Halloween Shouldn't Be So Scary This Year

If you remember this time last year, I was busy planning for making Halloween costumes. I was down to the wire sewing and gluing for the preschool Halloween party. But this year, I think I managed to luck out...majorly!

So the big question is what are the kids going to be?

Pippi Longstocking and a pirate. Ahhhhhh....could it get any easier than this. Yes, I found a dress for Anna at, of all places Gymboree, for $10. I have a great sock for one leg from one of Andrew's amenity kits from an overseas flight. I have to find one more stripy sock. I bought some orange hairspray for $3 for the braids she will have. Done!

For Alex we found a pirate sword/hat kid at Target for $5 and a pirate shirt on sale at Gymboree. Some 24-month pants he had from 2 years ago that still fit around the waist. Done!

Graco Monthly Nod

So I got a Graco Monthly Nod from Graco for a post I had over at DC Metro Moms about The Secret World of Bedtime. Apologies in advance to my neighbor for mentioning her in there.....but not by name so hopefully she'll still help me out when I'm out of eggs or sugar.

Everything Goes with a Mad Housewife

What do you get when you mix a bunch of mom bloggers with a wine party from Mad Housewife Cellars?

Chatty fun and lots of sharing.

Before I continue on, let me explain how I know all these moms. I write for DC Metro Moms every few weeks--usually when I get my two-week reminder that I haven't posted in a while. [Doah!] I started blogging with this group almost exactly a year ago. It's a great mix of moms--some who work, some who don't. And their professional backgrounds range from lawyers, scientists, doctors, teachers, writers, social workers, etc.

So when we all get together, the thing everyone likes to do is talk. Nicole hosted this wonderful event on Saturday with three cases of wine from Mad Housewife Cellars. How was the wine? Not too bad. Even more fun with a bunch of crazy mom bloggers (Sue, Jean, KC, Susan, Claire Jess, Leticia, Diana, and MamaBird) who talked about KC's bean and cheese dish she ate before the event, Diana's cat who accidentally nursed from her pre-baby lactating breast and her fear of clowns (like mine), Leticia's chance to be principal for an hour at school, and Whymommy's new work out commitment.

That's the thing about bloggers. We all have already shared too much with people we don't know. Imagine what happens when you bring a little wine into the picture. You have a bunch of Mad Crazy Housewives!!

Self Esteem Issues at 3?

Last night, I had a meeting in the evening. My husband's job was to get the kids to bed. We've had a few issues with this lately as Anna has decided to pee right before bed....all over the floor. The last time it resulted in a time out from dad. This wouldn't have been my response, but that's not the point. So after I returned from my meeting and asked hubby about the evening, this is what I found out.

Anna once again peed on the floor. But didn't tell anyone until Alex stepped in it and flipped out. Anna was found upstairs changing her clothes. Smart. Hubby fussed at her again and she cried. He could hear her crying in her room later on and overheard her say, "I can't do anything."

Can I just say, this totally broke my heart and made me weep. My little girl thinks she can't do anything. Where would she get that? Why would she say that? And how do I let her know that of course, she can do lots of things? Poor thing.

Culture Shock

I'm blogging over at Tea Collection today remembering the changing fall light in Sweden.

I Used To Be A Morning Person

Before I had children, I used to be the early bird. I would wake up before the sun came up, jump out of bed, take a shower, sit and enjoy my coffee and paper (briefly) and fly out the door work. I was almost always the first one there, somewhere between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. I loved the quiet time before the craziness to work in peace. No phone calls. No interruptions. No can-you-help-me-with-this project, and I need it now.

Why has that changed? I still go to bed at the same time. Sometimes even earlier. But when my kids come in at 7 a.m. and beg for breakfast and juice, it's all I can to roll my lazy ass over and say "just give me five more minutes, please." Sometimes they will retreat in their rooms to play, although it usually ends in fighting, but most of the time I have to get up. Right now!

How can it be that 8 years ago, even 5 years ago, I would have thought nothing about arriving at work at 7 a.m. But now, I can't even pour the cereal until the clock says 7.

And we run a tight ship about the 7 part too. I can hear the kids whispering in the hallway. "Does it say 7 in your room? It says 7 in my room. So it must be 7. MOM!!! IT'S 7 IN EVERYONE'S ROOM!"

Everywhere, but in my head.

Mommy Bloggers. I'm Published!

Check out my article in the latest issue of Washington Parent magazine.