Cecil strikes again

Oh, these kids are the best! They keep me grinning from ear to ear, and many times make me cry. Tears of laughter are still falling from my cheeks as I type this. So, any typos can be blamed on my blurred vision.

I am proud to say we haven't had any casualties in the Clark Family fish tank in over six months! So, it was quite the surprise when we found "Sparky" (well, half of him), the largest goldfish, floating in the tank tonight.

This is how the conversation went:

Kate: Mommy, what happened to Sparky?

Mom: He must have gotten sick.

Kate: And, Cecil (Turtle) ate him?

Mom: I'm not sure, Honey. I think maybe he just got sick.

Kate (with her best stern brow): You better tell the truth, or your nose will grow!

Joe: BUSTED!



Two hours later on our way up the stairs...



Kate: Mommy, did Sparky die?

Mom: Yes, Honey. I think he went to Fishy Heaven to see Jesus. Maybe Jesus just needed a fishy friend.

Kate: Jesus needs a dead fish?

Mom (holding back laughter): Ummm...let's go brush your teeth.

Broken Wings

She's three years old, and her world is consumed with Princesses, dancing, painting, playdoh, and bugs. This is the time of year when the butterflies come out of their puppas, spread their wings, and fly for the first time. Last year, we gently collected two puppas into small plastic cups, and watched them for hours as they tried to escape into the cool Fall air for their first flight.

This year, instead of watching the butterflies, we headed to the doctor for an escape all our own.

It seems like just yesterday that little Kate broke her arm. However, four weeks later and one very long hour of cast removal, our butterfly got her wing back. She spent the evening flying about testing our her "new wings".

Fly, Buttefly, Fly!

(WARNING: if you choose to watch, slide the volume down first.)

Who did it?

My husband, Joe, is the youngest of four kids. He has two sisters, Pat and Kathy, and a brother, Mike. Today, we received a phone call that his oldest sister, Pat, broke her arm.


If you keep up with this blog, you will know that little Kate broke her arm a mere four weeks ago. Since she could relate to the accident, I shared the news with her first. She cocked her head, sinched her brows, and said, "Did her brother push her off the stool?"


Three year old logic at its best!


So, I want to know...who did it, Pat? Was it Mike or Joe?

It doesn't matter how you say it, just that you do

This afternoon as I leaned over the bed to wake little Kate up from her nap, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulled me close to her, and whispered the words, "Mommy, I very love you".

I am one of those hopeless romantic, Can't we all just get along?, right and wrong way to say everything, super emotional, deep thinking, Cancer sign types...ahem.

So, here's my latest sappy (and maybe a hint of romantic) thought...

Some people choose to express their feelings with words, and others with actions. Whatever your preference, it doesn't matter how you say it, just that you do.

Below are some of my favorites...

Joe on his trip to Ireland, just three months after our daughter was born

Kate's first beach trip

blankie

Best Friends!

The Booze Hound

GrandMom

Atlantic Footprints with Auntie Aubbie

Thank you

Last week, I shared a story about a wonderful young woman I had met, and how she has taught me to believe like there are endless possibilities.

Yesterday, my oldest and I went Pink. We participated in a Breast Cancer walk. I was dressed in my best sweats and ball cap, while she adorned her first pair of pants since April (she routinely fights for dresses) and her Pink Princess umbrella. With Kate snug in the stroller, we set out in the misty rain, for three miles up and down the crooked streets of our small town...down Main Street, past the High School (yes, I said "the" High School), and through the bus depot, with one, strong woman leading us the entire way.

Little Kate and I wore our pink ribbons, and played "I spy with my little eye" the entire time. We waved happily at each passer by who honked either in encouragement or disbelief at our massive "Pink" group walking in the rain. We concluded the effort at the gymnasium of a local church, and filled our hungry bellies with charitable sandwiches and chocolate covered treats...all monies going to the cause. When they drew winning raffle tickets, little Kate's number was called. She was so excited when they called her name for a "prize", her half eaten turkey and cheese took flight into the bleachers. And, she stole the crowd when they offered her a prize choice of Jewelry, a Day at the Salon, or Bread (Panera)...she quickly chose the bread. What?

Note to self...teach children...like rock, paper, scissors...scissors beats paper...
Jewelry, Salon, Bread...Salon beats Bread.

The crowd got a good laugh out of her excitement, and me a high five from my lucky little one.

I am not sure if it was the chocolate covered treats, winning the prize of "Bread", or just spending the morning with Mom (one can dream), but when asked if she had fun, she responded, "Yes, I want to do it again!"

Saturday, we walked for my new friend, and others I have come to learn have met the fate of this disease. We believe in the possibility of a cure, and will walk again and again if it means we could possibly save a life.

Go Pink! "Are you inspired to Save a Life"

The beginning of the end

We have been chatting this day up for months…the first day of school.

My husband and I jumped in with both feet, us too preparing to meet many new friends. He volunteering with the Parish Charity Golf Tournament, and me agreeing to bring snacks, make homemade playdoh for the kids, and volunteer a day or two (when work allows).

Katie and I spent part of the afternoon on Monday putting together a snack for her to bring on the first day. After much encouragement from her teachers to send a low sugar, healthy snack, we settled on “fish food”.

“Fish Food” is a mixture of bubbles (cheerios), fishing rods (pretzel sticks), and goldfish (crackers). She was thrilled with her creation, and insisted she place Tinkerbell stickers on each snack bag for her new friends. "Tinkerbell likes fish Food, Mommy," she explained.

We then packed her book bag full of completed forms, an extra set of clothing, Mommy’s homemade playdoh, and a cast cover (you never know)…everything she needing for her first day of Pre-K3.

Just like my Mother and so many others did, I placed her in front of the door and snapped a picture in the outfit she picked out, proudly wearing her new backpack and a shy smile.

She patiently waited her turn to walk through the school door, found her very own hook for her book bag, a button displaying her name, and placed the bumble bee on the attendance board under her name just right!

With that, she was at the table coloring with the other girls and boys…and it was “adios” for me.

Snuffle, sniff...I know, I know...get a grip. Snuffle, sniff...

This update comes just a few hours after my original post. I opened up her backpack and found the first of many art projects. "Those are my flowers, Mommy. I made them just for you!" she said.

I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her. These are by far the best flowers I have received. I will cherish them...always. Snuffle, sniff, sniff...

Leisurely Labor Day

I have lived on the East Coast now for five years, and enjoy how each season seems to end with a holiday. Winter with Easter, Spring with Memorial Day, Summer with Labor Day...you get the idea. It is nice to be handed an extra day to clean up from the prior season, and prepare for the one ahead.

On this labor day, the kids helped box up all their summer clothes for donation, make room in the garage for both cars, and scatter pumpkins, orange leaves, and Mums about the house in preparation for the Fall. Amidst all our "to dos" this holiday, we set aside time each day to just be lazy...I mean leisurely...

These are some snapshots from those leisurely (and my favorite) moments...

View from the sideline: Admiring two of my favorite men sharing a laugh on the swings.

Backyard picnics: This smile represents Kate's first taste of Kool-Aid.
If you take a close look at her left leg...you will notice the display of band aids..still there.

Big sister taking a lesson from her Dad.

I am stuck on Band Aid brand

With Kate starting school next week, and Conor coming up on seventeen months, I was feeling pretty good. Pretty good in a sense that having two kids so young and close in age is starting to get easy. Not enough to do this a third time...but, pretty good. I just might survive this after all.

So, yesterday, on our nice leisurely Saturday, I put them both down for their naps and joined my hubby in the garage to begin the task of organizing for the upcoming winter months. After all, it is "Labor Day" weekend, and we have been putting this labor off for months.

About an hour into their nap, I headed upstairs, and decided to just peek in on my little angels in their slumber. I opened the bedroom door to the eldest angel...

Mom: Katie? What are you doing?

Kate: Nothing.

Mom (Glancing towards the end table and...oh...a mound of paper adhesives from thirty plus Band Aids): Kate, what did you do?

Kate: I put a Band Aid on.

Rounding the corner of the bed, this is what I found.

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scold her.

You know that commercial jingle from the eighties..."I am stuck on Band Aid brand cause Band Aids stuck on me!" Yeah, I get it. This kid had twenty-five Band Aids "stuck on" her.

Today I learned two things:

1. My three year old's naps may be becoming a thing of the past.

2. I need to put the Band Aids on a higher shelf.

Sheesh.

Believe

The older I get, the more and more I have found myself frequently inspired by STRONG women. Women whose stories have been peppered with health battles, financial woes, and fights that are unfamiliar to me. Women who remind me what it means to be a woman, and of the fortune I have in life. That fortune of which no monetary value could replace.

Recently, I was introduced to an incredible young woman. In May 2008, at the age of 27, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than one year later, in April 2009, after enduring a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to her brain. Despite the events of the last year and her honest prognosis, she has remained upbeat, remembers to smile, pushes through the rough days to enjoy the good, and understands that laughter and love is the best medicine!

I have always believed the people you meet in life, you meet for a reason...good or bad. For this one incredibly inspiring young woman, I believe in her fight, I believe in her will to live, I believe she is teaching me, like so many others, to live like there's endless possibilities. The smile on her face simply makes me believe in the fight for a cure...

So, on Saturday, September 12, I am walking three miles in a benefit walk to support awareness of the disease and support my new friend...one incredibly strong young woman.

If you, too, believe in the cause, and wish to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and this incredible young woman, you can sponsor me in the walk. Any amount of donation is appreciated, and can be donated via paypal.com to joeclark21@yahoo.com.

Thank you for believing.