Friday’s Confession: I’ve Got a Crush on Buzz

Friday’s Confession …

I’ve got a crush on Buzz Lightyear. Not really, but I fell in love with Disney On Ice’s Toy Story 3 when I attended the show at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on Wednesday. It’s not like someone had to twist my arm to get me to go since I’m a princess and all, ahem, but I didn’t realize how much fun I would have. When I was invited to attend I thought the kids would love it, and they did, but secretly they were my cover so I could go and get my inner child on – guilt free.

The night started with a private meet & greet where several Atlanta-area bloggers and their families enjoyed food, arts & crafts and of course some personal time with Buzz and Woody.

Somehow Miles always seems to find the food

Milan and The ChatterBox’s mini-me coloring before the show

My heroes! Yes, I really took a picture with them. Don’t worry the kids did, too.

My guys making real Mr. Potato heads

Baby girl and her creation

After the reception we headed down to our seats to see the show.

We should’ve brought our skates ‘cause we were on the ice!

All of the characters looked awesome and the skating was impressive.

I was thrilled to pieces when my girl Minnie made an appearance.

I think Christie and I were having too much fun.

Kudos to the folks at Disney On Ice for a wonderful production and thanks for treating me my kids to an awesome night of family fun.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: I was invited to attend this event, but I was not paid for this post. My thoughts and opinions are all my own.

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Reality Check: 37 Days Until the Big M

I’m 37 days away from running in my first marathon. Wow. There are moments that I think about that in sheer amazement, and then there are others when it feels completely natural. One thing is for sure, time is creeping up on me and I plan on enjoying every moment. You only have one first time. Ahem.

As I’m getting closer to the magical date and as my weekly mileage is increasing I’m paying even more attention to what I’m eating. It’s sort of tricky because I’m on a mission to lose those 17 pounds (I’ll have an update on that next week) but also need to make sure I have enough food to fuel my workouts. I’m doing my best to eat as clean as possible so I can knockout both with one punch.

Last night I whipped up one of my favorite dishes. Ginger chicken and vegetable fried rice – made with brown rice of course!

Yum! The only problem with something like this is portion control. I have to remember I can eat more later – not all at one time.

The kids have fall break this week and are home from school (don't ask) so they came with me this morning to the track to squeeze in 3 miles. My daughter ran 1 mile with me then walked another half with our friends. Miles very reluctantly ran/walked/shuffled and complained his way through a ½ mile. He reminds me of me when I was a kid. Gasp!

I’m off to clean the house and jump at my kids’ every whim spend quality time with the kids. Make sure to do something healthy for you today.

Winks & Smiles,

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Motherhood Madness

There’s some days when I feel like I’ve got this motherhood thing on lockdown and I’m completely in control; and there’s some days that I wonder how did I get here and what the hell am I doing?

Real talk, folks.

Fortunately, when I have those I-have-absolutely-no-clue-what-to-do-moments I have a wonderful support system to give me guidance. This morning thank goodness one of my girls was there to talk me off the ledge and make me realize I’m not doing so bad; that I’m actually doing everything that I should be – that everyone has these moments and that I’m completely normal. Well, completely normal in this situation. Ahem.

School, grades, homework, attitudes, friends, play-dates, activities, did I mention attitudes, can be extremely overwhelming sometimes; but that’s just part of parenting.

When I let it out and bounce it off another mom somehow it makes it more manageable. How about you? When motherhood madness kicks in – especially on a Monday – how do you handle it? Moms on the edge everywhere want to know …

Winks & Smiles,

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Run, Little Princess, Run!

“Mommy, I want to do a race.”

*insert silent screams of joy here as I tried to keep my composure*

Yes, folks, our little children are watching us and what we do. My daughter has been begging me to run a race and is excited to “practice” for it. I’m planning to run in the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day and both my children (my son more reluctantly) are going to do the Mashed Potato Mile kids run. We started training practicing for it Monday. It was … well, I’ll let her tell you.



Gasp! She wants to be healthy. I don’t think I could be anymore excited. Something tells me she’ll be keeping me in line. Ahem. We’ll make sure to keep you posted on her progress.

Winks & Smiles,

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Kids Say the Darnedest, and Wisest, Things

I’ve been sort of absent from the blogosphere for the past few day due to a death in my family. On Saturday my cousin, Erich, unexpectedly passed away. He was a gem, with the most joyous smile that could brighten any room. At my age, he was also too young to die. I have a huge family and we’re all staying close to support my aunt, uncles and Erich’s brother, Rick.

When it was time to tell Miles and Milan about Erich’s passing I was scared about how Miles would react. Death is something that is difficult for most people and Miles is no exception. He’s very aware of death and has had many difficult nights going to sleep because of it, so I grappled with what to tell him and wondered if he would “get it.” I wondered until I saw the card that he made for his Godfather, Erich’s brother – Rick.

The cover

This is the inside. There’s also a smiley face on the back.

What made this so special is that he did this on his own. I didn’t tell him to make the card or what to say. He just brought it to me and asked me to give it to Uncle Ricky at the funeral. Wow.

Today my family will celebrate Erich’s life and as I try to stay uplifted I’ll remember my son’s wise words, “He might gone but he loves you.”

Winks & Smiles,

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The First Day of School at Wifey’s House

It’s the first day of school at Wifey’s House and I’m not sure whether to get all sentimental and cry or run around the house naked jump for joy. Truth be told I’m leaning toward the second but I do get a little mushy at times like this – I just can’t believe they’re getting so big. Miles is in fourth grade and my little baby girl is a second grader. Wow.

After braving the heat for six hours at Six Flags yesterday, I went grocery shopping so I would have everything I need to make them these for their lunch boxes …

Yummy chocolate chip cookies

And these for breakfast …

Chocolate chip pancakes – yup, we’re chocolate peeps at Wifey’s House

I was channeling my inner Martha Stewart, whipping up stuff from scratch. We’ll see how long that lasts, although the kids loved it. Milan told me I was "the best mom EVER!" And, Miles gave me a huge hug. Maybe there’s something to this cooking thing.

Before we piled in the car to head to school we took our annual back-to-school pics on the porch.

My big girl

My Miles

I bribed them to take this picture

This is how they really felt

Hmm, how long until that school bus pulls up?

Winks & Smiles,

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Back to School: One Week But Who’s Counting?

One week from today my kids start school again. It’s not like I’m counting the minutes or anything, ahem, but the thought of returning to our regular school-year routine is making me want to run around the house doing back flips delightful.

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer vacation and spending time with my children. As they get older each year I enjoy it more, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Truthful moment, I use every second of that school day to take care of work and family tasks; and I’m much more productive when they’re at school. But, as happy as I am to zip through the drop-off line in the morning I’m just as anxious to see their little faces step off of the school bus in the afternoon.

Who wouldn’t miss these little smiles for seven hours a day?

How about you? When does school start for your children? Are you excited or dreading the moment? Carpool-line Mamas want to know …

Winks & Smiles,

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No, Really, I NEED My Beauty Sleep

The sign my 7 y.o. taped to her bedroom door - the heart is classic

And the one she taped to her bed above her head

She’s such her mother’s child. And, she's not even a teenager yet.

Winks & Smiles,

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Weekend Warrior

This past weekend I ran 12 miles, played two tennis matches, became a Godmother to my adorable little niece and celebrated my favorite (and only) Husband’s 42nd birthday.

I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

My beautiful niece and sister

My darling husband

Now I'm off to nap work the day away ...

Winks & Smiles,

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Are You Maximizing Your Time?

As many of you may know I’m training for a marathon. Yes – gasp, 26.2 miles (can’t forget the .2). My kids think this is “really awesome” as long as it doesn’t disrupt their daily lives. Humph. That often boots my to-do list right out the door leaving me here …



How about you? Are you maximizing your time? What tricks do you use to get your things done? Time-cravin’ mamas want to know.

Winks & Smiles,

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Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she lovely

Isn't she wonderful

Isn't she precious

Less than one minute old

I never thought through love we'd be

Making one as lovely as she

But isn't she lovely made from love

- Stevie Wonder

Husband played that song for me 7 years ago in the hospital room when my beautiful baby girl, Milan Nicole, was born. It’s the same song my mother said she used to play for me when I was little. And, it’s the same song that can still bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes when I hear it.

Today is Milan’s birthday and I just can’t stop smiling. If you read my blog regularly you know that she’s a feisty one and just as smart as she can be. She’s dynamic, intelligent, funny, athletic, a leader and super sweet. She once told me she loves me more than Skittles. I mean really - it doesn’t get much better than that.

Yes, I could go on and on about my little princess but I won’t. I’ll share one of my favorite pics instead.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! Mommy loves you …

Winks & Smiles,

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It’s A Family Affair

So, after yesterday’s post and with these words of motivation stuck in my head I decided that I would wake the kids up early and go get my run in before I had my first meeting this morning. Besides, last night both of them expressed interest in doing a road race, “like Mommy does.”

We got up, got ready and headed to a near by park that has a half-mile track and a playground right next to it. Apparently, my kids want to do a race but they don’t want to run in one. I told them they had to do one lap with me then the playground was all theirs. After 15 steps all I heard was …

“Are you serious?”

“We have to run ALL the way around this?”

“I’m tired.”

They are so complaining to the wrong person.

“Well, I’m old,” I told them and “laziness will get you no where in life.”

I must really be old because I started sounding like somebody’s mother - ahem - and I’m certain they tuned me out. Never the less they ran (if that’s what you call it) one half-mile, and I got in three.

I snapped a few pics to memorialize this momentous occasion.

Milan’s pre-run beauty shot

Milan after - not so sure about this running thing

Miles before shot - focused and determined

Miles after - he's not tired of playing his DS

The playground - where they really want to be

Me, too!

How about you? What activities are you and your kids doing together this summer?

Winks & Smiles,

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Prehistoric Mom

Friday’s Confession …

I’m old. I’m not just saying that because my 6-year-old asked me the other day if there were sports when I grew up.

Gasp!

“The same sports?”

She continued the abuse.

After clearing up that I am not 3900-years-old, only 39 I did realize that I’m feeling a bit old. Notice I said feeling. I believe that 39 is still young and apparently I try to act like it. I’m in three tennis leagues and I’m training for a marathon. At the same time. While the kids are out of school. No, I don’t smoke crack. but my body is sending me a message. I’m not 19 or 29 and while being active is important, not overtraining is equally as important.

With that said, I’m going to rest today before these boycott me …

I’m giving them the pillow treatment and their still screaming. They’d better watch it before they end up in a tub of ice.

Winks & Smiles,

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Excuse Me While I Have a Mama Moment

My baby's not a baby anymore. Yes, my real, baby. Not this one, but this one:

Miles on his big day

Yesterday we celebrated Miles' 9th birthday. How did we get here? Seriously, I remember when Husband and I shuddered at the thought of having kids. We knew we wanted them, but just not at that particular time. Shortly after we got married, all thoughts and effort, ahem, went to bringing little Miles into this world. Now, I'm simply in awe of him. Every year I watch him grow into such a smart, funny, thoughtful, charismatic young man and I just love it - and him!

Miles and his cake - no more characters - he's killing me!

I got him good with trick relighting candles

One of his presents - we have big dreams for this kid

At the bowling alley with his boys

My other baby

My guys - Dad, Miles, and Husband

He still likes to hang with his Mama

Happy Birthday, Miles! Mommy loves you.

Winks & Smiles,

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