Category Archives: Treasures from the Archives

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Elusive Sophie

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This is just about the best picture I managed to take tonight of little Sophie, who was dancing with her sister to their favorite CD mix, courtesy of their musically inclined uncle.

During the loud and incredibly danceable “Kids in America,” Sophie and Chloe let out all of their inhibitions and shook their booties like crazy on the couch and around the living room floor. There were tons of fantastic photo opportunities, most of which I missed, and not for lack of trying.

Two incredibly important factors worked against me. The first was the camera. It takes great pictures when you have a willing subject, but it also takes FOREVER to reboot after using the flash. By the time it was ready to go again, Sophie’s butt filled up the lens. The second impediment to Annie Leibovitz-quality imagery was Sophie herself. I truly believe that she will do anything to sabotage the photos I try to take of her. She never used to be so calculating. But she’s 2 1/2 now, which I think explains much, if not all, of her behavior.

But you’d think she’d learn a thing or two from her sister who, at 7, adores mugging for the camera. Then again, Chloe always adored mugging for the camera. In stark contrast to her little sister, Chloe will do anything to get in front of the lens.


Which actually leads me to a third reason why I am increasingly unable to take a decent photo of Sophie. Chloe hogs the spotlight. Did I tell you that in addition to wanting to take piano lessons, she’d also like to act?

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

A Family that Bikes Together Stays Together

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As a belated birthday present, and early anniversary (14 years) and Mother’s Day present, I got a bicycle today. Until a few hours ago, everyone in my little family had one except for me.

But I’m no longer feeling like an outcast. I have a brand-new shiny silver bicycle. And boy, have bikes much improved since I last rode one (which if my memory serves me correctly, was back in 1993 or1994, when my husband and I went to Bruges in Belgium, rented bikes and rode for miles into Holland until we got lost and my knee went out on me.

Anyway, my new ride around town has tons of gears – on both handlebars – and killer braking. The seat cushion is very cushy and even when I’m riding slowly, the bike maintains its balance and my feet remain on the pedals. Cool.

This afternoon, we all went out. Sophie finally relented and wore her helmet, and rode with my husband in the seat attached to his bike. At first, she was crying. But after our brief tour around the neighborhood, she just wanted her Papa to take her “zoom” (i.e., fast) some more. Chloe and I continued our adventure, to the local playground and back.

I’m looking forward to the coming months and having a family activity that gets us out and about together. Fun, fun, fun.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Piano Lessons

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Chloe is suddenly showing great interest in the piano. She was at a friend’s house the other day, and her friend has started to take piano lessons. Chloe was extremely interested in what her friend was doing and wanted to learn some notes.

Ever since that visit, she’s asked for piano lessons at least once a day. Which is all well and good, except piano lessons without a piano might be a little challenging. Granted, she could go somewhere else for lessons, but how’s she supposed to learn anything if she doesn’t have a piano to practice on?

There’s no way in hell we’d buy a piano at this point – knowing Chloe (and knowing that she’s inherited many of my genes, including those that had me going from activity to activity every couple of months when I was a kid), she’d give it up after a month or two. So, we need to test it out first. We need to find out if we can rent a piano, and we need to find out where she can have lessons.

Actually, it’d be fun to have a piano. And I think I’d actually enjoy reliving my youth (yes, this is me approaching 40) and remembering how to play. I took several years of lessons, and was actually fairly good at it, at least when I put my mind to it. And my husband was even better than I was.

The more I think about it, the more I’m starting to think all of us should take lessons. And become the von Trapp family of the piano world. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Crepes, Anyone?

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As a proper French family, we should have eaten crepes for Mardi Gras. But time has a way of flying by, as we all know. So, two months later, Chloe and her Papa finally made crepes with Nutella.

Or, as Sophie calls it, “Tella!” – with the big, excited exclamation point that you can hear in her voice. She and her sister proceeded to each eat two crepes. And, boy, were they happy (as you can see from the photo). And if I’m being honest, I was pretty happy, too. Homemade crepes are a super treat. You can bet that our girls were in great moods after that dessert.

On another note, Sophie apparently doesn’t lack in self-confidence. When our babysitter told Sophie that she was beautiful, Sophie matter-of-factly responded, “I know.” Very glad she’s developing such great self-esteem. Although we may have to cease reminding her of her cuteness all the time. Otherwise, her little head might explode. In which case, she wouldn’t be so cute anymore.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Road Trip

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Our babysitter took Chloe and Sophie on a road trip today. They went to visit our babysitter’s brother, who lives about 1 1/2 hours from our house. They had a great time.
Really, what could be better than the combination of a beautiful spring day, a picnic and discovering a new place? The girls love our babysitter, and apparently her brother owns a lot of land.

Chloe’s first comment to me about their adventure was “they have the hugest yard ever – at least as much as four houses!” Needless to say, she was very impressed. Apparently, they spent most of the afternoon running around the yard like crazy kids.

And our babysitter gave Chloe an A+ for her behavior – she was a big help with Sophie, who idolizes Chloe. Chloe is definitely at that age where taking care of little ones is a fun prospect – at least for five minutes at a time. The other day she asked when she’d be old enough to babysit. I told her not for another 6 years or so. She’s already counting down the days.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Future Lance Armstrong?

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As I mentioned in one of my recent posts, my little Sophie has discovered the joys of tricycle riding. It’s really thanks to Chloe, who rediscovered her own bicycle a couple of weeks ago, and has had good fun riding about town with her father chasing after her.

Sophie, after witnessing her sister’s glee, decided that she was also ready to transport herself on wheels. She hadn’t shown much interest in Chloe’s old tricycle before, but when she saw it the other day, a light must have gone off in her head. She hopped on, and with me holding the handle behind her, started to pedal away as if she’d been at it for years.

She insisted on going out again this morning, even though it was cool and drizzling outside. Up and down the block, over and over again. “Pedal, pedal, pedal!” she yelled with enthusiasm. And then, a round of tag up and down the sidewalk, with Sophie grinning from year to year. These moments – so carefree, so happy, so exuberant- put everything into perspective. And remind me how lucky we are – our girls are simply irresistible.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Hi, Poops!

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As soon as I walked in the door this evening, Sophie enthusiastically greeted me with a huge grin, a huge hug, and a loud, “Hi, Poops!” And then she laughed and laughed.

She really is a happy kid. Although she has taken to screaming when she doesn’t hear what she wants – a ploy learned from her big sister, of course.

Spring has sprung. The leaves are awakening, the flowers are blooming, and the weather was beautiful today. We took a walk after dinner and it was lovely.

Chloe on her scooter and Sophie on her tricycle. Both have mastered their respective modes of transportation – and I was particularly impressed to see Sophie pedaling away (it’s one of those toddler trikes with a handle in the back that the adult can control) – something she wasn’t able to do about a month or so ago.

Our walk put me in a good mood – I am so happy that we can now officially look forward to warmer, sunnier and longer days. And our swim club orientation is in a couple of weeks, which is very cool, indeed.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)

Back to School

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I volunteered at a high school career fair tonight, in order to convince a bunch of teenagers that a career in marketing was the coolest thing ever.

I don’t remember the last time I set foot in a high school. But it was a long, long time ago.

Anyway, the kids were entitled to receive extra credit if they “interviewed” a certain number of professionals. They had a bunch of preprinted questions, and they pranced around the gymnasium going from table to table in order to get their homework done as quickly as possible.

I went with some colleagues, mostly lawyers, who were extremely popular with the kids. Was it because of the cool swag I had brought along, or were these young ‘uns legitimately interested in the practice of law? I’m pretty sure it was the former, because the sonic rocks, stress balls and baseball caps were gone well before the end of the fair.

It was interesting to watch the kids in action. The boys had no qualms about simply grabbing the toys, and they often grabbed more than one, without asking. The girls refrained from being greedy, would choose one giveaway and politely thank us. And this was the way it played out almost every single time.

As I was observing the kids, I thought back to my days in high school. And I had always thought that my friends and I were pretty mature. But now that I’m bumping up against 40, I realize how young we must have seemed to adults back then. How awkward. How silly.

And this is what my husband and I have to look forward to with Chloe and Sophie. It was a warm day today, and many of the girls were wearing shorts that were way too short. And the boys were wearing clothes that looked simply ridiculous – too baggy, too big, too thuggish.

The bathrooms were just as I had remembered them, though. Cigarette-stained toilet seats, musty smell, ugly tiles. The only difference was that when I was a teen, flushing the toilet wasn’t automated. Now, apparently, it is.

Frazzled Working Mom's Fleeting Moments (2007-2013)
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Chloe now watches old episodes of “Saved by the Bell.” What a dumb show. I can’t believe it was on TV for four seasons. So many mullets! And Mario Lopez! And Elizabeth Berkley pre-“Showgirl” infamy!

“Zoey 101” isn’t that bad, actually. Jamie Lynn Spears’ character is smart and good-hearted. There are a lot of worse shows for kids out there, I suppose. And there’s nothing funnier to Chloe than watching a kid jump around like a maniac with a rat in his pants.

Hillary and Barack are debating tonight. It’s likely to be Hillary’s last chance to build up support. It’s not looking good for her. Barack seems impermeable to criticism. Kind of crazy. I’m disappointed (not just because I donated quite a bit of money to her campaign). Assuming he makes it through to the nomination, it will be interesting to see how he fares in the general election against that old geezer McCain.