This Full House

Why I Made My Kids "Friend" Me on Facebook!

O...M...G...don't even!

My middle girl turned 13, last month (someone hold me!) and used her birthday money to order the really cool camera that I have been coveting (these darn kids get EVERYTHING!) and, after we got home from having her stitches removed this week, Thing Two was thrilled to find it waiting for her at the front door!

"Here, try it!"

Typically, I hate having my picture taken and consider myself severely photogenically-challenged.  It's okay.  I'm down with that.

"O...M...G...what are you trying to do?"

Gosh, but kids make me feel so stupid...sometimes.

"Uh, don't kids do peace-out anymore?"

Judging by the look on her face, apparently, not really.

"No, we just do peace."

I know I'm just a stupid parent and all (seriously, with 2 teenagers in the house, never felt dumber) but, didn't I just say that?

"Will you take a picture of me for Facebook?"

Yes, the day she turned 13, I allowed Thing Two to sign up for a Facebook account (I mean, her 15-year-old sister has one) and it's really no big deal...I'm on it, too...besides, I'm her mom and MADE her "friend" me!

Would You Be, Could You Be, My Neighbor?

[Yes, I am STILL Soliciting Comments for Charity:  Currently at 130 comments!  Okay, so I'm BLOGGING OUT HUNGER and totally willing to beg for someone else's food, this week - I know I'm no Dooce, but won't you consider helping reach my goal of 300 comments, for charity, even for a Dork, like me?]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

We live on a very busy street, used by commuters as a throughway between the train station and county road, so my husband Garth (not his real name) and I have always tried to remain vigilant about keeping the kids safely locked away in our big backyard.

Someone came knocking at our front door yesterday and, of course, all 4 of my kids came running from every direction to, you know, see who it was.

"It's our neighbor!"

Silence.

"Which one?"

We've lived in this house for 15 years and, sadly, I'm on speaking terms with only one of them - my next door neighbor.

"It's the one you like!"

Oh, thank goodness.

"I got some of your mail, by mistake."

So, I invited her in; we spent the next few minutes catching up (has it really been THAT long) and parted on good terms.

"Maybe we can get-together; especially, if Mr. Screw Up keeps delivering each other's mail."

It's not that we don't like each other - I pretty much get along with most everybody - but, I've got 4 kids, she's only got the 1, I'm almost never home and she pretty much thinks I'm nucking futz, anyway.

But, she likes my kids.

The neighbor on the other side of the fence (you know, the one I don't like) hates my kids and has yelled at them, for being too loud...playing in the pool...on numerous occasions!

"Keep it down, over there!"

Can't blame him, too much - they don't have kids.

So, TV Squad posted a list of 9 least-wanted TV neighbors and, I'm thinking, we must be pretty high on some of our neighbor's list.

Wanna see?

Borrowing mommy's goofy glasses - here's the daily lineup:

If You Give a Momblogger a Digital Camera: A Study in Black and White

[Yes, I am STILL Soliciting Comments for Charity:  Okay, so I'm BLOGGING OUT HUNGER and totally willing to beg for someone else's food, this week - I know I'm no Dooce, but won't you consider helping reach my goal of 300 comments, for charity, even for a Dork, like me?]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It finally started to snow here in Jersey, just the other day -- I know, my Seattle and Midwest friends have plenty that they are probably more than willing to share, even -- and, since Santa Claus didn't bring me the really cool camera I've been wanting (honestly, I was happy he remembered the kids) look what I did with a little Envy:

Cabin Fever:  On the first day of Christmas vacation, it started to really snow and Thing Two thought it sucked that it happened, smack dab in the middle of her recovery and I (seeing as, I am the meanest mom in the world) wouldn't let her go outside...dammit!

 
Garden Fairy:  As she screams, "It's frickin' freezing out here, Mr. Bigglesworth!"


He's A Little Bit Pointer, Dog:  Pointing out the fact that he looks way better in the down vest, that my mother gave me last Christmas, than I do...dammit!


Smile Doofus-Dog:  I swear, he's a REAL camera hound!


World's Largest Snowball:  Actually, it's snow-encrusted basketball...but, you won't tell anyone...right!?!?


Sit Doofus, Sit:  He actually thinks Thing One's gonna throw it!?!?


Wii Love the Snow...NOT:  Don't worry (The Boy announced he hates snow since, you know, we got the Wii) with the magic of Picnik.com, mommy can make it snow anytime, anywhere, too!

Imagine, what I could do with a REAL grown up camera!?!?

[shudder]

I blame Ashton Kutcher, who truly makes digital photography look cool (and pretty) even for a dork, like me.

[heavy sigh]

Ah well, thank goodness for Flickr!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is where I pimp my stuff:  I run a column at the Imperfect Parent (I don't know how that happened, either) this month, I'm talking about the value of Mini-Sleepovers.  Oh, and fresh from the garden state, read how I'm raising teenagers with my eyes wide shut.  Also, do you hate food shopping?  EXCELLENT!  Me, too. But, I recently received an electronic grocery list organizer that is fun AND practical.  Want one?

Happy Birthday, My Christmas Baby!

[Soliciting Comments for Charity:  Okay, so I'm BLOGGING OUT HUNGER and totally willing to beg for someone else's food, this week - I know I'm no Dooce, but won't you consider helping reach my goal of 300 comments, for charity, even for a Dork, like me?]

Greeting cards have all been sent, The Christmas rush is through. But I still have one wish to make, A special one for Thing Two...

[clears throat]

 Happy Birthday, Baby
Though 3 days after Christmas, it's still true
You're 13 now and in my dreams I always wished for a girl, like you.

Growing up is NOT always joyful...especially, when something's bothering you
But every day's a holiday
When I can laugh with you



 

The things you could be I wish you could see I wish it every day

You're smart and very strong
Darn good at singing songs
And pretty, too...YES!...way

TRUST ME...I see it everyday
But my singing...uh...can sort of suck
'Nuf said...don't press your luck

[clears throat]

Happy Birthday, my Christmas Baby
You're thirteen, I can't believe it's true
But, I've just one wish on this special day...

I wish I were more like you!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

A Christmas Present Only A Mother Could Love, Eventually!

Asbury Park, NJ 1957

In 1911, Nagy Mama was born in Revfalu (pronounced:  Rave-fuh-loo) a very small village in Hungary and (as most children at that time) was primarily raised by her mother and maternal grandmother, who passed along the "twin gene" to my mother (my great-grandmother gave birth to 3 sets) and I also inherited a lot of traits from my maternal grandmother.  Though, she was much, much braver than me.

Central Park, NY 1957
My mother (15) my aunt (5) and Nagy Mama.

Romantic, a bit stubborn and fiercely independent, even at a young age, Nagy Mama preferred riding horses and climbing trees with her four brothers, to having to clean and cook for them.  I don't blame her.  Nagy Mama escaped from Hungary in 1956 (she was the same age as I am, today) with two kids in tow, leaving an abusive husband for the promise of a better future for her children.

Bushkill Falls, PA 1963
My father, mother and Nagy Mama, shortly after my parents engagement.

Unfortunately, she couldn't run away from all of her troubles and soon heart ache followed (as it usually does) as the American consulate told her husband exactly where she and her daughters were staying.  Eventually, Nagy Mama conceded and allowed her husband to move back in (it was the 50's) she tried to make the best of it and was happy that her oldest daughter was able to snag a husband who was, you know, not like hers.

Easter 1994
Nagy Mama and Thing One share a warm and fuzzy moment.

Though, my twin brother and I didn't have the most idyllic childhood (Nagy Mama's husband made sure of that) we both saw less and less of the "the a-hole" and, after having to bear witness to yet another awful family ordeal (trust me, this one took the cake) my parents and I finally cut all ties with him, for good.  Then, I met my husband, Garth (not his real name) and 2 months later we were engaged (I know, weird) and Nagy Mama cried, "You made a much better choice, than I did!

Circa 1996 (after Thing Two was born, I was never very good at keeping up with the baby books)  Thing One and Thing Two enjoy another cuddly moment with Nagy Mama.

Nagy Mama loved her great-grandchildren and often times would hold them for hours, even though I insisted that her arms would ache and she'd regret it, later, I'm glad that she didn't.

Me, Nagy Mama and The Boy - Into the 21st Century, we go!

I was 4 months pregnant with The Boy, when Nagy Mama had her first heart attack and, after finding her a lawyer, helping her file for a divorce (yeah, she was in her mid-8o's) and then selling her house, she moved into my parents' house and (though, her health steadily became worse) she often times would insist that, for the first time in her life, she was happy.

 

June 2001 - I introduce Nagy Mama to Mini-me

Oh, I can just hear her now -- cursing me all the way from heaven, in Hungarian -- poor Mamama (as my children having loving come to remember her) she suffered a stroke, right before Mini-me was born, and hated having her picture taken.

Still, it's the only way Mini-me remembers her and I, you know, will always see her as the strong-willed farm girl who was born way before her time.

No, she wasn't the best mother in the world (it's okay, my mother knows) but, through her imperfections, I'm learning to forgive her, my mother and myself, a little more, every day.

The best Christmas present, ever.

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Parenting Tip #1,910,653: Taking the "I" Out of the Holidays

Taken on Thanksgiving weekend in Cape May, NJ - The Boy (he's 9) and my father enjoy a quiet moment, rare as it is.

Today, way before the rest of the house or even the sun wakes, I'm meeting my twin brother (yeah, I've got one of those, too and he's a lot prettier, than me, dammit!) and then heading to the hospital and do something that we both have grown used to, yet are still not very good at, doing.

Waiting.

We'll catch up on all of our holiday plans -- probably, hovering somewhere near the coffee and endless line of vending machines -- as we try and keep my father good company, while my mother goes through a procedure to increase the blood flow through her heart.

Big as it is.

In less than a week, my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I will be anxiously looking for the most awesome pediatric care team at Jersey Shore University Medical Center to take our 12-year-old baby girl away for what will, undoubtedly, be one of the longest waits of our lives, as I try to wrap my brain around the fact that her 13th birthday is only 3 days after Christmas.

Yeah, so maybe this mom needs someone to hold her...me...WHATEVER!...I need a hug, can you tell?

Yet, there's a profound sense of contentment in believing that suckage is also life's way of making sure that we take the "I" out of the holidays and focus on holding onto what's really near and dear to all of our hearts.

So, is anyone else late in getting their greeting cards in the mail?  EXCELLENT!  When you finally do find the time to make out your Christmas/holiday cards, I...uh..that is to say, this mom...would like for you to consider sending one to the following address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

Why?

Because...um...okay, life can really suck sometimes...but, it sort of feels pretty good, too -- especially, when you've had a hand in helping someone else beat back the suckage, for a change.

Aaaand?

Well, because...uh...wait, I know this answer...okay, because, nice matters and I'm already too gosh-darned tired from trying to convince my kids that...yes, dear...if you study really hard, and eat all of your vegetables, there's a pretty good chance that you won't grow up to be a dork, like your mother.

Happy Hold-days!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

All I want for Christmas is an American Girl Doll that won't break the bank, or make mom feel all Scroogy!

According to their latest survey results of over 1,000 respondents, TodaysMama.com revealed that 85% of Moms across the United States are trimming their holiday budgets due to concern about the long-term economic outlook, specifically:

14% plan to cut holiday spending by an astounding 75%
32% will cut holiday spending by 50%
66% believe it will take two to three years for the economy to recover

Okay, we get it -- honestly, you don't have to beat parents over the head with a mailbox full of sale flyers to know that life is too short to worry about the little things, like, what the cool kids want and the things that mine aren't, you know, getting this year, again -- so, why am I still feeling so gosh-darned Scroogy?!?

The Christmas Picture That Almost Wasn't

 

I took this picture of Thing Two (she's my middle girl) and my mom (that's my youngest, Mini-me, popping up, on cue, from behind the couch) at my brother's house on Thanksgiving Day.  It's not a very good one (seriously, I could really use a new camera, Santa!) but, you can still see the family resemblance...right?

This year, I really enjoyed giving up on any plans I had for hosting our family dinner (seriously, I highly recommend it) and not for the lack of wanting (I love Thanksgiving) but, things have been a little stressful at our house, lately.

I know, you too, right?

My husband, Garth (not his real name) works in the banking industry ('nuf said) and then my middle girl goes and blows a gasket (genetic disorders be damned) so, luck hasn't been on our side this year and, truth be told, I'm more than a little nervous about my mother's heart procedure, next week.

Oh, did I mention that Thing Two is scheduled for her surgery, the following week, 13 days before her 13th birthday!?!?

Pretty Thankful

"You're supposed to carry it with two hands!"

My seven-year-old made this year's Thanksgiving pretty in class and she was very careful NOT to give it to me.

"Wow, this is really very pretty."

Honestly, I just love it when my kids bring their holiday projects home and -- having collected a fair amount over the years -- my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I are seriously considering opening a FTD greetings franchise, for kids.

"No it isn't!"

As Mini-me's eyes started to fill up with tears -- right there in the middle of the school yard -- I quickly leafed through the files in my mommybrain for a quick (yet, loving) response and pretty much, you know, came up empty.

"Uh, yeah, it is."

See?

"It's not how I wanted it to be."

Mini-me is my youngest of four and she is a walking contradiction to everything I ever knew, or thought I did, about raising kids.

[sniff]

"But, sweetie...my house, my friends, my family, the world...these are very wonderful things to be thankful for!"

The look on her face, screamed...Nuh-uh!

"NUH-UH!"

[hands on hips]

"Because, I have lots more stuff to be thankful for."

So, along with the pumpkin and apple pies, we're bringing a little something extra something special to my brother's house.

"But, I could ONLY use 4 popsicle sticks!"

Okay, to most people, it may not be the most prettiful floral arrangement.

"I think it's perfect!"

But, Mini-me's school project reminded me that, as parents, we sometimes have a hard time seeing the pretty passed the popsicle sticks (or, something like that) and, to these mommy eyes, that is totally gift-worthy!

Have a Prettiful Thanksgiving!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Wordless Wednesday: Nanny McFee No More!

Before...Mini-me looked a lot like Nanny McFee!

 

After, the gosh-darned tooth fell out, FINALLY!!!  Notice how the other front tooth is loose and looking all...ugh...you know, I'm not very good with teeth.

Did I mention, the stupid Tooth Fairy didn't show up and must have gotten herself lost...AGAIN?

[slaps forehead]

...to be continued

 

Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQ
Tag, you're it: Wordless Wednesday

Freshly Brewed, Just for You!:  Our Holiday Picks & Giveaways 2008 is going on (all week) so, go see and maybe you can win some really awesome stuff, right now!

© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.