Melissa Chapman's Parenting Blog

Marriage is hard; but keeping your kids unscathed is harder

My husband and I are going through a rough patch in our 11-year marriage that is testing the vows we promised one another and shaking a foundation I thought was immovable. Of course most of us don't go through life fastidiously taking the temperature of our relationships, for if we did we'd never give them the room they need to flourish on their own and we'd never truly get a healthy perspective and be able to reflect on them.

I went into this relationship with the best of intentions; envisioned shiny dreams about my happily ever after with my chosen one and for all intents and purposes I thought we were on track. We were going to make it and defy the odds; the dissolution of our marriage and the dreaded "D" word was not even a blip on the radar screen.

Of course the real work begins when the novelty and the idea of marriage begins to wear thin, and you begin to realize that you will need to rely on this partnership for much more than the superficiality of what marriage is equated with -- a built-in date and that no longer being relegated to sit at the dreaded singles table at weddings because he put on a ring on it.

No the scope of a marriage encompasses so much more. It's about the little things like; paying the electric bill, watering the lawn and doing without that last drop of milk for your coffee because you know you should save what's left for your spouse. But of course those are the mundane details of every life; married or not, the responsibilities you face when you leave the comfort of your parents home and try and make your way as an adult. If anything, as a member of this marriage tribe you're convinced that having a partner in crime, with whom to share these routines and rituals, will make fulfilling them all the more richer and sweeter.

However, when problems beyond your control rear their ugly head, problems you never imagined you'd have to contend with, were you not legally bound to this person via this marital contract you signed more likely than not under the influence of a heady courtship complete with visions of over the top weddings cakes dancing in your head, you'd likely be making a beeline for the nearest exit. But marriage is about learning how you can work through these problems as a team, even when every fiber of your being wants to quit.

Of course once you factor kids into the equation…all bets are off. When your kids, with their doe-eyed-like innocence, get caught in the crossfire of your heated marital discord, as a parent you feel akin to Satan robbing them of their perfectly constructed universe where happy endings reign. And like the sponges they are, regurgitating every last detail of the argument you and their dad displayed in their presence, you feel guilty beyond reproach that you've embedded a memory in their consciousness that you're fully aware they'll carry with them into adulthood.

You want nothing more than to give them that fairytale too; you want to shield them from the possibility that sometimes life is not all clean manufactured Pixar happiness, that it can be messy and complicated and happily ever after does not look the same for everyone. You tell yourself you won't and that you simply can't allow your child to become a casualty of your inability to make your marriage work. So you take a deep breath and you try, yet again and you hope for the best.

Gearing up for summer and beating the brain drain

As I sit here on a summer morning writing this post the sun is streaming through the window and my kids, who have been up since 6 am without any cajoling on the part of my husband and I is NEVER the case on a weekday morning, have been playing outside for nearly two hours with no end in sight.

I'm convinced there must be some type of chemical reaction that gets triggered in my kid's brains that literally as soon as the weather hints at being even slightly warm all they want to do is be outside, even if it's just hanging out on our little stoop and watching the cars pass by. And once the summer rolls around, if it were up to them they would set up a tent and a port-a-potty on my front lawn and probably never set foot inside the house again-except to catch Sponge Bob episodes. No amount of bribery on my part can convince them to come inside, so I've even set up a kiddie-sized picnic table right outside my front door, where they can dine al fresco!

But I know I'm not the only parent facing this pseudo-dilemma which really only becomes a dilemma when as the adult, although you've had enough bubble blowing, swing pushing and soccer ball-kicking and are ready to pack it in, that is not the case with your kids. In fact, they're oblivious to the beads of sweat dripping down theirs and your neck and are perfectly content to spend hours buzzing through dozens of bubbles bottles. Sure, I can let them hang out by themselves, but I grapple with the issue of feeling safe letting my kids play outside without adult supervision, so I'm stuck out there with them for the duration or until I finally sling my five–year-old over my shoulder, kicking and screaming.

Like so many parents I also want to try to keep the learning going throughout the summer and beat the summer brain drain although my kids would be more than happy to spend every second outdoors perusing their Wham-O, (www.whamo.com) water slide and bike riding. Kevin Colleary, an executive with McGraw-Hill (www.mcgraw-hill.com) Education's PreK-12 Literacy & Humanities Center, and an expert in early childhood education offers these four  ways to help parents incorporate educational elements in fun, everyday summer activities.

1.       Read to Your Child Often to Help Build Their Vocabulary - Although every child learns at their own pace, many early childhood educators suggest that kids know 3,000-5,000 words in conversation before they enter kindergarten. Parents can help develop their child's vocabulary by reading to them frequently. Make an afternoon of errands fun by adding a stop at one of the 89 New York Public Library locations to expose kids to a wide range of reading material in multiple forms, including hardcover books, paperback books, magazines and newspapers. With 12 branches in Staten Island, your local library is a fun, free place to encourage reading and develop your child's vocabulary.

2.       Make Sure Your Child Can Communicate His or Her Full Name (and Yours!) - Early childhood educators will want their students to be able to communicate very basic needs to them. For developmental and safety purposes, Pre-K and certainly kindergarten students should know their full names, and also should be able to state the full names of their parents or caretakers. Additionally, to ensure your child's safety, be sure to teach them his or her address and phone number.

3.       Be a "Chatty Caretaker"- Ask your child questions that elicit a response which goes beyond "yes" or "no" to encourage your child to expand his or her thinking and develop a creative and descriptive dialogue. It is also helpful to frequently tell your child stories, which can be as simple as talking about your day or as engaging as nursery rhymes. These stories help teach different lessons in a light-hearted manner and develop comprehension and conversation skills.

4.       Teach Your Child Science and Math in a Fun, Healthy Way - Science and math can be challenging subjects. You can make these subjects fun by going for a nature walk through Central Park and observing and investigating your surroundings. Flowers, animals and insects are fun, and they are interesting topics that will help familiarize your child with scientific facts. The Staten Island Zoo is a great place to expose your child to concepts in science. Through this activity, you can also practice math skills by counting trees or rocks throughout the park or asking your child to bring you a certain number of flowers or other objects. The enjoyable, nature-filled atmosphere will make your child excited to learn.

For more ways and activities to beat the summer brain drain check out my Staten Island Advance Kids in the City column.

As a mom, Father’s Day takes on a whole new meaning

Sitting in the car with my father, driving him to one of many physicians he'll be visiting this week, I look at him and see a man who, although he's feeling the ravages of a body that continues to betray him on a daily basis, never fails to muster a smile for his grandkids, and reflect on all the riches his life has offered him.

The past couple of years have been pretty rough ones for him; although he's a young mid-sixties senior, he's been battling a slew of debilitating illnesses that would have most people feeling depressed and reclusive. However, my father, who's always been a "glass half-full" sort of guy, has never let his illnesses preclude him from spending every waking moment with his grandkids soaking up all their youthful exuberance. Whether it's laughing at SpongeBob shenanigans with my son, or listening to my daughter regale him with her latest homework assignment. As a dad, he set the bar pretty high for the type of man I'd always hoped would be the father of my own kids and I feel lucky to have had two men in my life who embody the true definition of fatherhood on a daily basis.

As I watch my kids with my husband and how his very presence ignites a little twinkle in their eye, their silliness and mutual adoration for one another is so palpable, at times I feel a bit like an outsider looking in! Yet I am so grateful that my husband really gets—or at least after my having drilled this idea into his head—that he must ensure these kids will always have an unconditional reservoir of love and support from him; especially being the first man they will ever have a relationship with. As I've learned from my own personal experience with my dad, the relationship my kids have with their dad will for better (I pray!) or worse, set the tone for the relationships they will have with boyfriends and girlfriends and ultimately the people they choose to marry and spend their lives with.

And yet each year, I face a similar conundrum: how to celebrate these two very special dads?

Here are a few activities and gadgets that I thought the dads in my life would enjoy, and hopefully so will the dads in yours!

For the dad with a sweet tooth: In celebration of the One Year Anniversary of Billy's Bakery Tribeca, Billy's Bakery is offering $1.00 cupcakes as a special gift to customers, all day on Sunday, June 20th: 10AM-5PM and Monday, June 21st: 7AM-9PM. 75 Franklin Street (between Broadway and Church Streets) www.billysbakerynyc.com for more info. 

For the dad who loves a clean shave: Every Man Jack – an eco-friendly brand – has a great new Modern Dad Kit, which includes a complete collection of grooming products that will keep him looking sharp. The kit includes a deep-cleaning face wash, soothing shave cream or gel (depending on your dad's preference), healing face lotion, protective twin pack lip balm, and a bonus toiletry bag that he can use on your next family vacation: $15 http://www.everymanjack.com.

For the dad who fashions himself a sharp dresser: 191 Unlimited button down shirts ( they've got matching shirts for dad and their sons) are crisp, clean , funky – masculine styles dads will actually want to sport. Boy's $54.00, Men's $84.00. http://www.191unlimited.com.  

For the foodie dad: At Murray's Cheese in Grand Central Terminal, you can tell your dad he's the best with a "BIG CHEESE" t-shirt. $20.00. Hats ($20.99) and aprons ($32.99). In addition to their cheese selection, Murray's also had a wide variety of salami, olive oils, nuts, and condiments. One of my favorite's their decadent care package Dad's Simple Pleasures an overflowing wood crate which contains: Nutty Sartori Stravecchio; sweet cave-aged Emmentaler; sharp Grafton Cheddar; succulent Columbus Dry Salami; garlicky Peoples' Pickles; decadent Ring Dings; and crispy Carr's Crackers. 

For the dad who enjoys a good gadget/cocktail: Grand Central Terminal's Pylones shop takes the struggle out of uncorking your wine with its anthropomorphic corkscrew (it has arms and a face!) and is both funky and functional, with sheer ergonomics behind the design. ($35). Better than a To-Go Cup, their colorful, fanciful flask packs six ounces of boozy goodness in a quirky colorful contraption! Comes in three different patterns. ($37) 

For the Zen dad: Part of SOBRAL's eco-friendly "Flash Gordon" collection, crafted entirely from recycled computer circuit-boards SOBRAL's Zen watch is the perfect father's day gift for the eco-chic Dad! A modern interpretation of a traditional status symbol, The Zen watch brings social responsibility and awareness to an antiquated object, updating the concept of a wristwatch for the 21st century. And your enlightened dad will love it! www.sobralusa.com for more info. 

And if you're interested in finding some great get out there and do something with your dad activities check out my Staten Island Advance Kids in the City column Kid Friendly Father's Day.

The world feels out of control and yet we need to continue to parent

I desperately want to block out all the awful tragic events that are unfolding in Louisiana in the Gulf. I cant bear to see another delicate creature of G-d coated in thick, black oil. I can't bear witness to the thousands of men, women, and children whose lives will forever be altered by the oil spill that has essentially engulfed their very way of life. I shudder to think of the dead carcasses and the complete annihilation of so many innocent sea creatures who have met an untimely horrific demise because of our need for oil.

I know I too am to blame for defiling this planet I call home and stripping it unnaturally of its resources, thus stealing from the living breathing creatures who don't necessarily have a voice. I want to make it all go away. I want to wake up and hear that Warren Buffett swept in with his billion dollar swagger and cleaned this mess up; that he restored the pelican nesting grounds, those fragile ecosystems, and the thousands of creatures lost to us. That he was able to get every fisherman back up to speed, back out on the water they and their ancestors have flourished on for so many generations. But the cold hard truth is the oil, after more than 50 days, is still spilling, or rather gushing as we all sit here so many miles away and wonder just when the gravity of the situation will wreak its full impact on all of us.

And yet with all this going on—I am a parent. I have kids who hear the news, they see the images and they are frightened, confused and yet they just want to be kids and have life continue uninterrupted. And really who can blame them? So we'll go to events and carry on with our weekend plans, and yet I know it's my duty to make sure my kids are part of the solution. That ultimately they don't repeat the mistakes of past generations and it starts with making them cognizant of the fact that they do not own this earth, rather they share it, with so many other living things that deserve to be respected. And to that end this weekend I'm going to make sure to drive that delicate point is driven home at an event that celebrates living, breathing creatures- so that my kids will continue to have reverence for every living organism, and fight to keep it from being destroyed.

To that end I hope you'll join me -- I'm a parent ambassador -- with your kids this Sunday and Bug Out with Sid the Science Kid at the Staten Island Children's Museum from 11am to 2pm in Snug Harbor. Kids Club 13 offers a series of 13 events throughout NYC at various educational and institutional organizations and incorporates special meet n greets with PBS characters and craft activities for members. And this coming Sunday, June 13th, from 11am to 2pm at their second "Fun & Free" event if you sign up to become a member of Kids Club 13 here's what in store for you.

Admission to the Museum that day is free for Kids Club members and if you arrive early you'll be the recipient of some great giveaways (while supplies last). As a member you'll be privy to members-only exclusive activities from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. which include:

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- Members-only meet & greet with Sid the Science Kid, plus crafts and activities

12:30 - 1:00 p.m. -- Members-Only Bug Experience

1:00 - 2:00p.m. -- Explore Challenge through Bug Exhibit.

And you're invited to stay for the rest of the day and participate in additional activities which will include:

2:00 p.m. -- An ant craft lead by museum volunteers.

3:00 p.m. -- A performance by the Mighty String Demons, a talented ensemble of young Staten Island violinists ranging in age from 6 to 18 years, featuring songs about insects and other flying creatures.

What I love most about this event is that it helps kids embrace the beauty of the natural world and understand their part in it; and even learn cool facts like it takes two million flowers to make one lb of honey and The Lady Bug is the official bug of NY State.

On Sunday, it will be all about celebrating our natural world and remembering how important our impact is on it.

Proving to your kids that science is anything but nerdy!

As a child, I could never quite grasp math or science despite countless expensive tutors (much to my parent's dismay). In fact, I still have a recurring nightmare about my ruthless eighth grade science teacher who posted all the students who had the lowest scores on their science tests for the semester on the blackboard. And of course yours truly was front and center etched in bright blue chalk. Although throughout my academic career I barely passed my math and science regents exams and had to take remedial math as a college freshman, I rationalized my deficiencies in these subjects as the domain for geeky, nerdy types. And since I fancied myself a cerebral chick with a passion for books and romance languages, I was confident I would likely not have much need for math and science later on in life.

Then I met my husband, a man whose profession and so much of his personality is heavily steeped in what I considered the geeky sciences and math, and yet somehow despite our polar opposite personalities, we fell in love—they say love is blind, right?!. It's now 11 years and two kids later and more than anything, I'm hell-bent on raising two extremely geeky and nerdy kids, terms I currently equate with divine intelligence rather than the dullness I'd once associated them with.

I've also resolved to take another stab at these subjects along with my daughter and we're currently gearing up for some tough, fourth grade math and science assignments this coming school year! In fact, to help instill an appreciation for these subjects within my kids I'm going to take every possible opportunity I can to supplement their traditional educational with alternative workshops and exhibits that will prove to them, and myself, that math and science can actually be quite fun.

In fact this weekend, for the third year, The New York University/Washington Square Park/One 5th Ave area will become a science wonderland when the World Science Festival Youth and Family Street Fair returns to New York City on Sunday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free, day-long extravaganza showcases the intrigue and pure fun of science with a non-stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows, all meant to entertain and inspire.

Some highlights this year include: getting up close and personal with the laboratory on the earth-friendly BioBus or solving math riddles with experts in the Math Midway to finding out the IQ of your pet. Kids will also get a kick out of The Central Park Zoo's Wild Life Theater, the soccer-playing robots of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, a NASA tent where kids can try on space suits, and crime scenes for solving at the CSI Experience hosted by John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The cool factor is high!

Following the street fair, there is a performance of Icarus at the Edge of Time, the world-renowned composer Philip Glass' piece that retells the story of Icarus in which he goes into a black hole, based on Festival co-founder and Columbia U. physicist Brian Greene's children's book of the same name.

For details and tickets for Icarus check: www.worldsciencefestival.com!  



And if you and your kids are ready to start whipping up some scientific experiments in the comfort of your kitchen check out my article in the June issue of Time Out NY Kids where my kids test drive some pretty neat, and oh so cool science kits for kids: http://newyorkkids.timeout.com/articles/staying-in/85669/science-kits-for-kids.

Helping our kids commemorate the true meaning of Memorial Day weekend

I hate to admit this but like so many other national holidays, whose original purpose has been watered down by self-indulgent, narcissistic Americans like me, Memorial Day weekend's inherent meaning has also suffered the same fate. Rather than being an opportunity to pause and reflect upon the courageous men and women who served and protected our country -- and upon whose backs and blood my family owes their freedom -- the three-day weekends become more about firing up the grill, hightailing it to the closest area beaches and taking in whatever blockbuster movie is playing at the theater.

In coming clean about my guilt over not treating this weekend with the reverence it deserves, I'm hoping to guilt all you parents into following suit with me and setting aside some time in between taking a bite out of your hot-off-the-BBQ burger to pay tribute in some small way to those who've fallen in the line of duty and those who continue to serve in our national armed forces.

Here are a few places worth checking out this weekend:

Fort Wadsworth: Parents and kids in search of our military history will get a sense of the critical defense system that protected New York Harbor for centuries at Fort Wadsworth at Gateway National Park. Kids will enjoy walking through catacomb-like passageways in the fortifications, climbing up to the overlook and imagine scouting for enemy ships on the horizon. They can also explore the Mont Sec House where they can experience life as an officer living at Fort Wadsworth. And while boys may be far more inclined to attend than girls, push them to go anyway. Their visitor center is also chock full of information where parents can check out a video about Fort Wadsworth and its relationship to the rest of the NY harbor and knowledgeable rangers ready to answers as many questions as kids would like to ask! A chance to impart the importance of military history on kids, without having to leave NYC.

Located at 210 New York Ave. at the South end of Bay Street, on Staten Island. Call 718-354-4500 for more information.

Fleet Week: Fleet Week New York, which since 1984 has been the city's way of annually celebrating our country's brave Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, provides an opportunity for kids to meet these courageous personnel and see firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. This year's Fleet Week New York takes places from May 26 – June 1 and will also feature performances by The U.S. Navy Band Northeast, which was established in 1974 and is one of 13 official bands of the U.S. Navy and is comprised of 45 professional Navy musicians. For a listing of all the events taking place check out their website at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrma/Programs/FWNY/index.htm.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Not just your regular garden variety museum (in addition to hosting many of Fleet Week's activities) it's an opportunity for kids to get hands-on experience and what it truly takes for brave men and women to defend this country. In its Exploreum, kids can climb a cargo net, transmit messages using Morse code, crawl through living quarters of crew members, experience a flight simulator and perform tasks while wearing space gloves. At the G-Force Encounter they'll simulate flying their own supersonic jet plane, being immersed in a 4-D motion ride and checking out the aircraft collection -- including an A-12 Blackbird (the fastest plane in the world). With its education films and science-based exhibits, the museum is chock full of learning opportunities.
 
Located Pier 86, 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Manhattan. Visit www.intrepidmuseum.org for more info or call 212-245-0072.

Does The Guilt Ever Subside?

After I had my daughter what feels like almost a decade ago (shoot it was almost 10 years ago), I was blessed enough in my personal life to be able to stay at home and luxuriate in full-time motherhood. I had all these grand notions about how effortless and all encompassing it would be: the love would be so palpable, that I'd be able to subsist on it alone.

Of course anticipation is never quite the reality, which hit me like a crushing slap in the face.

Motherhood, or to be more specific new motherhood, topped off with partum depression, was more like a lesson in learning how to stay afloat when it seemed like I was drowning in diapers, 3 a.m. breastfeeding sessions and this sense that while I had this newborn tethered to me and an outpouring of well-wishers, I felt utterly alone. Once I was able to wade through and come to terms with my own insecurities, as opposed to dropping the baby off with a neighbor (and of course a well-stocked diaper bag) and riding off into the sunset, I was finally ready to fully embrace my stay-at-home mom role with a joie de vivre, except I was horrible at it.

While some moms swoon over their baby's every first, I honestly can't remember the first time my kids did anything. I hated watching all those lovable furry monsters our babies become so enraptured with and of course all these feelings of not finding motherhood to be my true calling (I mean it's been drummed into us from the time we're little girls that it is in our very nature to mother kids, and when we do, a long, dormant gaping hole will finally be sealed and satisfied). Well I did not experience any of those, "I am a mother hear me roar," and the guilt I felt was extraordinary. So I stuffed it, buried it played along and even went a little overboard dragging my 1-and-a-half-year-old daughter to any class that would let us attend and wouldn't mind if we used a corner of the room to change diapers too.

I remember looking at all these moms, wondering, and secretly hoping one of them would grace me with a, "I feel utterly horrible at this motherhood full-time thing and would so much rather be doing something else," but I never got one of those. No, we all sat there, clapping, laughing singing songs and cooing at our infants who probably had no clue that these $500 classes once a week for six weeks were going to invigorate their senses and have their brain synapses firing stronger than babies who were left to languish in day care.

Fast forward nine years and while the post-partum depression is far behind me, the guilt of never being a good enough mom (the self-sacrificing, everything in life is secondary to motherhood type of mom), well it just never seems to subside. While both my kids are in school full-time (to all you home-schooling moms out there, I am in awe of just how you manage it), I still struggle with feelings of not being a good enough mother. Whether it's feeling awful that I skipped reading my son a book before bedtime, because I needed to finish writing an article, or feeling guilty that I couldn't attend my daughter's dance recital dress rehearsal because I had to work (although I am the class mother and will be with her and about 20 little girls backstage helping them on the day they are performing). It's gotten to the point where I experience so many of these "shoulda, woulda, coulda" scenarios when it comes to my kids that I could likely fill an entire anthology in alphabetical order of all my failings as a mom. I wonder does this guilt over not being good enough ever subside?

Mother’s Day gifts no mom should live without!

After nine years of motherhood I've officially and unwittingly become one of those moms I scoffed at pre-kids, and swore I'd never become. I'm that mom standing outside in her robe and slippers yelling at my son for joyriding on his bicycle without supervision. And forget the bars or clubs, if I ever manage to get out for a bit of entertainment it's only to catch the latest "Hannah Montana" flick while supervising a bunch of adolescent girls who usually saddle me with their jackets and half eaten bags of popcorn.

So as Mother's Day fast approaches this year I want to give a special shout out to my fellow mommies, the ones who when reading this are nodding their heads in agreement. Here's to us enjoying our special day and realizing that although parenting our kids has ultimately led us down roads and adventures we never imagined we'd take -- like watching cheesy episodes of "Power Rangers" on a Saturday morning instead of brunching on mimosas and eggs Benedict, they're often the most rewarding. Keep reading for some great products hopefully your husband (wink wink) will shower on you to celebrate your special day!

Lush Spa Essentials

Give mom a gift that will not only fragrance the room but also moisturize and refresh her skin as well. Lush's Light Pink Mum Bath Bomb ($7.95) is a blend of jasmine, orange blossom and mimosa absolute; The Pink Mum Bath Bomb ($7.95) is a sweet fragrance of marshmallows and candy and The Yellow Mum ($7.95) is a citrus blend of lemon and orange oils with sunflower and marigold petals. You can also pick out your mom's favorite LUSH goodies and Knot-Wrap them using one of two beautiful, limited edition scarves ($6.95 each). Mom will appreciate the stylish scarf that she can use as a shopping bag, an accessory or as décor. And, we are sure she will appreciate you taking care of Mother Earth too!

Spray Yourself Happy

There is something positively rejuvenating about wearing a fragrance that quintessentially embodies your personality. Elizabeth Arden licensed fragrances have some fabulous scents from floral to luxurious, sexy fragrances worth checking out. A few of our favorites: Badgley Mischka Couture a mix of sensual fruits joined with exquisite feminine florals and seductive musks, Britney Spears™ Circus Fantasy; a mélange of luscious fruits, tempting florals and creamy musks and Forever by Mariah Carey composed of iconic white florals of gardenia and tuberose, radiant lotus blossom and neroli.

Every Mom Needs A Supermom Cape

What better way to tell moms they are super than with a super hero cape and mask? A BabyPop Design LLC creates custom made personalized superhero princess cape sets. The capes feature the mom's initials, or MOM, and the logo of their choice shield, crown and circle heart star in any color of their choice.

A Spot Of Tea

Help mom relax this Mother's Day with this beautifully-crafted stainless-steel and glass tea set which provides a hassle-free way to brew soothing, flavored hot tea. From the hand-blown, heat-proof glass all the way down to the innovative teapot warmer, the SmarTea Tea Set is not only it incredibly cute and stylish, but it also makes brewing tea a breeze :-)

Put Flowers In A Crystal Flower Vase

Every flower has a significant meaning, and picking certain blooms can express a personalized floral message to show her how special she is. Shower Mom with flowers on her special day and add one of Nachtmann's Bossa Nova,  NEW Slice, or Glacier crystal vases for a gift she can cherish not just on her day, but throughout the year. The Bossa Nova Vase features a beautiful basket-weave pattern. Fill with Lilacs, which signify the first emotions of love; like that between a mother and child. The Slice Vase is contemporary with a spiral design in a thick, clear crystal. Fill with Yellow tulips meaning "there's sunshine in your smile," or cream colored tulips which mean "I will love you forever." The Glacier Vase resembles the natural appearance of ice. Compliment the simple elegance of this vase and fill with colorful Orchids, which symbolize perfection, beauty and refinement.