Tired . . . But I can still write this post

We had a HUGE birthday party today for both children and The Hubby. It also served as the housewarming for our new digs. So many people. So much food. So hot. So many toys (that they don't really need).

I had planned to post a picture of the cupcakes I made, but I think it probably looks disgusting. I have been harassed for weeks about making these flippin' cupcakes that Nickjr. keeps shoving down The Babydoll's throat, and she, in turn, shoving down mine. It took so much effort to try to make those crazy things that the lady in the clip said was so simple. Didn't seem that way to me, so I ended up just making it out of fondant using the template. But I couldn't make one for The Babydoll and not one for The Baby Boy. Of course, there was no template for Super Why, which is what he wanted. So I had to totally pull that one out of my non-drawing, unartistic neck. I was pretty pleased, but he had already eaten the face off before I could get a picture. I think Dora kind of looked like a drag queen with a wig and bright red lipstick. The more I looked at them, the more odd and disturbing they looked. Oh well. The Babydoll yelled, "Mommy, you saw them on TV?!" And, as I mentioned, The Baby Boy couldn't wait to ram it into his mouth. Guess they thought I did a good enough job.

I'm sooooo tired. Parties at the jumping place seems like a genius idea. So does not having a party and taking a trip to the zoo instead with exactly one friend. I will remember this next year.

I'm Over It

I'm entrenched in birthday party preparations. We have two parties coming up, for which we spent a ridiculous amount of time shopping for gifts. I can never remember what I got for the same children last year. And I try hard not to buy toys, since I don't know any children who just don't have enough toys. That leaves me with books and puzzles, with a game or video as additional possibilities. I'd much rather give those as gifts anyway. Of course, much of the store time was dedicated to my children pointing out items they wanted for their own birthdays--including a puzzle that The Baby Boy already owns. The prep for their joint party is also a significant amount of work. They've been saying what they want for months, and we've been replaying, "Maybe for your birthday!" Now that those things securely on the list, and we are searching for places to buy them, they've decided to ask for totally different stuff. What the what?! And do I really have to give goody bags? I'm over them, too.

This, plus all of the school prep is crouching over me, too. Even if I wanted to ignore it, every store from here to tarnation is shouting it from the rooftops and demanding that you buy it today. I have two weeks people! Leave me alone!

Summer is seriously coming to an end, and it's all about to break loose, isn't it?

A Wonderful Weekend

SM, I'm glad your day is getting better. And of course you're not a loser!

My day began fine; I just have the daunting challenge of getting out of the house on time so that I can make it to class on time. I have not made it to my first class on time at all this semester. I think I need to wake up at 6 instead of 7 until I completely stop nursing (which will be soon, but I'll discuss that in another post). Anyway, despite my few minutes of lateness, class went well.

I had a wonderful albeit busy weekend. Last week The Popcorn turned 1! Even before I had a child, I always said giving a one-year-old a party was more about the parents and not the child and so I would have a grown-up party if anything and maybe give myself a gift. Well, this weekend I held true to that--somewhat.

I initially had planned to just have dinner with the three of us and maybe take some pictures, but then I thought about how hard this first year was and how blessed we were to have The Popcorn here, in life and at home, with us, and decided we should celebrate in a bigger way. So, we had a family dinner. I invited DH's immediate family, my immediate family and my sister-in-law's parents. I'm really grateful to them because they all had to travel at least an hour (and more) to get to our house. And they brought her gifts which for some reason, I wasn't actually expecting. (I guess I have been out of the birthday party game for too long.)

The theme of the dinner was Celebrate the Colors of Life! I decorated the dinner table in red, green, blue and purple. I made a centerpiece that was too small, but as it consisted of candy, it was delicious! I also used my good china which in so many years of marriage, I have only used once before. Everyone said my table was so pretty. Also, in keeping with the theme, DH wore a bright blue shirt, I wore a yellow shirt and I dressed The Popcorn in a multi-colored outfit.

For dinner we served the foods that The Popcorn is eating now, in a more flavorful adult version: sweet potatoes, green beans, and carrots. We also had cornbread, rosemary chicken and KFC (because I didn't cook enough rosemary chicken). I was going to buy a cake, but my mom acted like that was scandalous, so I made cupcakes.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend and it was good to see family. The Popcorn got to hang with both of her grandmothers who love to shop for her and DH and I got to reflect on how happy we are to have our little baby with us.

MLK, Jr.

The message is simple:

Thank you.

For your life, your words, your wife, your fearlessness. Your sacrifice.

Crossing the Line

So, this weekend I crossed the line. First, I am now at the point at which I said that I would be finished with baby making. I've been thinking about that all year, but now it's official. I also just realized that I am closer to 50 than I am to 20. Yikes!

I said that I wanted to get my sexy back in my 30s. Or maybe get it for the first time. I'm not sure how that's going, but I do feel like I'm becoming more of myself. I just want to be sure that "myself" is not an old lady. (Although my mother-in-law brought me some wrinkle cream from a trip she took and I think I'll start using it in earnest now). Anyway, I don't have deep revelations about my life, but I do think that life is rolling on. In the right direction.

Happy Birthday, Mike

In the midst of all the excitement of the Democratic National Convention, I let a very important day go by without acknowledging it--Michael Jackson's 50th birthday.

In spite of all the bad press about him and questionable judgment exhibited by him, I still love Mike. Don't nobody never say nothing bad 'bout Michael Jackson around me. Like Dave Chappelle said, "He did Thriller--Thriller." I still remember my cousin and I as young adolescents, dressed out in our Jackson gear: she in her "Human Nature" yellow t-shirt and me in my black, studded Michael Jackson belt, both of us wearing our purses decorated only by his picture, slung sideways across our bodies. We would argue about who would be the one to marry him. Well, neither of us did, but he still holds a special place in my heart.

Now, he's 50, a milestone for anyone, and his music still has the power to move people. They talk a lot about "Beat It" and "Thriller" the single, which are great songs, but even now I am still discovering the beauty of "Baby, be Mine" from the Thriller album. And I can't describe the feeling of excitement I get when "Butterflies" (from Invincible) comes on. I think Mike is a genius! Even his dance moves are still inspiring people. That's a powerful legacy.

Happy Birthday, Mike! I still love ya!