This Full House Archive

Category: Raising Teens, Tweens & Killer Dust Bunnies

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
Have You Thanked A Mom Blogger, Lately?

If I've learned anything, in my 7 years of blogging (besides, the
fact it's not a good idea to change from one hosted blog site, to
another, before backing up your archives, der!) the most important take
away is:

The words I write (or, choose to publish) really
don't matter, unless I've touched someone, in a positive, or negative
way.

Hopefully, in a positive way, because, well, I don't know of
anyone who blogs to feel bad about stuff, on purpose, nor would I want
to.

So, when my friends Cooper and Emily over at TheMotherhood.com asked me if I'd like to participate in a special blogging event, by sending a shout out to 5 mom bloggers, who have moved me in some way (1 every day, this week) I was, like, SIGN ME UP!!!

Here are my posts:

Day 1 – 6/21: Thank you, Mindy Roberts (a.k.a. The Mommy Blog)

Day 2 – 6/22: Thank you, Donna Schwartz Mills (a.k.a Socal Mom)

Day 3 – 6/23: Thank you, Mir Kamin (a.k.a. Woulda Coulda Shoulda)

Day 4 – 6/24: Thank you, Melisa (With one S) Wells (a.k.a. Suburban Scrawl)

Day 5 – 6/25: Thank you, Dawn Meehan (a.k.a. Because I Said So)

NOTE: Meet ALL of the bloggers we're thanking, this week, by visiting the Thank You Moms Circle at TheMotherhood!

DISCLOSURE: Clicking on the above posts will take you to my shopping blog, since TheMotherhood.com is paying me for my time, because it's how Cooper and Emily roll!

© 2010 This Full House Blog

June 21, 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
You Know You’re From Jersey When…
On the 174th day of our school daze my true love sent to me…an email that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the our 10th grader's finals, 8th grader's graduation, 5th and 3rd grade promotions, or the fact that Hope is turning 9 years-old on Wednesday (i.e. my youngest's last year in single digits) oh, and the fact that my camera AND my beloved HP laptop are fubar…YO!

[inhales deeply, exhales in total denial]

So, how DO you know if a person (like me) is REALLy from Jersey? Besides, the fact that I know how to order a pork roll (with cheese, duh!) I mean? Easy…you recognize or can relate to at least 10 of these:
- You've been seriously injured at Action Park. [Banged my head on a waterslide!]
- You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas. [waves to Jenn!]
- You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges." [Nope.]
- You know that it's called "Great Adventure," not "Six Flags." [Yep, and JayMonster knows it, too!]
- You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast. [Not in a while, but, YUM!]
- You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. [My kids do, too!]
- You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am. [No, NOT this mommy…um…but, ask me again at BlogHer!]
- Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you. [Nah, I live in a minivan world, my friend.]
- You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison. [Ohhhhh, yeah *snicker* nevermind!]
- You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery. [Yep, been blogging it for years!]
- At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from. [Yep, I even showed Dana his house…okay…the front gate, but close enough, right?]
- You know what a "jug handle" is. [Yeah, and they're STOOPID!]
- You know that a WaWa is a convenience store. [Aaaaand, they make THE BEST coffee, or cawfee, if you're from Jersey!]
- You know that the state isn't all farmland. [Not if they keep building those McMansions…dangit!]
- You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey – there's "The Shore," and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." and when you are there, you're not "at the shore," you are "down the shore." [I'm down with dat!]
- You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree. [Well, sort of.]
- Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero." [We can be heeeeeeeroooooes, just for one day, we can beeeeeeeeeee…sorry, teenagers are on a Moulin Rouge kick, lately!]
- You remember the song from the Palisades Park commercials. [Actually, I honestly don't remember this commercial, does anyone else?]
- You know how to properly negotiate a Circle. [Yes, see jungle handle.]
- You knew that the last question had to do with driving. [Yep, also STOOPID!]
- You know that this is the only "New…" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try …Mexico, …York, …Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?). [See title of post!]
- You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City." [Unless, you're attending BlogHer, like me, WHOOT, then I'll see you in the "cit-tay!"]
- You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich. [a.k.a. rat burgers and/or sliders!]
- You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege. [Mustard and sauerkraut, baby!]
- In the 80's you wore your hair REALLY high. [Aaaand, curly…even…see?]
- You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny. [Still, the easiest way to explain where you live…in Jersey.]
- You know that people from 609 area code are "a little different." [Yeah, got a few relatives that live there, too :)]
- You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton – that's for out-of-staters. [Unless, it's for a really cool blogging event…of course.]
- The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar. [Stoopid, Jets…psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
- You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls. [Freehold, Monmouth AND Woodbridge!]
- You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town. [waves to NYCityMama!]
- You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers. [Take 36 to 35 to 440 to 9 to 139 to 78 to get to Mom-101's house, I think!]
- Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony. [Yo, Tone, so, how you doin'?]
- You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is. [Yeah, but I would NEVER drive there…especially, at night….psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
- You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall. [Stoopid, jughandles!]
- You've eaten a Boardwalk cheesesteak with vinegar fries. [Midway Cheesesteaks rawk!]
- You have a favorite Atlantic City casino. [Specifically, the Blue Mercury Spa at the Tropicana would make a GREAT 20th Anniversary getaway — hint, hint, GARTH (not his real name) are you listening?!? ]
- You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February. [January would be better, just sayin'!]
- And finally… You've never pumped your own gas. [Not in Jersey….anyways!]
Wake me up when September comes…YO!

© 2010 This Full House Blog
June 14, 2010
The Boy Who Lived, Without
A Bedroom Door?

Hopey's puppet of a mean principal that's supposed to be a clown (says, she was told to think out of the box) displayed at the coffee counter (or, caw-fee, if you're from Jersey)

Last week (I think) our school district held a book fair at our local Barnes & Noble and my two youngest children were invited to read their persuasive writing pieces.

"So, what's yours about?"

My almost-9-year-old daughter wrote about being tall enough (FINALLY!) to experience her first ride on "a real roller coaster" during a visit to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ last June.

"Aaaand, what did you pick?"

My 11 year-old son's piece was a little closer to home.

"Mine is about convincing you and dad to give me a door!"

We have doors. Lots of them. There's the front door, the back door, the bathroom door.

[takes breath]

There's the door that leads to the girls' bedroom and the h…e…double…hockey…sticks that is [gulp] their bathroom!

"Because, you know, everyone ELSE has a door."

My son's bedroom is upstairs, like mine, but his is at the top of the stairs and, well, long story short (you're welcome!) no, he doesn't have door.

[gulp]

"You didn't write anything that would, you know, embarrass mom, or dad, right?"

Because, heaven knows, I sure as heck wouldn't (ahem!) and, well, everyone knows that karma is a witch, right?

Riiiiiiight.

Even longer story, shorter (seriously, you should be thanking me!) oh yes, there was lots of lamenting about stuff, like:

(a) Being the only boy, stinks.

(b) Having a bedroom without a door, stinks even more.

(c) Having the litter box…in his room…you guessed it…stinks, BIGTIME.

(d) His sisters are barging in all the time.

(e) Refer to (a) above.

In hindsight, I should be glad that their readings were held in the cafe.

"What did he just say?"

Aaaand, that the blender was really, really loud.

"He can't keep the girls out of his bedroom!"

[eyes go wide]

"No, I don't think he means regular girls…dear."

[one beat, two beats]

"Oh, well, no wonder his parents won't give him a door!"

Not for nothing, but you gotta love senior citizens (they were sisters, I think) but, I don't believe a hearing aide would have made a difference, either way and I shudder to think what the sweet old lady meant by "un-regular" girls.

"What is your boy's name?"

[bites lower lip]

"Harry…Harry Potter."

Aaaand, he's moving…to the closet…under the stairs…next week!

"Oh, that's nice dear."

I mean, it DOES have a door (sort of!)

© 2010 This Full House Blog

June 9, 2010
Secretly, Secret Vlog

Secretly, Secret Vlog from Liz Thompson on Vimeo.

This is what happens, when you go to work and one of your kids "accidentally" finds your Flip camera and attempts to video tape one of her sisters "not on purpose," of course!

[snort]

Such drama, eh? Love that she mentions my blog:

"Do you think I survived, or do you think I died (i.e. she got busted and her sister killed her) leave your answer on ThisFullHouse.com!"

Can't wait to see what happens during their summer break, if it EVER gets here, I mean!

© 2010 This Full House Blog

June 7, 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
Less Cancer, More Birthdays!
Today is MY birthday (never mind, which one!) and, in celebration of the 17th Anniversary of my 29th birthday (there, I said it!) I have partnered with the American Cancer Society's Choose Campaign (unpaid) by hosting a special giveaway on my shopping blog (ditto) to
help shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic:

One in three women will get cancer in her lifetime.

Considering my twin brother, Steve (yes, his REAL name) has been battling cancer for a few years, now (AND WINNING!)
I am committed to finding and sharing ways in which women can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Especially, moms like me – I mean, we do tend to put our children's needs first, right?

So, in lieu of sending me birthday presents (ahem) I thought it would be nice to do something special, right here, on my blogger-with-children-who-does-not-blog-about-her-children-mostly-type-um-blog.

[sound of crickets chirping]

So, in honor of my older brother (by 3 minutes, still, older than me) Steve:
- For every comment I receive on this post (because, you know, some folks STILL read blogs) I will donate $1.00 of what I've saved through BlogHerAds, this year (up to $100) to the American Cancer Society.
[NOTE: I would be THRILLED with the usual 3 comments — thankyouverymuch — but, feel free to pass the word along; I am donating the whole shuh-bang, anyway!]

I will leave comments open for 1 week (because, I know that you are busy) and then post a copy of my donation receipt.

Why?

Because, it's My birthday, being nice matters and cancer sucks wet poodle (der!) oh, and Happy Birthday, mah bruh-thuh!

© 2010 This Full House Blog

UPDATED TO ADD: COPY OF DONATION RECEIPT IS HERE — THANK YOU!!!
May 28, 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.

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

© 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