April Showers Bring May Flowers

I know that the saying goes "April Showers Bring May Flowers"... but why does it feel like it's raining more in this month than it did last month?

Springtime always makes me want to surround myself with fresh flowers. I wish I could go into the park by me and just pick every single tulip and daffodil that I can get my hands on and put them in vases all around my home. Wouldn't that be beautiful?

Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip with my son to Central Park. It's supposed to be sunny and warm - and I'm so excited! The class is going bird watching. We're going to be on the lookout for robins, sparrows, cardinals, swallows and blue jays. We might even get a glimpse of a peregrine falcon! It's going to be fun because the only birds that we see on a regular basis are pigeons.

It's funny, I feel like I've been stuck indoors all winter, and now I seem to be going to Central Park every few days. I love it!

Sunday in the Park

Life doesn't get any better than a perfect Spring Day in Central Park.

My mom was in town and after a whirlwind weekend of seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway, a birthday party celebration, back-to-back baseball games, etc...we were finally able to kick back and relax!

Once in the park, we tossed baseballs, chased birds, floated in a row boat and my favorite... took a nap in the sun! Central Park is an oasis for city dwellers. I leave after most visits with a renewed sense of being.

We all tumbled home on the subway...all happy, hungry and EXHAUSTED!

Let's Play School

The other day, I overheard a young girl on the subway telling her father that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. This got me to thinking... how come some kids love school, and the idea of learning, while others can think of nothing but summer vacation?

I remember when I was a kid, I loved to play school. My brother and i would take turns being the teacher (I usually was!) , and each of us would patiently sit at our desks with our pencils and notebooks, pretending to learn.

Nowadays, my boys play on the computer...no desk or teacher! And I know that it's not just my boys. With TV and video games being so dominate in their life, are kids pretending as much anymore?

Or is school, and the idea of education, less "fun" than it used to be?

Springtime is in the Air!

I love this time of year because it always makes me feel like I'm a kid again.

Each spring when I was younger, my family would always devote an entire weekend to planting new flowers and getting our gardens ready for spring and summer. It was so much fun because we got to put on old clothing and play in the dirt! My dad would walk around with his wheelbarrow full of fresh, new dirt, and my mom would carry around trays of seed packets and flower pots, but I had the most important job.

I was in charge of digging rows of holes for each flower, and then gently dropping them in. I knew that my job was vital to the appearance of the garden because if I dug the hole too deep, the flower would disappear into it, and if I dug it too shallow, the flower wouldn't be able to take root and grow. I took my job very seriously, and carefully dug rows of identical holes with my own blue-handled shovel.

I can still remember how great it felt to dig in the dirt and be in charge of the flowers. I remember laying in the sun after we had finished planting, laughing with my family and drinking lemonade. I also remember the pride I felt as the season went on, knowing that our garden was so beautiful and colorful because of me.

Hmm. Now it's less of a question of how to dig in the dirt with my boys but where? New Yorkers have precious little space to devote to making mud pies!

From Opera to Baseball!

So last weekend was about opera...and this weekend was the official start of our baseball season.

Yikes!

With 3 sports loving boys, our weekends are suddenly FILLED to the brim with:
- baseballs
- bats
- mitts
- snacks

Moving past my initial boredom as the games seem to drag indefinitely, I started noticing the elements of sportsmanship they were learning.

The team was genuinely proud on each others accomplishments, jumping up and down when someone "wacked" the ball or got an out. In fact, catching a ball for my 8 year old was a quite the surprise.

"WOW...look at that! I caught it." Of course, after marveling at his feat for a while, he then woke up to the reality that he needed to do something with it!

His teammate were yelling, "Henry, throw it to me! Throw it to me!" He slowly lobbed the ball to 2nd base. The runner started to (thankfully) slide too soon, stopping a good foot before the base. The second baseman miraculously stopped the ball and tagged the runner....OUT!!

Whew! Henry became a small giant! His teammates ran up to him and hugged him with excitement. Henry strutted around for a minute with pride and then got back to the business of baseball. After all, he and his teammates had a job to do, together!

We are here! We are here

This is a brilliant MUST read post about a gross oversight in the new Horton Here's a Hoo movie...Thanks to Peter Sagal of NPR.

Click Here and Pass it on!

Engage and Be Happy

The Wall Street Journal just highlighted a recent study that said American were no happier today than they were 40 years ago.

Even in this age of enlightenment and our obsession with self-help and self improvement, this is not a tremendous surprise. What is surprising is the role television plays in determining our mood.

Americans spend between 15% and 17% of our waking hours watching TV. This need to "zone out" or relax actually is contributing to both our and our children's malaise. Activities that allow for us to mentally engaged like exercising or socializing are most likely to make us happier.


People are always shocked when I tell them we have no TV in our house. We simply opted out because we were tired of fighting over which bad program which child was allowed to watch. And yet, both my husband and I can HAPPILY say, it is NOT missed.

In fact, all of us are reading books more (one of the activities the WS Journal says leads to more happiness!) and interacting more with each other (another one).

Hmm. Who knows if our children will end up any happier, but it made me happy to think we may be on the right path!

The Power of a Red Marble

My friend Polly of Barn Dandys e mailed me this story...pretty powerful. Enjoy!


I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily looking a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes and I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"'Lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thanks. Just admirin' the peas. They sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Just admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.


"No, Sir. Got nothin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got is my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.

"Here. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.

"Not exactly but almost.."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy.

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer
whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho "

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath..

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.

Mississippi Magnolia Tree

My boys were in Mississippi last week for their annual St Patrick's Day trek. They arrived home with scratched arms, scraped knees and sunburned necks... bursting with stories.

They ran around the neighborhood with a posse of boys, climbing to the furthest branch possible in hopes of catching an adult off guard with their whoops and hollers. Their favorite adventure included a century old Magnolia tree. They scaled the branches that could easily hold a dozen boys in its arms.

As they recounted their tale, I remembered how much I love to climb trees. I was often lost in trees around our neighborhood in search of a moment of quiet and cool. Children love to discover secret places, hidden away from the adult world.

Hmm. I, too, could use a good hiding place right about now!

In love with old

I admit I love almost everything old or vintage. So as I am in the mist of a major Spring cleaning at home, I find myself rarely parting with any of my flea market finds, vintage outfits or classic toys!

In fact, nothing makes me happier than to see my youngest son wearing a shirt that my oldest son once wore...or even better, playing with a wood toy all three played with.

We live in a day and age, where children's clothes are so inexpensive we'd rather toss them out than "darn" them. In fact, do any of us have a "darning" basket like our grandmothers? Do mom's today sew on patches on jeans, sew back buttons or even hem? It makes me sad to think that as prices for everything come down, so does the value we place on them.

Toys today are so inexpensive, that people often look past longevity and quality for price. The Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. tries to offer value and quality. One of our favorite new pieces, is our custom cradle. It is both hand painted and hand sewn in our Oklahoma workshop. At $48, this heirloom piece (designed to be passed down for generations) seems like a bargain to me.

The bigger question I suppose is how much value do moms truly place on quality. You tell me.

Is living a simpler life possible?

Every newspaper headline for the last month has been predicting an economic recession, a market downturn, loss of jobs, downturn of the housing market, increased debt...

It's enough send any parent (or business owner!) into a tailspin.

I for one, try and focus on simplifying our kids life. I said this to my best friend who laughed and said, "Vicki, how much simpler can your life get?! You have no cell phone, no television, no Wii, no digital games...you can't go back to living the life of Little House on the Prairie!"

Of course, I know this. Yet, it feels that we live in constant need of more, new and improved. So maybe a recession could help us refocus on things of real value and cost nothing.

Like spending more time with our kids and having family dinners instead of going out to dinner, signing up for fewer after school activities, buying fewer and classic toys etc. For some reason this appeals to me.

What about you?

A Lesson from the Giants (New York that is)

On Friday, I was apparently not interested in football nor the Super Bowl. However, being a mom of 3 New York boys and a wife of a football fan, it was hard NOT to get into the spirit of the game.

We haven't had a TV in our house since last summer, so my husband and a bunch of dads gathered around a ginormous flat screen TV to cheer on the Giants. While my boys and I stayed home. Pretty soon, the boys began to ask at regular intervals, "Who's winning, mom?" "Are the Giants going to win?" So we tuned into the radio.

How 1940's is that? It was fun to huddle together around my son, Henry's radio and listen to the plays. The amazing lesson in this particular game, is that the New York Giants were not supposed to win. The New England Patriots had an undefeated record and were the favored team.

Clearly the underdogs, the Giants with the help of sheer grit and determination, did what the sports casters said would never happen...they WON! A historical victory and a life lesson for my kids...if you TRULY put your mind to something, great things can happen.

And a non-football fan, like myself could actually enjoy the game!

School Daze

Today, my 10 year old son's class celebrated the end of their American Indian study. They made a miniature Indian village showcasing a Longhouse, various gardens and fishing techniques. The finished model looked like it was borrowed from the Museum of National History! For us, the best part was watching the kids outline in great detail how the Indians planted, skinned animals and made clothes.

What was fascinating as a parent is to see how the teacher incorporated math, writing, science, literature and of course, social studies into this in depth study. Every kid seemed enthusiastic and engaged. I kept thinking back to my elementary school in Texas, where we were required to sit in our desk facing the teachers back as she wrote on the chalk board. I remember gazing out the window and day dreaming a lot!

I was thrilled to see the changes in the public school education and think our kids are going to be better off because of it.

What's your defination of a "Good Mom"?

I came across a very thought provoking article in one of favorite reads, New York Magazine.

In it, the writer did a random survey among friends asking them their definition of a "Good Mom" and "Good Dad". So before you read any further, pause and do your own definitions.

So, not too surprising, it is far easier for dads to stand up on the winners podium. All they need to do:
- show up for most of the kids important events (1st day of school, concerts, etc)
- change a handful of diapers
- be good providers
- be supportive to mom

Now for us...it's a lot more difficult to even qualify as pretty good moms. We think in order to be considered a good mom we need to be a modern day version of June Clever! We should:
- have our kids eat fruit for breakfast
- volunteer frequently at their schools
- schedule interesting after school activities
- have an organized scrapbook chronicling every moment
- be infinitely patient
- make a healthy (i.e.homemade) family dinners
- play educational games regularly with them
- make homemade cookies to put in their lunches
- AND SO ON
WOW. What does this tell us?

Mom are SO hard on themselves and wracked with guilt! I, for one, think I am a good mom. I rarely volunteer at school, have been known to forget their after school events and snack days, have my kids on the school lunch plan, started a scrapbook for each of my kids when they were born and then now throw everything else in a shoe box to sort out later.

My kids seem to be turning out fairly normal. They tell me they love me and seem relatively happy eating what ever dinner I can manage to throw together.

Of course, only their therapist will really know the truth!

Crafting a Business doing what you love!

Last week, I had my first book signing!

Kathie Fitzgerald wrote beautiful book, Crafting a Business, using entrepreneurs showcased in Country Living magazine. For those of you interested in starting your own business, race out to Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy! Loads of great ideas, tips and tricks and funny stories.

Not knowing what to expect for a Friday night gathering, I was overwhelmed with how TALENTED my co-panelists were...both Cozbi Cabrera and Elisa Strauss have not only written books (and featured cover models at right) but also were so inspiring to listen to, I was thrown into a creative tizzy.

The audience was filled with smart, creative women who had started their business or looking to take the plunge. All in all it was a very energizing and supportive venue and once again reminded me (in the middle of January duldrums!) why I started the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co.

Because I LOVE fabrics, bedding, creating, crafting and creative moms!

Crazy Quilt

Here's some fun facts for you...

Quilting is a HUGE business. In fact, between books, TV and the internet it is a $3.3 billion dollar a year venture! There are some 27 million quilters in the US...mostly women (many of them young). Quilting bees of old are come alive today, as women come together once a month to sew, chat. Quilts are become works of art, worthy of collecting.

I love this! Nothing makes me happier then creating something from fabric. My mom is a quilting fanatic, my grandmother sewed with a purpose. With three boys, I think this skill will stop with me.

However, the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co has many beautiful fabrics to motivate the next generations. And, it is no wonder sewing is the new knitting! Check out some of our newest finds.

Remembering the Race

My husband told me about a kid's city wide open track meet this weekend. I ran track competitively in Junior High and was excited to see the boys on the field.

So on Sunday, our entire family woke up before the sun was up, cooked a big breakfast, laced up shoes and took the train up town. This was our boys first official race and they were practicing their starts along the side walks, slapping hands, shouting "On your mark, get set...GO!"

Their antics quickly became silent as we entered the arena. WOW...The meet was held in a cavernous space complete with a state of the art track, sound system and JUMBOTRON! Kids of all ages were dressed in official looking track uniforms and spikes. Our family looked at each other with a brief moment of self doubt.

Then.. we got pumped. I started remembering all my old track days and my competitive spirit started to stream through me. I loved running and more importantly RACING. My boys suddenly were asking me questions and were eager to run.

My eldest placed third in one heat and stood proudly on the podium while we all shouted with joy. Our good friends daughter even qualified to compete in the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden! Our boys all agreed that in order to win, we needed to practice...A LOT!

Hmm, even old mom was motivated enough to contemplate training!

Happy New Year

I am so happy it is 2008! I love the start of a New Year--Such promise and hope.

Although, I never have official New Year's resolutions. I do make mental notes of what I want to do better. Here's my short list:

1. Be more patient with my kids
2. Greet my husband with a kiss
3. Be more organized
   
4. BLOG more!

In fact, I struggle with number 3 every year. I often wonder if an organized mom is really possible? I marvel when I meet one (a rarity) and have been known to ask them for quick tips to help me in my quest. I realize that for any semblance of organization to occur, it has to be simple and fun for me.

In fact, I am a huge fan of our Birthday Books, Baby Journals & School Year's Memory Books.
for the sole reason that if I can manage to chronicle my children's life than anyone can!

And then, blogging! I find writing to be so therapeutic and talking to other parents with similar believes MOTIVATING. So why is it the things we love to do the most go by the wayside? Overseeing a small business at Christmas requires EVERYONE in our company to pull out all the stops. And I have to say, we did an amazing jobs fulfilling 99% of our orders and disappointing very few. Holiday sales exceeded our expectations and our vendors came through for us on almost all angles.

Yet, I for one am thrilled to be starting a NEW YEAR and looking forward to starting on my new resolutions!

It’s a Pirates Life for Me!

My boys love to dress up as pirates and set sail around our house. My youngest swashbuckler is often forced to walk the plank unless he completes some roguish deed. (Stealing cookies from the cookie jar!)

Our living room becomes a massive ship using couch cushions. Pirate booty is divided and hidden in secret boxes. Of course, the highlight of every adventure is the sword fights that break out to protect their jewels or ship. Each child is artfully armed with a makeshift sword that swings from their handmade belts.

So mom’s, if you fancy hosting aspiring young Jack Sparrows to pirate duels, check out our loot. Our bestselling pirate gear is on sale just in time for Christmas.

Charm School

At one point in my childhood, I suffered from major case of “Charm Envy”. I was about 10 years old, when a jewelry designer, James Avery introduced collectible charms in Texas.

The excitement of owning the charms spread like wild fire. All the “it” girls in my school had wads of charms dangling around their wrists.

I distinctly remember flipping through my best friend, Heather’s bracelet and thinking “Wow! 24 charms!” Her life seemed perfectly glamorous. I believed that if by divine intervention, I could a mass a similar collection, my life would be infinitely better…

So now, it’s your little girls turn. Our charm bracelet can chronicle her passions (horses or Fairies) and activities ( Tennis or Skating) as well as add a fun fashion statement to her wardrobe.