Kara turns 2 !

Kara turned two yesterday, it is so hard for me to believe how quickly time goes by, but it really has. I was going through some video's that we made and I came upon the one that had the weekend that Kara was born. It was amazing to see how tiny she was then and how we were so excited to see who and what this tiny little life would become. She has come a long way from that little peanut and has grown into a happy and wild two year old.
Kara has many likes and dislikes in a wide range of areas. She loves Mickey Mouse and can pick him out of any crowd. She especially loves the clubhouse show and asks for it frequently. She has started to venture out and get new favorites like Dora and Boots. She loves to run and play especially if it means running away from Mommy and Daddy, who feel very slow when chasing her and has been known to make one parent laugh at another as the other tries to catch her as she goes darting and dashing. She actually can be compared to Spiderman and seems to be able to escape at any turn! She has also decided that she loves popcicles and is very cute when she points and shows you which color she wants. Kara has a lot of favorites, she loves to swing on the swing set and will yell if you walk away while pushing her and if you continue to walk she gets off and hunts you down to come back for more. She also loves Buddy, I mean really loves him. They are playmates and are often seen running and wrestling together.
Kara has a few things that she has let us know that she doesn't like. She does not like "Happy Birthday" sung to her and yells or says "no" through out the whole song. I figured it was that we sung bad or she hasn't come to grips with turning two and this was her way to revolt! She also doesn't like to have her pacifier taken away. She calls it her "ba ba" and we were going to take it away from her when she turned two, but we are renegociating that since it will make everyone else a little happier too. We will see what the jury holds on that one. Anyway one other thing she doesn't like would be sharing, but hey who really likes to share--kidding. She will learn as we all did that it is better to share and have friends then the alternative of no friends. Although she has her list of dislikes as we all do she is a very special kid.
Kara has a sense of discovery way more than Lanie had. She loves to walk to our neighbors house and look at their flowers, or look around the corner to see what is next. She also has no fear which means that she is always willing to jump a little higher, go a little faster, or just swing a little higher. I have to give her kudoos for her sense to strive for more. She also loves water puddles, lakes, and the occasional toliet are all high points in her day!
We love Kara and are so thankful to have her in our lives and look forward to the next adventure that she brings our way. Happy Birthday Kara!

There more to life than motor bikes and toliet bowls

So things have been have been busy here at the Burwell manor as Spring has arrived on Long Island and the rain has begun to drift away our house has become a buzz with the fresh air and warm sun that greets us each day.
Spring means yard work, random trips to the park, and an occassional stop by the ice cream man. We are enjoying this season as a family and began new adventures each in our own way. I thought I would give you all an update on what is happening around here and hope that you too would update us with what is new with you.
Kara seems to be a good place to start. Kara LOVES spring it means running in the yard, swinging on the swings and getting to ride her hot pink car. She has been fascinated with the older kids as they ride their scooters and bikes and is trying to keep up with them and unfortunately has a few straps to show for it. She has began talking at a rapid rate and is almost able to keep up with her big sister, ok maybe not but she enjoys telling you things are "broken" and still loves her "Mickey Mou" and "Pooh" which she now grabs the remote and runs to you with it. She loves the birds and enjoys pointing them out to you and also likes to pick flowers and telling you "yellow" which is her word for flower, we are still working on that.The item that Kara has been most excited about lately is the toliet. She loves to encourage her friend Tricia and her cousin Dehlia who are in the process of potty training. She loves to say yeah and throw in her own toliet paper and wave goodbye as the pee pee etc floats away. Nothing will defeat what she did last night. She actually became one with the toliet bowl!! And no to what your thinking we do not allow our 1 year to pull an all nighter of drinking and end up sucking up to the porcelien goddess no this was done perfectly sober. We were at my in laws house when I couldn't find her so as I looked around at the usually places I was surprised to see that she was in the bathroom. As I watched before my very eyes she was wading up toliet paper and dipping it in the toliet and then sticking it in her mouth and sucking the water off. AS I ran I am sure you can visualize...just like in the movies... a slow motion run with a big open mouth NOOOOOOO....but it was too late. The deed was done. So Kara is currently having her mouth suctioned out to free her from any bacteria that may have creeped into her mouth and I am taking a class titled : How to deal with a toddler who wipes the wrong end.
Lanie has been busy this Spring with a number of different things. She has began a friendship with some of the neighborhood kids again and has enjoyed riding her friend Shawns motorbike. She has actually become consummed with riding his motor bike that each day she counts down the minutes to when she can spend time with him to ride bikes together. I am glad she is outside but I am waiting for her to ask to get on temporary tattoo so she can look like a real biker! Lanie has also been involved with Girl Scouts and has now made orchestra for her cello so we will get to go and see her perform next week which is exciting. She will also have a chorus concert as well as two dance recitals. She is quite a thespian this all fits in to her love of shows and always willing to throw one together for her family and friends.Lanie is loving school and is doing a unit on butterflies. She loves learning about nature and is ready to raise her own butterflies at home.We are proud parents to say that Lanie got straight A'a this quarter and we are very proud of her!
As for Doug and I we are enjoying the weather and starting to do yard work as we prepare for the summer a head. I am looking for a summer job that will allow me to be home with the kids but still bring in some bacon or maybe just a pork rib or two. Doug is trying to fit in golf when he can, and we are looking forward to his birthday June 3 and hoping to see the new Yankee stadium soon.
Well that is it for the Burwell's, until the next update enjoy this beautiful weather!

Why don't 8 year olds come with manuals?

So normally I come to this blog to brag or show off some major event at the Burwell manor, but todays installment is a stress revealer and hopefully be a blog that others can say I have been there or someday I will be there.
Anyway Lanie and I had a huge disagreement today which resulted in a major punishment for Lanie. The fight is not what this blog is about but more the after effects that stem from a argument with your child whom you love more than anything in this world.The shockwaves that kit your household.
The punishment occurred after many warnings and much debate. I do have to give Lanie kudoos in that I see her having a really good chance at becoming a lawyer in her future. The punishment was handed down and soon followed was Lanie's request for a family meeting was given. So lucky for Doug he was pulled into the debate as well. Poor Doug was then sentenced to the worst fate any man could see himself in-- in the middle of TWO women arguing. Lanie stated her side with examples and explaination as I tried to listen and give her the floor. After much debate and my side was stated the gavel fell down as the judgement was made that the punishment would stand. It was like a scene from Judge Judy except much more dramatic!
As I listen to Lanie cry it breaks my heart and flashes of my own childhood race through my mind. I realize that the feelings she has are sad and angry with a glimpse of regret. I now know that my parents were doing these things out of love for me which I now find myself in that same position,the one that has to teach the lesson. I have heard the saying that "this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you." I now see how true this statement is and how deeply it does hurt. I don't like to see my children in pain, but I do want them to grow and be good people who make good choices and do their best to do the right thing. Most of all I want them to know that I love them! This means making hard decisions and showing all the love that I have in my heart to them.
So now I ask you wouldn't be easier if 8 years had manuals? When problems come about you thumb to the index look up the problem and key in the answer. I know what you thinking then they would be like a robot and have no emotion, no sense of drive just a simple solution. Sometimes as a parent I look for for the simple solution when there is growth on both of our parts. I am glad that Lanie is not a robot but an emotional kid much like myself at that age. I know that I am not Dr. Frankenstein, I did not invent some robot that goes and takes over the world. I am much more I am a mother who was lucky enough to create a beautiful girl who grows more beautiful each day on the inside and the outside.
So why don't 8 year olds have manuals? The answer is because there are many solutions and many ways to love your child many more that could ever fill a manual because the flow of a mothers love could never be contained in a book.
Well, it's time for me to go now.... I have to go hug "my girl."

Hidden Treasure

This week I have been reminded of the hidden treasures that surround my life and the lives of my children. When we grow up we look at our parents as just being our parents but when we marry and have children of our own some change seems to come over them. We are left thinking is that my mom offering cookies and cake BEFORE dinner or is that my dad dancing to Barney? Is that the same person acting silly and goofy? I know their hair is a little grayer but I think it is them. Of course it is them they are a hidden treasure amoung us they are GRANDPARENTS!
My children are lucky to have all of their grandparents still living and healthy enough to be a BIG part of their lives. I see this in their everyday lives and these wonderful people go into shaping who they are. For that they are truly blessed.
Lanie had a project in school for Family Heritage day today. The day involved finding out just where did she come from, the true family tree, more than just the people in your family you see everyday. I was excited about the project because it allowed Lanie to learn some history and be able to share it with her class. She called Papa (Bill) and got some information since he is a geneologist he has the information on paper. It was exciting to see how excited Lanie was to learn the information and just as happy was Papa that he had someone to share with! Lanie learned that she actually had ancestors on the Mayflower she wouldn't have known that had it not been for sharing this experience with her grandpa. Another part of the project was to make and bring in a family recipe. This is where another grandparent comes into play. Grandma Burwell, who is always willing to bake with her grandgirls came up with the idea of Great Grandma Burwell recipe to make apple kuchen. The time spent with Grandma was not only fun but a hidden treasure with Lanie and a memory she won't forget anytime soon. Grandma and Lanie made enough for her to take to school today and that made Lanie smile from ear to ear.
Grandma Sophie and Grandpa Sophie are a treasure to my girls also.They send packages to the girls with so many surprises! Lanie has gotten to the point that when there is a package at the door she automatically thinks it is for her and Kara too of course! They make the time that we have with them special by planning fun activities for the kids do, allowing Lanie to do anyone of the shows she plans and not rushing her through it. They have allowed us to go on vacation with them so that my children can have even more experiences then even we can offer them.Goinf to Disney and going on the cruise ship, snorkeling in the carribean are just a few of the experiences.
Gram is always there with a craft to make with Lanie she loves to learn how to sew or work on ceramics.She helped make a blanket with her Gram that she now sleeps with at night. Gram is always so generous to send gifts for no reason but to brighten my daughters'day. Papa is willing to do "the big" puzzle with Lanie when we go and visit,and on every visit they have to play a game or two of ping pong.Papa is there to read a book Kara or to just let her "jump" and wrestle on the floor. They have shared the treasures that they hold with my children.
Grandpa Burwell is always there when the girls need him whether it be taking Lanie to the pool or the playground or reading a book to Kara. I love to see Grandpa pull one of his grandgirls on his lap and snuggle them or get them to sleep. Grandma Burwell likes to take Lanie to Broadway shows, special nights in a great city hotel, horse drawn carriage rides or just sitting and making old family recipes of christmas cookies that can be shared with future generations!
I am thankful for each and every one of my childrens grandparents they add an additonal piece to the puzzle of what make my children whole. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives even if you are a little grayer than I once remember. I love you and thank you for who you are!

So What's Up with the Mouse?

So the kids were on break this week, so along with getting things done around the house it was important to spend some family time doing some activities that my kids love. We spent time playing games, going outside, watching movies, working on puzzles, but the big activity this week was going to Chuck E. Cheese. Yes parents that's what I said I entered the mouse zone on a week that would make any parent shake in their shoes! Lanie was asking to go from the beginning of the week, since we weren't going anywhere this week I thought it would be fun to splurge a little and have some crazy fun.
Going to Chuck E. Cheese is not just a family outing it is a major family event since we don't visit there often.I had to prepared for the day, I downloaded my coupons and refinanced on my home(just kidding of course). If you have ever been to Chuck E. Cheese you know that they are sittting on a gold mine. Anyway back to the story as we entered the building you could see the excitement building on the faces of my kids. The restaurant has bells and whistles, tickets, lights, pizza, cotton candy, and best of all rides. This restuarant has all that goes into any kids goodnight dream. The excitement mounted as their hands were stamped and they knew that the rides were within their grip only to find that we had to wait in line to get a table. Yikes! a long line for a table and food. A quote came to mind from my doctors office...parenting can be like being pecked to death by chickens! don't get me wrong I love being a mom, but when the kids see the rides, smell the food and have to wait it can be a little nerve challenging!
So we got our seats, ordered our food and were ready to roll. Lanie ran off to the big kid games where the tickets can be earned and the fun can be had. Kara and I headed to the "baby" area. She found a great slide that she loved and kept going on, the funny thing was it was the only free thing in the place. I gotta love a kid who can find bargains! I then saw a merry go round which she loved and smiled each time she passed.(Look for these pictures on the blog site)Every token that we spent on that ride was worth it. Lanie soon came back to find us with tickets and cotton candy (what every kid needs-- more sugar) she was all smiles and ready to keep going it was enjoyable to see the excitement she had over winning the cotton candy. Lanie was very sweet helping her sister to see what Chuck's place was all about. It was then time to eat so we enjoyed our pizza and some family time talking about the games and which rides were the best and then back to play time.
As Kara walked around she came to the area where they have the stand up machines with Chuck E. and his gang. She was so excited and waved Mou Mou she knew he was a mouse and that is a good thing in her eyes. As many of my readers know her love for another well known mouse Mickey! As I saw the excitement she had for the mouse I began to wonder what is up with the mouse? Who said to themselves hey lets take this small animal and make it lifesize and having him running around a restaurant where there are games and serve what every mouse eats- pizza! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with the mouse other than the fact that he should be gold instead of gray since he is making lots of gold from the money that walks in the door each day.
I just think it is funny that two characters that kids love are both mice. I wonder where people come up with this concept.After leaving the rides and games you get the most painful part of the time at Chuck E.'s -- ticket redemption. I feel like there should be a noise dum dum dummmm( that doom sound) Kids anxiously wait in line to make their decision on a bunch of gumball machine toys that will end up inbetween the car seats before you make it home. The decisions are as painstaking as the Geneva Convention. Once the decisions are made it is time to leave and kids leave the place in one of two ways with smiles or screams. Parents leave only one way exhausted.
Don't get wrong although I think Chuck E. is a little weird it does create great family fun for us and it is worth the money and the lines. So the next time you want a chance to let the kids run wild, add some smiles to your kids day and get a hankering for every mouses favorite food... pizza head over to Chuck E. Cheeses. Although it sounded like I am complaining we really did have fun it was just fun to share a parents perspective!
I am adding pictures to my site also so be sure to check them out!

Is there love in the air?

Some tommorrow is Valentine's day. A day that many would call a Hallmark holiday or a day that was created by florist across the nation to boost sales in what normally would be a slow time of the year.The number of red roses sold each year are probably more than any sold any other time of the year. I am sure that the amount of chocolate sold during this time of year only comes in second to Halloween. There is a lot of dough to be made on a day that was created to show your love for another.
Although Valentine's day is a very commerical day it can be a nice reminder to tell the ones that you love how special they are to you. A nice homemade card or a cute poem written out of love or being witty will always do my heart good.I also like the idea that Zales has that you should give a bag of diamonds but hey who can afford that one! I do like the idea of letting someone you love or someone you could potientially love know that your thinking of them is pretty special. I think back to my school days when you let that boy know that you liked him or how great it felt to have someone send you a flower with a special message.
I know may people choose to use this day as a day to get engaged. They have a special evening where they share their feelings for another and ask them to spend the rest of their lives with them. Valentine's Day must mean a lot to people to chose that day to make a commitment of a lifetime.
Although, I personally find Valentine's day to be a fun day to tell that special someone how much you mean to them you should remember to tell them each and everyday and make each day Valentine's day.(although my waistline couldn't take chocolate everyday and I would have make room for all those roses)

I think I see stars in her eyes

As many of you know Lanie is in love with theater. If she had a million dollars she would buy tickets to see Wicked everyday. She is a driven girl who knows what she wants and does what she can to get it especially is if it is something she is obsessed with.
Since last summer when she left Camp Blue Bay she talked about how she was definately going to go back and hopefully for two weeks! As she was reading through the brochure for this summer she saw that they are having a Showtunes week where they practice a play make the costumes, make the back drop and actually perform the show at the end of the week.Needless to say she is trying to figure out how to make it happens and reminds us about it frequently. We are going to see if she will be able to go to enjoy that this summer but let's just suffice it to say it is all she talks about so we will see what happens!
I keep telling her that she is on her way to broadway.She is definatley in the right place to follow her dreams with New York City just miles away.I am amazed at how she never grows tired of making plays, coming up with songs, and trying to get family members to be in her show or at the very least watch her show. I am hoping that we can get her into some acting classes this year they have a class that is geared for kids that want to act. She got a kareoke machine for Christmas that she likes, but her love seems to run more in the directing. She is kind of behind the scenes type person. She wrote a show for Christmas that the kids did and the family was so kind to sit back and watch which made Lanie feel very good. That love that the family has shown to her has encouraged her to want to do more.
She had a sleepover where the kids were going to do a show, I did feel bad for the other kids because Lanie loves it doesn't mean that everyone love it. It all worked out and they had fun "trying out" and practicing their parts. It was very cute.
All we can do as parents is encourage her in whatever dreams she has and maybe someday she will want to be a doctor or a lawyer, she does know how to debate! We will see what her future will bring because you never know where your children's dreams will carry them.
Hopefully someday you'll look in your mailbox and see tickets for a broadway show or open a playbill and see her name in print. We will see where her dreams take her but "I think I see stars in her eyes"