20 Questions

I found a great idea on Pinterest that I recreated and tried out the other day. The original idea is from this website. The basic idea is that you ask your child the same 20 questions on his or her birthday each year. Then you can put the answers in a scrapbook to look back on and compare how your child has changed from year to year.

I put together questions to ask Ashley, and also created a page to trace her hand, have her write her name, and draw a picture. Here are her answers:

Questions 1

and picture (only thing I drew was the cat):

Questions 2

I had so much fun asking Ashley the questions. I told her it was an interview and she really got into it. She was very thoughtful with her answers and it was one of those priceless moments that I hope to keep in my memory forever. I completely teared up when she answered that she wants to be "a mommy" when she grows up.

I am looking forward to doing this every year with both of my children each birthday, and putting the answers into an album with pictures. I highly suggest trying this idea if you have children.

You can download my original document here, and make it your own.

Dear Ashley

Dear Ashley,

Happy 4th birthday sweet girl!! 4 years old, how did that happen?! I still remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. It was the most amazing day of my life, a day that changed everything. You made me a mother, and you were perfect. The past 4 years have been unbelievable. You have taught me so much about life, and it is amazing watching you grow up.

You are an incredible little girl. You have an amazing memory. You pick up EVERYTHING! I can say something once, and you are repeating it weeks later. You come home from school and tell me all kinds of information that you learned at school. It is so cool!

I am proud of you for so many things! You are doing so well your first year of preschool. You are a wonderful listener (for your teachers at least). You may be shy, but still go right into your classroom and head over to the other kids. You can write your name, know letter sounds, count, and even know Spanish! Keep the love of school and learning that you have now, always.

You started gymnastics a year ago and have progressed so well, moving up to a class with 4 and 5 year olds while you were still 3. You have no fear of that high beam or high bars! I hope you continue to be brave and try new things! You also started dance class and you love to twirl and hear the sound of your tap shoes. You listen to your teacher carefully and I can see your intense concentration as you try to follow along with what she does and says. I hope you never give up on yourself or what you love!

Best of all, you are so fun, playful, and loving. You love to tell jokes, laugh, and make others laugh. I love all the silly things you do. You have a wonderful imagination, make up great stories, and love playing with all of your toys. You know the perfect time to give hugs and kisses because someone is feeling bad, and even though you may fight (often) with your brother, you also give him kisses and try to help teach him new things.

I'm so proud to be your mommy! You are my sunshine, my heart, and always my "baby" girl. I love you to the moon and back!

xoxo,

Mommy

(Somewhat) Wordless Wednesday

My dinner

Seared Scallops over Wilted Spinach and Parmesan Risotto

This recipe was delicious! My husband sent me a text saying he was going to make dinner tonight and this is the yummy meal he prepared. If you've never checked out Gina's Skinny Recipe's at skinnytaste.com then you've been missing out. Her recipes are simple and scrumptious!

Super Bowl Sunday

Things I Love About Super Bowl 2012:

1. We had "souper" bowl day at school on Friday with lots of yummy soups, breads, salads, sides, and treats. Delicious!
2. We are hosting some friends and family over today for the game.
3. I was forced to clean, dust, vacuum, and scrub the house because of our hosting.
4. Carne Asada, wings, chili, chips, dip, and Wegman's ultimate white cake are some of the tasty things we will be eating at our super bowl shindig.
5. Funny commercials--and apparently a lot of celebrities appearing in commercials: Matthew Broderick, David Beckham, Jerry Seinfeld
6. The Material Girl performs at half time.

So, maybe I couldn't care less (thanks KAJ) about the football. Though, I do know a lot of Patriots cheers since that's the same name of the team that I cheered for when I was 5.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Wordless Wednesday

It's puddle jumping time!

Reckless Youth

Yesterday's post about my experience skiing last weekend got me thinking. The panic attack on the mountain is no new occurrence. I never used to have this problem, I wasn't afraid of anything, I'd try anything, and wouldn't think twice about it. Not so much anymore. When did this happen to me?

Now, I get panic attacks on airplanes, on ski mountains, in elevators, in confined spaces, and when I start to think and worry about things too much.

I started to think back on some of the things that I've done in my reckless youth (you like that M.D.) that I would NEVER do now.

Here they are.

Things I did, but would never do now:

• Skydive

I went skydiving on my 21st birthday (thank you Erin for that incredible gift). Just looking at the pictures now gets my heart racing.

• Stand on the edge of a teeny tiny piece of cliff that is jutting out many many feet above water.

What was I thinking?! I was actually in Australia when this picture was taken, walking along the cliffs, when I excitedly went to that exact spot and told Jimmy to take my picture. HELLOOOO, I've seen news reports about people doing things like this on vacation and the cliff giving out....not a smart move!

• Wear a bandana and think I'm ghetto-fabulous

OK, so this isn't necessarily "reckless," but I found this picture and couldn't help but again say to myself, what was I thinking?! This style just does not work, PERIOD. (unless it is Halloween)

*Note: I actually found my stash of bandanas today and they are now in my children's dress up bin for dressing up as pirates (aren't they cute?).

Arrrrr Mateys!

So, am I just older and wiser now? Or just a scaredy-cat? Or maybe there's just more to lose and leave behind?

I don't know, but I've definitely become a much more cautious and nervous person than I was in my 20's. Am I happy about those reckless moments of my youth? Absolutely, and I'd do them all over again at the time of my life that I did (with the exception of the bandana, there is no excuse for that fashion disaster). I just wouldn't do those things today.

What I Learned...

Well, hello blog I've been neglecting. Life just kinda got in the way of my updating! I actually contemplated deleting this blog already because of my neglect. It was actually stressing me out that I wasn't blogging everyday. Then, I realized, this is a hobby, and I can't let it worry me to the point of it becoming a chore. That's not what this is about. It's about writing out my thoughts, when I want, and when I can.

So, nonetheless, I'm back. I went away skiing last weekend at Hunter Mountain in New York and it was the perfect weekend getaway. Just what I needed. Jimmy and I went away with two others, left the kiddos with the grandparents, and we really had a blast. Looking back at the whole weekend, I realize that there are a lot of things that I learned over the weekend. So here it is:

What I Learned at Hunter Mountain (and on the way there):

1. Mad Libs are hilarious fun for adults. (thanks M.D.)

• Seriously, if you are going on an extended car trip, break out the Mad Libs. There is even an App, which is what we used. I was brought to tears from laughter at the crazy stories we created.

2. Reminiscing about 80's culture is not only entertaining, but may make you realize that you've been saying the name of a popular children's toy talking bear wrong for 20+ years.

• It's always fun to go back in time and think about all the great commercials, board games, cartoons, TV shows, and other 80's culture. It becomes even more fun when someone says they remember playing with "Teddy Rubskin," and have no idea they are pronouncing the name wrong over and over again. This person shall remain nameless but will never live that one down.

3. I'm old.

• So I haven't skied in two years and it is just like riding a bike, you don't forget how to do it. I don't think I was terrible and I even got the nerve to go down a black diamond and actually enjoyed it. However, after a morning full of skiing and a full belly, my next run down a black diamond, so appropriately named "Hell," was just that, hell. Not only did I have a panic attack when I reached a steep part, but I lost use of my legs because I was so exhausted that I literally felt like my legs were jelly. I thought I was going to seriously injure myself on that run. I definitely felt old and out of shape!

4. There's some great food near Hunter.

• Pancho Villa's in Tannersville has an incredible salsa (we even took some to take home).
• Last Chance Cheese Antiques Cafe is a great for cheese and a variety of beers.
• Maggie's Krooked Cafe & Juice Bar has an AMAZING breakfast. This place NEEDS to be on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

5. Rip Van Winkle lives!

• There are 60 statues of Rip around the area. Enough said.

So, when you follow the mountain rules, (and add in some good eats, drinks, friends, and laughs) you're bound to have a great trip!