This morning I took the girls on the Indian Head Rail Trail while Garry was a referree for a few flag football games. Since we were without Garry, we were without a camera. Sorry, no pictures!
I loved the trail! It's nice and flat which means that Emma can ride her bike on it (she's scared of hills as her braking is only so-so). It is still a great secret in Southern Maryland and so the trail is generally vacant. Trees line both sides of the trail making it just beautiful!
Here are some hints for those families who might want to give it a try.
(1) Go to the bathroom before you leave! No bathrooms along the trail!
(2) Stay on the trail! The grass is really tall in several places and I saw a HUGE snake. Okay, to me he was huge. He was probably just normal size to those not scared to death of snakes. I am pleased that when I yelled: "Snake! Girls! Run!" they listened and bolted straight ahead. Thank heavens I do not have boys that would want to (a) explore further or (b) try to kill it or (c) ask if they could bring it home!
(3) Check your kids for tics! I found one on Macey's back about an hour after we left. Yuck.
(4) Take your allergy meds before you leave. Grass, trees and pollen! Oh my!
Hope to see you soon on the trail!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Funny Times With Macey
Macey started talking really early. And boy, can she talk! Here's a few conversations I've had with Macey recently:
Not Me! On the day that Emma went to school and Macey had to stay with Me & Molly, I took Macey to McDonalds. I know, I know, not the best "punishment" to make her want to stop pooing her pants. But, I did play hardball and went through the drive-thru and did not let her go in and play! We sat at the exit of the parking lot, waiting for our turn to go onto Highway 301, when a large truck rambled down the street making its large truck noises.
"Excuse you, Mama," Macey said from the back of the van.
"Macey, that wasn't me. It was the truck."
"No it wasn't!"
It was here that I decided not to fight with my three year old over whether I did or did not fart. But, for the record, I so did not!
Moms: Yesterday Macey was playing with Emma and she was pretending to be the Mom.
"I'm the Mom!" she announced to me.
"Really?" I asked, with a laundry basket on my hip. "Are you ready to work because Moms work really hard."
"Moms don't work!" Macey explained. "Dads work!"
I have no idea where she got THAT crazy idea.
Surprise! Yesterday Garry took the girls shopping for Mother's Day. Macey tries so hard to keep a secret, but she just cannot. When my sister was here we got her a book and talked for 30 minutes about how it was a surprise and we should not tell her what it is. She did okay until my sister started unwrapping, and then she could not take it any longer.
"It's a book!" she yelled.
Yesterday she kept the secret all the way up the stairs but when she reached the second level of our townhouse, she just could not take it any longer. "Lotion!" she blurted out. "We got you some more lotion!"
Not Me! On the day that Emma went to school and Macey had to stay with Me & Molly, I took Macey to McDonalds. I know, I know, not the best "punishment" to make her want to stop pooing her pants. But, I did play hardball and went through the drive-thru and did not let her go in and play! We sat at the exit of the parking lot, waiting for our turn to go onto Highway 301, when a large truck rambled down the street making its large truck noises.
"Excuse you, Mama," Macey said from the back of the van.
"Macey, that wasn't me. It was the truck."
"No it wasn't!"
It was here that I decided not to fight with my three year old over whether I did or did not fart. But, for the record, I so did not!
Moms: Yesterday Macey was playing with Emma and she was pretending to be the Mom.
"I'm the Mom!" she announced to me.
"Really?" I asked, with a laundry basket on my hip. "Are you ready to work because Moms work really hard."
"Moms don't work!" Macey explained. "Dads work!"
I have no idea where she got THAT crazy idea.
Surprise! Yesterday Garry took the girls shopping for Mother's Day. Macey tries so hard to keep a secret, but she just cannot. When my sister was here we got her a book and talked for 30 minutes about how it was a surprise and we should not tell her what it is. She did okay until my sister started unwrapping, and then she could not take it any longer.
"It's a book!" she yelled.
Yesterday she kept the secret all the way up the stairs but when she reached the second level of our townhouse, she just could not take it any longer. "Lotion!" she blurted out. "We got you some more lotion!"
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Fatherhood
It may seem strange that the week before Mother's Day I have been thinking a lot about Fatherhood.
It all started when I read a Newsweek "My Turn" article entitled "Slouching Toward Fatherhood." In this article he describes his depression after his son is born:
When a child was added to my life, it was as if something enormous and coveted was subtracted in return, and the transaction left me reeling, like someone who'd just gambled away his soul.
Ouch. The rest of the article can be viewed at http://www.newsweek.com/id/192463
At the same time I was reading a book entitled "Mommies Behaving Badly" where the husband/father feels so overwhelmed that he has an affair. In the book he describes his desire to return back to the cocoon of peace and quiet that he and his wife had shared before they had three kids.
So I began to think, "Wow! Do all men think like this?"
I thought about it for awhile and finally asked Garry if he ever thought about those single and QUIET days. He told me that it was the opposite -- that these were the days he had always wanted and he was worried that in just a few short years it was all going to be over.
He's right. Right now is a lot of work. And the house can get loud. And things can get stressful. But at the same time right now our kids think that we are the greatest things around. They are not embarrassed by us yet and actually want to spend time with us, as much as we will give them.
When Emma is sitting with her primary class and I wave at her -- she waves back! How long will she do that for? When I pick Macey up from preschool she yells "Hi Mommy!" And she tells all her little friends "That's my mommy!" How long will she do that for? When I leave a room without hugging and loving on little Molly, she cries. How long before she just does not want to be hugged and loved on?
Garry is right; these times are really crazy and busy but it is fun being the coolest person around (while it lasts).
It all started when I read a Newsweek "My Turn" article entitled "Slouching Toward Fatherhood." In this article he describes his depression after his son is born:
When a child was added to my life, it was as if something enormous and coveted was subtracted in return, and the transaction left me reeling, like someone who'd just gambled away his soul.
Ouch. The rest of the article can be viewed at http://www.newsweek.com/id/192463
At the same time I was reading a book entitled "Mommies Behaving Badly" where the husband/father feels so overwhelmed that he has an affair. In the book he describes his desire to return back to the cocoon of peace and quiet that he and his wife had shared before they had three kids.
So I began to think, "Wow! Do all men think like this?"
I thought about it for awhile and finally asked Garry if he ever thought about those single and QUIET days. He told me that it was the opposite -- that these were the days he had always wanted and he was worried that in just a few short years it was all going to be over.
He's right. Right now is a lot of work. And the house can get loud. And things can get stressful. But at the same time right now our kids think that we are the greatest things around. They are not embarrassed by us yet and actually want to spend time with us, as much as we will give them.
When Emma is sitting with her primary class and I wave at her -- she waves back! How long will she do that for? When I pick Macey up from preschool she yells "Hi Mommy!" And she tells all her little friends "That's my mommy!" How long will she do that for? When I leave a room without hugging and loving on little Molly, she cries. How long before she just does not want to be hugged and loved on?
Garry is right; these times are really crazy and busy but it is fun being the coolest person around (while it lasts).
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Love
On Sunday night Garry and I were watching a conference talk given by Elder Robert Hales. The title of the talk is Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually.
The talk discusses the addiction of spending above our means, especially in an effort to keep up with the neighbors. This was a good talk for me to hear, because I definitely fight jealousy often. I want the house where my kids can run and play but space of my own (no toys allowed!) and a huge backyard and a tree swing for Emma. . . But I need to be more grateful that we have a mortgage that we can afford.
At one point in the talk, Elder Hales states that: "I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are 'We can’t afford it.'"
If that is true, Garry cares for me A LOT.
It's a good talk to review again and again, especially before shopping trips!
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-2,00.html
The talk discusses the addiction of spending above our means, especially in an effort to keep up with the neighbors. This was a good talk for me to hear, because I definitely fight jealousy often. I want the house where my kids can run and play but space of my own (no toys allowed!) and a huge backyard and a tree swing for Emma. . . But I need to be more grateful that we have a mortgage that we can afford.
At one point in the talk, Elder Hales states that: "I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are 'We can’t afford it.'"
If that is true, Garry cares for me A LOT.
It's a good talk to review again and again, especially before shopping trips!
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-2,00.html
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
She's So Stylin'
Molly was sporting a new dress at church last Sunday -- another great find from Grammy! In case you missed seeing my little bald beauty at church, here's some pictures. Thanks, Grammy!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Fun Times In Pictures
This week my sister came to Virginia! Here are some pictures of our outing to Mt. Vernon. I LOVED the new Education Center. It was amazing! Move over, Monticello, Mt. Vernon is now the place to visit!
Emma & Macey posing as visitors -- Macey dressed in period clothing.
Cousins posing as the Washington family!
Emma & Macey with cousins!
Emma at Washington's 16-sided barn.
All the gals watching a sheep getting sheared.
Emma wants you to know that Washington was First In Peace!
Posing with the Washington Family at the Visitor's center.
Emma & Macey posing as visitors -- Macey dressed in period clothing.
Cousins posing as the Washington family!
Emma & Macey with cousins!
Emma at Washington's 16-sided barn.
All the gals watching a sheep getting sheared.
Emma wants you to know that Washington was First In Peace!
Posing with the Washington Family at the Visitor's center.Saturday, May 2, 2009
Lulled Into A Lie
Quite unknowingly, over the last eight years or so I have been lulled into a lie.
I blame HGTV. Over the years as I have watched its programming and other similar shows on other channels I have convinced myself that home improvements were easy! Anyone could do them! And they could be inexpensive, too!
Lies! Lies! All Lies!
It's not easy. Not everyone can do it. And it's not inexpensive unless you are Martha Stewart. Even paint can get a little pricey.
I have learned my lesson. Much to Garry's grief. And the scarring of not one but two bathrooms. Poor things.
I blame HGTV. Over the years as I have watched its programming and other similar shows on other channels I have convinced myself that home improvements were easy! Anyone could do them! And they could be inexpensive, too!
Lies! Lies! All Lies!
It's not easy. Not everyone can do it. And it's not inexpensive unless you are Martha Stewart. Even paint can get a little pricey.
I have learned my lesson. Much to Garry's grief. And the scarring of not one but two bathrooms. Poor things.
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