The World According to Juliet

Juliet's opinions on work:
"When I grow longer, I'm going to work, too!" Pause. "But I'm a girl." She looks at me. "Mom, are you a girl?" Me (highly offended) "YES! I am a girl!!!" Jules - "Well, girls can't work because they can't reach...like dads!"

Renewing Vows

Mike and I are going to be married five years this August. The other day Mike said to me, "Nic, would you like to renew our vows for our anniversary?" I breathlessly responded, "That would be sooooooo romantic!!!" I was bowled over by the idea that my darling would want to do such a thing. I pictured the scene: A somber but earnest Mike and a radiant Nic repeating the ancient vows as a tear slid down...." My daydream was rudely interrupted by the sound of Mike laughing. Of course he was joking! Mike thinks renewing vows and the like is the silliest thing he ever heard of. "I made my vows five years ago, why do I need to make them again??? It's romantic nonsense!" Which, if I really think about it, may be true. "Besides," countered Mike, "I would feel ridiculous saying them over again!" Maybe I would feel silly too, but have you ever noticed how a romance novel pulls these types of things off effortlessly? All joking aside, no, you will not receive an invitation in the mail with a request to watch us renew our vows...

History Lessons

Lately I've been a dud at night when Mike wants to chat. Why? I'm lost in my 4th grade "History of the United States" textbook! This school year hasn't even ended yet, but I'm getting ready for the next! This is the first time I'll be teaching 4th grade and I am looking forward to it. Seeing I've never taught history before (let alone American history), I'm determined to know my stuff. I've become so engrossed in my history book at night that Mike gets put on the back burner. (Someone who is anti-woman-work outside-the-home, is seeing a lesson here - haha). Anyhow, I wouldn't consider myself ignorant when it comes to American history (I love historical fiction and biographies), but I've never actually sat down and read a textbook that highlights the main events in a country's history. It's fascinating to view history from a wider perspective- seeing the "whole picture" in just a few pages. So, what have I learned? Ahem. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this, but I always thought those folks on the Mayflower were Puritans. Nope. The Puritans came a little later on another boat and landed in Massachusets. (Where was I when I went on my 12th grade trip to Boston and looked at THE ROCK where the Seperatists landed? Apparently I was in la la land - probably too busy wondering what my hair looked like). And now I've just published my ignorance to the world. Oh well. You might also catch me doing science experiments at home. This could prove a very interesting summer.

Mish Mash

1. Hi, it's me again! I've been doing some thinking again, so watch out! I used to be a very goal-driven individual. When I got up in the morning, I'd usually have a mental list of all the things I wanted to accomplish. Now, this was all very fine and well when I just had to take care of little ole' me. But lately I've started to realize some of the pitfalls of this obsession of mine. It's Monday morning (the morning I usually go crazy doing laundry) and I mentally run through what I want to complete. " Wow! There's lots of laundry to do, but if I go nuts and finish it all, I'll be prepared for the rest of the week! I'll try to get seven loads done TODAY!" Now, the problem with this thinking is when a monkey wrench comes into my plans (usually in the form of a little 3 year old). It can come as a question: "Mom, can you play with me?" or I might hear a tantrum going on in the room beside me, or, well, you fill in the blank. When I am so obsessed about completing my goal, little distractions become downright ANNOYING. "No, go play by yourself! Can't you do anything without me around???" or "I'll ignore that tantrum - she needs to learn to get over it by herself." My reactions can be downright awful. So, lately, I've been trying to pray in the morning after breakfast, "Lord, help me to complete what I CAN today." And that might mean two loads of laundry getting done instead of seven, and it might mean I'll be spending time at the dining room table coloring with Juliet or playing dolls or some other "distraction." And at the end of the day, when I think of all that I've "accomplished", playing with Juliet comes pretty high on the list.
2. Juliet - "Mom, can I have a backpack?"
Me - "Yeah, sure, why do you want one?"
Juliet - "Shifrah has one!"
IT HAS BEGUN!!!!
3. So, has anyone listened to Sarah Palin's dismal recounting of Paul Revere's ride? You can't help but cringe when you hear her. Sorry, Sarah, but you just are not the most articulate person out there. I'd have a very hard time voting for you if you run for President.

My Girl Jules

Well, the cupcakes are a-bakin'. I'm taking the wise advice of my cousin, who suggested last year that I make cupcakes for Jules birthday instead of some over-the-top cake. Wise advice, I'd say, after last years flop (who was it that thought the cake was a lighthouse instead of a party hat? :). I plan on decorating these cupcakes up to wazoo and they will be amazing - I sense some overconfidence here, don't you? Anyway, I do have a great recipe for icing that my sister Lora lent me and I just might share it with the rest of you. Juliet is beside herself with excitement at the fact that tomorrow is her birthday party. Saturday morning, she'll go out with Dad to pick out a balloon for her birthday (it's a tradition). Long has she been eyeing the balloons in Shop-rite, and I think I've been telling her for two months now that, "you have to wait for your birthday before you get a balloon!" I'd be surprised if she comes home with anything but a Thomas balloon.
About five minutes ago, Jules was sitting in front of Bluebell's cage (Bluebell is our parakeet) and she had in her hand my bird book "Birds of New Jersey - Field Guide". (I'd highly recommend it if you are interested in birds; it's by Stan Tekiela). With book in hand, she showed Bluebell pictures of the various birds asking him whether he liked them, and so on. It was so cute! Bluebell seemed to actually enjoy the attention and twittered and chirped happily from his perch. Me thinks life is made up of such moments! Gone before you know it and that's why I like to post about them. I'd never remember stuff like this without writing about it.
P.S. Jules is now cheerfully singing a very interesting version of "Now Blessed be Jehovah God." She's gotta learn some doxologys so she can sing along in church!

Jules B-Day Thoughts - Not a Tribute

Today is Jules's birthday. She is officially 3! I feel I ouught to write a tribute of sorts in honor of her birthday (a current trend which I enjoy) but I oddly don't know what to write. What words could I use to describe her? Persistent, determined and strong-willed come to mind. Not exactly the most flattering, I suppose. But she's my darling and one of the main highlights in my life! This morning she was belting out "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah" (Psalter 400) as she looked out the patio door. When she came to a line she wasn't too sure of, she substituted a few words with "God" "Jesus" "holy" and that sort of thing. I felt a sudden prick of tears. She's growing up! And she also was proving that she was learning the psalters that I so diligently try to teach her. I say "try" because Jules basically refuses to sing when I do. Insulting, isn't it? (I'm not sure if I should try to force her to sing with me. "Sing the psalter, will you, or you'll...you'll get it!!!). Yet, this proves that she does learn what I sing to her.

Fashion Sense

The other day Mike and I went out for dinner together. It has been a few months since we went out ALL BY OURSELVES and so I was eagerly anticipating it. I went into our bedroom to get dressed and an evil thought inserted itself into my brain. I looked down at my oh-so-comfortable grey sweatpants. They weren't exactly stylish, but they didn't have an elastic band at the ankle so they weren't completely outdated. The thought flickered: Could I wear these pants with a nice shirt and get away with it? I entertained the idea for about ten seconds; then I was filled with horror. Sweatpants??? Going out for dinner in... sweatpants??? I hadn't gone out in months and here I was ready to trot off in my slightly too tight sweatpants. It can only be another sign of impending fuddy-duddy hood. In the end I put on my black dress pants and was glad I did so...