Welcome To The Jack & Evy Show!

So yesterday I babysat my niece Evelyn. Jack and Evy are an unmatched comedy duo. Of course Evelyn handles the toilet humor and Jack is the sarcastic serious one.
To start, my brother put Evy's car seat in my vehicle. I suppose I'm only used to riding with one kid so I don't need to worry about much. I'm driving down Lansdowne Ave. when a red light flashes on my dash..."Door ajar?!! What The !!!?!?!?!"
I glance over my shoulder to see a crack of the road. I ram my arm behind the seat and grab the handle. "Evy, did you open the door?!?" ---"ummm...aunt Janet?". I pull into the CVS lot where I proceed to close and lock the doors. Once we're back inside I turn to Evy and ask her why she opened the door. Her reply- "Well, Aunt Janet, that's why my mommy doesn't have these kind of doors."
We reached the house unscathed. Jack followed Evy around trying to do everything she did and showing off to boot.
I gave Evy her first taste of seaweed. She spit it out. I can understand that she's 4. Jack was pissed though. Seaweed is one of his favorite things. He looked at her so serious and said "Don't spit it out Eby- that's not very nice!" He then ate her left over damp seaweed. That was a wee bit gross. But I just wasn't quick enough to stop him.
It was a fun day. We danced sang and played with every toy we own.
Watching these two play together was a real treat for me.
I'm just glad my mother came to get Evy just as she found a "green bean" (aka- huge booger) in her nose. She didn't want a tissue- she wanted to save it to show her daddy.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

Hey Boo Boo!

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my grandfather's death. We gathered this morning at Mom-Mom's house to have mass in honor of his name. Since this morning I have been thinking about all of the wonderful ways he has touched the life of our family.

To start with the name. He has always been Boo-Boo. It was his signature way to greet any infant that would come through the door. He would tickle their chin and say "Ah boo boo boo!". It stuck.

After the death of my great-grandfather, Boo-Boo took hold of the family restaurant. He was a hard boss with a quick wit. There are so many hard ass bosses out there and he was one of them. I can remember some of the cooks trash talking him, but they always ended with the fact that he was a good man. He wasn't a side line boss. There were many a night (almost every) that his sleeves would be rolled up as he joined in with the dishwashers. He could be seen behind the line cooking...and of course tasting! I've only been to the restaurant once since he died. I don't know if I really have any desire to.

When he wasn't at work he could be seen dressed like Elmur Fud at any local thrift shop. I've been to a few with him. It was always exciting- as a kid you always felt like you were on a treasure hunt. My Mom-mom couldn't stand all of the "junk" he brought home. Boo-Boo would hide it from her. At one point he would buy furniture and dressers just to store his loot.

He was an amazing cook. As a child we would stay overnight many times. I would often awake in the middle of the night to the sizzle and smell of a fillet Mignon cooking. The man knew how to have a midnight snack!

He loved to tease Mom-mom. She would get so easily frustrated with his antics, and he would just taunt her. Then he would look at us and laugh. He had such a great laugh- he would squint his whole face and hiss.

One of his most favorite traditions was taking the family picture (pronounced pik-ture). When my great-grandmother was still with us, Boo-Boo would manage to wrangle 187 people into one shot. He would have babies singing and everyone else laughing. Then he would run as the timer went off to get his seat in the front. Most times surrounded by us kids.

We are getting another portrait taken...just our immediate family- so only about 50 people or so- I feel for the photographer- for Boo-boo- it would have been a snap!

So many stories...I'll share more a s time goes on. I just wanted to give a quick "shout out" to him.

Even though he's gone, I can see bits of him in all of my aunts and uncles. Each one of them has a trait. Looks, laugh, humor, work ethic. Its amazing to know that in so many ways he is still here.

I love you Boo-Boo

Pork Roll Sandwich

In our house dinner was a time that we would always sit together at the table and talk about our day. There was no TV, just family. As I've said before, my mom is an amazing cook and we always had hot meals on the table. I always had to drink at least one glass of milk (yuk!) before I could get a coveted glass of my dad's ice tea. I'm happy to say that this tradition continues in our house. In this day and age it's so easy to just grab something and go- but we will always sit together for dinner.
I could probably count on one hand how many times my mom wasn't home to cook for dinner. My father would be left to cook for us, and by cook I mean fried sandwiches.
He made the most amazing grilled ham and cheese. It would be soaked in butter and dripping with cheese. What I loved even more was having a pork roll sandwich. There is nothing more comforting than a piece of Taylor pork roll stuffed between a toasted english muffin.
On these nights we didn't have to sit at the table- much to my mom's chagrin I'm sure. We would curl up on the couch together and pick something we all wanted to watch.
I know that this goes against the first paragraph of this entry, but you have to think of being a kid. It takes years to realize the importance of a dinner surrounded only by family conversation. Half the time I was fending off my brother's evil remarks.
My dad, I don't think he ever truly grew up. So I assume that he was in the 'while the cat's away' frame of mind. We always cleaned up as best we could and put the dishes away.
I'm sure my mom knew about these dinners- but she never let on. We felt like we were getting away with something.
This morning for breakfast, I made Jack a pork roll sandwich- loaded with cheese and on a perfectly toasted english muffin. Instead of sitting at the table, we snuggled in our jammies on the couch and watched cartoons. His chubby little hands gripped the warm bread. He took mini bites and smiled while his jammie covered feet did a little dance. I know there are crumbs on the couch.
I'll vacum later.

Another Conversation

JHT: Oh No Mommy, what happened?

ME: A birdy pooped on the window.

JHT: Change birdy's diaper Mommy.

ME: Ok honey.

JHT: That's yucky Mommy, don't touch it!

Me: I won't

JHT: An' don't eat it!

ME: I'll try not to.

Early Bird my Ass

I just looked outside and saw a big ol' bird pull 3 fat worms out of my lawn. It was around 8 am.
This bird is more than welcome to dine on my lawn for a late start any day!

I Don't Believe in Epidurals...

Got your attention didn't I...

Let me explain...

I believe, oh yes I believe. Now for those women who managed to go through labor without- I salute you. I on the other hand, lasted a mere 7 hours before I called in Dr. Feelgood to make it all haze away. Good thing too, since it all ended in an emergency C-section anyway.

Back to the title of this entry: I watch TLC's A Baby Story every now and then. I saw this episode a few days ago and was meaning to write about it- but I forgot until today when I stubbed my toe on the piano (who put that there!?!?). The couple began as normal talking about the pregnancy. The wife said that she wanted to do a natural labor. Again, good for her. Then they cut to the husband who said: "I don't believe in Epidurals my wife won't be having one". I silently began to weave a 'tapestry of obscenity' towards this man. Who does he think he is?...but oh, it gets worse...

This poor woman has been in hard labor for 24 hours and she's only at like 6 or 7 centimeters. She begins to take back the whole natural labor idea and at this request her husband says: "Don't quit on me now, don't give up" Mind you he didn't say this is a reassuring manner- Even the damned mid wife thought that this was a really hard labor to do un medicated.

He just kept telling her no. What I wanted to do was staple his penis to his forehead and tell he not to give up when the pain hit. Just keep going champ.

Finally this poor woman got her sweet drugs, and I think actually had to get a c-section too. I wonder if this ass wipe was against that too. Dill weed.

During the re-cap at the end, the woman said that her husband later apologized for being so hard on her. That didn't really make me feel better.

Thank God I have a hubby who is pro keeping the pain to a minimum. This other guy had better not come to my neighborhood, because I will be waiting- with a stapler.

Curious...

So Sage has commented on more than one occasion that he believes our son to resemble the famous Curious George. Maybe I couldn't find the right picture to show the likeness, but I too have begun to see their similarity. I'm not sure though. Maybe the likeness is in the fact that Jack will scale the couch and stand in the window sill. Every time I go to pee I am sure that this is what he is doing. I can pee so fast nowadays. Maybe its the fact that Jack will get himself into trouble and tilt his head to the side, smile and say "oh mommy?" much like George will do to the man with the yellow hat. I dunno- you can be the judge. No matter what- Jack is a little monkey.

My Best Shot Monday

Welcome to Deleware County in April.

This is what I woke up to, and my heart sunk a bit as I looked out the window.

I had to go to a meeting this morning and was met with about 3-4" of slush as I walked through the parking lot towards the office. To quote my mother "It sucks".

She is a Confucious of sorts.

Happy Monday and go on over to Picture This to see what everyone else put up.

Top That

This was on ABC Family today during Jack's nap. I so watched it. I love this movie. This is a pre-Potter cult classic!

Acquired Elevated Mom Status

There are 2 reasons that I have elevated my mom status.

1) I made homemade meatballs and spaghetti sauce. I repeat- from scratch. Know that I am not Italian, it is not in my blood to create this. We come from the land of meat and potatoes.
Some of you may scoff, because to you it may seem as easy as breathing. I have wanted to make it since I became a wife but have been too scared to do so. Today I dove in. Sage's only request in making sauce was that it be thick. Mission completion. I surprised myself. It was really good. While I was eating I imagined myself making dozens of batches and freezing them all for a rainy day. Sad, I know. But for me this was a fear that I conquered. I have made sauce. Oh, and I call it sauce not gravy- this is due to my maiden name being DOYLE.

2) Jack had his first real time out today. I used to laugh at this, especially when it came to a 2 year old. But tonight I reacted just like Jo Frost. Sage was doing the dishes and Jack walked up behind him and bit the thin skin area right below his butt. I have seen kids thrown out of pre schools for biting- I have no tolerance for it. I put Jack in the corner and told him why. He tried to get up twice, but I just brought him back to the spot. He eventually sat there for 2 minutes and sulked. When he was done I made him apologize to Sage. I was amazed that he actually sat there.
On a side note I call it time out. Jo calls it the Naughty Spot. I refuse to call it this. Naughty Spot sounds like a fun place for sex. The word naughty in general denotes sex for me. Just thought you should know.

These may seem like small mom things to the experienced- but for me its a pat on the back and some cookies 'n' cream on a cone. Which will be delish while watching tonight's all new Office!

5 Questions From Partie de Fromage

So Amy over at Cheese Party was playing a fun bog game in which her friend made up five questions for her to answer. Amy wanted to extend the fun. So I asked her to make up 5 for me...So here are her questions:

1. Is Willy Wonka creepy or cool? Part B: Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp?

I'm a big fan of Willy Wonka. Looking back, I think that he should have creeped me out, especially during the boat scene. I was a chunky child, so the thought of an entire room full of edibles was quite enticing.
Part B: O.K. I love Johnny Depp. He's in my top 3 of famous men. But....you can not top Gene Wilder playing Willy Wonka. Many people were disappointed when they saw the remake. I was not. I made sure to erase the original from my mind and take the remake as its own entity. I think that Johnny Depp was the best choice for the part. I knew he would not try to emulate Wilder which was smart. So in conclusion Wilder for Wonka and Depp for making out purposes!

2. Would you be willing to share with us where Jack Henry was conceived? If not, share your favorite moment from his birth day.

I wish that I could say that Jack was conceived in some exotic locale with mixed drinks involved. But alas he was conceived in our own bed back in our old apartment in Lansdowne.
I have 2 Favorite moments from the day of his birth:
1) An hour or 3 after my water broke we decided to go to the hospital. But not before making a pit stop. In the Wawa, the woman behind the counter asked when I was due. I replied "Four days ago and my water just broke". They must have thought it happened in the store because I saw an employee walk out from the back with a mop.
2) When I heard "It's a boy". I fished my wish.
Everything in between those times kinda sucked.

3. I know you as an actress, photographer, painter. I'm sure there's more. So what is your favorite form of artistic expression?

My favorite has to be music. There were a few rough years in my life and I don't think I would have made it without writing and performing my music. These days I don't get to play the guitar much, but if you are within a few feet of my house you will surely hear show tunes and other songs loud and clear...and then you'll hear a 2 year old voice say "stop mommy!". What a love -huh?!?

4. What was your favorite food growing up that your mother would make for you? Is it still as good today as it was then?

My mom is the best cook EVER! I actually got to eat my favorite meal just last week. She makes the best roast beef, homemade gravy, and hand smashed red skin potatoes in the world. Great, now I'm hungry, again. The best part about my mom's food is that walking up the steps to her house you can smell it. You walk in the front door and the aroma wraps itself around you and you feel like you never left home. The BEST!

5. If you could have any other name in the world, what would you pick?

There are 2 names that I always wanted to have as a kid:

Jem: If you don't know why I wanted this name then you obviously missed one of the best cartoons in the 80's

Kyra: My all time favorite movie as a child was The Dark Crystal. The main girl characters name was Kyra. I love this name. I always wanted to LIVE in the movie. My mom will attest to this as I watched the film everyday. I am also so stoked that the sequel is coming out...I really can't wait...really!

Thanks again to Amy for the creative questions...If anyone reading this wants to have the same fun. Leave a comment and I will make up some for you. I just hope they are as good as Amy's!

My Best Shot Monday

This is my niece Evelyn.

Static makes me angry too.

To see other Best Shot Mondays go on over to

Picture This!

Happy Easter

Many Thanks to Aunt Liz and Uncle Bob for hosting Easter breakfast like they do every year. As usual it was full of family, food, and good laughs. Every year Liz says she doesn't want to do it. But we have always gone to their house; ever since I was a little girl. I couldn't imagine Easter anywhere else! And mom, that shirt is HOT!

More Conversations With Jack

Scene: Walking up the steps behind Jack I get a really ripe whiff. At the top of the stairs I check his diaper to confirm my diagnosis...

Me: Hey buddy, did you make some poop?

J.H.: No Mommy, just toots.

Me: I don't think so...

J.H.: Just Toots Mommy!!

Me: Lets go change that diaper.

J.H.: Yeab it in dere Mommy!

Me: I will not just leave it.

J.H.: Hi mommy, my name's Jack Henry.

Me: Don't change the subject, lets go.

Gym Etiquette

There are many articles on gym etiquette. so far I've only found one that talks about the rules of the game in an aerobic class. I know all about sweat, smells, and sounds but what about personal space.
In the classes I take I generally stay in the mid to back region of the room. I think the farther away from the jiggle in the mirrors- the better! I also think that it is an appropriate placement for my experience. I'm not the most in shape, but not the worst either.
So today, in the hardest class of the week for me, I am really trying to focus. Remember the reunion with the successful doctors is coming up.
About ten minutes into class a woman meanders in with a mug of coffee. She is donning her sweats and a couple other layers of clothes. I glance but only quickly because we are doing some crazy shit with weights and balance. She sips her coffee and slowly takes off layer after layer. She then places her mug about 12 inches behind me. Oh and just in case you weren't sure about the class, there is nothing stationary about it!
She has finally decided that she is ready to begin. The class was by no means packed today, but she really wanted to stand right next to me. Like really close. Again, not a stationary class!
We are doing kicks with grapevines and all sorts of using the large space allotted to use. But this woman stays right up on my grill. Does she not realize that I smell like a 325 lb. fat man when I work out.
The real kicker is that I try to move to different spots during the water breaks. Freedom. No, no really, in about 3 moves she is right there again.
I swear I almost abduct squated her right in the kidney- on purpose!
So for anyone who reads up on gym etiquette...Rule # 10- Back it up!

Where The Boys Are

Whats with men and their need to hover around other working men. I'll explain. My neighbor across the street is a nice older Greek man. He was telling me that he was having the "dish" installed so he could get some Greek channels. A day or so later I look outside to see that the "dish" guy was installing this enormous dish on the side of the house. Yes, their house now has a huge ear. The poor dish guy. He was up on the ladder answering calls from his boss on speaker phone and had my neighbor standing at the bottom with his hands on his hips. When ever there was a break in the nextel I could see my neighbor waving his hands and pointing. For over an hour the 2 two were out there.
This same thing happened years ago when my parents had to get the dishwasher fixed. My dad was next to the guy the whole time holding a flashlight and asking questions.
I don't get it...if anyone has an idea please fill me in on this secret of manliness.

My Best Shot Monday

Sick From Head to Toes

My poor little guy has a wicked cold. Its getting better, but this weekend he was aregular boogie factory. He was such a trooper. I don't know if you can tell but there is a line on his little cheek. Thats a lone tear that fell after I wiped his little nose. Sheesh

As always you can visit Picture This to see other best shot mondays. For those who can't find them. The links are in the comments section.

Have a great Day!