Thursday, May 23, 2013
Parents' Guide to Gaspee Days
If you're local to Rhode Island or visiting the state anytime between now and early June, be sure to read my Parents' Guide to Gaspee Days on Kidoinfo. The Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival kicks off the season this weekend!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wordless Wednesday
Perfect attire for a scooter ride on a hot afternoon in late-May. I hope he always travels through life with the same level of confidence.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Imagine Sisyphus Happy
Last month, I saw a posting an Facebook and although I can't find it now, the gist of it was "I just conquered a mountain. So what if it was a mountain of dirty laundry?" I 'liked' the post when I saw it on Facebook, but lately I've been thinking about it again. I think the fact that I have endless loads of laundry to do each day as the mom of 3 kids, including 2 babies, has made me reconsider that quote.
I think that it would be easier to climb/conquer Mount Kilimanjaro than the laundry in my basement. No, I am not saying that I could wake up tomorrow morning and set off to climb an actual mountain because I definitely couldn't. After all, I did take a van tour to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. I'm also not discrediting the amazing amount of training, strength and endurance it takes to climb an actual mountain. But, think about it. You have a list of things you want to do in life and one of them is "Climb Mount Kilimanjaro." You climb the mountain and once you successfully descend it, you can put a nice checkmark next to it or cross it off your list entirely. If "laundry" is on my to-do list for the day, I can put a nice checkmark or cross it off my list for about 2 minutes. Then more clothes are dirtied and the entire cycle starts again. Rather than conquering a mountain, I sometimes feel more like Sisyphus from Greek mythology. Most likely you know his story, but may not remember his name. He angered Zeus, Father of the Gods, and his punishment was to roll a huge boulder up a hill each day, only to have it roll back down at the end of the day for all of eternity.
Philosopher, Albert Camus, invited his readers to look at the myth of Sisyphus from another angle and said, "One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” In light of so many tragedies throughout the nation during this past year, I try to pause when I feel that I have a never-ending task as Sisyphus did and reflect upon what I am actually doing. Yes, I have endless piles of laundry, dirty dishes, diapers to change and Legos to move from my living room. I have days when neither baby will nap and my 6 year old is as ornery as can be. Days when I feel that my life is like the movie, "Groundhog Day," and I'm destined to repeat the same day over and over. Rather than dwelling on the negativity of Sisyphus' fate or that of Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day," I need to "imagine Sisyphus happy" because I sometimes forget how fortunate and happy I am. I have 3 healthy children, a loving husband, family and friends and a home in a great community. Those dirty clothes, dishes, diapers and house are here each day because they represent, not my "burden" to carry each day, but the abundance of love, laughter and joy in my life.
I think that it would be easier to climb/conquer Mount Kilimanjaro than the laundry in my basement. No, I am not saying that I could wake up tomorrow morning and set off to climb an actual mountain because I definitely couldn't. After all, I did take a van tour to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. I'm also not discrediting the amazing amount of training, strength and endurance it takes to climb an actual mountain. But, think about it. You have a list of things you want to do in life and one of them is "Climb Mount Kilimanjaro." You climb the mountain and once you successfully descend it, you can put a nice checkmark next to it or cross it off your list entirely. If "laundry" is on my to-do list for the day, I can put a nice checkmark or cross it off my list for about 2 minutes. Then more clothes are dirtied and the entire cycle starts again. Rather than conquering a mountain, I sometimes feel more like Sisyphus from Greek mythology. Most likely you know his story, but may not remember his name. He angered Zeus, Father of the Gods, and his punishment was to roll a huge boulder up a hill each day, only to have it roll back down at the end of the day for all of eternity.
Philosopher, Albert Camus, invited his readers to look at the myth of Sisyphus from another angle and said, "One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” In light of so many tragedies throughout the nation during this past year, I try to pause when I feel that I have a never-ending task as Sisyphus did and reflect upon what I am actually doing. Yes, I have endless piles of laundry, dirty dishes, diapers to change and Legos to move from my living room. I have days when neither baby will nap and my 6 year old is as ornery as can be. Days when I feel that my life is like the movie, "Groundhog Day," and I'm destined to repeat the same day over and over. Rather than dwelling on the negativity of Sisyphus' fate or that of Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day," I need to "imagine Sisyphus happy" because I sometimes forget how fortunate and happy I am. I have 3 healthy children, a loving husband, family and friends and a home in a great community. Those dirty clothes, dishes, diapers and house are here each day because they represent, not my "burden" to carry each day, but the abundance of love, laughter and joy in my life.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
May is Here!
I started this blog out strong in March, but April was a rough month here! All 3 kids were sick numerous times, plus, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC to take part in an amazing event. I represented the Rhode Island chapter of the March of Dimes at the Pew Charitable Trust's Supermoms Against Superbugs 2013 Advocacy Day. I was amazed at all that I learned and met so many incredible mothers, fathers, chefs, farmers, ranchers, doctors and advocates. I'm now even more aware of the important of purchasing and eating antibiotic-free meat and my shopping habits have changed since I returned from Washington.
We are now in the midst of planning the twins' first birthday party, which has been bittersweet. Both babies are doing great, but now that their birthday is nearing, I'm having a lot of "flashbacks" to their scary and early entrance into the world and the long 2.5 months we spent in the NICU. I know this is common for NICU parents and I just have to look at their smiling faces to remember how blessed we truly are.
I will be posting more often now that classes are over for the semester and I have a little more "free" time. Not that a mom of 3 has much of that, but I'm trying to make every moment count.
We are now in the midst of planning the twins' first birthday party, which has been bittersweet. Both babies are doing great, but now that their birthday is nearing, I'm having a lot of "flashbacks" to their scary and early entrance into the world and the long 2.5 months we spent in the NICU. I know this is common for NICU parents and I just have to look at their smiling faces to remember how blessed we truly are.
I will be posting more often now that classes are over for the semester and I have a little more "free" time. Not that a mom of 3 has much of that, but I'm trying to make every moment count.
ClothingShopOnline.com Giveaway!
When Did I Join the Circus? I'm excited to be doing my FIRST giveaway!
Plus, you can read a FULL review from Blog With Mom by CLICKING HERE!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Now, for the fun part - ClothingShopOnline has teamed up with AdvertiseWithBloggers.com, Adventures of My Family of 8, and some other amazing Bloggers to offer YOU a chance to win a $100.00 ClothingShopOnline gift card, with FREE shipping! Giveaway Rules:- This giveaway will run from May 13th through MIDNIGHT on June 2nd
- Opened to entrants 18 and older in the United States
- All entries MUST be in the entry form below and all Mandatory Entries must be completed
- Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be contacted via email - see all disclosures at the bottom of the entry form below
ENTER BELOW NOW!!!
**DISCLOSURE** When Did I Join the Circus? is acting as an advertisement for the Sponsor and is not responsible for prize. This event is brought to you by Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 through Advertise with Bloggers! If you are interested in sponsoring an event like this, please contact Advertise with Bloggers.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
NICU Family Reunion
Last night was the March of Dimes NICU Family Reunion and Family Teams Celebration at the Providence Children's Museum. This annual event is sponsored by the March of Dimes NICU Family Support program and as I learned last night, Women & Infants was the first hospital to introduce the NICU Family Support program to the families of their littlest patients.
We've been supporters of the March of Dimes since our oldest was born prematurely in 2007 and have participated in the March for Babies since then. We have a Family Team and our family and friends join us each year to participate in the walk. Our twins were born last June at 30 weeks and spent 10 long weeks in the NICU at Women & Infants Hospital. Now that we have 3 NICU graduates in the family, we're even more committed to supporting the March of Dimes as the NICU Family Support program was a great help last summer. They provide programming for parents and siblings, resources and we were even able to celebrate Father's Day at the hospital at their Father's Day luncheon.
As always, it seemed as if all of the kids in attendance enjoyed themselves and it is always great to see how these former preemies, some of whom were born weighing less than 1000 grams, are growing and thriving.
While our family and others who spend extensive time in the NICU have benefited from the March of Dimes’ programming and support, the organization helps all babies, not just premature babies. The March of Dimes has conducted research on the importance of folic acid during pregnancy, developed the standards for newborn screening tests and more; benefiting all pregnant mothers and babies.
This year, we're again walking in the March for Babies in honor of our 3 preemies and all babies like them who are born too soon. We want to do all we can to help this organization that had such a positive impact in our lives at the most difficult times for our family.
Click here to find a walk near you.
We've been supporters of the March of Dimes since our oldest was born prematurely in 2007 and have participated in the March for Babies since then. We have a Family Team and our family and friends join us each year to participate in the walk. Our twins were born last June at 30 weeks and spent 10 long weeks in the NICU at Women & Infants Hospital. Now that we have 3 NICU graduates in the family, we're even more committed to supporting the March of Dimes as the NICU Family Support program was a great help last summer. They provide programming for parents and siblings, resources and we were even able to celebrate Father's Day at the hospital at their Father's Day luncheon.
As always, it seemed as if all of the kids in attendance enjoyed themselves and it is always great to see how these former preemies, some of whom were born weighing less than 1000 grams, are growing and thriving.
While our family and others who spend extensive time in the NICU have benefited from the March of Dimes’ programming and support, the organization helps all babies, not just premature babies. The March of Dimes has conducted research on the importance of folic acid during pregnancy, developed the standards for newborn screening tests and more; benefiting all pregnant mothers and babies.
This year, we're again walking in the March for Babies in honor of our 3 preemies and all babies like them who are born too soon. We want to do all we can to help this organization that had such a positive impact in our lives at the most difficult times for our family.
Click here to find a walk near you.
My husband and sons having fun at the Providence Children's Museum!
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