CRAZY RANTS AND THOUGHTS FROM A MAD WOMAN...OK NOT A MAD WOMAN...A WORKING MOM WITH LITTLE TIME FOR HERSELF!

The other night I was reading "If you give a mouse a cookie..." the famous children's tale of how one thing leads to the next and to the next and the next...and before you know it you're back right where you started. That's how I feel (especially when I get little or no sleep)....my thoughts keep bouncing around from one side of my brain to the next. So I decided to jot some of these "random thoughts" down to see if I wasn't alone in my thinking.

In no particular order...this is what keeps me up at nights....

Why is it when I tell my girls to go potty before we leave (especially when we're about to hit a park with no bathrooms or porto-pottys that haven't been cleaned since Adam met Eve) the girls say they don't have to go--or they just went...and then the minute we drive to the park...they have to go?

Why is it the girls tell me they need new school supplies like a glue stick at 9 pm on a Sunday night?

Why is it when I'm slaving over a really nice dinner for the family--my girls aren't too hungry because they found hidden snacks somewhere and helped themselves?

Why is it that in a blink of an eye when my daughter Graceann was so "clingy" and never wanted to leave my side...now ditches me for her friends?

Why is it when my ankles and knees are killing me there aren't any seats left on the train?

Why is it when I think I'm saving money because I am buying chicken in bulk...it becomes the one grocery bag left under the seat that didn't get brought in the night before.

On the same token...why is it when I think I'm saving money by buying fruit in bulk...the fruit flies enjoy it more than my family does?

Why is it that when I say no to my girls they know exactly how long to whine until I finally give in.

Why is it one child can't have a playdate without all the others complaining they want one too--so next thing I know 10 kids are running around my house.

Why do my daughters continue to eat in the tv room when I tell them not to...and so not to get caught they stuff their wrappers inside the couch?

Why is it that the days I have to wake up at 5 am for work...one of my girls can't sleep and wakes me up?

Why is it that on Saturday when I could sleep in late...another one of my girls can't sleep and wakes me up?

Why is it my girls take cereal for one but pour milk for 2 in their bowl and never finish it?

Why is it just when I try to sleep on the train because I have all these random thoughts...I end up sitting next to chatty cathy?



Graceann--one of 5 reasons I'm up all night...the other 4 reasons are Caroline, Pauline, Gemma and Rebecca.

I would love to hear your RANDOM THOUGHTS...we can compare notes...and I'm sure you can give me even more thoughts that will totally keep me up...please leave a comment or email me at threepluskids@aol.com

LUCKY 13!

Bob and I have been married for 13 wonderful years!

Today is my lucky 13th year wedding anniversary. I can remember the day as if it were yesterday. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The weather was not too warm and yet not too cold...just perfect (of course it could have been raining cats and dogs and I would have remembered that day still being just perfect) yes the weather was truly perfect. We had a beautiful church wedding with 3 priests presiding (I used to work in a church rectory). Fr. Morely, Fr. Marciniak and Fr. Finnerty said our Mass. Sally Jessy Raphael (who I worked for at the time) came to both the ceremony and reception....as did former TV host Richard Bey. I guess you could say it was a star studded event...but the stars were all in my eyes for my husband Bob.

I was so fortunate to marry my very best friend in this world. He's basically my very own SUPERMAN. After all, he can handle five whining daughters in a single bound. And look, it's a bird, it's a plan...it's my husband who doesn't flinch when I send him to the store in the middle of the night to buy "overnights with wings".

My anniversary wish is that our 5 daughters all find men like their dad...who puts them first.
And someone who supports their career choices as Bob does mine. Someone who loves them as deeply as my husband makes me feel he loves me. Of course we'll help narrow thier choices....Bob promises to be cleaning his gun when the young men come calling for their dates.

Yesterday I surprised my husband for our anniversary. I told him we had to go to a pre-showing of the Martha Stewart Employee Art Show. He begrudgingly got dressed up for another one of my "work events"...and when it was time to drive into the city we pulled up to his all time favorite restaurant--Rod's Steakhouse in Morristown New Jersey. The food was delicious as always. Definately worth a visit for a special occasion. I brought my camera to photograph all of our food (as I learned from working with Martha)...and I was so enraptured in the ambiance...and my growling stomach that I didn't remember to pull the camera out till dessert came--creamy rich cheesecake...yum with a strawberry mango sauce and fresh berries and mint.


The chandelier is just astounding...beautiful Tiffany Glass windows adorn the ceiling and walls.

What a great way to spend our 13th anniversary...my husband and I both agreed we need more date nights...and a few "date weekends"...but who in their right mind is going to babysit 5 girls? Maybe in 15 more years.....ahh....but I won't hold my breath.....

Rod's Steakhouse...they also have an amazing brunch on Sundays.....

BIG SISTERS

MY BIG SISTER MARIA

Graceann is the oldest of all my girls. I am always explaining to her that being the first born comes with a lot of responsibilities. She has to be an example to her other sisters. They are sponges and “monkey see—monkey do”. And the monkey business that takes place is never up to any good. It’s not always easy being the oldest…but I’ve noticed that Graceann as she gets older is becoming more responsible. She does watch out for her sisters—and yes there is the occasional fight and name calling—but overall she helps her sisters in any way she can.
I can only hope that Graceann grows into the role my older sister Maria is with me and the rest of my siblings. Maria is like a mother hen (in a really good way). She watches out for all of us and is happens to be organized and on top of everything. She’s the one who knows all the important family dates. And helps plan all family outings and get togethers. It’s amazing she has time to remember everything when she has a full time job as a doctor, mother, wife, and full time scrapbooker. Her scrapbooks would put anyone to shame…do I dare say even Martha herself doesn’t hold a candle to Maria’s works of art. If you don’t believe me you can see for yourself. Check out her website

Maria's BLOG:
http://stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com/

Ok…told you it was pretty phenomenal. Maria is always there for all 7 of my brothers and sisters—always with advice and a kind word and a beautiful card. Graceann has an aunt she can emulate. Have a great day…and if you can…call your older sister (or brother, or even your younger sister or brother…or your parents)—and tell them you love them and appreciate them! Thanks Maria.

DREAM AND BELIEVE!

GRACE AND HER PRIZED BALL!

As the supervising producer for the Martha Stewart, I will tell you there are some great perks with the job. First of all…imagine having great party ideas, costume ideas, gift ideas, and delicious recipes always at the tips of your fingers at any given moment. The resources I come in contact with every single day are just amazing. Also the guests I come in contact with everyday always have so much to offer—whether it’s a celebrity, an artisan or a chef or a gardener—I am always armed with great tips and ideas—it’s really cool. And as much as I love all of that…I truly love when I can pass on the perks to my girls. One time the Cheetah girls performed on our show…and I had my daughters in the front row loving every minute—thinking I was the coolest mom ever. Another time the twins from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody came on—again coolest mom ever award—that’s me! Well this past Friday I think I might have just been canonized as MOM OF THE YEAR---I mean century! I’ve told you countless times how much my daughter Graceann loves to play softball and pitch. She plays for numerous travel teams and truly loves the sport. She’s far better at it than I ever was…and at times when she asks me to play with her…I’m actually scared to catch her—because her fastball almost always knocks me down. Well in addition to playing the game she’s also a big fan of watching the game and her number one player is Jenny Finch. Jenny Finch is the world’s greatest softball player ever. She’s a gold medalist and is truly amazing to watch. Simply put, Jenny Finch is my daughter Graceann’s idol. So you can only imagine when I was told that Jenny Finch was representing WePlay.com how excited I would be to see if it somehow could be worked into our show. Unfortunately due to timing—it just couldn’t happen. I know Graceann would have been so psyched to meet Jenny—but not everything works out—it’s part of life.

Then…I got a gift for Graceann that was just unbelievable. Last Friday before I ran to catch the train I saw a package sitting on my desk. Anne Donohoe who had recommended us having Jenny on Martha to talk about WePlay.com sent over a surprise. Inside the package was a signed ball to Graceann from Jenny Finch with the words Dream and Believe. Anne accompanied Jenny on a trip to ESPN and thought of my daughter and got Jenny to sign a ball. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done.

Graceann was beyond words when she opened the surprise package….she was floored! She stared at the ball and probably didn’t speak for about 30 seconds! It was just priceless. Graceann opened the package just before she was about to run out and pitch for her travel team. Graceann was definitely motivated by that gift…and pitched her heart out. It was probably her best outing of the season. It was so nice—a great gift that will be treasured forever. Thank you Jenny for your inspiration…in today’s crazy world how great is it for young women to have a role model with such positivity to look up to. You encourage girls to reach their dreams and believe…making them realize anything is possible. And thank you Anne—what a thoughtful thing to do…you made a little girl extremely happy---she hasn’t stopped talking about her “Finch ball”.

And for all you moms out there who have daughters (and sons too) who want to play on the computer and interact with their friends….log onto WEPLAY.COM It’s a safe online home to youth sports that allows your team to join and organize schedules etc. We just started to sign everyone up on Graceann’s team. And the games are a lot of fun—in addition to great information offered for your desired sport. It's definately "3PLUSKIDS MOM APPROVED"!!!

Three Cheers for WEPLAY.COM….Three Cheers for JENNY FINCH! And Three Cheers for Anne!.....LET’S GO!

PAINTING PUMPKINS--WHERE A MESS IS JUST A....WELL, A MESS!

GEMMA PAINTED A BEAUTIFUL PUMPKIN...AS WELL AS HER FACE!

BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK....A MASTERPIECE...AN ARTISTIC PUMPKIN...

This weekend we painted pumpkins. Yes it's not quite October 1st yet....(so who knows what these pumpkins will look like on the 31st...) but we wanted to start early. That's what happens when your kids tell you that they're bored. My girls expressed their creativitity not just on the pumpkins themselves...but on my brand new tablecloth, the floor, and their faces. All I wanted to do was scream over the mess and then I held my breath...took a moment and realized...it's only a mess, it's only a brand new tablecloth...let the kids just be kids. And so what could have been a crazy memory of "mommy losing it when we painted pumpkins" ....is now....
"Mommy let us paint pumpkins and we had the best time"! Sometimes that's what we have to do...just step back and let the kids enjoy the moment...and not be so overprotective, or crazed. (***note this doesn't always work). HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pauline thought she was being creative by painting with nail polish. It turned out really cool (***note...does anyone know how to get nail polish off the kitchen floor?")

Kids will be kids...and messes will always be messes....oh well.

Pauline and her black and white pumpkin.

Even 3 year old Becca was hard at work.

Gemma couldn't be any prouder of her pumpkin...and I'm proud that I didn't "lose" it over the huge mess that the kids made....breath...just breath...it'll be ok!

HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER...IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES.

HUSBANDS...DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THEIR HONESTY....?....UM SOMETIMES!

Ladies...we're so fickle aren't we? Ok, I know speak for yourself...sorry. I got dressed this morning and because I had to go to an after work event I wore a dress...something I rarely do. I guess I just don't feel comfortable in them. But I got this really cute summer dress on a summer clearance rack for 10 dollars. (I even thought the price was wrong...but to my delight...a sale is a sale!) Since it's so humid out I figured the summer dress would be my best bet. Now I might be mistaken but I don't think so....in my 5 seasons here at the Martha Stewart Show I don't think I ever wore a dress. So as I was about to run out the door--a bit self conscious...I asked my husband what he thought. Then came the silence which you know right away what that means...DON'T DO IT...TAKE IT OFF...THAT DRESS IS NOT FOR YOU. The silence I knew was my husband playing with words in his head...do I say it looks ok but it doesn't? Do I say she looks fat in the dress? Do I say the color isn't right? Finally the words came out...."well honey...it's just that...ummm.....umm...do you think you have a belt to hold it all in place?" What am I to make of that one? On one hand of course I appreciate his honesty...but on the other hand I'm thinking...couldn't he just say I look great and call it a day...I've got 15 minutes to catch a train!....Oh...are you sure I responded to him...as if I didn't hear him the first time...or just thought he got it all wrong....then he went into these "umm...well....it's what you're comfortable in"...how am I supposed to be comfortable in something that needs a belt to hold it all in place? and what's the all? The belly roll? the endowment? the place you shouldn't pinch an inch but I can pinch two feet?....

I know, I know...he was honest...it wasn't the best look for me. In the end...I think honesty is the best policy...but does it have to come when I have minutes to spare to catching the train? I put on my standby pantsuit...and my husband thought I looked beautiful....and I made the train with a minute to spare...yes...life is good especially when you dont need a belt to hold it all in place!

93 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS...BUT WHO'S COUNTING? ME!

You are going to hate me today when I tell you what I did this past weekend. Are you ready for this....don't hate me too much...keep in mind that I have a crazy schedule, full time job and 5 beautiful children....ok here goes.....I started wrapping Christmas presents. Yes, I know I am ahead of schedule but I have no choice. My goal in years past was to have everything shopped by Halloween and wrapped by Thanksgiving so I could enjoy the holiday season. I could sit with the kids and watch Rudolph instead of locking myself in a room wrapping til the wee hours of the morning. I've done that too many years in a row to know that's not what I want to do. So while I am no where done with my Christmas Shopping (I hope that puts me in your good graces)....I have started and I figured I might as well wrap. The key to getting ahead and enjoying the Holiday season is to be organized. I try and keep lists (although 9 times out of 10 I lose them--hope that's winning me back)....but its important to start early especially when you have alot of kids. Take advantage of starting slow and steady so December isn't a mad rush. I know--easier said than done...but a little here and a little there goes a long way.

On another note....this past weekend we enjoyed one of Graceann's fine pitching games. Except when the game was halted due to....CHILD ON THE FIELD. And not just any child...ONE OF MY CHILDREN!!!! I thought they were playing by the side field when all of a sudden the umpire called time out and said....we need to get the kid off the field. I relaxed and smiled knowing surely it wasn't one of mine...until Graceann called out..."Mom get Gemma off the field". My first instinct was to take her picture...she looked so cute running in the outfield (and I always try to carry a camera with me)...but how would that look...game on hold...while I take shots of my child running around disturbing the peace...so I did what I normally would do in that situation...I made my husband run after her....because lord knows she'd probably outrun me and that would be an even MORE hilarious spectacle.

Life...just take it one day at a time! Start wrapping your gifts...one a day!