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?

Art, Culture (and Children?)

My oldest son recently used his birthday money to buy a new video game. And now...both Fischer and Henry are obsessed with playing every waking moment. Sunday morning, they bound out of bed, raced to our rooms, whispered "I love you!" immediately hopping on the computer! (I couldn't help thinking, hmm, were their sweet words used to lessen the likelihood of my setting computer limits?)

However, this Saturday, I has another agenda. I wanted to take the boys to the Guggenheim Museum to see a massive art installation by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. I needed an angle...how could I entice them to give up their "earned" computer time for an ART MUSEUM? It seemed to be an uphill (and almost fruitless) battle.

So I told them the truth.

The exhibit was a once in a life time opportunity, having travveled across oceans to set up. And never again would they be able to see exploding cars danging from the ceiling of the Guggenheim or a pack of wolfs running accross the walls overhead or paintings made using dynomite!

In the end, curiousity got the cat. All three boys joined me. Once there, they chatted enthusiastically about how "Cool the cars were" dangling above us and they each had a theory about how the artist did it. They even waited in line to take a boat ride in a boat made of yak skin through Cai Guo-Quiang's art pieces.

The best of all, they didn't miss their computer at ALL!

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!

When I'm Overtaken by my Superior Motherhood Gene!

On an impulse, I bought 3 tickets to see Madame Butterfly at the Met with my 2 boys. I was convinced that this would be GOOD for their soul, transform them into cultured, more well rounded beings. Or to borrow my husbands analysis…I was over taken by my “Superior Motherhood” gene!

A week before I started to prep them--or better yet, manage expectations. I said:
• You won’t understand a WORD they are singing
• It could be boring
• There won’t be many kids (if any!)
• Everyone dresses up
• It’ll be a late night

Yuk…even I began to question my reasoning. Then, I had to remind myself that when my mom took my brother and me to see Beverly Sills in Madame Butterfly as kids,we LOVED it.

So I marched ahead, well dressed boys in tow. I took them to dinner beforehand and plied them with Cokes and a huge slice of Chocolate Cake!

We entered Lincoln Center with all its glitter and glamour. They were in awe of the theater and immediately stood taller among all the adults. Some of the older, more seasoned folks looked apprehensive (Their body language screamed “Please don’t sit next to us!”). While the younger people smiled encouragingly…seaming to say, ”Good luck, with that!”

The first act opened and my boys were on the edge of their seats. Thanks to modern technology, they followed the story line on the big Jumbotron above the stage.

Ha! There were only a few yawns and many tears shed by both me and my youngest. The boys LOVED it, yelled BRAVO! and asked when we could see another one! I was both pleasantly surprised and delighted. Whew! I could now check that box off in their Must Experience Before Leave Home box…


And, I guess there is a good reason that Opera still manages to fill theaters. It reaches around us and touches our soul.

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!

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 Search of Silence?

Friday night is our family movie night. Although, my husband and I have been living a social expirament of NO TV for 6 months now, we've yet to toss out our computer!

So after Friday's dinner, we plop in front of our MacIntosh and watch a movie together. The family feature? Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid".

Not only is this flick in black and white but it is a SILENT movie. An hour and a half of silent drama and action. Even, I was doubtful of sucess. I was prepared for the boys to get restless 15 minutes in to it. But, guess what?

They not only did they sit without getting up-- we all laughed while happily immitating "the Tramp" and the Kid. Bottom line, this 1920's silent movie easily joins the rank of Ratatouille and School of Rock as Bodwell favorite movies. WE LOVED IT!

And what it taught my husband and I, is that kids today don't need all the added violence, action and hoopla thrown into todays movies. We live in an entertainment driven culture. It was unbelieveably refreshing to see my boys quietly engaged.

Simple works with kids. In my mind, whether it's a Lite Brite, tinker toys or a classic movie, we don't always need the latest and greatest. Often, the tried and true, old-fashioned things work better. Right, kids?

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!

What's So Super about the Super Bowl?

True Confession: I was a cheerleader in high school and never bothered to learn the rules of football.

I really don't get all the excitement about the Super Bowl. The guys are as big as refrigerators, bodies completely engulfed in gear, and the referees use funny indecipherable hand signals to describe penalties that you didn't catch in the first place.

But the New York Giants are playing, so I guess that is more exciting for my boys than most years. Go Giants.

Well, I suppose it's a fun excuse to eat lots of chips and dip and watch the half time events. Have fun this weekend, moms!

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!

Food for thought!

Every mom in America struggles with getting their kids to eat healthy. We go to great lengths to sneak vegetables into their tummies. (Hence the success of Jessica Seinfield's new book, Deceptively Delicious!) So here's a quick tip...relax, let other kids teach them!

My oldest Fischer is not an experimental eater. However, he is MORE willing to try things if his friends eat something. We signed him up for an after school cooking program that not only taught them how to cook ethnic cuisine but about the history of food.

Suddenly, my pickiest eater was coming home bragging about how yummy scallion pancakes were and how easy it was to make homemade pesto! So cook away, my son, Dad and I will happily stay out of the kitchen and join you at the dinner table.

Get Crafty with Kids

Last weekend was ridiculously cold...too cold to venture outside for any reason. So the boys and I hunkered down for an arts and craft day.

Wesley and I made these super cute Valentine's Day cards using construction paper and Vintage Valentines Stickers. No sooner said, then done...we had a pile of the most precious cards I've seen. We both were beaming with pride.

Me: "Ha! They are done in PLENTY of time to mail!" and Wesley: "Oooh, I can't wait to give them to ALL my friends...this one is for you mom!"

So the cold, wintery day, got a lot warmer!

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.

True Confession

I can't make my kids Halloween costumes this year!

This year my boys are making their own...it won't be the "WOW Look at the super cool Edward Scissorhands costume Lily is wearing!" (that her dad obviously spent days making). Instead, their Halloween costumes will be "Hey guys, look at what I made!". They all starting cutting up fabric, cardboard, wrapping with foil and creating wild costumes

I just don't have time (nor motivation) this year and I feel a huge sense of relief instead of guilt! I feel I've made huge strides as a parent--accepting that I can not/will not do "it" all.

And guess what? My kids don't care who makes their costumes!

I am less stressed out and they are excited that I am happy! So no Martha Stewart moment but a better moment in the end. Now I need to figure out Thanksgiving!

The Top Banana

We hosted a birthday brunch this weekend for my old friend Tom. Instead of a traditional cake his wife made one of the most scrumptious pies: Banana Creme. I haven't tasted one in years and was suddenly annoyed with what I've been missing! With the first bite, I was taken back to my childhood.

I don't know about you, but I am always trying to make fancy desserts with hard to find ingredients that truthfully, are not so tasty. I do it not so much to impress, but because I feel like a simple treat in today’s society will be dubbed passe. For some odd reason we all have been bitten by the Foot Network Challenge bug, and fortunately my life is not a fabulous reality TV show. So, this simple girl is choosing the simple life.

Our mothers had it right. My mom always made banana creme pie, my grandma made banana creme pie and now, I vow to start!

So, pull out mom's recipes, put on an apron, crush some graham crackers, smash a few bananas, stir together eggs and milk and swirl in some sugar. Make this timeless favorite this weekend and be yet another generation that can pass on a timeless favorite.

Dinner with Mom

I’ve been having weekly breakfasts with two girlfriends for over 4 years now. We share mom advice, swap stories about our kids, careers, husbands, analyze life and basically support one another.

A few weeks ago, my friend Alison was enthusiastically recommended a new book, Dinner with Dad. In a nutshell, it’s about how a workaholic dad made a life altering decision to join his family for nightly dinners. Because of these dinners-- his perspective on life changed, it reconfirmed his belief in family and he altered his work habits.

For years, I’ve thought it would be next to IMPOSSIBLE for our family to have nightly dinners. As my husband travels 3 out of the 5 nights and while I’m in town, I work long days. In fact, I can barely make a grocery list, needless to say a meal made!

But this struck home, if this dad could do it, so could we!

So for the last two weeks, we’ve managed to sit around our family dining table a few times and share more than a simple meal. Our boys are learning how to put dishes on the table, pass the bread, and use a napkin! We’ve had a few false starts (whoops, no vegetables!), however all of us are committed to slowing down and taking time to listen to one another.

And now, I have another important meal to look forward to sharing! My kids have been helping me cook...and I've seen a big trend with kid's cooking--we've seen bigger interest with our kids aprons, cookbooks, stoves, and kitchen sets this year. I am super excited about our new custom stove and would love to know what you think.

Discovering Creatures in the Creek

As the mad dash to get ready for school moves into full swing, I find myself clinging to the last few lazy days of summer.

Our family spent the weekend upstate, watching the kids run in and out of a creek. Determined to catch a fish or a frog, they’d crouch in the water, quietly pointing to river sightings and testing various techniques. Outfitted with only one net (officially for butterflies) and no rod, the boys used cupped hands to try and capture their prey.

It was magical. It was simple. And it worked! They caught slimy minnows, freckled frogs and one squirmy fish. They were all proud of their finds and shouted up the hill to anyone who was listening.

“We got one! We got one! Look, mom, two hands!”

We were proud watching them. It seemed like heaven... spending a day in a local creek with nothing more than a bathing suit, your best friends and your imagination.

I hope your summer of 2007 was equally beautiful. Let us know if we can help your Back to School transition any easier! We can easily outfit your little learner with backpacks, lunch boxes and pencil cases...