tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83168262385624218712024-03-14T03:46:41.718-07:00Chuck and HankJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-82447126159349580612015-10-01T10:14:00.000-07:002015-10-01T11:28:22.873-07:00Chuck, Hank and Someone NewTexted to Rachel on the morning of June 23rd:<br />
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Me: "Rach, what does this mean??"<br />
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Rach: "JENN. You're pregnant."<br />
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Me: "No no no. I can barely see a plus. I don't think it's right."<br />
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Rach: "JENN."<br />
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I'm pregnant.<br />
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I'm freaking <i>pregnant</i>. <br />
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At 18 weeks in, this still surprises me.<br />
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I've left this blog so very neglected for over two years while trying to reign in a life that was just too full of too many things... I needed to shed parts of my life just to be able to breathe, and our family's personal cyber-space took a backseat. But it's time to bring it back. With our new life here in Texas, both boys in school all day, a better ability to just say no to all the school volunteering and 1/30th the amount of PB&J clients, my time is more leisurely and I miss capturing the moments in our own lives. I want to keep our memories, my thoughts, and the boys' little lives, that are going by much too quickly, safe and savored.<br />
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So, back to where we started: I'm <i>pregnant</i>. 22 weeks from now, we will be growing into a family of five (FIVE!!!) with our Chuck, our Hank and our someone new.<br />
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Lots of people have asked me if we were trying to get pregnant based off my sheer surprise that I actually <i>am</i> pregnant. People seem very curious about that part of it. I guess the answer to that is, "sort of???" with LOTS of question marks. The juicy details of it for all you weirdos out there who want to know the insider information about my husband and my reproductive decisions is: We were <i>sort of</i> trying...? We wanted a third child. We just couldn't get past the part that having a third child meant having a third <i>baby </i>and that sounded awful and hard and we couldn't really get to the point where we were like "Sure. That sounds awesome. Let's definitively do that thing where we don't ever sleep again while a tiny terrorist screams at us for a year." It just seemed to us that getting pregnant by surprise would be a much better way to go about a third child because once it's done, it's done. It all seemed much less stressful to not have to actually think about all of that change... and all those diapers, and the waking up to pukey cribs, and the 1am and the 3am and the 5am feedings... It would be better if it just happened... Except, it wasn't happening.<br />
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So, we <i>sort of </i>tried for this baby. But we were also surprised. Because we only tried that one time. I know, I know, I'm in my thirties and only teenage boys trying to get in their girlfriend's pants think you can't get pregnant from just one time. But seriously!?!? In five years, we only tried the one time because we were big, giant scaredy cats about the whole thing. And by "try" I mean that I had enough wine at our going-away party (to which I had worn a sheer white skirt -- and Mike claims the skirt is the culprit to this whole thing) that I was very much in the mood to mask my devastated emotions about packing up our Virginia home with a less-than-mindful and wine-hazed bout of getting-it-on.<br />
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Wine + Impending Drastic Life Changes + Sadness + Sheer Skirts + Mike's Weekend Scruff = Babies<br />
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We spent the next 8 days in a 400 square foot hotel room (with a cat!) getting Charlie through his last days of fifth grade. On Wednesday June 17th, we flew 1500 miles south through a tropical storm, unpacked like tasmanian devils, and on the following Monday, had one of our dearest friends over for dinner who was in town on business. Still rather sad to be away from Virginia, I drank it away with some red wine with the guys and went upstairs to put the boys to bed. A tad tipsy, I passed Charlie's mirror while getting them in jammies and thought "oh my god, I think I'm pregnant" as I glimpsed my unusually large bosom.<br />
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Pretty sure I didn't want to have wine-laced pee tell me whether or not I was pregnant (I am, after all, a responsible mother who waits for sober pee to predict pregnancy), I went to bed just a little wary that I kinda, sorta, might be pregnant. The next morning, I waited for Mike to go to work and snuck a pregnancy test out of a still-packed box. Expecting the usual, boring negative, I was a bit confused when the very faintest extra line <i>barely</i> appeared. NOT BORING. I'm the kind of girl whose uterus is as consistently late as is the human who carries it around, so I stopped buying expensive pregnancy tests years ago, opting for the cheapest brand to tell me "no" instead. And this particularly cheap test was too inconclusive in my opinion. I needed more tests. I needed every test on the grocery store shelves.<br />
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Five tests later, I was fairly convinced, and surprised, that we were having another baby.<br />
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I totally understand the question people keep asking about whether this baby was intentional or not. I do have an 11 year old and a 5 year old, neither of whom was made with any sort of conscious effort, so I get it - it's not exactly the "normal" time line for creating siblings. And people are always curious when you don't do things the normal way. But I've never been a fan of doing anything the normal way. The six year age gap is <i>our</i> way and it totally looks purposeful now. Whoo hoo! Legitimacy! And we do really love the 6-ish year spread.<br />
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We will never have to pay more than one college tuition at a time.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-41767096188144988232013-09-16T05:43:00.000-07:002013-09-16T05:43:17.599-07:00First Days of School. We were ready for school to start this year. We were very done with this summer.<br />
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August camps were cancelled when we realized our scheduled Golf & Tennis camps at the ICC probably had a lot more to offer with two arms. And our plans for a second excursion to the beach just seemed way too expensive to have a cast to still worry about. The pool water in August is pretty cold due to falling evening temps which is still so surprising after living in Texas and enduring bathtub-like pools. We'd been on day trips to DC a hundred times already and as much as I love them, I just couldn't take another excursion for cupcakes. Our best friends who always joined us for spontaneous activities and kept both kids entertained had moved... So, August went from being fun-filled to filled with lots of time together at the house. Lots. Of. Time. Together.<br />
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By August, we had just run out of things to do and were bored. School needed to happen. And thankfully, it did.<br />
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Charlie had his Open House on the Friday before labor day. His teacher is lovely and bubbly and energetic. And after I spotted the posters on her wall that reminded the kids to be awesome, I fell quite in love with her.<br />
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Fourth Grade. FOURTH GRADE. These kids are like, ONE grade away from being the oldest kids at school. Their classrooms are in the same hall as the fifth graders. They have THREE teachers to switch classes daily for different instruction. And they're all so tall that they basically look me in the eye. It is FREAKY!!!<br />
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Charlie was so mad at me for making him wear a collared shirt and boat shoes. He hates when I make him dress "handsome". #meanmom<br />
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On his first day of school, I took his picture on the driveway - front and back - like we do every year. It's unbelievable how big he looks now.<br />
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The following week, it was Henry's turn!!<br />
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Last year, I didn't take the front and back first day pictures of him and honestly, wasn't planning to do it this year either. I figured I'd wait for kindergarten. But Henry sees everything his brother does and walked out to the driveway and stood in the exact same spot as Charlie had and got ready for his pictures! So, of course, how could I resist!?<br />
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Once at school, Henry found his best friend, Max, and they spent time coloring and staring at the kids who were crying. They love each other and they love school. It's adorable.<br />
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Henry's preschool class is FOURTEEN BOYS and two little girls. Most of the boys in his class are Henry's buddies and they have all been together for two years at this school. Several of the moms and I have become very good friends so we *might* have made plans to get Starbucks and show up to registration day VERY early to make sure all of <strike>us</strike> the kids were together again.<br />
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The 3-year-old class is a co-op which means that every day there is a volunteer parent helping in the classroom. It works out to about once-a-month, I get to stay at school and help out. I ended up with having a "shift" on the first week of school and as much as I feared I'd feel stuck at school when I really wanted to be running errands alone, I LOVED IT!! It was so much fun to watch Henry, his buddies, and all of our new friends for a whole day. They sing songs and learn about the calendar and they all have little jobs like "lunch helper" and "door holder" -- and oddly, these little people are very good at handling all of these things!! It's so cute. I just ate it up. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9727863706/" title="2013-09-11_0015 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-09-11_0015" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/9727863706_f411642c53_o.jpg" height="507" width="720" /></a><br />
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-6889093474901617322013-09-13T05:00:00.000-07:002013-09-13T05:00:09.820-07:00Pounding CrabbiesA few years ago, we went to Annapolis with the intent of smashing crabbies on the table. But in 90 degree heat that day and my pregnant sister-in-law with us... and ya' know, Henry... we ended up just walking into ANYWHERE and eating WHATEVER. Smashing crabbie dreams smashed...
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Fast forward to my hair appointment back in July when I actually got to read a magazine and the Washingtonian said Cantler's was <i>the</i> authentic place to smash crabbies. And the idea was back on the table.<br />
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We decided to go on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Well guess what? So did everyone else. First, we waited in line just.to.park. Then we waited in another line to get a table. It was about two hours of waiting. {insert shocked emoji face here}. And I couldn't get any cell service!!! Tragedy!!<br />
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But our boys are pretty awesome and did great waiting. We sat on a bench overlooking the water and I stole a bunch of crackers from a waitress so we could feed the ducks. And we took some pictures. Bless my hubby. He's no photographer... notice the pop-up-flash and the REALLY horrible angle which pretty much ensures that I'll be thinking about exercising all week because, um, thighs!<br />
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Once we got a table - holy gracious. The menu. I figured you just ordered crabbies and be done with it -- but their menu!!! It was HUGE and full of so many delicious things! I wanted crabs but I also wanted ALL THE THINGS! I think we settled on FOUR side dishes + 6 extra large crabs. It was ridiculous.<br />
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They also had REAL Kraft Mac n' Cheese for Henry. Which he didn't actually eat. Because it wasn't shaped like Spongebob...<br />
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No wonder why this place was a two hour wait. It. Was. Worth. It. Feel free to come visit us in DC. We'll take you.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9723897879/" title="2013-09-11_0004 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-09-11_0004" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9723897879_b82b7df952_o.jpg" height="704" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-31824799616077426162013-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:002013-09-12T05:00:03.362-07:00Buy All the Stella & Dot!! Hey y'all!!! Notice anything new around here?? "Chuck and Hank" has had a makeover! I'm quite in love with the new look!<br />
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I've been falling for lots of new things lately. Last week I threw my very first Stella & Dot party with the help of my stylist from <a href="http://verybusymamablog.com/" target="_blank">Very Busy Mama</a>, Maria, and I fell truly, madly and deeply in love with all the things!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Maria helped me to realize that my style is "dainty". I prefer thinner pieces and avoid a bold statement with my jewelry. This is probably because jewelry is new to me! For years, I wouldn't put on a single piece aside from {fake} diamond studs in my ears because I just didn't know how to accessorize my outfits and would get overwhelmed. But as a</span><span style="text-align: left;"> photographer, I've realized the value in looking my best when I'm with my clients. I want my clients to know that I'm going to make sure they look their best and I can't do that while I look like I just rolled out of bed! And as a mom, I've realized that tossing on a necklace {or two!} with my skinny jeans, vintage tees and flats, makes me feel so much more put together and confident as I drop the kiddos at preschool and navigate the grocery aisles. With a little sparkle, I feel just - better. </span><br />
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I figured there was no better way to debut my pretty new blog design than to show off all the pretty jewelry I love!<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/gilded-arrow-bangle-gold" target="_blank">Gilded Arrow Bangle</a> 2. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/interlock-cross-necklace-gold" target="_blank">Interlock Cross Necklace</a> 3. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/signature-clover-necklace" target="_blank">Signature Clover Necklace</a></div>
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4. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/on-the-mark-necklace-gold" target="_blank">On the Mark Necklace</a> 5. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/e152g" target="_blank">Chantilly Lace Earrings</a> 6. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/n284g" target="_blank">Rebel Pendant </a>7. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/adelina-cuff" target="_blank">Adelina Cuff</a> 8. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/bardot-spiral-bangle" target="_blank">Bardot Spiral Bangle</a> 9. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/love-bracelet" target="_blank">Love Bracelet</a> 10. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/garden-party-chandelier-earrings-green-gold" target="_blank">Garden Party Chandelier Earrings</a></div>
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1. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/jewelry/earrings/earrings-all/serenity-stone-drops" target="_blank">Serenity Stone Drops</a> 2. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/getaway-red-ikat" target="_blank">Getaway Bag in Red Ikat</a> 3. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/palm-springs-scar-turquoise-stripe" target="_blank">Palm Springs Scarf</a> 4.<a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/jolie-necklace" target="_blank"> Jolie Necklace</a> 5. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/palamino-necklace" target="_blank">Palamino Necklace</a> 6. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/jewelry/necklaces/necklaces-all/peacock-necklace" target="_blank">Peacock Necklace</a> 7. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/soiree-studs-coral" target="_blank">Soiree Studs</a> 8. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/lindsay-bangle-turquoise" target="_blank">Lindsay Bangle</a> ON SALE! 9. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/olivia-bib-necklace" target="_blank">Olivia Bib Necklace</a></div>
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1. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/stackable-deco-rings-set-of-3" target="_blank">Stackable Deco Rings</a> 2. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/interlock-heart-necklace" target="_blank">Interlock Heart Necklace</a> 3. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/b199s" target="_blank">Odette Cuff</a> 4.<a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/medina-bib-necklace" target="_blank"> Medina Bib Necklace</a> 5. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/initial-r-charm-sterling-silver" target="_blank">Signature Initial Charm</a> 6.<a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/n294s" target="_blank"> Ever After Necklace</a> 7. <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/demi-earrings-silver" target="_blank">Demi Earrings</a></div>
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Even if you don't share my style, Stella & Dot seems to have something for everyone! Take a look around the <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/ts/6yds5" target="_blank">Stella & Dot Website</a>!! Find something you love that suits you! My show will be open until the 29th of September! Happy Shopping! </div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-68296878377649346312013-08-26T12:35:00.000-07:002013-08-26T12:35:24.644-07:00July Photo DumpBecause it's almost September, it's time for a serious photo dump of all the fun things we've done (and I photographed) in July that I haven't had time to blog. Ugh. I'm busy. And I take too many pictures.<br />
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<b>Gravelly Point with Cakes & Kids</b> </div>
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While Mike was traveling for two weeks to Asia and Europe in July, my Cakes drove up to keep us company. We took the kids to Gravelly Point - a park immediately north of Reagan Airport - to watch the planes take off and land, literally, FEET above our heads. </div>
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We followed up our picnic in the park with a quick stop in Georgetown for Baked & Wired cupcakes!</div>
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<b>Our {Cutest Ever} Lemonade Stand</b></div>
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While Mandie was visiting, she promised her girls we'd all do a lemonade stand. Except I didn't want to. Like, at all. I thought I had successfully avoided it when she left and no lemonade had been sold... but the boys still just <i>had</i> to have a lemonade stand. So, we "squzzed" 28 lemons and made $16.50!<br />
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Oh. And it was <i>really</i> cute.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9597802767/" title="2013-08-26_0007 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-08-26_0007" height="799" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9597802767_8dd04aa2a6_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<b>Swim Lessons at SwimKids</b></div>
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I decided that since Henry always loved going to the pool, never minded getting his face dunked and always wanted to do the things his big brother was doing at the pool that he would do really well with swim lessons. So I signed him up for two weeks of lessons at SwimKids.<br />
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Well, I was wrong. He hated it. But after two weeks of threats, bribes and LOTS of patience, he passed SwimTots Level 1. He will now <i>kind of</i> let you dunk him, spider-climb the wall, kick his legs and blow bubbles.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9599387265/" title="2013-08-26_0010 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-08-26_0010" height="799" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/9599387265_0082b9eb74_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<b>Big Blue Goes Big Red</b></div>
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Charlie switched out his blue cast for a new red one - which was the color he originally asked for that the Orthopedic surgeon had run out of in the ER. He was <i>really</i> nervous for the saw but giggled through the whole thing.<br />
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-62966525216531422432013-08-21T10:02:00.000-07:002013-08-21T10:02:12.557-07:00Washing All the CarsMy hubby is from Michigan. And apparently that means he needs to wash our cars. Like, a lot. They breed serious clean-car pride up there.<br />
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This really works out for me because I have two kids in my car all.the.time. and it's messy. And since I'm not from Michigan, I don't care. Messes in cars are losing battles. I choose not to fight losing battles. There will always be more crumbs. And lollipops stuck to leather seats. And milk cups that rolled under the chair and no one bothered to say "heads-up, mom, I dropped my milk cup and it rolled under the chair" so you don't even know it's there until your keen mom sense picks up on the scent of the ounce of unfinished milk that is now gourmet car-cheese. There will always be another mess. Always. Why clean the car if tomorrow I'm going to have to give Hank a yogurt so he stops whining in the back seat and someday in the future someone will say "how did whatever <i>that</i> is {that you never even noticed} get up on the ceiling of your car?" By the way, it's yogurt up there. And this *might* be a true story.<br />
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In my opinion, you just don't need to clean your car unless you know someone who might be judgey is going to take a ride and point out the yogurt that spilled UP instead of DOWN to you.<br />
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But this, ladies, is why we marry midwestern men. They will just do it for you on the weekend. And also clean their car while they're at it. And insist on involving your darling children so that weird car pride is passed down to the next generation.<br />
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So... Clean car. Kids occupied. And all you have to do it take pictures when it starts getting really cute... and then blog about it {because midwestern men love cleaning cars but all the family documenting is up to you, girlfriend}. I think this is a pretty sweet deal.<br />
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Spoiler Alert: Henry got really wet. Who's shocked?<br />
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Also, Charlie has a waterproof cover over his cast if you're wondering what the blue thing with the really giant thumb-hole is. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once those cute little feet got in the bucket, it was all over. </td></tr>
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-1648135491612091772013-08-13T07:08:00.001-07:002013-08-13T07:11:18.183-07:00Blackberries at Great Country FarmsAbout 45 minutes west in the beautiful farm hills of Virginia, there is Great Country Farms. And blackberries, ripe for the picking.<br />
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While Mike was away in Singapore, I was happy to fill our days with anything and everything and picking blackberries sounded like a perfect day! My girlfriends, Jackie and Bridgett, and I took all of our boys on a drive through the gorgeous country up to the farm.<br />
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There is a wonderful deal for an all day pass to Great Country Farms for only $5 on certifikid <a href="http://www.certifikid.com/deal/5709/5-for-great-country-farms-admission-+-family-seas" target="_blank">HERE</a>. It lasts through August, so go, people! Go!!! Read on to see all the reasons to make the trek yourselves!<br />
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The blackberry field was a tractor-trailer ride away. Boys love trailer rides. Moms love the cuteness overload.<br />
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It was an overcast day which was such a blessing in the middle of July. It could've been so hot. But it was nice and mild.<br />
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We had NO CLUE what to do. Clearly. My girlfriends and I were all wearing flip flops and I put my kids in JCrew outfits, and Charlie's was WHITE. Dumb. Luckily, we ran into some other ladies who seemed a bit more experienced than we with their boots and buckets. They pointed us to the best vines and told us how to pick the berries. "Pick the ones that have turned black and are so fat that they come off easily - those are the ones you want". Thanks so much, Moms-Who-Have-Done-This-Before. We appreciated it.<br />
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I really didn't expect my kids to like this. I just figured they would be terrified of the ticks that might get on them like I was and refuse to get deep into the fields. {Seriously, I pretty much just stood in one spot cursing myself for wearing shorts and flips and wiped down my legs on repeat. I might have asked my girlfriends just a few times if they were <i>certain</i> the farm was fenced so the deer, and their ticks, stayed away from the fruit}<br />
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But the kids <i>loved</i> it. Charlie filled three pints! And they were soooo good. So much more flavor right off the vine than any you can buy at the grocery store. And so sweet!<br />
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After picking the berries, we had a picnic lunch under the shade of a big tree behind the farm store.<br />
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At that point, we were sold on the fact that GCF was amazing. Little did we know, there was SO. MUCH. MORE.<br />
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Behind the farm store, there are playgrounds, farm animals, mini golf, slides - AND A GIANT JUMPING PILLOW!!! Yup. A <i>giant.</i> <i>jumping. pillow</i>. Kid heaven.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't resist. I had to try it out too! </td></tr>
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After the jumping pillow, we decided to see some of the animals and feed them. A cup of feed comes with every $5 pass. Henry loves animals. For a kid who used to hate everything, we kind of eat it up when he finds something he loves. And he sure loooooves farm animals. When he sees them, he says "Hey {insert farm animal here}, you come home with me and I will pet you." He loves to have the goats eat out of his hand. Charlie does NOT. Charlie will look but will NOT touch. We all did fall in love with sweet Daisy the mini cow though. She was soooo cute.<br />
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With toddlers in tow, we finished the day at nap time - long before we got to see everything there was to do at Great Country Farms. Luckily, there is always a new crop to pick and a reason to go back. Next up - PEACHES! Can't wait.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9500534051/" title="2013-08-13_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/9500534051_233e22f426_o.jpg" width="705" height="323" alt="2013-08-13_0001"></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-29767915272331494612013-08-12T07:29:00.002-07:002013-08-12T07:29:25.106-07:00OBX, The Part In Which I Used Princess Consuela Just OnceHaving a little boy break his arm at the beach means, well, the beach loses a <i>tad</i> of its appeal.<br />
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Even though broken arms are "no big deal" and it wasn't painful, Charlie was still getting used to his cast during that second half of our beach vacay. He's a worrier and he takes his time getting comfortable with new things. We had a cast cover overnighted to our beach house - thank you for being so awesome, Amazon - so no water or sand would get inside it. Technically, you can get these fiber glass casts wet -- but I just couldn't imagine how itchy it would be to have sand get down inside it or what it could do to his skin to have it stay wet in there for the length of time it would take before it would dry. Seriously, though. How would it ever dry inside there? <br />
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After a bit of an emotionally exhausting start, we were thrilled to have my parents join us on Monday evening for the remainder of the week.<br />
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On Tuesday morning, we took Mom & D down to the water for a walk. This is the only time Princess Consuela made it out that week. Oh, well. It was midday and I was feeling uninspired. Sometimes I'm lazy and Instagram makes life so lovely and EASY with those adorable squares... ;)<br />
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It's always nice to have my mom around. She takes pictures of me. :)<br />
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How cute is this?? My dad brought a metal detector and the boys were just following him around in a line on a treasure hunt! Seriously. It was the cutest! And they found several quarters, a baseball keychain and three bangle bracelets! And then Henry threw most of the treasure into the ocean...<br />
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Photo shoot-out!<br />
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Later in the afternoon, my parents took Charlie to the movie theater and Mike and I took Henry back down to the beach. THIS is when I should have brought the big girl camera. Henry with the truck. Golden hour. It would've been lovely. Oh, well.<br />
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The next day, we all went down to the water. The cast cover had arrived but Charlie, like I said, takes a while to warm up to things and he wasn't the biggest fan of it yet. We managed to convince him to get out on the sandbar and he had some fun finally playing catch with Dad with a little ocean on his toes.<br />
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Mike and I left the boys with my parents and went to Blue Point in Duck for dinner. This has to be one of my favorite restaurants. It's on the sound side with an outdoor bar overlooking the water. We love it. I had the scallops while Mike had the crabcakes. Then, I couldn't resist the blueberry and peach crumble. The food is amazing.<br />
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Thursday was a pool day. We finally got the cast cover on C and he was instantly happier.<br />
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We had been wanting to try The Paper Canoe and decided to have a big family dinner there on Thursday night. It was delicious. I had lobster ravioli. Um. YUM.<br />
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We had a wonderful week at the beach -- but we are already looking forward to next summer when we can do it all again -- without the cast. ;)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-9736968881503054812013-08-09T06:52:00.000-07:002013-08-09T07:01:35.892-07:00OBX, The Part In Which Charlie Broke His ArmGrowing up in North Carolina, I saw those OBX stickers on the back of almost every single car but had never vacationed there (we were Hilton Head beach-ers)... until we moved back to VA in 2011 and were invited to go with our friends. We had so much fun together that we were beyond certain by the end of the week's vacation that we'd do it again in 2012. And every year after that for the rest of our lives. Heck, by the end of the week we were trying to figure out how to convince our hubbies to take another week's vacation and they were not objecting. Heck, by the end of the week, I was trying to scheme how to sell all the things, pack up and MOVE there. I could run a photography business in the Outer Banks, right? And spend my days catching all the freckles. I don't know what Mike would do. But there has to be oil there somewhere...<br />
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Needless to say, our vacations in the OBX are pure heaven. I always want to go and I never want to leave.<br />
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This year, however, was going to be different. Different <i>good,</i> but different. Our BFFs who have been our beach partners-in-crime for the last two years moved to Louisiana in June. Being the kind of people of the "more the merrier" persuasion, we invited our friends, the Millers, to drive up from Charlotte to meet us for the first half of the week and my parents to meet us for the second half. We were really excited to enjoy our favorite place with even more of our favorite people.<br />
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Our drive down from DC on Friday July 5th still held up the tradition of stopping at Sonic for the most giant Limeade possible. Extra limes, please. Seriously, how are there no Sonics in DC?<br />
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We got to the house early, around 2pm, and Cakes and her Crew were there by 3pm and we were on the water with beers and sand buckets by 4pm.<br />
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The water was FREEZING. But the weather was perfect. It was not too hot. Not once. Not the whole week. It stayed in the 80s with a really tolerable amount of humidity. It was <i>perfect</i>.<br />
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Saturday morning, we were up and out to the water nice and early. Well, early according to Jenn and Mandie time. {We're not really of the rushing sort.} The kids had so much fun! They dug holes and built sand castles. They played in the waves and rode their boogie boards.<br />
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And then, around 5pm, we headed back to the house -- and the Robertsons diverted to the swimming pool for a quick rinse of chlorine since the hot water heater had broken and was being fixed. I remember the swim very vividly -- just the four of us goofing around in the pool before dinner.<br />
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I remember the pool so vividly because by 8pm, as we were running around the house trying to find shoes for all the kids so we could walk across the street for Big Bucks ice cream, I heard Charlie scream. And everything about our vacation took a 180. I rolled my eyes at first. I thought he was fighting with Mandie's daughter, Bella, again. But then, he screamed...<br />
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"MOM!!! MOM!!! I BROKE MY ARM!!!"<br />
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I've never raced down stairs so quickly in my life and when I got to the front deck where everyone was, I saw him, already snuggled up in Mandie's arms, and then I saw his arm - dangling and bent - clearly no longer in the normal position of arms and bones... and <i>I </i>screamed. I don't think you're supposed to scream when you're the mom because you're supposed to hold it together for your children. But, I screamed. It was terrifying. Seeing my child's arm so clearly broken was one of the most awful things I've ever seen in my entire life.<br />
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Thank God for Mandie, Josh and Mike. I was in shock. I couldn't think. I still couldn't even believe it was real and all I wanted was for my baby to be fixed. I was almost just waiting for everything to just go back to normal. Mandie kept asking me questions of what to do and I just kind of stared at her. She stopped asking and just started telling me what to do. We got him in the the backseat of our car with his head in my lap -- and Mike and I drove him the 45 minutes south from Corolla to Nags Head to the Outer Banks hospital. He was a flippin' champ. FORTY FIVE MINUTES and he didn't cry. Not once. He just closed his eyes and zoned out. I was shaking and he was calm as a cucumber.<br />
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Bella and Charlie had been playing a game of chase while waiting for the rest of us to get ready -- and they had climbed onto the top bunk in the kid's room. Bella went to teasingly kiss Charlie and he decided to jump off the top bunk to get away {oh, how funny this will be in 7 years when getting kisses from girls will be all he can think about}. His athletic shorts caught the rail and turned him sideways as he went down. He stuck an arm out to break the fall and it snapped in half under the weight of the fall.<br />
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The hospital was amazing. The nurses and staff were just wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Charlie is a worrier and they were kind and patient with him. I even noticed that our one nurse - a big guy with a deep voice and dry humor - was gently rubbing his hand while calming him down. He didn't have to give comfort in that way - but he did - and I found it to be so sweet. Truly caring.<br />
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After some meds, and then some more meds after barfing up the first dose, and some Xrays, they called in the Orthopedic Surgeon who showed up wearing a tan, a tshirt, board shorts and tennis shoes. This made us laugh. Dr. Matt. Wearing the board shorts. Only at a beach hospital...<br />
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Mike later asked me if I found him attractive {I did} because I wouldn't stop talking to him. But I told Mike, "Yes, I noticed he was good looking, but more importantly, I noticed he was in his beach attire... and I wasn't going to stop talking to him until I found out where he got his medical degree." :) He went to Georgetown. So, we were all good. Hot doctors with medical degrees from Georgetown may set my child's bones in board shorts.<br />
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They gave him an IV - which he screamed louder over than the actual break - and dosed him up with a drug called Ketamine, which would basically make him high as a kite for awhile so they could set the bones back in place and he'd have no memory of it.<br />
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They got him all fixed up and set in a cast and sent us home. The doctor said there was absolutely no reason to stop our vacation. Apparently, the ER in Nags Head sees broken bones constantly - and LOTS of them are bunk bed broken bones - and they didn't really think it was that big of a deal at all.<br />
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On Sunday, Charlie and Daddy stayed in the house to chill out and kind of, get over the previous day's trauma while the rest of us headed down to the beach.<br />
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We had scheduled a sitter for Sunday night so the four of us could go out without the kiddos. We decided to keep the sitter even though our big guy was feeling less-than-100%. We've had the same sitter in the OBX for three years and she's the BEST. I felt completely comfortable having her take care of my little patient.<br />
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It was really so good for the mama-soul to have an evening out to de-stress.<br />
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And on Monday morning, Charlie was feeling much better and he decided he'd get up and out at the mention of Duck Donuts and the Currituck lighthouse.<br />
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Yup, he climbed up 103 feet to the top of the lighthouse. Kids, y'all. Broken bones one day. Tops of lighthouses the next.<br />
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Then we said our sad good-byes to Mandie and the Miller clan and spent a little time at the pool that afternoon. Daddy pitched a ball to Charlie and they played left-handed catch! Papa & Blah arrived at the house around dinner time and brought a new Lego set to cheer up Charlie. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9456473746/" title="2013-08-06_0012 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-08-06_0012" height="231" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9456473746_82fdac8ff1_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-59927539103699326942013-08-06T07:16:00.000-07:002013-08-06T07:36:03.528-07:00July 4thWe didn't do much to celebrate the 4th of July. Life was just too crazy. We were packing up for our trip to the OBX on the 5th so we decided to let it kind of slide by this year.<br />
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However, we got a little festive on the 3rd when our neighborhood put on a fireworks show. We grabbed a few packs of sparklers from the fireworks stand and had some sparkly fun while waiting for the show.<br />
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I should have grabbed my tripod. I <i>knew</i> I wanted certain shots of sparklers and I <i>knew </i>I'd need a slow shutter speed to get them and I <i>knew</i> my hand (or any hand) couldn't keep the camera steady enough at such slow speeds to avoid blur. But noooooo, I, of course, forgot the tripod.<br />
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A good trick for avoiding blur at a slow shutter speed without a tripod there to steady your camera is to brace the camera on a body part. Since I was sitting, I pulled my knees up to my chest and braced it on my knees.<br />
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Want to take similar pictures of sparkler trails? It's all about the shutter speed. I just played around with mine while we sat there. I tested longer shutter speeds and checked to see how much of the trail I captured. If it wasn't enough, I slowed the speed down some more. The longer you leave the shutter open on your camera, the more time it has to capture the image. You want your subject to stay as still as possible or else they will be blurry (Charlie was MUCH better at this than Henry) and have them <i>just </i>move the sparkler without moving their body.<br />
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If you want to capture the sparks of the sparkler and not the trails, then in that case you will need a fast shutter speed so it can quickly grab those fast-flying sparks!<br />
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We got lots of fun shots! <br />
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Henry was really wary of the sparklers at first. But, since his brother was doing it, he came around and wanted to do it too. His sparkler trails crack me up. Absolutely crazy, just like him.<br />
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And then it was time for the fireworks! My very favorite fireworks are the ones that look like champagne-colored chandeliers!<br />
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Charlie, my sweet worrier, was very concerned about our proximity to Dulles airport and if the fireworks show would be dangerous for the airplanes. We assured Charlie that there had to be permits and paperwork and that certainly the airport was aware of all this and that the pilots would fly much higher than our little fireworks show by the time they took off from Dulles anyway -- and very soon after calming his fears - a plane flew RIGHT by our fireworks. Ha!<br />
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Happy {belated} Birthday, America!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-84137645072778956122013-08-01T05:30:00.000-07:002013-08-05T08:20:21.733-07:00Baltimore B&O MuseumWe have been wanting to visit the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for quite awhile. It's a bit of a hike from NOVA but Hubster had an early flight out of Maryland on a Friday in late June, so we decided we'd drive him there and then make our way to finally see the trains.<br />
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Mike's flight was crazy early out of BWI and the museum didn't open until 10, so we decided to eat breakfast at Miss Shirleys Cafe in the Inner Harbor. Holy good lord almighty. What an amazing breakfast joint. I ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and then a giant veggie egg-white omelet with cheesy grits for the main dish. I was too stuffed to finish even a quarter of it... and there has not been a day that's passed that I have not wished I'd risked some sort of food poisoning to box it up and leave in my hot car all day so I could've finished it all. It was. That. Good.<br />
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I'm sort of twitching over the thought of going back for the Maryland Omelet with lump crab meat and dusted with Old Bay. Um, yes please.<br />
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After breakfast, we had a short drive to the museum.<br />
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Aside for the major flaw of it being in Baltimore, the museum is amazing!! Like, AMAZING! Charlie has been train-obsessed since he was two - and even though he will deny it now and brush off all his willinginess to see trains as "doing it for Henry", he just loves the heck out of them still. And this museum is <i>literally</i> little-boy heaven.<br />
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Pulling into the {free} parking lot, several huge trains lined the parking spaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9404573338/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="photo-52 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="photo-52" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9404573338_5be3839f28_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute is this? Charlie thought up the pose and the words and insisted I instagram it! :)</td></tr>
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The museum is basically a giant roundhouse, which for anyone who has never had a train-obsessed child, this is where the trains were housed when not in use during the old-timey days of train travel. Displayed trains are placed in a circle of chronological order from the origin of the B&O rail line with covered wagons and progresses through the civil war as they circle around the room. Side note: chronological order is my favorite order.<br />
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I was completely intrigued and interested. Unfortunately, little boys don't care much about the history, or following the order... they just want to walk through all the things {quickly} and climb on whatever is permitted for climbing.<br />
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My most favorite cars were the passenger cars. Sans kids, I could have spent a rather sizeable amount of nerdy time looking at all the details in the passenger cars, especially the ones that were used in the Civil War for the soldiers. I've always been fascinated with people so it was absolutely amazing to see what sort of accommodations were available back in the 1800s. What did people <i>do</i> back then?<br />
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In between some of the trains was a giant play area of Thomas toy trains. It took all my patience to convince the boys that we would get to those toys AFTER we looked at all the trains. And it took all of their patience to stick it out.<br />
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When we finally made it to the play area {which I was really avoiding because, omg, the school groups...}, Charlie was totally <strike>into it</strike> supporting his brother's interest in toy trains. I actually thought the play area was pretty amazing. They had four or five Thomas train tables so there were enough trains and tables for all the kids. They had train books and train puzzles and train dress-up outfits. But really, for my boys... it was all about the train toys.<br />
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And then, at 11:30am, it was time for our ride on a REAL train! Yup... our admission to the museum came with tickets to ride about a mile west and then back again on a MARC passenger train. Like I said, little boy flippin' <i>heaven</i>.<br />
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Henry's face when the train started to move, y'all. Priceless!!!<br />
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Charlie was so interested in what was being explained over the loudspeaker that he "sssh-ed" me about 15 times. He's just so adorable and nerdy-licious. I love how much he likes to learn.<br />
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That whole 20 minute ride is hard, work, huh, Henry?? :)<br />
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Returning from the ride, we walked over to the North Building which houses trains so big that they wouldn't fit in the roundhouse! Seriously, they were massive. They were diesels built in the 40s and 50s and, as the guy who worked there explained, they were terribly inefficient -- even though they were extremely beautiful machines. There were lots of guys all over the place who were extremely kind and helpful and excited to tell you all about the trains.<br />
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Also, the low light ooey-gooey photographic goodness. So. Much. Photog. Fun.<br />
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I was so pleased with the "SAVE COAL" sign. I'm sure it wasn't exactly meant to be environmentally friendly like I read it to be, but I still thought it was cute.<br />
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Hungry for lunch, and believing we had seen it all, we headed out for the day. It was only once we got into the parking lot that we noticed that we missed the platforms where several trains were open for walking through! We almost went back inside, but we always need a reason to go back! And go back, we will!!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9397907028/" title="2013-07-29_0028 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-29_0028" height="524" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/9397907028_3b8f5661d8_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9397907008/" title="2013-07-29_0029 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-29_0029" height="470" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/9397907008_a85024d738_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-60065462531258494502013-07-31T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-31T05:30:00.566-07:00I Think We'll Go To Boston, Part 3I love being an auntie. I get to do all of the fun stuff, like mail presents just because I feel like it, and smother them in kisses and tickles, and I get to be the one to hold them during special religious ceremonies, at which I am deemed their Godmother. Yeah. Boom.<br />
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Two years ago, I held my Olly-bear through his baptism. This June, I held my Westie-bug through his.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's probably completely improper to photograph in church...?</td></tr>
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My brother and sister-in-law have a lovely church in beautiful Arlington, MA and we have attended so many special moments there with them: their wedding and the baptisms of both of our nephews. The red door and the large historic bricks are swoon-worthy. It's a beautiful place for Sundays and families.</div>
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If you're ever in Boston, you must make a short trek to Arlington for Blue Ribbon BBQ. We have it every time we visit my brother because it is amazing! We get really nervous that there won't be enough so we order the meal for 6 to feed the 4 of us and it's always too much -- even though we stuff ourselves to near burst! Just imagine how much my brother ordered for the whole family post-baptsism lunch!? Oh, how it was so good.<br />
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Great news, DC friends!!! We recently discovered when my brother came to DC and we went to order Williards BBQ in Dulles that the menus were eerily identical. Turns out that Williard's here in VA, which is two minutes from my house, is owned by the BROTHER of Blue Ribbon BBQ which is two minutes from my brother's house in MA. Does anyone else think thats a super weird thing?? It's like God wants my brother and I to share in the BBQ goodness.<br />
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BBQ, y'all. It brings a family together. I had to take a picture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember my mother's day post about my mom's vanity license plate?? Blah x 4! </td></tr>
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After lunch, it's a sort of tradition (meaning, we did it the one other time after Oliver's baptism) to walk to Spy Lake Park. Charlie loves this park and I totally see why! A beautiful park overlooking a beautiful lake with a small, sandy beach for dipping toes and a playground with a zip line! :)<br />
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The boys had so much fun!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9397779856/" title="2013-07-29_0004 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-29_0004" height="1238" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/9397779856_b97a4cf24e_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9395013501/" title="2013-07-29_0005 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-29_0005" height="349" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9395013501_8daab1c005_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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My boys are really into baseball and Henry loves a good game of whiffle-ball. Mike couldn't resist bringing a bat and a ball to the park and getting all the boys going on a game.
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Henry is AMAZING at whiffle ball. Well, at <i>hitting</i> the ball. He almost never misses. But no matter where he hits the ball, he thinks he gets a home run and runs all the bases. And it's so cute, no one dares tell him any different.<br />
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And... then the battery on my camera kicked out before Charlie or Olly stepped up to bat. Yay for iphone to the rescue!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9395013645/" title="2013-07-29_0012 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-29_0012" height="615" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9395013645_9fa85e2355_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-90706588073553771292013-07-30T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-30T05:30:01.691-07:00I Think We'll Go To Boston, Part 2My ONE plan for Boston was to go to the Public Garden to visit the ducklings and ride on the swan boats.<br />
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On Saturday, all my Bean-town dreams came true! Well, 50% of my dreams, at least. We didn't make it to see the actual brass duckling statues, but I rode on the swan boats, so I'm counting it as a partially successful trip that gives me a reason to go back. The weather was perfect! And aside from it being such a beautiful Saturday in June which brought about 5 billion other tourists all wanting to do the same thing... it was wonderful! The gardens are amazing and tucked right in the middle of the city off <b><i>CHARLES ST</i></b>. <br />
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My parents flew into Boston as we were down in the city so they cabbed it over and found us just as we were swan-boating under the bridge! Hi, Mom!!!<br />
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After the boats, we took the crew over to Quincy Market to have Lobster Rolls for lunch. It was crowded and chaotic -- but uber-delish! And very Boston-y!<br />
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The last time we visited the Quincy Market, Charlie had an ice cream cone covered in blue sprinkles. This time, we HAD to have the same thing. We took our cones outside and I, of course, started taking pictures. And then my brother and my hubby made fun of me by taking pictures of me taking pictures.<br />
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And being the Saturday before Father's Day, the kids were all over their Papa. Well, they'd be all over their Papa anyway, because they all adore him.<br />
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Aside from seeing the sights... we also spend a lot of time on our Boston visits just snuggling and playing with our nephews/cousins. This is definitely our most favorite part of every trip.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9385076110/" title="2013-07-28_0003 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-28_0003" height="857" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/9385076110_be5324b4d0_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9385075996/" title="2013-07-28_0004 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-28_0004" height="229" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9385075996_06a340364b_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-595485190103290472013-07-29T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-29T05:30:04.852-07:00I Think We'll Go To Boston, Part 1Last month, we went to Boston. Yes, I said last month. I'm wayyyyy behind.<br />
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My nephew was being baptized {I'm the godmother, boo-yah!} so we decided to fly up a few days before the ceremony to spend time in the city and visit with my brother's family.<br />
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The morning of our flight, we were battling with two huge weather systems -- and luckily, our flight was scheduled in between the storms so we avoided delays and cancellations. Unluckily, that meant we had to fly THROUGH both of them which made for a horribly bumpy flight. Like, CRAZY bumpy. I cried. And at one point, I <i>may</i> have screamed that I needed to get off "NOW!" at some sort of 30,000-ish altitude. Mike made fun of me. It wasn't my best moment. I hate flying.<br />
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The huge, awful storms also ruined our fab plans to drive down to Rhode Island and see a photographer friend of mine...<br />
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But the airport and the airplane were super fun for two little boys.<br />
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Jet Blue has personal TVs... perfect. I was terrified. They were watching tv.<br />
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The next day we decided to head into the city and see an IMAX at the Science Museum. But when those plans were squashed due to a sold out viewing {darn school groups who ruin EVERYTHING!}... we changed it up and hopped on the T to find our way to Fenway Park.<br />
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The subway in Boston is called the "Charlie Train", which we love! The boys thought it was lots of fun -- even when we got lost, just a bit -- and realized we were on the wrong train.<br />
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We decided to get off the train at the next stop and walk through the city towards Fenway (it was a GORGEOUS day). We didn't know exactly where we were but just a few steps from the subway, we saw the Boston Marathon Finish Line painted across the street.</div>
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It was a very strange realization to find ourselves where we found ourselves. We knew we were walking down the same street where only a few weeks prior, such horrible, cruel, senseless violence had occurred. As we continued our walk, we passed by the restaurants and the mailboxes that were still surrounded in piles of flowers for the souls who were lost there... and my heart melted. The little boy who died there looked so much like Charlie. And I just felt so much pain for his family as I held my boy's hand, ever so more tightly. </div>
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We found Fenway and Charlie was thrilled. He's quite obsessed with baseball and loves Babe Ruth -- so Fenway was quite the place of awe. We walked around and stopped in a shop to buy Charlie a Boston cap {and Henry, too, since he flat insisted that he do whatever Charlie does.}<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9375390203/" title="2013-07-27_0005 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-27_0005" height="794" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9375390203_c144440f6f_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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I had wanted to take a tour of the park but we found The Bleacher Bar instead, which is a bar that overlooks the Fenway field. Beer AND a view?? DEAL! We bought the boys some custard and found a perfect little booth in the perfect little pocket of light and enjoyed some amazing chill time together.
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I was pretty obsessed with the pocket of light coming right into the corner of our booth. I shot all of these on my "baby DSLR" instead of Princess Consuela. Since I hadn't dusted her off since upgrading to the Full Frame, I was actually thrilled that Baby McNikon and my off-brand lens could rock the low light so hard.<br />
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Also, I love that Henry always has to shove himself in a tight spot so that he's as close to his big brother as possible. I know it's annoying to my big guy, but gah! I just eat it up.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9375390089/" title="2013-07-27_0008 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-27_0008" height="468" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9375390089_9c3f5d5522_o.jpg" width="706" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-28899391207199494362013-07-15T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-15T05:30:00.134-07:00Little League NatitudeIt's mid-July now but my blog is still living on June-time. Ooops.<br />
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Every June, Charlie's little league offers discounted tickets to a Nats game - in the highest, furthest seats in the house - and it's always been one of our favorite traditions. We buy up 8 tickets and go with our besties, the Allens. We fill up on beer, Jenny and I share soft pretzels and the guys down Ben's Chili Bowl dogs and the kids insist that we wait in the huge line for Dippin' Dots. And as is custom with home-played Sunday games, after the game, the kids run the bases high-fiving all the President mascots. It is always such a fun day!<br />
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Sadly, this year was a bit different than our usual routine. The Allens moved to Louisiana just two days before this game, so we went solo. Boo. :( And due to all the rain this season, the Nats had to make up a game with a double header so the kids running the bases was cancelled. But, on the brighter side, this was the first year that Henry did not freak out and monkey-cling to me the entire game.<br />
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Doesn't get any higher than the 400 level! BALLERS!!! :)<br />
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I have to be honest. My very first taste of a Ben's Chili Bowl dog was a bite off Mike's at a game a few weeks before this one. It was amazing -- even though I'm told it doesn't count as my first because it wasn't from the original place on U street. Feigning over that one bite, I got my very own at this game and it was totally delicious. Although, I forgot to get napkins. Fail. And a knife and fork. Fail. And I ordered it without mustard which is not "all the way". Fail. And I couldn't eat it all. Fail.<br />
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Thanks to my girl, Siri, I got in some reverse camera shots! Hey, look! It's me with my favorites!!<br />
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Why is Charlie cheering??? The Nats had just scored their sixth run which hooked us up with 6 free wings per ticket at Hard Times Cafe! YAY! Charlie's favorite!!<br />
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What do you do when you're three at a major league game?? Climb all over the seats, of course! And be adorable.<br />
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The Dippin' Dots. Always the Dippin' Dots.<br />
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Since it was the little league's game, most of Charlie's team was there which meant Charlie had lots of friends to hang with. He even spent some time sitting next to his awesome Coach.<br />
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I think it's virtually impossible for 9 year old boys to make sweet, smiling faces at the camera.<br />
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NATS WIN!!!! Go Nats!!!<br />
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And more of Henry being adorable!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9282165047/" title="2013-07-14_0011 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-14_0011" height="313" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9282165047_70e179a829_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-17008135423969850082013-07-03T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-03T05:30:03.642-07:00The Scrappers: Our 2013 Spring Baseball SeasonMy hubby usually signs up as assistant coach for Charlie's sports teams. I love this. Since my hubby puts in lots of work hours, it gives Mike and Chuck specific, set aside, and special time together -- and it means I don't have to go to all of the practices and games. :) Which are long. And often.<br />
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This spring was cold. And I hate the cold. So, I ended up pawning an unusually large sum of the sports-related parenting to Mike, and didn't catch as many of the games as I normally do. Towards the end of the season, I realized if I didn't get my butt in gear, I'd have no pictures!!<br />
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One of the first games I made it to (aside from <a href="http://chuckandhank.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-baseball-boost.html" target="_blank">Charlie's pitching game</a>) was a make-up game against the only undeafeated team in the league. AND WE BEAT THEM! Which gave us a chance to make it into the playoffs! All of a sudden I was kicking myself for slacking in my attendance. The games were fun! And Charlie was playing so well! And Henry wasn't nearly as hard to watch as he was last year! SCORE!!!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193019170/" title="2013-07-02_0006 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0006" height="323" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/9193019170_a672bd2a29_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193019284/" title="2013-07-02_0002 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0002" height="652" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/9193019284_33205b4f9e_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
Trucks, dirt and watching big bro at bat! The life of a toddler at big brother's baseball games!<br />
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He also picked up ticks at every.single.game. this year. Which, of course, made me insane. I hate ticks. And they love the flippin' baseball fields. And chomping on Henry's itty bitty toddler parts. So gross.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9190238979/" title="2013-07-02_0007 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0007" height="709" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/9190238979_3a7d0048fe_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9190221159/" title="2013-07-02_0004 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0004" height="470" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9190221159_c7f60d86a7_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193019216/" title="2013-07-02_0003 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0003" height="472" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/9193019216_f5d7c6bbf8_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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Last year's spring season, we had to tempt Charlie with promises of a Dairy Queen ice cream cone if he'd get just one hit during a game. This year, that kid was getting himself a hit practically every time he got up to bat. Friggin' Dairy Queen, man. That's some seriously powerful motivation.<br />
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I was so proud, and quite surprised, by how much he had improved since this same time last year. As much as I jokingly say that DQ is the reason, I think it really has so much to do with his Dad's presence as a coach. They have such a bond over baseball. This is something a mom, at least ME as a mom, cannot give to Charlie. Mostly because they still make fun of me for not having a clue what is going on during the games. I have to ask a lot of questions. But I'm so glad it's something they share. And something Mike excels at as a Dad. Sports is so his thing. And now it's their thing. Adorable.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193019280/" title="2013-07-02_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0001" height="258" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9193019280_084b6bd380_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193304818/" title="2013-07-02_0008 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0008" height="528" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/9193304818_a683d53f19_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9193304752/" title="2013-07-02_0009 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0009" height="796" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9193304752_469149a529_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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And then, all too quickly, we had finished out the regular season and were playing our first playoff game.<br />
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By this point, I was SO into it! I was so pumped up! So excited! I wanted them to win!! I wanted it for Mike. I wanted it for Charlie. I wanted it for all those kids who were playing their best. I wanted them to win just <i>one</i> playoff game. Just <i>one</i>.<br />
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That first playoff game was intense. For most of the game, we were winning. EVERY parent was standing up, pacing. Cheering. Clenching teeth. Leaning against the fence. We ALL wanted it for our kids.<br />
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And somewhere in the 4th, the other team caught up to our lead. Then in the 5th, we didn't score any runs. And they took it in the 6th. {Charlie read this over my shoulder and wanted me to make sure that I wrote that he got a double during this game, hee hee}<br />
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It. Was. Heartbreaking.<br />
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But I couldn't stop myself from photographing that last team talk from the coaches. Those Dads were truly upset. They wanted it too. They had worked hard along side those kids all season. I just think it's unbelievably amazing that these men take so much time out of their own lives - leaving work early several nights a week, dedicating Saturdays and sometimes Sundays, too - to support, teach and coach other people's kids. It's guys like these that make a difference in children's lives. It is so generous. And for that, it was hard to watch them have to close out the season on a loss.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9190507425/" title="2013-07-02_0010 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0010" height="799" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9190507425_ce56977129_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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And one last "hands in" cheer for the Scrappers. Who played their hearts out.<br />
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And that's the true measure of winners.<br />
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Also, guys. The light. Swoon.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9190507401/" title="2013-07-02_0011 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-07-02_0011" height="709" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/9190507401_be43685a13_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-36145650880718125622013-07-02T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:35:49.670-07:00Arbonne Product Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9184298446/" title="ArbonneGiveaway by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="ArbonneGiveaway" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/9184298446_09b3e08079.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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A few weeks ago, I instagrammed a picture of my hair all wrapped up on the top of my head as I tried out my new Arbonne hair mask for the first time. I have very long hair, the bottom of which is covered in split ends. I needed some repair. Not to mention, a hair mask is a perfect excuse to lock myself in the bathroom, ALONE, which is a whole other kind of repair in itself. As with all my Arbonne products, this one did not disappoint. Once rinsed and dried, my hair felt as soft and healthy as if it'd just been cut.<br />
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Bonus - I was so excited to see that one of my favorite blogs - How to be a Redhead - re-grammed & facebooked the photo. My forehead is famous!!<br />
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I first learned about <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/" target="_blank">Arbonne</a> products last Thanksgiving while on vacation back home in Michigan. My girlfriend, Melissa, asked if I was interested in some girl time away from our kids to try some of the Arbonne products for which she is a consultant. I said, "Oh, Meliss, that sounds so lovely, but I'm the kind of girl who washes her face with a Dove bar -- when I remember to wash my face at all -- and then I just slap on some wrinkle lotion I found at Target."<br />
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"Oh, no! Jenn, you don't!?" she said. "One night of skipping a face wash ages your skin 14 days. And these products are all natural and free of chemicals. Do you know if the lotion you're using is paraben-free?"<br />
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Shut up. FOURTEEN DAYS for one itty-bitty, teeny-tiny night of skipping? I had turned thirty-one just a few months before this and the lines that I had never seen under my eyes before had suddenly emerged, clear as day. I had stopped purposely trying to tan my skin to keep it healthy. So why hadn't I stopped my bad habit of sleeping in my makeup? I'd also given up using all the acne products that said not to use when "pregnant or trying to become pregnant" -- because if they could harm a fetus, how could they possibly be alright for my regular non-pregnant body?? I wasn't even considering all the "regular" chemicals that don't come with warnings on the boxes.<br />
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"Ok, Meliss. You're right. It's time I stop treating my skin like I'm still in college. Let's do this."<br />
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Now I'm hooked. My skin, my hair, my body are all feeling pampered, youthful and beautiful. And I feel relaxed and healthy knowing I'm gross-stuff-free when I get ready for the day.<br />
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I really wanted to spread the word - not only about my love of the hair mask & subsequent famous forehead - but my love for <i>all</i> of my Arbonne products so I asked Melissa if she'd be interested in blogging a little bit about Arbonne's commitment to safe and natural beauty products -- and maybe even hook everyone up with a giveaway!<br />
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She was! So here it is!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">26 seconds</span></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> is all it takes for the chemicals in your personal products to enter your bloodstream. Your skin is your largest organ in your body. What is in your products? Have you ever really thought about it? Well, now is the time! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;">As a consultant for a Health & Wellness company, I am dedicated to providing you with all natural products. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Whatever your health & wellness needs are, Arbonne offers an array of </span><u>Pure</u>, <u>Safe</u>, & <u>Beneficial</u> products - men & women’s anti-aging skin care, sensitive skin care, detox<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">/spa, skin & body care, baby care, cosmetics, nutritional supplements & much more! - to cover you for life...from </span><span style="color: #222222;">Diapers</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> to </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="color: #222222;">Depends</span><wbr></wbr>!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> 
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<span style="color: #313131;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our products are all: </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9184775084/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Arbonne by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="Arbonne" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/9184775084_eb881efb3d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-size: large; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will never have to worry that you're using something on your skin that's toxic or could harm your health. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please enter our giveaway to win an <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=7321&menuId=107&withLinks=1" target="_blank">Arbonne Hair mask</a> + a bonus of <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=849&menuId=245&withLinks=1" target="_blank">Arbonne's Baby Care Sunscreen</a> for your little one (or for a friend's little one!) by simply liking Melissa's Arbonne page & my photography page on Facebook! Bonus entries for twitter love! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">BTW, I never pay full price for my Arbonne products and Melissa can tell you how to get 20% or more off your Arbonnes purchase, plus cash rewards to use towards future purchases, as well! Contact Melissa for more information at </span><b style="background-color: white;"><a href="mailto:melissameglio@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">melissa.meglio@gmail.com</span></a></b></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3fff181/" id="rc-3fff181" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-57390681921665656242013-07-01T05:30:00.000-07:002013-07-01T05:30:04.751-07:00My Brain vs. My BrainThere was a time, back in 2004, when I did this parenting thing completely on my own terms. I was the only one I knew with a baby. Sometime after I gave birth to Charlie, I remember a friend convincing me to join MySpace. {Ha ha. MySpace.} So, this was even before I had entered the world of social media. God, that makes it seem like 2004 was eons ago! But once I was on MySpace, I found no other mothers there. Oddly, those "loner" years, I remember as some of my easiest of parenting. The years when there was no one else showing me what to do -- and no one else to compare myself to. <br />
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Except for the moms at the park. I'd compare myself to them - but in a way where I did not at all feel inferior. They were all 10-15 years older than me and constantly saying things like, "Use you words." in soft voices while their kids continued to throw sand in their faces. I found <i>those moms </i>incredibly obnoxious and would roll my eyes. Ugh. "<i>Moms in their thirties</i>," I'd think. "<i>How sad. They're WAY too into their parenting. They probably read all the books and get very worried over what they say in them.</i>"<br />
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Oh, how I long for those years of 23 year old parenting back. It was so carefree. All I ever thought about was how much I adored Charlie. That was all that mattered and all I needed to know. It led the way for us.<br />
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Now I find that so many times, I fail - in my mind - as a parent. But why??? Why am i constantly disappointed in myself? I adore my children. Like, well-up-with-tears <i>adore</i> them. That was enough in 2004. Why is it leaving me feeling like such a failure in 2013??<br />
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I think we, as moms, and as women, are plagued with this onslaught of social media where our parenting, and our lives, are put out in front of the world and we compare and compare and compare ourselves to determine where we fit. Do we fit? Are we doing it "right"? I think that social media has made parenting SO. MUCH. HARDER.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I was over my children. Over. Them. I needed to work. Hub was out of town on business so I knew there was no relief in sight. And everytime I'd sit down to work, someone needed a snack or a drink or to go potty or to just tell me the same thing over and over again and to remind me that I had promised to take them to the park and hadn't done that yet and then, holy crap, it was the middle of the afternoon and I'd started 15 separate tasks but finished nothing! And those are the times when "it" happens. My kids broke into that "omg, you're driving me nuts, get out of my face!" space in my brain -- which all moms know, sits in a very sad corner of the "GUILT GUILT GUILT!!!" part of the brain. Which, when the two mix, that is when the pressure of being a "bad mom" creeps in and overtakes it all.<br />
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So, you go on Facebook to find a friend, to release the built up pressure, to relate. But instead, the first thing you see in your feed is Supermom. You know her. She's the one who is homeschooling and today, they're baking cookies while discussing Mozart while an organic, GMO-free dinner with VEGETABLES bakes in the oven. Oh, bad words. Damn you, Supermom. Damn you, Facebook. Damn you, wonderful, amazing, awful Facebook. And Supermom.<br />
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Forget the cookies, I'm supposed to make dinner too!?!? Even though dinner is something that happens EVERYDAY, I always forget about it. But Supermom doesn't. Nooooooo. She remembers dinner. And her children actually eat it without being threatened that they have to go to bed if they don't. Bad words, bad words, bad words!!!! I suck. I suck. I SUCK!!!!!!<br />
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I am ripped of all the memories of all the wonderful things I have ever done with my kids. My brain fills with thoughts of my suckiness. I suddenly can't remember to give myself a break because I run a business in addition to my mommy duties. I can't remember that yesterday I took them to a museum or that I orchestrated a fabulous birthday party a week ago because all I see is that today, they watched a lot of TV when they should have had all my attention and we should've made cookies!!! Supermom made cookies!!! And I didn't!!!! Ten years ago, on the rare occasion I'd be in the same space as her, Supermom made me feel badly for her and all her unnecessary overparenting and worry. Now, Supermom makes me insane. Supermom makes me feel like SuperSuck.<br />
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It was on that day, those few weeks back, where all of this happened exactly as I've described and I was spiraling downwards. So much to do. No time. Work deadlines approaching. My brain was consumed with stress and thoughts of unfinished laundry. And the kids wanted to eat, again. And that was annoying me. Why do they always want to eat?? And play outside? And fight over the same stupid piece of plastic? I remember this day as horrible. I remember being a terrible mom that day who scary-screamed more than I'd like to admit and said "Go play! Go find something else to do!" all too many times. If you asked me about this day, I'd have told you that I was a failure on that day. It was a "bad mom" kind of day. It was a day when a Supermom, I was not.<br />
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And then I found these photos in Lightroom. All from that day.<br />
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The evidence of my motherhood from that day looks like this.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9164807897/" title="2013-06-29_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0001" height="346" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9164807897_48626c06b2_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9164807827/" title="2013-06-29_0002 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0002" height="524" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/9164807827_2bc554d410_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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Henry is a stage five clinger. He wants to be on top of me or directly next to me at all times. Annoyed that he was following me from room to room, I started a game of throwing the laundry from the upstairs balcony down to him below to de-pressure the battle between task vs. attention. We now do it every time I have laundry and it's one of our favorite things.<br />
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And he loves to be independent and do things by himself. This has always caused a battle between us because he will flip out if he cannot figure out how to do something. So, that day, I started letting him dump the baskets of clothes into the machine. And he loves it. And I love the tippy toes.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9164807803/" title="2013-06-29_0003 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0003" height="346" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9164807803_f9cd7fb7ca_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9167031310/" title="2013-06-29_0004 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0004" height="323" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9167031310_6b74705bdb_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
And when their Daddy is away on business, they sleep in my bed with me. It's a tradition that they love. And clearly, even on this crazy day when I felt so down on myself, here I was photographing them in the dark instead of tucking myself in for much needed sleep because they are just so cute and wonderful. And because I love them to death.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9167031268/" title="2013-06-29_0005 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0005" height="470" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/9167031268_570061d70b_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9164807715/" title="2013-06-29_0006 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0006" height="470" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/9164807715_d5e8cf2bdd_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9164807709/" title="2013-06-29_0007 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0007" height="470" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9164807709_6c1ed2aeab_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9167031212/" title="2013-06-29_0008 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-06-29_0008" height="470" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/9167031212_25b06eb660_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
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If this is what that day actually looked like, then I am struck with the realization that Supermom is all in my head. It's not Supermom or Facebook's fault. Or Pinterest's. {let's just lump that asshole of a "you-don't-measure-up" webpage in there with them all, too}. It's mine. It's MY decision to feel like I am doing it wrong. It's my decision to freak out. It's my decision to focus on the parts that aren't pretty and taunting me and robbing me instead of cherishing and rising up to all the good times and the BEAUTY that is in our lives.<br />
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If this is what my motherhood looks like, then I'm clearly doing something right. Those two boys - well, sometimes they will have to watch a lot of TV. And sometimes I won't be able to finish the laundry. And sometimes I will shout "STOP IT!" many, many times during a day. And sometimes I will feed them pizza a few days in a row. And sometimes, this sort of day will repeat itself and I will lack patience and feel defeated, But, ALWAYS, I will love them and being their mom. So much. And that really is what makes a super mom. <br />
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Deep breaths. They are ok. I am ok. </div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-40225199515984947252013-06-27T05:00:00.000-07:002013-06-27T05:13:53.120-07:00Charlie's "Science Is Awesome" 9th Birthday Party Don't all things begin with a desperate need to buy themed vintage stamps from an etsy shop???? How could I ever resist? :)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/9149456537/" title="ScienceIsAwesome-1422 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="ScienceIsAwesome-1422" height="471" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/9149456537_7bc1fb6d45_c.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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It's taken a while to blog Charlie's ninth birthday party because I was waiting until it was featured on Hostess with the Mostess which finally posted on the same day I flew to Boston WITHOUT my laptop! They had told me it would feature at the end of the month so I was not ready or prepared at all for a mid-June feature! And of course, I had to wait an additional five days to get home from B-town to even access my images! Crazy times! :)<br />
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I started planning Charlie's party back in November. The second <a href="http://chuckandhank.blogspot.com/2012/12/henrys-little-monster-party.html" target="_blank">Henry's Monster Party</a> wrapped, my talented party-styling girlfriend, <a href="http://www.solandrachel.com/" target="_blank">Rachel</a>, wanted to know what was next. We asked Charlie to give us a theme to start working on -- and he said "LEGOS!!". That didn't really work for us. There are too many lego parties already out there. It might've taken a little persuasion to get him to decide that what he <i>reeeally </i>wanted was a chemistry party. :)<br />
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Rachel runs RV Parties with her BFF and partner, Victoria. They design the most adorable printables for pretty much any party theme. You can buy the science printables from this party as well the monster printables from Henry's party -- or a variety of many other themes - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RVparties" target="_blank">HERE</a> at their etsy shop! You'll also see lots of my photography there. I'm their favorite professional photographer.<br />
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I was seriously & intensely proud of the large chalkboard that we used for our backdrop at the dessert table. I knew two things: 1., there was NO WAY that I could handwrite anything on any chalkboard and have it look adorable - not to mention, I'm way to OCD to have the font on a backdrop not completely match with the party design/font, and 2., I did NOT want to buy a new, giant chalkboard and then have no idea what to do with it when the party wrapped.<br />
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But, thats why engineering prints from Staples are the greatest thing in the whole wide world. Yes. You heard me. The greatest.<br />
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If you need something printed in a very large size (this one was 36x48) but don't want to pay your child's college tuition for it - and it happens to be a black and white image - then head to Staples. I had Rachel design a large print to look like a fake chalkboard and had it printed for $6. Then I tacked it to a corkboard that I already had hanging over my desk in my office. Perfect.<br />
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We had so many amazing treats on our dessert table!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/misslulustreats" target="_blank">Miss Lulu's Sweet Treats</a> sent us the <strike>cake pops</strike> atoms on a stick. They are the best cake pops I've ever had in my entire life. No joke. I *might* have lied to a couple of the children who asked if they could have one and said they were for display only so there'd be a few leftover. And the chocolate-dipped Oreo Molecules were her idea and I looove how creative and perfectly themed they are!<br />
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And the amazing Jessica of <a href="http://www.jjbakeshop.com/" target="_blank">J&J Bakeshop</a> - local here in VA - provided us with the perfect cookies decorated to look like the element of Charlie!! She is so talented, y'all. I ordered specialty cookies from her for Christmas gifts last year and I encourage you all to find a reason to need cookies just to see what she can do!<br />
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And I made the cupcakes because I'm a cupcake snob now and can only eat the cake that my BFF, Mandie, makes or the cake my BFF, Mandie, taught me how to make.<br />
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I was also really proud of my party favor idea! Last summer, I taught Charlie the Mentos + Diet Soda reaction - read about it <a href="http://chuckandhank.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-freshmaker.html" target="_blank">here</a> - (so many links in this post!!). He loved it so much that I figured it should either be an experiment at the party or the favor! Since it's pretty messy and doesn't take very long to react, I figured, favor it is! I think it's always best to send the messy stuff home to the parents. Just like it's always best to serve the guests all the sugar RIGHT before the end of the party. :)<br />
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Did you know that lab coats are RIDICULOUSLY expensive?? And that even the costume ones for kids to play doctor and dress up with on Halloween don't even dip below $10 each?? As much as I wanted real lab coats that I'd have embroidered with guest names for the party, that's just plain insane and I could not encourage the market to continue to charge those prices! Harumph!!<br />
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Instead, I bought the 5-pack of two-sizes-too-large white undershirt tees from Target and cut them up the middle! Voila! Lab coats on the cheap!<br />
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I did splurge on party color lab goggles for about $3 each. Totally worth it. So cute.<br />
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And Charlie's adorable science shirt was a custom design by <a href="http://www.ellamella.com/" target="_blank">Ella Mella</a> who rocks my world with their awesome kid's fashions.<br />
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And Henry's shirt was sent to us from <a href="http://periodicallyinspired.com/" target="_blank">Periodically Inspired</a>! I just love how she smooshed periodic table elements together to form geeky-chic words. Henry's my precious little GeNiUS!! And a bit of a camera ham, too!<br />
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Once the house was decorated and the kids dressed, it was time to paaaaartay!<br />
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An amazing woman, Calsin, runs a business of bringing science, technology, engineering and mathemathics to parties and playdates and schools, oh my! She. Is. Awesome. She told me that if she didn't have her business, she'd set up a lab in her garage and experiment anyway! I loved it. That's how I feel about my photography. If there wasn't work, there'd STILL be pictures. Her business, <a href="http://www.stemkids-va.com/" target="_blank">STEM-KIDS</a>, is such a great concept. Learning can be a BLAST (literally!) and parties don't have to lack brain power, either! Calsin can tailor the experiments for any party. I didn't want the party to cross sciences (OCD, much?) so everything had to stay in a "chemistry" theme. Duh. And, the experiments also needed to entertain eight very active nine year olds. Calsin knew just what to do -- MESSY, hands-on chemical reactions that would result in slime, exploding "elephant toothpaste" and a giant bowl full of smoky, bubbly dry ice!<br />
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EXPERIMENT #1: SLIME
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The kids <i>loved</i> this. Calsin set up a table full of the necessary ingredients and as the kids started to mix everything together, it started forming ooey-gooey slime! After they finished squishing it in their fingers, we packed up their custom-colored slime in take home bags!<br />
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EXPERIMENT #2: ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE
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Whats better than seeing foamy goo grow and grow and grow, so much so that it spills up and out of a bottle and into a tray for you to play with it!? NOTHING!<br />
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Birthday boy was the first one to pour in the special ingredient to make the chemical reaction activate! He was SO excited!! And, um, he's also incredibly cute.<br />
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EXPERIMENT #3: SUBLIMATION DEMONSTRATION
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I'm a creative. I photograph things. I can write fairly well. And I daydream great things. I enjoy and am awed by science but, I am no scientist. So, I have to admit that when Calsin said we'd do a "sublimation demonstration", I just blindly nodded my head like I had a clue what she was talking about.<br />
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Google and Wikipedia say that sublimation is "<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">the transition of a substance directly from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Solid">solid</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Gas">gas</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> phase without passing through an intermediate </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Liquid">liquid</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> phase." </span></span>So, why the dry ice turned into a smoky gas without any water sneaking in between those phases, all makes sense now. (Can you tell I was concentrating on proper exposure and focus while she was explaining all of this to the kiddos???) Oy.<br />
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Adding in some dish washing liquid will create a giant bubble that will enclose the smoke inside of it and when it pops, the smoke explodes out! It's really fun and the kids obviously LOVED getting the chance to be the one to pop the bubble!<br />
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And then it was time to blow out the candles and for me to cry the weepy mama-cry because my baaaaaaby is NINE!!!<br />
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See the party with all our vendor info plus more of my wit and charm in describing the details (and more pictures!!) on the fabulous and well-followed Hostess with the Mostess blog <a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2013/06/chemistry-inspired-science-party/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-57432070384560455192013-06-20T06:49:00.000-07:002013-06-20T07:00:39.382-07:00Last Day of SchoolHoly crap. I have a fourth grader. This is a BIG deal. I <i>remember</i> fourth grade. That was the year when I just couldn't stand reading Johnny Tremaine (<i>boooooooring</i>) so I skimmed it instead, then busted out a book report for the first time without actually having done the work (such.a.rebel). That was the year a new, cute boy came to our school and sat across from me and all I could think was that he was sooo annoying (two years later, I was head-over-heels in love with him). That was the year I first found out about the Titanic and made my mom drive me to the library so I could research all about it. (This was SEVEN years before the movie. I was totally ahead of my time). That was the year that my first friend got her first period and that was HUGE. That was the year that Mrs. Banks hid Reeses peanut butter cups in her drawer and she'd give you one if you had the hiccups. So, naturally, I faked hiccups all.the.time. That was the last year the teacher still read stories out loud to us after recess and I can remember Number the Stars by Lois Lowry almost perfectly.<br />
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Fourth grade. FOURTH GRADE! What is that!? How have I raised someone to the point that they are going to REMEMBER FOURTH GRADE!? I'm only 30, how do I have a fourth grader? Oh, crap. No, that's not even true, I'm 31. Damn it!<br />
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Look, I am not one of "those" moms. I don't helicopter. I don't want my children to like me so much that I can't control them. I don't fill their schedules so they won't ever be bored. I don't cater to them - much. But I<i> am</i> head over heels for them. And the last day of school is one of those times that gets to me every year where I become a weepy, reflective mess of a mommy. What is it about your first child that it's almost impossible to think about them growing up without seeing that teeny tiny little bundle you held in your arms, freshly new to life, as your heart just about exploded out of your chest? I just can't believe that it's been nine years since I stared down at those big brown eyes for the first time and realized that my life would be completely different - and 5000 times more amazing - with him in it.<br />
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I just can't believe that he's as tall as my shoulder, has big front teeth and wants gel in his hair because it looks cool. I just can't believe that he will choose to watch baseball by himself and talk about all that baseball stuff with his dad like it's their own foreign language. I can't believe that he will empty the dishwasher, take out the recycling, make his own lunch and occasionally, tell me "no!" even though he knows the consequences. I can't believe he thinks his own brilliant thoughts and has his own brilliant opinions.<br />
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I can't believe that in three short months, he's going to<i> fourth</i> grade.<br />
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I just can't believe it.<br />
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My God, he's handsome.<br />
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On the last day of school, the other room mom and I brought pizza for their class lunch while they watched a movie and signed yearbooks. The teacher had allowed them to sit next to whomever they chose and all the boys were in a row, sandwiched between two rows of girls. I watched Charlie as he giggled to his friend, Cal, begged for extra pizza, and accepted attention confidently as the class called out to him as the tiger in Swiss Family Robinson came on screen, since it was his assigned animal from their big research and presentation project.<br />
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I watched and I could see... he's happy. He's a really good, really happy kid. My heart is still as full as it was when I first met him. I love him so much. I love every single thing about him. And I am so proud.<br />
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And when I watch him, I still see him with those same brand-new-mama eyes. I marvel at him. I am amazed by him. Tears flood to my eyes if I think about it too much. It's an overhwleming, all-consuming love. I still don't really understand <i>how</i> or <i>why</i> he came to me back in those days when I was so young and had no clue about a thing, but my God! I am so grateful. I am so grateful that he is in my life. And I am in his.<br />
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And, as has become our new tradition, the last day of school means there will be a water fight! Not only is it a wonderful treat for the kids to walk home to tons of loaded squirt guns and water balloons, but it also, momentarily, takes away all the sadness of that last day. I wrote about this <a href="http://chuckandhank.blogspot.com/2012/06/last-day-of-school-water-fight.html" target="_blank">last year</a> and had many, many more pictures then. It was rainy this year so I had to pack away the DSLR and turn to instagram.<br />
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Henry was, as usual, adorable. Last year, the water fight made him cry, but this year he LOVED it. He just about attacked me to help fill the water balloons! So much so that every time I'd turn my head, he'd snatch one out of the bucket and smash it onto the driveway. I was baking a cake while filling balloons and when I walked inside for TWO SECONDS to turn the pans around, I came back out to find the neighbor had stopped his jeep to tattle on Henry for ransacking my bucket and throwing about 15 of our ammo into the street. Monster.<br />
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I'd love to be able to stop time. But since it's impossible to avoid last days, I'm just so lucky to be living these moments with these amazing boys.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-79526235037126571452013-05-31T08:31:00.000-07:002013-05-31T08:35:00.659-07:00On JennyI haven't blogged in a while for a few reasons:<br />
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1. I didn't want to. It takes a long time.<br />
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2. I'm <i>very</i> busy having a pity party for myself that my best friend is moving away in two weeks. I've spent the last lots-of-days NOT blogging and instead, insisting she hang out with me every single second of every single day. I am holding a monopoly on Jenny right now because she is leaving me. And I really don't think she should. Her husband doesn't <i>need</i> that job in Louisiana. Ugh. Like steady income is <i>sooooo</i> important... Meh. Since when does paying for college tuitions and mortgages outweigh my awesome friendship?? If she <i>really</i> loved me, she'd take my advice and find a married senator here in DC to have a torrid & scandalous affair, then blackmail him for a Georgetown brick-front and a monthly stipend. But since she seems to think that brilliant idea of mine is unethical and immoral and she <i>claims</i> she loves her husband, I guess she is going to actually go through with this moving crap. On that note, no one is allowed near her for the next two weeks unless you don't mind hanging out with me, too -- while I cling desperately to her leg.<br />
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And 3. I've fallen head over heels in love with Glennon/Momastery and have been READING her book! I haven't finished the book yet because choosing to read is a luxury for me. When I am sitting and reading, I feel like I really should be writing myself or editing or tackling the three days of dishes chillin' in my sink instead. Reading a book is a <i>big</i> deal. Hence, it needs to be blogged. Just not in this post. Stay tuned. Momastery comes next.<br />
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This blog is about Jenny.<br />
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You see, since leaving North Carolina for college in Michigan, I have never lived near my family. I can't call my parents or Mike's in the middle of the night to help to watch one child while we run a feverish other child to the ER only to find out that he has a "just a virus". And yeah, there's no free babysitting. Ever. My sitter costs $10/hr and needs advanced notice. And guess what? If there's a Taylor Swift concert in town, you do NOT get to go out on that date you desperately need to escape the stage-five clingers because EVERY. SINGLE. TEENAGE. GIRL goes to that concert. There are no Sunday dinner traditions with our brother or sister and our precious niece and nephews. And mini kid-free vacations on Friday nights so we can drink way too much, make out and sleep in while the children are under the care of trustworthy family? Those don't happen either.<br />
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And this lack of close family is all ok. It's what we know. It's how we live. And I think we've made it through so easily and so very happily because we have been lucky enough to have made our own family.<br />
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Seven years ago, we pulled into the driveway of our new house in Beaumont, TX and looked directly across the street to see University of Michigan license plates. Turned out there was a family of Michigan alum working for the same company with it's very own redheaded Jennifer right across from us. And for some really amazing reason - my sanity, I believe - God has blessed us to stay neighbors for SEVEN years, five in TX and two here in DC.<br />
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Over the last 7 years living as friends and neighbors, Jenny, Brad, Emma & Coopie-doo have been our family. Jenny's kids are my kids. When I take all four of them somewhere or post a picture of them all on FB, I don't differentiate. I just say they're all "my kids". I'm sure it's very confusing to most people... Brad is my husband's best friend. Actually, I don't think guys say "best friend" but if they did, that's what they'd be: kindred hard-working, nerdy engineer BFFs who love beer and <strike>University of Michigan</strike> ALL sports. And Brad is like a brother to me - my annoying, much <i>older</i> brother. :)<br />
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I don't even lump Jenny into a BFF category. You see, Jenny is my <i>sister</i>.<br />
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That's a level <i>way</i> above BFF.<br />
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Jenny knew I was pregnant with Henry before hubs as I ran screaming over to her house at 8am with a positive pregnancy test. Charlie slept at her house while I gave birth and when he woke up, she was the one who first told him "You're a big brother!!!" I held her youngest on the very first day he came into the world. Our big kids have been friends since they were small enough to both fit in a pink princess corvette power wheels and now they wear abercrombie sweatshirts and discuss their favorite ipod apps.<br />
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Watching babies grow into big kids? That's <i>family</i>.<br />
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When we have hair/dentist/doctor appointments, Jenny and I are there to watch each other's children and then have a drink afterwards and swear we are going to go home and then just decide to feed the kids because we still had lots to chat about and then, aw heck, let's call the guys and have a big spontaneous family dinner together!<br />
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Staying up late on school nights so we can all eat together? That's <i>family</i>.<br />
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Every Easter, we eat ham, mrs. schubert's rolls and cheesy potatoes and then we watch Brad fall asleep on the couch and post pictures of it on social media. Seriously. Every Easter he falls asleep on the couch. And every Easter, I shame him publicly.<br />
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Holidays? That's <i>family</i>.<br />
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Our seven years together have been so full of so many good things. More than I could ever put in one blog - well, I could. But all of you would definitely stop reading. </div>
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So, Jenny, Brad - cheers, good friends!! Cheers to all the Easters, 4ths of July, Halloweens, Thanksgivings and Christmases, Michigan Football games and giant boxes from MDen, date nights in little ol' Beaumont, date nights in the big city of DC, beers from each other's fun fridge without ever having to ask, driveway parties, posing for my photoshoots, crazy children who bicker one minute and run hot laps the next, beach vacations, Nutcracker markets, Yacht Rock concerts, crawfish boils, Nats games, fireworks, birthday parties, The Sunflower Core Four and expanded Six Pack, New York City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Saturday nights in, shared visits with our TX friends, lots and lots and LOTS of shopping, dirty jokes, Christmas prank war, and to all the times we have laughed at each other and with each other. Cheers to our seven years of family. </div>
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Allens, you are our people. You are our family. You are who we call in emergencies. You are who we have made traditions with. And if we didn't spend most of our Friday nights going out with you, I'm sure you'd even be willing to watch our kids on a Friday night so Mike and I could make out and sleep in. Right, guys? I know you'd want to do this for us. There's still time. We've got two whole Fridays left. What time should I bring them over?<br />
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When I think of the Allens leaving, I feel a bit lost. But, while I'm scared to live without them - I'm going to have to change ALL my emergency contact information, y'all - I can only think of the saying that "it is better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all." It seems a bit dramatic - we aren't losing anyone - it's not goodbye, it's see-you-later - but it's true. I'm so sad that there will be a break in our lives together but I am <i>so very grateful</i> for the time we have been given. I wouldn't trade these past seven years for anything.<br />
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Let the ugly cry begin.<br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-70374813857988909292013-05-17T05:34:00.001-07:002013-05-17T05:34:27.485-07:00We Went to Disneyworld!!! It all started with the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. That marketing strategy in the form of holiday family entertainment worked on me, fo' sho'. After the presents and the coffee cake, I popped open my laptop and started pricing it out. Mike wholeheartedly disagreed with the pricing -- especially since I was pricing out staying at the most expensive, ritzy hotel on property. So, we put it on the backburner. Well, at least that's what I told Mike we would do. But my BFF, <a href="http://jayandkeridavis.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Keri</a>, had gone just a month before and we'd talk about it on our Tuesday lunches. And then my BFF, <a href="http://brianandjamiejones.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Jamie</a>, posted her amazing photos of her trip in early December. And then my other BFF, <a href="http://www.solandrachel.com/2013/01/disney-world-days-1-and-2.html" target="_blank">Rachel</a>, posted her amazing photos of <i>her</i> trip in January. (I have a lot of BFFs, and they all go to Disneyworld and have blogs and I'm pretty sure you can read my comments at the bottom of their posts saying that I. AM. GOING.). Plus, <strike>I</strike> The kids really wanted to go. We had to go.<br />
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So... we went to Disneyworld!!!!!!! Squeal! Seriously. SQUEAL!!!!! I loved it! I mean, the kids!! The kids loved it. Really, it was all for them. <cough></cough><br />
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I struggled over the choice to bring Princess Consuela Banana Hammock (my big girl Nikon) to Disney with me. Photography is my job (shameless promotion - <a href="http://www.peanutbutterandjennyphotography.com/" target="_blank">Peanut Butter & Jenny</a>) AND my passion, so I wanted to make sure that Disney felt like vacation, not work. It seems silly but I really did wrestle with the choice to bring my camera. I tend to obsess over angles and lighting and I've been known to get just a<i> tad</i> annoyed with my kids when they stick out their tongues at me when I'm trying to capture a moment -- and I just didn't want the stress. I settled on a compromise: I'd only bring it to the park for ONE day and the rest of the days, instagram and my brain would suffice for memories.<br />
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I chose to bring her on Wednesday - the day we had before-the-park-opened-to-the-public breakfast dining reservations at The Crystal Palace.<br />
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We hopped on the monorail at 8am.<br />
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We had Main Street basically to ourselves that morning. It was awesome. Side note for those interested: Disney Photopass Photographers shoot on Nikon D90s fitted with 18-105mm lenses. When Rachel (see above) handed her Canon to the Disney photogs, this resulted in missed focus and made her mad (understandably). But if you're a Nikon shooter, they can handle the settings and you might have a better chance with getting the shots you want on your own equipment. (For the record, I wasn't about to pass over Princess Consuela to anyone -- but I did chat up a photog or two about this).<br />
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If you're not staying on Disney property (which we weren't because my brother is awesome and allowed us his amazing timeshare for practically pennies), but you want those "extra magic hours" in the park that is saved for property vacationers, MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS at 8am at The Crystal Palace. Breakfast will cost you a chunk-and-a-half because Disney dining is pricey... but, it's WAY cheaper than a week in a Disney hotel and affords you the same level of magic and happiness! And Mickey Mouse waffles!! And if you bat your eyes at your Dad and use the line from Bridesmaids - "Help me. I'm poor.", he and your beautiful momila might just pick up that check. ;)<br />
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I'd like to point out the Pirates of the Caribbean swords that the boys got the day before... Good lord, the swords... get ready to see them in many more pics below!<br />
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Breakfast was awesome. It was so worth my parents' money.<br />
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My kids hate characters. But I happen to love them. I also REALLY love pictures of <strike>my kids</strike> Henry hating stuff and crying. Because it's funny and adorable... and funny. And since he tortures me so... it's only fair to give a little back.<br />
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We ran into Winnie the Pooh right as we got to our table. Henry was not a fan. And Charlie, though less terrified, passed on any touching, hugging or being within a five foot radius of the characters.<br />
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Eeyore is just too cute to be scary. Henry allowed this character and ONLY this character to touch him. Actually, a kiss was granted. Perhaps Henry could relate with Eeyore's grumpiness and they had an unspoken bromance because of their mutual hate for things...? Either way, adorableness.<br />
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Our first stop after breakfast was Fantasyland. I knew Henry would love to ride on Peter Pan's Flight -- and I really wanted to go on it too. The only time I remember having gone on it was when I was about 14 and I rode it with my Grandma. I loved it. Or at least I remembered loving it. And with Henry's love for Peter Pan, I wanted to get on there. I just didn't want the 45-50 minute wait that the ride ALWAYS has. So, right after breakfast, we hopped in the line when it was only 10 minutes of wait time.<br />
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It's a lovely ride.<br />
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And then, we rode some more lovely rides.<br />
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And then the boys popped bubbles with their swords.<br />
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Oh, Dumbo. Such a simple ride but the best ride. Loved it. And LOVED that they added a second set of Dumbos so the wait was eliminated.<br />
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Then there was a band and more sword fighting. Boys...<br />
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Pin trading. We need to talk about pin trading. It is an adorable added bit of EXPENSIVE Disney magic. I observed a bunch of children with their lanyards and pins on our first day in Disney parks and suggested the idea to Charlie who said "meh. that sounds like girl stuff." I should've just left it alone. But as we walked out of our first park on our first day - his <i>birthday</i> - I pulled him into a pin store and showed him -- and that was the beginning of something very special but VERY pricey. Especially since we got so excited over the pins that I told him we'd buy a pin every day to remember his favorite thing he did that day. Sometimes I'm so dumb.<br />
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They have pins for everything! Every character, every park, every ride! And they're all so cute and shiny and you just want all the pins! You collect them and then every cast member at Disney has a lanyard with pins as well and you can trade them any pin you have for one of theirs. Disney cast members are all so amazing and kind and get very excited to trade with your children. Here's the catch... Pins start at $8 each. And the good ones, the COOL ones, are $13. And THEN, you have to buy a bunch of the cheap ones (they do sell combo packs of not-so-cool pins that would average out to about $5/pin) because you realize that the Disney cast members don't actually carry the expensive ones for trading so there's no WAY you're letting your kid trade a $13 pin for an $8 pin... And then your 3 year old will notice that your 9 year old has this and spot them in one of the bazillion stores you go into at the park and pull his own lanyard off the rack and pick out a pin and you feel guilty so you buy THAT. And then you're buying double the pins... Oy. Just be prepared to spend a bit more than you normally would for PINS. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8741499496/" title="2013-05-15_0014 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-05-15_0014" height="323" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8741499496_22207b66fb_b.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
We were so proud of Charlie. He gets pretty nervous to ride the bigger rides. But we got him on the Barnstormer and he loved it. After that, we were able to get him on Big Thunder Mountain. And he LOVED it.<br />
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He ALMOST went on Splash Mountain. The signs hanging all over the ride's line saying "50 FOOT DROP!!!" did NOT help me since I kept telling him that the drop was the same size as the one in Pirates of the Carribean, which he just didn't know because it's in the dark... He decided it wasn't for him this trip. And that's just fine. We need to have a reason to go back!<br />
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I was SO proud of my little worrier. He did awesome.
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And then we rode the River Boat because my Dad wanted to. It was pretty boring.<br />
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But when we stepped off the boat, it was time for the parade!
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Charlie got special attention from this fox character - Pinocchio? - who took off his hat and started to walk away with it.
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And there was the shootout game!<br />
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And then there was rain, so I put away my camera for a bit. And there were lots and lots more rides and family moments, and smiles, and happy thoughts. Our mommy and daddy hearts were full of gratitude and pride that we could give these moments to our boys.<br />
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And Henry was asleep by the time we stepped on the monorail to head home... Having fun is so exhausting.<br />
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So, my tips for Disney? Get yourself a Jamie. Once you have a Jamie, she will make you a spreadsheet telling you which park to go to on which day. She will add tips for parades and fireworks. Follow her advice and you will have a PERFECT trip!<br />
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Oh, Disney. Your magic is irresistible. I love you. And I miss you already. But, don't worry, I'm already scheming a plan to get back to you.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-75149182391695579302013-05-13T08:36:00.000-07:002013-05-13T09:09:10.635-07:00Momila's Day<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8734681681/" title="2013-05-13_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-05-13_0001" height="454" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/8734681681_33e4634439_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>
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I couldn't remember that it was mother's day. Certainly not in any amount of time to plan anything in advance. I booked a photoshoot in DC the morning of mother's day - that's how much I was paying attention to a day to honor my mother (or better yet, to have those stretch-mark-makers honor me). No brunches for me. No on-time presents for my mom. Ooops.<br />
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But my mom remembered. A few days ago, an amazon gift card was in my email with a note telling me how much she loved me as a mom. Of course she did. Damn it. And AMAZON, too. Which is basically the greatest gift ever. Shopping that arrives in two days. Nothing beats that. But damn it, if I'm going to forget, I'd really like it if my mom forgot too so I feel less like an asshole. A mutual boycott of a Hallmark holiday just seems so much better than being the daughter who dropped the ball on a special day.<br />
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But, as these things tend to do, feeling like an asshole got me thinking. Really thinking. About her. And who she is. And who she's been to me. Thinking through life with your mother is rather fascinating in the way you have such drastically conflicting memories of her. When you are a child, your mother is perfect, flawless and right. She is the super hero of your life. And when you are an adult, she is this complex, deep and <i>real</i> person. Someone who is so much more than just YOU but at the same time, someone who is so eerily, exactly you. She becomes this person you just really want to <i>know</i>. Knowing her means knowing you.<br />
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It's impossible to write about how wonderful this woman is... writing the words, "my mom is the best" puts her into a category with every other mother. And that would be wrong. She's more than the best. Way more.<br />
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My mom is the purple carpet that I chose for my bedroom as a girl. She is every creative and perfectly wonderful and different choice I've made in life because when I dreamed of purple carpet... I got it. Things like resale value was never, ever more important than purple carpet.<br />
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She is the cookie dough that never made it into the oven because we ate it all. She is the raw eggs, sugar and bleached flour... eaten over giggles and licked off beater attachments.<br />
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She is the steak and baked potato picnics we'd have on the tv room floor in front of old movies on AMC.<br />
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She is my 9:30am phone call on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I am starting my drive to take Henry to school when school started at 9:30. She is where my late came from. Late is really not a big deal. It's just 15 minutes. Or 30. Or sometimes 45. Or it's a blog post on the day <i>after </i>mother's day.<br />
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She is the trips to the bookstore at 8pm on schoolnights. She is the sitting on the floor with books in our laps trying to decide on the next story that will take us on an adventure. She is the two books I left with because choosing one was too hard.<br />
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She is the hot baths she takes that I put my feet in and tell her about my life, my ideas and my boys.<br />
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She is the strength of her hand as she held mine when I was crushed by teenage pain and she is the grip of her palm on my leg as I gave birth to my children.<br />
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She is her booming laughter that you can hear from any part of the house. The loud, delighted laughter that when you're not with her, you can hear in your head and you can see how she is putting her hand to her chest and throwing her head back. She is the laughter that when it's directed at you, you feel like the most interesting and wonderful person in the world because <i>you</i> made her laugh.<br />
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She is the counters we sit on for chats in the kitchen and the tabletops we climb on for birthdays and Christmas. She is the floor she lays on to read her newspaper that no one can stand to let her do alone because you want her attention for yourself. She is the six inches of the edge of her bed where I climb in and she wraps her arm all the way around me and tucks back under my chest so that I'm held so tight, I couldn't fall off.<br />
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My mom is the intuition that knows the difference in the tone of my voice from just my "hello" when she answers the phone. She immediately knows that someone is sleeping, I'm in the middle of something, something is wrong, something is great or I'm on the verge of tears. She. Just. Knows.<br />
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She is Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" that we dance wildly to on the couch in our 1986 living room.<br />
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She is the spilled milk that we don't cry over.<br />
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She is the teal carpet in my childhood home that I just desperately wanted to be beige like ALL the other people in all the other houses. She is every mismatched decoration that she buys - not because it "goes" but because she LOVES it. She is the living you do for yourself and not others. She is what makes <i>her</i> happy. She is perfect teal carpet.<br />
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She is the slight tickle on my knee or the scratch on the top of my head that she does in passing that drives me utterly crazy that I immediately swat it away. But after the swat, she is my smile because I hate it but I love her.<br />
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She is not Grandma or Grammila. She is "Blah". Because a 14-month-old baby boy started saying it trying to mimic a sound she always made for him... and to her, that's the best name she could ever take - the one she was specially given. It would never and could never matter to her that it makes no sense to anyone else but us. She is the personalized license plate that says "Blah Times 3" that she will send back and renew to "Blah Times 4" because she has another grandchild that she refuses to leave out.<br />
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She is Diet Coke and brilliance and navy blue and peanut m&ms and shelves of cookbooks. She is fast internet and the latest technology and driving with the windows down. She is dishes that pile in the sink because she's too busy putting more important things first. She is the beauty AND the brains. She is a ball buster and a glass ceiling breaker. She is everything you say she can't do that she does, and does well. She is the deep thought she's having when she gets lost in outer space. She is sensitive, vulnerable and fragile but doesn't want you to know. She is double masters degrees and a lover of murder-mystery novels. She is the icing, not the cake. She is the giant heart that can't bear to see someone hurting. She is her closed-tight eyes when something's scary. She is Texas Hold Em poker and chicken scratch and shuffleboard. She is the $5 she wants to take from you when she wins. She is telling the truth, silliness, loud kisses, spending money on moments and having fun. She is the picture of the family dinner with no one looking and food in your cheeks that she takes because we are all there. Together.<br />
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She is the reason that I feel like I'm a good mother. She is everything I like most about myself.<br />
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She is real, and flawless, and flawed, and complex, and beautiful, and my super hero.<br />
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My mom is the best. <br />
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Happy Mother's Day, Momila. I'm sorry I'm late.<br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-22181329838537196612013-05-10T06:51:00.000-07:002013-05-10T06:51:41.955-07:00Body by Smoothies & God's Good Graces<div>
I'm a thin woman. When God made me, He decided I didn't need breasts like all the other women in the world. Nope, He thought, "a rib cage is just enough chest for this one"... But, He did do me a solid and hooked me up with some pretty stellar metabolism. And so far in life, I've tried not to take that gift for granted by exercising or eating vegetables. In fact, I like to honor this God-given gift by regularly challenging my metabolism with coffee, chocolate chip cookies, whole bags of chips and bottles of wine. I mean, do the lovely-breasted women just spite God's kindnesses and have reductions? No! This is how I honor Him. </div>
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However, I've recently made a change to my diet. Yup. I'm drinking smoothies now. I'm that girl. The one who drinks smoothies. With SPINACH in them.</div>
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Why the change? Why <i>purposely</i> drink spinach? </div>
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Well, being thin does not exactly mean I'm healthy and fit. I mean, coffee and chips and cookies are pretty much amazing but that section at the bottom of the packages with all the vitamin and nutrient stats...? Well... those are always zeroes. That can't be good, right? </div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8725056903/" title="2013-05-10_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-05-10_0001" height="524" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/8725056903_5ed23fa0c6_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
So, smoothies are here to put nutritious things back into my body without me having to actually sit down with a knife and fork. Don't worry. I'm not going to turn into a crazy health nut. I'm still never going to start running. {shudder}<shudder></shudder><br />
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If you'd like a recipe for a pretty solid-tasting smoothie recipe chock-full of legit "super foods", here is mine:<br />
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1/2 cup old fashioned oats<br />
1/4 cup frozen raspberries<br />
1/4 cup frozen blueberries<br />
1/2 frozen banana<br />
1 heaping handful of spinach<br />
1/2 cup 0% greek yogurt<br />
1 spoonful almond butter<br />
1 spoonful honey<br />
Enough coconut water to get the blender to work<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8725057561/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Smoothie-1143 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="Smoothie-1143" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/8725057561_cff67f1876.jpg" width="334" /></a></div>
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Enjoy!!!</div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316826238562421871.post-78040608915966191312013-05-10T04:30:00.000-07:002013-05-10T04:30:03.226-07:00The Baseball Boost<div>
I've been doing this mommy-stuff for a <i>really</i> long time. I've been doing it since before there were DVRs, kindles, iPads and iPhones... heck, before iPods. Before there was Facebook (heck, before MySpace), I was a mommy. I was a young mommy - doing it grassroots style - with no other mommy friends to watch or ask questions. I had a book or two that I decided to faithfully ignore and my own gut instinct, which I faithfully followed. </div>
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I've always been incredibly proud of how well I've done as a mom. When you have a baby young, and clearly not<i> exactly</i> on purpose, no one expects you to be such a parenting badass. But I have been. I am a really good mom. Nailed it.<br />
<br />
So far.<br />
<br />
Here's the catch. Mommyhood is fluid. It is an ever-changing, ever-moving, ever-flowing path. The second you feel like you've done something right (or wrong, and then worked to make it right again), the little buggers have holes in their new jeans and outgrown shoes and you're staring down the path at a whole new adventure. So, here I am... a mommy veteran... coursing the ship into new, unchartered waters...<i> again</i>.<br />
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My baby, my <i>baaaaaaaaaby</i>, is growing up. He's nine. NINE!!!!! Parenting is now so much more than cuddles and teaching the alphabet and watching your language and convincing them to eat a vegetable...<br />
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I am building confidence. Instilling values. Educating right from wrong. Promoting the importance of a solid, well-rounded education. Teaching empathy, spirituality, and gulp... all the changes in the growing human body. But more than anything else, I am trying so, so, so hard to do whatever I can now to make sure he doesn't turn into the kind of teenager who doesn't care at all about any of this and turns into a conforming, peer-pressure-caving idiot in 4 years. There is just so much at stake.<br />
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Parenting a nine year old is causing me to question every move I make... Is it the right one?? Is what I'm doing now helping or hurting?? Is he going to remember this moment when someone offers him a cigarette??<br />
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Two weeks ago, the moment was there.<br />
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Chuck was assigned the pitching position in his baseball game. He's never been assigned to pitch before. This is his third season with kid-pitch innings and even though I'm pretty sure that the rules state that every kid is supposed to play every position at least once, he's never been up to the mound. Competitive Daddy coaches... ?<br />
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Charlie is little. He's perfect in every way. But he's little. He hasn't developed his little chicken wing for pitching yet. Lord, we've JUST finally gotten him to get consistent hits at bat. So... I was worried. I was mama-worried that he'd get up to the mound and he would suck. </div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8685277379/" title="2013-04-27_0001 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-04-27_0001" height="310" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8685277379_0822c07596_o.jpg" width="705" /></a><br />
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And he did. He did suck.<br />
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<strike>Fuck</strike>. Bad words.<br />
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I was stuck there behind the fence just watching. I couldn't step in. I couldn't rush out and pep talk him. I couldn't hold his arm and go through the movement of the pitch with him. I couldn't tell him that it would be ok. I couldn't tell the coach to pull him and put another kid up there. I just had to sit there... and watch while all the confidence he's gained in the game slowly melted away as the other team walked 6 guys...<br />
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But, then, finally, it was over. As he walked off the mound and towards his dugout, I saw the tears coming through on his face. I hopped the fence and I grabbed him tight.<br />
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Surprisingly, without any real thought about what I was going to say at all, all the right things you say to a kid who just sucked at pitching in front of a bunch of people came out. And as I was saying it, as I was holding him tight, wiping tears and using my strong mama-voice to remind him that he did his very best on his very first time and that everyone sucks at their first time of anything - Verlander's first pitch sucked - and that practice would make him better and that I love him and getting up there and working hard was whats most important, I could feel that I might just have a fighting chance at doing this right.<br />
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At least for that moment, I had nailed it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80643536@N06/8685277367/" title="2013-04-27_0002 by pbjphotography, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-04-27_0002" height="938" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8685277367_d5a30db2fb_o.jpg" width="705" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474159818759603949noreply@blogger.com3