Tuesday, August 12, 2008

"Twas the night before our European vacation.

'Twas the night before our European vacation, and all I had on my mind,

was public parenting in Poland, I know I will find.



It has been quite a while, since my last trip there,

I was without children then and without a care.



The old grey haired ladies sitting around at the park,

Will surly not be ready for us and will bark,

“Quiet! Hush, hush. They are too loud, you see!”

My children are from America, the land of PC.

In Europe, it is acceptable, for people to comment,

On loud rowdy children misbehaving that moment.



Perhaps the entire nation of grey haired ladies has changed.

Perhaps I can blackmail with candy, it can be arranged.



My kids are loud, dramatic, and free like a bird,

“Your hands are full” in English I have overheard.

“My heart is full too” is how I usually respond,

As I grab all three kids whom are scattered around.



Here in the US, an old man gives me a slight frown.

The woman at Panera rolls her eyes before looking down.

The elderly couple holding hands at the park look away,

As my sleepy baby throws up her tired arms in despair.



Not one, or two, but three kids I have carried,

All under my heart, my love has never been hurried.



A look, an action, a glare are all unspoken.

In Europe, I hope my children's spirits aren’t broken,

By the little grey haired lady sipping her tea,

Whom will yell out, “Discipline your children, you softy!”



I am sure that I am over reacting a tad bit,

As a mother I do that a lot, I must admit.



We will guide the kids through cobble stone streets by the sea,

Pointing out balloons, at the market, to the wild banshee.

We will smile and skip to the first ice cream store,

And run through the sand dunes ready to explore.

We will walk up the stairs in St. Jack’s clock tower,

And know that when we are together we have power,

To create our own stories which later we will read.

And smile out loud knowing where we have journeyed.



Unfazed by little grey haired ladies sitting in the parks,

We will be drunk with our happiness surrounded by landmarks.



Good week to all, dear friends of mine.

It is hard to stop talking in a rhyme.



Dobranoc.  Bonne nuit.  And good night, for a short time.

Hoping to pop in every once in a while.

78classy comments:

maggie said...

Enjoy good times and realize that you'll never see the non-people-you-know bunch of naysayers again. Screw them. Enjoy your trip, fully and your way.

Miss said...

You are beautiful. Give those blue hairs the one fingered AMERICAN Salute when they say anything to you!! They cant bring down the OHFamily spirit! I will miss you deeply!!

Victoria said...

Great poem, and great picture.

I hope you don't hold your breath too much -- after all, you will be coming home.

Have FUN!!!

Cynthia said...

Good Lord...where did you find the time to rhyme? Wait, now I'm doing it:O
Have a great trip:)

Amy said...

Who cares what they say? Have a fab time doing things the OhMommy way!

OHmommy said...

Teeheee...

Everyone is rhyming for me.

dlyn said...

Have a great time & make awesome memories with the banshees!

Chelsea said...

Oh, this is so France. I don't even have children and I know what you are talking about.
Love the poem. Do all moms gain a knack for poetry when they have kids? My mom did...

Chelsea said...

Oh, and I am so excited for you all! Have a great time!

Blessings From Above said...

Okay, I would be so overwhelmed getting ready for a trip overseas with three kids. But, you OHMommy do it with class and a fabulous poem. I am in awe!

Have a great trip, you'll be missed.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I hope you have a great time, and the little old ladies give you a break.
xoxo

carrie said...

Oh, have a wonderful, wonderful time - don't let those ladies get to you, just smile. . . real big!

I hope the books made it.

L. Lemanski said...

Just smile (it'll melt the naysayers' hearts, I'm certain), hold Jay, Lola, and Fifi's hands, cherish each moment and memory.

Chances are, the bliss of sharing this wonderful experience will have you not even noticing anything else but those three little dolls . . .

the dragonfly said...

Enjoy your holiday!! A trip to Poland is such a wonderful gift for your children!

Kash said...

SUCH a cute poem. Be glad your kids won't understand! You are overreacting. You are going to have SUCH a good time. I cannot wait to hear every detail. Will you have digits when you are there?

Sarah G said...

Looking forward to your "how to travel in Europe with three kids" tips! Don't worry about what other people think - you have a beautiful family and they're all so happy.

Jodee said...

Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Love the poem!

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Have a fabulous time...we took our kids when they were going into 3rd and 7th grades. It was QUITE a time, expecially in Amsterdam when a street bum holding a joint walked right up to us, pointed to Lorelai and said, "I like her..." Talk about flying into a MAMA RAGE...I'm pretty sure he was sorry...

Unknown said...

“My heart is full too” is how I usually respond,


I will have to remember this comment, it's a great response.
Have a wonderful trip and don't let those babcias scare you.

Ellyn said...

Have a great vacation.
I love that picture of your kids.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Have a great time!

And, who cares what those strangers have to say, right?

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

You will have a wonderful time away....and your children might just surprise you!

Relax and Enjoy....savor every moment!!

You are soooo talented my friend....that was wonderful....just curious how long it took you to come up with that one!!

Lisa

GypsiAdventure said...

Have a wonderfully good time OH. I'm sure those gray haired ladies are nothing compared to a mother of three and her love of her children.

Be safe in your travels!
~K

Katie Ryan said...

Have a great time. Can't wait for you to get back and tell us all about it.

Mandy said...

Awesome rhyming!!!! Ha-ha!!!

Have a great trip!!! :)

Lisa said...

That picture is just beautiful....

I must steal a phrase from you - I will forever respond when people comment how "full my hands are" about how "full my heart is". That may be one of my favorite things you've ever said....

Have the most lovely trip. You have so much to be proud of. You are the fruition of the American dream. Your kids are well-mannered, full of life, and beautiful to boot. Those blue haired ladies will probably break out a smile in spite of themselves when they see the five of you walking by! Soak it all up...just like I know you will! Can't wait to hear the stories when you return!!!

Crystal D said...

I absolutely can't wait to hear your stories. Between you and your sister I feel like I am having a very worldly last couple weeks of my pregnancy.
I hope you all have a safe, calm and enjoyable flight. Have a wonderful time!!

Anonymous said...

I suck at rhyming, I know the school teacher in you in screaming inside right now about that. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Mama Smurf said...

Have a fun and safe trip!

krissy said...

You are good at poems. How sweet.
Don't worry about the gray haired women. Most the time they are deaf and can't hear anyways.

And if they do say something, let them know that having blue hair is non-acceptable in USA so there!!!!

Have a great trip with your family and don't let the grumps bring you down. You can always throw a temper tantrum yourself and really baffle them!

haniaski said...

Please give Babcia and Dziadek big kiss from me.Love H

Kat said...

And perhaps all those outspoken little old ladies will love to see your precious little ones so full of life and laughter that they won't even notice if they are a tad to noisy. :)
Have a wonderful time!

Val said...

Hope you have a great time. Be safe and enjoy!

Heather said...

Have a great vacation. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Hailey said...

Have a great time!

Courtney said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip. Don't let those grey haired ladies break your wonderful spirit either!

Anonymous said...

I love it! Enjoy. I used to get upset when Sarah would throw a tantrum in public then I got over it. It will be ok. We will miss you too!

Natalie said...

Oooh, how exciting! I hope you have a lot of fun. I think it will be a great experience for your kids!

April said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Beautiful poem, beautiful kids, beautiful pic.

Can't wait to hear how it goes!

AutoSysGene said...

I hope y'all have a great trip!! And poo poo to those old grey hair ladies...

Jill said...

Have a fantastic time! Look forward to the stories!

tiarastantrums said...

Have a FAB-U-LOUS trip!
I hope the children are awesome on the l-o-n-g flight!!

taawd said...

have a great time, it will no doubt change your life and have a big impact on the kiddies as well.

can't wait to hear about the trip!

Mary Beth said...

Have a wonderful time!

Marmarbug said...

I love your respomse to "Your hands are full." Love it.
Ad poo on them! you are a great momma!

Kendra said...

Love the poem.
Hope you have a great trip. Can't wait to read all about it.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful photograph! So carefree....

Have a fun, safe trip and we will be waiting to hear all about it!

Clare said...

OhMommy you are so clever and cute!! Your children will be so well behaved, I can just feel it:) It will be a wonderful trip, and I am so glad you are going! Travel safely! Love, clare

Anti-Supermom said...

Have an wonderful time with your immediate and extended family. Enjoy every minute of it.

Happy Days said...

That was so cute and clever! I love the picture too!

Unknown said...

so when you hang up with me by saying "i have to go. i have so much to do" it really translates to "i have to make up this elaborate rhyme for tomorrow's blog?"

...i'm starting to see a pattern...safe travels to the OhFamily!!

Helen Wright said...

Have a great time!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

First, what a LOVELY picture. Gorgeous.

Next, travel safely. Enjoy your time together and remember that those strangers who may say something are just that: STRANGERS. They have no place in your vacation memories, so ignore them.

Have fun!

Unknown said...

I have a certain Polish Aunt who is quite mouthy herself. I don't think they will think the kids are too loud and if they do, so what? Have a great trip!! : )

Unknown said...

Ok, hope I didn't sound rude in the above comment. Obviously American women can be mouthy too (case in point: me!)

Robin said...

When the kids get rowdy and loud and act like Yanks
Remember the blessings in your heart and say a silent "Thanks"

Nicky said...

Loved it! Bon Voyage!

Ashley said...

Have an awesome trip and WOW do I love that photograph!

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Polska and that the kids love seeing your homeland as much as you love showing it to them. And, enjoy the books.

Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...

THIS WAS GREAT!
You are like a budding Dr. Seuss.
LOL!

Email me if you get a chance, (I know you are headed to a window seat) I have a fun proposition for you and a couple other HIGH HITTING blogger moms!

Jenelle said...

Hmm...you know, in a way, it might be nice if it was PC to tell other kids to mind their manners in America. Some parents sure don't do it! I'm sure your kids will be peachy though. :)

Have a great trip!

Anonymous said...

"My kids are loud, dramatic, and free like a bird,

“Your hands are full” in English I have overheard.

“My heart is full too” is how I usually respond"

So true . . . so very true.

Tena said...

Good... no great post!!!! Have a blast! Can't wait to see pictures and hear all about your trip!

Maggie, Dammit said...

Dude.

How'd you learn to rhyme like that??

And, that picture?

Wow.

Have a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful trip.

Day-um.

Rhea said...

scary rhyming. OHmommy Suess.

Good luck in Poland! Great picture of the kiddos!

Karen said...

Turn a deaf ear - yours are some of the happiest kids I know because you let them be who they are and explore their world.

Have a great time!

Kim said...

I am so jealous that you are getting away!!! Who cares what others will say.. (I am NOT trying to do..hahah)

Enjoy your vacation OhMommy!!! Cannot wait to see the pictures!!

Joggingincircles

CC said...

Hugs! Have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wendi said...

I have finally come for a visit.
I am still so behind on my reader...and it seems I just keep getting further and further.
How exciting that you are taking the kids to your native country.
All will be fine.
If the grey hairs are rude...apparently it is okay to be rude back!
Have a fabulous time.
Make wonderful memories.

*The photo of the kiddos...breathtaking!!!

The Daily Stroll said...

Great poem! You are very talented OhMommy! Hope you have a wonderful vacation and can find some time for a little relaxation :) Enjoy exploring Poland and I look forward to reading the updates!

Eve Grey said...

I hope you have a wonderful wonderful time. Don't worry about the grey haired ladies, most of them are sweet & those that aren't are sad their lives didn't turn out the way they wanted. I have the opposite experience with my mother-in-law's German lady friends. They spoil my kdis rotten & give them candy & toys all the time!
Can't wait to hear about your adventures!

just jamie said...

You are amazing. Simply amazing.

Best wishes on your journey!

Kellan said...

I hope you all have a wonderful trip! What a great adventure! Be safe and have FUN!

Kellan

Tena said...

When you get back from your European vacation I have a present for you on my blog

http://5150mommy.blogspot.com/2008/08/thursday-13-tings-i-am-certain-of-i.html

Eloise said...

Have a wonderful trip! I can't wait to see pictures and hear details. I would like to visit Poland (Prague is as close as I've gotten).

3 Peanuts said...

Do not let those grey haired ladies judge you!!! I would take talkative and spirited children anyday over meek ones:) I have very outgoing and spirited children:)

JCK said...

This was great!

Jaina said...

What a neat poem! I love your adaptation, and I really hope they gray haired old ladies are nice to your children. That photo is absolutely beautiful.

 

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