Mayhew Mayhem

Today I hugged a student

2010-12-21T19:07:00.000-05:00

There is a cardinal rule against such things, but today I hugged a student.

Nate. His name is Nate. I can't state his last name here, for obvious reasons, but I wanted his first name to be heard (or read, as the case may be).

When I started teaching 9th grade English - late, at the end of September - my long-term sub told me Nate was a loud-mouth, a troublemaker who talked all class long. I came in, ready to face off, to get him under control.

But my experience with Nate turned out to be quite opposite from the sub's, and Nate was doing very well in my class before he suddenly vanished in mid-November. At first, I thought he was sick, and then I received the now-dreaded email from Guidance. Nate was going to be out long-term, and did I have any work he could do from afar? I did, and sent home a few assignments. No rumors flew until last week, when another student - a friend of Nate's - told me he was transferring to another high school because he had been bullied.

I was - and remain - shocked. Nate doesn't seem the type to be on the receiving end of such behavior, but then again, I guess there IS no type when it comes to being bullied. Bullies want a reaction... and reactions grants them the power to bully more.

It turns out Nate (in addition to in-school bullying) had been followed home and harassed to the point where he tried to commit suicide. He told me that he was then institutionalized until quite recently, and his transfer to another local high school was impending.

Nate came in today to return his 9th grade English textbook. I was showing my class a movie, and he crept in under cover of darkness. Without even thinking, I jumped up and hugged him. Our loss is their gain, I told him. He told me about the bullying; it turns out that two of the propagators are students in other classes of mine. I told him the world needs more kids like him, and fewer like them. I really didn't know what to say, except that I would miss him.

And so off went Nate, hopefully to better climes. And not only will I miss him, I will have to face two students who I know contributed to his absence.

Teaching 9th graders

2010-12-02T15:18:00.003-05:00

Two curious things happened on Monday with my students - 135 9th grade English students (honors, regular, and basic). Something curious happens every day, come to think of it, but Monday's episodes were extra interesting.

I typically arrive at school by 8:30 (classes start at 9:00 - gotta love this late-start high school!), and typically, a pile of students follow me - like a herd - from the hallway into my room. They linger until the first bell rings, chatting and catching up on homework. When the first bell rings, they scurry off to their classes (if they aren't in my first block class that day). During pre-school (preschool?) lingering on Monday, I caught one of my students copying homework from a completed homework worksheet onto his own empty one.

This was the first day back from a week-long holiday... so he had been given PLENTY of time to complete this small project. At the time I noticed the cheating, I was standing next to his desk and chatting with him, and then I looked down. "P.L., are you copying someone's homework?? Right *next* to me? While sitting next to the teacher's DESK???"

He looks up, mouth hanging open, and says, "I didn't think you'd care!" Zowie. My school considers such things to be honor code violations, so naturally I had to tell his history teacher. The history teacher told the principal, the kids got phone calls home, and both the copy-er and the copy-ee got in trouble. The kid who was copying later looked me in the eye and said, "I thought you were a bro, man! Bros always have each other's backs!!" Trust me when I say I didn't know what to say to that... I just laughed out loud.

To end that day, a student from my 8th block class showed up in my 7th block class... except that I didn't notice he wasn't supposed to be in that class. He was sitting off in one corner, chatting (which he normally doesn't do), and I kept asking him to keep it down. Kind of realizing that he wasn't sitting in his normal seat, I kept looking back to where he was supposed to be sitting, but it was occupied by other students. Then, halfway through class, he got up and left - which also didn't seem weird to me. It took me hours to realize he wasn't supposed to be there; another student actually had to point it out to me. All I have to say is, he must really like The House on Mango Street, because that's what we are reading right now and he got to study part of it twice!

Silly kids.

Camp Mayhew, Day 1

2010-08-02T19:57:00.000-04:00

Hello strangers!

Long time no blog. My Masters classes at GMU ended about two weeks ago, and only now has my desire to blog returned. I have had no time to do anything since January, and blogging completely fell off the radar. But I am done with my GMU classes for the summer, my pulse is returning to normal, and my need for communication has been reawakened!

First update: I am getting my M.Ed. to teach secondary school English. As we speak, my provisional license paperwork is in the hands of the Commonwealth, and my official documents should arrive soon. Then I can get a full-time teaching job! The license covers grades 6-12. I had an interview about 1.5 weeks ago at Farmwell Station Middle School (Ashburn) very "teacher-ish" throughout. That said, if they interview someone with similar credentials to me - but that person has had a year of teaching - they would likely be hired before me. What a cruel world!

Second update: Rory & Fiona are home with me for the entire month of August. I am calling it "Camp Mayhew," and we have plenty of fun activities and vacations planned! Today was Day 1, and let's just say it got off to a rough start. I don't know how these full-timers do it. Is there training? I feel like I need shock therapy. Fiona was full of vim and vigor for much of the day, and nearly pestered Rory and me into submission. As I type, there is a large margarita next by my side. Tequila is life-giving.

Third update: Craig is in Arizona doing work for v3 Imaging, with whom he has been working for 2+ years. He left on 26 July (Rory's 5th birthday), and likely won't be back until 8/14. Oy. If only Amazon shipped tequila!

TTY tomorrow!

And did I mention?

2010-03-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

One reason I have been too busy to blog is that I am in a Master's program at GMU to get a degree in secondary education. In English! Teaching writing, reading, literature - you name it! Classes started in January, and I am in heaven... despite the copious amounts of work. And I do mean copious. Enjoyable, but copious!

I have never taken Master's-level classes before, and have thus far noticed two distinct differences. First, every single person in each class is SO plugged in, literally hanging on the professor's every word. In undergrad, not everyone in your classes was totally "into" the topic, so to speak. Even business majors had to take English, right? But now, it is radically different (read: awesome and inspiring). And fun! And relevant!

The second big difference is that the professors seem to treat you differently at this level. You're not just a young punk trying to get a degree. You're often working, raising a family, AND going to school. So not to say they let some things slide, but they let you make your own decisions. Kinda radical!

Man, do I stink!

2010-03-02T15:23:00.002-05:00

Not from body odor. At blogging! I think FB has ruined me. Following is a picture of my three peeps on Fiona's third birthday (2/13). Aren't they cute as the dickens??

Christmas Tree & First Snow, 2009

2009-12-05T16:47:00.005-05:00

This is our first tree ever! After eight years of marriage (during which we spent most holidays in New England), we decided that 2009 was the year to buy a tree. The girls are old enough not to decimate it TOO much, and as for the four cats... well, we shall see! The tree is currently ensconced on the deck (being snowed on as we speak), and we will put it up sometime next week. We won't decorate it for a few days, to get furry (and non-furry) children accustomed to its presence, and then we will go wild. BTW, we bought our tree at the Herndon "Elvis" lot. The tree seller has been there, with that same sign, for like 22 years, and the sign cracks me up every year, sad to say.

As for the snow, well, this was our first of the year (early for VA!), and it is a pile of wet, sticky wonderment. Perfect for snowballs and snowmen! And perfect for two little girls. =)

The Gate Comes Down

2009-11-22T13:53:00.004-05:00

Big progress to report in the Mayhew household! This afternoon, Craig removed the baby gate at the top of the main stairs (the stairs leading onto the main level of the townhouse). The wooden structure, hand-designed/built by a neighbor to keep their child from tumbling down into the basement, has been a mainstay until quite recently.

Rory is almost 4.5, and Fiona is coming up on 3, and the gate started seeming superfluous. Moreover, it started becoming annoying - just another thing to thwart me from easily bringing groceries up to the kitchen.

The cats - and the girls - barely know what to do with the extra space.

The New Subaru

2009-11-19T13:46:00.000-05:00

Here we have the newest Mayhew family member (I am talking about the car, in case that wasn't clear). It is a 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium, charcoal gray, 6-speed manual. It has a sunroof and a 6-disc CD changer (so the girls and I can both have music queued up and ready to go). I am in heaven. I love it. I love driving a stick again (as crazy as that sounds), and the car has plenty of room for the family and all our accoutrement.

Fiona was with me throughout the entire buying process (much of which is quite boring). I took this picture so in seven years - when she is almost ten years old - we can look back and enjoy the fact that I have had the same car ALL that time.

I am just so tickled with how well the car drives. I think its name is going to be Nigel, but I will formally decide after driving to Connecticut for Thanksgiving.

Bye Bye Minivan

2009-11-13T18:27:00.003-05:00

This morning, I sold my Honda minivan to Carmax. It served me very well during the early years of the girls' lives... when the sliding doors were crucial to actually *getting* them into the car; when the back space held two strollers (one single, one double); when car storage was critical in terms of holding the various stuff that mothers schlep (pack and plays, diapers, you name it).

But those days are behind us, and I never really loved the car. I felt very conspicuous in it... like a MINIVAN driver. Plus, it was my first automatic, and I found it very confusing not to reach for the clutch. Plus, it weighed 4500 lbs and was difficult (for me) to stop. Plus, we only have two kids AND much less stuff to drag around now that they're older. Plus...well, let's just say I never really loved the car.

Wait - there IS another plus. I needed to lower my car payment. Dramatically. And how.

So today I returned to land of Subaru. I bought a 2010 Subaru Outback, 6-speed manual. My car lives in South Carolina at the moment, and is being driven to Virginia early next week. In the meantime, I have a loaner (same breed, but an automatic) to get me by.

I am thrilled to have lowered my payments, and I feel less horrible to the environment at the same time. This car has better mileage, and weighs more than a thousand pounds less. Nice.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T17:21:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween 2009! The girls picked out their costumes months ago - Captain Hook for Rory and the ever-stalking crocodile for Fiona - and they were VERY ready for trick or treating. It was raining here in Herndon, but a little precipitation wasn't going to stop us! Umbrella-free and determined, we went through our entire neighborhood and had a blast. The girls' candy bags got a bit heavy toward the end, and I was left carrying the loot - and what a pile of loot they got. Considering they don't eat candy all that often, I figure it will take them almost until *next* Halloween to finish it off.

Two girls hugging a wacky pumpkin

Captain Hook & the Fearsome Crocodile (tick tock, tick tock!!)

Dadbot & his girls

Chowing down on pirate booty in the back of the car

Happy sugar-laden beasts!

Stayin' alive...

2009-10-23T13:44:00.002-04:00

Yes, I am still alive - but I have morphed into a lame blogger! It's just that I have been crazy busy since mid-August: taking mini trips, studying for three hideous exams that might help me gain entrance into George Mason University, pestering friends to write recommendations for said program, hanging with the family, working as a contractor for Craig's company, being a stay-at-home mom with Fiona on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and so on.

I know I have been a lame blogger, and I promise to be better. As such, I will now post some pictures from our recent trip to Saratoga Springs, NY! I will backdate the post, so that this lame apology stays at the top of the flow. =>

Fun in Saratoga, Springs, NY!

2009-10-17T13:48:00.000-04:00

On Columbus Day weekend, the girls and I drove to Saratoga to visit one of my Hartwick roommates, Karey Hall Trimmings, and her wonderful family. She and her husband, John (also a Wick alum) have three kids: Emma is 10, Jack is 7 (almost 8), and Sarah is 5. We had a wonderful, fun-filled weekend full of pumpkins, laughter, and apples. A perfect Fall weekend in New York State!

Karey is an accomplished singer and music teacher, for those who don't know her. She was accepted into Julliard for undergrad, but she had to turn them down. They didn't give her any monetary assistance, and as the oldest child of five, the family couldn't swing the costs involved. Hartwick, on the contrary, gave Karey a free ride. She has since received a Master's in music performance & education from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. She uses music in her work every day. Karey is a voice teacher with many private students. She has children's music classes for her business, For the Love of Music, and we were lucky enough to attend one while there. She sings with her chuch's youth band (she is the Paul Shaffer of the band). She sings at numerous weddings (and some funerals). She is quite well known in the Saratoga arts community, and she is worth every red cent.

And now for some pictures!

Karey's wonderful music class for children

Crazy roommates!

Karey's son, Jack (7)

Girls at the pumpkin farm! (Sarah, 5.5; Fiona, 2.5; Emma,10; Rory, 4)

Girls in an apple tree! (Emma, Sarah, Rory, Fiona - descending)

My little throwers

2009-08-31T17:46:00.003-04:00

While entertaining a neighbor for ten minutes, LOOK at what the girls did. They threw everything they could find - and then went up to their rooms to gather more - and flung it over the living room railing to the entryway a story below. Oh my. They were in hog heaven, squealing with laughter the entire time. I should have known they were up to no good. =>

Then, buzzkill that I am, I made them drag it all back upstairs, bit by bit.

Last day @ the pool

2009-08-31T17:39:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was the last pool day of the summer - sigh. Some of us are freckled (Laura), some of us are as white as ever (Rory), and some of us have gained a slight tan (Fiona). We spent nearly every Saturday and Sunday morning there from June through August, and it made the summer extra fun. Friends often joined us, and sometimes we even went twice in one day!

Girl screaming!

2009-08-21T18:48:00.002-04:00

Brace yourselves!

Humidity Sucks

2009-08-21T18:02:00.003-04:00

I acknowledge that by D.C. standards, 2009 has been a relatively humidity-free summer. Slightly cold and rainy in June, meek and mild in July - both very rare for these parts. And I have been so happy. In mid-July, I proclaimed this my favorite D.C. summer ever.

But these past few days have been horribly sticky. And to top it off, we have lost power in our house three times during this stretch - last night's episode lasted for 12 hours. The third level of our townhouse was super steamy, and the girls were both sweating like pigs by bedtime.

We tend to make the most of such power outages. We read books by flashlight, wear glow stick bracelets, and make fun shapes on the walls. But the high moisture level inside the house last night sucked the fun out of everything. I was so hot that I could only stand to read one book to the girls - mostly because I couldn't bear having them sit on my body.

By 9:00 pm, the power had been our for seven hours and the house was damp and lifeless. The power roared on with a jolt at 2:00 am (finally). Because we had set our fans to "low" before hitting the (sweaty) hay, the powering up was actually quite startling. But it was also immediately relieving, trust me.

Fiona cried much of the night, sweaty as a hog and unable to rest comfortably, so I kept her home from daycare with me. We had a lovely day, and she took a nice, long, 3-hour nap. =)

Brother Pat & Gordie Roberts

2009-08-20T10:27:00.005-04:00

Gordie, way back in the day, played defense for the New England/Hartford Whalers. The Whale drafted him when he was 17, and my dad became friends with him soon thereafter (my dad was friends with most guys on the team back then, which was downright magical to my sister and me). Their friendship has continued through Gordie's career: being traded away, retiring, coaching, and now, scouting for Montreal. His playing career was long, and he won the Stanley Cup while a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins back in the early 1990s.

Gordie was in Connecticut this past week, and spent the night with my dad and Patrick. The three of them had a blast. Gordie made my dad make him spaghetti & meatballs, begged him to play the guitar so they could sing together, and the next day, Pat & Gordie shot 9 holes of golf. They tied, 37 each. A great time was has by all!

Fiona @ 2.5

2009-07-29T10:47:00.002-04:00

My little baby is growing up! Donna H. took this picture at a friend's birthday party, and Fiona looks so grown-up in it! I love it.

She is in the midst of temper tantrum twos (TTTs) right now, so while I love her at this squishy, still-baby phase of her life, I am eager to bid her random acts of Two-ness goodbye! => Hah!

Do all parents think these things?

And now we have a 4-year old!

2009-07-26T22:23:00.002-04:00

It is an amazing thing, but we are now the proud owners of a four year old daughter. Zowie! Rory is thrilled to be four, and she woke up saying so. We had french toast for breakfast and opened some presents. She received fun mosiac art projects from Nana/Granddad, a Fraggle Rock DVD from Gramps & Liz R. & Uncle Pat, a giant stuffed dragon from Aunt Lizzie, and some live pet frogs from Grandma. We gave her a hippo Swatch, a book, and two DVDs. Fiona gave her some dinosaur Lego, which contains a T-Rex, Rory's favorite. The girls played T-Rex ("Mama!" "Baby!") all morning, running from end to end of the townhouse.

While Fiona napped and Grandma guarded her, Craig and I took Rory to see Up. Such a fantastic movie! The theater had a photo booth, so after the movie we jammed ourselves in and took some goofy birthday photos. Then the five of us went to Generous George's for pizza and dinosaur chicken. All this was followed by a hippo cake Grandma and I made. The girls delighted in dismantling the cake the *second* it was laid on the table. Hilarious! They even fed each other chunks of fondant.

What a girl Rory has grown into. She is funny, mostly fearless, hates loud noises (especially those emitted by her sister), loves pretend play, adores dragons and T-Rexes, could eat noodles until they came out of her ears, is addicted to books, loves it when I tell her bedtime stories, is a great (and mostly tolerant) big sister, and is very sweet and affectionate. Her current favorite movies include Peter Pan, The Land Before Time, Wall-E, and The Little Mermaid. Favorite books are whatever we're reading at that moment in time.

She is bringing gummy caterpillars into her class to share tomorrow. =)

Last picture as a 3-year old!

2009-07-25T23:20:00.001-04:00

Miss Rory, on her last night as a 3-year old! We were watching Peter Pan (the animated one from the 50s) at the time of this photo - both girls are in love with the crocodile, and his special "I love to eat Captain Hook" song. Doo do do do do, doo do do do do... and his bouncy eyeballs! We have several toy crocs, and Grandma bought them each a small stuffed one, and thet are figuring into a lot of our playtime nowadays.

Inaugural Stitches!

2009-07-09T15:25:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday morning, July 7, at about 8:15 am, Rory was horsing around and slid off the top of a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, popping open the back of her head. She fell smack dab onto a 1960s-era Fisher-Price barn, bought to commemorate her one-year birthday. It's the barn with the doors that "moo" when you open them. Apparently there are rough corners on its gambrel roof, because Rory wound up with a 3/4" cut that required stitches.

So off we went to the local urgent care clinic for our first-ever kid stitches! She received four, one for each year of her life, and the doctor and nurses were wonderful with her. The nurse asked her how the accident had happened, and Rory said, "I fell off the top of the car." Then was when I intervened and said, "a toy car in the living room" (as opposed to the top of my car in the driveway... someone call CPS!).

Right before we arrived at the clinic, a woman had given birth right outside their doors... how exciting! The staff couldn't stop talking about it. As for Rory, she was great during the entire medical process, and only cried when they gave her some shots of novacaine in/around the cut. What a toughie!

When we were done, Rory, Craig, and I went to Panera, where Ror ingested her very first chocolate croissant. She inhaled it. Apparently getting stitches makes one very hungry. Then we bought her a huge SpongeBob balloon, and Auntie Liz said Rory could open her birthday present a bit early. It was a giant, colorful, stuffed dragon that we named Mu Shu. He helped make the day great!!

Becoming another statistic (?)

2009-06-23T15:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday morning, after a fever-filled weekend with her hightest temp reaching 104, I took Rory to the doctor where she was diagnosed with influenza type A, which includes swine flu. As such, as are all now being treated as though we *have* swine flu. Rory is home all week - even if she is fever-free for 48 hours - because the thing about SF is that they don't know how long it is contagious. Good thing I became a different kind of statistic last week and got laid off, eh?

We are all currently slaves to Tamiflu, which ain't cheap, in case you're wondering. $200 to medicate the four of us, thank you for playing. And that's WITH the co-pay.

So Rory and I are hanging out at home, playing a lot of Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Candyland, and Chutes & Ladders, in between bouts of television, reading, and other toys. Her super-high fevers seem to be in the past, which is thankful. I hate watching my kids suffer through high fevers.

She is much more like her normal self today, and I would imagine tomorrow will be even better. Even still, we will be banned from entering the public sector. I am sure this makes me a very bad person, but I have to admit that we cheated this am. We went to Target to buy a few games, but don't worry - I didn't let her touch anything and I hosed off the cart once we were done.

Cabin fever!!

On becoming a statistic

2009-06-17T14:32:00.003-04:00

It actually feels quite peaceful thus far!

Yesterday, I was laid off. It wasn't traumatic (except for the one-week severance "package"), and it wasn't even sad. It was more along the lines of, "Oh. OK. See ya!" As the HR woman gave me her schpeil, I started envisioning being with the girls next to the pool we just joined - sunning and playing and frolicking. Summer is NOT a bad time to be laid off, methinks.

I spent the morning sponging free WiFi from my local Panera, sipping their dark roast and updating my LinkedIn page, submitting my info to Booz-Allen, and updating my resume. I was supposed to have a call with a local IT recruiter at 2:30, but I got her voicemail. In the meantime, my now-former company is likely to bring me back as a consultant to finish two short-term projects I was overseeing, so that would be helpful.

I have already learned something critical - if I expect to get work done and be productive, I need to go back to Panera. Being at home means one of two things: cats demanding love, or things demanding to be cleaned up.

Craig's birthday pics

2009-05-29T20:03:00.003-04:00

Happy 43rd birthday to Craig! We had a lovely dinner, some deliscious cake (decorated by small people, and no, I don't mean "little people), and then my husband played around with his party hats. He may hate me for posting these, but what can you do. =>

Nana hits the road

2009-05-27T15:37:00.007-04:00

Craig's mom (aka, Nana) visited for two weeks, and the girls were in hog heaven. Rory nicknamed her BOB (after one of the characters in Monsters vs. Aliens, with which she is currently obsessed), Fiona tottered around after her like she was the queen of England, and a great time was had by all! We like to encourage our relatives to visit as often as they like, and to stay as long as they like. Everyone wins! Until we live in New England, this will be the standing arrangement. So if you're reading this, feel free to come down!

With Nana in tow we went to an animal park, too many playgrounds to mention, and the girls spent many a spare moment blowing bubbles all over her and spraying her with squirt guns. What a sport! Craig and I even snuck out to see Star Trek (two thumbs up!).

We'll see you soon, Nana! We'll miss you!

Walk through the Whale - the door to the Whalers Gift Shop!

2009-05-20T20:00:00.005-04:00

MANY thanks to Hartford Whalers information guru (and lifelong fan, despite their defection), Steve G. As always, he came through in a pinch, and sent me this classic photo of the door that used to give me chills. I was always, ALWAYS thrilled to go to the Whalers Gift Shop (before and after games, to which my patient father can attest). I typically left with some small trinket in tow, and it was always the pinnacle of the night. =) Sigh!

For years, I longed for a green satin Whalers jacket. Never did get one. Maybe that's for the best!

Funny Rory comment

2009-05-19T15:07:00.003-04:00

Recently, a spider appeared on Fiona's side of the car, scaring her to pieces. She absolutely freaked out about it, which is very unlike her. The entire way home, Rory kept trying to comfort her by saying, "Don't worry, Fiona. I'll kill it when we get there."

How sweet. Maybe not too kind (to said spider), but I thought it was lovely of Rory to want to defend Fiona that way. Even by committing spidericide!

Note: the day after this incident, I saw said spider in the car. It was the size of a nickel, was hairy, and appeared quite menacing. Turns out it was also a jumper. I tried to capture it (capture being the first choice over murder), and it jumped away to hide. Sneaky little bugger. Later, my friend, Kevin, tried to crush it to death against my windshield using an Alex Ovechkin plastic hockey stick. Two minutes for roughing!!! We haven't seen it since.

TWO Rorys!!

2009-05-18T13:13:00.003-04:00

This weekend, we attended a kid's birthday party at one of those new-fangled bouncy houses, a place where kids bounce and jump around on any number of potentially hazardous (and certainly disease encrusted) apparatii. I was watching Rory hurtle headfirst down a huge slide when I heard a woman summoning her daughter, saying what I heard as "Rory, come on, let's go over here."

Rory is such an uncommon name, let alone on a girl. I had to know if I had been aurally hallucinating. Later, I sidled up to the woman and inquired as to the name of her younger daughter (certainly she thought I was a freakshow stalker). Bingo! Two Rorys at the same party!

And the same age, even! My Rory is barely three weeks older than the other Rory. Even weirder is that they both have Elizabeth as a middle name. That little tidbit guaranteed that the other mother and I would take pictures of the two Rorys, who kept happily greeting each other with, "Hi Rory!" "Hi Rory!" "Hi Rory!" "Hi Rory!" It was very amusing. They hugged a bunch, too. =)

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-11T13:34:00.004-04:00

This past weekend, the girls and I drove south to visit Hartwick friend Julie Gaden Lechner, her husband Paul, and their enchanting son, Jerry. Fun was had by all! Jerry and Rory had a sleepover party in his room, and even shared the air mattress on Saturday night. We had the monitor on in their room, and we could hear all of their adorable chit chat. So sweet! Their first slumber party, and it was co-ed! Way to go!

It was a lovely and relaxing visit. On Saturday morning, we packed up the kids and took them to the local butterfly museum (Oprah was there on Sunday - glad we chose Saturday!). Rory was desperate - and I am not overstating this - to have a butterfly land on her. We have a book called "Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly," and Rory really wanted to share the experience. I am sad to report that the hundreds of butterflies flitting to and fro voted not to alight on her outstretched arms. Next time, hopefully!

Many thanks to Paul and Julie for hosting us (and the excessive volume that accompanies us). They're wonderful, and we can't wait to go back!

Pics from Cinco de Mayhew

2009-05-06T22:32:00.005-04:00

Last night, we went to Picante, a delicious local Mexican joint, to celebrate our 7th anniversary. It was, as always, simply divine and we had a great time. They had live Mariachi players, to boot! On Cinco de Mayo, they also hand out free, homemade tamales, and we also got free t-shirts that say "I am Picante" on the back. Cool!

The children were hamming it up in these photos (how shocking), and get more precocious every day. Tonight, while putting her to bed, Rory asked me, "Why does Daddy's beard keep growing?" I guess he scratches her a bit - hah! I told her man beards grow all the time - nonstop. She seemed amazed. I should have told her he was growing a playoff beard!

Ole!

Happy Cinco de Mayhew!

2009-05-05T13:29:00.003-04:00

On this day in 2002, we got married at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. Seven years! I will post some pics later. =) I feel very lucky to have such a great family!

Worst picture of my dad ever

2009-04-22T19:05:00.004-04:00

This weekend, the girls and I visited my dad and brother in Gettysburg, PA, where Pat was visiting Gettysburg College. While investigating the free hotel toiletries, I came upon a shower cap, which I put on my dad's head. I then took what HAS to be the worst photograph of my father EVER. Looks like a coma patient just coming out of it.

To compensate, I added in good photo of Gramps from the trip, so you can see that he *can* look civilized... and usually does!

Enjoy (if you can!)

Rory quote of the day

2009-04-16T11:46:00.004-04:00

"I wish my butt had more skin so I could fight with it."

She uttered this pronouncement to me after using the bathroom and streaking back to her bedroom, where I waited with her day's clothes in hand. And please don't ask me what the above means; all I replied was, "That would be great!" =)

Pics from Lizzie's visit

2009-04-14T15:44:00.004-04:00

Aunt Lizzie visited us from Phoenix last weekend, and we had a blast! Two Caps hockey games, lots of crazy girl time, and loads of fun all the way around. I haven't yet downloaded all the pics, but here are a few. We can't wait to see her again!

St Patrick's Day pictures

2009-03-31T11:38:00.004-04:00

Yes, a wee bit late. Now that it is almost April! Please note the following about the picture of Craig and Fiona: I did not dress her (she created that glorious outfit all by herself). =>

Them's some straight bangs

2009-03-30T11:04:00.001-04:00

Here I am, imitating a Chinese boy. In a month, I will look civilized again. I hope. HAH!

New deck!

2009-03-25T14:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday it was "blessed" by Fairfax County! We are so excited. Isn't that a bit pitiful? Hah! We fully accept its pitifulness, and embrace it! Now I need to buy a grill...

Great Google banner today

2009-03-20T08:50:00.001-04:00

We love Eric Carle's books in our house, especiall The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Grandma & the girls

2009-03-19T18:20:00.002-04:00

Here is a super cute picture of Grandma, Rory, & Fiona. So happy together! => The girls have been asking for Grandma since I picked them up from daycare. They miss her already!

Did my NCAA men's bracket

2009-03-19T16:20:00.002-04:00

And as always, I have UCONN and UNC going to the final two. UCONN wins, in my non-NCAA-educated fantasy land, in every bracket I have done for the last decade. And sometimes that actually comes true.

I think some games are already finished (as of 4:21 pm EST), but I don't know for sure so my choices remain legitimate. =>

Facebook irritates me

2009-03-19T13:27:00.001-04:00

So much so that I haven't checked it all day. There are so many things about the redesign that make it both ugly and useless, and besides, FB was taking precious time away from my blogging life!

So I'm back, baby! No more cheating on blogger!

One week to "hair day"

2009-03-19T13:04:00.004-04:00

I blog about this every year, and I know no one cares. But in one short week, my life will again be dramatically altered... from high-maintenance hair to NO-maintenance hair. White girl FRO to white girl NO! And I can't wait!!

This is the fourth year in a row I have straightened my hair, and it is the best thing ever. And just in time for Spring (aka, no blow drying needed!). The procedure lasts for a year, more or less.

Above are the before and after pics from the first time I did this procedure. Notice how I look like Hermione Granger on steroids in the first shot. HAH! These pics really show the difference - more so than a picture NOW would, because now the bottom half of my hair still has the straightening from last time in tact. So the above picture is the last "true" shot of my hair since 2005.

My friend Julie

2009-03-11T15:07:00.002-04:00

Is vexed because I don't blog more. So here is a post! In the meantime, I encouraged her to join Facebook, which I use all the time and is where I have been posting lots of fun videos and pictures as of late.

Farewell to Dozer

2009-02-28T22:20:00.000-05:00

This morning, my sister's sweet dog, Dozer, left us. He had been diagnosed with a sarcoma about four weeks ago, and Liz spent these few weeks giving him lots of TLC. After the doctors removed fluid from his pericardium at the time of diagnosis, Dozer was given a temporary lease on life - and had a good, happy four weeks. He was eating, playing, following Liz around the house - you name it. Slower, but otherwise normal.

On Friday night, Liz took Doz for a short walk to visit her neighbor, and he was absolutely exhausted afterwards, and had trouble breathing. He slept for four straight hours in the same spot, which was very unlike him. Liz called her ex-husband, Doug, and they made a plan to take Dozer to the vet first thing Saturday morning to end his suffering. And what timing they had.

On Saturday morning, Liz and Doug got Dozer into the vet's office, told the employees why they were there, and the doctor went off to ready everything. In the meantime, Dozer laid down on the office floor, and Liz sat down and pulled him over to he (he was a wonderful, immobile speedbump throughout his life). He took two breaths, and passed away peacefully.

We are very sad for Liz, but are happy that Dozer left this life as peacefully as he did. He will be very. very missed!

My ugly, ugly blog

2009-02-24T14:58:00.003-05:00

I am working on it. This is what is in place until I apply some artistic genius to this rag! => Be patient... it may get uglier before it gets better!

Where Rory came from

2009-02-21T21:28:00.003-05:00

Tonight, as I was telling Rory a bedtime story (typically involve Digit, who can escape the house and have wonderful adventures due to the benefit of having extra toes, which she uses to open the front door), Rory said something highly amusing (though she was dead serious).

First she asked where we got her (like the dog pound?). I answered, "from my belly!" And she said, "No, you got me at the girl store! You put me in a bag and brought me home!"

I decided not to argue. She was very insistent. =>

Another funny Roger-ism

2009-02-20T14:41:00.003-05:00

From another saved email. Roger had such a silly sense of humor. And for the record, he did become a published author, thereby avoiding the fate he mentions below.

"When you're 15, you think you know everything; when you're 50 or 60, you've saved a few bucks and mastered the essential skills of living in an increasingly complex world (e.g., get your kids to program your remote for you). Then a few years later it hits you: I won't be around much longer and it won't make the slightest difference whether I'm a published author after my circuits shut off one by one and the blood pools in my lower extremities. 'Looks like he'd been watching a re-run of The Apprentice, detective. Just bored to death, I reckon. That would place time of death around 10:00 pm last Friday. Just scoop him into the body bag as best you can; these TV cases are pretty messy.'"

One year

2009-02-19T09:11:00.005-05:00

One year ago, my stepfather Roger left us. It is kind of amazing to think that an entire year has passed. I am sure my mom and Roger's daughter, Lerryn, would agree. It seems like just yesterday, and at the same time it seems like much longer. It seems this way with everything in life, kind of.

My mom and Lerryn are scattering Roger's ashes in the Bay area today, one of his favorite areas in the world, and the place he called home for decades. Born in England, Roger moved to the U.S. in high school. What I miss most is his truly marvelous sense of humor, and his big laugh. He loved to laugh, and had a doozie. It filled a room, and I can hear it now. => Roger was a scholar, was always curious about the world around him, loved crossword puzzles, conducted group therapy sessions for people with histories of domestic violence, and would always help anyone in a pinch.

Roger was also a marvelous writer. Not only did he write and publish a book, he was a wonderful email communicator. I saved many of his more amusing emails, and here is an excerpt from one in which he refers to a huge fire that ravaged the Sedona area a few years back:

"Did Mary tell you I dropped a big red rock on my big toe? That was over three weeks ago, just before the Brins Fire. Then I aggravated it (the toe, not the rock) by helping a friend move lots of boxes from her house when she was forced to evacuate. Got better, got worse. Still soaking it and smothering it with Arnica gel. Mary drove me to my therapy group last week because I was crawling about the house, unable to walk (like riding a bicycle, it's a skill you don't forget). She has looked after me like a Florence Nightingale, bringing me water to soak my foot, giving me her shoulder to lean on - and her shoulder has been hurting, too. Makes me realize what a treasure I have in her."

I will find a post a few more Roger bits later today. Just know this - we miss him very much!

Fiona flashback

2009-02-18T14:34:00.004-05:00

The weekend Fiona arrived, Valentine's Day of 2007, saw the entire East Coast slathered under a load of snow and ice. For once, D.C. got its fair share, and once Wee Fi arrived, Craig went to work turning our icy backyard into a Fiona-inspired masterpiece. This was a true labor of love for Craig: he used a hack saw to carve the 16" letters in the smooth and icy backyard, and it took several days to complete.

Our former neighbor, triplet mom Jeannie, remembers being on bedrest at home during that time. She and I recently chatted about our kids impending second birthdays, and this is what she had to say about the ice carving: "I still remember hearing the scraping outside when i was on bedrest - it was Craig writing 'Welcome Fiona' in the snow. :) I kept going to the window every couple of minutes when i realized what he was doing, and that the name of your new baby was going to be revealed!"

Fiona turns TWO!

2009-02-13T09:16:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday Fiona! Today, Friday the 13th, Fiona and I are hanging out and causing a bit of trouble. => So far, it has been a great day. We bought her a trike, and a really fun toy. We are having some kids over to the local Generous George's tonight for pizza and a polar bear cake. In the meantime, here are two pictures from this morning.

Donna the hippo

2009-02-11T08:44:00.006-05:00

Meet Donna the hippo, the latest addition to Rory's hippo collection. She was named after our good friend, Donna H-B. And isn't she cute and fuzzy? The hippo, not the friend. ;->

Caps lunchbox!

2009-02-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

Look what a coworker gave me!!

Funny Rory comments as of late

2009-02-08T20:40:00.004-05:00

Man, is she turning into quite a little character (as do they all). Following are three recently amusing bits that I want to write down so I don't forget them.

Episode 1: After a particularly sassy morning last week, I was strapping her into her car seat and explained to her why she needed to be less rude/more polite. She had been extremely rude to me and Fiona all morning. So here I am explaining this to her as I lean over her in the back seat, and when I am finished talking she *blows air out of her lips,* in a "yeah, whatever" sort of fashion. If only blogs could accurately capture the noise. In any event, I firmly explained that THAT was the type of thing that was considered rude, and she was not to make that noise again. So off we go to preschool, with her crying until about 2/3 of the way into the trip. When she finally calms down, I quietly explain to her why that noise was rude. And she does it again - loudly. And I yell again - loudly. She beaks into hysterical crying, and says, "I was only getting the air out of my body!!"

Episode 2: She needed to use the bathroom for, shall we say, a lengthier amount of time that usual. She went into the loo on our main level - which she uses all the time - and says to me, "I can't poop in here. It gives me a heart attack!"

Episode 3: We went to a friend's house this past Saturday night, and Rory hadn't napped that day. On the way home, she fell asleep minutes before we got into the driveway (naturally), and I had to wake her up because there is *no way* I can haul 40 pounds up two long flights of stairs... with Fiona tagging along behind me, sobbing (have I mentioned that Craig is out of town?). So we get upstairs and I get Rory ready for bed (she is in a quasi zombie state), and I put her into bed, saying that I need to get Fiona to bed and then I'll come back in and tell her some stories. I tuck her in (hoping she'll pass out, of course), and launch Fiona into la-la-land. I come back into Rory's room, and she is in her bed, crying a little bit. She complains to me that she had been lonely, and I apologized, saying, "It is very hard for Mommy because Daddy is in Massachusetts helping Nana with Granddad. If he was here, one of us could be with you, and one could be with Fiona. But it's just me, which is hard. I am sorry. Can you forgive me?" And she replied, "I forget you." And of course I almost fell out of the bed, it was so cute and funny.

That girl! I can't imagine what's next. =>

Donald recovering well

2009-01-30T12:03:00.001-05:00

For those not in the know, Craig's dad (aka, Donald & Grandad) slipped on the ice outside their house, fell, and broke the top off his femur. Maybe better than shattering his pelvis, maybe not! He had surgery on-island on Wednesday afternoon, spent the night in the ICU because of fluctuating blood pressure issues, and as of yesterday was in a "normal" room. He is doing well, but is in lots of pain. More to come!

Why Craig shouldn't leave

2009-01-22T11:23:00.007-05:00

I blame it on the inauguration. I was SO inspired while watching Tuesday's events unfold that I decided I detested our living room, and it was high time I fix it. I waited until the creatures were asleep, and then I moved things, cleaned, purged, and rearranged. It ain't perfect, but it gives us much more space. It is still totally toy-laden (I didn't photograph THAT half...). As an added bonus, the cats are in heaven having their tower more accessible.

Won't Craig be surprised when he comes home tonight. Tee hee!

Congratulations President Obama!

2009-01-20T22:18:00.002-05:00

*Sigh.* I am so happy, SO pleased about today's proceedings. The girls and I watched the entire thing (well, I watched while they played), and it was just great. During the swearing in, the three of us snuggled on the couch under a Red Sox fleece blanket, and the girls were actually quiet and paying attention. We discussed the new President, said his name about a billion times, and talked about how smart he and his wife are, and how adorable their girls are.

Rory & Fiona ate lunch on brand new Barack Obama place mats, and kept trying to feed him bits of food (Jell-O was the most popular item to share). His head takes up about 1/3 of the left side of the place mats (picture to follow), so it is almost life-sized. He didn't seem very hungry. Perhaps that is how he stays so slender.

Congratulations to the Obama family, and many congratulations to our nation! Brings a tear to the eye.

Childhood friends

2009-01-19T12:09:00.002-05:00

Lucky me. Because of the inauguration, an old friend and childhood neighbor, Jim B., made the trek down from Maine for the festivities, and I got to benefit! We went to see Eddie from Ohio on Sunday night at the Birchmere, and had a great time! We hadn't seen each other since Craig and I got married... in 2002 (a thousand years ago). Jim moved into our neighborhood when he was 7; I was probably 4. That's a mighty long time ago!!

EFO was great, and so was Red Molly, their opening act.

Great article about teaching manners to kids

2009-01-16T12:47:00.002-05:00

From the New York Times. Give it a read - it is critical stuff.

Bolsheviks! And Fiona is 23 months old!

2009-01-15T18:46:00.003-05:00

Because it is bitterly cold here in D.C. right now (18 degrees as I type this, which is pretty brisk for these parts), I decided it was due time to break out the old Russian fur hat, bought in the CCCP back in 1989. And don't the girls look fetching! OK, they look a bit insane, but so what - it's amusing. The cats will enjoy the hat, too, as it is 100% pure rabbit. This was before the anti-fur social movements, so forgive me. I was in the USSR in January - I needed the hat to survive. And yes, I bought it on the black market. Thanks for asking. ;->

On a more important note, Fiona is 23 months old. For those of you who can't do math, that makes her one month away from TWO years old! She is very talkative, and loves singing Bob the Builder, her ABCs, songs from Spamalot, and certain tunes from The Little Mermaid. She has quite the stubborn streak, which we are trying to handle through various techniques (none have yet succeeded). 95% of the time she is very silly, fun, playful, and extremely loving. She loves running to you, arms fully extended like an airplane, for a giant hug. She crashes into you with extreme force, throwing her full weight into it. We positively adore her, tamtrums and all!

Harlen's Saturday night/Sunday morning

2009-01-13T13:31:00.005-05:00

When asked how his weekend was...

"Weekend was okay. Two o'clock Saturday morning found me, by the light of the nearly full moon, on the roof cleaning my chimney because it had clogged and was filling the house with smoke. (Honest.) The job was on my to-do list because I knew the creosote was building up, but I didn't realize it had gone critical on me.

Other than actually being on a snow covered metal roof at -2 degrees, and getting smoke in my face, it wasn't so bad. Lots of stars, and very quiet at that time of day. And hey - by 3:00 AM I'd crossed something off my weekend chore list."

Great post about how the NHL could realign

2009-01-13T11:43:00.003-05:00

...to add meaning back into games around North America. This is a post (shared by Kirstin) written by a Flyers blogger, and it hits the nail RIGHT on the head.

I would be very excited to see something like this happen, and I bet Caps attendance would go up even higher than it has already.

Visiting old friends

2009-01-11T19:43:00.004-05:00

This morning, the girls and I drove to some remote town in Maryland (I am not saying where for security purposes) to visit an old friend and his family. Al and I worked together at Roku back in the day, and it has been about five years since we have seen him in person. In the meantime, his kids have grown into lovely little people, and he hadn't even met the girls - so everyone was excited. We can't wait to see them again!!

Weekend visitor

2009-01-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had a special visitor - Popcorn, the baby hamster. On Monday morning, Popcorn is being taken to Fiona and Rory's school, where he/she will live in Fiona's classroom. The previous hamster, Lucky, turned out not to be so... hopefully, Popcorn will have greater longevity.

The cats, meanwhile, couldn't be MORE clueless. Fearsome hunters, indeed.

Rocket Cups!!

2009-01-09T18:47:00.002-05:00

Rory (the elder, the namesake) sent fabulous rocket cups to the girls! Many thanks, Aunt Me! (Rory - the younger, the named - calls the elder "Aunt Me"). Thanks, R1!!

Memories of a sweaty summer

2009-01-09T15:52:00.004-05:00

In the depths of winter (though a pitiful, snow-free winter by MY standards), it is often entertaining to flash back to summer and its long, hot, moist, sticky days. This picture of Fiona was taking in early August, on Martha's Vineyard, while we visited the grandparental units. No AC in the house. Obviously.

Rory's fancy new dress

2009-01-07T09:48:00.002-05:00

Courtesy of a super huge sale at Hanna Andersson, an adorable (and putridly expensive) kid's clothing store. Not the best picture ever (mobile phone), but you can see how fab the garment is, nevertheless. She loves it!

Poor, plague-infested Craig!

2008-12-31T16:43:00.001-05:00

Strep throat for all! Well, hopefully not. But Craig went to the doctor this am and was put on the strongest legal dose of antibiotics (practically, anyway). His pills would choke an elephant! I tried to get him to go to a hotel and avoid infecting us (happy new year), but he is going to stay away from us while remaining in the house. Basement bound!

Holiday card 2008

2008-12-31T10:56:00.006-05:00

Card created by Paperzest.

NHL All-Star voting

2008-12-30T11:30:00.004-05:00

The time is now! Three Washington Capitals players - Alexander Ovechkin (league MVP), Alexander Semin (yes, that is his name), and Mike Green - are on the 2009 All-Star ballot.

Please vote today - and vote often!

Here is a link to a perplexing article about how the NHL's marketing people virtually ignore Ovechkin - despite his reigning MVP status, and despite the records he continues to shatter - in favor of Sidney Crosby... which is starting to make the league look really stupid, not to mention short-sighted. *sigh*

And a classic quote from my hockey husband, Mark: "It reminds me of the way the Original Six are Gods and the rest of us can suck hind teat on a south bound mule."

SO VOTE NOW! Please! And feel free to vote more than once. =>

New bed update

2008-12-29T11:17:00.002-05:00

While putting her to bed last night, Craig said Rory repeated - over and over again - "this is the most fantastic bed ever."

Hah! She loved it, AND didn't fall out. Always a bonus!

Big weekend for Rory!

2008-12-28T12:36:00.004-05:00

Her first haircut (finally!), AND a she moved up to a twin bed - such changes!

I finally decided that her shaggy locks had to be trimmed. Her first haircut, at nearly 3.5 years of age. So off to Cartoon Cuts we went, which is a bit of a scam in that kids sit glazed in front of Nickelodeon like zombies, and a kind man named My cut her yellow hair. The scam works, and I had worried that Rory would be nervous about getting her hair done, and I knew the TV would "refocus" her, so to speak. She handled the entire process like a champ, and even seemed to enjoy it. So next time, I will find another locale. One that doesn't cost nineteen bucks.

Not much was cut off, but My straightened it out a bit and sheared off the raggy stuff at the bottom. It isn't worth posting before and after shots, because it doesn't look all that different, but here is are a few pictures of her in the chair. He even gave me some of her yellow curls as a keepsake.

And the bed! Craig is putting together her fun, new Ikea bed as we type! More on that later.

And one day, I will post some Christmas shots. Maybe in time for New Year's. =>

I hate UPS

2008-12-24T11:24:00.002-05:00

Maybe "hate" is too strong a word, but I cannot remember the last time I sent something via UPS that actually arrived within their stated shipping timeframe. Every single thing I have ever ordered or shipped using them has been late - irrespective of whether it is holiday time or not.

The latest victim is my mother's birthday present - ordered on 12/15 for her 12/20 birthday - still hasn't arrived in Sedona. The tracking number provides me this tidbit of info: "rescheduled for delivery." The Website goes on to say that due to holiday shipments, the package will be late. Glad I paid the extra cost for earlier delivery (which I specifically did because I don't TRUST THEM).

Grrr. And today my mother leaves for Christmas in Vegas, which means the package will certainly be delivered today and will then sit on her porch (hopefully unstolen) for three days until she returns.

Long live FedEx! I have never doubted a FedEx delivery, nor has one ever let me down. Yes, they can be more expensive, but obviously there is a reason for that. Reliability.

Happy birthday to Grandma!

2008-12-24T10:32:00.003-05:00

Courtesy of Fiona, who first refuses to sing, then starts singing happily, and who then gets interrupted by Rory - a common occurance these days. => My mom, the Grandma in question, turned 66 on December 20. She can get her kicks!

Wrap-o-rama!

2008-12-23T13:45:00.001-05:00

Tonight's the night!! Break out the tape (scotch) and the drinks (not scotch), because tonight is post-kid-bedtime-wrap-fest-2008! Wheee!

Ho cubed!

A shift in the hockey universe

2008-12-22T16:24:00.002-05:00

I just bought a Boston Bruins jersey. A black one, on which I will have "Orr/4" stitched by my pal George over at Concrete Pond.

As a lifelong Hartford Whalers fan, this feels quite blasphemous, I admit. But the Whalers left Hartford in April of 1997 - nearly 12 long year ago. And one day I will *live* in Boston, and will become a Bruins season ticket holder. I already have my hockey husband picked out (not that anyone could replace Mark!). But this still feels highly weird.

Parenting quote from NYT blog

2008-12-16T16:15:00.003-05:00

The other day, I was reading a blog on the New York Times Website, and the post - about investing too much of yourself in how you parent your children - generated a ton of interesting comments. Following is one of the comments I enjoyed the most:

"My kids are 30, 26, 23, 20, and 16. When they were pre-teens, I felt anxious about all sorts of things about our relationships. Then they got to be teens, and I became the Anti-Christ, especially to the oldest one, a girl. Then things got really bad. What will happen is that they will throw you out of their inner lives, and all this enmeshment will be a vanished dream. They will become utterly alien and you will have no understanding of how they think (because they won’t be thinking, in part). And then they will grow up, and they will be pretty nice, and fun to be with, and, to your horror, they will start talking about having children and will be TOO IMMATURE to have children, and then they will have children and grow up right away and do a pretty good job. You are who you are. That’s a given in their lives, that’s the diving board and the platform and there’s no use worrying about it. Your gifts to them are bad and good, and they will never appreciate you in the way you want them to, but will appreciate you in some ways that you will never expect. So relax."

Fiona is 22 months old

2008-12-13T18:21:00.001-05:00

And taking over the world, I say! She talks up a storm, laughs at everything, and her favorite toys are her lion (Nani), her variety of polar bears, and Lego. She and Rory play well together, and she is close to the point at which we no longer have to worry about her killing herself (or others) at any random moment. I pre-embrace that moment! =>

Those gorgeous Dreesen ladies!

2008-12-12T11:51:00.002-05:00

My good friend, Markus, who lives in Berlin, just sent me this picture of his three lovely daughters. Paulina is on the left (she is 14), Marie is on the right (she is 16), and Lilly is in front (she is 8).

They are just lovely!

Holiday card angst!

2008-12-12T08:59:00.003-05:00

I love this time of year, and sometimes I hate it. We have decided to reduce the number of holiday cards we send out this year, and I hate feeling like I am leaving people off. I beg your forgiveness now, and promise to post pictures of our card both here and on Facebook.

Here comes Digit!

2008-12-09T09:10:00.002-05:00

I got a new toy (the Flip Mino), and with it will now come a steady stream of new videos! And not just of the kids, lucky readers - kitty cats and hockey and anything else that catches my fancy, too!

But first, Digit. Aka, the favorite, squidgee, digie, fuzz bucket, and more. She is a 7-toed polydactyl dreamboat. She was born feral and we tamed her, and she quickly became one of the most affectionate cats I have ever had. Digie!

Listen for the purring!

My boss just resigned

2008-12-04T15:58:00.002-05:00

My boss, Maysoon, resigned this afternoon. She has accepted a job with a Portugal-based software company, and will be moving to Austin, TX (where she used to live) to work out of her living room. She is already dreaming of wearing her sweatpants and uggs while working. Good for her!!

Cool kid "I spy" toys on etsy.com

2008-12-04T10:57:00.004-05:00

About a year ago I discovered Etsy, and I love it! Our good friend, Christina, has a PaperZest site on Etsy where she sells her custom, "anything but ordinary stationary," for starters.

Etsy is a community of artisans who hand-make everything they sell: jewelry, toys, clothing, purses, ceramics, soap, music, housewares - and the list goes on.

Recently I found these totally cool baby/toddler toys.

They are fuzzy blankets filled with clear beads AND things you need to move around and find (aka, move them inot view in the clear section of the blanket. You can customize what the artist puts into each blanket, which is great. She can add your kid's name in individual letters, sports stuff, bugs, shapes - whatever your child is interested in. I just ordered two, and can't wait to give them to the girls.

So I thought I'd share. Enjoy Etsy! Just in time for the holidays. =>

On using mobile phones in the loo

2008-12-03T13:04:00.002-05:00

Can someone please tell me WHY people talk on their mobile phones while using the bathroom?

I used to consider the bathroom to be the last bastion of the mobile-free world... the one place in which people wouldn't use their phones. But just now, at work, someone was in there chatting away.

Weird stuff. And annoying. It's bad enough that we have to hear people's one-sided conversations every other place we go. Talking while peeing = not cool.

2008 Mayhew Fall Family Photo

2008-12-03T11:17:00.006-05:00

This shot was taken, as always, at Meadowlark Gardens. Also as always, it was taken by Hope Reynolds, who was our wedding photographer and who does a great job despite the insanity of the event. This year, the insanity included Fiona teething and being extremely moody and uncooperative. Extremely. =>

Hope took over 75 photos, and this was the only one that worked. By "worked" I mean a picture that includes all four of us. Fiona was so resistant (shall we say) that we gave up soon after arriving - and this shot was taken in the first five minutes. Phew!

Enjoy!

Rory's quotes from the Thanksgiving holiday

2008-12-02T15:24:00.004-05:00

We just got back last night - sorry about the lack of posting (to my three regular readers ;->). Hope everyone had a great holiday week!

OK, so Rory's two insane quotes from the trip to CT:

"My pull-up is a poop hammock."

And my personal favorite, and the one which will go down in family lore:

"Mommy, you have a gigantic bum!" (Spoken in a bathroom stall, as she gently and lovingly patted said bum while it was nekkid and using the loo). I howled with laughter, as did the other people in the bathroom. How amusing! (Or maybe not! ;->)

New hockey helmet (not mine)

2008-11-21T14:20:00.003-05:00

So HOW cool is this?? One of my coworkers is a hockey goalie, and he just got his new fancy helmet. It cost a small fortune, but is apparently worth every red cent. It is measured to fit every feature of his head exactly, and he is excited to break it in! What fun!

I saw snow flurries!!

2008-11-18T13:26:00.002-05:00

Just a few, but I saw them! All twirly and white. HOW exciting! Bring on winter!!!

Madagascar 2!

2008-11-15T14:17:00.003-05:00

It is a rainy day here in Northern Virginia, so when Rory wakes up from her nap, we are going to see Madagascar 2 - her first theater movie! She and Fiona adore the first one, so this should be fun. Afterwards, we're going to go out to dinner somewhere entertaining, and then we are going to the mall for a little shopping. Our first real girls weekend!!

Who needs pockets?!?

2008-11-13T14:12:00.003-05:00

This kid's parents are going to be in big trouble for this one day, but MAN, is it funny!

Obama sign stolen AGAIN

2008-11-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

Incredibly, we have now had THREE Obama signs nicked from the front yard. The election is over, the die is cast, and STILL our bitter brethren are stealing our signs.

The good news is that I have another one (courtesy of our friend, Shelia), and I will be taping it to the front window. This is now a protest thing. Craig wants to electrify it, so the next person to try to snag it gets zapped. Hah!

My new (old) eyes!

2008-11-07T18:31:00.001-05:00

This morning I had Lasik, and it was totally creepy cool. That's the only way I can describe it - kinda techy, and kinda wild. I am not saying I enjoyed it, per se, but it was quite an experience. And it worked! That's the extra good news. =) I can see... as though I had my contacts in. I have put in what seems like a thousand eye drops today, but that should be over within a week.

I can see. I can't believe it. Ain't life grand!!

Biztropolis - join the ranks!

2008-11-06T14:49:00.001-05:00

Rory gets the nod

2008-11-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

I just got notice that Rory will join Fiona's daycare (as a preschooler) on January 1. What a day!! First Obama, now this. Bring a tear to the eye!!

The two-month countdown begins!!

The shine is back

2008-11-05T08:57:00.003-05:00

That is the only word I can conjure to describe the way I feel since last night, when Barack Obama was elected President. Obviously, many wonderful things have happened in the past eight years (despite the pall those years cast): Craig and I got married, we have attended the weddings of many cherished friends, babies have been born (including our own!), exciting sporting events have been attended, amazing concerts seen, and of course - the Red Sox have won two World Series titles.

But in light of last night's election results, the world - and everything in it - has a SHINE again. An overwhelming feeling of hope is everywhere (I thought maybe I had forgotten what it felt like!), and I feel proud of our country again. Immensely proud, and curious to see where we will go next.

It was a long, exhausting, emotionally fraught election, and I am glad it is over and we can try to heal as a nation. We have a lot of shingles to nail back onto the house, so let's get going!!

Obama called as 44th President of the U.S.

2008-11-04T23:15:00.003-05:00

It is only 11:20 pm EST, and even a Wikipedia page listing U.S presidents has listed Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. I am thrilled, and filled with pride, hope, and joy. Congratulations to all of us!

Also in 2009, the NAACP celebrates its 100th birthday. Nice timing. =>

Halloween photos, 2008

2008-11-03T18:24:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of our little bats. They had a blast - collecting candy, putting it into their little cat bags, and of course, eating some of it. Note Fiona's grubby face. The irony is that she had one piece during her travels, and Rory snarfed a ton (cleanly!). =>

Happy post Halloween!

Election Day Eve!

2008-11-03T14:27:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to vote tomorrow. I have my GameBoy (an old-style one) and Tetris ready to join me, in case the wait is long. The best part is this: I work for a woman (a non-voting Brit who is *really* into this election) who has forbidden us from coming to work until we vote. Hah!

I love elections. I love the process, the waiting, the bantering with people who could be my neighbors, and the excitement I feel as I get checked off by volunteers and guided into the booth. I just haven't liked the outcome recently. ;->

I also love getting the "I voted" sticker. It's like giving blood, but more important! Well, maybe more important. I have B negative blood, which *is* pretty coveted. The company upstairs from mine is having a blood drive tomorrow, come to think of it. Maybe I'll vote and THEN give blood! What a day!

Fixing my eyes... finally

2008-10-29T12:29:00.002-04:00

Next Friday, 11/7, I am getting Lasik. I can't imagine what "life beyond lenses" will be like, but I am ready to embrace my future existence! If the kids smash into my glasses one more time... it makes me insane, I tell you. The glasses have become quite a hindrance, and contacts make my eyes dry as all get out.

I decided to get Lasik because I signed up to have pre-tax dollars taken out of my paycheck for health care, and I still have $2700 left in my account. This money goes POOF at the end of the year, so I debated whether to get Lasik or buy $2700 worth of infant Tylenol, and Lasik won!

I started wearing glasses in 5th grade. My dad and I were at a Hartford Whalers game, and I leaned over to him and said, "What is that player's name?" because the name on the back of the jersey was blurry. He looked at me (we had good seats, mind you, maybe 14 rows off the ice), and said, "You can't read that?" And it was off to the eye doctor we went.

Anyway, I am very excited and a bit nervous, too. And on 11/14, I will see my first glasses/contacts-free hockey game since 5th grade.

Can't wait!

Grandma comes to town!

2008-10-28T13:50:00.002-04:00

There is lots of excitement in the house because Grandma just flew in from Arizona (and boy are her arms... well, you get the idea). Both girls are thrilled to have yet another fun grandmother spending time in the abode. Lots of new books, toys, and art supplies arrived with Grandma, and I am sure they will be put to good use during her visit.

Wheeeeeee!

Fall Family Photo Shoot, 2008

2008-10-23T13:43:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again! Time for us to choose lovely outfits, and to drive to Meadowlark Gardens to spend time with our photographer, Hope Reynolds, to snap some lovely leaf-encrusted photos in the late afternoon sunshine. Last year, it was nearly 90 degrees during the shoot, and I thought I would melt. This time, it was a perfectly Fall-glorious 62! How exciting. I packed a bag filled with little pumpkins, blankets to sit on, and of course, snacks. Nana came along for the ride, and we met Craig and Hope at the Gardens, full of excitement and ready to go.

To say the evening was challenging would be a dramatic understatement. Fiona was teething (canines), and was in a horrible frame of mind. Everything irritated her--the leaves, being in the wagon, being out of the wagon, being held, being put down. It was a lose/lose with her from the get-go. Rory was very cooperative for the first 45 minutes, but as one would expect, lost interest in the shoot and gained interest in running around like a lunatic (it is a big park, after all).

I am not sure if poor Hope was able to capture all four of us in one frame (looking civilized) at all - we shall see!

Maybe the pick of the litter (impending pun intended) will be the shot of Fiona on my shoulders, reaching around to stick her finger up my left nostril. Another classic Mayhew photo!!

I will post a few shots as soon as we get them back. =>