From Trike to Two Wheeler

My Girl's Got Gusto

A few weeks ago, I smiled as I watched my daughter walk up to the plate wearing her pink batting helmet that she had decorated with stickers and carrying the bat my husband had painted pink.

Posted 4 mon. ago.

When I was the wise old age of 17, I declared to anyone that would listen that I would never drive a minivan. Even though I hoped that kids were in my future, I was positive that I could be a mom without driving such a "mom mobile." Maybe a nice SUV, but never a van.

Posted 4 mon. ago.

My Favorite Age

There is something about my childrenâs birthdays that make me sentimental. When my son turned six a few weeks ago, I found a few quiet minutes amid the celebration to look through his scrapbooks. As I flipped through the pages, I tried to decide my favorite age up to this point in my career as mother. The baby days were special to me because this was when I realized how much it is possible to…

Posted 4 mon. ago.

In Appreciation of Teachers

As I got our end of the year gifts ready to send to school, I had the sinking feeling that they were totally inadequate. Even with a handwritten card from my kids, the token gifts just didnât seem to express what I really wanted to say. I wanted to thank the teachers for not only teaching my kids, but for also caring about them and taking care of them throughout the school year.

Posted 5 mon. ago.

First Friendships

As I climbed into the driverâs seat of my minivan, I heard whimpering coming from behind me. I turned around to see my daughter sitting in her booster seat trying not to cry, but the tears were escaping down her cheeks. âMommy, I am never going to see her again!â She said and then the tears started flowing.

Posted 5 mon. ago.

Holding Hands

As I walked with my kids along the Secret Creek trail at Durant Nature Park, my daughter reached over and grabbed my hand. At first I didnât even notice since she holds my hand almost every time we are walking near each other. Maybe it was because I had realized a few days before that she is only 14 inches shorter than me. Or perhaps because she will be a big second grader in the fall. But I …

Posted 5 mon. ago.

Duck Races

When we got back from Disney World last fall, a family friend asked my kids about their favorite part of the trip. I listened excitedly to see how they would answer the question. Would they talk about learning to dance the hula at Oâhanaâs?Â Would it be riding Test Track three times in a row? Or getting picked as chef of the day in the Year of Million Dreams promotion? Both kids respo…

Posted 5 mon. ago.

Happy Half Birthday

In honor of my daughter turning seven and a halfÂ last month, I want to share one of our favorite family traditions. Instead of just celebrating birthdays in the Gregory house, we also have a half birthday celebration six months from each childâs birthday. In spring 2004, I realized that Laurel would be two and a half in a few days and decided that we needed to add some fun to our week. Wi…

Posted 6 mon. ago.

Letter to my Son

A few weeks ago, I found a letter that I wrote to my son when he was a newborn. My son had been born six weeks early and spent the first week of his life in the NICU. When he was about six weeks old, I realized that his due date was the next day. While I was watching him sleep that afternoon, I wrote down my thoughts. July 23, 2003 Dear Trevor,

Posted 6 mon. ago.

My Mother's Day Present

Last week my husband asked me what I wanted for Motherâs Day.Â I thought about asking for a pedicure, but it seemed extravagant in this economy. I pondered asking for some more flowers for the yard, but decided that my garden was already full. I realized what I really wanted for Motherâs Day. A nap. A long nap where the house is quiet and no one interrupts my slumber to ask for a gla…

Posted 6 mon. ago.

about this blog

From Trike to Two Wheeler

Jennifer Gregory left Florida almost 11 years ago to escape the heat and enjoys living in a place where the seasons change. She lives in Youngsville, N.C., which she usually refers to as north of Wake Forest, and has been married to her husband for almost 10 years. As the mom of two kids and three dogs, her house is filled with lots of joyful noise and barking. Her daughter (7) is convinced that she will be a princess when she grows up and her son (5) has aspirations of being the next Dale Jr. After years of writing software documentation for various companies, she "retired" when her daughter was born to become a stay at home mom. Now that her kids are in school, she has finally figured out what she wants to be when she grows up. She spends her mornings as a freelance writer and her afternoons hanging out with her kids. The only things she misses about living in Florida are her friends and family, Publix fried chicken and going to Florida Gator football games.