Random Things

Busy weekend. Random news:

1-Birthday party was a success. It was like Christmas around here since they had their parties together.

2- I have a short, fat child. Not really. Did have his check-up today and he was 45% for height and 75% for weight. I don't see that looking at him. Oh, well. I never get those things. So if he was in line with 100 kids, 55 would be taller than him? I also opted to go ahead with the 3 shots he needed in order to go to kindergarten. I could have waited another 9-10 months before registration, but what's the point? That's another co-pay, another hour of my precious time, and having to lie about why we were going to the doctor. Today, I wasn't sure if he had to get them or not. I felt so sorry for little guy though. He thought the lady (nurse) was coming back to "do the sticks" (take a throat culture as he is too familiar with). He quickly realized it wasn't the "sticks", but that he was being stuck by three needles! I took him to Target for more car legos (uncle gave him a giftcard) afterwards because I felt awful when that smile turned into crying crocodile tears.

3- Ready for Real Housewives of NY tonight. Per my People magazine daily email, I heard that Luann and the Count are separated. Has he ever been on the show?

4- My head senses pollen is quickly on its way. Does yours? Ugh! Bad headache.

5- My foot is now asleep so I'll stop typing. I just like having 5 items. Got to go look for a recipe now. I'm wanting to make spinach/ricotta stuffed shells tonight.

Five on Friday

Things I'm loving right now:








1- That April is next week and springtime will finally begin to feel more spring-like!

2- My Bobby Brown Hydrating Face cream. It's feels like velvet, smells so refeshing and mainly helps my winter-like skin.

3- I'm going to eat tapas, drink wine and possibly see "Two Lovers" tonight with my foreign/Indie/chick film watching friend. You know, those films that your husband will go see with you, but won't necessarily enjoy seeing!

4- That I decided to throw one birthday bash this year for the minis who have birthdays five weeks apart. It's Sunday afternoon at an inflatable facility so that's even better. We play, we eat and we go home!

5-I may be the only one watching, but I'm loving ER right now and getting sad that it ends next Thursday. I almost cried (I definitely teared up) when Doug and Carol were on it last week. They kept it very hush about George Clooney returning for an episode, but I am so glad he did...and all of the old characters for that matter. I have been a sporadic viewer over the last two years, but it is such a well acted/ directed/ written show. Every character has had their stellar moments. Now I love Grey's Anatomy, but I still say ER, hands down, is the better drama and I'll miss it.

Have a good weekend!

Weekend Highlights

Mini#1 and I had a great time in DC. We braved the colder temperatures and made great use of our time. Signs of spring were all around and we barely missed the cherry blossoms. We went to several Smithsonian Museums. He loved seeing the gems and jewels exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History. Rocks are a great interest to mini#1 these days. The Hope diamond was amazing to me and seeing earrings that belonged to Marie Antoinette. Very cool.

He also enjoyed the Air and Space Museum. Who doesn't? He literally had just mentioned wanting to see something about Amelia Earheart and we saw a glass enclosed case housing her leather flight jacket and flight goggles! Then he got excited to see the Wright Brothers exhibit. Here he is below with the famous brothers.

We walked across Key Bridge into Georgetown with my brother and had a great Italian meal at Paolo's restaurant Friday night and then did some shopping, much to mini#1's dismay! We decided to cab it back to the hotel and mini#1 was ecstatic because it was his first cab ride. And a nice one at that. It was a brand new Hybrid something or other! Saturday we headed to the National Aquarium and had a great time hanging out with this little guy below.

He was so friendly coming right up to the glass to see us. Next on to the White House which he's seen before, but never stops being a thrill to see. Then lunch at the ever so elegant Chez McDonald's. Gag! On to the National Museum of American History (Laura Bush's inauguration gown was much prettier on TV!) and back to the hotel for swimming (big deal to mini#1). We then took my brother (car is currently in storage in Europe somewhere) to Alexandria to hit Target, Old Navy and TJ Maxx to search for new pillows and stuff he needs to have shipped this week to Bosnia. After that a quick bite of Mexican food and back to the hotel for exhausted sleep.

Sunday, we walked back into Georgetown and went to Clyde's for brunch. This was probably the highlight of the trip for me. I had been there for dinner years ago and knew this was one of my dad's favorite hangouts in the 60's so it was fun being there with my son. They put us in a cozy corner table and we sat side by side on the leather cushions. Here we chatted about our trip and had a great time "sharing". He even let me hold his hand. I couldn't help but sample his huge plate of DELICIOUS french toast. Ok, and a piece of his bacon. When I make french toast I always call the powdered sugar, "love". I sprinkle it with love. Clyde's was about to ruin it for me though. Mini#1 bought a mood ring in the aquarium and his color kept saying he was "love-able". When he got the french toast he said "Look mom. I must be 'love-able'. They sprinkled it with love too." It was so precious. And that's our trip. I highly recommend spending some one of one time away from home with your children. It's a great experience. They feel special and I felt like a better parent giving dedicated, uninterrupted attention to just one child. I'll finish by posting a photo of my yummy breakfast. This quiche had spinach, portobello mushrooms, swiss cheese, tomatoes and potatoes in it! Cannot even begin to describe the yumminess factor of this.

Road Trip

By the time you read this mini#1 and I will be headed to Washington, DC for the weekend. After all that has gone on with us this year, I decided this would be a fun thing to do to reconnect with him. We can do activities more on his level without the interference (and whining!) of mini#2. We'll also see my brother who lives there for another 3 weeks anyway. He's off to Bosnia in April for a 2 yr assignment. Mini#2 and Mr. Pink have mulch to place and a baseball game to go to here at home. I'm looking forward to this trip. He and I have good conversations when we're alone plus,after being home from school 2 weeks (tracked out), we're ready for a getaway. I'll be back next week. Have a great weekend!

Travel Thursday

Today ladies we're off to Provence in beautiful south of France on the Mediterranean. It's the first Roman province outside of Italy. Land of lavender fields. Awww. Did you bring your camera? I've arranged a morning cooking class for us all to take in Marseille. We can impress our husbands upon return. We'll make bouillabaisse, the classic seafood stew and a tapenade with capers and olives grown in the region. We'll enjoy this for lunch with plenty of crusty French bread and wine. Afterwards, to walk off some of that lunch, we'll go shopping and enjoy the views of the Cote d'Azur that inspired Matisse, Van Gogh, Renoir and Picasso. At some point in their lives they all lived here. Above you'll see the restaurant I picked out for dinner. Maybe we'll try some ratatouille and even try the popular drink, pastis, made with anise. And I hear the pastry chef here is phenomenal so we'll try one of every dessert before we happily go to sleep and wake up back in our beds. Hope you've had a nice visit. I suddenly feel full!

Would you buy this?

If you don't watch "The Real Housewives of New York", skip this post. If you do, does this woman get on your nerves as much as she gets on mine? Would you honestly buy her book? Maybe if all proceeds go to pediatric cancer organizations (and they very well could for all I know). She is so egotistical and into her title. She gives off such an air of fakey/fakeness in every situation. Wow that "fight" last week with Ramona was funny. Lu Ann was so offended when Ramona thought her husband was twice Lu Ann's age. And then hoping that magazine "retouched" Bethenny's cover shots. She always twists things to her advantage in hopes of coming out smelling like a rose. And Lu Ann's kids...heaven forbid they use a wrong fork at dinner. I imagine that being the most interaction she has with her kids...to correct etiquette. I'll admit this is the first season I've watched of NY wives, but she's painting herself clearly to me. And her daughter Victoria seems insecure and scared of her mother. She barely voices an opinion and, secretly, may be happy to go to boarding school. I'm just saying. So who's your favorite NY housewife to hate these days?Alex is a close second with me. Don't get me started on that marriage... they are one STRANGE couple.

First preschool complaint

Mini#2 is now terrified of leprechauns. He came home from preschool today and is looking everywhere for leprechauns in the house and asking me if we have any? I made the mistake of saying "Not too many" thinking he would think it was funny. He didn't. I had to go with him to my bathroom to check for leprechauns! He made his brother go with him in his room to also check for little men in green suits. I am anxiously awaiting the teacher's daily email to see what the heck they did today at school. And then try to figure out how he became scared of these little Irish gentlemen. I think he's thinking they look like this picture I found! It's made for a funny day anyway. As I type I just heard him say "Shawn, Shawn the leprechaun. Come out wherever you are!" Oh my.....

Goodbye 3, Hello 4

At the lake last weekend...when it was 80 degrees!

At preschool yesterday (I erased his name on his hat).

Happy Birthday Mini#2! Last night he said "goodbye 3" and this morning he said "hello 4." I cannot believe my BABY is 4 today! Wow, what a journey it's been! He's my "love bug". He says he "lubes" me at least 10 times a day! We'll have a combined party with big brother on March 29th (falls between both of their birthdays). Today we'll have presents, cake and he gets to pick what he wants to do. Right now it's either go see a movie or ice skating. I think it will be a movie.

Enjoy your weekend!

Travel Thursday

My brain is mush. It's teacher appreciation week and mini#2 has been super duck this week (we bring snacks each day). I have been doing some birthday shopping (#2 on Sat) and I have been monitoring spats between the two minis all week because #1 is tracked out.

Therefore I bring you all a new post I will surely continue. Travel Thursdays will bring us tranquility and will temporarily transport us all somewhere kids are not allowed. Only us moms (ok and husbands if they've been sensitive to your needs this week) with unlimited credit cards, bottomless champagne glasses and endless massages. And don't bother bringing your cell phones or blackberrys. Your babysitter is fine with the kids and you can't be bothered! So today we're temporarily going to Positano, Italy on the Amalfi Coast. It's just about 9:00 pm there. Perfect. Cheers! What do you see yourself doing here ladies?

Word Wednesday

So instead of Wordless Wednesday, I wonder what words you have about this man, Mr. Madoff.
Do tell. Don't get me started...

Spring Fever

It was 81 degrees here today. The kids played outside for 3 hours! I sat outside and read a book for most of this time. I decided to take a break from laundry and enjoy the warm weather, too! It's not supposed to last, but we sure enjoyed this glimpse of spring (or summer) today. Now I'm going to go running because, yes, summer is just around the corner and my bathing suit will have to come out of hiding.

I'm addicted.

Have you ever had these cookies? Biscoff "Crisp European Cookies". I used to get them on morning flights on Delta Airlines. They are so yummy. They are definitely crisp. I love these brown sugary tea cookies (biscuits). They're made in Belgium, but, (un)fortunately for me I found them in Super Wal-Mart last summer. $2.14 for a long sleeve of these babies. Now I cannot avoid the cookie aisle where these tempt/taunt me every visit. I need an intervention. It's bad. Go get you some! I won't tell a soul.

It's all in a name.

Yesterday, I received my latest monogrammed "fix" in the form of the following from http://www.thepinkgiraffe.net/

This cute lunch bag for mini#2 to take to preschool on those days I need him to stay for "lunch bunch". I simply pay $5, take his lunch, and I get an extra hour to run errands or whatever. The strap has preppy red lobsters on it. I choose to put his name on his instead of the 3-letter monogram. I'm going to give it to him for his birthday next weekend. I think he's really going to like his personalized lunch bag! It's classier than the hand me down Superman bag we've been using.

Then I got another monogrammed cap for me. This time I choose a white cap with bubblegum pink monogram. I'm ready for spring!

I'm a little cranky....

Be forewarned I'm due to rant. Here I go.

1- Because, although I wasn't really into FURTHER follow-up, I missed the last few minutes of The Bachelor- Part 2 last night. I was watching The Real Housewives of New York and flipping back and forth because I was too lazy to go upstairs and DVR one of them. Actually, I was too warm in my bed to get out of it. I fell asleep and missed if Molly and Jason are together or what their deal was 6 weeks later. Someone tell me.

2- Our snow make up day for last Monday is this SATURDAY. Now, I've gotten used to the Saturday make up deal. Already done it once and will do it again April 4. However, we track out FRIDAY for 3 weeks. Why would our track be expected to return on Saturday for a make up day from 7:45 to 11:15? I'm cranky because we're headed back to MIL's house to go through things, another yard sale, etc. We've already advertised the sale so I made the decision that mini#1 will not go to school Saturday. And this doesn't sit well with me. I don't like bucking the system. I'm a follower, do-gooder. It's making me cranky. And when my mom finds out I'll have to listen to her opinion on how he should go further adding to my crankiness. Would you have done the same thing?

3- Mini#2 has been sleeping through the night in underwear successfully for a month or two WITHOUT one of us waking him up to potty at around 11:00 PM. We do this through-the-night training in stages around here. Anyway, since last weekend he has wet his pants and/or the bed EVERY night since last weekend!! Mr. Pink thinks he could be regressing because MIL passed away. It could be, but I don't think so. I don't know why, but it's frustrating. He wakes his brother up to tell him he's wet who then comes downstairs (master on main floor) to tell us! So everyone is awake at 2:00 AM. I have at least been putting those lovely rubber pants on him the last 2 nights so it usually saves the sheets, but not last night. That even leaked through. Now I've bored everyone and I'm still cranky.

These things are trivial with so much going on in this world. I'm thankful this is all I have to be cranky about today. All will pass and I will be ok. Thank you blog for letting me vent!

Mayer Monday

So everyone must know that I love John Mayer. Did you happen to see him on Ellen on Feb. 9th? I had to DVR it because we were at the ENT for mini#1's ear checkup. Anyway, I am glad I did. He did an interview where Ellen questioned him at one point about his sleep-overs at Jennifer's catching John off guard. Then they played a "guess the celebrity" game where he sang a bit of each star's music by mimicking them. He really nailed Josh Groban. At the end he did a sing-a-long with Ellen in her "bathroom concert series". I have watched this sing-a-long to Lady Gaga's "Let's Dance" several times! It is so funny. So I'm sharing to make you smile on this Monday. Enjoy! We're off to play in some snow in our new boots.

I'm ready.

It's been raining for two solid days and it's supposed to snow tonight. However, this time I'm prepared for snow. Mini#1 and I headed out to look for snow boots, a.k.a. simple rain boots, today. When it snowed a few weeks ago we realized he had outgrown his other boots. Today I found these at Target and put them on immediately to swim back to the car. I'm not kidding. I'm thinking we need Noah's number. It may be time to build the ark! Unfortunately all they had for kids were a thousand flip flops and some boots in the gardening section that mini#1 declared too "babyish". However we lucked out at Wal-mart and found a simple black pair he liked. We lucked out even further by finding a short line the day before predicted snow! So bring on the snow or rain or slush. We're ready!!!