living the dream :: Page 4 :: Elizabeth McGuire

It’s happening

Posted on April 23, 2013 by ewm | 2 Comments

Between the monkeys and the puppy, it’s a miracle I’m getting anything done around here. But somehow, things are all coming together. This year’s Listen to Your Mother show is happening in just a couple weeks and it’s going to be fantastic. We have a very talented cast of writers and performers, ready to blow you away with their heartache…

Unscientific Method

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ewm | 5 Comments

Problem: Is it possible for parents to help their child with her first Science Fair project without having a nervous breakdown? Hypothesis: No. Considering the combined parental baggage of perfectionism, overly optimistic time management skills, three kids, two jobs, and various other non-optional duties such as grocery shopping and showering. Procedure: Start early! Make a plan! Buy adorable radish seeds…

Merry signs of life

Posted on December 21, 2012 by ewm | 15 Comments

As if I needed any more reminding, our Christmas tree stands proudly in the living room bearing all the signs that kids live here. The gaudy seahorse, who apparently hit the Black Friday sales rack at Sam Moon and couldn’t stop herself; the salt-dough gingerbread boy who is painted in nontraditional Christmas attire because its creator went through an extended…

Counting

Posted on November 27, 2012 by ewm | 9 Comments

This mother’s prayer for today: Please never stop saying eleventeen. * * * If this rings true, you might like these oldies but goodies: Resilience and Deaf Ears.

10 Truths About Hosting Your Daughter’s First Slumber Party

Posted on October 6, 2012 by ewm | 14 Comments

1. If tears are not shed the week before the party, you aren’t trying hard enough. If your daughter is old enough for a slumber party, you are experienced enough to know the emotional build-up to any birthday is a tragic, unavoidable reality. This is particularly true for monumental celebrations (Hello, remember your 40th?) and especially brutal when a party…

On the road

Posted on September 8, 2012 by ewm | 13 Comments

The twisting, two-lane road running from summertime to schooltime is littered with countless potholes and ridiculous roadside attractions. The Valley of Cute New Alarm Clocks, which seems novel and thrilling at first, loses its luster once everyone realizes it is only open before dawn. Both the World’s Largest Pile of Paper and the Museum of Uneaten Lunches will leave you…

Elbow room

Posted on August 25, 2012 by ewm | 7 Comments

Visual proof that the road trip temporarily known as Hell on Wheels was well worth the effort once we arrived. All we had to do was give each kid his/her very own mountain. (Click collage to enlarge.) Happy End of Summer, y’all!!

Get there

Posted on August 15, 2012 by ewm | 16 Comments

What’s not to love about a family road trip?

Voices

Posted on August 8, 2012 by ewm | 29 Comments

I’m no public speaking pro. In fact, up until recently I would have preferred to get a colonoscopy in front of 3,000 people rather than speak in front of them. But sometimes life surprises you and you get to surprise it right back. In May, one of my essays was selected as a Voice of the Year for the BlogHer…

Diving deep

Posted on July 29, 2012 by ewm | 5 Comments

If summer were one long road trip, we would have now reached the point when the kids start singing 999 Bottles of Beer on the Wall and I consider if we have enough bungie cords to hold them on the roof for at least a few minutes. It’s really just too hot for us to be in the car all…