An Apple Today

"Mama, I want to bring an app-ull to school. Get it for me. Please," my four-year old half-demanded, half-begged outside of the fridge, one little palm grasping an iPad, the other laid loosely on the stainless steel of the fridge.

It wasn't unusual for him to ask a snack in what was likely our eighth attempt out the door, but generally it was something closer to Cheetos, Cheesits or a sneak from he candy bowl that was on his mind. Yes at 7:15 a.m.

Grabbing the apple, we set off on our journey of two drop offs and a long commute. One school down and coming in hot to the second, I noticed he slid the apple atop the cubbies, very near the elbow of his favorite teacher.

"I give it to Mr. Brian," he whispered, giving it a small budge toward his arm, then making a face and retreating into my arms.

"Oh, that's nice buddy - how kind of you!" I exclaimed, thinking they'd had a recent lesson on teachers and apples and the ol' addage that they enjoyed the sour things.

"So, I guess he brought you an apple today!" I laughed, watching Mr. Brian's face as he processed whether this was something fun or just a bad Teacher Appreciation gift.

"I eat an apple everyday," said Mr. Brian. "I bet he noticed, and thought I'd like it."

And that, my friends is progress. And it's love.

An apple today made for a memory that will always stay. Proud of your golden, giving heart little buddy.

Enjoy that apple, Mr. Brian.

Did You Get It Done?!

Teacher Appreciation week, that is!

If you're anything like our house, there's no one you're more grateful for than the village that's growing and loving your children at school each day. These saints are simply amazing. And I swear I co-parent more with some of them than my own husband.

Tomorrow marks the last day of the designated week when you get the chance to shower these leaders with love. So if you haven't full executed on the PTA recommended plan and need a few ideas, start here:

Mini bundlets: told you they're good for everything!
Spoil the whole crew with a variety mix.

Mini blooms from Trader Joe's: they come in a variety of colors
and types and are only $1.99!

Tervis Tumbler: they keep those bevs hot or cold with a
twist of personality and fun. Perfect for the teacher
that needs to hydrate between answering preschoolers'
questions for the tenth times! Find them at the new
Turves store on the Plaza or for best price,
Bed Bath & Beyond.

Fuzzy blanket: they give your child all the warmth and love
in the world - they deserve some too! Plus it looks nice
in their home. Target and Macy's have good options.

Don't forget a thoughtful handwritten note and a gift card go a long way too.

Wishing all our educators are the spoils and celebration their weeks can hold. You certainly deserve it!

Lit

"I don't know E, I feel so blech...something's gotta get jazzy or this gal is going to loser her mind." 

We were entering into spring, but the first two weeks hadn't meant so much tulips as it had rain showers and not a higher temp to be found. Things were intense at home, all self-care had gone out the door and work hours never cease. So the answer to this reduction of stress could only be:

Highlights. A fab new beauty product. A mani/pedi. Maybe some Oreos. And wine - always wine.

Since there are always Oreos and wine in the house, first up was highlights. Given I'm a gal who is pretty lucky not to have any of those pesky sparkles yet, I was a bit torn if taking the time and spending the money was worth it. My natural hair hadn't been touched in nearly a decade and had it's own version of hombre. It had finally gotten to a longer length where I felt feminine and could be a bit creative with it. And most mornings I could hop out of the shower, throw some Diva Curl in and call it good. So why mess with a good thing?

The fabulous Susanne of Stem Hair and Body did her thing, foiling in strategic but random parts of the head to give that beach glow (she has a name for the process). Not to blonde, not to caramel and just the right gold, I left feeling a few years younger with the good kind of sparkly framing my face. And although I missed a bit of the length, it had gotten a bit mullet-esque, so now we're on a good path to growing a little less layered. That night I slathered on some Rodan and Fields tanner, and I appeared at work the next day looking rested and ready to be productive. A perfect front.

Next up was splurging on a beauty product. My tolerance for anything that has to be maintained or takes more than 3.5 minutes is minimal, so I was immediately drawn to R&F's new Lash Boost. Two simple swipes at night and you're off to bed. Just two weeks later, I had a few longer lashes (I practically have none) and felt a bit "prettier" and more feminine as well. My friends had seen amazing results - almost to the point where they had to stop using it or give up their glasses. Unfortunately, my super sensitive eyes (I mean unusually sensitive) never quite adapted and kept reddening, so my dream of what my lashes could've been had to come to a quick close. I tried! And still highly recommend. If you're not already living with one of their face regimens, it's time.

Finally, a little mani/pedi time, which is always good for the soul. Le Reve in Park Place is always worth the drive, leaving your feet baby soft and carrying June Bride (sparkles!) and #92 (perfectly fun purplish/bright/neutral). Even better is when me and the gal pals pile into HH's clean car on Fridays and hit Lovely Nails on 75th, squealing over colors and swapping stories about the week. Wrap that up with a trip through Chick fil A and life is good.

What makes you feel lit and feminine again when the blahs strike?

Keepin' It Real

"It was just so...depressing!," my girlfriend's social post stated as she reminisced on last night's
season finale of "This is Us." And while many of her gaggle of pals agreed with her, all I could thinking while watching it was:

Thanks for keeping' it real.

Because let's face it - marriage isn't all rainbows and sunshine. It's not always stolen kisses after the kids are asleep or slow dancing in the living room. Thoughtfulness in the deepest moments of fatigue. Shared eye contact. Meaningful conversations. Creating life plans together. Following your dreams. Sacrificing with grace. Calmly managing conflict while your children play quietly nearby. A wife who always wakes up looking like a super model and her husband the same (sorry - had to throw that one in there. I mean, they never show either of them working out...)

Marriage can be feeling like a ghost. Tears in your car before you pull all the way into the drive. Nights on the couch. Vices and addictions you either find a way to fight through together, apart or simply tuck under the rug. Temptation and questioning of this lifelong commitment you made. Figuring out how to take turns in your careers, passion and raising children. Forgetting why you fell in love in the first place. And struggling to create that list when the other person asks.

So when Rebecca and Jack take a departure from all of their warm smiles, kindness in the face of adversity, etc. - I breathe a sigh of relief. I watch this TV show and know that's why millions of us tune in. So that we too can say:

That's me.

Though no one is certain what will happen next, it's highly likely they will reconnect and show the world their great love that inspires us to keep coming back week after week. And in these stories, the good, the bad, the ugly - may the writing move you to reflect and find little pieces of your life along the way.

Because that, my friends, is great TV. And who doesn't need a bit of that when your spouse is making you crazy?

Still Hot for Mamas

"Hm, I just read the gorgeous, smart, fabulous Melanie's post about Evereve, and it's right up the street. Pretty please can I pop in for a sec? I can meet you at JCrew?!" I begged the husband, another portion of date night stolen by shiny objects vs. connecting over cans of beers and darts. That is before the meal we'll spend entirely too much on but thoroughly enjoy (without children.)

"Sure, sure - pop in. I'll catch up on some emails."

So plopped he did, right next to their tank of gold fish crackers and dangling necklaces, while I immediately clicked with a super friendly sales gal. What started as a "man, that tank is cute!" ended with a purchase of these two dynamite items:

The back of this is cut out and draped, adding the
perfect flair. And it's sooooo soft. 

Finally, a cold shoulder that has a bit of structure,
enough thickness to hide the mom pooch and a kick of
flair to balance out curvier hips.

And I could've kept going.

While I was there, I asked about the TrendSend deal they have (thanks again, Melanie!) and went home and quickly committed via PC. For no styling fee, Evereve will send you five items on your schedule and only charge you a dollar to return the package of whatever you did not prefer. Sounds pretty good to me. I can't wait to share my first box with you!

Catching the Style Scout's post came at the perfect time - winter is wrapping up, I've packed on the pounds and not enough self-tanner in the world can make me feel even mildly attractive. Evereve has the an excellent solution - some on-trend, but uber comfortable and totally mom-appropriate for nearly any occasion. Prices range to fit almost anyone's budget and the styles too to meet even a pear-shaped gal's requirements. Plus the store smells amazing, everyone is over-the top kind, they don't work on commission and you can say things like "saggy boobs" and "c-section skin" and the gal knows exactly what you mean and can style around it.

I'll take it.

Next time you're on the Plaza or near Leawood - pop in. They're just as fabulous as "Hot Mama" ever was and there is someone just waiting for you to feel like the hot mama you are. Enjoy!


SaveSave

"Spring Break"

"SNOW and -2 degrees?! We gotta call it," my husband said, tossing his work bag across the wood floor, his body language indicating he'd clearly had enough for the week.

Round three of a stomach virus had hit our home, Mommy took a hard fall down the stairs, the house was a wreck and both of our works required the best of this week. In other words, we were not winning.

So just like that, we cancelled our trip to Minnesota, our hearts sinking in our chests with disappointment on not seeing our loved ones and visiting a new city when we needed it most. And while visiting MN in March is always a risk (super northern, yah?), we were nearly out the door and now had to make the transition to try and appreciate our very own town.

Breaking out some paper, I quickly went to work, asking the boys what they'd like to do and madly scheduling, like many women do when they've lost all control. Our list started shaping up pretty well, with things like:

• Lawrence
• Indoor swimming
• Zoo
• New Dave and Busters
• Date night with mom; another with Dad
• Beauty and the Beast movie 
• Parents vs. kids basketball game
• Kids' cooking night
• Auto show

Snowing on our first day of spring break?!
We'll bring the fun inside! 

Ok, and a shopping day meant just for Mommy. Oh - and we're surprising them on Monday with a giant trampoline that will now live in our backyard.  That should get us to winning. 

As a Pisces and a planner, I was extremely attached to our plan, idealizing snuggles with my boys, lots of laughter and a neighborhood a bit quieter that made time for just the four of us.

Truth be told, the first night I had to make the damn Hamburger Helper myself (gross - 7 yo picked it) and ended up locked in our master with a glass of wine. Outside the door were two little toddler feet kicking it violently, demanding I retreat, with a husband and an older child looking dumbfounded on what exactly was going on. 

But today's a new day! And while I psychotically demanded some taking back of the house occur, then promptly went to Cycle Bar to release some mom rage, I returned to a house full of boys clad in trunks ready to cross swimming off our list. At the pool we did do the laughing, the dunking, the smiling, the connecting. May there be much more of this to come.

Do you do this? Do you get attached to an idea of "I took three days off work so we better love unconditionally and hang out with no fights, dammit."?

Some days I find myself so stressed by how quickly they are changing and how we're constantly chasing time, that I can barely breathe. So I plan. I create romantic, ideal visions of a family of four in my head. And then I latch on. And then everything that was living in my little brain goes completely opposite of how I daydreamed it. Then all the grumpiness happens. 

Until the third day when they've woken us by 5:15 a.m. and I have to return to work the next day. Then I weep in my car after I drop them back at school, missing our messy, better-without-any-expectations life.

Happy spring break my friends. May it include beaches, connecting or a whole lot of nothing that brings you utter joy.

It's not just today...

It's everyday I'm thankful for the ladies in my life.

To those that have gone before me, to create more opportunity than I can even imagine.

To my Mom who I talk to every single day and understands furniture needs rearranging on Sundays.

To my mentors, who lead by design and tell me nothing is too far out of my reach.

To my tribes, who love so unconditionally they can be called nothing but family.

To mothers, who take on the impossible job of loving their children so fiercely, while also letting them find their own way.

To leaders, who inspire us all to be better and do the things people used to ask permission for.

To my colleagues and friends, who leave little notes on my trail when a day was a little less sunny.

To providers, who spend a little more time asking you about your symptoms, fluffing your towel or holding your anxious child's hand as he enters new territory.

To strangers, who make conversation on a crowded train, because you know, we're women.

Today was interesting as one of the initiatives being pushed forward was for others to experience "a day without women." But in my experience, all my days have been better because all of these women?

They show up.

And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

The world is a better place, with you, woman.