Christmas Bucket List: A Christmas Story House Museum

Before I get started, I just wanted to let you all know that I will be on Live in the D’s mom panel tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27^th.  Please be sure to tune in to NBC at 11am!

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The Christmas season is almost here!  It is one my favorite parts of the year - minus all the drama surrounding family get together, but that is a post for another time.

One way of keeping focused on joy and setting that warm, fuzzy holiday mood is watching Christmas movies.  I have watched some of my all-time favorites so many times that I have developed a deep, emotional connection to the characters and even the settings of these movies.

I would love to say, “Merry Christmas” to George Bailey as he runs through downtown Bedford Falls.

I would love to stand next to Clark Griswold in his front yard along side of Cousin Eddie as he successfully turns on all “250 strands of lights, 100 individual bulbs per strand for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights.”

I would love to rush down the stairs with Ralphie and Randy on Christmas morning and see Ralphie open his Red Rider BB gun.

So image my delight when last January I saw a commercial for small business software (I don’t even remember what it was now) and discovered that you could actually visit A Christmas Story house.  I googled it to make sure it was real, and then put it on the calendar for November and was reminded by this Rochester Mediapost.

Last weekend, my dream came true.   We packed up the kids and sojourned to Cleveland to see the house where the exterior shots were filmed.

As if this wasn’t awesome enough, the backstory is very touching.  Brian Jones always wanted to be a naval aviator, but failed the sight test.  Devastated, his parents sent him leg lamp to cheer him up.

Seeing how popular the lamps were, Brian made a business making and selling them on eBay.  When his wife emailed him that the house was for sale, he bought it sight unseen and never having visited Cleveland.

Fast forward to today, the house is remodeled to look just like the Parker house and is an interactive tribute to A Christmas Story. 

Here are some of the things we did.

You can pose with the Red Rider BB gun.  Doesn't Thomas look a little like Randy?

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

You can take a photo with the blue bowling ball in your lap.

Harrington made sure to do the squeaky voice.

You can look at the crate with the leg lamp.

"It's a Major Award!"

The bathroom is set up just like the movie with Lifebuoy soap, the hamper with Little Orphan Annie comic and decoder pin with a notepad that says, “Don’t forget to drink your Ovaltine.”

"A crummy comercial?  Son of a bitch!"

We all sat under the sink like Randy.

"Daddy's going to kill Ralphie!"

That's right!  I fit under there!

And speaking of Randy, we saw his bib!

I wish I had a cute photo of Thomas in the bib, but he refused.

We saw the turkey baking in the oven.  

I was just waiting for the Bumpass Hounds to crash on in.

We saw Ralphie and Randy’s room.  

I could almost hear Ralphie's mom yell, "Ralphie, on the double!"

And check out the decorations in their room.  

I think this one speaks for itself.

I even pretended to call Mrs. Schwartz! I know the photo is blurry, but I couldn’t resist!

"He didn't hear it from his father!  He heard it from your son!"

Afterwards, we went to the museum and saw some actual photos and costumes from the movie.  (My favorite was the Ralphie’s mom’s dress and bathrobe)!

Then we did some damage at the gift shop.  

Leg Lamp salt and pepper shakers? Yes, please!

I’m so glad that we did this together as a family and had a great time!  The kids might have thought I was crazy since they don’t share the same affinity for A Christmas Story as me (not yet, at least), but I hope they have some warm, fuzzy memories. 

So close to being our Christmas card photo.

Not only am I glad that we did this, but I am feeling inspired that someone took his passion and made a living from it. 

What a way to start off this holiday season!


**I was not compensated for this post.  This was just us on a family getaway and was so awesome I wanted to share.

Growing Up and 4th of July Traditions

When I was a kid, I LOVED the 4th of July.  My family would get together with my aunt, uncle, and cousins.  We anxiously awaited until it finally became dark since my Dad and his brother were way into pyrotechnics and *may* had procured some illegal fireworks.

This one time, they lit up a firework that spun in super fast circles, like a whirling dervish.  In it’s little dance, the wheel of fire spiraled up a car and over the roof, where it landed under the car.  We squealed in equal parts of delight and sheer terror.  Would the car explode?   Would the whole neighborhood go up in flames?  (Spoiler - no, the firework just stopped.  Totally anticlimactic).

My brother, cousins, and I wanted in on this action so when we were allowed to hold sparklers and “play with fire,”  it was like, the best thing ever!  Better than eating s’mores until the break of dawn.  Better than unlimited popsicles.

These memories are the blueprints for my 4th of July celebrations, however, I am the only person out of my brother and that set of cousins that still lives here.  Even though the “adults” still get together, we’ve slowly formed our own 4th of July traditions to ensure Marie and Thomas have their own blueprints that are filled with fun times with their friends.  

Growing up, I always thought that things would always be the same, traditions and family would never change.  

They never do stay the same.  And that is bittersweet.

Sometimes things work out in ways that you could never imagine.

And that is incredible.

Hope you had a happy holiday!

I die of cuteness.

The Gang

So excited to play with fire.

This. Is. Happening.

Writing her name in fire.  Kind of like Katniss.

About 30 seconds before his sparkler went rogue and the sparks
ended up on his hand. He now has blisters.
And I will be collecting my Mother of the Year award.

The Girls.

Election Day and Faded Craft Time Memories

Election Day was not only the day I performed my civic duty (and wrote about my feeling of politics and motherhood at the Detroit News MichMoms blog), but it was going to be a cozy, fun day with both of my Babes home from school circa late 2010 when were always home together.  We were going to snuggle on the couch and do fun holiday crafts.

The day was going to be lovely.

*Magical.*

I started out my Pinterest perfect morning (after voting, of course) by making chocolate chip pancakes.  But that wasn’t enough for Thomas.  He also wanted mini frozen pancakes and waffles.  Only slightly defeated, I fulfilled his wish.  I wasn’t going to let a little hiccup like that ruin my day.

After I cleaned up, Marie played on the computer while I played games with Thomas.  We were harmoniously humming along until it was Thomas’s time to go on the computer.  He wanted to go on a website I didn’t like, and then when his time was up, there was an explosion of temper.  How could this happen?  I gave him extra time and plenty of warning!

Trying to stay positive, I shifted gears thinking that he would like to make his Christmas list for the grandparents who want to get an early start.  I was disheartened when he said he wanted everything.  Ev.ry.thing.

I started to feel my happy train becoming derailed, but in a valiant effort to prevent the inevitable, I made each Babe whatever they wanted for lunch. 

Which of course was not the same thing.  That would’ve been easy. 

So I made both macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets.  I like to think they were extra delicious since they were sprinkled with extra love and good intentions and not the bitter resentment of a dismantled day that I was choking on.

When I cleaned up (again), we sat down to do the Thanksgiving Tree Craft that I had seen on Pinterest.  (Side note: Pinterest did not have the*exact* tree and leaf template I wanted, so I made do with tracing my own arm and tracing an old foam leaf sticker.  I feel it gave it that extra homemade look).

When it was time to write down the things they were thankful for, Thomas didn’t want to do the craft.  He didn’t want to use the glue stick.  Then he delivered the lowest of all blows.

He said that he had nothing to be thankful for.

WHAT?!  Nothing to be thankful for?! 

I snapped.

All day long, I felt like I was spinning and giving in and moving forward.  I was exhausted.  And now sad.  I didn’t expect him to express his gratitude for all things motherhood that I perform on a daily basis for him, but I just wanted something to go right.

I could hear Thomas sneaking in and climbing on to the bed.  He whispered that he was sorry that he hurt my feelings.  Of course I accepted.  I was disappointed, not heartless.

There are several lessons learned on Election Day: often memories look better after they real and harsh corners have faded a bit.  Also, I need to get a handle on this demanding phase Nathan is currently experiencing.  It can really dictate how well an activity or a meal or an outing goes, and I don’t think it is fair that the whole world needs to revolve around him and his whims.

Do you struggle with how things used to be and how they are now?  How do you handle a demanding child?  Clearly, I need some help.

"Yeah.  I'm not feeling this."

She powered through the tantrum
and had a blast.  I wish I had her ability
to tune out.

Reasons I *Heart* Valentine’s Day

I love Valentine’s Day.  I know some people get all uppity and cynical; they claim it’s a Hallmark Holiday.

I could not disagree more.

I am totally OK with a holiday that

A) Celebrates people I love.  It’s not that I need a holiday to do that, but there is something about this holiday that adds some fun and lightness to it.  Maybe it’s the fun décor or yummy treats without the stress of planning parties to accommodate everyone’s different and busy schedules.  It’s just fun.  (Side note: it’s not like we don’t buy presents and are nice to others only at Christmas.  Why does Valentine’s Day get the bad rap?)

B) Breaks up the monotony of winter. (Which has been especially monotonous with barely any snow and 47 days plus of sickness).

C) Revolves around eating chocolate in various forms.  Cupcakes, candy, whatever.  I love it.  (Except Hershey Kisses.  Ever since Thomas was born, that particular brand of chocolate tastes like dirt to me.  At first I was sad.  Now, I (and the scale) am totally fine with it).

Here’s the thing: I love holidays mostly because I love the tradition of it all.  It makes me feel happy and cozy.  I want The Babes to look back and say they had fun baking cupcakes and making cards.  I want them to remember eating their favorite meal (this year, it will be tacos) on the fun tablecloth. 

I have vivid memories of sitting around my kitchen table as a kid opening the Valentine’s card and some candy from my parents and brother.  Ordinary, yet special stuff.

Traditions, whether it’s shopping for Valentine’s Day stuff or baking Christmas cookies or eating pizza while we watch a movie together every Friday night, are what hold us together as a family. 

Hope you have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Memories – A Rerun

Staying positive is important to me.  I work very hard at it. 

Very hard.

It’s not something that comes naturally to me.  Right before Christmas, I was on a good clip of love and light. 

I was working out, making good food choices, having fun with The Babes, and blogging.  Life was good.

And then January 1^st of 2012 came and blew my positivity streak to bits.  In case you haven’t been reading in a while you can catch up with how the first forty-eight hours of 2012 rolled into one bad month.

I was staying all positive, believing that February would be when 2012 was going to start to turn around.

Not so.

This Sunday, I lost a very special uncle.  I am very saddened by this, and my heart aches for my aunt.

I am going to celebrate his life and honor my aunt’s courageousness in taking such good care of him by rerunning this post I wrote about them when they moved to Arizona.

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I used to hate Change.  Not just hate, but detest Change, cringe whenever things were not the same.  If Change were a person walking down the street, I would avoid all eye contact and ignore it. 

After having kids, I’ve learned to accept change.  Because whether I like it or not, it’s going to happen.  So Change and I became like Facebook friends; acknowledging each other but not really committing to a real relationship.  Eventually that relationship evolved, and I would say Change and I are pretty friendly with each other.  Especially when Change means less sleepless night.

However, there are certain circumstances when I want to revert to my prior relationship with Change and look away when it comes near.

Like when my Aunt Nicki and Uncle Ned sold their house in Michigan to live in Arizona for six months.  I didn’t expect to become so emotional when I found out, but I did.  I have so many wonderful memories in that house.

Like the time when I was sixteen and home all alone overnight.  I thought I heard something, and they didn’t mind that it was midnight when I came over because I was scared.

I also learned to make golumpki (stuffed cabbage) from my grandmother’s recipe at her kitchen table.  I also gained a whole new appreciate for the effort put forth for our traditional Christmas entrée.

I will miss the Heritage Hallway.  There was a hallway filled with old pictures of my aunt and uncle’s family.  Whenever I would look at these photos, I felt connected to my family, especially my grandfather, who passed away long before I was born.

Aunt Nicki hosted my bridal shower at her house and worked together with my parents and other aunts and uncles to create a beautiful party.  And the next day, I went to Aunt Nicki’s house to visit with her and Aunt Karen.  I remember eating a giant bowl of cherries and just chatting with them.  Something so simple, but so memorable.

I also remember the time when Aunt Nicki and Uncle Ned came over to see me after Marie was born.  She made homemade chicken soup and chocolate biscotti.  A few weeks later, she helped me bring Marie, only six weeks old, to get an ultrasound of her head.

I remember feeling totally comfortable dropping Marie off so Aunt Nicki and Uncle Ned could watch Marie while I emptied out my former classroom with my Dad.  She was only 3 months old.

When Thomas was born, she came to see us and then dropped everything to watch Marie when there was a change in childcare plans.

I am not sure if Aunt Nicki and Uncle Ned know how much those moments mean to me.

It’s like this part of me and my family story is moving away, and it makes me sad.  When someone in the family network moves away, left behind is a gap.  I look back at all those important times in my life and realize the richness they have added to my life.

So instead of being sad because she won’t be in that home anymore, I am going to adopt a new saying.  Instead of saying, “Home is where the heart is,” I am going to change it to “Heart is home to our memories.”  

That house is not theirs anymore, but it doesn’t matter, because we all still have those memories with us.  They have done so many nice things for me and my family that I want to show my appreciation and support by cheering them on in this new chapter of their life.

Because that’s what family does.

On Reliving My First Christmas Shopping Trip with Two Under Three Years Of Age

Today I am posting at Macomb Patch.  I am reliving my very first Christmas shopping trip with both Babes. 

Got any traumatic-turned-nostalgic holiday memories that you would like to share?

Happy Monday!

Here’s to the Next Chapter – May the Light Always Shine Bright

Before I get going on this post, I wanted to share with you a link for the post I did at Band Back Together. I am very proud of this post, and this is a fantastic website. Please take some time to check it out.

Also, I will be writing a post on recharging batteries. This post includes a survey I created over at The Skinny Scoop. Please check it out. I would love your feedback.

Ok, now down to business.

In the past three weeks, The Babes have hit quite a few milestones over here. Thomas got his first official summer haircut. Last summer, I didn’t have to cut it so short because it wasn’t as thick. But I could see the sweat mixed with sunblock dripping from his forehead and knew I had to do it. I am very partial to the longer, messier look, but it’s hotter than hell out here, so what is one to do? Thankfully, my brother was able to cut it short without looking, well, how I can say this, boring bowl cut.

Pretty damn cute, if you ask me! 

It kind of broke my heart a bit because he looked so much older. And even though I usually am not the mournful type because leaving a phase (especially a baby phase) means something much more fun and exciting. But this time was different.

I think this might have something to do with it.

As you know, Marie turned five last month. Which was pretty big in and of itself. And then two weeks later, she *takes a deep breath* lost her first tooth. It went from kind of loose to totally ready to fall it so quickly. Next thing I know, Harrington gave it one little twisty-turn and out it came. She looked like a character from Twilight as the blood came spilling out all over her other teeth. Ick.

"Holy shit!  What just happened!
Why does Mommy look like she's going to pass out?
And that rumor about the Tooth Fairy bringin $5 for
the first tooth better be true."

I was totally not ready for that. Not just the blood, but how it changed her face. It also changed how she talked. It forced me to look at her differently. She’s not the little two year old we took to Myrtle Beach with her chubby legs and wispy hair, barely able to put into pigtails. She’s not even the three year old who was not so sure of the play structure at the park.

No, she’s a five year old, who is losing her baby teeth to make room for the *adult* teeth.

As if that wasn’t enough, she graduated from preschool this week. And in the fall she will be going to Kindergarten.

"Big crowds?  Lots of attention?
This is so not my scene.  So much so
I could care less about the chocolate fountain.
Get. Me. Out. Of. Here. Now."

I am not usually that mom that’s all sad about moving on to the next phase. I was relieved when I was done with nursing her after ten lllooooonnnngggg months (and was happy not to have wash bottles anymore for Thomas). I joyfully said good bye to diapers (which, please, Thomas, please let’s start giving this potty thing a *real* try). I was excited when she started preschool.

I was even OK with her giving up her naps because we had more flexibility to do more fun stuff, go on more adventures.

But there is something about starting Kindergarten that just yanks at my heart strings. Maybe I look at through this lens of my youth. I always felt that I didn’t quite fit in and had a hard time making friends. I fear for the bullying that is out of control.

I’m afraid that Marie will loose that light in her eyes. The one that shines from the inside out because she’s totally excited about life and not afraid to be herself. Before Hannah Montana and all the other bullshit shows out there that tell her what “cool” is.

This process of letting go is so very bittersweet. (And if you saw my status on Facebook or Twitter, it’s like 60% Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips . . . which has been my chosen method of self-soothing. Well, that and chocolate ice cream). (No judging . . . whatever works, right?) (Right?!)

As I said earlier, there will be new adventures to be had. I couldn’t have done Chicago and enjoyed all the sights we saw if Marie was still a baby. Some of my greatest childhood memories are going on similar trips and adventures. And I am looking forward to going on adventures with The Babes.

"I have found Heaven.  It's here in Chicago.
In the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop. Mommy and Nana
are right.  Everything is better with ice cream."

One chapter is definitely closed.

A new one is definitely opened.

And no matter what, I will try to keep that light bright and shiny.

Feel Good Friday: When Life Gives You Snow, Make Snow Angels



Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up for some Feel Good Friday Fun!


I have been sluggish and tired and kind of grumpy all week. I have come to the conclusion that it’s not the cold, snowy weather that makes me cranky. It’s having to *go* somewhere in the cold, snowy weather. I would be happy as could be if I could just hibernate on the couch and put off my To Do List until spring.

But I live in Michigan. Spring could come as late as May. And I just don’t think that would be any one’s best interest.

So instead, I shifted my focus. Yes, it snowed more. Yes, I could have stayed in the house. But on this special Thursday, I took this winter by the snow balls and showed it who was boss.

Oh, yes I did . . . when we eventually made it outside.

By the time I put each Babe in heavy clothes and snow pants and boots and heavy coats and hats and mittens and scarves, forty minutes had passed. FORTY MINUTES!!

But we did stay out for a whole twenty minutes. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Thomas does not like wearing hats and mittens. At all.
I’m not sure if you are able to gather that from the
expression on his face. I think he would rather stay
on the couch and watch his shows.
I’m not sure where gets that from.

“WTF! What are these things?
Get them off my hands now.
 I’m sure this is a form of torture.”

Thomas: “Who thinks that this a good time?
There is nothing fun wearing clothes that prohibit my movement
 and restrict my hands. Nothing, I tell you!”

Marie: “Seriously?! He’s ruining this sled ride.”

Me: “OK, Babes! Look this way! Yeaa! This is fun!
We are outside! Isn’t this awesome!”

Finally I let Marie do her thing. Then I proceeded to cave and let Thomas take off his hat and mittens.

Where can I pick up my Mother of the Year award for
letting my toddler play outside in the snow with no hat or mittens?

Marie loves the snow.

I mean, LOVES it!

So when life gave us another snow storm, I decided it was time to make some snow angles. I know it was a lot of hard work, and it was cold. But in the end, I felt really lucky. Lucky that I am able to have these fun, spontaneous moments with The Babes. Lucky that on some random Thursday, we were able to make some memories.

Not a bad way to spend Friday’s Eve, if you ask me.

How was your week? Were you able to find some spontaneity and fun in your week?