living the dream :: Page 7 :: Elizabeth McGuire

High Higher Highest

Posted on August 18, 2011 by ewm | 8 Comments

We started the climb where the rivers divide, where the waters must decide if they are West Coast or East Coast material. For more than two hours we hiked, crossing creeks like seasoned tight-rope walkers. We talked to scampering chipmunks, looked for elk scat, counted wildflowers in every color of the rainbow. To my surprise, the kids needed little more…

Miss you. And you and you and you and you.

Posted on August 7, 2011 by ewm | 4 Comments

Yep, after four days away, I missed the family. But only when the plane touched down in Austin and I knew I was a mere 30 minutes from their fierce hugs and sloppy kisses. What I’m missing now, hours after I tucked in each monkey, are all the incredibly talented and hilarious women I met this weekend at BlogHer11. I…

Delish

Posted on August 1, 2011 by ewm | 5 Comments

How can I possibly leave my glamorous daily life during this brutal Texas summer for a few days in San Diego at the incredible BlogHer11 conference? Words can’t describe how easy it will be! * * * If you will be there too, please drop me a note! Would love to see some of my bloggy pals!

What can we do nowwww?

Posted on June 16, 2011 by ewm | 6 Comments

A couple things to note about having three kids home during the summer. 1.) Smiley’s reliable* 3-hour nap is only helpful to me if I can also keep his siblings occupied during this blessed chunk of time. 2.) This is coincidentally the time of day that I regret our family rules about limited video game time. Of the many options…

Bursting

Posted on June 9, 2011 by ewm | 4 Comments

I’m back in town…and we have jumped right into our summer routine, which so far consists of swim team practice in the mornings and whining in the afternoons. That is, until yesterday, when I kicked the big kids out of the house during Smiley’s naptime. I got almost 90 minutes of uninterrupted computer time, the kids got early baths, and…

Wrapping up

Posted on May 24, 2011 by ewm | 4 Comments

Today and most every day for the next week, I will be helping the biggest of my little people squeeze every last ounce out of their school year. Lately it’s all about the celebrating and the cherishing. There is plenty to honor: great friends, creative teachers and a warm school community top the list. Nine months ago, in celebration of…

Rhetorical questions? (vol. 5)

Posted on May 23, 2011 by ewm | 4 Comments

Wait, don’t answer that! * Should I offer him a biscuit for waiting so patiently? * Could the force be any stronger with this pediatrician? * Is this what the experts mean by parallel play? * Right foot blue…left elbow and belly yellow? * Does a map of your home state command this much respect? * Are all little boys…

Prelude to a dogpile

Posted on May 16, 2011 by ewm | 4 Comments

A parenting fact: If you happen to lie belly-down within 20 feet of your children, there is no escaping the inevitable.

Time machine

Posted on May 3, 2011 by ewm | 9 Comments

This month, five years ago, I had babies galore. Now, I have children and lightsabers and bookmarks galore. I have camp forms to complete and teacher gifts to buy. I have end-of-the-year everything filling my calendar. Summer is looming and vast and so very enticing. Five years ago summer meant little more than a change in pool hours. Now, it…

Herculean lessons

Posted on April 25, 2011 by ewm | 2 Comments

Yesterday we spent a perfect Easter Sunday enjoying some family time in nature’s sanctuary… And because holidays are often about the teaching of lessons and the passing down of important family traditions, we taught the kids how to do this… We also assured them someday they would think the photo op was hilarious. Really. It is. Don’t tell them otherwise.