Just like Marley

Like I said I used the break and recovering from tonsilitis to watch movies. I saw Nights of Rodanthe and High School Musical 3* and liked them both. (I won't be offended if you stop reading now).

But the one I really liked was Marley & Me with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. Obviously it is a movie about a dog. But, no I didn't think it was that sad. Probably because we had a laborador just like Marley...
Ours ran through [invisible] fences and escaped as well. He liked to take a walk around the lake, specifically the one that ends up at the PTC police station.** Only one time he ran away and never came back. It was really, really sad...So I tend to think my dog sob story trumps the movie.

(OK, still I cried at the end).

All sobbing aside, I thought it was a movie more about a dog, a guy, and his career. Wilson plays a family man who is always looking over his shoulder at his cooler co-worker [McSteamy on Grey's]. They both play journalists living in Miami in the 70s when the newspaper biz was thriving and we all used DOS. Only McSteamy has a much cooler "beat" - the Latin-American drug connection. Which reminded me at one point I felt just like Wilson...

When I worked at the CIA, I was so envious of my co-worker friend Margaret, who worked in the Counter-Narcotics Center (CNC). Basically, I thought her bad guys were much cooler than mine. They were glamourous, brooding, latin-american, hard core business types. They knew how to survive AND make money - in short they were smart and I was intrigued by her stories. My guys, a la Richard Reid, spent a lot of time in the bathroom trying to light their shoes on fire. [Umm there is a reason why the losers [thankfully] get chosen for that honor].

But, like Wilson, I wasn't intrigued enough to pass up the opportunity of having a great family life.

The point being I could totally relate to Wilson always wanting to do something else. That "something else" usually turned into having another child. There is one scene where Aniston says I want a baby more than anything and I swore she jumped right out of the screen, it was so believable.

To me, this was a good movie dog lover or not. It may not win any Oscars because it is not weird enough. Which is probably a good thing for me, considering I related so well to it.

*I thought it was like a modern day "Grease." But take with a grain of salt. I am thrilled by anything with good dance moves.
**think thousands in fines and you'll know I come from dog-lovers

A Happy New Years

...Enter stage right

Like a breath of fresh air, the mom's club arrived. Right at 5:00 pm for several days they brought us meals.

It was a wonderful scene, and we all three looked forward to it.

When I first moved here, I [wrongly]thought I wouldn't have much time to do mom's club. The opposite has proven true.

Instead, the club has given me the time and opportunity to be a better mom.

Now, I think what would we do without it?

Dan in Real Life

After having my tonsils removed, life was a haze. Luckily I am easily amused, and I spent a lot of it watching movies. Until I realized the most entertaining of all was Dan in Real Life...

Dan definitely deserves the Oscar this year for taking care of me, Karina and Christmas. I did my supporting role by laying on the couch really, really well. If I do say so myself, I make a very good patient.

But back to the movie. I watched Dan wake Karina up, put her down for bedtime and everything in between. I watched him deal as Karina's sleep patterns got thrown off and the subsequent crankiness set in. In my favorite scene, I watched as he tried to have total peace and quiet in a closet while on a conference call. It was like seeing into a mirror, except a much, much taller version of myself.

Just when I thought he couldn't take any more...

Wishing you holiday joy...

Sorry Karina! Don't worry, your mom made the same face when suggested she get in the picture.

He IS Real

Dear Dadda's Work,

Mommy was hoping I would write to Santa Claus but I really can't say I like him at this point.* For now, all I know is that you took us to see Mickey Mouse and so I think writing you is a much better idea. I wish I could go to dadda's work everyday...He gets to see Mickey a couple times a year...wow! This time he asked if I could go too, and you said yes!!

So we got on a plane, and I started watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Best Easter Party Ever. (Umm maybe I will also ask you for a few different DVDs just to mix things up). Then we took a bus ride to a very small house that seemed to impress mommy even though our own house is much bigger. From there we started walking...and then suddenly we were inside the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!

Mickey IS real. And I got to meet him, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto! All at once! Every day inside the cartoon was a new adventure. In the morning I would climb into my stroller and wait patiently to leave the small house so as not to waste any more time there. One night we went to the food and wine festival where dadda seemed very busy. I didn't care too much for the food or the wine but I decided to be on my VERY best behavior in case Mickey was watching.

Well I am writing you this letter so you can hopefully keep me in mind for next year. Also, if you could put in a good word with Mickey that would be great!

Next year I'll probably tell you what I want for Christmas. But for right now, "Achoo! I sneezed. It's windy. More snack? Thank you. Again! Ho-ho-ho...!"

I love you!

Karina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

*why do they want me to sit on a strange man's lap? I'll take his cookie and run though.

Dear Mommy Love Karina

Dear Mommy,

This year has been so fun, I just want to thank you for it.* Let's see we had Joe's dance party in June, Elon's in July, Karen's in September, and Brieon's in October. I LOVED travelling to all those fun places. Well, I don't really love the plane but once you put on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Best Easter Party Ever life is good again. When I look around I see everyone is as grateful as I am.

Can we please keep going to these late night dance parties once a month for the rest of our lives?? Especially when the Nirenbergs have it. They can dance like no one else, literally.** I have the best time getting out there right before the bride and groom take the dance floor. That is when I have everyone's attention and the most room to show off my moves. Mom and dad try to copy me but they can't spin in circles nearly as fast I do. I don't know why they look so tired at the end of these late night dance parties. Maybe they need to save room for only goldfish and chocolate cake.

I have to give special props to Aunt Karen and Uncle Rich for their taste in backup dancers. They had me, my mommy and daddy in their party! They were so brave to let me audition at only 19 months. Even though I look pretty cute in white, not many people would have done that.

I was sad that there was no late night dance party scheduled in November, but I hear there is one coming up in December! I sure hope that we can make the trip. I have been fine tuning my moves in music class...watch out Peoria, IL!

Well, writing this long letter is hard when your attention span is so short. I'd much rather practice my key phrases over and over and over again. So, more fishies? I'm cold. It's hot. I'm stuck. Night night...and I love you!

Love,

Karina

xoxoxoxoxoxo

*that will probably never happen but I know you would like to see it written down just once

**can you believe uncle terry can move like that?

See you next time...

Music class. $10/per class. $25 for materials. Learning to listen to instructions: priceless.

At least that is how I would advertise it.

When Karina first started I wasn't sure if I should go through with it or back out while I had the chance. Then I picked up the manual and found it had a special section for the shy child, and a special section for the active one. I didn't have to guess my category.

Ex: The active child: "Pierce would never sit in my lap. In fact, he spent most of the class running around the room. He was so wild; I was worried he was being disruptive. But our teacher told me not to worry and he was right. We've been taking music class here for several sessions and he's gotten a ton out of it"....etc etc singing the praises of music class...

Maybe I should have "Pierce" over for a playdate?

Pierce was not in our class, but Tristan was. Tristan the pirate spent the better part of the class chasing Karina the fairy (as captured by her amused mom during halloween class). Mumbling our apologies to the teacher, Tristan's mom and I would peel our kids apart and get them back interested in maracas.

Disruptions aside, I have noticed a world of difference from the start of session to now. Karina sings and dances in time to the music. She loves putting the instruments away at the end, maybe even more than playing them. (Go figure). And she waits patiently in line for her stamp at the end of class. All this and according to the manual a bigger brain too.

On a sad note, I just found out today our friends Carrie and Giana are moving away. It was so fun seeing them every Wednesday morning. We wish them the best though.

Like the song goes, I'm so happy I saw my friends. I'm so happy I saw mommies. See you next time...