Lazy, Hazy Days...

Summer vacation has kicked in and we are all trying to adjust to the new routine. Sophie is as happy as can be being home with mom, going to the pool and running errands. Mason still wakes up and asks for all his teachers in the morning.

And me? Hmm...well I'm getting used to it. It is definately a different pace. I feel a little rushed to get what I want to get done in the morning and get the kids home so they can nap after lunch. During their nap time I am sitting around waiting for them to wake up so I can do the next thing. Everyone tells me to chill, and take each day and don't try to pack the whole summer in one day.

Last night I took the kids out to dinner since Brian was in school. (It is the last class of his MBA program!) When we got home, we hung out in the front yard and the kids enjoyed sticky ring pops while I tended ot all my plants that decided to die because of the excessive heat and lack of rain.

Today we are off to a music program at a local nursing home to brighten the day for some older people and some entertainment!

No more pencils, no more books...

Well, today was the last day of school. In other words, the last day of my freedom for the next couple months. I decided to keep the kids home with me this summer, unlike summers past. I have to say that I am a little nervous being home with two young kids. Crazy I know. I'm their mother for goodness sakes. But, the last time I was home with them, Mason was an infant with the worst case of colic ever and Sophie was a whiny, clingy 2 year old. So, things have changed considerably.

On my last day of freedom, I went to visit a good friend at the hospital who just had a baby. Oh, the sweetness of a newborn! It almost makes me want another. Almost. I guess I can get my fix by visiting her baby.

It was so bittersweet saying goodbye at Stonewall for the kids. As excited as they are to be home with mom this summer, they will miss their friends and teachers. Mason's teachers had tears in their eyes saying goodbye.

So, as the old song goes..No more pencils, no more books no more teachers dirty looks...
Happy Summer!

Boys will be Boys

Yes, 2 posts in one day. But this I can't pass up. Don't turn your back on boys for a second. Don't turn your back on toddler boys for a half second. In a brief moment, Mason got a hold of my pen and doodled all over the gift list I drafted from Sophie's party. It was somewhat illegible, but with a good memory, I was able to write it over.

Yep, caught him red handed!

Sophie's party at My Gym!

Ok, I finally have a few minutes to sit down and catch up on my posts. Where do I spend my day? Before I know it, I'm getting ready for bed.

Sophie had a blast at her birthday party last Sunday morning! She had about 20 friends come, half from the neighborhood and half from her class at school. We decided on a pajama party theme due to a 10 am party. It worked out really well! Even I came in my pjs!

THe girls who ran the party did an awesome job and all the kids had a great time! Boy, when you add up all the money that you spend for a party (party, food, goody bags, invites, etc) it was about $400. Yikes..for one hour and a half. But it was worth it to see Sophie so excited and happy that day!

Happy 4th Birthday Sophie!

Sophie celebrated her 4th birthday on Wednesday. I can't believe she is 4 years old! One more year, and then off to kindergarten. Wow. Sophie's big birthday party will be this Sunday with all her friends at My Gym. She is really looking forward to it.

So, on her official birthday, we brought in cupcakes for her class, we went out for ice cream and of course she had to pose with the Schorr birthday hat.

Splishin' and a Splashin'

The warm weather allowed us to break out the pool for the first time this season on Memorial Day. Sophie was all excited to get her bathing suit on and hit the water. That is, Sophie style. Which translates to standing in the pool, splashing water, but refusing to sit down. Mason was actually terrified by the pool and cried. After about 15 minutes we were able to coax him in with a bucket and he had a great time. He also would not sit down. It's only May...we have all summer!

The Birthday Celebration Continues!

What a fun day yesterday! We started our day by having brunch with good friends that moved to Michagan 2 years ago. It was a fun morning and they brought the kids fun birthday gifts..a cool bubble machine for Sophie and a boat for the bath or pool for Mason!

Later that day we had lots of visitors to celebrate the kids birthdays. Susan, Jeff, Shelley, Jerry, Phil and Miriam all came down for a fun afternoon of visiting, hot weather, opening tons of birthday presents and yummy birthday cake.

The kids loved their Blues Clues cake and ate every bite!

The celebration continues this week as Sophie turns 4 on Wednesday..with a big party on Sunday!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Mason celebrated his 2nd birthday yesterday! We brought in cupcakes to school to celebrate with all his toddler friends. Nana and PopPop came down yesterday to celebrate with noodles and ice cream, Mason's favorite foods. He got his first bike from them. His feet reach the pedals, but he needs a little help in that department.

A long weekend, but a busy one. Today we had the kids birthday pictures taken..they came out cute..will post another time.

Tomorrow we have Brian's side of the family coming down to celebrate with Mason and Sophie who will be turning 4 on Wed.

Aloha!

Aloha from the big island of...Fallston. Today was Hawaiian Day at school. The kids were decked out in their island wear. I thought I'd have to fight Mason putting the lei on, but he really liked it and wanted to wear it!

Thank goodness for Friday tomorrow!

Hanging Out in the Backyard

Not too much to report today. The best way for the kids to eat their dinner quickly without nagging is to promise them outside time after dinner. They love it!

Brian and I started to refinish adorrondeck chairs for the kids last August. I finally finished painting them today. Yes, it took 9 months. So, in the time it takes to grow a baby in my belly, I painted 2 small chairs. Anyway, the kids loved the finished project and lazily sat in the backyard.

We are lucky cause our next door neighbors have a great swing set for their kids. They told us our kids can go on it whenever which is so great. Sophie's new favorite pastime is the tire swing. Mason loves to climb up to the top, but then won't come down on the slide. So, someone has to rescue him.

Tomorrow is Hawaiian Day at school. Check back for pictures. I looked all over for a coconut bra for Mason, but could not find one!

Off to watch Idol results!

Crazy Hair Day!

It is teacher appreciation week at the kid's school this week and they have something fun planned everyday. Yesterday was pajama day. Mason looked oh so cute with his jammies full of diaper. He clearly had a bubble butt.

Today was crazy hair day. So with a little gel, I spiked up Mason's hair..he looked so cute! Sophie decided to go with multiple ponytails. We did 2 pigtails and a ponytail in the back. The teachers were decked out with their crazy hairdos and funny hats.

On another positive note...It appears that Sophie is finished her crying stint in the morning. We had a talk last night and got to the root of the issue. She told me she really doesn't like morning time. She misses me. I told her she can change her mind about morning time, cause it can be a lot of fun. She woke up this morning, said "I changed my mind about morning time" and proceeded to have an EXCELLENT morning..from wake up to drop off. She was really quite proud of herself and cannot wait to get back her flip-flops that I took away because she was crying in the morning.

Brian had his last class of the semester last night. One more class to go, and he is the proud owner of an MBA, with an emphasis on marketing. Anyone got a job for him?

Winding Down the Weekend

Another weekend comes to a close, and as usual it went by so fast.

My foot feels great, I can't believe that just 5 weeks ago I was in so much pain. It is amazing how the body heals itself.

Brian and I had a babysitter last night, so we can head out for our bi-weekly dinners sans kids. We went back to our favorite restaurant, Roy's. http://www.roysrestaurant.com/ Funny story from way back...Brian and I went to Roy's last year in March. Our service got a little poor at the end of our meal and our waitress never came back to take our coffee and dessert order. We informed the manager about it and he gave us his business card with an offer for free coffee and dessert for the next time we dined there. So we did. Last November we went for our anniversary. We gave our waitress the card and the manager came over, so impressed that we held onto the card and came back to dine there on our anniversary that he wrote "forever" on the card and told that as long as we dine there, coffee and dessert is on the house for the rest of our lives. Wow..on the way home we joked about laminating it, putting it our will, bequeathing it to the kids..etc. We tried to use it last night. Our waiter looked at it..said "Forever..great"..came back with our check, no charge for dessert and coffee..but they confiscated the card. Game over.
So, we were a little bitter.

Not much on our plates today..did some yard work, made some treats for teacher's appreciation week at the kids school, and worked on refinishing some chairs. I also tried my hand at grilling pizza. The pizza crust totally burnt, but it had the workings of something really good.

The kids loved playing outside today! They had fun in the sandbox and we had to drag them inside for their much needed baths!


Six more weeks of school!

I need the Super Nanny!

Craziness in the house again. Because of course, things can't be normal. I am now cast free and enjoying 2 shoes. I can't wear my fancy wedge heels..but I'm happy to wear flat comfortable shoes.

Anyway, now that this injury is behind me, things should be coming up roses. The school year is almost over, the weather is nicer, our patio is done..etc.. But, no. Sophie has to decide that all of the sudden she doesn't want to go to school and wants to go to work with me. All this started on Monday. This translates to crying in the morning getting ready and basically me throwing her in her class at school. So much fun. All of the other parents look at me with that "I feel bad for you" look. You know the look. I have no idea what is going inside that head of hers. I promise her things for having a happy day, I take away things for having a bad morning. Nothing is working right now. If anyone has some good ideas I'd love to hear them. The teachers tell me it's mostly the morning, with maybe a crying episode popping up during the day here and there. I could understand if she just started there, but she has been there since January and loving it!

Super Nanny...are you coming to Baltimore any time soon? Please?

Feeling Better Every Day!

I have done what the orthopedist said, I've been weaning myself from the air cast. The first day felt a little weird, but I am slowly getting strength back now. I can take the steps up one at a time. Going down the steps are still a little challenging for me, I am as slow as the kids. I pretty much only where the cast now when I go out to run errands, I am not wearing it in the house at all anymore.

This weekend we had several family visitors. Brian's dad and his wife came down on Saturday for a visit. The weather was nice and we had a impomtu bbq. My friend Alyssa, took Sophie over to Annie's Playground for a play date with Becke. It was nice to see Sophie go off so independently and excited.

Today, we are just waiting for my parents to come down for a short visit. The kids are napping now and they should be here by the time they get up. While I'm waiting around I got my herb box planted with 7-8 different herbs I hope to use this summer.

Enjoy the cute pictures of the kids enjoying one of their favorite lunches in the whole world. Pirogies. Pasta, potatoes and cheese. Mason's basic food groups. He positively shovels them in his mouth.

The end is almost near!

I went for my four week xray today to see how the ankle is progressing. I have pretty much resigned myself to wear the air cast for another 2-3 weeks, but was anxious to see how far I've come.

The doctor was very impressed with my progress and said the bone is virtually healed. He wants me to wean myself off the boot over the next 2 weeks and then I will be done and this inconvenience in my life will be over. So, I am now able to go to sleep without it and walk around the house without it. Yippee!

The only thing that put a damper on the day was being diagnosed with strep throat for the 2nd time this year. So, I'm sucking down icees and soup, waiting for the antibiotics to kick in.

Good Day Sunshine!

Hello Springtime! Finally, after weeks of miserable weather, an absolutely gorgeous weekend! Nothing can destroy my good mood with the weather..not my stupid cast (just past 3 weeks for those of you keeping track) or for the fact that the kids woke up slightly before 7 am both weekend days. No way.. After breakfast yesterday, the kids were so ready to go outside..we broke out the new playdough for the season and the kids spent over an hour making playdough noodles, cakes and pizzas. Another good thing about nice weather? Outside play = tired kids with long naps! Love it!

Last night we took a ride to Wegmans to stock up on some gourmet goodies and then for an early dinner, followed by some more outside play before baths and bed. Sophie and Mason love sidewalk art and made a masterpiece on the driveway with their chalk.

Brian and I finally got to see The Departed. The fact that we started the movie after 9 pm and it wasn't over until 11:30 worried me a bit, since I have yet to stay up past 10:00 for a movie in I don't know how long. Well, I stayed awake for the whole thing..really disturbing, but really good.

Today, another early wakeup, a chocolate chip pancake breakfast and then off to Lowes for some plants and herbs. Many other people had the same idea cause the place was packed with everyone who had Spring Fever.

Kids are napping now...off to my cousin Debbie's a little later for a cookout and playtime for the kids.

X-Rays on Wednesday! Keep good thoughts for me..I'm doubtful, but I can only hope!


Patio in the making...can't wait for it to be done!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

The only good thing about a rainy day is that the kids sleep later in the morning. It poured last night as expected and when I woke up this morning I looked at the clock and it was 8:23! Not a single child was awake yet! Yipee!

However, we are most likely stuck inside all day due to the rain. It's just not worth it to go anywhere.

Sophie and Mason spent their morning entertaining themselves with coloring. If you have kids and haven't tried the Color Wonder products http://www.crayola.com/products/display.cfm?product=2 yet, they are so cool. It gives Sophie a lot of confidence with coloring and you really can't color out of the lines. Plus, it can't get on clothes or furniture. A big plus! We tricked Mason that he was coloring and left the caps on the markers...cause he just likes to press down and break the tips off. Ok, my commercial for Crayola is over.

Off to make lunch for the kids. Meal time is so much fun (not really).

Friday the 13th..so far so good...

Two weeks ago that would not have been the case. I have been lugging around the air cast for 2 weeks now. I go for X-rays on April 25th (10 days...). Everyone pray with me that I am out of this thing after that appointment. I have been discovering other friends and co-workers that have had the same similar mishap I have, and most people seem to have been in their cast for 6 weeks. That seems to be the magic number. So, that should put me at May 9th or so...

In other news, not too much going on. I started long-term subbing at a great elementary school in the heart of Bel Air this week. I will have this gig for 6 weeks. Brian is busy with his class. He has one more class after this one and then he gets his long anticipated MBA. A party will definitely be planned for celebration.

Sophie and Mason have been good. Mason had a horrible cough this week that kept us up for several nights. He sounded like a coal miner or someone with emphysema. We have a little Imelda Marcos on our hands. I bought Sophie a ton of spring/summer shoes. I think her feet grew overnight cause her sneakers literally fit her one day and not the next morning. When I went to get her sized she went up a size and a half. She loves her flip-flops particularly and gets upset she cannot wear them to school. Rules are rules.



Here's a picture of Sophie modeling one of her many pairs of new shoes!



It is supposed to be a wash-out this weekend...stay dry!

Some sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day...

Ok, so it has been a little while since I last posted on the happenings of our lives. Told you not to get used to the daily news!

Things are still status quo on the ankle. I do feel much better. Not as much pain, but I am dragging this heavy cast around with me. I tried driving a few days ago and was successful, so I feel like a prisoner released! Yes, it is a pain to take the boot off and on in the car to drive, but at least I can get things done now and head back to work! Yesterday was supposed to be my first day back, but Mason decided to get sick at daycare and get sent home so I had to stay home yet another day. I'm actually getting used to all this daytime tv now and sadly timing my otherwise uneventful day around it.

They have started construction on our paver patio. We were not expecting the crew to start until the end of the month, so it will be a nice treat when that is done. Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit so we can sit outside and enjoy it. I shouldn't complain about the weather. I can just imagine how comfortable it will be to wear this aircast when the mercury rises over 70 degrees. Hopefully I only have 2 more weeks..but that would be really lucky.

Back to work tomorrow!

Matzoh Matzoh Man!

Well, we are in the midst of Passover. The dietary restrictions for Passover are basically awful. No bread, rice, pasta, corn, etc... This year let us throw in a broken ankle and 2 toddlers who are picky eaters and meal time is such a delight (sarcasm intended).

I really can't spend time in the kitchen on my feet, so people have been bringing in food for the family. So nice. One friend brought matzoh ball soup and Sophie and Mason enjoyed that.

Since I'm laying around all day on my butt all week with mandatory rest, I have plenty of time to blog, but don't get used to it! I am determined to be mobile soon and the daily blogs should be rare.

But for now, enjoy the photos of the cuties enjoying tonight's Passover dinner.