Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
First Day of School
Watch out, Kindergarten! Here I come!!!
I've been waiting for this day all summer long!!
Beautiful Backpacks from Auntie Heidi!
Here's to the first day of Kindergarten & First Grade - Do you think everyone is ready for us?????
Friday, August 28, 2009
we're at the pool so mom can post
Summer has been flying by! This picture is from a month ago at Juliette's lollipop meet. She had a fever of 101.5, but her mother convinced her to swim anyway. Only one week of summer left-we will be sad to see it go!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
What about me???????
The summer of 2009 will officially go down as the "What about ME?" summer.
These girls are lovely (slightly indulged) delightful and fun. One huge glaring flaw-thanks to human nature-is a focus on themselves when it comes to praise. Lately, no complement can be paid to either without the other piping up "What about me?"
Now, this is where it gets tricky.
Both are special in their own way and as a parent you want to be fair but you also want to recognize their uniqueness. The "what about me?"s plays the fair against the unique.
Is it a play for equality?
Is it the green eyed monster longing for attention?
Is it simply sin nature wanting a focus on what is good about them not the other?
My gut tells me it could be any of the three depending on the situation.
Regardless, as a parent it is challenging to combat! My gut also tells me it isn't going to get any easier.
These girls are lovely (slightly indulged) delightful and fun. One huge glaring flaw-thanks to human nature-is a focus on themselves when it comes to praise. Lately, no complement can be paid to either without the other piping up "What about me?"
Now, this is where it gets tricky.
Both are special in their own way and as a parent you want to be fair but you also want to recognize their uniqueness. The "what about me?"s plays the fair against the unique.
Is it a play for equality?
Is it the green eyed monster longing for attention?
Is it simply sin nature wanting a focus on what is good about them not the other?
My gut tells me it could be any of the three depending on the situation.
Regardless, as a parent it is challenging to combat! My gut also tells me it isn't going to get any easier.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
We are back!
We're back from NH. 
Everyone had a good time w/Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Heidi and Uncle Howard. This week we've been hosting NH and Indiana friends and next week will be friends from Georgia. Who ever knew this summer would be so busy!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The first full day of summer has begun!
We've put on a little crazy and are ready to go!!!
With thanks to Auntie Heidi, who supplied our hats to hide our bed heads!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Random quotes from the first afternoon of summer
"Moooommm!!
I told her nicely that I was using that room and she needed to get out, but she won't leave!!!"
----
"Are you taking us out to lunch? It IS the last day of school!"
----
"I won't see ANYONE ALL SUMMER." (I counter with a name) "Besides them" (I offer another name, "Besides them too!"
----
"Now that school is over, what are we doing tomorrow??"
I told her nicely that I was using that room and she needed to get out, but she won't leave!!!"
----
"Are you taking us out to lunch? It IS the last day of school!"
----
"I won't see ANYONE ALL SUMMER." (I counter with a name) "Besides them" (I offer another name, "Besides them too!"
----
"Now that school is over, what are we doing tomorrow??"
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Zooming to the end
Life has been going at breakneck speed lately. It is the last week of preschool forever and it is unsettling to reflect that Evie's first days there were barrelling down the hall into Juliette's 2 1/2 year old class not content to drop her off but wanting to stay too.
Juliette's teacher nicknamed Evie "Snowball" back then, because that is what Juliette called her one day. So, almost four years later, Snowball is barrelling into LW excited about what Kindergarten will bring her and saying goodbye to her friends from the past three classes.
So far, she has received 2 declarations of intentions. There are two boys in her class who've decided she is good life-partner material. It is understandable they would consider her, because she is as good at sports as they are, and really what more could you ask for?
She's participated in about 6 billion art projects, including building and painting a 4 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex this year, and yet she is always ready for the next project.
She's climbed to the top of the jungle gym, learned how to pump her swing, learned to do the balance beam backward, and most importantly exhibited great compassion on those who may have had mishaps attempting the same.
She's learned the alphabet, how to kind of count to 100, sung in concerts, and participated in art shows.
Goodbye preschool.
These were some good times, but Snowball is ready to move on and conquer new things.
Juliette's teacher nicknamed Evie "Snowball" back then, because that is what Juliette called her one day. So, almost four years later, Snowball is barrelling into LW excited about what Kindergarten will bring her and saying goodbye to her friends from the past three classes.
So far, she has received 2 declarations of intentions. There are two boys in her class who've decided she is good life-partner material. It is understandable they would consider her, because she is as good at sports as they are, and really what more could you ask for?
She's participated in about 6 billion art projects, including building and painting a 4 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex this year, and yet she is always ready for the next project.
She's climbed to the top of the jungle gym, learned how to pump her swing, learned to do the balance beam backward, and most importantly exhibited great compassion on those who may have had mishaps attempting the same.
She's learned the alphabet, how to kind of count to 100, sung in concerts, and participated in art shows.
Goodbye preschool.
These were some good times, but Snowball is ready to move on and conquer new things.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
What do I do with this?
There are two things in my life that I love more than my husband or children. They are, in order of importance:
- Georgetown Cupcake
- Hellburger
Imagine I have a rare moment to myself in the car this evening and am listening to Marketplace on NPR (never tolerated w/my regular companions) and hear that the President and the Vice President went out for their weekly lunch to a (unnamed) northern Virginia burger place.
My heart drops. I know that if it is northern VA it has to be 1. Arlington or Alexandria and 2. there is a reason they aren't naming it.
I know it is Hellburger. I had Bruce confirm it when I walked through the door.
You ask - why is this a problem? Well, because Hellburger is special. Hellburger is busy from the minute it opens and has lines out the door. The burgers are spectacular - this is from someone who prefers to eat little to no red meat. I can't imagine a choice where Hellburger would be offered and I would turn it down, unless I'd been there two times a week for a month straight. Considering my life circumstances-this clearly doesn't happen.
Now, on the one hand, I'm glad for Hellburger. The chef is passionate about his food and it shows in every element of everything he makes. The President and Vice President deserve to eat food that good, and Hellburger deserves the press.
But I am sad for me! And really, isn't it all about me???
Mom, this means we'll need to get there a half hour prior to opening from here on.
And if we can't get in, we'll console ourselves w/a chocolate coconut cupcake from you know where!!!
- Georgetown Cupcake
- Hellburger
Imagine I have a rare moment to myself in the car this evening and am listening to Marketplace on NPR (never tolerated w/my regular companions) and hear that the President and the Vice President went out for their weekly lunch to a (unnamed) northern Virginia burger place.
My heart drops. I know that if it is northern VA it has to be 1. Arlington or Alexandria and 2. there is a reason they aren't naming it.
I know it is Hellburger. I had Bruce confirm it when I walked through the door.
You ask - why is this a problem? Well, because Hellburger is special. Hellburger is busy from the minute it opens and has lines out the door. The burgers are spectacular - this is from someone who prefers to eat little to no red meat. I can't imagine a choice where Hellburger would be offered and I would turn it down, unless I'd been there two times a week for a month straight. Considering my life circumstances-this clearly doesn't happen.
Now, on the one hand, I'm glad for Hellburger. The chef is passionate about his food and it shows in every element of everything he makes. The President and Vice President deserve to eat food that good, and Hellburger deserves the press.
But I am sad for me! And really, isn't it all about me???
Mom, this means we'll need to get there a half hour prior to opening from here on.
And if we can't get in, we'll console ourselves w/a chocolate coconut cupcake from you know where!!!
Monday, May 04, 2009
thank goodness for glue guns
We read the Lauren Child Princess and the Pea book and were inspired to make beds and comforters and pillows for our friends.About an hour in we whipped out the glue gun. Much much better.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Internet - Friend or Foe?
Back in the olden days before the web, when I had poison ivy I'd go to the drug store and get something somebody recommended.
Now I have poison ivy and I go to google and check home remedies.
Here is what I found.
1. Rub straight bleach on it.
2. Rub salt on it
3. Rub vicks vapo rub on it.
Tried the first two. No difference. If anything, I've ended up with bleach in my body (having been absorbed by the sores) in pain, and my poison ivy is spreading.
At what point does one become an idiot for using the internet as a resource? I fear I might have just crossed that line....
Now I have poison ivy and I go to google and check home remedies.
Here is what I found.
1. Rub straight bleach on it.
2. Rub salt on it
3. Rub vicks vapo rub on it.
Tried the first two. No difference. If anything, I've ended up with bleach in my body (having been absorbed by the sores) in pain, and my poison ivy is spreading.
At what point does one become an idiot for using the internet as a resource? I fear I might have just crossed that line....
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I want to be a doctor
Conversation in the car last night with Evie.
Evie: "Mommy, I want to be a doctor. That is a good job and I know how to do it.
I don't want to be a teacher. Being a teacher wears you out."
Me: "Is that what Mrs. Gracia says?"
Evie: "No, but I can tell."
Evie: "Mommy, I want to be a doctor. That is a good job and I know how to do it.
I don't want to be a teacher. Being a teacher wears you out."
Me: "Is that what Mrs. Gracia says?"
Evie: "No, but I can tell."
Thank you for reporting this problem
It is 5:49 am. I don't want to be up right now, but I am.
So why not get some work done, right?
So I spent the last half hour of reviewing and sorting staff into org charts and had just begun re-orienting a work flow chart.
Microsoft has experienced an error and must shut down. Would you like to send an error report?
NO! I want my work back. DON'T Shut down. Live just five more seconds for me to save my (admittedly mindnumbing) work.
White screen.
Message: This program is not responding.
Would you like to report this error to Microsoft?
Thank you for reporting this problem....
Feel my pain.
So why not get some work done, right?
So I spent the last half hour of reviewing and sorting staff into org charts and had just begun re-orienting a work flow chart.
Microsoft has experienced an error and must shut down. Would you like to send an error report?
NO! I want my work back. DON'T Shut down. Live just five more seconds for me to save my (admittedly mindnumbing) work.
White screen.
Message: This program is not responding.
Would you like to report this error to Microsoft?
Thank you for reporting this problem....
Feel my pain.
Friday, March 06, 2009
FOF
Dear Readers-
Please accept this as an official apology for my tone toward Facebook in my last post.
It is nice to hear from so many of you!
In order to promote a more tolerant world, I retract my hostile facebook rant. Please consider me a Friend of Facebook (FOF).
Sincerely yours.
Jennifer
(But I still won't join!)
Please accept this as an official apology for my tone toward Facebook in my last post.
It is nice to hear from so many of you!
In order to promote a more tolerant world, I retract my hostile facebook rant. Please consider me a Friend of Facebook (FOF).
Sincerely yours.
Jennifer
(But I still won't join!)
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Prosthelytizing
Leave me alone you Facebook freaks.
It is bad enough you track down your college freshman roommate from 20 years ago and want to tell me the details, but now you are tracking down mutual friends and making me go out on family dates with them.
Another friend used facebook to track down an Australian tourist who left his camera in a cab. Camera and owner were successfully reunited in Melbourne via third party.
These are wonderful stories of human connections.
But, don't you know I just want to be left alone?
Everyone I want to keep in touch with - I ALREADY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
Yes, there are exceptions. They are minimal and don't keep me from leading a happy life.
Probably all of the people who've fallen out of contact have made the choice to do so and I'm too clueless to realize it. It would be lovely to run into the friend, but unless I happen to run into them on the street it really doesn't need to happen. I prefer to give dear friends and acquaintances their space if they want it. I know I want mine.
My choice is final. Facebook is not for me.
Feel free to share your anecdotes about how you are best friends again with that girl from kindergarten, but leave me alone about joining.
Please let me live in my blissful "unfriended" anonymity.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
(no last names please! Someone might find me!!!!)
It is bad enough you track down your college freshman roommate from 20 years ago and want to tell me the details, but now you are tracking down mutual friends and making me go out on family dates with them.
Another friend used facebook to track down an Australian tourist who left his camera in a cab. Camera and owner were successfully reunited in Melbourne via third party.
These are wonderful stories of human connections.
But, don't you know I just want to be left alone?
Everyone I want to keep in touch with - I ALREADY KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
Yes, there are exceptions. They are minimal and don't keep me from leading a happy life.
Probably all of the people who've fallen out of contact have made the choice to do so and I'm too clueless to realize it. It would be lovely to run into the friend, but unless I happen to run into them on the street it really doesn't need to happen. I prefer to give dear friends and acquaintances their space if they want it. I know I want mine.
My choice is final. Facebook is not for me.
Feel free to share your anecdotes about how you are best friends again with that girl from kindergarten, but leave me alone about joining.
Please let me live in my blissful "unfriended" anonymity.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
(no last names please! Someone might find me!!!!)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Snow
We got the suprise snow storm on Sunday/Monday. Here is Juliette getting ready for her out door recess today (18 degrees - shiver!) Julie Christie anyone?
Evie is also ready to go, but can't because she is sick. Cough, fever, but you'd never know by this picture!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Art
We hosted the first annual Juliette and Evie 's Art (Ot) Gallery here yesterday afternoon. Since it happened on such short notice, we determined it would be nice to give you the opportunity to participate virtually.
All items will be up for bid next Monday during the contemporary art auction at Sotheby's.
Clear directions to the facilities are a critical component for many guests.
We live in a label-conscious culture.
This contributor enjoys the performing arts as well.
The elusive artist.
All items will be up for bid next Monday during the contemporary art auction at Sotheby's.
Clear directions to the facilities are a critical component for many guests.
We live in a label-conscious culture.
This contributor enjoys the performing arts as well.
The elusive artist.
Friday, February 06, 2009
OT - Pop Culture Notes
What with the subscription to Entertainment Weekly, why not talk books? It is one of the list of seven things I can do with my leg elevated. (What are the other six? Movies, Eating, Painting, Pearls, Puzzles, Games). I can't clean, cook, do laundry. At least that is what I am claiming while Mom is here. Once a youngest child, always a youngest child...
Books I've read since breaking my leg-I've averaged three a week, but I can't think of them all. If I can't think of it, it doesn't mean they are bad, it just means I'm forgetful.
Outliers, Sense and Sensibility, Love the One You are With, Better, Gilead, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, The Painted Veil, Time Traveler's Wife, If Today Be Sweet, and The Beach House.
Some of these are not worth mentioning. Others are definitely worth a mention. When you read books, do you think about whether the author would make a good dinner guest? I do.
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell. Such an intellectually curious man. I love reading his stuff and watching him in interviews. Definitely on the short list for who to have over for dinner for a good conversation.
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen. Addicted to Jane right now. You can always be assured of a happy outcome. This IS cheating knowing the ending will be happy, but with a broken leg that has to be elevated, I don't care. Jane is not on the list for interesting dinner guests. Don't know why, might have something to do with shyness and or pretention.
Love the One You are With - Emily somebody. Skip. Not invited to dinner or even coffee.
Better - Atul Gawande. A follow up to his first book, Complications (which I really liked). I liked Better. Not at first, but it grew on me. Atul is also on the short list for interesting dinner guests. His intellectual curiousity applied to his profession gives the reader tons of insight into the complicated world of medicine today.
Gilead - Marilynn Robinson. This was THE book two years ago. I tried to read it then and was too tired with the chicklets to not fall asleep. This time I made it through. Beautifully written. It is not for everyone. Marilynn doesn't get to come to dinner. I know this doesn't seem fair but it has to do with her prose, it is complicated and requires a great deal of concentration. I really don't feel like concentrating that hard right now.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - author?. This was another reattempt. I have a really bright friend whose wife is an aspiring author. I had trouble the first time, but now that I have hours, I was able to focus. FASCINATING story about a Hmong family with a severely epileptic daughter navigating the U.S. medical system. Hopeful and tragic both. Alternate dinner guest.
The Beach House - author?. Skip unless you are at the beach. No other reason to read, except it makes you want to move to the beach. Only invited to dinner if my invitation will get me an invitation to nantucket. Yes, this is shallow - it comes with the Entertainment Weekly subscription.
Time Traveler's Wife - author? Title says it all. Really liked elements of this book. Other elements seemed strange and out of character. Anyone this creative gets to come to dinner.
If Today Be Sweet - author? Good story about a women trying to decide whether to leave her life in India after the death of her husband and start over with her son and dil in Ohio. Compassionate look at grief and family. Invited to dinner. Asked to bring appetizer.
The Painted Veil - Somerset Maugham. Maugham is the author of one of my favorite books. It is easy to love his work. A fascinating, gifted author - this book has the same effect on me as War and Peace - during which I constantly say, " just one more chapter, and then I'll put it down." Definitely invited to dinner.
Next up - River of Doubt - another one I failed to finish the first time. So Brave, So Young, So Handsome, The Zookeepers Wife, The Story of Marriage, and The Reason for God. Stay tuned for more dinner invitations.
Books I've read since breaking my leg-I've averaged three a week, but I can't think of them all. If I can't think of it, it doesn't mean they are bad, it just means I'm forgetful.
Outliers, Sense and Sensibility, Love the One You are With, Better, Gilead, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, The Painted Veil, Time Traveler's Wife, If Today Be Sweet, and The Beach House.
Some of these are not worth mentioning. Others are definitely worth a mention. When you read books, do you think about whether the author would make a good dinner guest? I do.
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell. Such an intellectually curious man. I love reading his stuff and watching him in interviews. Definitely on the short list for who to have over for dinner for a good conversation.
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen. Addicted to Jane right now. You can always be assured of a happy outcome. This IS cheating knowing the ending will be happy, but with a broken leg that has to be elevated, I don't care. Jane is not on the list for interesting dinner guests. Don't know why, might have something to do with shyness and or pretention.
Love the One You are With - Emily somebody. Skip. Not invited to dinner or even coffee.
Better - Atul Gawande. A follow up to his first book, Complications (which I really liked). I liked Better. Not at first, but it grew on me. Atul is also on the short list for interesting dinner guests. His intellectual curiousity applied to his profession gives the reader tons of insight into the complicated world of medicine today.
Gilead - Marilynn Robinson. This was THE book two years ago. I tried to read it then and was too tired with the chicklets to not fall asleep. This time I made it through. Beautifully written. It is not for everyone. Marilynn doesn't get to come to dinner. I know this doesn't seem fair but it has to do with her prose, it is complicated and requires a great deal of concentration. I really don't feel like concentrating that hard right now.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - author?. This was another reattempt. I have a really bright friend whose wife is an aspiring author. I had trouble the first time, but now that I have hours, I was able to focus. FASCINATING story about a Hmong family with a severely epileptic daughter navigating the U.S. medical system. Hopeful and tragic both. Alternate dinner guest.
The Beach House - author?. Skip unless you are at the beach. No other reason to read, except it makes you want to move to the beach. Only invited to dinner if my invitation will get me an invitation to nantucket. Yes, this is shallow - it comes with the Entertainment Weekly subscription.
Time Traveler's Wife - author? Title says it all. Really liked elements of this book. Other elements seemed strange and out of character. Anyone this creative gets to come to dinner.
If Today Be Sweet - author? Good story about a women trying to decide whether to leave her life in India after the death of her husband and start over with her son and dil in Ohio. Compassionate look at grief and family. Invited to dinner. Asked to bring appetizer.
The Painted Veil - Somerset Maugham. Maugham is the author of one of my favorite books. It is easy to love his work. A fascinating, gifted author - this book has the same effect on me as War and Peace - during which I constantly say, " just one more chapter, and then I'll put it down." Definitely invited to dinner.
Next up - River of Doubt - another one I failed to finish the first time. So Brave, So Young, So Handsome, The Zookeepers Wife, The Story of Marriage, and The Reason for God. Stay tuned for more dinner invitations.
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