tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41693901875852129832011-07-28T22:51:20.736-07:00Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comBlogger871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-41108445681657793922010-09-14T18:11:00.000-07:002010-09-16T10:33:43.614-07:00

Hi! Remember me? Probably not.Here's the upshot of the past 9 months:Nathan is going to preschool full time! Like, 5 days a week! ALL DAY!I am going to grad school! Full time! Because I like to do things the hard way!Right now I'm supposed to be studying for a math test, but instead I'm blogging. Because what better time to resume my fledging blogging career than 16 hours before my first

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-31815319917797207912010-01-09T18:28:00.001-08:002010-01-09T18:40:36.709-08:00

Seriously, you are extremely patient and perhaps a wee bit mad if you're still here because I am obviously a huge blog FAIL. More to come soon, I promise. But in the meantime, can we just talk about the fact that I MADE THIS BREAD WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS? (Huge recipe-finding thanks to my friend Ellen who manages to maintain not one blog, but TWO, all while baking bread from scratch and raising

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-18435151959136856342009-06-22T19:39:00.000-07:002009-06-23T17:48:20.221-07:00

Over spring break of my freshman year of college I came home and dropped a bomb. I informed my parents that I refused to return to college the next fall unless they consented to let me major in theatre. This was not a new topic of conversation in our house. I had graduated from high school wanting very much to major in theatre but had been told repeatedly that this was a foolhardy venture,

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-16656423772356162812009-06-13T18:41:00.000-07:002009-06-14T14:45:32.041-07:00

Much is made of the transformation that occurs between the moment a child is born and the day they celebrate their first birthday. In twelve swift months a baby goes from mewling lump of sweetness to an actual walking (often), talking (occasionally), solid food eating, tamper tantrum throwing, opinionated person.Much less is made of the transformation that occurs every year thereafter. And even

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-24978685877607314022009-06-07T16:40:00.000-07:002009-06-07T17:27:29.156-07:00

I am writing in a quiet office during daylight hours with a mocha frappuccino at my side, and it feels as though I have entered a parallel universe. Setting aside time to write undisturbed is a completely new thing for me. Pretty much every single post on this blog was composed with a child hanging from my leg, or calling me from the bathroom that they need me to wipe them NOW. The soundtrack

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-22711265763814879882009-06-06T19:26:00.001-07:002009-06-07T18:37:14.977-07:00

(I told you he could fly.)Is there anything better than romping with new friends in the icy waters of the Atlantic?I doubt it.*as usual, all photos can be embiggened by clicking on them*

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-25759017476385765712009-06-02T19:11:00.000-07:002009-06-02T19:17:59.481-07:00

What's your superpower?*click the image for the "make this my desktop" worthy size*(Fear not, Nina Fans. I know Lily Jane and Nate have been getting a whole lotta bloglove, but a super spectacular Nina post in the works. Stay tuned.)

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-87830528041070733872009-06-01T17:50:00.000-07:002009-06-01T19:28:40.157-07:00

I looked back at my post about selecting a good book and think I may have sounded a bit stabby. Maybe even a little like someone who *gasp* doesn't like to read. Nothing could be further from the truth. I read voraciously, and at quite a brisk clip. I suspect that my frustration in finding a new book is rooted in the fact that I read so much so quickly that the kinds of book I enjoy aren't

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-32592892676451320252009-05-22T19:30:00.000-07:002009-05-22T19:45:56.143-07:00

Remember when Lily Jane started her second year of preschool? I almost didn't even document it, I was so wrapped up in the drama of her big sis starting kindergarten. The next summer seemed so, so far away. Surely time moved slower those first few days of September.Yesterday, my cute-as-a-button, upbeat, optimistic, camera loving, awesome, tiniest-in-her-class, generous spirited girl finished

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-11396308048462095382009-05-17T18:10:00.001-07:002009-05-17T18:10:59.313-07:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-41054995490668760982009-05-13T19:34:00.000-07:002009-05-14T12:03:26.243-07:00

Laurie lent me two books earlier this week, but I got distracted by Nate’s chronic constipation and unending energy for tantrums and forgot them on her kitchen counter. Since I was bookless and LOSTless (thanks for nothing, Netflix), I jumped ship and went to Borders.When it comes to choosing a book to buy, I am governed by an illogical and largely arbitrary set of rules. This can make a trip

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-65437815300245894272009-05-11T18:26:00.000-07:002009-05-11T19:03:58.200-07:00

In the first few weeks following Nina’s birth, my mother spent a great deal of time gazing at her and then grinning at me and saying, “Isn’t this great? Don’t you just LOVE this?” and I would smile wanly and say, “Yeah. Great.” But here’s the thing: it wasn’t really what I would describe as great. I hurt. I had endured 18 hours of contractions every 90 seconds and was rewarded with a

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-56212013386520872012009-05-11T11:05:00.000-07:002009-05-11T13:58:34.876-07:00

1. Getting acquainted with my godson, Isaac.2. Tending to sick/injured children. Since January 1, Nate has had two stomach bugs, pneumonia, and visited the ER twice. Let's not even get started on the girls.3. Watching LOST. Obsessively. We are currently halfway through Season 4, and plan to get through Season 5 in time to watch Season 6 with the rest of the free world.4. Re-reading the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-56450066614102600802009-01-20T13:21:00.001-08:002009-01-20T13:24:36.320-08:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-67811971571318457132009-01-09T18:36:00.000-08:002009-01-09T19:28:56.363-08:00

Remember this baby?Well. Here we are 14 months later, and Nate still has a penchant for adventure. And an alarming lack of healthy fear. In fact, I would call it a bona fide miracle that he made it to 2009 without a gaping head wound.Last night, his luck ran out.While attempting to retrieve a puzzle from the exact same bookshelf pictured above - using the same stool, even - he lost his balance

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-8987953773873319272009-01-05T16:57:00.000-08:002009-01-05T19:23:42.049-08:00

I peeked to see how far into 2008 I got before posting my 10 favorite things of 2007, and, if I do say so myself, my 2009 New Year's resolution to be prompt and timely is already paying off. Last year's list was posted on January 13th, and today's only the 5th! Who cares that my last blog post was exactly a month ago? Let's let bygones be bygones and look ahead to happier, more productive

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-58790290851822165062008-12-05T13:02:00.000-08:002009-01-05T11:08:28.189-08:00

I could write a blog post for every day of the week about all the incredible challenges of raising a rambunctious two year old boy. The girls were mellow, laid back two year olds. They were little delinquents when they were three, but by then they were better able to communicate and understand the consequences of, say, throwing Play-Doh at me. Or biting me. Or writing on the wall with a

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-42015990613565001022008-11-13T19:43:00.001-08:002008-11-13T20:45:39.094-08:00

This is Annabel.Annabel is the daughter of my best friend from college, Sarah. Sarah and I had a lot of adventures in college and continue to get into all kinds of mischief. Even though we have not lived in the same state since 1999, Sarah and I still talk weekly. We've been through a lot together - weddings, births, deaths. I am so very, very lucky to have her as a friend. I could, quite

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-87408483402224318002008-11-04T21:16:00.001-08:002008-11-04T21:19:36.173-08:00

Can millions of people make a difference simply by choosing to vote? Yes. We can.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-9910717022737905532008-11-03T17:32:00.000-08:002008-11-03T17:35:51.028-08:00

If you do nothing else tomorrow, please remember to vote.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-58105345121944795032008-10-31T18:17:00.000-07:002008-10-31T19:04:29.697-07:00

It's a pretty poorly kept secret that Halloween is not my favorite holiday, which is kind of strange for someone who has a degree in dressing up and pretending to be someone else. I grew up on a street that was not even remotely conducive to trick-or-treating, so every year my parents would bundle us three kids up and schlep us around to our grandparents and aunts and uncles so we could show off

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-60796071821019378852008-10-31T09:59:00.000-07:002008-10-31T10:02:58.948-07:00

Check out someecards.com. You won't be disappointed. Unless you are easily offended by such things, in which case you might just want to delete my blog from your bookmarks.A preview:

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-17959644105016755302008-10-28T17:23:00.000-07:002008-10-28T17:24:29.564-07:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-69846786854662827402008-10-26T11:03:00.000-07:002008-10-26T19:18:40.537-07:00

You remember my friend Mary, right? Mary of, "Hey, wanna come to Korea with me when I bring home the cutest baby boy to be found in the Eastern Hemisphere?" fame? Mary of the best damn cooking blog in the world fame? So Mary and I went on a fun little adventure yesterday up to Norwich, Vermont to visit the King Arthur Flour retail store. If you need anything baking related - seriously,

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-62349411568005816942008-10-18T18:34:00.000-07:002008-10-18T18:57:09.079-07:00

Tonight the girls and I cuddled up on our bed and read a few pages of A is for Abigail, a really wonderful "Almanac of Amazing American Women" by Lynne Cheney (that's right - I own a book written by a Republican! Can you believe it? I like it! Imagine that!). The girls think the book is lots of fun to peruse, largely because it has awesome illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser of Fancy Nancy

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-67921892835587298562008-10-10T06:11:00.000-07:002008-10-10T06:22:47.985-07:00

In spite of the fact that it was 75 degrees here yesterday, I am looking out my kitchen window and seeing orange and red and yellow leaves on the trees. My feet are shod in clogs, I have on jeans instead of summery capris and I just polished off a piece (OK, two pieces) of pumpkin bread for breakfast. My fingers are itching to knit, but first I have to run to the grocery store for the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-55123225232485035732008-10-03T09:01:00.001-07:002008-10-03T09:22:11.357-07:00

I stayed up past my bedtime to watch the debate (and celebrate our 9th anniversary - I love you, Dave!), and was rewarded with a toddler who decided that 12:37 AM is a perfectly reasonable time to start the day. At 4 AM I gave up trying to make him sleep and made him a bowl of oatmeal which he ate while I prepared lunch for the girls.So I'm kind of tired today. Much, much too tired to write

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-62856166590700232862008-09-30T19:30:00.000-07:002008-09-30T19:40:02.557-07:00

Watch your back, Brandi Chastain.Nina tells me that every town in the world has its OWN Tooth Fairy.When Mama starts a knittin', she can't be stopped.Pumpkin Mania.Look closely, and you'll see Smurfette.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-30606121509620731322008-09-24T15:06:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:07:53.116-07:00

11. Using blunt edge scissors to cut the electric supply to the phone.Seriously - Not Cute at all.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-3876095656256145852008-09-24T07:17:00.000-07:002008-09-24T07:38:40.823-07:00

1. That trick they play when you ask them for a hug, and they scream "NO!" and then proceed to slam their skull into your cheekbone with such force that you contemplate calling 911.2. Waking up for no apparent reason six times in one night. Each waking is signaled by screams that lead one (me) to believe that the child's room has been invaded by rabid bats. Upon entering the room, said child

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-41537036152457938552008-09-18T11:56:00.000-07:002008-09-18T11:57:41.222-07:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-68289016519561892612008-09-15T11:32:00.001-07:002008-09-15T11:56:02.747-07:00

I have lamented several times that I am super busy this month, and am feeling massive mama-guilt about it (NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT THE GUILT! There should be a whole chapter on guilt in Take Charge of Your Fertility and in every pregnancy book, so people can make an informed decision about getting knocked up. Seriously.)So, here's an update in pictures:Remember when I told you that Nina

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-82963012908805572362008-09-15T07:19:00.000-07:002008-09-15T09:30:24.715-07:00

I sent this as an email to all my local friends for whom I have addresses, but wanted to post it here as well. If you are in the Hartford area this Thursday or Friday night, please come check me out in BIRTH!As many of you might already know, I am part of the cast of BIRTH, a documentary-style play based on more than one hundred interviews conducted with mothers. It tells the true stories of

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-12526653943158856412008-09-14T19:24:00.000-07:002008-09-14T20:08:21.369-07:00

My college roommate and wonderful friend Courtney posted this on Facebook. It was written by her husband's Godfather, and, in my opinion, hits the nail on the head.I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers: a quintessential American story.If your name is

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-72338812304610808032008-09-11T13:54:00.000-07:002008-09-11T14:19:07.630-07:00

Yeah, so Lily Jane started year #2 of preschool, but do you think you saw a single picture? Nope.Oh, and her birthday? Yeah, haven't posted pics from that, either. I can actually feel the breeze created by several thousand middle children shaking their heads in disgust.Heck, I haven't even tucked the kids in myself one day this week because I have had rehearsal every night. Tonight's my night

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-34164064263378097732008-09-07T16:54:00.001-07:002008-09-07T16:59:12.723-07:00

Pastry ChefSportswear DesignerArtist-In-ResidenceI should totally ask for a raise.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-32539362014900333252008-09-06T20:21:00.000-07:002008-09-06T20:46:17.743-07:00

I haven't really been posting much since we returned from vacation, but I promise, I haven't forgotten y'all.It's been a tough, but exciting week. Nina's first few days of kindergarten were a mixed bag. She been having a really tough time at drop-off - and as a result, so have I. If you have ever been in the position of dropping off a preschooler or kindergartener in the first few weeks of

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-46367077117434116572008-09-02T12:41:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:45:06.419-07:00

Let the games begin.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-19034621733040440352008-08-30T10:25:00.000-07:002008-08-30T10:35:54.172-07:00

Days of vacation: 13Miles put on the car: 450Rainy days: 1Birthdays celebrated: 2Whale Watch tickets: $97Whales seen by Nina and Lily: 0Days involving ice cream: 10Days involving fried seafood: 6Days involving chocolate cake: 3Days involving cranberry almond muffins: 5Calories consumed by Mommy: 8,450,678,279Calories burned through exercise: 0Knitting projects brought on vacation:

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-34188831015459097812008-08-27T17:35:00.001-07:002008-08-27T17:37:23.740-07:00

click here(and make sure your volume is turned on/up)

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-82955691348334681982008-08-26T17:16:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:30:47.638-07:00

I have good news and I have bad news.First the good news: If you ever happen to be stuck on a violently rocking, crowded boat somewhere in the North Atlantic several miles from terra firma, and your almost-four-year-old cries out, "Mama, I think I'm gonna throw up!" everyone will get out of your way. Quickly.Now the bad news: For this scenario to work, you have to be stuck on a violently

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-21105348426988515342008-08-25T17:19:00.000-07:002008-08-25T18:23:58.809-07:00

My baby is 2.Which, I would imagine most moms would agree, is not really a baby anymore.I found out I was pregnant on Christmas Day. I took a test at the crack of dawn and it was negative. Which was fine, we hadn't really been trying for very long, I just thought it would be cool to find out I was pregnant on Christmas Day. But, hey, it's fun to drink whiskey sours on Christmas Day, too,

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-504007047693924032008-08-23T20:04:00.000-07:002008-08-23T20:28:51.351-07:00

And you should too, because she is MAD FUNNY.Read this.And then this.And then subscribe so you don't spend precious online shopping minutes checking back to see if she's posted something new. (ed. note: you should do that for this blog, too)

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-24180415730744720642008-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:002008-08-22T19:14:17.020-07:00

I know this because today I consumed more calories than I believed to be humanly possible, and yet here I am, vodka and tonic in hand, blogging about it. The all-day binge included:pancakes with syrup and butter (the butter lowers the glycemic index of the food, making it healthier. I learned this tidbit when I read The South Beach Diet. I now routinely add butter and/or oil to all my meals

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-43205593673284483292008-08-21T19:22:00.001-07:002008-08-22T07:09:50.465-07:00

A couple years back on vacation, when Nina was a baby (which would make it FIVE years back, and when you start thinking of five years as a "couple years" you know you're getting OLD), I heard some guy on his cell phone on the beach. I was completely disgusted. What a complete and total douchebag, I thought, talking on his cell phone on the beach.Riiiiggghhtt.So on Monday, while I was on the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-74603323070808914332008-08-20T18:09:00.000-07:002008-08-20T19:45:19.611-07:00

Lily Jane continued her PITA behavior today. She and I had an argument discussion that started with her calling me a "poopy" (note to self: start using better insulting names in everyday conversation, as this area of Lily's vocabulary is sorely lacking) and ended with her throwing an entire bowl of Mighty Bites across the room. I promptly banished her to a bedroom to consider her

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-56580417705436488312008-08-19T18:03:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:29:51.787-07:00

And in this case, every last one is a LIE.Because while Lily Jane might appear to be cute and innocent in this picture, it was actually snapped post-tantrum at the puppet show I took her to this morning. The tantrum she had because the sing-a-long was "too loud" and "the puppets were taking too long" and she was "parched."Said poor behavior gave an encore performance at TJ Maxx this afternoon.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-6233111970499252322008-08-17T18:23:00.001-07:002008-08-17T18:25:46.544-07:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-80837487335358741072008-08-15T10:52:00.000-07:002008-08-15T11:16:42.647-07:00

This morning I packed up the kids for one last morning at the lake. We've been going all summer (when it's not monsooning), but I've always been reluctant to take my camera because of the dirt/sand factor and because it's usually pretty crowded and I like to get shots of the kids with lots of background, but not lots of other people. But things have calmed down there as the summer winds down.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-67342297092320640932008-08-14T17:47:00.000-07:002008-08-14T17:49:46.748-07:00

This is but one.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-16074075298786927562008-08-13T15:17:00.000-07:002008-08-13T15:39:58.464-07:00

Because I know you've been on the edge of your seat...26. Do you own slippers? Yes. 27. What shirt are you wearing? An orange t shirt.28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don’t think I have ever slept on satin sheets. I’ll get back to you if I do.29. Can you whistle? Yes.30. Favorite color? Orange. Hence the shirt. And the type.31. Would you be a pirate? You mean, like,

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-66916974117931339462008-08-12T13:27:00.000-07:002008-08-12T19:01:40.499-07:00

Back in July on the weekend that both movies opened, I opted to see The Dark Knight instead of Mamma Mia! (and when I say "opted" I mean I was summarily outvoted by Jeff, David and Dave which begs the question - if you can't count on your gay friends to take you to Mamma Mia!, who CAN you count on?) The Dark Knight was...good. And dark. Very, very dark. Christian Bale was - predictably -

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-42167987174542173212008-08-11T09:08:00.001-07:002008-08-11T09:15:05.048-07:00

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-12255402066800552102008-08-08T14:44:00.000-07:002008-08-08T20:41:30.100-07:00

It's official. I am 100% completely, totally sick of summer.To be fair, I don't really like summertime to begin with. I hate temperatures that exceed 82 degrees. I can't stand humidity. It makes me homicidal. I am not a big fan of shorts. If we skipped from May to, say, October, I'd be fine with that. If we had a big Memorial Day picnic on a nice sunny 78 degree day and then woke up on

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-74055328558864069982008-08-06T17:27:00.000-07:002008-08-06T19:44:41.535-07:00

And tonight is one of those times.We've been on the hunt for school shoes for Nina. And not just any school shoes, oh no. When you start Kindergarten, you need clutch school shoes. School shoes that shout "I am SO the dopest kid in grade K. Do NOT mess with me or your ass is grass." And to be honest, the selection at Payless and Target just wasn't cutting it. And, sadly, the selection at

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-39119571639342036152008-08-05T12:22:00.000-07:002008-08-05T19:46:08.928-07:00

TO: All Subordinates, K. Family, Inc. FROM: Mom RE: Threat Reclassification_____________________________________________________It has been brought to the attention of Upper Management that several members of the organization have become abusive of our very liberal "sure, make a huge mess, but be sure to clean it up, OK?" and "it's fine if you're not tired, just read or talk quietly, OK?"

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-70255071876662919022008-08-04T10:58:00.000-07:002008-08-04T11:04:45.860-07:00

Conversation at the lake today, following swimming lessons:Nina: That's it, Nate! Now put your face in the water and blow bubbles. Good baby!Me: Neens, you're really good at that! Maybe when you're a teenager you could work here in the summertime and teach swimming lessons. Wouldn't that be cool?Nina: Nah. I think I'll just be a mommy instead.Do they sell chastity belts at

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-65333391037609069402008-08-02T18:53:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:57:19.349-08:00

...because I am dying to know more about the target market for this:This I kind of get (and Chrissy, my heartfelt apologies for ruining the surprise of your 40th birthday present):Even this I can see the target for:But crap like this makes me question how much I actually learned in graduate school:What do you think their employee discount is?

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-57107877861537551152008-08-01T10:26:00.000-07:002008-08-01T10:55:16.755-07:00

1. Do you like cheese? Like you wouldn’t believe.2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Nope.3. Do you own a gun? Not that I’m aware of.4. Your favorite song? Bob Marley - Three Little Birds5. Do you get nervous before a doctor's appt.? Only when the doctor is a hottie and my legs are unshaven.6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think they are magic food. When I make them for the kids, they

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-16950691372874454412008-07-31T18:33:00.000-07:002008-07-31T18:34:01.034-07:00

Oh. My. God.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-21682907305847922772008-07-31T10:47:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:57:21.873-08:00

My favorite pics from July, all taken by yours truly with my trusty Nikon D50.Nate overcame his fear of the sprinklers! "Should I pull her hair or bite her fingers? Decisions, decisions."Jeff and David's dog, McCoy. Dave might claim that HE took this picture, but I am pretty sure I did. Plus, it was on my camera, and ownership is 9/10ths of the law.Jeff, at the Farmer's Market in Greensboro!

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-32961975022175460402008-07-30T11:11:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:57:22.484-08:00

When I was visibly pregnant with Nate, but before we found out we were having a boy, I had the exact same conversation with perfect strangers at least three times a day. It went like this:Them: Oh my goodness, look at you! You're pregnant!Me: Yup.Them: OH! And WOW! You already have two little ones!*quick glance at my left hand to check for rings*Me: Uh huh.Them:

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-410590210354148702008-07-30T06:10:00.000-07:002008-07-30T06:15:23.149-07:00

Bennigan's might be closing all their locations. If you have had their off-the-hook* Monte Cristo, you understand the gravity of this situation.Stay tuned for updates.* is "off-the-hook" typically hyphenated? I've never been quite sure, but it just looks wrong without the hyphens.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-50103851045976671332008-07-28T07:41:00.000-07:002008-07-28T08:34:06.170-07:00

So I took all three kids to the lab so that I could get bloodwork done for my ever crotchety thyroid and the physical I have scheduled on Friday (new doc, I'll let you know if he's hot). I did this before breakfast because as I was about to take my first bite of yummy brown sugar coated made with actual boiling water on the stove oatmeal I noticed "you must fast for 10-12 hours" written on the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-40857964593790480532008-07-27T09:58:00.000-07:002008-07-28T19:44:37.897-07:00

So I am pretty well addicted to all writing about motherhood. I like all the mommy blogs (especially the ones that hate be referred to as such) and I read cool magazines like Brain, Child and Mothering in spite of the fact that they usually makes me second guess pretty much every parenting decision I have ever made. I read the parenting books and momoirs (not a typo) voraciously. I do it not

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-26662069493055689382008-07-26T18:51:00.000-07:002008-07-26T19:38:45.942-07:00

1. an orange Honda Fit2. a maid3. these dresses for the girls4. new dishes for the kids so I never have to hear “but she had the pink cup last Tuesday AND on February 18th so it’s MYYYYYYYYY turn!” ever again5. an iPhone6. someone to detail my current car. you know, so it will be pleasant to drive until the Fit arrives. there are cheerios in there from 2004.7. a 3BR 2BA

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-10734340582407985522008-07-24T15:05:00.000-07:002008-07-24T15:14:02.522-07:00

TO: The GAP/Old Navy/Banana Republic conglomerateFROM: Me, loyal customer and GAP Credit Card HolderRE: "Give & Get" promoI really enjoyed finding the "Give & Get" promo in my mailbox today. I like discounts. Especially deep ones that are linked to charitable giving. I like the way you are encouraging people to spend their hard earned money by convincing them that by buying your mass

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-16095136537208999232008-06-11T17:44:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:57:26.666-08:00

I am blogging from the Cape, where I've been since Monday with my mom and the kids. The first two days here were hotter than Hades, but it's cooled down and we've been having lots of fun eating seafood and ice cream, playing at the beach and visiting the kids' favorite Cape attractions - the bookstore and the toy store.Summer officially started for us after Nina's preschool graduation. Here are

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-46987371818995021522008-06-03T20:32:00.000-07:002008-06-04T08:45:57.369-07:00

Check this out.Yours truly will be performing in the first scene of the showcase. Email me if you want more details!

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-34372381083646392802008-06-03T20:07:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:57:26.846-08:00

Barack Obama, you are the BOMB. Now make Hil your running mate and go out and kick some McCain tushie.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-84560564409579488752008-06-03T19:32:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:57:28.154-08:00

So, I got a little spooked about having a blog that featured pics of my gorgeous children and enough identifying details to (possibly - if you're a good detective) figure out who I am, where I live, where I shop, how I take my tea and what kind of shampoo I use. I also got just a *wee* bit of flack from concerned grandparents about the wisdom of posting said details and pictures. And I

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-92138803660148107922008-01-13T18:04:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:28.850-08:00

On Friday Mary visited with Will (so tall!) and Jack (so scrumptiously chubby!) and I mentioned that I might do a blog post about things I discovered/found in 2007 and really love. Her reaction was, "Yes!! Do that! I love other people's lists!" The more I pondered it, the more I realized that I, too, love lists - especially lists of what other people like, since they are not being paid to say

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-88703447639808321672008-01-02T17:22:00.002-08:002008-12-12T13:57:37.122-08:00

The decorations are coming down and the last of the cookies are being eaten, which means it's time for a Christmas picture blitz!When I last posted, we had just celebrated St. Nicholas Day by filling the kids' shoes with little treats. The fun continued in the weeks leading up to Christmas with an afternoon with Auntie Lauren, Mom, Nina and Lily at Symphony on Ice, a huge Toys for Tots

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-14075978547787057602007-12-06T18:12:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:39.041-08:00

Holiday preparations are in full swing at Casa K. Last night/today we celebrated St. Nicholas Day by filling the kiddies' shoes with little treats. You can learn more about the traditions surrounding St. Nicholas Day by visiting the very cool and very comprehensive St. Nicholas Center website. We've been working on celebrating and enjoying the entire Christmas season - St. Nicholas Day, the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-10201258466226687102007-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:39.208-08:00

Last night Dave went to Lowe's and then disappeared into the basement for a few hours. This morning, he and Nate hit Home Depot, and again, he retreated to the basement. I just went down to see what he was working on. In the space of a few hours (like maybe four, tops) he built an 8 foot toolbench. How amazing is that??

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-52474824388153456912007-11-25T09:12:00.001-08:002008-12-12T13:57:39.376-08:00

David tells me that Santa has finished his shopping for the kids, but how cool are these??Rumor has it that one of Santa's auxiliary elves (she goes by code name "Grammie") is on the job :) Is it wrong that I can't wait to play with all the new toys on Christmas morning?

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-52953241770281734922007-11-22T18:20:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:41.186-08:00

We hope you had as great a day as we did!We started out by watching the parade and hoping to catch a glimpse of our friend Lea, who was in the opening number. It was a great kick-off to the parade - more than six hundred kids singing and dancing together after rehearsing for less than a week. We are so proud of Lea for being a part of it! Congrats on an awesome performance, Lea!!After the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-51764889386179024362007-11-20T12:40:00.001-08:002008-12-12T13:57:41.402-08:00

Last May I got to do THE COOLEST THING EVER. My wonderful friend Mary took me to Seoul with her to bring home her beautiful son, Jack. It was an unforgettable experience and Jack was a total trooper though it all! It was so awesome to watch Mary & John become parents again, and Will become a big brother. Today is Jack's first birthday. Have a great day, Jack! We love you!

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-67859699784583999722007-11-16T09:58:00.001-08:002007-11-16T10:04:19.523-08:00

My friend Jen just forwarded me a link to the Consumers Union Advocacy site. Consumers Union is the independent, non-profit organization that publishes Consumer Reports. At www.notinmycart.org you can sign a petition that will be sent to lawmakers encouraging them to strengthen the safety standards for toys and other products. It takes two seconds. Check it out.Here are some interesting facts

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-76863099747477503812007-11-14T17:39:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:41.740-08:00

Some of you might remember Marvin, Nina's beta fish. Marvin lived a long and happy life in a small plastic aquarium in our living room until he went to that big fish bowl in the sky (or down the toilet, as the case may be. Nina was actually under the impression that going to heaven involved being flushed. We had to clarify how a pet gets to heaven when Liza and Stephen's sweet dog Finny died.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-13013444706314710862007-11-14T17:18:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:42.460-08:00

One is an awesome age. Every day Nate says or does something new, and even though I experienced Nina and Lily going through the same developmental stage in the recent past (Did I really have three babies in 3.5 years? Really?), it's still exciting and fun to watch a baby figure out how the world works. Exciting, fun and mildly terrifying, because I often find Nate doing things like this:and

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-13518887305415980822007-11-08T08:21:00.000-08:002007-11-08T08:26:57.547-08:00

Use code Monkey2007 for 10% any order over $75 placed at atoygarden.com by midnight, 11/14. You can also get free shipping at Three Sisters Toys by using code MOTHER, and $5 off your first order from Nova Natural by using code COOLMOM.Happy Shopping!

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-32400697527614889172007-11-07T19:17:00.000-08:002007-11-07T20:44:07.455-08:00

...and every last one was made in China. You can see the recall notices at the Consumer Product Safety Commission website. All but one of tonight's recalls were due to lead paint standards being violated. In addition to endangering kids, many factories in China pay their workers a pittance and are huge polluters.So, let's do the math:dangerous toys + slave wages for workers + mucho pollution=

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-56765868616801753102007-11-07T11:52:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:42.635-08:00

Jack Johnson: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious GeorgeHow could I have overlooked this K. Family Favorite?? Especially since the title of my blog (three*is*a*magic*number, for those of you with a shorter attention span or a 3 year old whining at you to give her more Goldfish) comes from the song 3 R's! There are so many great songs on this album. The kids sing them all the time.

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-60495588845294567052007-11-06T18:43:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:43.095-08:00

When Nina was a baby, I was pretty tolerant of the regular old run-of-the-mill music for kids. I could sing Sesame Street Platinum Hits 'til the cows came home. I knew pretty much every Wiggles song and the entire Barney repertoire by heart. But as Nina got older and Lily and Nate arrived, I grew a little less patient with listening to Happy Tappin' With Elmo on infinite repeat. To be blunt,

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-76164350556519723512007-11-05T19:57:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:57:45.002-08:00

As I mentioned, we had a little reunion of the college roommates (minus Jill, who lives in Colorado - right?) this past weekend. Natalie and Phil were nice enough to host us in their beautiful 20th floor apartment on the Upper East Side. To quote Nina Kate, "You can see the whole world from up here, Mama!" Here are some fun pics from the day:The 7K/9K Crew: don't we all look so young and cute

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169390187585212983.post-88799302542257079162007-11-05T09:43:00.000-08:002007-11-09T19:17:07.983-08:00

This past weekend we went to NYC to have a little 7K/9K reunion of David & my college roommates from Fordham, then we headed to Long Island to spend the night with Dave's parents. As usual, I heard the familiar "we need more pictures of the kids!" refrain - and not just from the fam. So I figured I'd do what it seems everyone else already has and start a blog to keep y'all up-to-date on the

Leeannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068876864117500338noreply@blogger.com0