Mothers Day - It doesn't get any better

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I planned a simple day with my girls. Movies and lunch with a friend and her daughter. Dave is out of town so I didn't expect anythng special, but Rachel and Alex had different plans.

7 a.m. Knock, knock softly at my door.

"Mommy," Rachel says in her sweet little voice. When she says I'm waking up, she giggles and squeals, "Close your eyes!"

"Close your eyes, Mommy," Alex echoes.

"Ok. Ok!"

"Are they closed?" in unison.

"Yes"

A moment passes, and then whispers and giggles.

"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!"

And I opened my eyes to find the two cutest girls ever carrying in my breakfast. "It's for you!! It's BREAKFAST IN BED!!" Alex is beaming!!

"Your life long dream!!" Rachel chirps.

Bringing mommy Mother's Day Bed the girls are soooo happy. It's a priceles moment.

OH MY GOD - They ae sooo adorable and they did ths all for me. All on their own - together. I could have burst with happiness, love and pride. These are two great kids!

On the tray was a plate with one of Daddy's famous pancakes (heated in the microwave) a chunk of peanut brittle, three gummy fish a huge tumbler cup full of orange juice, handmade cards and notes, and Rachel even drew a portrait of me.

After I complied with their requests to "EAT! Mommy! EAT!" and answered over and over that, yes, I do like it, the negotations began.

"Mommy, we brought you three gummies and there are three of us. And we brought one in your favorite colors - red. Can WE have the other two?" So - we all ate the gummies together...,

"Mommy, that's a lot of peanut brittle. Can we have some of that too?!?"

Ah - Mother's Day!!

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Thanksgiving Day

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I am thankful for the past. All the people and experiences that came before. The people who loved me and the people who hurt me. (Sometimes one in the same.) And the experiences; the triumphs and failures and everything in between.

If it weren't for those, I would not be here today, so very thankful for the present. My wonderful husband and two incredible little girls. Our life is pretty great.

And I'm thankful for the future. It's endless potential and unknowns. Dreams to fulfill and heartaches to weather. All of it with my family by my side. Life doesn't get any better than that.
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Happy Easter Lil' Peeps

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She's a Party Animal

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After "partying hard" with all of her little friends, Rachel didn't quite make it into bed. This is how I found her when I checked in on her at about 11:00 p.m.


Look closely. She's standing up and sound asleep!

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New Year's Eve Kindergarten Style

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OK - Last minute party plans make for a fun time for the girls and their friends...,

Complete with noise makers, fancy glasses, bubbly juice...


and New Year kisses.

Miss Rene and Dylan

Nadine and Lil' Sammy

Miss Amy and Miles

Good times and great memories!

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It's Magic - It's Christmas

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In just a few short minutes...,

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This is how Santa left the place after dropping off gifts last night...,


And this is how it looked this morning...,



Christmas morning - chaotic magic with two small children....,

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The Santa Tracker

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OK - this is the coolest thing for kids since ..., (Oh, I don't know. Sliced bread just isn't all that relevant.) It's just cool!

It's the Norad Santa tracker. The Norad (American/Canadian North American Air Defense) Web site provides regular worldwide updates in seven languages, and kids everywhere can watch Santa's progress as he drops off presents across the globe - complete with video clips, audio updates and photos.

Very cool!!

For the computer impaired, NORAD also has a hotline too. It's staffed by U.S. Air Force personnel who provide up-to-the-minute, detailed tracking information by phone.

Alex loved it. She would have spent the entire afternoon and evening tracking Santa if we'd let her. And they were both excited to get to bed - knowing that Santa had already crossed the Atlantic and was now delivering gifts on the East Coast and heading toward our home.

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Your kids can call NORAD for an update on Santa’s Christmas eve progress. 1 (877) HI NORAD (1 877 446-6723). From outside the U.S. 1 (719) 556-5211. You can also track Santa all day on the website: http://www.noradsanta.org/

To check out Santa's 2008 travels, complete with pictures and video, click here. (Click on the packages and video icons).

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Baking Day 2008

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Another annual tradition. Good times with Aunt Jane and Lil' Chewie--creating yummy Christmas treats.

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Our Little Alpha

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Oh - you'll think it's just another "cute" little video of preschoolers singing "cute" little Christmas songs - way off key, but it's really a lesson in the subtle ways of the alpha child.

Watch Alex as she "guides" Rachel in the "right thing to do."



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Giving Thanks

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I've been thinking about this for the past two weeks. In keeping with our family tradition - this is the time of year we think about everything we have and all we're blessed with. And, while I know it's comparatively a lot, I've had a hard time this year because I'm connected to more than a few people whose lives are filled with chaos, mayhem and tragedy.

It's really too easy (and, it seems to me, somewhat shallow and callous) to simply be grateful that its them and not me. And really all of that chaos simply makes me sad. People are baffling animals and there is simply no way of explaining the "out-of-character" actions of people you thought you knew.

But through all of this craziness, each night I come home to my family. Dave and the girls. Ollie and Guinea. Sometimes it's a little crazy with two small kids, the house is sometimes a wreck, and there always seems to be more to do than there is time - but it's still somehow peaceful. We're all on the same team - trying our best to move in the same direction.

It's a safe place.

We're all safe, supported, and needed.

This is our soft place to fall - a shield against the chaos, mayhem, and scariness of the world outside.

This is what I'm thankful for.

And a few more things I'm thankful for...,

Fellow kindergarten moms: Rene, Heidi, Miss Jill...,
The return of Miss Molly
Our new kitchen & the ultra smooth remodel process
President-elect O'Bama and VP, Biden
Change and the growth of tolerance
Ollie and Guinie
Sweet work gig
Financial stability in unstable times
Good friends - old and new

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Daddy is thankful for...,

Alex. Watching her learn to read.
Rachel. Her love of dance and Miss Donna's class
Inside voices
Our home
Mommy

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Alex is thankful for...,

Bunny
Teddy Bears & Puppies
Soccer Trophy
Mommy Daddy, Ollie, Guinea and Rachel (Not necessarily in that order)
Abby and Dylan
Rabbits and baby owls
The whole-wide world

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Rachel is thankful for...,

Alex
Flowers
Ollie
Guinea
Mommy and Daddy
Chickies

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Christmas Season is Here

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Our Annual Holiday Photos...,

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Halloween Rocks!

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One of my favorite holidays...,

It's all about the kids!! And an excuse for a big party, complete w/ bouncy and pinata - no presents required!! LOVE IT!!!

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Nurturing My Inner Redneck

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After a very early morning Starbucks treat with the girls, this is how I chose to spend Mother's Day with my family...

The girls had a ball! Daddy loved all the action. And Momma? Well, there is just something about cowboy boots and jeans. (Note to self: Add cowboy boots to Daddy's Christmas list.)

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To Catch a Lepechraun

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The Hart clan is on its first annual Leprechaun Hunt.

Hmmm. What is a Leprechaun Hunt? And why would anyone want to hunt Leprechauns?

Well, first. A Leprechaun Hunt is just what it sounds like - we're trying to catch ourselves a Leprechaun. St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow and EVERYONE knows that March 17 is the best day to catch a Leprechaun.

And why? Because if you catch a Leprechaun he (yep. They're all boys - very strange. I've never heard of a girl Leprechaun. Nope. All male, and pretty sourly ones at that). Anyway, if you catch a Leprechaun, he has to grant you a wish! ANY wish! You see how your biggest wish is totally worth the hunt!? He can keep the gold - we'll take the wishes!

So, we looked all around the house and all around the yard, both front and back and we didn't see any signs of Leprechauns. We've 'heard stories' that most Leprechauns only come out at night after everyone's gone to bed - sooo...

We worked really hard...,

Rachel cut and colored four leaf clovers

Alex and I picked out special St. Patty's day stickers

Alex and Rachel designed the trap with special Leprechaun bait...,

Gold coins to appeal to Leprechaun greed
Green leaves because green is their favorite color
An old shoe, Leprechauns are rumored to be cobblers
And beer because, well, they are Irish!

Daddy set the trap and we were all set

All that hard work, a few green and gold ribbons, one big gold bow, and we had built the BEST little Leprechaun trap ever! Sure to catch even the craftiest little man.

The girls had a great time with this. Almost better than leaving Christmas cookies for Santa!

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Merry Christmas 2007

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Merry Christmas 2007 with Best Wishes for a Bountiful New Year!

This was a year of new beginnings and big changes. It seems to be our way – just as things begin to get easy and comfortable, we mix it up and start new adventures.

So, after living a few years in maintenance (read: survival) mode (those of you with small children understand), 2007 was a year of great milestones and changes. And, with all that’s happened in the past 12 months or so, we decided it was time to update our faraway family and friends.

The biggie this year was Casey's decision to return to the world of suits, commutes, deadlines and take-out lunches. Yes—after five years filled with giggles, sniffles and playdates—she is now back in the adult world of paychecks and office politics.

And so, after 5 years off, Casey (in surprisingly short order) landed a plum position as communications manager with a great team at Kaiser Permanente. BIG hugs to Dave, Deanna G., Julia, Nadine and everyone who supported and cheered Casey on through this process. It was a bit stressful at times, and you were all so great in helping her reach this goal.

Casey's new adventure also meant BIG changes for the girls. After life at home with Mommy, they’ve ventured out into the great big world too. Rachel and Alex are now in a wonderful new school that they absolutely love. Miss Melissa, Miss Heather and Miss Donna mean more to us than you can imagine. The girls love the school and their teachers, and without such amazing caregivers, Casey wouldn’t have lasted a week away from her babies. (Some days it’s still a bit touch and go.)

Throughout the year, and as the family readied for the big change, we packed in tons of fun including a visit with Grandpa and Grandma Casey in Tucson, our yearly adventures in Georgia with Dave’s family, a quick trip to Portland to see Papa and Sherrie, the magic of Disneyland, our first family camping trip that lasted all of 18 hours, and the cutest little toddler dance recital ever!

And Daddy? He accomplished what can only be called a marathon—the Rock'n'Roll Marathon. He ran 26.2 miles in just 4 hours and 13 minutes! We are VERY proud of him. With just six months of training—less 6 weeks due to injury, little sleep the previous week due to nerves and a virus that he caught from Rachel earlier in the week—he did it!

Oh yes, and did I mention that after running the marathon Sunday morning, he took the girls out for pizza (I needed a nap!), and he took the red-eye flight that same night for a week long biz trip to Wisconsin?? Did I also mention he is a little crazy? Why did no one tell him before now that 26 miles is an INSANE distance to run?

Gotta love that man!!

Oh and let’s not forget Rachel’s BIG milestone of the year. NO MORE DIAPERS!! Oh yes, our little rock star is now potty trained. (Again, those of you with small kids get the hugeness of NO MORE DIAPERS – EVER. Or at least not until Dave and I need them…HA! Payback, girls! Remember, we changed yours and ‘never’ complained!)

As summer turned to fall and Rachel turned to three, Casey started her second job. We knew that returning to work after 5+ years would be an enormous adjustment. But, seriously, that first week was NUTS!! Aside from the expected, we were hit with several unanticipated anomalies that sent us into a bit of tailspin.

The Summary:

* A fender bender and insurance fraud,
* a once-in-a-decade crisis at the office,
* two very sick kids,
* and a trip to the emergency room.

It was CRAZY, but somehow we survived. (Click here for details)

And just as things began to settle down again, the wildfires hit San Diego and created chaos for the entire community. Thanks to my sister and B-in-L, Jane & Dave, we had a wonderful place to stay and our girls and our dog Ollie had a great time and no stress. ("Sleep-overs at Auntie Jane's are fun!")

And thanks to Daddy Dave, our girls & Ollie were happy and well cared for and Casey was able to go to work (LOOOONNNGG shifts in the emergency ops center) without worrying about my family.

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU. You all ROCK!!

And thanks for all the calls we received from people who were worried about us.

Things are now settling back into a new normal, and we’re still finding the time, amazingly, to cram all the love we can into the fraction of time that we, now both working parents, have to spend with our kids. We’re thriving and hope you are too.

Hugs to all of you this holiday season! We love you and wish you well.

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The Governator & The Virus

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Good rule of thumb for a media relations professional: Don't hurl on the Governor. Thankfully, I have yet to break that rule. But on Thursday, December 20, I came awfully close.

On Wednesday evening, at just about dinner time, the call came in from the Governor's office inquiring about holding a press conference at the local Kaiser Hospital to promote his health care reform bill. So, after ridiculously in-depth consideration (like we were ever really going to decline), the wheels were set in motion and preparations began.

The prep was CRAZY, involving multiple departments doing everything from spraying down the driveway and sprucing up the garden to painting stairwells and hanging new signage.

As the hospital kicked into high gear so did the flu virus that had taken refuge in my body. And, just as old Arnold was about to arrive, my stomach started churning and doing some crazy little flips. I knew I was in trouble. I had the horrible vision of the news headlines, "Local PR Woman Pukes on the Governator!"

Not good.

That thought alone kept my stomach settled just enough to get through this...


and a celebratory beer and nachos with the team for a job well done, but not quite enough to get me all the way home. Bye-Bye nachos!!

The next day we mailed our Christmas cards, sans our holiday letter.

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Oh - yes and BTW:

• Health care reform - good thing.
• Puking - bad thing.

Just in case you weren't clear.

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Black Friday

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True to our Thanksgiving Holiday tradition, we ventured into the depths of proverbial hell—the mall—on Black Friday. Our mission: Christmas photos.

And for the second year in a row, knock on wood, it was a hassle free morning;

The girls got to see Santa,

Mommy got the Christmas photos she wanted,

and Daddy just came along for the ride.

(Last year's photo adventure)

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Thanksgiving '08

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Thanksgiving at the Hart House was different this year. It was just the four of us. It was nice and simple and, most importantly, fun. We served Cornish Game hens and the girls each got their own bird to stuff.




Alex and Rachel helped Daddy make pies, and they helped Mommy make her traditional orange cranberry sauce. They had a great time and the food was yummy, especially the birds (email me for the recipe—it’s really delicious).

The four day holiday was GREAT. I got the taste of being a stay-at-home mom again and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. When Monday finally came, and it was time to go back to work and school, I wasn’t ready to go get back to the ‘real world.’

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Giving Thanks...

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Oh – what a difference a year makes. So many things change and so many things stay the same.

Last year we started a family Thanksgiving tradition of making our lists of the things we are thankful for. A lot of what was on my list last year remains on my list this year—and probably always will. But there have been some pretty big changes too.

This year my focus is still on my girls and Dave—with a greater appreciation of the time that we have together. Stealing extra time wherever we can to cuddle and laugh and play. Now that I’m working and the girls are in school, our time together is more precious than ever.

I also have a much greater appreciation for Dave and all that he’s done during the past five years to support our family—financially and emotionally (you know, that crazy wife of his. Oh, wait. That’s me.)

I was always clear about the challenges of being a stay-at-home-mom, but didn’t understand, until now, what it means to be a working parent. And one who wants to be involved, and not outsource childrearing duties. (How in the world can we possibly cram all that love into the fraction of time that we, now both working parents, spend with our kids?) And my appreciation is all that much greater because he never asks for recognition. Thanks Dave for all you’ve done and continue to do.

My 2008 list of things I’m grateful for:

* Options, 2nd chances, and (relatively) smooth transitions
* The freedom to choose my own path and change my mind along the way
* The support of my husband, especially when I change my mind along the way
* Bedtime cuddles with Rachel
* Early morning cuddles with Alex
* The Little Country Preschool
* Giggles with my girls
* Dave—who still does way more than his fair share
* The unconditional love of our dog, Ollie
* The strong, protective relationship between Rachel and Alex
* Rachel’s little girl voice and the way she says “Daddy Duuude”
* Alex’s ability to make friends with anyone and her independent, leader-type personality (this child is NOT a follower)
* That Rachel’s hearing impairment isn’t an impairment
* That we’ve faced so (relatively) few challenges with our kids
* That both our girls are bright, socially adept, kind little girls—but are also just tough enough
* A few, stolen, quiet minutes alone – more than that and I get a little antsy
* Babysitters
* 2nd paychecks

What are you thankful for?? I'd love to know....,

(Click here to see last year’s list)

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