Category Archives: Big Piece of Cake

Where Did the Week Go?! (Alternatively Titled: Oliver Turns SIX!)

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All I posted this week was a list of OTHER people’s posts that I liked? That’s just sad.

But I have to say, I’ve been pretty busy with setting up the new Style Key West website. And you, know – being a mom and all the usual stuff. I’ve actually just gone to bed at a normal hour a couple of nights this week instead of catching up on my blog reading. Selfish! I swear, I think those two days of lying around in bed after surgery spoiled me. It’s like I think I should have time to just relax and read books at night or something.

Whatever – everyone is busy, there aren’t enough hours in the day, and we all wonder exactly what we did during those years between leaving school and settling down. Why weren’t we traveling the world, writing a novel, learning to sew, founding Etsy or Google or something… Me? I spent a lot of time shopping. Wasted youth…

But back to the present… Yeah – I totally dropped the ball this past week. And it’s not like I didn’t have anything to write about either. I mean Oliver turned SIX! He’s losing teeth left and right and his speech is improving like gangbusters and he’s as cute as all…another cliche I can’t come up with. (Side note: does it bother you when people end sentences with prepositions? Because “with which I cannot come up” just doesn’t sound right.)

But back to Oliver… He’s SIX! I did post some footage of his new bike. But it was George riding (crashing) it. So maybe that doesn’t count. Here is a picture I was able to catch the other day.

Check out those training wheels! He went out with his Dad to pick out his bike a couple of weeks before his actual birthday, but that was the big present. The timing hasn’t been ideal for me since people recovering from abdominal surgery tend to shy away from chasing novice bike riders up and down the street all afternoon… But now that it’s been a few weeks, I don’t dread those few hours of daylight between school ending and dinner time.

Seriously though – who buys their child a bike immediately after the primary care giver (and watcher of children playing outside) has surgery? Oh yeah – that would be my husband.

Here is the timeline:

Friday, 3/11: Kate has abdominal surgery

Saturday, 3/12: Kate can barely move around the house

Sunday, 3/13: Oliver spends some time riding another little boy’s bike, Chris gets really excited and says, “I think we need to buy Oliver a bike today,” and Kate pops two more Percocet before saying, “GREAT IDEA!“

Monday, 3/14: Chris goes back to work

The rest of the week: Kate spends every afternoon outside, teaching Oliver to ride his new bike.

Epilogue: Ouch.

What is wrong with this time line?

Ah well – lessons learned. I won’t have surgery a few days before buying the twins their first bikes.

Chris and I don’t always think things through as well as we should – but it all generally works out well enough. And we’re so proud of that little boy. I mean look at that face!

He’s six… How is that possible when just yesterday he looked like this?

And now I’m tearing up. Too many glasses of wine. One should never drink and blog (or comment…or something). That’s a well known PSA right? Well – it should be.

I think that’s quite enough for me tonight. Blogging or wine? I’ll decide in a minute – but I’m putting my money on blogging.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’ll be back on Monday to let you know what brilliance other people are contributing to the blogosphere in Monday’s Links. And then maybe I’ll have something of my own to say a day or two after that. It could happen…

Monday Links

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Wow – how glad am I to get that title with the word “fart” below the fold on my blog?! If you read that post, you’ll see that it’s not my favorite topic (UPDATE: I was actually featured today on Today’s Mama – and what do you think shows up as my most recent post? sigh)

I have been somewhat consumed with work I’m doing on a new website (which I will announce later in the week) – so I haven’t had much time to visit and comment. But I did make note of some favorite reads this past week. So here they are. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Love this new Color Me Pretty installment on Decor8 from Leslie of A Creative Mint!

This post about Seville makes me incredibly nostalgic for my pre-kids travel days…

I could watch this over and over…

Love this account of what is in a young mother’s purse.

Did you see the latest issue of Rue Magazine?

Story Bleed Magazine is looking for new material. You can find more details HERE and a submission form HERE.

I have always found that my childhood friendships stay strong no matter how long we may fall out of touch. Something about meeting when you’re too young to have superficial priorities I think.

Book Purses!

I never cease to be amazed at how insensitive some parents can be about other children’s special needs…

Do you feel like you settled on any of your baby name choices?

Apparently children being too honest extends into college…specifically college tours for prospective students.

Also can’t stop watching this:

Have a great week!

On Farting and Aging…

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I think I’ve mentioned before that we don’t even bother with the cuter, less crude terms for passing gas in my house. Since I, personally never brought it up, my children first learned what this bodily function was called from my husband. And no amount of “call it ‘tooting’ please” admonishing has any effect on this state of affairs.

So I’d like to wish Chris a happy 38th birthday today by reporting two conversations I had with the twins in the car earlier on the subjects of farting and aging.

Discussion #1

Eleanor: I farted. Hee-hee.

Me: Sweetie say, “excuse me” or keep it to yourself.

Eleanor: Mommy, you don’t fart. Daddy says you never do.

Me: Everyone does. Some of us just keep it to ourselves.

Eleanor: I like farting.

Me: Yes, I’m aware of this.

George: I don’t like farting. It’s gross. [point of interest: this is a lie – he just likes to disagree with his sister]

Eleanor: Well I do. I don’t think it’s gross. I think it’s fun.

Me: Sorry honey, I’m with George. I think it’s gross. We can stop talking about it now…

Eleanor: You know Mommy, you’re not always right about everything.

Me: No – I’m not. I’m usually right about things. But in this situation there isn’t a right or wrong. Some people like it and some people don’t. It’s just a matter of preference. “Agree to disagree” and all that.

Eleanor: You and George don’t like it.

Me: Right. But you can like whatever you want. Don’t let other people tell you what you can and can’t like.

Eleanor: Okay. I like farting. And Daddy likes it. And so does Mr. Mike.

Me: That’s great honey. Looks like you’ve found your tribe.

Discussion #2 (transpiring immediately after Discussion #1)

Eleanor: How old is Daddy going to be?

Me: His birthday is today. He’s thirty-eight.

Eleanor: But what is he going to be?

Me: Well, he just turned thirty-eight, so a year from today, he’ll turn thirty-nine.

Eleanor: And what are you going to be.

Me: My birthday is next month, and I’m going to be thirty-nine.

Eleanor: So you’re thirty-nine?

Me: No, I’m thirty-eight now, and in a month I’ll be thirty-nine. Then a whole year from then, I’ll turn…

Eleanor: Thirty-eight!

Me: Exactly.

So now that we have all of that ironed out…

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband who is thirty-eight and still likes farting. Stay gold Ponyboy…stay gold….

I did it!

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So tiny, four year old George wanted to ride on HUGE, six year old Oliver’s brand new bicycle. I have not idea how he actually got moving…maybe Chris pushed him? But I’ve been watching this non-stop since we downloaded it.

Now that’s the kind of attitude we all need to adopt.

Monday Links

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Apropo of nothing…


Isn’t that cool? I just totally learned how to do that in my Blogging Your Way e-class (this was actually party of my week 3 homework that I posted on Wishing True today). I highly recommend it to anyone just starting out. Obviously I’m not just starting out – but three years later, I still feel very much like a novice.

I decided to take the class to help me in setting up my parents’ new online decor shop and website – but it’s really been useful across the board. If you want to know more about it, send me an e-mail and we’ll chat.

Now – onto my links from last week!

We’ve all been known to sneer about how blogging is just like high school. But really business is just like high school – many of the same survival skills apply…

I need to buy this poster and carry it around with me all day – every day…at least for a little while.

Sally gave great advice on shopping pitfalls and how to avoid them. I’ve so been there as evidenced by the unworn hot pink mules that still sit in my closet…

Gadgets that all DIYers MUST HAVE.

Jack’s homework: the best use of vocabulary words ever

I just love Pearl’s writing. Especially this post about her family.

Incredible DIY – makes me want to try something like it…why don’t I ever try anything like this, again?

TLo on the new Charlie’s Angels show.

Cloud cookies!

Taking your six year old daughter to see La Cage when Billy Elliot was sold out is AWESOME SAUCE.

Cool spin on the nameplate necklace (with source links!)

Slash auctions off prized items in his various…collections (including a dinosaur bone coffee table from Charlie Sheen!)

ALSO – I forgot to promote my other blogs the past two Mondays. Ooops! So in case you are interested…

On Wishing True last week:

I love this music video.
Perfecting Parisian chic(?)
Super cool (and potentially dangerous) folding chairs.

On Style Key West last week:

The art of making arrangements.
Can bugs be beautiful?
Monday color – the “uncolor” scheme.

Happy Monday! Seriously – it’s not that bad…

For Japan With Love (and some of my usual excuses…)

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I really did mean to post something this week…but I’ve been a bit scattered. I’m blaming it on the drugs. Or the kids. Or both. Either way – people who have abdominal surgery have a full week to milk it for all it’s worth, right?

At any rate, I won’t be posting anything new this week…


Tomorrow I’m participating in a bloggers day of silence in support of the fundraising efforts of For Japan With Love which will be donating what’s raised to Shelterbox. Shelterboxes are given to disaster victims and contain many of the tools that they need to survive. Have you donated to the relief effort? Even if it’s just a small gesture, very dollar helps.

So, I’ll see you next week with no excuses (or really awesome drugs – sob) to fall back on.

Monday Links (and a post-op update!)

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First the update. I’m tired.

The surgery itself was fine. In fact – it was better than fine. I was able to sleep the night before, I never had to experience hunger pangs with the 7:30 a.m. scheduling and it was outpatient, so I I was in my own bed sleeping by mid-day.

I honestly expected to be a ball of anxiety, but instead I found myself quite practical and only minimally nervous. New maturity or talent for dissociation? Maybe a little of both with a major emphasis on the latter? Either way – it’s over and I’m recovering. And I’m exhausted.

The painkillers made me a little loopy over the weekend (as my friends on Twitter probably noticed), but we were lucky to have a cousin come stay for a couple of days and help Chris corral the children. I actually spent most of my time in bed like I was supposed to, and that was nothing short of miraculous.

I’ve now cut my dose in half and I’m really feeling it. But my previous experience with a c-section gives me hope that in a few days, I’ll be able to stop taking them altogether. And be able to DRIVE again. It’s very strange to be trapped at home. While there are places I could go within walking distance – I can’t walk that far yet!

Okay – my update is boring. There are probably a ton of funny stories I could tell (or stories I could tell with a humorous perspective) – but I’m feeling very dull. My brain is fuzzy. And my eyelids are numb. Have you ever had numb eyelids? It’s weird.

I was able to do some blog reading – but mostly just those of friends. So my links today are pretty friend and favorite-heavy. If we have the same friends, I’m sorry for the repetition. Maybe there will be a few you missed:

Anna was a snoop when she was a kid. Were you? I TOTALLY was.

Kacy wrote what will hopefully be the first post in a series on “Momness.”

Stacey said goodbye to the nursery and saw some new potential there.

Marinka continues to keep hard hitting issues on the forefront of our thoughts with her USWeekly chats.

My friend Christy is so freaking cute I can’t stand it! Check out her new outfits.

Renee wrote about having a “conspicuous” family.

Rene writes because…

and today, Amy posted a six and a half minute video showing exactly what it looks like when water destroys civilization. In minutes. It makes things horrifyingly real for those of us who have found the news reports to be so incredibly surreal. In addition to praying, Amy’s added a Global Living link for donations to her sidebar.

Posting may be light this week. I’m toast.

Wish me luck!

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I have my surgery tomorrow and big baby that I am, I’m really scared.

I’ve already admitted to my hospital phobia (with the exception of the 3-day spa vacation post twins c-section with that fab call button that made nurses take babies away for the night…) I also acknowledged the very brave women in my life who have been in the hospital for far more serious issues. And I’ve been focusing on the mandatory day or two in bed and the really good drugs that I’ll be taking…

So I’ve thought it through.

I’ll be fine. I’ll just be a little out of commission for a while.

The question is – will Chris and the kids be fine? Time will tell…

See you on the other side (of the surgery I mean – I promise that I won’t go into the light – although I do tend to get distracted by shiny objects)

Big hugs to all of you – even though I’m not much of a hugger. Special occasion and all…

-Me

When I open a bottle of wine at 5:00 PM…

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…the following thoughts (internal AND verbal) occur:

It’s a little early, but I deserve this. It’s been a long day of whining and crying and whining and crying and whining and crying…

What’s wrong – why are you crying? What do you mean he called you a penguin? Why is that bad? I’m confused.

This house is disgusting, I need to clean.

Don’t you even think about bringing that light saber up here! Light sabers are downstairs toys and you know it.

Is wine giving me wrinkles? I think it might be giving me wrinkles…or is it smoking that gives you wrinkles? Okay, maybe wine is safe. Glass number two!

Yes, I have to cook that in the oven. No the microwave won’t work. I don’t care if it’s faster – it won’t work…Because I know…Because I’m smart…Because it will make the dinner CATCH FIRE!…Of course that’s true.

I lie to the children a lot…

Did you finish your pizza? You can’t have dessert unless you finish your pizza. AND WHY is it exactly that you’re complaining about pizza, again? Other children are forced to eat green beans and you are crying about three more bites of pizza. What is wrong with this picture?

I think I’m spoiling the children…

Oliver – go downstairs and let me get some cleaning done. No you can’t have more ice cream. I’m serious – go downstairs and play. I said go DOWNSTAIRS and play with your brother and sister. That’s why I HAD them!

Now THAT didn’t sound good. And it’s not even true…George and Eleanor were totally an accident – I mean, surprise.

[insert ridiculous amount of aimless puttering]

THIRTY MINUTES! You have THIRTY MINUTES to play before we go brush teeth. Yes you do. No Eleanor, I said thirty minutes. And ten minutes is less than thirty. Your bargaining techniques need some polishing.

She really is the prettiest little girl. Thank god, she didn’t get my earlobes.

No you can’t watch that DVD – it’s too long. We’re going upstairs in twenty nine minutes. We can watch it tomorrow. Oh I’m sorry, do you want to go upstairs right now? Because we can do bedtime right now… No? I didn’t think so. Yes – you can color.

Twenty minutes…I’ll read some blogs and finish the dishes later. Glass number three!

Yes you can sit on my lap. Okay – you too.

Awww. She’s so sweet… I’m so glad the baby’s okay. Virtual hugs to her in comments! And he cracks me up. That middle boy reminds me of George. I’ll have to tell him about the time George got sent home for biting… And she is so brave. I need to tell her what an inspiration she is to me. I mean, to go through all of that and…it’s just so unbelievable that any single person would have to…I need a tissue.

Oliver! What is all over your…? You need a bath. No it’s okay – it’s too late anyway, but I need to at least wipe some of that off.

Do I still buy wipes?

George stop pinching my fat, that’s not nice. No – that’s not my butt – my butt is much lower, but thanks for asking. You are too cute! Yes – I’m squeezing too hard because I can’t help it. Because you’re my baby. No – you’re not A baby, you’re MY baby. So are you. Yes you too. How many kids can I pick up at one time? Oliver – climb on my back.

So running around the coffee table really IS fun. Who knew?

Oh my god – we should totally make nachos!

I’m starving.

No wait – it’s time to go upstairs. Who wants a piggy back ride!?

[20 minutes later, everyone is in bed]

I really need to cut back on the evening wine. It makes me so sleepy.

Brave Hands

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My son, George is four years old.

He is small and slim.

He looks fragile – huge brown eyes floating over a wisp of a body.

Tiny shoulders. Pale skin you can almost see through.

In his raggedy, end of season too short pants, he looks like he just walked out of a production of Oliver. Blow some soot on his elfin face for instant street urchin.

He’s scrappy like those pickpockets too. Grabby and squabbley. And LOUD. His voice carries.

Just in case you might miss him.

His looks deceive.

When he was born – the first of two babies in two minutes – he was red and screaming. Skinny legs kicking – a precursor to stamping tantrums that weren’t left behind in the terrible two’s.

He’s an angry elf.

But sometimes I think the rages are an expression of the just too muchness inside of him. He’s too big for his little body. You can see it in his eyes.

And for every frustrated outburst there is an equally spectacular explosion of enthusiasm.

Gathering acorns! Making a pile of rocks! The collections never end.

Money! I found money! My bright shiny penny.

My good luck charm.

Things happen around George. Of his making or not – he’s the Pied Piper of events. The ones that become stories we like to tell each other.

That time George opened the container of hot pepper spice and burned his face and insisted on wearing big superhero bandaids under his eyes like war paint…that time he walked around the community pool wearing a swim shirt, goggles, water wings AND and an inner tube…that time he told some guy in the men’s room that he forgot to flush… George makes an impression.

He’s always seen. You never miss him.

Because he’s brave.

He has no fear of not fitting in…of not being good at something. He’s that kid who won’t leave. The one who doesn’t ask if he can join in. He assumes his acceptance.

If the big kids are playing Wii, then he will learn how. And he will be just as good at it.

If the big kids are climbing trees, then he will climb too.

He may end up crying for mommy to get him down – but the next day, he’ll follow them back up that tree. He doesn’t give up on what he wants.

He’s a good climber. Always has been.

There is a pole in our basement – one with some support function that eludes me. In my everyday life, it’s a source of bumps and bruises – tears to be kissed away. It’s the origin of loud banging noises that let me know the natives are restless. The percussion section of a preschool rock band.

It’s also a good climbing pole. Or at least it is for George.

Oliver can climb trees – but not poles. And Eleanor isn’t much of a climber. But George shimmies up that pole every day.

He smacks the ceiling with the flat of his little hand and calls out to the ant-like forms of his siblings below. He likes his aerial view. He thinks he belongs at the top.

The other morning George came upstairs to tell me about his climbing.

“I’m a good climber! I climb very high!“

“Yes – I know. I’ve seen you.“

“I’m a good climber because I have brave hands.”

Yes he does. I admire this about him.

He’s brave. Always has been. I’ve seen it every day since I first caught sight of his screaming red face.

He’s brave and he has the hands to prove it. And every day, he holds my heart firmly between them.