Our family

Our family

Friday, December 28, 2007

Which is the illusion?



Oh the holidays have come and gone. They were fantastic, but one thing that is a challenge is that preparing takes you away from the kids so much, for shopping, baking, decorating, packing, the list is endless, and the nanny's hours increase and your hours with them decrease. I am glad to have all of 2007 new Christmas memories, but whew they take a lot of work!
Throuout the time I would see every one of you kids as if removed. I live in awe and wonder of each of you. At times you seem so big with your noise and demands but then I can see you are so small and precious. Such a mix of contradictions you each are.

I was busy baking and I saw you skip across the room to retrieve an errant toy.
You looked over and caught my eye
in the half a second I saw you.
Your so vulmerable and small
So strong and able
capable and compassionate


I was busy in the kitchen and you were on the floor writing solor system on a paper. You looked up and for a 1/2 second I saw you.
So fragile and honest
so intelligent and full of love
sweet and funny


I was busy cleaning when you literally hopped into the room
you looked up and for a 1/2 a second I saw you
such thin little arms
so graceful and atheltic
warm and open


I was so busy cooking when you ran past me
and glanced over and for a 1/2 of a second I saw you
innocent and trusting
laughter and joy
so steady and able


I was busy doing laundry when you came charging in the room
you look for me and I see you
pretty and unassuming
mischivous and intellegent
comfortable and self assured.

Each time my heart jumps to my throat.
Tears rush to my eyes
you look so little from a distance but you are all full of confidence and stregnth that I don't know which is the illusion.

Monday, December 10, 2007

These are the days to remember

Last weekend was so exciting that the idea of staying home and decorating for Christmas was very appealing!

I feel so at ease this Monday morning because of the peace that actually reigned this weekend. We began decorating on Sat. morning, the kids were so excited to open each box of decorations! They helped me hang the red ribbons on the windows, and put garland on the knoll posts. I don't think any of us even got dressed until noon. We played Christmas carols, and if you looked past the occasional melt-downs it was a near perfect morning!

Feeling pretty relaxed I decided to start with my Christmas sugar cookies. Normally a disaster for me, when we got a phone call...my future au pair's sister was coming to town and could she come by? I was pretty nervous, but her and her friend arrived, and the were a delight! They stayed of dinner and were fantastic guests. We are hopeful that Jessy herself will be as fun and energetic as her big sister!
We ended the night by going to see a crazy decorated house in town. These people raise 10,000.00 for St.Mary's children's hospital each year!!!!! It was a really awesome display.
That night I made Steve cut out the sugar cookies and he did a really great job, they looked perfect! Could this be the year of the successful sugar cookie?

On Sunday, we headed out to the science museum which all of the kids love! and then we spent the afternoon making chocolate chip cookies, but more importantly on the cookie front, is that after they went to sleep, I decorated my sugar cookies...and they look AWESOME!

I know this all seems so impossibly sweet and perfect, and I have to say it was exactly that: impossibly sweet and perfect. I hope I hold the picture of this weekend in my heart forever or at least for the week, as I have to leave my babies for work and hustle the big kids to school. Why is everything with the kids so bittersweet.

"these are days to remember 'cause they will not last forever, These are the times to hold onto, though we won't although we'll want to. These are the times and the times are gonna change."-Billy Joel

Happy Birthday Aunt Ruth




Wow have I missed posting! I was busy getting together an elaborate monatge for my sister's birthday. I think it was worth every moment. It took some extra time because Steve and I had to learn some new programs, but it came out as I had hoped.
The party was fun and Ruth was really surprised! She deserves the accolades, she is a fantastic person and is always there for people on a dime.

We were also happy to host Russ and his 3 kids, who were in for the party. I love having them here, never picky and always fun and on the go! We took a very exciting trip to the city. For the 10 years that I lived in the city I never once visited that tree, and in the 3 years that I have had 5 kids, I've brought them every year. It is a nightmare every time. There favorite part is the train. Mikey was beside himself yelling "the train go fast!" "the train stops for the people" keeping me well informed of what was happening with the train. We rode in with Russ, his kids and Beth, so there was a ton of excitment,oh and also Dalila thank goodness for her.
I think I liked the train the best. It was warm, safe, and comfortable. Not at all like Rockafeller Center, which was cold, crowded and unsafe. Not to be buh humbug, but it is no place for 3 two year olds! I can't help but wonder if I will do it again next year...and complain again!

Now we are revving up for Christmas, and everyone knows that I get more excited then the kids about Christmas, sending the whole house into energy-high gear!