63104mom

Jan
26th

Thu

Hey ladies! Gus dancing with 8th graders.

Jan
24th

Tue

I am not sure I can come to your party. My friend roped me into going to the Air Supply concert with her.

— my coworker Susan. The best RSVP ever.

Jan
23rd

Mon

Where her arm go mommy?

— Mimi, watching Soul Surfer with her older sisters. Note to self: pay closer attention to what 3 year is watching on TV.

Jan
21st

Sat

Garlic press, hole punch. Similar tools I use every day.

Jan
15th

Sun

Subaru Trailer - “Hockey Mom” (by Broadband Sports)

Everytime I see this commercial I am reminded that I really want my son to play hockey.

I like to watch hockey. It’s tremendous exercise. It’s also a life sport. My brother started to play when he was 8 or so. At age 37 he still plays twice a week. In fact, he is on a ‘line’ with his childhood teammate Donnie. I am convinced that hockey more than perhaps any other sport is a sport for life. (in all fairness- i think soccer and swimming also fall into that category).

This ad strikes a chord with me. Love the Pogues! Sunny Side of the Street is my favorite Pogues song ever. This ad features If I should Fall from Grace.

Jan
14th

Sat

building the guest list

We are getting ready to send out invitations for our annual (although we took a break in 2011) Mardi Gras party. I am at about 200 invites. Yep. That many. Needn’t fear- only about 125 show up, and they’re staggered out through the night. It’s more like an open house.

How do I pick who to invite? It seems like I keep adding people to the list. Here’s my criteria.

People that help me out, like driving my kids places, hosting playdates or coaching their teams.
People that fit two categories— e.g. people who I work with and live in the neighborhood
Interesting people
New to the area people. We in St. Louis can be such a clique. It’s always right to invite new friends to parties.
People who may hit it off with long-time guests. “Oh meet so-and-so. You both like to run marathons.”
and obviously, good friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

What-if’s:

A no-show, no-call, no-rsvp for 3 years in a row. I think they’re trying to send me a message that they don’t want to come. They’re off the list.
Divorced couples both get invites. I’m not taking sides. You people work it out.
Party-disaster people. Pukers, people who show up at 1 am, arguers. So far no one has ever done anything offensive enough to get removed from “the list.” That may change but not yet. The most irritating thing so far has been a guy who hounded me for a spoon a couple of years ago, as in followed me around the house until i got him a spoon. He’s on the bubble.

Jan
13th

Fri

Handsome Gus.

Jan
10th

Tue

Ski at home dad

— John, describing fathers who stay at home to care for their children who also like to ski.

Jan
9th

Mon

Here Are Some Adult My Little Pony Fanatics We Met at BronyCon

I believe in Bronies.

Jan
7th

Sat

I hate balloons

I would be delighted if my children never, ever received or played with another balloon for the rest of their lives, or until at least they have kids of their own and will then understand how terrible balloons are.

Here is the problem with balloons- it always ends in tears. Name me ONE TIME a child has received a balloon and been happy with it until the demise of the balloon. Certainly not my kids.

In my house, kids cry over balloons because

they pop
they float away
a sibling wants to play with it
the dog or cat destroys it

Please, friends, family and school, I beg you. Never another balloon.