Month: February 2012

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Happy Hearts Day

As an adult, Valentine’s Day has never been one of my favorites.

To me, it’s much more of a made-up “Hallmark holiday”, created mainly to inflate prices of roses, candy, and paper goods.

Plus I never had a boyfriend over Valentine’s Day until I met R, so I usually didn’t have a reason to make it a big deal.

Sure I enjoy getting a card or an extra “I love you” every February 14, but I don’t really hold it in high regard or eagerly anticipate it each year.

It was great as a kid, though. Who doesn’t love a mug covered in pictures of candy hearts and brimming with said sugary confection waiting for you on the kitchen table first thing in the morning?

But as an adult, I can pretty much take it or leave it. Plus we had to send valentines to daycare for D’s party today.

Dumb.

I mean, it’s cute that they’re having a party, but dumb that parents send a dozen valentines for a group of 18-24 month olds who have zero idea the meaning of the day. Ah well, I guess it’s a small sacrifice for a classroom of cuties.

However, I am quite excited for our heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy’s that R’s mom gets us each Valentine’s Day. It has become our Valentine’s Day dinner tradition, usually paired with our favorite tv show at the time. A few years ago it was Lost. Tonight we might check out the new show The River, since I’ve heard it’s very Lost-esque. Anyone catch its debut last week?

We usually see R’s family each year the weekend before Valentine’s Day for one of our nephew’s birthday party, and that is how we always get the heart-shaped pizzas. Some may laugh, but I love it!

Plus, look at this adorable shot of D playing in a bounce house with her cousins at the party this past weekend. That’s my little valentine!

So Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone, however you like to celebrate (or not)!

 

 

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Do I want my kids to be French?

One of my sisters sent me an excellent article written by Pamela Druckerman for the Wall Street Journal online the other day, and I couldn’t help but immediately want to share it. The full article can be found here. It is pretty lengthy, so I’ll do my best to break it down for you.

The basic gist of it is that French parents have mastered parenting, if you will, with an ease and calm that their American counterparts can often only dream of employing.

Say what? I know.

But before you start throwing freedom fries at me, let me explain the rest of what the article imparts. I think by the end you’ll agree with me that we American parents could actually stand to take a few notes from our cohorts français.

Those of you with children, think for a moment…

Who of us hasn’t

  • Left behind a sea of shredded napkins and salt packets after a meal at a restaurant?
  • Chased a boisterous toddler incessantly around a table/room/floor/building/yard in the hopes of wearing him/her out or simply as a form of entertainment? (i don’t know about you, but rampant toddler-chasing doesn’t rank highly on my list of fun)
  • Lugged around every toy or game imaginable with which to bribe said toddler when needed in exchange for peace and/or good behavior?
  • Given up on saying “No” and just given in to a child’s demands before your sanity was utterly and permanently shattered?

Now, who in the crowd doesn’t want

  • Respectful children who mind their parents from the 1st request, not the 100th?
  • Children who can entertain themselves happily without constant attention?
  • To not have to lose their voice shouting for obedience from their offspring?

So what does Ms. Druckerman suggest we do? I’m so glad you asked. Let’s begin with a little comparison though, again, from the article above.

What French parents are doing:

  • Being involved with their families without being obsessive. Good parents aren’t at the constant beck and call of their kids, but instilling patience and a sense of delayed gratitude in them.
  • Stimulating their kids, but not 24 hours a day.
  • Not suffocating children with a million lessons here and play dates there, but instead letting toddlers do just that – toddle.
  • Setting rigid, unwavering boundaries, but entrusting their children with independence and freedom within those boundaries.

What American parents are doing:

  • Hyperparenting, helicopter parenting, overparenting, “kindergarchy” – basically all up in their kids’ faces all the time.
  • Not being firm and consistent in teaching kids “No”. As such, their children are accustomed to, and usually demand, instant gratification – running around wherever/whenever they want, snacking all day instead of waiting for meal times, generally displaying a “whatever” mentality when it comes to obeying their parents.
  • Allowing their kids to be attention mongers and basically running the show.

Now let me make crystal clear – this obviously is not meant to apply to every single French parent and every single American parent. No, absolutely not. Nor am I implying that it does.

I know there are countless outstanding parents building strong, wholesome families around here, and I’m sure there are just as many shitty French parents who have no idea the meaning of the word. But just from personal experience, I have witnessed enough examples of the American parenting style focused on in this article to agree that this argument does hold some weight.

Ok, so now what do we do about this?

Isn’t that the million dollar question. But fortunately, the suggested answers seem pretty reasonable and downright easy to me:

  • Be stern in your commands to your children. Don’t shout and yell at them, but be convincing and authoritative in your tone.
  • Be consistent. Don’t give up right away when your child says “no” and runs away. You’re the parent – they can learn that.
  • And I think the best advice actually came from my sister herself: “Though I was a quasi-mother for all of three weeks or so, it showed me good reason why parents need to be stern, strong, and straight forward from the get go, all the while still being loving, caring, and comforting.”

Well said, A, well said. I think all parents can agree that those are some good words by which to live.

And no, I don’t want my kids to be French. I just want them to be happy and well-behaved. After reading this article, that really doesn’t sound like much to ask at all.

 

 

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Friday Funk – 11 things edition

So I’ve been tagged to do an “11 random things about you” post. When I saw that I immediately groaned and thought, “Ugh, I hate these things.” They always remind me of chain letters. Yuck.

But then I realized I’ve never really done an “about me” post. I mean, I have an About Me page up there that you can go check out, but I’ve never actually been prompted to break much down for you out here. Especially with totally random questions. So I guess you’re now in for a treat!

The rules of this tagging involved me reposting said rules and then tagging others, but I’m skipping that part. ‘Cause I can.

So I present to you “11 Random Things About ScooterMarie”:

1: Wine…Red or White? 

Hmm. I like most all wine, but I’m actually gonna have to go white here. And sweeter white at that. (i can hear all you red wine lovers shrieking and shattering your wine glasses from here) Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Prosecco, and most especially ice wine. I am hugely partial to champagne, too, but I guess that’s not technically a wine? Whatever.

2: What is your favorite wine or libation? 

Oops, I guess I just listed a bunch of wines in #1, but one in particular I love is Door Peninsula Winery’s Summer Splash. Oh yes – white, sweet, fruity, cold, delicious. Perfect summer wine for me. And I am a huge fan of good microbrews as well. Not too picky there, and I’m becoming more and more fond of stouts and porters when I used to loathe dark beers.

3: Have you been to any wineries or wine tasting? 

I have. I’ve been to a couple wineries in Door County, WI, which are actually quite excellent. You can find a list of some here. Have I been wine tasting? Does Saturday night at my house count? 😉

4: Favorite pair of shoes? 

Right now it’s my Blowfish Brille booties. These things are awesome. I’ve wanted them for a couple years since I saw a similar pair one of my sisters has, and she got them for me this past Christmas. Score! They are really quite comfortable, and the wedge heel makes my size 11 feet look TINY!

 

5: What is your morning drink? 

Well it used to be an iced chai latte, since I’ve always hated coffee. But then I discovered pumpkin spice creamer and that all changed. (i still don’t like the taste of coffee, just the creamer) I’ve been trying to lessen my caffeine addiction though, so right now it’s a homemade Dunkin’ Donuts decaf latte with pumpkin spice creamer, until it runs out. Then I might cry.

6: Tattoos, body piercings, or both…and where? 

Both. I have 3 tattoos (dolphin on back of right hip, Kokopelli on front of left hip, University of Wisconsin motion W with a wave underneath it on inside of left ankle) and 4 piercings (2 in each ear, 1 ear has 1 low and 1 high). I almost pierced my eyebrow in college, but the shop was closed the day I went. Maybe that was a sign…

7: Favorite dessert? 

Umm, you’re making me choose? Yeah right. Oh, actually, I’ve got it – birthday cake from Trefzger’s, a bakery in Peoria, IL.

8: What is your dream vacation…money is no object! 

Full tour of Italy, on my own schedule.

9: If you won the lottery… 

I’d pay off our house, sock away a bunch for future college payments, then never go to work again!!

10: Do you talk to yourself?  If so, do you answer yourself too? 

In my head, yes. It’s usually conversations/arguments I’d have with someone in real life, so there isn’t much answering of myself needed. I’m always right in those.

11: Would you ever sneak a giant metal rooster into your house?

Nope!

 

So what’d ya think? Fun stuff, eh? That was actually much less painful than I expected. Yes, I am a pretty random (yet highly entertaining!) individual. Have a great weekend!

p.s. this list of random came to you courtesy of the lovely Suzanne over at The Wine{a}be.

 

 

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5 new faves

For the past couple weeks I’ve been doing a 31-day blog-improvement challenge hosted by the SITS Girls. It’s proven to be a lot to take in and I haven’t been the best at keeping up with all of the tasks on the days they are assigned, but I have found some most excellent bloggers in the process.

And why keep their magic all to myself? I’m no blog hoarder, despite what that list that grows daily in my Google reader may say.

So today I want to share the love with youse guys. (don’t start sending hate mail – NO, i don’t really talk like that. just thought i’d throw in a little Sconnie-accent humor)

Here, in no particular order, are 5 wonderful blogs that you should totally go check out. And don’t forget to tell them I sent you. ‘Cause I’m cool like that.

*****

Blairadise – Blair is a girl from the good ‘ol U. S. of A. now living in South Africa with her most beautiful family. I’m not even kidding. Her darling daughter just turned 1, so I love following her stories with a little girl pretty close to D’s age.

 
 

The Kids Are Alright – Seriously, this girl has it goin’ on. Angie lives in Madison (gold star right there!) and writes about it all – toddlers, fashion, balance, and blogging. She is full of the awesome, like this post of tips for new bloggers. And yes, I etched them all in my memory.

Angie also writes for Mama’s Gone Madison, a fantastic group of Madison mamas sharing resources for families in that Badger-loving area (which will always hold a special piece of my heart!).

 

Ramble Ramble – Ginger is simply wonderful, and I adore her blog. I mean just look at her header – it’s a box of candy! What’s not to love? This marketing mama is driven to have her own little creative space on these crazy interwebs, and she does an awesome job sharing tips and stories she’s found along the way. What first drew me to her blog was this tale, wherein I discovered that they, too, lived in Jersey City and loved losing themselves in the streets of Manhattan and the surrounding area. Small world!

 

The Wine{a}be – Suzanne has been a great help during this bloggy challenge we’re both undertaking, and her blog is beautiful. She’s all about the ins and outs of life in SoCal Wine Country (lucky girl!), and I hope that someday I, too, can explore all the magnificent places out there that she gets to experience daily. Oh, and I like wine too! Duh.

 
 
 
 

Little Green Bow – Deanna is one super cute girl with one super cute blog. She’s a DIY maven who loves a good challenge and even started her own software company! She also lives near my sisters, so I just automatically kinda feel like she’s part of the family. Except she doesn’t know me or my sisters, but that’s not creepy at all. Ahem. She also has a fantastic Etsy shop!

 
These beautiful ladies are all on Twitter and some are on Facebook too, if you’d like to follow them, so go have a few good new reads. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
 
 

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Does this baby have large talons?

Parents, is it just mine, or do babies’ fingernails grow at a ridiculous pace? I’m talking warp speed, like they go plaid sometimes.

Ever since she was born, D’s fingernails have constantly outpaced my ability to keep them clipped nice and short. I try to get to them about every week or so, but that rarely happens. I’ll notice they’re getting a little long, then usually just ignore that nagging thought in my head that I should tend to my child’s well-being under the guise of “getting to it tomorrow”.

And then, like clockwork, that tomorrow comes and goes and D is left with razor sharp claws at the end of each finger, prime weapons for poking out eyes or scratching cheeks. Hers or mine – those suckers carry no prejudices.

Hers apparently fancy her nose, as that’s where the nail nicks and scratches tend to appear. Once we even went in for 1 of her well-baby appointments and our pediatrician curiously looked at D’s nose and asked, “What’s that?” Oh nothing, I just need to clip her nails again before she claws off the rest of her face.

Very proud Mommy moment right there.

This weekend I was again noticing that it was time to get out the baby nail clippers, yet (of course!) I failed to actually do so. And what was D sporting yesterday morning when she woke up?

Yep – a nice big red scratch above her right ear, trailing into her hairline. A tell-tale sign that once more Mommy has lost the battle against the raging fingernails.

So tonight, dear friends, is the night. Those monsters are going down.

Or maybe tomorrow night…

 

 

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Oh well, I got a story

I’m not sure what it is about me and R, but it seems like bizarre things always happen to us. Always. It’s as if our lives are governed by Murphy’s Law of Whiskey.Tango.Foxtrot?!

And never do things go “just right” or “as planned”. Never. There are always wrenches flying into our spokes, causing us to go veering off in some wild direction and usually crashing. Or at least ending up at our destination with a nasty scratch.

Fortunately this story I’m about to tell falls more into the weird stuff category than the painful crash category, but it made me laugh and think “yeah, that’s about right” when I heard it nonetheless.

Hopefully you will too. Laugh, that is. Not shake your head at the oddity that is our existence. Ahem.

This conversation transpired one afternoon last week over IM. R had been looking to buy a juicer for a little while and finally found the one he wanted that morning. He had just returned from making his purchase when the following was relayed:

R:  pretty sure I just bought a stolen juicer

Me:  wha? uh-oh

R:  dude was sketchy as shit

Me:  yikes

as long as they don’t track you down

R:  showed up in a beat down mini van

smoking a swisher

very “eccentric”

definitely not someone who “has two and is selling one for his fiance”

Me:  ha!

is that what he said?

R:  yea

Me:  dang. yep, totally stolen

R:  I overpaid knowing that

oh well, I got a story

 

Now let’s hope we don’t get a knock on our door from the cops looking for that hot juicer.

 

 

 

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Gentle Jack Jones…

…won’t you come home to me?

“Brown Eyed Women” is my favorite Grateful Dead song. Hands down. Probably because I have brown eyes. Or probably because it’s about the only one where I positively know every single word and don’t have to mumble any of them. Either or.

And every time we go see Dark Stark Orchestra, I hope beyond hope that they play it, so I can finally belt one out with the best of the hippie crowd.

DSO is a most excellent Grateful Dead cover band, except they don’t just cover they Dead, they play actual entire past Dead shows. Set list for set list. They are incredible.

Much like Aussie Pink Floyd, if you close your eyes while listening to DSO you could actually think you were hearing the Grateful Dead themselves, Jerry and all.

We try to go see them every year, as they make an annual winter stop at one of the theaters in downtown Milwaukee. And tonight’s the night. Grandma’s coming up to babysit D and spend the night, so R and I are going to the show. Huzzah! (huzzah? i don’t think i’ve ever said that before)

I love these guys, and even though I won’t be partaking in the, ahem, *spirit*, of the show as most of the crowd will be, I’ll enjoy it just as much. Plus these theaters usually have splendid beer specials, like $4 tall boys. Nice!

For those of you unfamiliar with DSO, here’s a clip of them playing “Brown Eyed Women” this past New Year’s Eve. Please pardon the less-than-stellar filming – I can only imagine the camera person’s state of *being* at that moment.

And yes, that chick on stage does twirl and do the hippie dance the entire show. Sometimes I end up just watching her the whole time…