a day in the life of a stay at home mom

7:45 "Look Mom, my tooth fell out!" "In my banana!!" Proceed to remove bloody tooth from banana.

8:25 Pull out last years winter coats for school. Even though it is October. Gahhh.

8:54: Run back into preschool with a sweater for Claire unearthed from the trunk to make her look more presentable for school picture day. Why do I always forget picture day? And also, the fact that I found an appropriate sweater in the trunk? Pretty much proves that cleaning out your car is overrated.

9:05 Walking down the elementary school corridor when the bell rings and I jump out of my skin. Good lord, it has been a long time since I have been inside a school.

9:35 At school office copier chatting with another mom as I run off copies of letter T related worksheets for Abby's Kindergarten class. Strangely relaxing.

10:00 One whole hour to myself before preschool pickup.

10:45 Packaging up a photo order.

12:00 Making soup for dinner with the preschooler while waiting for the bus.

1:27 At the doctors office. There is no record of my appointment. Can I come back tomorrow?

3:15 In the car on the way to the salon to get Abby the manicure promised to her when she lost her first tooth: "Mommy, can I get my hair styled too?" Um, seriously kid? You are FIVE.

Proudly showing off her manicure. Our deal: when she lost her first tooth, I would take her for a manicure and she would then stop sucking her thumb.

4:49 On the couch with both girls vegging in front of Nick Jr. In sweats. Ahhhh.

5:50 CRISIS SITUATION #$%! Tooth is missing!!!

5:55 Tooth recovered.

5:56 "Mommy, are Santa and the tooth fairy real? Megan and Katherine at school told me it is really your parents that do all that stuff." Curse Megan, Katherine and their worldly older brothers.

6:15 The home stretch--bath time!

6:35 DADDY IS HOME!!

7:05 Fight breaks out over who gets Daddy to "do them"(read bedtime books) first. One of these days, they will realize that going to bed first is not a win.

7:45 Both girls officially in bed. Is there anything in the world sweeter than a sleeping child??

abby sings

WARNING: this link is posted for grandparent enjoyment only. All others, believe me when I say that Abby inherited her singing talent from her grandfather and this is not a good thing.

you know it is october when...

...the house is decorated with ghosts, the costumes have been selected, the gummy eyeballs have been purchased for the Halloween punch, mom has forced you to pose for what feels like one hundred pictures with pumpkins, you have taken not one but two random rides through farms on hay filled wagons and candy is falling from the sky.

If I did not like summer so much, October would be my favorite month of the year!!

on my happy list today

Discovering underwear that is both comfortable and sexy. And also reasonably priced enough to buy in bulk.

A series a coincidences that brought new friends into our lives that promise to become great friends.

Two and a half hours to myself on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Just enough time to do a pilates workout, take a leisurely shower and enjoy a bit of me time on the computer before getting big "I am so happy to see you again Mommy hugs" from both my school girls.

Cheddar Corn Chowder. The perfect fall meal.

Two twin sessions this weekend. Newborns and three year olds. Because I like a challenge.

A spur of the moment train ride to the Boston Children's Museum this week with nothing but a small pocketbook in hand. No diapers, no stroller, no heavy camera. Just a beautiful afternoon enjoyed with my girls.

The promise of a beautiful fall afternoon with new friends that are quickly becoming old friends.

A birthday party with pony rides. Does childhood get any sweeter?