Inspiration Monday - I Love New York

Every year for Spring break the girls and I pile into the car and road trip it on down to the New York City area.  I have posted about this journey in May last year.

It is an epic trip filled with friends and family, subway rides, late nights and a Mommy (that's me!)  who likes to say "Yes!"  all week long.   "Mom, can we have new flip flops?"  "Yes you can!  And how about some cupcakes too!"   I have learned that we all need a break from the daily routine.  It is fun to be the mommy who says yes on vacation.  And let me tell you and brag a moment - my girls deserved every yes I served up.  They were fun, game for anything, and great traveling companions.

I never get to see everyone that I want.  It is hard to squeeze in everything we did in just a few days.  But we always come back.  Momma needs her New York City fix.

 Here's a sample of our week of "Yes!"

Nothing satisfies like a real diner.   Katie sees the world with Pancake glasses.

"Mommy, can I pour you some more wine?"  "Why, yes you can Sophie - and don't give any to that guy at the other table!"

Katie enjoys crunchy wantons as Sophie reads People Magazine

"Would you pour me some more wine please Sophie!"

The next day, Sophie contemplates what a silly lady her mother is.

No trip to New York is complete without some real frickin' pizza

Katie sees her future - and it is filled with hair products and gorgeousness
(we all got haircuts, but Katie looked the most glamourous during hers.)

I think this one may be the album cover

Or maybe Sophie picking Tupac's nose...

Inspiration Monday - Piles and Smiles

I am amazed at the constant acceleration that takes place in everyday life.  Some moments it feels like too much too fast and I get nothing done, and I feel nearly paralyzed by how much needs to happen. 

And then I have a moment like I’ve been in for the past week and I just want to ride this wave for as long as possible.   I feel strong and flexible.   I am accomplishing goals and having fun.  But I am smart enough to know I can’t take it ALL on.  I make choices each day, and I cannot do everything. 

I am happily having a moment where my domestic piles aren’t signs of failure, but just a task that I will eventually get done.  And they will eventually build up again.  These house chores are like the tides.  In and out.  Up and down.   Constant and always changing.

Here is our dining room table – overflowing with Easter baskets, school work, hairspray and clothes.  And for some reason, it makes me giggle.  

Maybe because it is so messy it is comical.  Maybe because I am not taking the mess so personally – like if I were a better housewife/mother/woman I wouldn’t keep my home in such a state.  Maybe because I look at it and I know today I have ideas to write, acting class to teach, dinner to make and an ice cream social to attend at school.  And all of those things take precedence over that table.  It is sign of action in my house.

I don’t view my mess with despair – it is showing that I am making choices today.  And cleaning is not one of them.

Inspiration Monday Medley

I skipped last week due to a bad case of writers block.  I just couldn’t cough up the smallest piece of writing.  It happens some weeks.  Oh well.  As one of the worst bosses I’ve ever had always said much to my annoyance, “Onwards and Upwards!”

Here are a few highlights that are keeping me smiling…

Last Friday was Colonial day in Sophie’s third grade.  Third grade has been studying life in Colonial times and her amazing teachers wanted to bring the understanding of this unit to an even deeper level.  So kids and teachers dressed in Colonial garb and were immersed in ye olde activities all day.  Parents were invited to volunteer and help out – in full costume off course.  Oh you know where I was all day Friday!  Instead of being called Missus Lazenby we used the name, “Goodwife Lazenby”  as was done in Colonial times.  So all day we stayed in character, saying things like, “Goodwife Fagan how may I help you with the children today.”  Or we would get silly and call each other hussies.  Dads volunteered too and it was amazing to see these guys, in full Colonial garb – I’m talking buckles on the shoes, hats and wigs, being a part of this celebration of learning.  We all stayed in full character, feeling proud to a part of such a successful day.  And calling each other “Goodwife” and “Goodman” never gets old.

Here is Sophie doing some cross stitch

My Christmas cactus is blooming again.  This plant was on its death bed (or death pot) a few years ago when the girls were itty bitty and the thought of taking care of yet one more living thing was too much.  My plants are grown from cuttings of my dad’s plants.  It made me sad to see them slowly dying of thirst.  But now it is blooming again – and it just massively bloomed at Christmastime! 

It just makes me happy to see these bright blooms.

This week our school does a huge fundraiser that has the same basic structure and idea as American Idol. (but without any criticism – we’re talking about kids and teachers here!)  It’s this big event at the high school and it features the graduating 5^th grade class singing and dancing to pop songs plus staff members doing the same -  in full costume as well.  Total Fun.  Well, since it is like American Idol, they also need judges up there – and I was asked to be one of the judges!  Super Duper Fun!  But wait, it gets better.  I have to be in character as one of the judges so…I am going to be…J Lo!!!  Aww yeah!   I get to do my best New Yawk Jenny from the Block accent, wear tons of glitter and make people laugh and have a good time – Woo Hoo!!!

 Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got - I'm still Stephie from the block