Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

family

Things I’d like to Bottle-Up Forever


As I sit sipping a coffee and enjoying some mellow time on a Saturday morning, I take in a deep breath and recall how much I have craved this — and for so long, it seems. The kids, now 9 and 3 1/2, are so much more independent and are happy doing their own thing until we leave for Stella’s drawing class at 9:30 this morning. The days of early wake-ups and diapers to change are now in the past.

And knowing that they are in the past, makes me recognize that some of my most cherished things today will soon be a yesterday. From the daily pleasures of parenthood, these are the things I’d like to bottle-up forever:

  • How Max, who is 3, will run downstairs if he notices that I am in the laundry and chant, “I help? I help!”
  • How Max says “Aw-wright” instead of “Alright.” I can’t even bear to correct him, it is just that cute.
  • How Stella, who is 9, will get Max some breakfast in the morning and even put his potty seat on the toilet for him.
  • How when I come home from work, both kids rush out to greet me with hugs and “Hi Mom!”
  • How Stella has decided that she will be an artist and go to the same university that I went to, in the hopes of staying in the same dorm building.
  • How Max has the most adorable dimples right above his bottom.
  • How Stella shares all her feelings so frankly with us.

I know these things will change with time. So I record them here, and hope it helps me remember them forever.


living
family

Sundays are just so lovely, aren’t they?



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family
travel

Smuggs — here we come!


Our family didn’t downhill when I was growing up, nor did Hubby’s. We’d like to introduce the kids to downhill while they’re still young. You know … before that fear factor sets in. Fear stops a lot of people from doing a lot of things. But when you start young, or at least have a little introduction to something when you’re young, it always seems to make a difference. Like learning to swim as a kid versus an adult, or a new language, or sport — you name it. Our adult minds can put so many barriers in front of things that youthful zeal simply doesn’t allow for.

A budding nordic John Travolta.

I don’t even really care for downhill skiing though. It’s just an experience that I’d like my children to have. But when you visit a ski resort for a weekend, it is a HOLIDAY! And I love holidays. So I am so excited that we’re going to visit Smuggler’s Notch, or “Smuggs,” as it’s often called.

I’ve heard about Smuggler’s for ages and the thing that really caught my attention was the stellar reputation of their kids’ programs. The resort has invited my family to visit for a three-night stay this winter season. To help us learn more about the resort and plan our stay, we were sent a package, which arrived this weekend.

Wow, this is no ski hill and a few restaurants. This is like a winter Disneyland — there is so much to do!

We watched the DVD that came in the package on Sunday evening. Stella, who’s nine, is particularly excited about the zipline and the arts & crafts programs. Max, who’s three, is interested in the skiing with other children. And Hubby, who is snow-crazy, is excited that not only can he ski and snowboard, but he can also go ice-climbing.

As for me, I’m looking forward to having a proper ski lesson (normally I just point my skiis straight ahead and hold my breath down the green hills!) and taking part in a guided snow-shoe trek. But I’m also hoping that if the kids’ programs are as great as they are reputed to be, that I can grab a bit of “me time” while we’re there as well. Is that so wrong?


living
family

What is the appropriate way to celebrate 15 years of marriage?


Last week, Hubby and I passed a pretty major milestone — 15 years of marriage.

When we celebrated our first anniversary, we went to a bed and breakfast in Kingston. Although it sounds peaceful and romantic, and that was certainly the intention, it really wasn’t. A couple staying above us came in really late and made a whole lot of racket laughing and stumbling around drunk, which was followed by some other, ahem, “noises” that kept us up half the night.

But after that first anniversary, it all starts to get fuzzy and mostly involves me forgetting what the actual date was in January (thank goodness Hubby had the date engraved on his ring or we’d never remember!). We did, however, manage to pull out all the stops for our 10th anniversary. Hubby asked whether I’d like a special piece of jewelry or a trip. I said “trip!” And off to Cuba the three of us went (Stella was 5). We had a fabulous time!

Now, it’s 15 years. That’s a biggie sort of anniversary, isn’t it? In the morning, Hubby gave me this beautiful card:

I looked up what the traditional gift is supposed to be for year #15 and this is what I found:

“Crystal is the primary material for the fifteenth anniversary with glass as the modern material and watches as the alternate modern choice. Beautiful crystal jewelry, crystal flowers, or a figurine would make a nice gift. The crystal anniversary is also a great opportunity to invest in a feature piece of decorative crystal or art glass for your home.”

So in case Hubby was feeling a bit lost, there is some definite clear guidance out there on what is considered the appropriate gift for celebrating a 15th wedding anniversary. Being a man of unique tastes, he instead opted to give me this. He explained that this gift, with its ability to increase the effectiveness of our interpersonal communications, could certainly get us through the next 15 years.

What can I say? The man is genius. GENUIS! I tell ya.

Happy anniversary baby! xoxo


living
family

The Homemade Gift


Us busy folks just love a homemade anything, don’t we? Marketers, of course, know this and like to use the word to advertise their wares any chance they get. But the truly homemade gift is a special thing indeed.

Some of the most cherished homemade gifts I’ve received include a quilt from my mother-in-law for each bed in the house, a quilt from my special Aussie girlfriend Nat, and a scrapbooked collage from my mom. As for gifts from Hubby, I can’t even list the number of homemade gifts he’s made for me over the years. He is crazy-talented and I’ve received everything from jewelry, decorative boxes, and artwork to a cedar-strip canoe and a bed!

This year for Christmas, I was fortunate enough to receive two homemade gifts. The first was a painting by my father. Hubby and I are beyond thrilled with this since it’s the first painting that he’s painted especially for us. And the second is this very groovy tote from my sister and brother-in-law. Check it out! (You know it’ll be on my arm at the next BlogHer or Blissdom, don’t you!)

On the front is the image that represents the age-old saying: “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

And on the back, you can see that the tote has been customized for the blog! Here is a close-up shot:

They also gave me a cookie-mix in a jar. I’m glad it looks pretty in the jar on my shelf since, well, I don’t bake or cook. But it’s the thought that counts, right? ;)

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