Philanthropic October

Ava & Bettina with their pre-school class after Boogie-ing 10-minutes for Baha', their "friend" in the Gaza Strip.


This month is more philantropically oriented than I thought at the beginning of the month! They participated in a book drive at church where they brought in 5-grocery bags of lightly used books. They spent one of their Saturday mornings in Halloween costume at a local old-folks' home (where Alessandro was the true hit - boy, did they get lost once our little pony grabbed ahold of their finger!). Lastly, they participated in a dance-a-thon where raised $160.00 for the tuition of a little deaf boy in the Gaza Strip so that he could go to a special school for the deaf. That's one-fifth his tuition for one-year!!!
They should feel really good about helping people and bringing smiles to complete strangers. Perhaps Santa will be extra-kind to them this year!

Aren't You Glad You're Not Them?

This email came through my inbox from another twin mom seeking advice....so glad it's not me:

"Twins Trying To Kill Me -- Ok, not literally but anyone else have problems with their twins making a mess in their rooms/houses at night? We have a three bedroom house, three kids so mathematically we have to have the girls together and the boy alone safe in his crib at night.Sunday they got up at about 6am and got into the food closet (and yes now we have a lock) and decided to poor brownie batter (powder) all over the furniture, new carpet, walls and drapes. They then topped it with a Costco sized bag of goldfish crackers. On top of that they made sure to get water from the bathroom (which now is also locked) and pour it all over the carpet-all over the downstairs-soaked!Ok, we locked the food cabinets and told them to use our bedroom bathroom at night. We locked the boys bedroom to keep him safe with a monitor.The next day Monday my husband camps out in front of their bedroom but upon leaving their bedroom door they took out all their clothes from every drawer and threw them all over the room (yes they've done this about four times before) but this time they managed to get all the clothes hanging up in their closet down and strew those too. Should we have to get drawers that lock? I've already hidden away all their toys and books-I take out only a few at a time.They are three, and identical, and very giddy about it all.We are angry and getting tired.Anyone else have any similar problems/suggestions.So tired..need...help...Mom of twins trying to kill her (maybe literally)

Alessandro - 4 Months Stats

Alessandro as a little horse for Halloween. His sisters are a cowgirl and an equestrian rider.... cute, huh?

height: 26" (65-75%)
weight: 14 lbs, 9 1/2 oz (50%)
head: 16.5" (25%)

Ballet Recital - "Mommy, I'm a snowflake!"

The girls have finished their second series of ballet classes and here are some highlights from the end-of-the-series recital. There were only 4 girls in the class, and they did 3 dances from The Nutcracker Suite: March, Waltz of the Snowflakes and the Russian dance Tr'pak. As the girls come back into the room from their costume change and just before they dance in their blue costumes, Bettina whispers loudly from across the room, "Mommy, I'm a snowflake!"

Waltz of the Snowflakes

March (pretending to be Clara's friends with their nutcrakers)

Russian Dance

All I Want for my Birthday

So, while trying to fall asleep, I fantasized about what I would like to have for my birthday. Many things flashed through my head: a luxuriously long, hot shower, uninterrupted by children's questions or complaints, a whole day without spit-up in my hair, a day when I don't have to change my clothes 3 times from curtled cheese embedded in the fabric, a 20-minute drive without noise when I can listen to "my" music, not haunted by The Wiggles' lyrics dancing though my head. The images kept growing. I couldn't decide which one to choose as my birthday wish.

This morning, instead of breakfast in bed for me, I woke to make strawberry pancakes for the girls who chatted animatedly, clearly enjoying the food. And instead of dressing in a real "grown-up's" outfit, I sat in my over sized t-shirt, marked with a spot of spit-up, and watch my son as he heavily sighs during his morning nap.

I think about my wishes....if I got a day without spit-up in my hair, that would mean it would be a day without this 15-pound little man who now giggles and slyly smiles at me when I'm in sight. If I had my wish of a quiet car, it would mean missing out on hearing Ava and Bettina retell to each other the story of a show they saw or a friend from school or their hopes of what to do with their day. A clean car would mean less getting dirty with the kids. So, I have to reconsider. Perhaps I don't want what I initially thought I wanted.

I've got it. I want a beautiful picture to go with all of these daily memories. Forget the fancy clothes or an adult-only dinner at an overpriced restaurant. I'll take a professional photographer for my family and kids - and perhaps I'll opt to try to be free of spit-up on my shoulders or hair.

Alessandro the Wedding Crasher

Wedding #2 - Tracy to Addi (2 months old)
Wedding #1 - my cousin Jimee to Barry (3-weeks)

Wedding #3 - Krista to Kleve (3 months)

I may have mentioned that we have been invited to 5 weddings in the span of 6-months. And, even though the invitation haven't included his name, I've needed to bring Alessandro since he's still too small to stay with a babysitter (don't worry - I've checked with the brides beforehand).

I thought that I'd start a photo compilation of him and all these beautiful brides. I didn't think to do this with the first wedding, my cousin's when Alex was just 4-weeks old, but I think I can photoshop something later...

So, here's Alex with bride and groom Krista and Kleve. Soon to come will be Tracy and Addi and I'll have to photoshop Alex into a photo with Jimee'. Soon to come will be Tina and Neil, who we will see next month at the same venue where Paul and I got married six-years ago.

Three is a Magic Number

Here we are - everyone is three: the girls are three-years old and Little Man is three-months old. Together, they are three little kids. I must say that three is a magic number. We have reached our "groove" and, for the most part, we get along in our little routine. It gets easier all the time, especially as the girls learn to do more independent play and problem solving.

I can take a shower, enjoy a cup of coffee, or even do a couple loads of laundry without having them underfoot or otherwise demanding acute attention. We can eat Popsicle on the front porch or go on a trail ride with Misty and chat about what's on their mind, which is sometimes quite profound and insightful.

I'm enjoying my three. Three kids who are three and three. Three is a magic number.

The Debate...

"The truth is that we have been living beyond our means and my economic plan is [to give more money to those same people living beyond their means]." Well, at least he admitted it....

October is a Giving Month

Alessandro and Ava visit in costume with a senior citizen who used to be a first-grade teacher.

October is a giving month at our church....actually, every month offers new opportunities to give back to the community. However, this month, there are not one, but two great ways that the girls could participate. So, we signed up for the book donation drive as well as a visit to a local seniors' home in costume (we did this one last year as well).

Here's the email we sent to friends to help us out: "During the month of October, Ava and Bettina are participating in their church's children's book drive. We hope to pick up and recycle books from our friends. The girls will bring the books we collect to church where they will go to families who can't afford them.

If you have any books you would like to donate to this cause, please let me know. Ava and Bettina and I will arrange to pick them up and perhaps plan some play time with you! It should be a fun, simple and meaningful way to teach them how help others."

The response was amazing! Within a week, we had 4 families give us 3-bags worth of books. Our donation alone filled up the book box at church! The kids were sooo proud. They just HAD to show David (the Director of Childrens' Ministries, who the just adore!).

The Pumpkin Patch

Some pictures from our visit to the pumpkin patch at Lemo's Farm in Half Moon Bay with cousin Braxton, Grandma and Aunt Ainsley....

We visited the petting zoo of goats and rode the ponies and the "scary" haunted train. The girls loved the train before it left, hated it during (especially in the tunnels - crying and afraid of the "scary things") and asked to go again when we got off. I remember the days myself...

3-Months and a Visit to The Picture People

Height: 24 inches (50%) Weight: 12 lbs 15 oz (50%) Head: 39.75 cm (25%)

Alessandro's favorite things:
making faces at Mommy, grasping fingers, watching the ducks on his swing, putting his fingers/fists in and around his mouth, usually resulting in pulling out his binky, standing up in his wobbly way, watching the world from his Ergo carrier. He can't stand the car seat, although he's finally able to fall asleep after fighting the system for 5-10 minutes. He does not sleep though the night, opting to wake about 11pm, 2am and then every 45 min-1 hour between 4am and 6am, finally falling asleep solidly at 7am, just when the girls get up!

Addicted to Facebook

My friend Ian was talking about Facebook as we chatted and watched our children in the Kid Zone section of our local art and wine festival. He was so excited because it connected him with a ton of friends from high school and fired him up like it was our 20th high school reunion all over again. It got me curious. I tried it. I made friends...a lot of friends. Heck, even my pediatrian has a facebook page (you know you have a hip pediatrician when she's got a facebook page!).

Turns out, I like seeing what friends, both good and acquaintance, are up to. It's a little window into their world as well as a place to leave a one-lined vent. Often, this is just what a crazed mother entrenched in a kids' world needs. Need a friend -- or a lot of friends? Try it...and look me up.

Did He Actually Say That?

It's one thing to go to the Feds and ask them to change/adjust the interest rate for those caught in the mortgage crisis, but for Biden to actually say the government should advocate so that their PRINCIPLE is lessen is sickening! That scares me. Or, perhaps I should go get me one of Uncle Sam's credit cards....I'm going shopping.. with the expectation that at least half will be paid by someone else.