This Full House Archive

Category: Who’s Parenting Who?

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
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
Change is Good, Failing is Better

I took this picture of Hope and Glen (my two youngest) in 2005 — the year my parents moved out of the house I grew up in — and, already, my son was very protective of his baby sister.

"I don't want her to fall in da wah-der!"

Didn't matter that my father's koi pond was only about ankle-deep; in true Thompson fashion, my son is a born worrier (he gets that from his father) and, well, his concern for the physical and emotional well-being of everyone around him was sort of, you know, cute.

Last night, however, turned chronic.

"I can't make ANYONE happy."

5 years have passed (I know, wasn't it just yesterday I was blogging about his peeing on a tree?) and, although the stories are pretty much the same (only, with less pee) I find myself feeling as if we BOTH haven't learned a gosh-darned thing.

"I don't understand?"

You see, my 11 year-old son is entering middle school next year and long story short (you're welcome!) let's just say the boy is feeling a little stressed.

"My teacher, you and dad, are ALL pushing me!"

Okay, A LOT STRESSED.

"To do what?"

Seriously, the kid was blowing snot and — although, my husband and I had already had a talk with his teacher and discussed her concerns over his penchant for day dreaming — he's been carrying and A/B average and I was at a loss as to why he was SO upset.

"I'm going to fail."

Oh. I know this one. In fact, 5 years ago, during my middle girl's parent-teacher conference, I was the ONLY parent to cheer when her 3rd grade teacher told me that she had failed her 1st math test.

"It's about time the kid learns to fail, something!"

Her teacher agreed, btw.

"All your father and I care about is that you do your best."

Apparently, my son's teacher feels differently.

"She said I was going to get absolutely lost in Middle School!"

Look, I get it. I couldn't do what she does — teach, someone else's kid, I mean — however, I know my son and — although, I think, having our kids attend K-3, switch to another school for grades 4 and 5, and then again to the middle school, our school system hasn't helped to make it ANY easier — this time, I believe the change will do him good.

"I think you're going to be just fine."

For the next 3 years, anyway.

"Just ask Holly and Heather!"

My 2 oldest daughters have already given him a run down of all the cool teachers and the, you know, not so cool teachers he'll probably get…in middle school.

"What are you doing, Hope?"

My youngest daughter (she's 8) ran out of the room to grab a pen and piece of paper.

"I want to write a letter to the principal of my new school…"

She's graduating 3rd grade next month and is changing schools, too, OY!

"…and I want to tell her that I want Holly's and Heather's teachers, ONLY!"

If ONLY life was that easy, right?

"Don't worry, Hopey, I already told her AND the nurse that my youngest sister is coming!"

You see, some things NEVER change AND my son happens to know that his baby sister is a frequent flyer!

"The nurse's office has got PLENTY of band aids!"

Hope, however, rolls like her mother.

© 2010 This Full House

May 21, 2010