Wondering where I've been??

Well...I'm giving Wordpress a try.  I have a whole new look and new name over at http://SapphireLizard.wordpress.com.  Please come join me.  :-)

ah, the little things...

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

~Robert Brault

Oh my goodness...I have a 1st grader!

Seriously...I don't know where the time has gone. Just 6 short weeks ago my son turned 6, and has now wrapped up his first full week of 1st grade. The way our family calendar shapes up from late summer into early fall makes things seem like they're happening so fast. Tommy's birthday is at the end of July, and in our house it marks the beginning of the end. For 2 summers now, we've scheduled a family vacation for the 2nd week in August. This is great timing...kind of our last hurrah for the summer. Once we return, it's time to start thinking about going back to school.

2 years in a row, I have sent Tommy off to school before I've really had a chance to digest the idea that he is another year older. And, with my birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, I'm also thinking about how I'm another year older. (But that's another story altogether!) My mind has already strayed to thoughts of having to send BOTH kids to school next year. Trying to cast those thoughts aside for now...at least until spring.

Vacation Woes

My husband and I have been tossing around the idea of a spring vacation for quite some time now. As a matter of fact, I think it was New Year’s Day when he first brought it up with me. We went back and forth on destination, talked to friends and parents of the kids’ friends about a number of destinations. At 5 ½ and nearly 4, are the kids really ready for Disneyland? What means of transportation would be ideal for our kids, who have about a 6 hour limit in the van? What week is ideal for travel? And many more questions.

We knocked a few of those questions out pretty easily. We decided that it was probably a little bit early for a Disney vacation for our family. It ran the high likelihood of being complete and total overload, especially for our daughter. Timing of this vacation is also important. Our son is in Kindergarten and we want to minimize the amount of school he misses. But, at the same time, we both knew we didn’t want to be travelling during Spring Break. Thinking we were avoiding that, we chose a week in late April. Great, everything seems to be rolling along smoothly. Guess again. After knocking out this handful of decisions, things ground to a halt. Why? Life happened.

So now, here I sit, on what was supposed to be the middle of our vacation…on my couch. We’ve now scoped out a new set of dates, chosen a city (rather than a whole region) to visit. We’ve even thought about where to stay and what to see and do. After overcoming a small speed bump, I have been able to reserve our accommodations. Woo hoo! So exciting! Now all we need is plane tickets. Ack!

Obtaining airline tickets to our destination is not the problem. The problem is knowing how to approach flying with our 2 kids for the very first time. I’ve gathered some tips from friends who have flown with kids, but I still feel totally clueless. With one child in a booster seat and the other still in a car seat, this is one thing to think about. If I choose to take Anna’s car seat, rather than rent one with the rental car, what do I do with it on the plane? Do I check it, or can I carry it on? If I carry it on, can she (or should she) sit in it or do I stow it? How do we move quickly through the airport and not lose a child? To many people, these might sound like questions with obvious answers. To me, they are uncharted territory.

In a weird way, it’s a good thing that we dragged our feet about making these arrangements. This way, the amount of time that I spend worrying about things is much shorter. But still…I do worry…and I will until we’re there.

Road Sign Typos

On the way home from our Easter visiting on Sunday evening, I noticed some interesting signs on the interstate. We were traveling through a stretch of construction, where most of the permanent road signs have been removed and replaced with some temporary signs. Apparently the temporary signs were not proofed all that well. They read:

"North Chicago Navel Station"

and

"Campbell Reginal Airport"

I know there was a third one, but I cannot remember what it said. So, if you're traveling on I-94 North in the far northern suburbs of Chicago, check out the road signs between Rt-60 and Rt-120.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

o·ver·whelm
tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms
1. To surge over and submerge; engulf.
2a. To defeat completely and decisively.
2b. To affect deeply in mind or emotion.
3. To present with an excessive amount.
4. To turn over; upset.

synonyms: overpowered, overcome, inundated, flooded, engulfed, swamped, Mommy.

Bring some Spring into your Kitchen!

Looking to brighten up your kitchen? Or perhaps, are you looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Today's featured shop is a must see. Kitchen Stitchen carries an assortment of lovely kitchen accessories. Choose from beautiful potholders and coordinating waffle weave towels. Decorate your fridge with a few flashy magnets. Or, for the true cooks, pick up a casserole carrier.

Stop by today to spruce up your kitchen for spring!!