travellin' light

Ever since A was potty trained, we've had little use for a diaper bag. Most of our jaunts are short trips about town that don't require snacks or anything requiring lugging around. So, when Queen Mommy called this morning from her in-laws in Arlington, and asked if we wanted to head in for some playground fun and lunch, I shoved the camera, some sunscreen and organic fruit jerky that I made in my own kitchen two Wonder Pets Fruit Snacks into my purse, grabbed the girls and headed out.

Well, it turns out the neighborhood playground had a fountain area. No problem...we borrowed from suits from the princesses and their cousin. And, lookie there...they coordinate to boot!

When it gets later in the afternoon and the girls and the girls want a snack and something to drink? Mooch again! And if the girls look like street urchins with their straggly hair (Note to self: they *will* get haircuts tomorrow!)? Borrow a comb.

My mom called during the day, so we ended up leaving Arlington and heading straight to dinner with them. We ended up going to Coastal Flats and the girls started to get stir crazy...luckily I found some Wikki Stix which we got at a different restaurant which kept them entertained...along with a plethora of pens and scrap paper.

Nonna and PopPop were good company as well.

The shopping area has fountains, too...which of course the girls couldn't do since we had returned the bathing suits to the previous owners. We got the girls ice cream, which they got all over. I didn't have any wipes, but luckily Nonna did (along with some band-aids which came in handy for some overzealous injury identification). And they had a concert series, which everyone had lawn chairs set up for. Unfortunately, it started raining right as the concert started, so we couldn't stay long...

Something tells me that next time we take a little trip on a Saturday, I'll throw some stuff in my purse and off we'll go ...right after I pack the trunk full of bathing suits and towels, lawn chairs and picnic blankets, umbrellas and first aid kits, and possibly the kitchen sink...since you never quite know where the day will take you.

reason 1,457,238 that i love my mom

My mom called to chat yesterday and I mentioned that it was just going to me and the girls for dinner tonight. Well, it turned out my dad had plans and she was fending for herself, too! So would I mind if she drove over to my house in rush hour traffic and bring dinner for me and the girls? Along with a bottle of wine? And sure enough, my mom pulled into our drive right as I was herding cats getting the girls and all of our crap into the house.

She also came bearing gifts for the girls. In anticipation of our beach trip next month, she got the girls swimsuit cover-ups, flip-flops and sunglasses. From the Disney store. Now, my mom has pulled this crap on me before, so I warn you, moms of small children...don't ever -- EVER! -- let your retired parents live in close proximity to a Disney store. Or else this is what you end up with:

 

 

Luckily, the food, wine, adult conversation and help with bedtime more than made up for the fact that I will be known as "that mom" (whose kids wear character clothing) at pool this weekend.

give me a v!

Both of my girls had an issue pronouncing the "V" sound. They pronounce (or pronounced, in the case of E, who has sadly outgrown it) it as a "B" sound instead. I can only assume that this is some sign of genius. In addition, it gives the Slackers such wonderful terms in our family vernacular such as:

• Orange Birginia (aka, Orange Virginia or UVA)
  
• Moobie Night (aka, watching Dora or Diego past bedtime)
  
• I lub you (my favorite term of enderment)
  
• Q-R-S...T-U-B...WXYZ (lyrics to the alphabet song)
  

But the "B" is now incroaching on other consanants in A's world. This week, a smoothie place opened up in our neighborhood. When we got back, A went on and on about how she and Daddy and E went to get smoobies.

Don't think I didn't ask her to say

"I lub to drink smoobies while I watch moobies"

at least 10 times this morning. 'Cause that's the kind of mom I am.

meeting in the middle

The girls woke up this morning and got dressed independently of each other. A wanted to wear her polka dot skirt, which she paired with her pink and orange sandals. E had noted that it was cloudy out and insisted on wearing her Hello Kitty rain boots, along with some shorts and a t-shirt (because apparently you can't wear a dress when it's about to rain...who knew?).

When the girls saw each other in the hallway, A immediately ran back to her room to find her Hello Kitty rainboots and E ran back to her room to put on her polka dot skirt.

Though I love me a matching outfit every now and again, most of the matching outfits you see the girls in these days are not my fault doing. Especially when the outfits looks like this:

 

quick on her feet

John and I joke that E is going to make the best lawyer some day because she can argue like nobody's business. Her retorts have left us stumped on several occasions and I fear what it will be like in the teenaged years when she has had more time to hone her skills.

A has recently picked up one of E's oft-used argument of the "Never, Ever." We never let them stay up late...or never let them have desert...or we drive on and on and on and will never reach our destination. Because we are mean, mean parents, I tell you.

So last night as we were pulling in from dinner, a couple of kids were playing in the cul-de-sac. But it was close to bedtime. And they had already had a busy weekend where they were outside all day Saturday and we had a two-hour jaunt to the pool on Sunday. And a certain un-named almost three-year-old had not napped all weekend. So when said three-year-old asked to play outside and was told that she could not, she sighed and said,

"I neber get to play outside."
To which her sister responded, "You went to the pool today, A. Is the pool outside or inside?"

Most times when E steps on our parental toes we are quick to remind her that she is not the mommy. But, last night, we were giggling at her quick thinking and thankful that A had no comeback of her own.

"You're pretty smart for an almost five-year-old," John told E as they walked into the house.
"I know, Daddy. Maybe they'll let me skip kindergarten," was her reply.

do you know the muffin man?

This morning, I made some banana and blueberry muffins with my two little helpers. Overall, it was a relatively smooth process with minimal threats of banishment to another room because of not listening. While they were baking, the girls alternately checked on the muffins and asked me if they were done cooking every thirty seconds throughout the 25 minutes of baking. But, overall it was a success.

 

(And, yes, that is a coffee mug sitting by A. She was begging for some this morning. It was more milk than coffee. Don't you judge me!)

moving on up ... to the left side

When I went to pick up the girls on Monday, I was told that A wasn't in her room anymore. She had been moved over to the other side of the building, in the 3-year-old's room. We were expecting her to get moved starting in September, but apparently she was ready. So ready, in fact, that the ditched the "transition week" where she spent 1/2 her time in the new room and half in the old room since she was devestated to leave the new place.

The 3's room is part of the preschool program at school. They switch between different classrooms/focuses. And, they wear uniforms. So, this morning, she ran into E's room and grabbed one of E's shirts. And, I must admit I got a bit misty seeing my sweet baby looking so big. But my nostalgia turned to joy when E couldn't get her uniform shirt on fast enough. So, for a few more weeks, that'll be nice.

It's just amazing...two years ago, I was in awe of my 3-year-old heading up to the big kid's class.


My how things have changed!

photography fail

This weekend we: had my parents over for dinner, washed the cars, did some lawn work, put together and hung out on the hammock (John's Father's Day gift), played outside, went to the pool, devoured some ribs, went out to breakfast, picked up some fun new pool toys, went for a nice long walk through the neighborhood, went to the pool (again), devoured some steaks, indulged in some ice cream and had an overall great weekend. And the only picture I took was this one:

 

Oh, well...better luck next time.

still cute as ever...

The number of pictures I've taken since -- I don't know -- March has been pathetic. I've decided that I'm going to carry my camera with me wherever we go this weekend so I can take pictures a'plenty. Which shouldn't be hard as we really don't plan on leaving the neighborhood.

 

sling shot

In better-late-than-never style, here's a picture from Baby AJ's visit that Steve just uploaded and shared. I was demonstrating the age-appropriate carry for Baby AJ and my Sweet Baby A was testing whether or not slings really did hold up to 35 pounds. I'd like to think of it as photographic evidence that Baby AJ was here, since I sucked at documenting her inaugural trip.



Anyway, the whole family is off again. The girls are now hanging with Nonna and Pop-pop's while John attends a work retreat and I tag along as a spouse and indulge in many spa treatments.

I mean really? When did I get old enough to be the accompanying spouse? It's such an adult thing to do...I distinctly remember my mom going with my dad to Seattle back in the day. Now I'm the mom that's heading off. Weird...I could have sworn it was just yesterday I was chugging beers and dancing on tables.

Hey...I've got no kids waking me up tomorrow...maybe I'll do that tonight at the company dinner!

the cave-in

Scene: The Slacker House. First day back for the fam. The end of a long day. Girls being summoned for a bath, but have other ideas.

E: Mama, I wanna dessert.
A: Me, too!
Me: No dessert tonight, ladies.

[Girls give me the sad face.]

Me: You girls know, we don't get dessert every night.
E: How about a healthy dessert? Can we have a healthy dessert?
A: Healfy, mama?
Me: No.

[Girls give more sad faces and verge closer and closer to an we're-totally-exhausted-and-will-throw-a-tantrum-if-you-don't-give-us-something-lady-style tantrum.]

Me: Ooooooo-kay. Here you go.

[Hands girls two (the recommended dose) Princess gummy vitamins.]

E & A: Thanks, Mama! You're the BEST!!!!

End Scene.

just the two of us

So far, Grandparents Week 2009 is kicking ass! We met up in Lexington, Va for lunch and the old switch-a-roo, which went off without a hitch. John and I had considered going to a B&B or something like that...but then decided that we still are lame and drank wine on the deck, ordered some Thai food and became the final people in the world to see Slumdog Millionaire.

On Sunday, we woke up at 10:30 (seriously!) and then headed to the mall since it was pretty blah out. We ate lunch at Coastal Flats and then did some shopping. Then we headed back toward home where I forced John kicking and screaming to get a pedicure with me. He then played some golf and I had to do a bit of work (and work out). Then we checked out a new restaurant that opened near us, which was pretty tasty.

Today, we carpooled in together and then headed to the Reston Town Center for some dinner outside in the beautiful weather. It was really good...but I think I've had my fill of eating out for now. And, so has my ass...because -- hoo boy! -- it is expanding at an alarming rate with all of this food!

As for the rest of the Slacker clan...so far they are having a great time. Word on the street is that they have been logging significant amounts of pool time, among other fun activities. I can't wait to see them later this week!

I just hope they will recognize me with this new double-chin and all...

pack it up, pack it in

It's been a ho-hum week around these parts, so I haven't had much to say. After the craziness that was my late May/early June, I've learned to appreciate it more...but it definitely has been contributed to a bit of writer's block.

The big news in our house is that tomorrow, we are dropping the girls off on the side of the highway! Woo! Luckily, John's parents will be there to pick them up, so don't call CPS yet. That's right, the girls are headed to Kentucky to spend a week with Grandmom and Granddad. At this point, we're running neck-and-neck on who's more excited about this -- John and I or the girls.

Don't get me wrong...I'm going to miss the girls terribly. But what I'm excited about is a week that likes the day-to-day grind that kids bring on. The get 'em up--get 'em dressed--get 'em out the door--get 'em home--get 'em fed--get 'em bathed--get 'em to bed that we do every day. That, and John and I plan on eating out at restaurants *not* in our little corner of suburbia and they might not even be kid friendly. Yay!

The upcoming trip is also a reminder of how much easier my kids have gotten. Today is my dad's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP POP! We love you!) and I was talking to my mom about trying to get to dinner tonight to celebrate.

"Oh, you think you'll be able to?" she asked. "I thought you'd be running around packing?"

The thing is, a few years ago, I would have. I used to have a 20 item list of stuff to take over to my parents house when we were going for the day. Bottles, baby food, diapers, wipes, teething toys, changes of clothes, the kitchen sink. It was all on the list.

My list for the girls for the week is: a couple of dresses (preferably pink), underwear, flip flops, sandals, bathing suits, toothbrushes, brush, Pull-ups for A, silky and Taggie. Seriously, I could shove the load of laundry that's I'm running right now into a suitcase and call it a day. If I pack some snacks for the road, I'm overachieving.

Hope everyone has a good weekend! I'll be thinking of you moms of small kids as John and I sleep in and do whatever we want to do (on Sunday at least)!

weekend in a nutshell

We had a great weekend. We cooked out on Friday...met some friends for brunch on Saturday...had my parents over for dinner on Saturday night...and had a Day o' Dad on Sunday. And, yesterday, I picked the girls up from school and headed to Marathon Mom's pool for some swimming and dinner. Lots and lots of fun has been had indeed, but nothing that was worthy of a full post.

This little gem did crack me up...

When we went in for brunch on Saturday, our family arrived first. John told the host "6 adults and 4 kids." When we got seated, the host had set up 4 high-chairs side-by-side. The adults were about to start rearranging the setup because that would just be a disaster, when E chimed in with,

"Well, I'm not going to sit in a high-chair because I'm almost five-years-old and I'm going to be in Kindergarten. I'm waaaay too old for a high chair."

pop quiz

If you had the option of running an errand with an oh-so-adorable almost 5-year-old *OR* putting an equally adorable, but kicking, screaming and crying about not being tired, almost 3-year-old down for a nap....which would YOU choose?

 

Yeah...I guessed wrong, too.

now i'm cwaving cwackerjacks

The girls have figured out a new method for delaying bedtime. They get up on the couch, snuggle up to Daddy, smile sweetly and say,

"Daddy, I wanna watch the ball game with you!"

It has worked like a charm pretty much every night this week because there always seems to be a baseball game on in the Slacker house in the summertime. Not only that, the College World Series is going on, and due to Virginia's Cinderella run, the Slackers (well, really just John) are very into the whole thing.

In fact, John was waxing poetic about how exciting the CWS is...how he can't believe he hasn't watched it before...how it was his new favorite sport. It sounded so familiar to me. And then I realized that I had heard the exact same speech a few weeks ago during the Stanley Cup finals. Ah...to be married to a sports addict.

Anyway, while we had the Virginia vs. Arkansas (aka, the Hoos vs. the Hogs) game on the other night, A broke out with her rendition of "Take me out to the Ballgame." And, even though I realized over a year ago that we need some lamps in the living room, I still haven't gotten any. So, sorry the lighting sucks. We'll just pretend I shot the video in sepia.

adding slacker aunt to my resume

So, I was going to write a post (complete with pictures!) about Baby AJ's visit to the East Coast. Except when I looked at all of the pictures I downloaded from the past week or so...there aren't really any of Baby AJ.

So in addition to sucking at documenting my own kids' lives, I'm a sucky documenter of my niece's visits as well. Quelle surprise, as the French might say.

In my defense, that little baby slept a lot. A lot. I think the time change did a number on her, 'cause girlfriend was sleeping in until 10 or 11 AM when she stayed at our house. And then, it was a battle for who got to hold her. Between my parents, John and the girls, I rarely got even a chance. I did get some good one-on-one time on Monday...but no one was there to document it. Finally, I think many of the pictures ended up on other peoples cameras.

But, let me tell you that we all loved Baby AJ. And miss her. Although she is still here in spirit because I'm still fielding a lot of questions about her from the girls. Mainly about how she...uh...gets her milk...but that's not important right now.

But, lest this post end up picture-less...here's the money shot from the portrait place on Friday. We sure do breed some cuties in my family, don't we?

sip-n-see

In honor of Baby AJ's inaugural trip to the East Coast, my parents hosted a Sip-n-See. "What's a sip-n-see?" you ask. Well, it's a little par-tay where people come over to meet the baby. So, rather than having visitors come visit throughout the trip, everyone converged over a few hours on Saturday.
In addition to family friends who stopped by, two of Kiki's and my oldest friends stopped by with their families. We've been friends with Keri and Liz since the third grade! We did manage to get a few pictures...alas...none of Baby AJ who was sleeping by the time we broke out the camera.

Liz, me, Keri, Kiki

The Husbands (minus Steve)

The Kiddos Playing

Group Shot of the Kiddos (minus Baby AJ and a too-shy Jake)

It was great fun catching up with everyone...I think it's safe to say that the Sip-n-See was a big hit! In fact, I even gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

e's graduation (1 of 7)

This weekend was jam packed. I mean, you know you're busy when A looked at me after lunch on Sunday and asked "Is it nap-time, Mama?" That's pretty amazing considering she could be falling asleep standing up, but if you mention the dreaded N word, she'll shriek, "I NOT TIRED!"

On Saturday morning, the Slackers got up bright and early for E's preschool graduation. Since holding a graduation ceremony for every milestone in school seems to be the thing to do, I figure it was the first of seven (preschool, Kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, high school, college, law school). I'm not sure if her college graduation will include rousing musical numbers like her preschool one did...so I think this one might be the most entertaining. (Though, A would beg to differ...she was not at all entertained by the program.) After each class performed a song or two, it was time to give out diplomas.

Here are some pictures from the day.

John and I were even good parents and got E a bouquet of flowers and a "Congrats, Grad!" balloon to commemorate the event. However, E insisted the flowers go in her room and not in a part of the house where the rest of us could enjoy them. So, I'm thinking that she barely passed the Sharing 101 course on her way to earning that diploma. Sheesh.

the slow return to normalcy

This week has marked a slow return back to normal. The bane of my existence project I have been working on for the past month has pretty much finished up...there are a few more odds and ends to clear up, but the stressful part is behind me. I was able to work from home on Monday and today, and I'm even taking the day off tomorrow to spend time with Baby AJ and my family! Woo hoo!

Not that this week hasn't thrown a few curveballs my way. On Tuesday night, we had massive storms that totally killed my commute (despite having HOV access in the hybrid). It also knocked out my power so I was spared dinner duties. We actually ran into Marathon Mom and her clan at Chik-fil-a...which was great as our Monday night dinners have fallen by the wayside of late.

And, the girls have shown no signs of being forever damaged by my work craziness, which is always nice. Though, they do seem pretty happy to have me back around. Last night, dinner was a freezer dive of marinara sauce I had made a while back. E ran up and hugged me and said,

"Mama, you always make the *BEST* dinners! I love you so much!"

And today, we broke out the double stroller and walked to school, she yelled,

"This is so! much! fun!"

I guess it helps that they are pretty easy to please.