I brainwash tell my kids on a daily basis that they are best friends. I also instill in Daniel that he has big brother duties. He must watch out for his little sister. I make sure he walks her to class in the morning and I watch him grab her hand as they meet me at the car in the afternoon. I want them to always have each other’s back. I want them to understand that their friendship is forever. I think it’s working.
No matter which side you are on politically, you have to admit: Mrs. Obama looks GOOD in this red hot dress (and brand new bangs!):
First Lady in Jason Wu. (Getty Images)
And these colorful coats on the Obama girls are just beautiful! And I adore the J. Crew belt on the First Lady too. The creative director for J. Crew told the Today Show this morning that the belt will no longer be available and Malia’s day coat will no longer be available in that particular color (fresh plum). They are both being retired in honor of the first family. But snatch up another coat color while they last!
Sasha in Kate Spade, Malia in J. Crew, Mrs. Obama in Thom Browne with J. Crew belt/sash. (Getty Images)
And this gorgeous couple – can they be any more fashionable?
Jay-Z in Tom Ford and Beyonce in Emilio Pucci dress and Dior coat. (Getty Images)
Of course I love my John Mayer and his new main squeeze Katy Perry. What’s up you two?
Lovin’ the cool shades (Getty Images)
No matter which side you are on politically, it was a great Inauguration day. It’s always a great day to watch so many people come out and celebrate our country. Our country has been through some seriously TOUGH MONTHS. Let’s hope and pray for a united front and a chance to honestly move forward. I’m hopeful. I will always be proud to be an American. Now, sing it Kelly. (Apparently purple was the color of the day.)
Everyone says, “It’s about the little things.” And if you think about it, it doesn’t make much sense. Shouldn’t IT be about the BIG things? Like wedding days and your kid being born and a new job that made you move across the country?
Well, that “kid being born” part shifts your perspective straight to those “little things.” Like a first step, first smile, first poop on the potty, first time sleeping through the night (Hallelujah!)
And what I didn’t realize until recently was that it’s also about MY little things. Like mastering the right bottle temperature, surviving my first Gymboree class, making new Mommy friends, remembering to buy strawberry milk because it’s Annabel’s first time with a new babysitter.
But one of my so-called “little things” has always felt really BIG: I don’t cook. I just don’t enjoy it. It is something that creates anxiety in me. I mean, it’s just a pot (or a pan) and some water and some other ingredients, right? What’s my drama?
My husband is an amazing chef in the kitchen, and he enjoys it, so it defaults to him. But this Christmas break we were visiting my parents in Maryland and my husband went out with my Dad to the bar on some errands. It was just me and the kids. They had come inside from playing in the snow. By the way, how awesome for my Florida babies to experience snowfall, snowmen, and snow angels for the first time? They even pounded me with a bunch of snowballs, so we were all wet and chilly and drying off in the house. And wouldn’t this be the PERFECT time for some hot chocolate?
I looked in the kitchen cabinets and my mom did not have any of that instant hot chocolate where you just “add water.” But she did have an opened container of Hershey’s Cocoa powder with a hot chocolate recipe on the back.
“PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” Hot Cocoa (“Perfectly?” Yeah, not intimidating AT ALL.)
I’m embarrassed to say that I almost told the kids we can’t make hot chocolate, but then I thought, “It says ‘Beginner.’ It says ‘microwave.’ YOU CAN DO THIS.”
And I did it! And this “little thing” felt like the biggest accomplishment of the entire trip. I followed the directions exactly as written while masking any self doubt along the way. And somehow it all worked out and I made HOMEMADE hot chocolate with whipped cream on top! The kids loved it They said it tasted GOOD! (Hallelujah!) And they will never really understand that this drink they finished in about 30 seconds gave me the best feeling ever.
I like you, “little things.”
In 2012…
Annabel rode this.
We spent a week at the happiest place on earth.
And some time in another world.
And visited our favorite city.
The kids went to their very first concert.
My heart broke into a million pieces.
I reflected. A LOT. Then, reflected. Again. And again.
Then the year ended on a high note! Literally! Annabel took her very first airplane ride when we went to visit family and friends in Washington, DC/MD over Christmas break. She loved every minute of it.
My Florida kids also saw snow! They tasted snowflakes (Annabel’s favorite), threw snowballs (Daniel’s favorite), and built their very first miniature snowman. Complete with poker chip eyes (Thanks, Grandpa!) and a carrot nose, of course.
We spent “Noon” Year’s Eve back home with our great friends – a new tradition, which I love. And we cheered to a brand new year.
And, man, am I ready for a brand new year. 2012 was a roller coaster year of emotions and emotional decisions for me and my family. Some things I did not write about, but most things I did. It’s therapeutic for me to pour my thoughts and feelings on this website and watch you agree (or disagree!) It’s comforting when you tell me you understand. Or that you’re angry too. Or that you even like the same TV show I like. Or you think I should DEFINITELY start a “Hot Guys Just Hanging Out and Looking Hot” Pinterest board. (Hi, Ryan!)
Thank you for coming back. Thank you for your comments. Happy New Year, friends. Here’s to an exciting, yet peaceful, 2013.