Post Game Wrap Up

So, if  you didn't see the approximately 2,590,608 posts about our recent quick excursion to NYC, my parents, H and M and I spent Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend in NYC.  Long story, the girls went to an open call for Matilda (yes, the one running on Broadway - it seems so funny when I see it in print)...

Anyway, the audition experience was everything G and I hoped it would be for them.  M and H took away from the day exactly what we, as parents, wanted them to take away.  On top of that, they had an amazingly fun time in NYC.  They LOVE the Big Apple (which makes us - and their Auntie Hil - so happy) and they LOVE my parents (um, who doesn't?)  So, really it was a match made in their little collective twin heaven. 

Some day, perhaps I'll post about the audition.  Not only was their first (and probably last) Broadway audition (although I have to say that if they'd like to do one again, my bags would be packed before you could sing "give my regards to Broadway..." because it made them so happy), a great experience for them, as kids, it was a great one for me as a mom.  Not surprisingly, I have a story or two about the morning.  Although, sadly for my story-telling self, it was not as interesting as I thought it'd be.  Folks were sort of too normal and non-post/blog worthy.  (But, if you give me a minute, I'm sure I can come up with something good!!!)

But I digress.

The point of THIS blog can be found below.

For some crazy reason, we were unable to find a cab that would take us to Grand Central Station yesterday.  We successfully hailed a number of cabs, they stopped for us, and then proceeded to tell us they'd not go to GCS.  (If any New Yorkers can shed light on the reason why, we would be quite appreciative.)

We ended up walking (quite a distance) to take the S train, the shuttle that ultimately brought us to GCS.  We all had luggage and H and M held their own in schlepping luggage through the NY subway system.  (I am proud to say that they are remarkable traveling companions.)  None of us were Big Fat Crabby Pants about it (that's just not in our nature) but surely we were ready to get to GCS, be on the train and head home.  We still had a 4+ hour commute (and my rock star dad had to drive for two of those hours) and knew we needed to get back to reality and home.

About half-way through our subway schleppage, I had a complete and total mind-changing moment.

Up ahead, I could see H and my mom.  Behind me, were M and my dad.

Eight months ago, if you had told me that we'd be schlepping our luggage through the subways of NYC with my mom in tow (after spending 24+ hours walking across in NYC), I'd have told you that you were (as my dear friend says) on the crack cocaine.

No WAY did I, eight months ago, think that that would ever be in our reality again.

And yet, it was.  And it is.

My mom is a crystal clear example of someone who COULD let life get in her way right now.  But instead she has decided to kick life in the ass and say "screw you!  I'm bigger and better and stronger than you could ever be, so get outta my way. I've got some ass whoopin' to do."

She is an amazing example of what we all should be.  She is an amazing example for our kids.  She is an amazing example for us.  (And as much as G makes it his life mission to tease her, we both know this to be true.)  We are FAR better people because of her.  (Now, don't get me wrong - she whines like a champ and is a martyr like no one's business but, really, that's her schtick and we all love her for that. Well, maybe the folks that she works with are fed up with it but the rest of us love her for it!) 

Truly, she is role model to end all role models.

On another (but related) note, at one point during our time in NYC, one of the girls said to me "why does Papa do all these things for us?  Does he even stop to think if he really wants to do all these things?  He just does them.  And he never even seems to mind!!!"

I looked at both H and M and my response was simple.  "Because he's Papa.  That's all you need to know."  Really, that's all that needs to be said. That's all that can be said.  

Do me a favor.  The next time you see my parents-hug them, kiss them, buy them a drink, give them your seat, your parking spot or your free transferrable cell phone data plan (does that even make sense?)

Regardless, you get the point.

I've said this before.  They. Rock. The. Planet.

And I guess I just want you all to know.

"Thank You Easter Bunny. Bok Bok"

This morning on my run, I was crabby.  Definitely, a "big fat crabby pants" as I lovingly call our daughters from time to time.  I was freezing cold because (silly me) I was dressed as if it were spring and not frickin' the middle of the winter. I wanted it to be done and over with.  And five miles earlier

As I was nearly done, I ran by the house of some of our Forever Friends.  We have known this family literally for nearly "forever" and love them to bits.

As I turned the corner, I saw the dad planting daffodils.  Beautiful, bright yellow daffodils.  They struck me because they were so warm and "spring-y" even though nothing else about the moment was.

I, of course stopped to chat because a) I love to chat and b) I love this man.

We only chatted for about five minutes.  But in those five minutes, my entire perspective of my run changed.  Heck - my entire perspective on lots of things was tweaked a bit.

We talked about so many things - from Jesus to the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. (Don't ask - you had to be there).

In those five minutes, we had some very serious moments (I waited to cry until I ran away) and we had some funny moments.  (This man is truly hysterical in so many ways).  I will spend the rest of the day (and more) thinking of his words.

Anyway, life is funny.  You just need to keep your eyes open. It's so easy to miss life's blessings because we're not paying attention.  They come when you least expect it.

Today, I was blessed to spend a few minutes with a dear, dear man.  An early Easter present.  Lucky lucky me.

Truth

We got an email the other day about a junior high school orientation meeting for parents next week.

My heart nearly skipped a beat. How can this be? Aren't these babes o' mine just barely three years old?

I started talking to H and M about their first year of pre-school, when they both, but especially H, loooooooooved her Mumma. It was a big cry-fest each Tuesday and Thursday morning. G did not envy me at drop off. He still talks about how happy he was to be safe and sound at work, at his desk, away from the madness.

I remember (on far more than one occasion) picking up the phone and, on the other line, was one of their teachers. "Um, we think that H is saying 'sippy cup'. Could you please maybe just drive it over and drop it off on the table in the lobby? BUT DON'T LET HER SEE YOU!! We think that will calm her down a bit."

I remember being so pleased that their classroom was so small. Two teachers for only eight kids. So, (no joke) one teacher worked with seven kids while the other teacher dealt with my one stinkin' kid who kept asking for her stinkin' sippy cup and slobbering all over herself.

I remember her teachers practically doing backflips to keep her occupied while I left the building.

I remember (well maybe I just imagine) the looks on their faces as we walked in to the building. "Oh dear. Here we go again. Maybe this will be the day when H turns the corner."

I guess my point is...

pre-school teachers don't get paid enough.

(You thought I was going to say something sentimental, didn't you?)...

#TBT

Say what you want about Facebook.
It's like anything else.
It's not perfect. It can surely be:
a) annoying, b) frustrating, c) scary d) bordering illegal and freakish. Need I go on?

But it's like anything else.

You can get all caught up in what doesn't work and forget about the good stuff.
If you ask me, life's too short to do that.
Life's too short to do that about a lot of stuff.
(Am I suddenly on a soapbox? I don't mean to be.)

Today I spent (way more time than I should have) reminiscing with folks from high school and with folks that I taught when they were in high school (God, I am old) after seeing photos posted on Facebook.

It reminded me of some really funny times (and is also reminded me of some times that I apparently don't remember at all.) 

Anyway, thank you, Facebook - for reminding me that life's too short not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.  Then and now. 

Eternal Doors and Windows

Last night, G was finishing up some work in the kitchen and the girls and I were just sitting down to a few minutes of Food Network before they headed off to bed.

H proceeded to stand directly in front of me, completely blocking my view of the tv.

I said to her, "H, you know what Usher Dupey would say."

Without hesitation, she said, "you make a better door than a window."

Without missing a beat, H moved over so I could see, M continued eating her snack before bed and G chuckled from the kitchen after hearing her.

And I took a breath and smiled.

He never met them. But he knows them. And they know him.

And for this, I am eternally grateful.

Recap

In case you've wondered, I have not a) hit the road and become a Maroon Five/Adam Levine groupie b) taken the plunge and moved our family to Italy for a year as I have suggested to my dear husband who thinks I'm nuts or c) decided I'd rather spend my time solving alogrithms and theorems about the earth's gravitational...oh who am I kidding? I don't even know how to make up a sentence about that, let alone try to solve it!

I've missed this. My silly little blog. Not sure how I found the time to write every day when I first started. I guess right NOW, I can blame my ridiculous obsession with watching "Breaking Bad". But that just started three days ago. I honestly can't wait to get home each night to watch some more. Poor Walt. He, as our daughters say, is making some bad choices...

Anyway, here I am. What's been happening?

H and M spent two weekends last month with FSPA folks in New York City. They loved taking workshops, performing and just having a grand ol' time with their buddies and can't wait to go back. I LOVE that they love the city. So do I (which I find highly entertaining.)

They are both contact wearers now. As silly as it seems, I love that when I hug and kiss them, my whole cheek can touch their whole cheek and not their glasses. I'm sure that they don't appreciate my rubbing my face up against theirs but it's just a new phenomenon for me. It will get old. Until then, they need to suck it up and let me rub away.

My mom is a rockstar and continues to work and play like a champ - even though she's definitely not 100%, as they say. She and my dad have joined a gym and they go every day. (Some days she goes twice...but that's just to make sure that my dad goes...!!) :) She is done with "western" treatments as none have really seemed to work and she is (understandably) losing her sense of humor about it all. She is now trying out acupuncture and unconventional type things. Just as everyone who has worked with her has done, her acupuncturist LOVES her and keeps her twice as long as she should each week- simply because. Love her.

Because I don't have enough to do, I am working a few hours a week at Artistry Kitchen - my new fav place. Check it out! Way fab! I will be working in their market and I may hostess in their bistro (AK Bistro) every now and again. Considering that, as a child, all I dreamed of was being the hostess at Pipinelles (no joke), I am very excited. They are throwing the idea around of my writing their blog as well. I am worried that writing their blog will require that I not write like such a knucklehead. I'm not sure if I know how to do that - but I'll certainly give it a whirl, if they'd like!! To be continued.

I loved my "first day" last weekend. Fun folks, food, something new - what's not to love? I realized though, that I've not REALLY had to learn much of anything (other than how to be a parent which - truth be told with these two - is sort of easy most of the time) for over 20 years. It's funny to be on the "other side" of training folks and solving problems. Obviously, I learn every day in the classroom and at FSPA but this is different and out of my comfort zone. But now that I think about it, in his new job, I'm dealing with food - so, how can I go wrong, right? Have I mentioned that I'm hungry? When's breakfast?

I told the folks at Artistry Kitchen (who I know quite well as they are FSPA moms) that, while my time at FSPA is quite flexible and my boss is awesome, I obviously can't work "here" when I'm supposed to be at work "there". I said it while pointing to FSPA, which is (of course) just down the street from AK. (Why would I ever wander far from home?) And then, just as I promised, at the end of my first day, I told them, "oh, and I can't work next weekend." In some folks' reality, this would get them fired. In mine, it provides a good laugh and a story. I'm usually good for that, if nothing else.

G is great - his work is busy and nuts but he's knockin' 'em dead and making some changes to how DOT gets things done. Yay him! I don't take for granted how amazing his schedule is. He is home every night for dinner (sometimes even when the girls and I are not) and every weekend. We are very fortunate. He is banging away at the drums whenever he can (much to H and M's dismay) and he makes me laugh (at least most of the time.) He's playing basketball on occasion and will likely start up softball again soon. If he hurts his knee (again), he knows to expect no sympathy from me. I MAY get him some ice and advil but only if the spirit moves me.

I'm sorry that we broke up for a little while - me and you. I will try to be more attentive. Except when "Breaking Bad" is on - then Walt needs all my attention. What a mess that guy is. And I don't imagine he'll get out of it any time soon.

Our Village

An entire month has gone by.

WHAT?!  How could that be?  I'm honestly not that busy.  We are not that busy.  I sort of pride myself on that.  And yet it's been a month.

So, what was January, 2014 for us?

Annual NYE hang at "The Wilsons".  Love it.  Best buds.  Laughs.  Good food.  Great kids.  Games. (I was awful.)  H and M swimming 'til 1 am.  Yes, please. Brats.

Fun New Year's Day hang at our house.  Great way to start the year.  Love.

A complete and 100% surprise trip to Disney.  M and H had no idea.  Fabulous!  A+ for me.  [pardon me as I pat myself on the back]

A quick (but in it's own way, perfect) visit with dear friends who are fighting a battle.  They will win.  They must.

Extra day and night at Disney due to snow up North. Poor us...Eight days and seven nights with The Mouse.  Sign me up.

Home for 2 1/2 days.  Off to NYC with thirty-one FSPA students and their parents.  Great fun.  Proud administrator.  Proud mom.

Work for 2 weeks.

Now, here I sit. 
Heading in to H and M's production week for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."   I've always loved this show.  Excited M and H can be a part of it.

One of their best buds is in the kitchen with them as I type.  They are creating some sort of "Toodlebean Commercial".  It will keep them busy for hours.  It will make me smile forever.  These kids.  They chose well.  They make good choices.  May it forever be so.

Then, in a few weeks, we'll head back to NYC with FSPA.  H and M will be a part of this group.  I am off the charts floored by them these days.  They are surprising me with every turn.  They are still the knuckleheads that we've always known and loved.  And yet, at the same time, they are rockin' the world in their own little way.  And I couldn't be prouder.

They have a Village around them.  That fact has never been forgotten by me (or by them.) But recently, it's become even more apparent.  

This Village is built on lots of different things.  Lots of different roads.  Lots of different folks.  Lots of love. Complete and total unconditional love.

These are good kids.  But it's because of their Village.

And for that Village, I am forever grateful.