Discipline & My Children, Part 1

I was fortunate to meet the wonderful and gracious Heidi Murkoff, author of the very well-known "What to Expect When Expecting" series of books.  I just happen to be working the booth for Miralax at the AAP show (American Academy of Pediatrics) in May 2011.  I got my lunch break and decided to shop the floor and see what vendors might be worth visiting.  I saw this teeny-tiny little woman, a lovely site who seemed very interesting to me-she had a entourage; I guess I was needing this woman's advice and she was willing to give it. 

Keep in mind, I do not know who this woman is but that she authored a book of some sort.  I just walked right up to her without any reservation and began to pour out my heart about the current state of my parenting: my year and a half year old twins were hitting, biting, and we'll you name it, they were doing it.  It appalled some of the other parents in the Mommy and Me classes I was involved in back in New York but don't worry I did the right thing, I quickly removed them from the situation and disciplined them later. 

On with the cool Heidi story: when she heard my plight she asked me for a hug and told me it would be alright (and to go to page 167-168 in her new book she was autographing).  No seriously, she told me it could be a call for attention (twins are famous for this), or sensory overload, and just a normal phase of their development.

I was somewhat relieved and then my consciousness kicked in and I was reminded that there were several fans behind me waiting for an autograph.  I quickly moved aside and thanked her for the wisdom and hoped that their behavior would simply STOP.  BTW-I was floored that I received a free copy of her book "What to Expect The Second Year." (grateful)

Eventually the behavior did wane and now it's just an occasional bump or "love hit".   I can relate to that feeling, Patrick and I are like that when it counts the most.  Thanks Heidi for caring more and for sharing your generous wisdom with all of us.  Your book is on the kitchen table for quick reference!!

Review of "One Day" with Anne Hathaway

Has anyone seen this film?  It begins on July 15th (my birthday no less) and revisits that date with the two central characters in the piece, portrayed by Anne Hathaway who gets more gorgeous by the minute and Jim Sturgess, of whom I've never heard.

I convinced my husband to watch this film one uneventful weekday evening and to my surprise I was blown away by the ending (this does not happen often in movies).  My time is limited between my husband, my children, and my dogs, so when I watch a film it needs to be GOOD.  I've never been so inundated with this chase of a love-story in my life, as I was here.

To the actors involved in this film, you deserve an OSCAR just for starring in it.  Your acting was deserving and heart-felt.  What a love-story.  The hook, my birthday.

My 39th birthday at the Vineyards of Hudson Valley

If you haven't seen any of my blogs it's probably because the whole month of July I take off to explore, shop, and visit NYC as much as I can in the summer, partly because it's SUMMER and that's for obvious reasons and ALSO because my birthday falls right in the middle of the month.

I disappear and then I come back.  Sorry I've been out of the loop of things.  Their will be shops to report on, dishes I've created and tried on the grill and decadent surprises that I could not resist.  The New York Hudson Valley area has been good to me. 

Here I am at Palalia Vineyards in Highland Mills, NY.  I always have my closest camp take photos of me like this because I have to show I was there but more important that my children have something more of me-my memories-the happy ones.  It was a great time.

Here is also one of my big purchases from one of my adventures: Wedgwood china in their brown/white pattern.  All I know is that this patina attracts me and I think my Mom gets confused when I approach these pieces.  She grew up with it so she no longer wants the vintage look, the old; she just passed on the love-now it's my turn to appreciate it! I thank her for my birth, for my prize at the Cukoo's Nest and MORE!  I love you Mom!

Summertime Crafts

SUMMERTIME CRAFTS

Summertime is the time to get crazy with CRAFTS and your kids.  If you can't get outside and get messy......but you have a garage...........we'll put it to use instead of parking the cars in it (a novel concept I know).  So it's okay, let your kids go WILD with paint, food coloring and ice cube trays or any other art projects that are collecting dust in their playroom!  It's okay it cleans up with a hose.

My favorite project that is almost as easy as 1-2-3 is painting an old coffee table with chalkboard paint and letting the kids use it as a craft table.  Mine is the perfect height and my girls love using chalk (or crayons, don't worry this washes off too) and finger paint to explore with their hands.  Take an old poster piece of paper (24 x 36) that's in your basement, you know the one with the film JAWS on the front that you can no longer post in your movie room (yeah that one).  We'll turn that movie poster over and you have the perfect canvas for ART!  When my children were finished, I looked at the work of art they created and realized what a beautiful memory I created with them and in Daddy's playroom.  How funny and what a moment too!  They were so proud of themselves and I was too.

Summer Weddings are here!

My wedding is coming up and after countless hours of research I finally found several photos of what I found to be my "perfect wedding."  Burlap runners, floral centerpieces, and mint julep drinks in vintage glasses.  There of course is MORE, more exciting details: my J Crew gown in wispy white and my twin daughters in floral linen dresses; the groom in linen as well with flip flops to top off the casual, laid-back vibe.  The overall look I'm going for here is VINTAGE-Shabby Chic. Last note: our wedding will be held here in August, outside at our home here in New York.  Beautiful,  Serene and Small.

New York weddings, especially in upstate NY are always beautiful and since I'm a native of Maryland, I can have my wedding in New York and get to brag about it-without all the travel involved, at least not on my end anyway.  Cheers!

Children and Manners

Children and manners.  Let me say just this one thing: be their role model.  These little people are sponges and they really are soaking up every word you say.  Recently, my oldest twin (she's only 2.5 years old) murmured "What the heck Mom?" in response to something my husband or I was doing at the time.  I was blown over by this just-in-passing comment.  I thought where did she hear that?  Who did she hear that from?  Where?  When?

At some point, someone in our five person household said it.  It's over now and we are working on the simple things: saying please and thank you to each other, in front of each other and using our "side window".  The side window is that window of opportunity (this takes skill now so be prepared) where you can actually take advantage of your child's imagination and spirit, in a good way of course.  This is what you do: you find another adult close to you or a neighbor or a Mummy friend at a playgroup you go to and YOU, the mother use the words please and thank you with these folks.  This simple act works miracles in your child's mind.  They think Mommy is doing it and I probably should too.  (side window reference: Harvey Karp's Bestseller, The Happiest Toddler on the Block)

Another residual check from this film for ME.  It's unbelievable that after almost seven years I'm still making money off of one teeny tiny part in a movie.  Can you imagine what these HUGE actors make, you know the actors that keep making movie after movie?  People like Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, I don't need to go on.  They are bazillionaires!!! 

In the mail on Friday the check came to like twenty-six dollars and thirty-seven cents!  I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude at that moment because for our family every dollar helps; I also finally felt proud that I did that movie; made it through the treacherous filming and survived my anxiety.  When I look at my family, my girls sleeping peacefully or swimming the doggie-paddle for the first time, I'm GRATEFUL that I did that movie. 

Being an actor was so important to me all those years ago, but now, my greatest performance is within me every day-to touch the lives of my children-to be here for them, to make them smile and  cook them mildy horrible food.  No kidding aside.  I got a chance to be in a movie and to John Strawbridge and Pat Moran and Pat Moran Casting, I am FOREVER GRATEFUL.  Grateful that they coached me through that audition, had patience with me, liked my choices.  I'm also grateful to David Dobkin the Director of the film.  But mostly to David DeBoy, my acting coach who helped me win the role.  I know I sound schmaltzy but had it not been for him, I wouldn't be receiving those residual checks!  

This is me in the make-up trailer with Francisco Perez (left), the hair stylist (right) and Isla Fisher's stand-in (middle) right before we shot the scene.  I remember thinking should I ask to have this photo taken or just make sure I have my lines down.  We'll you know what choice I made.  This photo and the one I took in front of my little trailer were the only ones taken from the Crashers set.  I was very NERVOUS to be in this monumental budget of a movie and just didn't want to mess up-ANYTHING.  But I had to have this photo taken.  They had to work so hard on me-my skin, my hair, not the easiest to make shine and of course, my nose had to be powdered incessantly because I was sweating profusely BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS!!  It was a viscous cycle.  I just wanted it to all be over with.  I honestly don't know how actors do it.  If your a BIG famous person, then yes I sort of get it, but jeez I was this little woman playing a big actors secretary.  I didn't even know at that time I would playing opposite Vince Vaughn, as a matter of fact, I didn't even know really, who this Mr. Vaughn was!!  Can you believe that?  Hadn't everyone except for me seen the film "Swingers"?  So,  I thought my character was playing opposite Owen Wilson and believe you me, I was okay with that.  (reference: pool party at the Easton Hotel)

There's more to tell about this once-in-a-lifetime experience....later.  In the meantime, thank you for reading and be blessed always.

Potty Training can be messy......

Potty Training can be messy.  Hence my 2 1/2 year old daughter Audrey thought it might be a good idea to move the potty towards the sink so she could graciously wash her cute little hands.  Great idea...until the entire potty spilled over and it was filled with urine!  All over the floor, a mess, wait, she's doing two things right: she's using the potty, she's trying to wash her hands and what does her Mommy do, yeah, that's right I yell at her.  No nothing brutal, just mean. I waited forever for these girls and here I am yelling at my innocent little pookie.  I will say this, they try, try and they keep trying.  Shouldn't we praise them for what they are doing right instead of finding the pool of pee on the floor?  Isn't that why GOD created the Shark vacuum............

By the way, Elmo's Potty Time DVD is the best tool to get your little kiddies to use the potty.  Elmo's Dad is too funny-the puppeteer gave him a Cajun accent.  It's hilarious, so it got us laughing too and who can aruge with that during this time of trial and error.  Smile, your babes are only this age for a short time!

My review of the Back-up Plan

Okay, on a nothing to do Thursday night, I managed to give this film a chance.  My wonderful Patrick fell asleep and I guess it was because it was a romantic comedy or the fact that most Jennifer Lopez films in his opinion are flat, boring and very predictable.

None-the-less, I just had to write about this film.  It was hilarious.  The beginning started out slow but it just intrigued me the whole way through.  Congrats to Lopez who shined in this movie and to her male counterpart who held his own opposite her star power.  The kicker in this film is the lesbian couple giving birth in a baby pool.  It doesn't get much better than that.  You'll laugh out loud and yes, the ending is very predictable-at least I loved it.

Late July Organic Chips...Yummy!

If you haven't tried these chips, you MUST.  When Patrick and I were flying out to Cabo San Lucas last month, we tried them and I was pleasantly surprised at the product.  It came in a neat little box packaged alongside tasty, tasty salsa.  

When your flying nowadays, you don't get a full meal anymore on flights, your lucky just to get a free drink.....but purchase away we did on this continental flight and I'm so glad we did. 

Late July chips are multi-grain, gluten free (which my stomach can appreciate) and totally organic, which means certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.  I have to say I was so pleased that this chip didn't taste like the typical organic chip.  It was delicious.  No cardboard after-taste and the Sea Salt by the Seashore is my favorite.  My fourteen year old likes them too and this is good news from someone who is a picky-eater.  How many parents try to get their kids to eat healthy and their children spit that expensive food right out of their mouths?  Not nice, oh and more more thing, this company donates 10% of their profits to the American Camp Association to provide summer camp scholarships to kids in need.  Now that's a company I can support.

Cast Reunion of Mob Wives, Part 1

Okay I admit I watch this show. The cast reunion was on Vh1 last night and was led by guest host Joy Behar.  Although I was a little nervous about this face off between Drita and Ramona, it didn't go into full fledged fight-mode which I was glad about.  Patrick would of loved it, but what guy doesn't like to watch two girls go at it?

It was my hope to see Drita and Ramona get over the past and the fights from previous episodes.  I check in with myself and say why am I watching this on a Sunday night?  It's like suddenly, we realize were in New York and part of being and living in New York is the requirement that you watch Mob Wives.  Now Vh1 is coming out with a Mob Wives, Chicago.  This will not end up on my DVR.  I keep snacking and realize that this show is ending too soon.  It's already 10 pm!!  What will happen on Part 2 of the Cast Reunion?! 

The biggest laugh we get from Mob Wives is when the show cuts to the bar The Drunken Monkey, this hangout just a cool shot from Patrick's office on Staten Island where the show is filmed.  We jokingly laugh one day that we'll run into Big Ange and toast her for being really good on the show.  Will see!  Good going girls.  Reality tv, not so easy.

Now what a day we had.  Gardening, gardening, and more gardening.  I had a great time with my daughters.  It began with breakfast in bed.  The day when it begins with Dunkin Donuts, we'll let's just say, I believe I can do anything!  That means managing to get three girls out the door, ages for the twins, 2 1/2 and a very growing fourteen year old!  I'm always thrilled when my magic happens.

At the end of the day, when gifst had been opened and dinner was over, Patrick and I retreated to watch the season closer of Mob Wives.  We live in New York, so you have to watch it.  Let's just say it was worth every commercial.  Go Team Drita!

James Earl Jones, Hudson Valley resident shines in The Best Man

James Earl Jones in The Best Man, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, New York

Now I love film, but I also love theatre.  I started doing community theatre in 1997 as a page turner for the pianist in a little play called "Little Shop of Horrors." I still love the theatre even though I do puppet shows out of my house now for my twin daughters, Sophie and Audrey (who are two and they think I'm awesome). What I didn't know back in 1997 was that I would be living in the same town James Earl Jones calls home-I think that's awesome!  Recently, in The Week mmagazine (I always thumb to the "Review of reviews: Stage" first and then maybe national news, blah, blah, blah) our local stage and film veteran actor, local Pawling resident James Earl Jones, was hailed for his performance in The Best Man. 

What caught my eye was Angela Lansbury and Mr. Jones's stellar review.  Charles Irshwood in The New York Times says that Lansbury, playing a steely party operative, "makes every moment of her stage time count"-as does James Earl Jones.  Even though Jones is an odd choice to play an ex-president in the pre-civil rights era, the actor "digs into his role with a relish you can surely sense from the back row." 

This makes me want to make the hour and 20 minute hike to Broadway right now.  Never mind, stalking him in Pawling at the local Quickmart, I guess I'll have to settle for seeing him act on the great big stage they call Broadway row.  Mr. Jones we're proud of you.  Your having a good year.

Leaving home

Our new life started with a big move.  Most people move south nowawadays, but our family did the reverse.  Most often that's how we do things.  The McCoy clan that is.  We had children first and we will marry, officially that is last.  I like it that way.  I never thought I would leave my hometown of Maryland.  I was comfortable that is.  I loved the beauty of Maryland-the beaches, the landscapes, the Naval Academy-the restaurants; there wasn't much I didn't love until I got divorced.  That's when I met the love of my life.  How ironic.  That's when everything started to take shape and form.  I hope with this blog to talk not just about the man I love, whom I had children with, but about all the things I love and how the Hudson Valley of New York gave me new hope, joy, and peace for the first time in my life.  xoxox