After glancing through one of my friends photos on FB, I came across one that got my direct attention. It wasn't the fact both of her kids were color marked every color imagineable on their face, it was her comment, "I love that I can send the kids to school looking like this on a random Tuesday." Whilst I have yet to send my kids out in public ALL at the SAME TIME in some creative form (besides Halloween, I have sent my middle child, Thomas who drew lipstick on his face in the perfect smile of the infamous...joker.
That brings me to one of the most important traits, Creativity. I personally think it is our job as parents to instill it in our kids while still young through dress up play clothes, legos, chalks, lightsabers and even driving around without music and dvds so they can play I SPY. (at least I can turn my ears off some, ha!) To me, watching my kids and others pretending and being imaginable is one of the biggest joys of parenthood. Who knows, maybe I will go out with lipstick around my face in the perfect smile of the joker...
10/18/10
10/12/10
My house caught on fire...but I got a whole new wardrobe
Summer before entering senior year of high school, I was home recovering after having my wisdom teeth removed. Bored reading in my sitting room, I along with my golden dog "Ginger" headed downstairs to the basement after stopping in the kitchen to fix a snack. "I can't eat anything" so why bother. I placed the pan back on the counter and continued on to the basement to watch tv. An hour later, Ginger suddenly jumps up and runs upstairs barking the whole time. "That is odd, Ginger never leaves me" I thought as I followed her up the steps. As we entered the kitchen, I realized there was smoke all around me. After opening the door to the outside, I ran into the foyer and looked upstairs. It was black- smoke everywhere! I quickly ran outside, across the street to the neighbors house and banged on her door. The housekeeper answered, of course to my luck, in spanish which I do not know a word of. "I need to use your phone," I yell, only to then shove her aside and run into the house to find the phone. I make three important phone calls:
First one: 911
Second one: The King's House Antiques knowingly my mother would not take my call since I had called only a 100 times already. Someone answers, "Hi!!! Is my mom there?" "No, she can't come to the phone now." Me, "Oh that is perfectly fine. Just tell her the house is on fire."
Third one: 19th hole at the BCC formingly known as my dad's second home. "19th hole," the person says. "Is John Kidd in?" "No, he is still on the golf course." "Hmmm, I see. Well would you please pass on the message whenever...that his house is on fire."
After placing the phone back on the hook, I looked down and realized I was wearing nothing but a t- shirt and panties. No bra, no shorts...nothing. Holding my head high and feeling very Bridgette Jones like, I strutted back across the street to my house. It is engulfed in flames. The fire hose is spraying water on it from at least 4 firetrucks. My possessions are being tossed out of the window as if they have no meaning. The only thing recognizeable was my teddy bear that my friend from camp gave to me. Everything else was black, charred or burned. An hour or two later, the last fireman exited our house and handed me three things that survived my sitting room, my Bible, my prayer journal and a shoebox of photos. He said to me,"You are so lucky you closed your door when you left your room. If you hadn't, the whole house would've exploded." I nodded and thought,"of course...only I did not close the door, I never close doors." I am always opening doors as I had opened up the kitchen door in which that is how Ginger, my dog got out.
What happened? The firemen said that my tv in the sitting room had an electric spark. Everything but those three was burned in my room. The other bedrooms, some possessions were smoke damaged, some were not. The furniture was salvageable. My WHOLE entire wardrobe was gone but....I got a whole new wardrobe. And what did I wear to shop in? My t-shirt, panties, grandmothers fancy Chantelle bra which of course was stuffed with tissue since she's a C, some shorts borrowed from a friend. And where did I go? Remember, high school, Ann Taylor, Parisians, Richs, Harolds...but if happened now to me, where would I shop? NM, Saks...hmm. Maybe I should start looking for some matches?
First one: 911
Second one: The King's House Antiques knowingly my mother would not take my call since I had called only a 100 times already. Someone answers, "Hi!!! Is my mom there?" "No, she can't come to the phone now." Me, "Oh that is perfectly fine. Just tell her the house is on fire."
Third one: 19th hole at the BCC formingly known as my dad's second home. "19th hole," the person says. "Is John Kidd in?" "No, he is still on the golf course." "Hmmm, I see. Well would you please pass on the message whenever...that his house is on fire."
After placing the phone back on the hook, I looked down and realized I was wearing nothing but a t- shirt and panties. No bra, no shorts...nothing. Holding my head high and feeling very Bridgette Jones like, I strutted back across the street to my house. It is engulfed in flames. The fire hose is spraying water on it from at least 4 firetrucks. My possessions are being tossed out of the window as if they have no meaning. The only thing recognizeable was my teddy bear that my friend from camp gave to me. Everything else was black, charred or burned. An hour or two later, the last fireman exited our house and handed me three things that survived my sitting room, my Bible, my prayer journal and a shoebox of photos. He said to me,"You are so lucky you closed your door when you left your room. If you hadn't, the whole house would've exploded." I nodded and thought,"of course...only I did not close the door, I never close doors." I am always opening doors as I had opened up the kitchen door in which that is how Ginger, my dog got out.
What happened? The firemen said that my tv in the sitting room had an electric spark. Everything but those three was burned in my room. The other bedrooms, some possessions were smoke damaged, some were not. The furniture was salvageable. My WHOLE entire wardrobe was gone but....I got a whole new wardrobe. And what did I wear to shop in? My t-shirt, panties, grandmothers fancy Chantelle bra which of course was stuffed with tissue since she's a C, some shorts borrowed from a friend. And where did I go? Remember, high school, Ann Taylor, Parisians, Richs, Harolds...but if happened now to me, where would I shop? NM, Saks...hmm. Maybe I should start looking for some matches?
10/8/10
Confrontation or Realization?
Why is it that when you have food in your teeth, a leaf in your hair or worse, your zipper is undone yet no one points it out to you? Is it more embarrassing when you are confronted with it or when you realize it later on?
Today, after patting myself on the back and feeling proud for volunteering at CT's school for field day, I then look down and realized that the zipper on my pants was indeed, unzipped. TSK!..
Today, after patting myself on the back and feeling proud for volunteering at CT's school for field day, I then look down and realized that the zipper on my pants was indeed, unzipped. TSK!..
9/30/10
CHEERS
Maybe it is getting older and as I like to think wiser. Or maybe it is the fact I am a mom. But whatever reason it is, I think three words should be said daily as a tool in living life to its fullest..."I love you." "You are fabulous." and "Cheers."
Cheers...While partaking communion during a church service with my son one sunday, I look proudly over at him as he was reaching for his "wine." That moment was fleeting as he turned to me and very loudly said, "mom, CHEERS!"
So to all of you out there, Love ya. You're fabulous and it is 5 o'clock somewhere so "Cheers!"
Cheers...While partaking communion during a church service with my son one sunday, I look proudly over at him as he was reaching for his "wine." That moment was fleeting as he turned to me and very loudly said, "mom, CHEERS!"
So to all of you out there, Love ya. You're fabulous and it is 5 o'clock somewhere so "Cheers!"
Happy Mom?
I must admit every once in a while, well okay, everyday, as I am standing outside my son's school I constantly check out the other moms. "She's so skinny." "She's not skinny enough." "My god, if only I could get my hands on her hair and cover up her gray streaks-she'd be a knock-out." "What in the hell is she wearing?" Then of course, I look down at my poorly chosen outfit for the day, running shorts and tank top only to mentally make a note to wear my navy Anna Sui dress with my Luchessee cowboy boots complete with big silver hoop earrings. Regardless of my exact thoughts on other moms, I am constantly in sync and aware of their status and style and how I compare myself to them? "Am I up to date on my style," I wonder. "Am I cool or better yet, a sexy mom?" "Am I a mom that gets admiration from other men and jealous looks from other moms?" "Do I look like mom that has a life even though I stay at home and keep my kids from calling supernanny 24/7?" Am I one of those moms that I swore I'd never be? Or horror of horrors, have I already turned into my mom??? And lastly, "AM I A HAPPY MOM????" I smile as I spot my son running out of the school doors...Yes, I am a very happy mom all "decked" out in her running shorts, tank top.
Therapy
I consider myself a smart girl but lately I have been doubting my intelligence. Maybe it has to do with explaining to my six year old why the teacher calls him by his real name, "charles" as it will appear on his drivers license when he doesn't even know how to put the car in drive. Or perhaps trying to explain to my 4 year old while humping a pillow often daily may not be the best idea. Or even trying to decipher what my 19 month old is telling me...in her own gaga language. But I do know this, therapy which I have always thought it was a way of admitting to yourself that you are a bad person, a failure or an embarrassment in reality it is totally the opposite. Therapy is the most empowering tool you can do for yourself, and I am amazed of how much of a stronger person and mother I am because of it.
7/10/10
KKJR
Many friends have suggested that I write a book. A book about my life, filled with craziness, laughter, fabulousness and Thomas. Yes, Thomas. Thomas is my middle child. Where to begin describing him? I have no idea. He is daring, adventurous, brilliant, handsome and funny. Some would say he is the "total package." Everywhere we go, it is an adventure. I never know what to expect. For example, at the driver's license bureau, Thomas and I were standing in line with Elle in the stroller. While I am fidgeting with some papers, I look over to see my Thomas jump in front of a lady whom is getting her picture taken for her license only to have them take a picture of him instead of her. I am convinced my purpose in life is to keep MYSELF and Thomas alive as long as possible!
4/8/10
Sancerre and Dump Truck
Thankfully I was already in the wine section of this cool new store, "Winslow's Home" that I'd been meaning to try when the owner comes over to ask if the two boys eating at the table are mine. Hesitantly, I said yes. Well one of them rips a dump truck out of its original packaging. I sighed, "spiderman?" He nodded his head. Before I walked over to deal with the hooligans, I turned to him and said, "I'll have a bottle of sancerre to go." He, of course couldn't agree more. I approached the table with my sancerre and dump truck, I told the boys (thomas) that I bought the truck that he had ripped from packaging since that is wrong, he responded with, "Which truck?"
Challenges of my sanity
Yesterday I believe was a complete challenge for my sanity and it clearly lost. I really don't know how I can regain it back with three kids under 6 and a husband whom I haven't seen due to work in many days! In fact our next door neighbor's mother is in town due to newborn and she thought some other guy was my husband since mine has yet to be home to meet her...in daylight hours! Last night, as he asked me how my day was, it went like this. CT and T both in school. Went to beloved TJ MAXX and scored some fashionista items for argentina trip where I finally fit into my prebaby size 4!!! On cloud nine. Picked up T, went to trader joes and had to wake up elle. Good day so far...yet walking out we are faced with THE slanted/rain/wind downpoar and I yell, "Let's go Thomas." Off I go sprinting across the lot with elle and cart full of groceries assuming as any other mother would my child would be running alongside me. As I glanced sideways, I did not see Thomas. Skidding to a stop, I turn back and see him still standing under the trader joes awning with the look of "shock, dumbfoundness..." Muttering every bad word known to mankind, I ran back across the lot, dodging rain/wind and cars to get him. "Come on Thomas!!!," I yell. "I can't go out there," as he runs under the awning to the next store. You must realize that we are standing in traffic with cars in line waiting for this soaking wet mother whom has lost it, wet baby yelling at her son to get here now ahhh sh**&%**@*#**!!!!!! Finally Thomas steps out from under the awning off the curb onto the street and holds his hand out to the car and says, "STOP." They did. All the time laughing!
Every wednesday we have swim lessons at the gym where I use that time to work out. With Elle in the nursery, screaming her head off, I find this short time to actually tune out and enjoy the workout. Not today. Dropping boys off at the pool, CT goes to his pool like a perfect child should. Thomas on the other hand is defiant. "Mom, when dad was here I got into this pool but when you were here, I got into THAT pool." "Yes, Thomas, I know and they moved you from THAT pool into THIS pool." "But mom, when dad was here." "Yes, Thomas, I know and they moved you from THAT pool into THIS pool." This goes on for minutes til we are gathering some interest from other parents, I guess wondering why my next step would be. Had nobody been watching, you bet I would have picked him up and thrown him into the pool, ran out without looking back. But, others were watching and I was on my best mommy behavior. Thomas looks at the pool and sees they are putting up the letters and animals. "OH MOM, I did not get to play with those." "Well Thomas if you had gotten into the pool when I told you too, maybe you would get to play with them." By the way, why wasn't the teacher coming over to help me? Smart teacher. Thomas finally sighs and places one TOE, yes one toe into the pool. Yes, there's a chance of me having my escape. I take one step back. He sees it and quickly withdraws his toe. "Thomas, if you do not get into that pool when I count to three, you will come to the nursery." "But mom...." I grab his hand and assume to throw him in the pool when I regain my best mommy behavior mode. He senses his time is up as he puts his right foot into the pool. Thank god the teacher swam over at this point and I quickly smiled and bolted!
Dropped elle off in nursery where her shrieks could be heard around the world...20 minutes on elliptical is all I have time for but better than nothing. I run down to the family changing room to get Thomas but he's not there so I go back in the pool area and still no Thomas. His teacher comes up to me and told me that he got out of pool and announced that I was waiting for him in family changing room. All I could think this was my fault yet what idiot would let a 4 year old out of pool walk to changing room by himself???!!! I bolt out, run to front desk and literally had place on "lockdown" as we are frantically searching for him. Aha, I thought, "NURSERY." Run upstairs and sure enough there was Thomas and what did he say to me with his hands on hips, "Mom, where was you?"
Every wednesday we have swim lessons at the gym where I use that time to work out. With Elle in the nursery, screaming her head off, I find this short time to actually tune out and enjoy the workout. Not today. Dropping boys off at the pool, CT goes to his pool like a perfect child should. Thomas on the other hand is defiant. "Mom, when dad was here I got into this pool but when you were here, I got into THAT pool." "Yes, Thomas, I know and they moved you from THAT pool into THIS pool." "But mom, when dad was here." "Yes, Thomas, I know and they moved you from THAT pool into THIS pool." This goes on for minutes til we are gathering some interest from other parents, I guess wondering why my next step would be. Had nobody been watching, you bet I would have picked him up and thrown him into the pool, ran out without looking back. But, others were watching and I was on my best mommy behavior. Thomas looks at the pool and sees they are putting up the letters and animals. "OH MOM, I did not get to play with those." "Well Thomas if you had gotten into the pool when I told you too, maybe you would get to play with them." By the way, why wasn't the teacher coming over to help me? Smart teacher. Thomas finally sighs and places one TOE, yes one toe into the pool. Yes, there's a chance of me having my escape. I take one step back. He sees it and quickly withdraws his toe. "Thomas, if you do not get into that pool when I count to three, you will come to the nursery." "But mom...." I grab his hand and assume to throw him in the pool when I regain my best mommy behavior mode. He senses his time is up as he puts his right foot into the pool. Thank god the teacher swam over at this point and I quickly smiled and bolted!
Dropped elle off in nursery where her shrieks could be heard around the world...20 minutes on elliptical is all I have time for but better than nothing. I run down to the family changing room to get Thomas but he's not there so I go back in the pool area and still no Thomas. His teacher comes up to me and told me that he got out of pool and announced that I was waiting for him in family changing room. All I could think this was my fault yet what idiot would let a 4 year old out of pool walk to changing room by himself???!!! I bolt out, run to front desk and literally had place on "lockdown" as we are frantically searching for him. Aha, I thought, "NURSERY." Run upstairs and sure enough there was Thomas and what did he say to me with his hands on hips, "Mom, where was you?"
1/15/10
Idiotic Moment
I most certainly had a moment that took me where I did not want to be- early childhood memories. This though, had to do with my child- his memory or so as I hope he will forget. After I picked up my kindergartner from school and we were walking towards our car...I heard someone shout behind me so I turned around to see the principal waving her arms. Oh dear...she wants the bus to stop and I am the closest one to it so I start running after it waving my arms like a crazy woman for the bus to stop as I think some child has been forgotten. Seconds later, buses out of sight. sigh...I turn around, principal still there yet she walks quickly towards me or better yet towards my 11 month old daughter, "I believe these shoes would not fit me." Sarcastically or not.....
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