It's So Quiet I could Hear A Pin Drop!

Dan & I decided to save money on daycare during the summer so we're shipping the kids off to the grandparent's house on the 2 days that I work. It will save us roughly $560 a month. Yes, you read right I pay $560 a month for 8 days of childcare. Any takers?

Anyway, I digress. I worked today until 3:00pm, came home fixed myself a combo of lunch and dinner since I don't have a break for lunch on Wednesdays. I ate, I watched a little television, and...now what? The house is silent. My belly is full. It's 6:45. Too early for bed, although don't think I didn't consider it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I LOVE to be alone. I love to be with my husband and kids, but you know, too much of a good thing...

I think I'll eat some ice cream and read a book.

A Sweet Retreat

I had a fabulous time in New York. The company was great, the food was awesome, and the sights were incredible. Dan's cousin, Homa is just like our darling Katie...very artsy, creative, and wandering about in her own little world. She is such an amazing person! She really showed me a great time. She took me to Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan, because she knows I have an affinity toward all things sweet. Yum! We sat in the bakery eating cake and playing an African game called Bao. Bao is an interesting game Homa brought back from a recent trip to Africa. It's a game of skill and logic and involves these big, hard seeds that I believe were retrieved from some large animal's dung. Just sayin'

This is me and Homa. Behind us is Union Square, I think. I can't really remember. All I remember is that we went to Max Brenner's chocolate shop which was across the street. If you can believe this, I wasn't in the mood for dessert because we had a big brunch earlier in the day. I did however have a big glass of the best chocolate milk EVER!

We took a short road trip to DC one day. Well, it would have been short except that Homa borrowed a friend's car - a big diesel Mercedes Benz that averaged about 50mph the whole trip. Brutal! But the company was good, and when we got back to New York, Homa treated me to a 45 minute massage at this little Asian massage parlor. Very nice!

We went to the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. This is a self portrait by Frida Khalo on the left and me looking through a mirror on the right.
The art museum inspired some creativity in us. Katie's only request from New York City was a painting from Homa. Her request specifically, a picture of Katie and Homa in a flower garden. This is Homa painting Katie's picture. I also did a little portrait of my own.

We went into St. Patrick's Cathedral, prayed, and lit a candle.

I had a little time alone and I spent some time in China Town, and I visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I had lunch at Chelsea Market, which is where the Food Network Studios are. I had the BEST clam chowder, fresh bread, and farm fresh milk and butter at Chelsea Market! I was completely in my element, the only thing missing was my Danny. He would have loved it!

I obviously had a fantastic time. I saw most of the things I wanted to see. I had a great time bonding with Homa. I got to do the Museum of American History in DC. And, I had lots of time for renewal of my mind. I had a great 45 minute walk in DC when I just allowed myself to be aware of my surroundings...not the people, but the nature. The flowers, trees, and natural wonders that often go unnoticed in my chaotic life. I was walking along and saw a fat squirrel. I stopped to take a picture of him and he came right up to me. I remembered that I had a little piece of bread in my purse and the squirrel took it right out of my hand. The lesson: there may be times in our lives when we think we have nothing to offer, but if we dig deep enough we can usually find something that we can offer and that will be a blessing.

A big thanks to Dan who made this all possible for me...now he knows that my days don't consist of bon bons and soap operas.

Start Spreadin' The News...

I, thanks to my wonderful, generous, sacrificial husband, am leaving for a 5 day vacation to New York City on Friday! Yes, just me! I feel a little guilty, but I'm sure I'll get over it. Dan's cousin lives in Brooklyn and we're gonna have a "girl's week out." She's currently not working, so I'll have her all to myself and I know she's going to show me a fabulous time around town.

We went to see her last summer. We only got to spend about 3 days with her and we had the kids. We did a whole lot, but not enough for me. I absolutely loved it there. Maybe it's the foodie in me, but I feel a gravitational pull to that city. It amazes me that that you can walk a block away from home for breakfast in the morning. I love it!

I am so looking forward to this break from the constant chaos which is my life...don't get me wrong, it's good chaos, but momma needs a break and I am so very blessed that Dan has given me his blessing to do this for myself! I really am blessed in that he wants to see me happy and enjoying my life. He never robs me of my thunder. You're awesome Dan, and I owe you a getaway too. You deserve it.

Go Mommy, Go!

Yesterday, after a long couple of days of work, and an even longer few days of FUNK, I was driving home with the kids in the backseat. They were being their usual rambunctious selves - which usually creates major anxiety in me (yeah, a genetic flaw I think), but this time they decided we were in a race to beat daddy home from work so they all began to chant "go mommy, go!" It was so sweet because Adam & Katie were in unison chanting "go mommy, go" and Sophie was saying, "doe mommy, doe. doe mommy, doe!" She can't say the "g" sound yet. So cute!
It's moments like this that help us step outside of the circle of chaos, which seems to be the driving force our lives, and really be thankful for the "season" of life we are in. This made me realize that it won't be long before Sophie can pronounce the "g" sound, and all that baby cuteness will be replaced with some other interesting personality trait.
I was helping Adam get dressed for school this morning, they have pre-k graduation today (give me break!) and I was dressing him in slacks, a shirt, and tie. I sat on the edge of his bed helping him put his socks and shoes on, and it occurred to me that if what everyone tells me is true, it will be a blink of an eye and I'll be helping him get ready for his high school graduation. I can't even imagine...

She Left, He Arrived

Yeah, so Aunt Creativity left on Friday and Uncle Funk arrived on Saturday. Which made for a really crappy weekend I must say. I think Uncle Funk is heading out in the next couple of days. I would really welcome a visit from Susie Homemaker...she would clean my house and fix a real good meal for my family.

Now that I have everyone thoroughly convinced that I have multiple personalities, I think I'll go buy an icecream...I'm sure one of my personalities will enjoy it.

p.s. if/when my husband reads or hears about this post he's really gonna freak out...he's suspected for quite some time I have multiple personalities. I really don't...I'm just moody. LetHe or She without moodiness cast the first stone. I dare you!