From One Mom to Another...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2008-05-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

I know that the saying goes "April Showers Bring May Flowers"... but why does it feel like it's raining more in this month than it did last month?

Springtime always makes me want to surround myself with fresh flowers. I wish I could go into the park by me and just pick every single tulip and daffodil that I can get my hands on and put them in vases all around my home. Wouldn't that be beautiful?

Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip with my son to Central Park. It's supposed to be sunny and warm - and I'm so excited! The class is going bird watching. We're going to be on the lookout for robins, sparrows, cardinals, swallows and blue jays. We might even get a glimpse of a peregrine falcon! It's going to be fun because the only birds that we see on a regular basis are pigeons.

It's funny, I feel like I've been stuck indoors all winter, and now I seem to be going to Central Park every few days. I love it!

Sunday in the Park

2008-05-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

Life doesn't get any better than a perfect Spring Day in Central Park.

My mom was in town and after a whirlwind weekend of seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway, a birthday party celebration, back-to-back baseball games, etc...we were finally able to kick back and relax!

Once in the park, we tossed baseballs, chased birds, floated in a row boat and my favorite... took a nap in the sun! Central Park is an oasis for city dwellers. I leave after most visits with a renewed sense of being.

We all tumbled home on the subway...all happy, hungry and EXHAUSTED!

Let's Play School

2008-05-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

The other day, I overheard a young girl on the subway telling her father that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. This got me to thinking... how come some kids love school, and the idea of learning, while others can think of nothing but summer vacation?

I remember when I was a kid, I loved to play school. My brother and i would take turns being the teacher (I usually was!) , and each of us would patiently sit at our desks with our pencils and notebooks, pretending to learn.

Nowadays, my boys play on the computer...no desk or teacher! And I know that it's not just my boys. With TV and video games being so dominate in their life, are kids pretending as much anymore?

Or is school, and the idea of education, less "fun" than it used to be?

A Humility Lesson from a Yoga Mom

2008-04-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

I find humility in the funniest situations. Usually it comes from my kids...like when they point out that I've used a cuss word or if I drink straight out of the milk container. My most recent dose came from a perfect stranger.

I was enjoying a rare moment over breakfast with my two younger boys at the local diner. Henry was madly munching on a chocolate chip waffle with whipped cream and little Wesley was trying to keep up with his big brother. This was a special treat for all of us...breakfast out and the "candy" for breakfast. I was happy just watching them.

We were happily chatting about nothing when out of the corner of my eye I saw one of THOSE super fit Tribeca moms. You know them-- moms who sport around in Lycra to show off her hard work while carrying a water bottle and yoga matt. Although I haven’t worn spandex in years, I am always surprised with my envious reaction of any mom who finds the time to work out and look amazing.

I watched as she and her two cute girls bounced into the table next to ours. My choice of a chocolate chips and waffle breakfast was a stark contrast her freshly squeezed orange juice and poached egg diet. My morning deflated a bit. Her healthy lifestyle and seemingly Zen-like presence annoyed me to no end.

Then I found myself ease dropping on their conversation. Her girls were perfectly poised, napkins in lap and seemed to be on their best behavior when I heard.

“Alexa, if you want your sister to speak to you nicely, then you have to show her respect. Your tone was not appropriate. I suggest you ask her again, this time changing your tone.” An inaudible mumble with egg in her mouth…

“Better. Now, girls, respect in our family is very important.” I could almost envision a DEEP yoga breath happening as she followed up with, “We all need to speak to each other in respectful tones…” Ooooommmmmmmmmmmmm.

I turned my attention back to my family. The boys were fully jacked up with sugar and demanding my full attention. I was painfully aware both of them speaking loudly, urgently and at the same time! It was time to leave.

I quickly paid and rushed the boys out the door to school. As I walked into my chaotic life, I smiled. The Yoga mom was right!

We do need to speak to each other with respect. Respect is a critical life lesson for all young people. After taking a deep breath, I quietly thanked my super fit friend and walked with confidence into my day!

Art, Culture (and Children?)

2008-04-21T07:45:00.001-07:00

My oldest son recently used his birthday money to buy a new video game. And now...both Fischer and Henry are obsessed with playing every waking moment. Sunday morning, they bound out of bed, raced to our rooms, whispered "I love you!" immediately hopping on the computer! (I couldn't help thinking, hmm, were their sweet words used to lessen the likelihood of my setting computer limits?)

However, this Saturday, I has another agenda. I wanted to take the boys to the Guggenheim Museum to see a massive art installation by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. I needed an angle...how could I entice them to give up their "earned" computer time for an ART MUSEUM? It seemed to be an uphill (and almost fruitless) battle.

So I told them the truth.

The exhibit was a once in a life time opportunity, having travveled across oceans to set up. And never again would they be able to see exploding cars danging from the ceiling of the Guggenheim or a pack of wolfs running accross the walls overhead or paintings made using dynomite!

In the end, curiousity got the cat. All three boys joined me. Once there, they chatted enthusiastically about how "Cool the cars were" dangling above us and they each had a theory about how the artist did it. They even waited in line to take a boat ride in a boat made of yak skin through Cai Guo-Quiang's art pieces.

The best of all, they didn't miss their computer at ALL!

Springtime is in the Air!

2008-04-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year because it always makes me feel like I'm a kid again.

Each spring when I was younger, my family would always devote an entire weekend to planting new flowers and getting our gardens ready for spring and summer. It was so much fun because we got to put on old clothing and play in the dirt! My dad would walk around with his wheelbarrow full of fresh, new dirt, and my mom would carry around trays of seed packets and flower pots, but I had the most important job.

I was in charge of digging rows of holes for each flower, and then gently dropping them in. I knew that my job was vital to the appearance of the garden because if I dug the hole too deep, the flower would disappear into it, and if I dug it too shallow, the flower wouldn't be able to take root and grow. I took my job very seriously, and carefully dug rows of identical holes with my own blue-handled shovel.

I can still remember how great it felt to dig in the dirt and be in charge of the flowers. I remember laying in the sun after we had finished planting, laughing with my family and drinking lemonade. I also remember the pride I felt as the season went on, knowing that our garden was so beautiful and colorful because of me.

Hmm. Now it's less of a question of how to dig in the dirt with my boys but where? New Yorkers have precious little space to devote to making mud pies!

Feeling Grateful

2008-04-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning overwhelmed with gratitude. There are SO many people in my life that help me everyday! In business so many times we selfishly hold onto information and don't share it out of fear. So, today's the day I throw it back to the world!

At the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. I work with talent that never ceases to amaze me:
- My uber talented friend, Ron Giusti, designs our amazing e mails and website.
- My good friend Polly Wilson of Barn Dandys has been my counselor whenever I question my parenting skills
- My dear amigo, Jamie of Jamies Painting & Designs motivates me whenever I can't figure out what the next step is
- Shannon Sunderland & Ann Anderson are young, talented jewelry designers who's mom jewelry has captured the hearts of many new moms!
- Vicky Vinson in my Oklahoma workshop who's careful craftsmanship in our Custom Corner furniture and relentless belief in our company vision inspires me everyday
- My crazy and beautiful art director, Samantha who has weathered so many storms and still comes up with brilliant new ideas.
- The people in our warehouse who make sure each package is delivered on time
- My husband, Brad who's belief in me and the company never waivers
- My 3 boys who inspire me everyday to work harder and smarter

I am thankful I have such talent in my life yet most importantly, that I am not going it alone.

From Opera to Baseball!

2008-04-14T06:46:00.001-07:00

So last weekend was about opera...and this weekend was the official start of our baseball season.

Yikes!

With 3 sports loving boys, our weekends are suddenly FILLED to the brim with:
- baseballs
- bats
- mitts
- snacks

Moving past my initial boredom as the games seem to drag indefinitely, I started noticing the elements of sportsmanship they were learning.

The team was genuinely proud on each others accomplishments, jumping up and down when someone "wacked" the ball or got an out. In fact, catching a ball for my 8 year old was a quite the surprise.

"WOW...look at that! I caught it." Of course, after marveling at his feat for a while, he then woke up to the reality that he needed to do something with it!

His teammate were yelling, "Henry, throw it to me! Throw it to me!" He slowly lobbed the ball to 2nd base. The runner started to (thankfully) slide too soon, stopping a good foot before the base. The second baseman miraculously stopped the ball and tagged the runner....OUT!!

Whew! Henry became a small giant! His teammates ran up to him and hugged him with excitement. Henry strutted around for a minute with pride and then got back to the business of baseball. After all, he and his teammates had a job to do, together!

When I'm Overtaken by my Superior Motherhood Gene!

2008-04-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

On an impulse, I bought 3 tickets to see Madame Butterfly at the Met with my 2 boys. I was convinced that this would be GOOD for their soul, transform them into cultured, more well rounded beings. Or to borrow my husbands analysis…I was over taken by my “Superior Motherhood” gene!

A week before I started to prep them--or better yet, manage expectations. I said:
• You won’t understand a WORD they are singing
• It could be boring
• There won’t be many kids (if any!)
• Everyone dresses up
• It’ll be a late night

Yuk…even I began to question my reasoning. Then, I had to remind myself that when my mom took my brother and me to see Beverly Sills in Madame Butterfly as kids,we LOVED it.

So I marched ahead, well dressed boys in tow. I took them to dinner beforehand and plied them with Cokes and a huge slice of Chocolate Cake!

We entered Lincoln Center with all its glitter and glamour. They were in awe of the theater and immediately stood taller among all the adults. Some of the older, more seasoned folks looked apprehensive (Their body language screamed “Please don’t sit next to us!”). While the younger people smiled encouragingly…seaming to say, ”Good luck, with that!”

The first act opened and my boys were on the edge of their seats. Thanks to modern technology, they followed the story line on the big Jumbotron above the stage.

Ha! There were only a few yawns and many tears shed by both me and my youngest. The boys LOVED it, yelled BRAVO! and asked when we could see another one! I was both pleasantly surprised and delighted. Whew! I could now check that box off in their Must Experience Before Leave Home box…

And, I guess there is a good reason that Opera still manages to fill theaters. It reaches around us and touches our soul.

We are here! We are here

2008-04-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

This is a brilliant MUST read post about a gross oversight in the new Horton Here's a Hoo movie...Thanks to Peter Sagal of NPR.

Click Here and Pass it on!

Engage and Be Happy

2008-04-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal just highlighted a recent study that said American were no happier today than they were 40 years ago.

Even in this age of enlightenment and our obsession with self-help and self improvement, this is not a tremendous surprise. What is surprising is the role television plays in determining our mood.

Americans spend between 15% and 17% of our waking hours watching TV. This need to "zone out" or relax actually is contributing to both our and our children's malaise. Activities that allow for us to mentally engaged like exercising or socializing are most likely to make us happier.

People are always shocked when I tell them we have no TV in our house. We simply opted out because we were tired of fighting over which bad program which child was allowed to watch. And yet, both my husband and I can HAPPILY say, it is NOT missed.

In fact, all of us are reading books more (one of the activities the WS Journal says leads to more happiness!) and interacting more with each other (another one).

Hmm. Who knows if our children will end up any happier, but it made me happy to think we may be on the right path!

April's Fool

2008-03-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

My kids love to pull the wool over our eyes, so SUPER LOVE any excuse to play a joke...

So better on Dad than than Mom, in my opinion!

So, we are putting prune juice in the coffee maker, shorting the bed sheets, and replacing Tuesdays newspaper with LAST weeks news. (Ha! Ha! this is my personal favorite!)

Have fun!

The Power of a Red Marble

2008-03-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

My friend Polly of Barn Dandys e mailed me this story...pretty powerful. Enjoy!

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily looking a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes and I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"'Lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thanks. Just admirin' the peas. They sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Just admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.

"No, Sir. Got nothin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got is my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.

"Here. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.

"Not exactly but almost.."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy.

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer
whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho "

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath..

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.

Winter's Last Breath

2008-03-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

Meet Maggie! My best friend sent me this snapshot of her little girl. I love that it's Spring Break and it is SNOWING...ohhhhhh, the glorious North. I swear growing up in Texas, I was in a swimming pool in March! I am ready for fresh flowers, sunny warm days and the dog days of summer!

Sweet Maggie. My little bit of Sunshine.

Going to Grandma's

2008-03-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

I love the idea of Spring Break (and secretly wish I could have one!).

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE KIDS? (Meanwhile, didn't they just have a Winter Break? And prior to that Christmas Break?) Ok, Ok...I do realize being a teacher is exhausting (I could NEVER hold up!), yet we simply do not have that much vacation time.

Neither Brad nor my family rarely volunteer to take the 3 boys! So we coyly broach the subject and then POUNCE on any offer! This year, the boys are off Grandma's house.

Suitcases in tow, new pajamas and favorite blankets packed...and the boys will have the time of their life (and hopefully, grandma will, too!)

Happy Spring! Happy Easter

2008-03-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Oooh I am so happy it's Spring. We had such a beautiful blue sky day...albeit FREEZING. So Easter this year was more an indoor adventure, dying eggs, making treats! Henry and I made our pretzel birdnests...deliciously easy.

Seems like the weather should be warmer. And then I realized Easter was a month early this year. Ha...warm weather, baseball season and spring dresses and fresh flowers are just around the corner! Yippee!

In love with the Hand Made

2008-03-20T07:01:00.001-07:00

One of our favorite artisans, Shannon Sunderland send me this photo this morning. It captures everything I love about her jewelry and the pieces she creates. Each necklace, bracelet and charm is individually made and touched by her hands.

I was just in Chicago this weekend for this powerful Country Living "Entrepreneurs Conference", surrounded by inspired and inspiring women...most of them moms. The most common question moms asked, "What prompted you to start your business?" This is what Shannon had to say:

"When I first started my business, I gave jewelry to girlfriends and grandmothers in my family as gifts. Nearly every woman who received my jewelry with their baby's' name on it would cry. I realized I that making this work is a really amazing gift, for me as well as the recipient. This feeling of connectedness, of celebrating mothers and families, is what I love most about my work."

Mississippi Magnolia Tree

2008-03-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

My boys were in Mississippi last week for their annual St Patrick's Day trek. They arrived home with scratched arms, scraped knees and sunburned necks... bursting with stories.

They ran around the neighborhood with a posse of boys, climbing to the furthest branch possible in hopes of catching an adult off guard with their whoops and hollers. Their favorite adventure included a century old Magnolia tree. They scaled the branches that could easily hold a dozen boys in its arms.

As they recounted their tale, I remembered how much I love to climb trees. I was often lost in trees around our neighborhood in search of a moment of quiet and cool. Children love to discover secret places, hidden away from the adult world.

Hmm. I, too, could use a good hiding place right about now!

In love with old

2008-03-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

I admit I love almost everything old or vintage. So as I am in the mist of a major Spring cleaning at home, I find myself rarely parting with any of my flea market finds, vintage outfits or classic toys!

In fact, nothing makes me happier than to see my youngest son wearing a shirt that my oldest son once wore...or even better, playing with a wood toy all three played with.

We live in a day and age, where children's clothes are so inexpensive we'd rather toss them out than "darn" them. In fact, do any of us have a "darning" basket like our grandmothers? Do mom's today sew on patches on jeans, sew back buttons or even hem? It makes me sad to think that as prices for everything come down, so does the value we place on them.

Toys today are so inexpensive, that people often look past longevity and quality for price. The Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. tries to offer value and quality. One of our favorite new pieces, is our custom cradle. It is both hand painted and hand sewn in our Oklahoma workshop. At $48, this heirloom piece (designed to be passed down for generations) seems like a bargain to me.

The bigger question I suppose is how much value do moms truly place on quality. You tell me.

The Ultimate Blog Party 2008

2008-03-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Come join the party over at the Ultimate Blog Party! You'll get a chance to meet some great people in the bloggisphere and possibly win some prizes. I haven't met that many people yet, but I'll bet you can guess what I'll be doing this weekend!

Re: Giveaway

2008-02-28T06:23:00.001-08:00

The creative people at Craftzine are doing a fun giveaway. The winner will receive a 50.00 gift certificate to Warmbiscuit.com
(graphic courtesy of craftzine and warmbiscuit.com)

What a glorious feeling

2008-02-27T10:49:00.001-08:00

The boys and I decided to walk to school today, a la Charlie Chaplin style...feet spread out and an imaginary cane. Unbelievably hilarious! Random people started to change their walk and were cracking up.

So to continue in the spirit of rediscovering old movies. Here's a quick list one of readers, Amy put together for us.
Musicals first:
Meet Me in St. Louis
Singing in the Rain
On the Town
The Pirate
Kiss Me Kate
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

And the rest:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Bringing Up Baby
Stagecoach
Some Like It Hot
It Happened One Night (ages 7+)
the Lady Eve (ages 8+)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 8+
National Velvet (ages 6+)

Let me know what some of your favorite classic movies are to watch with kids.

In Search of Silence?

2008-02-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Friday night is our family movie night. Although, my husband and I have been living a social expirament of NO TV for 6 months now, we've yet to toss out our computer!

So after Friday's dinner, we plop in front of our MacIntosh and watch a movie together. The family feature? Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid".

Not only is this flick in black and white but it is a SILENT movie. An hour and a half of silent drama and action. Even, I was doubtful of sucess. I was prepared for the boys to get restless 15 minutes in to it. But, guess what?

They not only did they sit without getting up-- we all laughed while happily immitating "the Tramp" and the Kid. Bottom line, this 1920's silent movie easily joins the rank of Ratatouille and School of Rock as Bodwell favorite movies. WE LOVED IT!

And what it taught my husband and I, is that kids today don't need all the added violence, action and hoopla thrown into todays movies. We live in an entertainment driven culture. It was unbelieveably refreshing to see my boys quietly engaged.

Simple works with kids. In my mind, whether it's a Lite Brite, tinker toys or a classic movie, we don't always need the latest and greatest. Often, the tried and true, old-fashioned things work better. Right, kids?

Hey moms, need some inspiration for starting a business?

2008-02-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to make a quick plug for the March issue of Country Living magazine...it's chock full of inspiration for women thinking of starting their own business. My good friend Polly Wilson of Barn Dandys fame is showcased among other super star women.

And if you are really motivated, you can join me, Country Living and all the other Entrepreneurs of the Year in Chicago on March 15th for a full day conference.

Is living a simpler life possible?

2008-02-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Every newspaper headline for the last month has been predicting an economic recession, a market downturn, loss of jobs, downturn of the housing market, increased debt...

It's enough send any parent (or business owner!) into a tailspin.

I for one, try and focus on simplifying our kids life. I said this to my best friend who laughed and said, "Vicki, how much simpler can your life get?! You have no cell phone, no television, no Wii, no digital games...you can't go back to living the life of Little House on the Prairie!"

Of course, I know this. Yet, it feels that we live in constant need of more, new and improved. So maybe a recession could help us refocus on things of real value and cost nothing.

Like spending more time with our kids and having family dinners instead of going out to dinner, signing up for fewer after school activities, buying fewer and classic toys etc. For some reason this appeals to me.

What about you?