{What a Beautiful Mess}

After hurrying through my bedtime routine so I could slide into my warm bed, I was stopped by a small collection of toys that were lying on my side of the bed. I paused. Then began picking them up. I couldn't help but think back a couple hours to Landen sitting in the bed all wrapped up in his fluffy white towel, smiling and saying, 'Alfie!'  All I could do was smile. 

Having a clean, or in my case picked-up, house often makes me feel like I 'have it together.' But on nights like last night I couldn't help but enjoy the traces of my children. I'm guilty of always picking up after them and sometime huffing and puffing that their toys have managed to migrate into our bedroom. But not last night. It was a moment in time where I was actually able to appreciate and love a mess left behind by my sweet children.

I'm thankful for the quiet moments of peace that allow for me as a Mom to reflect on how wonderful my world is with them now in it. How before they were thought of I didn't get to see their smiling faces or giggles. I never heard 'Momma' called out. Now, I can't imagine a day without those things-including a beautiful mess. 

I hope you fellow Mommies are able to find, every now and then, a moment to enjoy such a simple thing.  Have a wonderful day as you Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle

{Freedom}

I learned today, in a class I was observing, that Veterans Day ( Armistice Day) was officially a holiday when WWI ended on 11-11 at 11:00.  This was a new fact to me-maybe one I had learned in high school and simply forgot. It was interesting to listen to the children talk about the holiday and discuss the meaning behind it. I was proud of the students and thankful for the reminder of why today is a special day. 

I'm not sure most of us will ever really be able to be grateful for our freedom. For most of us freedom is all we know and expect in life. It is easy to get caught up in our lives and the politics that surround us and forget how lucky we are to be in America. 

Yes there are plenty of political issues we could argue about, but that isn't what today is about. Again, it's not about us, it is about the special men and women that have and are currently serving our country. Thank you will never be enough. As I sit here in my safe-warm home putting my children to bed, I think of those who are living in turmoil and who are scared for their lives-their health and well being. 

I will likely never know what any of that feels like and it's because others have risked and sacrificed their lives long before I was even thought of. To those who are serving now and protecting my children and their futures, I feel indebted to you.  You all have enormous hearts and are well beyond ambitious and brave.  To those who are family members of those serving-you too deserve a great big thank you. I personally cannot imagine what it would be like to be in your shoes. You too are special people. 

Thank you past and current veterans. My family is forever grateful. 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{Picture Day}

As a parent do you worry about your child's school picture? For some strange reason, picture day is stressing me out. What do I put them in? Will they stay clean? I've been chasing Landen around with Chapstick and Vaseline trying to keep his lips from being chapped. And do you know what he did tonight on the eve of picture day ? He decided to head butt Aaron. Ugh! Seriously, all we need is a goose egg too! 

I got to the point where I went to the office today and found out what time life touch is setting up so I can swing in before school starts and ask if we can take their pictures before school. Talk about being a micromanager! In all honesty part of me is just trying to take the weight off their teachers and the other part of me is doing it for myself-it's a chunk of change for these pictures! Okay, I can see your eye rolls and hear your sighs....I'll just stop. I mean what's the worse that could happen?

It's time for this Momma to relax, watch some good TV and have a glass of vino! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{Mommy Confessions:Target}

Yesterday Aaron, my husband, calls as soon as I step foot into target. When he asked where I was he replied with an, "uh oh..." I knew what he was thinking. I too know that when I enter into that big box store I have no self control. I can't make it out of the dollar spot, which oddly is now a three dollar spot-aggravating and not worth three dollars! , without putting most of it in my cart.

{First Parent Teacher Conference}

 Its so fun having 'first' moments with Aaron.  When Landen and Caroline were born we had a lot of firsts. First diaper change, first trip to the beach, first holidays, first steps and of course the big one-their first birthday! While there are lots of developmental firsts that are exciting past the age of one, It just doesn't compare to the whirlwind of firsts you experience in the beginning.  I have to say, days like today have become really sweet! 

Heading into work today I was mentally going through my work day. I was thinking about the conferences for the day reflecting once again on each child and what I wanted to convey to the parents. Then the phone rang-it was Aaron. We were chatting and then remembered we were meeting at noon for L and Cs conference. Aaron said, "shouldn't we have questions for her?"  Ah! I hadn't even prepped for our own kid's conferences. We quickly gathered a few thoughts and questions so we were prepared. 

Noon came around and Aaron and I walked up to Landen and Caroline's classroom. I was so excited! Moments like these I feel 110% like a new parent- really, who gets excited over conferences?! We had a great conference with Landen and Caroline's teacher. She's lovely and the classroom is lovely.  Both are what you dream of for your children's first experience of school.  The classroom has a colorful mural of Noah's Ark on the wall and is well stocked with various toys and manipulatives and the teacher herself has been busy creating a 'space' themed room complete with a rocket ship and solar system that is suspended from the ceiling. 

It's evident their teacher  has been working hard on her classroom so it's fun and engaging for the children-heck I'd love to hang out in there all day! We had suspected everything was going well overall and our feelings were confirmed-even Landen seems to be making progress with speaking more. They are having fun, enjoying their friends, and playing well. What more could parents ask for. It warms my heart and makes us both so happy. I'm glad I jumped at the chance to send them to preschool this year. 

As a parent, what are your hopes for your child(ren) at school? Do you have high expectations academically? Do you want your child to just be happy and successful in their own way? Do you wonder if they have friends? I can see where it's easy to want your child to be challenged and excell quickly in learning but I think as parents we need to help our children by keeping realistic expectations. Our children are growing up in a fast paced world and It is so easy for us to get caught up in it. I really want to protect Landen and Caroline's childhood. My hope is we will...here is to a great first part of the year! I hope your children are all happy and well! 

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxoxo

Danielle 

{Conference Eve}

Tonight as I drove home from parent-teacher conferences I was reflecting on how the experience is different from when I wasn't a parent myself. I have to say my thinking and approach towards conferences has certainly shifted with my new parent perspective. Certainly in a positive way. Tomorrow I will enter into Landen and Caroline's preschool conference with Aaron and we will be on the other side of the table for the first time hearing about our children from their teachers. I am nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. 

I think I have mentioned it before but Landen does not speak as well as Caroline. Granted they are 2 1/2 years old and he is a boy the teacher in me says he needs more time to develop but the parent in me is freaking out. We asked the pediatrician last weekend about his speech/Language and of course all he did was scream so her comment was developmentally he's okay at this point based on some questions she had asked. 

Trying not to be a helicopter mom but also being proactive I asked my friend to listen to Landen when she has a chance. Knowing she is an expert and trusting the Dr.s, you would think I would feel taken care of and that I could relax a little bit...but that's not happening.  It's funny when your 'parent hat' is on, your emotions and your reactions are totally different (even when you are a teacher by profession!) and I'm thankful that I have the teacher inside of me calm me down-although that is hard to do sometimes. 

As a parent I just want Landen and Caroline to love, learn, play, grow, and make friends. What hat do you wear that is difficult for you?  I have to say I'm still VERY green at parenting and I certainly am feeling it on the eve of our  first parent-teacher conference. I can't wait to let you know how it goes tomorrow night. 

Keep a Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{I'm a WHAT?}

Thank you time change! It's 8:00 and the kiddos are tucked soundly into bed! My only problem is keeping myself up too! Now that it is dark around six, I too feel like I should be headed to bed. I then have the delima of do I go to bed or try and fight it and watch all my shows that I have on the DVR. I am SO behind on my shows because I've been falling asleep on the couch..I must say, I've felt very rested this week and our new couch is being broken in too!

If you read my previous blog {THAT Parent}, you'll know I've been gathering winter gear for the kiddos.  Tonight I made my stop by Once Upon to see if they had some snow pants and some good winter boots. I love trendy, but I'm not ready to spend 100 bucks on boots my kids may wear three times and out grow.  So I stopped in, found what was practically like new items and headed to the checkout. If you ever run into me at the store when I'm shopping for L and C watch out!  I am likely to be loaded down-tonight was no exception. When shopping I am usually making the most of the trip to the store (especially if I'm alone!) which means I  have to make sure that I got two sets of everything for each kid-thus avoiding a morning like yesterdays.


I got to check-out said hello to the lady checking me out and another young girl said, "I know you from somewhere."  I smiled politely and said, "You do?" She asked if I worked at a school and I ran the gamete of schools I've been at since college. Nothing rang a bell for her at the time. She insisted that she knew me though. I asked her name and don't you know we quickly connected the dots.  I actually was her teacher in the latchkey program at Fairfield and Aaron and I were neighbors to her aunt when we lived on the West Side (as in the West side of Cincinnati-the French Corridor to be exact).   My sister, Summer, had this young girls  other aunt  as her teacher in high school. Small world-Right?!

For the first time in my life I had that "moment" of meeting a beautiful girl that was once a little girl I cared for, gave snacks too, and played with.  I remember her vividly now and it is just the craziest feeling seeing her as a young adult.  I wonder what impression I left on her-I hope it was a good one.  I am also amazed that she recognized me-guess I haven't changed or aged too much over the past ten years.

 I think after today, I officially feel like an adult. I've been teaching for seven years, I have twin two-year-olds, and I drive a minivan....go figure it would take a five minute conversation with a young lady to make me finally realize I am in fact an adult. 

I'm not sure that I'm ready quiet yet to run into another past student, but I do have to say that running into her was a great reminder of the impression teachers leave on children's lives.  I think that is applicable in a Mommy way too. As mothers, we have the opportunity to really make a difference in our children's lives. It will take time to see the results of the love and care we give to them each and everyday, but I know the time and effort will be worth it in the end.

Here is to being amazing, caring, and loving Mommies!!


Keep Calm and Mommy On!

xoxoxo