Typical Evening at Home

Sweet Dreams

I don't think I could ever get tired of watching this little boy sleep.

May 17

Today is my grandmother, Elizabeth Tuzzio's (Grandma Betty's) birthday.  She died in 1993, but she will forever be in my thoughts and memories.  She and I spent a lot of time together as I grew up, mostly at her house.  She taught me card games that I now teach my oldest son; she made me endless snacks and bowls of macaroni and plates of perfect pancakes; she took me into her room and showed me the clothes in her closet, removing them and folding back the plastic that she kept them in.  She told the tales of her life through these clothes, as I sat on her bed taking it all in.  I have missed her countless times since she died, but her presence is with me as I raise my children and try to have even a fraction of the patience and compassion she had.  She taught me that being a mother (and grandmother) comes first, that girlfriends can and should be an endless source of delight and that pleasure can be taken in the simplest of things -- like hanging clothes out in the backyard (something I watched her do and remember every time I go to my own clothesline).  I loved sleeping over at her house and each night I would beg her to sing all the old songs she could remember.  This is for her:

Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do
I'm half crazy all for the love of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two

I love you, Grandma Betty.

Book Update

My agent, Jan, is getting ready to submit my book to publishers.  Instead of sending only the story, she sends a proposal in booklet form.  When I received the first draft of the booklet, the cover image was too plain, so my husband set out to find a better one online.  He found this beautiful painting called "If the Moon Came to Dinner" by artist Leah Piken Kolidas.  I contacted her and she graciously gave me permission to use her image on my proposal.  I am really excited and think this will help make a great first impression.  You can see more of Leah's work at her website: www.BlueTreeArtGallery.com.

What They're All About Right Now

Wondertime magazine has an instant journal page where you answer questions about your kids.  I thought I'd try it and record the findings!

Ask your child what he wants to be when he grows up, and why.

Mac: a secret agent because they're cool.
TJ: soccer player because there's no risky stuff involved like wearing a space helmet and running out of air
Ethan: policeman because they have a gun (or a spy with gadgets)
Stella: can't answer but right now it looks like a singer (she says, "One...two...three..." and then sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

What are you learning from your child these days?

Mac: not to mess with contentment
TJ: every child has a completely different set of needs
Ethan: so hard to let you littlest ones grow up
Stella: appreciate each moment of her precious "littleness" even while she is screaming, removing all the books from the shelves or trying to reach her brother's 600-piece Lego spaceship

What is something your child likes?  Something he dislikes?

Mac: likes french fries, chicken fingers, ketchup, orange soda and dislikes broccoli
TJ: likes Legos and dislikes Barbies
Ethan: likes trains and ditto on disliking Barbies
Stella: loves Elmo and often cries at the word "no"

 

Not To Worry

Mac and T.J. play together on the playground at school during recess.  Today Mac told me that he and T.J. played a game where they were going to enter a volcano.  Unfortunately, T.J. had to line up with his class to go back inside, so he didn't get to take part in the volcano exploration and Mac "went in" alone.  Driving home from school in the minivan, I heard Mac tell T.J., "Don't worry.  I got a sample."

Role Reversal

One morning, 4-year-old Ethan is on the couch watching t.v.  His brothers are in the adjacent playroom.

Ethan: "Hey, could you guys keep it down in there?"

Where's Stella?

Lately Stella has been disappearing into her room.  True, it may be partly for a moment of peace and quiet in our (mostly) loud house, but she does adore her books.  Grandma would be proud.

On a side note, notice the doll stroller in the background.  A decidedly male figure is waiting for a ride.

King Candy

I spot Ethan in the hallway wearing one red sock and one black.

Me:  Wow, look at you.

Him:  Want to know why I picked these?  Because red and black are the main licorice colors.