Carpools and Cappuccinos: The Prelude

I can say hands down that raising kids has been the most fun and challenging thing I have done my entire life.

I am a 30-something mom and business owner surrounded by testosterone. Literally.  I love all of my boys (ages 9, 7 and almost 2) more than anything, and find a lot of humor in the day-in and day-outs of everyday life.

I adore my family and friends, need coffee, love to sing and play the piano, love restaurants and traveling.

I wish I had a bigger house, a bigger car and a bigger bank account, but have found much happiness in just enjoying what we have and who we have.

I have learned that the key to raising boys is to simply wear them out. I have learned that I ALWAYS underestimate my kids. As much as I think I can do it all, I can't. But I still try... don't we all?

As I perform my daily juggling act, I laugh at myself a little bit.  This is a habit that I have come to embrace... considering that some days my mind is one boggled "to do" list.

I find more humor in my life as a mom, wife and business owner than I ever did as a teenager (NOTHING was funny back then), college student (a bit of a haze) or 20-something.

So, I find myself in the predicament of wanting to document the insanity, humor and pure realness of this life that I lead raising my kids.

My audience? It could only be those of you who are living the same insanity... and can relate to those day to day things that happen that just have to make you take a good look at yourself and laugh.

Have you ever had your 5 year old ask the man in front of you in line at the grocery store if he was having a baby? (I don't think my face has ever been so red in my life).

Has your child ever taken exactly 2 hours and 12 minutes to chew and swallow one piece of broccoli?  (yes, it's true.)

Have you ever had to untie one of your children from the Christmas tree?  (you can't make this stuff up.)

What about having one of your boys pull down their pants to relieve themselves on the shore in front of a huge crowd of people on the beach?  (I'm trying to forget that one.)

The list goes on and on (and on).  If you can relate, you and I are living parallel lives... and you just might find some connection with what's written here.

As I post to the blog, I hope that you can have a laugh and then call your girlfriends for a night out or a cup of coffee. I'm not sure what I would have done without my friends all of these years. They are a gift... and have helped me stay surprisingly sane.

With that said, embrace the insanity, and then schedule your pedicure. I've gotta run, it's way too quiet back in the boy's room... more to come soon!

If you want to read some "vintage" posts, go to www.carpoolsandcappuccinos.blogspot.com.