Best laid plans - part 2

Happy Birthday to Judi (frequent visitor and commentator on Mama Picture This) and Happy Every Day is Mama Day to the rest of us (and Papa's too)!

Here's to our best laid plans for rejuvenating ourselves that so often get set aside out of necessity to care for the inevitable detours of our days -- Day off of school on OUR birthday, a sick child with a fever in bed when you were finally going to have Mama/Son alone time, daughter home from preschool 'cause brother's sick in bed! Ah well... these are the days...

And so even though I really want to be working on my photos and having a date with my son, I'm gonna check on the girl in the bubble bath and the boy in bed, hopefully manage some laundry and cleaning while here at home and call it a good day if anything gets done at all.

Look for more thoughts on sustainability (a seperate blog?) and photo cards soon. In the meanwhile, if there is a card or two that someone wants to purchase individually, feel free to leave me a comment and your email if I don't already have it and I'm sure we can work something out...

And here's to a fun February (coming to a planet near you soon)!

Reflection time

Someone asked me recently "How I manage to find the time" to do all that I do... mind you this was another Mama who does too much with too little time and we both feel as though we don't manage it while others do...

Wasn't there a book out awhile back - something about women who do too much?

I have another fabulous activist friend who recently said that all we Mamas need to do is focus on our families and children and leave the fixing the world to them... while I love the sentiment... it doesn't quite work that way although I'm not quite sure. Really by focussing in our children and giving them our best, we do change the world for the better although there is always the need for balance ... for the Mama to have quality time to be herself (or in the case of Papas himself) ... time for creativity, quiet, fun, adults and inspiration, rejuvenation. What rejuvenates you?

Since I'm in a reflective mood, I'll post those photos... at least a few of them and think about having a quality "date" with my boy tomorrow morning since his school is out and his sister's is IN.

Thinking about...

More possibilities:

Urban artscapes

In the garden

___________________________________________

Concensus? Do folks like to purchase cards individually

and/or in mixed packages?

A little break

Took a little break and a few pics on Sunday afternoon

Then went out on a date for Thai food and a wonderful evening of Howard Jones in concert. We are all getting a bit older and frankly I think a bit better with age. Thanks honey and thanks Howard for an amazing end to the weekend!

And a special big thank you to Aunt Marci who managed to get the kids to bed while we were away AND did the dishes (you SOOO didn't have to)!

How about...

Light

NW wildlife

Oregon Coast

Royalty is as royalty does...

PS - We were just having dinner (a yummy, yummy, yummy dinner according to the boy who doesn't like anything) and discussing our royal status...

The boy proclaimed himself the King of mint ice cream,

I dubbed myself, Queen of Cannoli,

and then the girl made the following royal announcement, and I quote:

"I'm the... King of 'Oh Crap!"

Oh Great! It's been a tough week... and by the way... parents (meaning Mama's) should automatically no longer have to have their period and PMS the second they get pregnant and/or give birth. Not fair and not conducive to quality parenting either.

Would ya?

Would any of you flower lovers (or others) out there ever consider buying either individual or sets of postcards or note cards with a variety of the photos above? Most likely about $10 (postcard sets) and $12 (notecard sets) plus postage (if you aren't in Portland, Oregon)? If so... I'd love to know (this doesn't mean you would be commiting to an order... I'm just putting feelers out before I put any card packs up for sale on Etsy.... Look for more potential photo card subject collages soon. By the way, the photos on the cards wouldn't be square as shown in the collage and most likely I'd have 2 each of several of the shots. Thoughts?

I have some potential sets ready to go if folks are interested... they include photos with the following themes:

• Household
• Seattle (Pike Place Market)
• Snowy Scenes
• Reflections
• The Oregon Coast
• Colors & Patterns
• Kid Stuff
• In the Garden
• NW Wildlife
• Light (Sunsets included)
• NW Scenes

Worn out

Princess parties wear me out! No kidding. Didn't want to fulfill the 2nd child syndrome and so scrambled to fulfill the girl's last minute request for an "official" birthday party (with a cake and kids) -- apparently gifts with extended family while out to a lunch for Great-Grandma doesn't count... It seems I'm not the only one who's worn out. I ran out to the grocery store for a short bit and returned to a completely quiet castle... the princess, the prince and the king have all apparently passed out in the royal bed chambers. Not a peep have I heard.

Granted (as Clotilda would say - psst - she's an awesome fairy godmother -- you should check out her book sometime if you haven't the foggiest what I'm talking about) the party appeared to be a smashing success as was the perfect princess party cake and even the boys invited all made royal crowns and magic wands... but it really became all I did all weekend long! I'm sure many a parent can understand. While I've no doubt got a pirate party to contend with in a few short months, I've already publicly sworn next year will be far more mellow.

And after all the royal guests had departed, I scrambled to conjure up something good for tomorrow's preschool snack (since I'm both the snack helper and the birthday girl's mama). I've got bananas, baby carrots and a rather odd assortment of rice crackers (we have both a peanut and a wheat allergy at our school). My grand idea was to make homemade blueberry muffins with wheat-free flour. I mixed, I baked, I tasted... and unless my tastebuds are lying to me (because they are still enjoying the beer they're having), I failed. These things taste gnarly -- and you know if I think so as an adult... those multiple little people probably aren't gonna buy it.

"Oh bother" as Pooh would say... and now what?

Alive and Kicking

And now for a complete and total change, I present to you the best darn morning commute full o'music I've had in pretty much forever (if you don't like the 80's, you might just wanna move on).

I could NOT believe it when I got in the car and heard the following song:

- "New Moon on Monday" - Duran Duran
And then I REALLY couldn't believe it when I heard it again on an entirely different station. One of my all-time favorite Double Duran songs - other than "Last Chance on the Stairway." Any good Duran fan will tell you their best songs never got airplay. And even the best fan -- if they are being honest -- will probably tell you they don't have a clue what their lyrics mean except in those songs clearly about S-E-X (duh). This Double Duran flashback took me back to my days of adoration for skinny pasty English boys in general and the skinny pasty English boys of Duran Duran (where did they get that name - do you know? I do.) -- enough to skip a class for their concert and to sneak backstage and even to get kicked out RIGHT IN FRONT of John and one of the other guys walking to their limo! Ahhh those were the days.

- "New Moon on Monday" - Duran Duran (AGAIN on a different station)!
- "Annie Get Your Gun" - Squeeze (I'd forgotten all about these guys)!
- "Red Skies at Night" - The Fixx (Amazing live musicians)
- "Good Girls Don't" - The Knack (Don't love the words, but it's catchy)
- "Alive and Kicking" - Simple Minds - AMAZING!! Gotta get out my albums.
- "Perfect Skin" - Lloyd Cole (I used to adore this guy - so cool)
- "Hold Me Now" - Thompson Twins (Never liked them but this is a classic)

And then for something entirely different:

- "Meet Virginia" - Train

And back for some more 80's goodies:

- "Shout" - Tears for Fears (One of the best bands ever in my opinion)
- "People are People" - Depeche Mode (Better live than I thought they'd be)
And a few that don't quite fit but I like 'em anyway:

- "Listen to the Music" - Doobie Brothers
- "Ever Lasting Love" - Natalie Cole

More

For anyone who questions whether or not my daughter is well let's just say --- MORE --- here is her update to Frosty the Snowman made by Dad last night. Please note the facial pencils and spoons, the jaunty pink ski vest and the blonde "hair". And for anyone still in doubt, please note that yes indeed, Frosty is wearing a lovely shade of apple sauce blusher!

Whew

The sun is coming up on a new day (and a school day at that -- just starting two hours late)!

For those of us who remember snow days (and the possibility of them) as a fond memory of our childhood, and are now on the parenthood side of this equation, you'd probably agree:

a) It is great to share in the excitement of waking up to the news of a SNOW DAY, to spend time together sledding, building snow people, throwing snow balls, snuggling up with warm cocoa, a book, and yes even a movie or two...

HOWEVER


b) Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. Extended snow days can shine a bright light on a classic parenting dilemna -- the joy of sharing special times and making special memories with your littles ones all together as a family is wonderful, but stretches the parenting brain to its limits of creativity to figure out just what the heck to do with all that together time?

PS ... Thanks to everyone who shared their great ideas for keeping boredom away after so many days at home. I really wanted to take Norma's advice and make stained glass hearts out of crayon and wax paper but the kids weren't having it. We did cook the last batch of dough we had into a few more cookies which are now all gone. The kids didn't care but I for one enjoyed the Hawaiian vibe at www.alohajoe.com (thanks Cathy) and the girl enjoyed making and floating paper boats with her Dad (until hers sunk)! And thanks to Kristin for the idea of popping bubble wrap - we had to pass however because the last time the kids did this activity, it scared our dog so bad she went out in the backyard and refused (and I do mean REFUSED) to come back in!

Counting

Snow day #3...

7 days home with the kids ...

and counting!

Snow day redux

We don't normally get snow around these parts, not very often that is... and now well... woke up this morning to yet another snow day and unforecasted SNOW!!! Now frankly,

After a snow day,

followed by a sick day,

followed by a weekend,

followed by a holiday,

and now another snow day...

we were starting to get a bit goofy, grumpy and stir crazy. Luckily our sanity was saved today by a couple of things:

1. Kidlet play date (with 3 friends) for about 2 hours,


2. Sledding in the front yard and helping Dad get up the driveway with a little sandbox sand maneuver,


3. Both Mom and Dad being home on snow days of their own,

4. A trip to the video store for Dora & The Magic School Bus,


5. A bath for Mama (and some reading about spirited children),


6. A shower for papa and time to just sit still and look at the snow,


7. And some excellent Ratatouille that the kids wouldn't eat, despite piling black olives and cheese on top (oh well you can't have it all)!

   

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings (or maybe I can)!

PS - it is bringing ANOTHER SNOW DAY!

Mama is gonna have to get REALLY creative. Any quick, easy and fun indoor activities to keep away stir-craziness welcome! I'm sure there's about a bazillion other snow-bound parents who will be looking too.

Think pink?

Given that I'm in a woman's group and that I have a daughter who is turning four years old as well as three nieces to be born (and knitted for) this Spring, I've been doing some thinking about gender, girls and well ... of course ... PINK.

Frankly it is difficult at best to tell where gender roles begin, but I believe more of it has to do with what we "put on" our children through our societal messages and norms than with what happens or comes naturally to them from inside the womb.

And while we are talking pink, I'd like to make a point of clarification on my views:

• I had a pink and white gingham girlie bedspread that went with my pink room and all my pink stuff as a young girlie...

• I have a daughter who is about to turn four years old and while she has plenty of toys and clothes which are blue, gray, green, purple and other assorted colors -- trust me -- she has her share of PINK too (and loves it).

• I never said I wouldn't allow my girlie to have her pink phase or enjoy the color, what I did say (and still say for the most part) is that there is no need to gussy up a girl baby in pink given they are mostly just baby blobs who really don't have a perception of the color they are wearing or their gender and there is no need to push them down that path too soon. So... I did avoid pink with my girlie when she was little and still do when given the chance, but when she chooses it - I let her.

In terms of those three little girls who are coming my way and who I am feverishly knitting for... Think pink? Think again! :-)

Expect the unexpected

Expect the unexpected.

Such as finding your daughter's bare foot prints and tea set in the snow.

Today we had a snow day,

which included a snowball fight,

trudging around the block making snow angels along the way,

hot mint cocoa, watching Mr. Rogers, sledding,

and playing royal family -

which was all good.

And then as if a snow day wasn't unexpected enough,

the boy started feeling yucky and began to throw up (poor baby).

I remember my mother always used to say:

"It's ALWAYS something."

I always hated that but to tell you the truth... when related to all things parenting, it seems way too true.

More sparkly

Feeling more sparkly this week. Even the music on the radio was SO much better on my drive yesterday. Here's what I chose to actually listen to (and not pass by):

• Island in the Sun – Weezer
• Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears (one of my all-time favorite bands and this song will always remind me of moving to California)
• I Can Dream About You – Dan Hartman
• Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC (Yes I went through a rowdy "get-back-at-Mom-by-playing-loud-music" phase in High School thanks to my cousin Nina)!
• Angel of Harlem – U2
• Angels Want to Wear My Read Shoes – Elvis Costello (Very infectious)
• She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
• Devil Inside – INXS (I have a hard time listening to these guys now that Michael is gone but today I listened)
• Got to Get You into My Life – Earth, Wind & Fire (Have loved these guys since I first heard "September" which is still one of my all time favorite songs)

Despite lack of sleep due to the girl waking up at 3 am pretty much every night trying to get a bad dream out of her head, it is still a pretty sparkly week thus far. We are working on ways to rid baby girl of her Scooby-Doo monster tractor dream (including NO MORE WATCHING SCOOBY-DOO for awhile!)

Why am I feeling more sparkly? Hmmm.

A) Less complete and total kidlet meltdowns (so far),

B) Me being better able to deal with the few meltdowns that have occurred,

C) The girl having a breakthrough in her seperation anxiety manifested as I don't like big father kinda guys (not including her own),

D) The boy enjoying school and doing his homework and having play dates after school 2 times,

E) Me having a little Mama time to myself

and

F) My wonderful friend Robbi Robb (speaking of reminiscing) likening me to "a pure diamond among cloudy ones, crystals and pieces of broken glass" (back at'cha mister!) For info on Robbi and his music, go to http://www.robbirobb.com/

And all my sparkly feelings are despite realizing I have my very own Junie B. Jones in my house. If you aren't already familiar with Junie B., you should check out this precocious kindergartner's books (especially those on tape)... she is quite funny even for us adults. However, these are the props my daughter used to reenact the scene in which Junie B. climbs on top of the refrigerator and later makes her own breakfast of cereal and orange juice!

And by the way, Junie B... please let the cat out of the homework doing machine! Pleeeeeeeaaaaase!

Wishing you a sparkly week too. More soon.

Off to the races

At our house today, we are officially off to the races.

As part of Christmas, the boy received a gift certificate for a book and promptly chose one about auto racing (it came with a toy car)! From there of course (as with all things our boy), we had to make all the appropriate colored racing flags in order that we too can be part of the racing experience. And despite the drizzling rain and cold, we ran several indoor and outdoor races together today. Got lucky to find the black & white checked racing flag material ...

which interestingly, pretty immediately reminded me of this lost treasure:

Why yes Virginia, the world is interconnected in so many strange and wondrous ways. I'm curious who, if anyone, can tell the rest of you just what is pictured above (of course I know but it was a limited kind of a thing).

And last but not at all the least, I am personally off to the races when it comes to my kids. Anyone who knows me well or has sneaked and peeked around my house at all could tell you that I have a gazillion books about different aspects of parenting. But hallelujah and hurray, today I found one that gave me a new insight into our family.

I love you Mary Sheedy Kurcinka and your book, "Raising Your Spirited Child" (lucky us we've got two!). Gets even better than that... we've actually got 3 (and the third one is me)!

"... recommending that spirited parents keep their cool was a denial of their own intensity... it doesn't work to simply say, 'I am supposed to be cool.' The fact is you're not. The intensity sits like a rock in the pit of your stomach."

No wonder our house can at times feel like a raceway full speed in a storm with no way out.

So far, this book is great. I highly recommend it to any other highly spirited parents out there and/or those who are slightly less in the spirited vein but whose children are definitely more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent and/or energetic.

You won't regret it.

Don't forget

The question of the day in our house is often, "Who are we sleeping with?" This question has been asked as early as 4:00 p.m. While the question should really be who is putting us to bed tonight, either way tonight I told the girl tonight was a Mama night. To which she said:

"Yippee... now I don't have to throw a FISSY HIT!"

Just a wee bit later she reminded me, "Mama, Don't forget to PLAY!"

Good thing I've got someone to remind me.

Good night and good play!

MamaZuzi

World Party - Private Revolution

The rest of the choices on the radio dial this morning were slim pick'ins... enjoy this classic!

Wanting contact

For as long as I have been aware of the existence of Peter Gabriel as an artist, I think I have loved him. Not so much the person or the persona but rather the incredible music and the talent. That is without a doubt why my son's middle name is Gabriel. And it may well begin to explain why I've been haunted by the song, "I Have the Touch" since I heard it in the car two days ago. I keep hearing "I want contact, I need contact" over and over in my head.

In thinking about this, I've come to realize that I DO want contact but not with Mr. Gabriel himself but rather with someone who can finally help me get a handle on what's going on right now for my son. He regularly complains of tummy aches when confronted with going to school but can devour with zest a full breakfast bar just moments later and he almost always ends up going to school and seemingly enjoying every minute of it while succeeding and progressing well in reading, math and friendships.

I also think that because this is hard and because I'm around THAT age (whatever that is)... that I've been reaching out or seeking out to see what's happened to folks I used to know way back when... "Why?," you might ask and I'll tell you. Well... one thing is definitely the strange tendency for me to hear "I Want You To Want Me," in the car just about every time I get in to go anywhere lately. That song and any other by Cheap Trick immediately brings up that time in my life, along with myriad images of release parties, video shoots, bars, tour buses, concerts, hotel rooms and frankly 3 out of the 4 of them at some point in their scivvies (Cheap Trick that is)! Other than flashbacks of Tom, Robin, Rick and Bun E., to the best of my mind's ability to figure it out... my psyche keeps yearning to go back to an earlier time in my life (to at least the good memories of course).

Living in New York City during my twenties, working in the music business around lots of creative types, musicians and single folks, these were the days when I was relatively care free. I was young, attractive enough to turn a few heads (even a few rocker "boys") and my biggest worry was about getting a date or which bar to hang out at after work. It wasn't really all that simplistic (I did of course have my overthinking brain even then) however... I didn't have the responsibilities, concerns and worries of a mother. And so I keep visiting those silly, exciting, sometimes downright stupid days of innocence and hanging with the famous and near famous, remembering my friends and the memories while making new memories with my beautiful children and family now. I think I'm revisiting while storing up my energies and strengths to move forward in some strange kind of mid-life crisis/New Year cleansing ritual. 2007 should definitely be interesting.

Giving thanks

I am working hard to remember and focus on the good things. To that end, this morning I'm thinking about giving thanks. I am thankful for:

Couch cushion forts, Legos, princess castles, my kids being dressed, fed and ready for school, playing nicely together in the other room...



I'm also thankful for: the post holiday season, school, sunny day super hero walks, a much cleaner home office, my great supportive friends and family, and SUPER DOG!


But mostly I'm thankful that last night is over... and that the girl has moved past her desperate need to sit in the middle car seat, have cookies that don't exist and have a bath despite tantruming way past the point of possibility. Ahhh... happy Wednesday!

PS... WE FOUND "HORRIBLE HARRY GOES TO THE MOON!" Sneaky guy didn't make it to the moon... just under one of our family room loveseats. But now he's back at school where he belongs! Good riddance.

Also ... the girl's a prolific artist and we've taken the holiday as a good time to give away her paintings as gifties...

Burning the candle at both ends

Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.
-- Chinese Proverb