How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have a 13 year old boy, a 12 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. I moved when pregnant with my 3rd, so 10 and a 1/2 years ago. It’s gone soooo fast!
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time? I think the most difficult time was the early years. Lack of sleep, trying to “do it all”, keeping them safe at all times. I think delegating is huge! I had a “I can do it better” mentality(which was probably true, but….), turning down offers of assistance (husband and/or mother-in- laws) cause I could do it better. In retrospect that was foolish. Kids don’t care who puts on the better diaper and who folds the clothes nicely in your drawer who picks them up, etc….. Letting other people help is what bring them closer to your kids and your kids closer to them. I also learned that the kids don’t recall the day to day stuff you “killed” yourself to do for them. So take advantage of getting the fun stuff in also, and if someone can free you up to do it, don’t be afraid to take them up on it!
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? We have enjoyed a competitive round of mini golf at Norwalk Cove Marina and ice cream at Saugatuck Sweets for a treat!
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? Costa Rica! It was finally a trip of action. Beach vacations are good for certain ages, but can be a bit less exciting over time. Costa Rica offered beach time, but so much action which we loved… zip lining, river rafting, hiking, horseback on the beach, thermal pools, rainforest walks and new foods to taste as well.
What is the best white lie you have told your kids? That calamari was Italian style onion rings. Now my 10 year old wants “Calamari” everywhere we eat!
What is your proudest mommy moment? When another mom came up to me to tell me that she saw my son put his arm around her son and chat with him to make feel better about not making a team that all his friends made. If they care about others and not just themselves, then I am most proud!
What’s your favorite app right now- for you- and for your kids? My favorite is my NY Times app, so I can try to be informed about the world as being a busy mom can make you feel isolated from the world at times, and you feel as you live in a bubble. For me, knowledge is power! They also give a quick debrief of the top news in the AM or PM for especially busy days! For fun my other favorite is Realtor.com app. I love to see what’s available out there and what it looks like inside. I feed my inner real estate “agent”!
My favorite kid app is any app that gets them off FORTNITE.
Musical.ly app is also pretty cool.
What’s your can’t live without beauty product? MASCARA! Even if I have on nothing else on , mascara is needed.
What’s your favorite restaurant for a family dinner? To be honest, I don’t LOVE eating out with all 3 of my kids at the same time (they need more patience), but if we do go out, it’s Pink Sumo (happy hour best deal ever!!), Geronimo’s in Fairfield (easy to get seated and good food at a decent price point), Little Barn, or Craft 260 (Fairfield), and if it’s Saturday night and hard to get in anywhere, Tavern on Main is always a good option.
A night out with friends? So many good food options…..Barcelona, Jesup Hall, The Spread, OLE’….
What are you most excited about in life right now? Well the fact that I have 3 1/2 weeks without my children, which is a very nice break from parenting. It also gives my husband and I time to rebuild after a year of our “busy life with kids”.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? That I didn’t eat a FRESH vegetable (if not from a freezer with sauce, a can, or in Chinese food) until I was 13 years old. And now I am known to my friends for my salad/veggie concoctions. There is no vegetable I won’t eat!
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? I think it’s exactly as is should be. I am fulfilled in every way. However I wouldn’t mind being a ROCK STAR for a week or so.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do? I LOVE THIS QUESTION!! I would wake up and enjoy a hot cappuccino on my porch and read (no emails) for an hour. Then I would exercise (so not to feel guilty later), shower and head to a decadent 1 1/2 hour massage. Then I’d head to the Sherwood Diner for anything served with their Green Goddess salad dressing. Then I’d go off to Roundabout to find a fabulous something for a steal. Then I’d try to go to an estate auction preview (as I bid on items from my phone) or an actual estate sale. I love owning something with history or an item that is more interesting then the NEW stuff. Then I’d go for a spicy Bloody Mary at a restaurant with a water view with some girlfriends, followed by a delicious dinner outside with some close friends (both wives and husbands), and laugh until I cry! If I still have still time (and energy), I’d end the night with an episode of something binge worthy!
What is your most marked characteristic? I would say the fact that I am a vault. You tell me something and it goes no further. I keep secrets.
What do you most value in your friends? Caring for others and sense of humor.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? Well my daughter was signed up for a dance class at the Y and I paid for a year in advance (she decided after class #1 that it wasn’t for her and she wanted a FULL ballet class). I asked if they could squeeze her in and they said YES, if I could assist the teacher. Background check, recommendations, 50 page application later and…. VOILA, I am an assistant ballet teacher! My daughter promptly quits the class and I am teaching ballet and getting a sitter for my daughter. A dance teacher is BORN!
