Mommy and daughter weekend at the beach with friends

This past weekend Ellie and I went away with several mom's and their 3rd graders for a weekend at the beach. This was a new adventure for both of us. We were both a little nervous. We tried to go into it without a lot of expectations and that worked out great. I think we both really had a nice time. We got to know some friends and neighbors better and had fun with each other as well. It was pretty relaxing.

The girls really enjoyed the fun times together.

The moms also enjoyed some relaxation in the sun, on the boardwalk, at dinner, games, and even wrapping up the night with a big puzzle.

I appreciate the time together with Ellie and new friends. It was great to have this opportunity. I don't prioritize friendship enough with everything else at this stage of life. I am very thankful for it though.

Observations from St Patrick's Day Adventure in NYC with the family.

It was a great trip. The kinds enjoyed it. I call it a successful Family Adventure. Here's my top 10:

1- the parade is all day long. Anyone can join the parade. The best part of the Irish st Patrick's day parade is at the end when the counties of Ireland come through with their people, their colors and their banners. It was a ride around Ireland, full of memories and smiles for me. Cute seeing the families and little kids enjoying being in the parade even though they had gone 40 blocks!

2- the subway is still the kids favorite

3- I love watching Clair try to engage strangers in important conversation such as her age and what we've done all day long. It's funny because NYC subway etiquette is don't engage anyone. My girl doesn't see it and doesn't believe it. People smile and her and love her energy and her smile. I love this!

4- Ellie really enjoyed the parade with me. I think it was and example of how she wanted to enjoy it with me because I was. I think I might have set a good example today.

5- I think I was more laid back today and I hope the kids saw it.

6- I had to tell Ellie not to listen to things that she shouldn't hear, such as curse words. At one point she was walking with David and I hear her rattling off the sins of manhattan to David as if it's confession. "Daddy, today I hear 2 a word, 3 f words, and saw some mans butt because he didn't have his pants up and he didn't even care. I wish the police would have gotten him."  Gosh I love this innocence.

6- max likes to laugh. This isn't news. He wants a good laugh. Oh how my boy will fit in at these Irish pubs one day soon.

7- we visited no less then 10 distinct bathrooms and several multiple times. We didn't go 30 minutes between visits. Yet, still, something was achieved and memories were made.

8- I said the phrases "Max, puddle!" "Max walk on the left." "Max watch where you are going." And "max, stop spinning" at least every minute All Day Long!  By golly we kept him alive and his feet dry! It was a miracle.

9- kids didn't enjoy the taxi as much as the train. They don't understand traffic. They are blessed by country living.

10- candy. It pleases kids. Always! A visit to Dylan's Candy shop was the highlight of the day to them.

David is now out having a few drinks to celebrate. I'm in bed. No cider for me. The upper east has been good to us as a family today. But it's foreign territory. This is why there was no cider to be found. It must be. Here's to a dry st Patrick's day where I am not pregnant. I don't think I've had one of them in 20 years.

Slante!

There's a fine line between creativity and mess

I often can't determine the difference between mess versus childhood creativity. I would prefer a magazine perfect house all the time. But I have 3 kids, and a husband, and let's face it, myself that live here. So this isn't possible. I must accept something less. The struggle is real and daily, as to what's a mess and what's allowed as part of growing up for my kiddos.

Sunday night I usually walk around the main floor and try to ready it for the week. I try to have it someone cleaned up for when Sarah arrives on Monday mornings. Usually, there is something to clean up, but sometimes it's worse then others. As I stood in the living room aka playroom last night, I glared at this structure thinking what a mess.

Then, I remembered Max's tour he gave me earlier in the day. He was so proud of this fort. "This is a multi floor fort Mommy, it has a basement Look!" Clair has a bedroom in the basement of the fort. Max has his own room on the main floor, and Ellie has her own room, separately as well. Max was so proud. He built this. He tried to urge his sisters to hangout and play with him in this latest and greatest masterpiece. He would give them anything to play in his space with him.

Max is physical. He is creative. This fort is his kind of thing!

Is it a mess or creativity? Last night I decided it was more creativity then mess, and I left it up for another day. Each incident is a struggle, sometimes the kids lose and I make them "Clean Up this Mess!" Last night, I was able to step back and enjoy it. I imagine in about 15 years, I'll be longing for the days of forts to clean up in the living room.

Growing and growing, it's good, I know

Clair turns 4 in a month and a half, she comfortably wears size 5/6 clothes at this point. That size is really not little girl clothes anymore. She is starting to get into big girl stuff. I find myself having to retire favorites that have been a part of the clothes rotation between Ellie and Clair, and even Max sometimes for 5 years.

This morning I dressed Clair in these little brown corduroy pants that I knew were too small, but they have been so cute on her for about 2 years. She complained, "These are the ones that make my underwear push into my bottom Mommy."  Okay, darling, I guess it really is time they go into the donate box, and on they go. She is comfortable, and I tuck those cute little pants into a box in the closet, a very big and full box of things that show the baby stage and toddler stage of my life and my children's life is really something of the past.

I have 3 big kids. I have one who borderlines a teenager sometimes. Max, he's happy being a little boy still, and also has his preferences for clothes. And the baby, she's really not much of a baby anymore.

This morning Facebook showed me a picture of Max's Baptism Day 6 years ago. He was such a handsome little fellow, and he still looks the same today. They are growing, as they should. I love them so much. I do know I will long for the days they were little cuddly babies in my arms, where we snuggled with blankies, bottles, pacifiers and books. That was the stage I always wanted growing up. I sure did enjoy it. It's sad admitting they are in the past. But, I wouldn't want it any other way. I am grateful for the journey being their Mom!

Be Like Max

Every morning Max is the first one awake and he comes to find me with a smile on his face to say Good morning.

I love the positive energy he brings to our house. Often he wants to share some cuddles with me and sometimes he just needs to be silly and make me laugh.  Today he told me he "woke up on the silly side of the bed."

The other morning the kids are sitting around watching a few minutes of TV as a reward for being ready. Clair is cuddling blanky, Ellie's eyes are glued to the TV, and Max has a few moments in his latest favorite costume. It's just a regular morning at our house while they prepare themselves for the day, each in their own ways.

Last night I had a box of clothes arrive and spent time getting the kids to try things on. The girls put theirs on and they admire themselves and their pretty clothes. Max, puts his clothes on and takes on different poses that could be straight out of wrestling movies! He's a fun boy.

I have a little belief that I'd like to live life like a Tigger! I feel Max is my Tigger most days, especially the mornings after a good nights sleep!

Ellie Rocks School

I'm so proud of how Ellie does in school. She has had great, perfect report cards this year. Here's a sample of her most recent progress report.

Way to go Ellie!