Tag: good times

Chicago Cubs, family, motherhood

Well That Was Alarming

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We were racing through O’Hare International Airport.  I felt the adrenaline coursing through my veins as we embarked on the first phase of our summer vacation.  No, we weren’t racing to make a flight or anything like that.  Mad Dog, in that way of his, was pushing us to get to…wait for it…baggage claim.  We weren’t even late for anything.  He is a man who can’t stand to be still so what happens when you land at your destination?  You sprint to baggage claim naturally.

Through the bobbing and weaving I managed to shout over to the boys, “You realize this trip would not be possible without me.  I am the whole reason we are here.”

They didn’t break stride as they looked towards me.

“I set the back-up alarm to make sure we made our flight this morning.  This was absolutely crucial to our trip’s success.  So, however amazing this trip is going to be, and it will be, it’s all because of your mom and her super awesome back-up alarm setting abilities.”

You see, the night before, Mad Dog ‘asked’ me what time I planned to set my alarm for.  The truth was, he already had in mind the exact time he wanted.  It was also clear that I was the back-up alarm.

Why he pretended that my back-up alarm mattered when, in fact, it did not, only shows how smart he is.  He knows my sensitive self likes to feel useful in situations like these.  He tried his best to include me.  But really, in the realm of travel logistics, it’s best to step back and let him roll.  (In his defense, he travels a lot for work, so he clearly knows what the heck he is doing.)

Mad Dog takes in what I’ve said and casually states, “Actually, you were the back-up to the back-up alarm.”

What!?!

Full Speeds turns to me and says, “How’s it feel to be demoted to third string, Mom?”

Not great.  Not great at all.

Of course we went to Wrigley Field, goes without saying.
gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, life in pictures, marriage, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, self-discovery

More Vacation Lessons

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1.  Champagne mojitos are still the way to go.  Trust me, I tried every variety known to man such as frozen, straight up, fruit flavored and what have you.  The golden (and delicious!) standard of the original Royal Carribean champagne mojito cannot be beat.

our first day aboard with Mad Dog's parents. They thankfully enjoy champagne mojitos as much as we do!

 

2.  Getting your hair braided in Coco Cay, Bahamas is just as much fun today as having it done in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico when Mad Dog and I got engaged eight years ago. 

3.  When you are a Mom who rarely gets time away from her kids, something as simple as walking down a street with no Hotwheels, animal crackers or wipes in your purse, or better yet, absolutely no purse at all, is extremely liberating.  It almost feels like your are breaking the natural laws of the world and it feels fantastic.

4.  Sometimes, after a few hours have slipped by, you may find that you kinda of sorta miss the kids you left at home.  This twingey guilt can be quickly remedied with another round of champagne mojitos (see Lesson 1).

5.  This vacation helped solidify exactly how much Mad Dog must love me.  He willingly posed for so many pictures, it is possible we may have set a ship record.  For a man who greatly dislikes being photographed, he obviously loves the woman he is posing with.  Thank you, Mad Dog!

one of the several posed shots taken by the ship's photographers

6.  This cruise was the best I have ever experienced.  I have several theories as to why this is.  The most likely being that if you have achieved a level of happiness and acceptance in the life that you are leaving behind for a few days, it only multiplies in a setting of rest and relaxation.  And this time, I was more content than ever to return home and continue my adventures of motherhood.  

It’s good to be home and even better to hug my boys.

picture taken at Picture Me Portrait Studios
children, gratitude, happiness, humor, life in pictures, mommy cliques, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Trees

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Mad Dog and I had a date night planned so we could Christmas shop for the boys.  While at Super Target, Mad Dog lobbied for a miniature version of our Christmas tree for the boys’ room.

Full Speed and T.Puzzle were fast asleep when we returned home.  Mad Dog silently placed the small tree in their room. We tiptoed out and anxiously anticipated a big reaction once the tree was discovered in the morning.

They boys were dazzled.

There was much animated discussion on how the tree came to be in their room.  The idea that made the most sense were elves of course.

Later that morning T.Puzzle tried to explain to his teacher about the mysterious tree.

“Who do you think put it there?” she asked.

“I think it was robbers,” he suggested his eyes wide with certainty.

I love a good thief.  Not only did this ‘thief’ not steal a single item from our home, he or she left it beautifully decorated.

I guess crime does pay.

children, mommyhood

Kung Fu Splashing

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Mad Dog and I took the boys to our amenity center pool. It has this great sprinkler area that the boys love. It is a nice way to stay cool as the boys burn through some energy.

The boys had a blast. They ran, they jumped, they splashed and they tackled. Mad Dog and I encouraged it all (except for the tackling). We were the only family in the sprinkler area all the way up until it was time to leave. As soon as we start packing it up, a mom with a small, defenseless toddler girl makes a beeline to the sprinklers. It was pretty obvious that she had been waiting in the wings for my wild boys to leave.

What can I say? That lady was one smart momma.

The boys attack the sprinklers summer 2009.
children, gratitude, happiness, life in pictures, mommyhood

Disney Magic

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Happy Father’s Day!

Mickey Mouse waffles are an awesome way to start the day.

Mad Dog and I learned the key to a peaceful existence is to take the boys to Magic Kingdom with no strollers allowed. We went from ride to ride with great speed and accomplished a lot in a few short hours. We topped off our late afternoon with a couple hours at the splash park at our hotel. Mission accomplished:


Ah, gotta love that Disney magic.