Stationery card

Happy In Joy Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Stationery card

Happy In Joy Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly's collection of Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

So this one time...

... I wrote this blog and it was about my kids and their adventures growing up. And then it just kind of stopped? Remember that? Well, I don't blame you if you don't because it's been THAT long since I've written anything about these adorably challenging children. However, a lot has happened since Annie started Kindergarten and I'd like to get all three of you readers up to speed.

So first, there was Halloween. I kid you not, Oscar ASKED to be Oscar the Grouch. I did not push him into it. His love of trash and penchant for looking like a monster just made it a natural fit. Annie, due to her belief in parity, decided to be Mason, because Roscoe had his turn last year. I got a little (OK, a lot) carried away making their costumes, but it paid off, because due to the remants of Sandy, it was COLD and windy. Oscar and Annie loved parading the neighborhood IN THE DARK! saying "Meow," and "I love trash!" I had a great time passing out candy to all of our neighbors and frankly, meeting most of them for the first time (by the way, we're horrible neoghbors).

Then there were BIRTHDAYS!!! Oscar is now three and Annie, six. How the heck did that happen? We celebrated with cupcakes at schools and a party at bloop (a frozen yogurt/toppings place with a party room. Why a party room? Because I clean up after these kids enough as it is, that's why). Oscar decided to embrace his new found maturity and give potty training the old preschool try. It's going, um, OK, although sometimes it's going on the floor, in the car, at GreatClips... We're working on it. I have not lost faith it will happen. That said, the washing machine is running pretty much 24/7. 

Annie at six is so amazing, honestly, so mature. I am actually a little worried by how mature she is. At her party she was giving her problematic party guest (no, it wasn't Oscar) a talking to, and telling him that if he didn't cooperate then we wouldn't be able to have the party. It was like looking in the mirror, but at someone with much better skin and naturally blonde hair. After that, I tickled her just to remind her to be a kid. 

As the official start to the holiday season, Oscar's preschool was invited to be a part of the Grandin Village Children's Parade at the end of which Santa makes a startling entrance on top of a fire truck (he's never one for subtlety). Oscar marched as one of Ms. Kelly's nine little Indians (P.C., I know) and was thoroughly confused as to why he was made to throw candy to children, yet none threw it back to him. The concept of sharing is clearly still a work in progress.

This Thanksgiving, we have Nana and Grandbob paying a visit from the north and Joanna and the twins coming up from the south. It's like we're Appomattox, but with plumbing and no weapons. My sister and I are going to do a 5K together called the Drumstick Dash, my first race ever. I shouldn't really call it a "race" so much as a suggestion to finish. My expectations are low. Annie, forever the hostess, is so excited for everyone's visit. Oscar is just looking forward to having more people to pee on the potty in front of, and I'm so happy to have all of my family in one spot for a few days. It's going to be all that AND a ladle of gravy.

Happy Turkey Day, everyone!  

. . . Aaaaaand, we're back!

Sorry for the long delay but apparently our blog took a summer vacation as well. However, we are back in the swing of September and missing the days of ice cream trucks and fireflies. I'm not sure if you've done the math lately but we are in the presence of a Kingergartner (you can tell by the look of fear on her face; ironically, her sign reads, "My First Day of Kindergarten. Yay."). I'm still in shock myself but Annie seems to be taking it in stride. She fit right in to her school, only once hesitating as I waved goodbye to her at the playground, at which time she raced back and whispered to me, "I don't know what to do." Luckily the heavy hand of "the bell" made itself heard and off she went to her classroom and hasn't looked back since. 

To sum up the end of the summer: We had visitors Beverly and Al whose rental allowed us to spend more time on Smith Mountain Lake (and LOVE every minute of it). Then we headed up to Connecticut for our annual pilgrimage to the Bridgewater Country Fair. I was Oscar's age when I started going, maybe younger (my memory fails given that I probably couldn't talk then). We made a pit stop on the way up north (and on our return home) at the home of Jay's sister Jennifer, the cousins Luke and Colin, and Uncle Jon. We love that we're so much closer to them now, especially since Annie and Colin are only 8 or so months apart. Even though the distance between our houses is shorter, ever since the road trip when we get on a highway, Oscar always says, "When we get on the highway for a long time, we go to Aunt Jennifer's." True that.

Oscar, too, has started his new school—three mornings a week—this year. His teacher, Mrs. Kelly, touts how easy going he is and how he just goes with the flow. I wish he would share some of that with us. Not two days in to the school year he comes down with a horrible stomach bug that put him out a full week. Welcome back. Now with Annie in school full time, however, I have to say I've really enjoyed my one-on-one time with him these past two weeks. I haven't had that since he was an infant. It's great to see what he's like as his own little person. He's got quite the personality. He's a helper. Loves to watch what you're doing (he drags over his step stool, and today, even brought it down to the basement to observe me ironing—oh, the wonder!), and insert himself in whatever way he can (even if you wish he didn't). I just started him in gymnastics, which is basically the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life. The first day, he ignored instructions to return to the top of the mat to practice his somersaults and instead ran up a foam ramp which ended about 3 feet off the ground and just kept going—even though there was nothing but hardwood floor after it. It was like watching a bird take flight. A blind bird. With no wings. 

Yes, they keep us all laughing (as exhibited in the video above; I call it "Pumpkins" followed by "Santa should move."). Quite the performers. Annie participated in the annual naming of the classes this year at her school, where each class comes up with a name for themselves based on the year's theme (this year's being "Making ripples, Creating waves") and acts out a skit to get the rest of the school to guess what it is. She was the cutest surfing penguin I ever did see. OK, the only surfing penguin, but still. They sang "Everybody's gone surfing... Surfing USA." She made us feel just like we were at the beach yet in the arctic at the same time. That's talent.

Now that we're back in our school routine, I hope to be more consistent with the blog updates. I know somewhere in the heavens, I'm being graded.

Summer on the Lake 2012

Click here to view these pictures larger

Lake effect

Annie and Joanna look for land.

Oscar navigates us to safety—sharp right!

One of the good things about moving to a valley: man-made lakes! My parents and sister's family retreated from the grueling pace of western Connecticut and coastal Georgia and converged on Smith Mountain Lake, only 45 minutes from Roanoke. Oscar and Annie were delighted to spend time with their aunt and cousins from the south and to be appreciated (read=spoiled) by Nana and Granbob. We also played host to their dog Kaiser for a few nights. Annie and Oscar were delighted and took his walks very seriously, making sure each got equal possession of the leash. Mason the cat, however, had other opinions regarding his stay, the details of which I am obliged by law not to discuss. Lawyers can be so difficult. We pray for an amicable settlement. Back at the lake, we got to take a ride on a boat, fish with a homemade net (plastic netting salvaged from a bag of lemons attached to a stick... I don't know why it didn't work either!) and celebrate the twins' foray into double digits. I remember that tenth year fondly as it was the time when I was finally allowed to get pierced ears. I had never been so happy to have metal shot through my skin as on that day.

The celebration of Ben and Riley turning 10 (observed). Oscar is lifted by the happy spirits and the insanely large helium Mylar balloon.

But, back to the kids... Other summer activities have included our membership at a local pool club from which Annie and Oscar have enjoyed many an hour in the water and many a Popsicle from the snack bar. And between my workout schedule (aka "justifiable me time") and their camps, the caregivers at the Y now shout out Oscar's name whenever he comes into a room (think "Norm!" from Cheers). Jay and I also continue our house hunt, which I'm confident will be completed by the time the kids are in college (fingers crossed). Most recently, Jay celebrated his 37th birthday with coconut cream pie and balloons (much to the cats enjoyment—floating strings!). Thus, as you can imagine, we've been pretty busy. 

In a few weeks, our infamous surrogate grandparents, Beverly and Al will be visiting, also drawn to a house rental on Smith Mountain Lake (a gal could get used to this). So, while I'm applying sunblock and choosing which floatation device has the best neck support and most cup holders, just rest assured, I'll be thinking of all the things I should be doing (lest I become too complacent). Happy summer, all!

Oh, the places she'll go

It's official, Annie is a Kindergartener in waiting. Last Thursday, she graduated from preschool with a full-fledged ceremony. She got a diploma after marching down the aisle to Pomp and Circumstance; the CD was skipping a little bit, so it had more of a hip-hop feel, but Annie took it no less seriously. Now it's officially summer in the Ferrara household and the weather seems to agree with our proclamation. As a result, today we got down to business and bought a membership to a local swim club, froze some cherry lemonade for Popsicles and even made some cherry jello while eating some cherries, so at the very least, our summer will be cherrific. Oscar is so excited, in fact, he's pretty much given up napping much to my, and frankly the world's, dismay. He's such a hard toddler to begin with, destructive, disobedient, a joker... now he's doing all that on less sleep. I'm a-scared and you should be too, no matter where you are. But he does it with such a sweet smile, it's hard to get too frustrated. Maybe I should be freezing some wine-sicles instead.

We have summer full of activities, so I'll do my best to keep you posted. In the meantime, enjoy the photos below (and the one above of Oscar and his watermelon (where's the watermelon, you ask? See his face.)) from our first Virginia outdoor event, the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival in Floyd. We had a blast and it was a great way to start the summer off--with some foot-stomping, watermelon-chomping, kite-flying fun.

Preschool Graduation and May 2012

Click here to view these pictures larger

We remember when rock was young

Sorry for the hiatus. We've had to reinvent some routines at our new home, most of them involve music or water of some sort. Oscar is quite the guitar aficionado lately. He likes to play his Little Tykes guitar with an endless array of annoying music, walking around the house, saying "Rock star, I'm a rock star, I'm a rock star." Smash Mouth never enjoyed such a comeback as in this house. And, well, Annie sings instead of talks. But she's always been that way. Also, we've joined the YMCA (yes, you can do the hand motions, I'll wait...). Annie takes swim lessons twice a week and I no longer have any excuse not to work out. Free child care. State of the art equipment. Mirrors.

Also, we have a yard bigger than our house. Again. So the kids spend plenty of time out there what with global warming and all. Last week, we even had nice enough weather where they could play with the hose. It got out of hand, and naked, pretty quickly. But they have a blast and I have plenty of material to blackmail them with when they're teenagers. It's a win-win.

Luckily the Easter Bunny got our moving announcement and did a pretty good job hiding their Easter baskets, but eventually they found them, and we are still enjoying the fruits of their labor. Mostly, after they are asleep. That day, we took a hike on a private nature preserve in a different county and it feels nice to be so close to nature. Oscar was definitely in his element. 

This past month, we had our first two visitors to Roanoke, Jay's former fellowship cohort, Octavian and his partner Mark. Octavian is in the Navy, stationed in Virginia Beach, headed back to Afghanistan in a few months, so we were honored they made the five-hour drive to spend time with us. Annie even put on a show (I'll try to post the video soon) for them. Then, last week, our former neighbors, friends and landlords, the infamous Beverly and Al, or as the kids like to call them, "Betherly and Mr. Al" popped over in their plane from Louisville. The visit was all too short, but a big hit nonetheless. 

Also, since our move, Annie and Oscar enjoyed their first ice cream from the ice cream truck. Picture this: the van drives slowly past our house as Annie races out of the front door -- in a Cinderella costume, tiara and all, barefoot -- and chases the van down the block, about 100 feet, until he spies her highness in his rear mirror and bangs a U-turn. Victory is sweet. Rainbow Popsicle and chocolate eclair ice cream bar sweet.

And just to update you on the kiddos: 
When Oscar feels attacked, he'll bellow, "Don't be mean out me!"
Oscar is still obsessed with trash, and trash trucks, and trash cans... We had no idea the name Oscar would be so apt.
He's finally relented and is now eating peas. 
When I say goodnight to him, he thanks me for different foods I've given him, even water. I have no idea why.
Annie is reading so well now. No more spell-talking for us.
Annie and Oscar are now playing so well together (on the good days), I'm experiencing empty nest syndrome early.
Whenever Annie plays a grown-up in their games, she develops a speech impediment akin to Barbara Walters. Why not?

In fact, we're all settling in just fine. Looking forward to the summer and the kids being in camp (at the same time, halleluiah!). Here's to more roasted marshmallows in your near future. I know they will be in ours.

Easter and Spring 2012

Click here to view these pictures larger

Virginia is for movers

We've arrived in our new home, unpacked many boxes, hung pictures, eaten our fair share of ice cream at Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar so it's fair to say, we reside in Roanoke and we really like it. With sprinkles. Annie and Oscar are enrolled in the same preschool within walking distance to our house (we tested it). Jay started work and he keeps going there, so that's a good sign. I'm finding my routine and joining a lot of non-profit groups aimed at entertaining young people to keep us busy and get myself in the proverbial "out there." I have also found a new passion of sorts: sewing. It's not so much a passion as a little bit of an addiction. I think it's because it's creative and can be done at home (two criteria that any hobby must fit if you're me). I've made purses, clothes for Annie, curtains for the house, reusable lunch wraps for the kids. I'm two stitches shy of making a toaster cozy, but I'm not there yet, thank goodness.

Oscar is so much a big boy now, it's kind of making me reminisce for when he was a wee little baby, but then I remember all of the times he almost killed himself, and the feeling passes. He's talking like a real kid now, even yelling, "Maahhhhm! Come up here!" from the top of the stairs. Melts a mother's heart. He LOVES Annie with a ferocity only matched by a puppy's love for its owner. She loves him AND loves having someone to boss around who actually does what she says. We'll see how long that lasts. Right now their favorite games are pretending to be in music class where Annie is both the mother and the teacher; restaurant, where Annie is the waiter and the cook; and house/school, where Annie is both the teacher and the mother. Sense a trend? My favorite moment of the day is right before bed when they say "goodnight" to each other. No matter what kind of day they've had, whether it be fighting or loving, they always give a huge hug to each other and kiss. 

Oscar is also a lot more forthcoming with his words of affection than Annie was as a baby. He often says "[Insert family member name], I love you too," even though we haven't initiated the exchange. It's like he assumes that everyone must love him and be feeling it all the time, so he better reciprocate less he offend us. What a great way to live. He's a huge hugger and snuggler. He loves Eskimo kisses and playing "trot, trot" games with anyone who will lift him on their lap. All of these positive traits far outweigh the stress caused by his disdain for naps, stubbornness (which I can not emphasize enough), and food habits.

Annie's gearing up for Easter and the chocolate that naturally follows. Oscar has her back on that one. We've explored every playground in a 2-mile vicinity. We have planted a bunch of seedlings Jay grew for fresh herbs and vegetables for the summer. Jay built a beautiful bookshelf for Oscar (I'll take a photo soon) while he was off from work. He has a legitimate shed now, which helps him with space and me with sanity as I'm not constantly dodging piles of saw dust and strewn tools in the basement. You could say we're pretty much settled. The scenery here is simply a breath of fresh air and the weather has been gorgeous. I think Virginia likes us.

Our new home

Click here to view these pictures larger

Bahamas Feb. 2012

Click here to view these pictures larger

Oh we packed, alright ... well, our suitcases

So what better way to prepare for a big family move than to escape reality completely. I stole the kids from Jay's horrific call schedule and my better judgement and headed down to Paradise Island to meet my parents at their timeshare villa for a week. It was tough being a single parent with no human snooze button for Oscar ("You get him." "No, it's your turn." "I'll pay you a million dollars." etc., etc.), but we made it and I learned the kids can actually share a room—and sleep in it to boot! Granbob, Annie and Oscar were all under the weather in some shape or form, but at least they got to be that way in 80 degree temperatures with a light southwest breeze. We had a blast and I'm pretty sure Annie's fingers and toes will be water logged until 2013. Any time you asked Annie for a suggestion as to what to do, she would always answer, nay, scream, "Go to the POOL!" And that we did, a plenty.

We also managed a couple of day visits. One was to the Atlantis to see their aquarium. The kids loved looking at all of the fishes, sharks, stingrays, and of course, the items in the gift shop. Then we went to the much cheaper and more interactive Adastra Gardens to watch the marching flamingos (seriously) and to feed the parrots and the goats. Oscar loved being among other wild yet slightly domesticated animals. His people! And Annie eventually came around to feeding a parrot. Granted she just handed me the apple and stood very close to me, but we'll just go ahead and count it.

Now, I'm in full move mode. I hit a little hiccup today when Annie came down with a truly awful stomach bug, but I'm hoping we'll all be back in working order soon. There are Goodwill donations to be made, utilities to cancel and mail to forward! More from Roanoke when we get there (knock knock knock).

Out with the old, in with the new

And by old, I do not mean to devalue "old" as an adjective; I am merely referencing, however obtusely, our "Old Kentucky Home." The Ferraras are on the move again, coming this March. Jay has taken a job with Carilion Clinic's partnership with Virginia Tech in Roanoke. He'll be joining the team as a neurologist and assistant professor at VTech's new medical school (thus the reference to "new," get it? Give me a break, it's late). It is a great opportunity and though we LOVE Louisville and all of the friends and roots we've made here, we couldn't pass this up. For those not familiar, Roanoke is a beautiful small city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We think it will be a nice blend of small town and city life and a great place for the kids. Plus, we're only 4 hours away from Jay's sister now and her two children, whom Annie joined to her hip this past holiday. We'll also be within driving distance to Connecticut. Granted, it will be a very long, pit-stopped filled, perhaps two-day drive, but a drive, nonetheless.

Annie finally is not afraid of the Santa Fly-in Santa at Bowman Field

We had a great holiday, seeing Jay's family mostly for the first half (during which time at least three of us held chickens and bounced in a bouncy castle, not at the same time, of course) and then my family for the rest, after Nana and Granbob returned from visiting my sister and her boys. We also kept the tradition alive set many, many years ago of spending at least one day or night near Christmas with our beloved friends, Miranda, Ariel, Denise, Peter and all of their kin. Annie and Hastings didn't miss a beat, and it wasn't long before Annie was bossing Hastings around and Hastings was mimicking her every move. Just like me and Miranda when we were kids. Memories. Landry gave Oscar a run for his money too, literally. The girl can move, even at just over a year old. Hope he likes a girl who plays hard to get.

Oscar, on the other hand, remains skeptical.

Santa delivered for Annie, giving her the double doll stroller she had asked for in her letter. Oscar still isn't totally with the whole asking for presents thing yet (I'm sure he'll make it up in spades once it clicks), so Santa took an educated guess and got him a little tool bench, which he actually played with a lot! Go Santa! We also got to ring in the new year with Nana and Granbob before heading back home. Now I'm in Roanoke mode. Annie and I are going to go on a girls' trip there in a couple of weeks to scout out schools and housing. I would like to say she's excited to have a say in where we'll be living for the next year, but mostly she's just psyched that our hotel has a pool. Sometimes I forget she's 5 and I love that she reminds me.

Wish us luck as we do to all of you this new year (See! Another reference to "new," you pick).