Bims Debunked

Isabella Dawn has the same birthday as Aidan Michael and Noah Thomas. They have been friend since they were about a year and a half old. Her mom and I exercise several times a week and the kids bond over juice boxes and Mommy’s crunches. They have had lots in common, but her mom and I have often marveled at how much they’ve changed and just how different they all are. Still, she loves Thomas the Tank Engine; they love Thomas the Tank Engine. She loves Teddy Grahams; they love Teddy Grahams. Similarities are waning. She’s started to do walking lunges and the boys steamroll each other. Yes, they are growing into their genders.

Tonight I walked in to their house met by Bella, in multicolored tights, paired with a leotard. This cha-cha outfit was accessorized with sparkly flower shoes, a feather-laden, jewel encrusted tiara and fairy wings. I was honored to be able to borrow the gigantic bead bracelet, but had to decline the fancy shoes I was offered. I revelled in the girly and thought back to a conversation I had with Noah today that was anything but.

Noah: Mommy, see dat hole.

Mommy: Yes, that’s a big hole.

Noah: Me fit dat hole?

Ties, Jammies, BandAids and Snot

A month ago, we were as a family, professionally and personally, comfortably at a status quo. In case you don't know us, we've had many many changes that will bring some exciting and challanging changes for us.

Drama drama drama, blah blah balh. This is really what it's all about:

There are no winners here

The new James Bond came out today. I'll let my husband tell you all about it since he and Gina went to the 12:01 am showing. Suffice to say, Daddy was out of commission this morning. So I knew I was on morning duty alone. The wrinkle in this arrangement came with my last drink: a white chocolate martini. That is how bad my judgement was after having already had several drinks. But Dad was buying and we were having a nice time. I really never get to see my dad alone for obvious reasons. Last night we got to actually have conversation, and with our pending changes, we needed to be able to talk in full sentences with out M&M-pestering munchkins around.

The point here is that Scott and I are worthless and the boys are having a parade right now with instruments.

Sybil

It’s official. The decision is made. The word is out. We are taking an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-establish Scott’s career in construction management and at the same time provide some truly fantastic opportunities for our family. We are taking the job.

And relocating our family to Connecticut.

I am in anguish. I am thrilled. I am bipolar.

I cannot believe that we have to leave. I am crushed that all of the family, role models, family-by-relationship-not-by-blood, friends that we’ve woven into a beautiful fabric around our lives will no longer be part of our everyday. I have a big brother, sisters, lifelong friends, the Golfing Grammas that I will be heating up the phone lines to because they, among others, are my unwavering pillars of love and support.

There are innumerable of positives. I will sing praises far and wide - later. I really am looking forward to the changes that will benefit us all. Aidan & Noah will get to know their betrothed. There are cousins, aunts, uncles, surrogate family, not to mention POP WILKS who will be part of our everyday.

Today, I have to clean, purge, pack, all the while maintaining storytime, track construction, meals, naptime, discipline. And try not to cry.

Not Just the Woman on the Coin

It is thanks to Susan B. Anthony for fighting the fight with Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and many many other brave women and just a few men that I was able to go cast my vote as an equal voice in these United States. And to honor that right, the Stoddards had a household vote this morning. The office in contention was the Governor of the morning. We made ballots, broke out the highlighter and cast our votes. All candidates were capable, but the clear leader was Daddy. It was a clean win with no recount necessary. While other duties pulled him away, Daddy abstained authority to his lt. governor, Sammy to decide how we would spend our Noggin time.

Anita Roddick was inspiring, engaging, unassuming and just fabulous!!! I loved hearing stories of the company past, present and future, in her words. One of the things that brought me to The Body Shop at Home was the Community Trade program (aka Fair Trade). Anita still actively works to develop and expand these relationships, when she could be doing nothing but counting her money. Anita continues to be the face and voice of this company and the values that make us not only unique, but meaningfully powerful, influencial, socially responsible and a purveyor of just the most terrific products available to humankind.

We had just had a moment before this. But stopped with the hugging while the woman on the other end of the camera fumbled with it!

Happy Halloween!!!