Happiness in the Making

Dear Valentine

2012-02-09T23:24:00.006-06:00

My apologies, but it seems I've left something off the list:

Favorite holiday highlighted on my favorite shoes?!

Yes.

Please.

Or you can just go this route:

Fine, I'll settle for this:

That's the best gift ever, anyway...

Gifts for the Guys

2012-02-09T23:00:00.006-06:00

Or should I say, boys?

It's likely that if you have a kiddo at home, you're hitting a birthday party or two about every other weekend. So what do you bring outside of the standard Buzz Lightyear, Matchbox cars, Carters clothes or dump truck for the toddler dudes? Here are some of our recent favs to gift others that have happened to be a hit:

Stomp Rocket: inside or out, burns some energy of the sugar-induced kiddos without creating too much destruction in your home

Sit n' Spin: good, clean, whirly, twirly fun

GAP gear: because many Mommas won't think to shop there because of price, but really this retail giant has gone above and beyond to provide savings in these tougher times

Potty training book: a need and want and not all that thrilling to buy for the parents

Nerf basketball hoop: hours and hours of fun so Mom can load the dishwasher

Personalized wooden train: cute, customized and fun

Happy gifting for the guys!

Damn You, Tooth Fairy

2012-02-09T22:47:00.001-06:00

“Daaaaaadeeeee! D-A-D-D-D-Y!” echoed across the hallway along with the sound of tiny hands tugging at the metal knob that was meant to open doors, but to our two year old, still meant life in prison.

Immediately awake, I lifted my head slightly, secretly delighted but also slightly sad that the little dude needed his father at three a.m. for once. A quick swat later, Daddy sprung into action to see what the happenings were down the hall, lingering a bit too long at the armoire in search of a tee, likely waiting for it to pass before he sauntered down. Though I don’t know much of what happened next, I do remember the next morning when I tapped on the door to wake our son and was promptly greeted with:

“The TOOTH FAIRY! She tried to GET ME!”

You can imagine at seven a.m. how a parent could grapple between sharing that she doesn’t exist, alerting him she’s not actually scary but instead drop prizes beneath your pillow or finally, to just go ahead and tell her to go away next time she dropped by – none of these being great options. Instead, I opted for the smile and nod with empathy and listening ears approach:

“Oh, the Tooth Fairy? She tried to get you?! Tell me more about that…”

Little did I know this diatribe would go on for days, the story of how she was “scary,” yet brought “treats while we sleep,” yet also “steals teeth.” Don’t even ask me where these important life lessons came from. Heck, “T,” or “F” were not even the letter of the week at pre-school…

And so it goes as the sun sets below the horizon, the nightstand lamp is dimmed and he’s prepared to tuck in tight that we discuss:

“That Tooth Fairy. She’s not going to get me. Mommy and Daddy keep me safe.”

So if you see this lady of the night, tell her to back off, will ya?

We all need a couple more hours of sleep around here. Though we could use a bit of that money she leaves…

On the List

2012-02-05T09:17:00.009-06:00

Stealing two hours to myself a few weekends back, I made the mistake of wandering into retail world, falling in love with some items that now line my Valentine's wish list:

Crate and Barrel's striped dishes: how happy would this make you when pouring your cereal in the a.m.? Two in each color please!

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Old navy's ruched workout gear: lightweight and slimming at a decent price

MK tote in the most springiest of blues:perfect for hauling my junk and diapers

Chocolate ale: arriving in my palms next week thanks to a very dear friend's mother

Personalized family rules sign that I keep seeing popping up in my friends' homes:

TOMS ballet flats: I couldn't figure out which I wanted in the pre-sale, so I will skip a workout one evening to hit Nordy's on Feb. 15

Comfy tees for the boy: so many to choose from!

Source: sweetwilliamltd.com via Megan on Pinterest

Meaningful bracelet: seems comfy and that it could withstand my active wrists

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

What's caught your fancy that you'd like to put on your list for your Valentine?

Seeing Red...

2012-01-28T21:35:00.008-06:00

And pink.

Ok, and maybe a splash of white.

Say all you want that Valentine's Day is a made-up holiday designed by Hallmark for the hopeless romantics like myself, but this Pisces ain't buyin' it. From the moment my parents placed a little cellophane bag of sugar coated hearts in my tiny palm, I was sold. Single, broken-hearted, quasi-committed or married, February 14 is one day I celebrate like most do Christmas.

Now if I could just convince the retailers to create a "red Thursday" or something to beef up their themed stuff. Anything with class is quite lacking I must say for this important event. But here are a few things up my sleeve this year:

Our family valentine that will hit a few mailboxes (cute back not shown here but featues Daddy high-flying our son and says something that might make you gag with the words "soar, love" and more:

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

For little dude's pre-school exchange:

Source: batemanbuzz.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

And for his wardrobe to capture the ladies' attention:

Gift for the hubs (the glasses he's been craving):

A half-day vacation to spend with my Valentines on a cupcake date:

Plus a slew of tacky decor posted in our home and my office.

So if you're planning on hangin' with me at all around this time, prepare for that obnoxious grin and squeals of delight in reaction to all the love around. And seeing lots of red.

And pink.

And a bit o' white.

Happy almost Valentine's Day!

Oh Sh*t, II

2012-01-26T17:36:00.005-06:00

“Hold on Mom, I gotta check this text out – it might be from Mike,” I said as I rummaged through the disaster that is my purse, tossing aside diapers, loose change, water bottles, toy trucks and more (yes – it’s a big handbag). Responding to its insistent dings, I found the iPhone screen to read:

WELL, NO NAP TODAY BUT ON THE PLUS SIDE I DID GET TO CLEAN THE SH*T THAT HE PULLED OUT OF HIS DIAPER AND WIPED ALL OVER HIS ROOM.

Yep, it was my husband.

Torn between chuckling and being slightly alarmed, I respond:

Me: Waaaaaa? (as if I’m surprised a toddler splayed poo around his room at some point in his two-year old life).
Him: YEAH, IT WAS GREAT.
Me: I’ll help detox when I get home – sorry honey. Do you need me now? (Note: this was a test. There is no way in the relaxed one hour I had to myself in the past month I was going to go home and clean poo…I can do that any day. Wait, I do that every day.
Him: NO – I THINK THAT I ALREADY GOT IT ALL. IT WAS ON THE DOOR, HIS BED, LOVEY, WALL AND WHO KNOWS WHERE ELSE.

Feeling a bit guilty for missing this milestone event, I nabbed a few more things at Target, including a candy bar because surely I was going to need that to cope with the emotional disasters I was sure to be returning to at home. (Reflecting now, a chocolate bar was not the best choice.) A short drive later, tunes cranked up, I return to two boys still in shock from the whole thing. Little dude is feeling guilty and mortified about the happenings while the hubs is still lightly gagging in the corner.

Boys – clearly they don’t have enough experience with sh*t in their lives.

I enter little dude’s room to find it smelling mostly of Clorox and spot-free. As he reiterates the story over and over of how he just wanted the stuff out of his diaper and then wasn’t quite sure what to do once it got on his hands (he had reached into the back), I held him close and said: “Son – I love you and I’m not mad at all. Let’s just work to keep our poopies in our diaper or the toilet, ok bud?"

One squishy hug and a kiss later, I taught him one of life’s most important lessons:
“In life – sh*t happens. But you know what? We’ll love you anyway.”

A lesson we should all keep in mind as life passes us by.

Plus, it wasn't nearly as interesting as our first brush with sh*t.

Here’s hoping your week is sh*t-free!

Because I Have No Words...

2012-01-23T00:10:00.003-06:00

I'll let Taylor say it for me.

I had no idea how much fun two would be. Every little bit of it.

It's not that I don't want you to grow up, little dude. It's just that all this, right here, right now, is insanely remarkable.

I love you more than anything. Thanks for the magic.

Top 10 Ways My Son is Like a Rapper

2012-01-22T23:21:00.005-06:00

1.) He beat boxes. Literally. Thanks for the lessons, Biz Markie.
2.) Breakdancing is a regular occurrence, generally between the hours of 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. My guess is a rapper’s timeframe is slightly later in da club.
3.) His rhymes are original. Sure it’s more likely they include the word “reindeer,” “duck” or “clown” vs. something hip or hop, but hey, he’s rhyming.
4.) A head bob always follows a good beat in the car. And in rhythm. You go boy.
5.) Walking is not generally how he flows. He makes his way to a from with a bit of a swagger. And by swagger I may mean robot arms, leg bends, squats, skips, etc. Surely that’s swag for a two-year old.
6.) He digs bling, particularly heavy necklaces. In fact, he chose Daddy’s Jayhawk Mardi Gras beads as his show-and-tell item the other day.
7.) He’s constantly sporting shades. Recently he’s moved to aviators. So Kanye.
8.)“Hey gril!” is a frequent phrase used in public places when he’s talking to small female children who can’t really hear him. Gril=girl. And he’s more shouting because they are doing something he prefers to be doing, but this still counts as I imagine it will come out in a smug grin and smooth tone one day. PS: I dread this day.
9.) He likes to count money and throw it in the air. And yes, we catch it on video. Small differentiator: they’re likely pennies from his bank vs. the benjamins spotted on BET.
10.) Rockin’ the mic is his thing. He grips it close and does shout outs directly into it as he prances about the fireplace, aka “stage.”

Now whether this will help pay his way through college or our nursing home bills is still up in the air, but for now, it sure is a lot of fun to watch.

Thanks for keepin’ it real, little buddy. Thanks for keepin' it real.

What She Said

2012-01-22T22:53:00.002-06:00

This little doozie was all over the web today, gobbled up by mostly Moms that likely feel just like her.

You know, like me.

Lesson learned: "So, maybe instead of tearing each other up, we could each admit that we're a bit torn up about our choices, or lack thereof. And we could offer each other a shoulder or a hand. And then maybe our girls would see what it really means to be a woman."

Well said, Momastery, well said.

Little Bit at a Time

2012-01-22T22:33:00.004-06:00

So the whole New Years resolutions/vision board/just write it on a post-it at least thing didn’t so much happen this month. And now that we’re rollin’ into February, I’m just going to go ahead and return those paints and artsy fartsy fun things that would have made for a killer goal-oriented piece of art to hang in our bathroom. My guess is that’s ok, since things like “hanging a picture” is generally on about a two to three year timeline these days. Instead, we’re taking a stab at plan B:

The declutter and organize calendar. Found on Pinterest, of course.

Admittedly we’re sitting at January 21 with only two items crossed off, but hey, it’s a start right? And speaking of new beginnings, I tackled our junk drawer at 6:42 a.m. today:

And I’m not even nesting or hormonal. That’s how you know you’re house has driven you to the brink of insanity.

Secretly, I’m so pumped about the junk drawer cleanup that I nearly posted a picture on Facebook. And texted 10 of my closes friends. Ok, and I did show a photo to my Mom. I mean, it’s been one of those dark crevices that you constantly have to open because a guest asks you for the one item that rests right inside that drawer, right? Totally. And then you have to do that whole announcement about how it’s a place to stash your trash, yadda yadda.

I’m quickly discovering I don’t have an excuse for the rest of the house. And also? I don’t know what to do with the crap that I took out of there and requires a home, so I stuck it in a Target bag to deal with another day. But still:

The junk drawer is a breath of fresh air.

Little bit at a time, right?!

Loads of Laughs

2012-01-15T22:14:00.002-06:00

An accent that sounds alarmingly like all of my extended family members. Takes place in one of my favorite stores. Includes ridiculous one-liners, particularly about home decor (remember the baby sneakers and now the one-eye?) that's totally worth the lines around my face.

Target Lady, I love you. Thanks for the loads of laughs.

Sock Monster

2012-01-15T21:47:00.004-06:00

“Oh my gah, those are SO CA-YUTE!” the voices of nearly 20 girls echoed across the family room of the Mom-to-be as she tore into an adorable pair of pink and white tights. The shrieks had been going on for nearly 30 minutes as sparkly shoes, princess onesies and tutus were emerged from tufts of fuchsia and purple tissue.

“Are those Little Miss Matched?” an adorable guest with admirable amounts of energy nearby asked. Perking up as the Moms in the room began a rich discussion around matching socks and their process for insuring they stay that way that I…

couldn’t identify with at all as my track record for sending my little dude to pre-school with one brown, one blue is about 3/5 days. Shameful, but true.

But a brand that offers socks that are intentionally mismatched and calling it creative and fun? Count me in. Because I’m here to tell you people: that sock monster is real. Either that or Ellie has buried them in the backyard. Or I’m incredibly lazy.

So if you’re anything like me or just really into fashion, check out the Little Miss Matched site, grab your own set today and look at your relationship with that sock monster in a whole new light.

Lucky in Love

2012-01-15T20:34:00.003-06:00

I have the kind of husband that:

...takes our son to music while I'm away at a baby shower, dancing, prancing and singing like no one is watching

...has a hot meal on the table when I walk in the door after an intense day at work.

...picks up Sour Patch Kids and a Vitamin Water about every 28 days when I crave them most.

...doesn't flinch when I steal all the sheets after finally arriving to bed at 12:48 a.m.

...silently completes my thoughts and embraces them, despite they make no sense at all.

...spends hours standing nearby as our son shoots the same basketball into the air over and over and over again, followed by a series of "you did it! good job buddy" and "you're a superstar!"

And so very much more.

Which is why I'm over the moon to spend MLK Day with him tomorrow. And all the days after.

So blessed to be lucky in love...

Sleepless in Shawnee

2012-01-11T23:13:00.008-06:00

in·som·nia noun \in-ˈsäm-nē-ə\
Definition of INSOMNIA: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep
— in·som·ni·ac adjective or noun
See insomnia defined for English-language learners »
See insomnia defined for kids »

Latin, from insomnis sleepless, from in- + somnus sleep — more at somnolent
First Known Use: circa 1623
Related to INSOMNIA

Synonyms: sleeplessness, wakefulness

I don't know if it's the merger at work, ever-changing hormones, a full moon or the fact my little dude appears to quickly be sprouting into a young boy, but I seem to be in that space again where Ambien should become my friend. Or at least have a house that is spruced head to toe or lots of crafty projects done. Whoops.

I've been down this road for many months in a previous life and hadn't intended to go back. In fact, I used to pride myself on how little sleep I needed and cherished all I could get done in those extra hours. These days - keep the trophy, I'll take my sleep. So far to combat this bout I've tried sit-ups (thanks Sarah!), journaling, reading, blogging, television watching, exercising, yoga and straight up Unisom.

What do you do when the clock strikes 12 and your peepers are still wide-eyed?

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2012-01-11T22:35:00.005-06:00

So yah, I was one of those that longed for winter never to arrive here in KC. Yet 'ere she blows, making me slightly grumpy about my drive in tomorrow and the fact that layers have become a necessity of my 30s. Therefore, I'm thinkin' this may be the perfect moment to start fantasizing about spring, don't you?

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Megan on Pinterest

Not that I'm ungrateful for this time, this moment. Nor do I want time to go quickly at all. In fact, my two-year old is seemingly more like five every day I pick him up from school. Melt my heart. You know, kind of like this snow should melt here soon...

Twoish months and counting...

It Could've Been Worse?

2012-01-09T17:06:00.006-06:00

As the sun sank between the slats of our kitchen blinds, I caught a few minutes to myself to quickly throw dishes in the cupboard, wipe up the crumbs that lined the faux-granite counter tops and fed the dog who waited patiently nearby, her eyebrows raised as if suggesting she may starve if I keep up this whole feeding her late thing we have going on. A few sponge swipes in, I heard the dreaded:

THUNK.

Never good with two boys in the house. Even if one of them is thirty-something.

One deep inhale later and knuckles whitening waiting for that deep-throated cry to follow, I was surprised to only here: "MOOOMMMYYY! Come see!"

Now with a real sense for alarm given that the man down was the hubs from their wrestling match, I sprung into the playroom to find his face only lined with concern. No blood, completely coherent and even smiling. Trying to assess exactly what was going on here, our son cleared it up by pointing fervently and noting:

"Oh no, Mommy! Daddy has a BOO BOO!"

Looks of confusion were swapped between the perfectly-fine husband and myself. "Where buddy? Show Mommy please," I said in a supportive, you're-not-crazy tone. Slowing approaching his Daddy with careful sea legs and a pointed finger he aimed for:

The back of his head. Way back.

Directly on: the bald spot.

Fair enough, little buddy, fair enough.

I assume your Daddy is now just as concerned as you are! Guess it could've been worse, right hubs?! Right?!

'Twas the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2012-01-05T23:25:00.010-06:00

The Christmas season marked some of the most incredible times, from cookie parties, ornament exchanges, multiple attempts to visit the big man, trips to Crown Center and Nell Hills, giving to Harvesters, swapping gifts with friends, family and colleagues, decorating the halls, his and her traditions and feeling the magic that wraps itself all around this time of year:

But perhaps what was most remarkable about it all was seeing it through our two-year old's eyes, so filled with genuine innocence and kindness, full of questions and excitement in the tiniest of things.

When asked what his favorite part of it all was he had two responses: a) taking bites of Santa's cookies and discovering they were nearly demolished the next morning b) "slipping." Notice it wasn't the abundance of toys that overflowed the stocking and tree, the millions of events we dragged him to with an "ok I'll try it" smile or all the red and green. No - it was cookies baked lovingly and messily with his Momma, all with a signature look just by him and a pile of wrapping paper he built again and again, only to run through and come crashing down over and over.

And that my friends, is what Christmas should be about.

So glad it was and for the family and friends who helped make it that way. This season and always, we are incredibly grateful for you.

Santa Baby, II

2012-01-02T13:53:00.002-06:00

“No – I NOT gonna sit on his lap,” he said, his brows furrowed and his eyes slightly slanted to really let us know he means it. “No – he’s s.c.a.r.y.”

The hubs and I exchanged looks as if to silently ask, do we really torture our kid like this? He’s only two after all and right at that age where he’s just not down with things like inanimate objects that truly don’t really make sense. I mean a dude with lots of facial hair and a slightly ridiculous outfit that rolls with animals you don’t even see in western Shawnee? Tentative. But after a few moments of quiet, the car trekked on and so it was, like the super-awesome parents we are…we took him anyway with hopes he just might perch on the knee of Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.

And so we enter the Santa Photo workshop at Town Center where the same grinning Santa that had held a sleeping three-month old, a confident one-year old and now hopefully bonded with a two year old sat patiently as one red and green plaid clad child climbed up on his lap after another. Juggling the toys and catching a few shots of a Disney flick (genius Jordan Photography), our son peered around anxiously as if awaiting his turn, chattering on how he was going to score a candy cane and share his deepest desire for a blue motorcycle. Feeling more at ease with our position to push him outside of his comfort zone with the chimney-shimmying man, we poised to take the turn behind the curtain and wander in when…

All hell broke loose.

I personally can’t remember much but my parents trying to be helpful, the hubs making cut noises at his neck and a photographer sweating and trying desperately to make these parents’ Christmas wishes come true while at one point Santa just went ahead and hid behind the tree behind us. Not a set of crayons, candy cane or Mommy right by his heels was gonna work, so kudos to Jordan Photography for at least catching these:

I mean, my heels are literally touching his behind and there’s a dog toy in his hand, but hey – it matches his sweater, right?

So thank you Santa, for still bringing that motorcycle despite our minor freak-out at your version of Kansas City’s North Pole. And to Jordan Photography gal with the funky hair cut for not giving up.

We owe you.

See you next year for Santa Baby, III???

A Hunt to Remember

2011-12-29T23:10:00.007-06:00

“Megan – this is Dan P. Holler back at me. Courtney’s at work.”

His words filled the space between my ears with eager anticipation, knowing that this was the call I’d anxiously been awaiting for several weeks. A couple so darling and real that “live in sin,” make important decisions together, support each other unconditionally and cause one another to laugh gut wrenchingly? Yah – commitment was in their future. Either that or it was some totally inappropriate offer or something…you never know with that guy…(kidding Dan, my one of five male readers – gah bless you!).

My fingers fumbled over the call list as I tried to control my words when he answered, not wanting yet to assume our conversation would focus on blings and things, but as his deep voice came across the line, he immediately went for it: “I’m going to propose to Courtney on December 17 and I was curious if you want to be a part of it.”

Um – YAH.

And then I made him tell me about the ring of course. I may have even interrupted him, I’m not sure, but come on, we’re talking DIAMONDS here. And LURVE! What could be better? Side note: I’m STILL in trouble with the hubs for pulling the ring out in advance of the proposal and admiring it and placing it near my finger. Bad luck? Please-I’m the one Dan should be cursing for helping her pick out the sparkler that she now adores. This is business, people…

Cruising through my questions with ease and dodging between my squeals, he laid out his plan: 23 stops for their 23 months together, in all their memorable spots city-wide, a complete surprise and filled with all the people she loved the most.

Pretty perfect, huh?

And perfect it was, driving her to work as usual on a cool December morning before anyone should be up (he does it every other weekend -how cute is that?!), letting her duck out of the car in her scrubs, only to call her back in, hand her an envelope and alert her she’s now on a surprise holiday scavenger hunt. Totally digging this, he caught her on tape and even threw out a little video on Facebook of her “geeking out” as they shared breakfast together and she opened more clues, attempting to read his writing and sharing her innermost love for McDonalds breakfast. Thank gah for social media. It was like tracking on the Santacam…but for engagement scavenger hunts!

After some coffee and deliciousness, Courtney’s crew of besties gathered in one car, traipsing about town to old apartment houses, retailers, the mall (no surprise she was sent to look for the blogger, aka me, and she automatically went to Nordstrom), then finally arrived at our house, stop number eight.

In they trotted one by one, generating excitement in their every step and Courtney radiating from all the fun that had been occurring in just the past four hours. Uncertain to how much she had caught on by now, I asked her a few questions, embraced her one too many times (weddings are the BEST) and took in all the girls’ candid conversation, delighting in the memories and years they had shared together. As the Mimosa glasses were filled and re-filled, she went for envelope number nine, sending the pack off to get manis and pedis.

I know, right? Seriously…the dude thought of everything. He had even been over just hours before around 11 p.m. with the serving dishes of food, champagne and jokester wine he knew would get a reaction out of her.

A few college stories later, shout outs to K-State (yes, it flew this one time) and smiles swapped with the darling girls, they were off for nearly 20 more stops, each one another piece of the puzzle that would lead to her fairytale ending when all the parts fell together at the end.

A billion clues later, a sister now onboard and the five o’clock hour drawing nearer, they arrived at Tellers in Lawrence, an anxious and excited Dan pacing outside as Courtney waffled between the final surprise being an actual engagement or a trip to the basketball game. Minutes later, this photo appeared on the ever-faithful social media site:

Along with pictures of their family and friends crowded in the background, delighting in hearing the word “yes” before it was even asked of her, laughter growing in the room as congratulatory hugs were exchanged and two smiles that screamed: “THIS is what happiness and love look like.”

Congratulations Courtney and Dan. May the love you two felt on this day forever hold true and magical in your hearts. I couldn’t think of a more perfect match than the two of you and am so excited to support and celebrate your journey ahead, all starting with…

A hunt to remember.

Puttin' on the Ritz

2011-12-29T22:10:00.002-06:00

"I don't know, it seems to be a bit of a better choice than further wine consumption at this point?" the hubs says, handing over a suspicious looking, yet slightly delectable treat. "Just eat it - you look like you've had a day."

So eat it I did, and you know what? He was right: delicious. Two Ritz crackers slathered with a layer of cream cheese frosting in between=salty and sweet amazingness. Not to mention an inexpensive add to the emotional eating menu that is sometimes mandatory for we women of the world.

Go ahead...put it on the Ritz.

Virtual Hug

2011-12-29T21:56:00.005-06:00

..."Give yourself time; let yourself cry; you're doing beautifully; your baby will be OK."

Thank you, Karen Maezen Miller, for always writing back, knowing just what to say, and providing simple, thoughtful words I can tuck into my back pocket during tough drop-offs or grocery store tantrums.

Simply put: you're the best virtual hugger I know.

With gratitude for your calm and wisdom,
Momma Megan

My Name's On It

2011-12-21T22:30:00.005-06:00

Ever since meeting the one and only Mrs. NEC, I’ve fallen head over heels for monograms, placing them on nearly any item that makes sense, delighting in the soft curves of the fonts, the creativity that goes into it all and the classy way it adds a little something to a thing that was likely already fabulous on its own. This year, I get to add a few to my own personal collection, thanks to the thoughtfulness of my girls:

I mean, how cute is all that?!

Don’t even think about nabbing any of these items… after all, my name’s on it.

PS: The girls ended up loving their solo monogrammed gifts as well:

A customized notepad created on Shutterfly (coupled with a Nells candle holder and Emi-Jay hair tie of course). Yay!

PPSS: On the NY resolution list: learn to rotate pics before loading...please forgive.

Pinterest for the Pine

2011-12-21T22:03:00.005-06:00

To the crafty chic who decided shredding a wedding invitation and placing it inside a glass ornament to later adorn a tree was a stellar, thoughtful idea:

Source: christyrobbins.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Thank you.

You gave me the perfect idea to pass on to my new sis-in-law!

And Now, for the Next Event...

2011-12-19T20:08:00.003-06:00

Source: cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Four dozen, comin' right up!

Girls' cookie exchange 2011 here we come...

You Get the Idea...

2011-12-16T06:53:00.006-06:00

The idea:

Source: crazydomestic.com via Liesl on Pinterest

The outcome:

So it went from "aren't those darling, those little melting snowmen! The kids will love it!" to "Are those demons? Or a new Disney character gone awry? Where are their noses anyway?"

But I've always heard it's the thought that counts. Right?

Right?!

A Bit of Crazy

2011-12-14T22:25:00.002-06:00

Actually there's a lot of it going around these days. 'Tis the season. Plus there are those little additional details such as a major company merger, end of year deadlines, planning for next, being the best Mom I can be for my two-year old, plus parties, friends, wifey duties, baking extravaganzas and more. But this little bit of crazy stopped me dead in my tracks:

Hands down the most interesting Christmas present I've ever purchased anyone.

Hey - I'm not here to judge. If you want your goose out front to where clothes, then I'm here to support you.

I went with the rain and snow gear. You know, to prepare the geese for the seasons. Plus, they were all out of sparkly TOMS...

If You Like Shoes...

2011-12-14T22:15:00.005-06:00

and Nordys, the Giving Tree is a fun and easy way to give back this season.

Because really, who doesn't love a pair of comfortable, well-fitted soles?

Especially for those souls that really, really need them...

Now I'll sacrifice my Tory Burch flats wish for that!

On the Agenda...

2011-12-12T21:00:00.003-06:00

Making these bad boys for holiday party one of five this week:

Source: doughmesstic.net via Megan on Pinterest

Do they look like the definition of delicious or what?

Now if only they were reduced calorie...

Baby Love...and Loot

2011-12-10T23:22:00.012-06:00

May we stick on the topic of gifts for a sec?

You'd think with all this posting and ranting about presents that gift giving would be one of my love languages or something, but really it's just that I'm blessed to have really, really amazing people in my life. The kind that no gift, act of kindness or words could illustrate just how much they mean and my immeasurable gratitude for who and what they are, day in and day out. But hey, you gotta try, especially when they start having those kiddos! And those kiddos start having birthdays! Here are some of my favs:

For the expectant Mom:
Pregnancy Journal

Trumpette socks

For the new baby:
Mom's One Line a Day Journal

Uggs (slippers or shoes)

Monogrammed lovey

Hand-stamped jewels

A week's worth of Honeybaked Ham

For the one-year old's milestone birthday:
Personalized book

A favorite toy of your child's when he was that age

Shutterfly picture book after the event

This is just a taste-I could go on forever (Build a Bear, make your own flashcards, etc., etc.) Because really, there's nothing more fun than talking about baby love.

Ok, and their loot.

Five Under Fifteen

2011-12-10T23:08:00.006-06:00

With Jolly Ol’ St. Nick coming down the chimney in less than three weeks, it’s likely that many will be frantically creating a list and checking it twice. Either that or combing the malls with dazed and confused, glazed, desperate eyes.

And though I’m purchased, wrapped and ready to gift (don’t hate!), there are always those last-minute surprises or “holy crap I forgot them” moments where it’s necessary to find something fun, inexpensive and on the fly. For these and those such as daycare providers, colleagues, etc., here are a few suggestions:

Emi-Jay hair ties: generally arrive in sets of four, which you can tear open and divide amongst friends, making them about a very reasonably priced gift. Plus, they’re fun, unique and haven’t hit the KC markets yet. Plus, what girl doesn’t love a ponytail? Or at least a fun item to throw on their wrist.

Vera Bradley zip ID case: sassy colors, easy to care for and isn’t everyone waiting to upgrade their coin purse but just can’t get motivated to fork over the dough? Good for all ages too.

Nail Polish: OPI and Essie of course are always a treat, coming in every color under the moon. Plus, it’s fun to choose from their wide selection of unique and meaningful names that strike a chord with your gift receiver.

A little something from Charming Charlies: it’s pretty easy to find a trendy set of earrings, a dangling bracelet, sassy scarf, fun tights and so much more for around 10 bucks. And if you go wrong, they can easily go back and find a crazy selection of other items they can swap it out for.

Gift cards to Target or Starbucks. Because you can always find something there and it’s likely you troll the aisles weekly.

Other items in this category include small candles or holders (hello gorgeous ceramic flower-inspired ones from Nells!), a vintage-looking initial necklace from BP at Nordys, fun jewels and accessories from Forever 21, pens, patterned reusable bags, or a small donation to your receiver’s charity of choice. Of course there are all sorts of darling things you can make as well, but that's likely for some other more qualified blogger to write about...you know, the Etsy type vs. this non-domestic diva. Also, I don't know how to shop for men, so that's why this list is all girl-like.

So if you’re out shopping at 5:15 the day before Christmas Eve for the babysitter that’s coming on New Years…grab one of these five ideas under $15…

Coming to a Mailbox Near You

2011-12-04T08:19:00.003-06:00

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

This year's card...created at 3 a.m., illegible font on the bottom and meant to be funny, stating we hope some of your favorite accessories this year are love, friendship, etc. You know, 'cause he's sporting glasses in the pic? Get it?

Ok, not our greatest work, but you'll take them, won't you? For the holiday spirit?

We're just pumped we actually got them ordered in time, posted and sent through...coming to a mailbox near you. Happy holidays!

Pony Party!

2011-12-03T22:31:00.009-06:00

“Are YOU going to ride a PONY?!” we chimed with the voice most often used for preparing our toddler for the event that lay ahead for him. In this case, we’d been chatting for nearly a week about the happenings of baby Walker’s first birthday party, complete with a western theme, beloved friends, darling décor, gobs of delicious food and of course…a pony.

“Yah, Lawson ride the horsey. He’s gonna hug him.”

And so we went in with open minds that this pony ride might actually happen, because really, how cool is that? It’s not everyday your little one gets to saddle up in Johnson County. Note: entirely much more possible in the parts where we live. Remember my plot to steal one of those smaller-than-Ellie sized miniature ponies?! So what had started as a quasi-joke from two of our best friends had now become something we’d been anticipating for days…

As the chances of this occurring became more and more scarce (we had to wake him from a nap, his molars were coming in, there was a large crowd of peeps and the wind and cool air had picked up), we watched as the even littler ones grins grew from ear to ear, not knowing completely what was happening, but delighting in the soft mane in their fingertips and odd movement that had now become part of their stance. Party-goers chased the wee ones down with flip and digital cameras, having so much fun one would think they were trotting on the pony themselves. Toys were played with, delicious tea drank, pictures taken of the centerpiece highlighting Walker’s first year and then, just as the nice pony-handler was opting to go…

He went for it:

Round and round he went, squeals of delight escaping from his mouth, followed quickly by the word “Whoa!” and a lopsided sit that required two parental hands on hips. A natural (where do they learn this stuff?), he held tightly to the saddle, letting his skinny little legs bounce against the pony’s sides, sharing grins with the owner as our cheeks began to chap and our hands grew numb. Picture after picture was shot, each of us taking turns to experience the magic that seemed to be emanating from our two-year old in this first-time experience, giggling as he expressed his desire to continue more than the allotted 20 times we’d already journeyed upon. As the sun completely set, we prepared him to say good-bye to his new friends, which was signified with a farewell carrot from a tot’s hand to a soft, furry muzzle. Besides the whole him not choosing to wear his cowboy hat and both his parents being too out of shape to really do that many laps around the yard, it was completely awesome.

The rest of the night was too as we delighted in celebrating a very special boy, whose first year was marked with giggles, muscle flexes, high hands, polar bears, kisses and beyond adorable monogrammed ensems. As his two amazing parents stood by, surrounded with so much love, we indulged in delicious BBQ, watched as he graciously went after his smash cake, laughed as he hung out with his gifts and cherished him as we did everyday from the minute we knew of him.

Walker – you are a remarkable young man and we love you immeasurably. And those crazy parents of yours. Thank you for being such a light in our life.

And for having a pony. In Prairie Village.

Priceless.

'Twas the Day Before Pre-School

2011-11-29T16:17:00.007-06:00

For our little household, tomorrow is a big, big day. And Thursday? Even bigger.

We'll say good-bye to our daycare providers of two years, those that have helped shape, mold and grow our amazing little boy to be the magical creature he is today. Those that held my hand when I left him at just three months old, picture messaged me daily on every business trip,called with every little detail true to my helicopter Mom style, diapered, adored and loved him as if he was their very own. There are no words to show our gratitude for these amazing women who we now call family, so instead we'll leave them with some Vera Bradley, Emi-Jay ties, gift cards and this little ditty:

‘Twas the Day Before Pre-School
'Twas Lawson’s last day, when all through the center,
Not an eye was dry, not even his mentors’;
The coats and hats were hung on the hooks with care,
In hopes that his name tag would remain there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of recess danced in their heads;
And Chrissy in her sweater, and Lawson in his GAP,
Had just settled down for their afternoon nap,
When out in the classroom there arose such a clatter,
They sprang from the cot to see what was the matter.
Away to the circle they flew like a flash,
Tore open the books and on snacks they did nash.
The crafts on the ceiling and the art in a row,
Gave the lustre of kid magic to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a team of amazing teachers he loves so dear,
With sassy young leaders, so lively and dandy,
I knew in a moment it must be Miss Shannon and Mandy,
More rapid than eagles his caregivers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Chrissy! now, Goesha! now, Brooke and Brittney!
On, Ebony! on Lisa! on, Stephanie and Mariah!
To the top of the slide! to the bottom of the wall!
Now hug away! hug away! hug away all!"
So around the daycare, the teachers they flew,
With hearts full of joy, patience and graciousness too.
And then, in a twinkling, I saw in my son’s eyes,
The difference each teacher had made, which was no surprise.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the hallway his friends came with a bound.
They were dressed in kid gear from head to toe,
And their clothes were all tarnished with something-only-a-toddler-would know;
A bundle of toys they flung front and back,
Looking as happy as ever in their little pack.
Lawson’s eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up in a grin,
All because his awesome teachers, his heart they did win;
He had a charming face and a little flat belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was bright and creative, a right jolly old kid,
And I grew overwhelmed with love, no matter what he did.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke a few words, then went straight to pre-school,
Where he found his new friends and activities to be cool,
And though leaving Canterbury daycare hurt from fingers to toes,
He gave a nod to his classroom and rose;
He hugged Miss Chrissy, to his friends gave a smile
And away he transitioned to pre-school, down the road not a mile
But I heard him exclaim, ere he tottered out of sight,
"What a difference you’ve made – thanks for being my light. I adore you with a full heart and all my might!"

I don't who's going to have it worse these next few days: me or him. All I know is that 'tis two days before pre-school...

The Big Reveal

2011-11-28T22:55:00.002-06:00

True to her spirit, her gift of writing and thoughtfulness for others, one of my oldest and dearest friends revealed to her family the gender of her baby #2 in a "gah, wish I would've thought of that!" kind of way:

A high-flying, colorful, magical, squeal inducing moment, indeed.

And a celebration we'll continue today and all the days to come.

Congratulations, Wise family. We love you and are so excited to welcome your baby GIRL!

The Long and Short of It

2011-11-28T22:26:00.007-06:00

What gal doesn’t love a list? Especially when she’s required to shop for about 20 of her loved ones, has a smartphone in hand and limited minutes in her life to accomplish all this and more.

That’s why I love that my family has started a trend on Amazon, making their lists and checking it twice, passing along their wishes to be stowed under the tree. With a few clicks through Amazon Wish List, they’ve passed along an image, exact name, price and where to find their favorite items through one simple link, giving the giver the option to grab it in store or nab it online. And it doesn’t even have to be available on Amazon! Sure beats the versions 1-5 SOMEONE keeps bombarding the poor family tree with.

Crap, that’s me.

Speaking of, these are a few of my favorite things:

Champagne taste, beer budget, I know, I know. And this isn't even the half of it (gulp). Think new carpet, a cleaning lady, massage and a sale Marc Jacobs bag in rust! But that's why they call it a "wish" list, right?! Plus, number one on my list is donating to Sunflower House…more to come on that. Or just a happy, healthy smile from my kid...I'll definitely take that.

Whatever your desires for stuff this holiday, make a list, click through it twice and send it along.

That’s the long and short of it…

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T07:14:00.003-06:00

"Best of all is it to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." - Konrad von Gesner

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. And thank you for caring, for reading...and just being you.

Cheers to you and yours!

Perspective

2011-11-23T03:55:00.003-06:00

"Who's that, Mommy?" my son asks, his red-rimmed eyes peeking over the edge of the SUV's large window frame, struggling to lift his head from the virus that decided to take over his body Thanksgiving week.

I strained through my blind spot to see what he was observing, determined to answer all of his curious questions in an effort to whet his growing appetite of the world. As the car slows near the red light, I spot a woman teetering in the grass nearby who I may have inappropriately assumed was out of her mind, flailing her hands, talking to herself, not dressed in enough clothing for the cool fall air, a tattered sign dragging in her loose fingers and a small plastic bag dangling out of the other hand. As I struggle to come up with an age-appropriate, PC answer, I hear my son say:

"That's a lady. A nice lady. She's looking for flowers."

There it was: the perfect answer.

What a gift to see the world in this light. May he hold on to that forever. And may we inhale in little bits and pieces of it too.

Llama Love

2011-11-19T13:54:00.004-06:00

Remember that fun story time adventure the MOMS Group went on earlier this month? It was here I fell in love with the Llama Llama books, chock full of invaluable lessons, fun rhymes and bright, cheery pictures for the wee ones:

Right now we're obsessed with the "Llama Llama Misses Mama," perfectly timed for a happenings and emotions that occur at daycare drop off and everything in between. And even more perfect for our pre-school adventure we begin December 1.

Check 'em out - you might even find yourself finding some llama love.

For No Reason

2011-11-19T13:46:00.002-06:00

Have you ever pondered that both really awful and really spectacular things seem to happen for no reason? This fall, both instances have played a role in our lives, but in this moment right now I'm going to cherish these little "no reason" buds:

Thanks to the hubs for supporting me on what has turned out to be a not-so-stellar week. Ok, and for providing a little extra TLC post work holiday party last evening as I was apparently coping (avoiding?) with some of these "no reasons."

There may be many "no reasons," but this small gesture and a million others give me endless reasons to adore and love you.

Inches and Feet

2011-11-15T21:50:00.002-06:00

“This better not be some ploy to stock your closet even MORE full of shoes,” the hubs warns, his face lined with slight hesitation, coupled with annoyance.

“No, I swear…I need a half-size smaller!” I said, rotating the block of ice perched across the sides of my feet, wincing as I tucked them in a new position.

You see, nearly overnight, my tootsies went from a size 8 to at least a 7.5, no warning, no reason, no nothing, causing me to slip out of my shoes constantly and create odd muscle injuries in the process. What gives?

Age? Weight loss? Gain? Surely it can’t be that baby…he’s over two years old now?!

So while WebMD, Mayo, Armstrong and Google can’t help me out with these feet that have lost inches, I’ll take it. Because one size smaller in anything is, well…awesome. Ok, maybe not so much for the males in the group or when it comes to bra sizes, but again, I’ll take it. For that only means one thing:

A trip to Nordys.

Join me, won’t you? We have foot wear to purchase!

Finding the Light

2011-11-15T20:55:00.004-06:00

“It seems to me that you’re right, there’s an awful lot of darkness goin’ on right now,” my friend agrees, his head shaking side to side as his glasses fall further down his nose, our subjects ranging from Penn State to Lisa Irwin to the European economy (um, not to mention ours) and more. He continues in his philosophical way, his hands following his heartfelt emotions as his words pour out and I clung to each, for each contained wisdom. “But you see, I think the answer is: you just gotta look for the light. And spread the light. Because really, what else is there?”

Tucking these words in my heart for safekeeping as I so often do, I went on with my day, dodging between meetings, putting out fires, trouble-shooting issues, catching up on assignments, training others and trying to wrap my brain around the next 12 hours which contained two significant events: touring my son’s soon to be preschool and attending a major town hall with a new CEO that no one was quite sure what he was going to say as part of a major company merger. Normally, these types of things don’t phase me, but lately…

The “finding the light” conversation had started with me divulging that for the first time in my 31 years, I was concerned I was beginning to lose faith in humanity. That unearthing those glittery stones of goodness were becoming harder to mine. That fear and anxiety were feeding the corners of my mind versus the regular rosy thoughts that generally circulated and always started with the good in people were winning the battle. That I was doubting others’ intentions, their sanity and if I could ever in a million years truly trust any being with my child other than myself with him by my side. That I was bored, restless, unmotivated, scared and tired. More than ever, I needed to find the light…

My drive home was silent, the natural drum of the radio even too much for me to take in my current emotional state. Concern over what kind of Mom and wife I’d be when I arrived since I’d been baking since five a.m., running around like a mad woman and balancing this, that and the other clouded my vision and I did my best to slap on a smile as I entered the mess that is currently our home. And then, it happened.

The light.

The kind of light that shines as a toddler sporting a Super Man cape made of blankets and Mommy’s running shoes greets you at the door. The warm smile from my husband as he prepared dinner and said the words, “you look tired: how about I take care of all this?” The quiet, still conversation I hold with my two-year old for a good 20 minutes about his day’s moments, an instance so rare among constantly moving limbs and lips. Phrases such as “Mommy – you breaka my heart!” watching him dance about the room truly as no one was watching, the kisses he plants on his six animals he constantly totes around as he carefully arranges them on the fireplace and then there was the cuddle session: 45 delicious minutes of classical music playing, the three of us sprawled on the carpeted floor, over 100 tuck ins and each of us, face to face, silent and loving with our souls’ very own eyes.

Now that, my friends, is light.

Light, indeed.

Friends and Family

2011-11-13T07:42:00.007-06:00

With things seeming well, a bit bleak, retailers are kicking it up a notch before Black Friday to ensure they make their numbers for the holiday season. For example, today's the last day for Friends and Family (40% off) for both Loft and GAP. I don't know about you, but I think some of these items would be stellar under the tree:

Happy shopping!

Story Time

2011-11-12T22:24:00.008-06:00

“I know it’s super last minute – hope you can join us!” I typed madly across the screen, inviting the small MOMS group I throw together to this month’s event. Having just received my 10-millionth email of the day, this time from a local shopping center, I happened to pop it open in a work avoidance effort and discover that Pottery Barn Kids was hosting story time the coming Saturday. Daydreaming of darling kiddos in their PJs, each hugging teddy bears and listening intently to the teller, I decided to go ahead, even with just five days notice to a group of extremely busy women.

And surprisingly, we had a pretty good turnout:

Arriving early to the store, we were greeted from the friendly staff members who sat patiently by while our children rode their expensive display bikes, messed with the wooden trains and found comfort in their perfectly made beds. Soon, we were invited to the back and asked to form a circle on one of their classic rugs near a set of bunk beds, a rolling cart of hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies nearby. As the kids eagerly gathered their treats and found just the right spots, the store employee, clad in a robe, slippers and teacher voice began, featuring three memorable books from the store’s collection.

As the storyteller rattled on in her sing song voice, most of our kiddos sat patiently, enjoying popped corn for the first time, taking in the rhymes of the story and engaging in the games they played in between. Sure there was a bit of taking a break to explore and even some asking of “can we buy something from here when we’re done?” mid-way, but hey – that’s why they host these types of events, right?!

Three books were read (and went immediately on my Amazon list), a fashion show was had (so pumped the little dude agreed to sport his new Uggs), snacks were consumed, games played and book club cards signed. Even a little hot chocolate was spilled on that rug and very little fretting was done about it.

The outcome?: funny comments that can only come from young children’s mouths, glowing eyes as they took in every word, hilarious questions and even more comical actions as they attempted to play games. Plus, a set of chill parents who had found a little free treasure on a Saturday night.

So all in all, a fabulous event-I highly recommend it. Check out the other story times available at a Pottery Barn Kids near you and enjoy!

The End.

How Will We Choose?

2011-11-12T06:15:00.006-06:00

Several days back as the fall leaves filled the air, we checked the white day care mailbox generally lined with gorgeous drawings, fun projects and important notes. This time, we found these:

An envelope we anxiously await twice a year.

Best gift ever if I do say so myself.

However will we choose?!

PS: Thanks for your patience with the quality of photos: these are pics of proofs on paper shot with an iPhone 3G - yikes!

We Used to Be Quasi-Cool...

2011-11-07T21:46:00.005-06:00

Then we found ourselves at the Yo Gabba Gabba concert on Sunday evening.

But the great thing? A load of parents who also looked as if they wore the “cool” label decades back were also in tow, mouthing the lyrics to the insanity that is the Disney show, shaking their hips appropriately and delighting in the wonder that lined their children’s faces.

And in this crowd included us, a pair of happy-go-lucky-I-can’t-believe-we-just-dropped-cash-on-this-show-plus-an-extra-60-for-the-tee-and-“flashlight”-thingy. But the truth?

We totally loved it.

Honest truth?

Maybe even more than this guy, though he did admit, as you’ll see here he was ready to party (note I don't know how to rotate videos and they take two hours to download!):

Who could have totally left once the light spinning thing-a-ma-bob was placed in his little hand. Well, that is on the second round: the cheaper one that looked just like a glow stick? Not cutting it. Already at age two, he recognized what the other kids had and desired the same. Ay yay aye. But we were happy to purchase it for him, particularly since it kept him patiently seated while waiting for the show to begin. Oh and the tee and plush sets you ask? Yah, we may have gotten a bit caught up in all the excitement…

So much so that Mommy may have gone bananas and stood on her seat and shook her tush as if she were in Zumba class when Michael Jackson came on. Both boys look totally ashamed. And when she threw her hands up in “OPP style” to the hip-hop tune “I Like Bugs?” Grounds for pure red in the face, but also a few sneaky grins from the wee one, who looked a bit alarmed his Momma even know of such things. But who could help themselves??? I mean, seriously – at the core, it was a rap concert:

Ok, and there was a bit of this:

But overall a complete blast.

And in the eyes of our two-year-old, made us totally cool. Even if the word “cool” doesn’t lend us much street cred anymore these days.

We’ll take it.

From Head to Toe

2011-11-04T08:07:00.010-05:00

As the frost lines our once green grass and the catalogues begin pouring in, I find myself getting a little over the top and going bananas over "things." I mean, you already know my love for retail therapy and giving gifts, but I swear there is something in the air that goes straight toward my brain and makes me fall for "stuff" even harder this time of year. My Christmas wish list already contains well over 30 items and is on its third version...feel free to confirm with my head-shaking family members. I feel quite guilty about it all, but much like what happens with my relationship with chocolate, we just.keep.pressing.on. So with this said, allow me to share two things that I've recently fallen for that still exist within our Dave Ramsey plan:

Emi-Jay hair ties:
Recently I had spotted them on Sheridan French's blog and was intrigued, but not yet sold (though anything SF says I immediately croon over because, well, I want to be her). Then, I was delighted to find them perched in a corner booth at Holiday Mart, saw a pic of Jennifer Anniston sporting it, tried it in my own 'do and was sold. Yes - I'm ever marketer's dream.

Bottom line: love the color selection, they look darling on the wrist and even cuter with in the hair, giving it some lift with a lazy updo that says "I tried." Swoon!

Since dressing head to toe is always key, what about the tootsies? I despise spending money on socks because of course the washer monster constantly eats them and immediately after purchasing I lose the patience to a) find them in the backyard from my dog's mouth b) match them up and put them away. But, there is some pressure to have some cute tootsies these days because each Saturday we have Kindermusik and there are no shoes allowed. Since Dave is not down with pedis, this calls for a little sock action. After two weeks of sporting the hubs' that are supposed to be white but are more gray and contain unsightly holes (blech), I decided I needed to woman up and spend some dough. Much to my glee, I spotted a whole wall of fantastic looking, girly, crazy socks at Forever 21 in Dallas. At 95 cents each, about 10 of them came home as mine:

So take that all you Kindermusik parents with adorable, patterned matching socks. I'm bringin' it this week!

And speaking of head to toe, this is a darling read from Eric Carle's newish collection:

Rhyming and encouraging kids to replicate the actions, it's a blast.

From head to toe, now you know!

Girlsgiving

2011-11-03T06:43:00.010-05:00

"Megs, I didn't know you were serving a real Thanksgiving!" the girls crooned, marveling at the light feast that lay before them. That, coupled with the disbelief that I had actually made all the items myself (though totally cheating on the main dish), made for a fabulous Girlsgiving, which included an evening of laughter, celebration of friendship and story swapping well into the evening.

So what did we consume besides several bottles of wine? Given my lack of skill in the kitchen, that it was a work day and daycare sent my kiddo home under the weather, I went for simple and tasty:
Honey Baked Ham:

Maple Cornbread from this month's "Real Simple" magazine:

Green bean casserole (the dish that caused the most groans of joy):

Mini quiche as an appetizer:

And pumpkin bars and candy bar treats for dessert:

So eat, drink and be merry we did, delighting in our bond, planning for the holidays and thanking our lucky stars for one another.

Happy Girlsgiving, indeed.

Now back to the treadmill!

Dazzle and Smile

2011-11-01T13:38:00.006-05:00

Truth be told, I like to do both. You know, sport glittery ensems and accessories daily and also walk around with a big ol' grin on my face. Because, life is good...why not dazzle and smile?

Problem is, when it comes to Kate Spade, I need to choose one for my Christmas list:

So, whatcha think? Dazzle or smile?

And I promise to continue to do both where it really counts.

Preparing for the Holidays

2011-10-31T06:32:00.003-05:00

You've likely seen the shelves of your local retailers already piling up with the red, green, gold and silver, so why not get your holidays started with this fun new color by Essie?:

Cocktail bling. Croon!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T06:29:00.005-05:00

Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.
~Judith Olney

Wishing you and yours a belly-filled, smile-induced, love and laughter day of tricks, treats and haunts!

Tricks and Treats

2011-10-30T22:10:00.008-05:00

Ok, so maybe not so much tricks because who has time for those shennanigans, but here are some of the delicious and easy treats I've been whipping up for our many Halloween events this year:

Spooky Spider Cookies (subbing chocolate frosting for peanut butter to hold the eyes on due to peanut allergies)

Pumpkin Bars

Spider Pops

Corn Maze Munch

Cauldron Cheese Ball

All tasty and doable (said the girl who is lucky if she boils water correctly and was also caught shaking cinnamon over a tablespoon for a good 10 minutes this weekend before being told she could remove the cover), these are perfect for whipping up on the go.

Cheers to tricks...and treats. Definitely treats. Yum!

Because, after all, isn't that what Halloween is all about?

Patchin' With the Punkins

2011-10-30T08:18:00.008-05:00

“So, what’s your vote – where do you recommend?” my girlfriend asks, a black and orange screen lighting up her face as she scrolled through frantically, searching for just the right spot to visit as part of many KC family’s traditions. Each year we ask the same, researching which pumpkin patch has tried to outdo the other for the season, noting the details based on the age of our children, what special events they’re hosting that weekend, etc. So if you’re looking to squeeze in a last-minute trip to the patch today or perhaps play hooky from work tomorrow to celebrate with the kids, here are the top three I’d recommend:

1. Louisburg Cider Mill
2. Deanna Rose
3. Johnson Farms

Here’s why:
The Cider Mill has everything on-site, is clean, people are friendly and they have a killer general store. You can nab your cider donuts and hoards of candy on site while your kiddo climbs the hay bales, checks out the baby cows and ponies, watches how cider is made, does a little jig to the country band and the grandparents wander through the booths. The pumpkin selection is strong, and you have the choice to easily wander out or take a fun tractor ride. This patch can be super nutty on certain days, so if you can swing a weekday, all the more power to you.

Deanna Rose was the perfect place to take our little punkins with the MOMS group I informally throw together each month, because you not only have the joy of visiting the farmstead and all those activities, but spending some time in their “Pumpkin Hollow.” Though we were surprised by the additional ticket price to enter, you did walk away with three pumpkins, could dig through bins of corn (and throw them at each other if you have little boys), go down a huge slide made of hay bails, fish, put ping pong balls through and maze and more. Perfect for that toddler to pre-school age and in an area where you could almost always keep your eye on them and they don’t get too overwhelmed. Plus the most gorgeous Clydesdales run the tractors out there. Food and drink is always handy, there are tons of families and activities around and even a playground for when they want the ordinary.

Johnson Farms is one we’ve visited for our major trip for the past two years because of the beautiful drive out south, the easy access and smaller crowds. Not to mention the fabulous pumpkin choices and beautiful mums and décor they carry. Plus, if you again have a little boy, they can spend hours watching the dinosaur munch the pumpkins or the man “hook the pumpkins!” from a cannibal over the river. Parents can pick gorgeous wildflowers while kids delight in the super-ugly pig, score a pony ride, see the baby chics and piglets or spend hours jumping on what has to be the largest version of a trampoline we’ve ever seen. The food lines are short, the bathrooms clean and the pre-school play area with fast slides a dream…including a huge sandbox. The tractor rides out are convenient and fast with the ability to throw a wheelbarrow on to return and there’s even a place to measure how tall your child has grown since last year. Don’t forget to hit the apple place on your way out on Holmes for the donuts!

Admittedly, KC Pumpkin Patch was also on our radar this year, but unfortunately we just couldn’t squeeze it in between all the other pumpkin donut downing, cider drinking and finding the perfect orange guy activities we’ve been doing.

So, big city folk, will you make the pumpkin patch a tradition for your family each year with so many great areas to choose from? For us, it’s something we look forward to for the sights, sounds and smiles it brings to our little family…and our bellies and front porches.

Happy patchin’ with the punkins!

WW The Finale: Happily Ever After

2011-10-30T07:41:00.004-05:00

And so we come full circle, intimate details left uncovered but still, two weeks later, felt with the heart. The happy couple has returned from Aruba, relaxed and content, and illustrating their true connection by being a pair of die for Halloween:

Thank you again for making us a part of your special day and for all the thoughtfulness, innovation and joy you brought to your commitment, reminding us the magic never ends. If there is one thing that's black and white in all of this (besides the decor of course), it's that you two are perfect for each other, unearthing all that is good within and helping make each other the best versions of yourselves...you know, the happily ever after thing.

Yah, you've got it. We can't wait to see you flaunt it!

Happy wedding, newlyweds!

I, take you, to be my partner, From this day forward, For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer,In sickness and in health, To love and to cherish, As long as we both shall live.

WW Part VI: Practice Makes Near Perfect and Speech Therapy

2011-10-27T07:20:00.010-05:00

“Mine’s all up.in.here,” brags the hubs as I sit hunched over near the computer screen, surprised at my hesitation in word flow as I attempted to throw together my sisterly speech for the rehearsal dinner. “Pffftt – mine is going to kick your little speech’s butt,” I said in a doubtful tone, trying to make it a competition for a little inspiration. But yah, that didn’t help so much either.

I’ve always been envious of those that can create beautiful phrases in their head and then repeat them in a front of a crowd, especially when there is intense emotion involved such as marrying off your adorable little brother and welcoming a fantastical sister. My attachment to words, attention to detail and the will to get it just right for the receiver won’t let my soul venture toward that direction, so jotting it down it is. Even for my role as a facilitator in my daily life, I prepare each agenda with paragraphs of what I may say, rehearse in front of a mirror and hope for the best when the meeting actually arrives. And being a journalism major, pressure and deadlines always help too, so 10 minutes before we had to wake the little dude for our flight to the wedding, the words came in a flurry, and a page and a half of content I was mostly satisfied with was prepared for the bride and groom.

If you find yourself in this dilemma in the future, here are a few tips that may help:

1. Create drafts. There’s nothing wrong with revisions as long as you’re not obsessing, and at a wedding, there’s no shame in toting that piece of paper up there with you so you can be polished and meaningful.
2. Choose a theme our outline. If you narrow your focus instead of trying to cram 25 years together in one speech, it helps keep you on task. For example, mine was on gifts, which could then translate into gift opening and the gifts the two of them are in life and why.
3. Speak from the heart. Funny is fabulous, but the most memorable also includes love and cherished memories.
4. Stay focused on the couple. So many times speech givers are using the word “me” or “I” and making it all about them as they tie to the bride and groom. It’s their day…make that obvious of why that’s so special.
5. Keep it short and sweet: ok, I’m always totally rogue this, but if you can keep it to two minutes or less, that’s fantastic. After all, that is generous given our adult attention spans of today, particularly those with iPhones.
6. Don’t shy from a bit of emotion. You’ll be shocked when you actually get up there in front of family and friends how different it is than public speaking to colleagues or clients. Prepare for choking up and maybe even a bit of tearing and chalk it up to sentiment. People will get it and be moved.
7. Drink adult beverages, but not too many. If it helps calm your nerves, take a swig of the red. But good Gah, don’t get up there and slur your words and sway around as if the reception has already taken place…your credibility and reputation is announced in that moment of poise. Unless that’s something you’re comfortable with, than all the power to ya…acceptance is a beautiful thing.
8. Speak clearly, slowly and loudly. You’ve got killer things to say…make sure they’re heard!
9. Hug and toast at the end. It gets the room involved and ties a bow on your speech, making it clear when to initiate clapping.
10. Send a copy to the bride and groom. If it’s not caught on tape, it’s a great sentiment they cherish from their big day.

And if this isn’t enough for you and you’re still on edge: call me up. If you give me enough detail, I’ll write it for you. I love it, it’s a blast and it helps you out, so I’m in and the bride and groom never have to know. Don’t think it hasn’t been done before…

Speaking of speeches, the Maid of Honor and Best Man did incredible jobs implementing the tactics above, and each even brought me to tears:

The rehearsal was a blast from start to finish, from the ring bearer leaping off the stage time and time again, in total non-compliance with instructions, to the viewing of the get-away car filled with a trunk of beer, to the girls preparing their trek down what felt like a mile-long gravel path, to a I-don’t-know-where-to-park-but-when-we-find-the-restaurant-it-will-be-amazing situation, to tummy-happy delicious food, from embracing family we don't see nearly often enough, to meeting a wonderful family soon to blend with ours, laughing it up with the bride and groom’s super sweet friends and experiencing all the joy and love wrapped up in the happy couple.

Practice made for near perfect…and what a perfect day it turned out to be.

WW Part V: Dancing, Duds and Décor

2011-10-23T22:05:00.016-05:00

You know the ol’ saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Or that attention to detail is what makes something truly spectacular? Well let me tell you: all folks attending this wedding straight up knew and appreciated its beauty and it was the thoughtful innovation, careful planning and passion for life and one another that made this an event all will remember…not to mention the bride’s impeccable taste. Here’s just a sampling of the décor related to creating their vision of ever after:

Pictured: over-sized, unique centerpieces, champagne toast table for those exiting the ceremony into the reception, the farewell wands for send off, giant balloons for pictures and the memorable guest book.
Not pictured: hundreds of things, including the beautiful tree that held guests' place markers, the incredible stage and amphitheater they married in and more.

Perfect for Pinterest, yes? Or maybe a YouTube lesson on “how to create a remarkable wedding?” Straight out of Anthropologie? Ripe for greenweddingshoes.com. Yes, yes, yes and yes.

From the hand-drawn invitations to the unique boutonnieres, the perfectly crafted arch they married under to choosing a friend to wed them with a tear-inducing speech, it was flawless from start to finish. Truly a breathtaking event!

Speaking of breathtaking, let’s transition over to the less important, but still fun things, shall we: the what we wore look!

My vision for the ring bearer’s rehearsal outfit was that spotted on Pinterest, a newsboy type appeal with the punk accessories that I for the moment believe fit his personality so well. So after discovering some must-have plaid jeans from GAP Kids, we opted for a simple white button down, some Converse Velcro kicks and a pair of suspenders…, which were NOT easy to find. Tip here: order them online…no bridal stores, boutiques or department stores carry them for the wee ones and making your own becomes quite a chore.

The sunglasses? Oh yah...no, those are just part of his everyday wear. Including PJ time, until they're carefully slipped off his face around 11 p.m. each evening by his Mommy.

Then there was the sparkly ensem that has quickly become my favorite piece in my little closet, while Mike sported a Brooks Brothers type look that fits him to a T:

Mom opted for a fun animal print skirt coupled with some fun jewelry, while Dad did the sport coat look and the bride, groom and their wedding party looked pull together and fabulous as always.

From start to finish, everyone was looking fab in their duds and enjoying their time in them – and that’s what counts! Even Mom settled on a beautiful gown for the occasion after much consulting, online searching and agony…and she looked gorgeous! And Dad in his tux? Handsome!

Now on to the important people: the bride and groom…perfectly coifed, gorgeous and flawless. I may even go as far to say I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride than she. I mean, look!:

Some might say you can’t go wrong with olive skin, a thin, near-perfect frame, doe-like brown eyes and long, flowing auburn hair, but this gal took the cake. Move over Kate Middleton, for Erica wowed in her classy, lace embroidered, mermaid style gown with a cathedral length veil, lace overlay, light straps that were later removed, a sweetheart neckline, simple jewels, flat sparkly gold shoes and a smile that knew she was marrying the one that day. Each time she turned a corner, delighting in the magic before her, she nearly took your breath away with her natural beauty and striking elegance. And my bro? Not so bad himself in a classic tux, bow tie and that same matching smile that felt comfortable and confident in committing to forever. Perfection.

And the bridesmaids: flaunting cocktail length, one-shoulder dresses that were both comfortable and sassy, matching their moods for the big day:

So what did we do with all this wearing of the cute clothes? Why, dance of course! It was not shocker the Esslinger clan was out on the floor first:

This explains so much about my devotion to shaking my hiney and love of wine.

From the first note to the last, the DJ was a blast, the bride and groom picking the perfect list of songs to get everyone out on the floor, having the time of their lives. The hubs and I relived our college moments (though far less alcohol induced), bouncing around acting like we were in music videos and sweating as if we’d just completed a 5k. Cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws and strangers alike bonded as one, delighting in the frivolity that belongs only to weddings like these. And true to Jewish tradition, there was even a bit of this on the dance floor:

Dancing, duds and décor. Fun, tasteful, classy, thoughtful, breathtaking and flawless. Just like the wedding.

Croon!

WW Part IV: Bearing the Rings

2011-10-23T07:22:00.009-05:00

“Oh my goodness, he’d be honored! Do you want to hold some special, special, rings buddy?” I said through the side of my mouth to the little dude, balancing my iPhone with my shoulder and his weight with my other as he gave me a confused look. “Yes – we’ll do it – and we’ll practice lots!” I confirmed to the bride and groom, committing our then one-year old to ring bearer duties. After hanging up, I began to daydream of all the possibilities this could mean, from sporting an adorable mini tux, practicing “step together, step together” like in “Father of the Bride” and imagining what shennigans he would pull as he made his way to the alter on the big day that always makes the audience laugh.

So a year later, at age two, it all came true and more. And during the process, we learned a few things, like:

1. Buy the tux vs. rent: you save about half the dough and likely for a three and under crowd, it will fit better. And you won’t have to remove those stains they get on them, even if they just sport them for 20 minutes.

2. Cross your fingers the tux rental place is cool. Like ours, for example: they had a beach ball that they let him kick all over the store as we tried each piece on at a time in 30-min increments. Made for a wild Friday evening let me tell you.

3. Order the shoes online. If you have a mini-skinny like my little dude who has short, wide feet, good shoes are hard to find and those rented hard-as-a-rock ginormous ones at the rental place just won’t cut it.. We scored an adorable patent leather pair with flexible bottoms at an inexpensive price in size six at online. In these he can run, jump and play in and adores so much, we frequently find him wandering the house in just a diaper, tee and these.

4. Practice. It doesn’t make perfect, but it sure is a lot of fun. We did the “step together” scene, breaking a few of our own plates along the way (the couple had him carrying a gorgeous dish with the rings) and had hours of fun which resulted in him puffing out his chest with pride and anticipating the big day. Plus you have some cute B-roll to text the bride and groom along the way.

5. Commit to bribery in advance. Talk about the fruit snacks that will wait at the end of the aisle. Have M&Ms on hand when you’re attempting to slap that tux on again and a special drink as he’s forced to “sit quietly” during the ceremony. Or better yet, do what the bride and groom did and have these awesome “distraction tools” that were meant for send-off décor but turned into “keep the ring bearer busy for hours” vehicles.

6. Have a plan A, B and C with one master in command. The whole thing is already totally overwhelming for the wee ones, so let the one he trusts the most (Mom or Dad) be the one barking instructions and giving encouragement. Add in much more and it becomes a complete circus. People mean well in their intentions, but one is truly enough to get through. And have a Vice President, such as Aunt Mary, who is a super woman and swoops in when things start going a little unexpectedly.

7. Have no expectations other than to enjoy the ride. Kind of like parenthood, ya? They’re two for goodness sakes. The rehearsal may go swimmingly (besides leaping and crashing off the stage a few times) and the ceremony will be a whole new ball game (hello – there are hoards of people and violins and stuff!). And wish like crazy the bride and groom (ok and wedding planner) are laid back enough to go with whatever comes of it…like going down on Momma’s hip, down a gravel path and her short dress, putting on Papa’s for a split second, then get whisked away by Aunt Mary to leap on and off the rocks above during the ceremony. Oh – and not even bear the rings. Let’s face it: it was just safer that way! Then, to spend hours avoiding all the hoopla and finding joy in exploring the railings, fountains and not so much those “boring ol’ speeches”, only to make it into one demonstration of “Ring Around the Rosey” and pass out.

And above all: take it all in and embrace it as one of life’s remarkable, amazing moments. Your little guy will never look cuter than on this day, dressed to the nines, experiencing yet another new milestone in his life in whatever way he chooses.

Oh – and hope the photographer gets a really stellar shot because those ring bearers, they’re just not that into sitting still:

Thank you, Ryan and Erica, for making your nephew a part of your special day. It was such a blast and an experience we’ll spend the rest of our lives cherishing. We’d do it a million times over, for you, for him and for all the joy it brings, that bearing of the rings.

WW Part III: Beauty and the Bridesmaids

2011-10-20T06:13:00.010-05:00

A true southern beauty with impeccable taste and a golden heart, it should have been anticipated without a doubt that the bride would spoil us rotten. And that she did, from head to toe, tummies included, starting with a gourmet lunch at Bistro Niko:

Quaint, delicious and with a darling server who knew just what Rose’ bubbly to pour for the occasion, this was the bridal party’s first meet and greet, delighting over French food, indulging in the details of the weekend and even gifting the bride with a little something for her trek to Aruba in a few days:

In return, she presented us with the most darling, monogrammed black and white canvas totes filled with Anthropologie goodies including a scarf that goes with everything, a darling silk purse to tote lipstick and cameras during the soiree, dazzling earrings to compliment our dresses, and a grey v-neck tee with a simple heart on the front and the label “Bridesmaid” on the back to sport on our day of beautification. Beyond adorable, it took everything I had not to slip all the pieces on at once, right there among the French cuisine and large crowds.

Delighting in getting to know the girls, including lifetime friends and family and even hearing a few stories I’d likely never would’ve learned of the blushing bride, we made our way into two cars (including a round trip cab ride for some forgotten keys…likely the only party foul of the whole weekend, which was totally minor), to head toward the Sugarcoat Salon, the most darling of places I’ve ever stepped a soapy foot in:

An all-white, vintage-themed shop complete with pops of pink in the most precarious of places, this salon was a delight. Fabulously smelling products packaged in darling wrap, flashy earrings near the front, Havanna flops on the floor, white leather benches complete with big, puffy pillows and marble countertops were just some of the things that made you want to pencil in this place for the rest of your life. Add to that the super-sweet technicians, the variety of hip colors and efficiency of service and the overall mood in the place, and you have a hot spot that earned its title as one of the best. A bit of education on gel polish, lots of sugar scrub, closed eyes and laughter, the gals were beautified from top to bottom, the ‘maids getting dark colors while the bride herself opted for neutral on her might-as-well-be-a-hand-model nail beds.

Relaxed and ready, it was the perfect time to fit seven in a sedan and head our separate ways to dress for the fun rehearsal ahead. Better yet it was a perfect time to connect with these girls, providing us the opportunity to become more than strangers and celebrate the love we so obviously share for the amazing bride.

So thank you, Erica and the rest of the bridesmaid crew, for the fabulous day from start to end. What a gift to get to know and have a blast with those that mean the most to my new sister-in-law and to set the tone for the rest of the weekend, from the first hello to the last sweaty embrace on the dance floor to now quickly becoming FB friends and tagging in photos. And let’s not forget, as a gal who not-so-secretly adores gifts, the amount of gratitude for the super-fun package. It’s not even been a week and I’ve accessorized with the scarf and purse three times, wore the tee to bed and toted the tote to the gym. Love!

Bridesmaids and beauty: hands down one of the most fantastic parts of the weekend. It’s a girl thing!

WW Part II: The Welcome Wagon and Living Quarters

2011-10-20T05:29:00.007-05:00

“You were such a good traveler bud – give me a high five!” I said with half enthusiasm, half wear in my voice as the hubs may his way to the lobby desk, greeted by an incredibly friendly staff, who promptly whisked us up to the fifth floor along with other family members for our stay. Despite being under construction, the lobby was beautifully decorated and clean, contemporary and simple, easy access to all things guests need and some of the kindest staff members this gal has experienced in her frequent travels.

Still smiling, the bell man brought up our loads of bags, even searching the hotel and immediately finding the one that had been misplaced in all the hoopla of Mike attempting to carry six while I tried to keep the toddler sleeping upon our arrival given it was his first and only 30 mins of snooze for the day. Traditional and elegant, crib-ready and beds so soft you may never want to leave, Room 515 was comfortable, large and ready for our long and complicated stay. Plus, there was a really fun doorbell used by hotel staff, which was super fun for those that are two. Ok, and maybe the rest of us too.

Best of all, we arrived to this:

A customized, themed, adorable bag complete with treats of crackers, snacks, gum and water and beautifully crafted instructions for the weekend…super handy for those attempting to pull up their wedding web site with tiny font on iPhones. The tag, perfectly printed by the bride herself, grew our excitement and made it more real that this was all really happening.

Minutes later, the toddler was ready to roll, as you can imagine after convincing himself (ok and succumbing to bribery) to stay in his seat on the plane for three hours, then jumping in puddles patiently as we had attempted to install what appeared to be an 80s, why even bother car seat. So best of all #2:

Our hotel was connected to a mall.

Genius. For me and him as this meant hours of running in the a.m., complete with viewing fountains and witnessing the launch of the iPhone 4S and opening of the largest Forever 21 store in the south. Normally I’d be standing in those lines, but in this case, the high of just watching the shoppers was enough. Not to mention there was a Kinect game going strong at all hours where you could make a fool of yourself to instill laughter, a walkway that highlighted the moon (he's obsessed right now) and benches galore to scale up.

Two personal phone calls from the bride and groom, a few quick minutes of unpacking, picking up the tuxes, snagging a quick dinner at CPK and day one of Wedding Weekend was complete.

Let the fun begin!

A Week of Wedding: What to Expect in the Next Seven

2011-10-17T06:02:00.005-05:00

The past five days have been filled with the kind of magic I'll never forget, complete with the most intricate of details, remarkable of memories and buckets of love. For me, this makes for the perfect recipe for blog content, so over the next week, I'll share snippets of Ryan and Erica's wedding weekend, both the nuptial details and the quirks of managing a ring bearer, being in a wedding party and surrounding yourself with the hoopla that is a wedding. Since this is my 18th rodeo (what a blessing to stand up with others this many times!), I selfishly thought I'd have a little fun with this as well, plus give you a glimpse inside what was sure to be one of the loveliest weddings the south has seen.

Shall we start with just a the end in mind as I work to recover and I'll get you something more creative tomorrow?

(I can't wait to see what the real images will look like vs. all of our champagne-induced point and shoots!)

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale." - Anonymous

Happy Monday, everyone.

The Roast

2011-10-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday marked what was my seventh(???) annual Choate Family Weenie Roast, an event we look forward to each year as summer turns into fall, causing us to indulge in delicious food and conversations with family. And despite whatever changes have brought to the brood in the 12 months that fly by in between, we always manage to have a good time and lots of laughs beside the fire pit, catching up on old times, swapping jokes and consuming mass amounts of chili and brownies until we need a sweatshirt to cover up our burgeoning buttons. This year, in addition to spreading family cheer, we had the luxury of learning two valuable lessons:

1. There is still a pecking order
2. A pre-schooler will say just about anything

Scene 1: the family is gathered in comfortable silence, recovering from phase one of food intake and watching nearby as a darling chipmunk makes his way across the leaves and grass. We begin to quietly point him out to Lawson, who has not yet met a creature of this sort, and as we begin to describe what he eats, his coat and how he hops about…

A ginormous eagle-like hawk thing nabs him by the back of his furry little neck, squealing and squirming as the bird chose him as dinner. To make matters worse, he did this male chest puffing thing like “check me out I’m a bada$$ bird who just pulled a National Geographic move on you” type of dance.

Try explaining that to a two-year old.

And where was my iPhone in that moment? Total YouTube material.

Luckily, Lawson ended the conversation between looks of shock and held-in hysterical laughter among the family with “MOMMY! THE BIRD TRIPPED OVER THE MICK-MUNK!”

Hey – you’ve learned two year olds are always, right haven’t you? I think I’ll let his imagination stick with that thought then teaching him life’s pecking order. He’ll unfortunately have plenty of years for that.

Scene 2: an Uncle of the family arrives who we don’t see often, and Lawson has likely only met once. A man who tends to get second glances due to his long hair, laid back attitude and all-black clothes immediately catches his attention, and I don’t know whether to let him stare as he is in a discovery stage or launch into some kind of lecture about politeness and equality. Because you know how preschoolers are with lectures…

Anyway, Lawson starts to get really worked up, pointing and saying “the man! THE MAN MOMMY!” and for once my own child is making me uncomfortable and I’m left trying to decide if I toss him in the woods or just own up to whatever is going on and hope everyone around me understands he’s an innocent two year old. When he starts to spout of words about a circus and a parade I’m about to distract him by kicking a soccer ball he’ll have to chase for a good 20 minutes or make some excuse to head back to the car, I realize:

He’s mistaken his Great Uncle for Weird Al Yankovic. From Yo Gabba Gabba.

Which is totally fair given the hair length. Still inappropriate, but fair - if you're two. After all, Grandpa’s scooter is a motorcycle or tractor at any given moment and Mommy tickles spiders who suddenly disappear into Kleenex world. Daddy grows grass on his belly and in his nose and anytime Mommy has more than a salad there is a baby brother or sister tucked away in her tummy.

Yah – preschoolers will say just about anything.

But maybe we’re just jealous because they can?!

Either way the cookout was a blast, sinus infection, pecking order, preschooler comments and all. Thank you GGC for making it another fabulous year we’ll never forget!

Remedy

2011-10-10T06:33:00.005-05:00

"Seriously, sleep with one eye open dude...Momma ain't happy."

These are generally the words the hubs hears when I feel a cold coming on, which is typically before any major event...you know, like your brother's wedding. So here's the plan for the week before we board that jet plane and get exposed to even more of a germ circus:

And I don't know about you, but each cold I receive the gift of as I age, I get crankier, even more tired and well, kind of a wuss. Maybe not so much that, but really, really intolerant of the snot-nosed beast that holds you up in life when you had other plans like cleaning house, working out, building a faux tan, writing letters to the bride and groom, getting the whole family packed, working around the clock to prepare for a business trip less than a week out from your return, etc. etc.

I promise I'm not complaining.

Wait, what? Ok, maybe a little.

So what's your secret remedies when a cold has got you down?

Yo!

2011-10-09T08:37:00.004-05:00

As DJ Lance would say...these kicks are totally AWESOME!

When presented with these Yo Gabba Gabba sneakers that just arrived at Nordy's and Journey stores on Thursday, the little dude was over the moon (think gasping and jumping up and down and even catching some ZZZZs in them). In fact, he could barely decide between the Brobee green ones and the black Vans that featured all the characters.

So yah, we're likely creating a monster...especially since yesterday he literally asked to go to the mall and requested his TOMS to go with his ensem. Yikes.

But pushing that aside (ahem), won't these be perfect for the YGG concert in November? And likely all the days in between...

Yo Gabba Gabba, Yo Gabba Gabba, Yo Gabba Gabba...

Yo!

Last Minute Save

2011-10-06T06:27:00.005-05:00

For months now, I've been prowling the mall floors at its latest hours, hunting for the perfect, or just even a decent dress to sport to my brother's rehearsal dinner next week. Trying hard to stomp the vision of a perfect party dress out of the back of my mind, I attempted to settle for lace over nude, a just-ok sweet purple dress or a form-hugging LBD. That's when I stumbled upon this:

For a second, I thought my vision had come to life. Then with a quick try on, discovered it was too big...perhaps the first and only time this whole weight-loss thing had worked in the opposite direction of goodness. And with a Calvin Klein brand name and only $40 price tag from $200, it couldn't be found around the country.

That's when my Mom, Ms. Superwoman and internet/shopping guru discovered this:

Same sassy dress, in black and available to be shipped from another state within the week.

So now the human sparkler is mine and I couldn't be more pumped. A sassy party dress mean to shine in honor and love for two people I adore with a whole heart, preparing for their big day - in a week! And the dang thing fits and is super fun!

Now onto finding a little sumpin' for the bridesmaid lunch...Mom?!

There Went the Stent

2011-10-05T22:11:00.001-05:00

“So we’ll just need you to hold him in a bear hug while the surgeon comes at him with a set of tweezers to his eyes, ok?”

Sure, nurse lady. Sounds like a dream. And at two years old without anesthetics? Perfect.

But you know what? Overall, it was.

Six months later we visited Children’s to have the little dude’s tear duct stents removed with a very simple procedure that resulted in only a bit of torture, quite the span of squirming, but overall, quick and painless.

And a sparkly, princess strawberry cupcake of course. Oh, and Jayhawk shades.

Good day. Good day.

Kudos to you little buddy. If I can get through my moments with even half of your strength, we’re doing ok. Maybe I need to invest in a Super Grover shirt too?

Regardless, there went the stents and though they worked their magic and not a tear is to be spotted due to faulty ducts, we won’t miss the little tubes for little dudes.

Adios stents, adios.

Man, Wish I Would've Thought of That!

2011-10-01T13:38:00.005-05:00

It's the reason there's Pinterest, the net itself and communities of friends - to steal their really fabulous, adorable ideas! Check this one out:

Priceless. Amazing. Super cool. And so them.

Congrats to long-time pal and his beautiful wife and son...it's been far too long but we send you all our love and wishes on your amazing journey ahead.

And man...wish I would've thought of that. TOMS and creativity? To die for...

PS: I'm so not preggers...despite the fact L keeps asking for a little sister and the large volumes of peer pressure. We're simply enjoying #1 lots and lots!!

Craftastic

2011-09-29T23:13:00.003-05:00

Sure, I can assemble a diaper wreath. Come up with crazy shower ideas. And even write a poem or two that could be frame worthy, but I definitely don’t claim to be crafty. Also, I’m not as into recycling, which I wish I was, but…

So does this count as crafty and recyclish?:

I took the Etsy stickers I ordered from the cupcake toppers we used and re-stuck them and the remainders on a set of cards I found at Target to create thank you notes appropriately themed from the little dude's party.

So what do you think: crafty and green now?

No, not so much?

Yah, me neither. But I still thank you for making L’s birthday the best – so look for that littlie thank you note, crafty or not.

Cheers!

The Rack is the Mac!

2011-09-29T22:47:00.003-05:00

Mac Daddy that is…particularly for the shopping obsessed such as myself.

Here was the alleged scene at 7:30 a.m.:

First thoughts: a) why am I not there? b) I should really be there c) can’t believe I’m missing this d) how did those men get dragged into that? They must really love their wives e) I hope my Mom has a strategy f) she should definitely start with handbags.

And indeed, she did, as she always does – my fabulous, superstar, will run all over town to get just the right thing Mom. Gah love her.

So after waiting in line for 90 minutes, witnessing fun contests and a particularly joyous dude on a microphone coupled with another guy who tripped over the curb in excitement, so much so an ambulance was called, Mom made it into the first 30 who wandered in and got dibs on the fabu merchandise. (PS: the man is ok and really he actually scores points because his dramatic fall meant a PR scheme for Rack employees, which resulted in a three-minute early entrance time). (PPSS: what is with these men? Fainting on the job of shopping is woman’s work!)

Several phone calls later, a few elbows thrown by my ever-tiny but not to be underestimated Mama and she scored three super fun sparkly shirts just her daughter’s size and style, a few sport bottles, a ring, OPI polish and drum roll: a Kate Spade large, silver, sparkly tote from this season.

All under $200.

Heaven.

I don’t know how many times I’m going to hit the place in a week but I anticipate it’s gonna be a lot…you know, if that whole raising a two-year old, working, exercising, preparing meals and catching up with family and friends thing doesn’t get in the way. Because I’m nearly certain there are more shoes, jewels, boys’ clothes and athletic wear to be had.

And not only that, but Mom reports the place is flawlessly clean, employs fabulously fun and helpful team members and lines move like lightning.

See you there?

And thanks Ma, you’re the BEST! For a million reasons, but one of them definitely being your Rack scores!

The Crayon Doesn't Fall Far From the Box

2011-09-26T21:05:00.004-05:00

It's official: the little dude and I are going to sport Crayola wear for the upcoming day o' tricks and treats:

After much debate, Chugginton, DJ Lance, a pirate, dinosaur/dragon and a robot just couldn't compete.

And yah, I'm totally sporting it to work on the 31st.

Now, how to get Daddy into a big ol' green crayon uniform...

The Reality of Saying Bye-Bye

2011-09-19T09:10:00.002-05:00

I lay the top of my forehead against the steering wheel, feeling the tears as they cascaded down my cheeks and fell onto the weather mats below, puddling in the small grooves like the “muddles” he and I had been jumping in just the afternoon before. My heart felt as if it had been physically removed from my chest, and as I caught a glimpse of his tee-ball and plastic wiffle ball out of the corner of my eye, I felt a piece of my soul slip away as well.

Entering the house, sippy cups, rocking horses, his “park”, jammies and all signs of toddler surrounded me, and for a minute, I had to look around to see if he was really there. But the house stood eerily quiet, the same kind of still that just the weekend before I’d been longing for when it was all becoming too much, now was the enemy. Though it was imperative I keep packing, prepping, preparing, rehearsing and getting on the road for my week-long business trip, I stood there, motionless, trying to remember what my purpose was. And in this deafening silence, it still couldn’t be found.

Trying to channel my inner courage and focus on the positive, I searched for comfort in the words from Karen Maezen Miller of “Momma Zen:”

“The hardest day is not the day….the doctor comes at your tender two-month old with a needle…rise from all shaky fours with a bloody tooth…sop up vomit from a leather seat, poop from a cashmere coat or pee from a puddle two steps away from the airline bathroom…

The hardest day is the day you say good-bye. For many of us right away and for all of us eventually, this is everyday. Saying good-bye is the hardest thing to do. The thing we must do most is the thing we care to do the least, and so it keeps coming around the bend.

There were reassurances…but they were such flimsy tissue-paper sails to ferry us through the dark distance of being gone.”

Be calm and confident in separating, because even in separation, there is no separation, and the trust you impart will be the trust in which your child carries on.”

So I’ll do my best to channel my inner Karen, and I too, will carry on, hosting a stellar meeting for Radiology and Ambulatory folks who are working to make a difference in millions of pediatric patients.

But deep down I’ll know that the reality of saying good-bye is a harsh one.

Miss you already, buddy. Wishing you and Daddy that week of “sitting around watching football in your undies” comes true.

And with that, I’m off to Dallas, my friends. Have a wonderful week and look forward to the fun weekend activities like the Plaza Art Fair and Strutt With Your Mutt!

Room Review: Touches of Fall

2011-09-17T17:32:00.005-05:00

A full social calendar that includes things like harvesting apples, visiting pumpkin patches, jumping in leaf piles and sipping on cider - what could be better? Oh, and don't forget: adding in those touches of fall around the house:

Welcome, Fall. So glad there is more of you to come!

And more decorating to do on Sundays at midnight...

One Month and Counting!

2011-09-17T17:21:00.002-05:00

The big day is now inching to less than a month away, and we couldn't be more excited for two people we love with whole hearts.

And here's hoping the whole two-year old ring bearer duty thing goes a bit more smoothly than the tux fitting (I can't even go there yet to post...it's too fresh). Oye vey.

Either way, Aunt Erica and Uncle Ryan's (aka: "Loading") day is sure to be one we'll forever cherish.

One month and counting!

#1 Grandparents

2011-09-14T06:37:00.005-05:00

In addition to the three birthday parties, two showers, honoring 9/11 and daily activities we celebrated this past weekend, there's one important day that did not go unnoticed, and that was Grandparents Day:

We began our morning with Daddy taking some well-deserved time off and heading out to the Chiefs game, only to find ourselves knee-deep in dough, sprinkles and frosting, creating a little treat, a small gift for the people in our lives that bring us the greatest blessings.

Inside: chocolate chip and frosted sugar cookies. Outside, the little dude's handprint and on the back, this quote: “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” All tied with a bow to be enjoyed.

The truth is, no mountain of cookies, no piles of cash, presents or accolades could ever account for how mesmerized, thankful and blessed we are to have the kind of grandparents we do in our lives. From our own set of parents to our parents' parents, we are constantly amazed at how they are always there, helping us grow and thrive and now doing the same for our own child. They are the epitome of kindness, the general of genuine care, the queens of fun, the captains of comfort and the leaders of love. And though we find ourselves speechless time and time again at all they continue to give with their hearts, minds and hands, we're going to spend the rest of our lives celebrating it and cherishing it for what it is...

perhaps even if it is just one cookie sack at a time.

We honor you Grandparents, on this special day and always...we love you.

Always Going Back

2011-09-14T06:32:00.005-05:00

There’s a country song circulating the air waves out there that touts on something about “too good to leave, too bad to stay” or something like that, which I’ve discovered is a bit like my relationship with the MAC makeup counter. A frequent purveyor of blogs, many of them containing style tips, I always attempt to venture into “over the counter” brands found at CVS, then trend toward the pocket-emptying types like NARS, Chanel, etc, only to find myself heading back to MAC for their long-lasting shadows, quirky, brilliant artists, reasonable prices and fun appeal. I mean, who doesn’t need a bit of hip-hop while they’re getting their tired face redone? Super fun, and totally distracts from the fact you haven’t done your eyebrows in decades…

Recently, I quickly scooted my way to the counter over nap time to nab up my fall eye wear and was in dire need of foundation that doesn’t fall into my ever-developing cracks of wrinkles that line my face (laugh lines?! Crap.) I was met with a super entertaining, one-of-a-kind type of gal who provided me intense education, met a gaggle of her girlfriends, had discussions I likely wouldn’t even have with my husband and ended up with a pile of goodies that left me with a fresh clean face. Here is a sample of some of the things I walked away with:

Of course, I couldn’t take them all as it’s budget time as usual, making it difficult to recreate it as stellar as she did, but we’re coming pretty close. And with a gal that refuses to do more than a three-minute routine and is constantly on the go? I’ll take it.

Adore you, MAC – and I’ll always come back.

Unbuckled

2011-09-09T06:38:00.002-05:00

My thumb hit the advance arrow button time and time again, searching relentlessly for the quotes that brought me comfort among the pages of Murphy’s book, “the 7 Stages of Motherhood: Loving Your Life Without Losing Your Mind.” Frustration mounting as this was one of the moments I wished for tangible pages due to my lack of reading the Kindle manual, I stumbled upon the passages I’d been hunting and let them sink in, seeking comfort:

“It takes enormous energy, self-control, compassion, creativity, and wisdom to get through a day with a toddler, yet we al hold on to unrealistic expectations of seamless transitions, hours of independent play, moments of crystal-clear communication. But that’s just not possible.”

“During our children’s toddler years we move from holding their hands to holding our breath to occasionally holding our head in our hands.”

“Research shows that rates of depression are twice as high among women with toddlers as they are for other mothers, hypothesized that it’s’ related to the cost of self-sacrifice, of constantly giving, giving, giving – time, attention, empathy, understanding – with very little payback.”

“Take the long view should become your mantra during the toddler years. Challenges that throw you off balance or keep y you up at night may, within a couple of months, seem like minor blips on the radar screen. Problems that seem overwhelming and scary often resolve themselves.”

“Working-mom guilt percolates on high during the toddler years not only because you imagine you’re missing all those firsts, but because two-year olds are so much fun to be with.”

Needless to say, it’d been a tough morning.

Tears, ambivalence, defiance, throwing of food, shoes, clothes, hitting the dog, slapping Mom, demands, tripping over toys, bloody lip, no food in the fridge, car out of gas, denim dyed over my crisp new shirt now coupled with blueberry yogurt, negotiations, on and on and on. All before 7:00 a.m. from a child that, even in these moments, was largely angelic, intelligent and not a challenge.

As we scrambled to get out the door, I felt my emotional balance slipping away along with the three heavy bags on my shoulder and the 30-pound dude on my hip, demanding we can’t leave the house and kicking my side as we were crawling away without his hat and sunglasses. Neighbors shot glances our way as I gently laid him down to work things out and began packing the car, tears inching out of the corner of my eyes as the bags split open, items spilling over the dark and dirty garage floor and our indoor cat darted out onto the drive – outdoors. Right behind him, the dog, who promptly makes her business in the neighbors yard, meaning I now had to convince the child to get into the car, find a plastic bag, tackle all the animals and try to just.get.in.the.vehicle. As my heel breaks, a small piece of my bumper falls off, the non-compliance ensues and my garage door opener is no where to be found, I ponder how I’m going to make it through the day, despite there were no natural disasters to be found, starvation, terrorists, etc. Though in the emotional state I was nearing, it might as well have been…

Giving in and giving up, practically willing the animals to run away and for thieves to steal everything in my house through the open garage door so the house would actually be clean for once, we backed down the drive. A block in, I hear the voice of my most beloved, though generally attentive and responsive to his constant stream of words, I was only half-listening as I fought to erase the tears behind my glasses so he wouldn’t see that Mommy was sad. Then I hear it:

“Buckle broken, Momma. Oh oh. Buckle broke.”

Craning my neck as a pile of things tumble to the passenger floor, I see it. He’s not buckled in. I forgot to buckle him in. I, his Mother, needed to do the most important thing this morning and couldn’t even manage that, leaving it the responsibility of my two-year old to verbally warn me this was a problem. Now this seems like way too much accountability to ask of a 24-month old, don’t you think?

Yet there he was, warning me like he does with so many things, helping to keep our family balance and life in perspective.

I pulled into the nearest drive, not caring who was nearby and snatched him out, pausing by the curb and holding him for a good 10 minutes, light tears streaming down my cheeks, trying to shut out the “what if” thoughts screaming through the front of my forehead. He washed them away with a brisk hand, cupping my sides and knowing with his little, warm soul that together, we just needed a minute. To restart. Regroup. Re-asses. Retry. And just – love.

I’d come unbuckled. And with that, so had he.

After the added guilt of dropping him at school, I wept on my commute in and arrived 30 minutes late to work, shutting my door only to be interrupted 10 times within my arrival. Trying to put on a front of professionalism, I saw his little face all day in the front of my glazed eyes as I went through webcast after teleconference, meeting after email, faking it until I made it.

Finally, still feeling out of body, frazzled and in some other universe where it’s likely sane people do not make their habitat, I return home to find him playing in the driveway, his first baseball glove covering his left hand.

And I come unbuckled again.

With overwhelming passion, with joy, with his warm embrace, with the kind of unconditional love only a Mother can know. And suddenly, I know, though some days are like that, we will forever be safe in the breadth of our love…

unbuckled or not.

Diggin' for Denim

2011-09-07T21:11:00.004-05:00

Cooler, amazing temps combined with the passing of Labor Day weekend have prompted me to break out the jeans, sparking excitement about my favorite time of year. Add in a lazy, loose fleece and I'm in heaven...

When sporting these said jeans, I've been asked about twice daily what brand they are and where they may be purchased. So here you go girls, have at it:

Ann Taylor Loft's Curvy Flares

GAP's Long and Leans

I adore them both because they're under $70, stretch and mold into the softest cotton, wash up like a dream and of course make a woman of substance appear smaller than she really is.

What more can a gal ask for?

And if you're questioning the flare, I still stay in full support, again for the sole reason it makes your hips look smaller. Sign.me.up...said the pear shape.

So if you're going diggin' for denim, I suggest you start here.

Happy shopping!

You Wanna Be a WHAT?

2011-09-07T20:49:00.003-05:00

"Bug, what do you want to be for Halloween?" I asked curiously, a touch of excitement and encouragement in my voice in anticipation of him spilling the beans at his now oh-so-mature age of nearly two.

"HOMIE!" he shout, his blue eyes lighting up as if he just discovered ice cream was waiting for him downstairs.

Speechless...

speechless...

still speechless...

So like all toddler tricks, I ignore the inappropriate answer and ask again: "what do you want to be for Halloween this year, buddy?"

After a few more attempts we arrive at potentially a Ring Master (thank you Yo Gabba Gabba), but the vote is still for "homie."

And as you all know, this just ain't gonna fly.

Seriously - where does he hear this stuff anyway?! His claim is a "man" says it...Lord knows who he is encountering in his active social life as a toddler to pick up these queues. Though I have a sneaking suspicion Daddy may have something to do with it, though he claims he doesn't and little dude generally does rat his father out (thus how I learned why he was shouting "dangit!"

I scramble back through time to recall if I'd purchased one of those GAP or Nordy's tee that says "homie" on them, but alas come up with nothing. I give up. And I'm starting to get nearer to waving the white flag for his Halloween costume.

So what ideas do you have for innovative and affordable? What will your kids disguise themselves as this year?

Go Vote

2011-09-05T23:08:00.006-05:00

It's rare you'll find me going political in this space or begging you to support one of my causes, but in this case:

Go out and vote for these two darling canines! Look at those faces - how could you not?!

No, not Katie and Jared (though they're both quite smashing themselves), but their adorable pups and help raise money locally for the free health clinic and the SPCA.

Woof and thanks!

Going Out With a Bang

2011-09-05T22:20:00.015-05:00

We are indulging in the kind of long weekend one only dreams of, complete with weather that signals the first signs of fall, projects falling off the to-do list that have been on for months, a day away from the daily grind, meals prepared with peace and purpose, hours dedicated to naps, an abundance of friends and family and at the heart of it all…

Lawson’s second birthday party!

Seamless and celebratory, it’s a day we (and he!) will never forget for its cheer, joy, active and smile-inducing play. Hosted at Gymboree for a “here, take my money so all I have to do is bring cupcakes,” it began late afternoon with gaggle of our nearest and dearest, which slowly grew to more than 30, many of them little friends under age two, delighting in the primary colors and craziness ensuing around them. Tottering over slides, bouncing of padded obstacles courses, chasing flavored bubbles, clapping to songs, leaping from heights, tucking and rolling in parachutes and some who had just sitting staring in wonder - it was a sight to be seen. Those sans wee ones hung nearby, sharing in the laughter, catching photo opps and unearthing their child-like spirit stuck deep within their souls.

And when play turned to a bit of ambivalence, it was a march to the cupcakes for the “Happy Birthday” tune, beverages needed after some intense activity and catching up with the kind of friends and family one spends each day being grateful for. As laughter and stories filled the room, we served red velvet and birthday surprise cupcakes, passed goody bags to the little ones, hugged guests we hardly had enough time to catch up with and delighted in watching Lawson make headway with his once-lit giant baked good, taking moments to sip a rare juice box in between. Soon, the presents were whisked away, chatter died down as our timeframe ran out and the scramble to pick up and go was upon us. But not before photos were captured, well-wishes exchanged and…

the birthday boy went out with a bang. Literally.

Catching his two front teeth and lip on the edge of what once had been laced in primary colors, streamers and bicycle-themed items for his special day. Alas, like most kid incidents, no harm no foul and was quickly cured with a now almost fully recovered Grandpa pretending to fall into a faux tree.

So yah, we went out with a bang. And what a bash it was.

Thank you to all of our incredible family and friends(many of them not pictured here!) who make these special days and all moments worth celebrating. We love you, honor you, cherish you and hope that when it comes to going out with a bang…

you’ll always be there right besides us.

A New Take on Sperrys

2011-09-04T23:43:00.002-05:00

Aren't they darling?

Adore!

I'll take one pair to go...

Of All The Sayings...

2011-09-04T23:31:00.007-05:00

the little dude has rattled off this weekend that nearly landed me in hysterical tears, here is the best of all:

"Oh, OH Daddy!" urgently pointing at the hubs' nose.

"What, what is it buddy?" says Daddy, imagining a bleed coming on or something else equally urgent.

"Up there!" says little dude, inching his finger closer and closer to the nostril region.

"Up where? Whaaa?" says Daddy.

"Oh OH Daddy - got grass in your nose! Gotta CUT IT!"

Well, played, little buddy. Well played.

And I didn't even have to put him up to it...

Pop Your Collar...

2011-09-02T22:51:00.004-05:00

cause this birthday boy is gonna step out in style!

How darling is this polo created by the ever-thoughtful, endlessly talented, super Mom of two Mrs. Jenny Knudtson?

Laid-back, timely, talented, creative and fun, Jenny took this tee from vision to finish, checking in a few times at checkpoints, but overall, she took our party theme (bicycles) and ran with it. Sensible and still attuned to quality, she nabbed a polo at Target and then took the time to find the perfect fabric in Lawrence that nearly matched the logo of the little dude’s party set for Saturday. The polo is fabulously soft and just the right shade of grey, and Jenny took her Hallmark designer sense and placed a 2 on the breast pocket and cut darling, patterned letters out on the back with a larger 2 represented. Essentially it’s like a jersey for a little guy to sport at his soiree – perfect! When receiving her package, she included care instructions and insisted she was very flexible and open to feedback. During the process she even included a teaser!

Thank you, Jenny, for creating a color-coordinated, perfectly sewn shirt we’ll literally keep for a lifetime for its sentiment and one-of-a-kindness. Because of you, the little dude’s pics are sure to be fab…and everyone will know he’s “gonna be two!!!”

Check out Jenny’s Etsy site in the next few months at petitethreads.etsy.com or connect with her via email for one of your very own.

It's Nearly September

2011-08-30T13:33:00.003-05:00

and you know what that means...

Time to purchase and break out a new MomAgenda!

This year I'm going with the gold.

Love!

Fall Lust List: The Getting Dressed Version

2011-08-30T04:00:00.010-05:00

Oh Sh*t

2011-08-28T20:59:00.006-05:00

The sun crept into the corners of the 4Runner, the beams of light bouncing off the red-blond hair accented with the blue eyes of our beloved toddler. We sat silently on our drive home, reminiscing on the beautiful simplicity of the weekend spent with family, accomplishing house projects and just enjoying one another. The sound of "Yo Gabba Gabba" filled the space, complete with light hums and whispers of the words he knew, causing little smiles to creep up on the corners of our mouths. Life is good. Great even. Nearly perfect.

Until we enter the house and find this:

Sound that screech noise when all good things come to an end or when there is a Saved by the Bell time out.

Oh.sh*t.

Dog vs. emptied-DiaperDecorbag-that-was-meant-for-the-trash-but-left-in-the-hall.

Who won? You tell me...

PS: Anyone want a five-year old Golden Retriever?!

P.P.S.S.: As if the clean-up wasn't rough enough (though the hubs did not have to sport the gas mask this time), our son's attachment to cleanliness meant it took me nearly two hours to convince him to sleep because he was uber concerned about "Ellie's BIG MESS." In addition, Ellie the dog had already betrayed the little dude once today as she "ate Paul," (his "Pat the Bunny" book where Paul and Judy are the characters). Looks like she's stepping up her game in the sibling rivalry department...

Decisions, Decisions

2011-08-25T06:39:00.004-05:00

Late Tuesday evening I was frantically combing the town with the hour I had in search for business casual clothes to sport on my upcoming trips to Dallas. Instead of finding practical black pants, silky blouses, button downs, belts and loafers, I came upon these:

And as you know, I had already swiped these up from the anniversary sale, a Nordy's exclusive, which are currently sold out:

So now the conundrum is, which to keep? The sparkly Sperrys or the sparkly TOMS? (Note: I do have a lighter pair of silver sparkly TOMS but there is just something about the darker silver that is over-the-top. Note 2: I have Sperrys in pink, purple, fuschia and nude too. Yes, I have a problem).

Decisions, decisions.

I'd much rather be making ones like these than on healthcare reform, earthquake survival or something like that...

So join me in this frivolity - which would you choose for your closet?

Ah, Boys

2011-08-23T06:04:00.004-05:00

“Wait – he did wwwaaa?” I said, combing the fine, blond-red hair from across my son’s forehead, assessing the damage as he worked to squiggle out of my arms and go on to the next daredevil stunt.

“Jumped.off.the.fireplace.like.a.leaping.banshee.with.a.blanket.as.a.superman.cape.that.he.tripped.on,” the hubs said, clearly more traumatized from the event than any of us.

And so it begins, the much anticipated (ok, not so much) boyness that will likely now remain a part of our household until he becomes a teenager that ends up sleeping most of the day. Almost overnight, our once quasi-timid son who checked with me before he climbed down the stairs with the railing, shared cautious eyes as he went to put slowly perch on the couch, sat idly by while mass chaos surrounded him in groups of other kids…had become a part of it all. Almost like a toddler gang initiation or something. Or did Nana and Papa teach him this to get back at us while we went away for our first trip over the weekend???

Or maybe he’s just a boy.

It’s been two days since we’ve been back and suddenly my careful 23-month old resembles the boys that my favorite blogger posts about, having accomplished the following in just the last 48 hours: throttled a chair climbing into his booster, dented a wood door for “wow, that was FAST RUNNING!” activities from the hallway to the playroom, scales his new bed effortlessly like a chimp in the Zoo, leapt with no warning 10 bzillion times into the swimming pool, catching his head a few times and finding it hilarious, attempted to run into traffic and up to complete strangers, citing he had to fetch his basketball he’d just thrown into the street, initiated fake falls over and over again like Brad Pitt’s stunt double, rejoicing in every bloody scrape he came up with and golf-sized bruises on his noggin, rode the dog like a rodeo clown, despite her clawing at him to back up off, wrestled with Daddy like he’s in the WWF, supermanned his way off a set of concrete steps and attempted what looked like extreme sporting moves on his new trike. And did you see what happened when I gave him a beautiful windmill thingy?

Um, yah, time to program Children’s urgent care number in the ol' iPhone and find the nearest ER I guess…

I can only imagine what he’ll do next and what it will take for me to keep up with him, let alone give him some kind of look other than disbelief.

But as they say, boys will be boys. And this girl better adjust.

Ah boys: can’t live with ‘em, and definitely, truly can’t live without this one.

4(0) is Fabulous

2011-08-21T20:34:00.007-05:00

Each year, we employees at CHCA take a little survey that measures satisfaction with the culture, which is quickly followed by all kinds of parties, conversations, improvement opportunities and more. And year after year you hear team members cracking jokes and gaffawing at the question: “do you have a best friend at work?” But these girls:

aren’t laughing.

Because we are each other’s best gal pals at work – and pretty darn good friends outside of it too.

With nearly two decades spanning between us in ages, family size variance, backgrounds all over the place, there a bzillion differences between the four of us. But within that, there are a million things that are the same. And we celebrate them all with the kind of love and genuine care most can only wish to find in a lifetime let alone at work.

From weekly lunch conversations that cover agenda topics beyond what almost any other colleague could imagine (husbands! Girl stuff! TMI stuff! Babies! Scandals!) , to annual holiday dinners to mani/pedi outings and a committed Friday “Lunch Bunch” to celebrating 40th birthdays and all the days in between, we plan to be together until the end….

And to keep checking that box that yes, we do have a best friend at work.

In fact, we have three of them.

How lucky are we?

Happy milestone birthday, Ms. Dana – you make 40 look fabulous. We love you to pieces. Thank you for helping us mark “yes” on that survey. And for a ridiculously fun weekend in the Ozarks!

Cheers!

Top 10 Things the Little Dude is Saying These Days

2011-08-19T08:05:00.005-05:00

1. “Well that would be FUN-a!” complete with a head bob when questioning him on activities he could potentially do over the weekend
2. “I LIKE that (insert whatever it is here)!” when enjoying a song or book
3. “I’m going to school, Mommy” on our drives in each morning
4. “I stay home with Mommy two-day” right before we leave for school
5. “Lawson do it by him-self” to well, just about everything
6. “SQUISH!” for really big, amazing hugs
7. “Lawson did that!” when bringing home his art
8. “SHEWHEW! Ride horsey, Mommy!” when playing with Thurderbolt in the family room; actually he’s renamed him “Giddyup”
9. “Rock on, Mommy!” when air guitaring or dancing
10. “Close the door-a” complete with an evil grin as he locks us out of rooms
11. Bonus: “BIG BOY BED! GO SEE IT!” everyday when we come home, followed by rolling around and around in it like it’s a pile of money

I’m going to spend the rest of my life documenting and cherishing each word that comes out of that amazing boy’s mouth…even if a good 75-percent of it is “no”….

What have your kiddos been chattering about lately?

End of Summer

2011-08-19T07:37:00.006-05:00

After barely surviving one of the most challenging work weeks of my career, I decided to splurge (shhhh, don't tell the hubs) and wandered into the nail salon for a little mani/pedi action (hey, it's better than hitting the pub, right?). And with the last dog days of summer upon us, I went with a little of this:

and a little o' this:

Pink sparkles and obnoxious purple? Perfect.

In addition, we'll wrap up our summer scene with our FIRST adult trip since the little dude was born to the Ozarks to celebrate a dear friend turning 40, complete with relaxation, ridiculousness, boating sun and straight up fun. The cooler is packed, so is my suitcase, ok and another cooler and we'll hit the road soon, leaving the love of our lives behind. The good thing? I'm taking the other one with me, so it should be a blast.

Have a wonderful, memory-filled weekend everyone. Cheers!

Hitastic

2011-08-15T22:10:00.004-05:00

There are many things you can hit with:

Though don't forget: hitting is not.nice.

Unless it's when you're using your mouse. On this blog.

A million thanks again for reading, your support and for just being you. Though it's likely still considered peanuts in the real world, we're up to an average of 2,500 a month.

And that's one hit this girl will take.

I adore you.

And if you read, would you please follow? That's the best.

Hugs. Hits. Hats off to you.

Missoni Madness

2011-08-15T22:01:00.004-05:00

The blog world is blowing up in anticipation of Missoni arriving at Target, featuring items such as these:

I must admit, I'm pretty jazzed and would totally jot this down in the MomAgenda as a priority drive-by for the day, but it's the little dude's actual birthday.

Maybe he wants to party at Tar-jay?

PS: The sign is up for Nordstrom Rack on 95th street. Joy!

A Party for Two

2011-08-15T21:24:00.005-05:00

The little dude’s big day is less than a month away, so of course invites are out and plans are in the works to celebrate him as much as possible. Not that every day isn’t a party with such a vivacious, sassy, intelligent, active, hilarious little fella, but this Pisces has to always go a bit over the top:

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

We’re working to keep the numbers small and the fun big this year with just a few family members and close friends with wee ones that will appreciate an hour of singing, dancing, parachuting, climbing and playing, all topped with cupcakes, grab bags and toddler fun. And of course it’s bicycle themed, because really...

he literally lives in his helmet and chatters about bicycles, motorcycles and mini bikes all.day.long. Thank you, Jack Black.

Think red velvet cupcakes, paper ware stuck with custom labels, a transportation-themed music set and interactive games and hopefully a day he’ll never forget (even if he is too young to really remember). After all, he’s still raving about Carson’s birthday…

A party for two – woo!

Room Review Update: Presto Chango the Beddo!

2011-08-12T06:42:00.005-05:00

Remember when I was all delighted to share with you the nursery (ok fine, toddler room) was 98-percent complete and I posted pics and had most everything squared away? Then three days later we had the "Curious George" incident which called for Room Review v.3? Well, here she is:

After some thought, we ran out and purchased an inexpensive toddler bed at Nebraska Furniture Mart, opting not to put the transition piece in his crib. For some reason, I just couldn't get past how much it looked like Ellie's kennel with an escape hatch:

And here he is, more delighted than ever, constantly chattering and sharing with the world his journeys and admiration for his big boy bed.

Admittedly, the first night was a bit rough, but if I had to guess it would be the large piece of birthday cake he consumed at school followed hours later by his cupcake of choice for his "big boy bed" party, complete with songs, celebration, family and lots of laughter. Oh, and shouting renditions of "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" - how does he even know that song?!

But since then, it's been a dream, him chatting incessantly and sharing with strangers about his monkey sheets, big boy bed, how he can leap off the side, hide his money in it and have pillow fights. I guess he's moved on from the shoes...

How we ever got so lucky to have a laid back (though let's not forget "active" and "spirited") kiddo that transitions so effortlessly from these things his parents (read: Mom) obsess, agonize and fear, we'll never know. But we'll take it. And spend each day being grateful for it.

And wish him the sweetest dreams...in that good ol' big boy bed.

Now just don't go showing him how to turn those door knobs...

R&D Project: Care for the Bearer

2011-08-12T06:23:00.003-05:00

It's not my general practice to R&D (rip off and duplicate) posts, but these darling scenes from Green Wedding Shoes site were just too much to bear, especially given we'll be outfitting our bearer next week. Can you imagine?! I can hardly wait...

Picture Perfect

2011-08-09T23:23:00.005-05:00

“Look buddy, something special for you in the mail – it’s addressed to “Master Lawson Choate!” I said with a squeal, delighted the invite had finally arrived. Having seen sketches, the twinkle in their eyes as they designed it and all that it will mean in their hearts, we were eager to open the sparkling invitation to my brother, Ryan and his fiancée, Erica’s wedding:

Hand drawn and painted by Kristy Rice at Momental Designs and inspired by the bride and groom’s venue and love of all things vintage, it truly is a piece of art and one we will treasure for all the cherished moments this marriage promises to bring. In other words: it’s picture.perfect.

PS: speaking of picture perfect, the ring bearer’s plate came in. How amazing is this? And themed with the rest of the event. Swoon!

PPSS: my bridesmaid dress arrive several weeks ago and it’s gorg – but we’ll save that for the photoshoot. And the little dude? Is getting fitted for a TUX next week. Can you imagine??? Too cute!

Single Digits

2011-08-07T13:07:00.003-05:00

There are many reasons to adore single digits.

With this heat streak we’ve been having, this could be on the temperature wish list for some folks. Or with the way the stock market has been going, perhaps this is the hope that this be the way it drops vs. the whole 500 action. Then there are price increase percentages. Cholesterol levels dropping. The APR on your credit card or student loans. Likely the amount of children you want to have (or at least the amount most can truly support!) And so on and so forth.

For me, today, it’s moving to single digits in sizing – a feat I’ve been unable to conquer for nearly 12 years. I’m in disbelief. Shock even. That by moving from double-sized meals to single-sized, I’ve moved to single-digit sizing.

Now I know for most of you this is no big deal as this is your day-to-day and I'm well aware that I'm not the type of gal that makes heads turn. In fact, the hubs would tease me about this and call this a #humblebrag, so there’s a piece of me that feels a bit bizarro putting this out to the worldwide web. But then again, what do men know about how amazing it feels to be able to once again shop at the stores you’ve been admiring from afar for over a decade? The ability to actually speak up and ask the sales gal for your size over the dressing room door vs. whispering it through the slats? Or the letting go of cutting that tag out of your pants? So yah, it’s not so much about bragging, but more so about freedom. Comfort. And confidence. They wouldn’t have made a whole country song about this if it didn’t mean something, right?!

So I’ll take the single digits and celebrate them for what they mean to me.

Now if only I could ditch the Dave Ramsey plan and sweep up a few clothes that fit, sporting that single digit on the tag. Damn you, Dave Ramsey. Yet another area we need for single digits to become a part of our lives!

But for now, I’m floating on cloud 9…which is also a single digit.

Curious Lawson

2011-08-03T22:24:00.002-05:00

The house sat silently around me minus the whirr of a bzillion fans, the dog’s soft breaths and the cat’s low purrs as I cranked out email after email, having woken at the break of dawn to maximize my work time at home. A string of responses had come in from Members that allowed me to wrap up some loose ends before the little dude woke, so I sped up my typing, took a conference call with one hand while wrapping up a project via notebook with the other. Light sounds came from the nursery as I frantically made the most of what I knew were going to be my last few minutes, but even with all this multi-tasking – I hear it.

“THUMP.”

Hard pause. Every Mom knows to wait for that hard pause, count the number of seconds between the wails and cries, then assess the situation.

This thump? Was different. And his cries, not so much a wail but more of an alert and “holy shiz what just happened and Mommy please come fix it” situation.

I rushed in, leaving my caller, computer and sanity behind only to be stopped dead in my tracks.

The little dude…was.standing.in.the.middle.of.his.room.

Confused, I felt my body work in the right motions, comforting him, talking him through the incident, checking him over for bruises or blood, watching his body language as he told me his story. Then, it finally dawned on me:

He had….leapt?....jumped?....climbed?....fell? out of his crib. For the first time.

Damn those parents.com emails. Every time I get one the little dude took on the milestone they were providing advice for like a week later. If only I hadn’t opened this one…

To be honest, I’m still wrapping my head around it all, as I think he is too. We’ve been talking for hours about his fall from the wooden box. And his justification?:

“Be like Curious George, Mama.”

Damnit again. Another educational item that had backfired on me. I mean, what now? Move him to the toddler bed? Wait? See if he does it again and potentially have him get hurt? Move him too early? Of course there are loads and loads of advice out there, and I just don’t know what to believe. Hopefully my gut will be working tomorrow.

Because today, this is just another big milestone, and one I wasn’t ready for. Coupled with filling out his second birthday invites and I’m a hot mess.

It’s all going too fast, this amazing life with Curious Lawson.

If only we could be the man in the Yellow Hat and George – those two never seem to age. I mean seriously, George still scales all kinds of things and apparently, teaches these shenanigans to small children. That seems like a good gig…

So here’s the little dude and all he finds curious…may we enjoy every step (leap?!) of the way.

Sneak a Peek

2011-08-03T21:54:00.007-05:00

“Dude, none of these are going to fit you anymore!” I say to my son sitting near by, casually (read: tearing through) a basket of toys and unfurling all the neatly folded laundry I had just placed in his closet. Admitting defeat to the putting the clothes away situation, I thumbed through his hangers and began taking down his long-sleeve collection and tossed them into the “I no longer fit” bin. Then during nap I did what any good problem –solver would do: I surfed the net for cute dude clothes. And here’s a line I came up with that I adore from Peek:

Seriously sassy. Chill. And just L’s scene. Or at least according to his Mom. For now.

What has caught your eye for fall clothing this year for either you, the wee ones or the hubs?

PS: I'm still seriously ticked I didn't buy that "Gnarly" shirt. That one really made my day...even if it does seem to put my two-year old into some kind of era/situation he won't hear of until he's 21...

Room Review: An Update

2011-07-31T21:33:00.009-05:00

Happy weekend, dear friends! Before the start of the most fabulous two days of the week, I promised you a few shots of the very slightly updated nursery...er...big boy...let's make it "toddler room":

From the doorway, with the rug we purchased when he turned one and a glimpse of the new, darker curtains. No more having four layers with the blackouts as they're built in! Also, we're still searching for some cute tie-backs.

One of the updated shelves, featuring his nickname and current #1 love, the bicycle, an antique looking item (so not a toy) from Hobby Lobby that he yearns to play with:

Shelf two featuring a tie-in to his sheets and a character he's growing to love, along with a few special personalized mementos:

His Pottery Barn Kids bedding we transitioned to a year ago to bring in some vibrant color, plus a personalized pillow from Holiday Mart:

Finally, some photos displayed! His immediate family he loves and adores:

His cluttered bookshelf housing a tender poem, half of his name in train letters, stuffed gifts and a library he adores:

Not sure how much longer we'll need this or what we'll convert it to, but his changing table housing diaper, socks, toys, shoes and other fun stuff. My favorite part? The chalkboard labels:

Finally, the piece we created on the fly during our "innovation" time together (read: keep the toddler busy time), a canvas which will be framed featuring the hands of our little family:

What a delight it's been to hear the little dude commenting on the new stuff that seems to be what his heart yearns for such as planes, trains, automobiles, monkeys, books, balls and more (don't get me wrong, the dude loves pink too and we totally embrace this). And though we had to rip off and duplicate a bit of what was happening in the pages of Pottery Barn Kids vs. the vintage feel I long for, it's ours, we like it a lot and feel extremely grateful to have this opportunity to even make it our own.

So here's to reviewing this room, embracing toddlerdom and everything in between. Cheers!

Kenny

2011-07-31T21:25:00.001-05:00

“What is this-round five?” I ask as we brace ourselves in the backseat while B makes her way effortlessly and confidently through bouts of stadium traffic. “Yah, close to that,” said Kel, her eyes never leaving the terrain as she suggests her sister apply the brakes.

Giggling uncontrollably and chatting like a pack of sorority chics (wait, I guess we were those), we reminisced on our Kenny Chesney tours and how much we’ve changed over the years, going from morning to night tailgates to now dressing light and comfortable and sipping water. From talking up boys and purchasing tees with Kenny’s biceps silouhetted on them to now saying things like: “they want HOW much for a t-shirt? Isn’t there one more plain?!” And from waiting eagerly outside his trailer to now passing on rumors that he just isn’t that cute up close and can be kind of an ass. Ah, adulthood.

Regardless, it was a total blast, scoring killer seats 30 rows in on the football field, within arms reach of his soulful tunes, fun spirit, good sense of humor and oh – Billy Currington – a dude that’s quickly moving up my crush list.

So thanks again, Kenny crew, for this memorable time and many more to come.

And as the little dude would say: “rock on, Kenny. Rock on!”

PS: One rant: I dedicate these words to the fine couple sitting in front, er, like a foot in front of me.

“FIND A ROOM! AUGH!”

There, I said it. Yes it’s a free world and isn’t it so cute you’re in love but playing a supporting role in your light porn film was not something I was aiming for on my resume. Plus, you were totally outside of your chair line which limited my view of Kenny and his jeans.

Love, Megan

Happiness in the Making

Dear Valentine

Gifts for the Guys

Damn You, Tooth Fairy

On the List

Seeing Red...

Oh Sh*t, II

Because I Have No Words...

Top 10 Ways My Son is Like a Rapper

What She Said

Little Bit at a Time

Loads of Laughs

Sock Monster

Lucky in Love

Sleepless in Shawnee

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It Could've Been Worse?

'Twas the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Santa Baby, II

A Hunt to Remember

Puttin' on the Ritz

Virtual Hug

My Name's On It

Pinterest for the Pine

And Now, for the Next Event...

You Get the Idea...

A Bit of Crazy

If You Like Shoes...

On the Agenda...

Baby Love...and Loot

Five Under Fifteen

Coming to a Mailbox Near You

Pony Party!

'Twas the Day Before Pre-School

The Big Reveal

The Long and Short of It

Giving Thanks

Perspective

Llama Love

For No Reason

Inches and Feet

Finding the Light

Friends and Family

Story Time

How Will We Choose?

We Used to Be Quasi-Cool...

From Head to Toe

Girlsgiving

Dazzle and Smile

Preparing for the Holidays

Happy Halloween!

Tricks and Treats

Patchin' With the Punkins

WW The Finale: Happily Ever After

WW Part VI: Practice Makes Near Perfect and Speech Therapy

WW Part V: Dancing, Duds and Décor

WW Part IV: Bearing the Rings

WW Part III: Beauty and the Bridesmaids

WW Part II: The Welcome Wagon and Living Quarters

A Week of Wedding: What to Expect in the Next Seven

The Roast

Remedy

Yo!

Last Minute Save

There Went the Stent

Man, Wish I Would've Thought of That!

Craftastic

The Rack is the Mac!

The Crayon Doesn't Fall Far From the Box

The Reality of Saying Bye-Bye

Room Review: Touches of Fall

One Month and Counting!

#1 Grandparents

Always Going Back

Unbuckled

Diggin' for Denim

You Wanna Be a *WHAT?*

Go Vote

Going Out With a Bang

A New Take on Sperrys

You Wanna Be a WHAT?