How One Entertains Herself

On long road trips. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

End of an Era

I'm going to keep this short-ish, or I'll start crying. After 27 years Buby's wonderful little school will be closing its doors on June 18. The board ruled on Monday night {operating costs outweigh early enrollment commitments for the coming year}, and I found out on Wednesday morning right after taking this photo.


It's a travesty. This school, its teachers, and the entire community have brought such love and warmth to our daily lives over the past two years. Buby was a three-year-old Starfish and then a four-year-old Bunny and could hardly wait to be a five-year-old kindergarten Eagle in September.


In that teary meeting with Buby's principal and the other parents who attended the walk-a-thon, panic and sadness washed over me. We've grown attached to this school, along with so many other families, and it's late in the game. So late. But we acted fast and are now in the process of enrolling him in another {less convenient but totally worth it} school that we've adored for years.


This came right on the heals of other abrupt goodbyes. We found out this week that my OB is leaving me without notice. He will no longer practice obstetrics and gynecology since medical malpractice insurance has skyrocketed to unaffordable. He promised to catch No. 3, and now that won't happen.


Then... The Little Gym announced they'll be shutting down forever. I started mother-child classes with Buby four years ago, and it's been a big part of our family's weekly routine ever since. Bleu's graduation and metal ceremony was scheduled for June 21, but we found out on Sunday that her last class would be the very next morning. The gym cannot afford to keep their leases for June and decided to close all locations immediately.


Ugh. I'd say the economy was all-over bad here in the skirts of NYC, except it's not. I know other private schools with mile-long waiting lists, the kids' swimming classes this session are busting at the seams, and every single week of a pricey Nature Camp we inquired about is filled to the max. Plus, our itty bitty village has four fancy restaurants that are booked every night of the week. Cars around the block.


So we find Buby another school. We find Bleu another class. Life goes on, I guess, with a few tears shed along the way.

Walk-A-Thon

Buby participated in his school's annual Walk-A-Thon today and himself raised $56 for a local food pantry. I know he had fun and felt good. We talked about all the different people who might benefit from his efforts.


By 9 a.m. it was scorching hot though. The children couldn't get enough water and shade, so the event was cut a wee bit short. Buby had 7 pledges for $2 per lap and planned to walk the maximum of 5 laps for a preschooler. He could only get in 4 though, so he'll come around this weekend and collect the $8 from all who pledged. Thank you!

Happy Tuesday

5.16.10

You Are Two

And I am crazy in love with you. You are our wild child with a huge heart and most endearing sense of humor. You are pretty much always at the top of your game... and demanding that I be at mine.

You love baby dolls and bananas, cheese and peas. You sing songs from the back seat, find lucky rocks underfoot and ask to brush my hair. You are curious and repetitive and claim my ear loud and clear.

You are attached to my hip and adore your Daddy, but you love your Buby best. He shows you the world in a way that only a sibling could. And you return the favor. You shout out "Look at me, Mama" 100xs a day, Show Off. You are not afraid of much, but nurses with needles send you over the edge.


You like hot showers and believe a simple kiss from me can delete any boo boo. You ask for sprinkles and then pick every one off. You flip through a book a minute rarely taking time to absorb. You spread lotion on your arms and legs whenever it's accessible. You are a good Mommy to your three babies.


You ask us to call you Stinky Feet and then laugh at your stinky self. {Between us, you smell awesome.} You like to run nakie and free. You are fiercely independent, except at bedtime. You own the temper in the family, there's no question, but it could be a toddler thang. You just started saying "I no like" certain people who you hardly know.


You remind me daily how Daddy once came to see you in swim class. I know that meant a lot to you. You like pockets and hoods, sneakers and jeans. You have no idea what the word princess means. You prefer chalkboards over coloring and swings over slides. There is no such thing as too high or too fast... in your world.


You are charming, unpredictable and more determined than any wee one I've met. I'd say you are as INsensitive as Buby is sensitive... in that your feelings aren't as easily hurt, your efforts deterred or your spirits dampened. You are incredibly strong in mind and body.

You narrate our entire day as it unfolds. You are 2T on bottom and 3T on top. You picked out strawberry and apple big girl undies from H&M but refuse to wear them. You want to help with whatever I am doing. Actually, you insist. You are so proud of the fact that you are two and can eat nut butters now. In fact, you tell everyone who asks your age.


You couldn't care less about TV. You love music. You talk about your gym buddies when we're at home but ignore them in person. You show empathy in your daily life. You want to know where everyone is and what they are doing, Little Miss Nosey.


You grow too fast. You are cool with sticky and messy, unlike Buby. You think every man in picture frame displays looks like your Daddy. But I remind you Daddy is more handsome. You are a better friend to older girls and competitive with ones your own age. You ask me to dial Uncle Billy on my cell. You have an impressive memory. If we discover it's anything like Buby's, I am scared. Naps aren't exactly your thing these days. You'd rather just roll with it, Mama style.


You are Bleu, and you are a fabulous two.

Sunday Snaps

We woke up late, missed church and enjoyed an unusually slow morning. I made the kids breakfast, gave everyone showers, and they pretty much dressed themselves. My Sweets returned from a brief motorcycle ride, and I took Bleu to her friend Caleb's 2nd birthday party at a gymnasium.


Meanwhile, Buby went on a "Daddy Date" to some fantastic sports facility with race cars and batting cages and mini golf and rock climbing. They were gone for hours. Stories of Buby's awesomeness are still trickling in, but I'll tell ya he was fearlessly hitting balls at 50+ miles per hour next to some 7 year old the same size. I wish I was there to see it.







Buby filled in a hole courtesy of Jazzy. He can't stand to see her dig in his garden, and when she does he runs to the nearest shovel and fills it in.







After dinner I took the kids on a bicycle ride around the village. We were gone 45 minutes, and I was proud of myself for pulling 80+ pounds behind me. Truth be told, bicycling feels amazing to me. All the time. Preggers or not. I love my bike.







And despite their sad mugs while waiting for me, they very much relished the ride. Several times I turned back and saw Buby holding Bleu's hand or kissing her cheek. He's such the big brother. Bleu just giggled.


The kids asked if when the new baby arrives they can lay him across their laps in the trolley. I told Buby next summer he'd be riding alongside me like his Daddy. Cool to think.


Before heading up to bed Bleu and I hopped on the swings for a bit to watch Buby play a game of backyard soccer with our adorable neighbor Allison. She's three whole years older, but they still invite each other to play. Tonight, though, it occurred to me that someday she could be that super cool older chick next door... the one who steals Buby's first kiss in the 3rd grade. Eeks.

Decisions, Decisions

I suggested tush first, but she had to spend a good 5 minutes at the top trying out different positions before deciding on the one. Head first belly. Right side one leg. Feet first belly. Left side one leg. And finally, tush.

Forever Friends

There's nothing sweeter.

A Walk in the Rain

First stop = library. Second stop = coffee shop. Third stop = big puddles.
Fourth stop = azalea bushes. Fifth stop = home.

Old Photo Friday

May 20, 2000. It's funny. I never wanted a big wedding. Between us, I would've loved to marry this man on a mountain top, in a simple slip, not a soul in sight.


I didn't need a bachelorette party or champagne toasts or bouquets of freesia to commit to this man. I didn't need embossed paper or taper candles or still shots. I didn't need cake tastings, handmade favors, bustles or blocks of hotel rooms. I didn't need a disc jockey... just my guy on a mountain with a mixed tape of our songs.


The whole year before we married I tried cut people out, edit the list, make the evening smaller. Sounds awful, but I just kept thinking the more guests we invited--the more traditions we embraced--the less us it would be. And I loved us. As is.


But one thing I learned in the process is that the day wasn't just about us. Not to other people it wasn't. It was a celebration of our collective families... our friends. They were excited and wanted to be a part, so we let them in. A wedding does not a marriage make--this we knew--but garden I dos and raspberry cream cake wasn't exactly a crime either--I would realize. I insisted we keep it under 100 and handle the details ourselves.


Then I allowed my maid of honor to talk me into a veil and heals. I let my dad pay for dinner. We even stood in awkward formations for a half hour after the ceremony to cover our bases {though they aren't the shots I love today}. We allowed people to put other people on the list, even though they weren't our people by any means. We even did the garter thing {gasp} so my baby brother could dive roll to catch it for his Katie.


So maybe I never played dress-up as a little girl, pretended to marry my dad, or planned out the "perfect" wedding before there was a Mr. in the picture. But I did dream about love and friendship and passion. And I found it all in Tom. Nothing else mattered. So we had a big fat party of 110, toasted each other to tears and danced all night. And it was absolutely wonderful. Go figure.

A Note to My Sweets

I've loved you always.

And every single day.

You are my lover and my best friend.

Thank you for being you and for loving me.

Let's have a big party for our 75th. Cool?


~ Jenny


P.S. If you need 100 reasons why I simply adore you, click here. I could easily add 100 more. You are THAT good of a man. Happy 10th anniversary, My Sweets.

No More Tears

Buby isn't awesome at goodbyes, especially when it means putting Grandma on a plane after a four-day stretch. But I've learned a few tricks over the years to avoid the inevitable mope that follows.


I used to do it all wrong. I'd make a huge deal out of the send off, roll down Buby's window, let him shout out to her one last time as we pulled away. On the way home he'd whimper from the back seat "I miss Grandma already" and wait for my reaction. I'd agree and invite him to tell me all his favorite things about their time together. His lower lip would quiver and I'd reach my hand back for his. Then the crying would start. Oh the crying.


This routine might be swell for an older child, or a less sensitive one, but not for four-year-old Buby. I thought I was being sweet and supportive, but really I was unknowingly encouraging him to feel worse. And who wants their baby down spiraling every time a loved one leaves town? I do not. It ruins the rest of Buby's day and mine, too. Lately I've smartened up and our goodbyes have been much happier. Here is my commonsense strategy.


* Agree on a date that we'll all see each other again {even if it's not set in stone}, and focus on that.


* Don't dawdle at Departing Flights. Give hugs and kisses and drive away. Grandma never leaves until we leave, and the longer she stands there her eyes water, which doesn't help. I think that's what started it all... Buby is incredibly empathetic, sees tears, and thinks he needs to respond in kind.


* Have a snack and drink at the ready. Food is the ultimate diversion.


* Don't answer my cell after leaving the airport. Grandma likes to call when she gets to the gate with one more thing but this only reminds Buby that she will miss him and vice versa. They can talk tomorrow.


* Ask Buby where he wants to go on our next "free day."


* Sing recital songs. If I get a word wrong, he corrects me and sings it from the top.


Tom and I love how connected Buby feels to the people in his life. It's an amazing blessing considering how far we live from family. Of course I have to remind both grandmas to hold back their farewell tears for the car and plane rides home, because it's just not fair to the Bubster. He feels everything that kid.

This Guy

He makes me laugh out loud.




5.16.10

These Two Have My Number

5.17.10



There's no denying it.

We Found The Children

Sound asleep in Buby's bed. Grandma says they fell asleep during book time. Bleu looked so content, so we left her there until morning.

Almost 10

5.15.10


Tomorrow is our 10-year wedding anniversary. Pretty awesome. We celebrated a bit last Saturday since Granny Nanny was here and we could sneak off in the Jeep to a pretty lake house for dinner and decaf cappuccinos. I love spending time with this man, no matter the occasion. Which is a good thing, since I've been crushing on him for more than half my life.


Grandma DJ snapped this picture of us as we ran out the door. My dress was lovely--once upon a time--but it's NON MATERNITY size 4. I insisted on squeezing in one last wear before the belly got any larger, but by main course our baby was pleading with me for a little room. I'm sorry, Bebe. That was dumb of me. I'll stick with elastic from now on.


Promise.

Spring Sing

Friday night was Buby's annual Spring Sing at school. Three classes sang a total of 11 songs, and the theme this year was rainbows. The evening proved the perfect cocktail of sweet and hilarious as I teared up after every single performance. I'm happy Grandma DJ was in town to witness for herself the magic of our awesome little school.


Per usual, Buby and Nola played with Grace and Ben in the school yard immediately following dismissal. They climbed broken tree branches and built a forest from scratch {not Ben, of course} before going their separate ways. Two hours later we were back and ready to rock. Literally.

Buby spends a lot of time with his gal pal Grace. Apparently it's still not enough.


Last week on our way home he expressed, "Mom... I miss Grace already. I wish she lived next door so we could play every single day." I didn't have the heart to tell him that she's moving this summer. Thankfully they'll be in the same kindergarten class.

Buby's preschool class sang beautifully the following tunes: "The Colors are Marching into Town," "We Know All Our Colors," "Rainbow Colors," and "Sing a Rainbow."

Bleu couldn't have been more attentive. She loves live music. Afterward we treated ourselves to a cupcake rainbow courtesy of all the teachers. Yum!

I'm kind of sad this was the children's last performance of the school year, but our calendar is chock full of events like Museum Night {this Friday}, Father's Day Music, Best Buddies Picnic, etc. etc. So we'll be good and busy from now until June 18.

Old Photo Week

I took this from a roof top party in Soho, and it's always been one of my favorites.

Old Photo Week

Grandpa J. with my nephew Spencer back when he was the only little lad asking for tractor rides on the farm.

Old Photo Week

My Sweets took this with an old Polaroid while we were living in Arizona.

Old Photo Week

My mom with two babies in 1977. I love the vintage Pooh dress and the collar on Mark. Wish my mom had saved some of these things.

Old Photo Week

Rafting in Canada in 2004 with My Sweets, brother Billy, and friends Ben and Kate. I was the only one at Wilderness Tours that weekend who wore goggles while rafting {to protect my contact lenses}. Apparently that was funny.

Old Photo Week

My Sweets at a friend's house when he was 18 or 19. A different look for him, but still HOT.

Old Photo Week

University of Arizona campus my junior year. It was such an awesome place to bike.

Old Photo Week

1994 homecoming float. I'm the yellow + green astronaut... and so proud to have been on the winning float team four years in a row. That was a school record. Dorky? So be it.

Old Photo Week

Jaime, me, Becky, Darcy, Kellie, Steph, Ali, and Irv.



1993 at a high school soccer game. These were a few of my gal pals.

Old Photo Week

In 1992 I spent three months as a teenage diplomat in France. During that time I lived and traveled with a family of four from Rennes {Andre, Eliane, Samuel, and Aude}.


This was my host mom, Eliane. I adored her. We wrote to each other--in French and English--for several years after I returned home, but she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1995 and I'm not sure if she survived it.