Lost in translation

This weekend we went to the "super park" (as a friend from work calls it). It is the mecca of all playgrounds.

My husband and I were playing with my son (he has just become a fan of slides). He was waiting patiently (who am I kidding. He was being held back by dad so that he didn't run over any other kids) his turn to go down the slide when a little girl got in line behind him. She was older than him, maybe by a couple of years and she had a stuffed dog.

My husband asked her what her dog's name was (trying to be friendly). She proudly told my husband the dog's name and my husband preceded to say, "Killer Bear"? The little girl said, no, trying to correct him - but again it sounded like "Killer Bear." (I know, you're thinking what child would ever name a dog Killer Bear - and even worse - what parent would think that is what a child would name her cute, cuddley stuffed dog. My only response is my husband of course.)

The girl tried to correct him, and then finally her mom came to the rescue - sharing that the dog's name was "Car-i-bel".

Close enough. The fun of being lost in translation.

Quote of the day, courtesy of my sister...

OK, my sister is in town from CA. We picked her up from the airport and here is the quote that resulted after we grabbed some dinner...

"Oh, Ethan - this is a gift from your favorite Aunt!"

Turns out... she didn't buy the toy. My husbandand I were the ones that bought the happy meal, hence the toy was purchased by us. Nice try sister!

Also, it was the wackiest toy ever - not something to be proud of. My son had the look of, "What the heck is this, are you kidding me?" on his face. Needless to say, it could have given him nightmares.

Quote of the Day

"... in order to feel anything, you need strength."

- sent by my sister upon the passing of my sister-in-law's mother today

Mommy Zen ...

It is "Mommy Zen" when ...

- Your baby says, "Mama"

- You get a haircut - alone (ahhhhh)

- Your baby looks at you with those loving, admiring, all trusting eyes

- Your baby gives you a hug or falls asleep in your arms

- When everyone is asleep and you can take a moment for yourself and blog while drinking a glass of good red wine

Say Cheese!

What lengths parents go to get the "perfect" (or even halfway decent) photo to memorialize the special moment, age or occasion in life. Well, I am no different...

Today we did a "Take Two." What does that mean? We took my two year old son for pictures - for a second time. The first time, it was a beautiful summer day and my little guy was laughing, happy and looking dapper in his new outfit - perfectly primed (or so I thought, but then again, do you really know when dealing with a two year old?!) so I thought...

The moment (I swear) we stepped foot into the photo studio that my husband selected (hey, not trying to blame, but he did pick it out), my son screamed and began throwing a fit (what you hear about or visualize when you think of "Terrible Two's"). Well, we thought that after a few minutes he would be better. We tried everything ... snacks, toys, everything - but no go. After trying for 30 min, we decided that no picture was worth the agony, so we bailed.

It was a good reminder (not that we needed one) of who was really in charge (and yes, that person is neither me or my husband).

So, we gave it a good couple of months, letting him outgrow it. We found a new, very children friendly place - and even checked it out with my son. He had a blast playing in the lobby with the cool car table and ramp.

So, today was the day. The day for photos once again. We all got dressed (we decided to try our luck at our first formal family photo). We had the strategy all planned out ... when we get to the photo studio, immediately walk in (steering clear of the cool car table and ramp - knowing that if he spotted it, we would have a nuclear meltdown), brought his favorite choo-choos and treats, etc.). We were ready to go...

As we stepped confidently into the photo studio room, it was as if we entered the dentist (when you have to get a root canal) and he immediately reminded us of the ever-so-strong lungs that he had and the fact that he was indeed two.

Being the driven parents that we are (and the fact that we didn't want to do a three-peat), we tried everything possible to get a smile and to salvage the situation. We became those parents. Come on, you know the ones ... the ones that dance, jump, make silly faces - anything and everything it takes to get a smile and to change the mood.

After a good 42 minutes of exerting all energy (and then beginning to day dream about Starbucks) we saw it ... a SMILE!!! WOW! We jumped into the photo and the photographer rapidly fired. We got it!

While none of the photos would win any awards, we were proud to make it out of there alive and with some photos. Most importantly, not needing to go back!

Man, what parents will do to capture the moment. Who knew that photos was such an exhausting workout!! I look forward to telling my son, when he is older, all about "the fun" he had when we took him for his two year photos.

But you know what, it was absolutely worth it.

Hope to CU@ M2M Conference in Chicago!

Chew on this ...

"It's not having what you want, but wanting what you've got."

Anonymous Source

Focus on what is REALLY important

Today I am departing from my regular posts. I got some sad news from my sister-in-law and it is with a very heavy heart, but with a purpose, that I share this post with you today.

I just got the news that my sister-in-law's mom has only days or up to a week to live. My sister-in-law is in her early thirties and her mom is quite young too. Her mom was diagnosis with a rare, untreatable cancer a few years ago, but has suddenly declined over the past week.

I want to share this story because I think that it sometimes takes a crisis (family, mother nature) to remind us of what is really, truly important in life. We are all guilty (come on, you know that you are!) of getting caught up in things that are really not important - and exhausting hours of valuable time on them (i.e. worrying about what we can't control, trying to keep up with others, spending too much time at work fixing a project that is perfectly fine as-is, staying late when we really aren't adding any more value and what we are working on can wait until morning - you get the drift). You might think that you are focusing on what is important, but lets face it, in the bigger picture, these things aren't necessarily the things you will reflect on later in life when you are thinking of what matters most and what you accomplished.

So, if today's post only serves as a reason to hug and kiss your husband, children and family; or to return the call of a friend or loved one; or to tell someone who you work with that they are really valued; or the catalyst needed to inspire you to do something that you have always wanted to do - something that you love and which would really make a difference (something off of that personal list of things that you never seem to get to), then I feel that today's was worthwhile.

So, don't stay late at work today - and go home to your family who loves you and who will value the extra few minutes that you spend with them. This will make all of the difference.

Meeting the Neighbors

OK, so we have lived in our home for a little over a year now. (YEA!) It was quite a journey, or rather a drama, to find a place. It is nice to be semi-settled. (I say semi because will one ever be settled or have the time to settle when working full time, being a mom of a two year-old as well as owning an energetic doxie dog? I think not).

Anyways... we are still in the process of meeting our neighbors. As we moved in near the end of last summer (which was filled with just hanging out, happy to have a home again), then followed by winter when noone goes out, and then spring (which was pretty cold and rainy), followed by (finally) summer when everyone awakes and goes outdoors to ... meet the neighbors.

If you know me, usually I am semi (yes, there's the semi term again) put together. But, today, of course, was not one of those days. We went out (the entire clan) to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful weather (OK - to run some of the energy out of both our boys - baby and dog) and ran into a new neighbor (well, new to us). She looked at us in a funny, telling way. I was wearing my "my weiner rocks" shirt (I got it in NY and it has a cute doxie dog on it), and my son was dressed in a crazy combo of colors (looking like we are very dysfunctional or just color blind). My son had mis-match day at school today and was quite the site. If there would have been an "Ultimate Mis-Match" award, he would have won 1st prize. And then there is my husband. Ususally out of the crew, he is the one is a t-shirt with some holes or in some beat up old shorts. However, today, he looked great and the rest of us looked like odd-ball vagabonds.

Needless to say, I think we made a strong impression on our new neighbor. Always great to meet people when you are at your best!!

Words to live by...

Today I was reminded of a favorite quote of mine... "Humor is life's shock absorber." I think that I got the quote from some inspirational quote book or calendar, but it has always stuck with me.

I think that my son, who is two, must be living by the same rules. He doesn't fall far from the tree from either me or my husband. My husband is quite humorous and I think that my son has gotten one of his most precious (and dangerous) attributes: Humor/sarcasm.

I was trying to get Ethan, who is now finally talking more, to say hi to his Aunt Allison. After a while of getting tired, and clearly having enough of mommy trying to use his new found toy (yes, his voice and the power of speech) for her own uses, he blurt out, "Bye-bye Choo-Choos." Then he preceeded to laugh and laugh and laugh. I love it. He is already seeing the power in humor and sarcasm and reminding others (AKA- mom) along the way of what is really important.

What are some of your favorite quotes or words to live by?

A Play Room for Mom!

I have been inspired by many wonderful mommy bloggers (special thanks to Amy at Momadvice.com and Kim at Chicagomomsblog.com) and wanted to create a special place of my own where moms can connect with other moms, share their stories, secrets, tips and journies in the adventure called motherhood.

Welcome to Moms Playroom! If your home is anything like mine, my house has become my child's playroom. Regular rooms have been transformed into spaces for creativity, exploration, learning, fun and adventure. I thought that this could be my sanctuary and playroom. (Hey, it doesn't take up too much space and there is nothing to pick up. I think it's perfect!)

I hope that you will join me on my daily escapades and adventures in Moms Playroom. Let the fun begin!