Caci & Mary performed in an American Idol (like) competition last night. Here is a link to a video of their performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9A-PcR9bU

I am having trouble trying to get it to embed directly here, so keep checking back in case you have a problem viewing it on YouTube.

Labels: daughter, family, girls, kids

link | posted by editor at 10:39 AM
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Here she is!

Labels: basketball, daughter, family, girls, sports

link | posted by editor at 3:42 PM
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I am so damn sick of constantly fighting with my kids. Why do I even fight with them???

It should be that why we (hubby & I ) says goes. Shouldn't it?

I am sick of being given 100 questions by my kids. Why do we have to go? Why do we have to eat now? Why do we have to take a shower? Why can't I stay out/up later? Why? Why? Why? And then when I tell them why, they get so argumentative - I CANNOT STAND IT!

So I have made a New Years Resolution. No fighting with the kids. I will tell them once (well maybe twice) and that is it. And if they ask why? I will simply say that I am the mother and that is how it is going to be. I figure if I do this long enough, they will eventually know what the answer is and stop asking (arguing) with me.

Now, if only I can stick to it - it should work.

Labels: boys, daughter, family, family life, kids, son, teens

link | posted by editor at 10:51 PM
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I have been not so dedicated to posting in the last few weeks, but now that the holidays are over and we are sort of back to a normal schedule, I should get back to posting more regularly.

So if you have missed us, sorry!

We missed you too!

So here is a quick family update:

Justy is back in a full arm cast. We thought it would be cut down today, but the one bone is not creating new bone as fast as the other, so it still need extra protection. Hopefully in two weeks he will get his wish and only be casted up to the elbow.

Doodles is the last of us to have had the stomach bug. She still has the lingering headache that accompanied it and didn't go to school today. She made basketball though, of course. And she is so totally looking forward to the High School Musical Concert tomorrow night.

Jon-Jon was to the doc today too. He has a bad ear infection in one ear. The good news is that he is very good taking his medicine and it has been almost a year since his last ear infection - when it was a double one, the day before we got on a plane to Florida. (Which I can't believe was a year ago already - it seems like yesterday!)

Joe-Joe has chapped lips right now - exciting, I know. So, he is currently obsessed with the petroleum jelly. He is finding new places to apply it and smear over. I keep finding greasy piles of it everywhere you would think he is two. Oh yeah, he did smear a whole jar of it on the bathroom cabinets when he was, yeah, just about two.

I am obsessed with baking lately after getting my new stand mixer from my parents for Christmas. I don't remember baking to be so fun! We have cookies galore in the house. Seriously, I think I have to send some in to the teachers at school or deliver plates to the neighbors. That is how much we have!!!

Okay - after that lengthy post about ...did you really miss us that much???

Labels: blogging, daughter, doctors, family, family life, kids, life, Teri, writing

link | posted by editor at 8:12 PM
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Ok -

3 Days until Justin's Birthday!

5 Days until Christmas!

Hours from going CRAZY. Making cookies. Wrapping presents. Getting the kids in bed. Wrapping presents. Cleaning up the kitchen. Figuring out what else I need to get before Christmas. Wrapping presents.

Try not to go too crazy!

Oh - I almost forgot, I have one less thing to go crazy about. Justin is in the clear. His bones are finally growing together and making new bones ! YAY! No more appointments for two weeks!

And maybe I should try and write out my Christmas cards that have been in a tote bag that I brought to Justin's last surgery. You know the ones I was thinking I would have a chance to do them then - which I have basically forgotten about until now. Will they even get there in time?

Should I just forget everything and just go CRAZY now???

Labels: birthdays, boys, Christmas, Christmas Presents, daughter, doctors, family, family life, girls, house, husbands, kids, presents, son, teens, work

link | posted by editor at 9:04 PM
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If you are in one said daughters class, and you are supposed to be doing your schoolwork, I suggest you get to it!

The teachers thank you!

Labels: daughter, homework, school

link | posted by editor at 8:35 PM
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The kids, the phone, the dog, the phone, the kids, the husband, the phone, the phone, the phone...

In the last hour-
I Gave Caci money to go with her friend to get Ice Cream.
Answered the phone.
Found a glue stick for Joey.
Answered the phone.
Answered the call waiting.
Helped Joey make a man out of leaves.
Installed a computer program for Johnny - while answering the phone 3 more times.
Helped Joey tie his shoes.
Answered the phone.
Let the dog out. Cleaned up his throw up while answering the phone.
Told Justin to turn the music down.
Called to check in on Caci.
Called for Joey to come in while answering the phone.
Told hubby which windows I wanted - as if he will listen.
Answered the phone.
I had to physically bring the phone up to Justin because the music was still so friggin' loud that he couldn't hear me yelling for him.
Emptied the boys laundry basket.
Answered the phone.
Got the dog some fresh water.
Tried to make a grocery list - but the phone rang again - and I had a beep coming in that I refused to answer this time.
Tried to complete grocery list.
Called to check on Caci again because she may have been the one beeping in.
Ignored the ringing phone while I helped Johnny find the computer games guide book.
Answered the door while the phone was ringing again.
Called Caci, as it was her that called when I was answering the door.
Grabbed a bag of fun size M & M's closed my office door, and sat down to check my e-mail and wound up writing this lame post.

You think I would be 100 pounds by the way I never stop.

Perhaps, I should give up the M & M's - and probably food in general. And stop answering the phone ;)

Labels: blogging, candy, daughter, family, family life, house, husbands, kids, life, son, teens, women, work, writing

link | posted by editor at 4:49 PM
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I hope everyone is recovering well from Halloween.

Johnny & Joey lasted not even an hour. They hit maybe 25 - 30 houses all together. When we sorted out the candy and inspected it all, Joey had 5 pieces of candy that he liked, and Johnny had 7.

Justin (yes, he wound up knocking on some doors with friends) and Caci did much better. They got lot's of little Pretzel packs and Popcorn balls, which I think is great. And all the kids love them - so there was more treats for Johnny & Joey.

They picked up way too many Snicker bars - disgusting. At least hubby likes them, though they are not on his diet. But he figures one bite size bar a day won't hurt him.

Labels: boys, candy, costumes, daughter, girls, Halloween, holidays, son, teens

link | posted by editor at 7:04 PM
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Labels: boys, bride, costumes, daughter, family, family life, girls, Grim Reaper, Halloween, holidays, kids, life, Sith Lord, son

link | posted by editor at 8:56 AM
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Is it too early for the kids to make their Christmas lists? Is it too bold of me to post it here so everyone that buys for them has a clue into what their little hearts desire?

According to Toy's R Us, it is not. Why, you may ask?

Well, the ONE & ONLY BIG TOY BOOK full of battery operated plastic thing's that my kids are hoping will soon become theirs arrived in today's paper.

And Grandpa was extra nice to bring it on over!

Toys to me = one pain in the ass.

Labels: boys, Christmas, daughter, family, family life, friends. housework, girls, holidays, presents, shopping, son, teens

link | posted by editor at 8:22 PM
1 comments

My kids hate me today.

I am one cruel mother.

Why?

Because it is pouring outside. With high wind warnings. Just plain nasty weather.

So yesterday, hubby and I decided that we are all staying home today. We just didn't need to go anywhere. And it would force us to tie up some loose ends of things in the house. You know the things that get pushed aside when working on a huge project. So that is our plan.

And, kids - I am speaking to you - that means...
No skateboarding at the indoor skate park today Justin. No Friendly's, no movies. You are staying home. Really, Justin. I realize it is a new concept, staying home. But that is what you are doing.

No going to the Mall, Caci. That $15 in babysitting money and Limited Too 20% off coupon in your pocket will wait until another day. Just because you think you are a superstar and that I should cater to your every whim and need - I am not your assistant, my dear.

Johnny, he will not get to turn in his recycling cans to add to his change collection in which he wanted to cash in and buy some goldfish, or rather beta fish, today. Where he even came up with that idea is totally beyond me, we will be having no more pets!!! No, Johnny - nope. Staying home.

And Joey, my dear Joey. We know you love to run around in the in the leaves and ride your bike through your little piles you are building all over the yard. And really, I know that you don't care that you will be getting drenched in the rain. You are in the house - no fresh air for you!

Kiddos - hear me again - you are all in the for the day.

And I have heard it from each of them at least three times that they don't care, and I am just being mean, and I don't care about them, that it is the weekend... blah. blah. blah.

Spoiled Brats!

They have no clue what a cruel mother really is - so I will take my new little title with a grain of salt.

Labels: daughter, family, family life, house, life, mothers and daughters, son, teens

link | posted by editor at 12:15 PM
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What is the deal with all of the homework?

Enrolling my kids in public school should have not made me basically enroll again. I mean I went through 1st grade, 3rd, 5th, and 9th grade many (many,many,many) years ago. So why is it that I spend 2 - 3 hours a night doing homework?

It used to be that I would help them study for a test, go over weekly spelling words, and assist on a large project. This school year is just so different. I am having to sit down with each of the four kids and take turns with them going over and explaining homework.

For God sakes, even my first grader needs a good half hour of help every night.

And my 9th grader needs me to help him with Latin. Latin! I never took Latin. Spanish came back to me as I took Spanish for 3 years in high school, but they now teach Spanish for 4 years in middle school. So Latin is - well, very foreign to me.

Doodles is learning Geometry - of course, the one subject I got a "C" in during high school. Mind you, she is in 5th grade, and it is full blown Geometry.

And Jon-Jon, my precious Jon-Jon. He has a form of dyslexia that really impedes his learning, but he is struggling through. He has been tested and falls into the extremely high IQ categories, but struggles with reading and writing everyday. His homework gets modified , but it is such a struggle for him. I don't mind helping him, because he becomes so very proud of his accomplishments. It breaks my heart that we can't get it out of him, and it is so mystifying to him that he can't either.

Well, school is never easy, is it?

I was always a very large supporter of public education, but with MCAS (the standardized tests in Massachusetts) and the entire curriculum being based upon that and trying to improve scoring - it isn't what learning should be.

And homework, in my opinion, is just out of control!

Labels: daughter, family, family life, homework, kids, MCAS, school, son

link | posted by editor at 12:51 PM
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Doodles has recently realized that she is beautiful.

She is a beautiful girl. She stands out from the rest.

She just turned 11 this past July, and she is 5'6" tall, with a size 11 women's shoe. WOW! Tall & skinny - with the longest of legs.

Dark hair. Dark eyes. A real beauty. Naturally beautiful. Thick eyebrows. Long eyelashes. Full lips. A beautiful nose. Everything about her is beautiful.

And she just realized it.

For some reason she wants to experiment with her beauty. A tween thing? A girl thing?

She asked me how to use a curling iron. Oh GOD! I have been waiting for this day - like it is a right of passage or some strange mom and daughter unite kind of thing. Well, you know... I began curling my hair at her age.

It wasn't easy teaching her. I rather just do it myself, because I am such a perfectionist when it comes to hair. But I struggled with patience. I told her how to hold the handle. Wrap a small section of hair under the barrel. Release. And curl in the direction she wanted. It didn't work. I told her she could do it. To try again. We (she) did. And again. And again.

I told her to let me try.

She told me to leave her alone.

She left the bathroom. Crying.

I almost yelled. But there I was, tyring to become patient again. This was her moment. Our weird right of passage thingy. Right?

I let her be. For only about 3 or 4 minutes. Then I told her to try again.

That is when she took the handle, grabbed the barrel, and flung it with so much might that I thought she might have just given herself a third degree burn.

She looked at me. I wanted to cry. Was she hurt?

She shouted , "Next time you might want to teach me how to turn it on!", and quickly left the room.

I burst into laughter, her into more tears. I somehow ruined this moment for her. The moment I made such a big damn deal about. And I was so proud and excited that I didn't even turn the f****** thing on!

She said she will never - ever - ever in one million years try to curl her hair again!

Like I was being some kind of cruel mother. Unfortunately I was just being me. As I am a pre-menopausal mom of 4 - who just had the kids home from school for 4 days (or was it 4 months?) straight. I forget things my dear, I tried to explain.

I left, wanted to crawl under a rock - because I somehow, unknowingly, I really hurt her feelings.

But you know what?

Girls will be girls.

About an hour or so later, she came down from her room with a beautifully styled, somewhat curled hairdo. She came over and gave me a great big hug. I cried. She smiled.

Labels: daughter, family, family life, girls, mom, mothers and daughters

link | posted by editor at 1:22 PM
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If you have a chance, please read this article: Longmeadow School Cancels Recess After Rifle Report.

I live in Longmeadow. Down the street from the school. And the woods are almost behind my house. Oh - and the woods are part of one of our beautiful Parks! And I believe that the woods in the 1/2 mile range from St. Mary's school are located in our public Parks. Hmmm... Do we allowing hunting or target practice at the Park now?

With all that has happened recently with school shootings - the police said what? That it is not unusual to see someone carrying a pellet or bb gun into the woods.

Aren't the police here to protect us?

Geez - they have no problem complaining that my son likes to skateboard in town - and they have no problem of taking that from him. But when someone is suspected of carrying what just may be a real gun into the woods in our town they do what? NOTHING!

I figured that at least word had gotten out to the other schools in town. I assumed - especially from the "How We Protect Our Schools" letter we received from the Superintendent last week - that the schools would have kept the children in for the rest of the day until this issue was fully investigated. But no. No one knew. Recess was held. And the doors were open to the school - just as they always are.

Do we really need our police department spending the amount of time that they do protecting us from the 12 - 16 year olds hanging outside of Friendly's and those skateboarding and scootering in town - then protecting us from what can really harm us - or even worse our children.

We need a change. We need to be proactive. We need to have those that are here to protect and serve - do just that! Protect us from suspects that may be carrying a gun. And alert us to be on the lookout. And then report on the findings.

Please protect and serve our precious town and those that live in it from the real dangers we live with.

Labels: daughter, family, family life, kids, life, teens, women

link | posted by editor at 11:28 PM
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cast of characters:
mom - me (39)
hubby - my husband (48)
justy - my oldest boy (15)
doodles - my only girl (11)
jon-jon - my middle boy (9)
jo-jo - my baby (7)
pow-pow - my dog (4)

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Christmas Lists.
One Cruel Mother.
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