This Full House Archive

Category: Holly

Reason #91,034,199 Why I WILL NOT Be Pregnant at #BlogHer10!
I dropped the kids off at my folks' place today and it's, like, back-to-school quiet around here. Good thing, too, seeing as I'm not even packed, yet.

"We're hungry!"

Last week? Sucked donkey balls (that one's for my friend, Surprised Mom) and, well, good thing I am the master of spontaneous parenting.

[looks in fridge]

"BREAKFAST…it's what's for dinner!"

So, tonight, I'm sitting here, at the kitchen table…ALL…BY…MYSELF…and listening to absolutely nothing…except, for the sounds of my husband Garth (not his real name) making dinner.

"Stir fry sound good, for you?"

Sure, I'm a little hesitant about leaving the kids (with my parents, I mean) still, they are getting older and basically take care of themselves (my kids, I mean) especially, if there's cable and a microwave nearby (oh, I kid, sort of) and my oldest girls are really GREAT at holding down the fort, in an emergency.

"Do you mind if I head over to Kohls?"

This week, I spent 90 minutes at Dress Barn on Monday and all I got was a stinkin' scarf (cute, but it still sorta stinks that I couldn't find anything else) to show for it.

"Okay, but I have to tell you something."

Which is really code for, "This way, I don't have to look at you," in teen text.

"But, I don't want to tell you over the phone."

Aw, crap.

Long story, short (you're welcome) here's the gyst of what happened…in bullet points:
- Hope (she's 9) has been asking me, every other day, to tell her about where babies came from
- At that very moment, on each of those days, I've had exactly 5 minutes, to spare
- Hope got tired of waiting
- Hope asked her brother, Glen (he's 11) where babies came from
- Aaaaand, he told her.
Because, I already had "the talk" with Glen — thanks a lot, Garth (not your real name!) — and, well, the boy was doing me a favor.

The girls punished him, anyway.

"What he say?"

Bulleted version:
- The husband lays on top of the wife
- He shoots this fish-like thing inside her
- It buries itself into one of the wife's eggs
- The egg grows inside the wife and turns into a baby
Aaaaand, he was right…mostly.

"Put him on the phone."

So, I un-punished Glen, scolded Holly and Heather (seriously, who's the mommy?) and promised to have "the talk" with Hope…aaaaaafter, I get back.

Morale of the Story: Kohls RAWKS, cell phones are NOT the devil and my husband's stir fry tastes even better…cold…pregnant…or, SO NOT!!!

In the meantime, look for me at BlogHer — I'll be the tall, dork-ish one texting her kids — trying to convince my youngest two that Headless Mom, you know, really does have a head and my oldest two that her blog name has absolutely NOTHING to do with sex!

I think.

© 2010 This
Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.
August 4, 2010
Nearly Wordless Wednesday: Pretending Like It’s Two Zero Zero Four

This Full House 2004

Found this picture buried deep in our old desktop's files and, well, ignoring the fact that my laptop is STILL broken is not such a bad thing, after all. Buuuuut, now my face hurts, as I'm seriously considering climbing into the h…e…double hockey sticks of a crawl space over our garage and dusting off the crib…too.

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© 2010 This Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.

July 14, 2010
Independence is a Relative Term

I was 12 years-old when we celebrated the Bi-centennial and, sadly, the only thing I remember from the day is getting these really cool pair of socks.

Oh…look…my first crushes…mostly him (on the left) it's like 1976, all over again!

No, these are NOT the socks (can't find a picture, anywhere) nor, do they have anything to do with Independence Day (so what?) but, I thought I'd share another favorite memory from my preteen years (50 extra points for the 1st person who can ADMIT to being able to name that t.v. show!) as, my parents worked (a lot) soooo, my twin brother and I stayed home and watched A LOT of television.

By ourselves.

Today, my kids also enjoy watching television (perhaps a little more than they should, I know) but, summer vacation is waaaay different (sounding really old, now, I know) from when I was their age.

"Why don't you guys go outside?"

Tell me it's like this at your house, too.

"But, it's toooooo hot!"

Because, I swear, my brother and I would have sold each other, to have a swimming pool…in our backyard.

"Will you come with us?"

Then again, there isn't much that my kids do…by themselves.

Or, without my parents.

"You guys coming over on Sunday, right?"

Their dependency on seeing the kids…me…my brother…every week…can be very trying, at times…especially, on Sundays.

"Absolutely, we will be there!"

Still, seeing my brother, watching him play with my kids, listening to his goofy laugh and then his wife yell at him for acting like, well, a 12 year-old [snicker] and getting the chance to spend the whole day…together…is like a breath of fresh air…really.

And then my father WILL start to cry.

"OMG…what's the matter?"

My mother will shake her head, bite her lower lip and then eventually tears would come to her eyes, too.

"No, really…Apu…what's bothering you?"

He will wipe his eyes and slowly look around the room.

"Nothing…seeing you and your brother together…I'm just happy…and that's all I ever wanted!"

My brother will suggest that we watch Independence Day, for the buh-zillion-th time (my son will be the 1st to agree) and then my mom will, once again, bring up the fact that Hope looks SO MUCH like I did, at her age.

And it will take a while for their words to sink in; eventually, the goosebumps will
hit, along with the realization that maybe my parents are NOT as dependent,
as I thought (go figure!) but, in their eyes, merely exercising their right as grandparents.

Or, getting another chance to celebrate deep pride in their adopted country…through their children's eyes…on Independence Day.

"I got an "A" on my report on Hungary…Papa!"

Aaaand, I can't think of any place I'd rather be, or anything else I'd rather be doing, at the moment.

Other than remembering the fun we had, the last time we visited with my brother and he gave the S.W.A.T. helmet to Hopey, on Memorial Day!

"You know, your mother spent a summer in Hungary AND she needed A LOT of band aids…too!"

Aaaaand, it's like 1976, all over again…sort of.

© 2010 This Full House Blog

July 2, 2010
The Seven Years of Mommyblogging and Happy Everything!

Almost 3 years ago, I watched my oldest daughter leave the house, for the first time, as a freshman in high school and I thought to myself…PHEW!…1 down and 3 to go!

Heather's 8th Grade Formal

This year, Heather (she's my middle girl) celebrated her last year of middle school by attending the 8th grade formal.

Glen's 5th Grade Graduation

Glen (my only son) graduated 5th grade and is officially now the 3rd Thompson to hit the middle school…in 5 years.

Happy 9th Birthday, Hopey

Aaaand, my youngest daughter just celebrated her last year, before hitting double-digits and was SO excited during her 4th grade orientation, knowing that her sisters and brother attended the same school, and happily admitted to her future new principal, "Nope, I'm the LAST one!"

What? I forgot to get the candle and 8 + 1 = 9, right?

The cake was supposed to say, "Happy Everything!" but, I didn't bust my husband's chops about it (see caption) honestly, I was just too busy stumbling around…feeling all dazed and confused…okay, it's been like that for the last 7 years…but, I am STILL blogging…there, I said it, can I go home now?

As you can see, it is written all over my face (the years, since I started blogging, I mean) still, I can't help but feel that with all these changes (the aforementioned happening ALL in the same week, btw) I have reached a milestone, of my own.

No, it hasn't gotten any easier (nuh-uh, sorry!) but, at least now my kids are now old enough to realize that…nope…life isn't always perfect (I know, act surprised anyway!) however, as their mother (yes, they are ALL mine) I have also learned to embrace those imperfections (mostly) and I truly believe we are ALL stronger for it.

At least, they seem to be more than okay with it.

[hands behind back, crosses fingers and grins]

Happy Everything!!!

© 2010 This Full House Blog

June 25, 2010
Hump Day: Breakfast of Champions (i.e. Holy Hannah Montana, It IS the Week From Hell, Week!)

If you have a kid graduating/promoting/stressing over her hair for the 8th grade formal/and/or, celebrating a birthday, this week…then, you know I meant the Pepto Bismol, right?

Wake me up when Monday comes!!!

© 2010 This Full House Blog

June 16, 2010
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun AND Maybe Peeps!

Me and my girls

I don't have a sister, so I can't say that I know what they are going through, but raising daughters is, well, sort of like what I would imagine boot camp would be like…for parents.

After a while, stuff tends to get a little sweaty, a bit sticky and, sometimes, very, very, painful, but in a good way (although, sweating, especially in certain places where a person ought not, you know, stick together, is NEVER a good thing) and then it's weigh in time.

"What do you mean I gained 320 pounds!?!?"

The estrogen levels, in our house, alone are enough to scare my husband, Garth [not his real name] into thinking, you know, maybe he and the boy should move into the shed.

Glen and my brother, Steve [yes, it's his REAL name

Because, there's just NO MORE ROOM in our garage — or, something.

"I HATE MY *insert body part here, or family member here*!!!"

No, they don't always like each other (or, me) and that's okay (sort of) but, every now and again, I need to remind myself, you know, it isn't easy being a girl.

Unless, it is a really hot day.

Aaaand, there is a sprinkler nearby.

Throw in a couple of teenagers.

Well, it's pretty easy to see that there is this tiniest spark of a woman inside, just waiting to burst out.

Aaaaand, for a brief moment, I'm allowed into their world and then, suddenly, the girls are okay with the fact that, you know, I'm their mom.

Me, too!

Like my youngest daughter's favorite pair of sneakers, I really do hope it lasts.

Them liking me, I mean, 'cawse, one day, they're going to find someone ELSE to love (maybe, even more than me) and that's okay (sort of) but, for now, they are MY peeps and I am totally keeping them!

© 2010 This Full House

June 2, 2010
Wordless Wendesday: Welcome to Cape May Light House

I love how Hope is using one of her flip flops as the steering wheel – here are some more photos from our weekend away at Cape May – yes, this IS New Jersey.

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© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

May 26, 2010
Lost and Found

To think, this mommy/daughter mugging for the camera moment was nearly lost, forever!

Last week, I wrote about how we hit the road and drove to Cape May for the weekend (yes, even the Doofus-Dawg seemed excited about his first road trip) and I did promise you pictures, to prove that Jersey is NOT all what you see outside your window, flying over Newark Airport (seriously, dude, we ARE called the garden state) but, my middle girl hid her camera from me, because I broke mine and, you know, she's smart like that.

"You can't use my camera."

Gosh, but some 14 year-olds can get very touchy about using their stuff, right?

"Why not?"

Sheesh, I only wanted to grab the memory card and already promised NOT to touch anything else.

"Because, I lost it."

Now, I could've reprimanded Heather for being forgetful, or acting irresponsibly with her stuff, but, well, it would be sort of like talking to myself, really.

"Lost what?"

Gosh, but some almost 9 year-olds can get very nosey about stuff, right?

"Never mind."

Now that ALL the laundry from the trip is done (almost) STILL no camera.

"Quick…take MY picture next!"

I was telling someone at school how upset Heather was (about losing her camera, I mean) and…wait a minute…what the?

"Who's camera is that?"

Long story short (you're welcome!) my youngest daughter found Heather's camera shoved into the pocket behind the driver's seat in the minivan and, well, thank goodness for nosey little almost 9 year-olds!

"Hey, I found it FIRST!"

Wanna see other moments nearly lost?

(more…)

May 24, 2010
No Business 4 Boyz

My 8 year-old is SUCH a free spirit and, unlike her sisters, is a bit of a Tomboy, as well (she gets that from me) and, well, being the youngest of 4, the survival instinct is strong with this one.

"I wanna do the Lip Sync show, again!"

Last year, her older sisters helped choreograph Hope and her friends in performing, "We Got the Beat" by the GoGos and, more importantly, I didn't have to do a gosh-darned thing, other than, you know, drive them to and from the show.

"Am I picking your daughters up at school, or your house?"

This year, however, I did even less.

"I dunno?"

Lip-sync-related stuff, I mean.

"What time do we have to be there?"

My father was scheduled for major surgery and, well, if you were to ask me a week ago, at this EXACT time, exactly what was on my mind, I would have said…uh…I dunno, what day is it, again?

"The show starts at 7 o'clock!"

However, by Friday they had kicked my dad out of the hospital (thank you for ALL the good thoughts, btw, they worked) and he's recovering, quite well.

"Can't wait to see the show!"

I was so ready for the week to be over, but had no clue what to expect, other than their act was based on the Risky Business dance scene, this Heidi Klum Guitar Hero commercial and one of my favorite episodes of The Nanny (you know, Fran Drescher…she tawks funny) and they called themselves, No Business 4 Boyz!

They did a FABULOUS job, right (Hope is the cutey on the left) so, who's the boy?

"What a good big brother you are!"

Apparently, my oldest daughter bribed my 11 year-old son to play the part of the "boss man" (for the latest issue of his favorite wrestling magazine, I think) and extortion sorta runs in the family…here in Jersey, anyways.

"I had to sit in a room full of screaming girls!"

I'm sorta glad it's over, too.

"I almost threw up."

Aaaaand, I'm grateful that, as they get older, my kids really seem to enjoy helping each other out.

"But, I just swallowed it and walked on stage."

Mostly.

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

May 10, 2010
Driveway Divas

Mom's Driving School: Holly, Day 1 – sitting in our driveway!

We live on a very busy street, so we get A LOT of traffic in the front of our house.

Like, in, HOLY HANNAH MONTANA, I can't even get out of my own driveway…GAH!…oh, forget this, they'll just have to learn to like eating dry cereal, kind of busy.

"Will SOMEONE let me in, already?"

Drives me positively mental and NOT in a good way, either.

"Oh, hey, nice to see ya; how've ya' been?"

On the weekends, however, I take back what's mine and, especially, if the weather's nice (like, this passed weekend) well, then there's most likely a tailgating party at my house!

30 minutes later.

"Yeah, I know, right, anyway, what time should I pick So-and-So up?"

I love it when my kids' friends want to come and hang out at our house, seriously, I really do!

"Oh, don't rush, we're here all day!"

Especially, when the stars are aligned and my husband Garth [not his real name] and I happen to be home, at the same time.

"We've got tons of chores to catch up on, too."

[waves]

Then, the next car pulls up.

"Oh, hey, nice to see ya!"

30 minutes later.

"Oh, take your time, we're here all day!"

Aaaaand, before you know it, there are 4 MORE kids running around the house and they are ALL hungry!

"Mom, there's someone in the driveway!"

Funny thing, living in the suburbs, I mean, one minute I'm cursing everyone (and their mother) and then, 120 hours later, we're sucking on our coffees (or, cawfees, if you're from Jersey) and shooting the breeze…in my driveway.

"Why don't you just invite them in?"

You know, I never even thought to ask.

"But, it's soooooo nice outside!"

Besides, I sorta like the idea of my being a "Driveway Diva," as my 14-year-old kindly pointed out to my sister-in-law, who happened to be over (whoops, and yep, I sorta forgot) and seems to also prefer visiting with us…indoors.

"Um, I'll just catch up with you later, okay?"

30 minutes later.

"Why is your sister's car still here?"

It was just easier to let her take my husband's car.

"There's too many cars in the driveway!"

Is it any wonder my 16 year-old hasn't started driving, for real, yet?

"She'll be back to pick it up on Monday."

Riiiiiiiight.

"As long as she get's here before the early train, or after the school starts!"

Don't believe me? Stop by, anytime, during the week, around the hours of 6 and 11 a.m., or 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. and, well, if you're trying to make a left turn, just fuhgehtaboutit!

I'll just come to your house, okay?

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

April 13, 2010