Busy Girls and Birthdays

Hello Autumn
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner

Hello All! Sorry it has been forever since my last post but there has been a lot going on here. This week I assisted in Leah's classroom which was exhausting, eye-opening, very interesting and fun all at the same time. I also escorted Leah on her first field trip, which happened to be on my birthday. We went apple picking and I must say it was adorable to see an orchard full of preschoolers and toddlers enjoying themselves. Aislin came along for the ride of course. I dread the day that girl refuses to go into, or when she finally grows out of, the baby bjorn! I'm not sure which will come first but it's going to be tough. Aislin is taking more unassisted steps each day and I know it won't be long before I have 2 crazy sprinting girls, running in opposite directions OF COURSE!

The weather was unseasonably hot! I like my apple picking days to be crisp and cool, but this was just downright wrong! The thermometer was clocking in at +85°! Still we made it through and the girls were pretty merciful on me (I'm guessing becuase I begged Leah to behave since it was my birthday). She and one of her classmates had fun sitting under a tree and eating apples together. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Leah went wild for the tractor ride and Miss Independent insisted on carrying her FULL 1/4 peck bag. That may not sound like much but it was pretty heavy for her!

My birthday wound down with a trip to our new conveyor belt sushi restaurant. It was such a gift to get some time alone with Pete and it was even better that we could spend that time doing one of our favorite activities: EATING SUSHI! The conveyor belt sushi concept is great. There's no need to order (for us at least) just jump on that "sushi train" and ride it until you can't stomach another bite! We had some amazing treats, one roll was quick-cooked tempura style (deep friend yumminess outside/raw sushi goodness inside) and was topped with some crazy, spicy, hot crab meat piled super high. Every once in a while the sushi chefs will suprise you by plopping an item right smack dab in front of you on the belt...as if to say "Eat this, before it goes around and someone else snags it. You won't be sorry!" It was the perfect date night for me and Pete and a great end to a wonderful birthday.

I must say, I did spend a moment on my special day to contemplate the differences between my 24th and 34th birthdays (and boy were they different!). I got such rave reviews after Mother of the Bride vs. Mother of the Flower Girl, so back by popular demand here's my comparison list:

24th Birthday vs. 34th Birthday!

24th birthday: Surprise birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant in Chicago, thrown lovingly by my friend Kaylin, with one adult guest acting like a toddler (I don't even remember the girl's name, how sad is that?!?).
34th: Toddler-free, sushi dinner in Syracuse, lovingly paid for by Pete and I didn't need to learn anyone's name or even order!
WINNER: As much as I LOVE Chicago, I still gotta go with 34th.

24th: My friends chipped in and paid $20 to have my palm read on the street by a man in a fez. My future was so apparently so dreary they actually apologized afterwards.
34th: Paid $1.50 for my toddler to have the time of her life picking apples, plus .39 for a pumpkin, and $1.00 for maple candies to bribe her back to the car.
WINNER: 34th

24th: Restlessly slept alone on a friend's cold, hard apartment floor while being repeatedly woken up by noisy housemates
34th: Peacefully slept with Pete on my feather bed without getting woken up by Aisy!
WINNER: 34th

To be fair, #24 is probably one birthday that's pretty close to the bottom of the list, most likely due to a combination of bad timing and my own semi-bummin' attitude at the time. It was in no way due to my friends efforts. In fact, I still have several very fond memories of that night. I had a cute outfit on (shallow I know, but true :), Kaylin organized the heck out of that little shindig with much care, the nice bottle of German wine my friend John gave me, and the hug from my friend Jen when the fez guy's fortune nearly made me cry. Thankfully, none of that stuff really came true. When I used to play Barbie as a little girl, I always imagined Barbie was 24...it seemed so old and mature back then (yikes!). Needless to say, I think I had some unrealistic expectations for my life, career, and even birthdays back in '97 based on that "barbie perfect" assumption. I mean..."where was my Ken!?!?!" I don't think I would have ever expected that such a regular, old, day in my shoes, would be a birthday that comes close to the top of my list. I guess that's what's great about the gift of another year...all the surprises that are yet to come!

School Days

School Days
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner

Well, today was the first official day. As most of you know Leah is off to the Lab School at Syracuse University two days a week for their toddler program. I snapped this shot at one of (the many) "get acquainted" sessions the school held to help the kids transition to their new school routine.

Anyone who has met Leah knows that she was and is READY!!! All her readiness made these quick-visit, getting to know you type days rather painful. She would pitch a monster fit everytime we'd get ready to head home. "I want to stay at school!!!! I want to play on the playground!!! Don't take me!!!!"

Gotta love that last one she throws in there like I'm abducting her. Yes Leah, I'm abducting you....taking you back home to eat a yummy lunch of whatever it is you'd like, where you can nap in your warm, comfy, bed with Lola and later play with your friends. Goodness, after tantrums like that I'll gladly take a nap if you don't want to kid!

Needless to say, Mommy here was totally ready herself for the first 9-12 full morning of school. I was slightly consoled by the fact that while other children cried at drop off, mine just asked me when I'd return, pecked me on lips, gave me a big hug and was off playing without a care in a matter of minutes. Still, I remained humble in my knowledge that it's the other end of the school experience that sets Leah off.

Today she was better when we left to head home, but still resisted, gave some attitude, and was generally ornery about the situation. This would all be much easier if I did not have to hold Aisy while dealing with this (which is like holding a squirming 19 lb sausage while trying to wrangle a crying 30 lb trout out of water...all that flipping and flopping!!!). One day at a time though right? Let's hope that each time we leave school LeLe's a little quieter, a bit more compliant, and increasingly cooperative.

I think she will be. As far as school goes, it seems she's an angel (just look at the picture), a sassy, talkative, animal craker inhaling, ball of energy, sort of angel, but an angel nonetheless!!!!

Bloggin' outside the box!

When I started blogging my only desire was to keep family and friends updated on Leah and then on Leah and Aislin...the dynamic duo! Over the years (and I can't believe it's been YEARS, but it has) I've come to love blogging. This blog has been a creative outlet, a vehicle for venting, as well as a forum where I could ask (or answer) all sorts of questions on parenting, music, life, photography, travel and so much more.

I have stayed true to my desire to keep this blog personal, and when I wanted to see what sort of benefits I could gain for my business through blogging, I started a new blog just for that. My company website bridedesign.com is being finished as we speak and in the meantime my business blog bridedesign.blogspot.com has filled in as my main online presence. I've learned that business blogging isn't all that different (in some ways!) from personal blogging. Posts allow me to keep customers updated, talk about new offers and deals, and highlight product news. Friends, clients, fellow business vendors, family, and even a few strangers who delurked back in January, have all encouraged and supported me a great deal when it comes to blogging. I realized that I enjoy it so much I figured if I ever saw an opportunity to blog or write in a more public forum I would take it. I also thought it would be great to get paid (whether in "click-throughs" to my business sites, ad space, or $$$....the latter would be REALLY nice someday!) for doing yet another activity I love. Recently I sent a few samples off to a website that aims to nurture and support entrepreneurs who are also mothers. They were looking for monthly columnists and I figured mothering and business ownership are two areas I actually know a little bit about so maybe I should jump in and see what the water is like.

Lo and behold, I've been retained as the new Style Mama at mommyscompany.com. My first column went live over the weekend and I'm so thrilled I had to share the news with everyone. Of course my first love will always be Sugar Hiccups: Life with Leah and AIslin, so don't worry I'll be posting there for as long as my daughters will let me!! But I'm excited to have a new home on the web where I can write about things beyond stationery and diapers. Believe me, I'm sure those items will come up in a Style Mama column at some point (OK well, maybe not together), but for the most part I'll be writing about fashion, beauty, design trends, home interiors, music, culture and more...as it applies to parentrepreneurs...specifically Moms. Anyway, if you are so inclined stop by mommy's company. Scroll down to the icon (which yes, I know, looks NOTHING like me AT ALL) and that will lead you to the latest article. Thanks again Sugar Hiccup fans for being the best little corner of the blogosphere ever! It's because of you guys that I even realized I have a voice worth sharing.