03/30/2010
02/22/2010
Sledriding on the "Horse Barn Hill"
Years and years ago, we Wagner grandchildren would all bundle up in whatever we could drum up for winter garb (Remember how many red things Grandma kept in that drawer? Grandma's biggest fear was that we'd be accidentally shot by hunters) and head for the hills...and there were many. Short ones, long ones, bumpy ones and icy ones - we tried them all. The barn hill when we were lazy, out at the end of the lane when we really needed to escape, below the pines when we wanted to blaze a new trail, the road in the middle of the night when we were really feeling like a thrill, above and over the horse pond, even the lake road on occasion. We'd always come back with scrapes and bruises exhausted and cheeks aflame. Inevitably someone would race through a briar patch or hit a tree trunk. Remember the famous chin scrape photo? Even with all the hills around, we always ended up at the same place. Not sure why except that maybe the hill was just the right length for a good rip-roaring ride without a huge trek back up a monstrously long hill. Maybe it was because it was right next to the road and we knew Uncle Mark might stop by and take a turn down the hill with Rex. Or maybe it was because it was just far enough away that we couldn't hear our parents yelling for us to come back, but we could still see the lights of the house when we got scared in the dark. Who knows really, but "The Horse Barn Hill" was the place to go. So on my first, and probably my last excursion of the winter season(and not because I don't expect us to get any more snow, but because I don't plan on freezing out in the cold but once in a season) we took the kids for a sledriding adventure. Joined by our good friends, the Ziemba's we started out by searching for sleds. I found two old flexible flyers from back in my mom's day (yea, I know - when was that day?) and a collection of dented and mangled plastic sleds from back in my day. As we all know, plastic lives forever - and seems to work best in the snow. The boys and girl (Amelia!) warmed up on the barn hill and then we loaded up the truck and headed for the horse barn hill.
Of course Amelia had to go potty as soon as we got there. Colty, little devil that he is - took off immediately on his own. Zoom! No fear there. And he had no problem plowing into everything and everyone on the slope while he was at it.
Josh, with two bum knees decided to try skiing down in a sled...that was his first and last run. And I, remembering my childhood tailbone injury from tubing was a bit apprehensive of these plastic sleds with no padding. Knees down or flat on my behind? Too late, we were already headed down.
All in all, it was fun and surprisingly, I was the one who didn't want to go in. (Cheap thrills don't come easily at this stage in life.) We will have to work on our young one's endurance...but I guess it was my fault by mentioning hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate chip cookies.
02/08/2010
09/15/2009
School Days
Today was Colton’s first day of school. A momentous occasion in anyone’s life, it was a milestone to be sure-for both him and his mother. (and most likely his father, too) It’s amazing how the eve of that first day of school brings so many memories back to the forefront of one’s mind. Memories I was sure had disappeared forever into the oblivion of motherhood forgetfulness, or perhaps denial. Memories of a little baby I didn’t have a clue what to do with, a little baby who was so tiny he fit in the crook of my arm, a little baby who did not want to sleep alone, a little baby that loved to sleep in his daddy’s arms and laugh at his mama. And eventually, a little boy with a mind of his own, a little boy who’s best friend was his little stuffed rabbit (and then maybe his sister), a little boy who loved to empty his toybox and sit in it, a little boy who much preferred buck deer to broccoli, and a little boy who loved to collect pails of worms and make them homes in his sandbox. And even though that little boy is a long way from being an adult, his four year old little self waving from the bus certainly seemed very grown up.
In classic “me” form, I did not shed a tear, but that was mostly because any emotion I might have felt was redirected into fury at the bus garage. Also in classic form, I had earlier made sure to double check with transportation on the time of pick up-8:17 or thereabouts they assured me. I suppose here in the country “thereabouts” can mean just about anything-but 20 minutes early seemed a bit extreme. Thank goodness I was actually on my game this morning and had him dressed and ready to go. With a hurried goodbye and a quick picture, he was off to school! Now just because I didn’t shed a tear does not mean I did not miss him. While just yesterday I was threatening to UPS him to China, today I was wishing I could keep him here at home just a tad longer….but then I listened and heard a somewhat peaceful house. Relative calm. Wow. I think school is a good thing for everyone involved.
Little Babes was not so sure of what was going on, but would remind me every hour or so that Colty was at school and “Two Birthday’s”…in two birthdays she will go to school, too. She had fun shopping at the grocery store, throwing a tantrum for cookies and painting away the afternoon. I know she missed him, but I also know she was happy to suck up all the attention for herself.
Colty survived his day in the big world. He arrived home, a bit dazed and very tired, but I think excited about this new adventure in his life. He was sure to check and make sure we all missed him, even his goldfish, Redfish and Rory. He confessed that he missed me-but "just little bunches...little BIG bunches." And yes, we also missed him very much. He may be the one in school, but we’re all still learning lessons. For me, it was another one of life’s bittersweet ones – my child is not mine to keep forever, but he is mine to love forever.
06/08/2009
OK, it's not March Anymore.
As I've found one of those rare moments when time is almost standing still-once in a while, it does happen (although it's usually just around daylight savings time when I've forgotten to change the clocks and discover that "extra" hour), I thought I should blog for all those poor, helpless souls I keep blowing off by telling them to visit my blog. While I don't want my blog to be an excuse for correspondance, it is a convenient way to tell my life story without telling it. So in the past few months Colton turned 4, we adopted another puppy (yes, we now have THREE terriers which, yes, means 3 times the terrier fun), Amelia rediscovered the joys of being two, Josh worked, and I've been answering endless questions from a 4 year old, cleaning up puppy messes, chasing a two year old and filling in my poor, road-weary husband to all the joys of parenthood that he's missing while serving his time on the traveling Lamoreaux Landing sales wagon. I'm happy to say that we are all surviving. Summer is here and we are ready for it. Summertime is the Finger Lakes in it's glory, and we're happy to oblige...anyhow...a little pictorial history of what you've missed. While I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting photos, I've spared you the 643 I just downloaded off my camera and am just putting up a choice few.
This was probably Thanksgiving time...or maybe New Years...I can't remember. Pam lucked out and got them all to behave...Lydia is always good...my two are another story.
Another story, like I said. Perhaps a little more parental supervision would have been in order here, but I've come to realize that I will take any amount of free time...even if it means 3 hours of scrubbing faces, hands, clothes, furniture and walls to remove all the paint that was applied while I was say, sewing a bag...or writing a blog? And my ever efficient husband would say that does not equal out in the long run and I would have been better off managing the paint before it got to disaster status...but I was relishing in my creativity and could have cared less about efficiency. Apples and oranges.
The kids always wave good-bye to Daddy and Lewie usually joins in, too, faithful companion that he is.
Taken just before they tore off all their good clothes and left them in a disheveled heap. You can see it coming already just by the look on Colton's face.
She went through a phase when everything had to be worn on her head. This time was just too funny.
Mom always complains that no one ever takes her picture and when they do she complains that she looks terrible. Well here I've taken her picture and I don't think it's so terrible. I'm sure she'll disagree.
Our new puppy, Milo. And it took us forever to figure out a name. He came all the way from Alabama...via Uncle Tis and a few others. He was supposed to stay around 7 pounds, he's now 12. A rat terrier chihuahua mix. Tenacious "they" say...hmmm. I might add in hyper. We call him piranha pup.
Our trip to the zoo. It's always a miracle when I can make it over to that section of Pittsburgh. Sometimes I think I'd drive better in the city with my eyes closed.
Dear brother is now government property. It was nice to see him behaving in an adult and mannerly way. He's made us all proud. And he's finally learned how to make a bed and polish his shoes. The military can do what mom never could. A little peer pressure, a salary and the chance to fly multi-million dollar planes, that's all mom needed.
Yes, an adult and mannerly way.
I look like a dour old sap. And that's all I have to say about this.
Endless, ENDLESS hours are spent here.
Birthday party number one. He managed to get 4 celebrations out of his birthday this year. Appropriate, I guess since he did turn 4. (chocolate ice cream all over him)
Birthday party number 4...complete with penguin cupcakes, "big dada buck deer" steaks, a pinata, friends, family, dogs, s'mores and lots of dirt.
And so, if they're not chasing each other, I'm chasing them...it's an endless "game".
Piggy tails. That's all she will wear these days. "Just like dolly" she says. Piggy tails and giraffey boots, the uniform of a two year old.
Now, I'll try to post before it's winter again.
03/23/2009
03/05/2009
03/04/2009
Who Eats an English Muffin This Way?!
Only Amelia.
And of course, not to be out done:
02/24/2009
Cardboard Boxes
Yet another week of frigid temperatures has led us to dig deep into our imagination reserves and find some alternative indoor entertainment. We really didn't have to stretch too far-it's amazing how much fun you can have with a cardboard box. (Although, I think I've finally reached the stage when I appreciate what's in the box a little more than the box itself.)
Our kindling supply being low, that house soon disappeared - but it was fun while it lasted. Amelia was the brainchild behind our next source:
And then of course Colton had to try it:
And the dogs...
And then that box was re-purposed:
It is funny how our thoughts evolve: I distinctly remember how much fun it was to play in the laundry basket-under it, in it, on top of it, etc. Thinking on that now; however, I can't quite figure out how that used to be so entertaining. If only I could grasp that link to childhood and remember what it was to be so content with entertainment so simple. Lest you all think I tried to fit in the box, too-I spent my cardboard box time coming up with an addition for our tiny house:
Not quite what I'd envisioned for my master bedroom suite...but the possibilities are endless....
02/17/2009
Cooking School, Hungry Hippos and Other Things Good Mothers Should Do
In life there are many challenges, as we all are aware. As a mother, the challenges never end. For me, it's a continual challenge to be what I think is a good mother. We all define a "good mother" in different ways, and most likely all of those ways do truly make a good mother. My definition continually changes. One day it might mean taking the kids for a special lunch out and an afternoon at the playground, another day it could be reading endless stories on a a rainy afternoon and other times it's just surviving another day so I can live to take care of them a little longer. Regardless, it's not easy and I always end the day thinking "if only I'd...", and "I should have....". I do believe, however, that one day we all realize that being a good mother is really about loving our children with all our hearts. So today we accomplished a few of those "I should have's" from yesterday...and yes, I also loved them with my whole heart, little rascals that they were.
Today we baked! Both Colton and Amelia love, love, love the kitchen and have ever since they were tiny. In an attempt to repay my neighbor for all of the myriad of things she does for us, we baked her some cranberry bars. A recipe I've had kicking around for a long time now and was never quite sure about...it was a good one...and easy! (epicurious.com-search cranberry bars....I'm too lazy to type out the recipe here)
And then we made a delicious vegetable dip which Amelia promptly tasted....
and tasted again....
and devoured....
And Colty, being Colty, promptly ran away from said vegetable dip - he does NOT concern himself with vegetables:
After our adventure in the kitchen (which included an open flame, flour, a microplane and a large kitchen knife and did not involve injury or great mess!) we actually had time for a nice round of Hungry, Hungry Hippos...which predictably ended in a fight over the marbles.
And to top my day of good motherhood we had enough time before dinner to complete a vigorous cardio workout. And by we, I mean myself, the two kids and the two dogs. Miraculously no one was knocked unconcious by wayward weights or leg kicks and we all managed to end our day of fun with a healthy activity...well actually we ended it by eating cookies and watching cartoons....so I guess that probably means I lost a few points in the good motherhood book-but it was still fun.
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