Beware

I'm not back... just offering a quick fyi to you locals...

Worth a read... some attempted lurings of kids at bus stops, etc. in the city and 'burbs. Police are taking it seriously enough to meet on it. Scary - particularly with Halloween on the way and kids running around at night.

Photo: Olivia's end of season field hockey party last night (which I DID attend to repay the injustice of not being able to chaperone the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre trip with her class on Friday).... Lil hangs with the girls (and Milo ran around the room while Daddy chased him, unfortunately, not before he disrupted the entire presentation - Enzo ate pizza and said he was tired - oh well, at least no one was screaming at me for picking the wrong jacket for them to wear or for putting the straw in the vanilla milk before I handed it to them and other SUCH horrible mommy mistakes, right? ALL I usually hear lately is screaming, fighting, hitting, toys being thrown, me being told I am a "bad mommy" - frustrating, so..... it was very nice to just have to sit and / or chase and / or keep chairs from toppling and / or make them eat what they took from the buffet, without benefit of plate, washed hands or silverware - ALL without risking life and limb or having to lose my voice trying to shout over the raised voices and cracking bones that I experience at home - and I have had a recent bloody nose and chin bruise trying to bust up a couple scuffles - not to mention the lingering cough and sore throat that is either aggravated by or prolonged by the constant reprimanding. Who knew kids could be this scary at times? Oh well - it is Halloween, right?).

Go Team!

ALL the Edgewood soccer teams played well today. Beautiful weather for it, and... man - do those kids know what they're doing or what?!?! Nice job, all (coaches too ;-).

A bunch o' stuff.....

Today is what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday..... a lot of celebrations going on all over the world to celebrate. So sad, all these years later, that he is gone. I remember the night it happened. I was young, but... a serious dancer who often had class until very late. On this night, I had showered, put on my candy cane striped PJs with feet and got into bed. I had my radio on and heard that John Lennon had been shot. I knew my Mom liked him and the Beatles, so I kept listening.... And... minutes later, they reported that he died. My Mom came into my room to make sure that I was going to bed (so late on a school night), and she told me again what happened. She was shocked.

And... I don't want to be morose and sad today, but when it's time to remember people. it's time to remember them. Here is the eulogy for Carl Schneider - delivered by a kayaking buddy. It is lovely - definitely worth a read. Many a tear shed for Signore Schneider this past week... now the long recovery begins.

Beautiful day - jealous of the neighbors who went pumpkin picking (you know who you are :-) - happy that I got to see Olivia play a fierce field hockey game and then have dinner with all my lovelies right after - grateful that Enzo won his soccer game this morning and that it seems to mean something to him now to play hard, to feel good about a sport - happy to see Milo coming into his own with playmates, activities and sports - love, love, love heading out each Sat morning to ballet class again, albeit my Lil's :-).

Have a great long weekend, all. Do you have plans? We have a spaghetti potluck dinner with new friends from kindergarten tomorrow (I am bringing fruit salad :-) - am trying to entice friends and neighbors into another autumn potluck, s'mores by the fire kinda evening - may try to take in a movie with hubby - definitely going to workout.... Should be good :-). Enjoy it all, guys AND.... keep me posted on plans - love to hear what everyone is up to!

Yep - here's what we did...

... instead of gymnastics and morning out today.... Play area at the mall, complete with Cokes and buttery pretzels. While there, I kept hearing parents of children who were similar in age to mine say, "Why don't you go and play with Mario and Rihanna?" And... I kept thinking - "WHO are Mario and Rihanna?" Turns out... they were my kids (Milo and Lilliana) - Milo introducing himself as "Mario the Superhero" (like in the Mario Bros. Wii game) and, of course, introducing his little sister to all his new playmates, whose name he says as "Wee-anna", so...... Oh well :-). Happy day, all.

Oh - and, btw, I hear tell that the iPhone going to Verizon rumors are a'swirlin' again. You guys can thank me. I am the fate-tempter. Every time I hold out for something so that my life can stay even-keel (and, let's face it, us OCD types do like routine - regular - the "that's what we did 13 years ago, so... that's what we'll do today" type stuff), the opposite happens / holds true. So.... Verizon Wireless was my "regular", despite a rocky roller coaster of a relationship for all those years; it would only follow suit, then, that after I dump and go A T & T, they (Apple) go VW. It's like people are watching me.... Anyway... as the article says.... "we'll see" ;-).

Enough from me.... Time to go clean the van (I think one of the carseats may be moldy - my kids are "spillers" - always something wet or sticky in there - wee ones will help me - I mean, how much damage can two kids with some Green Works All Purpose Cleaner do? Hmmm... maybe we'll just go recycle all our paper - sounds safer ;-), pick up the kindergartner and text the high schooler to see if I need to take her home from field hockey tonight (varsity only - slim chance she'll play in tonight's game).

Field Hockey Practice

Ok - this was literally seconds before I was almost beaned with a field hockey ball as Olivia and friends fooled arou... I mean .... practiced passing :-) last night on Winchester Thurston's field.

Stay healthy, everyone. I have something horrible - have coughed until my chest hurts - throat also killing me - had low grade fever that broke during the night ... Yuk. I coughed and coughed all through Top Chef Just Desserts last night (which, btw, was a wild ride....) - sent in a Whole Foods quiche for teacher breakfast today... just couldn't bring myself to bake or cook last night (also did not want to cough into it :-).

Pretty day today.

In closing, here's a little story on a Peruvian writer (hubby was born in Lima) who just won the Nobel Prize for literature - interesting man.

Some goooood food, a "crawl" down Penn and GO, OLIVIA!

First of all, BIG congrats to Olivia for getting her JV field hockey team's FIRST goal (all season) last night (they are all new to the sport and are playing some experienced teams). They tied the game, 1 - 1, but..... GO OLIVIA!! Nice work.

So ... after the big victory and late night Oakland Catholic pick-up, hubby and I headed out to First Fridays on Penn, which I was under the impression was a small event - only a couple of businesses participating, but.... it is huge - blocks and blocks of fun. We were at The Cotton Factory most of the night, listening to a super cool '80s New Wave DJ, drinking beer from plastic cups and perusing the diverse selection of t-shirts (I spotted an olive green onesie for wee ones with a retro trike on it and the phrase "first love" - clever, cute - someone bought it before I did). Anyway, everyone from The Yoga Hive to Voluto Coffee to The Quiet Storm and Pageboy Salon and Boutique participates. Something for everyone.

On our way home, we stopped at the new restaurant, Salt, and had some appetizers and wine. Sitting at the kitchen bar, we met Chef Kevin and sampled a pork belly with pickled eggs, beets and greens on the house (nice guy, Kevin - seriously - happy to talk about his food, his kitchen, his neighborhood) - ordered some brioche with a perfectly poached egg, crab and spicy sauce - oggled the other entrees (duck, octopus, beef short ribs, eggplant) but weren't hungry enough to partake (did toy with getting some chocolate or hazelnut pudding for a quick sweet bite, but... time was getting away from us - this was not a planned "stop in", and... as is the case lately, we are not spontaneous people anymore). Nice place. Interesting crowd. Menu is on a chalk wall and changes every few days. Entrees reasonably priced - anywhere from $10 - $23 or so - appetizers all around $8. Nice size portions - all very fresh. These guys are passionate about their food and their atmosphere (very nice -upscale feel - long communal tables - great lighting - huge windows that look out on Penn and right at Dance Alloy's building - beautiful kitchen and bar - and... there is a loft-like second floor). Go, go, go. We are definitely going back.

All in all, a good night, eh?

Photos: My view from my happy kitchen bar seat at Salt (of the Earth) - hubby's big plate of food ("second supper", as he called it, hobbit- style ;-), sent to Olivia to entice her to join us at one of these palate-expanding establishments one of these days :-) - and.... self-portrait on Penn....

Quick closing note: A large number of Fisher Price recalls recently (some popular toys). Info. here.

Olivia's first homecoming dance tonight. Wish us luck ;-).

Teenagers.... ugh....

So - after cleaning my teen's room for her (sooo much homework, Mommy) - fighting with her on meeting these boys she's going to the homecoming dances with before they go (we kinda / sorta know one - the family of the other) - dealing with her snarky / turn her nose up at ALL my dinners, lunches, etc. (the other day, she opened the refrigerator and told me that the herbs in the freezer "like, totally needed to be thrown away" - at which time, I firmly - like really firmly - let her know that, despite her dislike of all my food, I do cook daily with fresh herbs and have used and replaced the thyme numerous times, the dill was new, the basil was freshly picked and just frozen - same with the rosemary... blah blah blah - it was all FRESH - and that just because SHE didn't notice what I do and how I do it doesn't mean that I am a total slacker, bad housekeeper, give no attention to my kitchen type person - Sorry - waaaay digressing, but I know she is around families with children who are all older, and, therefore, self-sufficient and able to make their own mac and cheese, clean their rooms, etc. I have little ones and must seem harried and behind in everything all the time to her - pathetic as I schlump around in my sweats and flip flops, changing pull-ups, organizing kids clothes, giving baths to muddy preschoolers, slapping together tunafish sandwiches when I haven't had time to make dinner, ignoring my own haircuts, dentist appointments, etc. to make it all happen for them - her included. Oh well. BUT - I do feel bad when I snap like that.).

Anyway.... after having her ignore all our hiking, fishing and biking outings with family and having to hear about those her friends do participate in with their families or she participates in with their families - after taking special care to wash her uniform components to the point of hand washing, using delicate cycle and special detergent, staying up late to make sure I retrieve them in time to lay them flat all night, I have to hear that there is nothing to eat in the house (I keep a steady supply of her very specific food likes - deli meat and cheese, the buns she likes, frozen pizzas, her fave mac and cheese, salad dressing she likes, bell peppers or carrots that she does like and should eat more of, chocolate ice cream, fresh baked cookies, sesame sticks, hummus and pita, fitness bars and bottled water) and that she'll TRY to find something to eat (ignoring my pot roast, roast chicken, lasagne, etc.) - I also have to hear that I lost her uniform shirt and that she thinks it it like totally gross that she would have to wear the same one again tomorrow because the other is like totally gone (I found it in the laundry basket with the whites I did the other day and lugged up the stairs last night after everyone was in bed - having rotated another load out late evening) - and I have to get chastised and talked down to for suggesting a dress buying outing for homecoming later in the week because like they'll be totally gone by then and I wanted to go with my friend (who then ended up not going on Sat so my snarky teen lost interest - God forbid she should go with me alone - after all, I was the loser that no one EVER asked to a dance - I didn't even know that the corsage, guy's outfit, etc. had to be coordinated - embarrassing and sad but true - no one ever asked me to a dance aside from back in 7th grade when I wasn't allowed to go and little did I know that would be the first and last time - I have never worn a formal gown in my life - I have never been given a corsage or flowers for special event - again, in my life. Hang head in shame, fight those 20+ year old tears that have NEVER fallen for any of these injustices and never will, and... move on - though.... I would have loved it if my Mom wanted to shop with me - and she did sometimes, but... as a daughter, I was a disappointment despite trying so hard to be otherwise). Anyway .... I love my wee little kids - I love my teen - I love my hubby. I know they all return the sentiment, but... sometimes..... I feel like I'm letting them all down (though hubby - equally as tired these days and working like a dog lately himself) - running out of pizzas for quick pre-game dinners - folding but not getting to put away the laundry on a given day or even two - leaving some of the outside toys out when it rains, letting them get dirty or leaf-covered - NOT being able to make it to Target, the grocery store, the shoe store and Steak n Shake in less than an hour - daring to mention that I want to watch one show on TV a week without being interrupted. How dare I schedule flu shots for everyone - how dare I get tired - how dare I even suggest that the sneakers I just bought two months ago are fine for another sports season?!?! In my reasonable mind, I know that I am doing my best - in that part of my brain that suspects that I might be a sub-standard housekeeper, cook, chauffeur and all-around Mom, I let it get to me.

Tonight, I will wait for hubby to get home at 5 (way early for him) - I will have the boys dressed for soccer practice (and hubby will gladly take them there) - I will have everyone fed - I will have all bath components laid out for later when I might not be here later in the evening - I will have Lil suited up and ready to go (jacket, sippy cup, extra pull-ups, etc.) - I will have all school stuff ready for tomorrow for EVERYBODY (photo order forms, uniforms, back packs, etc.) - and I will drive nearly an hour to watch Olivia play field hockey (having sent money for lunch and dinner since she would be boarding the team bus again - carefully washed and folded everything she needed for today - had hubby drive her to the bus stop with school project in hand....), and I will bring her home early if she wants me to so that she can work done - or I will stay and watch her varsity team mates if that's what she wants me to do (and a quick thank you to those who help me get all this done - carpooling or whatever). I am proud of her - I want her to be happy and successful. And .... I am doing my "job" - I am mostly enjoying it - and, like many of you, I am also fighting the lack of confidence and / or the functioning in the vacuum that - A. prompted me to start this blog a few years ago, and B. allows me to vent and get advice from my peeps (you guys). Rock on, Moms - we do what we do well. Think on that today (and ignore my rantings OR use them to gain your own perspective.... ALL GOOD, right?).

So .... like I said - apologies for the doom and gloom. To redeem myself, here is a link on how vaccines do not appear to lead to autism (increasing evidence as such has been mounting lately, as you know). Encouraging news. Little ones fighting - I just heard a crash - have been summoned for more food and drink despite just fetching the same 15 min ago - I am not dressed..... Gotta go.

Photo: Me - in Olivia's room (hey - I'm like totally in your room. Nah na na na NAH NAH).

Queen of the Race

Scenes from the Run Around the Square - Regent Sq. this morning..... My little ones ran the 1.5 mile with me and hubby (Olivia ran last year - this year was with friends for a birthday sleepover). Enzo ran way ahead of me - Milo had a leg cramp but showed incredible stamina - would not stop - kept on a nice running pace (they were tiring me out at first ;-). Lil actually walked quite a bit with Daddy - only got in and out of stroller a couple of times.

Random summer photo montage...

Enjoy your day! Still time to swim, eat popsicles, catch lightening bugs, stay up late, wear flip flops, bbq on the deck, lay in the sun....

Me? I will be getting my hair cut, dyed, highlighted - i.e. I will be relaxing and pampering (for the morning anyway) - thanks hubby!

Camp and coffee time....

OK - so Olivia is at her beloved Camp Calvary. When she went to board the bus yesterday, Enzo clung to her and fought tears. Milo and Lil were too busy being cute for other adults and walking the curb like it was a balance beam, but Enzo... he was sad :-(. I promised him we would write to her - we waved - then went to do some photos for our new biz venture - had lunch - played with the neighbors once home (one buddy back from a month away :-). Anyway - every night, the camp posts photos of the campers, so.... here are some images of the "welcome" festivities here.

And.... I LOVE iced coffee - was intrigued by the post on the Serious Eats blog today regarding a cup of buttery, dessert-like iced coffee in New Orleans, BUT was overjoyed to see a url at the close of the post where I could purchase and, apparently, duplicate this liquid love ;-). Maybe we should all give it a try.

Lastly (is that a word?), I have been reading, posting comments, digesting feedback and doing further research on the "free range parenting" concept and blog (see my blog list - definitely always worth a read there). I am torn - fully agree with some premises - appalled at the single-mindedness and flippancy of others. I am working on a post that will, hopefully, generate some feedback from you guys - though... I may wait until the close of summer, knowing that many of you, my blogger pals, are taking a little break currently (L, "story", RH and others).

Photo: Lil and Enzo play with the castle that Enzo and I made at a Pittsburgh Center for the Arts class waaay back before Lil was born. Daddy made a dragon to match with him (it was a week-long parent and me class, which I would highly recommend). Thinking on that summer so long ago because we took photos yesterday on the grounds there.... may do a picnic there this week.. the kids love to hang with the dogs that walk there - throw balls for them, etc.

Oh... and one more recommendation. Yesterday, baked some organic, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for family friends. Because the kids wanted to help, I copped out a bit and did a mix (don't want too much salt or vanilla or something going into treats for someone else... and my kids can't resist my little salt pinch pot on the counter...), but... used the Cherrybrook KItchen mix that you can get at Giant Eagle's Market District or Whole Foods, and it is great (my picky Olivia calls them the best mix cookies ever). Try them.

Happy day, all. Lil and I are looking at pictures of "prince-nesses" (princesses). She loves them. Go figure. Lots to do, actually. My house is over 100 years old and, therefore, always a work in progress, and it is filled with 4 busy kids and 2 parents who are restless creatives with all sorts of projects in the queue, including photo collages, kids clothing designs, a family cookbook not to mention painting (my bedroom - a sanctuary for a couple of weeks once we kicked the boys out for good - is now covered with splotches of paint on the walls as we plot our color - lovely), herb gardening, furniture rearranging ....

Nice job, Edgewood Eels!!!

Olivia and both of her relay teams made the FINALS at the swim team championships today. Here is Race 1. Congrats to everyone who did well today; I hear everyone had a great time (can hear Big Daddy M and others cheering in the background here :-).

Soooo hot....

So to beat the heat, we did partake in the swimming at the swim team banquet last night. Milo swam to our family friend, Olivia B, from the side of the pool to the middle for the first time (BIG deal - usually, it's the other way around... he is trying to make it to the side, but.... last night, felt confident enough to take off on his own and swim with the "big kids"). Enzo actually got brave and swam with the big kids too. I have this image in my head of his sweet little face, smiling and excited as our Olivia went to get him to play. Flattered for a while AND enjoying the fun, Enzo did soon decide to head back to shallow waters and did tell me that "the Olivias" did something "dangerous" - they threw him to deeper water. Such a cautious guy :-). By contrast, Milo noticed the diving board and wanted to go off (and, for some reason, I almost mentioned it to him last night, but, again, he noticed it on his own). So he jumped tentatively a few times to Daddy, who waited in the 10 ft. to make sure he could get to the side. Then, some kid did a flip, and... that was it... he did one too - then another - and another - and another (and, again, I am reminded of me as a kid... when he does stuff like this, my Mom always says he is the male version of me at that age, and..... I do remember being a bit daring ;-). Of course, for all of this, I did NOT have my video camera OR my Nikon. Trying to enjoy the evening, so..... all good.

Lil went in the water too, but she and I spent some time playing Mommy and Baby Duck at the baby pool (her invention). She ate well - enjoyed everyone's company.... In fact, we all did - nice to hang with friends again. Late night, it was steamy in this house, but it was fun anticipating the championship meet - coordinating rides with friends on the phone - hanging my wet stuff on the deck - listening for the familiar sound of the "swim team fairies" (teenagers in SUVs) who leave bags of treats for all the swimmers on porches late night before the big meet (listening to my friends tell me how their little ones were excited for the treat bags had me thinking back to Olivia's early days as well when such occurrences were like exciting magic - now, of course, no big deal). You know, usually such phone coordination is a drag - the wet stuff overwhelms me - the heat irritates me - but.... was feeling festive and part of a community again last night. A good feeling :-).

So ... Olivia off to championships. I will join her later. We have to squeeze in a b-day party, figure out why the fish tank is murky again and why it is leaking, hang some darker curtains in the boys' room.... all that "stuff".

Have a productive and fun weekend. Do something to stay out of the heat .... it's pretty sticky and nasty (yesterday, we went to the library, got ice cream and ran some errands - that seemed to help - saw many pool pals doing the same thing :-) - hubby and I trying to get away to just a simple movie at some point this weekend).

Photos: A swim meet a week or so ago. All the usual suspects.... AND got big sis giving lil' sis a hug. Awwwww....

Off I go to watch Sat am cartoons and eat cornflakes with Enzo (only one up - little ones up all night bothered by heat - will sleep FOREVER today).

Morning House

So this post isn't done during the wee hours, though.... I was up again - just able to get back to sleep this time.... Again, thanks all - your suggestions are really hitting home in that I guess I often don't view insomnia as a big problem, having been sleepless and dragging with babies up all hours or toddlers teething, preschoolers putting off bedtime, etc. for the past few years - AND having dealt with insomnia my whole life off and on (albeit without a family to take care of). Now, however, with some additional "stuff" on my mind, I'm finding that I need my sleep to handle the kid-related nighttime surprises along with all the daily stuff - all our sports and activities - my new amped up workout schedule - my writing - my cooking - my new biz venture currently in the works, etc. I need to finally DO something about it. I think I'll try the "routine" sent to me by a long ago friend with whom I have recently reconnected. His plan seems to make the most sense and may be a longtime "cure". I'll implement then share with all of you (though, again, thanks for all the emails, FB msgs and face to face advice).

Anyway - sharing some images of my morning house today. I am foggy lately - feeling like the clean house we had ready for our houseguests a few days ago has gone way messy again and I am in desperate need of a grocery outing (I think two of my kids just had M & Ms for breakfast ;-)... PLUS I am so sleepy and shaky all the time that I'm spilling sugar, coffee, pasta, soup, etc. all over the floor and counter, breaking things like my favorite retro butter dish (I mean shattered it - along with a mug, a terra cotta pot, etc.).... gotta get back on track.

So... sleepless in Pitt is signing off again but not without mentioning that Men who Stare at Goats is a bizarre movie (love everyone in it, though - Jeff Bridges who really does have shaman-like qualities, Ewan MacGregor who I have loved forever and George Clooney who just cracks me up). Followed that last night by Weird Science. Gotta love that ;-).

Edgewood Eels won their swim meet last night (and Olivia brought home two first place blue ribbons - one for individual - one for a relay - as did many of her friends / teammates). We took all the kids - I filmed Olivia swimming like a jet - got some footage of the wee ones in the baby pool with their funny goggles on (in fact, I missed a great end of the lane perspective video of Olivia to take the opportunity to show Enzo how she and other people he knows swim in "races", as he calls them - I think he wants to swim next year! Just like big sis Olivia, and... just like mommy years ago :-). The long walk around our little 'hood to get to our car - sitting outside the club, backpack on, kids all around me, waving to friends as they drove by on their way home, all of us happy after an evening eating bbq and pizza, watching our swimmers and chatting all night long was JUST GREAT. I do love my life.

OK - brain fry..... I'm beginning to not make sense plus I'm hearing "mommy" every five seconds from my wild bunch. Have a good day, all!

Warrior Girls

For the lacrosse tournament pictured here, the girls wanted their hair braided so they would look more fierce. They played hard this season. I will miss East End Lacrosse :-(.

Boys off to respective camps (Enzo will hike today - Milo has water play) - Lil eating salad for breakfast (couldn't resist when she saw me make one for Enzo's lunch) - trying to squeeze in workout with hubby, chocolates / coffee with he and Lil and swim team pick-up for the "warrior girl" (who hung out at Sandcastle waterpark ALL DAY yesterday - what a life - though I do not envy "boot camp" right now ;-). Took the kids for ice cream last night where Enzo decided he liked my yogurt shake better than his bowl of chocolate ice cream :-), and Lilliana carried Olivia's old American Girl Bitty Baby in the car carrier with her the whole time (Milo was wild boy into the wee hours - watched Top Chef with us on the "big bed" later). All good.

A good day.

And this is what we all strive for, eh? In my last post, I made some comments in passing about making friends, finding your place among people, deciding your path, and... I would be interested to hear some stories on how we all, at this stage in our lives - sisters, mothers, wives - whatever - have overcome our obstacles to move forward and redeem ourselves, fix the past, learn to live with difficult people, learned how to make friends, figured out how to forgive and even figure out how to connect and reach out to others who need it. Anyway.... I'll work on a post and see what happens.

Today.... so "go USA!". They beat Algeria in the World Cup game and will be moving on as head of their group ahead of England (I believe they play Ghana next - on Friday? Will check...), and... Slovenia (sorry Cleveland and my many relatives) is out. Hubby went to Piper's Pub today to watch the game at 9:30 am, and it was packed! He ended up at Fathead's - still packed, but... he made a new friend, had a bite to eat and watched the game among some appropriately rowdy fans. Good for him - glad he had fun.

Me? I was at the pool enjoying the companionship of many women from my kids' school and beyond (friends of friends) - conversation, sunburn, bottled water and kid snacks. We discussed everything from the best swimmy wings to movies to what to make for dinner, and it was cool (plus, we stayed so long that hubby actually showed up end of day to hang out). I do like how this life of mine is turning out. Lil Lil bumped her mouth on the way out of the pool (big ouch - glad her 30 mo. check-up is tomorrow, and.... yeah - they do those now - between 2 and 3 years - this is new since Milo was younger... plus she has some hives that I want them to look at - mosquito bites or sunscreen allergy? Hmmm....), but... enjoyed the attention of many older girls today. Enzo is swimming underwater again (hooray), and Milo is actually interested in tennis. Double hooray (he is becoming more social - my grand plan for a lot of this). Sore from "boot camp", Olivia baked cookies with her "bestie". Yin and yang - like I always say.... though admit - I sometimes forget the ebb and flow of life and get stuck in a rut.

So - how 'bout this Wimbledon game that won't end. 10 hours! And so it will continue tomorrow....

Speaking of tomorrow ... we have to be at tennis and orthodontist at the same time - enjoy a lovely playdate at the new Little Outback kids area and cafe in Sq. Hill (thank you, E - great suggestion - NEED some downtime - fun place for kids - coffee, kosher sandwiches, etc. for parents) - be at a well check-up, swim team photos and boot camp at the same time THEN hit the swim meet later. All in a day... it'll be fine :-) - though I am getting a little jealous of hubby and Olivia and their regular workouts - mine got bumped today and, for the life of me, don't know how to squeeze one in tomorrow (and I can't even describe the state of my house right now - piles of laundry that would do my friend, Kim's "Mt Laundry" in her house, proud - unmade bed this am - dishes piled in sink - toys scattered about.... ugh).

Top Chef tonight. I'm ready. Are you?

Photos: My crazy family and.... one of Lil (since she appears to be left out of the other one).

End of the day.

One kid in shower - two in the bathtub - one at sports boot camp. Everyone fed. I'm not showered (or fed). Preparing movie and popcorn now after a long day out in the sun. Pool, tennis, running around with friends, riding bikes. What a day. Play date tomorrow plus the swim team, tennis drill in the am. Plan to squeeze in a workout. All good. What IS for dinner tonight anyway? Hubby on his way home.....

Keep in mind, I write this amid chaos. As we left this morning, we only got a portion of the breakfast dishes done - the kids pajamas hang on the banister - discarded tennis rackets litter the foyer - Lilliana brings every single toy from her bedroom down the stairs and... well... wherever she put them, that's where they stayed - I kicked my own flip flops off under my desk earlier as I bolted out of the house - the video camera that I was looking at (my b-day gift) is dismantled on my desk (I had 5 min. to look at it this am) - in the midst of looking for Enzo's school tennis medal (he was asking - horrified, I realized I did NOT know where it was), I rummaged through all the "filed" school papers in the dining room, creating a horrible mess (not to mention the piles of new high school forms and kindergarten stuff for the fall already lying there)... Basically, where it all sat this morning, it still sits. When the kids get home from the pool or school or whatever - they bolt 9,000 mph out the door looking for friends, a bike to ride, a walk to take, a bug to examine, and... I am, of course, right behind them.... Nothing gets done, but... well... the bugs, the walk, etc.

Happy evening hours, all!

Throwing in the towel....

So - today - rejuvenated by the fact that "things" are going well this summer (having the kids in tennis and swimming lessons and semi-hanging out on their own a bit has done wonders for my interaction with others at the club - still have kids bucking for the "clinginess" championships, but... am doing a bit better - can chat a little - sit a bit - have not done either in years - so even being on the fringes of inclusion feels good), I packed a nutritious lunch (had forgotten that Enzo did not have tennis today, but... got all ready bright and early so hit Trader Joe's instead and had some fun one on one with my little E), got all the towels, bathing suits, sunblock, changes of clothes, water for hydrating, etc. ready - and packed up the car with me and ALL kids (Olivia included - and she NEVER wants to hang with me) and headed to Milo's swimming lesson at the club, planning and looking forward to staying all day. Then - things got odd.

My cell phone wasn't working and neither was Olivia's (love you, Verizon Wireless). Once that problem was solved, Lil wanted to join the swimming class again and cried when she was told she was too young. Enzo suddenly said he didn't feel good (even gagged a little) - refused food, refused to get in the water, wanted to go home (and I suspect it is, once again, because he doesn't want to use the restroom at the club and, therefore, created some stomach issues for himself - frustrating - happens every few days). Milo was ready to eat then hit the pool after his lesson but got cranky when he and Lilliana fought over the Coke that I reluctantly got to settle Enzo's stomach. Hubby called to tell me that he would not make it home early and would not be able to work out with me late day (too busy). Soon after, I discovered that, once again, members of our family planned a fun Florida trip without us and, further, were trying to keep it top secret. Awesome. Heartbreaking in that my kids were upset a bit about that news.

Anyway, headed out to the van, hot and frustrated, crying / fighting kids in tow. Did run into some people who said - "stay - we'll help", but I was embarassed and just wanted to leave. In hindsight, I should have stayed and taken them up on the offer. I wanted to have a day with Olivia, and I wanted to sit in the sun, chat with friends, watch my kids enjoy the pool like they did the other day (friends and water and sun - the stuff that memories are made of - really, should I have to convince my little ones of that fact? Lil seems to get it - why are my boys so fickle?).

I do have to learn to accept help - develop deeper friendships. It's not the way I was raised (in fact, such "craziness" was discouraged - my Mom preferred to choose what we did, who we hung out with, how close we got....), so... I will have to work on it. I vow to do so. If I would have opened up and accepted the help of friends today, I would have had a much better go of it.

So.... we got gas in the car, ran a quick errand and came home to air conditioning and movie. They are fine now - in fact, when they saw some friends walking in, wanted to go back. Too much. I should have stuck it out, ignored everyone else having fun, dealt with the whining and waited to see what would happen. But... with Enzo almost throwing up and ready to poop his pants - Milo fighting - and Lil insisting on the big pool by herself, it just got to be too much.

I'll admit it, too. I did get a little teary - watching everyone else's kids swim, throwing my carefully packed lunch out on the way home (out of anger and frustration - my mantra should be - "don't react" - "don't react" ...), dressing the kids in the hot, cramped car so they don't get their carseats soggy with their wet bathing suits (I just couldn't deal with locker room).

Alone again. Looks like a house cleaning, photo organizing, laundry folding kind of day :-(.

Oh - and one thing of value before I go.... I do have kids who like Spaghettios (sp? - and yuck), so.... got a message from Giant Eagle about a recall. Read here. And.... this. Are you kidding me? Spain's loss in the recent World cup game blamed on goalie's girlfriend!?!? Whatever.... US plays / played ???? today. Updates later....

Have a good weekend everyone! Olivia is trying field hockey tomorrow - it's my birthday - and.... Father's Day, so.... wish us luck ;-)!!!

A couple o' things .....

First of all, thanks to all of you who have responded to my pleas for help regarding my plans to make my kids more self-sufficient. I wanted to share with you some information provided to me by a good friend (thanks SBC - always good with the dead-on referrals), but..... when I Googled "good enough mother" (the info. I was given), you would be surprised to see / hear / read all the interesting and valuable (and varied info) that came up from blogs to books to psychiatry.... Apparently, many of us wonder about that very thing. So... I will share what I research (and I will clarify what I'm supposed to be looking for - I am not the world's most focused person these days) and get back to you. A whole new world....(and just in time as my sweet Enzo - eager and happy tennis player this morning - became kid who won't apologize to wronged friend and child who now kicks and scratches at unsuspecting mommy a la toddler tantrum... way upsetting on a 5 yr old).

Also, check out Design Mom (see my blog list) for input / ideas / queries on digital storage from anything like bank statements to photos. How do you guys roll? I do a little of both (and, in fact, commented on her blog), but... currently the photos have me overwhelmed as do keeping the utility bills and statements organized (hubby and I don't want to pay twice in the same week, but we do not want to miss a payment either - so... who's keeping track?).

One more blog to check today..... Random House (see my list!) for a fab - thorough, uniquely relayed - review on The Tim Burton / Johnny Depp, Alice in Wonderland (who woulda thought that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would find a home for a song entitled "Heads will Roll" :-).

In keeping with quick summer, pull it together fast for the family recipes (i.e. kids might eat...) recipes, here is a sloppy joe recipe from Bobby Flay (Throwdown style). I have some buns to use up today and might give it a whirl (I hate wasting food and groceries - plus I'm on this "make it easy" kick, and last night, made the bbq sauce base, so... in my household where dinner is expected warm and on the table every night, and... when the limited amt. of time I do have to cook is interrupted by constant fighting and requests for snacks and juice, having dinner partway done is HUGE for me - speaking of not wasting food .... anyone have a good root veggie recipe? I have some to use up....).

Went to Whole Foods today, and... have to say - prices were lower - my bill seemed reasonable, and.... I got a variety of stuff - veggie entries, deli, produce, 360 degrees brand stuff, paper products..... Competitive and LOWER prices always good.

Tonight, Edgewood swims against Meadowink (a worthy and talented rival).
Go Edgewood Eels!

Last night - watched Shutter Island, which came out around the time the supposedly much better thriller, Ghostwriter (with Ewan Macgregor) came out, but... it wasn't on On Demand, so.... watched the former (and I love everyone in it - Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Rufallo, Ben Kingsley - of course, directed by Martin Scorcese...). Anyway.... parents beware; I didn't realize the premise and / or one of the storylines was so disturbing (in that anyone with young children will be upset... some hard to watch moments).

Lastly - all you private / Catholic school parents .... important EITC message below.... along with ACTION ITEMS - please read:

State lawmakers are supposed to pass a balanced budget before June 30. There is an anticipated $1.1 billion shortfall, so many cuts are being considered.

One cut under consideration is E.I.T.C. A column on page 4 of this past weekend's Pgh. Catholic does some very enlightening math.

"All students in Pennsylvania must go to school. 44,000 students receive EITC scholarships to attend a non-public school. It costs the taxpayers about $12,083 per year to educate a student in public school. Therefore: If all 44,00 students lose their EITC scholarships and return to public schools, then the taxpayers will have to pay an additional $531.6 million per year in local school taxes.........Cutting a successful educational program like EITC that saves local taxpayers does not add up."

Even just a partial cut, puts $12,083 additional cost per student onto the tax roles.

"Operation Restore is a statewide initiative to restore funding for EITC to $75 million. People all across the commonwealth need to speak up.......lawmakers should be asked to support the restoration of the $75 million for EITC."

Either contact your state rep and state senator on your own, OR, as the Pgh. Catholic suggests, for information, log onto www.operationrestorepa.org -- To look up your legislators' contact information, go to the PA Catholic Conference's www.pacatholic.org/current_issues/catholic-advocacy-network/ and lobby through there. (If you can't navigate that website, just contact them by phone, e-mail, or through their website.)

OK - so photo speaks for itself (gearing up for swim meet season - this was last year's championships), and... my two wee ones are beckoning (apparently, there is a major ice cream spill on the back deck - Remember my Milo and my Lil are the kids that, at dinnertime in the summer, I put an ear of corn in one hand, a hard roll in the other, put them in pull-ups and let them go feral - and I'm not even exaggerating for a moment on that....;-).

This is how we ALWAYS roll....

Milo's swimming lesson went well today - he did what he was told, and he seemed to enjoy it. Following the lesson, the older girls took my little ones as well as those of some of my friends for a little spin in the pool. It wasn't too crowded - black clouds looming apparently kept people away....

As you all know... I do complain about my life in a vacuum and have been a little freaked lately that I do not see anyone AT ALL. I mean - I do - but can only manage smalltalk before wild ones drag me away to a day lived with kids and no adults (I think I may drive my friend and neighbor a bit crazy with my constant chatter.... she has a baby who still naps and a child still in school, so.... I'm the last person she needs chatting her up all the time - thanks M ;-) - love all the sideyard chats about anything from food to Tina Fey to religion :-). Anyway - so nice to see some of you today. We share school, interests, activities, etc., and I feel like I don't TALK to you all at all. So .. this morning was nice (aside from my 2 year old and 5 year old raging at me for the baby pool not being open).

Oh - AND aside from the snack bar tantrums, the constant "I wanna go home" and Milo running naked poolside because he didn't want to change in the locker room, I REALLY did have a fun morning. Oh - and the "I want chicken" - "I don't like that chicken" debate - OR how 'bout the "I'm too cold; I want to go in the pool." - "I'm too cold; I want out of the pool" dichotomy? Needless to say, we did leave earlier than planned, but.... love, love, love the fact that I go to hang with pals a bit.

Tomorrow - I will try Enzo in the summer tennis league (he was a little burned out on his school instruction) - Milo will return for swimming lessons - Olivia for swim team (and, yes, O, I will get your new team suit, goggles and swim cap). Lil will hang with me and drink cold bevies and paddle the baby pool (she likes to collect all the rubber duckies).

Oh - and made my own bbq sauce tonight - ketchup, tomato paste, worchestershire sauce (that is soooo spelled wrong, isn't it?), soy sauce, cider vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic, chili pepper, brown sugar, lemon.... simmered it for half an hour or more and put it on chicken for a low fat, hearty dinner that everyone loved. High five to me...

Have become obsessed with Last Comic Standing... makes me laugh (and I like that one guy - Daryl from the office...... Craig Robinson?). Anyway - tonight - 8 pm - ish - ????

Photos: Me and Milo in what I like to call our "album cover" photo - and.... as I looked out the window of the boys room tonight, I saw bathing suits and towels on the deck railing - a water table with toys scattered about - bikes, etc. A few months ago, we were all snow, snow, snow (the hemlock out the window looked like a giant all snow covered!).

Banner Day

First of all... this is the first night in months - I wanna say years - that the boys have not invaded our bedroom and wanted to sleep there all night. They love the "big bed" (ours), as I've said before. NOW - they have their own big bed - a Queen size bed with bedding identical to ours, and.... a big white comforter - again, just like ours. We took most of the afternoon yesterday to rearrange their furniture, etc., and.... it looks great - I'll take some glamour shots and post later. We all slept in our own beds! Miracle. Truly. The little twin beds have been retired to the basement for a while. We broke out our snazzy, new bedding ,etc. for our own big bed. Ahhhh....

Also, Enzo put his head under water during swimming class yesterday (we're doing WHAT right now - though found myself yesterday talking up the JCC in Squirrel Hill for swimming lessons and more), and it appears he has a new friend - a little boy who wants to take class with him again. I may get all my kids to become swimmers yet this summer :-).

And... hubby and I went out last night like the old days (Olivia and friends, Caroline and yet another Olivia, fresh from ANOTHER graduation party, babysat :-). Rainy-ish night - restaurant hopping a bit ... appetizers and beers one place - dessert and coffee another....Talked a lot. We tried Dinette - had heard mixed reviews - some people love it - some people ... not so much. I have to say, I LOVE the idea (using local produce, etc. - informal atmosphere - high-end casual food), but... it is odd to find ONLY small salads or olive plates (and not very many AT ALL - 5 or 6 to choose from) and pizza on a menu - when the name and the premise suggests so much more. Pizza OK (very tasty but not over the top - though we did onion with mushroom, and I think I should have gone fresh ricotta with basil, etc. Next time... so see, there will be a next time, I think... just maybe when we're out again for late dinner or shopping...)- farro salad with avocado and a dressing with a little heat - great but small. Nice wine list (it does present as a wine bar as well - though... have to say... the food does not pair with or complement the wine very much....), offer still or sparkling water like in Europe (I used to get bitchy and irritated if I was only offered tap water here in the US - I know - pathetic... anyway...), OK beers (Yuengling in a can?).... I liked the atmosphere - great wait staff (complimented my funky glass bead necklace - attentive, casual) - friendly chefs (cook right in front of you - looks like wood oven behind them - kitchen very cool - glass walls, etc.). We then went to an old standby, Casbah (because we could walk easily), for dessert - sat on patio - ate chocolate bread pudding with creme anglaise and rubbarb tart with ginger ice cream - yummy (coconut milk panna cotta was a consideration as well.... like I said before... next time....).

Photo: Speaking of food..... Spunky Lil eats some of her favorites during a "Mommy and Me" night last year, late summer (getting sentimental with my photos lately - as I am prone to do ;-) - everyone else had something else to do, and .... it was just she and I - dinner, bath, walk, snuggle time. Nice.

And ... now that we're on food (a lot this post - wow)... remember The Next Food Network Star starts tonight at 9 pm, I believe - Food Network. Aaaaand.... this season, it is a good time to donate to your local Food Bank - school's out - daycare costs up - kids active for summer.... need food for families!

Have a nice Sunday (I think Olivia serves mass today for the last time ever... another passage..... so many this month :-) - sniff...).

Last minute retail tip: Up to 50% off and free shipping all week at Olive Juice. Summer kid stuff!!!