"Never let a Polish woman into your house..."

"Never let a Polish woman into your house" that's the latest advise from Bogda. Polish women are mean and will harshly judge your housekeeping skills, decorating choices, and attempts at parenting. Noted. The other day I found myself defending Kitty's choice in befriending a shy little girl whose family just happens to be from Mexico. Bogda doesn't trust very many different ethnicities and I sometimes have to remind her that some of her ideas are not accurate, let alone nice. I was losing the battle and in my desperation I said, "What if someone said all Polish people were horrible, nasty people?" She quickly responded, "They are." Case closed.

Have you met John?

You may have seen us struggling through a meltdown in a public place.  You may have even been that person who asked, "What is wrong with him?" as I strong-armed his intentionally limp body off the ground. Or perhaps you watched from afar wondering what a great big boy like that was doing screaming, yelling and flailing like a two year old. Chances are we got your attention.

Sometimes I am the soft spoken, patient mother who quietly escorts her angry son away, but mostly I get angry and embarrassed myself and try my best imitation of the stern, no nonsense drill sargent.  Neither tactic works, by the way.

My biggest fear? You thinking you could do better. I'll admit, I've thought this myself about you and your children. But that was a long time ago.

Did you know I hate it when your child gets called names just because they happen to be in the right place at the right time? No amount of apology or shrugging of shoulders makes up for ugly words targeted at your child.

If you look closer you might see I'm doing my best and that what comes out of my son's mouth is only a reflection of his internal struggle.

If you look closer you might see a boy who is unsure and anxious. 

A boy who desperately wants to be accepted by his peers. 

A boy who ironically hates the spotlight and would like to blend in.

A boy who likes to laugh and have fun, but who finds it difficult to lighten up and let go.

I love this boy.

Oh my Chickie!

Chickie is 8 months today.

This baby likes to move and I had a hard time getting her to sit for the mandatory picture.

Although she is not yet crawling, we are working on a few signs so that she can be ready to read by the time she turns 1.  As you know, it is important to rush these milestones. My goal is to have her eating cheeseburgers by next month.

I've seen this look before...



Pointing to the baby's eye (she's brilliant by the way).



Which of these hands doesn't belong? I had to force her to sit back.



This picture makes me laugh, I caught her in the middle of making her funny face where she scrunches up her nose sniffs. 



My cutest girls.