So long Loon, see you next year!

As we put another ski season in the books, now is the time to reflect on all the wonders the winter brought us this year. Such as Lucia skiing down the mountain like a champ (even tackling some blue trails at the end) and Carmen refusing to use the wedge stop technique, barreling down the slopes full speed and right into the safety netting over the side of the trail. That was the last time Carmen got to ski with Mamas... right back to ski school for that kid. Luckily, Carmen excelled at some of the tamer winter sports, such as snowman building and general cuteness.

The end of the season also brought a birthday celebration for Mama Mer complete with a trip to our favorite pink diner... where Lucia proudly announced Mama's age to the waitress, who of course brought out a birthday Sunday and serenaded Mer with "Happy Birthday" along with the rest of the waitstaff. Awesome.

And last but certainly not least, the end of March brought Lucia's first starring stage role - as Peter in the production of Gumption! based on this book. She learned all of her lines and nailed the role (IMHO) and fulfilled my dream of becoming a stage mother.... see for yourself, a star is born.

Random notes from the cheap seats...

As Mer likes to say, "If it doesn't go on the blog, it is lost forever!" So with that in mind, here are some recent gems from the mouths of my family:

Carmen, "Lucia, we're probably gonna get a trophy... for being such good girls."

Carmen, "I love you mucher than pancakes."

When discussing the dangers of playing with fire, I was explaining that you never burn matches and Luce chimed in, "or chipmunks. You never burn chipmunks."

6:30am, Carmen: "Mama, I'm sorry"

Mer: "Why, honey, you just woke up?"Carmen: "I'm sorry because you smell like beer." (said with Carmen's Boston accent)Mer: "Beer? Do you mean coffee?"Carmen: "It might be coffee."

And you know how I know I'm a grown up? Because I say things like, "Luce, we never stick anything in anyone ever!" (she was trying to put a toy in her sister's bellybutton).

Sooooo this happened...

Yeah, yeah, yeah... so I missed the last half of January and all of February. In my defense, it was a short month anyway. Here's the thing, I blame Steve Jobs (RIP)... or more specifically the iPhone. Since that device came along I have gotten out of the habit of taking actual PHOTOGRAPHS with my real CAMERA and as a result we all suffer. The blog suffers, you dear patient reader suffer and lord knows I suffer (hearing it from Mer). I will try and stay more on top of things, because moments like these are too precious not share. Yes, our baby turned 4 in February and she is full_of_it. She loves to laugh, and be goofy and make up nonsensical songs... like this jaunty little ditty called "There's a Drink in My Drawer." She sings it often, with many variations and no two are ever alike. Classic.

We've spent a fair amount of time up at Loon (appropriate, no?) this winter and the weather has been most cooperative, providing ample opportunities for outdoor refrigeration when necessary. Lucia has really taken to skiing and Carmen, well, she much prefers this sport.

Along we Carmen's birthday, we also celebrated Mimi's Birthday and Dr. Martin Luther King's as well. When asked about Dr. King, Carmen will tell you, "He had a great idea! That people who like broccoli and people who don't like broccoli can still be friends." Yep, that sounds about right.  Errata, this was included in the LAST update. The editor regrets this error.

Because guess what?!?

That's Carmen's new catch phrase. She weaves it into every conversation and it is simply adorable. "Mama can I have some milk, because guess what? I am SO thirsty!" or as we heard on Christmas Day, "Mama I don't feel good, because guess what? My ears hurt!" Yep, Mama Mer brought her to the pediatrician's office on Christmas Day -- raging double ear infections, followed by a junky cough which turned out to be a lower lobe pneumonia. 2013 is really starting out with a bang for poor Carmen. Luckily, she remains one of the most cheerful kiddos on the block... and she really loves school, to wit:

Here's a history lesson as seen through the 4 yr old lens:

C: "We learned about Dr. King today."

Me: "What did you learn?"

C: "He had a great idea!"

Me: "Heh, and what idea was that?"

C: "That people who like broccoli and people who don't like broccoli can still be friends."

Yep, that pretty much sums up Martin Luther's dream in a nutshell.

Hold On To the Magic...

Because it will be gone all too soon. Even this year, Lucia asked Meredith, "Are you Santa?" Gah. Mer managed a clever non-answer, but it was an important reminder that we don't have that many special Christmas years left. I'm not ready yet. Not by a long shot. At the risk of lapsing into sentimental schlock, I'll just say that the Mothers Goose had a great Christmas... dare I say magical (even if it did start at 5:30 in the morning).

Celebrating Me...

One of the things I love most about this blog, is the chance to look back over the years at some of the memories I'm sure I'd forget if it weren't for this digital outlet. I am also very thankful that we have mementos like this one and this one to remind me how unique and funny my kiddos are (yeah, yeah so is every child everywhere, but this is my blog so I get to claim superiority here). Luce has been enjoying an after school drama program which culminated in the performance of her favorite book (as she mentioned on her Celebrating Me worksheet), the timeless classic Dooby Dooby Moo. We also enjoyed getting in the holiday spirit by attending a performance of The Gwinch as Carmen would say... if you ask me the popcorn was the best part of the show (seriously, save your money and your ears). And of course, it wouldn't be December without our annual trip to the Pops! with the Troutmans. Now we can release the hounds of Christmas!

From Toilet Bowl to Bowling Alley...

We all had a ball! Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays well, for Mothers Goose anyway, Lucia has since declared St. Patrick's Day as her favorite (must be the Irish roots). Anyway, it is a great time to stuff your face full of yummy food, watch football, and hang with the family... what more could you ask for? This year we resurrected an old Leary Thanksgiving tradition - - the famous Toilet Bowl backyard football game. Apparently when the Learys were littles, they would vie for the honor of the Toilet Bowl trophy, which now that I think of it we'll need to fashion a replica for next year... and teach the participants how to play football. Minor details. After the "game" came the food and real football... and then the post meal coma (which thankfully was not captured on film). With the cousins in town we branched out for some 10-pin fun... and while this pic came from a New York business trip, truer words were never said. Hope you all had as much Turkey Day fun as we did. Now to gear up for the chaos that is December...