5 things - GOOD things....

1. The beautiful sky today - clouds that looked like they had been finger-painted or brush-stroked across a clear blue canvas.

2. Hubby and I talked over cold bevies in the steamy wee hours the other night on our deck. We are so lucky.

3. Spending time with wonderful new friends - hubby's cousin and wife from Peru. Shopped, ate, drank, talked and laughed today.

4. Olivia and her friends are closer than ever despite all the new high schools and new activities on the horizon.

5. Had a nice dinner with Mom over last weekend - two actually - one out, which she seemed to enjoy - another in with the cabbage rolls of my childhood just before we left.

Photo: I know the heat was bad this week, but.... would you rather go back to being snowed in? Seriously - I'd like a vote. I can't decide.

More for my list...

Or - I suppose I could call it another "random" post, but... if I do that, I may be tempted to do that ALL the time, and it would just get weird. So ... a couple more things....

First - again, thank you so much, all my friends and acquaintances. I'll say it again - I know some VERY cool people. I would like, one day, to have a sharing forum, so we could all tell our stories - vent, connect, etc. I'm getting there. And... I know I've said that before too, but... I AM - getting there, that is.

Second - another reminder to hug and cherish your kids everyday. I am quite heavy-handed in these reminders. No apologies - just an admission ;-). Anyway, this poor little boy in Oregon... where could he be? What happened? Tragic all around. Please read and pray.

Third - I am sitting in silence right now. I love it. No kids yelling (the boys love their room - Olivia skipped swim team due to rain - and Lil up coughing last night, so... still asleep - crazy) - no TV - no music (though, this morning, I drove my van to the body shop - hubby following me - we are finally getting much needed repairs from winter made - and... I was listening to music - always iPod or satellite radio - and I thought I was having a prolonged '80's flashback, having just heard the Replacements, but... it was a band / person called Fever Ray and the song was Triangle Walls - tres retro - liked it).

Fourth - Speaking of music and bands, the National and Broken Social Scene - ALL coming to Pitt soon. Details later :-).

Fifth - The photos. This is, apparently, what my 8th grader and her pals do when alone in her room. The rumpled body in the bed is my daughter - the girl in the foreground (valued friend, Kelly) has just woken her and is already skypeing or hitting Facebook. Note how the one photo shows her holding my Olivia's head - in the distance - between her fingers. Classic. Love the three faces - Kelly, Olivia, Olivia B - I've posted these crazy beauties before - great friends.

OK - and this is not another "thing" because it is not actually on my list - but, rather, on Design Mom's (see my blog list) for Next clothing - a UK line - women, kids, low shipping - worth a look....

Gotta go anyway - Milo just brought down a sword that was, apparently, damaged in battle with Enzo, so..... taped it together, but... may need to monitor the situation...;-).

Regrouping

Today was dentist for 3 (my boys get very excited to see Dr. Jack - and I have to say, he is a great pediatric dentist. If you need a referral, here ya go), complete with an oral surgeon referral (poor Olivia - braces causing a minor lip irritation) - more Honors tests for Olivia (and inquiries about the language program at Oakland) - lunch on the run for all - park with little ones - Enzo's last baseball / t-ball game (little ones played in dirt) - grad party for Olivia (just dropped her off) - Apple store for hubby (still there) - possible book club for me tonight (contingent on my back-up arriving in time).... ALL GOOD, as I like to say.

A couple of things to keep it all in perspective:

1. Please check out Callapitter for further updates on Kate and Peter's Treehouse (you know where to find Amy - my blog list). I love to jump on the community bandwagon when someone in my area (or not -really - good causes draw me anywhere - I'm sure most of you agree - local always good :-) needs support. I think, in this case, Amy has fantastic intentions and the play / learning area is a great idea. I also think Amy is level-headed and only wants the memories of her two beautiful children to be honored in a place that she says, will "capture their spirits". Beautiful. I hope it happens for her. I am concerned that many people are off track in their analysis of the project. I don't think that either "side" should digress too far from the original point - which is to create a play area somewhere in an appropriately safe and accessible place both to memorialize these two beautiful children and to benefit the community. I think Regent's Sq. residents have a right to voice concerns, and I think those concerns should be handled - whether it is to fix some of the perceived problems or to simply keep the lines of communication open.

2. Let's all keep in perpective how much we have and how lucky we are. This story about a poor little girl watching a baseball game with her dad was hit by a line-drive is just so sad. No one's fault, and it appears she will be Ok, but... just shows how things can happen in an instant. Think about her tonight as you're counting those blessings :-).

3. Thank you to everyone for your words of support, etc. today. I was down. I admit it. I think sharing with those of you who might feel the same is beneficial. Looking forward to some play dates and some girls' nights. Thanks, everyone. I know some really cool people.

4. And... here is the world's best cheesey garlic bread recipe. Hubby made it last night.

5. Speaking of hubby, he just called to say that he is bringing home some take-out for a late, quiet dinner, and... Glee is on tonight. Wow.

End of day musings...

So .. there is a pretty big lettuce recall (reports of e.coli - very serious). Read about it - hits close to home. Got two photos today - one of my boys from my hubby (though they were gently reprimanded for being on the neighbor's scooter shortly after the photo) - and one from a friend who got a good photo of my Olivia and her friends just after May Crowning. Check'em out :-).

And... don't forget to send your Moms from afar, new mommies you know, sisters, mother-in-laws, etc, gifts for this weekend. A lot of you will have brunch or other festivities planned with family, but... if you are far from loved ones and moms that you know and cherish.... just don't forget to send something :-). Might I suggest some practical gifts (I'll do a list o'five, per usual :-) -

1. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Vanilla and Jasmine hand lotion
2. A subscription to Food and Wine Magazine
3. A windowsill herb garden
4. A personal chef a couple of nights a month
5. A Borders or Barnes and Noble gift certificate

For what it's worth... these are things that some people close to me are getting / asked for, etc. Of course, my Mom loves her daisy bouquets, Vera Bradley frames and Bob Evans gift certificates, though... she also loves books, nice handbags, sugar free candies, tea and tea "accessories", shortbread cookies, yellow roses and photos of my kids ;-).

See ya later! Happy warm spring evening :-).

THIS I know.... Another one of "these" posts....

I know:

That when Milo wants to have a tantrum... he can have a TAnTruM!!!! Knock down - drag out - I'm on my knees, in tears - stroller knocked over - lil's snack all over the ground - I lost my ring - the school principal asked him to leave ...sobbing, sobbing, roaring.....

That, despite tantrum, it was nice to go to my first May Crowning. My Olivia and her friends looked beautiful (May Queen and Court just the sweetest, kindest girls - the whole point of the Queen, etc.) - Enzo was THRILLED to see me - his sweet face peeks out over the church pew - sitting with all those little kindergartners - the nicest guy :-)...

That, when my boys take a shower or a bath, there is an inch of standing water in the bathroom, and... splashes on the ceiling... and the window is smudgy ... and the armoire and my towel are wet.... the snorkels were even out on the floor...

That my Lil loves the sand and mud. Our water table will never be the same again - filled with what she, Milo and our little neighbor, Finley, call "Magic Soup" - mud, leaves, rocks, sticks... You get the picture....

That I just ordered the cutest little somethin' for Lil here.

That hubby is home but still working, working, working.... When will the much-needed break actually come?!?!

Oooooh.... not five, but SIX things I know today :-)!

Not sure WHAT I know today.

But ... I do know this -

That Lilliana is mad at me this morning for not allowing her to go to school with the boys.

That this has been SOME week - Olivia served 7 am mass everyday - I have 8th grade graduation stuff to coordinate - I chaperoned an ALL DAY field trip for kindergarten (GREAT to spend time with my Enzo - just the sweetest little boy) - I contributed to a teacher breakfast - need to assist with a book fair - I have had two mommy and me gymnastics classes - two well dr. visits - one missed ortho appointment (calling to apologize and reschedule this am) - I have my editing project to continue - hubby has been working late - the lacrosse schedule is strange this week - ugh - I have to stop...

That I get peeved when I leave a specific note for a babysitter and this person ignores the note - feeds my kids crap - lets them watch Spongebob Squarepants marathons - lets them rummage through the junk we pulled out of storage unit and are organizing for Good Will - dresses them in their pajama tops and a semi-suitable bottom for the day - leaves the house a mess - let's the two year old play with real lacrosse balls - let's the four year old litter the deck and backyard with granola bar and lollipop wrappers - lets both of them dig up our newly mulched and planted perennial garden... More. Family members are, apparently, the worst offenders (disclaimers: Writer is aware that she needs to "let things slide" a little more AND deal with her own OCD ;-). Offender has long history of pushing writer and others to the end of the tolerance rope and is enjoying a "bite your tongue" comeback with this particular writer / "kvetcher" :-).

That I am really looking forward to planting, sitting in the sun, taking the boys to swimming lessons, hanging out on balmy, warm mornings with Lil, having Olivia around more often - just... summer, I guess.

That I am trying to "live in the moment" more.

I know all this as I walk the garbage to the curb, wearing my baggy yoga pants, lacy red pj top, William and Mary hoodie, Adidas flip flops - smelling of coffee and baby lotion, my diaper-clad toddler tags along, the Jetta holding all my boys takes off for school, The Today Show glows through the front window of my house - a bunch of really PINK old Barbie stuff (was Olivia's) sits on my deck, waiting to be played with again after years in storage (and Lilliana is obliging :-). Any house in any neighborhood on any street - same scene. Only this is my life. Some days it seems remarkable - other days just ordinary. I like the up and down. It soothes me - makes me think something exciting is just around the corner - but something comfortable is mine now.

Since I just had a bit of a temper tantrum, thought I'd share this very good review of the Green Day (if you're my age, you do have a soft spot for them - whether you want to or not)-inspired musical, "American Idiot" (presumably named after the album - am I being obvious here? brain fry this week.... see above) - in which, I believe, words like "punk" and "temper" are peppered throughout... Anyway.... here it is.

How's your week going? Oh - and happy Earth Day :-).

Another silly list...

Grateful, today, for....

1. My kids' school and its close, nurturing environment (8th grader spent some industrious time on a science project last night - kindergartner has spring show practice today and a play date this afternoon - preschooler looking forward to a puppet making workshop and show next week....).

2. My gross, ugly, muddy, messy big pile of dirt out back because it will help us build our vegetable garden, plant our new cherry tree, and grow our grass on our play area.

3. Coffee - because it will get me through a busy morning with my toddler and preschooler, allow me to focus on my writing project, help me with my quick but now daily workout and keep going throughout the afternoon of play, laundry, yard work, letter writing, play room pick-up, photo organization, dinner making, etc.

4. Today - hate to admit it, but... Noggin and PBS - for giving my kids something educational to watch while I tackle my editing.

5. My health - and my family's health - because, despite aches and pains from overdoing it daily and wooziness from sleepness nights, I am healthy and strong and, aside from little things with the kids, etc., they are strong and healthy too. Too many times, we take this simple fact for granted.

Top 5 "so glad I have these" items, people and things for today.

1. Friends who will help me wrangle my wild Lil and Milo without judging - making sure we get off the school grounds safely and with some sanity left when they act up and run from me after P3 pick-up (thank you, ALL - you know who you are :-).

2. My lovely, friendly neighbors without whom we would not have half the fun we have on summer evenings, during snow-ins, at block parties...

3. All of our interesting friends who assist us in enjoying bands, food, conversation, etc.

4. Our crazy families (kids, weird uncles, sisters in a snit and all)... our late fathers (both mine and Marcello's) would love to hear us say that, so... to honor them :-).

5. My Trader Joe's Chocolate organic yogurt... I'm not kidding..... I have work to do, kids to chase and errands to run - good on the go... like a treat :-).

And... I think.... once I actually get to watch it all the way through.... I'll be thankful for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution :-) too.

I know... I know...

My 14 year old needs new furniture and her room painted. She is in bad need of underwear and summer shorts that fit. My boys want more fishies in their tank, and their armoires and dresser drawers are full of clothes that do not fit. My little one currently shares a room with all of my scrapbook and photo stuff plus only half of her room is appropriately painted the "very Lil" raspberry pink that makes it so... well... Lil (it's early - I'm not clever yet).

But... I am too busy getting laundry done, keeping dust bunnies from interfering with floor play, throwing together a protein, a starch, a veggie for dinner every night (still not clever - my apologies :-), and... getting everyone to school, to sports practice, to their respective spring events - athletic banquets, school dances, baseball camps, etc. (not to mention playing the adventure game outside with Milo in which I am "Mary" and he is Indiana Jones - or Lil's pretend play with horseys and mermaids - or Enzo and his books - or Olivia and all her girl stuff :-) to even begin the fun stuff (what I'm calling the "to do" list above). Hubby swamped too as we both have a lot going on in our respective career corners - getting the house spring ready (it, too, needs to be painted - our room is a mess - our yard is yukky - garden needs to go in soon, etc.).

Sigh. Too much on the ol' calendar these days .... ;-). Though... you can see from the photo that we were at this pace way back in October AND had not tackled the above "list", which existed back then as well! Plus... I'm sleepy. Lil has been restless at night - telling me she's "scared" when she wakes. Usually, I end up fetching her milk, turning on the TV, sitting on the couch with her until she sleeps again. NOT ideal in terms of parenting tips (but, I ask you - what is IDEAL at 4 in the morning??? My eyebrows are raised here... you just can't see me ;-). I do have one good parenting tip, however.... Have always been a Cheerios fan, and... now have ventured out a bit and tried their "fruity" version as well as their chocolate offering. Pretty good - still nutritious (whole grain) - still low sugar (comparatively).....

Thankful for a couple of things - First and foremost that one of Enzo's kindergarten classmates, Catherine, who has been sick ... is on the mend and feeling better (the class created get well cards for her yesterday - which reminds me, I am thankful for his teachers - thinking now of Mrs. K, who sent my Olivia "we miss you" Easter greetings from the whole class when we had moved away and were feeling sad - always thinking how Mrs. W helps my boy this year, and... Mrs. E's good intentions :-). And... just to show that I'm still into spring, busy schedule and all, I'm thankful for raw sugar snap peas (you know how I love my raw food :-) - in fact, check out this upcoming local raw dinner event at J'eet Cafe - could be interesting...) because they taste like spring and I can eat them all day because they are non-fat and tasty. Thankful, too, for my cousin's new baby, Ellis; he was born earlier this week and is a welcome addition to my Dad's side of the family after a bit of a difficult run lately... knee injuries, surgeries - other annoying, nasty stuff.... Thankful, today, that my little ones have noticed all the flowers blooming - on our tree out front - as we drive on our way to do daily errands - want to read books with me, play in the rain together....

I feel a bit like Sesame Street.... today's post was brought to you by sugar snap peas and the color raspberry pink ;-).

A Day

Deep breath (it's a long one - albeit elementary and, therefore, quick and easy)... and READ!

Slept well - albeit with Lil beside me on couch and hubby in bed with boys - better than night before when we were all up tossing and turning or, like me, with full-on insomnia - only an hour or two of sleep.

Open refrigerator to get more milk this morning - light bulb explodes in my face. Scares the @#%&* out of me. Refrigerator dark.

Email freelance clients with proposal info. and school with spring break info.

Get kids out the door a la one of my previous posts. In a perfect performance art-like commentary on the fickle weather situation, my preschooler left the house wearing no coat - my kindergartner all suited up in winter coat, hat and gloves (remember when I asked for advice on that earlier? Still need it.).

Lovely breakfast with friend at Square Cafe (though our planned walk is foiled by cold and rain -and to think that yesterday, we were dragging the water table out of the basement and taking the Radio Flyer for a spin around the neighborhood).

Lilliana won't leave S. Cafe - fights me for rights to toys and has poopy pants. I also just notice that she is covered in ketchup and has been playing with an orange slice dipped in sour cream.

Change poopy pants in van (after running through sleet-like rain and through giant puddles; it is, for the record, an extreme puddle day and my wild ones are champion puddle jumpers).

Take off to get Milo at preschool; Lil screams NONSTOP when I pass school to find parking place.

Have pleasant chat with other preschool mothers (though one informed me that one of her little ones has broken her arm. If I could make it better, I would :-( - poor little girl, and... poor mommy). Teachers inform me that I have not returned an important form. I just turned it in in the office - whoops.

Head out to run errands. Lil runs from me in front of school - another child's father has to chase her. Milo leaves through the front door, locking himself out and heading the wrong direction from the van (we were parked in the back to avoid such problems).

Milo rejects all "real food" for lunch and, instead, wants donuts. Chocolate donuts. So does Lil (and - you won't hear this from me again - but thank God for the Dunkin Donuts Drive-thru). Many baby wipes and some roadside stops later, we are clean and fed (albeit junk - he told me his stomach was "grumbly" - had to fill it with something - hopefully, preschool snack was nutritious - and Lil did have some ketchup at breakfast, right?).

We head to hubby's office on the Southside to complete errands. I get the "stink eye" from building patrons as I wait in a "no parking" area.

Hubby in car - off we go to check on a business venture we are launching. Arrive at destination. No one there. Do we have wrong day? Wrong building?

Head to next destination - print shop to pick up invitations he designed for church event. All should go well, being a church-thing and all ;-), and.... it does. Look great - no issues - all paid - will be delivered tomorrow.

Head around block. Hubby says we need to hit dry cleaners because he had to rush job some shirts - trip to NY and all. What trip to NY?? I foolishly ask. Argue, argue, argue, and BAM - we are hit from behind. Big Caddy - apologetic driver - not our fault. Hubby irritated - I am quickly shushed, trying to point out damage not that bad. Upon closer inspection, one sensor on back bumper is TOTALLY crushed. In hindsight, glad I was hushed and hubby actually looked. Insurance exchange - nasty looks from drivers trying to get around me.

Hubby back in car. Continue "discussion" on his trip and how I never hear anything correctly - argument moves to his d@#% iPhone and how it always cuts out during conversations (I heart u, AT&T).

Hubby says "rush" dry cleaning will never be done. I say it will. We go. It is done. Score.

Back to our new biz venture vendor. NOW someone is there. Meet with him despite Lil and Milo running the length of the warehouse and taking turns trying to "break" a mirror propped against the wall. When it's all said and done, Lil steals paper clips and "works" on our vendor's computer. Milo does a flip off the stairs ("I'm OK"!). We discuss orders, etc. All is well - though hubby tells me he was so stressed, he doesn't know what he ordered, but... he did leave a check. Great.

Hubby needs lunch. Drop him at Pizza Sola and circle block. Forget where Pizza Sola is - drive in circles for a bit. Arrive back at Pizza Sola - hubby already dialing phone looking for me (doesn't matter - I wouldn't be able to hear him anyway ;-).

Back to office. Bye. Mommy, we want to go home.

Drive home by way of Oakland (don't know WHY I took that exit). Traffic, traffic, traffic. Lil begins to scream that "she is stuck" halfway home -then that her boot is "gone".

Arrive home. Milo is sleeping (feepin, as he used to say), so... he'll never sleep tonight. Lil runs from car and hits huge, mucky, deep puddle in driveway (the coat on which she received compliments all day is now soaking wet and a deep brown color).

I clean out car - drag diaper bags and garbage into the house. Look fervently for sippy cups and bottles full of milk (it is milk so I HAVE to search or have nasty smelling little "bombs" all over the car) - apparently, my two wild ones have begun throwing their cups when they're done - like little Vikings.

Head inside - check email (had urgent VM from client) only to discover that a client has pointed out an oversight of mine. Have to leave door propped open (40 degrees and falling) because Lil wants to stand on stairs and I left Milo napping for a few more minutes (can see van from window - door 2 ft from me). Milo wakes and is "mad" - rages at me from the front yard. As I run to get him, he throws himself on the wet and muddy porch steps.

Everyone inside and warm - wet clothes removed - Noggin / Nick Jr. on - warm drinks distributed. I bake after school cookies for Olivia and Enzo (and wild ones - it's just.... the chocolate donuts earlier... um... how much chocolate can they take? Offer them whole wheat crackers. They bite.).

Currently sitting in a sea of back packs and lunchboxes (and Enzo's thumb hurts - Olivia wants to know if we can take a spring break vacation. Spring Break is next week). Literally seconds ago, a smoke detector began "peeping" like it has a dying battery - already getting annoying. The BBB just sent me an important message regarding a recent complaint I submitted - only there is no attachment. I just heard a crash in the kitchen AND I need to make dinner, send out yet another freelance proposal, get through two batches of homework and get the lacrosse carpool to practice by 6 pm (is anyone else thinking like Stouffer's lasagne and a quick salad, at this point? You have to admit those "let's fix dinner" commercials are appealing.). It is now 3:00 pm. Do you know where your sanity is (and ... we all just had an '80's moment - remember those commercials?)?

This is really my day. In fact, I think I left some things out(oh yeah - my one outing of the week on my own - CANCELED - in lieu of NY trip that I knew about for 100 years. Is that it? Might be it....).... Hmmm.... was the precedent set this morning by the "number one" and "number two" underwear accidents pre-bedtime last night - the cranky, cranky two year old who roamed the house for hours, inconsolable - the uninvited family member (though family members are always welcome, combative dispositions are not) with news that our kids were the only ones not invited to a recent family b-day party for no reason - the fact that the MUCH lower rate on a hotel we're researching for a weekend just disappeared from the web site - OR - was it just ONE OF THOSE DAYS???? Love my kids - appreciate my hard-working hubby - but today..... ugh. Ebb and flow. Ebb and flow.

Now We're Happy!

One Trader Joe's run (tantrum nonexistent EVEN when they were out of Milo's favorite organic fruit lollies and granola bars - in fact....check out this Trader Joe's chocolate chip granola bar recall) and a few errands later - eating chicken nuggets and fruit jellies (well... iced soy Chai and raw green beans for me) and listening to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the car - AND we are fine. I am not frazzled. Milo is happy, happy, happy (great day at school). Lilliana is enjoying a day of "go with the flow" with Mommy. We took our jackets off - we splashed in a few puddles - we made "telescopes" out of recycled paper towel holders and went exploring - we bought stuff for dinner - we got green and white balloons - a life / day well-lived :-). Doesn't matter that the snow has melted to reveal a broken bird feeder (lovingly painted and hung by Enzo in the fall) - our Radio Flyer wagon that was somehow buried after use a few months ago - a dirty, deflated soccer ball (that still has some KICK in it - Lilliana scored a couple muddy goals) - Just matters that we are out enjoying the day (and each other).

A couple of observations on this beautiful day:

First, I saw a beautiful white-haired older woman quite brilliantly turned out in a posh and tailored black coat (definite retro feel) and matching shoes, taking her walk near Frick Park. Just loved her look....

Second, Lilliana likes to grab flowers on our many Trader Joe's runs, and... today picked out some droopy sunflower-ish blooms that we will refresh in our many vases indoors. Good idea - I should listen to my kids more ;-).

Finally, if you are driving and have to slam on your brakes and stop short (groceries spilling everywhere) and then yell, "I can't freakin' believe this!", your two year old will do the same - intonation correct, gestures dead-on, but... "look" definitely much cuter. Let's hope she doesn't repeat anything...

Photo: Dancin'!!! What else?