This Full House Archive

Category: Raising Teens, Tweens & Killer Dust Bunnies

NWF Be Out There Challenge: Day 1 – RainFAIL

As a longtime National Wildlife Federation supporter (yes, we have wildlife…in Jersey!) I am very excited to be a part of their Be Out There Campaign and modestly tweeted, the same:

I'm taking the NWF #BeOutThere Challenge w/o March 29! (http://bit.ly/bTeL0C) 'cawse, we've got wildlife IN JOISEY, too ya' know! #NWFMoms

So, here it is, DAY 1 of our spring break/challenge AND you want to know how it's working out, so far?

[blows bangs outta eyes]

Well, feeling inspired by the immortal words of John Lennon:

So, this spring break. And what have you done?
Another day almost over and the rain STILL isn't quite done.

And so this spring break. I hope you have fun.
'Cawse, here at our house, we're watching old game show reruns.

So, happy spring break. It's okay, we're STILL not quite done.

Cross-posted to our 365 Days mircoblog project — where I'm taking a self-imposed timeout, every day, to post wordless (you're welcome!)

With 6 days left, maybe…just maybe…we'll actually get outside AND see the gosh-darned sun!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 29, 2010
Finding Teh Funny

Cross-posted to our 365 Days microblog project — by just me and my little red point-and-shoot!

When I first started blogging, 7 years ago, way back before SEO's and keywords ruled the world wide web, I was chasing after 4 kids, all under the age of 10 and This Full House was ALL about "teh funny!"

"Can I post this picture?"

Although, the subject matter hasn't changed, all that much, really (seriously, these kids say the funniest things) I find myself hitting the "delete" and "backspace" buttons, more often than not, to the point where my "backspace" button is NOW broken and looks more like a nub.

"No, I HATE HOW I LOOK!"

Some days, I am in sync with my muse and the words flow fluid.

"How about this one?"

Other days?

"Pssssht, NO WAY!"

The silence is deafening.

"Heather and I are going for a walk."

Most days, now that my oldest are teens, it gets downright lonely.

"Um, can we take your camera?"

Today?

"Here, you can use this one!"

The fog has lifted.

"We made sure to keep our mouths shut!"

And the words, they come a little easier.

[takes a closer look]

"Yeah, no one will EVER know that you got braces."

Now, if I could only get that darned muse to clean up after herself, I'd be in mom-type-blogger heaven, right about now, right?

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 26, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
Ladybug Crossing

Cross-posted to our 365 Days microblog project — where I'm taking a self-imposed timeout, every day, to post wordless (you're welcome!)

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

Also, got some freshly-brewed crafty handmade stuff over at my shopping blog: Klutz Fashion Origami

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 24, 2010
Comment Troll Award

Whenever my good blogging friend, Dawn (a.k.a. brilliantly funny author of Because I Said So) would complain about being under attack by comment trolls, I imagined a bunch of snotty little evil basterds, camping out on her blog (pictured above) seriously, what IS it with mean-spirited people, anyways?

I mean, the woman has 6 kids, I really don't think she needs any help in dealing with suckage.

I guess I empathize with Dawn's self-deprecating humor, seeing as I've been making fun of myself, openly on the internet, for years now (see virtual tour) and, well, there ARE worse things than making OTHER mothers look good, right?

Then, I opened up my email and found this:

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March 22, 2010
National Wildlife Federation
“Be Out There” Founding Mother
Representing New Jersey, YO!

Did you know that this week, March 15th to March 21st, is National Wildlife Week?

[sound of crickets chirping]

I know what you're thinking — what's next, Worldwide Pond Slime Day– perhaps most parents (like me) will agree (especially, if your children are older) these days, getting kids outside and away from computer games, Facebook, Miley Cyrus, whatever, well, you'd think I was asking them to eat dirt, right?

"But, it's sooooooo hot!"

Heaven knows, I'm no saint (shuddup, Busy Mom and I thought you said you burned those BlogHer pics, Jenn?) I spend more time, at home, sitting in front of a computer, than not.

Then, I get up, get out, go help OTHER people work out and, you know, sit in front of a computer, some more.

"Stay inside, don't forget to lock the doors, oh, and dinner's in the freezer."

It's just a little harder now, you know? I don't like my kids to be outside, when my husband Garth [not his real name] and I aren't home.

Weekends, however, are different!

I have no problem ditching the housework, or kicking the laundry to the corner and getting outside — especially, now that spring is, like, two days away.

Day 76: Family Photo Project

WHOOT, here in Jersey, anything above 50 degrees is considered flip-flop weather!

59°F | °C

Current: Sunny
Wind: NW at 3 mph
Humidity: 35%

Fri

72°F | 46°F

Sat

71°F | 47°F

Sun

71°F | 47°F

This weekend is no different; we've been invited up to Pittstown, NJ to visit with Hope's godparents, a.k.a. two of our most favorite dirt diggers (you know, Sassy's mom and dad) who happen to own a beautiful flower farm, too (yes, here, IN JERSEY!) and I'm taking my trusty little point and shoot camera, with me, to help celebrate National Wildlife Week.

Why? Well, seeing as my kids have been reading Your Big Back Yard and Ranger Rick for years (thank you, Grandma and Grandpa) I am honored to partner with the National Wildlife Federation as a Founding Mother of their Be Out There campaign, along with these fine women:

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March 19, 2010
I Was Vlogging, Before Vlogging Was Cool

I hollered at my youngest (she's 8, going on 16) like I never hollered at her, before, this morning.

I mean, HOLLERED, like a tortured animal, causing the poor girl's eyes to go wide and, well, she ran out of the room, obviously NOT wanting to watch her mommy's head explode, for real!!!

What did she do that was so awful?

[bites lower lip]

Honestly, I don't remember.

Was it reason enough to go WILD on the girl?

Probably not.

Whatever it was, suffice it say, I had reached my breaking point with the child and, well, though I never once thought about hurting her, physically (trust me, I know what THAT feels like) THIS MOMMY JUST NEEDS TO SHOUT OUT, every now and again.

Later, in the carpool lane.

"Do you know why I hollered at you, this morning?"

[eyes go wide]

"I made you mad?"

Well, yes…and no…because, I suddenly realized that it wasn't what she did, or said, that made me angry (not, really) it was that she was STILL doing it and saying she wasn't, while I was trying to tell her, yah, she really was, and to STOP doing it.

"Having to holler, to be heard, makes me mad."

[bites lower lip]

"I hate it when you holler."

[shot to the heart]

"Me, too."

Morale of the Story: Yes, children should be heard, just not today.

Then again, in a blink of an eye, they grow up and you suddenly forget what they sounded like, when they were little.

Unless, you find old videos, while searching through some computer files, she nearly corrupted. Aaaaaand, you just may be all, like, thank goodness you hollered at her to "STOP USING MOMMY'S LAPTOP" or, you would have totally NOT remembered this moment, either!

[bites lower lip]

Right…RIGHT?

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 17, 2010
When the Wet Gets Tough, the Tough Get Wet!

Photo cross-posted to our 365 Day Project

So, how was your weekend? Uh-huh. Ours? Well, Jersey got hit with a BEYOTCH of a storm, I mean this thing had monster winds of 40, 60, sometimes 70 miles per hour (so, I heard) it uprooted trees, knocked out power and left some of our neighbors without electricity AND gas.

Us?

[knocking on wood until knuckles bleed]

Just a few extra leaks, here and there.

"Uh-oooooh, found ANOTHER one!"

So, as my youngest children raced each other.

"Nooooo, I found that one, already!"

Playing an indoor-version of ISpy.

"Nuh-uh!"

To see which of them could, you know, find the most stains on our living room ceiling.

"Yah-huh, don'tcha see the pot?!?"

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I decided that yesterday would be a good time, as any, to leave the kids to their fun, while he and I braved the storm, for some more emergency supplies.

"Could you pick up some Clearisil…I need face make up…could you pick something up at Redbox…aaaand, don't forget the Cheerios, okay?"

Seeing as my two oldest were home recovering from getting their braces (YAY!) and the youngest kids, you know, can't drive…yet.

"Can we come?"

[one beat, two beats]

"NO!"

[lips quiver]

"Buh-buh-but, why not?"

I reminded my son about his sleeping over a friend's house and my youngest that she just spent almost all of Saturday, alone, with me.

"But, you took me to work!"

Okay, but I was training a new hire and, well, I did have her bring crayons and stuff…sheesh!

"Besides, I want some private time with Daddy!"

It's funny, raising teens and tweens, I mean (funny weird, not funny ha ha) how our priorities seem to change.

"Where are we going, again?"

Almost on a daily basis, you know?

"Lowes, Costco and…um…Michaels, I think."

[lips quiver]

"What's at Michaels?"

[hands on hips]

"I'm ALL out of yarn!"

I know what you're thinking; we don't have yarn in our emergency supply kit.

"Maybe I should stay home with the kids."

[one beat, two beats]

"Sure, then maybe you can get an early jump on the to do list."

In our house? I'll pretty much do anything, to avoid spring cleaning, except, maybe something illegal (kids ARE watching, you know?) and, truth be told, it's been a real tough week (for the both of us) and, well, what with the kids crazy school stuff (don't even get me started on our attendance woes) not to mention, my working part-time, into the night (thank goodness, I'm home during the day) Garth [not his real name] and I almost NEVER get any alone time, anymore.

[hands on hips]

Damned if I'll spend it cleaning.

[looks left, looks right and then left]

Okay, all I really wanted was to get back home, snuggle up next to the hubs and work on that crocheting project I started, um, what month is it, again?

"I'll get my wallet."

Just don't tell Garth [not his real name] okay?

[hollers uptairs]

"Don't forget the rebate check."

After a quick-ish stop at Costco for school lunch supplies, of course!

© 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

March 15, 2010
Like Cobwebs in the Corner, These Are the Days of Our Lies

Photo cross-posted to our 365 Day Project

My youngest (she's 8) and her girl scout troop had their International Dinner, last night — they were representing Italy, this year — and, well, I hear she looked real cute.

"Daddy helped me find a white t-shirt, Heather painted my nails red and Holly gave me a basket of biscotti!"

I, however, did nothing other than forget to send her leaders a baseball hat.

"That's okay, Mommy, they had extras."

For forgetful moms (like me) I'm sure.

"What country is Hope doing?"

Since, it ended rather late (for us "seasoned moms," that means after 8 p.m.) I was, however, able to pick the child up, after work (only, because my husband texted me, you know, not to forget) and, well, it seems I am NOT the only one.

"Italy."

[eyes go wide]

"Funny, that's what my daughter is doing."

[grin]

"Good, because, Hope is in your daughter's troop, too."

Then…ohhhhh…how we laughed…[wipes tears from eyes]…and, well, I swear the woman looked like she was ready to cry.

"Why can't I remember that???"

Oh good (phew) I like easy questions!

"Well, maybe because we never see each other anymore."

Then, we spent the next 10 minutes talking about having recently gone back to work, for real (I mean, outside of raising kids and taking care of our households) and, you know, catching up on other stuff, like, what day was it, really, anyway?

"Did Hope tell you I substituted her class, yesterday?"

[eyes go wide]

"As a matter of fact, yes."

[crosses fingers behind back]

"Yes, she did."

[bites lower lip]

Okay, so maybe she didn't tell me…for real…but, honestly, I thought perhaps my friend was feeling bad enough and, you know, it was only a little white lie — does it really matter?

"You know, I really love my job!"

Yes, yes I do believe that, sometimes, being nice really does matter.

"Aaaaand, I'm subbing her class on Thursday, too!"

Now, if I could only remember if her daughter was in Hope's class, too…or, not…DAMMIT!!!

"Oh good, Hope loves it when her mom friends come in to teach!"

This time, I wasn't lying — heaven knows, she's learned enough bad habits from me, right?

"I heard you did a GREAT job as picture parent, last week!"

Yeah, right.

"Who told you?"

[eyes go wide]

"Um, they did, when I subbed Hope's class, remember?"

I swear…I can STILL hear her laughing…DAMMIT!

© 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

March 10, 2010
If You’re Happy and You Know It, Spit It Out!

Both my two oldest girls are getting braces put on their teeth, this week (OUCH!) so, I took them to their first (of many) orthodontic appointment, last Friday, much to their absolute GLEE!

"WHOOT!"

Having their impressions taken and then spacers, the size of popcorn balls put in between their teeth (double-OUCH!) (not really, but just as painful, they said) not so much.

"Open wide!"

[giggle]

"Shuddup, Holly!"

[click]

"Let's try that again…aaaaand…open wide."

[snort]

"Shuddup, Mom!"

[click]

"GAH!"

The dental hygienist, however, was in no mood (judging by the permanent frown line, that ran from her forehead, right down to her pale blue crocs) especially, having to listen to a couple of teenagers crack each other up.

"I'm sorry, but they're just a lee-til excited."

[sound of crickets chirping]

"Just shuddup…no, wait…I mean…open wide for the nice lady, Heather."

[snort]

Then, 30 minutes later, it was Holly's turn.

"Okay, now rinse."

The girls have waited a long time for this moment and, well, since my teeth are as far from perfect as one can get, before actually being declared, you know, dentally-impaired, I can't say as I blamed them for feeling a bit giddy.

[swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

"Why don't you get braces, too, Momma?"

[swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

"Me?"

I watched Holly nod, in between the swishing and the swooshing, in total agreement with Heather.

"Nah."

After 40-something years, I've sort of grown accustomed to my lopsided grin.

"I'd probably break them on a marshmallow, or something."

[swish, swoosh, swish, swoosh]

"Spit it out, already, ya' DING DONG!"

PUH-TOO-WEE!

[eyes go wide]

"Didn't your mom teach you to spit better than that?"

[snort]

The dental hygienist sighed, unclipped the bib from Holly's drippy chin and, well, I guess she figured, if you can't beat 'em…you know…make 'em spit.

"Ewwww, it's STILL connected!"

Who knew, dental hygienists could be so touchy?

"Can't wait for next week!"

Me, either.

"I'll bring the popcorn!"

[sound of crickets chirping]

Ibuprofen, anyone?

© 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

March 8, 2010
Love Accidentally

Morale of the story: Maybe I shouldn't holler at the kids, for leaving their stuff lying around the house, so much, right?

Feel better soon, Papa!

Happy Love Thursday, everyone!

© 2010 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

March 4, 2010