Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

She thought it was just an ordinary day even though everyone kept wishing her a "Happy Birthday."  She merely returned the greeting.  "Happy Birthday, Daddy!" she called to my husband as he walked out the door this morning.  I suppose it was a pretty ordinary day up until this evening.  Even Mom's delicious tortilla soup was a wonderful but ordinary meal. Today's soup was "lick your fingers" good though, if I do say so myself, and the photos don't lie, friends. C'est Magnifique! Shortly after dinner, however, Lili came to the realization that something wonderful was happening.  I think this photo nicely captured the moment of glee when it all clicked. "Oh!  It's MY birthday!!" And because she is such a wonderfully fabulous and amazing TWO year old now, she managed to blow out her own candles.  I was a bit impressed apparently.  Sophia asked, "Why are you screaming, Mom?"  Sorry.  It's just wha...

I am feeling terribly uninspired lately.  We are continuing to adjust to life on a schedule.  We really embraced summer time this year.  Early mornings and routines have not been embraced with great zeal so far.  I have also been spending a LOT of my energy trying to prevent this person from doing THIS in the middle of the day... Sure, it looks lovely, BUT if Lili sleeps at all during the day, she doesn't want to go to bed until 10 or 11 o'clock at night.  Not cool.  So chances are, you might find me playing "Hide Seek," hostessing a bubble bath/ tea party, or singing the Elmo's World theme song repeatedly at about 5 pm each evening.  Things could certainly be worse. Sweet Dreams, Friends.

Boy, my head is spinning a little.  We have not exactly eased gracefully into the new school year.  None of us seem to have latched on to the concept of, "Early to be, early to rise..."  In fact on Monday morning, after she had fallen asleep in her cornflakes three times, I simply sent Sophia back to bed and took her in to school an hour late.  I decided it was more important that she be conscious than on time.  Call me crazy. I am enjoying the one on one time that I have with Lili now that those other people are off at school all day.  Having me all to herself means that Lil has plenty of time to declare her appreciation for different parts of my body.  This is particularly apparent when she climbs into the shower with me, pats me on the bum and chirps, "I like ya booty, Mama."  We've also played countless games of "Hide Seek."  When the excitement level gets too high, sometimes Lili forgets which part she is playing.  She has been kn...

These wonderful people had to go back to school today.  It was a little sad but mostly good.  With too much down time, sisters can really start to aggravate each other.  It will also be good to get my precocious toddler back into some sort of sensible rhythm.  She currently doesn't believe what the fairy godmother teaches about turning into a pumpkin after midnight, but I digress. I always strive to be "Super Fun Mom" on the first day of school.  I like the set the bar high and then backslide for the rest of the school year.  Last night I decided we would have a super girly tea party after school and catch up on all of the day's happenings.  So while they were away (and Miss Toddler Pants was conveniently napping), I set the stage... You realize, of course, that I am still a school teacher trapped in a Mama's body.  This fun new chalkboard that my sweet husband hung in the kitchen allows me to channel my inner Mrs. Griswold.  (The ...

I have heard the usual complaints about in-laws.  Some of the stories my friends have told me about their horrific in-laws have made my jaw drop and my hair stand on end.  I am insanely happy to report that I cannot "relate."  I don't have any in-law horror stories to recount.  I could complain about toilet seats being left up or about all of my homemade cookies being consumed during a late night card game, but those would truly be half-hearted complaints. Before my husband and I were married, I already felt like I fit into the Carson clan, and now when we are making plans to get the gang together, I get all bubbly and excited inside because it's fun for an only child to be a part of a big family.  When Paw Paw and Uncle David visit, our girl-dominated family dynamic gets turned on its head.  There is less drama and more flatulence.  Practical jokes are played.  Rude pictures are scribbled at the dinner table.  Card games (accompanied by...

We thought we already lived "Up North" since we are in mid-Michigan.  It's certainly farther north than any place I've ever lived before, but local Midlanders constantly refer to the wonderfulness of  "going Up North," and now that we've officially been, we understand why.  We recently returned from a long weekend up in the Traverse City area where we saw some of the most beautiful sights.  On the way up, we even pulled the car over in Paradise, MI so that Emma could have a potty break.  The highlight of her day was having "peed in Paradise." Words escape me as I attempt to describe the breath-taking scenery we encountered up yonder.  At several points, I looked through the view finder of my camera and simply sighed and replaced the lens cover.  I am not a good enough photographer to capture the immense exquisiteness that is Lake Michigan.  Here, however, are a few of the photos I took anyway.  Perhaps they are still worth almost a thous...