The Herdic's Daily Dose

On Its Way...

2009-03-27T00:07:00.000-04:00

I am working on an update, please be patient....4 months worth of updates and pictures, plus I have problems with my pictures on this site for some reason all the sudden! I had to update my template and such, I know you have been patient with me...just keep it up...

My "Little" Cousins

2008-12-09T20:29:00.001-05:00

Ryan and Kelsey are my Aunt Dawn's kids. I was 11 when Ryan was born, and remember waiting and waiting for him to come! I spent a ton of time with them as we grew up. I babysat them and spent a lot of time with them even when I wasn't babysitting. I loved being around those kids! I preferred to babysit them over anyone else because I knew what they were allowed to do, and what was expected of them. I never got the "but my Mom lets me..." because I did actually know what their Mom would allow. My Aunt and I have grown in our relationship into great friends, and the kids have well...GROWN!

Dawnie helps me at least twice a week with my kids while I work at the Boys and Girls Club. The kids LOVE going there, and I have heard rumors that Ryan and Kelsey both like it when the girls are there. Both Ryan and Kels (mostly Kels though) babysit the girls for Warren and me when we need them to. Funny too because Dawnie used to babysit my siblings and me, my siblings and I babysat Ryan and Kels, and now they babysit Ellie and Grace.

Dawnie and Paul, and the kids dad, Pat and his girlfriend Diane had a surprise party for Ryan and Kels the other day. We had so much fun planning (and maybe a little stress too for Dawnie) the party, Ryan is going to be 18 on December 19th, and Kelsey is going to be 16 on the 21 of December, so it was the perfect time to do it! It was a great party, and the "kids" were surprised (well Ry noticed some cars around the parking lot) so he got a last minute tip off, but Kels was oblivious (as I would have been) to the cars. Both of the kids were surrounded with friends who were excited to be there for them. It was really cool because both sides of their parent's (who are divorced)families were there, along with Dawnie's husband, Paul's family and worked together to make it all happen. I don't think a lot of families could pull that off, and kudos to Dawn and Pat for being able to do that!

Ryan is a senior this year (OMG), he is looking at colleges for next year and is being recruited because he is a stellar lacrosse goalie (and he gets some pretty good grades too). He also was the (kick a$#) kicker for the Orchard Park football team that was the best in the State this year. He is a genuinely nice guy, and when he isn't going to be at Aunt Dawnie's house for Ellie to pick on, she is going to really miss him! When Ry had to get a mohawk for the football team, Ellie called him Ryan giraffe head, she works on the insults before we get to their house some days, warming up her nah nah nah nah in the car.

Kelsey is a sophomore, getting ready to start driving as soon as she possibly can. She does really well in school, and I am sorry to say Ryan, I believe she wins the grades competition! Kels is a talented Dancer, she has really grown up a lot in the last year as lame as it sounds it is the truth to say that she turned into a young woman overnight! Kelsey has a strong sense of morality and part of that is being someone who is not afraid to go against the crowd. That's not an easy thing for teenagers to do, and I admire her for having the confidence to be herself!

Thanks for reading my brag rag about my awesome little cousins (who by the way tower over me especially Ryan who is probably around 6'3"), I think the world of them, and now you will too!

Shake My Head and Laugh

2008-12-07T21:54:00.003-05:00

These pictures of the girls are from a recent morning in our house. Have I told you how obsessed I am with Christmas music? I honestly am. It is one of the greatest things in the world to me, and has been for as long as I can remember (and where do you think Ellie gets her memory from?). This particular morning, the girls must have been feeling kind of squirrely. They came out of Ellie's room with underwear on over their pants which in and of itself amused me. The next thing I know they were digging through the box of winter gear and putting it on to dance in. I laughed so hard that day, the imagination and endless train of bright ideas from these girls keeps me laughing and shaking my head all the time!

Did you hear the One...

2008-12-07T21:41:00.002-05:00

about the Mom who thought her daughters were tucked in her bed one morning, watching TV, enjoying their sippy cups of milk?? I know that some of you have, but for those of you who have not, allow me...

I NEVER take showers in the morning unless Warren is home. Well, almost never. A few weeks ago, the girls were snuggled in my bed, engrossed in their program, so I thought instead of waiting for nap time to take a shower, I would sneak in a 2 minute shower. Bad Idea.

I get out of the shower, and Ellie is standing there waiting for me. "I AM SO, SO, SO, SO sorry. We finded the pokey things, and I poked my finger, and I poked Gracie in the leggie, and then we feeded some to the fish..."

I go running upstairs, (I don't yet know what she means by pokey things) to find Gracie on top of the desk in the spare bedroom putting THUMB TACKS into the fish tank. The pictures that follow are pictures of the fish tank when I found it.

Needless to say, no more showers while the kids are up, and pokey things=thumb tacks.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-11-30T15:25:00.005-05:00

My In-Laws moved to Rushford a few years ago which is around 45 minutes away. It has gotten a little difficult since then to arrange the holidays for our families. My MIL realizing this has tried to make it a little easier all the way around by planning holiday celebrations for weekends before or after holidays. This lets us all spend time together without being rushed to get somewhere else or to get the kids to bed. We left on Friday after the girls got up from their naps and headed out to Rushford for a nice weekend and Thanksgiving feast with the Herdics.
My MIL goes out of her way to make us all comfortable and waits on us hand and foot. Grammy and Grampa got the WII for themselves (and the family too) as their Christmas present this year so we spent a lot of time playing with that, we got a little competitive and ran some tournaments which was a riot.

Saturday was the day we celebrated Thanksgiving, Warren and Jimmy went hunting (well Jim hunted, Warren walked along), and after an amazing dinner Warren and Jim took the kids outside to play in the snow while we cleaned up the kitchen. This was really the first time Grace has played in the snow, and it was the first for Ellie this year. She has been really begging to play outside and she was thrilled that she got to do it with her big cousin, Brayden.

Once all the kids got inside it was time for dessert. While we were enjoying our pie, Uncle Jim was teasing Grammy a little too much...Grammy threatened that she was going to put the last bite of pie and whipped cream in Uncle Jim's face. There was something about the glint in Grammy's eyes that told me she was not kidding, so I ran for the camera...SHE DID IT! It was hysterical, and afterwords, Grammy said it was the wildest thing she ever did in her whole life. I am so glad that I got to see it.

Warren and I are amazingly blessed with each other, our girls and our families. There is so much to be grateful for, and I so am.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-30T14:40:00.004-05:00

The picture is typical of my girls... All dressed up, get them set for the picture and someone is NOT HAPPY!

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family this year. Usually we celebrate with my Mom's extended family, but this was the first year my parents just had our family and my sister's family there. We had a really nice time, great company, amazing dinner (of course my pies for dessert) some wine, and of course some WII playing too. It was a little more quiet than usual, well...except for my kids, and a few squeaks from Claire here and there.

Oh, wait, now that I am thinking about it, Aunt Patti got a little riled up, getting Ellie riled up and had Ellie singing quite loudly while playing her little guitar. THAT was not so much quiet...(but it was funny)

We brought the girls home, got them in bed, grabbed a beer and caught "The Notebook" on TV together. Warren and I almost NEVER watch movies together, much less a romantic movie, all moons in the universe must have been aligned! It was the perfect ending to a great day!

Catharsis

2008-11-11T14:28:00.007-05:00

Last week Wednesday, an Orchard Park graduate and Geneseo student was walking on a street in Geneseo, NY when she walked into the road and was struck by a semi truck. She was a very good friend of one of the staff members I work closely with, and also used to work at the Boys & Girls Club. The community of Orchard Park is small and tight knit and this has rippled down touching everyone. Strangely, on Tuesday, the staff member was speaking of this friend to me, telling me of her promising academic and sports careers. I did not ever have the fortune of meeting this person in life, and find the tragedy of her death haunting. She hung on until some time on Sunday, and the family was able to donate many of her organs.

I can't imagine how this affects members of this girl's family, extended family, friends, her long term boyfriend and his family, anyone who's life this girl touched. I came home and hugged Ellie so tight, and as we sat watching her show before she went to bed that night, all I could think was that's not how things are supposed to go in this life. This is not the way it is supposed to be. How do you look at a child you have loved and nurtured into a beautiful human being and let them go. It's not our choice, I realize this, no one person would make that choice, not ever. The choice becomes picking up the pieces of what remains of your life after losing someone you love.

For people like me, a person on the outside not looking through grief stricken eyes, the choice becomes what do you take away from a tragedy like this. The one thing I personally take from this is to make the most of the time I have with the people I love. I would never expect to always be exempt from hardship or tragedy, and acknowledging this means also being "prepared" to a certain extent for that. It is imperative to me that the people who are important to me know that, they know that they are loved by me, and should there come a point when things are not rosy between myself and anyone I love, I owe it to myself and them to clear it up and move on. Life is too short for grudges, and it is also too short to spend upset and pissed off at the world.

I had someone ask me in regard to this tragedy how you can look at a situation like this and still have faith. I believe that people who have faith, have it through these times. To me, faith is being able to look at a situation, any situation, and see God's hand in it. When people ask "how could God let this happen, what kind of God would let this happen to such good people", I understand. I don't think faith is never questioning or having all the answers, or always being able to see the answers. To me, faith is knowing and trusting that there ARE answers even if you don't know what they are, and might not ever know.

After my Papa passed away, which was to me, the single most devastating loss of my life, I wrote this of death and faith:

"The story of life is punctuated by Death-

Faith allows it not to be an ending such as a period, or question mark, but a place to emphasize with a pause allowing reflection, and then continuation to the end of your story."

"Laura"

2008-11-08T21:45:00.002-05:00

Ellie and Grace have been playing this new game together, and it cracks me up. They grab Sadie's leash, and Ellie puts Gracie on it, by her collar, or her belt loops. Ellie then tells Gracie, "GET DOWN, LAURA". That's Ellie's new dog's name, Laura. More and more they play together and it is soo funny. Ellie helps Gracie get dressed in dress up clothes, and they play in their kitchen for longer and longer together. This is not to say that they don't fight. I have said that I spend considerable time playing police. So much so that I say I was as qualified as Sara Palin to be VP with my diplomacy skills, but I digress...Enjoy the pictures of our girls actually playing nicely together...

Halloween!!

2008-11-02T21:22:00.006-05:00

What a riot.

Ellie was SOOOO excited for Halloween this year. We went trick or treating with Aunt Patti, Uncle J and Paity. It doesn't get any better than that, especially in Ellie's book. We have started a mini tradition of trick or treating in my Parent's neighborhood, its a great place to take the kids trick or treating.

Ellie was "Mariposa" the butterfly fairy, and Gracie was a flower. I thought for sure Ellie would want to be Hannah Montana (which is who Paityn was), she is OBSESSED with her. No, Ellie had her own ideas. I want to be a butterfly. (although originally said she and Gracie were going to be medicine, "Gracie will be that yucky kind, and I will be Grapey Grape"). Ellie trooped all around the neighborhood like a pro, "trick or treat, thank-you, Happy Halloween" she killed us. She was flying high. Gracie wasn't too far behind even though we were out much past bed time, she was saying "trick or treat" too.

Super fun night!

Fun New Game

2008-11-02T21:13:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of Ellie playing a fun new game we play in our house. We haven't been getting outside as much lately with my work schedule combined with the weather. I got an email from Babycenter.com, (a site I have used for parenting information since I was pregnant with Ellie) as I do monthly for each of the girls (kind of like ideas for what milestones the might be hitting, what things kids their ages are going through etc.). The email was for Grace and suggested that letting her jump off a low stool would help her to develop balance and jump on her own...

Thus the stool game was born. We grab pillows from all the beds and lay them on the floor and let the girls jump from their bathroom stools onto them. Give us a little bit of outdoor type fun inside, and the girls think this is the jam!

Journey in Faith and Grace

2008-10-29T23:18:00.004-04:00

This is the title the Diocese of Buffalo has given to the strategic plan for the closing and merging of parishes of Catholic Churches in the Buffalo area. I belong to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Colden, NY. I have gone to this church for 20 some years. I made all my sacraments there, with the exception of baptism, Warren and I were married there, and my girls were both baptised there. My church is being merged with another church to form a new parish.

While I realize intellectually that the definition of Church is not defined as a building, it is still hard to let it go. I believe that we are part of a greater plan, and this will eventually be a good thing for both parishes. Right now however, I feel sad. I feel like I am moving from a safe secure family home, to a new place, and in my heart there will be a hole. We as a parish family have been preparing for years for the possibility that this could happen to us. I served on the Parish Council around 5 years ago, and I know we discussed this as a possibility then. We thought then the merger would be due to our ageing priest retiring and the lack of new priests in the Catholic Church. While our merger is part of a Diocesan plan, we were a little better prepared for the possibility. (There was a whole dramatic revealing of which parishes in the Diocese were to be affected and it took over a year)There were things we did to try to be proactive just in case this should occur. I can tell you truthfully that I did not think (and do not believe most of the parishioners did either) that this would happen to us. We are a self sufficient church, we do not take money from the diocese but lend it, and also have a reputation for generosity for Catholic Charities. We are vibrant in our ministries and although probably not growing in family numbers, we are a close community. The church we are merging with had not at all been preparing for the possibility that this would happen. I am not part of the transition team that is responsible for the planning for the future and formation of our new parish, and I don't know what lies in the hearts of this other parish family. I know that we will be OK, and I know that it will be an adjustment for all of us, and we have to give it time. My true hope is that we will together form a larger more vibrant parish family. I think that with God all things are possible...

But, I am still sad.

Further Proof that I AM a Bleeding Heart Liberal

2008-10-27T00:30:00.002-04:00

as if you needed proof, and FYI I say that with a certain amount of pride. This will come at no surprise to those who know me even slightly well. Honestly, it is not to say that I embrace all that is liberal (well, maybe most of it) and have since before I knew what it meant to be liberal.

Most Recent Evidence: There is a child that I deal with at the club, I will call him, Ben. Ben has been known in and around the club (meaning SCHOOL) to be nothing short of a huge PITA, and I mean that. He pushes you. You tell him to stop at X spot, he has to be ONE step beyond that. Acceptable to me of my own children, umm...no. He constantly tests, and pushes to see what he can get away with. Ben is in either 3rd or 4th grade, right now I can't remember. I don't want to say too much just in case, but...I had to suspend him once for raising his hand in anger to threaten another student. He didn't hit, but my behavior policy includes the threat of violence with actions or words. So I give him a day off suspension, typed a behavior contract for him and I to go over when he came back. He came back, and before I could have him sign the damn contract had already had another incident with another student! My initial response was get rid of him. I was brought in specifically to bring structure and organization to a program that had not been well run in a long time, what message does this send?

I spoke with the program director who knows this child's family and situation, and he encouraged me to think on it. I, had been feeling bad about telling him he couldn't come back as it was, decided to give it serious thought. I talked to Dawnie, Mom and Warren, all with varying opinions as to the road I should take with this kid.

This is a kid that doesn't look at you when you talk to him, and I found out contrary to my own beliefs, this is not innate. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me that without my knowing! I have met both parents and had "conversations" with each. Lets just say I know where the lack of eye contact comes from. Its not even like I can say "I see good in him." or
"He is just a likable kid." I don't, and he isn't.

BUT, the bleeding heart in me says, this is a kid that has been crapped on his entire life. He IS antagonized in school, and probably at the club too. WHAT IF? What IF...WE could be a difference in this kid's life. What if what he needs is this last chance? Could this be a story that this child tells years from now when he is a successful man raising a family? Could we be THAT difference for THIS kid???

"Ben" comes back to the club after a week suspension following his one day suspension on Monday. I have a small plan to keep him with me doing small, yet responsibility driven tasks for me starting Monday, following a meeting with him and his mom and having them sign a behavior contract with me. I will keep you posted on how my concessions have worked out for all of us. Keep your fingers crossed that this was the right decision and that I will not regret my bleeding heart.

I know, I know !!!

2008-10-26T23:15:00.007-04:00

Sorry about the lack of blogs since September. I started back to work part time in September, and could not have estimated the insanity that would ensue. I took a job with the Boys and Girls Club in Orchard Park running their after school program, I was not looking for a job per se, but....

I haven't worked since I had Ellie and figuring why not....hmmmm I have had better ideas. That being said, I like my new job. I like actually leaving the house for a little bit BY MYSELF. (I get to listen to my own music in the car and sing really loudly, and NO ONE SAYS A THING!!). It has just been a rather large adjustment around here. This combined with the fact that my girls have been sick REPEATEDLY (and pretty sick at that) since Ellie started pre-school and I started work. I don't know if school is the true culprit, but the correlation is pretty undeniable. We were in the doctors office 5 times between the two of them in a week and a half. My kids have NEVER been sickly. They didn't get colds, flus or ear infections, we have not really done antibiotics. And let me tell you, we had to do our first antibiotic for Ell that didn't taste good...NOT FUN.

September saw Ellie start school, and LOVE school, then hate school, not want to go, have to be bribed to go, and now into October, she again likes school. Ellie is...well, Ellie. I have such a love/ and I would never say the H word in regard to my own kids, but let me say this. I am not a perfect Mom (HA, far from it) and I do not have perfect kids, and there are times when that kid (and her sister as well) are the bane of my existence. I say this with love. But, Ellie KILLS me. She sticks to what she wants, she is NOT swayed easily. My 3 and 1/2 year old and I have a conversation about what she wants to bring to school for show and tell. It has to be something red. I said, "why don't you take an apple from the tree outside, that would be a good idea!" Ellie, laying next to me in bed, "well Mom, you're right, that would be a good idea, but let's talk about this. Let's make a plan. OH, I know, how about your red pan?" I have silicone bake ware that I rarely use, it is red. Why is she thinking about this? Why is this the something red that comes to mind? I try to no avail to get her to change her mind, suggesting at least 5 other items that came to mind that were red in the house. Ellie, will not be swayed. My three year old marched into pre-school with my red silicone loaf pan in her backpack and proudly displayed to her classmates. This is my kid.

October saw a little road trip with some of my most favorite people in the world to visit some of my most favorite people in the world. Warren & I, Patti & Jamie, and Dawn & Paul (my aunt and uncle) took our second annual road trip to visit Chris and Sarah in South Carolina. It is a whirl wind tour that includes a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina for a NASCAR race. I like to call this "the Emerling's do NASCAR". I am going to blog more about this, but I didn't take the pictures, so I have to wait to get them sent to me first. It is a lot of driving in a short period of time, but it is the most amazing time and it is more than worth it.

We got back from that trip on Monday the 13th, played outside in the warm weather in the leaves and then Warren left on Tuesday and was out of town until Saturday. BOO! He was supposed to come home on Sunday, but they got an early flight out came home in time for a small party I was having! We were all very happy he was home.

I included a few pictures of us playing outside in the leaves (especially for those of you in the warm weather) to schmooze you and say I didn't abandon you, my loyal readers (whom ever you may be, and why you come back for more I don't know).

It's a Great Pumpkin Weekend

2008-10-26T21:47:00.009-04:00

We went to get our Pumpkins Friday. It was fun picking them out with the girls. Gracie says pumpkin clearly, and we have a lot of fun looking for them as we drive around. Ellie remembered the place we went to from last year and asked if I thought they would have a jump house there again. The memory on that kid never fails to amaze me! We didn't get them until a little later on Friday, and were having Warren's family over to celebrate Warren's and also his brother, Jim's birthdays on Saturday, so I told Ellie we had to wait until Sunday to carve them.

Saturday the girls and I spent about 3 hours baking. We made peanut butter cookies and orange sugar cookies for Warren, and an apple pie for Uncle Jim. The girls LOVE to help in the kitchen, and even though it makes things take 10 times longer, and the mess 10 times worse, I love it too. We had an awesome time hanging out with the fam. We all just got to hang out and relax, our girls were totally into hanging out with their big cousin Brayden. He is 9, and just a really great kid. He is so sweet with the girls, Cherie was laughing at the stark contrast between Brayden the cousin and Brayden the soccer player. I am sooo mad at myself because I went to take a picture of Ellie laying on his lap watching TV with him, and he was rubbing her head. TOO SWEET! We didn't want to ruin the moment, but when I went to take the picture, I realized my memory card was in my digital picture frame, and by the time I got to get it out, the moment had passed. BOO!

So today was the big day for carving pumpkins. Funny though, Warren and I were the only ones actually carving the pumpkins. For once we remembered that our kids are 3 and almost 2 and some things are just better in theory than in reality. Last year I remember Ellie being BORED out of her mind while we carved the pumpkin "with" her. So, this year Ellie and Grace painted pumpkins instead. For once, something that we (the collective we) were looking forward to doing, turned out!! The girls had a riot, and we just let them have at it! Check out the progression in the pictures. I know there are a ton of them, but I couldn't help myself, the bath was a total must, I put them in and had to drain the completely PINK water before I gave them a tubbie. I hope you find the pics as amusing as I do!

Preschool

2008-09-08T15:02:00.004-04:00

Ellie went to her first day of preschool today. She has been asking for over a year and a half to go to school. She was so excited, she picked out her shirt herself, and her Aunt Patti and Uncle J sent her and Gracie new back to school sneakers in the mail...

She must have asked upwords of 20 times if it was time to go this morning. When we were walking up the stairs to go into the school, she squeezed my hand and said, "I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE!" Then she walked into the classroom like she owned the place, introduced herself to everyone, "Hi! I'm Ellie" Today was a short day at school for obvious reasons, except that Ellie was NOT HAPPY when I arrived to get her. She cried and wanted to stay at school more, and play on the playground there, which they didn't have time to do today. I am glad that she is so happy to be there but it was still a little hard on Mom, at least the first time is out of the way.

This is what Ellie had to say on the subject:

"We had cookies there and we um...played there for a little bit, and we went potty there, and um...had some milk and some pears, but I didn't like those pears so we threw them in the garbage. And thats all we had. We didn't play on the playground today, maybe next time we will, I hope we can. We played on the radio and jumped up, and um... we played there much. And I got a star its gone now, but maybe someday I will get another one, and I can't wait to show Daddy it"

No More Crib

2008-09-08T14:33:00.008-04:00

Last Wednesday we took down the crib from our house...forever! I know it sounds really dramatic, but it was a very strange feeling. Warren and I are not having more babies, which in and of itself is not the strange thing, its just that the babies we have are not babies anymore! So Gracie is in Ellie's old toddler bed, and Ellie is in a twin bed. We had to entice Ellie into sharing her old bed with Grace, so we lured her by telling her she could get Hannah Montana bedding. We kept the bed set hidden until the day of the swap, and when Warren came out with it, Ellie was so excited, a million thank yous, she was squealing with excitement, and then of course informed Warren, "Daddy, you're a genius!"

After that, Ellie was thrilled to give her old bed to Gracie and shared her Disney Princess bedding with her (all on her own), and even helped tuck Gracie in that night. Since then, Grace has done amazingly with the toddler bed both at nap time and bed time, I think she really likes being a big girl. Ellie still loves her Hannah Montana bedding and her big girl bed, although she has fallen out twice at night, but she still loves it. And FYI, she is giving "Bull Horns" in the pictures, its her "thumbs up" she IS going to be a rock star!

Camp Chautauqua

2008-08-25T23:45:00.004-04:00

we call this picture of Gracie "living the dream" she came across the bag of chips that got left outside over night around 9 in the morning and decided to help herself. I usually would not allow her to have chips at that time much less hold the bag of them, but the image of the size comparison was too much for me to pass up.

We had our first official camping trip this weekend! We went to Camp Chautauqua Friday through Sunday. Honestly we couldn't have had a better time. I am so relieved! Camping with little kids is a lot of work, and I give mad props to the people who can suck it up and do it in a tent. Not for me.

We couldn't have had better accommodations. There is a ton to do at the campground, pool, playground, petting zoo, fishing, the roads were paved so Ellie could ride her bike EVERYWHERE! We couldn't have had better weather, and we had really great company too! We went with John and Barb Moore and their kids, and couldn't ask for better people to camp with. They are very much like us in a lot of ways and our kids get along amazingly. And on Saturday Dawnie, Paulie, and Kelsey came to visit us for the day! So fun!

Ellie gushes a mile a minute about the trip, and she has said that she loved sleeping there, and staying up late and having camp fires and s'mores (pronounced snores). I recommend a phone call to Ellie for anyone in need of a smile, its hysterical!

Not that the weekend was without a hitch, but Warren and I were happy with the planning that we did, and with 2 minor exceptions (ummm...baby wipes?? how could I have forgotten baby wipes?!!) we had everything we needed. The girls took naps both Saturday and Sunday and the air conditioner in the camper proved to be a necessity this weekend (added benefit is that it drowned out a lot of noise from the outside) as it was actually kind of HOT. NOT COMPLAINING!

Ellie spent time playing with Bridget and Bridget's cousin Mackenzie, and just played the whole day and night. She even got to stay up much much later than usual too! But even as much fun as she had, I asked her Sunday, who her best friend was, and she answered, "Daddy". Man o Man does she know how to get her sappy father or what?? I am just kidding, she has repeated the sentiment since then, and it still gets both of us.

Ellie was sad to leave, and Grace was MISERABLE the whole way home, and thus I know we all had a good time!

Summer Colds

2008-08-25T23:33:00.002-04:00

I hate summer colds. I know, Ellie, I am not supposed to say hate, but I very strongly, completely, totally, honestly and truly, more than most other things DISLIKE summer colds. (Ellie really likes books by Judith Viorst right now). The Herdic women and some other members of our extended family had this really yucky cold last week and part of the week before too. Poor Gracie is still getting over it! Nasty sore throat, runny noses, sneezing, and a nasty cough. The Mom's out there will relate that when kids especially little ones like ours are, sleep like crap when they have colds. Which in turn means that Mom a.) sleeps like crap for the first night or 2 of each child's cold and b.) is for sure to get it herself because she has slept with each of the sick kids. All I can say is FUN FUN FUN! The one good thing to come of these colds was the picture of the little sicko's on the couch comisserating and sharing a nice wet kiss.

Grampa's Birthday

2008-08-25T23:23:00.002-04:00

Grampa Herdic's birthday is the 18TH of August, so Grammy had the family there on Sunday the 17TH for a nice get-together. We have a track record of it always raining whenever we spend time there, but this time we beat the odds! It was a beautiful day, and we spent most of it outside playing, including another successful game of back yard baseball. Grammy rules at back yard baseball! Our nephew, Brayden starts thinking of the rules and teams for baseball before they even get out to Rushford, its a riot!

Rita made another wonderful meal for us all, and topped it off with a creamsicle cake, which Ellie helped Grampa blow out the candles on. MMMMmmmmm! Does it get any better? Good Family, Good Fun and Great Food! (I really wish the pic of Grammy and the kids came out better, you know, like, Gracie wasn't screaming?)

Erie County Fair

2008-08-25T22:49:00.006-04:00

Warren took the day off of work on Friday August 15th and we went to the fair. The buildings opened at 10, and the midway around 11 so we went as early as possible to get everything possible in. What you have to understand about our family is that we live a very scheduled life, and that is by choice. I am known as the Nap Nazi in my family, and truthfully, I am OK with that. Warren and I decided to throw the schedule out the window the day of the fair, and just let the girls and their moods rule our day.

The girls LOVED the animals, and especially Gracie who has this thing for ducks and geese. I don't know what that is about, but it's amusing to me, especially when she makes animal noises back at the animals. Ellie's favorite this year were probably still the bunnies, although one time she was asked she said it was the turkey, so who knows.

The only rides poor Gracie could go on were the Ferris wheel and the carousel, so that was kind of tough for her, she spent a lot of time watching her big sister on the rides from the wagon. But she did LOVE the carousel, and cried when it was over the last time we went on.

Ellie is such a big girl. She will go on ANYTHING! I was so impressed with her, she was not afraid of anything, and most of the rides she had to go on alone! Check out the picture of her on the jumping apparatus (I don't know what it's called, she is harnessed in and attached to giant rubber band like things). She went on without a second of hesitation, and she did awesome! She even managed to get some flips in the air like the other kids!

So, we stayed until 3:00 with no naps! Now, I am not saying that I am throwing the schedule out the window, or that the day went without a meltdown or 3 (each). But, I am glad that we didn't put time limits on things, because it really was worth it at the end of the day! Poor Gracie is still having a hard time with not taking her morning nap, she is usually asleep by 12:30 for her afternoon one anymore. She was falling asleep sitting up, in the wagon on the way out, then decided to use her sister as a pillow.

What's In Your...Pocket?

2008-08-13T22:05:00.003-04:00

My sister finds the things I unload from my pockets at the end of the day very amusing. Between taking things away from Grace because she puts them in her mouth, holding on to things to throw away for Ellie and picking up after both of them, and rescuing items from Sadie, I constantly have very random things in my pockets. This picture is not exaggerated, this is truly what I took out of my pocket one night and ran to get the camera for your amusement.

There is a band-aid wrapper, a cupcake wrapper, 4 ponies, a novelty sea shell, a gum wrapper, a random bit of paper towel, and a part of a stick I took out of Sadie's mouth. What? Do I amuse you? Am I a clown?

An Interview With Ellie Marie Herdic

2008-08-08T17:28:00.003-04:00

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite toy? My bike

What was the best place you went recently? George’s (hot dog stand) with Papa

Who is your best friend? Uncle Chris, Aunt Sarah, and Lola

What is the newest thing you learned how to do? Eat popcorn with daddy, sleep in my sleeping bag at Grammy and Grampa’s house, gymnastics (pronounced b-nastics). Ride my bike and swim.

Could you tell me about learning to swim? I kick my legs up and down, and I put my face in the water, and I totally, totally freaked out. I wear my special jacket so I don’t
sink down. I use my shovels like Aunt Sarah taught me to do.

What else do you like to play? I like to play with Leah (our next door neighbor). I learned to lay down on Daddy on the tire swing, and I love him super, super much.

Tell me something you are really good at? Singing at church
Would you like to tell me about that? I like singing on the microphone, that’s it. Maybe I will tell you more tonight

Who lives the farthest away from you? Daddy seems the farthest away right now

What is something special that Daddy does with you? Swims in the pool with me and brings me teenies (Tim Horton's Tim Bits). Tomorrow is it going to be teenie time? I ate the bite of a plumb at the store with Daddy, and we watch movies together.

Gracie is…Gracie Salbatrebis Herdic (Salvatrice is Grace's middle name after Warren's Grandmother)

Sadie is…a schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle mix) and a puppy, and she is little and she doesn’t know better

Ellie loves…teenies, tomorrow is it going to be teenie time and daddy is going to stay here? huh huh huh?

What kind of things do you do that make you a big girl? I wish I could get a clock. I can button my own buttons, put my shoes on, lay down in the tubbie and get my hair washed by myself.

What kind of things do you teach Gracie? Lie down in the tub, and kick in the tub, and to do training on the potty.

What is your favorite dinner to eat? Peanut butter sandwich

What is your favorite TV show? Hannah Montana

What is your favorite song? Alleluia

What kind of job are you going to have when you get big? Make cookies by myself
What kind of work are you going to do? Go to work with Daddy

Why do you want to go to school so badly? To do a hundred stuff there, blocks, and they have…I want to learn how to do everything.

What else would you like people to know?
You do so many things with me, you play with me and you do things with me, and take me outside and clean the camper and the pool and the house.

Is there anything else?
Oh yeah…we went to Bridget’s house and we swim in the pool, and what pool did they have? Oh a big pool. They have lots of toys and we played on their playground, Mr. John made it, I wish we could have one like that, Mrs. Barb said no playing on the old one, cuz its broken. We had dinner and it was D-D-elicious, I ate everything, and then we had an ice cream cone like I had with Papa at his new house in Florida. They have a bounce house and it is so high, Bridget bonked me, and Josh pushed me.

What did Daddy bring home that night? CAMPER! When you go camping, you go there and make a fire and eat marshmallows and you sleep in your sleeping bag and there are bugs there, and dragon flies there…

Yet another classic Ellie-ism: (as per Mom)I had a meeting with Bill, the director of the Boys and Girls Club regarding me running a summer reading program for them. I called Warren on my way home and he asked me how I made out. Later that afternoon, Ellie was getting ready for her nap, and said to me, “Mommy were you making out with Bill today? When I get big, can I make out with Bill too?” She is always good for at least one a day, and that was particularly good.

What do you say to this?

2008-08-08T00:53:00.001-04:00

I don't even know where to begin with this one. It actually reminds me of a post my SIL, Tina had on her blog some time ago.

Mom: "Ellie why are you nakey?"

Ellie: "Cuz I want to"

Mom: "I really think you should put some clothes on"

Ellie: "I just want to be nakey"

Mom: "What's up with the potty seat?"

Ellie: "The chair was hurting my Tucas" (sp? couldn't find that one in the dictionary)

How do you argue that?

Grace Update

2008-08-08T00:17:00.004-04:00

I feel like I talk a lot about Ellie. Ellie is always doing something or saying something funny, or impressive that makes the blog, so I am going to give Gracie a little bit of sun too!

Our little peanut (or little G, as Warren calls her) is really coming into her own in the last month or so. She has the funniest personality and has suddenly added a ton of words to her vocabulary. We hit a rough patch with her for a couple months where she was really challenging, and I know there is this crazy struggle with them wanting to be independant and still needing me constantly, and then there is the whole not being able to verbalize what they want yet. Luckily, we are on the outer edge of that stage (and heading for an all new one I am sure). She still eats ANYTHING on the ground inside or out, including sand and grass. She likes to be in the pool as long as she can wrap her arms around your neck. She loves to play anything that Ellie will play together with her, or try anything Ellie does, and has suddenly started playing by herself. Her favorite night time books are "Peek-a-who?" and "The Going to Bed Book" It's funny because at this age, Ellie really liked TV shows, Gracie doesn't sit to watch something unless she is snuggled up with you and her bottle, and she is very attached to her "lovie" which is a blanket with a dog head and back end...Gracie doesn't go anywhere without her lovie.

Camping

2008-08-07T23:57:00.004-04:00

We got a Camper! Warren, the girls and I are so excited! We have been shopping around for one for a little while this summer. I had initially resisted because I didn't realize how cushy these things really could be, and with Gracie still being young, I just wasn't sure. When I say initially, I mean Warren has been asking me since we were dating. We ended up walking into a deal that we just couldn't resist and turned out to be a steal! We got a very gently used 2006 camper for less than half of what we thought we were going to be spending. CAN'T BEAT IT!!! It has Air Conditioning and a microwave!

We have a couple of trips lined up this summer and I am sure I will be blogging about them with full pictures later. Warren's boss , John and his wife Barb have 3 kids, Bridget (4) and Josh (almost 2), and Jacob(6 weeks). We have been hanging out with them here and there over the last year, the kids get along really well and we seem to have a lot in common. We are going to be camping with them this summer too, and we are really looking forward to it! I'll keep you posted!

Jiffy Pop

2008-08-07T23:47:00.002-04:00

Warren LOVES Jiffy Pop. Saturday, he took Ellie to the store for a few things for dinner and they came home with Jiffy Pop. After Gracie went to bed, Warren and Ellie made the popcorn together. It was hysterical. Warren looked like the proverbial pig in...well you know...and Ellie was just in awe. "And it got bigger and bigger and it was soooooo good!" It was one of those things that we just take for granted woohoo...jiffy pop... but look at the smile on Warren's face!

Another Ellie-ism for you... I asked Ellie if she wanted pizza for lunch the other day she tells me, "Thanks for the offer, but I would rather have peanut butter and jelly" I just shake my head and laugh. Can she only be 3?

Ellie's Big Debut

2008-08-07T23:14:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday I sang at our church. I have done this since I was 14 years old, and went back to it this year after a baby sabbatical. I brought Ellie to church with me, thinking my Nana would be there to sit with her. Nana didn't make it to church this Sunday, so what was I to do with Ellie? We got her a stool to sit on and her own microphone (upon her request). (no chord attached to hers). Ellie was beside herself happy. She sat there and sang every single song, she was so proud of herself, it was hysterical. For some reason, Ellie has a huge affection for any Alleluia. This past Sunday, I was canting the Alleluia. As I was trying to sing, all I could hear was Ellie singing behind me full voice, I couldn't concentrate on what I was singing because it was so distracting, but more than that, I was trying not to laugh and kind of a little choked up all at the same time. Ellie sang every single song, making up words and singing loudly the entire time. At one point, I had to ask her to sing a little more quietly, and she told me, "No, I like to sing loud." The whole congregation could hear her, and many of them commented on how much they enjoyed her singing after mass was finished, and she ate it up. And although I was a little sweaty after mass was over, it is a memory that I will cherish forever. She told me today that she wants to sing like me, (it made me feel so good) I told her she can do anything she wants to do, and she said, "can I sing at church too?" Take that Hannah Montana!

Oh...and just a little Ellie-ism for you....She is just learning to bless herself, and the other day randomly wanted to show me that she could do it all by herself. "In the name of the father, son, holy effearament, amen." (I think she thinks spirit, is experiment) I had to stifle a laugh long enough to get out of earshot and then called just about everyone to tell them.

Hannah Montana

2008-08-07T22:59:00.003-04:00

I have discovered that pop culture invades life as early as 3. I am really amazed, and I guess slightly scared. The other day, while giving the girls a tubbie, Ellie informed me she wants to be like Hannah Montana. (pronounced Hannah Onhannah) STOP. My 3 year old knows that someone else lives a life that she does not. I collect myself, and ask her, "what is it that you would like to be or do like Hannah Montana?" The answer, "I want to sing like her" OK I think, I can handle that, admiration of talent completely acceptable. "I want to have a lot of shoes like she does, I like her clothes, and I like the way she talks." I don't think I can handle this. It completely freaks me out that she is cognizant of this person as something to be. Help! Am I overreacting?

I think from now on I will stick to singing our Bob Marley tunes in the tub, no more deep discussions, I can't handle it.

NO SNOKING!

2008-06-18T23:23:00.003-04:00

Have you ever seen the commercial where the Mom is talking to a child about how bad smoking is and how she never wants the child to smoke? They show the Mom in this monologue and you assume by what she says that the child is at least an adolescent. The camera pans over to show an infant in a high chair, slightly ridiculous, or so I thought.
One night the girls and I were finishing dinner as Warren was weed whacking before he mowed the lawn. All of the sudden, Ellie starts going on and on about, "Mommy, look, Daddy is snoking out there!" (sm's are all said as sn's in Ellie's vocab). Once I realized what she was talking about, that there was dust flying up where Warren was weed whacking, I decided to talk to her about smoking.
I said to her that sometimes people put something in their mouths and blow out smoke, and asked her if she had ever seen anyone do this. She told me, "YES! Mr. Scott does that!" Scott is Warren's best friend, and Ellie has probably seen him a total of 3 times in the last year. But, as usual, Ellie is right. Mr. Scott does smoke, this kid doesn't forget a thing!
I tell her that yes, she is right. I also tell her that Smoking is not healthy, and that i never want her to do it, not ever. This conversation happened once in the month of April.
On the way to Rushford on Friday, while waiting in the car at Walgreen's for Warren, a man got out of the car next to us with a cigarette in his mouth. Ellie says to me, "Mommy! That man is snoking, and that IS NOT healthy, and Mommy doesn't EVER want me to do that!"
I guess the commercial is not ridiculous after all!

Father's Day

2008-06-18T22:23:00.007-04:00

We spent the first half of Father's Day at home, and then went to my parent's house for a nice get together for dinner. It was a really great time, we got to hang out with both sides of my family and had an awesome meal too! I have been very blessed to have amazing male influences on my life, more than many people will ever have, and I am grateful for that. And because many of these people are still a part of my life, and I gained a few with Warren, Ellie and Gracie will experience that too. How Lucky!
Warren is such a good Dad. I know that sounds trite. I mean it sincerely, and with great pride. I love to watch him with the girls, they love him so much, look forward to him coming home, and spending as much time as possible with him. There is something so different about the way they relate to each other than the way the girls and I do. Warren is more the challenger and 'rough play' parent than I tend to be, but he is so loving and tender with them too. Ellie and Grace so value the time they spend with him!

Obviously when you get married, you look for someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, I knew that I had that in Warren. And while I would like to say that I picked a man I thought would make a great Daddy, I don't think I had any concept of what is actually involved in being a parent, much less picking one out. I am a truly lucky woman to have found both. We Love You Daddy!

Rushford

2008-06-18T21:50:00.004-04:00

We went to visit Grammy and Grampa in Rushford this weekend. We left Friday afternoon and got home after dinner time Saturday. I have to say, I am really blessed with my "in-laws", that might sound really sugary sweet, but it is the truth. Rita goes out of her way to make our stay there as easy as she can. She knows that it is an ordeal for us to pack up and come there for even just a night. I tell her all the time it is like going to a spa for me when we come there. She tries as much as the girls will let her, to take care of them, she makes us unbelievable breakfasts, and waits on us hand and foot the entire time.

When we got there, even though it looked like rain, Grandpa made a fire in the notorious fire pit, and after a great thunderstorm, Grandpa re-lit the fire so Ellie could have her first S'mores ever! Ellie got to sleep in her Disney Princess blow-up bed/sleeping bag which she was super excited about. And, after the kiddos were finally in bed the adults had a nice time around the fire.

Saturday, Gram and Ben joined us for a Father's Day celebration, and we enjoyed on top of all the snacks and homemade waffles Grammy made, a perfect dinner of goulash! I told Rita that I need her to have a clinic for me to teach me her art of meatball making, as poor Warren could have bounced the damn things like super balls the last time I made them! Sorry Babe!

Summer was here...

2008-06-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

Briefly. Last week, we had temperatures in the high eighties, full sun and all that humidity! WE LOVED IT! We were outside as much as possible, and because of all of the hard work Warren has done, we were able to be in the pool. Warren does not rest. He has been working since the weather broke (or "broke") to get the yard and pool in shape for us to enjoy as soon as possible. He has taken down trees, landscaped, finished a deck, dug a gas and water line for the pool and pool heater, and we got a concrete patio along the existing deck. When the weather gets nice again, I will take a picture and add it to this post so you can see the work we get to enjoy!

I can't take the girls in the pool myself just yet, Ellie and Gracie are both pretty clingy in the water. Ellie really enjoys her kiddie pool, and I moved their plastic play set with the slide so it emptied into the pool. That thing moves when it's wet! It made me laugh for Ellie to tell me that she was a humpback whale, and also when she told me she was the Little Mermaid and asked me if I needed help. She is too funny! Oh! And, by the way...today it was a nice rainy sixty-five!

Chris and Sarah

2008-06-12T09:27:00.005-04:00

My brother Chris, and sister-in-law were in town for a brief visit from South Carolina and they didn't freeze for once! Last week we had temps in the high eighties, AMAZING! We had the family together both Saturday and Sunday and it was another great time. Chris and Sarah left for China on Friday for 17 or so days as chaperones with People to People. People to People is an amazing organization that brings students to other countries as international ambassadors and provides them with hands on cultural experience and unbelievable adventures. I can't wait to see all the pictures from this experience, the Great Wall is in the background of this picture that was sent from someone's blackberry.

Chris and Sarah moved to South Carolina after graduating from Geneseo around 7 years ago. Chris is a high school English teacher, and Sarah is a special education teacher in the area. They are amazing at their jobs, and I believe, much like my Sister-in-law, Tina, are highly regarded in their schools. Honestly, I read Tina's blog and hear Chris talk about the things they do in class and outside of the classrooms and I wish I was a student again! (and it isn't often I wish for that). Sorry, Sarah, I really don't want to be a student in your classroom, but, well, if I needed special education, I ABSOLUTELY would want you as a teacher!

I used to visit Chris and Sarah as often as possible before I had my own family. I love it when they visit, although it never seems long enough. The hard thing, is that it always makes me so sad when they go. I talk to Chris or Sarah on a weekly basis, and while I miss them, when they are here and we hang out, it always makes me miss them that much more when they go!

We are waiting for them to sell their house, move home, get jobs here and have some babies!!! I don't ask for much do I?

Bracing for Round 2

2008-05-19T21:03:00.005-04:00

Gracie will be 17 months old this week. It's funny to me how my perspective has changed on how big I feel like the girls are between Ellie and Grace. What I am trying to say is that I felt like Ellie was such a big girl at this age and I feel like Gracie is still my baby. Recently, I have started thinking about putting Grace in a toddler bed. Granted, we are not ready just yet...but time goes so fast! We put Ellie in a toddler bed when she was almost 20 months old. I was excited about her going into a big girl bed, and at the same time we needed her crib for Gracie. It wasn't until we moved the crib out of the room that I started to realize how much she was growing, and how fast. I didn't cry, but I might have felt the "prickles". Thinking on these things also reminded me of the "fun" (ha) we used to go through when we put Ellie in her bed (and sometimes still do). SO...I am preparing for the next few months to put Ellie in a real bed, and Gracie into the toddler bed forever banishing the need for a crib in my house. OMG!The following pictures are of places and positions we found Ellie sleeping in the first few months she was in her bed.

And as I was looking through these pictures of Ellie, I found a similar one of the two girls and thought you might get a kick out of this:

Aside from the blue eyes, how much do these two look alike??

Tea for Two

2008-05-19T13:16:00.007-04:00

I helped Ellie and Grace set up for a tea party today. We got all of their tea party paraphernalia and dress up clothes and set up their table. It is fun for me to see them play like this. It reminds me of my sister and me. Our Nana made us a ceramic tea set that we shared and loved to play together. I love to listen to Ellie play pretend, she has a great imagination and I so envy and admire that! Patti was the one between the two of us that had imagination. She had tons of it (still does) and I had (still have) almost none. I liked to set things up and lay things out, you know...organize! Patti used to get so mad at me because I loved the idea of playing things, but really I just wanted to make it all look nice, she really wanted to play. As with Patti and myself when we were kids, things ended much the same between my girls today see the pic below.

Ellie yelled at Grace because she kept knocking over the things on the table and making it messy and Grace was crying because Ellie was yelling. Apparently, Ellie might be just a little like me too...

Some Days...

2008-05-17T18:26:00.005-04:00

Isn't that Michelob's catchy jingle? I think that for the last 2 days this should be my own personal theme song! I know I usually write about the kids and the funny things they do BUT....

While I love and adore my kids...they are making me CRAZY lately!! Ellie is into a very mouthy, anti-listening, defiant stage. Grace is also acting similarly with being defiant and doing things she knows are not nice, hitting and generally just being pretty difficult, especially at meal time. Check out this picture of Grace and the peanut butter sandwich.

While this picture is funny, what isn't funny is that someone (me) has to clean her up, and that this kid is constantly throwing food on the floor and feeding the dog.

Yesterday, Ellie just had a really tough day, which in turn meant that I had a tough day. I have resorted to giving her one warning, ie: "I asked you once to go into the bathroom and you didn't this is your warning, if you don't go now, _____ will happen". Most of the time we don't get to the consequence. Last night, before she went to bed she had lost just about anything she could, books in bed, night lights, saying prayers,(I know that is terrible but it's something she enjoys) before I ran out of things to take away and finaly carried her to bed . Once in bed she continued to scream, yell and sob to the point that I thought she might actually throw up. I thought this was the perfect ending to my day! Eventually she calmed down and I went in to talk with her, and we said her prayers, so I didn't feel as bad. I hate sending her to bed like that!

So then, because I didn't have enough to whine about, I decided to do a much needed job and wash the floors. I finished and let the dog out and settled in to watch "Pretty Woman" while playing fetch with Sadie. Sadie left the room and I thought she was going to get a drink, and she was gone just a little too long so I went to check on her. I found a pile of dog poop on the floor. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? She has been so good, I have no idea where this came from, not to mention that she had just been out within a HALF HOUR!! I swear to God when I tell you, I had yelled so much that day, that I didn't even have it in me to yell at her, so I cried. I stood in the kitchen staring at a pile of dog crap and cried.

I was given advice once which was to always keep in mind that "this too shall pass". I try to keep this in mind and keep in perspective that tomorrow is another day, but sometimes that is hard to do. Especially when your days might start at 6:15 in the morning with a 3 year old talking loudly and demanding things in your ear! I love them so much, but Some Days ARE truly better than others!

Growing Things...

2008-05-17T16:15:00.002-04:00

I do not have a green thumb. I had a flower garden on the side of our house last summer, and I was very proud of it (especially when people complemented it!) This year, I am going to try my hand at growing a "salsa" garden. Ellie likes to help with just about any task you could think of (as long as it isn't a mess SHE made) and I am looking forward to having her help me in this task. Besides, then I can blame her when it doesn't turn out...(j/k)

Warren bought pumpkin seeds to plant with the girls. He said his Dad used to have gardens at their house growing up, and his favorite part was the pumpkins. They are going to start the seeds out in a pot so they can watch them, and then we will transplant them. The girls had such a riot and felt so good doing this with their Dad. You should have seen them with their shovels in the dirt, and Ellie with her work gloves on. They both love doing just about anything with Warren, and this was an adorable example of that!

As Promised...

2008-05-17T15:37:00.003-04:00

I promised when I blogged about vacation that I would post pictures of Warren and Patti playing rock, paper, scissors for butt punches. As promised, here are the pictures of my own personal freak show acting like kids. The reason they have their arms in their shirts is that we were playing a drinking game called *** hole where the "president" gets to make rules, one of our favorite rules is that the rest of the game has to be played with T-Rex arms. Patti and Warren took it a step further and continued into the game known as "pip pip pip" with T-Rex arms. Although it looks like Patti is biting Warren on the backside in the one shot, she really isn't... Enjoy!

Setting the Trap...

2008-05-17T14:53:00.006-04:00

The Bait...

The Grab

The Bite

Any time I am using the cutting board, Ellie will make sure to peek and see if I am cutting peppers. Lately, she has taken to just stealing them off the countertop and taking bites out of them like they are apples. I know there are a lot of people that eat peppers, and a lot of kids that do too, but Ellie tends to be picky so I am surprised that she is such a fan. I made sure to put the pepper right at the edge of the counter to catch her in action, and these shots of her in action cracked me up...

3 of a Kind

2008-04-26T13:16:00.002-04:00

How cute is this picture? This morning we had a guy that Warren knows come and dig for a patio next to the pool deck, and a trench for a gas line for the pool heater. The "kids" were watching intently as Mark worked the digger thingy (I will have to ask Warren what that's called) out Gracie's window.

For some reason, last year when we had mulch and top soil delivered, Ellie called it "stinky hoe" and cried about it. We still have no idea where the hoe came from, and those of you who have ever smelled a pile of mulch know where the stinky part came from. We really found it (although inappropriate) to be hysterical, and she still calls it stinky hoe to this day. So this morning, I said to her, "Isn't that the truck that delivered the stinky hoe last year? Maybe he is bringing us more stinky hoe!" To which Ellie replied, "Why would he do that? That would just be stupid".

Marker Madness

2008-04-24T20:46:00.003-04:00

Today's drama involved the most purple of all Crayola markers. Ellie has used (washable) markers dozens of times, she LOVES to use them. Today she was sitting at the kitchen table coloring with markers while I cleaned the kitchen and talked on the phone to my Mom. I had my back to her while I cleaned the coffee pot at the sink, and spun around when I heard the cries, "I DON'T WANT IT IN MY MOUTH ANY MORE!!!!" I abruptly got off the phone with my Mom when I found Ellie with a mouth full (and I mean full) of purple liquid. I could only imagine that the marker had somehow exploded in her mouth, but when I began cleaning up the mess of purple saliva that was everywhere, I realized she had just been sucking on the stupid thing. I even had to use the washcloth on her tongue! I started to tell her we were going to the bathroom to brush her teeth, and then quickly decided to grab the camera first. So this picture is AFTER being cleaned up quite a bit. And the shiner on her eye was a playground swing incident...

I spoke to Ellie sternly, reminding her that she knows better than to put things like that in her mouth (yada yada yada), she finished crying, and started back to her masterpieces. 5 minutes after all of this...she was covered in aqua marker! Needless to say, markers washable or not, are not going to be used in my house for a while!

Scoby Hill

2008-04-21T21:00:00.003-04:00

My Dad's family owns a cabin in Springville, NY on the Cattaraugus Creek. It has been the site of many a family and friend gathering over the last 20 years. In the past year or two, they have started doing monthly (or so) get togethers centering around a food theme. They have had chili, and salsa to name a couple. Everyone brings their version of the theme, and everyone samples it. This Saturday it was Burgerfest. It was the most beautiful day here, 87 degrees in Buffalo, in April?? Unheard of! We have not made it to one of these food fests, and wisely decided to go this weekend.

"The Cabin" as it is known in the family, is a really amazing place. My Grandparents (Gramma and Grampa Emerling) and my Grampa's siblings (and families) have put a lot into the place. The accommodations there while rustic in some senses, are perfect for everyone to get together. They have even built a shelter to seat everyone comfortably together. It was a beautiful day and wonderful time for all of us.

We brought Ellie's Barbie fishing pole with us. Normally, Ellie freaks out when she gets her hands dirty. She was elated to go fishing, but to be honest, I thought like a lot of things, that it would just be the idea of it. She had a riot! Warren did the casting and Ellie mostly played in the mud, but the pictures were too good to pass up. I couldn't believe she was interested in holding much less kissing the fish, and picking up worms? Could she be more like me?? Ellie really enjoys playing with her cousins (I don't know, 3rd, 4th or removed? I have to ask my Great Uncle John) their names are Julia and Alaina and they are just amazing with her! I don't honestly know if Ellie has ever been more dirty, but she had the time of her life.

We're Baaack!

2008-04-21T14:27:00.006-04:00

Well, we have been back for over a week. Truthfully, between getting things back to normal (oh my laundry and cleaning to do) and the weather finally being nice around here I have been completely neglecting my blogging duties. We had an awesome time on vacation! We have such a good time whenever we all get together. It always makes me miss my brother and sister in law that much more after we spend time together. I love Sarah, and it is too funny that my brother married someone who is that much like my sister and myself...we drove him nuts as kids (and still do) we have such a riot together.

It was a pretty low-key vacation, and by that I mean we didn't do a ton of activities. Living where we do, it was enough for us to be able to spend time outside in the warm sun just playing. I think that is the one thing that I really loved the most was not having to worry about all the usual day to day things I get bogged down with. I enjoyed having Warren around, with no work and no projects, and for all of us just to be together was the best. We took Ellie and Gracie to Siesta Key beach (best sand EVER). Ellie LOVED the sand and the waves and Grace couldn't have disagreed more. She hated the beach! The rest of the time we just spent as much time as possible outside by the pool which both of the girls really enjoyed.

The place we stayed in was really nice for all of us! Warren and I had a one bedroom apartment with its own kitchen and a pull out couch in the living room. Chris & Sarah and Lisa & Brian stayed together in a two bedroom place, and my parents and Patti and Claire had the main house. The main house had room for all of us to eat dinner together and hang out at night. And, hang out at night we did. We sat up together and played one game after another every single night. Lisa and Brian brought guitar hero (and I want it sooooooooo bad!!) and we had a riot playing that too!

A couple of Patti's friends from junior high school (and beyond) came to the house a few nights. Marissa and Amanda both live in Tampa now, and it brought back a lot of memories to see those girls all together again. Ellie referred to them as the "other Aunt Pattis" that's how much they are peas in a pod. One of the nights of staying up late with my siblings and playing drinking games, my Mom had to come out and shush us (or maybe it was just me...) for being so loud. It made me giggle because it reminded me of having slumber parties when we were kids! And, of course there was the traditional game of rock paper scissors for punches in the butt between Warren and Patti. (Loser gets their butt punched by the winner...don't ask...) I will be getting pics of that from my sister, and then I will be sure to upload them for everyone to see!

Getting Away...

2008-04-04T13:10:00.002-04:00

We leave tomorrow for a family vacation in Bradenton, Florida. My Parents, siblings (sorry Jamie! He can't come due to work obligations and we're all bummed), and my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Brian will all be there. This is the link to the place if you want to check it out, its a pretty nice place.

http://dingoproperties.com/florida.htm

We have not been on a family vacation all together since 2004, and it's really exciting. When Ellie was a month old we took her, but Patti wasn't able to make it then, and besides it was really tough with Ellie being so little (and then there was the colic). My Aunt Lisa is Warren's age (quite a difference between her and my Dad age wise) and when we were kids, she came with us on a few family trips, she has always been very good to us, and we loved it when she came with. I am looking forward to hanging out with her and Brian, we haven't really done that since the kids. It will be good for Ellie and Gracie to spend some time with them too!

I am sure we will return with tons of great memories and pics, but the blog might be on hiatus until then...we'll see how ambitious I am. Warm weather and fun...HERE WE COME!!

First Hair Cuts!

2008-04-03T09:40:00.007-04:00

Before
During

Ellie has never had her hair cut. When she was around the age that Gracie is now, her hair was kind of course and wavy/a little curly, and even though she wouldn't really keep hair ties or clips in it, it wasn't much to keep it out of her face so we just let it go. Gracie on the other hand, has really fine hair, and I can't keep it out of her face and she pulls out anything I put in it. Because Ellie's hair is so long at this point, we were thinking of letting it grow a bit more and then donating it. The problem is that, while she has the 12 inches needed to donate, she would have really short hair if we cut it all off. She is constantly complaining when I brush it, and put it in a pony tail, I can't wait for it to grow much longer. My kids often walk around with (although clean and brushed) rag-a-muffin hair. My sister is a hair dresser, and an amazing one at that. I am so so so lucky that I don't have to go to a salon to get my hair done, and she cuts Warren's hair at least once a month, more like every 3 weeks or so. Today, Aunt Patti gave our entire family new dos including the girls first hair cuts! And she does it in our house to boot!

Check out the before and after! Gracie's mullet is gone with a few snips (easy for me to say) and her hair lays so much nicer now. And Ellie's mangy mane is now tame and she looks older...about 6 inches off the bottom. SO CUTE, thank you Aunt Patti! (Ellie and Gracie's Mom really loves her hair, and so does their Dad!)

Waiting for Spring

2008-04-01T08:17:00.006-04:00

Buffalo winters are just too long for almost anyone you might ask. The Herdics are no exception to this. I am not a winter person, I don't do outside in the snow or cold, and I haven't since I was a young kid. In the summer, I have the girls outside as much as possible. I think it was hard for Ellie to understand that Mommy just doesn't go outside when there is snow out there, and she has been longing to be outside. Warren and I have started taking the girls outside for a short walk after dinner within the last few weeks whenever the weather permits. As long as it's not freezing cold, or as long as there is not precipitation we load them up in the wagon (in snow suits if necessary) and go for a nice walk. Warren says his Dad would say we're "blowing the stink off" and I have to say it does really feel like we're doing that! This morning, it has to be in the 50's (maybe close to 60) and I opened the door to let a little light and air in. Check out the girls plastered to the door, it cracks me up!

Another sign we are waiting for spring is that Warren has already started with the projects around the house. This is a man who goes so crazy that he can't actually DO work in the winter that he spends the entire time planning all his summer projects. We had 5 trees taken down 3 were pretty substantial pines and the others were kind of weary in comparison. Check out the pile of brush that is in front of the house, the picture doesn't really do it justice, it took Warren the better part of an entire day to get it all there with just a little help from me during naptime. Looks like we are building a pine fortress!

Papa's Girls

2008-03-31T21:05:00.007-04:00

One of Ellie's favorite things in the whole wide world is her Papa. This is almost an obsession with her, and it has been almost as long as she has been alive. It is kind of an ongoing joke with my Mom and me that Ellie likes to go to church so much because she thinks the "He and Him" they speak of is Papa. It is honestly THAT bad. Ellie has a lot of people in her life outside of Warren and myself that she is really close with, and she looks forward to visits from many people...(and I mean that sincerely, not just diplomatically speaking) there is just something about Papa. She is a Papa's girl.

I was a Papa's girl too. (Although I am still Nana's girl as well) It has been told to me that when my Papa would come home from work, and he went into the bathroom to shower that I would sit outside the door and wait for him. I remember as a kid, my siblings and I had to take turns going to Nana and Papa's house to avoid fights over who was going that weekend. When I was in junior high my grandparents moved in to an apartment that they had built over my parent's garage, and I think we grew even closer because of that. My Papa passed away 6 years ago, and it's still hard without him, I miss him a lot, it's hard to know that he never got to meet Warren or our girls. He would have loved Warren and he would have gotten a huge kick out of Ellie and her attitude especially. (not that I get that big a kick out of it these days). I do have to mention that Ellie loves her Nana "Up-Up", my Nana (who lives upstairs of my parents thus the up-up). She often asks me if I am going bye-bye and Nana up-up is going to watch her, and tells me that Nana up-up makes THE BEST cookies ever!

Papa took Ellie and Paity to the Easter Egg Hunt at the Boston Town Hall, which was kind of a flop for the older kids (especially because Paity helped Ellie, and by the time she was done, the big kids were done too) but Ellie didn't seem to mind. It was an Easter egg hunt and, well...Papa took her. Then, this past week Papa took Ellie and Paity and Aunt Patti (does it get any beter??) to see Horton Hears a Who. It was Ellie's first time in a movie theater, they told me she was good...I don't know for sure if that is true. When I asked her about the movie she told me once, "there was an elephant, and his name was Horton." Later, I asked her to tell me more and she informed me that, "I don't really want to talk about it right now, ask me later".

This past week the times Papa was at our house, Gracie followed him around, kept wanting him to hold hold her, and she cried when he left our house...Here we go again!

I know it was a little hard for my Dad to decide to use the Papa name, those were big shoes to fill, and my Dad is an amazing Papa. Papas are very special and specific people, I am glad that Paity, Ellie, Gracie and Claire have a Papa, and I am glad that I had one too.

"I AMN'T"

2008-03-19T21:47:00.004-04:00

I know, it took me a minute too. This was something Ellie said to us tonight. While I know this isn't a real word, if you think about it, why isn't it? She used the rules to make the contraction, am + not, and of course, it was spoken emphatically as are most things she says. I can't remember now what we were calling her or telling her that she was going to do, but that was the reply. "I AMN'T!" English is a funny language like that where rules apply in certain circumstances and not others, and I have heard it said before that it is one of the hardest languages to learn, but I had to laugh at this tonight.

I do think Ellie is bright. I read a statistic once in a parenting magazine about the percentage of parents that believe their child is gifted and I forget the exact number now, but it was staggering, like in the 80's I think. It is hard for me to tell, as she is my first child and while I was around my cousins a ton when I was young (they are 11 and 13 years younger than me) I don't have much to compare this to. I ran into someone I knew in high school the other day, and she has a 3 year old, and she was telling me how bright her son is as he corrected other fans at a Sabres game on how to cheer for the team. I stood there smiling, and thinking..."yeah, well...Ellie corrects Mickey Mouse's grammar!" I resisted the urge, and seriously I would never say something like that, but sometimes I have to wonder, do I really have a bright kid, or am I just a normal parent?

Welcome Claire Suzan Rybij!

2008-03-19T21:24:00.004-04:00

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

March 10th 2008 at 10:23 p.m., and weighing 7lbs 4oz. I have been so excited waiting for this, and while I know I am not alone in that fact, I am the one writing the blog. (so there!) I have been just waiting for this and she is finally here. My little sister, the baby of our family, the one we once upon a time swore would eat her own young, has added another blessing to our family. She is beautiful, and perfect and she is my first official niece. I have 3 nephews whom I love, but they had Uncle Warren before they had me. I inherited them when I married Warren, and while I know they love me, they LOVE Uncle Warren, and I dare say at times worship him. My sister has a bond with my girls that I marvel at, and in fact sometimes I think that I somehow got Patti's baby, as Ellie can be soooo much like her. I have always wanted that, and this is my chance.

Ellie is beside herself as well. She got to go to the hospital (or hosibal) and visit Claire and Aunt Patti. She even got to hold Claire, and she was singing, rocking and humming to her (so adorable). Ellie already has plans to teach Claire about butterflies, caterpillars and flowers. And while in the hospital, she told us all about how the nurses pinched her baby Claire out of her belly, and it made her feet and leggies itch (??). I get a lot of Ellie-isms in my day, and I have to say these did really make me smile.

Jamie and Patti are going to be amazing parents to Claire, as they are to Paityn (who is 8), and I already sense a calm about them that I didn't have when we first brought Ellie home. I am so happy for their little family, Congratulations, we love you all!

Ellie is THREE!

2008-03-19T20:59:00.004-04:00

What a big girl! Ellie turned three on the first of March. We had a party with my side of our family on her birthday, a VERY Disney Princess birthday party. She went shopping with her Nonny for her party dress, and they found a disney princess skirt and shirt, and just in case you missed it, there was a tiarra involved as well. A friend of mine from high school decorates cakes and made an amazing cake for us too.

Ellie got amazing gifts from everyone, and the one thing I have to say about Ellie, is that she really does have the BEST reactions to things. She hugs them, squeals, gasps, even with clothes it is actually fun to watch this kid open presents.

Ellie got very spoiled with all her presents this year. She got a disney princess play tent, bedding, clothes. She got a build a bear and accessories, rain boots and matching coat, and her very first American Girl Doll. The funniest thing about the doll is that it has allowed her to not have the baby in her belly any more. She informed us that Claire came out, and she has made no mention of the baby in her belly since then (Thank you Lang family!!)

Ellie led the singing of Happy Birthday to herself. She is such a tool!

The day was even complete with a "Happy Birthday Meltdown". What day in the life of a three year old isn't complete without a meltdown birthday or not?

Questionable Parenting...

2008-03-19T20:31:00.004-04:00

So we put a lemon in front of Gracie. More like it, it was all Warren's idea. Do you think this makes us bad parents? I know my parents would have done these things to me, and Warren says his parents would probably have done the same thing... or maybe we just like to think this way. Either way, it made for amazing dinner entertainment and lasting picture memories. And by the way...Gracie is no fool (although we did wonder why she kept going back for more) she tried to give some to Ellie first...

I know...It's been a while

2008-03-19T20:27:00.001-04:00

Sorry about hiatus...I get on and off of kicks frequently, but I promise to try to keep up with this blog a little better. I am going to try to spam blog tonight about a few things that have gone on in the month (can it be almost a month??) since I last wrote. Believe me, I hear about the lack of blogs from enough of you that I think the guilt just might keep me honest!

Sisterly Love??

2008-02-21T10:35:00.004-05:00

Sometimes it is funny to me how much my girls remind me of my own relationship with my sister. People who knew us as kids would agree that it seems funny now, that we are best friends. I realize that it is common for siblings to fight. I know that one will always want whatever it is the other has at that moment, and as soon as one is done with it, the other will be too. Specifically what cracks me up about my kids, and reminds me of myself is that when one is hurt or in trouble, the other is their first choice for comfort (even when we might have been the cause of it). Ellie has gone through this stage where she gets SO mad at Grace (who always insists on knocking down the towers Ellie builds) that she has bit her at least 3 times (BAD!). After being yelled at, and sent to her naughty spot, Ellie will sit there and cry (loudly). I have to physically restrain Grace from visiting Ellie in her naughty spot, even when the punishment is for her sake! I remember that sometimes with my sister that it seemed the only thing we could agree on was when we were banding together against our parents. This picture is of one such event in our household.

$40.00 Worth of Sanity

2008-02-15T08:51:00.002-05:00

I knew it was not going to be easy. I tried to prepare myself, and the house for our new addition. I read books and sought advice on the internet, thinking this was something I could handle. We got Sadie on Sunday afternoon, and by Tuesday afternoon, I was ready for her to go back. It makes me feel like a complete failure to admit that, and I know there are plenty of people that were thinking "DUH!" but I honestly thought that I could do it. All I could think was that I wasn't going to have a single hair left on my head by the time this puppy grows out of the teething and we get her house trained. I called my Mom and expressed to her that I needed help, and in one single sentence, it came. "Remember when we first got Harley, we didn't let him everywhere in the house, we contained him to one area?" I got off the phone and sat there for a minute...OH MY GOD THAT IS IT! I have gates all over the house, thats what I need; a gate to keep Sadie in one area where I can keep my eye on her, where I can keep the kids out and away and her from eating their tasty fingers. Needless to say, I went out that afternoon and bought an extra wide gate, and Sadie is now confined to the kitchen. When I can police the girls with her, I let them in, when Warren is home to lend an extra set of eyes and hands, I let her out. Thus far, this really seems to be working for us. I know that like the kids, there will always be more obstacles to come, but for now, I feel so much better, the stress has eased, and my hair will not (yet) fall out! Thank you Mama!

Sadie Joins the Fun

2008-02-11T21:11:00.000-05:00

Well, we did it. Sunday we got a puppy. While we knew we were getting a puppy, (we put a deposit down a few weeks ago) we thought we were just going to visit her this weekend. Ellie has been beside herself. She loves animals, and especially loves dogs. I spent a lot of time going over rules with her and telling her over and over that we were not going to be bringing her home this weekend. When we went to visit this weekend, the woman told us the vet had just cleared the dog last night, so we could take her home. It reminded me of the feeling I had when I had Ellie; leaving the hospital I just kept thinking, so you're just going to let me take her now???

So, we are at home with Sadie, and it is about the same as having another infant around. She is a schnoodle which is a schnauzer and poodle mix, and she is 7 weeks old. She's pretty cute. There is a lot of whining going on around the house. The puppy cried a lot yesterday, and she has done slightly better today, the girls are learning about the perils of puppy needle teeth and claws, and I am learning to get pee out of the carpet. So check out the pics and be patient if there aren't a lot of posts for a little bit, I may have my hands full for a little while!

Jack Tagged Uncle Warren

2008-02-09T21:08:00.000-05:00

So here are 6 random things about me (Warren) that you might not know...

1. I actually enjoy lawn work.

2. My favorite song and music video right now is "Rock Star" by NickelBack

3. My favorite sport is NASCAR Racing and my Driver is Dale Jr.

4. Though I don't consider myself a lazy person, I do enjoy taking the occasional afternoon nap (especially with Ellie)

5. I love all dogs, except for the smelly ones, well, I love them too just not up close

6. Unlike other members of my family who might have tendencies to hoard, I am more likely to throw something away and later wish I hadn't.

Aunt Tina tagged me (Nancy) a while ago, and here are my random things:

1. I am anal to the end. OCD some might call it, the house, the kids, the schedule.

2. I consider myself an animal lover, and yet unless they are domesticated, I somehow manage to be petrified of even the most placid of animals. Horses, dolphins, you name it, if it is known as gentle and kind, I will love it from far away, BUT PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME TOUCH IT!!

3. I sing at Church. I have since I was 14. Since I have had the girls, I haven't been able to do it, but I am going to get back to being a regular. I have missed it so much!

4. Ellie says "Holy Shit", and It is all my fault. Yes, I know on the heals of my last random thing, this might seem strange. But the one thing I can say about having kids that talk is that you suddenly become very aware of all the things you say and do that are NOT SO PRETTY. The other morning she said, "Good Morning Mommy Freak-O" (how do I not laugh at that??)

5. I just joined Hillary Clinton's website so I can find a way to campaign for her. Democratic and Liberal as I am, maybe I should have been a lesbian. (just kidding)

6. I just finished reading Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. I always feel a little sad when I finish reading one of her books because I have to wait for the next one to come out.

Stinky Winker

2008-02-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

This is one of the nicknames Gracie has at our house. Ellie has especially taken to this one, and sometimes shortens it appropriately to just "Stink". Its funny sometimes, Ellie has such a strong personality, (wallflower she will not be) and with her talking incessantly, she gets a lot of attention. Recently we have seen the emergence of another BIG personality in our house. While Grace seems to be easier going than Ellie, she certainly manages to hold her own against her, and lets everyone know if she does not like what is going on.

I often call Gracie my little kitty kitty. When I am in the kitchen trying to clean dishes or make dinner, she will come and do figure 8's around my feet and try to push me away from the counter. She is in a stage right now where she thinks that we need to lug her around the house where ever we are, she does not appreciate being left behind.

Grace has a few words in her repertoire, among them DOG, DA-DA, NIGHT NIGHT, NANA (for Nonny), UP, (which is more like a grunt) and Here. She has been walking more and more. It seemed like she was ready so long ago, but I think that because she is always trying to go where Ellie goes, Gracie thinks she can run (usually ending up in a face plant). Within the last few days she is walking more than she is crawling which is fun. She blows the best kisses EVER, she makes the noise and everything. Gracie gives really nice loves and kisses too, she is just a lover as we like to say.

My favorite thing that Grace does, and has done for some time now, is the "Stinker Face". I have captured the face in a few pics, and I have put one in with this post, but all I can tell you is that, unless you have gotten this face, you cannot fully appreciate it. Face scrunched up, eyes squeezed shut, and the air going quickly in and out of the nose. She knows when to do it, she does it better than I have ever seen, it gets me laughing every time, she LOVES it, and so do I.

Ellie's Baby

2008-02-07T21:44:00.000-05:00

My sister, Patti is pregnant and due March 1. Since Patti has been pregnant, Ellie has had a baby in her belly too. If you rough house with her or tickle her, she might tell you..."STOP, you're hurting my baby!!" If she particularly likes something she is eating, she will tell you, "MMmmmmmm, my baby likes that" or "That makes my baby feel soooo good". Her baby has likes and dislikes in the wardrobe department too. She does not forget that she has this baby, and I am a little worried about what is going to happen when Aunt Patti's baby comes out, and hers doesn't. Ellie asks Patti how Claire is doing, what she is doing, and what she likes.

When Ellie was less than a year old, her cousin Brayden gave her one of his favorite blankets. While she has her own special blankey, Ellie treasures this one because it is from her big cousin. When we were getting ready for Patti's showers, I asked Ellie if she could get one special thing for Claire from her and Gracie, what would she pick. Ellie thought for a minute, and said "A Blankey". I thought this was the perfect choice, and very insightful. Ellie and Grace each have a lullaby that is "their song", and Ellie wants to know what Claire's song is going to be. She is very much interested in this baby, she is very connected with her Aunt's pregnancy.

Today while in the tubby, Ellie informed me that "Aunt Patti's baby is coming on the 15th, and mine is too". We were not talking about Claire, (that's going to be the baby's name) we were not talking about Aunt Patti. She can count to 20, but doesn't have any concept (or so I thought) of calendar days...So I have NO IDEA where this came from, she can be so random. Stuff like this just kills me. If Claire decides to be born on the 15th, we are going to assume there is some psychic connection between them!

Rub-a-dub-dub

2008-02-05T20:19:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know these are the days; the kid actually WANTS to get in the tubbie. How funny is this shot of Gracie trying to get into the tub with Ellie? I know that kids are all born with distinct personalities; I have seen this with my siblings and myself. I know this, and yet somehow, it still kills me HOW distinct and different siblings can be. While Ellie now likes to take a tubbie (this month that is, ask again how she feels next month) she FREAKS out if you get the slightest and I mean slightest drop of water in her face. Gracie, on the other hand, will let you dump an entire cup full of water over her head and laugh. She splashes with glee and absolutely LOVES the water. Ellie likes the tub, but as with most things, Ellie likes it on HER terms, under her control.

It seems like among the greatest challenges parents face has to be embracing and nurturing the unique characteristics that make up those tiny people. Keeping kids in line with core values and rules while nurturing and embracing those characteristics that make up those tiny people. And fostering a lasting bond between two people who at some times couldn't seem more different.

Fortunate Ones...

2008-02-04T21:06:00.000-05:00

We are the fortunate ones. Our little family is so blessed with an amazing extended family. Today, my Aunt Dawn and Uncle Paul took Ellie to Build-a-Bear with my cousin, Kelsey. Kelsey is 15 and the youngest of 5 kids Dawnie and Paulie have between them, so she wasn't the reason they went. They have been wanting to take Ellie somewhere to do something fun, and today was the day.

Ellie arrived home with a decked out Cat from Build-a-Bear and a balloon (pronounced baboon). This thing was clad with Disney Princess (all the rage in Ellie's life right now) outfit, bows on her ears and tail, and a pair of white dress shoes that Ellie told the employee were just PERFECT! Then they went out for dinner and Ellie got some chicken nuggets and chocolate milk ! What a night!

Warren and I talk all the time about the distinction between family and friend being choice, and we are so fortunate to be able to say that the vast majority of our friends are family. Between the two of us, we have an unbelievable network of love and support that I don't really know that most people have the good fortune to have. And our kids are so lucky to have all of them to spoil the snot out of them. I mean that as lovingly as they do.

In The Beginning

2008-02-03T21:30:00.000-05:00

This is the official blog for the Herdic family of Hamburg, NY. Falling to peer pressure from my sister in law Tina, Warren and I decided to try to start a blog together. (I believe there might have been chanting going on, but its hard to tell from an email). I love Tina's blog, I am a regular on the site, and recently trying to use Facebook to accomplish the same thing, have discovered its limitations for woordy people (which I so am). Truthfully, journaling is something I have never had the discipline for, and have always wanted to do so this might be a great way for me to accomplish this. Our day to day life seems very...well..everyday. And not to say that's bad, just that when you look at the seemingly exciting lives of others (you know those without nap schedules and such) sometimes I think we overlook the details that we think will never will, but might someday forget. So, in the days that follow, be patient with us, we are as always, learning and laughing as we go.