Tag Archives: children

A Girl and her Trademark Hat

18 May

My little one has quite a sense of style, of which I pretty much let her have free reign.  While we were in Florida in March my mother in law took the girls shopping and let them pick out a bunch of costume jewelry and accessories.

The little one picked out a barrette with a pink hat attached that she started wearing in Florida and has been wearing on a regular basis almost ever since.

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She gets loads of comments, compliments, smiles and laughter everywhere we go.

But my husband has been cracking me up consistently referring to her as “Adebisi”.  Any of you out there Oz fans?  Considering that the little one has a sometimes deliquent personality, and now the trademark hat, I guess it’s not completely far-fetched to compare her to Simon Adebisi…!!!?

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I can’t stop laughing :)

Post Mother’s Day (Thoughts and Treats)

16 May

You know I sometimes struggle on Mother’s Day.  I’m not a big holiday person to begin with, not very festive or enthused, and then I have even more contempt for a holiday that seems completely contrived by Hallmark.  I love mothering, and I love the attention my kids give me, but, I can’t help but think, on the day, of those without mothers, those without children, those who have lost children, and how that pain is magnified on that Sunday.   I love Anne Lamott’s take on Mother’s Day too.

So you get where I’m coming from?

But back to Mother’s Day as a mom of three little curly-haired monkeys who are the shining stars in my sky…

I love, love, love the handmade gifts and cards.  My daughter, as she gave me her present, said, “Mrs Solano told us to give you a tissue with the present to catch all your tears”.

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They pull me out of bed at 7 a.m. anxious to show my a “very big surprise”.  They had “made” me breakfast.

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Now, I don’t eat breakfast.  I’m just one of those people who has no appetite in the morning.  But what greeted me was a serving bowl filled with a box of rice krispies with the bottom layer drenched in milk and the top completely dry, a corn muffin, banana, glass of grape juice and a day old paper.  LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was followed by a visit by my sister and my mother….some good grub and beautiful weather.

Oooh and the day wouldn’t have been complete without someone in the brood tantruming!

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How was your day? :)

World’s Best Mom…

11 May

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“When she buys me toys”

This is reminiscent of my Valentine’s Day card! But either way, totally heart melting :)

I can look at this picture all day long and get continued pleasure from it!!!  The hands, the smiles…ahhhh!

I’ve gotten 80% of my Mother’s Day goods from the kids already because they were so excited.  I’m excited to get a little pampering on Sunday…think there’s any chance in hell of that happening!!? :)

Soccer Saturdays

3 May

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All 3 of my little monkeys are playing soccer this season which means our entire Saturdays are spent on the soccer field!
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As long as they are having fun playing, which seems to be the case, then I don’t mind one bit. :)

Are your weekends loaded up with sports?

Bus Stop Limbo

26 Apr

This morning as we walked to the bus stop my 5 year old said, “My new favorite color is white because white makes everything twinkle like the snow.”

Something about that statement almost choked me up.

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Then the three of them started playing limbo while waiting for the bus and it was too much.  I got teary eyed!

Oh I don’t know…I’m a little sleep deprived and sick…but I think it’s just sometimes I want to pause these moments…

It’s beautiful and sunny here.  Enjoy your day. :)

Daddy’s Birthday

24 Apr

The kids were so excited to celebrate their dad’s birthday today.  We met him at the train station where he was the envy of all the other forlorn commuters when my 3 little curly hairs spotted and raced to him to tackle him in a four-way hug.

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When we got home he was presented with a wonderful array of cards and gifts.

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Gifts including 5 children’s library books, a few pieces of Trident gum, and a mini soccer ball. :)

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Then we set out for a Hibachi dinner which seems to be turning into a family tradition.  The kids were so excited to run in and tell the hostess that today is their dad’s birthday!

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It seems to me that he got a lot of good birthday love.

Do you have any family birthday traditions?

When Dad Shops…

21 Apr

 

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Or perhaps I should say tries to shop.

I love these moments. :)

The NYC Parenting Experience Event with Cercone Brown

19 Apr

Last week when I was in NYC I attended The Parenting Experience Event with Cercone Brown.  It was an opportunity to hear about new brands and products that are relevant for people like me…MOMS!

My first stop was at the Summer Infant area and I was pretty wowed.  The Peek Plus Internet Baby Monitor System was demonstrated; you have the capactity to view your baby on all your digital devices and via a secure website.  That, in addition to the beautiful stroller, high chair and car seat, made me realize how modern baby products have become in the 6 years since I had one.

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I was already feeling a bit wistful but it became amplified when I ambled over to the Bonavita nursery furniture….so unbelievabley beautiful.  The set being featured was grey and I thought it was stunning and so different.

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Next I checked out Muck Boots – and I really fell for the kids line because they are adorable and water-resistant and warm.  I can’t tell you how many times this winter my kids were trudging through the snow to me complaining about cold, wet feet!  So I am pleased with the features of the kids boots:

  • Stretch-fit topline binding snugs calf to keep warmth in and cold out
  • Fleece lining
  • 5mm CR flex-foam bootie with four-way stretch nylon, 100% waterproof, lightweight and flexible
  • Durable, natural rubber shell
  • Comfort range of sub-freezing conditions to 85°

But also I am completely drawn to the colors!

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And by the way do you know I do not own a pair of bad weather boots? Through the rainy bus stop walks  I wear wet soggy sneakers which is not fun, obviously.  So, I am so excited to be on the receiving end of a pair of Breezy Cool boots soon!  No more soggy sneaks for me :)

Then it was time to visit the laundry section.  Snuggle did a cool demo on static control. They took two balloons and proved to us that their brand really does get rid of static. By rubbing a Snuggle dryer sheet onto a balloon, it prevented it from sticking to the wall while the balloon that wasn’t rubbed with the dryer sheet stuck to the wall without an issue…it was clear as can be!

Here are some other cool uses for Snuggle sheets:

For diapers: Keep your used dryer sheets in your diaper bag, and roll one up in the diaper to prevent odors before you have to chance to throw it away.

Keep bugs away: Tuck some in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture to repel bees from your juicy flesh and encourage them back to the flowers, where they belong. You can also rub a sheet directly on your bare skin to discourage would- be buggers from leaving their mark.

Need some sleep: Keep a fabric-softener sheet in your pillow case and under your mattress or mattress pad for sweet dreams of summer all year ‘round.

And by the way I couldn’t keep my hands off those Snuggle bears…they are the softest little things.  And, my 3 monkeys have been engaging in hair pulling rip-roaring fights over the little one I got to take home like you would not believe!!!

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The ALL station was next.  The rep took two grass stained clothes and washed one with All and one with a competitor. Guess who came out the cleanest? It was very clear to me!

This year, together with Snuggle, All has announced a multi-year, exclusive partnership as the official laundry products sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball to help moms (and dads) get those tough grass and clay stains out.  As a mom, I love it.

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And speaking of stains and the tons of laundry I do, it was great to see some of the LG offerings.   Here are some details:

LG’s Front-Control Top-Load Washer

  • LG’s Front-Control design is a revolutionary spin on the traditional top-load washer. By moving the control panel from the back to the front, the buttons and LED display are easier to read and use – along with a sleek, stylish design.
  • This model features 4.5 cubic feet of capacity which is unique for the top-load washer, allowing users to do more laundry in fewer loads.

LG’s TurboWash Front-Load Washer

  • LG’s innovative TurboWash™ technology allows users to save 20 minutes per load, even with larger loads of laundry, while still offering outstanding cleaning performance.
  • This model offers an “Allergiene” cycle where the power of steam removes over 95% of common household allergens along with those dreaded wrinkles, dirt, and odors.

I always have been and continue to be a top load washer kind of girl!  And I am loving LG’s top load model with the control panel in the front…so simple, so brilliant!

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When I stopped at New Balance I was gushing.  I wear New Balance every day, all day.  For real.  My podiatrist, yes I said podiatrist, made me go get New Balance sneaks and I haven’t taken them off since!  Some of the new styles look so cute…my rainbow loving girl will go nuts!

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My two final stops were at Seventh Generation,  where I heard about USDA certified biobased  baby personal care products (and I snatched some bubble bath for the kids!) and Crizal  optical lens coating created to allow greater transprency in lenses made of certain plastics by repelling rain and being anti-reflective, smudge-resistant, dust-resistant and scratch-resistant.

It was a fun time learning about all of these products!

Presenting Anne Frank…

12 Apr

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Could my daughter have picked a harder biographical character to re-enact for school today?!  (I take that back, yes she could have chosen Ruby Bridges…)

After her recent passion with Anne Frank it really was no surprise that it was who she chose to be.

So now as a family we’ve represented Amelia Earhart and Johnny Appleseed and Anne…I’m wondering what the future holds for the little one?!

Have you had to scrounge around for costumes for your school age kids? (I know I probably shouldn’t even call this a costume…it was the best we could do!)

(Editing this to add a letter she gave me after school.  She said , “I need an envelope and a balloon to send this to heaven.  I don’t care if she doesnt’t write back.”)

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Egg Hunt

5 Apr

My children had the greatest time participating in an Easter egg hunt coordinated at my in-laws condo.  Initially my son implied that he wasn’t going to be a part of it, giving me that too cool vibe.  But as soon as the kids got to the meeting point in the lobby so began the strategizing.

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They all huddled and peered out the windows as they scoped the eggs and decided what the game plan would be.  While the other kids were milling about, my 3 positioned themselves up front and center by the door so when the gates opened they were the first to fly out.  I snapped what I think is one of the greatest pictures of childhood…

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There were about 25 kids that raced out behind them and the whole scene really choked me up watching them innocently seek out eggs within the beautiful sunny scenery!

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When the hunt was over (5 minutes later!) I was able to get the kids to pose for an awesome photo with their grandma.

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It was a sweet Easter…how was yours?

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