Memorial Day

When I have time to sit and reflect on my life, which is rare, unfortunately, I get a rush of emotions that come over me and wash into one another. Maybe I am so emotional because I am a mommy. I swore that the one thing I knew for certain that changed in me after having kids is that I felt everything bigger - every emotion, happiness to the moon and heart wrenching grief. They are so big that tears come easily for both. My memories often lead back to my mother's parents, Mom and Dado. Mom used to laugh and wipe tears away. I remember her big blue eyes and her pink nails and diamond ringed, soft fingers delicately holding a tissue and wiping tears away after a good laugh and she was always still sighing. She had the most incredible laugh! I think of Dado on this day and his bravery in serving our great country. He didn't even get to meet my mom until she was 2 years old. I can't even imagine how that would feel. He was serving in WWII. I bought a gorgeous flag for our house today for Dado, and for Harold, Derek's grandfather who also served. I remember them with love.
Dado was a fan of Memorial Day. We always had a backyard bbq with checkered table clothes and matching red and blue picnic plates and cups. Dad would grill the burgers in cool colorful shorts that Sarah and I had probably picked out for him, bless him for wearing them. We always had the Sherman's over and would play in the yard...freeze tag or swinging statues. Nona would come to visit from Butler after placing flowers on our Daddy Bob's grave and all of the Hunt's. I didn't know it at the time, so long ago, but Nona taught me to remember. Remember them how they were and love them, still. I see them in my children. They live on. They bless my life this way, once again!

We woke up at dawn this morning. Greta and Jack inherited this trait from my side of the family - my dad, the early bird. We laid around in jammies and then even went outside in jammies and did some gardening. Greta found worms and put them in time out. I snuck away to the grocery store and bought a perfect watermelon, peaches and cream corn and steaks to make into shish-ke-bobs for a holiday lunch with our neighbors. We fired up the grill and set up tables in the shade. The smells were amazing - charcoal makes me smile. I also made couscous with fresh orange, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and mint. The kids were squealing and sweaty. We washed it all down with Pabst Blue Ribbon and watermelon slices.

The only thing different was that now watermelons come seedless so we can't have spitting contests. So, we got messy with popsicles! Happy memories!

Let's Play

There is an elementary school (the one Greta and Jack will attend if we still live in this house) that is the perfect walk away from our house. It has the perfect Koi pond jumping with frogs right infront underneath the flag pole that we have to run 'round and 'round every time we go. Derek took Greta and Jack to the playground behind the school several times this past weekend so I could work on finishing Greta's big girl room. I wallpapered. I can't wait to show you! Greta said, "Oh my goodness it is beautiful but not pink!"

Greta is so eager to meet new friends. While at the park another dad brought his two children. Greta called them Big Sister and Little Brother the whole time. They had fun and were smeared with sweaty dirt and had wind blown hair when they got home. Greta made a deal with the other father. She told him, " Ok ok, here's the deal. I am going to watch Big Sister ride her bike and then I am going to go get into the car, go home, and take a nigh nigh." He laughed and told Derek that she makes good deals.

We went to Katie, Chris and Chase's for bbq and splash time with the water table. We always laugh a lot with Katie and Chris. It is refreshing. And, speaking of refreshing, Chris makes the best mixed drinks. He really does! I never turn him down when he offers me something cool. And, just so we don't break tradition, Greta and Jack were both nude by the time we said our goodbyes. (I have pictures).

On Sunday our air conditioner motor came to a grinding halt. It has been a hot few days, of course. But, my brainy husband just fixed it on his own. I feel the cool on my cheeks once again, and can tell you that it should never be taken for granted! It would have been fixed sooner but there is a story behind it....there was a mouse that kept building a nest and biting wires that made components short out. Derek came face to face with the little rodent. He said he was cute! That is my husband for you!

Cute kids, cute mice. Lovely times.

Stayin Alive

Life of the party. Always has been. He shares his moves with finesse. He rocks my world, this little man.

Time Flies

Miss Greta has known her numbers and letters for over a year, and we are moving on to telling time. She is fascinated with clocks and went air born when we were in Austin and the digital clock in the hotel room was lit green instead of red like the one in our room. We can sit for minute upon minute telling each other what numbers we see and, "what time is it now?" Last night Greta made me laugh...

She said, "The number 9 is my favorite but I am also scared of it. Yes, it scares me, that number 9, but I like it the best." Numbers, stop moving!" She asked me to hide the clock so the numbers would stop moving. What a funny little one she is.

Greta will attend preschool next fall! Oh my heart, I hope I don't miss her too much. I have loved having her with me and having so many moments to share and learn with her. Numbers, stop moving!

Torn

This morning, for the first time in almost a week of mornings, we saw the sunshine. Greta and Jack and I ate breakfast like we always do around the tube while Sesame Street is on. This is the second breakfast. The first breakfast is a big bowl full of BITES with Derek. He feeds them in turns and laughs as they jockey for the big spoonful of Honey Bunches of Oats or Mini Shredded Wheat (which Greta calls snowy bites). The second breakfast comes around 9 and is fresh fruit and pancakes, waffles or toast and scrambled eggs with cheese...and on Fridays there might be cinnamon rolls. (shhhh, daddy doesn't know about this second breakfast...)

But this morning, the sun was gorgeous and we decided to go for a walk. This means that I walk and push the stroller with the "twins" in it. It was perfect. Greta brought 2 princesses...Aurora and Pocahontas and Jack brought this plastic hoot owl and Flounder. And they pleaded for me to turn and go to the park. I could not refuse. And, shame on me for not bringing the camera because there was major cuteness happening down those slides. Jack is so brave, he goes down head first upside down and laughs the whole way! Greta is more cautious and is getting better about walking on the grating of that scares her so much. She will crawl across it now. They played and we were lovin it for about an hour and then it was time to go home and have lunch and take a quiet nap.

We were making our way down a sidewalk when I heard and felt something catch underneath the Maclaren's wheels. Oh no. It was Aurora and her dress was ripped to pieces. I picked her up and tried to think of what to say and Greta was all ears. Oh Greta, I said, she is still very pretty. Tears. Many tears. And Jack joined in. Sadness.

Well, we made it home and I made some grilled cheese sandwiches and pears and tomatoes for lunch. Greta laid Aurora on the couch and put the flowers from the clover patch outside at her side. She told Jack to be quiet and quit banging on the pinano because Aurora was hurt. And as nap time came, I told her to pick out who would nap with her. Jasmine, Pocahontas and Torn Aurora is what she said. It was so sweet that I kind of like her better this way.

Gelato and Pizza

Greta and Jack's Grandma and Poppy drove in from Kentucky for a weekend visit! We went for Pizza and gelato at our favorite spot in Leawood - Parkplace. Greta and Jack had a total ball...and so did Grandma and Poppy. They are absolutely nuts over the kids. Greta almost combusted when they brought her an Ariel the Little Mermaid doll, and Jack got a Buzz Lightyear (he calls him Zzzzz).

The sun was in the sky but the temperature was a little bit chilly, so the gelato tasted much better than it felt. We all had goosebumps. And Jack made me laugh once again...He instantly took to a little leather bomber jacket that Gee brought over for dress up. He wouldn't take it off before dinner and he looked hysterical in it. Our little Fonz.

The weekend was full of hugs and kisses...and now it is time to unspoil the kids a bit!

These are a few of my favorite things...

This....


And, this....


And especially this....


Now let's hope the tank is full!

Laughter and Tears

I don't know if this happens to anyone besides me, but sometimes I laugh besides when things are funny...sometimes I laugh when things are not funny. I used to laugh when my older sister was getting in trouble, and it wasn't because I was laughing, I was just emotional and it came out as laughter. Funny, I know.

This is that trip to see Papa that I mentioned. Nonna, Papa's mom, was coming to visit, so we got double the treat. My dad's cousin, David was back for a visit with his wife, Faye and they came along, too. The kids loved them. They loved all of them. I even heard Greta tip toe up to Faye and tell her she loved her, bless her little heart! Nonna hasn't seen the kids very many times...I have to be completely honest here. This was her first time to meet Jack, so it was special to me. I hope she will come and visit more often!

So there were a lot of emotions this day. There were tears and laughter and they meshed together and sometimes I couldn't tell the difference when we were all laughing at Jack and Greta doing their usual crowd pleasers. And, though Papa can't tell you what he is feeling most of the time now, it is very clear. There is so much love there.

I got home and looked at the pictures from the day. I didn't get my camera out until Faye had already gone to the car, so I regret not getting her in these. But, when I looked at the pictures I was smiling so big, but having tears, too. I see the love and it is unmistakable.

No Place Like Home

Almost a week after our trip to Austin I am having writers block about how to get everything into words without sounding full of it. Blah blah blah...our trip was so perfect, and we are so happy and blah blah blah... But, yesterday I took the duo to see Papa and in the silent car ride home with two sleeping babies I had to laugh because I thought, "I have to write about this." And there was nothing special to say except that it was a perfect rainy day where the sky is a foreboding gray and the trees and grass look vibrant and lit up with such an intense green and when the rain comes you know it is going to be big and there are going to be some frightening thunder claps. I love the feeling before a storm. I find that it energizes me. Even the smell. There were so many things I wanted to write about our trip - our first family getaway...And now time is getting away from me and everything is getting watered down. I think that besides writing about the highlights of a vacation, I want to write about something a bit more introspective. Time with family. Time with family somewhere besides home. It changes your perspective a bit. I learned a lot about myself and my capabilities as a parent...a "fun mom". I also learned a lot about my kids and their stamina with enjoying themselves when out of their element and comfort zones. There is a balance...kind of like sunshine vs rainy days.

Austin really was incredible. I would definitely say put it on your list of places you need to go. The city just explodes with culture and this awesome social buzz. There is so much music there, and music is what my soul thrives on. I felt at home. The people were very friendly and welcoming. It was easy to have fun. I took the kids out in the city while Derek was presenting in meetings and I took on this new place and did my best to ease the kids into this new vibe. They missed naps and home cooked meals and went to bed so much later than usual. We took our time, easing out of the hotel mid morning into an adventure that sometimes was no greater than laying out a blanket in the grass by the hotel and people watching...and bird watching. We ordered room service with chocolate cake. Greta shared a special Coke with me at a brick oven pizza kitchen were she ordered a pizza for us with tomatoes, pepperoni, mushrooms and green olives. We saw the Capitol up close and we saw every single inch of the Austin Children's Museum two days in a row.

And Derek finished his work at 3:00 every afternoon and always had something fun planned. We swam. We hot tubbed. We dipped our toes in Barton Springs swim hole (68 degree Texas refreshment). We ate enchiladas and tacos and Texas sized bbq ribs. We stood on the Congress Bridge to see the bats wake up and fly out for the night (over 1 million bats fly out from underneath this bridge everynight and eat pounds and pounds of bugs before morning). But, that one night we were there waiting, they slept in. We had ice cream in SoCo and tried on fancy cowboy boots and hats. And, just to be honest about this picture I paint...We did all of this in between toddler fits and laments for home. Greta and Jack also like many sunny days in a row, but need a day of gray and cool rains to maintain a balance. Sometimes a perfect scoop of chocolate ice cream does not make a cranky baby cheer up. Some times you have to deny the toddler the 100.00 pink boots that will be too tight in 3 months...and eat the perfect scoop of chocolate ice cream while the tears are a flowin down the cheeks. And it all balances with the pure happiness created when a butterfly lands on your calamari and licks the lemon wedge just so the borderline cranky toddler can see the funny tongue. This was the vibe of our vacation. We found a really good balance.

One of my favorite things about our trip was that we had a wonderful time and had a lot of laughter besides the toddler tears, and when we finally pulled into the driveway of our home it felt just as wonderful to be back. On to the next adventure...

On The Road Again...

I can't wait to get back on the road again! We are leaving for Austin, TX in the early, early morning! Derek has a week of meetings and presentations with Dell and the duo and I are going to tag along! We are going to drive! We are ready to break the 12 hour trip up into segments by stopping in Andover to have coffee with Great Grandpa and Grandma, and then we are off again until we need to stretch our legs or we see something and want to take a closer look.

Derek's week is checkered with meetings, but we will also have a lot of time together. Our hotel is right by the Capitol and downtown. I am eager to take the kids to the parks and museums and am so excited for a change of scenery. We are hungry for some fabulous TexMex and a serious margarita on the rocks with salt on Cinco de Mayo, Por Favor!!

I think there will be some great shopping and am hoping to find Greta some new pink cowboy boots, and Jack, as well...pink if he wants! (Jack just said, "OoooooooHaw!")

Besides going to such a great city, I am excited for this trip because it is the first for our family. We haven't been ready to venture too far away from home since Greta was born because, well, then Jack came along. It can be such a challenge to travel with little ones that keep to a rigid schedule. Greta and Jack thrive on their routine, but I am hopeful this will be fun for them and the first of many more adventures.