New Shoes

A couple of years ago I took all three of my (then very young) children to REI to get new shoes. At one point a woman who did not work there asked if she could help me at all. She was asking because I think I must have had that crazed, sleep-deprived, mother of three look, and she wasn't sure if I was going to make it out of the store without going completely crazy.

I've come at least a little way since then, random people don't usually ask if they can help me when I'm out shopping. But I'm still a sleep-deprived mother of three, and my kids still need new shoes every now and then. So off we went this afternoon - haircuts and shoe shopping for all. Mary Jane had a fever last night, but is in denial that she was sick at all. She had energy to burn, and she tried to use it all up by running around the small shoe store to try out various new pairs. Mason promises me that he will keep his shoe laces tied at all times on his new Nike's. I actually don't mind spending money on shoes for Charlotte because if she outgrows them too soon, I can save them for Mary Jane.

There was no chance to get a latte before we sat in traffic on the ride back home. Dinner for the last two nights has not involved any veggies, but homework is done and all of the right notes, checks, library books are ready for tomorrow morning (I hope). If Mary Jane sleeps all night, then tomorrow should be a good day to show off new shoes and haircuts for all. Perhaps in the morning I'll have a homemade latte - new shoes don't grow on trees. My latte today is to take a deep breath, and try not to be a crazy person when your out shopping with your kids. Be sure to thank the people who try to help if you are though, and eat something healthy!

Happy Thoughts

It's raining here - again. After years of severe drought conditions in Atlanta, we just finished up the second rainiest October on record. It's tough for moms and kids when all activities have to take place indoors. On top of the rain, lots of illnesses are going around these days, and I've been coughing for weeks. But I'm going to look on the bright side of things.

I once read somewhere that a good way to stay happy with your life is to write down three things each evening that made you happy during the day. So here are some of my happy thoughts from the last couple of days: 1) Watching all 3 of my kids have fun doing yoga poses from a set of cards I got them a couple of years ago. 2) Amelia Bedila books (they're really funny). 3) Making a moth costume for Mason to wear in his 2nd grade musical tomorrow without making a single trip to Target for supplies, and then getting called McGyver mom by a Facebook friend. 4) A gingerbread white chocolate latte! 5) Charlotte doing her ballet twirls all over the living room to show off her adorable skirt.

Even if your latte isn't as fancy as mine, find some things to be happy about today! It might help you forget the rain for a little while.

Reality

When I was not that much older than Mason, I knew who shot J.R. Ewing. Along with half the country, I watched Dallas on Friday nights. It seems that I have always enjoyed a good drama with a twist or 2. I was a huge fan of Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, ER, and, of course, Desperate Housewives.

Reality shows, on the other hand, have never held much appeal for me. I was intrigued, though, by the Real Housewives of various cities. I've watched a few, and I'm here to say that they don't seem to match any sort of reality. How do I know? I am a real housewife of Atlanta, and it is not as glamorous as it is on TV. Last week I went on a 2nd grade field trip to the History Center, I painted an old dresser with a great paint off of the oops rack at Lowes, I grocery shopped, I raked leaves, and tried (not successfully) to keep up with the laundry. I'm not complaining, I'm simply pointing out my reality.

Mason seems to have finally caught whatever is going around, and so we'll be housebound for at least a few days this week until he feels better. That is my reality, I'll clean, do more laundry, pay bills, and take care of my sick little boy. I don't have drivers, house keepers, or professional landscapers, and that's alright. Today's latte is to find your own reality and embrace it - perhaps with an Eggnog latte, they're here for the season!

9 Years Ago Today

9 years ago today, we lived in a bubble. Jobs were everywhere and houses sold as soon as you put a "for sale" sign in the yard. 9 years ago September 11th was just another day on the calendar, and we never dreamed of paying more than $1.50 for a gallon of gas. 9 years ago the country was 3 days away from learning about recounts and hanging chads. 9 years ago our only baby was a 70 pound mutt, and Rob had never changed a diaper. 9 years ago we talked about having 3 kids someday, and we used cameras with real film.

9 years ago today we said "I do" and then we danced, and we started our adventure as a family. Happy Anniversary, Rob!

The Day After...

We survived. You may remember from last year that Halloween is not my favorite holiday, but this year it seemed to take on a life of its own, as well as most of the month of October. After not buying new costumes last year, we more than made up for it this year with numerous new holiday ensembles. The good news is that the kids had many occasions on which to wear their costumes.

Mason was Harry Potter every chance he got, Charlotte went back and forth between Silver Mist (a fairy friend of Tinkerbells), and Sharpay from High School Musical. Mary Jane has 2 Dora costumes and one of Daphne from Scooby Doo. Of course, yesterday she ended up wearing a fancy dress and some wings. Mason was not happy with her for not wearing an actual costume. I have lots of pictures, and I promise to share them soon.

Mason decided about 6 weeks ago that he and his sisters should have a Halloween party. They made a list of friends they wanted to invite and they started making plans. Who am I to stand in the way of a good party? Especially on that involves about a dozen over-excited small children in costumes on a cold and rainy day? As I said, we survived. We had help, Mason's first grade teacher made an appearance and she told scary stories to the wild 7 year old boys. Mason planned an art project that involved toilet paper tubes and pipe cleaners, but he was having too much fun to even get to it.

Here's the good news, the house is very clean, Mason entertained himself all morning making a cardboard cage for Hedwig (his stuffed owl for those of you who don't speak Harry Potter), and I didn't have to spend too much time out trick-or-treating in the rain thanks to Aunt Allie and Alex. Here's the post-Halloween latte, remember that most things in parenthood are not about the parents, they are about the kids so put up some Halloween decorations and buy a little extra candy at Target, put on a costume, and enjoy!