MomsCharlotte.com

Love. Now. Before it's too late

Well, the very end of 2011 left me with great sadness and many questions. A dear friend was taken suddenly in a small aircraft accident, along with her husband and two small children - a tragedy that has left me and a whole community of family and friends completely overwhelmed, wondering how to move forward, as we transition into this new year. What I earlier had in mind for this year now seems rather trivial now. All those things I said I'm going to do, or do better. It's all small-picture...

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Jan. 11, 2012 | Permalink

Christmas tree as family scrapbook

It occurs to me that the Christmas tree is a real opportunity if you don't like to scrapbook. If you do your tree right, you'll never have to cut and paste another matchbook cover again. Because of things like the commemorative ornament. I've got my wedding picture in a little frame with the date. I've got "Baby's First Christmas" - for both babies - also dated. And the first ornaments my children were able to make that had the three key elements - glue, glitter and popsicle sticks. Spe...

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Dec. 28, 2011 | Permalink

My Christmas wish? Simplicity

OK, I'm going to do it right this year. Keep it simple. There's no reason to make this more complicated or bigger than it needs to be. I'm going to keep my focus on the real meaning of Christmas, celebrate that, and not get caught up in all the hoopla of this particular holiday. I start my simplistic streamlining with the decorations. I don't put candles in the windows this year. Ah, sweet relief. I just decorate the banister, the dining table, the console and the mantel, although I do not p...

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Dec. 16, 2011 | Permalink

Legos? 1,000 times the mess ... um, fun

My son brings home a math work sheet. Eleven questions: What comes in groups of two? What comes in groups of three? What comes in groups of four? And on and on, all the way up to 12. Here's one for ya: What comes in groups of a thousand? Legos, that's what. Specifically, the Queen Anne's Revenge Pirate Ship. A whopping 1,097 pieces. That's what my 5-year-old wants for Christmas. And I thought all those pieces in a set of jacks were a nuisance. Checkers was really pushing it, and Monopoly ju...

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Dec. 07, 2011 | Permalink

22 calls - and no babysitter for the holidays

If you need a sitter between now and New Year's, better line it up now. Because kids today are way busy - busier than we could ever hope to be, I can tell you that. I needed a sitter for an important dinner Saturday night. I call my sure thing - Anna - who hasn't turned me down in 11 weeks. But she can't. She's got a boyfriend. Here I thought we had this awesome relationship, and she tells me she's got a boyfriend? I'm devastated. On to my No. 2. Can't do it. No. 3? Nope. I've still got a N...

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Nov. 30, 2011 | Permalink

Trailing the drapes ... for years

I'm not a big window treatment person. Gimme some wood blinds and I'm fine. At least I WAS - until I invested in that one set of drapes. Five years ago, for about five minutes, I suddenly cared about what was on the windows in my bedroom. I wanted fabric, frilly and fabulous. You know, a grownup room - and block out the morning sun for The Husband while you're at it. So I had some made - with matching pillows and bolster just like in Better Homes and Gardens. But when it came time to sell t...

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Nov. 16, 2011 | Permalink

Mom's request: Wear your jacket!

Will someone please explain to me why it's such a big deal to take a jacket to school? I don't understand. It's like the easiest thing in the world to grab a jacket. Who doesn't want to have something to throw on in case it gets cold? Or even just to add a little something to your outfit? Because when I tell my kids to grab a jacket on their way out the door, it's like I've asked them to strap on a giant utility belt - a really heavy, ugly one, and wear it all day long. First there's the bi...

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Nov. 09, 2011 | Permalink

Honk if you're annoyed

I got honked at last week. Twice. And it occurs to me that honking your horn at somebody on the road really is the only time you can tell somebody exactly how irritated you are - and get away with it. Where else can you just blast somebody - with no explanation, no discussion and no benefit of the doubt - than from behind your steering wheel, complete with getaway car, so you can flee the scene, never to be found. Because believe me, I'd love to honk every time something or somebody got on ...

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Nov. 02, 2011 | Permalink

Evites to the rescue, for this busy mom

I love Evites. I'm a huge environmentalist, obsessed with preserving the earth, going green, and saving trees. No I'm not, I just don't want to go pick out invitations. Although there is something to be said for not wasting a ream of card stock just to get 10 kids together for cake. And for that reason, it is a good thing to do these invitations electronically. That, and the fact that I can type it up in five minutes, and mail it out in two. Without licking anything. Nice to get it there tw...

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Oct. 19, 2011 | Permalink

Mom's guide to perfume samples

I love this time of year, when all the department stores send out their direct mailers advertising their fall sales. And it's not the fliers about the shoes, or the coats, or the cute skirts that I like. It's the perfume samples. At first, I just liked to smell them. Then watch the kids fight over who gets to smell them first. But one day, I forgot to spray on my perfume and saw a sample sitting on the hall table. And so I just peeled back the flap and wiped the sheet of paper all over my sh...

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Oct. 11, 2011 | Permalink

Bats in her belfry? No way

Every now and then a mom finds herself alone in her house for the night. It's a little thrill, drifting off to sleep, knowing that no one's going to be waking me tonight. Until midnight. Screeching shatters the silence, and I'm flying out of bed to my door. I peer into the hallway. And whatever it is, it's clearly in house. It sounds like bats - trapped - trying to kill each other. I slam my bedroom door and start to call 911. The front door's locked, so they'll have to kick it in. But beca...

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Sep. 28, 2011 | Permalink

Woe to those without a car stereo

Our car stereo has been in the shop for two weeks. Two LONG weeks. A piece of equipment that seemed so inconsequential is now being hugely missed by everyone. Especially me. At first, I'm into it, piling everyone in the car and having conversation. This is great, I muse. Everyone's engaged, talking about their day, sharing their thoughts and feelings. What is it about me, that the second my kids aren't playing an electronic game or watching TV, I think I'm doing some great parenting job? Oo...

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Sep. 14, 2011 | Permalink

When's back to school again?

By the time you read this, the kids will all be back in school. Sort of. You know how it is - every year you get all excited because school's about to start back. But for some reason, it just won't start back already... August hits, and you realize you are finally in the actual month that school begins. And you start talking about how you're going to be able to meet for coffee, work out, work a full day, whatever it is that you've been waiting all summer to do. It's right around the corner....

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Sep. 07, 2011 | Permalink

Hermit crabs give you the creeps?

If you have to get your kid a pet, a hermit crab is the easiest one to have. That's what they tell you at the pet store. Then they tell you how hermit crabs live forever. And then a guy standing next to you tells you his kid had a hermit crab that actually survived a round in the washing machine. What, you mean he got out? Don't even tell me that. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I knew something with claws, packing a big shell on its back, was scampering around my house. But as long as you k...

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Aug. 31, 2011 | Permalink

Back to school? Gotta start slow

It's almost the first day of school. And preparing to drop my kids into the classroom reminds me of when they were babies, preparing to drop a feeding. You gotta do it real slow - and under the radar. With baby, you gotta slowly let him know we're only eating five times a day, not six. Introduce Cheerios, mix oatmeal in the milk, start using a spoon, whatever. Make it hearty and make it last. Because it's gonna be a big change. Same with school starting; I'm laying the groundwork now. Gotta...

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Aug. 24, 2011 | Permalink

Can't parents go to camp, too?

My son is at overnight camp for the first time. And I'm so excited he's having this experience. But the no communication thing is almost criminal. How am I supposed to know what's going on down there? Good thing the camp has a Facebook page. I mean, seriously, how are the parents supposed to get a feel for the atmosphere? Our only experience was making their bunk and downplaying the lack of privacy in the bathroom. We need to experience their camp life. I like the photo of Cabin 9 they post...

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Aug. 17, 2011 | Permalink

When the smoke alarm calls

At first, you're dreaming you're at a swim meet. And they just blew the first whistle of the first race. Then another whistle, as the winner tags the wall. But the third whistle brings you out of your deep sleep. And by the time you hear it for the fourth time, you realize it's not a whistle at all. It's the smoke alarm battery. There's no mistaking "the chirp." That shrill, piercing, ear-splitting blast, that actually makes you wince in your sleep. And make no mistake, it is always when yo...

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Aug. 10, 2011 | Permalink

A whole new world: Church camp

I've decided that vacation church camp is its own little world. Because nothing that happens there, remotely resembles life at home. It's a world where the very mom who pays someone to watch her children, volunteers to watch 200 of every body else's. A world where you don't have to figure out what to wear each day, because you're assigned a colored T-shirt for the week. In my case, a world where you wear eggplant for five days. (FYI, white shorts look the best with eggplant - black or blue ...

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Aug. 04, 2011 | Permalink

What's the rush? Read on

Read all the way down to the bottom, it's important. Apparently, that's what you have to say now to make sure somebody reads your whole message. At least that's what folks are now putting on their emails to me. So I figure I better put it at the top of my column. So that you read the entire thing and don't miss some big announcement at the end or anything. It's a disturbing trend. In a world where information comes fast and furious, people still won't take the time to completely read a shor...

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Jun. 19, 2011 | Permalink

Surgeries do wonders for friendships

You never want to see a friend go through a surgery. However ... the day your friend has surgery is the day you get your friend back. For starters, she calls you. On the phone. No text, or three-second voicemail. You get a blow-by-blow of the situation, a Q&A with the facts, and nobody answers the call waiting. It's much like the call you got back in high school when your girlfriend met a cute boy. Then you call all your mutual friends to see if they want to help. And suddenly you're gettin...

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Jun. 12, 2011 | Permalink

Macaroni necklaces are forever

The preschools are out. And not only are we out, we're done. Which leaves me feeling sad that this stage of life is over. The preschool years are like no other, and there are so many things I'm going to miss... Like the monthly calendar of every single thing my child is going to learn, do and sing each day, oddly making me feel like I've really accomplished something when I stick it on the fridge. I'll miss the shock and awe of the carpool line. Shock, that 200 children are all up, dressed ...

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May. 29, 2011 | Permalink

This holiday really will be different this year, Charlie Brown

We kicked off the holiday season as we do every year, with "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." And again, we watched Lucy set poor Chuck up for a fall. Lucy: Come on, Charlie Brown. I'll hold the ball and you kick it. Charlie Brown: Hold it? Ha! You'll pull it away and I'll land flat on my back and kill myself. Lucy: But Charlie Brown, it's Thanksgiving. Charlie Brown: What's that got to do with it?

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Dec. 06, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Lost in the riddle of 2nd grade math

My second-grader brings home his math homework. Boy, math sure has changed. It's not even a numbers problem, it's more like a riddle: "Miss Green, Mrs. White, Mr. Black and Mr. Brown are all teachers. The men have one more student in their class than their room number. The women each have two less students than their room number. Miss Green is in Room 24, Mrs. White in Room 20 and Mr.

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Nov. 21, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

A lesson on lying

I teach a character education class at my son's school. And this month, the character trait is honesty. So I'm explaining, "you always have to tell the truth, never tell a lie and certainly never cover someone else's lie." Unless you're involved in a surprise party.

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Nov. 16, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Hung out to dry

So my washing machine broke down. Followed quickly by me . Because, take my vacuum, take my dishwasher, take my kidney, just please don't take my washing machine. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a huge load to do - the kind the kids are jumping into like it's a pile of leaves.

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Nov. 07, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Halloween yard is pick of the litter

I hope you all have big plans for Halloween tonight, because I will tell you, my evening is going to be the cat's meow. Thanks to The Two Story Inflatable Black Cat. I love it when the neighbors lose their minds. When they just go crazy on a yard ornament for some random holiday or event.

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Nov. 01, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Won't trade my jolt for a buzz

So there's a Starbucks in Seattle that is going to start serving beer and wine.

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Oct. 24, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Glad this birthday stayed under control

So my son turned 8 this week.

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Oct. 18, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Dad's stunt adds adventure to Oz

So I took the kids to the Land of Oz up in Beech Mountain last weekend.

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Oct. 11, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

West Wing reruns: a mom's best friend

Sometimes I just like to get lost in a movie or a television program.

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Oct. 03, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

From mama to cha-cha

I see "Dancing With the Stars" has cranked up again.

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Sep. 26, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

I'm reinventing the Wheel of Life

My girlfriend is over here talking about the spokes on her wheel again.

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Sep. 20, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

I'm wearing my white jeans, and the world is still turning

I wore white jeans this week.

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Sep. 12, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Prep work key to mad morning dash

With elementary school now under way, we're still trying to figure out exactly what time we need to get up.

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Aug. 29, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

School's back in, so now I can "relax"

I am so glad that school's about to start.

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Aug. 23, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

That missing cell phone tolls for me

Somewhere between my house and the Chinese restaurant I've lost my cell phone.

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Aug. 04, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Note to self: Write it down

I used to love to pass notes in class.

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Jul. 20, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Bachelorette- style dates right here in Charlotte

The reality of ABC's "The Bachelorette" is that you have to make quality time with your man.

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Jul. 05, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

How hot is it? It's so hot...

Is it me, or is it really hot outside?I completely underestimated the heat.

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Jun. 29, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

All I know for sure is that she called ... back

So I get a call from a friend.

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Jun. 14, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Oh, to be playing cards in a bikini ...

I had an interesting Memorial Day.

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Jun. 08, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

If I designed the perfect pool bag it would have ...

A woman arrives at the baseball game and unfolds her fancy chair.

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Jun. 01, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

How to turn a beautiful day into a train wreck

Does this ever happen to you?It's just you and one of your children going to church.

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May. 23, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

She looks so happy, thanks to ...

It says a Cardiff University study of 25 women found those who got Botox were happier than gals who had other cosmetic treatments.

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May. 16, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Time for the family portrait: What's wrong with this picture?

Why are the best pictures of my children the ones where I wasn't involved? There is not a single picture displayed in my house that I had a hand in.

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May. 11, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Fishing around for something to say

Most times I have a column topic, but other times not, so sometimes I look to my 7-year-old for ideas.

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May. 02, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

And don't forget, baseball's fun

Baseball is a hard game.

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Apr. 25, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

The cable company gets it right for once

Well - it's official.

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Apr. 19, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Can't wait for tomorrow to be yesterday

"Happy Birthday!" we cheer, smothering him with hugs."I love tomorrow," he sighs.

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Apr. 05, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

How about a black belt for following directives?

I'm sitting at a tae kwon do class watching my two boys practice.

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Mar. 28, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Is it daylight saving time or Russian roulette?

So we lost an hour.

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Mar. 14, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Wii've learned a lot about computer games

I go back and forth on the whole video game thing.

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Feb. 28, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

It's the amazing invisible TV

There's a television in my dining room.

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Feb. 22, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

How I fell for Chuck E. Cheese

I shouldn't have opened it.

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Feb. 16, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy

Snowball fights would be an Olympic feat

I tell my 7-year-old the Winter Olympics are coming and that he's going to love it because they compete in really cool events like skiing and snowboarding."And snowball fighting?" he asks.Well, no.

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Feb. 10, 2010 | Permalink | ObserverTracy