lunch break

...a flair for the dramatic

...ahhh, Clara, Clara, Clara. You have a lot to learn about her, my friends. She feels everything BIG. She loves BIG. She is sad BIG. She is a BIG friend. 

A few weeks ago, I had to work over the weekend and Ken told her she wasn't allowed to watch TV. She promptly went into the playroom and closed the door, returning a few minutes later with a note for Ken:

She recovered, they went on with their day, Ken joined me at my work event. I had to stay late, he texted me that he found a little...love note under his pillow.

Ahhhh, my sweet, sweet girl.

...it's that time again

I am pretty lucky. Every day, I get to see a school changing lives. Including my son's.

Every day, I see teachers teaching children to LOVE learning. I see them hugging students, I see them guiding hands, I see them patting backs and clapping. And sometimes I see them pulling teeth out.

Every day, I see kids EXCITED about school. I see them skipping to class, moving around in the classroom, I see them welcoming new friends, I see them encouraging each other. I see them understanding that what makes someone different is actually what makes them unique, and perfect.

Working in admissions, I field phone calls and e-mails from families every day, families that know Radcliffe could change their child's life (and their family's). But the hardest part is when those families tell me there is no way they can afford the price tag that comes with an education like this.

Every year, the Run for Radcliffe raises funds to help these families. In the last two years, Team Mustache has raised more than $5,000! We're asking for your help again this year. But let's take it one step farther...Donate today and then send this page to one friend who you think would also consider donating. Trust me, there is no better cause.

Click here to support us today. Thank you.

...six!

...Six feels different. Five still felt almost like a toddler. Six seems like a little man. This momma gig, it never gets less emotional, does it? 

Thanks for sticking with me. Life is crazy. Busy. Tough at times. It felt like a small miracle that I got his birthday balloons in his bedroom last night at the stroke of 12:05 a.m. and kissed him on his forehead at the moment he was born. I love you, best boy in the whole wide world.

...selfies with clara

...and then there was that blizzard

...the kids and I took a leisurely trip down to Northern Virginia on Saturday to visit one of my oldest (literally, ha, we'll see if she reads this) friends, Laura (Laura who always makes me feel like I'm talking in the third person).

We went through a few flurries on the beltway. And then we got on the road toward Annapolis and the Bay Bridge and all of a sudden I was in a snow globe. I kept thinking, "Look at the yellow line on the left, then the white lines on the right." And then I couldn't see any lines.

Honestly, I have never been so scared in my entire life.

We pulled off the road, got gas, pull-ups (for me, ha, needed them at that point), water, and a hotel room. 

Oh, and Play Doh.

...Some were a little more thrilled than I was.

Three Marines stood with Charlie in the lobby while I unloaded the car and Clara. They were showing him their swords (they had just come from a wedding). I walked up to hear him saying to them, "I got a sword like dat."

It was one of those times when you realized it might actually be a good thing that you generally have at least five full meals somewhere in your car.

It looks comfy.

It was an early morning wake up call with some cartoons in bed, Starbucks, and then home. Luckily we are all cuddled in safely for tonight's storm.

...meet the artist

...of Man. In Canoe.

Charlie's artwork was featured at a local art gallery last weekend.

In preschool, he was never interested in art. We just figured he didn't really like it. That was OK. He's allowed to not like things.

But he started Kindergarten, has a wonderful art teacher, and a wonderful occupational therapist who helps him with how to hold his art tools. He also has an uncle who got him oil pastels for Christmas (his favorite tool). He now says that, "Awt" is his favorite class.

(And much to his father's horror, he's also become quite the Raven fan).

...dance class, from his perspective

...charlie had my phone during clara's ballet class tonight (do not call it, "dance," class to her, she will vehemently correct you that it is BALLET, not dance).

...and one from mommy

...crozen, on ice

...Friday night at about 11 p.m., I decided to surprise Clara with tickets to the 11 a.m. Saturday show of Crozen on Ice. If you aren't Clara, you probably call it Frozen on Ice.

We got there at 10:00 a.m. and found out our tickets were for the, uh, 2:30 p.m. show.

It actually worked in our favor because once Clara saw all the other girls at the arena in their Elsa dresses...

Well, she had to have one.

So we went to Target, the mall, lunch. And then back for the 2:30 p.m. show.

...and our $25 commemorative photo.

Beautiful girl.

 

She couldn't wait.

She was amazed.

And then there was me. The former competitive figure skater. Thinking the whole time, "I could've done this." (Especially when Prince Hans fell on his double axle), and then taking a moment to enjoy my $13 cotton candy.

And then it was over and Clara said, "I want to see that again. Right now. Right now. RIGHT NOW!"

We'll always have the memories. And the $25 commemorative picture.

...booger

"Mommy, when you leave, I'm going to pick my boogers!"

...on reading

...It is common for kids with language issues to also struggle with reading. Charlie has a communication book that comes home with him every night with notes from his teachers and if there's ever any struggle, it's in reading ("distracted," "had trouble with task").

I take this harder than I ever expected.

As Ken said, I shouldn't expect every day to be sunshine and rainbows and unicorns. But that doesn't keep me from wanting every day to be sunshine and rainbows and unicorns.

He might struggle to learn to read (it's still early, I realize that), but I know he already loves to read.

Science, however? He's already smarter than me. (And Ken realized there was a more, uh, correct answer to the second part of the first question).