Use Your Words

As each child reaches milestones and each new child reaches the same milestone, I enjoy comparing and reminiscing about the previous child’s progress. It’s fun to see similarities. For instance, all three have gone through the Cheerio stage (thus we’ve gone through the crunchy-floor stage, three times). All three have gone through the waking up in the morning and calling my name over and over and over and over until I pull them out of bed. They all went through the stage where they were more interested in Daddy than Mommy. (I’m not even going to comment on how that is not my favorite stage ;))

But there is one stage that is similar but distinctly different in an interesting sort of way. It’s the terminology stage. Saylah when she started to sign and speak, she would use the sign language for “milk” to mean, “I want” no matter what it was that she wanted. Then as she began to speak, she’d use real words for real things. A cow was a cow. A horse, a horse. Dad was dad and Mom was mom. You get the picture.

Audrey on the other hand, we had our light bulb moment when we realized that at around 18 months Audrey preferred to call things by the sound they made rather than its actual name. In other words, a cow was always called a “moo,” a horse, “neigh” and milk was called “gulp.”

I thought I had it all figured out. Apparently, babies either call something by what it actually is, or they call it by what sound it makes. Isaac enlightened me to yet another option. My third has decided to call things by general terms. In other words, both sisters are called “Audrey.” I’ve heard him say Saylah from time to time, but typically speaking, he calls them both Audrey. You could chalk this up to either Audrey is easier to say or that they both look alike so he gets them confused ..  and move on … until you really study his “conversation” skills.

When he wants something he likes, he calls it a “cookie.” Currently the Garmin GPS that I let him play with in the car is called a cookie. If he doesn’t like something or want something, he will often express his distaste by saying “owwie, owwie” whether it hurts or not. And my all time personal fave – he calls me “Dah.” Yep, that’s right, I capitalized it. He calls Ben “daddy” and I’ve heard him say “moma” before, but typically when he wants to get my attention he calls me “Dah.” After much contemplation and amusement, we decided that “Dah” probably means “that.” And to add to the joy of being a “that,” I am honored to share that title with my Mom. I'm certainly thrilled that he holds her in such high regard. But I do think I should get some sort of distinction ... come on buddy, I birthed you! ;) Well – at least I’m in good company! We are two “thats” that are definitely important to his life.

I’m not at all sure what this knowledge indicates about his personality. I can say that Saylah is very precise which lands well with her using the right words during her baby conversations. As mentioned in an earlier post, Audrey does enjoy roaming the house making animal sounds … or really any type of sound she can come up with sometimes. So if that’s to allude to any foreshadowing … I’d suppose Isaac will become a child who goes with the flow, really not dealing too much with the minutia of details … you know “whatever.”  J

The "Art" of Family Lodging

Orlando children are spoiled rotten. If you didn't know this, let me enlighten you. First off, everywhere they turn, whether it be Magic Kingdom, the splash park or the grocery store, someone is referring to them as some sort of royalty. I get it at Disney. But when I'm checking out at Target and the cashier asks Audrey, "How are you today princess?" A little smirk comes to my lips and I ponder the small point that kids all over the country are NOT referred to on a daily basis as "prince" or "princess."

But on top of simple pleasantries, Orlando kids get to experience a LOT. Driving in Windermere you can see nightly Disney fireworks, images of Shrek and Donkey smile back at you as you drive the Beach Line, and who's room isn't adorned with at least one Shamu pal?

So when we go to another theme-park event, I often wonder just when my kids will cease to be enthralled by the glitz, glamour and zeal of fantasy and fun. Well, it hasn't happened yet. And Disney raised the bar with its opening of the Art of Animation Resort this last week, so I'm thinking it may be a while. Thank goodness!

We had the awesome opportunity to experience the resort on opening day for a little mini (& much needed) staycation. I was slightly apprehensive because I'd heard the new resort referred to as the Ramada with Disney decor. What a completely unjust analogy!

Greeted by a foyer committed to animation, cast members welcome you to enjoy your story. Your entire stay is themed around the premise of nothing other than, well, the art of animation. With at total of four resorts springing to life, each themed towards a popular Disney movie, we were privileged to stay with Nemo, Crush and their friends at the Finding Nemo portion of the resort.

I'd consider myself well-experienced in Disney hotels ... my favorite perhaps being Boardwalk. And, I've yet to experience a resort quite like this. Unlike Boardwalk, the Grand Floridian or even Wilderness Lodge where guests dowsed in stuffy luxury, Art of Animation welcomes families to be families. Don't get me wrong, luxury is fabulous -- especially for grown ups.

And I think all Disney hotels do great with the amenities and kids. But with three small kids, when we're at a luxury resort, there's an air that simply projects an expected "hush" throughout property. It's not as though the other resorts are overly stuffy, its just that Art of Animation is overly un-stuffy ... families with all their loudness, messiness and excitement can bubble over in rooms fit to accommodate 6 COMFORTABLY and throughout the resort, built to accommodate FUN.


Art of Animation welcomes kids to run, jump, scream, get sticky with ice cream and be kids. Letting them be kids, let's me relax ... a lot. Of all the kid-friendly resorts around town, so far, this is among my favorite, simply because it is truly truly focused on the family.

As a family of five, I was thrilled to storm our suite-style room. I'm tired of sharing a single room with two beds and lodging Isaac's pack 'n play in between. "Tired," not just "over it," but literally tired ... we get NO sleep in those rooms. I treasured the door that separated us from the girls as much as I treasured the ginormous master
bathroom ... that housed Isaac in his pack 'n' play for the night. ;)


A super ingenious kitchen table design transforms into a Murphy bed, the living room couch is of course a pull out bed and everything in the suite is swimming with Nemo and his friends.

The kids loved it, even asking if we could go back to the room to explore it.

As for the property itself, Disney designers chose foliage around property that emulates plants found under the sea -- creating another level of your story; making you part of the sea with Nemo and his friends. Brilliant. The rest of  place was designed for kids in mind.

Not only did the zero-entry pool shore up to the splash pad which sat next to a coral reef playground, but every inch of it felt like we were part of the fun of the sea. Nemo's little school pals splashed Isaac at the splash pad, while jelly fish doused Audrey in the pool afterwards. The coolest part -- seriously -- there is music playing UNDER the water in the pool! So simple, yet so cool.



We can't wait for the Cars resort to open soon. It looks so super cool and I think Isaac will be over the moon about it. Overall, this was one of our best family stays at any of the Disney hotels because of theming, fun and comfort. Next time you're looking to stay in Orlando, you've got to check it out. I give it two fins up!

"Sketch ya later!" 

The Importance of Men

Men bring about a dynamic that women typically can't emulate in a family setting. Even though I sometimes roll my eyes (either internally or externally) at their antics, I'm grateful for their presence.

Stuck in the daily locomotion of getting kids corralled out the door on time for school, eagle-eyeing what they watch and say, and guiding who they spend their time with, I often forget that I've checked my sense of humor at the door, um, about six years ago.

It's a small price to pay on most days. I think I've got it all figured out (ha ha) so I'm going to go full speed ahead to prove that I'm doing it the best way ... that is until they turn into teens and remind me that I'm utterly and completely clueless about pretty much everything. ;)

Until then, Ben and I rule the roost, but differently of course. Ben's a jokester. Which, again, I'm not. Beyond, knock knock, who's there jokes. I've got nothin'. So his shinanigans crack me up but yet I sometimes wonder when he goes full steam ahead on the sarcasm train with the girls or tells them lie-jokes about eating broccoli for dessert. But, I sigh, smile and remember that's why kids have two parents. One that can kid with them and one that they know isn't always full of bologna! ;)

But then steps in more male antics from influential family members. It's funny to me that with family out of town, I forget sometimes the positive effects the different people in our circle of life also have. That is, until we go visit them or they come visit us.

My uncle came to visit my parents and us this week. And like when my brothers come to visit, I am reminded two things. One -- I take things way too seriously. and Two -- kids need teasing. (In a healthy way of course.)

My brothers and my uncle and my dad love to tease the girls. It's super dooper fun to watch because often the kids do not know what to do with it. They are so used to the grown ups telling them what to do, encouraging them, or playing normal games with them. They are NOT used to people threatening to stuff them in trash cans, tie their shoes together or hide their toys. They are not used to pranks, people stealing their noses, or pretending to write a letter to Santa.

"Dear Santa, Saylah has been very bad this year. Do not bring her any toys." 

~ Uncle Matt

"Dear Santa, Uncle Matt is lying. He should not get anything ever. Please bring me a microphone." 

Love, Saylah

It is great to watch this unfold. It reminds my kids that even grown ups can be silly. Really silly. And it teaches them to have a sense of humor and not take themselves too seriously either. I grew up with these things too. My dad and uncle used to spank my dolls and I'd get SO upset. Yes, I've been stuffed in a trash can and have had my shoes tied together in a crazy mess of a knot on more than one well-deserved occasion.

My uncle taught us each to howl like a wolf, lay an egg, oh and to snipe hunt. My favorite. It was hillarious to watch the tradition continue on Memorial Day as the wolf-howling was passed from generation to generation when Dad and Uncle Dan taught Isaac to howl. (see video)

Tuesday morning Saylah woke up to find her shoes in a knotted mess. And I'm pretty sure the antics will be coming all week while my he's here. The teasing doesn't stop with the kids. And for that I'm "thankful" ... I suppose. ;) When I left this morning to work, Isaac was jabbering "cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie" thanks to my uncle; who I believe spoke that for my benefit rather than Isaac's. And I was texted that the baby likes strawberry frappaccino, too. Sigh, the antics of men. We're lucky to have them. They remind us all to not be so serious. Kids won't break from too much sugar every once in a while, howling like a wolf, or even being stuffed in a trash can.

I'm grateful my kids get to experience uncles, great uncles and grandpas. Without these influential men in our lives, they wouldn't be as tough as they will be, wouldn't learn how to take a joke as well, nor would they have the good sense not to mess with someone who is wiser, older and bigger than them. ;) At least not more than once.

Insider Knowledge ;-)

I love top Tens. They often make me laugh. So I thought I'd entertain you all with some of the things I've learned over the last couple of years, formated in a Top Ten of my own. 
Happy Friday! 

Top Ten: What I've Learned So Far

(warning ... these are deep! ;) )

10. You can teach a child to toot in the bathroom … at least most of the time.

9. You'll never tire of seeing the wonderment in your child as she learns something new. 

8. If you ask your children to “entertain themselves” while you talk on the phone, they’ll graciously answer “okay” and two seconds later ask you for a snack.

7. You won’t have to wait until they are teens for them to know it all. That seems to start around age 4. So does best friends, holding hands and sharing secrets.  

6. Terrible Twos is a myth -- it's really the threes! Watch out! 

5. Little boys DO jump around more than girls, they think it’s funny to hit their sisters and they get a twinkle in their eyes when you tell them no … at least mine does. But he's still sympathetic when his sister has to sit in time out. 

4. Be careful teaching them about how babies arrive in this world … they may share that with their preschool class.

3. There is NO good name for little boy and girl parts – but you’ll need something so you can make sure they’ve been wiped, covered or washed.

2. According to Audrey when she was three, “elephants like peanuts and Isaac has one.”

1. Never stick your hand out when your eyes are closed in response to: “Here Mommy.” Next line may sound like: “It’s from my tooshie.” 

I am NOT the Energizer Bunny

I’ve been thinking a lot about re-energizing lately. Not simply relaxing. I’m trying to figure out what it is that I like to do that really recharges me, gives me that extra zing in my step that helps me wake up tomorrow and set the world ablaze.

I am a very active person (some would state “too active”), but I definitely am blessed to get my fill of fun activities. My husband is really good about supporting me whenever I have another idea of something I want to do. He graciously takes over the task of getting dinner on the table, baths done, squabbles solved and whatever other nuance that may come about, taken care of – solo – so that I can go out with friends, go for a run, go to violin lessons. You name it … he supports it.

But as the day comes to an end, I’m drained as I sit here and type. My ears spy the beginnings of a sibling squabble … when the girls should be sleeping. I can’t quite make out what they are arguing about. Typically it stems from someone not listening to the other. Little voices of indignation marbled with crying, vehemently push their point. Wait. Now Saylah is singing the Star Spangled Banner while her sister is quiet. Squabble resolved. Thank God I didn’t need to go up there.

Ahh, and this is why there is not regular re-energizing. I love doing all the things that I do, but I find myself at a point where I need to be intentional in defining my precise concoction for refreshment. I’m still seeking something that will fully re-charge me after a long week of hybrid-Mommy-hood. (Definition: Hybrid Mommy: Half business woman/ half stay-at-home mom)

For me, the one thing that really gets me ticking is when I take my Girl Scout troop camping for the weekend. Crazy I know. But as exhausting as that is, I see the lives of teens influenced by some pretty cool things and I come home ready and raring to be the best woman I can be! The problem with this scenario is that I can’t go camping every weekend. I mean, sure Ben’s supportive, but that may inspire him to tell me to live in that tent permanently!

Having an idea of what type of thing refreshes you is the first step though. Have you ever pondered that? If you are feeling run down, on any given day, it’s probably because you need to take a little time out for you. Shh, don’t tell anyone, but that time for you is really for them too. So no need to feel guilty about it; a refreshed person = a better person.

As a parent, whether you work full time, part time, stay at home, home school, live with your parents, are single, are married, have little ones, have big ones, have many many ones … you name it, we all need to recharge.

It makes us happier people. It makes us better parents. It makes us think more clearly. It increases creativity. It centers us back to our authentic self. (These are not my assertions by the way … they are actually scientifically proven.)

So, here I am at 9:04 on a Tuesday night … I’ve been home all day, practicing Audrey’s letters in flour, teaching Isaac sign language, folding laundry, straightening up the house, writing copy for my clients, talking to people in California, taking kids to swim lessons, and going to violin lessons, all to culminate with a salad for dinner and a glass of water as I sit and type my blog. I’m still pondering, what is it that I would like to regularly do that will remind me of who I am, in hope of sharing my authentic self every day to my husband, children, friends and family.

Can you relate? What do you do to re-energize?

If you aren’t sure … ponder what activity you like to do that really gets you back to feeling like you.

I hope you’ll join me in this valuable quest to find your specific answer. Good luck!

Dino Dig

So my Mom told me the other day of an interesting conversation Saylah and she had. If you don’t know me super well, you should probably know, I’m incredibly passionate about my relationship with Christ. I began to get to know Him as an adult, maybe nearly 7 or 8 years ago so I also feel really blessed to get to share what I’m learning with my children.

That being said, I believe Saylah seems to have a special connection with God. I’ve always said, if Say says God told her something in her heart … well, He probably did. For Pete’s sake, the girl’s name means “to pause and reflect on God’s word” and I sincerely think she does.

So it was interesting when my Mom told me we had a little evolution vs. creation conversation going on in our home the other day. No biggie really, as Saylah doesn’t even know the two camps exist yet. She knows that not everyone knows God but she doesn’t of course know that there are wars over this conversation that she posed to my mom.

I guess after school, Saylah and grandma were hanging out and Saylah, who recently created a cool dinosaur village picture, must have had dinos on the brain. She inquired, “Grandma, if Adam and Eve came first. How did the dinosaurs exist?”

My mom, a little taken aback by the deep conversation ambush did a fabulous job answering Saylah’s questions. She explained yes Adam and Eve were the first PEOPLE, but God created all the animals of the earth before then, right? Say concurred and then asked, “Yeah, but how did the dinosaurs get buried if there were no people?” Which lead my mom to talk about sedimentation. She went as far as talking about, if something is on the beach and the wind blows, that object gets covered by the sand, right?

Saylah pondered for a bit and remarked, “What if the dinosaurs never existed and people just spread a bunch of big bones all around making it look like they did?”

Here’s what I find funny about this statement (beyond the obvious mental image of people running around spreading big dino-sized bones around the world):  MOST skeptics when challenged with God and evolution, choose the side of evolution. I’ve never heard anyone really say, maybe the dinosaurs were the fake out. I know there are arguments about that, but that seems silly to me since we can of course prove that dinos existed (regardless of how they were buried, right?) ;)

God tells us to have faith like a child and I think Saylah shows us here what He means by that. When questioned with what we can see and what we cannot, she erroneously thought she had to pick one or the other so she chose God.

She’ll of course learn that dinosaurs were, in fact, real. I can’t really answer scripturally why they aren’t mentioned in the Bible. But here’s the thing, at all points in our life I believe we encounter times when we question our faith. And I personally think that’s okay, it can help reaffirm what we believe and know.

I also think that all three of my kids will at some point question if what they believe is really what THEY believe. And I welcome that. Faith because I told you to is not faith. But I am glad that Saylah isn’t questioning it just yet. =) 

A Tale of the Tail

So Audrey likes playing kitty cat. I mean ... "likes" is an understatement. She likes playing so much so that several things have resulted in my household from this pretend play. One. I dread when she meows. Two. Saylah won't even play it with her anymore. And three. Isaac is now crawling around on all fours acting like a cat, too. Fabulous.

But what cracks me up every time she plays kitty cat is that she has to have a tail. Which, makes sense, why would you be a tail-less cat? But at any given moment if you glance at her cute little hiney, you might find something sticking from the back of her pants.

For example, she and her cohort in this game, to be secretively named AK ;) were running around the preschool playground just the other day with weeds sticking out of their back ends ... My friend alarmedly asked ... "What is THAT sticking out of Audrey's pants?!?" "A tail." She looked at me so oddly ... her kiddo isn't quite old enough to discover attaching a tail I think.

Well AK is about the only living being who will still play this game with her ... and for that I am eternally grateful. ;)

So here's my cute little 4-year-old daughter, brilliant, passionate and incredibly opinionated about what she'll wear every day. Unless it involves ... a tail. I've seen her as a princess cat, dressed to the nines in a purple Rapunzel dress and a long towel hanging out of the back ... tail, not hair. I've seen her as a chef, with blue apron tied on her and paper (hand made) tail attached to her pants.

The funny thing, like I said, she is really particular about what she wears. Seriously, the other day I swear to you she was crying because her soccer shorts were too long and she didn't want to wear them. I'm pretty sure she took them off and hid them in the playroom before Ben came out to get her ready for her game. But today, a school day, this little diva donned her super cute outfit (which she hated btw) and the only way I could convince her to wear it was because her sister told her she could use the belt as a tail instead of tying it correctly.

You know what? I let her. Sure did. She wore a tail to preschool. And I'm sure when her teachers offered to tie it correctly, most likely thinking Mommy wasn't running on all cylinders this morning, she probably informed them "no thanks, that's my tail."

I so wonder what they thought about that .... You know what? If you can't wear a tail when you're in preschool ... when CAN you wear one?