Road Trip to Alabama

I never imagined I would be driving almost 20 hours in 4 days with a 5 & 3 year old, but our recent road trip to Alabama showed me anything is possible. I am grateful for my father-n-law Cliff offering to drive his car while I attempted to entertain Bella and Dean with constant entertainment (mostly movies)! I am also appreciative of his similiar appreciation for all things caffeinated (Starbucks) & calm manner in the face of insane outbursts (from me & the children):). Short road trips we take from here on out will seem short & sweet.

Speaking of short & sweet our time in Montgomery & Demopolis was nothing but. We fit in so much and the kids bonded with their cousins both big and small. We arrived Friday in time to see Christopher play a baseball game then spent Saturday swimming in the pool, playing & playing until total exhaustion set in. Bella discovered a new love for mini legos, nerf dart guns and her cousin's company!!! Dean blessed us with a strong nap after waking Mommy up at 5am central!!! He never paused in between splashes & trampoline bounces enjoying all the big kid toys he could get his big little hands on. Mandy, MeMe and Halle headed up for the day so we got to play with our sweet littlest nugget of a cousin Halle! We drove down to her hometown of Demopolis on Sunday and spent a fun day inside between raindrops managing to get a nice afternoon swim in. We finally caught up with Darren that night after the golf tourn and headed back to Annabella's (MeMe's) to meet the animals and crash.

It was sad to leave the cousins. Dean and Bella went through cousin withdrawel on the drive back, but were left with wonderful memories. Dean says his favorite memory of the trip was the donuts :), but I say it was the warm feeling of being surrounded by family. Thanks to my sweet nephews Chris & Josh for taking such great care of your little cousins Bella and Dean. They adore you. Thanks Pam and Mandy for daquiri's and margaritas during Dean's nap time....ahh a few moments of relaxation with libations. Hopefully we'll meet again sooner rather than later in either KY or AL! The four rainbows we saw on the way home were just the perfect ending to a perfect trip. Not to say I recommend 10 hours in the car to the faint of heart, but as Dora The Explorer says, "We Did It"! And we'd do it again.

My Kids Are So Much Cooler

Dean walks around with a strut, hands in pocket, my little ladies man, my blond James Dean. Bella has a confident fashion sense that oozes "her style" in every sense...my little Pippy Longstocking so sure of herself. My son is all boy. My daughter is all girl. They are both beautiful blends of the best of us, but so unique in their own way. Bella at 5 1/2 is already driving my crazy with her "sass", her "tude", her hands on the hips commands. She is in trouble often & in between for her lack of respect for all things other than Bella. She bosses her brother, her friends and her parents from time to time, but she is equally loveable and adored. She is the most creative child I have ever met and can churn out a drawing without hesitation in a minute so sure it will be the best gift a person will have recieved all day...often it is! She is smart as a whip and stubborn as a mule. She is so decisive and sweet offering up her "I Love You's" more than anyone in our family. Deano, my little bee charmer makes me melt. He was born knowing how to flirt and is as kind as a mom could hope for. His words have finally caught up with his physical side and he amuses us on a daily basis as Bella did describing his world. He is also a rough & tummbly little guy, tall & strong. As Dean approaches the terrible 3's as his sister did I know it won't be easy. He too is strong willed & strong all together. God didn't grand me slight children physically or mentally. Although I am constantly in need of a glass of wine at the end of the day, I am glad they are exactly the way they are. I have my daughter who marches to her own drum and my son who is always on the run! They are social little creatures who amaze me by their sense of style and coolness. My kids are so much cooler than I ever was. Give Dean a pair of scissors and he'll snip for hours. Give Bella a crayon or marker and she'll draw for as long if not more. I am constantly amazed and frustrated at them, and in awe of who they are and what they will become. Bella wants to be a mountain climber and already is an artist....one of the best if you ask her or her parents. Dean loves his trains, all things balls and his sister so much. He is her shadow & she knows it. He loves to be where she is, begs for her to wait for him and occasionally...more often every day she reciprocates by letting him be in her company. Sometimes in between fights they play & laugh together, they hold hands and help each other. My kids are great...so certain of who they are, what they love and definately cooler than I ever remember being! I find myself always wishing for a break, but here I am with wine in hand as they slumber thinking about when I will see their smiling (or complaining) faces again.

Self Confident & Sassy

Tonight I was tucking Bella in after reading a chapter of Charlotte's Web and my precious little 5 year old said, "Mom I love you but..." But what? "But I wish you were prettier". "What" I said!!! "That's not a very nice thing to say Bella, in fact it's rude". She then repeated her previous insult adding, "I am not being mean Mom. i just wish you had ribbons in your hair, wore more makeup, had diamond earrings and a diamond dress". A visual of Cinderella popped into my head and probably hers too. I thought maybe had I been in my 20's when I had my kids I could have lived up to her Disney dreams, but as I close in on forty...less than 7 months from now, no chance. I tried not to get my feelings hurt knowing kids tell it like it is, but come on. That sucks to hear even from a five year old. Later I even thought, except for ribbons in my hair I wouldn't mind diamond earrings, a sparkly diamond dress (and a place to wear one), even time to wear more makeup!
Yesterday we went to the YMCA, just Bella and I. After working out I picked her up in the Kid Zone and asked if she found a friend to play with. Usually she has a line of girls following her. Why I am not sure since she often is indifferent about their company, but this time she lowered her head and said "No". "I wanted to play with the most beautiful girl there with a beautiful white ribbon in her hair, but she said I couldn't play with her because I didn't have pink on. I told her obviously the girl didn't know her colors since your buttons on your shirt were pink & not small either. Then led into mom rambling about how just because someone is pretty on the inside doesn't mean they are pretty on the outside. That went in one ear and out the other and she replied, "Mom, she was even more beautiful than me." Seriously? as Shar would say. Bella is both Sassy & Self-confident. She doesn't get the latter from me. As my mom always says, "Tell me a Bella story" and there are so many, and "you are in trouble" and as her mom I am.
She is now wanting to put foam rollers in her hair, wear makeup, purses, and be as beautiful as she can. She is knee deep in princess delight. She loves everyone of those fairytale beginnings, endings & middles. She went to see "Princess & the Frog" on her Daddy/daughter day and immediately focused in on her favorite part being when the Frog kisses the Princess. Scary, normal I know, but scary still the same. She is growing up way to fast. I need to dial it down and get her Little House on the Prairie. A little Laura Ingles would do her some good.
As we look at Kindergartens trying to make that big decision about her future:) I sure am glad there are uniforms in many public schools now, so we can tone down the accessories...limit the Hannah Montana & whoever the next "pop sensation" is... I know the apple didn't fall very far from the tree & in many ways she is like a little me, but I wasn't 5, self confident & sassy. That came years later.

Christmas in Louisville!

Once in a while you get one of those days where you think, "It doesn't get any better than this"! This year's Christmas was just that kind of day, wonderful & magical. With the stresses of the season behind me I was able to sit back and enjoy every aspect of the day through the eyes of my son & daughter. Talk about the perfect ages (2 & 5) to believe in everything Christmas! We made chocolate & gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve setting out the plate for Santa & carrots for each reindeer! Both kids were sick and had spent the day at the doctors, but that didn't put a damper on the anticipation of what was to come. Just before closing her door I heard Bella sobbing. When I asked what was the matter she replied, "I just can't sleep because everyone is talking too much about Christmas". The kids waited together on the top step as I did as a child with my brothers and sister while Mom & Dad checked to tell us if Santa stopped at our house. My heart melted for the first of many times as Dean and Bella held hands giggling & tip toeing down the steps! Santa brought Dean's guitar he asked for & Bella's jewelry set & the fish she quickly named "Fred". Dean got a red remote control car & his first baseball glove (left-handed) from his PPaw! Bella loves her Barbie movies, all the princess accesories, books as usual. I could no longer avoid getting her girly things like hair rollers, nail stickers & perfume! Thanks to a friend's generosity Dean now has a Thomas the Train set which will certainly be treasured for years to come. Although I found myself missing family faraway we enjoyed the lazy day at home taking our time savoring Santa & all things Christmas. Cliff (aka PPaw) spent the day with us & Eric made a fabulous dinner of ham, fresh green beans & roasted acorn squash. I am so thankful for all we are blessed with and wish everyone in the world Peace, Love & Joy in thier hearts. Merry Christmas to All!

August - A month of Firsts

It is hard to believe that September is starting and the summer is coming to a close. The kids are getting so big!!! Dean's vocabulary has just started to explode & his silly nature is evolving on a daily basis. For Bella, August has been a month of Firsts. On our vacation to the beach she had her first sleepovers at Granny & Gramps house without any issues. Little miss independent didn't dissappoint! Shortly after returning from our NJ beach trip she decided one sunny day that she could swim, and she did. Going off the 3' diving board actually listening to mommy give instruction how not to doggy paddle her way to the ladder. She just started Ballet/Tap classes and "lives for Tuesdays" dressing up in her leotard, no longer having to nap like her little brother! She and Dean both started school at the same preschool Strathmoor (for 1 year), and it continues to be the sweetest to see. She shows him the ropes, they both march off with backpacks on shoulders (Thomas & Princess), and he sees her off to transitional Kindergarten (for older 4 year olds) and then heads to his nursery class 3 days a week. When she stays later he pouts saying, "Where's BaBa, I wanna see BaBa". Dean like his sister is very social. He adjusted beautifully to going and jumps right in, even when the majority of 2 year olds cry for their parents! He always talks about playing basketball & loves painting, playdough, the sand trough in their room & cooking at the stove station! A week ago Bella announced she was ready to have training wheels off - that afternoon. She didn't quite master 2 wheels that day, but did great! We put them back on, but moved them up & I imagine at some point this fall, before she turns 5 she'll be riding like a big girl she is. She continues to amaze me with the confidence I never dreamed of having. I love that she is sure of herself every step of the way!!! She rode a horse at our neighborhood picnic and loved it, went to her first tea party birthday celebration decked out like a princess, pearls & all!!! Dean remains your typical boy, all about sports (balls), cars & trains (hoo-hoo). He loves to get a laugh & is already a flirt. Even in the peak of the terrible 2's Dean is kind and always wanting to help mommy & daddy at any task. He is silly and fabulous...did I mention the cutest boy on the planet!
As fall weather delights our days, we won't forget the joys of the summer of 2009 when Bella was four and Dean two. Both still small in a way, but brave & adventurous - loving life & all its possibilities a new neighborhood brings.

LBI New Jersey Shore Summer Vacation 09

As I try to catch up on all things computer, laundry & life in Louisville my mind drifts back to the Jersey shore. What a wonderful week of memories I have watching my kids jump in the waves, dig in the sand, search for shells & play with cousins and grandparents. Every once in a while you get lucky enough to be the recipient of a trip such as this that exceeds all its expectations....relaxing & reconnecting with so many things I love and miss living so far away. I went for a walk on the beach one night and can still picture it in my mind, full moon, waves crashing into the rocks and the glow of Atlantic City in the distance...good stuff. Moments like these are not to be forgotten, nor will they be.

I am so grateful for my parents putting together this opportunity for us to gather at the ocean. I so enjoyed showing my kids the beauty of the state I gr ew up in, seeing the beach through their eyes. Bella made me very proud this year acting like a very big four year old . Making drip castles, crafts & pudding with Granny, ri ding wave s with Uncle Sean & Aunt Kristina & skipping naps might be the highlights of her week. She loved sleeping over at her grandparents house, as did I! She was very upset that she couldn’t take Granny home in her suitcase. Granny read her many “Magic Tree House” books under the umbrella by the ocean. As the oldest cousin on the trip this year it was fun to see the younger boys follow her around like ducks & as always she accepted the role of leader :) She loves her little cousin Aiden & is already missing his company!

Dean owned every inch of the beach, and wore me out being the 100% boy he is. Last year he didn’t like the sand, but this year he found it full of endless possibilities. He enjoyed running into & jumping waves with mommy calling them “Big WaWa” & seemed to adjust easily to the change of scenery & schedule. He is a digger, climber, performer, little bam-bam, runner and wanderer. He definitely kept me on my toes, but I loved every minute of it. At least the sand slows him down a little bit. Dean’s highlights might be stepping on people’s sand castles, driving matchbox cars, painting on the porch, throwing anything, watching people play sand sports and 

wishing he could join in. We had wonderful weather with only 2 partial rainy days. One of these mornings we went to the Barnagot Light house with friends and Bella and Dean climbed up to the top (217 steps each way). It was a great adventure on a drizzly day. We enjoyed a beautiful view from the top & even saw a fisherman catch a herring on a walk after our climb. Bella got to touch it, then watch him throw the fish back. Dean said, “He’s going home now”. On our last night we did the touristy Ice Cream singing show which the 

kids loved, especially the ice cream part.

As a great friend told me there is always this sadness that settles in when you cross over that bridge leaving LBI and this year it seems to linger. You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl...and why would you want to? The week went too fast, but most fun things in life do! 

Here’s to next year at LBI!

A New Chapter

I stepped out of my house this morning to go for a walk and the FOR RENT sign in my yard sent me into a sentimental spiral. It's really happening, we are moving. A nice long walk along Bardstown Rd. gave me time to reflect on this new chapter we are beginning & mostly the one(s) we are leaving behind. In four days we close on our new house. We are finally buying after waiting for the right time in this town we love & call home. Our new house will be on a quieter street in Strathmoor Village called Gladstone Ave, not too far from here, but miles away from the life we've grown to love on Roanoke and our friends who are like family. There are so many things to be excited about, but this morning I am allowing a little melancholy to seep in and appreciating all the conveniences of the last four years. My many walks on Bardstown Rd with tiny babies and toddlers in strollers... to friends houses, playgrounds, Ray's Monkey house or Fed Ex. With two kids weighing well over 75lbs combined stroller rides have become fewer and farther between, and the safety of walking with both is not an option. It was a good ride here, so convenient to all, the perfect spot for us to move to four years ago. My kids have grown up here and come to think of each family on Roanoke as an extention of our own, calling each pet by name. Even those without young kids have loved my children and entertained the attention they demand, all the flower picking, bug searching, screaming & giggling that happens on a daily basis. I've spent many an afternoon hanging out on down the street on someone else's porch while my kids play about with thier friends. I have to wonder as I move to a street without front porches how it will go? My kids will adapt to the change quickly I am sure, but will I? I will miss my friends too. When I asked Bella what she is most excited about this summer with camp & moving to a new house she said with a big grin, without pause, "New Friends". As we gear up for a very busy few weeks ahead, when work couldn't be more demanding I think, "How will I get it all done"? Then I remember my last move 4 1/2 years ago with a colicky one month old in the middle of a snow storm driving separate cars from Georgia to Kentucky...all the stops to nurse & change diapers in cold parking lot and I know we'll get it done. I am seasoned in the job of juggling all things chaotic & am becoming comfortable with the unknown chapters ahead!