Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Happy Belated Mothers Day Everyone

Happy Mother's Day to all. (So it's late, but according to my mom - everyday is Mother's Day). And I have had that feeling a lot lately. My two teenagers are growing up!

Sarah is my independent soul. As a baby and through kindergarden, I thought she would be my homebody. Not true. She is carefully juggling flute, piano, swimming, coaching 7-8 year olds in triathlon, and about a dozen buddies who are all fighting for her attention. She prefers non-American food, grabbing a bag of dried seaweed and a chocolate soy milk for breakfast or a snack. We have started thinking about college in the broadest of terms. She still struggles on studying music or pediatrics. Always the kid lover though!

Madison also has switched from her pre-school days when she was the commando of the classroom. I have to admit this year she has really come out of her shell and is far more comfortable trying new things. She will eat SOME things that come packaged in another language (especially if it looks like a sweet), although cooked foreign food is a struggle. She also will now sit next to a stranger on the subway, even if we don't sit. She makes plans with her girl friends and heads out on Friday nights. And worst of all, in Mom terms :), she goes to dance parties! Her newest revelation is that she has finally grown into "adult" size clothes. Standing at 4'8.25" she can pull off some of the petite clothes at American Eagle and H&M.

It will be interesting to see what the next year will bring. Maybe, if I can catch them both at the same time, I will post a picture of them. That will be tricky though!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Trying New Things

I am truly sorry that I didn't pick up Mom's knack for cooking. It has always been a chore for me. It's not like I distain cooking, I just don't have any creativity when it comes to "what's for dinner?" I have tried multiple cookbooks and enjoy making new things. But when I stand in the meat department and look at the same offerings of ground beef and chicken tenders, I draw a blank. So when Tom suggested this weekend that I subscribe to e-mealz.com, I didn't know if I should be offended or excited.

Well, three meals in and my family is HAPPY! Tom said I was batting a thousand and that is after all four of us had to clean up the full bottle of olive oil that spilled in the cabinet 10 minutes before our casserole was ready.

We'll see how it goes from here. I do have to make some modifications to the plans each week as I don't have a microwave, blender, grill, or crock pot here. And I still have to go to the grocery store more often than in the States because a weeks worth of supplies won't fit in the fridge.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ten Excuses why I don't blog

It has got to be hard to blog on a routine basis. I really admire the blogs I read on how they continue to keep theirs up. (excuse #1- I'm too busy reading other blogs and websites) It seems that time has really flown by with the girls in school. (excuse #2 - we haven't been anyplace lately)

I have to admit though that the weather is much warmer and Spring Break has arrived. (excuse #3 - I now have a garden on my patio that could bring the building down) the girls have been home this week (yes, #4, even in their teens with full access to public transportation; they still want their Mom's attention). Now Tom is scheduled to be off with us for the next ten days! (okay, can't use that as an excuse til next week!)

I can say that it has been a good month. I have started quilting with Block Lotto and have been working on a new quilt made mostly of Tom's button down shirts (#s 5,6, & 7). I am also working in the school library two days a week.

Being a Library Assistant is fun. I don't stop moving for seven hours, although most of what I do is behind the scenes- re-doing shelving; building giant Shel Silverstein Giving Trees, etc. (#8) It also gets me out of the apartment which has been extremely loud with remodeling other flats in the building! (#9)

Finally, excuse # 10 - I am just lazy!

Until next time....