Trick's on me!!

So, a couple of weeks ago I totally teased my cousin for carting around a potty for her twins. I made fun of her taking it to the park. She raved about it and I laughed!! Well, first I must apologize to T!! I found myself in NEED of a potty at the park!! Theresa you were right.

Here's how it happened...

I finally got my bike out of the basement and filled the tires with air. We headed out the door to the park. We played and had an amazing time for about an hour until my lovely potty training daughter looked up at me and said, "I need to go potty." As many of you moms know, it's now or you have a mess on your hands!! I frantically searched the park for a public restroom. Now I'm used to Chicago where the parks have public field houses with restrooms!! There were NO bathrooms to be had!!! I looked around and made a quick decision...pee in the grass or ride home wet. I found a boulder and had Annie squat. She was hesitant but she totally peed with a smile on her face! I would like to mention that she needs to work on her aim 'cause she peed all over my hand and her pants totally missing her underwear!

Today on our errands around the city, I will pack extra clothes and the potty!!

Rolling Thunder 2009

This year I rode in Rolling Thunder with my dad! It was amazing. Rolling Thunder began as a war protest during/after Vietnam. It is a reminder to the government that there are still POWs and MIAs that need to be brought home. I have never been very vocal when it comes to politics. "To each his/her own" has kinda been my mantra. I really went on this trip for the thrill of riding with my dad.

I rode the train down to DC Friday night. I truly think my experience began when I got off the train. I stepped into Union Station at 6:45am and was the only person in one of the most beautiful buildings I have been in! Then and there I felt small and "free". Now to this busy mama, freedom means being without children to worry and fuss over. I did not need to hurry to the bathroom, grab a healthy snack, or entertain anyone! I walked into the sunshine and read until I got picked up! This day was spent entertaining me. I got to make decisions based on what I wanted to do. My dad, the Middletons, and I spent the day relaxing and taking it all in.

Sunday began around 7am. To tell you that I was excited for the day is a huge understatement!! As I was getting dressed, I could hear the roll of motorcycles driving into town and I couldn't help but smile! I was very emotional. This is about the time that my definition of freedom began to change. We rode into town with the cool wind in my face. We were directed into the North parking lot of the Pentagon. We arrived around 8:30am and there were already thousands of bikes there (estimated total was 300k bikes)! The rest of the day is mere details on the timeline. What I took away was the faces and the feelings of the people I spoke with. These were the crusty people I have ever meet, but they were also the kindest, most respectful, and patriotic people I have ever known!

We talked with vets who have a fierce love of their country. Some have been through hell and back, many lost friends, and most left bits and pieces of their souls behind, but the passion they feel for this great nation is tremendous. I had tears in my eyes for much of the day. I am truly humbled. Freedom has become more than just a defined word in my book, it is now something more. It is putting my hand on my dad's shoulder when we found his friend's name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall and thanking God that my dad is here. Having the ability to reach out and touch the names of the people who have sacrificed for me. It is sitting among heroes and thinking that they are larger than life. Freedom is not free and the toll is high.

Whatever your political views, you have been granted FREEDOM by our founding fathers and it is protected each and every day by all those past and present serving in our nation's military. To say "thank you" seems so small to me. I am proud...

I can do it!!

Annie has spent the better part of this year tooling behind Brenden in the stroller. She has finally decided that she's ready to be out of the stroller...than goodness! We are trying to teach her to ride Brenden's old tricycle. As I remember it, Brenden hopped on the little red tricycle and rode off into the afternoon sun. He was younger than Annie is now! Annie's legs are just long enough to reach the peddles when they are going around. Very funny to watch. She concentrates and looks down at her feet as if she can't trust them to work on their own. She's finally getting it!! I am very proud of her. It takes Ann a bit longer to do things new to her, and often she completely gives up until she knows she can do it perfectly without difficulty! Go Ann!

Miss Chelsea

I can not say enough about our nanny Chelsea!! She really is amazing. One of her many trips around this fine city of Boston, landed her and the kids in Boston Common. She took a picnic lunch and let them play. They dug in the dirt, played at the play ground and ran through the sprinklers!! We are VERY lucky to have her loving our children!!

New Beginnings

We all know that times are tough. Well in December, Boston Public Schools announced its planned layoffs. I, being who I am, got started with yet another job search. Really, you'd think that I have this down. But I am really tired of having to keep moving schools! Anyhow, I put my resume out there and began the battle of convincing people to hire me. I concentrated on the charter schools in and around Boston. I like what charter schools can offer me as a teacher. I interviewed at another KIPP school and at Boston Collegiate. Both are amazing schools, but I think I'm done with KIPP for a while. SO, I set my sights on Boston Collegiate. I had an initial phone interview, a three hour school visit and interview, the middle and high school principals came to watch me teach, and ended with yet another interview. I am so very happy to announce that my contract is signed, sealed, and delivered!! I will be teaching 5th grade social studies next year at one of the top charter schools in the state. They have been the number one school in the state for 3 years running for state testing! It's similar to what I did with KIPP. I'll be at work at 7:30, advisory group until 8:30, 4 one-hour long classes throughout the day, tutoring after school a couple of days a week, and normal teaching duties. I am very excited to be part of a team again!!! 

Amazing moments

Having two children of different ages and genders has its moments. Here's an example: Brenden and Annie were "playing" while I was making dinner last night and I heard Brenden yell....

Brenden: Mommmmm, Annie pinched me!

Annie: (In a very calm voice) No, I scratched you.

Me: Ann come here. Did you hurt your brother?

Annie: Yep.

Me: We do not hurt people. Go to time out.
Annie: ok

The kids have been learning to share and play with each other. It has been a very long road, but today was the best yet. I came home from work exhausted so we decided to pull out the play dough. Bren hauled the bin upstairs and set it all up!! He and Annie played, I mean really played, with each other for about 40 minutes!!! It was really nice and I hope we have more good days!!

Mom

Today is one day that we set aside to celebrate our mothers. My mother was an amazing woman! She was vivacious, hilarious, and had a tenacity for life. I could go on and on about her, but what I loved most about her was her self confidence. She was honest with you but with herself mostly. She knew her limits and she knew her faults. I never heard her apologize for being who she was. I never heard her ask if she looked fat or if she should wear something else. She knew who she was and really didn't care about the rest. She made the most out of every day. She loved people and making them feel safe and loved. She loved to laugh and laughing with her friends and family. She "took the bull by the horns" and never backed off. She was soft, sensitive and caring. My mother was the one person that loved my unconditionally. She supported every idea I ever had, no matter how amazing or ridiculous. She was the one that I called to back me up, which she always did. If you wanted irrational and emotional responses to your problem she was the one! She had your back.
She is who I aspire to be like and I miss her greatly. I see her all around me. I see her in the wild flowers picked by my children and handed to me. I see her in Brenden's quest for knowledge. I see her in Annie's "hands on hip" kinda moments. I hear her in my sister's voice. And in my father's compassion. But most of all I feel her in my heart. To you mom...

Urban dewlling

I love living in the city!!! I love the crowds and the hustle and bustle. I love the energy and the excitement. My children have grown up (so far) learning how to navigate a city. Brenden can read a train schedule and tell you what trains to take to get to several places around the city. There is always "something" to do. We only have to drive once a week. I love the fact that anything we want is just outside our front door. 

Now speaking of that door, yesterday I was on my way out to walk the dog and found a homeless man asleep on my front porch!! I asked him to move along and his response was, "but it's raining." WHAT?! I was less than cordial when telling him his options. I did use my teacher voice! Needless to say he left. But now I'm wondering about this city living. The kids need a backyard. I need a garage and a basement playroom. Can you be "urban people" and live in the suburbs? We are about to find out. We have now begun our home search outside of the city! I have split feelings about it all. I'll keep you updated.