high tide

What is it about time flying by so quickly during the summer months?

It seems like it was just yesterday that we bid the kindergarten yard a farewell.
Now in a mere FIVE days we will be back to the grind.
I say "we" because even though it's Lulu starting grade 1, I'm the lucky one that gets to go back and forth to the school yard every day.
THREE times a day actually, which actually equals SIX trips back and forth from our house to the school.
Not sure how this will actually allow me to get anything accomplished.
At least anything that isn't located in my neighbourhood.
Apparently most of the kids come home for lunch each day, which was so not my plan.
But for the first week I will conform, and then hopefully when she is settled in a bit, I am hoping on alternating days for lunch.
I mean I would really like to have a bit of a life outside of motherhood.
I.E. my old career..sigh...
As a bonus, I also get to take Lulu to all her after school programs three days a week.
I can hardly wait for the frenzy to begin.

I'm sure it will all be fine, and even though I sound like I'm already complaining (okay I am totally complaining) I'm secretly looking forward to the whole school time routine.
That's what being a mom is all about, right?

It was a busy summer and hopefully a fun one for Lulu, but quite frankly, I'm exhausted from trying to keep her entertained for two straight months.
Fun as it might be to hang out 24/7 with a six year old.

That being said, I really need to stop worrying about myself and how I'm going to adapt to our new routine and instead focus on Lulu and her fears or anxieties about going back to school.
Not that she has mentioned anything so far, but still, I really need to be there for her and be positive.

Speaking of being positive, although the summer flew by, it still isn't completely over.
So instead of fretting about the days ahead, I'm going to soak up the last few days of summer 2011.

the dog days of summer

Well we finally did it.
we caved and got "Lulu" a puppy.
Introducing Chelsea.
(we got her in Chelsea NYC)
After just a week at home, this dog is clearly "my" puppy though.
Lulu has kind of shirked all responsibility.
"you want me to pick up her POOP ?!!!" "ahhhhh! NO way!!"
So the cleaning, walking, training and over all total responsibly, is completely up to me.
No big surprises here.
To be honest, I don't really mind.
I forgot how much I love having a little dog around.
Though the poop thing does take some getting used to.
Who knew 11 week old french bulldogs went 6-8 times a day?
It's like having a baby all over again.

But she is so sweet and even though puppies are A LOT of work, I'm sure it will all be worth it.
let's hope.....



Oh and I guess I'm not the only one who thinks these dogs are adorable.

the tide is high

It's strange, even though I see Lulu everyday, occasionally it hits me like a ton of bricks how much bigger she is now.
I get so caught up in day to day life and then BAM! I realize she's six and is no longer my little peanut.
Okay, she still is, and always will be, my little peanut, only now she's just a taller and smarter peanut.
While she was in camp she somehow picked up the phrase "for real" and now says it with vigor at the end of almost every sentence.
I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until at least age 13??
Anyhow, it's pretty cute, and every time she says "no for real momma" big daddy & I look at each other and try not to crack up.

It's really great being able to take time away from our regular life & routine and really notice these little changes.
I'm having such a great time on this road trip.
Lulu was completely chilled on the ride to the coast and it really didn't seem to take very long.
Big daddy had his doubts, but I knew it would be smooth sailing.
Six is the perfect age for long road trips.
Bonus that now she can read maps and signs, so there really wasn't too much "are we there yet?"
Connecticut is lovely and it was nice to dip our feet in the Atlantic Ocean- despite how incredibly cold it is. brrr
I'll take a great lake any day.
But the waves and the salt air is always so restorative and calming.
We ate at the famous Mystic Pizza.
Which was..meh...pretty good, more importantly Lulu loved it.
Though speaking of food, what is it about American kids menus?
all they ever offer is pop, chocolate milk, deep fried chicken fingers, pizza, hot dogs, grilled cheese and french fries.
Not a veggie in sight.
No wonder there is an obesity epidemic going on here.
Don't even get me started on the portion sizes!
At one place I ordered a salad and I swear it was on a serving platter!
Easily could have fed 4 or 5 people.
Lulu had a pasta dish that also would have been appropriate for at least 2 or even 3 adults.
Crazy.
Anyhow we are now in NYC and the food, well...what can I say about the multitude of amazing food options?
I love this city.
First stop yesterday was Rickshaw Dumplings.
Yum yum.
Then we relaxed during a torrential downpour at Pret A Manger.
LOVE this place.
I wish we had them back home.
My kind of fast food.
We had a nice casual dinner at an Italian restaurant near our hotel called Apertivo.
Good pizza, salads and pasta.
Brought Lulu back to the hotel and her cousin offered to babysit so Big daddy & I could go for a walk around town.
Did I already mention I was in Heaven?
Oh and we are in a really awesome hotel suite with a brand new kitchenette and separate bedrooms.
It's like having our own apartment in Manhattan.
Gotta love P.Diddy big daddy's bro.
So that's it for now.
Looking forward to plenty of fun and excitement over the next few days in the big apple.

like for example this...
Yup I saw this unfold today while shopping on 5th ave.
never a dull moment around here, that's for sure.

Oh and also Big daddy & I were interviewed by the Today Show while walking down the street.
They asked us about Marriage and what drove us crazy about each other.
Ummm do you have a few hours??
kidding of course.
but check it out.
the best part is at around 2:40 into the video

Why do husbands tune wives out?

NBC’s David Gregory talks with marriage therapist Hal Runkel and psychologist Judith Sills about some of the hot marriage issues such as why men often don’t listen and why women constantly tell their husbands what to do.

Not exactly Jack Kerouac

It's hard to believe it's already August!
Why is it that January & February don't go by nearly as quickly?

So far I am happy to report that I've managed to do a bunch of things on my summer-to-do list.
But there is plenty more that I hope to accomplish before the end of the season.
One of the big things I wanted to do was go on a road trip.
Finally big daddy has agreed to go on one this summer.
Given my anxiety about flying, I couldn't be more thrilled.
There's a whole world (albeit mostly New York state, Quebec, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts and maybe Pennsylvania) that is right in our back-yard.
Okay maybe a bit further than that, but all within a days drive.
Not too bad if you ask me.
So the bags are packed, the Ipod is loaded with new tunes.
We have a ton of new movies, games and books to keep Lulu occupied.
Gas in the tank.
Plenty of yummy snacks to keep big daddy in his happy place during the drive.
And we are off on our adventure.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
Lao Tzu