jennemmy's Profile

It took me nearly 20 years to determine that everyone reverts to their worst childlike tantrum self over the holidays. Last year, we opted out and went to the beach. It was nice but lacked the holiday feeling. This year I have decided we won't give in to the guilt trips placed upon us by our parents (mine or my husbands). We are going to just celebrate by doing what feels best for our family as it is now. That means our kids will play their cousins and we will go where the most people in our crazy, far flung family, CELEBRATE time together. If you are the relative that is keeping a tally of which house we went to last year, rip it up. My memories of every holiday is the tension or disappointment or guilt as a result of my parents trying to keep visits equitable. I don't want that for my kids. I want them to see it as time together in celebration of whatever marks the calendar. I told all the grandparents, this is what we are doing. You are free to join us "merrily". If not, I hope you can join us next time. Really, life is too short, we have too little in vacation time to spend a bulk of it around grumpy people.

I bought every little gizmo out there for my girls. Not once, but twice. By the end of babyhood round 2 I realized that the diaper genie was never in the room I changed the baby, it was easier and cleaner to tie it in a disposable baggie and hit the closest trash can. I couldn't bear to leave the baby when I showered so she came with me. I think we used the baby tub once. Since we bathed this way from the get go, both girls were familiar with using a shower. They still (5 & 7) seldom take a bath unless its for fun. By the time they could sit up, I would lay a towel in the bottom of the shower and they would play under the water. And a clip over the doorway johnny jumper was used more than a swing, playpen and bouncy seat combined. My daughters would choose to dangle, then bounce rather than sit static. Even when they first started walking.

I have to admit, our current tv isn't old and crusty. We purchased it 2 years and 2 moves ago for a house featuring niches for your entertainment pleasure. 6 weeks into our new house; a much smaller, less already featuring built-ins house, our tv remains where the movers first carried it in. Inside the fireplace. The cable box and dvd player sit on the hearth beside it! However, above the tv/firebox is a beautiful, sleek mantel that would nicely hold the Insignia 37" LCD HDTV. The big switch would bring joy to the whole family. My husband would get football in all its HD clarity, my kids won't be able to stand with their noses pressed directly against the screen (putting off the need for glasses a few more years) and I won't have a heart attack every time my 4 year old squeezes her body into the 4 inch crevice beside the tv, threatening to push its off it precarious position onto the floor below!