We enjoyed our pumpkin day together, right before my mom went into the hospital - or, "Da hosipal," as my youngest would say - and, though her sisters and brother had no desire to get this involved, my attempts at continuing our tradition of celebrating Fall...with the ritualistic tearing into pumpkin guts...did not go unappreciated by Mini-Me. In fact, anything that is declared gross, or "totally bees-gusting," as mandatory...well...the kid just about dives in! Me? Not so much. "Ewwww...this is gross!" Mini-Me just smiled, reached in and pulled out another handful of Jack: "AND...totally bees-gusting!" [click] I hate having... Read more →

My poor Little Man - pictured here all curled up and fast asleep with Junie B. Jones - is the recipient of this year's "homework from hell" award, a title his two oldest sisters were more than happy to pass on. Two pages of math, reading and one page of either Science or Social Studies, Spelling, Fix-its (correcting any work from the prior school day) and at least 20 minutes of reading...every single night. Wednesday was no different, except - including an hour of soccer practice - he asked that I sit with him and listen to him finish the... Read more →

Only 9 more sleeps until Halloween and, typically, the kids would have their costumes picked out, I would be discussing Thanksgiving plans with both sides of the family already and - compounded by the excitement about the upcoming birthdays of my three oldest in Nov, Dec & Jan (NO I DON'T know what I was thinking!) - our family celebrates this time of year in a fevered-pitch! But, this year - Autumn at This Full House of muddy paws and crunchy feet - has turned out to be anything BUT typical. Then again, I really can't remember the last time... Read more →

I scanned this photo from a picture that is over 40 years old and, believe it or not, I haven't photo-shopped, adobe-d or retouched it in any way. The colors are bright and sunny, as if it were taken just yesterday. Three generations - my grandmother, twin brother, my mom and me - pictured together in a moment of serenity, during a time of increased social protest, in the year the Pulitzer Prize was cancelled as the committee announced "no work was good enough." My mom was only 21 and had already experienced pain and seen enough blood shed to... Read more →

Loooooook into my eyes...you are getting sleepy...veeeeeeery sleepy! Good. Now, listen to me...carefully. You will NOT feel guilty spending your Monday morning...in your blog...with me...or worry about whether or not you should rather be food shopping or doing the laundry. In fact, you LOVE Mondays and will forget about the worry and stress you feel about the rest of the week. You will no longer feel tired or grumpy and absolutely adore any signs of puffiness, redness and/or eye-baggage. You ARE a wonderful person and we are ALL very lucky to know you. Your kids will NOT grow up warped,Â... Read more →

Ever since the kids were little - I mean, littlier than Mini-Me - they've loved to hang out in the kitchen and, especially this time of year, we do A LOT of baking. Not that I'm all that...you know...domestic, or anything - though, our family does seem to spend a lot of our time here and the kitchen is probably the cleanest room in the house -  but, the nights have been getting chillier and - though the days are still hitting in the high 60' to low 70's - we try not to turn the heat on until... Read more →

 I ran into a friend of mine during a parent-meeting in one of our schools this morning -- well, more like...plopped down right next to her thinking, "Thank Gawd...a friendly face!" -- and, since both our youngest children are in school this year and we have other children attending the same grade, she was quick with a smile and very sincerely asked: "So, how are you?" [blank stare] "You okay?" I pursed my lips, nodded my head and pretended that I had just remembered to look for something...anything...and started digging deep into my purse. Now, I've known this woman... Read more →