Today’s guest blogger is Cheryl Clemens, former co-editor of Maryland Family magazine.

Friday was Betsy Stein’s last day as editor of Maryland Family. Betsy hired me part time as assistant editor in 2003 when I was trying to ease back into the workforce after several years at home with my children. We soon became co-editors and spent the next seven years putting together a magazine that mirrored what was going on in our own lives. Potty training? Let’s write a story. Tween crushes? Let’s write a story. Night terrors? Breastfeeding issues? Homework drama?

It truly was a labor of love.

 
And while Betsy was an amazing co-worker, she was an even better girlfriend. 

Now, we all have girlfriends we can talk to and hang out with. But Betsy brings something extra to that table that many women — in spite of a crew of girlfriends — don’t have.

Betsy is honest. Brutally honest. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything to preserve your feelings. She tells you exactly what she thinks and while sometimes it can be a lot to take in, it is the trait I value most in her.

 
She’s never mean about it or judgmental. She just tells it like it is, and that’s something we women don’t do enough of. We get so caught up in being supportive that often we don’t tell each other the one thing we need to hear — the truth. If these pants make my butt look big, please tell me so I can wear something more flattering. If I overreacted in a meeting, please tell me so I can make it right. If I turned in a story that wasn’t my best effort, tell me so I can improve it. If I’m not doing my best, call me on it and challenge me to do better. Don’t make excuses for me or listen patiently while I whine. Be my friend by being honest with me so I can be honest with myself.

 
Betsy has always been that woman in my circle of friends.

 
She will be missed at Maryland Family, but I know the stories she brainstormed and the wisdom imparted on the pages of the magazines benefitted tens of thousands of parents and will continue to do so.

 
So take a page from Betsy’s book and never hesitate to share your knowledge with other parents, support your friends, love all the children in your life and be honest with each other.

 
Be like Betsy.

It is with much sadness that I tell you, that this is my last blog for ‘My Maryland Family.’

After 21 years with Patuxent Publishing (now Baltimore Sun Media Group), 10 of those years as editor of Maryland Family magazine, and three years blogging for ‘My Maryland Family,’ I am leaving for different horizons.

Before I started this blog, I didn’t even know what a blog was. But when we created this website and my boss suggested we start blogging, I dove right in, and I have loved every minute of it. I have enjoyed sharing the antics in my house, the struggles I’ve encountered as a parent and the rays of light that come from having kids. This blog has forced me to focus on my No. 1 vocation — that of mom to a brood of four — and to chronicle our lives in a way that I never would have considered doing otherwise.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know my family and our quirks. The blog hasn’t been great literature or even deeply profound — but it’s always come from my heart. Your occasional comments or words in passing have kept me going. And just knowing that I have readers out there, no matter how few, has kept me thinking about my crazy life and what might be worth sharing.

I am sad to go and sad to leave this blog behind. It was not an easy decision, but I know in my heart it is time. Maybe, one day, I’ll start a blog of my own. I’ll let you now if I do.

Today’s guest blogger is Jennifer Broadwater, managing editor. She will be writing weekly reflections on her first pregnancy.
Carrying a baby girl seems to have sent my girly hormones into overdrive. Or, does this happen during all pregnancies?

A sampling of the ever-growing list of things that make me cry:

-The opening number in the Broadway musical “The Lion King” that I recently saw at the Hippodrome (To be clear, this is a compliment.)

-Watching “Baby’s First Day” on TLC

-Saying goodbye to my infant nephew Tommy in California

-Watching Coach Eric Taylor’s wife cry and struggle with post-partum and caring for a newborn solo while her husband is away coaching his team in season 2 of “Friday Night Lights”

-Failing my one-hour glucose test and having to go back for the three-hour test (I passed, but more on that in a future post.)

-Becky getting rejected on this week’s episode of “Glee”

-This Google Chrome “Dear Sophie” commercial (Waterworks-big time! I’m tearing up just thinking about it.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk

-Sleeping … apparently. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night at a full-on sob at least 3 times now. I can’t recall any particular dreams linked to the tears, however.

Other recent observations:

-I’m getting clumsy.

-Who knew putting on socks required a strategy?

-My belly button has almost disappeared.

-Indigestion and heart burn are my new companions.

-I’ve abandoned fashion for comfort. I haven’t even toyed with the notion of wearing a pair of heels since November. (I broke down and started wearing Ugg-style boots, which up until now I considered hideous.)

-It makes me laugh out loud when I feel Baby Broadwater doing what I can only imagine are somersaults.

-I can still beat the competition at Wii “Just Dance.” (except Luke- he’s got some good moves!)

Jonah is my Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kid.

Yesterday morning he was so cranky he had absolutely nothing nice to say to me or anyone else in the family. Actually, I don’t think he said anything at all. He just grunted and groaned all morning from the moment I woke him up until the time I dropped him off at school.

But it was a whole different story when I picked him up. He ran out of school and practically knocked me over with a huge hug. And as I handed out fliers to the other parents about an upcoming event, he trailed behind chattering and telling me, ”I love you so much momma.”

How could a child change so much in just a few hours?

I wish there was a potion to keep my loving Jekyll Jonah all the time.

When my 11-year-old son gets into something, he GETS INTO IT.

For years it was Pokemon. He would spend every cent of his allowance on new Pokemon cards. He’d play Pokemon all day long if there was someone to play with, and he’d talk adnausium about which Pokemon was stronger, which cards he wanted and which he’d hope to get in a trade. Then last summer, after years of collecting Pokemon, he made a surprise move and gave Jonah all his cards. Just like that, the passion ended.

But in Pokemon’s place was as a passion for lacrosse sticks. He never went anywhere without a stick in hand and was always working on one — changing heads, taping the shaft and reworking the shooting strings. For his birthday, he got a ProtonU head for his defense stick. For Christmas he wanted a Stallion with traditional mesh. He also asked for a fiddle stick with tradition stringing and  a stringing kit so he could learn to do it himself.

But his spare stick was recently left in a corner half strung. The new obses.. I mean passion is modifying Nerf guns. One day he came across a Youtube video that showed different “mods” you can make to “improve”  Nerf guns. So now all he wants to do is buy new Nerf guns that he can then break, I mean modify. And he loves to explain to any one who will listen, or pretend they are listening, what different Nerf guns are out there and what can be done to them.

My other kids definitely go through phases where they are interested in things like Barbies, animals, pirates and nail polish. But no one gets as passionate as Adam. Sometimes I wonder how this will pan out for him in the future. Will he develop a passion for medicine, law or even the priesthood? That’s what I’m hoping for.

Do you have a kid with a passionate personality?

Ok folks, I’ve been pursuing the web for fun activities for you and your family this weekend and here’s what I’m thinking are the best options. (Cause that’s what I’ve been doing lately on Fridays).

For those with boys or girls who like anything loud, Nuclear Cowboyz will be at the 1st Mariner Arena Friday and Saturday. Check out the freestyle motocross choreographed stunts, aerials, and pyrotechnic displays all synchronized to hard rock music. More details can be found here.

For something a little softer, the exhibit “Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog” is opening at Port Discovery Children’s Museum Saturday. To celebrate his arrival, Clifford will be escorted to his new home by fire truck beginning at 11 a.m. Once in the museum, the parade will continue to R&D Dreamlab where Clifford will be available for photos with families. The Welcome Parade is free with museum admission of $13.95. For details click here.

There are also plenty of activities to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend. Catch a cool movie at The Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore on Saturday. The movie is called “Our Friend, Martin: A Magical Adventure.” Read more about it and other activities at the museum here.

There is also a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Monday beginning at noon at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Streets. The prade continues south on MLK Jr. Boulevard. For details click here.

The Walters Art Museum is having a free MLK Jr. Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Check out the details here.

Hope you have a great long weekend!

Last Saturday morning there was moaning and gnashing of teeth in the Stein house.

A swim meet was on the agenda for that afternoon and while that does not normally bring on such anxiety, the girls were signed up for some rather dreadful events.

Lilly was to swim a 200 freestyle (eight laps of the 25-yard pool), 100 backstroke and 50 butterfly. She’s not usually a complainer but the tears started flowing when she saw the meet entries.

Maggie, meanwhile, had been asked by a coach if she wanted to swim a 400 IM (four laps of butterfly, four laps of backstroke, four laps of breast stroke and four laps of freestyle — tiring just to type!!). Not wanting to disappoint, she agreed, but she was extremely anxious about it. And things only got worse when she found out she also had to swim 100 butterfly as well.  Her biggest concern was being lapped by the other swimmers in the 400 IM — all of whom were either older than her or boys.

But the Stein girls held their own. Lilly shaved 30 seconds off her previous time in the 200 freestyle and won the 100 backstroke.

Maggie put her nose to the grindstone and finished first of the girls in the 400 IM. She even broke a team record in her age group. And although she pointed out that she might have been the only girl her age to ever swim a 400 IM, that alone says something.

I hate to be a bragging mom, but I’m proud of my girls. They are not swimming phenoms, but they work hard.  And this proved to them that hard work really does pay.

I spent most of yesterday clearing out Christmas decoration.

I hate taking down Christmas decorations. It’s a pain, and it leaves the house looking totally barren. It makes January all the more dreary.

While I was dismantling my Christmas village in the window, I was watching our little neighbors all jumping on our trampoline. They were having a great time. After awhile, they all cleared out and the trampoline was calling me. So I took a little break from my depressing task to cheer myself up.

I totally forgot how much fun trampolines are.

I wanted one so badly as a kid. I don’t know why we didn’t get one sooner. (Other than the threat of serious injury, dead grass and strangers in the yard)

I eventually did get back to the deChristmasization of the house, but when I did, I was in a much better mood. What a serious pick-me-up.

I’m looking at the forecast for this weekend and it looks like a bit of spring weather is coming back after our small stint of winter. So my advice for the weekend — find something to do outside.

In between swim meets and indoor lacrosse games, my family will most likely be jumping on our new trampoline but here are some other ideas to get your weekend going:

1. Check out the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. For the second year in a row, the zoo is opened Friday to Monday during the months of January and February. It’s a great time to visit because the crowds are often smaller and some of the animals are more active — like the polar bears. Best of all, admission is reduced to half the regular weekend admission. Adult admission is $8.25; children 2-11, $5.75 and seniors, $6.75. Children under 2 and members are free.

Photo by Jeffrey F. Bill/Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

2. Go for a hike. Winter time is the best time to go hiking. There are no bugs, no poinson ivy, and you can see everything. We love to hike anywhere in Patapsco Valley State Park which runs from Anne Arundel County along the border of Baltimore and Howard counties. But if you live north of Baltimore City there’s Robert E. Lee Park, Lock Raven Reservoir, and Gunpowder Falls State Park which all have hiking trails. If you have time to travel a bit farther, check out the hike to Maryland Bluffs in Harpers Ferry or Cunningham Falls State Park near Thurmont.

On the top of Maryland Bluffs overlooking Harpers Ferry

3. Act like a tourist downtown. Head to the Inner Harbor and walk along the promenade. Climb to the top of Federal Hill and take in the views of the city. Next, hop in the car and drive around Key Highway to Fort McHenry. Even if you don’t want to pay to enter the fort, there’s a path along the water and plenty of green grass to run around on.

Fort McHenry is fun inside and out.

4. Find a fun playground. Sometimes the kids have no desire to hike and the post holiday finances are not allowing any costly outings. Best thing to do in this case is to find a fun playground. On the west side, Centennial Park has plenty of options. If you’re more north, check out Meadowood Regional Park, or just hit your neighborhood tot lot or school playground.

Playing at Centennial. Photo by Chris Detrick

5. Check out an area nature center. It may be winter, but there’s still plenty to do at area nature centers. From Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel to Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills to Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockesysville to Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore City — there are often places to explore inside and out.

Exploring at Irvine. Photo by Nicole Martyn

So have a nice weekend. Enjoy the weather. Maybe winter really isn’t going to hit this year.