Grand Central Prank

Tears

I was late picking up James - it is the hardest thing in the world for him. I couldn't help but remember something I wrote a year ago:

Crocodile Tears
Today at gymnastics, James landed funny and twisted his ankle. His coach brought him an ice pack - and I watched as he tried to hold back the tears. His little lips were quivering, and he was trying to avoid eye contact with anyone, but he looked up and caught my eye. He couldn't hold it any longer - a tear or two ran down his face. But, then he looked away, trying his mightiest to be brave.

Looking at his little face, I was flooded with that feeling, trying to hold back my own tears, trying to be brave, but feeling so sad inside. I felt so much compassion - not just for his little ankle (which will be just fine) - but that he is old enough to even think about holding it in. What a tragic circumstance. When babies are distraught - there is no public awareness. They could care less about bawling, throwing tantrums, shouting out in pain. But as adults, we care...or perhaps we want to avoid questions. Questions like, "Are you alright?" Its kind of a silly question - obviously, if someone has crossed the threshold from trying-to-be-brave and is actually welling up there is something wrong. I have made a solemn promise to myself - that I will avoid this question. That I will instead sympathetically smile, give someone that knowing touch, just change the subject and not bring it up unless they want to, or simply say, "I'm sorry." These are the things that help the sad two year old (and I guess me).

I will now start mourning for James - I hate the idea that he has to become so publicly aware - isn't he too young?! I wish we could all be raw and real - but sometimes that doesn't help heal the hurt either. Sometimes just making it through until we are in a safe place to release our burdens - in James' case the car ride home - is the best way. Thank goodness for safe places.

Keeping it Real

A friend asked: Is there anything you don't do?

My response with a crooked smile: Shower...

The truth is there is so much that I don't do - I usually rush around getting just the bare minimum done. Lunch was made 2 minutes before we had to leave for school. I kept my eyes closed in bed while pretending to play cars with my three year old for at least a half an hour this morning. I still haven't brushed my drying hair (although I did shower). But, although I fall short, I keep chugging (or does that little blue engine puff)? Anyhow, I keep on keeping on.

Meet Anthurium

When I am working with flowers, they somehow become my friends. Beautiful Cymbidium Orchids I nickname Cyms. And I couldn't help but refer to my sweet delicate friend the Lisianthus, as Lizzie. But, I didn't always know the names of the flowers as well as I do now. So, I thought I would introduce you to Anthurium. I have never worked with him before - but he is enchanting. The pink version looks desperately fake, but the green is such a wonderful color. It added a wonderful dimension to the largest arrangement we did for the wedding. Here are a few wedding shots - it was lovely. And I couldn't have done it without the help of her or her.

11 Tables with a version of this

11 smaller tables had these

(you know i love flowers in water and the grass turned out nicely)

Can you find my friend, Anthurium?

Cheerio.

Notes on a Disney Die-Hard

I wouldn't call myself a die hard. But, when the rain came and we stayed I felt like the Disneyland elite. I want to go on the record and say: a wet Disney is still a magic Disney.

James keeps saying, "It seems so long ago...it was like a dream." He walked around with his mouth open the first three hours. Every ride was the best. But by the end of the day, he had proclaimed Space Mountain as his favorite. He loves speed and feeling weightless (I think my stomach is falling out, but he loves the drops).

Chase, on the other hand, liked the pool at the hotel the most. But, that hasn't stopped him from talking about the Matterhorn and the Yetti non-stop. "You go on a bobsled, and the Yetti ate so many strawberries in his body that his eyes turned red."

Cheerio.

Whim

I am not a very spontaneous person. I like to plan and think. And then think some more. But, my sister suggested a trip to Disneyland...tomorrow...you know...the HAPPIEST place on earth. I have never taken my boys and I keep thinking about going. So, why not? I think I should seize my capricious side and do it! What would you do?

Tools, Caution and a Three Year Old

When we went to Home Depot we found yellow caution tape - perfect streamers for a construction party! We also found a tool apron - the kids decorated it with paint and then had to fill it up with tools at the end.

Ratchets=Bubbles

Washers=Lifesavers

A Hammer=A Snickers Bar

Nails=Hershey Kisses

Screwdrivers=Suckers

Wrenches=Noise Makers

And all this was for a very wonderful three-year old! Happy Birthday, Chase!

Busy & Beautiful

It has just been one of those buys weeks - the kind of busy you can't remember your head hitting the pillow. But, that's a good thing. Anyhow, here is a preview of the flowers for that wedding I am doing in two days. Practice makes perfect, so we practiced...what do you think?

Speaking of Hats...

Chase will not be outdone...underwear on your head is indeed one of the better party hats known to man and two-year olds. Here he is explaining his wardrobe choice (I also love that he has his sweater on backwards AND inside out).

Do You Like My Hat?

Do you remember the conversation between two of the dogs from Go Dogs Go? I think it goes...

Hello.
Hello.
Do you like my hat?
I do not like your hat.
Good-bye.
Good-bye.

and a bit later...

Hello, again.
Hello.
Now do you like my hat?
I do! I like that party hat!

Well, James, I like that party hat! 100 days of school is something to party about! I'm not sure when you can wear it again, but I'm hoping you will.

Wheat vs. White

Let's get one thing straight. I do not pluck my own chickens or make my own soap out of lye. I am not creative and when I think of baking bread - it's poppy seed bread or some other indulgence. But, I do have to share my accomplishment.

I made pancakes out of real wheat. Not wheat flour or ground wheat, but wheat germ - the real deal. And even though I was attached by a cord to the electricity coming from the wall, I somehow felt connected to my early American roots. I felt like a pioneer (and wanted to be barefoot and pregnant to properly complete the picture). Anyhow, the point -- they were delicious. Thanks, Katie for the recipe.

Blender Wheat Pancakes

Blend the following for 3 minutes:

1 cup wheat (the real deal)

1 cup milk

Add 1/2 cup more milk and blend for 2 more minutes

Add the final ingredients and blend:

1/2 cup oil (or applesauce)

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt
3 heaping teaspoons baking powder

.

But, I have to admit that I still like white better. My sister's friend saw a loaf of white bread at our house and in all sincerity said, "Do they still make white bread?" Um, hello...the answer is yes, yes they do, and boy do I love it. How can you not love a bread you can smash into a ball?!

Cheerio.

Go Giants!

I am a fair-weather fan. But, James is not. In fact, I am pretty sure it is because of his devotion that the Giants made it to the Super Bowl and then won! He had an Eli Manning Jersey when the only Manning that was cool was his brother. So, congrats to the Giants, and to James (who incidentally knows every stat and player) for going the distance.

One Year Old

So, I've just learned that today is the birthday of my blog (a word, I'm afraid, I may never like). But, I couldn't help but look back. Here's how it all began:

Why Cheerios?
I would like to state, for the record, I do not like Cheerios. Not even one bit. I actually think it smells a bit like goat food - on quiet mornings I can literally be heard saying, "This smells like goat food." But, the strangest thing happened when I was pregnant with James and Chase. About two weeks into both pregnancies I started craving Cheerios - not the honey nut or apple cinnamon - just the plain old Cheerios. I ate it and ate it and ate it. I loved it, I needed it. I know its high in folic acid - but really. Anyway, I decided to call this blog, Cheerios--to write about the things I both love and hate.


I think that what I wrote then still holds true and I've tried to be genuine.

So, I'll make a treat, and suggest that you have a cupcake too (the one above is from the Cupcake Cafe - I would definitely say the prettiest cupcake I ate in New York).

Cheerio.