I am not a Disney person, maybe I'm not as fun or easy-going as I should be...maybe I'm just a total snob, but the scene there gives me complete hives.  I don't like crowds, I don't like rides, I am terrified of heights, I don't like Disney characters in general, and people who wear disney apparel as grown-ups?  Really? 

Anyway, my mother and brother convinced me to bring the kids to Disney, stating that I was the 'meanest mom ever' if I didn't give them that experience, so we went last weekend-- my brother, his three kids under the age of 9, my 2 boys (ages 9 and 6), and my parents.  Oy, what a trip.  I didn't love it, for most things I barely gritted my teeth and got through, but the smiles of the kids, the giggles between cousins, and the fun of watching them in this ridiculous setting lessened the blow.

Now, I must state that my kids don't particularly like rides, Disney characters, or crowds either, so it was a bit absurd -- we had tears of fear on rides, complaints about lines, and more -- enough to drive me a little batty, but here are the things we LIKED.

In the Animal Kingdom --

The safari trip is wonderful.  It is so bizarre, but they really take you in a safari type vehicle and bump you through a road where you view elephants, birds, crocodiles, rhinos, lions, wharthogs, and more.  Very cool. 

The Lion King Show.  A great, not too long, performance to get a taste of the Broadway show -- the acrobats were amazing, the music was great, and the costumes were fantastic.  Fun all around.

Tree of Life.  A fully sculpted "tree" depicting all manner of animals from around the world.  Beautifully carved and detailed.  Fun to just wander around and pick out the different animal types.

Kali River Rapids ride.  A very fun, VERY wet ride down a 'river' rapids.  If you like rides, you'll love it, but it's definitely not a calm ride.

Magic Kingdom --

Swiss Family Robinson Tree House.  An beautifully crafted tree house that winds you way up in a tree and around.  Very cool to see the rooms and the different levels.

Hall of Presidents Show.  If you're a history buff, you'll love this.  An interactive movie with moving figures of the presidents takes you through time and history.  Enough interest to hold the attention of the kids.  A great breather during the day if you need to sit, enjoy a little air conditioning and a break from lines.

Pirates of the Caribbean.  A great ride on a boat, with fascinating effects.  It is dark though and there is one part where the boat drops down a slight incline that scared my smaller one.  There are also pirates and crazy singing and scenes and loud noises in case someone worries easily... 

Restaurants:

T-Rex!  A must do -- reservations are necessary because it's completely nuts, but the setting is great.  Meteor showers light up the 'sky', the walls change colors in an ice cave room, and there are giant jelly fish, octopus, and dinosaurs hanging everywhere.  So fun.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.  Now, I'll admit that you may get there and want to run away when you first see what you're in for.  Lots of people, not fancy food, but the kids were HOWLING and so were we.  If you can get your head around the down home fun, you'll have a great night.

All for now.  Comments welcome. 

 

 

I am not a good housekeeper. My husband is the neat one in our home, and as such, I feel it falls to him to keep the house in the manner he prefers-- I don't mind a little mess, but if he does...well, he can clean, I don't mind. 

He says worries that if something were to ever happen to him, the children would be removed by child services because I would just let the house rot and become over-run with papers and the sundry bits that I tend to leave lying about...which he now picks up and "hides" from me by putting them "away", but that's a story for another day.  I'll admit that the house would certainly not be tidy, but doubt it would get that bad...with the insurance money, I'd certainly get someone to fill in for him.

Anyway, a friend shared an email with me today, and I won't bore you with the full forwarded email...but the best line, I have to share because I just loved it...

"Remember...a  layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.  And a house truly becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture." -- Forget the dusting for the day and get out and enjoy doing something meaningful!

 

My children and I are not morning people...during the week anyway.  They seem pretty happy to be awake and waking me in the morning on the weekends, but the morning growl has started in full force in our home as the kids have grown.  They dread getting dressed, having breakfast, and getting ready for school.  I spend most of my first hours of the day herding them about the house like uncooperative cattle.  I hate it, they hate it.  My husband on the other hand is the most annoyingly chipper person in the morning and we all just bark at him while he happily makes comments and goes about preparing for the day.  Who lives like that?!  Grrrrr. 

My kids are now 9 and 7 and I don't want to speak too soon and jinx it, but I think they may actually be developing taste buds that resemble those of a normal person rather than chicken finger only eating animals.  They seem to finally be getting sick of what I call 'plastic' foods-- items you microwave or 'heat'.  For a while the little one would ONLY eat chicken fingers, cream cheese and jelly, and occassionally a turkey sandwich if pressed -- NO other proteins or colored foods passed his lips.  He is finally beginning to agree to try new things and recently even has a craving for tacos!  So, for all of the desperate moms out there who cry out 'they won't eat anything I cook for them'...take heart, all it takes is a little time and to KEEP TRYING.  At least one a week (once a day if you can bear it) add something new to their plate and see if you can't convince them to try just one bite.  If they seriously don't like it, try again another time, but one bite is the pass word.  You never know, you might hit on something that'll surprise you.

Fall seems to have finally arrived -- there's a little chill in the air, kids are settling into school routines, mommies are happily back at the gym, at baby classes with friends, having coffee, going to work or just getting into routines themselves. Weekends are full of soccer, ballet, football, friends, and town fun -- people come out to see friends or meet new ones and the towns are buzzing with chatter and events of all types. It's my absolute favorite time of year.

What I like most about the fall though is that it always makes me remember why we live in this gorgeous area. The options for fun are endless, whether as adults out at amazing local restaurants or happenings, or out with the kids in local parks, apple picking, or at interesting new classes. But I'm babbling, you know why you live here -- it's like nowhere else, we have the best city in the world a train ride away, yet the most spectacular nature preserves, parks, farms, and more to enjoy right in our own back yards.

Last weekend we took the kids to enjoy a walk in one of our favorite nature preserves, the Westchester Land Trust's Westchester Wilderness Walk in Pound Ridge and discovered that they had added one of their "Quest" adventures to the trail. The Quest leads families along a beautiful trail while engaging children in some hands-on activities and learning as they go (don't worry they won't notice). Kids take a booklet at the trail head, and armed with the booklet and a pencil, follow the trail to find letters along the way that spell out a secret message. They also add stamps to their book, playing a sort of stamp bingo as they go -- double the fun! Instructions and clues are given as they follow the trail telling them what to look for at each spot-- thus the learning, as they seek out special trees, vines, rocks, and more.

The Westchester Land Trust hosts Quests at the Westchester Wilderness Walk in Pound Ridge and on the Rose Preserve in North Salem. The Quests are a truly wonderful way to get the kids out of the house, enjoy a crisp fall day, and get out and about AT NO COST!

For more information about the Westchester Land Trust Preserves and hikes, visit www.westchesterlandtrust.org.

Coloring fun for kids.....

Well, today is finally the day, an exciting and possibly (hopefully) start to a new era in America.  It's fairly obvious that I am a liberal person, filled with liberal ideas and agendas, and this is my personal blog...so....allowing myself some self-righteous thoughts here today on this most important day!

I grew up in Pennsylvania (or Pennsyltucky as my husband calls it) where the vote swings Republican and a hard war is fought every election year to swing the blue side of the state into action.  I have family members who will be voting for McCain today and I can barely see through to speaking to them at the moment.  How can anyone with an education, a brain, or a heart vote for McCain-Palin?  McCain on his own several months ago did not seem like the worst thing that could happen to this country.  I preferred Obama certainly, but did not look in horror at the thought of McCain in the White House.  His choice of Palin however, sends chills up my spine and brings into question everything that he stands for and everything I abhor.  Her right leanings and pro-life stance aside, she simply is not prepared to take over the most important job in the country and potentially the world.  Her thoughts on the environment, her beliefs about war, her obvious lack of education on the issues at hand, and her inability to unite the people of the united states at this critical time terrifies me.  At this juncture in the history of america, we need a leader who will bring the people together, who will show the world that America is not an elite society of racist, anti-female, white supremecists. 

We need Obama.  For your kids, for your country, for your future.  Please?

Wow, it's cold.  I am definitely not ready for it to be quite THIS crisp.  Every morning this week I have been dragging myself out of bed to get the kids ready in the morning, I am SO not a morning person.  My fingers are chilly, my skin is dry, and I am cranky.  The winter already looms long and it's not even here yet.  Is it me, or am I getting old and fussy?

Despite the nearly 90 degree heat outside today, I love the fall.  The hint of color just showing in the trees, the sound of football on the television and the many great events that happen around Westchester in the fall. We went to the John Jay Homestead Barn Dance and Country Fair this weekend-- and I absolutely love it-- walking through and seeing friends you've missed all summer long, watching the kids race around the green lawns, squeal at the pigs, and just generally run free.  There aren't many places I feel that down home feeling any more, but it is such an amazing event.  If you missed it this year, please don't make that mistake again next year!  Congrats to everyone there that works so hard to put it together, it's the fall event we look forward to every year...

If your week has looked like this, you know it's fall....

Tuesday morning... 

7:00am: kids wake me by talking very close to my face and asking "What day is today again?  Is today school yet?"
7:02am: Mumble "No, go back to sleep, it's our last chance"
7:03am: I'm not tired, can I watch TV?
7:04am: You can do anything you want if you let me go back to sleep....

8:05am: What time can we go to the school to look at our classroom?
8:06am: We might have to wait for a bit.  (Get cup of coffee)

10:00am: Get everyone in car and head toward school
10:10am: arrive at school to be told that they are not letting kids in to visit this year
10:12am: First anxiety attack of the week, mine of course.  Note hurt look in shy older son's eyes.
10:13am: Second anxiety attack of the week, oldest son wonders aloud why the school doesn't want him to come in
10:14am: Crazy mom peeking in windows of classrooms, pretending it's funny and exciting.  Doing anything she can to act like she's excited for school to start
10:20am: Log in first email complaint to school principle sighting son's tears and anxiety, starting school well
10:21am: Remorse registered after send button is hit.  Oh well.  I guess I'll be THAT mom this year.
10:30am: Hit the grocery store and buy the snacks she has sworn not to buy this year in lieu of healthier options, just to make up for school debaucle this morning

11:00am: Kids eating pizza and slushies at Target.  Whatever.  I already give up.

Good luck to all the first day of schoolers out there this week!
 
 

Every year my kids and I get that old fashioned panicky feeling about heading back to school.  Here are some tips we've tried the past few years, that might help you out if your house is as crazy as ours!

* Find a friend-- whether you're new to school or a returning student-- have a friend or two over. Reconnecting with old friends or making new ones will allow your child a friendly face to look forward to on their first day.

* Play games-- role play classroom activities-- make yourselves some funny name tags, practice letters, reading, writing, or arithmetic-- you'll be amazed at what's been forgotten over the summer. Don't let lessons get frustrating though-- keep it fun and funny (whatever they've forgotten will be covered again, it's too late to worry about it now!)

* Read books about going to school. Some of our favorites?

My First Day of Nursery School, Becky Edwards
I am NOT Going to School Today, Robbie Harris
The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn
Owen, Kevin Henkes
Kindergarten Rocks!, Katie Davis
Harry Gets Ready for School, Harriet Ziefert
Morris Goes to School, B. Wiseman
The First Graders from Mars series, Shana Corey
The Junie B. Jones series, Barbara Park
Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth, Alison McGhee
Ramona the Pest, Beverly Cleary
and of course,
If You Take a Mouse to School, Laura Numeroff.

* Sneak into the school if you can. Seeing their classroom, finding their name on their desk, and finding the bathroom closest to his/her classroom are all of great interest and comfort to little people!

 

How cool is this?  I noticed a fun tool, http://wordle.net, on a friend's blog, http://universityofbe.blogspot.com, you add any words you like and it turns them into a fun design-- add this to your scrapbook or photo album for a custom touch!

Well, I can't believe it, but we've just returned from a trip with the kids overseas and guess what?  It was fun!  Unbelievably they were wonderful-- wonderful on the plane ride, fabulously behaved while we were there (I mean MOST of the time anyway) and great adventurers.  We spent 4 days in London as a family, then another 5 days with both, yes, both at the same time, sets of grandparents.  An amazing time was had by all.  By the time they were sick of us, they were seeing new faces, and faces that wanted to spoil them rotten.  If you can bear your parents and/or in-laws, I highly suggest this for travel help! 

"Moving up" day arrived yesterday amid tears and drama....mostly mine of course...and the summer is suddenly here.  My babies are getting so damn big, it kills me.  Not sure what to do with myself now....so time for the Margheritas I guess.   This weekend, invite your friends over, go out with the kids, revel in the fact that you have no soccer or baseball practice, no school, no agenda...before the summer camps begin at least.  Make time for you, the husband, and the kids....and just think about the summers of your childhood-- even if you are just idealizing them in your head, try to get there-- see the endless possiblities, the play time, the dreaming, and the lazy afternoons just rolling around by the pool.  Gather the towels, the sunblock, and a book and head for the Westchester beaches or pools-- the public spots are the best source of fun-- gossip, gatherings, and giggles.

Enjoy and happy summer....

This has been the longest month of my life....at least since last June.  Every year June sneaks up on me and hits me over the head-- why I am still surprised by it, I can't imagine.  June is crazy-- the end of the year parties, "graduation" ceremonies from pre-schools, art shows, end of year picnics, awards ceremonies, and more take up my days and even my nights.  My kids are FRIED and ready for summer to start, I am so tired of looking at their empty lunchboxes waiting to be filled anew, and we seem to have been talking about summer vacation and the promise of fun for months now, with the time dargging by interminably.  Exhausting.

Two weeks and counting at our house.  If I have to pack another snack, I might freak out.  You should see the junk food that came home from the store today-- I have completely given in.  Anything easy, that will make them happy at some point during the day, and as much chocolate as I can find...and that's just to get me through the day...is in our closet.  Good luck to the poor teachers with all of these cranky, yet hopped up on sugar kids of mine.

Hang in there ladies and gents.  We're almost done.

I love my mother, and generally speaking, I think she did a pretty wonderful job raising me and my 5 siblings.  A few of them are a bit rough around the edges, but I can't get into that because they do happen to read my chatter...

Memorial Day is upon us, and none to soon. I am cold, but hopeful. The boys are beyond tired of school and I am just sick of thinking of things to put in their lunch boxes! We're ready for summer fun, some warm weather would be nice, and swimming? I can almost feel it. If you are home for the long weekend, enjoy, if traveling, don't forget a sweater.... we may not be there quite yet. Either way, pack the kids up and do something new-- head to a different park, find a hiking trail -- check out the Westchester Land Trust web site, www.westchesterlandtrust.org, or www.westchestergov.com to find something suitable for the whole family. Or of course, you can try out our "Things to do" pages-- and rate them when you get back! Have a fantastic weekend! Gretchen

Yesterday, waiting through another cold and rainy spring day, the boys and I played a rousing game of Hide and Seek.  Generally I am averse to this sort of fun-- much happier to do an art project, read a book-- you know, the lazy mommy sort of activities...but the guilt of the last month's over-working was upon me and I must say what a fun time we had.  I can't say that they are particularly good at the game though.  Always hiding in the same spots, giggling profusely as I hunt them out and giving their spots away as eagerly as they can.  Nothing funnier.

Anyway, today's thought?  Play hide and seek.  A simple game for simple pleasures.  Don't forget to conclude the "find" with a little wrestle or tickle of course and lots of hugs. 

It is here!

I am in love, the new site is launched and I am giddy with excitement to see what you all think.  I hope that you will LOVE the forums, and find them a great source of support and information-- talk to each other and please, BE NICE.  This is not a certain city site if you know what I mean...

Be sure to enjoy the blogs too-- create your own and have fun -- write your friends, have the kids chat with grandmom, upload pictures, and share your experience!

Leave your comments and thoughts everywhere-- ratings, reviews, chat areas, baby lists, etc.  The more we share, the more the fun.  Tell your friends to join us, spread the word!!!

Have FUN!!!!!  I look forward to meeting you here, there and everywhere...

OMG!  It's gonna happen...

I have given birth again...this time not to a cute pink baby with perfect lips and a beautiful round head....but to a web site design, the effort of which has sucked the life out of me these past months more than any of my pregnancies ever did. 

The pain of dealing with web programmers & designers leaving me with my head spinning and a stomache ache comparable to a contraction.  I'll admit that I am a complete control freak and not being able to do this work when I wanted it, how I wanted it, the way I wanted it...to say the least left me crazed, insecure, and angry beyond belief.  I have never been so taken advantage of in my life and as a female person that's certainly saying something.  So, no thanks to Giles Communications in Purchase who dumped me half way through completion, I have crawled and scratched my way to LAUNCH.

Today though, I am basking in the promise of the new birth-- looking at my beautiful blogs, ads rotating through clean new pages, and forums just waiting to be chatted on....Tomorrow is the day...

delight.

Mother's Day comes every year and I promise myself that I will be better to the other Mothers in my life-- my mom, my sisters, in-laws, etc. and every year I totally drop the ball.  I can barely remember my own name these days, much less remember to find a gift or send something ahead of time.  It's nearly a disease how little I can plan ahead lately.  The memory is gone, the time flies, and I wake up yet another day past due on life and wonder what I am doing with the days that just slip by!

The only thing that gives me comfort is that I hear others complaining of similar problems.  Forgetting birthdays, appointments, or items on the to do list.  What is it about parenting that takes so much of your mental capacity away??

So, Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite ladies...a little late as usual-- do you find it endearing yet? 

Last night I had dinner with Sydney, Lucy, Charlie, Greta, and Henry's Moms.  I also had dinner with a playwright, a nurse, a novelist, a graphic designer, and a documentary producer.

I am often amazed by the women who surround me in my every day life here in Westchester, and I am more often amazed by the women who I look at as 'moms' and have no idea what else they do in their lives or have done in their lives.  The baby amnesia that takes over and also removes our identities some days makes me wonder what planet I have arrived on that I could possibly forget their many accomplishments and see them as only one part of their personalities-- the mom.

It just makes me pause.  Next time you're in the pick up line at nursery school, at the grocery store peering over a mountain of Pampers at the next woman in line, or at gymboree-- take a second look and remember to ask about something other than little betty's toilet training...you might be surprised to hear that she has a brain-- maybe a bit creaky, but there none-the-less.

-- Gretchen