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The Story Behind the First Day of School Outfit

Written on August 20, 2012 by Jennifer in Hallmark, Little Monkeys, Pictures, Quirky Me

Ella looked so cute on her first day of Kindergarten, didn’t she? Let me tell you, it was a long, uphill battle getting to the cute. For a few weeks leading up to Kindergarten the prospect of her looking cute, or even presentable, for her first day of school was dismal. She had her own ideas about what she wanted to wear–and I had a completely different idea.

It all started sometime in July as I was started to get her fired up for Kindergarten.

“…And we’ll have a girls day and get our toes painted before school starts!” I told her enthusiastically. “Then we’ll go shopping and find a cute new shirt for school.”

“Okay, but Mom? I already know what I want to wear for school. I want to wear my elephant shirt!”

Oh, the elephant shirt. It sounds harmless, right? It sounds like it has cute-potential. It seems like one of those battles that I probably shouldn’t pick? Well, you would be wrong. The elephant shirt is this old, ratty, stained shirt from a certain big box discount store. It’s size 3T and even on tiny Ella, is way too small, nearly showing her belly. It’s a shirt that’s perfect for a day playing in the dirt or painting, but not for the first day of Kindergarten.

Nevermind that the elephant shirt is her favorite shirt. I hate to squash the emerging fashionista, and I swear that I’m not a fashion tyrant, but I responded with a hearty, “Uh, no. No. And no. You can’t wear the elephant shirt on your first day of Kindergarten.” This was one fashion battle that I was going to win. I’ve learned to not argue with Ella about what she wears. She is a girl with very specific tastes about her clothes and I’ve accepted that even though it sometimes kills me a little when she refuses to wear a dress, but on this occasion, I just had to put my foot down.

If you have a child, particularly a daughter, who has specific ideas about their clothes, then I’m sure you can imagine how well Ella responded. I’ll give you a hint: Not Well. She cried. She pouted. She whined. She almost annoyed me enough that I strongly considered giving in.

“But Mommy! It’s my favorite!”

“Ella!” I insisted, “I’m offering to buy you a brand new shirt! Who doesn’t like new shirts?!”

This went on for probably longer than it should have (weeks), but I held firm. No way could I allow her to attend her first day of school in that elephant shirt. She finally relented when I took (okay, dragged) her shopping and we found a pink shirt with birdies and flowers that she agreed to wear it for her first day of school. Victory was mine!

I’m sure you can guess what she wore for her second day of Kindergarten. Whatever.

Just for fun, here’s a picture of me from my first day of first grade. I’m the one on the right and I’m wearing my most favorite Hawaiian shirt with blue slacks. Slacks! So much more presentable than the elephant shirt, that’s for sure. Too bad there’s no picture of me holding my Dukes of Hazzard lunch box.

Thanks so much to Hallmark for inviting me to be a part of their Life is a Special Occasion campaign this year. While I am compensated for my work, I love getting to share these special occasions. Because life truly is a special occasion, each and every moment.

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If You’re Thinking About Getting a Puppy or a Six Year Old Boy, Read This.

Written on August 7, 2012 by Jennifer in Little Monkeys, Pictures

Puppies, man. They are ROTTEN. Well, maybe they aren’t all rotten, but Mae is a spaz. We picked her up on Saturday, a sweet, affectionate little puppy that didn’t even make one peep during the 2 1/2 hour drive home. She seemed so sweet and innocent, snuggling and napping in our laps. Tate and I each secretly wondered if we had hit the puppy jackpot or if maybe it was just the calm before the storm.

Hoo boy, it was definitely the calm before the storm. She constantly terrorizes Carson and Ella, pees on the floor seconds after coming in from outside where she just peed, cries for hours during the night in her kennel, and is a fuzzball of constant motion.

For the record, Mae is a perfectly “normal” puppy, exhibiting perfecting “normal” puppy behaviors. I mean, she’s only lived with us a few days and still needs to find her place in our family. I’m just really, really thankful for her kennel.

And I’m also really, really thankful for Carson.

Six year old boys, man. They are AWESOME. Well, maybe they aren’t all awesome, but Carson could not have been more helpful these past few days with Mae. I’m in awe of how patient and kind he is with her, even though she is WILD as a buck with her constant nipping.

Carson listens carefully and follows all of our suggestions with how to deal with Mae’s nipping. When Mae has peed on the floor and I have had to rush her outside, Carson has cleaned up the tinkle without me asking. Today, we had to bring a poop sample to the vet and he’s the one that reminded me to grab the bottle with poo before leaving to run our errands. (Gross, I know.) He has watched her when I’ve had to run to another room. I keep forgetting to bring a treat outside to praise Mae’s pottying and Carson has suddenly come to my rescue with a treat.

“Hey Mom. Did you forget the treat again? Thought I’d bring one out, just in case.”

His eyes light up every time he sees her.

This kid! Seeing Carson shine has been the best part of adopting Mae so far.

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Parenting Confessions

Written on August 2, 2012 by Jennifer in Little Monkeys, Mommydom, Pictures, Randomness

1. You know those library summer reading programs? Kids read a certain number of minutes or books and at the end of the summer, they get prizes. My kids? HATED it. HATED. IT. After a few weeks of yelling and tears to get them to read for a measly 20 minutes a day, I gave up. We watched lots of Netflix instead.

We are summer reading program drop outs and I’m okay with that.

2. We didn’t eat at Chick-Fil-A yesterday or anytime recently. Not because we were making a political statement, but because my kids don’t actually like eating chicken in general. They just go for the play area. Too bad our local sushi place doesn’t have a play area because THAT would really get my kids excited. They love sushi and that soup with the two mushrooms that Japanese restaurants serve.

3. I’m trying to influence Ella to choose gymnastics over soccer this fall. We only allow them to choose one activity to participate in at a time. Ella is actually doing well in gymnastics, but lately she’s been saying she wants to play soccer. Well. She has played soccer before and within a few weeks, grows bored, cries at games, and I just…would rather not deal with that. Also, gymnastics is once a week on Tuesdays! GLORY!! Yucky old soccer is twice a week, including early on Saturday mornings. BOOOOO! Add in the fact that Carson will be playing soccer, that means we’ll be at the soccer fields a minimum of four times a week. QUADRUPLE BOO!

I’ve been feeding her a steady diet of Olympics Women’s Gymnastics in hopes that I can tip the scales back to gymnastics.

4. I’m feeling far less weepy about Ella starting Kindergarten than I was for Carson. In fact, I’m sort of giddy with excitement about it. Just think! FIVE DAYS A WEEK of sweet, sweet silence.

5. We have had a ridiculously busy summer. Two trips to St. Louis in two weeks, swimming lessons, more swimming, a visit to a waterpark, baseball games, children’s museum, local parks, splash pads, sprinklers, easy bake oven baking, ice cream making, bike riding, camping, fishing, boating….I have to say, I ROCK as mom.

6. I have ignored my kids quite a bit this summer while catching up on reading. So, yeah, I don’t always rock as a mom. So far I’ve read and liked: Bel Canto, The Dovekeepers, The Night Circus, The Devil in the White City, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb. I’ve also read and didn’t really like: The Recipe Club and Petty Magic. I’m currently reading The Witching Hour and it’s SO GOOD. (All those links are affiliate links, suckers!) (Just kidding about the suckers part.) (I’m just trying to get extremely wealthy off affiliate links.) (Thanks for understanding.)

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I am gonna write you a love song. Today.

Written on July 25, 2012 by Jennifer in Hallmark, Pictures, Quirky Me

We were heading home from a long day of running errands the other day when Carson asked, out of the blue, “Wouldn’t it be great if we lived closed to Nana and Paw Paw? And Nanny and Papa? And Aunt Kate? And Uncle James and Aunt Melissa and Baby Riley? And we could see them all the time?”

He has no idea that at least a few times per week, I think the exact same thing.

I’ve made it no secret to everyone except my children that moving around so much has been very difficult for me. Moving over and over has often made me feel like a wanderer with no place to call home. The whole routine of getting new driver’s licenses, learning my way around each new city, and finding a good hairdresser every few years has been an adventure, but not always an adventure I wanted to take.

The hardest part about moving isn’t the lack of good stylist, though, it’s living so far from our family. Having given birth and taken care of two newborns with only a few weeks worth of help was daunting. I desperately needed a support network when Carson and Ella were babies, family that I could depend on to give me a moment’s peace or to give Tate and I a much needed night away. But it’s not just the babysitting that I wish we’d had, now that the kids are getting older, I feel sad for the things that they regularly miss.

They only just this summer went to their first baseball game at Busch Stadium. They don’t get to go spend the night at Nana’s house on a random Wednesday in the middle of summer. They don’t get to grow up with their cousins. They may never say, “I’m from Missouri.”

Despite the distance and the things that our family misses, I actually really like where we live. I’ve stopped holding my breath, waiting for the call for the next move, and have started to let myself think of Knoxville as home. We’ve even found our village, our friends.

One of the only reasons that I’ve been able settle in here is because of the friends we’ve made. They have helped me not to dwell on the family that we don’t have close-by, because like us, so many of them are far from home, too. We’ve all come to depend on one another–because that’s what a family does.

Adrienne is who I called when I need someone to watch Ella when I was on my way to Nashville for my half-marathon. Robyn is the friend who listened while I cried about my terrible morning and needing a break from the kids. Heather is the person who helped me look at Carson in a whole new light when I feared darkness. Sarah and her husband have shared meals with us on Thanksgiving and Easter. Jen, Jo, Amanda, Kate, and Amy held me up when I couldn’t hold myself up.

Our friends ARE our family and just like family, I don’t tell them enough what they each mean to me. It’s busyness that makes me forget to actually say the words, even though I continually thank my lucky stars that these people are my chosen family. They need to hear it, or even better read it, that they mean so much to me, so I’ve spent the last week writing little notes to them on Hallmark greeting cards.

Funny messages and inside jokes, and even a few serious sentiments, all to say “I couldn’t do this life without you. Thank you for being my family, my village.”

(top photo credit: Flickr)

Thanks so much to Hallmark for inviting me to be a part of their Life is a Special Occasion campaign this year. They provided me with greeting cards to send friends and gave me some of the words to say thank you.

Sign up here for Hallmark’s e-newsletter to get special offers and discounts!

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We are Expecting a Baby!

Written on July 16, 2012 by Jennifer in Mae, Pictures

Tate, the kids, and I are thrilled to announce that we are expecting a baby!

Her name is Mae and she is a black and white (well, obviously) Brittany. She’ll be coming to live with us in two weeks. She was born on June 22nd to proud parents Yellow Dog and Rebel, though I think I see a Doyle Family resemblance.

(You didn’t really think it was a baby baby, now didja?) (Because, NO.)

Mae was the last of the litter to not already have been adopted. I think it’s because she was meant for us. We’ve been researching dogs for months and just couldn’t find a dog that seemed like it belonged in our family. And then we found Mae online and went to meet her this past weekend.

She has stinky puppy breath and a twinkle in her eye. She has scored OFF THE CHARTS on intelligence and cuteness tests. I mean, I assume that she would if there was an actual test.

We’re all in love.

Now just to get through the next few months of sleepless nights, poop and pee on my floors, chewing, and all the other fun stuff that comes with having a puppy!

Me? Oh nothing, just hanging out and contemplating which pair of shoes I'll ruin first.

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Eleven Memories

Written on July 14, 2012 by Jennifer in Lucky Me, marriage, Pictures

Eleven years, married. I told Tate the other day that I felt like this last year has been one of the hardest and he looked at me like I was crazy. Just proves how different we are, in what we perceive and how we forgive and forget.

So anyway, eleven years. Despite a bumpy road, I know that I wouldn’t want to be on it with anyone else. It’s not like it would really be any less bumpy with anyone else.

Here are a few memories from our wedding day, which was seriously one of the most fun days ever.

On the morning of July 14, 2001, I woke up very early, unable to go back to sleep due to the anticipation of this long awaited day. I went down to the hotel lobby to have breakfast. My dad happened to be in the lobby, so he and I ate breakfast together. Sitting there with just my dad before my big day is one of my favorite memories.

Later that morning, I saw my grandpa. He asked me if I knew that July 14th was also my grandmother’s birthday, she’d passed away when I was little. I hadn’t known that our wedding date was also her birthday, making the day that much more special.

My dress made me feel like a princess. I wish I had a reason to wear it again.

When the doors of the church opened, Tate looked like he was going to cry. I’ve asked him many times since if it was because of my breathtaking beauty or his nerves…of course, he always answers correctly. It was all I could do not to ugly cry as I walked down the aisle.

At our reception, I told the DJ that I did not want to hear any music by AC/DC or Rush, because I detest those bands. It didn’t matter if one of the reception guests requested to hear one of their songs, he was supposed to tell them that he’d add it to his list but then never get to it. He respected my wishes. Smart DJ.

We served a buffet dinner, which sadly I barely remember. I know I ate, I know that we had prime rib, but I don’t even recall if it was good. So sad to not even remember the food. I love reminiscing about food. What’s even more sad though, is that I only got one bite of wedding cake. I told Tate prior to the wedding that if he smeared cake in my face, he’d pay dearly. Tate respected my wishes. Smart Tate.

We decided that getting a limo to drive us to our hotel where we’d spend our wedding night would be silly. To save money, my mom drove us to our hotel. I remember laughing as she dropped us off, knowing what we were getting ready to go do for the VERY FIRST TIME. *ahem*

Tate carried me over the threshold. Thinking about that still makes my heart flutter.

I ate a Wendy’s double hamburger with everything except onions for lunch with my hair all made up in my veil.

I remember that our photographers followed us in the bus to where we were going to take some outdoor pictures. When we got there (to historic downtown St. Charles), we changed our minds and decided to just keep drinking on the bus. (Sorry photographers! How annoying for you!)

And since I honestly cannot remember anything else from our wedding day because I’m ELDERLY, from now on I’m going to start including a memory from our life together.

When Tate and I were trying to get pregnant for the first time, I thought I might be pregnant. We waited to take the pregnancy test until I got back from a girls’ weekend. When I pulled up to the house, Tate was waiting outside for me so excited for me to come inside to take the test. We sat on the bed holding hands, giddy with anticipation and waited those five, agonizingly long minutes to see the results.The test? Was positive.

***********

Originally published four years ago with seven memories, for our seventh anniversary and three years ago with eight memories, and two years ago with nine memories, and last year with ten memories.

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Any Excuse to Celebrate

Written on May 29, 2012 by Jennifer in Hallmark, Little Monkeys, Pictures, Quirky Me

As I left to attend a celebration hosted by our running coaches in honor of our first half marathon last week, Tate pointed that we’d already celebrated-more than once.

“Isn’t this, like, the hundredth time you guys have celebrated?” he asked. It was a fair question.

My girls and I first celebrated by going out for Mexican after the race, then going out for dinner and drinks at a swanky restaurant later that night. A few days after the race, we got together again for another celebratory dinner and drinks. And now I was heading out to celebrate. Again.

What can I say? Thirteen point one miles seems like a great excuse to have more than one celebration.

Life is just more fun when you can recognize even the smallest victories. That’s why we celebrate the tiny things in our house.

It’s Friday and everyone’s alive! Let’s celebrate with s’mores and margaritas!
There’s sunshine and it’s 75 degrees! Let’s invite friends over for an impromptu bar-b-que!

And we celebrate the true milestones.

First day of summer vacation! That sounds like an excuse to get ice cream!
Carson brought home straight E’s on his report card! Let’s order pizza!

Ella had her very first dance recital last week and if that’s not a milestone, I don’t know what one is. She spent months learning her tap and ballet dance moves, set to the popular musical stylings of The Little Mermaid. On the day of the performance, I fixed her hair in a little bun and even let her wear a little blue eye shadow.

Her performance, well, it was wonderful of course. Eight little girls, ranging in age from three to five, each trying so hard to remember their steps, I’m sure you can imagine the talent. Ella concentrated so hard while dancing, her tongue sticking out with each step.

Obviously we had to celebrate the tiny dancer’s debut. Tate and Carson presented our ballerina with flowers after her stunning performance. She wanted a special treat on the way home and thought ice cream would be the perfect way to celebrate.

Carson vehemently agreed. “Mom,” he said, “it’s Ella’s first dance recital, we HAVE to get ice cream to celebrate!”

I certainly wasn’t going to argue with that logic.

Thanks so much to Hallmark for inviting me to be a part of their Life is a Special Occasion campaign this year. Life truly is a special occasion, each and every moment.

Sign up here for Hallmark’s e-newsletter to get special offers and discounts!

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