Prompt 1

It's Thursday and that means it's time for Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop

The Prompt:
1.) Capture what it’s like to spend a day or a moment talking with your kiddo. (inspired by Big Mama Cass)

I just posted this blog Monday:
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Mother Nature
This afternoon, Lucy and I were having a little rest; she was snuggled next to me "reading" her Tails book while I was deeply entrenched in the third and final book of the Hunger Games Trilogy (for the second time) when Lucy lifts her head up off the pillow and says

Mama, why hasn't it snowed?
Well, I guess God and Mother Nature decided we had too much snow last year so they're giving us a break this year...
Oh, okay Mama.

She put her head back down and seemed content with my answer
Within 30 seconds, she picks her head back up and says
Mama, who's Mother Nature?
But before I can answer, she follows up with
Is she Noni's mama?
(Noni is my mother.....)
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Want some more of Lucy?
Here are my top 5....

Say What?
Hugging
Let the Wild Rumpus Start (this may be my favorite!)
It's a Seashell
Vagina Monologues

Maria the Mum

Mother Nature

This afternoon, Lucy and I were having a little rest; she was snuggled next to me "reading" her Tails book while I was deeply entrenched in the third and final book of the Hunger Games Trilogy (for the second time) when Lucy lifts her head up off the pillow and says

Mama, why hasn't it snowed?

Well, I guess God and Mother Nature decided we had too much snow last year so they're giving us a break this year...

Oh, okay Mama.

She put her head back down and seemed content with  my answer

Within 30 seconds, she picks her head back up and says

Mama, who's Mother Nature?

But before I can answer, she follows up with

Is she Noni's mama?

(Noni is my mother.....)

Maria the Mum

Once upon a Sibling

As inspired by Mama Kat's writing prompt number 5: Share a story about a sibling

I have one brother (just turned 41) and I have 5 younger sisters (38, 37, 36, 35 and 31)

There are more stories about them than I remember....and what's even more fun is hearing three of us tell the same story.....because you would swear it was three DIFFERENT stories

Anyway, to choose one sibling to write about is a challenge for me....there are just too many stories and siblings to choose from

If I were to write about my brother, it would probably be about the time he talked me off the ledge when I was let go from a job and did not know what to do...or about the time he tried to pick up on the backup singer from Billy Joel's band and dumped his drink on her...and how we took my 16 year old sister to a bar...or it would be about how as little kids we were best friends and went fishing in the ditch. Or, I could tell you how funny he is and what a great storyteller he is...and how he teases the bejeezus out of you until you want to punch him in the nose...but he's your big brother so you try to take it....Or I could write about how I admire the man, the husband, the Dad he's become......

If I were to write about sister #1, it might be about her Abbott Rabbit that she loved so dearly...or about her as a basketball player in high school and how her stepping on the court would scare the shit out of our opponents (she was a great player). I may write about the time she took me shopping after I lost a bunch of weight and she was so proud of me....and made me proud of myself. I might write about how hard it was for me to watch her struggle in college...how I watched her not cave in to peer pressure as she remained true to herself, to her inner being....though at time I wanted to hit her in the head and tell her to just "play by the rules" ....but she did what she wanted, lived how she wanted and did not give a toss about what we thought. She's brazen and brave and at times her fortitude overwhelms me.

If I picked sister #2 I'd probably write about her love of Michael Jackson and ET when we were kids. She even had a Michael Jackson doll. She was the quiet one...and the one who dared to get a tattoo and listened to hair bands. I could write about how she was always saving animals and almost got kicked out of her dorm in college because she was harboring a stray dog. And then there was the Christmas where I thought I could be crafty and she stayed up all night with me sewing stupid letter pillows...but we laughed a lot. She went to culinary school and is a fantastic cook but she never brags...and then one day she decided she wanted to be a teacher...so she went back to school and now she is a teacher...and I am so proud of her for doing that and wish I had the courage and gumption to follow my heart as she did. I could write about how as we've gotten older, I've come to appreciate and understand her more.....I love what maturity does for your relationship with someone....

Sister #3 is that sister who you secretly want to be like but are far too conservative to actually be....so I could write about how she can seem to talk about anything....art, music, politics, fashion, movies....I'm guessing she learned all this in the seven years it took her to finish college.....I could write about that too. She dresses and acts just as she wants and does not give a damn about the judgment anyone is passing on her. If she wants to do something or go somewhere, she does it and that is one of the things I admire and envy about her. Or, I could write about how as a baby, she was so squishy and pudgy and lovable...and was just the sweetest little kid....there was no way you could look at her as a kid and not grin.......everybody loved her and she was always Uncle Michael's favorite (and boy didn't that piss off She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named) And then there was the time a seagull pooped on her

Sister #4, sister #4.....she'll tell you she's my favorite and I'll let her get away with it. When she was a kid, she had crazy hair and was a little urban gorilla....she was an imp to the nth degree and never sat still. I could write about how she had this head of beautiful blond hair that used to turn green when she went in the pool so we called her Mildew......oh how we had terrible names for one another. And then there was the time she took a pair of scissors to said beautiful head of hair and gave herself a haircut...might have been more traumatic for my mother than her. There was the time I called her hysterical because Princess Diane died....and the time I called her declaring from now on, through my tears and wails of sorrow and pain, I would only eat Skippy Peanut Butter because I had just watched the Annette Funicello Story and was so distraught about it...and she never made fun of me, no not once....she actually bought me a Princess Di magnet which to this day, is still on my refrigerator and makes me smile and think of her...and when Wills and Kate got married, we watched it together even though we were 250 miles apart....

The youngest sister, #5......so much to write about her.....like when as a toddler, she got hold of the container of marshmallow fluff and covered herself in it. Or how she used to climb into the laundry basket and fall asleep. I could write about her Cabbage Patch Doll, her stuffed Le Mutt, how she used to climb into bed with me. There was the time I chaperoned her class trip to the State House (I was in college). That was the same summer I was at her softball game and her two front teeth got knocked out of her mouth.....Then there was the time she got stung by multiple bees and my parents told her to sleep it off...only to arrive at the ER in the middle of the night because turns out, she's allergic to bee stings. Or the time Mum forgot her birthday...or the trips we took home together while she was in college, or the summer she lived with me and we ate pizza and cheesy poofs while sitting out front drinking beer ripping on the neighbors. By far, my favorite is the time I asked her (and our families and friends) to write a letter to the immigration office on behalf of Sean as we were applying for his green card after we got married. She responds in an email as follows:

Count me in -- should the letter be handwritten or typed?

Should I talk about the Mii's? Or just stick to the basics..."It's legit Officer of Citizenship, I know my sister - she hates having a roommate, so she wouldn't just room with anyone. Also, she's quite conservative if you know what I mean...believe you me, she would be first in line to have the dude deported if he was an illegal."

For real -- how in depth should it be? Is there any chance I will be arrested or implicated in anything illegal in nature?

Little punk...but she wrote a beautiful letter on our behalf (everyone did actually) and Sean was successful in securing a green card

There are so many stories I could tell...stories about Christmas Eve when we were kids, summer vacations at Camp I Don't Wanna Go Home, trips to the beach, overnights with Grammy and Grampy.......

Some stories would make you laugh so hard you'd hold your side and beg me to stop because it hurts to laugh so hard.

Others would make you cry because of the gesture or because of what someone had to go through. Some might make you mad because even brothers and sisters can be malicious, callous and downright mean.....

But at the end of the day, my favorite story would probably be this:

I have one brother and five sisters...and when I've needed one or all of them, when I've asked, they've always been there for me, for one another and for our parents

Maria the Mum

Say What

Time Check
Lucy's is on a kick right now of asking us what time it is
We'll be eating dinner and she'll look across the table at her Dad and inquire
Daddy, what time is it?
Or we'll be playing and she'll stop mid jump on her trampoline, glance towards the clock and ask
Mama, what is it?
A week or so ago, Lucy and I were in the  kitchen and I said to her
Hey Lucy, what time is it?
Without hesitating or missing a beat, she checks the clock, looks at me and says all matter of fact

It's 46 o'clock Mama

I can't drive 55
We were driving home from day care the other night and Lucy was in the back seat singing softly when all of a sudden she hollers
Mama! Mama! You scaring me!!!!!
What honey? What do you mean I'm scaring you?!?

Mama you are driving way.too.FAST....SLOW DOWN... or I'll tell Daddy!

(For the record, I take back roads home and the speed limit is always 35 or below...she yelled at me in the 25 mph zone)

Will someone clean up this mess?
When we drive 95 North, there is wall that stretches for some miles
It was built a few years back during a beautification phase the MADOT was doing
Along the walls, vines have started to grow (I think they were placed there on purpose) and for some reason, this makes Lucy crazy
Almost every time we drive that corridor, she'll look out her window and with annoyance and disgust in her voice say

Mama! The trees are making a mess!!!

Dismissed
We're working on potty training (yes, still...we're not pushing/rushing her) and slowly but surely making a bit of progress
When we got home last Thursday, Lucy informed me she needed to use the bathroom
We bounded up over the stairs and she took down her pants and removed her diaper
Her little bum was hovering over the potty when she looks at me and says

Can I have some privacy please?

Time to put on your big girl panties
Along with potty training comes, of course, the introduction to big girl undies
My  mother had given her a little pack on underwear a few months ago but Lucy had little or no interest in them
Saturday, she informed that her friends at school wear underwear and she wants to as well
So, we busted out the big girl undies and Lucy started hopping around her room excitedly and ripped her diaper off in anticipation of putting on her big girl undies
As she was waiting for me to open up the package of undies for her to try on, she placed her hands on either side of my face and declared with a big grin and great enthusiasm in her voice

Oh Mama! Isn't this exciting! I gettin' big undies!!!!
It is Lucy! I'm so proud of you!
I proud of you too Mama!
You are Lucy?
Yeah Mama! You wear undies every day!!!!!

Maria the Mum

February 3rd

Today is Elmo's birthday - he's 33
You know what I love about Elmo?

He's cuddly
He's kind of cute
He makes me laugh
He makes Lucy laugh
Lucy loves him with all her heart
I love him too
He likes playing with Lucy
He got Lucy through two surgeries, a trip to England, and countless nights
He knows his colors, his shapes, his number and his letters
He would so anything for his family and friends
He dances, he sings, and he always includes Lucy
The very sight of him makes me smile

Today is my husband's birthday - he's 44
You know what I love about Sean?

He's cuddly
He's kind of cute
He makes me laugh
He makes Lucy laugh
Lucy loves him with all her heart
I love him too
He likes playing with Lucy
He got Lucy through two surgeries, a trip to England, and countless nights
He knows his colors, his shapes, his number and his letters
He would so anything for his family and friends
He dances, he sings, and he always includes Lucy
The very sight of him makes me smile


Happy Birthday Elmo and Sean.....

I love you both with all of my heart...well, I might love one of you a bit more than the other but its not nice to have favorites so I won't name names...

Just know I appreciate, love and adore you more and more with each passing day...
And though Lucy and I might make  you crazy at times and test your patience, it's all done with love

A Birthday Blessing for you:

May you always be blessed with
walls for the wind,
a roof for the rain,
a warm cup of tea by the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you and
all that your heart might desire

Maria the Mum

Happy Day

Happy Birthday to my husband.....may your day be as wonderful as you
And may your year be filled with lots of love, hugs, kisses, and blessings

Oh and Happy Birthday to Elmo!

Maria the Mum


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Yesterday a Toddler, Today a Panda

Lucy

Today you are a Panda!

A what?!?

A Panda!

You are officially a preschoooler and today is your first day in Pre-School I, as a Panda, that’s the class mascot (In Preschool II, you become a llama!)

Every time I said you're a Panda, you'd correct me and say

No Mama! I a Polar Bear!

You desperately want to be a Polar Bear right now

We found out a couple weeks ago you'd be making the move and our first reaction was we’re not ready for this!!!! How can she be in preschool already, we just got to Toddler III!!! No no no!!! Stop growing up!!!

Funny how as parents the first thing we think about is us....not about you but about how you're milestone impacts us.....I know that sounds terribly selfish but believe it or not, it is harder for us to let you grow up then it is for you to actually grow up...so let me apologize in advance for the next 16 years and the way I'm pretty sure we will embarrass you at every school function we attend, your graduations, your proms and whatever else may come up.,....I'll apologize for your wedding day in a few years....

Anyway, from the moment we found out you would be moving up, okay, maybe not "the moment" as we spent a day in shock in denial, we’ve been talking up preschool:

We've been talking about how you’ll be with all your boys again (Jack, Nathan, Rye-guy, and Alex)

We've talked about how Caiti is going with you so you won’t be alone.

We've talked about how much bigger the room is, that there are more books AND, that now you get to be on the BIG side of the playground!!!!

This worked until you asked what about Rika and Ali, which was about 3 minutes after we talked up preschool

My Rika and my Ali come to preschool too Mama?

Oh honey, well, no...Rika and Ali will stay in Toddler III; the other kids still need them

You pondered this for a moment and came back with this:

But Mama, if I in Toddler III and I going to preschool and Rika and Ali are in Toddler III, then they go to preschool next too!

You stumped me Lucy....at 2.5 years of age, you have logic all figured out and I got nothing.....all I could do was rumple your hair and tell you you were going to be a great Panda...and you corrected me and told me you were going to be a Polar Bear

I'm not worried about you moving up Boo; neither is Daddy. We think you'll do great and the new challenges are just what you need.

Having said that, I know how much you love Rika and Ali and I know how hard it is going to be for you to leave them....they have given you so much over the past 8 months: love, guidance, discipline, routine, laughs, more love, hugs and kisses. They have set an incredible example for you...one that Mummy and Daddy appreciate and respect.

They give you everything they have........Ali brings you library books that you gobble up and Rika gives the best hugs. They both encourage and foster your love of "reading" and marvel at your love of animals. They admire your T Shirts (Ali loves the play doh one) and your stuffed animals....and it makes them laugh that every stuffed animal has its own unique name (Percy Penguin, Mickey Moose, Wilbur Whale, Puppy Jack)

Monday, I dropped you off at school as Daddy was sick (poor Daddy you said as you stood next to the bed and rubbed his cheek. Mama, what wrong with him you asked me. He's got a cold Lucy, he'll be ok...Be brave Daddy you told him as you patted his hand before paddling out of the room....)

On the way to school, I talked up preschool and being a Panda...you weren’t buying it.

You never cried but you begged and pleaded in the softest saddest little voice

Mama please! I just want to be with Rika and Ali! I love them Mama

Mama please, I just want to be a Toddler 3, not a Panda!

Mama I'll miss Rika and Ali...I need them...please Mama?!?

Mama please let me be with Rika, I promise I'll be good

I was fine until that last one, and then admittedly, a tear slipped down my cheek

I reminded you I loved you and that your move to preschool is not a punishment.....it’s just part of becoming a big girl. Moving up means its time to learn more about animals, and how to write your name. Moving up means new friends, more books to read, and new toys to play with.

You tried to reason with me

Mama, Rika can teach me to write my name and Ali brings me books!
Mama please, I just love them so much!

You walked down the hall with a brave face but when you heard Rika's voice in the next room, your bottom lip quivered...so did mine. I put your things away excitedly showing you your new cubby, pointing out your name and birthday on the wall.

You just leaned against the wall listening to Rika and Ali laugh.

Mama they having so much fun, I miss them...I need a Rika hug.....

Mama! I need Rika and Ali...Mama Rika wants me! She's callin' me Mama!

You tried to open the door and I tried to distract you pointing out the new things in the room

The teachers and kids were over in Pre-School II and I tried to get you to go see them….but you just looked longingly at the door and craned your neck trying to catch a glimpse of Rika or Ali out the window

Lucy I can see Miss Barbara...you met her last week and we really liked her...and she has a turtle called Teddy!

You looked me in the eye and said

Rika has THREE turtles and I like Rika the best!

I kept plugging away Luce! I talked about how great Miss Lynne is...and we know she has to be great because she's Kylie's Mom and taught Kylie how to be a teacher and we loved having Kylie as a teacher....

Rika is a good teacher Mama, so Ali!

I was sinking fast

So I told you Miss Andrea and Miss Stacey are so excited to have you in their class...and I bet they can’t wait to see which books are your favorites

Ali knows ALL my favorite books Mama!

Oh Boo...all I could do was reach down and hug you. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a bucket full of animals.

Lucy, I whispered, I see some animals....

Where Mama?

I pointed and you wandered over. You pulled the basket out and looked...

Mama! They have a polar bear! And a lion! And a elephant!

Lucy! Look at all these books over here!

You came over and marveled at all the books that were at your level....

What do you think, I asked, ready to give preschool a try?

A nod gave me the incentive I needed to take your hand and walk next door to Miss Barbara’s room

Miss Barbara immediately knew you were a bit emotional and distracted you with all the things in her room. You were captivated for a moment and I leaned down to kiss you goodbye when you looked up at me and whispered

I miss Ali, I miss Rika...I love them Mama

I know honey, and I'm sure they miss you too. But be brave....ok? Rika would want you to be brave and have fun in preschool

You muttered OK and turned your attention to some beans in a bucket

I kissed your head and told you to have a fun day

You went off with Caiti and Miss Barbara and for the first time in over two years, since your first drop off at your first day care, I cried on my way to work.

I felt terrible for you Lucy! You love Rika and Ali so fiercely and I know this move is hard and makes no sense in your head right now.....and I know that within a few days, you'll not be looking back but today, today it hurt me as much as it hurt you....

I wish I could tell you this is the worst thing you will ever have to deal with....that this is the worst you will ever feel.....but I can’t and its not

What I will tell you is I love you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes and I could not be more proud of you...or more proud to be your Mum....same goes for Daddy

I can tell you Rika and Ali love you as much as you love them and they miss you too

I can tell you the impression they made on you, weather you realize it or not, will be with you for years to come and as your Mum, for that I am grateful. They set the bar for the expectations you will have for people in your life....I could not pick better examples to live by

I can tell you leaving behind people you love with all your heart, or being left behind, hurts more than anything in the whole world...but you will always have someone to hug and love you....because you will always have Daddy and I….never forget that

I will tell you that though you may be happy with where you are in life and who you have in your life, there is always room for new and more friends....welcome them as you want to be welcomed

I can tell you Lucy that as you move through life, cherish the experiences and people whose path you cross and whose paths cross yours....and learn from them...learn the good, the bad, the fun and the sad...and be thankful for it

I will tell you that new places, new people, change, is scary and unsettling....but sometimes, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself

And I will tell you, remind you, that the love your Dad and I have for you is unconditional....even if you come home and tell me you're a Democrat, my arms will always be open for you.....you come home a Yankees fan, all bets are off

Lastly Lucy Ellen, I will tell you that whatever life, whatever God has in store for you, I know you will handle it with grace, humility, charm, humor and love.....make yourself proud and that will make Daddy and I proud........

I am, today, tomorrow and always,

...loving you to the moon and back,

...proud to be your Mum,

...hoping that you keep God in your thoughts as he keeps you in his

Love Mummy