the fabulous life of a mommy-brarian

Dinner

2012-01-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

So I've read, repeatedly in organzing articles, that in order to keep my sanity, I must prep dinners when my children are sleeping. I want to sleep or just sit and veg when they are not running around me like crazy girls, but last night I buckled down b/c Chris was watching some creepy scary movie, and I made baked ziti to bake tonight. I used all natural chicken sausage instead of the suggested ground beef, and to be honest, it was very little effort b/c chicken sausage is already cooked. Genious, whoever started that! I am only hoping that the ziti is well received this evening. Mental note, pick up garlic bread on the way home.

Another numbers hit

2011-09-29T13:50:00.001-07:00

Ten Little Bears by Kathleen Hague was a big hit today. With the little ones, the rhymes hint as to what number comes next - so it is a huge help to those who do not know how to count backwards. Loved it so much, I'm bringing it home for the girls tonight.

Numbers numbers numbers

2011-09-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

So we did numbers for babies and numbers for big kids today. I was inspired by V's kindergarten teacher - she is teaching the children sign language. So I took it upon myself to learn along with V. This week, I taught the babies how to count in sign language and supplemented with Karen Katz's Counting Kisses and Ten Tiny Tickles.

For the big kids, I love singing Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and even though Christelow's book is great, the children just love the jumping part. So we Little Quack by Lauren Thompson and Ten Go Tango by Arthur Dorros. I love Little Quack's counting bar at the bottom and for one on one sharing, it is wonderful. Ten Go Tango's pix are just hilarious. The children especially loved the fancy outfits.

School approaching

2011-09-03T08:22:00.001-07:00

Now with V going to Kindergarten, we've been reading books about school. She doesn't seem nervous out all - social situations are her strength. I don't think she realizes yet that this is a learning institution and not her platform for fashion and such. Where did my little diva come from? I am so not fashionable, or as my husband likes to repeat constantly, I am not as hip as I think I am. Whatev. So Jamie Lee Curtis' I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem is a great one b/c V tends to be very hard on herself if she does something embarrassing or "wrong". V is exemplified in "I'm gonna like me / wearing flowers and plaid./ I have my own style / I don't follow some fad." Perfect. Curtis' It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work my Control Panel is also great - reminding me that she is going through so many changes that it is hard for her to control herself. And Nancy White Carlstrom is always a classic. Her Jessie Bear series has flown out of every library I've ever worked. I like It's Your First Day of School, Annie Claire because Annie Claire has all of the worries that every child has - what if no one likes me, or I spill milk, or I am not as smart as the other kids. And best of all, what if you miss me? Projecting her own feelings of missing her mother, onto her mother, is typical of this age. And her mother's response that they will both have to get used to school because it is new is a great answer. Reminding Annie Claire that she is not alone in this next step. It is new for both of them. And no matter what, near or far, her love will go with her. Perfect. That message of love going with you wherever you go is in The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, without being sacchrinely sweet.

S, at six months, is discovering books but she likes the soft ones that she can chew. Anything with sparkles or shine. Baby Girl (Bright Baby) by Roger Priddy often makes the car trips because it has a shaker and a teether and has held up since V was a baby. So has Animals by Teether Cloth Rattles. These pages are soft and the animals are in bold colors. Scout will just gnaw an anything soft and so finding this for your teether makes them look literary at such a young age. Haha.

Big and small storytime

2011-08-27T09:33:00.001-07:00

We had a big and small storytime today - talked about BIG and small animals. I loved Big and Little by Steve Jenkins. He writes some of my very favorite books about animals. I love his title Acutal Size - so many children will never get the opportunity to get up close and personal with those animals and to see how big or small they are in real life is amazing. Big and Little does the size of the animals in scale, so it gives a great idea of how large an animal is if they know the size of the smaller one (eg tiger and cat). Jenkins is a genius. We followed it by Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein - a very cute title that I had never seen and I just fell in love with it. Because V now has a little sister, she is always asking to be a baby again. This title encourages children that we still love them when they get bigger. I am bringing this one home for the weekend - with Hurricane Irene coming and all. Lastly we read Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen, a wonderful tale with a suprising ending. Out of a donkey, a pig, a sheep, a cow and a mouse, who do you think sank the boat?

I also need to bring home some titles on storms. This is V's new fear. Storms. Hurricane Irene on every channel is not helping our cause here. I think we may need to read about wind and rain and thunder and lightning so that V can get a good idea about them. The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola is in my stack as will be Cloudy with a Chance Meatballs by Judy Barrett, Just You and Me by Sam McBratney, and When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow.

The Baby Cook

2011-08-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

So, Mom bought me the Beaba. And not just the Beaba, but the whole she-bang. The cooker, the freezer capsules, lunch plates, cookbook - everything. So last night, with the direst of television on, I decided to bake an apple pie and break out the Beaba. After all, why should I ever want to sleep? I cut up the sweet potato for S, put it in the Beaba (note to company who makes the Beaba, minimal instructions are great, but I could've used a little more explanation about filling the steamer cup and then putting it in the reservoir, I was a little confused. But honestly, when I got it, I got it... The sweet potatoes were perfectly steamed and then I just dumped the water in a cup to save and add as necessary to the steamed potatoes I was processing - no extra dishes, no annoying food processor. It was amazing!! I made one sweet potato and it was delish. I can see this as a great addition to my kitchen gadgets. I cannot wait for Donaldson's to have their Butternut Squash in the store. And next I am going to try doing it with zucchini and carrots. I love the carrots with the green stems still on - I think they are sweeter. And apples. Oh, yummy apples.

Time and Tiffanys

2011-08-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

When we were in Mich, I asked Vail where beauty originates. I'm trying to get her to realize that beauty is not clothing or hair, but who you are. She answered Tiffanys. Made me realize that perhaps I need to go about talking to her about beauty in a different way. This weekend Aunt Debs remarked that she tried to focus on telling Vail how smart or clever she was - not beautiful. I think that is a good start. Praise something other than beauty for a while... hopefully she'll learn that beauty is within...

Stationery card

2011-08-18T19:24:00.001-07:00

Banner Girl Birthday Invitation

To view our collection of birthday card designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

Monitor

2011-08-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Sent Scout to school today with a 24 hour heart monitor. Poor little thing - all of the children in her class wanted to pull the wires. I just hope as she gets older that this isn't something that will make her fear being around others. Children can be so curious. And can be so cruel. I hope that her heart doesn't require this all the time, but if one day it does, I pray she finds true friends that don't see it as an issue.

Siblings

2011-07-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

I hope that when Scout grows up, she's as chill as she is as a baby. So that she can temper her sister's drama. Today Vail had a fit because Scout pulled her hair. I feel for Vail, being four, getting used to be the only, and now there is this new baby sister in the house. She feels so displaced and I don't know what else to try to do to help her feel any better at all. There just seems to be nothing...

We read Peter Rabbit last night. What is it about Beatrix Potter that is so timeless. Vail wants to know more about little Benjamin Bunny b/c Peter mentions him. And she declared last night at the end of the book that Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail are so sweet. Yes, Vail, they are. B/c they are "good little bunnies".

books books books

2011-07-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Finished The Friendship Bread last night. Loved it. There are so many friends that we have right now that could use a little TLC. Just like Julia and Madeline, I want to give a little somethin' somethin' to my friends...

We're headed to DC this weekend and I don't want to leave starter in the car to get all nasty. So I am going to start it on Sunday, then bake it the day before we leave for Mich so that we can have some yummy bread on the way. I'm hoping its yummy ... bet it is. Then when we return, I'll just do the starter again and go from there. Should be fun and delish. http://thefriendshipbreadkitchen.com/

But maybe I could keep it in my purse... and it would be fine... maybe...

Vail was huge on Maisy's First Clock by Lucy Cousins. She really really wants to learn about clocks and this was a perfect intro. Now she understands the big hand and the little hand a little more. Funny thing is that she tells me yesterday, when she had to time out in her room for 5 minutes, that she counted on her clock. I was so impressed. Last night I realized that her clock had stopped yesterday morning... silly girl.

So I began The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels last night when I finished The Friendship Bread. I've devoured Ree's cookbook. Love her blog. Cherished Charlie the Ranch Dog (and I'm sure I'll be purchasing it for at least two or three children between now and new years, my own children included b/c Vail had me read it so many times, I had her bring it to school to have them read it before returning to the library). I was so taken that I looked at the clock and realized that my alarm would be going off in less than five hours and I hadn't prepped bottles, laid out clothing, emptied the dishwasher, or folded laundry. There is something to be said for a real love story ... with recipes...

Windy day

2010-09-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day in CT with fam @ the beach. Windy but beautiful. I like to call it exfoliation weather. Nothing like washing sand out of your pores at night.

I cannot believe that I am halfway thru with this pregnancy. Today Vail said it was a boy. She's been wavering. First she said it was a boy named Jack. Then a girl. Now a boy named Mr. Froggy. I suppose there are worse names out there than Mr. Froggy. But still, I don't think any self respecting Kindergarter would want to say that there name was Mr. Froggy...

oops, I forgot that I blog

2010-07-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hmm, I think I'm supposed to keep this up to date. Ahh, almost August. Promise to be more diligent.

Planning Vail's birthday party. What fun. She wanted it at a gym, which really threw me off, but I think I found an opportunity at Riverside Kids. Nothing like throwing a Princess Party at the gym. Oh, she really wants an M&M's party, but I told her that we could have M&M's as the favors and showed her the adorable Princess M&Ms on their website. So cute. I think we just may have it ready to go...

At least she eats

2010-01-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

So sitting with a bunch of moms yesterday while Vail was off doing her gymnastics birthday party thing, I had to smile. Moms talked about how their children slept fourteen hours (what??), how they still use their pacifiers (at 3 and 4 years of age) for sleeping, how they had surgeries for crazy stomach ailments, $25 formula (per container). My word. So I am thankful that even if she doesn't yet sleep through every night, at least she eats.

Most of the time.

Last night:

Presidential chicken
Carrots with brown sugar
Corn souffle.

Vail remarks that the "Corn doesn't smell that bad" and that she'll try it. She ate the corn. One bite of the carrots and out they came. They weren't going in. Chicken, she told Marmee she'd rather have chicken nuggets. Sorry baby, its just not your way anymore. Eat the chicken. Two bites of chicken.

That's it.

This morning, she ate two whole eggs. I'm sure she was famished. She'll get it eventually.

Oh, and the corn souffle was amazing. Thanks, Mom.

Oh Clement C. Moore...

2009-12-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

Vail has an obsession with Night Before Christmas stories, and I have learned that there really is no shortage of them. And they range from the traditional "Happy Christmas to all..." to calling the reindeer formerly known as Donner, Donder. Strange but true, who would think it mattered.

Some of our favorite adaptations:

Mary Engelbreit - now I would not want my house cluttered with her chachki's, but I have to say that her illustrations are packed with details that it will probably take me years to notice. Vail loves it too - she calls it the fancy Christmas story.

Robert Sabuda - he is the master of the pop-up. So beautiful in all whites and the final page with the moving sleigh is spectacularly done. Not for libraries - too many breakables, but perfect for families.

The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas - for when you get sick of reading The Night Before Christmas - still in poetic form but with a twist. The dinosaur illustrations are fun and not scary.

Christmas for a 3-year-old

2009-12-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

Went to the mall yesterday with Vail. I think that Santa Claus must be the absolute scariest being in a 3-year-old's imagination. I thought Vail was going to pee in her pants when we walked by Santa yesterday. She wanted to see him, but "from very far away, Mommy." And then she asked if he was going to stay for a while when he dropped off the presents. And she asked that he use the door rather than the chimney.

I think she's thinking if Santa can come down the chimney, any rif-raf can come down the chimney.

I told her I slept very well last night. "No monsters came in your room, Momma." "No, sweetie, monsters are only in storybooks and movies." Silence. "Oh." But Santa Claus is real and he's just coming down the chimney. I bet if that huge man can come down the chimney, monsters can.

oh, great.

2009-11-20T07:01:00.001-08:00

Not very bloggy lately. Making the move into the new house has been occupying most of my time. Took the fam out last night to Bensi's. Vail is getting so much better at eating out in a restaurant. She ate a whole meatball and sketti for dinner, then played quietly with her little animals until we were done with our dinners. I am amazed how much she has grown up in the past year. And she is getting much better at trying new foods when she is at the table.

More Mommy and less brarian

2009-08-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ahh, now is the time for the heralded family vacation. Driving to Michigan is always an experience to be remembered - this is our first time with a toddler and I'm sure it will be hilarious. We've stocked up on all kinds of Wonder Pets books and we're hitting the library - as patrons - to get some new books and music. We'll probably even go to the Book Loft to purchase some paperbacks to keep in the car.

Read Flipped by Van Draanen this past week and was blown away by the story. Very much like Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, but I found that I loved Stargirl b/c I have a distance from my teen years and I can see now that the quirky people that were famously quirky really shouldn't have been ostracised at all. I can see now that my fascination with being popular sometimes overrode my inclination to be nice to everyone. But kids don't have that distance, so reading Stargirl may be a little too close to life for them and they cannot see the importance of the message. But Flipped appeals to those same kids because it gives you both sides of the story and in the moment. It is amazingly written and I can see why it is on so many reading lists.

Right now, tackling Number the Stars by Lowry. I'm sure I've read it, but I cannot remember ANY of it. Almost done. Should blog about it before I leave for Mich.

2009-07-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

Great children's books from the summer so far:

Always lots of heinies at the zoo by Ayum Halliday - nothing makes children giggle more than looking at the animal bums at the zoo and this books is ALL about them.

Spoon by Amy Rosenthal - ever long to have someone else's exciting life? Spoon realizes that spoons can do many things that forks, knives and the ever elusive chopsticks cannot do.

Beach Day by Karen Roosa - while not a new title, still very sweet and a perfect intro to your beach daytrip.

How do Dinosaurs Say I love You by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague - the next in the How do Dinosaurs collection, this one is especially sweet. As dinosaur goes through his day having tantrums and being a typical toddler, mom and dad make sure that they remind dino that they love him no matter what.

2009-07-06T18:15:00.001-07:00

Librarian lunch - on the go. Busy busy busy.

Quarter cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil. Smash on small clove of garlic. Allow flavors to meld in fridge overnight.

Half a baguette. Rub with garlic clove. Brush with olive oil. Grill.

Top grilled bread with tomatoes.

If making for a lunch the next day, bring baguette and tomatoes in separate containers. Warm bread in toaster oven. Top with tomatoes.

Amazing.

Pop a piece of gum afterwards. You'll need it after this one.

Quiet weekend

2009-06-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

So when we moved to Jersey, I figured I'd be more comfortable with everything. It is where I grew up. Where I always returned. So now that I'm here, it is amazing how perfect my life feels. I have close friends and family I can call on a whim. I have people I can call in the middle of the day for a playdate or a coffee. I have friends I can not call for two months, then call and it picks up like yesterday. It is so right for me.

But I wonder if it is really as comfortable for Chris as it is for me. He went mountain biking this weekend and I know he is enjoying the time away. I haven't been away from Vail for more than 12 hours ever. Not once. I spent one night supervising a lock-in for my job, and I left at nine and returened at 8am. I have never had a night or a weekend away. I know that this time always does Chris some good. He comes back relaxed and happy. I wonder what a night or two away would do for me. Would I worry the whole time that I was gone? No, I trust Chris with Vail completely. What on earth would I do with myself when I was goign to bed? Would I be able to sleep through the night. I have a feeling that I could check into a hotel and hit the bed by eight pm and sleep until eight the next day. No problem. Who knows.

Vail seems more comfortable with my Mom now more than ever. I can drop her off there, like I did today to go to work, and they have just the best time. She said to me tongiht at bedtime that she had so much fun going to the playground today with Marmee and going out to dinner tonight (to the Chinese Buffet with Marmee and me). How sweet. My Mom is a huge part of Vail's life now. I never had that with my grandparents. Chris never had that with his grandparents. I lways wanted to give this to my children. It just seems so perfect that we are here.

I hope it seems that way for everyone.

The joys of being 2.5

2009-06-24T14:29:00.001-07:00

What on earth goes on in the head of a two-year-old that makes her think that screaming at the top of her lungs and kicking accomplishes anything positive? Ugh. I have read the books. I understand that 2 1/2 is the "terrible" part of the terrible twos, but seriously. Vail has a breakdown about something everyday. Going to bed. Eating dinner. Going to the pool. Not going to the pool. Goodness, please tell me there is an end to the drama. Oh wait, she's Vail. No end to the drama :-) That's okay, I just hope that she can learn to express herself verbally quickly. This kicking thing is crazy.

House searching

2009-06-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

What is more frustrating than looking for a house? Nothing like dropping six figures for somewhere to wash my undies and hang my coats. Really. And in NJ, taxes are ridiculous. For one quarter acre, three bedroom humble abode, expect to pay close to ten thousand. I felt a little better today when I saw a listing for a deal in Maplewood that was a genuine Stickley house, seven bedrooms, three and a half baths, one car garage, unfinished basement with taxes at 27000/year. Um, I barely clear that after taxes. AS A SALARY. Ugh. Where do I want to hang my hat? Jersey. So get used to the taxes. At least we have decent schools. If I wasn't procreating, I'd say screw it. Let's move somewhere where the schools bite and the taxes are low.

Outdated

2009-06-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

So, part of any librarian job is weeding. Get over the fact that you bought the book in 1982. Get rid of it if is out of date. This is a list of titles I've made up about books I've found. If you find me, weed me:

1) If Men Have Landed on the Moon, weed this book.
2) If Women Vote, weed this book.
3) When China reaches 1 million People, weed this book.
4) Getting to Know your 48 States, weed this book.
5) Men are not Childbearers, weed this book.

More to come.

Getting a laugh

2009-06-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Visited the Dain Shoppe this week. What a fun place. Brought my Mom, which would have been SO embarrassing when I was in high school, but so fun now that I'm an adult. Bought some beautiful lingerie which I proceded to bring home and put on the floor in my room. Um, remember, you have a curious two-year-old. Needless to say, Vail had to try everything on. A two-year-old in a lace bra and thong is definitely a sight to behold. She was hilarious. She still has not inquired as to why my undies don't have backs. I think I'd like her just to accept it. :-) No questions necessary.

Public does not mean free

2009-06-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

So a man came into the library yesterday and demanded his copies to be free because he pays taxes. He was downright belligerent screaming at our director about how he already pays for the ink and paper and maintenance and how he should be permitted to make copies anytime because he is a taxpayer. Then he wanted to know how many of us have benefits in the building. Wow. So not wanting to support our institution but yet wanting all of its advantages. Ummm, go to country that has socialized everything. See how you like it. Btw, you won't find David Sedaris and Marice Sendak there. They're censored.

2009-06-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day dinner at Mattar's Bistro with Daddy-o, Marmee, & Grand-John. Well, Grand-John was there, he just couldn't eat din-din with us.

Angel-kin

2009-06-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Vail is big into talking in third person. About one year ago, I would have just collapsed if she would actually sleep for longer than one hour without waking crying at the top of her lungs. Now, she is talking constantly. From the minute I put her into the car until she closes her eyes the very last time at bedtime - constant chatter.

Tonight, she would talka bout what she wanted to do and then do it.
"Daddy, I'm going to throw this pea at you." Pea is then thrown.
"Momma, this angel-kin is not listening to you." Vail completely ignores request to take her feet off of the table.
"This little angel-kin needs to apologize. Sorry, Daddy."

What prompts her to talk in 3rd person? Is it that she is actually hearing us tell her to do things with her name and therefore she wants to talk about what she is doing and prefers (this week anyway) to say them in third person?

And why is she so funny about food lately? She used to eat her veggies like they were the best parts of her dinner. Now getting chicken and peas down her gullet is like conducting a ballet of cats and parakeets. What on earth? Between her wanting to use her knife at the table and then exploring the texture of food with her hands, swishing through her teeth into her milk and then back into her mouth, stabbing it with her fork, trying to scoop and smush with her spoon, it is a wonder she has time to eat at all. I am so thankful that she does eat though and the trick to make her try everything on her plate is also a good one. She has to eat one of everything on her plate every night. Even if she doesn't like it. One of everything.

Sneaking teddy grahams on the plate next to abhorred food is always a good way to sweeten the deal.

Sleeping in undies and dinner out with Marmee

2009-06-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Last night we went out to dinner with Marmee. Dinner for a 2 year old. Very easy if there are actually edible things on the menu - in 2 year old speak. We settled on Bensi's in Mansfield b/c it was right next to the Book-Loft - our very favorite bookstore in the area. It reminds me of Kings English in SLC, but a without the charm factor. That is not to say that the Book-loft isn't great, but King's English's building was just so charming. Anyway, so we went to Bensi's and Vail decided on spaghetti and meatballs. She got a bowl of pasta for about twenty toddlers. Crazy. Mental note, just order one adult order and give Vail an appetizer plate full of pasta and a meatball.

Oh, restaurants - you may receive your meatballs separately from your sauce and pasta. You may not make them in house. But please fake it. Goodness. Simmer them in the sauce for a while - it will soften up the meatball and make it so much more integrated into the dish rather than a dry meatball with sauce poured on (WE CAN TELL when you do this). Even my toddler can tell.

I ordered pizza. With it came oregano, garlic powder and red pepper. Vail named them dust, dirt, and poo. Momma, would you like dirt on your pizza, she asks as she pours her parm onto it. Sure, I'd love some dirt and poo.

HUGE BREAKTHROUGH - last night Vail slept in undies for the very first time (w/o having an accident). What a great night. Good job, Vail.

The perfect day

2009-05-29T18:56:00.001-07:00

I don't know what it is about 2 1/2, but I love it. Vail is so interactive and fun and hilarious. She makes jokes now, laughs with glee, and smiles from ear to ear in the most adorable way. Just makes my heart sing.

I started today by going into NYC for Book Expo. Finding books for summer reading prizes, meeting authors, publishers, and just being in the zone of children and teen lit was a wonderful way to spend a day of work. Didn't feel like a job at all.

I returned home to Chris who brought me out to dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant and he gave me a pair of gorgeous Tiffany earrings to complete my set of earrings, necklace and bracelet. I was so stunned.

Then we picked up Vail after dinner, headed to Cliff's for ice cream. Played in the "woods" at Cliffs and returned home where I read "How to Dinosaurs Say I love You" to Vail - her first personalized book signed by an author and illustrator.

Amazing day.

The best of everything.

Days of being sick

2009-05-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that Vail is back on her feet and raring to go. The fever broke last night on its own and she was her busy self today. So energetic and it was great that she can get back to herself. Happy. Active. So what's a mom to do? Where does my little fashionista want to go? The Mall. So we left Daddy-o to work and we went to the mall. Vail loves the mall and she is SO good about leaving all of the things she wants to bring home and saving her requests. SO good.

When we got home, it was off to dinner, which she is really not interested in eating lately. She sees dinner time as a time to perform and to boss us around. Tonight she wanted to sing "please and thank you" followed up by calling her a "Little Buggy". Little buggy, please eat your ravioli. Little buggy, please don't drop your apple. Little buggy, please keep your feet off of the table. Not Vail. Just Little Buggy. Does she like buggies. Oh no. Every stray piece of hair that brushes her skin is "Little Buggy".

So funny.

Poison ivy ick

2009-05-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

At my pharmacist's suggestion I picked up Ivy Dry for my horrendous poison ivy outbreak. Goodness. I have never had such a horrible reaction to poison ivy. On the bottle of Ivy Dry, it compares a severe poison ivy outbreak to a chemical burn. Well, it looks like I have a chemical burn on my neck and I am amazed that it has gone so deep. This is sure to scar and I've done everything I possible can to prevent spreading, aggravating, everything. Most of all, I have tried my darnest to keep it from Vail, I would never want her to have this. Ugh.

But today Vail is home with a fever and feeling cruddy. It seems that everytime I realize that Vail is doign well and without illness, she gets something. So frustrating. I am just hoping she doesn't have Hand Foot Mouth disease again, as it is going around her school. That was horrible last time.

In her fever naps today, I read The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot. Gotta love Meg for make-me-smile reads. Nothing at all like Alice Seybold, but I guess it is just writing for a different kind of day. But I have to admit, this book kept me reading. For me to finish two hundred pages in 14 hours, it has to be good.

2009-05-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

So blogging does not come naturally into my day, even though I have tons of fun little anecdotes, I just don't make the time. But I am going to try harder.

We brought Vail fishing this week. Let her wave the fly rod. I think that we just need to get her a little one because she has quite the knack for casting. She even cast mine into the river a few times. I think that as she gets older, she is going to be more comfortable with the outdoors, but right now, she is following up days outside with nature with dreams about giant spiders chasing her. Her imagination is so vivid.

On our expedition, while we did not catch or even see any fish, we did witness a black bear. Vail was much assuaged when she learned it was a baby bear, even though it was probably a yearling and much bigger than a baby, from our vantage point it didn't appear to be scary. I feel so blessed to have a husband that is outdoorsy and willing to take her on januts and trips and adventures. She has seen so much for her 32 months.

Remember when

2009-03-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

from Maybelle the Cable Car by Virginia Lee Burton

Remember when the City was small
when everyone knew everyone else
and nobody hurried and nobody worried.
Those were the good old times.

I want to slow down. I don't want to worry. I want things to be like they were before, but what has changed? Probably me.

New promise to self: Stop the worrying. Doesn't do any good. Be mindful of the moment. No sense living out in lala land if I'm missing the great moments in front of me. Be friendly and cheerful. Perhaps a little more friendly in this world will make it seem a little smaller.

Momma is a fox

2009-03-05T18:57:00.000-08:00

Vail is funny. She gets things into her head, either through us putting them there or through her own little world, and they stick. I was trying to teach her to say "Momma is a fox". It just made me giggle. She likes labeling things. She's constantly saying "Momma is little. Daddy-o is big." So I thought, perhaps she could say I was a fox. And see what Chris said about it. So the other day she announces that Momma is a fox. Then follows it up with "Daddy is a cow." Now, she is constantly saying that Daddy is Mr. Handsome. Daddy is "so cute". Daddy is "SO handsome". But where on earth did she get "Daddy is a cow"? Really. I've never said that. Perhaps Daddy has sung Old MacDonald a few times and was the cow. Who knows?

Family tree

2009-01-05T19:32:00.000-08:00

Spending the holidays with the family. When I was a kid, we never went anywhere for Christmas b/c my father refused to go to my grandparents and my grandparents refused to leave Cleveland. So we made our own traditions here as a family. Wake up, open stockings, pancakes with John, now Grand-John, open presents. Relax. Dinner. Dessert with neighbors. Christmas eve was usually at the B's. We got together with the same people year after year after year. Then, when Dad died, we started doing everything in Cleveland.

Cleveland. Where every bed is a twin and the heat does not work on the second floor of the house. Where we open presents AFTER dinner. But at the same time, Cleveland is where Mimi and Bapa are. Where family comes together. No friends, just family. Where the meal is usually out of a Charles Dickens' novel and the presents look like the first floor of FAO Schwartz all wrapped up in bows and sparkly paper.

So this year we did Christmas in Jersey. Not knowing when or where we were moving. Everything up in the air. But on New Year's Day, we traveled to Cleveland to see Mimi and it could not have been more enjoyable. No stress about the holidays and no scrutinizing from other family members about what you have under the tree. No griping about food you don't like or feeling like you cannot relax b/c it is time to clean up. Just spending time with the fam.

Made me think about how my Grandmother fell in love with my Grandfather. Over letters. How he went off to the war. He wrote to her. She didn't particularly think he was attractive b/f he left (she says he was "fat"). But she fell in love with him through the words he wrote and when he returned from WWII, he had grown like a foot and was svelt. And even though she says she was "sold" before she saw him, she said seeing him sealed the deal.

Amazing.

Now with my grandfather gone, and my grandmother still able to get around pretty well at 85, I see that she had it all with my grandfather. They built their own little life. Summers in Mich. Mimi being the planner, Bapa working all the time, but making time for the family whenever he could. Their travels. Their adventures. Their world. While their choices may not be my choices in life, I do respect that they decided to do it together. Everything was together for them. Now Mimi can sit and relax and watch her grandchildren and great grandchild life and run and work and make their own ways in world so different than hers. And she can rest in knowing that she and Bapa have shown us that devoting yourself to those you love is the most important decision you can make. Those you love. Whoever they are.

Meeting Ina

2008-12-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

As far as collecting goes, I've decided that I'm sticking to one collection of things. I have McCoy pottery and Fiesta Ware, but I never seem to have a kitchen big enough to really show anything off at all. So I've decided to collect autographed cookbooks. I started when I met Julia Child in 2003, just months after her ninetieth birthday. It was amazing. I felt like I was in the room with the queen. The Queen of Cooking she was and forever will be in my mind. So I could not resist meeting Ina Garten. Amazing. I've used her cookbooks and watched the Barefoot Contessa for years. And we had the chance to meet her. I even had Vail practice, "Pleased to meet you" and she said it when we got to the table. Craziness. Only a few pix, but good enough for my memory book.

There is salad in my ice cream

2008-12-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

Vail at a fancy restaurant. Last night we went to Mattar's Bistro. I would have never taken Vail to Mattar's before they renovated, but now it is so much kid-friendlier - if I can say that and not have the grammar police arrest me. And to be perfectly honest, it was the best meal I have EVER had there. But that aside, Vail had pasta with butter and cheese. After which she played circle time with Izzy. She was entertaining to the whole restaurant.

For dessert, she had a bowl of ice cream. We've learned the hard way about giving her chocolate in the evening, so she had a bowl of vanilla ice cream. It came in a martini shaped glass with whipped cream and a sprig of mint. As she wolfed down the ice cream, by herself, with a spoon, she asked about the sprig of mint. "What is this?" Then answered, "I know what it is. It's salad." Yes, Vail, salad. Everyone deserves a little salad in their ice cream.

Smart Cookie

2008-12-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

Today Vail schooled me in the art of idioms. Vail told me this morning that she was very smart. I agreed, and thought it was ironic I was putting her "smart cookie" bib. I told her she was a smart cookie. She told me that cookies are not smart. They are yummy. Oh my, if only I knew that before I had my cookie take my SATs for me.

I thought I was a smart cookie this week. Forging my way into the library world, I purchased a WII for our department. In order to promote gaming and tween programs, I thought this would be a great way for us to get kids into the library. We shall see what the WII does for us. Only time will tell. One patron called me the coolest librarian EVER - well, now if that doesn't say success, I don't know what does. I think I'll put that on my resume.

Thanksgiving pictures

2008-11-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Vail's first picture with the camera.

Vail passing the cream to Mr. Litwhiler...

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend Thanksgiving than with family. Turkey, gravy, stuffing. My request - sweet potatoes with marshmallows. Chris' requests - green bean casserole and mashed potatoes. And I must admit, I make a slammin' green bean casserole. Even Mom liked it :-) Mom did everything perfectly. Vail loved it - especially the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes. After dinner, she donned her new undies from Mrs. B, and that is it, and ran crazy through the house. Hilarious. She was loving life. I am amazed how much she has grown over the past year. She tried everything at the dinner table with gusto. And I swear that book "How do dinosaurs eat their food" by Jane Yolen is helping with her manners. Perfectly perfect day.

Vail's Ralphie

2008-11-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

One nanosecond of Sesame Street has halted our lives. When we were driving home from Annapolis last weekend, about ten miles from home, Vail stared longingly out the window and started saying that she couldn't reach Ralphie. Ralphie? Who is Ralphie? Then she started saying that Baby Bear couldn't get him. What on earth. So for an hour, as she worked her self up to tears, apologizing and crying, I remembered. LAST WEEK we were watching an episode of Sesame Street and Telly's pet parrot, Ralphie, flew away and he couldn't get him back. Now I am sure that Ralphie returned, as all good little friends do on Sesame Street, but we didn't finish watching the episode. Now Vail cries about Ralphie. I've tried to convince her that Ralphie returned. She doesn't believe me. It has been five days - she mentions Ralphie everyday. Sesame Street, please air Ralphie again!!!

Toddler-speak

2008-11-11T07:12:00.001-08:00

Vail's new thing, and she always has something new, is calling Daddy-o "Mr. Handsome." Yesterday she asked, "Momma, where is Mr. Handsome?" I answered that I didn't know. And she said, "He's downstairs. He's so sweet." Ahhh, this is my little burgeoning flirt. And Daddy-o thinks that he can resist her requests/demands. Right. I think I'll start calling him Mr. Handsome and ask for a nice little sportscar!!

Halloween pictures

2008-11-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

Vail in her parade at school.

Enjoying treats at school's Halloween party! Ladybugs are still the theme of the outfit :-)

Vail getting ready to go trick or treating.

Pictures from Vail's birthday

2008-11-10T18:06:00.001-08:00

Vail and Lia on her birthday with special birthday cupcakes.

Vail and Lia at Vail's 2nd birthday party.

Vail with her pink pony.

Crocodile birthday cake!! Made by Lia.

Family!!!

Blogger world, officially entered...

2008-11-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my world and blog. Today is Monday, November 10th. I am purely doing this blog as a beginning to blogging, to get our library blogs up and running with little or no hitches. Since I've never blogged, I'd much rather screw up my own blog than the library's. Look at that sacrifice, I know I know. :-)