Project 52: Week 52

I cannot believe this is the last Project 52 post of 2011.  Some posts basically wrote themselves, while others forced me to sit and think, write and rewrite.  Either way, I enjoyed writing each and every one, and I hope to compile them all into a digital album or something of the sort so I can share them with my girls in the future.  By the way, anyone know how to do that?  I plan to continue my weekly mommy posts into 2012, and I'd love to get feedback from my readers...comments, ideas, tips, etc.  We're all in this together, ladies!

With Christmas just coming and going, this week's post was kind of a no brainer.  I think this may have been the best Christmas ever...well, the best one in my adult life and recent memory, at least!  We had brunch on Christmas Eve with my parents and my older brother and his family:

Kids' table

Brunch was followed by naps and Christmas Eve dinner with a plethora of Psimases (and many, many honorary Psimases).  I tried to get a nice picture of my girls in front of our Christmas tree wearing their pretty dresses, but Brynn was mad I wouldn't give her gum and assumed her "you're-the-worst-mom-in-the-world" position.  Camryn does whatever Brynn does, so she followed suit:

Christmas, gangsta style

The girls spent about and hour and a half opening their presents on Christmas morning, and it wasn't until after I cleaned up all the wrapping paper and made myself some coffee that I realized Ryan and I still had our own presents to open.  That's how you know you already have everything you need, wouldn't you say?  Here's some of the clearer shots I was able to capture...those kids move fast!

As if we needed more lawn ornaments 

Digging in

The $8 backpack might be Camryn's favorite gift 

The ridiculously cute dollhouse Santa brought for the girls to share.  So far, so good...as long as Camryn doesn't try to play with the blue baby.

We rounded out Christmas Day with an open house at Ryan's brother's house, where we opened presents with Ryan's family.  After we got home, we had some chili with our neighbors (and Brynn's BFF), who will be moving out of state in a few weeks.  Such an awesome Christmas.

Now I thought I'd spend Brynn's Christmas vacation being out and about, going from one playdate to the next, but I decided to go in a different direction:

Yup.  Taking on the task of potty training Camryn.  And you thought you had a holiday hangover!  Let's just say that at the end of Day 2, I'm glad I don't have to be anywhere for the next eight days!  Perhaps a bit of foreshadowing of Project 52:  Week 1?

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52 in 2012, click on the link below:

There are some guidelines to follow if you want to submit your posts to be shared on www.simplymodernmom.com, but it's totally worth doing just for yourself.  Make it your own and enjoy putting your memories in writing and looking back at them weeks or months later.  How could you possibly regret it?

Project 52: Week 51

While my husband hasn't been with his company long enough to have oodles of paid time off, he does get this thing called a "Fun and Laughter Day" every year.  Basically, he gets an extra day off each year that doesn't count against his regular vacation days, AND the company reimburses him $100 of whatever he spends that day.  The only catch is that whatever they pay for has to invoke fun and laughter.  Um, done!  So after Brynn's adorable Christmas program at school, the four of us hit the lanes for the first ever Psimas Family bowling outing:

How stinkin' cute are they in their little bowling shoes?!  Camryn was more than a little disappointed when she learned we couldn't keep them. 

Brynn has stated in the past that she "only likes not heavy things," so she had no interest in rolling even the lightest bowling ball through her legs.  These ramps proved to be critical to our fun and laughter. 

We still had money to burn after two games of bowling, so we moved on to our favorite Italian restaurant where both kids are known to eat every morsel of pizza off their plates.  We ate like kings (and queens and princesses):

And the girls were on their best behavior, despite a really long day of being on the go:

We detoured through some neighborhoods to check out some Christmas lights on our way home.  Our bellies were full of delicious food, and our day was full of fun and laughter.  Thanks, Ryan's company!

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 50

It seems like lately, I've had a lot of challenges to discuss with my fellow warriors of motherhood.  The antics of the 2 year old.  The sass of the 5 year old.  Finding time to manage a household while also running the one man show that is Fancy Fonts.  When summer ended, the circus began, and I've been the juggling act ever since.  I've certainly dropped the ball when it comes to keeping house, but I could care less.  If I have to live among a mess to make my kids' happiness a priority, so be it.  And while this stay-at-home mom gig I have can be terribly thankless, I'm frequently rewarded with little moments of sweetness from my girls, and it's all the pat on the back I need to keep on keepin' on.  

Like so many others before him, this bird flew a kamikaze mission straight into the 2nd floor window of Camryn's bedroom, plummeting to the deck below.  He lay dazed for a while, but finally got up to his feet.  Brynn tried to nurse him back to health by feeding him this stick, and she kept coming back to check on him every few minutes.  The look of concern on her face was priceless.  

While an actual man dressed as Santa will send Camryn running for the hills, she loves this little one who shakes his bum to "Jingle Bell Rock."  She choreographed her own routine to the song, and finished with a kiss.

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

  

Project 52: Week 49

A bit late getting this out there, but better late than never, right?  I can't start slacking now...there's only 3 weeks to go!  Have no fear, though...I think this is a weekly post I'd like to continue after the ball drops.  

This week's glimpse is from an impromptu Christmas cookie baking session with Brynn, my mom, and Meghan.  My mom can bake her @$$ off, and I like to think I can hold my own when given flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.  Unfortunately, I've also inherited the Grove sweet tooth, so I had to leave the fruits of our labor at my mom's if I wanted my jeggings to fit through the holidays!  I think I smell an annual tradition...

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 48

During one of Camryn's major meltdowns over God knows what, I looked at Ryan and said, "I don't remember Brynn's terrible two's being THIS terrible!"  Maybe they were and I've just blocked them out, or maybe I simply can't remember because I was pregnant with Camryn when Brynn was 2.  This past week in particular, whether it's due to us traveling for Thanksgiving or just an extra fun case of the Terribles, Camryn has been off her rocker.  She's defiant, loud, moody...and absolutely hilarious.  It's to the point where I want to set up a hidden camera to catch all her antics (and interpretive dance moves) because she stops the second she sees the camera out and asks "Can I see?"  Meghan was able to capture this moment with her camera, which pretty much sums up Camryn right now:

Mind you, as she's looking over my shoulder while I compose this post, Camryn is yelling "MY headband!" at her own picture.  Yup.  

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

 

Project 52: Week 47

"Don't you know turkey induces labor?" my doctor told me when I went to the hospital the day after Thanksgiving in 2006.  Hardy har har.  Brynn wasn't due for another nine days, but after a false alarm the day before Thanksgiving and quietly laboring through my turkey and mashed potatoes, I was ready to meet my first born.  So while the world was in a frenzy over Black Friday deals and steals, I was hee-hee-hooing through contractions with nothing on tv but "Saved by the Bell" reruns.  Sorry, but Screech doesn't exactly make for a good focal point when you're in the worst pain of your life...just sayin.

I would say within days of Brynn's birth, I realized that every few years, her birthday would fall on Thanksgiving.  I mustered up what few brain cells this new mom was left with and calculated that 2011 would be the first time Brynn's birthday and Thanksgiving would coincide.  A whiz with numbers, I figured she'd be 5 years old in 2011, and what better way to spend a little girl's fifth birthday than to go to New York and see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?  I made a promise to my little nugget that we would do just that, and I'm happy to report I made good on my promise...which is why I'm a little late with this post.

Such a trooper...up at 5am to take the subway in from Brooklyn

Spongebob was Brynn's favorite balloon 

Kung Fu Panda was mine 

Gotta love the classics...poor Snoopy was a bit weathered and worn! 

Spiderman was pretty impressive 

Psimas self portrait (shhhh...don't tell Ryan he's on here!)

I know I'll never forget celebrating Brynn's 5th birthday in grand fashion...hopefully she doesn't either!  Now I'm wondering if we've set the bar too high for Camryn...

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 46

Only six weeks left of 2011???  Jeez Louise!  This has been one of the quickest weeks, with plenty of stuff to do to make the hours and days fly by.  And while my girls have done a great job keeping up with my hectic pace, they certainly enjoyed some down time over the weekend.  The gods of sisterly love must have been shining down upon Brynn and Camryn, because every time I turned around, they were attached at the hip and getting along beautifully.  No pushing, no shoving, and most importantly, no "MINE!"s.  I was even able to acquire photographic evidence that my girls play nicely together sometimes:

I know Brynn gets tired of it occasionally, but I love how Camryn wants to do anything and everything Brynn does.  And I also love that Camryn doesn't have a lollipop in her mouth in a single one of these pictures!  Score one for Mommy!

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 45

Brynn and I usually get a haircut about every 6 months.  I think we were up to about 8 months this time, so we both got snipped this week.  I paid way too much for my simple shampoo and cut ($54 after tip...I hate to say it, but I think it's time to find a new salon!), so I took Brynn to a far less swanky place for her trim.  Not the greatest haircut she's ever had, but for $6.99, you pay for what you get!  

BEFORE

My very own Rapunzel!

DURING

 Holy thick hair, Batman!

Camryn had never seen someone get a haircut before...to say she was puzzled is an understatement! 

AFTER

Couldn't bring myself to cut more than a couple of inches...can you say hair envy?

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 44

Halloween was another one of those times when I just wanted to soak in every moment, as I know my kids will be completely different people come next Halloween.  For whatever reason, Brynn didn't really want to wear the costume I got for her (on October 28th for $5 off Craigslist...winning!), but she eventually warmed up to it and wants to wear it again next year.  I used Brynn's pirate costume from two years ago for Camryn (another $5 Craigslist find...now you all know my M.O.), and she didn't want to wear the eye patch or the hat.  Luckily, her costume included her two favorite clothing items...leggings and her black shoes.

Yes, that's Camryn with a lollipop in her mouth before we even started trick or treating.  

The girls did a great job walking around the neighborhood, and we brought the wagon for back up when their little legs tired out before their Halloween spirit did.  Brynn's shyness of last year gave way to the trick or treating confidence of a veteran, and Camryn made me weak every time she got to a neighbor's doorstep and said "Bick er beat!"  Much like their Halloween candy, I just wanted to gobble these kids up that night! 

If you look up "sugar high" in the dictionary, you might find this picture.

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 43

I'm the kind of girl who prefers ripping the band aid off instead of slowly peeling it and prolonging the anxiety (and the pain).  I feel this mentality has transferred over to my parenting, and so far, it's worked out pretty well for me.  I put my babies in their cribs in their own rooms the first night home from the hospital...why bother with the stress of the transition from bassinet to crib?  When I potty trained my oldest, we quit diapers cold turkey (with the exception of naptime and bedtime until she woke up dry for a while).  My latest head first dive was taking Camryn out of her crib and putting her in a big girl bed.  No toddler bed.  No rails.  Just a mattress and box spring on the floor until she's a little bigger and can climb up on a bed with an actual frame.  How did that work out, you ask?

So far, so good!  Up next...potty training (cold turkey, of course)!

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 42

This has been a strange week.  I've been super busy, and for once, it has nothing to do with my children.  While it feels really good to be doing something that is just MINE, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to be able to be this busy and still not miss a second in the day-to-day lives of my babies.  With Mommy hard at work in the pumpkin patch, my girls have had lots of...ummm, let's call it "independent play" time.  As much as I love being right there playing with them, it's really fun to see what they come up with all on their own:

Apparently Brynn was performing some sort of show, and she made Camryn sit in the audience.  The audience member in the red chair in the front row is Jennifer, MY first Cabbage Patch Kid (you can blame her hot mess of a hairdo on being a child of the 80s).  Bonus points for me because Camryn is fully clothed and does not have a lollipop in her mouth!  

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 41

My big girl turns 5 next month, which means I have been out of work (the get-up-get-dressed-go-to-a-place-other-than-your-home-and-stay-there-for-8-hours-while-using-your-college-degree kind of work) for almost 5 years.  Hard to believe.  I was on the ball back then.  I felt mentally and physically sharp, and I had way fewer gray hairs.  I didn't argue with people at work over lollipops, and I don't recall ever uttering the phrase "You really don't need to smell the poopy right now."  I had people telling me what to do, but they weren't 31 inches tall.  

Five years later, I'm a total scatterbrain, and I'm ready for bed by 8pm (not that I actually go to bed at 8!).  New gray hairs pop up every single day (why can't they lie flat like all the other color hairs?).  I argue with tiny tyrants over Rice Krispie treats (no, they are not lunch) and jeans vs. leggings (you're 2, why do you have an opinion about what you wear?).  I clean up offensive smelling solids and liquids several times a day.  My day is spent meeting the endless demands of people under 4 feet tall.  

And I've never been happier.

Camryn enjoying some yogurt with the mermaid sculpture outside my old office


If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 40

Are there really only 12 weeks left of this year???  Unreal.  The past four weeks have been really busy for me.  Brynn started back at school, leaving me and Camryn to figure out how to spend our time without her.  My little home-based business had a hugely successful month, so there was no such thing as down time for me in September.  I'm tired, yet thrilled, and I hope October is just as exhausting!  I was, however, lucky enough to spend a weekend away from home with my in-laws, and it was nice not bringing a lick of work with me.  I got in a good run, which reignited my motivation to prepare for a race I'm running at the end of the month.  My messy house didn't follow me there, so I was actually able to just chill for a bit.  I left my phone in my purse most of the weekend, but I did bring it with me to the beach one evening and got a cute shot of Camryn watching her daddy surf.  All you Fancy Fanatics have seen this pic already, but I thought I'd share it again, this time with a little background story.  Enjoy (again)!

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below:

Project 52: Week 39

We have had some really inconsistent weather lately...hot and humid, rain for days, cool and crisp...all in a week's time.  Because of all the rain, we've had a ridiculous outbreak of mosquitoes that made it impossible to spend those last hot days of the year outside where we belong.  Luckily, we live right down the road from a great little public library, so I took the girls there one day last week to get out of the house for a bit.

There's this great rug in the children's room that has all of the letters of the alphabet as a border.  Brynn likes to play a game where I say a word and she has to leap to the letter that word starts with.  Her little shadow thinks it's a blast too.  There's also a computer in the children's section with all sorts of learning games.  Since we were the only people there, the girls got to spend as much time as they wanted pointing and clicking.  Camryn has the procedure down pat:

After Camryn got some computer time in, we checked out almost every Magic School Bus book the library had on the shelves and headed home with our stash.  Looks like we'll be spending some time there this fall and winter!

If you'd like to participate in your own Project 52:  Glimpse Into Motherhood, click on the link below: