Cate

Cate: Hi, my name is Cate and I started this blog in February, 2010. I have a full time gig – as a buyer in online retail – outside of my mom duties, though I have spent a combined 7 years as a SAHM. I have been married to my funny, handsome husband since 1996. We have 3 beautiful, headstrong, smart, untidy kids. Did I mention they are goofy? They are.

My writing is about our family adventures. My Hubs, our kids Itchy, Scratchy, and Trouble as well as our two goldendoodles Cooper and Catie, and two frogs from growafrog.com named Flash and Spaz.

Real life is funny. And messy. And frustrating. And delicious. I like writing about the humor in family life – because it helps me keep it in perspective. On my one year blogoversary - I invited two of the most amazing and talented people I know to write on this blog with me – my sisters, JB & Andy.

Our goal with the Real Life with Kids blog is to share our adventures in a way that will make you laugh and want to stop by often. These days it is easy to get caught up in expecting life to be as tidy as it appears in the media. This can result in disappointment, let down, and the consumption of ice cream equal to more than one serving.

When you stop by I hope you’ll get a kick out of seeing what our real life with kids is like – and know that it is usually not color coordinated and sometimes gets called to the principal’s office. Remember, matching socks are not required here…

Hubs: Texas boy – met him in Texas where we were both working. He grew up around Dallas and has been all over the US. He went to culinary school and is almost solely responsible for the junk in my trunk. (That means how big my backside has gotten, Mom). He has lived in DC and Rhode Island but you wouldn’t be able to tell he’s anything but a Nebraskan through and through. Check out the Husker red shirt! He’s hilariously funny, an awesome dad and husband, and a big fan of me – usually – which is a great characteristic in a hubby.

Itchy: My firstborn is (when hormones aren’t crazy) grace personified. I’m sure you’ll agree that this isn’t just a mom’s prejudice if you ever have the chance to meet her. She is 13. She has spearheaded 3 outreach missions at our church to raise money or gather items for children at the local homeless shelters. She loves to read and she loves animals. She volunteers for a local Siberian Husky rescue group and wants to someday run her own animal shelter. She has told her father and me a few times, voice wavering, that “it is very difficult raising two boys.”

Scratchy: Our middle child is stubborn, creative, stubborn, intelligent, stubborn, and funny. He loves social studies and science and has written some great poetry that you’ll find here on the blog. Itchy is his “straight man” and he counts on her to laugh at his jokes and stunts. Scratchy has probably been our biggest parenting challenge to date – as you may have noticed above – he is somewhat stubborn. However, he has an amazing heart, a quick wit, and a beautiful soul. He is 11.

Trouble: Just when we thought it was safe to get rid of all our baby gear – and had done so – we found out we were expecting our 3rd little bundle of love. Trouble is 4 years younger than Scratchy and alternates between looking up to his brother and sister and instigating situations that will get them in trouble. Hence his nickname. He is a hugger. He is a flirter. In first grade he wanted to buy some Skechers boots for not one but two girls in his class. Tall black boots. With silver buckles. He can rarely be found without a Hot Wheels car in each hand.

Cooper & Catie: Both of our dogs are Goldendoodles – which is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle. Cooper is 2 years old and Catie turned 1 in May. Cooper needs sedatives when the fourth of July rolls around, Catie would attack and or lick to death any fireworks around her. Cooper is 80+lbs of somewhat restrained lovable goofiness. Catie is about 60lbs of lip gloss eating, sock eating & then throwing up, cuddle loving hyperactivity.