Mother's Day Hike

We had gorgeous weather on Mother's Day, and so we decided to head to the Blue Hills for a family hike.  It was so nice; I really enjoy hiking, especially when the mosquitoes haven't really come out yet.  I could never hike alone though because I have the absolute worst sense of direction EVER, and I often miss the obvious markers on the trails!

Driving to the Blue Hills was interesting.  It is rare for us to all pile into the car with the two dogs; it was a very full minivan!  Kate added to the experience by asking over and over and over and over again, "Where are we going?", "What are we going to do there?", etc.

You can see that Reagan finally has two front teeth!  She lost a front primary tooth when she was only three years old due to injury, and the new tooth is finally growing in; it's weird (but very NICE) to see her with two front teeth after all these years!  Also, doesn't Reagan look so happy in that picture?  It almost looks like she had a great time!!!  Ha ha ha.  Reagan is strong and athletic, but she doesn't like hiking.  She lets everyone know that she is not enjoying it.

This was Kate's very first "hike".  She was carried most of the time, but she did walk a little and I was happy to have her there with us.

 The view from the top; that's Boston in the distance.

I saved this picture for the end so that I could write a little about Kelly.  We weren't going to bring her, even though she LOVES hiking.  Kelly has been limping lately and the vet actually thought she might have had a torn ACL and need surgery.  She was on an anti-inflammatory and the limping went away, but she still appears to have some stiffness in her leg.  As we were packing up to go, Kelly was very excited; she knows what the packs and other hiking items mean, and she was ready to go.  The rest of us piled into the car, ready to leave, but we could hear her crying in the house and we just could not leave without her.  So she came, and she was fine out there, and fortunately, she didn't seem to overdo it because she still seems fine.  She's so funny; I wish I had thought to take a video of her as we approached the exit for the Blue Hills.  She knew exactly where we were and started "screaming" with excitement.  I'm so happy we brought her; it wouldn't be the same without Kelly.

*I was there, really, just the one taking the pictures.  I should have thought to get a picture of myself with the kids since it was Mother's Day.  I never think to make sure I get in pictures.

Here are a few short videos I took during our hike:

This was a great way for us to all spend time together.  I loved it.

Mothering

I don't read many blogs these days, but I love Clover Lane.  Right now, Sarah (the author of Clover Lane) is hosting an ongoing series about being a stay at home mom.  Every post has made me nod my head in agreement and each post just reinforces everything I think and love about being home with my children.  I know that I am VERY fortunate to be able to stay home, and every day (really, every day) I think about how grateful I am for this because there is nothing I would want more in the world.  I am so very grateful that Tom works so hard and agrees that I should be the one to raise our children.  I'm not perfect, at all, nope, not even close.  I don't always make the right decisions.  I'm not always the mom I want to be or the wife I want to be, but I am very happy that I am the one that changes the diapers, handles the temper tantrums, cooks the meals, packs the lunches, cleans the house (and acknowledges that the house is never as clean as I want it to be), greets my children when they get off the bus, drives the kids to activities, and tucks them into bed at night.  I have seen firsthand how quickly children grow; the years FLY BY, and I know that I will always cherish the moments I spent at home taking care of my family in a totally imperfect fashion.

I love the Clover Lane posts so much that I have decided to put some of my favorite quotes from the series here so that I can have them to look at and remember in the future.

"Everybody has heard the saying that no one, on their death bed, has wished they spent more time in the office and I can’t help but wonder if this might be a big part of the solution. My hope is that more women will choose for themselves to take a deep breath, to leave those beautifully framed, hard-earned, expensive degrees on the wall and close that office door. My hope is that women will come to know that its ok, it’s a valid choice, you are wasting nothing and you might just come to gain everything you’ve ever wanted. You too educated, successful women, get to come back home. "

"I offer this as encouragement to anyone who has invested extensive time and money (oh the money!) on education and formal degrees. You can have a doctorate or a bachelors or a masters or any degree under the sun and put it to work in your daily life as a mother. You do not walk away from that degree or career experience when you become a mother. I know the world tells you otherwise, and it is such a pity. Yes, it will be a different kind of work and it will be an income of an entirely different variety, but motherhood can be the next season along the same path you have always been walking. It is not a matter of walking one path and then dropping off all you have accomplished to jump on another path and start all over. There is no such thing as a "wasted degree." I am still a lawyer, I just don't practice law right now. You can still be a teacher, a counselor, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer. No one can take that from you. Don't let them."

"I always thought I'd be one of those working moms that seemed important, and the reason why I wanted to be one was because of my mother. I wanted to do better than her, and complete my education and go all the way. I wanted to be able to provide the necessities that my mother couldn't provide. Little did I know that "living to work" was not fulfilling, that money didn't buy happiness, and that tiny human beings were (still are) more important."

"I realize that wouldn't be ideal for everyone. And I understand that some women have to work. I believe that we are all doing our best. No one wants to fail as a mother, and so we find routines and activities that work for each of us. Judging another mother on her decisions doesn't do anybody any good, and so I turn my focus to my own family. I do what is right for us and I don't worry about what anyone else is doing.
This is what I know: being a stay at home mom is everything I dreamed it would be. Yes, there are hard days, and long nights, and sometimes difficult children. But as a stay at home mom, I get to decide the tempo and structure of our daily life. I choose what to feed my children, I am the one who reads them stories on the couch, and listens to how their day went when they come bursting in the door after school. But most importantly, I am here, always here.
The success of my life will be measured in how well I complete my role as mother. Period. It is my calling and my pleasure."

"Why? Because it is so much easier to run a home when I am, well, home.  Because it makes my family happy.  Because it makes me happy.  Because it feels right, so much more right than anything else I can think of doing.  My degree is in physics teaching, but there are plenty of other physics teachers, most of whom can do the job I would be doing as well or better than I.  As a physics teacher, I am replaceable.  As a mother, I am not.  My children need ME.  There is so much more to mothering than keeping children clothed, fed, and clean.  So much teaching, loving, building.  I am building more than a home...I am building relationships with my children that will anchor them all their lives.  I am building people, who in turn will go out and change the world.  I am changing the world, one little person at a time."

"I think that's what I'd like my mother friends who are reading to ponder with me: whatever desire is on your heart for your family at this point, don't bury it. Especially if you are a pregnant or new mother as clueless as I was, but you have the desire to test out staying at home: don't bury it. Don't be afraid. You can try it. It is not a lifelong retreat from the world. Your husband, your family, your friends, they'll get used to it. For me personally, 'coming home' has been the best pyschotherapist's couch I never had to pay for, because it has revealed more about myself that I think I ever could have learned in a 'regular' job.  And I know my children love their mama because I hear it regularly every day, and I love that. I *need* that as I work my way through this crazy town!  It was an unexpected blessing-the best kind-that plotted my course forever. "

"I am grateful that we, as women today, have so many options available to us. I love the woman I have become as a mother. It didn’t happen overnight, but I am stronger, wiser, more confident and less shy.
If you feel a calling to be home, listen to your heart. Use your heart – but also your mind – when choosing a mate. Then, together, carefully, choose your path. Realize that life is a journey. "

""We all know that the early years of our children’s lives are precious.  It is when they are most teachable, impressionable and open to true and erroneous teaching.  Our society in a rush to success encourages us as mothers to send our children from the home earlier and earlier, to involve them in more and more activities.  Too often we forget that the most important preparation for success is in the home under the nurturing care of the mother.  That preparation takes time, long stretches of time filled with the consistent, everyday activity of home life.

The time we have with our little ones is short and should be guarded carefully."

Kimberli Robison

(the entire article that quote was taken from is here)"

"I have found one of the best ways to examine the course of my life is to ask myself, "Will I regret this?" I picture myself in a rocking chair on a front porch, watching my grandchildren, or great grandchildren play on the lawn. Will I look back with peace in my heart? Will I say,"I wish I would have slowed down and savored every moment?" It's not really a fun thing to do, but it always enables me to spit out the right answer.  It enables me to stay focused, run against the grain of the times, and enjoy the small moments. It reminds me to stay strong and centered about what I want to believe...that simply raising my children, being a mother and a wife, is enough, when everything we read and hear and see is sending me the opposite message.  It helps me establish priorities and to say yes to the things that really count in the end.

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. ~John De Paola"

Picture Perfect

When I posted this picture as part of the wedding post last week, I had a green light in the corner of my eye!  MaryAnne from Mama Smiles offered to photoshop it for me, and she did a great job.  I'm so very grateful for the people I have met and befriended in my blogging years.  I never ever would have thought I would know people online that I would call friends, but there are a few great people that I'm very happy to know, and MaryAnne is one of them.

This picture was taken with my cell phone in low light at a wedding reception, so it certainly isn't perfect, but I still love it.

Cinderella Ate My Daughter (do you have some time because this is a long post)

After reading the post about this book at Almost Unschoolers, and reading all of the comments on that post, I had to read the book for myself.

If you have not heard of the book, Peggy Orenstein, the mother of a daughter, sets out to discover whether princesses, Hannah Montana, and all things pink and girly are destroying the self-esteem and well-being of the little girls of the world. 

I did learn a few interesting things from this book.  For one thing, did you know that when nursery colors were first introduced, pink used to be considered a masculine color and girls were often dressed in blue because it was associated with the Virgin Mary and also symbolized constancy, faithfulness, and femininity (think Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Dorothy)?  I also learned about how the huge Disney princess craze came about.

Honestly though, I rolled my eyes more often than not while reading this book.  I consider the author to be an alarmist and alarmists give me a headache.  Furthermore, have you read the title of this blog?  We are big fans of princesses in our house.  I don't think they lead to eating disorders, perfection issues, or anything remotely sexual.  I think there is a big difference between playing dress up and performing in beauty pageants.  I have no interest in enrolling my daughter in beauty pageants, but she can dress up like a princess at home whenever she wants and I am not the least bit concerned that it will harm her in any way.  I also don't think superheroes teach boys that violence is acceptable, and I am happy to let my children play with toy guns.  I have plenty of friends who do not let their children play with toy guns and that is their choice, but I often see their boys turning everything else into guns so what is the point of banning the toy?

Back to the book...and the whole concept of princesses somehow harming our children.  Again, I know people who do not let their children have any princess items.  Their reasoning is that the children somehow get hooked on the notion that they have to be perfect and that their sole purpose in life is to find Prince Charming and get married.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....let me tell you that I have very vivid memories of being a young girl and dreaming about getting married and having beautiful children and a beautiful house.  I don't remember having any princess toys though, and I certainly didn't have princess dresses or tiaras.  Why can't little girls pretend to be something they think is just wonderful?  I played "house" a lot as a kid - was it bad that I dreamed about being a grown up and having children?  PUHLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!  Give me a break.  What should I want my children to play - corporate executives?  What is wrong with fairy tales and happily ever after?  Don't we, as adults, still hope and dream that we will live happily ever after?  I know I do.  How many adults do you know that got all wrapped up in the royal wedding?  Should we worry about those adults? 

We try to keep our children young.  Our daughter is not allowed to get her ears pierced yet or dress like a teenager.  There will be no two piece bathing suits around here.  Our television has not seen the likes of iCarly or Hannah Montana because R is just five and I think the shows are too mature for her.  I know plenty of people who let their young daughters watch these shows and that is their choice, but it is not right for my daughter.  On the other hand, I think princesses are just right for her, and I don't think her Barbie dolls will cause her to have body image issues.  I only mention my daughter in this paragraph because it doesn't seem that little boys try to be older than they are; it is definitely more of an issue for girls.

That is the key, what is right for your family?  What do you want your children to believe?  Nothing else matters really.  Just because I don't want my daughter in a two piece bathing suit, doesn't mean it is wrong for your daughter.  What is right for me, is not necessarily right for you, and if only we could get past that notion, the world would be a much better place.  

Speaking of that, I am going off on another tangent for a minute.  It used to be that working mothers were criticized, and it seems to me that the tables have turned a bit.  Please don't think I am criticizing working mothers - I used to be one and I know plenty of working mothers who manage to work and take care of their children.  But, lately, I find that people are criticizing my choice to stay home with my children.  They ask questions like:  How can you stand to be home all day?  Don't you worry that your children aren't learning independence?  Don't you think that the projects and activities you do with your children prevent them from learning to play on their own?  (so annoying, as if I sit and occupy my children all day long, but I get that A LOT), and here is the one that BUGS ME THE MOST --- WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP?  Why this is any of their concern, I do not know, but people (lots of people) have asked me that question.  They must worry that my children will grow up and I will wither away, alone without anything to do all day.  So, right now I am going to tell you that I LOVE TO be a mom and I LOVE to stay home with my children.  This does not make me lazy, and it certainly does not mean that I am not willing to work!!!!!!!!!!  I am very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children.  I can bring them to school, I can go to their soccer and basketball games, I can take them to practices, and I can cook their meals and wash their clothes.  I also love being able to take care of my husband (gasp, did I really say that I like to take care of him?  Feminists around the world are already planning an intervention).  I don't claim to be the best mother or the best wife, but I love that I am able to do my best for my family and I really don't think I should be criticized for that.  I love Donna Reed and June Cleaver, and I'm happy to put on my apron and pearls and go about my day. 

In summary (finally, right?) and back to the premise behind the book, I think children need positive role models in their lives.  If a child has parents that are obsessed with perfection and body image, most likely the child will grow up with those same obsessions.  We try to encourage our children to lead healthy lives.  We certainly eat our share of sweets, but we also emphasize the importance of healthy foods.  Exercise is important in our house too.  Our children will ride their bicycles, play sports, and spend a good amount of time running around outside.  That is not negotiable.  If while running around outside, they want to play superheroes and princesses, well then that is just wonderful and I am not the least bit concerned about it.

A Little News

I was going to wait a few more weeks before sharing this news, but I have received quite a few emails from concerned readers (so sweet, thank you!) asking where I have been and if everything is okay.  So, without further ado, I am thrilled to announce that we are expecting a new superhero or princess in early September. 

I am certainly not going to stop blogging (GASP!), but morning sickness seems to have taken over my body and I have not been able to find the energy to do anything worth blogging about!  I hope to return to our normal routine soon!

So, tell me, did you suffer from morning sickness and did anything help? 

The Worrier

I worry.  It's what I do best.  I wish I could be more like my husband; he just doesn't let things bother him.  He definitely does not understand why I worry.  Seriously, I should worry less.  I have a great husband who happens to have a great career.  My children are happy and healthy.  We are surrounded by family.  We live in a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood.  We have more than we need.  You get the idea.  Life is good in this neck of the woods.

I have no explanation for my worries.  I think that I was just born with the worrying gene.  Even as a child I worried.  I used to worry about getting good grades, making friends, and keeping everyone around me happy.

Some of my worries are typical mommy worries - germs, safety, education, chemicals in products (oh, I could go on and on about this one), organic food vs. conventional food, etc.  Some of my worries are crazy and I won't even dare to write them here or you would run far and fast and never visit me again - see I worry about you never visiting me again too!  I even worry about my worrying and how it impacts my children.  By worrying, am I sheltering them too much, preventing them from taking risks?  

Many of my worries, however, are ridiculous and yet I still have them.  Recently, I was concerned about the number of books I typically request from the inter-library loan program.  My concern was that this cost of transporting books to my library was a burden on the library that I love and visit several times a week.  I was relieved to find out that requesting these books actually helps the library to keep their numbers up where they need to be to stay open.  So, what did I worry about then?  Oh no, is there a possibility that my library could close?  Libraries are closing all over the country; how sad.  USE YOUR LIBRARY!

Anyway, I am ranting here.  Are you a worrier, or are you one of those special people who manages to be carefree and happy without a concern in the world?

Arts and Crafts in our New Home

This is the arts and crafts center in our new home. This area is in the finished part of our basement. I love that this section has a tile floor for easy clean up, cabinets for storage, and a SINK!!!!!! Woo Hoo! Arts and crafts have left the kitchen! Soon, we will have some artwork on those walls!

Hello from our new kitchen!

I love our new kitchen. It's white. I hope it stays that way. I also love the way the sun fills the room in the morning, not that you could tell from these photos. I love the cabinet space (see the wall of tall cabinets in the top photo), the shiny granite counters, the island that makes cooking so much easier. I am so happy here.
A house is not a home until you bake something in the kitchen, so we are looking forward to baking molasses cookies this weekend. I can smell them already!

Moving Tips

If all goes well, we will be moving to a new house in December. We are staying in the same town and the same school district, but I still think that moving may be an emotional experience for my children. We have lived in our current house for eight years, so T is the only one who has moved.

I'm looking for advice or tips. Have you moved to a new house with your children? How did you prepare? Are there any books that you recommend? I appreciate any words of wisdom you may have for me.

Just a Mommy

A while ago I read an article about a woman who hated the fact that her children saw her as "just a mommy". She wanted them to see her as something more than that. I understand where she is coming from, but I am content with my children seeing me as "just a mommy". When people criticize me for going above and beyond for my children, for teaching my children, for hugging them when they cry, for giving them all of the energy I have, for making three different dinners at one mealtime, for checking on them in the middle of the night, for letting them sleep with me when they are afraid, for tying their shoes, for worrying about little things, for crying when they head off to school........I take it as a compliment.

I have had titles. I can place the word Esquire at the end of my name. I have a license to practice law. Do you think my children care about that? No. They care that I am the person who rocked them to sleep, watched their first steps, heard their first words. They take comfort in the fact that I watch their soccer games and read them bedtime stories.

My oldest child is twelve. It all happened so fast. There are no second chances or do overs. I am not claiming to be the best mommy, or even a great mommy, I simply want to be the best mommy I can be and I strive to be a better mommy every single day. So, if my children see me as "just a mommy," I will smile and proudly claim the title.

10 things about me

Orange Juice tagged me to participate in this fun, get to know you post.

The rules are:
* tell everyone 10 things about you they may not know, but are true
*tag 5 bloggers with the award

10 things about me:
1. I am very sensitive and my feelings are easily hurt. I wish this wasn't the case because I tend to overreact to little things.
2. I am an attorney but I haven't practiced law in six or seven years because I have been staying home with my children and loving it. Honestly, I enjoyed the study of law much much more than I ever liked the practice of law. It's just not as glamorous as people think.
3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Zumba! It's a great workout and so much fun. I admit that I am not very good at it, but it is still fun.
4. I never talk about religion here but I will tell you that I am a Christian and I read the Bible with my children every day. C's favorite book is the Bible - he loves to read about David and Goliath.
5. I cut the umbilical cord myself after the birth of my second and third child.
6. If I could do it all over, I would become a midwife.
7. I do not like extreme temperatures - hot or cold - and have passed out after being in the hot sun for a short time. Because of this, my husband likes to call me "the baby bird". I am happiest when the temperature is just about 70 degrees.
8. My name is Christy, not Christine or Chrystal or Kristen, and I HATE being called Chris.
9. I have a pile problem. I pile things on any flat surface I can find. I am working on this.
10. My favorite television show is So You Think You Can Dance! I love it.

Now, I am tagging YOU! If you just read this, then tag, you're it. Come on, you know you want to participate. These things are so much fun and we really want to know more about you!

Who are we?

I love reading blog posts that give me some insight into the blogger and her (all of the blogs I read are written by women) family so I thought I would share a little about who we are. (I am always behind the camera and couldn't find a decent photo of myself. I'll have to start letting my husband use the camera a little, maybe.)

I grew up in New Bedford, MA and went to Emerson College in Boston. I always thought I would live in CA and work in public relations but that never happened. The study of law intrigued me and I ended up in law school. That's a good thing because I met my husband there. We practiced law together for a few years and believe it or not we worked really well together. I love my husband and honestly never minded spending the entire day with him. My husband still practices law but I am a stay at home mom. I did teach one class at a law school this year but it was only a few hours a week.

Our oldest child, T, is a sixth grader and will be 12 this month. He is a good student and loves sports. T plays soccer, basketball, and baseball. T also loves Wii and XBox and hanging out with his friends. We don't allow television or video games on school days.

C will be 5 in August. He also loves sports and just started playing tee ball this year. C is obsessed with superheroes and has been from a young age. It was inevitable because T is 7 years older than him and C was interested in everything his older brother liked.

R turned 3 in March. She is the ultimate girly girl; she loves everything pink and purple, pocketbooks, sparkly things, princesses, fairies, mermaids, and SHOES! Oh how she loves shoes and asks to go shoe shopping all the time!

I love teaching my children but we will not be homeschooling exclusively. T has attended public school since Kindergarten and C and R will also. We are lucky to have good public schools in our town. I do, however, consider myself to be the first teacher for my children and learning will always go on at home. Honestly, I consider my children to be community learners. I do my best to find as many educational opportunities for them as possible. We visit museums, hike nature trails, attend concerts and plays, explore the zoo, and try to learn about the world around us. When my children are interested in a subject, we explore it as much as possible. I will not be their only teacher but I will always be responsible for ensuring that my children learn as much as possible and become educated members of the community.

I hope I didn't bore you to tears!