You don't hear me talk like this much

I was composing a blog post in my head today. It was kind of twisted and sad. You get in these moods sometimes, right? But then I just watched the Kathy Griffin show on Bravo, "my life on the d-list" and it's the one where her father dies. I am sitting here crying and I realize how completely self-indulgent my earlier idea for a post was.

For a while I was trying to live by "The Secret". Revealed by Oprah. The thoughts/emotions/actions you express determine what you get back in life. If you concentrate on what you DON'T want, then all your energies are compressed into your negative thoughts. Instead, try concentrating on what you DO want. Try it. It's amazing. My life was changing somewhat and I was feeling good, but you know what...I got back into my old habits. So whether it's a dynamic that I create myself out of habit, or whether it's my brain chemicals acting in their own natural way I don't know. This time of year always seems to be difficult for me. And that makes sense because our regular life structure changes--the end of school, camp hasn't started yet. Funny how the structure of MY life is ruled by my children's schedules.

But what's important is love, and our quest for true happiness and peace. How much we foster or hinder the quests of our loved ones, and ourselves. How much we live in the present, and all the peace we can actually experience if we are not always fretting about the past or future.

Shalom.
Namaste.

Welcome to the World

Our friends Chris & Rachel Heep just had their second baby boy on Tuesday! His name is Daniel Montgomery Heep, 8lbs 8oz, 21 inches. He's a new baby brother to Benjamin, age 3.

We can't wait to meet him!

Congratulations to Julia!

We are now the extremely proud parents of a Kindergarten Graduate! Julia participated in a lovely ceremony at Adath Israel Preschool this past Tuesday where they handed out diplomas and sang songs they learned throughout the year. Julia's performance was very animated, which only strengthens my desire to put her in a theater class this upcoming fall season. Please check out the photo album of her graduation.

There are 3 additional photo albums that I have also added: Julia's Gymnastics from June, Marigold's playgroup (these are particularly beautiful), and Strawberry Picking at Linvilla Orchards.

I know we need more photos of Libi--I'll work on that this summer. But now there is a nice family photo of the 5 of us (as requested!)--It's in the graduation album. Tell me if you like it.

P.S. I'd love to know who's reading this blog. Please sign up for automatic updates, or make a comment every once in a while so that I know our blog is being read!

The Week of Shavuot

Busy-ness seems to be a theme for us. This week was chock full of activity! We visited the Liberty Bell, the zoo, the Jersey Shore, the pool, shul...We finished installing an exterior drain to our house...Libi's drama class finished and we got to watch the last class (and participate!). I've added 5 new albums--you must check them out.

Marigold is talking so much! She does a lot of pretend play with her dolls, and with other objects too. She pretends that her stuffed fish are swimming; she picks up handbags, puts them on her shoulders and says 'bye'. She calls Libi and Julia, "Bibi" and "Yaya". She loves coloring with markers and colored pencils--no crayons for this 3rd child! She is very independent and will try to do everything herself before she asks for help. She says "Ow" to get out of her highchair, or down from the bed. She says "Puh" when she means Up. She says "bapi" for Pacifier...it's so much fun!


Libi is really picking up some pre-reading skills! She has a number of words that she can recognize, including "And" and "Mama". She is able to figure out the beginning letters of many words based on their sounds. She is now getting excited about all this learning!

Julia is reading Harry Potter. For some reason she refused for a while, but then I read the first chapter to her and we were both enthralled! Now she loves the story and I'm sure we'll be going through the whole Harry Potter series.

My 3 year stint as leader of the Preschool PTA is just about over...We have found a new leader and I'll be working with her over the summer! It's an exciting time for me as I expect to have some time to myself (I hope). But I am sure I'll get involved in the PTO for Julia's new school in the Fall, and I've already agreed to be on the Membership Committee for our Synagogue.

Josh is extremely busy too! His company keeps growing and using him in different ways...I can't say much more at this time, but we'll keep you all posted.

I am also excited because a number of my friends are expecting babies soon! I can't wait to hear about Joanna and Kevin's first baby! Chris and Rachel are expecting their second...another friend is expecting her second as well (but I'm not sure if the news is public yet)...I hope to be visiting the Boston area this summer sometime to see all the new little ones.

This busy weekend

This weekend we travelled to NY to visit family. My, was it busy! My parents were in Virginia the whole time at David's Graduation Ceremony from Business School at UVA. Congratulations Dave!!!
Keri and Lavi invited us to Shabbat dinner, so we started our trip on Friday evening after we picked up Julia at 3pm. TRAFFIC. We only arrived at their house at about 7:30 which was SO LATE for our girls to eat dinner. But we enjoyed a wonderful meal of grilled chicken, corn, mushrooms, and salad. Libi was so overtired that she could only eat Challah and peanut butter. We loved seeing Keri and Lavi, and we were lucky that Ari was still awake when we arrived. He is delicious!

Then, on Saturday we began our day at 10am when we all trekked to the Galleria to get Julia a new Webkinz. She had been working all of the previous week to earn extra cash to pay for this doll. All Galleria stores were sold out. So we went to the Westchester Mall. Also sold out. After our late night, Libi was a mess and we had to rent a stroller that could fit both her and Marigold. Can you imagine the fun?? Anyway, on our way back home, we racked our brains and decided to try the tiny little card shop in Scarsdale across from Balducci's. Success!! He had a good selection, including the Pink Pegasus that Julia wanted. She was overjoyed and decided to name it "Strawberry Wings".

Hey Lavi--how do you say this in Hebrew?? Post a comment please.

So we've already had a full day dragging everyone to 2 malls, and then a little shop, and then we had to get lunch...It was only noon. Oh, did I mention that Marigold was up all night, every half hour, coughing and complaining? So Josh and I are totally exhausted.

At around 1:30 Candi and Ronin come to visit us. We haven't seen Ronin in person since he was about 4 months old I think. He is an active little boy! Candi was running after him nonstop. He is very good-natured and sweet, and got along well with Marigold. It was very nice to see them both. I would love for them to see us in our own home one day! Especially since my parents' home is NOT baby-proofed whatsoever, and Candi was freaking out (especially being a first-time mom).

Anyway, we all napped afterwards and then went to Solange's birthday party at 6pm! Everyone was there. Oma & Opa, of course. Jillian & Brian, Shoshi & Evie, Jacques & Mary, and Jeanne too. And also Jerry & Patty Kellert. The Osborne is a very nice place to have a function like this as the food is pretty good, and the staff is very understanding (considering they don't deal with children very often).

So we got to bed with another late night for the kids, but they handled it pretty well. Too bad everyone still wakes up at 7am. (make that 5:30 for Marigold). Today we had brunch at the Nautilus with Josh's family, then we packed up my parents house, cleaned up as much as we could, and came back home. It's definitely nice to be back. Everyone's asleep now and Josh and I are calling it quits as well. Getting ready for a jam-packed week!

Happy Birthday Gomer!

Happy Mother's Day

To all the wonderful women in the world who have been blessed with children: I hope you had a wonderful day today. This day means something different to every mother, and I hope your hopes were fulfilled today.

As for our family, we had a lovely brunch at the Valley Green Inn in Fairmount Park. After the meal we walked to the stream right next to the restaurant and the girls discovered a whole brood of goslings! There were actually two families of geese with babies and it was beautiful to watch. Marigold broke out in giggles a couple of times. Julia and Libi had fun feeding the ducks and geese some scraps of bread. I was able to enjoy the sweetness of this day.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

You never knew that "Who Let the Dogs Out" could be so adorable!
Watch all 4 videos in order

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I just uploaded a new album of recent photos!! Check them out at "The Osborne & Ari's First Birthday Party".
Tomorrow is my birthday and the girls have been so cute scurrying around trying to hide something from me...Julia said this morning,"we were coloring something Mom, but NOT your birthday cards." Libi told me that Marigold made a card too...I can't wait to see them tomorrow!! It will be mostly an ordinary day, but I'll try and treat myself a little. Not sure what the plan is yet.

Marigold Kitchen

For the first time in a LONG time, Josh and I got a babysitter last night and we went out to dinner. We went to a really nice restaurant set right in the UPenn area. The restaurant was called "Marigold Kitchen" and we just HAD to try it! Dinner was delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed every morsel, including the bottle of Riesling that we brought with us.

Today Josh, Julia, and Libi went to see the Ringling Bros. Circus at the Wachovia Center. They had a great time! I was supposed to have rested at home while Marigold (the baby, not the restaurant) slept. But she had other plans, and sleeping was not amongst them. We had a small adventure while taking a walk and Marigold finally fell asleep on the way home.

Sorry it's taking so long to post other videos...

Where is Baby Moses

Here is Libi with her class singing "Where is Baby Moses". It's adorable!

humdrum life

We didn't end up going to a pottery place because electrical lines were down causing fires and traffic. So we got to be at home all day with the cleaning lady, listening to the children beg to be on webkinz ALL DAY LONG. They did get a chance to play with their friend Ali though. I'm so happy that we're able to keep a relationship with her (and her mom & dad), even though we are not in the same school as she is--and never will be (well, maybe in high school).

Today both Libi and Julia have playdates lasting from 3 to 6:30...which will definitely kill me. I am going to try and escape for a 7pm yoga class. I'm sure the house will be a disaster when they leave. I should buy a craft or something for them to keep busy with...hmmm.

Snow Day in April

It's April 16 and there is a snow day!! What is going on with the universe? I might take the girls to a paint-your-own pottery place today (if it's open), because a mug that Julia made there was broken this morning. She was devastated and sobbing.

Ooooh, I just realized I should post the videos we have! That will be fun! Enjoy!!!!