Friday Flashback - Thursday Edition

Bud's First Christmas (Circa 2006)

My Aunt made Bud a stocking out of my sister's clothes for his first Christmas. After I stopped sobbing I realized just how BIG the stocking was! I commented, "It's so big, Bud could probably fit in it." Well! You know that means I had to try! Sure enough! He fit! And then I made my husband hold him up so I could take lots and lots of pictures! :-)

The problem is now I have to find enough stocking stuffers to fill that thing! Thanks Aunt D! Thanks a lot :-)

(And I wouldn't trade it for the world. I choke up just thinking about how much I love this stocking.)

I'll be MIA for a while because I'm hosting Christmas (17 people for 4 days and 28 on Christmas day) so I'll be busying entertaining and trying to survive. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

P.S. Remind me to tell you guys about my fridge fiasco. We got a new one...and then we didn't.

Lily

My little helper

We cleaned out (and I mean CLEANED OUT) the kids toy room in anticipation of Christmas morning. (Thanks for doing it all the help Mom!) 

Babe was quite the helper.

Lily

Friday Flashback - Christmas countdown

Christmas 2010

I don’t know what’s better, if Bud is throwing gang signs or if he’s flipping off the camera. Either way, I don’t know a better way to say Merry Christmas than having your 4 year old (at the time) holding up his middle finger in your annual Christmas photo.

Lily

Make way for my head...it just got really big

Holy Crap you guys! I've hit the big time! I was asked to write my first ever guest post!!! (WOOT WOOT!)

You can check it out here on Jenn's blog What's Mine Is Yours. She asked me to write about my favorite holiday tradition and I had a lot of fun writing it, I hope you enjoy reading it.

And of course, when you are done reading about my favorite tradition make sure you keep reading the rest of Jenn's blog. Jenn gives a great perspective on life and is NEWLY ENGAGED! YAY FOR JENN AND JAMES!

So check it out!

(Thanks again Jenn!)

Lily

Conversations with Bud

This conversation took place this morning in the car.

(Some background: my sister-in-law, Bud’s aunt (Mrs. B), is a first grade teacher in Bud’s school.)

Bud: I really want to have Mrs. B next year.

Me: Well, Mrs. S might loop with you so you might have her another year.

Bud: Well, I really want to have Mrs. B because she has flat paper.

Me: Ummm, what?

Bud: She has flat paper and Mrs. S makes us hold ours.

Me: Ummm, what?

Bud: Mrs. B has flat paper and I like that better.

Me: What the freak are you talking about? And saying the same words over and over again will not make me understand. I’m not sure what you mean Bud. What kind of paper does Mrs. S use? Isn’t all paper flat?

Bud: Well. Mrs. S uses books but Mrs. B uses flat paper. I don’t like holding my book open.

Me: Lazy much?  Gotcha.

Lily

Friday Flashback

This is post-Christmas morning, playing with my Christmas haul. That kitchen set was one of the best presents I ever received. (Only surpassed by the box of dress-up clothes given to me by my aunt that same Christmas.)

(Speaking of great presents, I guess I'd have to say that comforter with hearts all over it also qualifies as a "favorite." I feel like it’s in the majority of my flashbacks. It’s like Where’s Waldo: Heart Comforter Edition.)

(For the record, my mom still has that comforter at her house and we use it to line Babe’s fold-up bed when we stay over. (And it’s not an optical illusion, I shared that bedroom with my sister for a while and we both had the same comforter. Her bed is visible in the picture, mine is behind me and you can only see the comforter because my awesome apron is obscuring the rest of the bed.) My mom also has that night light way in the back of the picture and I have that little wooden table and chair set at my house – you can only see the chair in the picture. And I think my current bedroom floor has the same amount of crap on it…except the carpet is definitely NOT pink.) 

(I really wish that purple body suit still fit me. I lived in that thing! Good times.)

(Did I use enough parentheses?)

(I don’t think you can ever use enough parentheses!) 

(Happy Friday!)

Lily

The Tree...Unveiled

After sitting in our living room for 4 days looking all sad and lonely like this…

Our tree now looks like this…

Just kidding…

OOOH! AAAAH!

And I was even able to get a few shots of the kids…

(Babe thought it was best if ALL the ornaments hung on the same branch. This is her putting ball #4 on that branch.) (Click the picture to see it up close in all it's glory. Bud in the cow costume is worth a look too.)

(I believe they are both thinking, "Take the damn picture mom!")

 Before they literally sprinted away…

May your holidays be action-packed!

Lily

New York City

This past weekend we took a trip to New York City to do the tourist thing with my husband’s parents and one sister. We jam packed over 20 sights into one day (between Midtown and Downtown)! It was CRAZY! By the end of the day we were literally shuffling our feet (I’m not exaggerating) making our way back to Grand Central Station. But we had a GREAT time and we hope to do it again in the warmer weather.

We came thisclose to being on the Today Show. We elbowed, kicked, and clawed maneuvered our way up to the railing and the hosts came out and stood on the other side of the plaza. When they were done all the people from that side started leaving but we knew they would be coming out one more time so we elbowed, kicked, and clawed maneuvered our way to where they had been standing. Doesn’t it figure, when they came out again they moved locations to EXACTLY where we had been standing just moments before! WOMP WOMP! But we still had fun!

What really helped our weary bones was the event my mom got us into for lunch. Her office was hosting a Christmas party for all their millionaire clients. Let me tell you, living like a millionaire, even just for lunch, was pretty awesome! We monopolized Santa and took about 65 variations of pictures with him, then they also had a second backdrop set up so we took several variations of family pictures. They gave us 5x7’s and snow globes of each shot…for free! (I really liked being a millionaire. I wish I was one all the time!) They had an amazing spread for lunch (and even had gluten free options! Can you hear the angels singing? I can.) and there was a snow machine (that Bud monopolized the entire time), face painting, gingerbread man painting, a FAO Schwartz display table and an American Girl Doll display table. It was a great party!

I’ll let our pictures do the rest of the talking…

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Plaza - getting ready to jump

NBC Plaza looking at Rockefeller Center

The Palace Hotel 

(notice Bud holding up my iPod. I think that's the only reason he's smiling so nicely.)

The Palace Hotel

From the Palace Hotel looking at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Doesn't Babe looked thrilled to have her picture taken with the Toy Soldier?

She was ready for a nap. I swear she really wanted her face painted. I don't think she wanted to kill anyone, despite the look she's giving. I think.

Empire State Building from my mom's office

LET'S GO RANGERS!

  

Family picture in front of "The King" (aka Henrik Lundqvist - the goalie for the NY Rangers)

Proud Ranger fan

He was so excited to get to stand up on the subway and hold on like the "big people"

JUMP!

Walking to Ground Zero. That's my mom and Babe in the distance

Ground Zero - new tower

Ground Zero - other new tower 

  Bud wanted a crown hat in the worst way! I couldn't deny him!

 Looking at the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park

Looking at the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park

Looking at the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park

Rockefeller Center at night from my mom's office

We actually made our way into the crowd down there. It was nuts but we survived! Now I know why we never went to see the tree even though we lived so close! 

Lily

Friday Flashback

Tis the season! 

This is my most favorite picture of my mother and sister…EVER!

I don't remember where we were sledding but I remember the screams from my mother as they made their decent. 

Lily

Here kitty kitty

Via

So anyone who knows me knows I’m not an animal person. (I know! Stop throwing rotten vegetables! Or at least throw them at my parents, I blame them. It’s easier that way.) Being the non-animal lover that I am I don’t think I’m missing out on anything not having a pet.

But here’s the deal.

My kids LOVE cats. They see a cat and they get all excited and squeaky (which maybe would explain why cats love them back. They become rather mouse-like.) I feel it’s my motherly duty to “enrich” their lives by getting them their own brand new, shiny kitty.

Here’s the problem.

The husband…he does not feel it’s his fatherly duty to get a cat. (He’d much prefer a dog but he, and I agree, thinks that it’s just not a good time to have a dog.) I really don’t want to be cleaning up after a cat (God, that might mean I have to vacuum more than never!) and cleaning the litter box would not be high on my list of fun things to do with the extra 3.5 seconds I have in my day. I don’t even know what cleaning a litter box entails. I suspect it’s not pleasurable.

Oh, and did I mention that I have allergies? When I was a child I tested positive for cat and dog allergies (and also oranges, June grass, and chocolate – however, I ignore the recommendation to stay away from chocolate). My allergies come in handy when arguing against picking up a stray. But. My motherly instincts are telling me my children need a cat. (Or Bud might be sneaking into my room and whispering subliminal messages in my ear while I’m sleeping. I’m not positive.)

I don’t know who is going to “win” this argument. And really, will there be any winners? I guess my kids, but I think either way I lose. I’m either a horrible mother or I have to clean up after a cat. Neither situation is appealing.

The debate rages on…

Lily

Babe's Bedtime Story

Once upon a time there was a little girl who didn’t want to go to sleep.

The Mommy said, “Ok little girl, it’s time to go to sleep.”

And the little girl said, “But Mommy, I don’t want to go to sleep! Will you sing me a song?”

The Mommy said, “Ok little girl, I’ll sing you a song. But then you have to go to bed.”

So the Mommy sang the little girl a beautiful song.

And when she was done she said, “Ok little girl, it’s time to go to sleep.”

And the little girl said, “But Mommy, I don’t want to go to sleep! Will you tell me a story?”

The Mommy said, “Ok, little girl, but when I’m done you have to go to sleep.”

And the little girl said, “Ok Mommy.”

So the Mommy told the little girl a wonderful story.

And when she was done the Mommy said, “Ok little girl. It’s time to go to bed!”

So the little girl climbed up in her big girl bed, snuggled under the covers, and went. to. sleep.

The End.

Lily

Hockey night (limited edition)

When we signed Bud up for hockey we only paid for the first session (October – December) because we weren’t sure if he’d like it to do it all the way through March. At the end of the summer he talked about doing karate and I’m good with that but I told him he’d have to choose hockey or karate, he couldn’t do both, and hockey is only for the winter. He decided to do hockey and I was thrilled! A few weeks ago we started talking about signing him up for the second session. It’s a big commitment for the entire family but how else is he going to make the NHL? but he really does enjoy it and it’s worth seeing the NHL contract the smile on his face when he’s on the ice. I asked him if he wanted to sign up for the next hockey session and after giving me his “thoughtful” expression (face scrunched, finger tapping his chin) he declared it’s time to try karate. And then I melted into a puddle of tears on the floor, sobbing hysterically for the NHL contract that never was!

I have to say I’m proud of him even if he’s dashing my dreams. He wants to try everything, any new sport, any new adventure. I think he’s made the right choice. I really do! No, I’m serious. Really. (I mean, maybe he’ll get to train with the next Mr. Miagi. How cool would that be?) He knows I want him to do hockey (I’m not nearly as crazed dramatic in front of him – I swear!), and while this character trait may not be the easiest to put up with, he knows what he wants and goes after it. How can I be mad at him for that?! I certainly don’t want to push him into something he doesn’t want (serious) and I want him to explore his options. An informed decision is a better decision I never always say.

Plus, I guess we do have twelve a few more years before pro-hockey is even an option so I guess I can wait it out for another year. I’m a generous mom. I wonder when Babe will start hockey? 

Also, hockey night means pulled pork for dinner. I suppose I can keep Pulled Pork Monday's going even without hockey but it's so much more fun with hockey. Just sayin.

Lily

Friday Flashback (on Wednesday)

Since I have very fond memories of Thanksgiving at my Grandparents house I thought I would honor them in this week's Friday Flashback (on Wednesday).


I am so thankful to have wonderful grandparents who love us unconditionally, taught us how important God is, and know that every family get-together is better with food!

This was taken in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx (sometime in the 40's)

We love you Super Grandma!

If I remember correctly, this picture was taken during WWII in Germany.

RIP Grandpa. We miss you!

I will be ruthlessly elbowing people out of my way shopping on Black Friday so I probably won't get a chance to post again until Monday. I hope everyone has elastic waist pants a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Lily