I got a call in mid-January from The Crazy Man. It was a Sunday and
he tracked me down at the Container Store in Tyson's Corner. I was
actually in their restroom helping Samantha. With all the urgency of a
fire truck responding to a 5 alarm fire, he asked me to research a list
of all the Inaugural balls. He needed this list ASAP. The Crazy Man
gave me a list of 5 states in particular he wanted to know when and
where their balls were going to be held.
Once I made it
back home (without rushing either!), I easily found a list online and
printed it out. The Crazy Man called me soon after to check on what I
found. I reported specifics on the inaugural balls of particular
interest to him. He sounded a little disappointed none were being held
that night.
The one that captured his interest the
most was the Black Tie and Boots Ball (hosted by Texas) on Saturday,
Jan. 19th. Tickets were $300 a person, but The Crazy Man had no
interest in paying to attend. He was planning on crashing it. And he
had a date going with him to crash it too.
On Monday
morning, when I spoke to The Crazy Man. My first question to him was,
"So, did you get in?" His response? "The question isn't did I get in?
The question is, Did I have a good time?"
Oy!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Irony
You want to know what is ironic? Sam used to obsessively watch "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". We couldn't play them enough for her on the tv or her iPad. Meanwhile, Ian was big into "Phineas and Ferb" and that was his show of choice.
Guess what? Sam now LOVES "Phineas and Ferb". "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" has all but disappeared from the line-up. This would be great if Ian was still into the tv show, only he has now moved onto "Survivorman."
Go figure.
Guess what? Sam now LOVES "Phineas and Ferb". "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" has all but disappeared from the line-up. This would be great if Ian was still into the tv show, only he has now moved onto "Survivorman."
Go figure.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
There is nothing cuter.
The few times I've been the one to put Sam down to bed, I tell her to pick out a book or two for me to read to her. Sam has a new twist to the book reading experience and she says she will read me one.
There is nothing cuter than listening to Sam recite completely from memory a Pinkalicious book. She must have about 10 different Pinkalicious books and know them all by heart. These books are easily 15 to 20 pages in length, with 2 to 3 paragraphs on each page. I'd say she gets about 95% accuracy on the wording and knowing exactly which parts of the story belong to what pages.
It is seriously adorable and very impressive. The girl has an amazing memory. Either that, or her and Pinkalicious have a lot in common. :)
There is nothing cuter than listening to Sam recite completely from memory a Pinkalicious book. She must have about 10 different Pinkalicious books and know them all by heart. These books are easily 15 to 20 pages in length, with 2 to 3 paragraphs on each page. I'd say she gets about 95% accuracy on the wording and knowing exactly which parts of the story belong to what pages.
It is seriously adorable and very impressive. The girl has an amazing memory. Either that, or her and Pinkalicious have a lot in common. :)
Friday, January 25, 2013
Snowtacular!
We did it! We finally made it snow tubing!!! This was, for some odd reason, a hard one to pull-off. Snow tubing tickets can not be reserved in advance, so unless you want to take a big gamble and drive 90 miles away to find out the day is completely sold-out or have to wait a few hours before you can get a ticket, it wasn't going to happen.
I figured out a way around this minor inconvenience and put together a group of 20 people, so we could get a group reservation and secure a two hour period for snow tubing. We were guaranteed tickets as long as I was willing to pay up front for 20 tickets. Not a problem! I know people!
The problem was the first date picked. The end of December was unusually warm for our area and snow tubing was not happening. Our second choice in dates was Martin Luther King Day. Also known as Inauguration day for President Obama and a great reason to get out of the Washington D.C. Metro area. However, this date had me sweating big-time that one or more of the families was not going to make it due to the cold and flu season. It was a game-time decision up until the very last second if the group reservation was going to stick or if I would have to cancel it. Fortunately it all came together and everyone showed up. Whew!
The one thing I didn't figure into the plans was that Ian and Sam wouldn't enjoy snow tubing. All indications have shown us that both kids would absolutely love this experience. I even lied about Sam's age (you have to be a minimum of 5 years old) so that she could feel like a big girl and do the hill we were doing. After two times flying down the massive hill like you are about to take-off airborne, with the wind rushing at your face, holding on for dear life, both kids were done. Sam sounded like a Taylor Swift song saying she was "never, ever, ever, going to do that again, never ever." I give them both credit for going down twice before realizing they were officially finished. I am surprised and a bit disappointed by their reaction. Maybe in a few years they'll feel differently.
My mother-in-law joined us, snow tubing for the first time and looking like a pro. She did awesome and went down the hill (I feel like I should be calling it a mountain!) twice before volunteering to hang out with Ian & Sam so Jeff could join me again. That was pretty wonderful of her.
I figured out a way around this minor inconvenience and put together a group of 20 people, so we could get a group reservation and secure a two hour period for snow tubing. We were guaranteed tickets as long as I was willing to pay up front for 20 tickets. Not a problem! I know people!
The problem was the first date picked. The end of December was unusually warm for our area and snow tubing was not happening. Our second choice in dates was Martin Luther King Day. Also known as Inauguration day for President Obama and a great reason to get out of the Washington D.C. Metro area. However, this date had me sweating big-time that one or more of the families was not going to make it due to the cold and flu season. It was a game-time decision up until the very last second if the group reservation was going to stick or if I would have to cancel it. Fortunately it all came together and everyone showed up. Whew!
The one thing I didn't figure into the plans was that Ian and Sam wouldn't enjoy snow tubing. All indications have shown us that both kids would absolutely love this experience. I even lied about Sam's age (you have to be a minimum of 5 years old) so that she could feel like a big girl and do the hill we were doing. After two times flying down the massive hill like you are about to take-off airborne, with the wind rushing at your face, holding on for dear life, both kids were done. Sam sounded like a Taylor Swift song saying she was "never, ever, ever, going to do that again, never ever." I give them both credit for going down twice before realizing they were officially finished. I am surprised and a bit disappointed by their reaction. Maybe in a few years they'll feel differently.
My mother-in-law joined us, snow tubing for the first time and looking like a pro. She did awesome and went down the hill (I feel like I should be calling it a mountain!) twice before volunteering to hang out with Ian & Sam so Jeff could join me again. That was pretty wonderful of her.
 |
| She looks like she is enjoying this! |
 |
| A not-so-very-happy Ian |
 |
| Two happy parents who were able to keep playing thanks to a fantastic grandmother! |
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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 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.
Monday, January 21, 2013
The GREAT Sleepover
As I write this, we are winding down the last few minutes of a social experiment. It all started with Ian and his friends spontaneously asking if they could have a sleepover, as they were walking out our door one evening. Then the siblings (fellow preschool playmates and close friends themselves) chimed in very quickly saying they wanted a sleepover too. Somehow the idea formed that we would do a complete kid switch and free up the evening for one set of lucky parents from any parental duty.
In December, Ian and Sam went over to their friend's house for a sleepover. And this past Saturday, we hosted the twin boys (Ian's age) and their little sister (Sam's age). To say I was nervous was a very big understatement. With the exception of Ian and one of the twin boys, we are dealing with some very strong personalities. Laid back and go with the flow aren't really in their vocabularies. The nickname I've given the girls and a few other of their preschool buddies is, "The Purple Screamers" if that gives you any indication of what we are dealing with.
I really wanted Jeff and I to go first in hosting. I was certain I could handle the worst possible scenario if it came to be and abort the mission before Ian and Sam descended on our friend's house. I was more intent that our friends remained our friends than having our turn at a kid-free evening. But the timing worked out that Ian and Sam took their turn first. Boy, did I hold my breath that all went well. I hoped Sam could fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Turned out the experience for both sets of families was a good one. Jeff and I enjoyed a great date night without having to pay for a babysitter and could even sleep in the next morning.
This past Saturday, we were able to repay the kindness and have our friend's 3 kiddos come for the night. I was fully prepared for a very long, long night where none of us got much sleep. To my delight, this could not have been further from the truth. The boys were asleep by 8:55pm. The girls proved to be a little more challenging and after many "I'm too hot, I'm too cold, It's too dark, It's too light, It's too quiet, It's too noisy, I want to sleep on the floor, I want to sleep on the bed, I don't want a blanket, I want a blanket, I want to change my pajamas, etc", they were both asleep by 9:17pm. Not too shabby!
Everyone slept through the night. Victory! The kids got along great. There was no whining, no tears, no fighting, no arguing of any kind. Manners were at an all-time high.
There comes an inner peace from knowing that your children (even at ages 4 and 7) aren't so high-maintenance they can't sleep at a friend's house. The kids are showing they can be adaptive to a new environment for sleeping and do just fine. It is a great feeling that very little instructions are needed when dropping them off.
Yippee!
In December, Ian and Sam went over to their friend's house for a sleepover. And this past Saturday, we hosted the twin boys (Ian's age) and their little sister (Sam's age). To say I was nervous was a very big understatement. With the exception of Ian and one of the twin boys, we are dealing with some very strong personalities. Laid back and go with the flow aren't really in their vocabularies. The nickname I've given the girls and a few other of their preschool buddies is, "The Purple Screamers" if that gives you any indication of what we are dealing with.
I really wanted Jeff and I to go first in hosting. I was certain I could handle the worst possible scenario if it came to be and abort the mission before Ian and Sam descended on our friend's house. I was more intent that our friends remained our friends than having our turn at a kid-free evening. But the timing worked out that Ian and Sam took their turn first. Boy, did I hold my breath that all went well. I hoped Sam could fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Turned out the experience for both sets of families was a good one. Jeff and I enjoyed a great date night without having to pay for a babysitter and could even sleep in the next morning.
This past Saturday, we were able to repay the kindness and have our friend's 3 kiddos come for the night. I was fully prepared for a very long, long night where none of us got much sleep. To my delight, this could not have been further from the truth. The boys were asleep by 8:55pm. The girls proved to be a little more challenging and after many "I'm too hot, I'm too cold, It's too dark, It's too light, It's too quiet, It's too noisy, I want to sleep on the floor, I want to sleep on the bed, I don't want a blanket, I want a blanket, I want to change my pajamas, etc", they were both asleep by 9:17pm. Not too shabby!
Everyone slept through the night. Victory! The kids got along great. There was no whining, no tears, no fighting, no arguing of any kind. Manners were at an all-time high.
There comes an inner peace from knowing that your children (even at ages 4 and 7) aren't so high-maintenance they can't sleep at a friend's house. The kids are showing they can be adaptive to a new environment for sleeping and do just fine. It is a great feeling that very little instructions are needed when dropping them off.
Yippee!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Losing it.
The 5 minutes I wish I could roll back the clock and re-do this week?
I put a note in Sam's lunchbox on Monday. Since she is unable to read, I don't put very many in her lunch because it means her teacher needs to stop what she is doing and assist her to read it.
I wrote, "You are my cutie-patootie sweetie-pie. I love you! Love, Robyn"
Yep, I actually signed my real name and not "Mommy". I didn't discover my blunder until I unpacked Sam's lunch at the end of the day and saw the opened note staring at me.
Oy! I guess I was moving a little too fast that morning trying to get us out of the door. I can just imagine what the teacher thought when reading this note to Sam and had to read, "Love, Robyn".
I put a note in Sam's lunchbox on Monday. Since she is unable to read, I don't put very many in her lunch because it means her teacher needs to stop what she is doing and assist her to read it.
I wrote, "You are my cutie-patootie sweetie-pie. I love you! Love, Robyn"
Yep, I actually signed my real name and not "Mommy". I didn't discover my blunder until I unpacked Sam's lunch at the end of the day and saw the opened note staring at me.
Oy! I guess I was moving a little too fast that morning trying to get us out of the door. I can just imagine what the teacher thought when reading this note to Sam and had to read, "Love, Robyn".
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