five year old lingo

Dylan, last night, to Andrew while they were playing Tony Hawk on the Playstation: "Hey Daddy, check out the new hotness!". Never heard that one before. I can't wait to hear all the phrases he'll pick up at kindergarten this fall.

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I am STILL waiting on Verizon to straighten out the fiasco they've created for us. And I'm so close to telling them to forget it, but now its become a game for me and I can't wait to see what kind of discounted offer they come back with. My issue has been passed along to no fewer than 12 people there, and really, the whole thing is just insane. You'd have to be on drugs to work for that company. Especially after I found this last night, and read some of the hundreds of complaints about the FiOS customer service people. Its like a black hole of incompetence. Who would want to be associated by working for them? Ass clowns.

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In other news, my Dad and Stepmom have invited us to spend Thanksgiving week with them in Florida. So we'll be taking Dylan out of school, and putting Logan on his first plane ride. My Dad is busy putting together plans to build a sliding board into their pool. If I know my Dad, it will be engineered with perfect craftmanship and then the kids are never going to want to come back home. We also plan on boating to Captiva Island while we are there, which is only accesible by boat. We've done this one other time when Dylan was 3, and found the most amazing seashells I've ever seen in 'the wild'. We were also escorted by dolphins boatside the entire trip. It will be a rough life, having turkey poolside, but someone has to do it.

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Our other vacation is quickly approaching in a little over a week, and I'm in the list making stage of what to take to the lake house for a week. Since there are absolutely no stores in the lake area, we have to bring all food and beverages for the week. This involves a lot of pre-shopping and planning, but the good news is once you are there, you can settle in with your mojito and flatline for days. We've never taken laptops before and I don't plan on it this time. We'll be spending the week with my Mom and stepdad, my brother, sister in law, and my neice and nephew, my stepsisters and their kids. It should be a hoot!

Livestock and Mullets

I love where we live. We can be in the heart of DC in 40 minutes for some culture, or drive-bys (depending on our moods). The beach isn't too far, and the mountains are even closer. But when we want to see some livestock and mullets (and who doesn't?), all we have to do is drive west about 15 miles and partake in the annual County Fair. Yeeeeee-Hawwwww!

We took the kids last night, on opening night, and I have to say I was pretty impressed. It was some good old fashioned family fun, complete with a demolition derby. Andrew took Dylan last year, and Dylan has since dubbed it the "Demolitian Dirty" so that's what we all call it now. This year, Logan and I decided to join them for the Dirty and we were not disappointed.




Andrew's past circus experience at FSU could land him a job like this, should the Booz Allen thing not work out.



"Mommy, they're going to need a lot of towing trucks."




Where can we find us some of 'em rub on tattoos?



Not entirely sure I would trust this slide.

Ahhhhh, grease! And meats on sticks!


I love the sights, and I love the sounds, riding on the wonder wheel.

Nice, nice bunny.

Carnie skyline.

Strike Two, Verizon

Well, well, well. After being assured that Verizon was coming this morning between 8 am and noon (a reschedule, after they screwed up our first date) to install our new FiOS service, we have once again been screwed. I called at noon (I called - not them - infuriating to have to spend my time calling when they clearly screwed us), once realizing the tech wasn't going to show up, only to find there is yet another problem with our account. Our account, that at this point I've already spent hours on the phone straightening out and was assured on Friday was finally all set, apparently has a duplicate order. Whaaa??? After I was assured and received numerous emails and phone calls from Verizon confirming we were good to go. And after I was lied to today and told a techician had been dispatched to our house. I'm livid. Again, how do these people stay in business and in their jobs? We could have made a million plans this weekend, but instead we've been stuck at home awaiting the Great and Powerful Verizon to grace us with their presence. And now they assure us they are sorting this all out and will call us back today to reschedule another installation date. I'm not holding my breath. Damn you, technology!

You know, my Dad has taught me a lot of things but maybe one of the best lessons ever was to not put up with this kind of bullshit. I'm the first to find a manager at a restaurant to compliment them if we have an exceptional server. I'm the first to write a letter to the manager of a theme park to sing their praises if we have a great experience. But when shit like this happens, I'll stay on the phone and write emails and letters bitching until we're getting free meals and flower baskets for a year.

If and when we ever get our Verizon service, it will be heavily discounted people. Heavily.

sick, that and the other

Its been a long week here at the circus and if I had any photos to share, they'd be of Dylan laying on the couch, multiple trips to the pediatrician, and me trying to entertain an active two year old who doesn't understand his brother is sick and we can't go have any fun.

Yes, Dylan is sick again. It started Tuesday night with some lethargy and fever. By Wed morning he still didn't want to eat or do anything, or even get dressed. Totally unlike him. So off to the peds we went, where he promptly threw up all over their waiting room. Strep test - negative, ears looked fine, no fever.. chalked it up to a random stomach virus. Back home, lots of couch and TV time, thankfully no more throwing up. Yesterday he just kept saying his stomach hurt, but no other symptoms other than lack of appetite and lethargy. Today he started coughing and still complained of stomach pain. So back to the ped for a re-check. I thought he might test positive for strep this time, or something...anything... Its so hard when they don't feel good and you have no answers. I even thought maybe he was making it all up at this point for attention. Turns out whatever this thing is has now morphed into a head cold. So we're trying Afrin nasal spray and hoping he'll be normal for the weekend. I have to admit I felt like an idiot taking my child in today only to hear he has a head cold. But I can't tell you how many times we've been stranded in the middle of a Saturday night with a sick child and no where to go but the godforsaken ER. Better safe than sorry.

So while we've been stuck in the house most of the week, I've washed the floors, cleaned out some cabinets, scooped a weeks' worth of dog shit out of the backyard, watched many episodes of Dirty Jobs, and Logan and I tried out all the new paints he got for his birthday. Good times.


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We are supposed to get the new Verizon FiOs internet and TV service this weekend. Its been scheduled for a month. Except today I found out there was some major screw up on our account. I had to spend over an hour on the phone, re-confirming my entire order that I placed a month ago and rescheduling our installation while Dylan chased the dog around the kitchen island and Logan was screaming about something sticky on his hands. Why do I often find myself on the phone spending hours of my time because someone at some company didn't do their job right? Isn't it so maddening? I seriously considered holding the phone up to Logan while he was screaming, just to give ole' Verizon my middle finger. You know we want you Verizon. Your high speed access and 250 channels, saving us $100 a month from what we pay right now. We'll take the abuse this time. But don't let it happen again.


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Dylan on his couch deathbed this week "I love you so much mommy. You are the sweetest mommy in the whole wide world. I need some more red Gatorade. Can you bring it to me in a glass with and a straw so I don't have to sit up? And can I watch more Scooby Doo while you rub my back? Put the blanket over me I'm cold."

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I watched Hopkins on ABC last night for the first time. I love medical shows, but this is reality and it was a little intense. One of the stories was about a little 9 year old girl Mya who drowned and was brain dead, but still alive. Her family was faced with the decision of taking her off life support and letting her pass on. It broke my heart. I'm sure the show was edited down a lot, but I didn't feel the main doctor (Dr. Fackler) was very empathetic with her family. Its a situation too horrific to even think about and I couldn't help but wonder how I would react. I would just hope to have a doctor with a better bedside manner and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so. I also kept wondering why this family gave permission to be filmed during such a private time of grief. It seems opportunistic of the producers, and I wonder if someday soon the family will regret it?

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Have a fantabulous final July weekend. Countdown to kindergarten - FIVE weeks. Countdown to lake house vacation week - just over TWO weeks.

Zucchini Squares

Its the height of fresh summer produce, and maybe you have so much zucchini, you don't know what to do with it all. My Stepmom gave me this recipe, and she got it from my Aunt Suzy. Its delicious, and everytime I make it, it all gets eaten. Its a great side dish, but could work for a brunch, or you could experiment and add cubed ham to make it more of main dish. I might try that next time!

3 cups of grated fresh zucchini (use a mandolin or food processor for quickest results)
1 medium onion, grated
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup reduced fat Bisquick
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic powder (or more if you like garlic flavor)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup of milk

Wash zucchini, but do not peel. Grate zucchini and onion, combine with Bisquick, cheese, oil, egg, milk, salt and garlic powder. Pour into a 9" square pan (coated with nonstick spray), and bake at 325 for approx 45 minutes, until middle is cooked through. Cut into squares for serving.

Delish! Maybe you can even get your kids to eat it by telling them its cake. My kids didn't buy it, but....

Life with Logan

Its been a while since I've talked in depth about Logan and his speech, sensory and behavioral issues. We always have so much going on with him, and its an exhausting cycle of phone calls, appointments, research, consultations, time-outs and tantrums (sometimes mine). But all the while, life is going on and we are trying to manage life with Logan. He is a whirlwind of typical two year old activity and moods, but seems to be at one emotional extreme or the other instead of living somewhere in the middle. Laid back and easy going, he is not. But we are dealing and learning.

His weekly early intervention speech therapist has been coming since April, and she is a wonderful woman. She is helping us find some resources for him. She just re-tested him as a two year old last week to find out his level of speech delay. For expressive/verbal language he tested at 22 months, so two months behind. For receptive language he tested at 26 months (two months ahead), so he clearly understands a lot. His ability to work puzzles and match colors and shapes and recognize objects is unbelievable. And, he's great at problem solving and he's very social. The challenge lies within his very low frustration level and his strong will. He has such a short temper and just explodes over the smallest things. Once he starts crying, he can't seem to settle himself down. And this is multiple times a day. He is also a terrible sleeper, and a picky eater. We're just not catching a break anywhere with him I guess. Fortunately, he is lovable, funny and cute so I think we'll keep him.

As I mentioned before, we've been taking him to a behavioralist as well as a developmental pediatrican at Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore since January. Its a fantastic place (albeit a bit far at $4 a gallon) and we've been able to build up a whole repertoire of discipline tactics. They have been an incredible resource and we also hope to find someone more locally who can see him on a more frequent basis. Its very difficult to find therapists willing to work with children under five.

His speech therapist has witnessed enough of his behavior to realize he has some issues with self regulation and impulse control. She is working on trying to get him into early intervention preschool thru our county. I think a part time classroom setting with structure, without me there, would be great for him. But since his language delay isn’t huge (its actually borderline for him to even qualify for speech therapy services), we have to help her build his case based on behavioral issues. It’s not going to be easy and it will be a few months before we know. It’s a long shot, but we’re trying. Behavioral issues just don’t get the urgency/attention in the school system that speech delays and other types of developmental issues do. It’s the State of VA just not putting the funding behind it. I’m learning a lot as we are going thru this process.

I just have to take it one day at a time with him. He can be so sweet and fun. Those are the moments I have to savor and bottle up for the hard times. The feeling of walking on eggshells never goes away and every day is unpredictable. But we’re doing the best we can, and that's all we can do.

Logan, its not always easy being your Mommy. But its never, ever boring. I love you, buddy.

to be a kid again...

When I was a kid, the only water entertainment was either running through the sprinkler, or splashing in a tiny plastic Scooby Doo pool. Sometimes, at my grandparents, we'd rig up the sprinkler over the clothesline so it would rain down into the pool, and that was as good as it got. I don't even think they had water parks or water slides back then. And I know as sure as I'm sitting here, they did not have this:

Our friends had a great birthday bbq party last night, and we arrived to find this fantastical inflatable super fun fun bounce water slide-a-rama. And, if you look closely, you'll notice Dylan is the one totally airborne at the top of the slide. Just looking at this photo makes me yearn for a chiropractor. And to be five again.

making summer memories

My kids like to stay busy, and our days go much more smoothly when we are on the go. I plan the activities for my MOMS Club, and I'm constantly on the prowl for kid-fun places in our area. Fortunately in the summertime, there are a million places to choose. We spend a lot of time at our community pool, which is so kid-friendly, with a zero depth entrance and lots of cool fountains. Yesterday, we went to a great little waterpark the kids love.

Today, we checked out a small, local zoo before it got too hot out. I have always heard about this place, but we just never made it until today. It was very hands-on with lot of places the kids could feed the animals.
Logan was fascinated by the free roaming animals and the size of their feet....



....and the giant tortoise.



We saw a family of spider monkeys hanging out with their new baby.

We even saw some kangaroos doing what comes natural - trying to make some more kangaroos. Dylan asked me what they were doing, and I quickly said "hugging! Lets go see the reptile house!", as some teenagers were approaching and I knew the hugging explanation wouldn't hold up for very long.

I love these kinds of days with my kids - getting to experience the world so innocently through their eyes. Everything is fascinating to them - from the way a tortoises shell feels, to getting to chase ducks along a dusty path. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to be home with them and make these memories. This job doesn't pay much, but its absolutely overflowing with benefits.

Under the Big Top

We had Logan's 2nd birthday party on Saturday, and it was a great time. We did a little circus theme in our backyard. Andrew decorated the cake with Little People and Necco Wafers, and crushed Nilla Wafers for a sawdust floor:



We had grape cotton candy...



....a moonbounce...

....and family and friends to help us celebrate!

Logan, for such a little guy, you had some big top fun!

Aqua Boy

Dylan passed his swimming test this evening. It was very exciting! We didn't even know he was going to take the swim test tonight, it just kind of happened when we arrived at his swim lesson. The teacher thought he was ready, and after a little practice treading water, it was thumbs up. He had to swim the length of the pool, and a few times I wasn't sure he would make it. He is the youngest kid in his class by over a year. But he just kept going, knowing once he passed, he'd be allowed to go down the slides and off the diving boards. He has always been very confident in the water and it seems to be natural thing for him. In fact, he has only had one other swim lesson his entire life. Tonight was night four of an eight night class, and he did it already! Way to go buddy!

Happy Birthday Logan!

Dear Logan,

Two years ago today, at 7:15 am, we met you for the very first time. You were two days early, and I think this was a sign that you arrived ready to take on the world at full speed. You were so sweet, and so peaceful in my arms.

You met your brother for the first time just hours later. He was so proud to bring you a teddy bear he made just for you. Watching the two of you bond these past two years has been magical. Dylan was the first person to make you laugh. I hope that you will always be kind to each other and continue to grow close. Always remember that family is the most important, precious thing we have.

These past two years, you've carved out your place in our family and made it feel complete. Its been so fun watching you grow from a little, soft fleshy lump into a sitting, crawling, walking, talking little guy.

You've always been very fickle about what you'll eat and you leave me guessing at what to make you every day. You definitely have a sweet tooth, though, and you'd eat candy and cookies everyday if we let you.




Every day with you is an adventure. You've given us some gray hairs for sure, but you've also made us laugh as you explore the world and figure out how this crazy place works. You have the deepest laugh and it comes straight from your belly. You are learning how to express yourself more and more, and you're so proud everytime you use new words.

You have such an expressive face, and I love taking you to new places just to see your reaction and see things through your eyes. You're also so friendly, and love saying hello to everyone, and telling them goodbye. I call you 'The Greeter' as we walk through stores, and you interact with everyone who walks by.

You currently love all animals, and have a special fondness for ducks. You love balls, playing in water, trying on everyone's shoes, coloring on yourself with markers, riding your scooter, doing puzzles (which you are very good at!), and doing absolutely everything Dylan does! You also love to cuddle and read stories, its about the only time you'll sit still!

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy. I hope you will always be as full of life and passion as you are at two. The world should watch out for you, you'll always be riding on top of it!

Love, Mommy

the pig whisperer

We have a new friend at our house. The other day, I took the kids to World Market with me to return some blinds, and Logan spied this pig. I let him play with it while I shopped, and when it was time to go, he wouldn't part with it. I ended up getting it for him, his second birthday is in a few days anyway. Plus, its really cute. He and the pig have been inseparable ever since.

Last night before bed, he grabbed it and toddled over to me, held up the pig by his head, and started whispering in his ear. It was total mumbo jumbo, who knows what he was saying. But I started laughing and that's all Logan needed. I was now his audience and he had a show to put on. So he repeatedly held the pig by the head, whispering "sphhhspzzzsphhwwsph" in its ear. I didn't know he knew the mechanics of telling a secret, but he definitely had some things to tell the pig.

its a scary world

I try not to watch the news too often, and we especially don't watch it when the kids are awake. I do read the paper, and I read news online when I have time. And I'm often amazed at how often the stories just sicken me. I just read this on CNN, and it turned my stomach. How could a security guard see this woman and not even get up out of his chair? Disgusting. What if this was your family member? And to think other people in the waiting room didn't get up to help this woman, or at least go find a hospital staff member to help her. What is wrong with people?

This is a local story that has been breaking the past few days, and its another stomach turner. The guy killed a white cop by running him over, was thrown in jail, and less than 36 hours later, while in solitary confinement with only prison guards having access to him, was found dead (presumably by strangulation). So who strangled him, is the question, and what kind of racial tension will it create not only in the prison, but throughout the county and beyond? The story is getting ton of media attention, which sadly is overshadowing the fact that the police officer will be buried tomorrow. I don't believe in vigilante justice, but lets look at the facts. Neither of these guys would be dead if the cop hadn't have been run over in the first place. This all took place in the county in Maryland I grew up in. I even toured this jail as part of my social sciences class when I was a senior.

Then there was the story last winter of the DC woman, who murdered her four daughters and kept them in an upstairs bedroom for months before they were discovered. So many people failed those girls, from the school system, social services and their own relatives and neighbors.

People turn their heads and don't want to get involved, too busy with their own problems I guess. I do believe the world is full of good people with good intentions. But these horror stories make me wish I could censor the world for my kids and make it a little less scary.