Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Since We Last Spoke...

Let's pretend I deliberately waited for the election to come and go before posting again, okay?  I was busy peppering (okay, flooding) Facebook and Twitter with all the reasons people needed to vote Obama 2012.  I'm delighted they listened, aren't you? And so we move....


While I'm about as tickled as one can get with the outcome of the presidential portion of the election, November 2012 brought us so much more.  Equality equality equality!  Marriage in Washington, Maryland and Maine! Not to mention a hearty *no* on the anti-marriage amendment in Minnesota, of all places.  This election was everything we could hope for.  (Well, let's be honest, what we really hope for is that our right to marry isn't at the mercy of the hand of the citizens, but until we get there, this will do.) 

I've got dozens of other things about which I plan to wax poetic in the coming weeks: where not to give your money this holiday season, the contemplation of starting my own non-profit, the unbelievable shift in the last few years to put our families front and center on television (which is doing a damn fine job to normalize us normal folk!), the list goes on.

For now though, I'll leave you with a photo of our little creature whose moms are currently losing every debate we have to her one and only Christmas wish: her very own horse.  You should plan to vote for her for president in 2040.  She will persuade you to her side.  Trust me.





Monday, August 27, 2012

Election 2012


Every four years I'm certain that this is the most important election of my lifetime.  I'm pretty sure that this year really is the most important election of my lifetime.  The differences between the Obama/Biden and the Romney/Ryan tickets are palpable.

President Obama is the first president to come out in full support of gay rights.  Not just civil unions.  Not just 'sure, sure, I believe that people should be equal...not married, but equal.'  I implore you to watch this video.  You might want a tissue.  I discovered this tonight after Arden had already gone to bed, but look forward to sharing it with her tomorrow.  How important, and wonderful, to see that the President of the United States is thinks her family deserves equal rights.

http://newzar.com/obamas-stirring-new-gay-rights-ad/

And then there's our friend Romney.  It's not about the chicken, folks.  It's a blatant slap in the face.


And since Romney really isn't far right enough on his own, he added this super dude to his ticket. 




I suppose though, I should take solace in Ryan's equal opportunity discrimination.  You see, it's not just the gays that Ryan takes issue with...he's not too big of a fan of treating women equally either. 



So here's the thing.  I have friends that will vote for Romney.  I can't control that.  All I can do is ask you to pay attention to the issues.  You say you think my family should be treated equally, but when you vote for Romney you are voting against me.  You are voting for a man who as Governor rushed to find any reason he could to block marriage in Massachusetts.

Actions speak louder than words.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

One Fine Day

One of my all time favorite movies is One Fine Day.  



I had this fantasy (pre-child, of course) that I would be the kind of mother that Michelle Pfeiffer was -- you know, the juggle it all, NYC career woman yet awesome mother who could make two superhero costumes out of the contents of her giant bag.


Tonight I find myself wishing I was this mother on a whole new level, not in NYC but in the 'burbs of Massachusetts.

Tomorrow is dress up as your favorite cartoon character day at camp.  And apparently, Arden's cartoon character of choice is She-Ra.

                                             

Surprising?  Not exactly.

Anyway, we remember this, naturally, at about 8:30 this evening.  How handy that when Arden turned 4 we had a custom red cape made for her.  And we have white things that can go under said cape.  Still to figure out is the giant golden headpiece that adorns She-Ra's blonde crown.  It is times like this that we would seriously benefit living near my cousin's wife who could whip something fantastic together with her eyes closed.  I'm lookin' at you, Caitlin.

Arden's going to have to find it within herself to go without the tall gold boots.  She-Ra junior doesn't need to break an ankle while scaling a mountain at camp.  And you know she wouldn't let a little heel stop her.

Maybe if I'm brave I'll return tomorrow with photos of ghetto She-Ra.  Maybe.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

First Grade -- Check!

It's hard to believe that first grade has come and gone.  That was, without a doubt, the fastest nine months of the child's life.  And that's saying something, because they all seem to be speeding by on high octane fuel.

She had a great year, but was very excited for her 'first real summer vacation'.  Her other 'school' years just bled into summer -- the only change was that she had water play a couple of times a week. Now being at real school she has real summers and that means camp.  She's about to finish her first week of camp and she loves it.  It is everything Arden...crafts, music, swimming, boating, fishing and what is the current biggest hit, archery.


She has a couple of weeks of camp and then she'll go on to Camp Grandma Mary and Nonno.  They are staying for a few weeks post wedding and will get lots of quality Arden time.  Then it's back to camp in August and before we know it, second grade will be upon us.

I swear it feels like she was just born and now we're talking about second grade.  Amazing.

  First day


Last day


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Here's To The Bride



Yesterday we finally had our pre-wedding sister bonding experience.  We'd originally planned on on a tour, tasting and dinner at Nashoba Valley Winery, but we had trouble lining up a sitter for the kiddo.  Given we are short on time (13 days, folks!) we opted to change the day around and had a picnic there instead.  They offer a 'gourmet picnic' for purchase, or you can bring your own food.  The only rule is any alcoholic beverage consumed must be theirs!  We ordered the picnic through them and the food was phenomenal.  We added on a cheese and fruit platter -- which turned out to be cheese, fruit, sausage, salami, crackers, pate, you name it.  It was a meal unto itself!

The weather was spotty at home but just 30 miles south we found the sun.  We dined, learned how they make their wine and spirits, tasted our fair share of their creations and just generally had a grand old time.  We will visit again!

Only missing Annette, she was serving as the photographer.


Picnic tables and green as far as the eye could see.


Arden played two hours of soccer while we were there.  Good thing we found her soccer ball earlier that morning.


What I love about this place is it's okay for a 6.5 year old to a) be there and b) play.


The gazebo just screams quaint.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

In the Blink of an Eye

This year has flown.  Well, the school year has anyway.  Before this week my last post was the day she started school.  Somehow first grade has passed with the snap of a finger.  It has been one hell of a year.  Many ups, many downs.  More chaotic than we could have anticipated.  In fact, probably the most chaotic year since Arden arrived nearly 7 years ago.  We've all been running at top speed since September.  I'm hopeful summer will allow us all to slow down.

Arden starts camp on Monday and her excitement is palpable.  We visited the camp last weekend and she took off ahead of us, introduced herself to her fellow campers, asked questions of the counselors.  Montessori skills in action, it seems.  She will attend for a couple of weeks, and then spend some quality time with Grandma Mary and Nonno in July.  Once they head back to the desert she'll head back to camp.  We may even sneak a trip to Disney -- Florida in August, I must be really desperate for a vacation to event contemplate such a thing.

Well, it is practically dawn and I have yet to sleep so will end this now.  We're just a whisper away from the biggest event for the family in quite some time -- the wedding.  Amazing to think that the day is nearly here -- there are still many things we need to tie up!  Coupled with all of the end of school activities we are running at warped speed.  Stop the bus, I want to get off!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Rules

As do many of you, we have rules in our household.  One of those rules is not snuggling the kid to sleep because like a Pringle, it's never just one. She can't rely on us to help get her to sleep.  And I get it, I really do.  But then I'm reminded of how lucky we are to be able to snuggle her to sleep.  This is Lucy.



Lucy is a sweet little girl who was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago.  Her family recently learned that her cancer is back, and this time, it's unbeatable.  Her parents and her siblings have only so many snuggles left.  So in honor of Lucy - break the rules.  Snuggle them to sleep.  Dance in the rain.  Let them stay up past their bedtime to watch the lightning out their window.  And spare a thought or two for this little girl and those who love her.

Technical Difficulties

First things first to my genius sister-in-law who helped me fix my technical difficulties.  I've been trying to log in and post for awhile and I couldn't get a posting screen on blogger.  With a switch from Internet Explorer to Firefox, we're back in business.