Don Brinkleone on Mobsters and Mommies

don't be fooled... they are criminal masterminds!

last night, laying in bed, skip asked me "what are you thinking about?" i answered him, "well, i'm mostly thinking about how being a mom is like being the boss of an organized crime family." i was met with momentary silence, and then "really? how so?" so here are my thoughts.

1. EXTORTION: according to webster, it's to "elicit by cunning or persuasiveness." i submit the following: i, the cunning and persuasive mother, recognise that my 6 year old is profoundly attached to his blankie. we're going to meet the principal at the new school. his behavior is not leading us toward "making a good impression." i whisper in his ear, "best behavior please, or when we get home, i will cut your blankie up and light the pieces on fire."

2. BRIBERY: "anything given to persuade or induce." this can be summed up in one word: candy

3. GAMBLING: the kids are tired and cranky. it's 5:pm. i really need a gallon of milk for tomorrow's breakfast. this would involve a trip into the store, kids in tow. it's a gamble: if i leave them in the car, they could be kidnapped. if i take them in the store, they could be publicly beaten. toss the dice!

4. INSIDER TRADING: i often ask my friends, "what's your best parenting move?" responses can't be posted, as today's computer savvy children might crack into our best-kept secrets. but get with me, we'll talk. behind satriale's meat market. no wires.

5. ITALIAN TIES: we really eat a lot of pizza

6. LA COSA NOSTRA: it's our thing, right? we each do the best we can with the skills we have. being a mom is a thrill... it's up and down and it stretches your emotions like you never dreamed. but it's our thing, and we wouldn't trade it for the world.

Back to Life...

I figured I'd give it a try... the whole blogging thing. There are always stories to tell, and friends or family far away who might want to hear them. If you're reading, I guess you're one of them. I'll start with a quick recap of the summer... the woman who thought it would be nice to have one, maybe two children (aka, ME) has five. Five may seem like a small number to some, but to me, it's like, well, a lot more than one or two.

Mika and Jordan are . They love basketball and big hair. Both try to grow out their fro, success is questionable.

Samantha is . She is like a small zoologist. She learned so much about birds and whales this summer. She loves her cats, Tommy and Ollie. She was a second set of hands helping me in the kitchen, doing Noe's hair, and keeping the boys in line.

Keola is . He loves good looking females. No age discrimination whatsoever. His favorite lines include "Hubba hubba" and "Whoa! She's cute!" He will soon be locked in a high tower, with a time-release lock set for July 10, 2019.

Noe is . Most of you know she wears hearing aids, which she calls "earring aids". Because of her hearing impairment, she is REALLY LOUD. She is why we maintain a strong stock portfolio with shares in Tylenol. (This is preferable to putting all our money into Jack Daniels). She is a cheerful, loving child who loves tattling.

Skip and I have been married for 8 months. Best 8 months of my life!! He's active duty army, just came home from Iraq last fall. He now works for the ROTC program at a university. He's from Los Angeles, which means, yes... a Lakers fan. Anyone who knows me knows my blood runs Celtic-green, and this is a very big step for me to take. Marrying a Lakers fan. If we ever have an arguement, the loser has to wear a Bird or Johnson jersey for 24 hours... so we just don't fight! It's perfect.

Anyway. That's us in a nutshell right now.