold her sides from laughing so much.

It makes me feel so good that my sister and I could do this for them and give them a great night out.  And, I feel so fortunate that it wasn't at all awkward the four seats were together.  I love my parents deeply and appreciate their ability to have this kind of relationship.  Even if all this started "for the sake of the kids", it has become a wonderful example how two couples can respect and be friends despite all that has happened. And for that I am very grateful. 

I see you!

Oprah has done wonders for the book industry, girls needing an education in Africa, and many other worthwhile causes. But for me, I am most grateful to Oprah for introducing me to Skype.

For last couple of years, every guest Oprah has on her show via satellite is possible through Skype. Without her, I probably wouldn't have known just how cool the technology is or how easy it is do. Having my family live in Orlando is tough. I miss them more than what is considered normal and have been known to call anywhere from 1 to 5 times a day. It is a rare day that goes by when I haven't spoken to my mom at least once.

With the magical powers of Skype, my mom gets to see Sam take her first steps and waddle around. She eats breakfast with the kids in the morning and sometimes greets Sam when she wakes up from a nap. She makes us laugh with her efforts in trying to get the webcam up close and personal -- sometimes too much and all we see is up her nostrils.

Samantha watches the netbook get powered on (this is where our webcam is located) and instantly starts waving. She points to her chair and wants a front row seat to the action. Every now and then she'll take a look behind the computer to see where the rest of Mom-mom is located. It is very cute. And on command, she'll blow kisses to the screen when I tell her it is time to say good-bye.

Ian is a goofball and talks to Mom-mom like she is his peer. They have a unique relationship and enjoys chatting with her about what he is eating, who he will be playing with later that day and what his toys are doing.

I love technology and the ability for my kids to see their grandparents more than they would be able to. It's wonderful that my mom can see them grow, develop and what new things they are in to.

And the best part is, Skype is free and budget-friendly. Now this is even something that is Jeff approved! Who knows, now that Oprah has decided to end her show, maybe she'll want to skype with us too.

The passing of the torch

Whenever I was in town, I used to be my dad's buddy to hop in the car with him and run errands...home depot, the post office, bank, 7-11, whatever was a 'quick stop' and then head back home to the family. It was never that exciting, but it was nice getting some one-on-one time with just my dad. And, wherever we stopped if there was anything I could ever want at one of these stops, it was put in the cart faster than I could bat an eye. I'm not talking big ticket items, more like gum, magazines, and candy bars.

I think I've officially been replaced by my son Ian. On Saturday morning Ian was the one to go with my dad to get fresh bagels and cream cheese for the gang back at home. On Sunday, Ian was the one to go with my dad to the grocery store to get the makings for french toast.

It happened as naturally as it had always been done this way. Dad came down the stairs from his bedroom, saw Ian dressed in clothes and said, "Ian, put your shoes on and come with me to get bagels." Ian didn't question it and happily followed my dad out the door. The next morning, the same thing. Reports came back that Ian even helped my dad show him where to find the eggs at the grocery store.

It was a bittersweet moment for me to know I've been replaced. I hope that Ian treasures these errands with my dad as much as I have over the years. It's the day to day, ordinary things that make it special.