I survived!

the pink and green party
ten eleven year olds:
playing truth or dare (HILARIOUS!)
painting nail polish
giggling
screaming
shrieking
shouting
having fun

I also survived 2 of them sleeping over...
and made them breakfast

and am now about to bring Rebecca (1 remaining friend joining us for moral support) to get her ears pierced.

I will come home take a long hot soak... pour myself a congratulatory (for pulling off and surviving weekend with Tweens) take a nap and post more later with pictures...

Can you believe after three cancellations the Pink & Green Party actually happened?

Glad it's finally over!

XOXO

My ego like a balloon deflated...

I put on my Skinny Jeans yesterday. Not just my skinny jeans, but Skinny Jeans. Lo and behold I was able to button them. Lo and behold they were actually comfortable. And they looked pretty good from what I could tell. I wore them with a long-sleeved white Banana Republic Tshirt and a camel colored cashmere sweater. And pearl earrings.

Rebecca came into the bathroom as I was doing my hair and face. (Pony tail and a quick brush with bronzer.) She loves my jeans and she loves my sweater. She's getting to be dangerous. Before I know it she will be wearing my clothes. Must keep them away! After eyeing me up and down she said "Mom, those jeans are a little tight." I told her they were supposed to be. After all, the world is used to me in my big, baggy boyfriend jeans. "Mom," she said, "You know you look like one of the Jonas Brothers?"

Good thing I can laugh at myself.

Skinny jeans stayed on.

I put on a chocolate and white checked form fitting rain coat. Black riding boots and black Pashmina to finish the outfit. I was prepared for the Monsoons of yesterday and the grocery store. I felt good. I was walking with a spring in my step for sure. I was turning some heads. Yes I could tell. Yes I notice these things.

After I was done with my groceries I gathered a few things to bring upstairs. I stuck my new camera into my back pocket. I've been working on the book about La Jolie Grandmere while sprawled out on my bed.I have her papers scattered all over the place. I've been typing her stories into Word documents.

I got up to use the loo and I had forgotten about the camera in my back pocket. And when I went to unbutton my top button the camera jumped out and into the loo! I reached in as fast as I could and removed the battery and dried it all off. But the viewfinder is black. Everything is black. I'm afraid the damage has been done and is irreversible. I am quite upset about this. I had twittered about it and my dear friend Mama Henley suggested that I place the camera in a bag of rice. Rice apparently can pull the moisture from the camera. So far it has not worked. I'm out of a nice point and shoot and out of close to $400. I rely on my camera heavily. It's an addiction. I have two others. My DSLR is not little or compact or portable. I don't like the way it captures my food photos for my food blog. My old point and shoot is old and the smallest movement will blur the entire picture.

I suppose I should try to find the positive... that there was even room in the back pocket of the skinny jeans should have had me jumping for joy...



My mother called today. I cannot recall the reason for he call but it must have had something to do with my book about La Jolie Grandmere. My mother has the fill-ins to the many blanks. Apparently my grandmother started mixing up some of her facts. I'm working on a segment where she meets Thornton Wilder at a cafe in Paris thus beginning a life-long friendship and written correspondence. My mother is my necessary link in this project.

And somehow we switched subject as one is apt to do. She asked me if I had worn make-up when we saw them last Saturday. I told her I had on bronzer, that's it. She then broke into song and dance that I need makeup under my eyes. My eyes are too dark. And then she said... seriously... I need to work on myself because I'm not as pretty as I used to be!

And if that wasn't enough my legs are getting fat too! Ok, maybe I didn't have on the most flattering of jeans... but I am 6 pounds less than I have been for the last two years (and a good 10 pounds heavier than I was before Alexander was born) and my mother is telling me that I am getting fat!

(My mother -- and my grandmother too for that matter -- has been hung up about (my) weight her entire life. It was a joy to grow up with. I'm amazed I turned out so well. Now you'll understand why I had to sneak my scale into the car as we packed it up for Maine last summer! Now you'll understand my appreciation and love affair with my Spanx.) 

I kept quiet. Bit my tongue. And then I did what anyone would do in this situation I Tweeted about it! And then I grabbed a handful of Valentine chocolates!

A letter to my Children: Welcome to your New Home

 

(Image courtesy George Eastman House, Rochester NY)*

Dear Children,

Welcome to your New Home!

Yes, I know our house is not technically new anymore. I know we will have been here 2 years in May, but I feel, perhaps, we should start anew... I would like to give you the grand tour.

We'll enter through the garage into the mudroom where you'll step onto the mat -- not the white tile. (I am still questioning the brilliance of using slippery white tile as mudroom flooring but, whatever, we do not have the funds to rip it out at the moment.) You will kindly remove your muddy shoes that have already dirtied the tile that I have either just vacuumed or the Cleaning Fairies have just mopped. And even though the wallpaper needs to come down, you will remove your shoes carefully and not fling them against the wall. Now turn around, and you will see hooks for your coats. The newly dirty white floor is not your coat rack. Please be advised and repeat this after me. Also, any dirty gym clothes can get tossed into the laundry room which is right off the mudroom.

The newly painted light blue room you'll enter first is the family room. You are free to use it and enjoy it with us. The armoire on the far wall has some of your games and toys. You may play these quietly. You must put them back when you are done. You may also watch TV quietly in here. If you are so overwhelmed with the desire to act like barbarians you may excuse yourselves and go to the beige and maroon mess above the garage called the play room. Behave as you will up there. Just close the door behind you so that I do not have to hear you. And no crying to me unless someone is actually bleeding.

Through the family room is a small hallway. Off the hallway is a bathroom and a kitchen. The bathroom gets used by everyone. So please lift the seat, flush the toilet and put the seat down again when you are done. After you wash your hands please dry them on the towel. Return towel to its original position. And the little white thing by the door, to the left of the sink is called a light switch. Please push it down when you leave the premises.

The newly painted green room is the kitchen. I expect appropriate behavior in there. Not tag. Not a game of "You can't catch me!" either. Over by the window is a table and around it are chairs. The table is where you eat. You may also do homework there. Or draw or color or do arts and crafts. The chairs are for your derrieres while you eat, and draw and paint and craft. Sit facing over the table so that crumbs do not fall to the floor. The small drawer closest to you is where I keep the napkins. They are for wiping your mouths and grubby paws. Please note that they are here.

To the right of the table along the far wall is the sink with water that runs. It will clean your plates for you. And to the left  of it is the dishwasher. The plate won't hop in by itself. You have to open it. It's quite easy. Really.

The refrigerator is on the other side of the island, directly across from the sink. It's huge and fancy and sucks a ton of energy. Every time you open the door costs me like ten dollars. Make that a hundred dollars every time you stand in front of it for hours on end deciding what to eat, thus causing the thermostat in both the living room and family room to turn on. You know what we have to eat. It's not going to change. I'm not suddenly going to lose my mind and fill the house with tons of junk and good stuff. The yogurts and apples and cheese sticks will make you strong. Do you know there are starving children in African who would kill for this stuff?

The  blue and white room through the door to the left of the sink and dishwasher is the dining room. It is strictly off limits unless you are with a parent. This beige room is the living room. It is also strictly off limits. Yes, you can play the piano with permission.

Now you will end up in the front entryway, or the foyer. The spiral staircase is for going up and down. It is not a playground or a jungle gym. Nor is it for standing on top of and dropping toys down that will permanently injure your parents. We walk on the stairs. With gentle and light footsteps. And not like elephants and rhinoceroses. The stampeding must stop now. At the top of the stairs and to the left is Christopher's room. And Rebecca's room. Clothes go behind those white doors. They are called closets. They open and close. The operative word being, close. Clothes go in closets. Or in your dressers. Your floors are not closets and I am telling you this so that you don't make the mistake again. Over there are your beds. They are for sleeping on. They are not storage bins.

Down the hall is Alexander's room. Alexander has the same rules regarding his closet. Next to Alexander is the children's bathroom. There are two sinks, please be considerate when you use them. Toothpaste belongs on your brush, in your mouth and on your teeth. Not all over the counter, floor, mirrors and towels. Dixie cups are for rinsing your mouth. Contrary to whomever mis-informed you in the first place, they are not science beakers. I do not like to find your little science experiments. MIT is a better place for that. Or Stanford... anyplace far far away from my house. Under the window is a towel rack. It is where towels hang to dry. Next to the window you will find another toilet. Lift the seat and place it down when you are done. Because I use it in the middle of the night sometimes. Because even though I have my own bathroom yours is closer to my bed. And I am old and sometimes I can no longer make it all night without emptying my bladder. You three have ruined me of that. So blame yourselves. And falling in your toilet in the middle of the night is gross. And don't forget to flush.

At the end of the hallway is my room and unless you are invited by me or Daddy, keep out. You can sit with me on my bed to watch television, or to talk or without me with special permission. But you must sit on  the bed calmly. My bed is not a trampoline. Nor is it a racetrack. If you must bring all your cars onto my bed please remove them when done. I do not like rolling over onto cold, sharp metal objects in the middle of the night. This goes for all your toys, in fact. Nor is my bed a launch pad. I do not want to have an encounter like I did the other night when I woke to Buzz Lightyear shaking ferociously, shouting "To infinity and beyond!" Thankfully Daddy had fallen asleep on the couch. I'm not sure what he would have done had he heard it!

Finally my sweet, dear children, we have 4,500 square feet of living space. You do not have to be within 2 feet of me all the time!

I love you, now scram!

Love,

Mommy XOXO



* I stumbled across this photo in a search for a picture of a house to use for this piece. Upon closer look I noticed that it was the George Eastman (Eastman Kodak) House in Rochester, NY. What a coincidence! La Jolie Grandmere grew up right next door to Mister Eastman!

green with envy?

I love the color green. Especially bright greens. Greens are fresh and springlike and natural and organic. Greens compliment so many colors. Mix them with blues, and of course pinks! Or use a splash of green to add a pop of color to a natural, neutral decor.

It might seem hard to believe for many of us as we are about to get hit with yet another winter storm, but Spring is just around the corner. Soon the snow will melt and the rains will fall, but from those rains little buds will start to pop out and soon our trees and lawns will be the color of citrus and emerald --fresh, new and magical. Green is a wonderful color.

The color green symbolizes nature and the natural world. Green also represents tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy. Green is the symbol of fertility. Green is calming and the color is said to relieve stress.

 

While the rains prepare the trees and grounds for the buds and leaves and flowers to come, relieve some stress by wearing these Hunter rain boots as you splash in puddles. Unleash your inner 3 year old!

  

The ultimate preppy tennis shoe. Wearing these green Tretorns will just make you happy!

  

This green straw tote with bamboo handle from Land's End
is fun and affordable and is a perfect bag to transition into summer.

  

Watches are my absolute favorite accessory. I would have one in every color!

 

  

I love green accessories in my kitchen!

  

A Mint Mojito. I cannot think of a perfect green cocktail!

 

This green dining room is calming and welcoming...
your guests will want to linger over a cup of green tea for hours!
(Photo, This Old House)

 

Furniture is a great way to dress up and color a room.
(Photo, Coastal Living)

  

Green apples and green stemmed flowers are a great, natural,
organic way to add some Springtime green into your home

 

One day, when I don't have kids to schlep all over the place I'll hop on my mint green Vespa and take off!

When did four become so old?

I took my youngest to an indoor play space yesterday. A place he has been wanting to return to for quite some time. For many reasons, both good and bad (my laziness) we haven't been. I decided yesterday, rather impulsively, that we would go. While Alexander was in school I did some writing and then packed up our lunches -- cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on rye, a small pack of potato chips leftover from a Panera lunch, a juice box, some carrot sticks and a small package of cookies for Alexander's dessert.

When my older two were young we went on all sorts of little excursions. At least once a week if not more.
Alexander, it seems, is missing out on being a kid. He's being dragged hither and thither to follow his older sister and brother to this place and that place. He never complains. He never seems to mind. I think he quite enjoys it. He certainly knows no better. But I do. I know what opportunities my older two had at this age.

This is it for me. This is my last chance. My last Hurrah. My last chance to party like it's 2010. This is the last chance I have to watch him enjoying being a little kid. I have decided that over the next few months, while I still have him to myself a few afternoons a week, we will pick out one day each week and go someplace. We'll go someplace meant for little kids. I want him to have the same kinds of memories that my other two have.

Why is there such a disparity? My older two are two years apart and they did everything together. And then they grew up and their demands and needs shifted. I find myself catering to them yet their needs are certainly no more important than my 4 year old who not only needs, but deserves the chance to play like a child, with other children... to express his creativity and fuel his curiosity. My youngest plays well at home and is happy to do so but I see the experiences and the opportunities that he is missing... the excursions to the children's museums, zoos, aquariums... to learn and see things he cannot at home.

What will he remember when he grows up? Will he remember his childhood in the back of the car as we traveled off to sibling play dates and soccer games? Will he look back and not see me playing games with him, but see, instead, a mother always busy and preoccupied with laundry and cleaning and cooking? Will he remember just that he sat on the couch and watched TV?

I want him to remember cooking and painting and making crafts... I want him to remember our little field trips... while we can... before time runs out. School ends in early June and all three will be home this summer. Come September my youngest will be gone to the long days of Kindergarten. The house will be empty and quiet during the week. There will be no toy sirens, blocks tumbling over...no Nick Jr. blaring off in the distance. There will be no sweet little voice saying "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, play with me. Play with me now!" As though now is when it must be because there will be no later. And he's right, because pretty soon there will be no later. And pretty soon even his weekends will be filled with sports and parties and other activities.

Where has it all gone?

I sat on a bench watching Alexander play yesterday. It was quiet in the play space as most of the children had gone home for lunch. There were maybe a handful of other, much younger, children. Alexander towered over them. When did this happen? When did he get so big? When on earth did he become the big kid?

Have these past few years been that blurry? Have I been that distracted? Yesterday he was little... and suddenly this? It's not fair... I want my little back!

Be careful of what you wish for they say.

I was rushing my kids off to school from the minute they were born. I loved having them with me at home and was thankful for the opportunity to be a stay at home mother, yet I yearned for a little free time... some time to be independent and think for myself. Last year Alexander started his first year of preschool. I was so excited for my three mornings a week. Those three mornings would allow me to get so much done. But they didn't and I found myself needing even more time. This past September Alexander started his second year of preschool. He is now at school five days a week, two of the days are full days and three of them are half days. Of course, I still don't have enough time...

And what I am discovering is that I don't have enough time with Alexander either.

Over the past few months I have been wishing Alexander off to Kindergarten so that I could go back to work. We could really use the extra income at the moment. I'm leery of taking a part time job at this point with all our illnesses and missed days this year... with two weeks of Spring break coming up shortly and with a long summer just around the corner.

But really, what difference would a few months really make? I can hold out. I'll find something in September. What I won't ever find again is the wonder of my children while they are young... the wonder and magic of childhood... it really is all so fleeting, isn't it? It sounds so cliche to say that it'll be gone before we know it. But don't I know this to be the truth?

How could I possibly have been parenting for 11 years? How is it possible that my oldest will only be at home for a handful of years? It seems that it was just yesterday she was home, a colicky newborn driving me to tears... Those long, endless, boring days that never seemed to end... Those days of counting down the hours until nap time or dinner time or husband coming home time or bed time... I remember calling up girlfriends and scheduling play dates like they were going out of style because we just had to get out of the house and we had to keep busy or else we would lose it.

I see these same new moms today. They're huddled together in book stores, restaurants and playgrounds. They go shopping and out for walks. They cannot stand to be alone with their young, how long and painful and boring these days are for them now, as they were for me then. How physically and mentally exhausting parenting is in the early years. And how lonely too.

I want to reach out to these mothers pushing their Maclarens and Pegs and Bugaboos. I want to tell them to hang in there. This will all be over before they know it, and they too will feel a little melancholy. I am sure they look at, me as I stroll in and out of stores, a bag or two in my hand, a bounce in my step, as carefree as can be with a teeny bit of envy. The same envy I had a decade ago.

I also want to tell them that I have been there, right where they are. I remember those long and hard and often tear-filled days that seemed never to end. With my firstborn I had Post Partum Depression. I didn't know it at the time. How could I have not? Rebecca was born on a dark and cold January that seemed never to end. I thought her colic and reflux would never go away. i wanted her to grow up. I watched the little girls on the sidewalks with big bows in their hair and tutus over their leggings. I wanted to be there, in that moment, with those little girls. I guess I still do.

It's time... to slow down...

Lilly, Liberty (of London) and the Pursuit of Happiness!

In the 1980s Laura Ashley and Liberty of London were synonymous with Preppy Fashion on both sides of  The Pond. While Preppy is an American term our British Preppies are known as Sloane Rangers. This term is derived from the elite, classic, classy (Preppy) shops located in London's tony Sloane Square. The bright florals of Laura Ashley and Liberty were very popular amongst the Sloane/Preppy crowd on both sides of the Atlantic. Sadly, the Laura Ashley as we knew it is no longer. I have many old dresses hanging in my Newport closet with big poofy sleeves and big puffy collars! (A look best to remain back with big 80s poofy hair!) I had cotton dresses and velvet dresses and satin dresses. I had skirts and cardigans. I had pastel Laura Ashley sheets in college and pink and white wall paper in my bedroom in Newport. The Emma pattern was my favorite!

The Liberty of London brand remains popular to this day. The bright floral fabrics have adapted well to the times. Contemporary Liberty prints are stylish, bold and daring, and the traditional, classic prints and seem to have more in common with Lilly Pulitzer than the Laura Ashley of the 1980s.

 

Is Liberty Channeling Lilly? Do they too have a floral Jeep?
(How cool is this building?!)

And now Liberty of London will be more readily available in the states -- I have some big news for all of you. Liberty of London is coming to Target on March 14th. (Did you get that my dear Tickled Pink & Green friend?!) Yes, more pink and green and preppy to brace the shelves of my beloved Target!

The Liberty for Target collection will include fashion for the entire family, home decor, and gardening items. The Liberty for Target line will be available for a limited time only... so run run run to your closest Target!

Photos courtesy Real Simple.com

Mind Your Manners Monday: How to Be a Good Guest....or “It’s Not Your Party, So You Can’t Cry Even If You Want To”

Today I have the Lovely Lilly Lemontree as my guest writer. I simply adore her stylish, elegant and charming blog, and if you have not had the chance to visit it,
please stop by her blog after reading this piece about party manners

As an etiquette trainer for children, one of my favourite segments to teach is the area of party manners. Not only because the children get so excited about going to a ‘party’ or because I have the kiddies dress in their Sunday best, but because it is the one area of children’s etiquette where they get to experience the immediate pleasures of displaying ‘good manners’. Most children find that they have a far better time as good hosts and guests when they don’t hang up their proper party manners at the door with their hats and coats.

We usually discuss party manners in context to the little host/hostess who is having the party (remembering to say thank you enthusiastically, greeting their guests when they arrive, etc.) but how about the gracious guest? Do we spend as much time discussing with our children what it takes to be a good guest? Do we understand that the manners (party and otherwise) we are taught as children are the foundations of our social lives as adults? Do we realize that most often as adults, parties and non-work gatherings are the one area that cause the most stress for adults in their social lives? 

Wow, has that put enough pressure on you as a parent?? No one wants to be responsible for their adult child’s bad social life or awkward behaviour with others, for heaven’s sake you will never get them out of the house at that rate! Don’t fret friends, this is the best time to teach our young children proper party manners! For most of us our children will not be attending dinner at the White House or meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace so we need not worry about not drinking our of a finger bowl or how to curtsey properly.

The few basics we should be concerned with are:

A Timely Response: Most children get really excited about getting a party invitation in the mail. We all know that it is important to respond within the appropriate timeframe as to whether or not our children will be attending the party but how many of us involve our children in this activity? Explain to your child what RSVP stands for and its importance, and if they are old enough (and they probably are!) get them to take part in the actual response call or in the return of a response card. 

The value of being prompt: If an invitation says 3:00 pm, be there at 3:00 (or as close to it as possible.) Children’s parties usually have specific time frames. If a party last 2 hours and you show up 45 minutes into the party, not only does it give your child less time to enjoy themselves but it begins a pattern of making it ‘okay’ to show up to functions (or school, work, etc.) whenever they deem it is acceptable, and let us not forget the inconsideration it shows to our host/hostess (whose parents spent the time and money to ensure that your little one has a good time), a grade A no-no when we are talking about party manners.

Proper party attire and grooming: By no means am I suggesting that you send your son dressed in a three piece suit to play on a jungle gym or have your daughter done up like she is in a pageant to go bowling but let’s make sure we are sending our children out to a party (and in general out of the house) with no less attention spent on their appearance than you would your own. There is never a good reason for a child to leave their home with their hair or teeth unbrushed, dirty hands that could use a scrubbing or in clothes that look like a child took a nap in. You may think that most of this would be common knowledge but you would be surprised what we can overlook when we are running late for time and have numerous drops off and pick-ups on a Saturday afternoon. Again you may think, what is the big deal, they are just kids! The big deal is that kids have a unique way of expressing their distaste for ‘bad’ grooming in other children-THEY DONT PLAY WITH THEM. And don’t think for a moment that other children don’t notice things like that. As far back as the stone ages, no one ever wants to play with the stinky kid!

Taking Part in Activities: What can spoil a party faster than a child who sulks in a corner and refuses to participate in party activities?? Not a whole heck of a lot, that is for sure. While we can’t predict the mood swings of our children, we can explain to them the importance of thinking of others (in this case, the birthday girl/boy or party host/hostess). I like to have a child pretend to be the host and ask them how they would feel if a guest acted that way at their party. Most children really don’t want to hurt or upset their friends and it is most important to impress upon them that this type of behaviour could make their friend sad and ruin this special day for them. 

We should always remember that these are children we are talking about, nothing is 100 percent foolproof and there will be moments when even the best behaved children will forget what they have been taught by their parents or teachers and occasionally act like children (can you believe it???). That is okay. Be patient with your children, praise them on their good manners and calmly correct and counsel them at the appropriate time (not in front of their friends). You will find that in time you will be pleased with their progress and always remember-Rome was not built in a day........

Make a Wish...

 

Make a wish, or two or ten

Stop and think
And wish again...
 

The day is yours
To shine my friend
The day is yours

Until it ends...

I hope your dreams all do come true
Because I couldn't have asked for a better you!

I love you Griffie!
XOXO Momma

Fabulous Sugar Dolls

 

The Lovely Tish Jett bestowed this award to me a few days ago when I was visiting Hell. I am finally able to thank her, to tell you all to visit her wonderful vie-Francais-infused blog, A Femme d'un Certain Age is a must stop on your blog route!

I get nervous with these awards... all the picking and choosing people to pass them off to... Have I ever given Such and Such an award? How about So and So? I hate for people to be left out... The stress of it all! But this award is different. The recipient of this award must divulge 10 things about them we may not know. So my recipients are my curiosities!!!

These are the rules of the game: the recipient must divulge 10 aspects of her/his life and/or personality; the giver should mention the person who bestowed the award (please re-read above) the receiver then passes, in this case two awards -- very generous, dear Lily -- on to 15 blogs she loves and finally we must notify the new "winners."


1. When I was born my mother was so heavily drug-induced that she called Bloomingdale's to tell them of my arrival instead of calling La Jolie Grandmere!

2.  Even as a young child I was very conscientious of what others around me had or didn't have that I would often tell people that I lived in Harlem, in lieu of The Upper East Side. (I was also surrounded by those who had much, much, much more than I did!)

3. I'd love to celebrate a big anniversary with a party like my wedding one day -- including dress, palladium tent and Lester Lanin Orchestra.

4. At camp one summer I was called The Alligator kid. One of my father's clients was Izod/Lacoste and everything I owned (practically) had alligators on them.

5. I was allowed to have sips of wine as a child with my dinner. When we were out to dinner one night (I was about 4 years old) my mother ordered a pitcher of Sangria and 3 glasses! (I am an only child.) The waiter denied her request!

6. I regret not letting my paternal grandmother teach me how to sew and use the sewing machine. (I know There is still time!)

7. Designers I adore: Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren

8. I have let fear, self-doubt and uncertainty stop me from trying and experiencing too many things -- passing up too many wonderful opportunities. I have many regrets and wish I had fewer. I am working on this.

9. I was a horrible student in elementary school. I was a classic ADD kid without a diagnosis. (Day dreamer, head in the clouds!)

10. I want to win the lottery and take a year off to travel the world with my children. After all, there is no better classroom. (I have a terrible fear of flying though!)


And the 15 bloggers I want to more about are:

LPC, because in a non-stalkerish way , I'm somewhat obsessed, very much inspired and very much look up to her...

Miss Janice, for the same reasons...

my friend Jennifer of Sky Blue Events who is bringing Prep School 101 (a most beautiful blog) back to us!

Bethany of Maryland Pink & Green who has so many wonderful stories to share about her life...

likewise Queen Bee Swain


Pinot after Playdates... she is cute, snarky, fun and has a beautiful name ;)

Black Labs and Lilly ... because we have an affinity for a certain Boston-area bar ;)

Seersucker Scrapper

Sweet Tea in Seattle 

Gwennie

Jo, Bees and Fleur de Lis

Mrs. Lynch... I have just found her... she has just found me... she is hysterical and I think we have parallel families!

my displaced Southern neighbor, Pink, Green & Southern

and last but not least my good friend Mama Henley!

A Letter to Husbands and Fathers Everywhere

Dear Husband/Significant Other/Father,

We mothers are not invincible. Sometimes those nasty little bugs get us too. Render us helpless. Immobile. Sometimes we are not even able to fake pulling it together. And we give up and surrender to the Nasty Bug that has temporarily stopped our world.

While we may feel like dying, or feel as though we are in the act of dying (seriously I have never ever ever ever ever EVER experienced anything so treacherous in my life) there are a few things that could make our journey into Hell easier.

* Come up from time to time. Maybe there is something we need. Ice, ginger ale, plain tea, water... a heating pad, a washcloth, the thermostat turned up to 80 or down to 50... even a soothing voice...

* While we want you to let us rest, we also don't. We want to know that you come up to check up on us from time to time.

* Keep the children at bay. This may be the hardest but is the most important. Screaming children running rampant through the house is like nailing the coffin shut. (Luckily I did not have this problem!)

* In this case, 24/7 cartoons is permissible. We do not expect you to whip out the Play Doh, crafts, paints, glitter, etc... though a game or puzzle or book would be lovely.

* Don't even worry about proper meals. Kids have more fun when they are not having proper meals. They think of it as snacking through the day. Tell them not to tell Mommy and they'll even be happier!

* Yes, you can let them stay in their pajamas. Unless they have school. Then it is preferable to dress them in their clothes or uniforms. If not, though, people will understand. You are the father and this allows you for a few mistakes along the way. Just please make sure the kids brush their teeth before they leave the house.

* If the children want to pop up to say hello (after the Battle of the Porcelain Bowl has been -- just barely -- won) and we are not sleeping, we love little hellos and air kisses from our kidlets. Most often we need not worry about contaminating them as they, most often, have been the culprits to spreading the nasty germs to us.

* Husbands/Fathers/Spouses, it will not kill you (not even harm you) clean up as you go along... to make sure that dishwasher is loaded. It's right next to the sink, btw... And that the sink has been emptied of all food/debris/peelings. There is nothing worse to have to look at the morning or day after the Big Battle.

* Remember once we are on our feet we can not sit and slow down. We are mothers after all. Any laundry, sheets, etc that has accumulated become once again our responsibility. The heaping mounds of it. Despite the fact we can handle nary a can of Ginger ale as nourishment. It's back to the grind for us. And often we are left with more to deal with than before we left for battle. It kinda sucks.

And, Dear Husbands, Significant Others, and Fathers to our children when we ask for chicken noodle soup, the plainer the better. Even the good old fashioned red and white canned variety. We want the broth. The saltier the better. Not the noodles and oodles of veggies and chicken. We can't handle that. Just yet. But we know you can't read our minds. Chicken noodle soup is chicken noodle soup unless we are more specific.

Even better, Fathers, Husbands, Significant Others --

Here's a little (very detailed) list of things you might want to have on hand for your sick wives and, should you be so lucky, sick children:

1. Gatorade is good. It's less heavy than Ginger ale.
2. Ginger ale, however, does sooth the Savage Belly Beast
3. Saltines for when appetite returns -- the new mini saltines are pop-in-your-mouth good!
4. Animal Crackers are good too. Kids love the fun boxes.
5. English Muffins are soft, easy to chew and easy to digest. (Just watch the butter that could irritate tummy.)
6. Eggs are a perfect re-entry meal. (I'm not quite there yet!)
7. Magazines for your Tween and Sweetheart are a nice touch!

And you may want to pick up some extras of these if you don't happen to have extras lying around!

And remember this:
The less we are faced with in the aftermath, the quicker our recovery will be!

back up and running soon....

That terrible bug that Alexander had... you know the one that I yelled at him not to drink the water? Well, Rebecca, Christopher and I came down with it. All at the same time of course. I will no longer tell a child not to drink water when sick. Ever again! I have never been so violently ill and so thirsty at once. So I am hereby apologizing to my littlest one. Add to it fever, chills and body aches.It was cruel. The boys had it more mildly. Rebecca and I had a tougher time. The worst is certainly behind us. I think it will take a couple more days to get strength back. I've decided that I was so overtired as it was that I am going to just go with the flow and slow down for a day or two.

i guess that's why they call them the blues...

Rebecca's Pink & Green party was cancelled. Well, postponed until Friday. I got a call from a friend telling me that her daughter had strep as did another one of their friends who was also invited to the party. That, coupled with the fact that my husband's back was so bad he was unable to move, and suddenly his throat felt like he had swallowed "shards of glass" I thought the only thing to do was cancel. As devastatingly disappointed as she was, I knew that a) the party would not be the same without these two little girls and b) with daddy as sick as he was calling it off was most likely a good thing. I was actually wondering how I was going to manage the girls and keep the boys out of their hair at the same time!

I made all the necessary calls and asked if we could reschedule to Friday. (Christopher's party is on Saturday and his Birthday is on Sunday.) Happily, everyone will be able to join us. Most of the work has been done and all that will be left to do will be to cook and re-bake all the cupcakes... a few have disappeared these past 24 hours!

Rebecca is not one to sit home. The boys are happy to hang out and play together, watch television and play on the computer. Rebecca is my social butterfly, happier out of the house and with her friends. She was hard to keep happy yesterday... whining every few minutes ... everything is so unfair... why me ... woe is me... I would be so much better off without brothers... (Sounding a lot like her mother!)

I had to take daddy back to the doctor's yesterday to look at his throat. Sure enough it was strep. We returned home (I left Becca in charge of the troops) to find Alexander complaining of a stomach ache. Shortly later he got sick. Could the day get any more stressful? I had to run out to pick up the antibiotics that had been filled. But my son was sick and needed me. But my husband was in no shape to get behind the wheel. So off I went. I had to. And I picked up some ginger-ale while I was out.

Needless to say there is no rest for the weary. One must tend to sick and injured spouse, 2 healthy children and one sick child... one must keep on top of the laundry and feed well children while holding sick child's head... Purell, Purell, Purell... my hands are rougher than sandpaper. Valentines are still in the car. Can't possibly bring out the chocolates. Webkinz are indeed stomach-flu safe, but I don't want sick child on well-children's computer... Perhaps we should just celebrate happy heart's day tomorrow. But this seems cruel to do to a child who had to temporarily forgo her party too.

So far, 2010, I'm not much liking you.

In between endless trips to the laundry room, kitchen and bathroom I get a moment to sit. And contemplate. And complain that this sucks. That after many sleepless nights on the couch. I am beyond tired. I saved the bed for the husband who seems to need it more than I do. When I am beyond tired I am cranky and irritable. And a whiny and a baby. And miserable.

Last night was no exception. The Big Girl Panties were off and nowhere to be found. I yelled at everyone. I yelled at sick husband for being cranky and obnoxious as he complained I was driving over ever bump and pothole on purpose -- as I made countless trips to the store for him. And took him to the doctors. I yelled at my daughter, who was sad enough as it was, for her whining because I was equally as frustrated and 100 times more tired. I yelled at my middle child. For no reason, I am sure, other than the fact that he was there. And I yelled at my sick baby last night. As he was getting sick. I kept telling him not to drink too much water. Every time he did so he got sick. I had used an entire roll of paper towels and just as much Windex to clean the floors because he couldn't make it to the bathroom. We had gone through all his pajamas. My hands were red and raw from chemical and soap and Purell. Every time I closed my eyes to doze off Alexander got sick. At one point, at around Midnight, I actually yelled at him. "Stop drinking water!" I shouted. I cleaned him up and told him he had to go find some clothes in his room. Terrible. Mean. I know. I'm not a good person on too little sleep.

I felt horribly when it happened and still do. I have made it up to him many times over, even digging out my old floral Ralph Lauren pillow cases because he loves them and he loves flowers. If only flowered pillowcases could make all of our troubles melt away.

Pink and Green Party Prep

I worked on prep for Rebecca's party for a good 12 hours yesterday. I missed most of the opening ceremonies and my tootsies were too tired to tip toe through the house at midnight when I finally turned it. It was a long and semi stressful day yesterday. My husband hurt his back. Badly. It had been sore for a while and so I am thinking that letting the kids jump on him and roll on him out in the storm on Wednesday was not the smoothest of moves! In addition to taking care of the kids I had to take care of him and you know how men are! Ok, I'm exaggerating... I did have to pick up an Rx that CVS forgot to fill but that was it. He left me alone to tend to the children and work on Pinking and Greening my house. I am a bit worried about tonight. He had planned on taking the boys out of the house. I'm pretty sure that won't happen since he can barely get out of the bed... already picturing Alexander who won't leave the kids alone... panicking about this just slightly! Though Rebecca did tell him that she would allow him to stay upstairs as they paint their nails. We shall see.....

I am super thrilled with my work and Rebecca is too! Nothing better than that. She kept showering me with hugs yesterday as I added yet another pink and green touch. I was going to bake the cupcakes today but ended up baking them last night. I messed the frosting up on one of them so I brought it to my husband who declared it The BEST cupcake he had ever eaten! I guess I'll be posting that recipe!

Anyhow, without further ado, here is what I spent my day on yesterday.

 

Above: place setting -- decided to place the Lilly-wrapped Mentos on the table.
I also filled small pink boxes with the pink and green white chocolate dipped pretzels.

 

I found this fantastic (and I do mean fantastic!) self adhesive wrapping paper from Hallmark. I cut out each girls' first initial and applied it to their cup. 

  

 

Not only does this improve the look of a solid colored cup but it will eliminate wasting cups all night long as girls start a drink, put it down and become unsure as to which cup is theirs.
Now, they'll know! Fancy, frugal and environmentally sound!

 

And our matching water bottles! Rebecca peeled off the original labels and I cut the adhesive wrapping paper to fit. There are, admittedly, slight imperfections. I am sure the girls will not notice.
I would have been more precise for the adults.

 

Pinkalicious, white and green m&ms... a must have at any young girl's Pink & Green Party!

 

I just adore what I did to this chandelier!

It reminds me of a floating garden. It was created on a limited budget
and everything has been recycled or can be.

 

All the bows were purchased at the Hallmark store. I tied them on using green ribbon, leaving the sticky part intact so that these can be used for gift wrapping at a later date.

 

Green snowflake... a Target ornament from a few years ago. I had these in pink and green!

 

Star ornament, also from Target from a few years ago.
I had plenty of pink and green stars around!

 

My Happy Chandelier... I think I am leaving this up for a while!

 

"Tablescape"

I am thinking the table needs something... perhaps the white linen place mats.
I'll play around some more later on!

 

 

 

Lilly notebooks. Aren't these the cutest? We have 4 extra binders and Rebecca wants more for herself!
I cut out wrapping paper to fit inside the clear pocket on the front of these plain plastic binders!
Couldn't be easier!

 

I filled the binders with plain white paper, 3 hole punch lined paper, fashion plates (for the girls to design their own clothes) and some fun quizzes in the back. The only thing missing were the pastel colored pencils!

 

All packaged up with gift tags for each child!

 

Front table in the foyer... Don't these look wonderful?!

 

Oh, Bite Me!! ;)

  

 And, the best part of all, Dessert!

Daddy's Declared Best Cupcake Ever!
(Recipe on food blog)

So there we are!

Today I work on cleaning up the play room (nothing I am looking forward to!)
and decorating it with brightly colored streamers and a banner that I made.

I will prepare dinner prior to the girls arriving.

Rebecca's request:

Finger Sandwiches
Ham
Turkey
Cucumber

Black Olives

Baby carrots, celery sticks with Ranch Dressing
(I also picked up Russian Dressing because it is pink!)

Deviled Eggs
(Rebecca hates them but they are festive!)

Pink Lemonade garnished with a Lime Wedge
(I may toss some Vodka into mine ;) !!)

Dessert:

Pink & Green Cupcakes
Fresh Strawberries
Green grapes

Boy I wish I had some Lilly cookie cutters... perhaps I will run out and see if there are any left...
I just can't stop! I need help!

Planning a Party in Pink and Green!

The snow storm was lovely but it set me off schedule. Then, the children ended up having a delayed start yesterday. Two more hours lost. But we'll get there... before the party is over!

Rebecca requested pink and green cupcakes for her party after she saw my Red Velvet ones. Then everything became about being pink and green! (Except for the play room which in it's red and beige hues won't look so great in the bright, classic preppy colors!)

So I went party shopping with pink and green in mind...

 

My friend Kim told me that she had wrapped some Mentos as snowmen for a party favor for one of her children. Snowmen would not work, but how cute they look all decked out in their Lilly!

  

Some pink and green bows and ornaments will dress up the chandelier...

  

Pink and green plates, napkins and tablecloths...

  

I've found the green m&ms... but the pink seem to be sold out... everywhere! Help!

  

Mentos all dressed up!

  

Some party games!

I am also going to create a game of Pictionary for the girls!

  

Next time I will use the short, wide sticks (not the rods)
These pink and green white chocolate covered pretzels may not look professionally done but their taste

is outta this world!

  

Wait til you see what I'm going to do with these wonderful Lilly papers!

 

Mama Henley wanted a tutorial on how to make these preppy pencils. I tried wrapping them in Lilly paper first. While they looked lovely, as soon as you tried to sharpen them... well, let's say I jammed the electric sharpener! (I did fix my mess.) So then I decided paint. Perhaps an oil-based paint is the way to go. The acrylic peeled off as soon as it dried. Hours wasted. This was a big DON'T!

So we have some pink and green food planned and I have some more pink and errands planned and I am clearly wasting valuable time here... so I am logging off until I have more to report!

Au revoir mes amis!