The Cerami's

moments....

2011-01-05T06:35:00.001-05:00

I know that people generally tend to measure the passing of time in months, years, hours, days.... When they turn a certain age, or when their baby starts school, they stop & realize how fast time has flown by. That the children are growing up.

I certainly know how old my babies are .... Samantha is 166 months, and Libby 98 months. Weird? Maybe. But it sounds a lot less scary than almost 14, and 8.

When I think of how my girls have grown, I think of moments. Not milestones.

My moments have been small, but poignant.

My moments have been being asked if it's okay to "make" people knock before they come into her bedroom.

It's evolving from momma, to mommy, and then to mom.

It's turning around when she asks me a question, and realizing that we are now eye to eye.

It's the kiss me in the house so no one at the bus stop sees.

It is switching over to regular sized hangers in her closet, and packing away the "kid" sized ones.

It is when the happy meal switches over to a regular meal .

It's been reaching my hand down and waiting for that little hand to slip in automatically, and it doesn't. Instead she is looking up at me, telling me she is okay, she doesn't need me. She is okay without me.

There are so many of these moments. Each & every day.

I know that time must pass, children must grow. But I never realized it would make my heart ache so much.

Silly & Sunshine

2010-06-09T08:09:00.005-04:00

I'm trying to live my life more like my 7 year old. Does that seem silly?

She is kind of silly. I don't remember the exact moment when being silly was no longer a part of my day. I'm always in too much of a hurry ............

When we were walking into religious ed about a month ago there were puddles everywhere & being a good mom, I reminded Libby to walk around them, to hurry up, and not to get her feet wet...... and she asked me "why not"?

I stopped & thought about it.....

She was wearing flip flops, so her feet would dry, and it would tack on all of 90 seconds to our arrival time. So I let her. She jumped as high as she could & landed smack in the middle of the puddle, and the next one & the next one. Silly. That made me feel like a good mom.

Then on the way in to the building, she wanted to walk right along the edge of the sidewalk stepping over curbs, going around obstacles, and taking a longer path . I asked her why? My way was shorter, quicker, easier.

She informed me that her path had the sunshine. Mine had the shadows. She told me that she always picks the sunshine. Even if it's longer or has curbs and garbage cans.

So I'm going to try to be more like my 7 year old.

I'll try to be more silly, and I'm certainly going to choose sunshine.

Diversity......

2010-01-14T06:27:00.003-05:00

The children have off of school on Monday to celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. When Libby was in kindergarten she learned about this wonderful American Hero, and the great things he accomplished. It was also around this time that she decided that, she too, was African-American.

I don't know how she came to this realization, nor did I know what to do with it. My Dad is from England, and the family has been for generations. My Mom is Irish, and Ukrainian, but with both her parents born in the U.S.A. Sam's Dad is Italian, with I believe at least the last two generations born here. Sam's Mom was Canadian. So my children's genealogy is diverse, but not diverse enough I guess. So Libby decided to change it, or add to it. I didn't correct her.... She was so very proud of her new heritage, and her new hero.

We began having a heart to hearts about what principals MLK believed in, and how every person is equal, how boring life would be if we all looked exactly the same. She would bring the subject up daily.

One afternoon while coloring, Libby told me that she wished she could go back in time....

I'm thinking, to when ?

Last summer when we were in Disney?
October to have her birthday party again?
Last night so she could finish her desert?

She said that she wanted to go back in time and tell all the people that they just need to be nice. That everything would be okay if we could all just be nice. She was so so sad that people wouldn't treat other African-Americans nicely. She just knew that if she could go back in time, she could make them understand.

I felt so proud, and so sad for her at the same time. I wanted to tell her that things are different now, and to a large extent they are. But there is still prejudice in this world. Not only against people of a different color skin, but also people with different religions, economic statuses, and sexual orientations.

Gradually her obsession with MLK faded. And even sadder, someone (I don't know who) broke the news to her that she wasn't African-American.

Then came the Obama elections ! She was in her glory ! And I was happy thinking she had rekindled her interest in diversity! Then came that moment again, just like in kindergarten when she wanted to change the world.........

We were in the car, just after President Obama was sworn in, and she was telling me about how he was the first African-American president, told me that she really wished that she could be president. Of course I told her that one day she could.....

And I started smiling to myself just imagining the wonderful pearls of wisdom that were about to come out of my six year old's mouth..... was it going to be about equality ? about the poor ? about changing the world?

She told me that when she became president she would make it a law that everyone who had a pool would get a slide for it, and people who didn't have pools would get a pool, AND a slide.

Ahhhhhhhh, to be six.

There's time for her to worry about the moral compass of the world. For now I'm glad she's worried about swimming pools......

It takes a village...

2009-10-07T21:33:00.002-04:00

I remember hearing this from Hillary Clinton, I don't know how long ago & not really getting it.

But I understand now. Although I think it should be different.... it takes a village to not only raise a child, but also to create the kind of person that we are. And I think it changes every day. I know that for me with each new person & new experience, I change a little bit.

I have taken a part of a childhood friend, who amazed me our senior year when she went out to breakfast by herself. It might not seem like a strange thing, but I just thought it was the bravest thing. And I have learned that a little alone time is not only okay, but it's healthy. Thank You Jennie.

I have taken a part of my neighbor who is so good to the environment & animals. And a few years back started using those recycling bins to try to do our part, instead of just using them to make snow forts. Thank You Sue.

I have taken a part of my mother-in-law who can always seem to find the good in people, and a rational way of thinking of things, when I tend to be hot-headed & over analyzing. Thank You Diane.

I have taken a part of my sister-in-law who speaks her mind, and trusts in herself. When I have always been too afraid that my opinion was insignificant. Thank You Shelley.

I have taken a part of my other sister-in-law who is the kindest person that I have ever known. Her thoughtfulness and compassion have made me strive to be a better person. Thank You Jerilynne.

I have taken a part of my husband, who has told me a hundred times, that everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, just like me, and that no one is better than anyone else. Thank You Sammy.

I have taken a part of my oldest friend, who is such an amazing mother. Not only is she not afraid to let everyone know how much she loves her children and how proud she is, her enthusiasm spills over to everyone around her, and it has made me a better mother. Thank You Kristi.

I have taken a part of one of my best friends from high school, who can laugh at herself, even when things happen that can be really frustrating. Not only can I laugh at myself, but I know that there is someone out there who often feels exactly how I do. Thank You Julie.

I have taken a part of my Aunt, who in the face of a battle for her life, was making jokes, to ease everyone's concern. And I've begun to look for the silver lining & the laughter . Thank You Aunt Susan.

I have taken a part of my Mother, who has continued to love unconditionally in the best and worst of circumstances, who still lets me vent at her (which is different then venting to her, venting at her isn't always nice). And I've tried to love without conditions. Thank You Mom.

I have taken a part of my beautiful daughter, who came home to tell me that a fellow student was being mocked at school for wearing braids in her hair, then the next day asked me to braid her hair the same way & proudly wore it to school that way. She sticks up for the underdog. Thank You Samantha.

I have taken a part of my other beautiful daughter, her sensitivity amazes me. As a 5 year old she told me how she wanted to go back in time, to the days of Martin Luther King Jr. so she could tell everyone that they just need to be nice to each other. If they could just do that, there wouldn't be so many things wrong with the world. And so I've tried to just be nice. Thank You Libby.

I have watched old friends lose husbands & children. And fight their way back from a depth of despair I never knew existed. Then turn around and do amazing things. I am humbled to have taken a part of that. It has made me love deeper & appreciate each and every day. I thank them.

There are a million other people that make up who I am..... and I thank them .

I love my village....

'til death do us part .....

2009-04-24T10:17:00.007-04:00

I want to re-write my wedding vows. Then I want to have a do-over with the whole ceremony so that I know the important things that should be promised, are promised.

I don't know how much I would change about mine, but the parts that Sam has to say I would most certainly like to add some things...

For example ...

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I promise to pick up my wrappers & drink cans from the end table before I go to bed each & every night.

I swear to never complain about the way you cook, do laundry, make the bed, or clean. I will simply always appreciate the effort.

I promise to always go grocery shopping with you, I eat the food too, therefore would love to participate in the selecting of it.

I will never ask for a "prize" just to go to wal-mart or target with you. I will go just for the sheer pleasure of spending time together.

I swear that my clothes will always make it into the hamper.

I promise to stop hanging towels off the bedroom door, and to never ever just toss them into the tub, because someone could accidentally soak them when they turn the shower on.

I will not hog the covers.

I promise to always hold onto your purse when you ask me, and I will do so proudly because it will show everyone that I do not feel emasculated by helping my wife out.

and most importantly ...

I will always leave the room to fart because I realize that they just don't smell the same to you as they do to me.

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Then there is one part that I would simply edit, I'm sure you'll recognize it .....

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.... for richer or for poorer, in sickness, which by the way I promise to never act like a big giant crybaby complaining so much that you'll want to jam ice picks in your ears to just make it stop, and I will realize that if indeed I expect the world to stop because I don't feel well, then if you are ever sick, I will make sure that you have nothing to do other than feel better because I will take care of the house & children, and in health, 'til death do us part.....

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I'm sure he wouldn't want to change a thing on mine ...................

Holiday Road...... the finale

2009-02-01T14:03:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry. I just can't do it. I thought it would be one of those things that were frusterating when the happened, and be funny later on..... It's not. Please understand while we were in NC, it was one of the most relaxing & wonderful vacations we've had..... It was getting there, and getting home....

Each time one of my girls says something like "if we walked to North Carolina instead of driving would we be there yet? " (Libby) or "Two months ago today we were driving to North Carolina" (Sam), my stomach flips, I break out in a cold sweat, and I bury my head in my hands trying to think nice thoughts, and to not remember......

Nope, it's not funny yet.

I will wrap it up though, it's been like a hang-nail waiting, and hurting a little, so I'll just go ahead & rip it off quick & hopefully without pain....

Our "detour" put us 100 miles out of the way. Up a mountain with a road so narrow I thought we were going to tip over the edge. I swear I was leaning in towards Sam as he drove (the edge was on my side of the van) with my book in front of my face so he couldn't see my eyes were closed..... Well he did.... didn't appreciate it much either..... Once we were safe again, the mountain road ended at V. With no signs & Sammy was almost yelling/chanting "which way, which way, which way you're the one with the map!!! which way, which way....." Well I offered up a prayer & guessed & a few miles down the road, we were right !!!! Hooray!

There was one "missed a turn" & having to back-track about 20 miles...... Then (I forget where) there was a college game going on , and the traffic was reminisent of rt. 81....

I almost can't talk about it anymore....

Let's just say we arrived & we arrived safe. My father-in-law was kind enough to have a bottle of wine waiting for me, so the first thing I did was pour myself a glass... We had been at the house for approximately three minutes....

I walked away for a minute...... 30 seconds..... and in his excitement of unwrapping the zwiegel hot dogs we brought down with us, my father-in-law knocked the whole glass, of RED wine, onto the WHITE carpet in the dining room..... in this same moment Sammy yelled from the bedroom that the dog had just jumped up onto our bed & peed all over it. I felt as if our craziness followed us right into the house..... I thought they might just ask us to leave..... but they didn't..... and the carpet eventaully came clean, and we kept the dog off the bed.... and we had a great time :)

Until we had to drive home.......

p.s. My in-laws are coming to visit in a few weeks. They are flying.....

Book III : Holiday Road

2008-12-30T07:37:00.002-05:00

.... sorry it's taken so long, but for those of you anxiously awaiting the rest of the story, here we go .....

We traveled through West Virginia with NO PROBLEMS! Of course I think we were only in West Virginia for about 10 minutes, and even the Cerami Family can usually muddle through 10 minutes without too much drama.

So as we are headed into Virginia on route 81, we notice traffic slowing down, slowing down, and stopping. Yup, stopping right on the highway. Stopping like people were out of their vehicles walking around.

The first half hour was funny, we thought that there was no way that this was actually happening, and thank goodness we had made good time earlier on in the day, you know we still wanted to arrrive in Pinehurst while it was light.

It wasn't until sometime in the next hour that you could feel the tension rising in the van.

We were crawling along the highway at this point. The kind of crawling that is stay in park until the person in front of you moves 2 feet, then just put it in drive & roll forward a bit. It was at this point that Sam's back was hurting. Did I mention that he drove the whole way? If I didn't I don't know how I could have forgotten, he sure didn't let me forget... even though I offered, a lot. (and of course prayed he would say no, but he doesn't know that). But his back hurt, and he had driven the whole way. Oh and his back hurt & he had driven the whole way, but you know I felt bad for him because his back hurt and he had driven the whole way.

About 10 minutes into the next hour, everyone but me had to pee. I spoke with my dad who suggested they use an empty pop bottle, he must of forgotten that I have GIRLS, and when I suggested it to Sam, he was just insulted !

I will leave out the parts where Sammy would ask if he should try to switch lanes & if he did and someone from our old lane passed us, he would grumble & swear under his breathe. Seems he memorized every car in a mile long line around us, and could remember exactly where we "could have been" or "should have been" had he not listened to me.

ANyway, 2 1/2 hours and about a mile stretch of highway & we were finally moving :) We exicted at the next exit, ate, used the bathrooms, and as we were about to get back on rt. 81 we noticed that it was again at a stand still. Thank goodness I had the AAA map ! (stupid route Sammy had to take) so I found a way of getting to where we had to go & it was only about 1/2 inch on the map. Less than that, a 1/4 inch. I showed Sam & he agreed . Let me say that again..... HA AGREED. So off we go.

You know maps are a funny thing....

TO BE CONTINUED

Holiday Road, part B

2008-12-08T08:48:00.002-05:00

Okay......... so we planned on leaving the house at 5:00 a.m. My Mom was gracious enough to come over that day too (she already had Mon & Tues duty) to put all the daycare kids on the bus for me, so that we could get an early start & not finish our drive when it was dark out.

.... seeing of course that we wouldn't be familiar with the territory because we had not gone that way before.... You know, the one we didn't have a trip-tick for......

So we loaded up, and off we went..... pretty uneventful until we hit Williamsport, PA. Samantha started to feel naseous, and dizzy, and had a headache, and was tired, and was hot, no cold, no hot..........
So being the attentive, doting parents we are we tried telling her she was fine. That it's just in her head, that she's just hungry.....WRONG! Apparently she gets car sick :(

We were lucky enough that she waited until we could get the door open for her to lean out it. So as we are guiltily (is that a word?) hovering around her, as the tears stream down her face & she has that "i told you so" look in her eyes, Libby starts to tell us that she is car sick too. And we.......... tell her to be quiet. And she is complaining......... and we tell her to be quiet...... so in frusteration I tell Sam, "just go see what she need". And guess what she needed?

Yup, to begin throwing up. I think Sam & I should get some kind of award don't you?

So I go to the back of the van to get something from the trunk & I open it, and the cooler FLIES out at me, lands on my foot, opens & spits all our soda's, capri sun's & ice all across the parking lot. I tell you it's a good thing I had Sam there to yell at me about how wrong I was for opening the trunk, or I would have never learned that your supposed to get at the stuff in the trunk by what? drilling a while in the roof & leaning in ??????. No fear though, a perfect stranger came over & helped me pick everything up, while Sam continued to b*t%h.

Anyway, potty break & breakfast, I re-pack the front seat & we are off again ! And I'm so so s o glad that I had thought to keep plastic bags in the front seat because sure enough, anout 45 minutes later, my poor Samantha was hurling again.

So we hit Maryland, and we can see a Wal-Mart. Just off the highway...... so we figured two birds, one stone.... we'll get gas and dramamine for our puking children. Gas first..... unfortunately in planning the layout of the state, the founders of Maryland decided that they would conspire, and hide all the gas stations from Sammy. Seriously, I think that that is what he was thinking happened. He complained so much that when we got to Wal-Mart, (still without gas) Samantha asked me "geez what did Maryland ever do to daddy?". So we get some snackies, dramamine, and use the potty.... and head out to find a gas station. Which (thank goodness) we do. Even though the (and I quote) "stupidist, stupidist thing I have ever seen, why even have signs for gas when they are this far off the highway, this is the dumbest thing i have ever seen" We fill up & off we go again!

more to come .............................

pics from North Carolina

2008-12-03T09:13:00.003-05:00

Samantha & Fyfe .... Uncle Justin & Kelli's dog.

Libby was mad that her sister was in the first picture with her, she wanted one alone so .....

Samantha, Uncle Justin & Libby after his "make-over"

Uncle Justin getting a make-over by Libby !

Again, Libby is super happy to share the picture with her sister..... here they are on the 18th hole of Pinehurst #2, at the country club.

Holiday Road................ (part I )

2008-12-03T08:15:00.005-05:00

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the funniest stories are ones that at one time where either a very frustrating moment, or a very embarrassing moment? Look in any woman's magazine & there is always a section every month where people write in about their embarrassing moments..... Over time the mortification fades, or the frustration & anger fades..... and it becomes funny.

Well we drove to North Carolina. And the trip down isn't funny.... yet. One day I'll genuinely laugh about it.... instead of pretending that it was comical.

The issues with the drive started about 3 weeks before we actually left. Weird huh? Sammy thought we needed to get AAA. I thought we paid every month for "roadside assistance" on our insurance so why bother...... Apparently if you have road side assistance and you break down in the middle of nowhere, they will pick you up, but will more than likely drop you off at a closed, unreputable garage that is closed, and there will be nothing around for miles & miles & miles. We would have to sleep in the cold van without food or bathroom until the convict mechanic decided to open. Little did I know.... but then again in my world people are all trustworthy, and innately good. Not in Sammy's. Or my Dad's. Or my brother's. Three to one, I was outvoted, so we now have AAA. And we were safe & able to be towed to an open, trustworthy place with lots of facilities. Luckily this never happened.....

Now my dad had gotten us a trip-tick. (a map showing us exactly what route to take). It however, took us way west before heading south, and it didn't make sense to Sammy. So I went and asked for one going through D.C. because I remember taking that route when we drove down 11 years ago....

( i know this because I decided to go take a spin down Pennsylvania Avenue while Sammy was sleeping on the way down last time..... unfortunatley the white house wasn't right off the exit, and we ended up in the slums of what I learned is apparently not the safest city in the U.S., so I had to wake Sammy up & let him know what I did & I am still, STILL, hearing about it. So much so that he didn't let me drive at all this time.)

Anyway back to the trip-tick. So here we have mapped out, minute by minute (literally) directions. They are a straight line from Rochester to Pinehurst. There was even an alternate route to cut out D.C. if we wanted too. Not only that but we personally had driven that way before....... Sammy however wants to take his Dad's directions. I will concede that his Dad & Diane have driven here & back a gazillon times, and I have no doubt that WHEN FOLLOWED their route is the best. (in case you are wondering there is a bit of foreshadowing in that last sentence). We followed Sammy's dad's directions ............... more on that to come......

I'll post a couple pics, so you know that we did end up there .... and fill you in more tomorrow!

Locks of Love

2008-10-31T07:34:00.002-04:00

I am a super proud mom ! My girls patiently grew their hair until they had at least 10 inches to cut off, and donated it to locks of love :) Sam's hair grows back in quickly, and Libby had been growing it for all of her 6 years !

When I was putting Libby's hair in french braids yesterday morning, I was a bit welled up thinking that it may be a long time before I could do her hair again........

We were talking about it, and saying how even though it may take awhile to grow back in, at least she could grow it in, and that some children didn't have that option. That's when she asked if she would look funny without any hair. I didn't catch her meaning at first, and then realized that she thought she had to get it all taken off...... And she was willing to do it to help out another child.

Then I cried ......

Cake

2008-10-27T17:47:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday I had cake for breakfast. There is a multitude of reasons why I shouldn't have cake for breakfast, or at anytime for that matter, and it got me thinking.....

Remember when you were little & everything seemed so tough? Of course now we know it wasn't. Being a grown-up is tough. I mean adolescence wasn't a walk in the park, but I'm talking about responsibilities.

There are so many responsibilities that come along with age. And if you are a parent, triple those responsibilites.

I have to take care of two (I would say three, but I fear Sammy might read this) little human beings. Granted they are both more self-sufficient than when they first arrived, but I am responsible.

For clean clothes, .. for even having clothes, for their meals, and lunch money, and homework done, and getting to dance class or soccer, or any school function on time. Does Samantha have her flute? Did Libby wear purple like she was supposed too? Did they brush their teeth, wash behind their ears? Change their underwear ? (okay that last one Sammy does on his own.... tee hee hee) Take a vitamin? Wearing a helmet? Wearing her deodorant ? Are they getting bullied? Are they bullying? Did they read all their minutes this week? Should they have more responsibilities at this age? or less?

Did I pay RG&E ? Did I budget for the nine million birthday parties we have this month? Should we get AAA before we go to NC ? Are the dishes in the machine clean or dirty? Is the litter box clean? Are we out of Parmesan cheese? Does anyone need a doctor's appointment? Is the van due for an oil change? Did I send out that birthday card, or that thank you card? Did I remember to get eggs?

See what I mean? I could go on & on & on & on, but I won't.

Being a grown-up is hard.

But I can have cake for breakfast.

11 & 5/8

2008-10-04T12:01:00.003-04:00

One of my guilty pleasures is watching "American Dad" on Fox. It's a cartoon, and it's for adults, and its brash, and often times outright rude. But it's funny. The season premiere started with the teenage boy announcing that he had hit puberty. This immediately caused flashbacks for his parents of when their daughter had gone through puberty. They then packed their bags & planned on running away until it was over. They were scared.

I can relate.

I know what it is. The problem with puberty. It's the crying.

Not the silent tears running down her cheeks, and a slight sniffle. Not the crocodile tears like when she couldn't get what she wanted. Not the scared cry, not the hurt cry.

It's a cry that I am pretty sure comes from her toes.

It's a cry that sounds like she has just lost her best friend, and cat, all at once.

In fact if you heard it, it would break your heart. It's quite pitiful. Because it's not mean spirited. It's not a temper tantrum. She is sad.

Today she cried for about 10 minutes. Inconsolably (not that I was trying to console her, I wasn't). But before you judge her, let me tell you, the cause was very serious in nature. You see, she wanted rigatoni for lunch. She got PBJ.

I know, it's tragic beyond words, and I fully understand why this act in & of itself truly made her believe that I do not love her. That although there are children starving, the fact that she had PBJ instead of rigatoni was the biggest betrayal that I could have ever inflicted on her.

The thing is, is that she used to be reasonable. She's a good girl, don't get me wrong. But at some point in September all sense of logic & reason went out the window.

Sometimes it's going to dance class, sometimes it's not being able to go on the computer, sometimes it's rigatoni. And her world shatters.

Now bear in mind, I'm not completely ignorant, our family had a very rough summer, a lot of very serious health situations with our loved ones. I know that took a toll. But she soildered through. She went to sleep away camp for the first time for a week. Loved it wants to go for two weeks next year. Middle school started. Lots of responsibility, and independence.

I get it.

And I have expected terrible outbursts, and tantrums, and rebellion.

I got crying. And despair.

But then it's over. Forgotten. But not regretted. She feels justified in being that sad.

It's rigatoni.

What does it symbolize to her I wonder?

2008-09-23T06:43:00.000-04:00

My mom sent this to me.......... it rang true....................

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years
or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

A few pics....

2008-09-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

Here are a few summer pics of my girls..... we went to Darien Lake with Tommy's family, took the girls to see the xtreme makeover house (Samantha's favorite show), checking out the first grade classroom, Sam trying out her locker combination, etc... It's been a crazy summer .... When I get time I'll update everyone !

2008-09-14T08:02:00.002-04:00

Samantha

2008-08-12T07:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures of my baby girl. At camp. For the first time. This will be the longest I have ever gone without hearing her little voice (or sometimes her big voice ... lol ) ever. I do not know if she is okay, or if she misses me, or if she is eating alright. I would be contacted in the event of a medical emergency. That's the only reason. Other than that I am going to stalk the mailman until I get a letter !

Learning........

2008-07-22T07:30:00.003-04:00

I think that maybe I have always loved learning. I was definitely particular on the things I like to learn about... it was never algebra or chemistry. It's a shame how many times a day I use those skills in real life....................... I should have paid more attention.

But just about everything else interests me.

Especially people......Sometimes after a conversation someone has had with me, I wonder if they feel like they have just been interrogated. I certainly like to know about a person, and if there is ever a subject that someone would be an authority on, it would be themselves and their own life history. I genuinely like people. Most people. Some are grouchy, but I try. I ask questions.

I like learning about our history. And other people's history. And religion. And how things are made. And how things work. Luckily television is perfectly suited to my tastes. The history channel, discovery channel ...... I don't know what happened last night on "ugly betty", or on "the amazing race" , but I do know what historians believed happened to the ancient Mayans. I might not spell Mayans correctly, but I know how they lived.

There are other things that I never wanted to learn about. Like loss, disappointment, and heartbreak. Emotional struggles, financial struggles, physical struggles.

I guess that they make us a part of who we are as much as our genetic make-up.

I have not had it tough. But I have experienced. Maybe a lot less than some, maybe a lot more than some.

I'm not interesting enough to be on the history channel one day, I haven't done enough, experienced enough, or learned enough.

But with each day there is a new experience, and something new to learn. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

zzzzzzzzzzzz............

2008-07-01T06:34:00.002-04:00

I love to sleep. Is that weird? I love naps. I've always been a napper, I mean I'm sure that there was a point in time in my life when I didn't nap, but I know that I started life out napping, and I have been since high school.

Now I obviously can't nap every day. In the summer time, unless I catch a random Sunday that is free, I can't nap at all. But, oh do I miss it.

When I worked outside the house, I would go in an unused room, and sleep on my lunch hour. Most days anyway. My co-workers were very tolerant of that, and my friend Tracy would wake me up each day about 10 minutes before my lunch was over, so I could collect myself, & go back to work.

All too many times I've had the experience of falling into a pretty deep sleep, and waking up disoriented, like thinking that it's morning when its not, or thinking that I've missed the kids getting off the bus, and that thay've had to go back to the bus garage with the driver & I am being declared an unfit parent. For a fleeting moment, I curse my napping. But then I realize that it's only 2:00, and that I have only been napping an hour, and it's alright.

When I think about the toughest thing about being a parent, and I don't mean the emotional stuff, just the day to day things, are their clothes all clean? did they eat? are they bathed? ............. for me the toughest thing was always that I couldn't just lay on the couch & doze off for a half hour if I felt like it.

I wish I wasn't a napper, I would definately be able to put an extra hour to better use. But it's just who I am. If I don't nap, I don't sleep as good at night. But mostly I love it love it love it.

Two of my friends are nappers. Just like me. Difference is that they are not ashamed. So that's what I'm trying to do here. I'm coming out..............

I nap. I deserve it. That's all.

p.s. next week I am off, and I'm shooting for 4 out of 7 days, I'll let you know how it works out.

Happy Summer !

2008-06-27T06:22:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone :)
Sorry its been a while, its been busy busy busy ! We are now down to soccer twice a week ! whoo - hoo. Sadly because Sam coaches Samantha's team he has to be with her & cannot go to Libby's games . :( . In turn, I have to bring Libby & cannot go to anymore of Samantha's games. :( .

Libby's first game was last night, she plays in the U6 league for Spencerport. I was videotaping bits & pieces for Sam to see & I was able to catch her first goal on tape ! I'll post it here. Last night I officially earned the title of worst mother ever....... you see with my nose behind the camera I never realized it was her that scored , hence the lack of cheering, yelling, jumping up & down. I feel awful. Then there was this conversation on the way to the van ....

Libby: Did you know that you sometimes get grass on your shin guards?
me: no, I didn't know that, that's cool
Libby: Did you know that you get very thirsty?
me: yes I did know that, I'm glad you brought water
Libby: I heard you cheer for Paige when she scored, I cheered for her too
me: I know you did baby, you are such a great teammate

Libby: Did you know I scored a goal
me: ummmmmmmm..... no you didn't
Libby: yes I did, Ashley kicked it part of the way, then I kicked it into the net
me: ummmmmmmmm .... no you didn't
Libby: yes I did momma.
me: ummmmmm...... okay Libby whatever you say.

Then we tucked her in bed , uploaded the video, and there it was. Her shining moment. Her first soccer game ever. And she scores a goal ! And I ignore it. So we untucked her, had her watch it, and told her that Mommy didn't realize. So if you see us..... congratulate her. Go ahead and make a big deal out of it..... I should have .....

I'll try to post the video .... She is #7, and has braids in her hair .....

Evan Daniel Heaton

2008-06-16T21:00:00.002-04:00

6/14/2008

7 lbs. 11 0z.

Congratulations to big brother Ty, big sister Jenna, and parents Tommy & Jerilynne :)

Breast Cancer Petition !

2008-06-13T16:15:00.002-04:00

Please take a couple minutes and read this & sign the petition on the website. My Aunt will be going through this surgery on the 19th of June. So please keep her in your prayers.

From a nurse: I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it! Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for
patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through' Mastectomy where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached. Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, state, and zip code. (http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php )This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends andfamily, and on behalf of all women, THANKS

Libby's video

2008-06-13T07:06:00.004-04:00

Okay, so Libby's video won't load or upload on youtube , so, (I think ) here it is.... she's a peanut so watch the middle, she's wearing a red shirt with a flag, every now & then you can catch a glimpse ..... (look in between the little girl in pink & the little girl in blue)

Flag Day :)

2008-06-12T17:55:00.003-04:00

Canal View had a wonderful flag day ceremony to honor our country, and our service men & women. Here are a couple pictures, I posted video of the 5th graders singing "Proud to be an American" , and the Kindergarten singing, "You're a Grand Old Flag".
Libby is one of the littlest in her grade so she's difficult to see, but if you keep watching, you will see her. Samantha is easier to see, but the picture isn't as clear. But you can definately hear both :)

www.youtube.com/kristinecerami

Samantha is in the back row ... light blue shirt w/flag, to the right of the little girl in dark blue w/yellow.

I have a favor to ask ......

2008-06-05T10:54:00.003-04:00

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I am also a firm believer that a person's privacy should be respected. So on both those notes, I have a favor to ask anyone who reads this...... Please pray for someone that I love. Just pause , and ask God to watch over this person physically & emotionally. Thank You.

Samantha's Talent Show

2008-06-05T06:22:00.003-04:00

Sam was in the first annual talent show at school last night ! Surprising enough they had try-outs and even cut more than half of the "acts" that tried out. She danced with two of her friends and they made their dance up with a little help from a high school girl who is a neighbor of one of the girls. I posted the video (that doesn't skip) on www.youtube.com/kristinecerami .

Things have been incredibly busy around here. I could break it down hour by hour, but that would be boring, but trust me..... every hour after school is accounted for.

Drama club is now over........ Band has one more week....... Newspaper Club has one more week........Talent Show rehearsals are now over .........Dacning has this week & next ........As soon as school is over, we will only be left with soccer. (both girls this year :) )

One night last week we were actually short a parent. Sam & I needed to physically be in three places..... Crazy.

But I love every concert, field day, show, ceremony. It's worth living in the van.

2008-05-27T07:18:00.003-04:00

We had a small Memorial Day/ Shelley's birthday picnic on Monday :)

We even had the bonsai falls out for the girls to go on, I wonder at what age the lure of frigid cold water from the tap goes away ?

We started outside, umbrella for the table & canopy for the bar up, but then came the wind, so down we took down those, and sat back down, then came the rain, so in the house we went, and Sam tucked the chairs in the garage, and just in time for him to finish that, the rain went away :)

It was a great day :)

I only have a few pics, but I will post them !

The old and the young.

2008-05-21T06:31:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately I fall into neither of these two categories. Or I guess fortunately, if you look at it from other points of view..... but let me tell you about my yesterday before you decide....

Typical morning, making 8 breakfasts .... eggs & toast .... holding down a minimum of 3 conversations at the same time, all the while watching what my one little guy is slipping into his pockets to keep for his own, packing Libby's packpack, reminding Sam about what should be in hers, sending kids ip to brush all their teeth, not just the front of the top row, deciding who should play with what Garbriella doll & who gets to use the easel for their garage, and remembering who used what Gabriella doll yesterday, and who had the easel for the garage the afternoon before. Then I've adopted a new "clean as I go" plan in the morning so I'm not left with a kitchen full of goodies to clean up after the bus comes, so I clean the frying pan, put away the eggs & milk & toaster & as I'm putting the bread away it never fails the ..... Can I have another egg please? So I take back out the eggs, the milk, the toaster & make another egg. Then the ..... can I have the dunky kind like Kaylin had? ..... sure..... I mean why not throw this scrambled egg away, eggs & milk haven't gone up like 100% right?

ANYWAY.... there I go again... sorry..... onto my point....

As I stand on the kitchen side of the counter.... I listen to conversations, ungaurded, every subject is fair game.... from school to parents to body functions. Yup, that's right body functions, and more often than not there is an example of one which starts off the conversation. Girls, boys, it makes no difference.

Libby is learning about descriptive words in kindergarten, I say she gets all the education she needs when she hears about how the last burst of gas that one of my kiddos dealt us smelled, felt, and sounded like.

TRUST me I try to veer the conversations away from these topics as quickly as I can because I know that they will soon turn into what something smelled, looked like, the length, and it's float density if I let it go too long. Ask me how I know..... I dare you. Nothing is too gross to discuss, not even corn. That's all I will say.

And that gets me to my point... I am a pretty open person, and even I am blushing a bit. But, everybody poops right? In this world of different races, religions, nationalities, hobbies, interests, economic status, looks, tastes, etc. We all poop. If nothing else, we have that. Common Ground. Do you ever find yourself stretching for conversation with someone, and you've already hit on the weather, and can't think of one single thing you may have in common ? Well there it is. Poop. But we DO NOT discuss it. At least not after we hit a certain age.

Which gets me to my other point. In between the bank, voting, and the 5th grade field trip, I was at Tops, and I was waiting in line when I could sense someone standing right behind me. Moments later I knew someone was there. Because I heard..... well let's say it was loud, bubbley, long, and she was (that's right she) she was grunting as she expelled it. And when she finished she let out a long long sigh. And then there was the encore..... short bursts this time, but a lot of them, and then a longer sigh. I was mortified for her & most certainly would never trun around to look at her & let her know I heard it. But then .... she moved on . She wasn't waiting in line, she had just stopped for a minute to do what she had to do.

When I think of all the stomach aches, the hasty exits, the blaming on my diaper wearing child, or on the one who would laugh instead of calling me out. And this woman probably just figured.... everybody passes gas.

Please don't get me wrong, I like my polite don't discuss, hide it, blamd it on the kid life. But the freedom! Can you imagine? No? Wait a couple decades you will ....

Link

2008-05-01T07:35:00.002-04:00

Here is a link to youtube. Libby's dance costume came in yesterday, so her class tried them on & the parents got a chance to see their dances. Luckily, since we are there four days a week, I knew that they were in & brought my camera with me :)

The little girlies all have their leotards & tights on under the costumes, at the recital, they will have only the costume, and skin colored tights, and hair in a bun with a big white bow on top.

Unfortunately we weren't able to see Sam's dance :( They receivved their costumes, but didn't show their dance :(

And as for me, we never show, and we try our costumes on at home, so if you want to see Sam & I, come to the recital ! June 15 !

I think there is a spot on youtube to leave comments..... Libby would LOVE that !

LINK IS ..........................

www.youtube.com/kristinecerami

Everything is scary

2008-04-30T13:35:00.003-04:00

I used to be fearless. Well, okay I guess not really fearless, but I guess a lot less fearful. I wasn't worried about, well a lot of things .....

After having children, everything is scary.

A few examples of things that never used to scare me are....... public bathrooms, roller blades, shopping carts, and grapes.

Grapes? you might ask, shopping carts?

And I answer , yes......... most especially grapes and shopping carts.

Grapes are one of the top choking hazards. I still cut Libby's if no one is looking, (you see I take a lot of heat for my fear of grapes). What does is hurt to just cut them in half? When my girls were toddlers, I cut each grape into sixes. With pride. Did I (alright...... do I ...) think that every grape that they pop into their mouth will lodge in their throats and cut off oxygen? No. But if I can minimize the risk, WHY NOT.

Shopping carts......... ewwww ewwwwww........ there was a study done & they tested a sample of shopping carts from many many different super markets around the country. I wish I remember who did it, I learned this at a daycare in service....... anyway what was found was......

please do not read further if you plan on going to the supermarket without germX ever again....

Every body fluid possible. Now I could list what was found, but just think beyond saliva, boogers, and blood....... EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW......

Wegmans, bless their hearts, has a wipes dispenser near the carts, that I faithfully use each time. I have never ever seen anyone else use these while I am there.

And you wonder why you should wash your produce.....

I really didn't ever worry about things like this before kids.

When I got pregnant for Samantha I relied on my doctor & the media to let me know what to fear...... caffeine, second hand smoke, tuna fish...................

all right, you got me, I've always been afraid of tuna fish ............

But all of a sudden one day you bring this precious perfect baby into a severely imperfect world. And it changes.

Then there are the big scaries..... like child molesters, and kidnappers, and severe injuries, and illnesses, terrorists, and republicans........................ (just kidding on that last one, just checking to see if my husband reads these or not because he will comment).

After 9/11, I put together a "safe kit". There was water, and baked beans, peanut butter, duct tape, and garbage bags, toilet paper, a land line phone, aeriel antennae for the TV, & when Libby came along diapers, & baby formula, to mention a few items. I kept it for about 3 years. One time I even used it, when we had an ice storm & cable went out..... I used the aeriel antennae for about 6 minutes before we lost all power, but then I used the land line telephone while the power stayed out for a couple days.

But time went on, and I couldn't justify my obsession, my worry, when my youngest was three, and somewhere in that plastic bin were still size 2 diapers . So I disassembled it. And without it to focus on, it's a bit easier.

Now there are just public bathrooms, roller blades, and one day GULP drivers licenses.

But i will get through it. I can't allow my children to be afraid of the world. So I put on their helmets, and elbow pads & knee pads. And I carry the toilet seat liners in my purse. And as far as my girls know, I have no fear of toilet seats, shopping carts, and roller blades.

They are well aware of the grapes.

responsibility

2008-04-17T07:50:00.005-04:00

It's been a crazy week.
I am about ready to call it a day, and it's only 7:50 a.m. ....
and I have a lot of little bodies here that I am responsible for, so I'm on day care duty for another 10 hours.

Then its just regular mom duty.

There are so many times when I feel like, why do I bother working so hard to make sure these kiddos are happy, when at this exact moment they are hovered around the TV taking turns playing playstation? They are HAPPY. You see they are very excited about doing this because I don't allow them to use the playstation, but a little guy brings his in when there are breaks off school, and sometimes I let them play.

I make them turn off the TV, and play outside, and play inside. It seems to take a lot of energy on my part to veer them away from the TV, but some weeks a few days will go by and I realize that the TV hasn't even been turned on. Then I'm really proud, like I have accomplished something.

Sometimes I wonder why I worry about it so much.

I get SO frustrated when I get everyone outside, and they stand around "bored" . There is nothing to do outside I guess.

Apparently the dozen bikes, jump ropes, basketball hoop, soccer net, balls, bats, chalk, scooters, swing set, slide, playhouse, rackets, and other toys are all invisible. Because I'm almost positive that if they could see them, they would know that there are a million things to do outside.

Yesterday was great outside. They played, they rode, they dribbled, and kicked. They barely complained.

It would be super easy for me to park my butt in front of the TV or computer & park theirs in front of the TV all day. And they would be happy.

But as I tell them each day I am responsible for them. My job is to make sure that they are safe, healthy, and happy while they are at my house.

They would eat PBJ & chips every day for lunch, and love it. But no such luck, they get a hot lunch with a fruit & veggy. Hot breakfast too.... cereal is only once a week.

For all of this my day ended with a kiddo telling me that I am stupid, and he hates me and my mean stupid school.

Earlier in the day he crapped all over my bathroom. I discovered the crap when I ran upstairs to use the bathroom. Of course it when at that moment when I realized that he was the culprit, and that it wasn't dirt on his pants.

But I got him the boy est looking clothes that fit him to put on, and told him very loudly how his pants were so muddy I thought he'd be more comfortable in clean clothes. I told all the kids that I had an accident in the bathroom.

He systematically caused every child here to fall off of their bikes, when he ran them off the side walk.

He hit another child while the other child's mom was here.

And he ended the day by insulting me. And I know that he is young, and that I shouldn't engage in a verbal battle with a child. But I have to tell you that my feeling were hurt. I've had it.

I explained to him that he was told the last time he hit children that if he did it again, he would not be able to come to my house, so what should I do? He informed me that he was glad to not come to this mean place because his new babysitter has Xbox, playstation 3, nintendo, and I don't know what else he said maybe atari or intellivision, he was going on & on about all the electronic wonder awaiting him at his new babysitters.

(he has moved out of the school district, but is finishing out the school year with me. Then leaving at the end of the school year to go to his district)

I am very proud to say that I told him, your new babysitter sounds great, there must be a bunch of lazy fat boring kids there if that's all they do.

Not my best moment.

But I'd had it.

So I sat for a minute, and breathed. And realized that this is a little guy who for some reason is angry, and I am a grown woman who knows better . This little guy has a difficult time at school at home, and he usually thrives here.

So I told him that I loved him, and my heart was just sad because his words hurt it.

And he told me that it isn't fair that the older kids are allowed to ride their bikes to the 5th driveway, when he (and Libby by the way) are only allowed to ride to the 4th driveway.

All that anger. All that frustration. All that poop. One driveway.

Why? Why? Why?

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG.

My neighbor across the street has a little boy Samantha's age. Once in a while he comes here for the day. I don't want him all the time, not because he's not great, but because she is my friend & I don't want to mix friendship & business.

He arrived about 20 minutes before she was supposed to leave for work. He was so excited to come over and spend the day. He told me he loves being here.

One of the little girls is spending the night tonight with Libby. Her mom told me she was up at 5:30 singing & dancing in the bathroom, cuz she was going to be able to be here all day, all night , then all day.

My girls don't have to wake up and rush to get ready to go to daycare, where it really wasn't any fun.

I go on field trips, and volunteer in the classroom.

Those are more than enough reasons. I do a good job.

mean pictures

2008-04-07T14:48:00.004-04:00

As I sit here crying over the letter to bring my child to the junoir high tonight for information and a tour, I began to look through pictures on my computer. Now I can't get too nostalgic because although digital cameras have been around a while, I only in the past few years have purchased one, so i only have about 2 years of pics on here. maybe less, now when i eventaully get the freezer bag of film developed that I just haven't found the time to do, watch out....... I'll be crying for weeks....

Anyway, here are a few pics that made me laugh..... Why did I take these..... and what do I do to Samantha to freak her out every holiday?

I am especially proud of the first picture, you see you can't tell but Libby knee is actually broken, and after I made her pose for this group picture, I continually tried to distract her & then trick her into walking on it. I thought she was being dramatic. The one with the dirt? Well she was playing & fell & I thought her face was so funny with all the dirt..... And the pink stuff? Mosquito bites from trying to sleep in a tent with Uncle Tommy & Jenna. Why the pictures? No idea...

And poor Samantha. I know they say holidays bring out the worst in people, but apparently they just make my baby cry. I had Christmas ones from this year too, but I deleted them.

I'd like to say I will stop, but I won't. Look I even posted them for all to see.

Libby's fashions

2008-04-04T09:51:00.003-04:00

I was going throught the pictures on my computer & laughing to myself at Libby's fashion ideas.... maybe they will give u a chuckle too :)

This one is of her favorite "headband", it's really a mask for sleeping, but she loved it.... This phase lasted about a month, and she wore it everywhere....

This is when she took our snowman making kit & dressed herself, she wore the hat & scarf for a few days ........

I know she is in pajamas here, and that isn't the outfit, it's the swim goggles on her head. This phase lasted about 3 weeks. It was February.

She wore this outside to play, we let her pick whatever she wanted, it was only outside in our front yard. Besides what's the difference between pajamas & clothes?
This past October, Halloween costume. 2 weeks. Only at home, and only outside after Halloween.

And I think everyone has already seen her pants & skirt combos ..............

I think being unique is so much more fun than being fashionable...

I'm old .........

2008-04-01T06:48:00.002-04:00

I just had my 34 1/2 year old birthday. I know most of you are surprised, because I didn't get the usual barrage of cards, gifts, and invites to take me out..... LOL, actually I usually remember because a friend of Sam's & I share the same birthday and he usually calls me, to wish me a happy 1/2 birthday. He didn't call this year though. And I missed it. But I know why he didn't call......... he became a Dad! The focus has shifted.

Now, I only have two children. I am responsible for a few more than that, for about 6 hours a day, but only two are mine.
Between their birthdays, physicals, dentist appointments, orthodontist appointments, eye doctor visits, recitals, concerts, open houses, plays, dance lessons, soccer games, play dates, birthday parties, field trips, and special events at school (like open house tonight), I am surprised that I remember that I am 34 1/2. My focus shifted about 11 years, 1 month, and 3 days ago, give or take......

We started our family earlier than most of my friends, and almost all of Sam's friends. I think we were just lucky enough to have met each other at an earlier age. They are all beginning their families. We have finished ours. Their priorities are just beginning to change.....

Sam & I were each lucky enough to have the opportunity to leave our parents' house and live on our own before we settled in together. I am so grateful for that experience. I think every person should be able to have some time in between being someones child and someones spouse, to just be themselves.

Being myself was a lot of fun. I was a lot of fun. Now it seems that I only catch a glimpse of that person once in a while. I miss her. She was always in a good mood, and always ready to go out, to a party, or to dinner, or to a bar. She always had enough sleep, it didn't matter if the apartment was messy, she dated, and she had a lot of "me" time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like being this me better. At this point in my life the most important things I could be doing, or would ever want to do is doctor's appointment, soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, and school events. It is all I ever dreamed of doing. It is more fun than any party I've ever been too, and more fulfilling than any "me" time I could possible spend.

But, I think that now I am 34 1/2 , maybe I will try to interject my old self into my regular life. I'm not going to bar hop, or start dating (hmmmmmmm....... tee hee hee). But I would definitely like to start going on dates with Sam again. And maybe I won't let 6 months go by in between hair cuts, like the last time, and maybe I will make fun a priority . There must be a happy balance somewhere between the frazzled mom & the fun Kristine.

I think that my whole family would actually benefit. It won't be a split-focus.... my focus is forever changed for the better, but a little peripheral vision never hurt :)

my little sneaks

2008-03-17T08:16:00.003-04:00

i posted some pictures (which should show up in the post under this one) ......

I connected my camera to the computer to upload the dozen or so pictures I had & there were 111 pictures on my camera !!!!!! Seems that first Libby, then Sam, (i'm guessing by the subject matter) got ahold of my camera & took about 100 pictures!

Now these pictures are from the living room, family room, kitchen, dining room, & basement. Where the heck was I ???

No harm done, it's digital thank goodness!

I'm going to post my girlies making easter eggs (I'm glad Samantha wants to do this still, she didn't want to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap :( ) And Libby had her artwork displayed at Barnes & Noble !!!! Sam's in there too, making a leprechaun face with Libby.

The girls' pictures ( only a few of the 100 ) are on the post below this one .

Happy Saint Patrick's Day !!!!

pictures

2008-03-17T08:03:00.002-04:00

Bad Mom.

2008-03-16T11:36:00.005-04:00

I worked at a daycare center for over 12 years. I worked with children ages 6 weeks - 12 years old. I loved it, and knew that it would completely prepare me for being a parent. HA HA HA . It was so easy to comment & criticize......... I would NEVER do that to my child.............. my child will NEVER be allowed to do that ................. How could they let their child _________ ................

Now that I have children of my own, I've learned to never say never, and to not criticize, because you never, ever know.

I have absolutely decided to choose my battles.

As a pre-schooler Libby was allowed to wear winter gloves, a winter hat, flip flops, and completely un-matching clothes out of the house. In public. In summer. No battle.

As recent as last month Libby has enjoyed the comfort of a cute little skirt with jeans or corduroys under them. I chose not to take on that battle. She felt beautiful. How can my fashion advice compare? I might even have a picture, I'll look and post it if I can find it...........

I have even committed the cardinal sin as a parent. I let my child go to school without eating breakfast.

twice!

I chose to either have Samantha go to school without eating, or to spend 25 minutes of offering different choices, explaining the merits of a healthy breakfast, arguing the merits of a healthy breakfast, then the three minutes before the early bus comes debating on whether or not holding an 11 year old down and jamming food down her throat is child abuse or not..... I didn't do it ..... But I threatened............. It's the most important meal of the day right? So I throw a granola bar in her book bag............... She goes to school in tears, and I feel bad all day.......

So the next time, I offered, she declined, I let her know it was available. Then all the above mentioned stress was eliminated, and I only worried all day, & eased my conscious with the granola bar. Bad mom. no battle.

I have let Samantha go to school without boots, so she won't be the only one in her class with them. I'm sure her feet were cold & wet, but i let her. Bad Mom. no battle.

Battles I choose......... helmets, seat belts, car seats, sidewalks, vitamins, brushing teeth, showering, homework, eating fruit, drinking milk, telephone & computer & TV rules, kind words, kind actions, church, religion, thank-you notes, good manners. I will fight for those.

The other things, I've learned.....

if a child is hungry, she will eat eventually.
If she is cold, she will dress warmer next time.
And if she thinks her eclectic outfit makes her beautiful, it truly does.

Kidstown, USA

2008-02-29T16:38:00.004-05:00

Samantha had one of the leading roles in the school play (4th & 5th graders) I'm going to try to post a little video of some of her lines..... She played "Darla" one of the country cousins who moved into Kidstown & found a difficult time fitting in. Of course there is a big storm & the city kids are scared & the country kids comfort them & at the end they realize that they are not that different at all & live happily ever after!

I hope this works, she is in yellow w/braids & yellow bows, I love her "country" accent ....
I won't upload all her "parts" just a couple..... And being the proud Mom that I am, i didn't film the city kids , so use your imagination! They had two performances, a "matinee" for the school kids, and an evening performance for the parents! It amazed all her teachers & friends how someone so quiet would not only try out for, but get one of the leading roles ! There are 55 kids in the drama club :) One day I'll get a real camcorder & not use my camera for 30 second clips!

My girl ...

2008-02-29T06:45:00.003-05:00

I took my baby to the doctor's for her well-child visit yesterday. She is 81 pounds, and 57 1/2 inches long. :) Alright, I guess at age 11 I should be saying she is 4 ' 9 1/2 " and maybe I shouldn't even disclose her weight, a lady shouldn't tell right? And Lord help me, I think she is a young lady now!

At each well-child visit we get a sheet of paper letting us know what to do/not to do, what milestones she should have reached (more when she was a baby than now) . I call them her instructions. Because other than a few baby books, and advice, some solicited, some not, they were the only instructions that she came with!

I used to laugh at people when they said that kids should come with instructions. I thought it must be pretty straight forward. And for the most part Samantha was a pretty straight forward kid. The things I would have liked explained to me were important, heart wrenching, but few & far between. Like when she wasn't even two years old and we had to get her glasses, and she would cry and cry , "no glasses mommy, please mommy, no glasses" because it was different, and we had to make her wear them. It hurt. But she had to. And when I put her on the kindergarten bus. And they wouldn't let me go. At least not every day. But even if it hurt I knew what I had to do.

Now it's things like how to handle gossipy friends, what to do with peer pressure, why school starts so early, and why I am the meanest mom in America. And I don't always know the answer. I know what I want to tell her to do when she tells me her friend says her shirt is stupid, or that another friend is mean to her because Samantha won't sit with her on the bus. What I want to tell her is to go all Jerry Springer on her friend, and tell her "OH NO YOU DIDDINT" and hold up her hand in front of the child's face. But instead I try to get her to understand why the other person might be acting that way. And to just continue to be nice. She thinks that it is hard. I know it is hard. And I find myself feeling angry at that other child. But I can't show that. And again, there are no instructions.

In the future I know there will be more difficult problems. I know this because I was 11 once. And I remember. And I survived.

Middle School is looming. Next school year. It makes me want to throw up a little bit.

So for now I follow the instructions they give me each year at the doctor's office. I make sure she sleeps well, is physically active, involved in activities. I make sure she is healthy.

I hope that next year the instructions cover, hurt feelings, cliques, mean moms, and not being allowed to have everything every other kid in America has. Because I am certainly at a loss.

Pic

2008-02-13T08:13:00.002-05:00

The first picture is our cake using the betty crocker cake decorating kit my niece & nephew gave me for Christmas :) We each did a part, Libby did the blue hearts, Sam did the grass & I wrote the names.

The second is in our front yard. Aunt Carie gave the girl a snowman kit last winter, & we've used it a lot, unfortunately in the big winds on Sunday Frosty lost his hat :(

The third is from Sam's D.A.R.E. graduation she is in the bottom row, farthest to the right.

pressure

2008-02-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

Samantha graduated from D.A.R.E. on Friday. It is such a fantastic program, dealing with assertiveness, staying healthy and drug free, and not giving into peer pressure. I am so grateful that she had the opportunity to participate in this program.

It got me thinking though, (I know --- uh-oh---- this means another six paragraph ranting blog post, but I'll keep it short & sweet)....... I was thinking about the pressure part of it.

As a kindergartner, Libby has to read & document twice a week (with us obviously) , then once a month there is a home-school connection project that we work on together, and this week there is a teeth brushing chart where she checks off when she brushes & notates what healthy snack she ate. She has a book box, where she is to practice reading those books to us, and a 3-ring song binder that she brings home to practice on weekends.

As a fifth grader, Samantha FINALLY does not have a reading chart, her teacher (Bless her Soul) wants the children to read for the love of it & feels that if they are forced to read they will lose that ..... Unfortunately every teacher before this one required 20 mintues of reading each night....... Now add that to the 20 minutes of flute practice a night, and add that to the 45 minutes - an hour of homework, and the book report with project & presentation once a month. And trust me those projects are pretty in depth...... The teachers like to see that they took a few days to put together.... The presentations have to be long enough, loud enough, informative enough, and have eye contact throughout. (since 3rd grade) . Poor Samantha ended up with her only C+ due to one of those presentations............ too quiet aparently.

Sometimes when I go to the school I just want to scream " THIS IS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL" should there be this much work? Should there be this much PRESSURE?

I guess with 5th grade I can understand, preparing for middle school & everything, but 45 minutes - hour of homework !!!!!!!!!!!!! And I know Libby will be starting with "official" homework next year. Yup, first grade. I know this because she will have the same teacher Sam had.

I don't ever remember having homework in elementary school........ Maybe a book report, but it was just that, a report, on paper that you handed in. Is my memory faulty? (on this subject, no commenting on other subjects) Help me out here everyone........... Are we asking way too much of these kids?

Should band, drama, dance, religious ed, & newspaper club be eliminated to make sure that there is enough down time? These are choices, not requirements, but they are my kids choices. Well okay, not religious ed, that's my choice..............

Is it peer pressure that turns kids to drugs or is it just pressure? Are they so stressed out that they need a little escape?

Let me know what you think? Leave a comment. Is it me? Is there a method to this maddness?

Birthday .............

2008-01-31T16:29:00.000-05:00

Here are Sam & Samantha's birthday announcements on the Channel 8 website ....... scroll to the bottom, under birthdays, and click on their picture to make it bigger :) They will be on the morning news on the 27th & 28th of February !

http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/photos

Hi :)

2008-01-29T06:35:00.000-05:00

It's funny because coming back to this is like hugging a childhood friend..... Being Internet-free and without the blog for me was like not having my best friend to vent too. (Thank goodness she was still available .... tee hee hee) The only difference is that here, I can go on & on & on, .......... well okay I guess that there isn't much of a difference............

Our 12th wedding anniversary is this Sunday. 12 years married. 4 happy years. :) (kidding)

At our wedding I remember Fr. Jim talking about how there is no perfect marriage, and that marriage is like a huge circle, there will be highs, and lows, and times in the middle when it is kind of boring (my words not his) .

But one thing he was right about, was that it is work, and there have been times over the past 12 years that one or both of us has stopped working at it. And this goes beyond the "you left the cap off the toothpaste, and the "you snore too loud" kind of thing...... It's the important stuff.......

I'm glad that I have that homily to look back on, but If i could go back and forewarn myself (yes I said it forewarn) I would make sure that I knew that it's not always easy, that sometimes it's just plain hard work. That there might be times where you want to just run away, that sometimes those adorable little quirks you used to love might drive you to the point of madness, that even though you know marriage won't change someone, for some reason you keep trying to change them, that even the way they drive the car is infuriating sometimes, that you get to the point where you fore go that morning kiss due to morning breath, whereas before you didn't care about something as trivial as that. ....

Then there are the other times, the times where you realize that the person who snores real loud, and leaves piles of clothes and stuff all over the bedroom, and still plays air guitar & lip syncs to his favorite songs is your best friend. He is the one that you lean on in bad times, that will cheer you up in the grouchy times, and that there is a reason you've muddled through the past dozen or so years. Because it's worth it, because he's not perfect, and somewhere along the road you learned that you aren't either. And that even though you probably both have morning breath , sometimes that kiss is worth it :)

So here we are 2 kids, 2 houses, and a handful of vehicles later ........... we've lost loved ones, we've welcomed new members into the family, we've made new friends, new interests & new hobbies. Here we are ...... still.

And 12 years ago, if I knew all of this, I'd still make the same decision .....

I'll keep you updated on how the next year goes.....

Happy almost Anniversary Sammy.

I'm back

2008-01-25T18:15:00.000-05:00

Hello :)

I was without Internet for the past couple weeks, but we are back! It's funny, I felt so out of touch with everyone :( However I learned that I can survive without it. Of course I had nowhere to vent out all my frustrations without this blog, so I may have been a bit touchy...... you'll have to check with my family on that one.....

I'll be catching everyone up soon, I'm just checking my 9000 e-mails !

Pics from Christmas Eve..........

2007-12-27T19:53:00.001-05:00

Here are my two little girls right before we left for church :)

Here is my neice Jenna, Samantha, and Libby right before they performed in the play.
Here is something I should have noticed ........ somehow she did this, and I'm not surprised, she's quite the individual :)

I've posted the video on www.youtube.com/kristinecerami

For the angel dance Libby is in the middle to the right, and Jenna is on the left. It's pretty pixeled, but you can get the idea. Watch Libby do her own dance :) The girls start out in the front row then end up in the back row.

I'm also putting up a portion of Samantha in the begining of the play, they were cheering on the "presidential canidates" With Senator Clinton there were signs & stethescopes, for John McCain signs & maraccas, for Gov. Schwarzneggar , light bulbs. She is sitting on the end in the front row of angels...... Then there should be (I haven't checked) Samantha's line. Enjoy :)

another Christmas post ....

2007-12-27T06:41:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Mine started out a little frazzled, but ended wonderful !

I was a little under the weather, and a lot tired...... ( i have to figure out how to get some sleep soon :( ) And very much feeling sorry for myself. Now I know how lucky I am, I do, but doesn't everyone have those days where it seems like even the mailman is making life more complicated?

Thursday the 20th after putting 9 kids on the bus I baked 3 dozen cookies & made 50 peanut butter balls for Sammy's work, then went to my brothers to baby sit for a couple hours, then onto Wal Mart, The dollar store, the post office, Big M, and home to get 4 kids off the bus. Samantha had dance class that night.....

Friday the 21st I spent the whole day at kindergarten from 8:50 to 3:30. Then daycare kids until 6:00......

Saturday the kids had play rehearsal, so first to Tim Horton's then to pick up my niece, then to Wegman's to get the snack, then onto rehearsal................and I helped out (weird huh?). Then we came home, and my niece Jenna came home with us, my Aunt Susan & Uncle Don stopped in for a visit, (they are here from Florida) , and then Samantha & i had our dance recital Saturday evening. Sammy was able to make it !!!! Samantha was thrilled! He left work at 7 instead of 8, and we were both in the second half!!! Then my best friend Carie, who faithfully comes to every June & December show came over for a few drinks :)

Sunday was when I started feeling yucky, (I only had two beers over about 4 hours, so don't think that! ) but we had promised the girls that we would go to breakfast, and then to Midtown Plaza to see Santa & ride the monorail. Sammy hadn't had a day off since Thanksgiving & we were so excited for our "family" day. We planned it a couple weeks ago.....So I popped some advil, and off we got to the "place where they give you the Bee hat" -this was Libby's request & Samantha whole heartily agreed. Sam was not to happy, for you see the "place where they give you the Bee hat" is old country buffet. I love it. I'm such a picky eater that I can decide what to take & what to leave. It works for Samantha too.

After breakfast during which I managed to spill a plate of syrup in a foot long stripe down my shirt, but that was alright because it covered the spots of cheddar cheese that i had already spilled & tried to wipe off. It is for that reason that most of the time I will wear a shirt I can flip around. You see, this unfortunately is a frequent phenomena..... me in the ladies room cleaning whatever it is off my shirt while my family is finishing up their meal. Anyway...... after breakfast we headed downtown.

At this point my headache was so bad, I was nauseous. So I couldn't talk. I was afraid if I opened my mouth, more than words would come out....

So we are driving around and around and around midtown plaza, which I don't understand downtown, so thank goodness for Sam....

Samantha is talking talking talking, and talking to me & expecting answers even though Sam & I told her about 876 times that Mommy had a bad headache & it hurt to talk... but never less the conversation goes on.

Libby is almost chanting "sissy be quiet I want to hear the songs". Chanting to Yelling.

Samantha's mad because I won't join the conversation...

Sam is PO'd because he can't figure out what door we should go in, and none of the underground parking garage doors are open.... So he's complaining, complaining, complaining.....

It was like this.

"What the F%^K, how the H%^L are we supposed to park, no wonder the city is going to pot, nothing is organized, what door what door what door what door? "

"Mommy what do you think about the new American girl doll, would you call it curly hair? I like this song. What is that man doing? I don't remember the monorail, is it fun. Mommy? Mommy? "

"SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSY I want to hear this............ was a jolly happy soul with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two SSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYY I can't sing it right!"

I wanted to jump out of the van. Really I thought about it, we were just going slowly around and around, I've seen it done on TV, I might have broken a bone or two, but I though it would take my mind off my pounding head...

I didn't jump. Or throw -up. Sammy called downtown & they let us know that Midtown was closed for the day. On Sunday, the 23rd. The Sunday before Christmas. Now we weren't the only sad people, there were tons & tons of people & their kids & grand kids walking around & around & around. We saw them trying all sorts of doors, as we were driving around & I was planning my escape.....

So Libby sobbed on the way home. Samantha was so sad too. And we felt awful.... our big family day, but it was quality time in the van right?

When we got home I slept for a bit, which helped immensely, and Aunt Susan, Uncle Don & my parents & brother & family came over for dinner.... twelve of us. Not to big of a mess.

Christmas Eve added a fever to my headache, and Sam went off to work. I made a big pot of sauce, and got ready for church.

Baths, dresses, where are the white tights? What do you mean black dress shoes, I don't have any.... Oh yeah. Load up the gifts. I wish I had curls in my hair. What time does Santa come? Don't forget the extra dresses for the other kids.

The nativity play was beautiful, funny, and entertaining as usual. Samantha was a High Angel. Libby was an angel dancer. (more on that in a future blog).

On to Aunt Joyce's to see the in-law's. I love them.

Then all too soon on to Aunt Diane's to see the other in-law's. And Sammy met us there. :) Fantastic time too.

Home around midnight, waited for the girls to fall asleep...................

The next morning Santa came :) The kids played..... I made a lasagna & spaghetti & salad & garlic bread. (very traditional huh?) And baked a mince, apple & pumpkin pie. Frozen pies. Mrs. Smith's actually. And Sammy complained. "Why frozen pies, that's gross, who eats frozen pies. I don't like frozen pies."

Now let's pause & reflect on my last couple days.......... When he thought I'd have time to bake from scratch ????????????????

So I informed my love that he couldn't eat dinner with us, and that there was a microwavable Taco Bell meal in the cupboard for him.

Sammy went to the cemetery, and my sister-in-law Shelley came over, we visited with her, (and she got me a Homer Simpson Chia pet !!!!! Two of my favorite things in one!)

The my Parents came over for dinner, I let Sam eat real food.......... and Tommy & family came over for desert.

Sam had pumpkin pie. And like it. And, ready................. apologized.

Tommy & Sammy drank a bottle of Vodka. We played games. The kids danced naked. Samantha wrestle Tommy& won. My Mom had too much wine, My dad was awesome ............

My house looked like a bomb hit it. There were cups & paper & boxes & toys & food everywhere. Everyone was talking at once, the kids were on 10 & super loud.

It was everything I imagined it would be. I LOVED it.

Merry Belated Christmas :) Mine sure was.

Kindergarten Christmas

2007-12-21T20:06:00.000-05:00

Here is Libby versus the pinata at school today. It had broken when the gym teacher tried to hang it, so they dunked it :)

The three kindergarten classes put on a Hannakah, Kwanza, Los Posados, & Christmas Concert today ! Here is their closing song. Libby is in the second row wearing a red sweater with a pink, white & red scarf. She has a Santa hat on :)

On being the type of mom I am.....

2007-12-21T06:21:00.000-05:00

I have a friend. A friend that knew me when I was too young to cross the street without permission, when I still wet the bed, and when playing house in first grade there was nothing strange about me because I always wanted to play the dog.

Through life she knew me, she knew me through my personal successes and failures, and even when she knew whatever path I put myself on (usually with a boy) would only end up in heartbreak, she was still there.

We are grown ups now. I don't know how, because there was never a gradutation or a ceremnony, or waking up one morning and feeling like "oh yea... there it is". There is definatley more stuff you have to do. And you have to do it.

I mean you have to have clean children & they need nourishment. and your time. And to be driven places. And your heart to melt, break, and burst with pride all in the same day. Maybe that's what the change is. ...... your heart, maybe on that magical day when you become a grown-up, your ego-cenrtic heart gets replaced with this newer fully expandable one with hidden features ......

I had no idea how much mine could love. ache. melt. fill. break.

Back to my friend. She sent me a message saying i love your blog, you seem like such a good mom...... along that line. And she knows me!!!!!

so i am here to confess..... i am not.....

i loose my temper, i scream, (not often mind you). but i say crazy things, like

"if you can''t act respectful to me then maybe I will call all the people who tell me how wonderful you are & let them know how you treat me, and ask what their secrect is, because you obviously love them way more than me" ................. this i did not find in any parenting book. ashamed to say it's my own brand. and i am ashamed, but I need to let the truth be told. I won't do it .... I think....

I don't want to look at the loose tooth 17 times today. I saw it once. good enough for me. I don't want to hear it crack and i've already mentioned i don't know when it will fall out.

i want to take a nap. phones off, doors locked, left alone. i can't do this because even if they aren't with me they are still my responsibility. people may need to reach me.

i want to pee ALL ALONE, this includes no one in the room, no one standing outside the door talking, and noone silently laying in front of the door shoving their fingers underneath to make me aware of their pressence.

I want to watch a television show in the time allotted. this may sound strage. we have TiVo. we should zip through an hour program in 44 minutes or less. It takes me about 1 1/2 hours. stupid responsibility. how does TiVo end up taking more time, factor in 2 girls.

I want to stop worrying about getting protien into a kid that wants to live on macaroni.

I want a husband who wants to shovel or mow, and organize the garage, or take the car for an oil change, or hang with the kids for an hour.

I say these things, but I know that how life is is the most perfect thing i could have. I love being a mom, and not to say that there aren't times when I've told them that I am on break. (this doen't work by the way, there are no lunch hours, or 15 minute breaks) I am simply saying to someone who knows me well, I have fooled you. This is not easy, so worth it, but not easy.

People just need to know that when you share your life, not just your house or your room, but when you share you life, your time, your heart with others, all that stuff at the top comes with it.

For me it's kind of like a watermelon, even when they tell you it's seedless, sometimes there are those little white seeds. Yucky. But you wouldn't give up on the watermelon over some seeds would you. It's a little bit more work, but you are rewarded with sweetness.

Some days I feel like there are so many seeds that I can't have the energy to spit another one out. Some days i don't realize until i'm done, that there musn't of been any in there. And sometimes I just don't worry about the seeds & I concentrate on the sweet stuff.

So Jennie, thank you for your amazing compliment. But not only do I not have it all together, I'm still looking for the pieces, but i think that's part of the fun.

I love you! I miss you! I'll let you know when to start making the hot chocolate.

Gift Giving .....

2007-12-19T06:30:00.000-05:00

I LOVE giving gifts. Birthdays, Christmas, or just for any reason. But I'm selfish, because I like giving the best gift. Whether it's something someone has wanted for so long, or something personal, the reaction of giving someone something like that is awesome. It's so hard to wait to give too isn't it?

My sister-in-law & I were discussing price limits on gifts. How much do you spend on your parents, your nephew, your aunt, or your cousin's child? Then if his cousin only has one child, and I have two, should I double the cost of the gift?

My thoughts on this are this.... I do what I can. Now if I had a ton of money, it would probably be gone because I would go over the top for everyone I know. But I don't. So mostly I try to remember people. Even if it's a coffee mug to the early morning bus driver who drives Sam to band, I want these people to know that I appreciate them.

Every year the girls & I make Christmas ornaments............. okay well the girls help with Christmas ornaments................. okay well the girls watch their anal retentive mother make Christmas ornaments, and pose for the picture that is sometimes in them. Some years they are more complex, but most years it's just a bulb with white paint pen on it. This weekend we are going to finish ours. And by we, I mean them. I'm going to let them finish it. Unless Libby starts pen painting herself or her sister, I'm going to let them go. I want their artwork, their ideas, their personalization. They will only be 10 & 5 for this Christmas. Then the moment will be gone.

When we go to Aunt Joyce's on Christmas Eve, on her tree is every ornament we have made throughout the years. I love it.

On my tree is every ornament my children have made. I have ornaments from daycare kids dating back to 1993, and I think of them every year I put them on the tree. My tree is a hodge podge of colors, styles, paper decorations, bulbs, first Christmas ornament, handmade, store bought...... everything it should be.

I wish I could do more for people at Christmas time. I appreciate so many people in my life from my own girls to the mailman, to Sammy to the school nurse.

Merry Christmas & if I don't buy or make you anything...... please know I would if I could.....

Christmas :)

2007-12-14T06:35:00.000-05:00

When Samantha was little ......

(littler than 10, I mean to me, ten is still little, although she is my baby so maybe 37 will still seem little...)

and there I go again..... okay what I'm trying to spit out is that a few years ago our Christmas Eve used to go like this....

3:00..... go save seats at church for the 4:00 mass. (the rest of my family would arrive around 3:45, I would be grouchy because why is it always me who can be responsible to get there early to save seats for everyone, why can't someone save a seat for me & let me get there at a leisurely pace for once.)

After Church (which is downtown) onto Irondequiot to Aunt Joyce's to see Sam's Dad's side of the family. Just as things are getting going, we have to leave.........

to go to my parents house to see my Dad's side of the family...... this used to be at Aunt Susan's in Chili, but graciously was moved to my parents house in the gates area for the last few years (but not last year.... but I'll get to that) This always proved to be the shortest stop.

Then onto Aunt Diane's in Gates or Richie & Sheila's in Greece(Sam's Mom's side) where things would be winding down.....

Then home..... usually by eleven or twelve.

We basically spent Christmas Eve in the Car.

All those stops, all that traveling, coats & boots, & hugs & kisses.

All that LOVE ! I would always think to myself as we were schlepping to the next place how blessed we were to be wanted. Some people are alone for Christmas. Some people are alone all the time. We have so many people that love us and that we love that we have to run around like crazy !

On Christmas Eve in the year 2000, on our way home from our last stop, around 11:30, we pulled onto our street from Maiden Lane instead of Ridge Road (our house was closest to Ridge Road). Even from that far away I could see the emergency lights flashing. Right away I panicked just knowing it was my Grandpa, Sammy thought the lights were too close to us, and not close enough to the end of the street to be my Grandpa's house. -he lived across the street from us- But it was. And he passed away at the hospital, on Dec. 25. My Grandpa's name was Noel. It was pronounced (Knoll) but....... I thought it was poignant.

That changed Christmas for me, bad at first, but just different after that. As with every loss, you continue to feel it, some days more than others, but gradually you let happiness back in . The feeling of loss never goes away, but you make room for the good stuff, the happy stuff.

When little Libby came along & was diagnosed with her immune system deficiency we were told by her doctors to limit the places we went in the winter time (respiratory season). Especially large gatherings of people. So for the next couple years we laid low, divided our stops, stopped at 2 instead of 3. Or even just 1.

In July of 2006 we lost Sam's Mom. An unexpected death is so different.

Somewhere inside you, you know that when you become an adult, or even before then that your Grandparents will pass away. It's the natural order of things.

But when you lose someone who should have been around to see your children grow, or to see your sister-in-law start her family, or to be able to call her to see how she makes her chicken soup, it's different. You feel cheated.

So Christmas last year we resumed our Church, Aunt Joyce's, eliminated my Mom's house, then to Aunt Diane's. Christmas Eve was still busy. Even without my Mom's house.

With my Grandpa gone, & Aunt Susan in Florida we tried having Christmas Eve at my Mom's in 2005, but one uncle didn't come, & the other only stopped by with his family . After making a huge dinner for everyone & having no one there for it, her decision was simple.

Christmas Day last year, Sam had to work. My parents came over for dinner. But we usually spent the day with my parents & my mother-in-law & sister-in-law. I love my parents, but it just didn't feel like Christmas. I want chaos. I want noise. I want it to be crowded. I want to be frustrated because there are too many people in my kitchen while I'm trying to cook. It's Christmas Day.

We're in the same boat this year. It looks like it will be me, the girls, & my parents on Christmas Day. Sam also has to work Christmas Eve until 8:00 p.m. He won't see the girls in their Christmas Play at Church, or make it to Aunt Joyce's.

Somehow when you fill the day with places to go & people to see, or have over it dulls the ache of missing loved ones. It doesn't take it away, but it fills the empty places for a moment or two.

The hustle & bustle. It's fantastic. It keeps me going. It keeps our minds busy.

I wish I could be saving that one extra seat for Christmas Eve Mass. I would give all that I have. I guess she has a better view now. So I am going to promise myself to be grateful to have to save seats. Because then I can still hug these family members when I wish them Merry Christmas. You never know when that will abruptly stop.

Christmas 1997

hmmmmmmmmm......................

2007-12-07T06:03:00.001-05:00

I took this picture Wednesday night of my girlies..... I took 30 or more of them to capture the right one to make Christmas Cards. This was the only one to turn out this way...... I'm fascinated. I was not moving. The tree & lights do not move or blink. Now I know that it has something to do with the Christmas lights on the tree, but look at the way they are falling in front of the girls. (they are sitting about a foot in front of the tree) And then I thought a chunk of the picture was missing the the upper right hand corner, and I realized that it is light. There is no light there. You can take it for what you think it is, and I will believe what I think.........

Barry, Neil, & Elvis

2007-12-03T20:11:00.001-05:00

My girls are in the living room watching a Christmas Movie, and since I have a few minutes I thought I would get on the computer at a normal hour (not 5:30 a.m.)...... I turned on the television to listen to something, and boy oh boy am I a super lucky girl.........

Barry Manilow:Songs from the Seventies is on PBS. Whooo-Hoooo. My angst about antiques roadshow not being on tonight was forgotten in a heartbeat.........Then I thought, wow I didn't even know this was on. How could I not have caught an advertisement of it...... It's Barry Manilow for Heaven's sake.

Then I remembered. He's not mainstream. Not anymore. And maybe not even when I started to like him. I was about 14. But I kept it a secret. When I was about 18 I got a kitten and named her Mandy. After Barry's song. Still loved him. Still do. I'll listen to him over nickleback any day.

Now there was a big fan base for good 'ol Barry. My parents, their friends, their generation. Not mine.

In 7th grade I learned how to copy the Def Leppard & ac/dc logo's to write all over my 3-ring binder. It's what everyone else did. And we all know how junior high is..........Good thing no one asked me to name a song. I would have had no idea.

Now Barry Manilow or Neil Diamond, Steely Dan, The Eagles, and good old Elvis. I could have sang you a concert. ......and then some.

I wasn't mainstream. But I pretended to be.....

Eventually in 10th grade I had a friend who had the Def Leppard tape, and a walkman, and I learned..... and I broadened my horizons. I came to know & love Motley Crue, and Van Halen, and MC Hammer, and Bobby Brown. But my heart was always with Barry & Neil & Elvis.

After High school it didn't matter anymore...... I could listen who I wanted to listen to & I wasn't judged. In fact I even caught Sammy (after we had been dating for a while) listening to the oldies station that I loved. It helped win my heart over.

Samantha will be entering junior high next year. I breaks my heart to think that she may have to hide some part of herself. Or pretend . Now obviously her choice of music will be (as it was for me) not one of the most vital things. I know this. But it is a start. It is something. However small, it is something. There are bigger and badder choices out here. And they are scarier now. I wish I knew some way to let her know that she is perfect just the way she is.

She has a good head on her shoulders. She stands up for what she believes in. I just pray that she always believes in herself.

And if who she is, and who she becomes is not mainstream, not like everyone else, then that's even better. She shouldn't ever have to pretend.

Whatever path she takes is fine with me, as long as it is her path, and if it's off beaten path, more power to her.

Two different girls..........

2007-11-30T20:55:00.000-05:00

It's so amazing to me how we could have two children that are so very different. Not look-wise, they have similarities there, in their eye & hair color. But that is definitely where it ends.

Samantha is quiet.

Quiet at school.

Quiet at dance.

Quiet at religion.

Not so quiet at home.

In fact she talks all the time. You may think to yourself, "there's no way a child could talk all the time..." but she does.

It doesn't matter what I'm doing.... cooking, cleaning, reading, watching t.v., or even typing this blog, she is talking to me. Now trust me, when I reach the point where I really can't take it much more ......................

(I know how this sounds, but think about it, ALL the time..... you are doing laundry & she follows you downstairs, you try to pee, she comes in with you............... you're on the phone ................, etc. etc. )

....................... it is then that i think to myself........... she's almost 11. And she still wants to talk to me. HOORAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!How much longer will that last? Will there come a day when I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth, and there is no one there talking to me? Will I have to follow her around? How sad will that be.......... So I continue to discuss, chat, and converse with my girl, for as long as she will let me...

Samantha also gets embarrassed real easy. The monthly book report at school takes a lot out of her. Reserved, I guess would be the best way to describe her. In fact, it is the perfect word for her, (not at home), but in general....................she has progressed leaps and bounds lately.......... In fact for the Christmas play at church this year she is hoping for a "big" speaking part. Maybe Mary or the angel Gabriel. Whatever makes her happy and keeps her in her comfort zone works for me :)

Now Libby.

Not so quiet.

Super well behaved.

Student of the month her first month at school.

Perfect behavior every day at school (we get nightly notes, so i know this is true).

But loud, bold, and so so so unique.

Libby is also going to be in the play at church. Last year she was technically a star, she waved her star spun around and smiled......... Don't ask her what she was though, she'll tell you she was THE star. Of the whole play. Move over baby Jesus.................

This year, I read her the choices for her age..........

me: Okay Libby, here are your choices, you can be a dancing angel, a cow, a sheep, a Shepard, a star, or a solider.

Libby: Okay, I'll be the Christmas Tree.

me: Honey there isn't a Christmas Tree, your choices are an angel, a cow, a sheep, a Shepard, a star, or a solider.

Libby: I Know, but I am going to be the tree.

And somehow, someway, and it makes me nervous, I'm sure she'll figure it out.

Tonight at the Junior High School they had a Glenn Colton Concert for the girls' whole school. I'll post some pictures......

Libby sat with her teacher instead of us. It was more interesting over there I guess....

Samantha sat with her friends. They were clapping and dancing along. And after about 30 minutes, she joined in too, as long as Sam & I weren't watching. Reserved.

Libby was dancing her heart out. She polka'd, she hustled, she did the twist, then came a dance that required a conga line. A child from the audience was picked to lead the line. It started that way. And Libby was in the middle. Until the end, then somehow, someway, she ended up leading the line. The entire line. The whole school. She wasn't picked for it, but she made it happen. And no one minded. They loved it.

I'm sure she'll end up being a tree too..... Maybe I should get her involved in politics..........

But Libby doesn't really talk to me. Don't get me wrong we have conversations, I just have to initiate them. She's usually pretty busy doing her own thing. Dancing to the beat of her own drum.

I wonder if it's because she can't get a word in edgewise ! lol. Speaking of my chit-chatty girl, she's been quiet the last minute of so, and she just handed me a note.......... "hi mom" . And here I thought she had forgotten about me.............

I'm going to go to bed now & snuggle with my reserved little girl & my little christmas tree.

25 more days..........................

Samantha , sooooooo embarrassed........ in the conga line :)

See.................. the middle of the conga line is where she started................

Here she is with her little girlfriend creeping up onto to the stage, during the show!!!!......... She loves the spotlight!

One month away!!!!

2007-11-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from the last week or so...... We put up our inside decorations on Saturday night & the outside stuff today. Libby & Sam dressed up to fit the occasion and Samantha made a beard to add to Libby's costume !

Check this out

2007-11-24T20:09:00.000-05:00

Here is what Sam, Libby, Samantha & I do on the day we put up our christmas tree :)

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9594478464

Happy Almost Thanksgiving !!!

2007-11-13T18:38:00.001-05:00

What I want........

2007-11-13T18:38:00.000-05:00

I want my own bedroom. Now don't take this the wrong way, I love Sam. But I want my own bedroom, free from clutter and dirty socks, and collections of things I find under the bed. No snoring, hogging covers, or asking me to turn the TV down. (if the before mentioned snoring was not an issue, the TV wouldn't have to be so loud.)

I don't like my grown up room. I want stuffed animals, and posters of the men I have crushes on on the wall. (Drew Carey, Jeremy Piven, Steve Buscemi)........ I would hit the snooze button for a full 45 minutes & not feel guilty about it. It would smell lke lotions & pretty body sprays.... And never like degree, or axe body spray. Or feet.

I know Sam wants an Indianapolis Colts bedroom. He hasn't expressed it in so many words, but I know he does. What guy wouldn't.... ( not necessarily the Colts but substitute whatever team he loves.) I would let him do that.... in his own room.

Now I'm realistic & I know my marriage would suffer if we had seperate bedrooms, at least a certain aspect of our marriage ................ That and the fact that we only have three bedrooms makes my dream impossible. But ....... can you imagine..........

Santa Claus is coming to town.........

2007-11-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Santa is coming to all the Malls today ? Wegmans has had the old video store decked out in Christmas trees since a few weeks before Halloween. Even the dollar store, had Halloween products right next to Christmas ones, before Halloween.

This really causes a rise in some people. Not me. I love Christmas. Peace & Goodwill towards all men.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but with the excitement & anticipation I find myself just a little more patient, just a little bit nicer, and just a little bit friendlier. I also find that the majority of people are the same way.

Now, I acknowledge the crowds, the parking, and carrying my coat plus Libby's, plus Samantha's, and a purse through the overheated mall. I wish Libby would go back in a stroller, at least there was a coat rack then...........

But then instead of thinking of the crowds, and people in such a hurry, I think of it as the hustle and bustle of the season. All of those people at the mall, toys r us, wal-mart, target where have you, are out buying for christmas/ hannakah / kwanza or whatever holiday season they celebrate. They are buying gifts. For other people.

It's the season of giving. Giving isn't always easy. Giving gifts or giving your time, not always easy. But isn't it great?

So if someone wants to set up early, go ahead !!!!

I think we are all just a little bit of a better person come holiday time.

How can that be a bad thing?

Merry Christmas to All and to all a Happy November 10. :)

A few pictures :)

2007-11-08T06:26:00.001-05:00

Those two pics are from the Amerks game on Friday... Samantha was so excited, she saved her money & bought an Amerks jersey..... Libby's first game, & she was really into it, one of the players even gave her a puck!

My girlies

Libby had a few little friends to have a belated birthday celebration !

A proud moment

2007-11-08T06:09:00.000-05:00

As a parent I have had a lot of proud moments.... Everytime I get a compliment about how well behaved one of my girls are (and I hear it a lot, from teachers, dance teachers, their friends' parents)..... Now I'm not always sure who they send back home to me, but I think I'd rather have it that way, then for them to be holy terrors elsewhere.

Samantha (our quiet one) had a very busy time last February, she won Student of the Month at school & she came in second place in the spelling bee out of all of the 4th graders!!! We were so proud.

And little Libby won Student of the month her very first month as a Kindergartner! Amazing.

Then there was yesterday, and Libby brought home her artwork. They had to draw a picture of a monster (i'm thinking it was a leftover Halloween thing). And my little peanut told her teacher that her monster eats cheese, and lighters. Yup lighters.

What do I do? Do I send in a note & let the teacher know that we use candles, and that the lighters are up on top of the fridge for only that purpose? We've had the safe/unsafe talk about matches lighters........ They did it at school too......... and I even quit my 2 cigarette a night habit a while ago. ARRRRGGGGGGGG.

So proud !

I love Ragu.

2007-11-07T06:11:00.000-05:00

I don't mind cooking, I really don't.... but I don't however believe that the complexity of what I prepare reflects back on me as a mother, a wife, or a human being.

Two of the pickiest eaters that I have ever met live in my house. Samantha & me! This means that I am always preparing more than one dinner.............

Sam (husband) doesn't like vegetables except a yearly green bean casserole, (trust me, i've tried it when it wasn't Thanksgiving & the dish that he really loved on Thanksgiving gets a "what is this? No I don't think I like it? Well that was Thankgiving..") , potatoes, & I'm not sure ...... have they been banished as a vegetable & moved into the horrific carb catagory?

Here is my theory........ I enjoy homemade macaroni & cheese as much as the next girl, but I like "Velveeta" macaroni & cheese better, so do my girls, it takes a tenth of the time to make, and costs extremely less (about $3 for 2 boxes). Therefore.......................

I have made homemade chicken & dumplings. (and please don't infer that I prepared it wrong, because my father-in-law is a FANTASTIC cook & he taught me), it was good, but, I have also made boxed, (yup I said it BOXED) chicken & dumplings, there was a can, I added a few things, and there was a bisquick kind of mix that I added to & presto, fasto, inexpensive-o, delicious-o.
It was about $5. FOR THE ENTIRE kit.........

Now I know that some of you are cringing, I just refered to the ingrediants for making a meal as a kit. Why the heck not. Seriously.

Now some things I agree (on a personal level I will never judge someone else's food preperation methods, ever, ever, ever...) But personally, I like real mashed potatoes (and again, in order to get some vegetable in Sam, I make them that way.....) I prefer homemade pizza to frozen.

But preffering to cook NOT completely from scratch does not mean that I love my family less. It means that I am practical. It means that unless I want dinner prepared at 3:00, and left warming, or warmed back up, that I am staring dinner at around 5:45 and want to put my kids to bed a a decent time.

Do not judge me by the way the ingrediants came into my house, judge the final outcome. The results are good. And it works for me.

Whatever works for you, congratulations. Whether you only order out, order in, or cook all day with things i cannot pronounce, or if your family adores spaghetti-o's. I think you are great, because some days remebering to feed everyone is an accomplishment in & of itself !!!!

p.s. I love Ragu Sauce, tater tots, Lipton Noodle soup in a box, and hamburger helper.

I stay home........

2007-11-06T05:50:00.000-05:00

It's funny because my lofty ambitions growing up (once I got over the fact that I would never be a solid gold dancer or a nun) was just to be a Mom. I wanted to pack lunches and car pool and go on field trips, and volunteer. And I have reached that goal.

When I was at a volunteer training course (every year gotta love Spencerport Central) I was listening to the woman in the room, and they were all stay at homes Mom's. Well, not only was I everything I wanted to be be, but here I was in a whole group of my idols....

When it came to me, I proudly announced my name and that I also didn't work & was a stay at home Mom. But my hours of availability were limited until after 9:00 a.m. and before 3:00 p.m. and never on school vacations & nothing during the summer because I am a liscened home day care. It was at this moment that a Mom at my table leaned over to me, and corrected me. Not only IS a stay at home Mom WORK, but I also WORK. I thought she's right.

Every morning I cook, that's right cook (except one cereal day) breakfast for 9 children. (7 come in & 2 of my own).
I settle disagreements about card games, K'Nex peices, TV channels, who's turn it is on the computer, if So & So is lying about how many Pokemon cards he has, if Yu-Gi-O is better than Pokemon, and who is touching who, or looking at who.
I listen to stories & events that heppened the night before or 2 years before, to gossip about the neighbors & sometimes some really interesting family information.
While doing this I help my kids get up and ready. Samantha likes (needs) my undivided, so I have to try, and every day I know she's awake because she begins to chant "Mom, what's the high, MOm, what's the high, MOM what's the high"

Right about now I wish there was a high , trust me, but she dresses very true to the weather forecast, and it can change over night, soooo....

Then there is always the last minute, "oh yeah, I'm supposed to wear red today." The rest goes like this....
me --> "so put on your red shirt"
her --> "I can't find it, where is it?"
me ---> "Did you check your drawers?"
her --> "yes, it's not in there"
me --> "what about your closet?"
her ---> "It's not in there"
---------meanwhile in the playroom an arguement has broken out about whether Spiderman or Superman is stronger and if Hannah Montana is prettier than Gabriella --------- so I leave my perch at the bottom of the stairs & settle this----------
her ----> "Mooooooom, I can't find my red shirt"
me ----> "WELL I DON'T WEARYOUR CLOTHES AND I KNOW I JUST WASHED IT SO IT'S CLEAN SO JUST LOOK"

------- 5 minutes later-----------

her "Mom...."
me "fine, i'm coming", and i check the closet, and the drawers, and it's really not there. so she goes without and i wonder...... She wears pink.

Now, Libby just got out of her cast which thank goodness means although I am still getting paged from upstairs "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMY", "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMOMMY", she can move on her own. Although, she has begun wetting the bed, so i have to clean her up in the morning, then I try to sneak back upstairs to clear the sheets off her bed.

I make sure that everyone has a lunch, a snack, a coat, shoes tied, their homework, and backpack, those who should brush their teeth have, and that everyone gets on the bus with a smile. Unless of course there is a special project that can't be carried on the bus, then I drive him or her in.

I come home *the bustop is now down the street instead of at my house (love Spencerport Central) * and I clean up breakfast, and toothpaste spit, and I go onto my usual things, and realize that a laundry basket is missing, I check Samantha's room, there it is, she never put her laundry away, and guess what is on top? Yup, the red shirt.

I won't even get into the regular Mom duties & house stuff, we all know that in & of itself is work. And I only have two kids.

Then there are the after-school kids, but that would take about three more pages.............

Anyway, my point after all of this rambling is that NOW I am offended when someone comments that I don't work. This is a very select group of people. And I'm sure they have no idea that they are offending me. But offense taken. I work. Come walk in my shoes, try to stay patient for more than 15 minutes, I dare you.................

p.s. I also volunteer 3 days a week at the school, and teach religion on Sundays........... and all the Mom & house stuff.

I work.

2007-11-05T06:01:00.000-05:00

Eddie Bauer Diaper Bag

The big concert !!!

2007-11-03T11:38:00.000-04:00

Last night at the Amerks hockey game, the 5th grade bands from the four elementary schools in Spencerport had the opportunity to play the National Anthem. We videoed Samantha, so after about 2 hours of trying to e-mail it to everyone, I figured I would try to put it on youtube. I think it worked. I say, "I think" because I spent DAYS trying to post Sam's demolition derby heat on there & nada. So today after my alleged sucess, I tried again....

SO ! When & if you follow this link you SHOULD find Samantha playing her flute, and you may even find Sammy winning his heat of the demolition derby (He's in the green car).

http://www.youtube.com/kristinecerami

2007-11-01T06:19:00.000-04:00

Last night was great! Other than a light layer of clothes under there costumes, there was no need for coats, hats, gloves, umberellas, etc. Which we all know that in Rochester these are usually necessary.

We packed the wagon with flashlights, bags, and I won't tell you what Sam put in there, but he did make sure that there was room for Libby. (it the little things like that that count i guess.... )

We went for our costumes about 2 months ago, sounds crazy right? Well if you have little girls who want to be "Hannah Montana" and "Gabriella" (High School Musical), then you know that if you don't get there early, they will be gone, because all the little girls want to be Hannah, or someone from High School Musical, and your girlies will be wearing a compilation of your leftover jr. high clothing mixed with a couple old dance costumes, and instead of Hannah's blonde wig, or Gabriella's Black one, you'll be looking for anything that you can hot glue together to resemble a wig, yarn, string, tape, spaghetti.....

So anyway Libby tried on Gabriella, it is simply a red dress, just like in the movie, very true to the original in fact (i know this because i have seen the movie 862 times) Unfortunately Libby looked a little bit like a slutty cocktail waitress in it, so i nixed that. On to Sharpay (also High School Musical for those of you without kids, nieces, neighbors, or grandkids) Now this looked alright , maybe a little show girlish, but with the wig it was alright. But you see when you are 5 (4 at the time) and you put on a costume you expect that when you look in the mirror that you will see Gabriella or Sharpay looking right back at you, Libby saw herself in a showgirl dress and a cheap wig, so onto the Disney Princesses........ Belle, Cinderella, Tinkerbell, who knew that the selection of a Halloween costume was so difficult. I mean, I had an idea, I showed them the catalog, went online, had them pre-pick........... anyway....... Libby ended up choosing a pink power ranger. She did not know what a power ranger was. But the costume had a mask. And she looked just like the picture on the package. SO there you have it.

Meanwhile Samantha wanted to be Hannah Montanta, super cute costume, but not for her. Honestly, I may be over-analyzing it, but I could not send my almost 11 year old out in a min min mini skirt, with a half shirt and a blonde wig. It was reministint of Julia ROberts in the begining of Pretty Woman. Now I have seen this costume on younger kids, and it's cute, super cute, but with Samantha getting older, I just couldn't let her. Well she was fine with it and immediatley chose another costume, a 1960's "Hippy Chick". Easy enough.

So off we went, Samantha wanted to run house to house, Libby is still limping pretty bad, and tires out easy, plus she can't do steps. But she had her big sister to help her out (with a minimal amount of grumbling)... So we muddled through, about 2/3 of the way Samantha fell and scraped up her arm pretty bad, and she was very upset and hurt, and Libby was pooped, but we made it, and upon arrival at home each girlie was allowed three pieces of candy........

Then, "fine one more, but no more then you are brushing your teeth."

Then ," you know what go ahead eat what you want, but don't cry to me when you have a belly ache. " A Mom can only take so much grumbling, crying, tiredness, and injuries.

We saw a lot of costumes out there. Princesses, Pirates, Cats, Giraffes, Pumpkins, and even the enegizer bunny. But i want to tell you about one special costume i saw......

One of Samantha's classmates is one of six kids, we ran into her, three of her sisters and her Mom & a friend .

This little girl was wearing a snugli with a couple babies shoved in it, there was a baby taped to her calf holding on for dear life, one in a stroller, one on her shoulder, and her friend was dressed up as another. She had on a blonde wig (mom is a blonde) and painted on spit up over her shoulder. She was dressed as her Mom. And I thought how funny, how original, but when I got home and thought about it, I thought it was beautiful. Any woman who can do that is my hero.

On a side note, she lost one of her babies on the halloween trail, luckily it ended up at my Mom's house so she will be recovered, her Mom has never done this, guess even the elaborate costume couldn't compare.

I "checked" the kids candy before they dove in. But I may have to "check" it again today. and tonight, and tomorrow..........

2007-10-31T17:08:00.001-04:00

Here is a picture of Libby's 5th birthday party. (the cast is now off) But we were going to have her "kid" party at total sports experience with a bounce house to boot! Obviously with the wheelchair, and my new aversion to anything bouncy, we had to cancel it.

On that note, Sam & my niece were walking Libby down the street and my neighbor's sister asked Libby how old she was.

Libby replied "four".

My niece Jenna then informed Libby "You will turn five on Monday."

And Sadly Libby told her, "No, I won't, my Mommy canceled my birthday."

My poor honey. Well, the day came, and miraculously she turned five, the kids party has been scaled down, and moved to Chuck E. Cheese. :)

The Cerami Family :)

2007-10-19T06:23:00.000-04:00

Sammy's cousin has started a blog, and it must be the wittiest, sweetest thing i've read. I won't even try to compare, but i thought that this would be a fantastic way of keeping everyone updated on what's going on here :)

Sometimes, I feel like I really keep in touch with a lot of my friends and family, but is e-mail keeping in touch?

I think that when we forward a silly joke, or a superstitious "if you don't pass this on you will lose all your fingers on your left hand and forever talk with a funny spanish accent, and you will smell like brussel sprouts for 10 years" , or even a beautiful prayer, that even though you may be the most christian (or whatever your denomination) person, if you don't forward it to at least 8 people, then you don't love jesus......... that I feel like I do keep in touch, in reality that itsn't true I know.

With work, school, band, drama club, newspaper club, dance, and religious ed, sometimes when i take 10 minutes & check that e-mail, when I click on your name to forward it , I am thinking of you.

Really.

I think "He would LOVE this joke".

I think "She will think this prayer is beautiful"

I think "They won't be mad if I forward this to them as one of my eight, because if I try to volunteer in the school or teach religion with a funny accent & one good hand, I don't think the kids will concentrate on what I am trying to say, and not to mention that my kids won't want me anywhere near them smelling like brussel sprouts."

But needless to say, I do think of you.

p.s. I do not need any Macy's coupons, nor a free dinner at applebees, I have forwarded countless tracked e-mails and Bill Gates has not sent me my check, and finally, when I forward that cute joke on to at least eight people, nothing pops up on my computer giving me the answer.

XOXOXOXO