Makes My Monday: Very Gourdy

While the title sounds scandalously similar to the Motown mastermind's moniker, what truly Makes My Monday is our pair purging their pumpkins of their guts...without my assist! (Those who know me well know that hand-sullying is not my favorite past-time. When it comes to doughnuts, pizza, so-called "finger foods," I use a fork.)

Scrubbing the abundant orange globules from the front of the dishwasher, the walls, the counter...I'll take that duty any day!

Please comment or link up to share what Makes YOUR Monday! 

My Consulting Co-Composer...

Last night, over homework...

He-Twin (with the enthusiasm of discovery): "Mom! Look at my math worksheet---it says 'Show Your Work Wednesday!' That sounds like something you would do on your blog!"

Apples and trees, Friends. Apples and trees...

Way Back When-esday: Soaking in Seven

Dateline: September 2008
Twins' Age: Freshly 7

Both He-Twin and She-Twin chose to spend their 7th birthday at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. Forget a party with friends. Forget a home-based family get-together. That year, and on plenty of occasions to celebrate since then, it's been splashy good fun topping their  list.

The anticipatory smiles on their faces warm my heart this October mid-week.

Why don't you dive into your digital files and play along with Way Back When-esday?

Seek out an overlooked snapshot or scan a scrapbook find...share an image you might not otherwise. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and please leave a comment when you do!





Way-back when, Double Daddy and I wrote a book on twin pregnancy and life with twin infants. Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice from Pregnancy through the First Year (c. 2006, Taylor Trade) is not only available in bookstores nationwide, but it is now on Kindle and Nook! Check it out, and let us hear from you!

*This post was not compensated by---or a promotional post written for---Great Wolf Lodge. We simply have many happy family memories of our times there.  -CRL

Tuesday Twin-Shot

...because they are beautiful, and I love them.

[Now that they are TEN, we may re-institute the Tuesday Twinterview from blog eras gone by. The insights (Twinsights!) as late are fascinating.]

If you've included an image of your twosome on your post today, leave a comment! Would love to see them

Makes My Monday: Tapping Inspiration

After faded-interest forays into both tae kwon do and horseback riding, She-Twin enjoyed a window of extracurricular dormancy. Nothing struck her fancy. Until recently.

Two weeks ago, She-Twin acquired ballet flats and tap shoes and began weekly lessons combining an introduction to the two dance forms. She's hooked. She's hoofing.

Sunday night was spent viewing YouTube examples par excellence en famille...Sammy Davis, Jr. (at age 7, nonetheless!), Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly...

Our motivated miss (so much so, she ran upstairs to don her dancing shoes) Makes My Monday.

Please comment or link up to share what Makes YOUR Monday! 

Mick: The Solo Tour

He wasn't named Jimi, Janis, Jon Bonham or Keith Moon, but sadly, before his time, Mick's hermit crab tank mate has gone on to the great after-show in the sky.

R.I.P., Ozzy.

You Need a DeLorean...

With He-Twin, over snacks and homework at our local coffee shop....

He-Twin: "Why is it that you can reverse the numbers around for multiplication and addition and the problem still works, but it doesn't for subtraction?"

Mom: "Just the rules of math, I suppose."

He-Twin: "You know the answer to that question would probably help with making a time machine."

Mom: "Do you think time travel is possible?"

He-Twin: "Sure."

Mom: "How?"

He-Twin: "You need a really powerful battery."

Mom: "Of course, but how would it work?"

He-Twin: "You'd have a clock where you adjust the hands to where you want to go."

Mom: "I get that, too; but what makes it work?"

He-Twin (exasperated): "A big red button!"

Meet Mick

Earlier this month, we travelled to Virginia Beach for our annual visit...our 6th. In years past, we've come home with magnets, frisbees from DoughBoys, salt water taffy, and without fail, photos galore and fabulous memories.

This year, we brought home living crustaceans. Unlike Larry Dog, who came canine complete with a pluperfect name, our two new hermit crabs were name neutral for over a week. Ultimatum given, She-Twin named the smallish, adventurous, painted showman of a crab (pictured above) the appropriate moniker, Mick.

His tank-mate is unpolished. He's a bit heavier and slower moving, but makes his presence known.

We'll send a signed print copy of Twinspiration (now available on Kindle and Nook!) to the first to guess his name correctly.

Hint: As you can safely assume from She-Twin's musical predilections, he is named for a rocker...but he is NOT one of the Rolling Stones.

Good luck!

Way Back When-esday: Pair in the Pile

Dateline: October 2004
Twins' Age: 3

With the first leaves of autumn falling, this image of my little rakers warms my mid-week!

Why don't you dive into your digital files and play along with Way Back When-esday?

Seek out an overlooked snapshot or scan a scrapbook find...share an image you might not otherwise. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and please leave a comment when you do!





Way-back when, Double Daddy and I wrote a book on twin pregnancy and life with twin infants. Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice from Pregnancy through the First Year (c. 2006, Taylor Trade) is not only available in bookstores nationwide, but it is now on Kindle and Nook! Check it out, and let us hear from you!

Makes My Monday: Tw-In Development

Now ten-years-old, She-Twin and He-Twin have enough life experience under their adjustable elastic waistbands to interpret and employ their own God-given skills and talents.

The 4th Annual Arts on the Grove Festival was held two weeks ago. In the three years preceding, both He and She elected to display their artwork proudly and submit pieces for the juried children's art show.

This year, they took divergent paths.

She-Twin:

He-Twin:

Learning---and loving---their twindividual leanings Makes My Monday.

Please comment or link up to share what Makes YOUR Monday! 





What else Makes My Monday this Monday? A LONG-awaited return to active blogging by the lovely Laura of Catholic Teacher Musings! She's always insightful, always inspiring, always a wonderful read. Be sure to pop by and welcome her back to blog-land!

Rearranging the Merchandise

Deny it if you wish, but poop is always funny.

Way Back When-esday: Shore Traditions

Dateline: Late Summer 2006
Twins' Age: 5

Last weekend, we traveled to Virginia Beach---belatedly yes, but Irene didn't succeed in canceling---for our annual family trip. As we checked in to our much-loved Comfort Inn on the oceanfront, we attempted to determine whether it was our fourth or fifth mini-vacation there...

Way Back When-esday confirms it---it was our SIXTH!

The sheer glee evident on He-Twin's face whenever he's by the Atlantic and She-Twin's determined sand sculpture concentration have changed little in the past six years.

Sand and sun warm my mid-week this Way Back When-esday.

Why don't you dive into your digital files and play along with Way Back When-esday?

Seek out an overlooked snapshot or scan a scrapbook find...share an image you might not otherwise. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and please leave a comment when you do!





Way-back when, Double Daddy and I wrote a book on twin pregnancy and life with twin infants. Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice from Pregnancy through the First Year (c. 2006, Taylor Trade) is not only available in bookstores nationwide, but it is now on Kindle and Nook! Check it out, and let us hear from you!

Messy Missy

Two days into our family life with two-yet-to-be-named hermit crabs...

Sarah: "You know, these hermit crabs irritate me. I get their little house all set up nice and they just rearrange it and make it all messy."

Mom: "You know, sometimes you irritate me, my little crab. We get your desk set up all nice and you rearrange it and let it get all messy."

At least she's carved out a place to do her homework...

Makes My Monday: Not Bueller

State fair fun a la Ferris wheel...

Giggles and grins from my guys Make My Monday.

In fourteen-hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue; but what makes this Monday work for YOU?

Please share what Makes YOUR Monday! We all have so very much to be grateful for....





What else Makes My Monday this Monday? A LONG-awaited return to active blogging by the lovely Laura of Catholic Teacher Musings! She's always insightful, always inspiring, always a wonderful read. Be sure to pop by and welcome her back to blog-land!

Way Back When-esday: Mudpies

Dateline: Late September 2008
Twins' Age: 7

Just over three years ago this week, my back was waaaaaaaay out.  As I was recuperating in bed for a weekend, Double Daddy made sure He-Twin and She-Twin had fun. Clearly (dare I say it's as clear as mud?), they did.

Looking back at our darling, dirty duo warms my heart this mid-week.

Why don't you dive into your digital files and play along with Way Back When-esday?

Seek out an overlooked snapshot or scan a scrapbook find...share an image you might not otherwise. Tell the tale and place a post on your blog. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and please leave a comment when you do!





Way-back when, Double Daddy and I wrote a book on twin pregnancy and life with twin infants. Twinspiration: Real-Life Advice from Pregnancy through the First Year (c. 2006, Taylor Trade) is not only available in bookstores nationwide, but it is now on Kindle and Nook! Check it out, and let us hear from you!

Captains Courageous

Found in He-Twin's homework folder...

Makes My Monday: Untreefeated

Bring your worst, Branches (oh wait, you already did!), He-Twin and She-Twin will still find joy climbing amongst you.

Pardoning the Pin Oak and finding leafy, loving forgiveness Makes My Monday.

Please share what Makes YOUR Monday! We all have so very much to be grateful for....