Favorite Things

It’s 2010 and here’s a quick list of some things I’m loving as we start this brand new year (and brand new decade!):

1. American Idol is back!  I know that means Glee is gone, but it’s so great to settle back into a Tuesday/Wednesday, and soon to be Thursday, American Idol schedule filled with all the cool and crazy singers.  One of my favorites so far? The cute country girl who is going to ride on an “aeroplane” for the very first time.  That’s what the show is all about.  I love it. One thing I DON’T love: no Paula Abdul. 

2. Oprah is back too!  I’ve already seen a pair of black jeans I need to buy.  I’ve already sat with tissues crying.  I’ve already grooved to Lady Gaga.  Thanks Oprah.

3. Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1 and Jersey Shore on MTV. I. CAN’T. LOOK. AWAY.

4. I know Kate Gosselin SAYS she hates her new $7,000 hair extensions, but I think they look super cute.

5. And finally, TEAM CONAN.

Things I Am NOT Thankful For…

1. Adam Lambert’s crazy performance at the American Music Awards on Sunday.  I wanted to do a recap of the entire awards show, but the only thing I keep thinking about is Adam and his many bumps, grinds, and that KISS.  Okay, I get it.  That was the POINT.  He WANTED the water cooler talk the next day.  (Adam has arrived!  Woo-Hoo!)  But I just thought it was too much, too soon.  I LIKE Adam.  I’ve written about it here and here and here.  I was excited for his post-Idol career.   I guess I was just expecting to see the Adam I fell in love with on American Idol. But he showed his true colors at the AMAs.   I’m sure he’s fine with the fact that he’s now alienated his core American Idol audience of soccer moms.  Well, that’s me.  Bummer.

2. Oprah leaving her talk show in 2011. I already wrote about it here.

3. The series finale of Jon & Kate Plus 8 last night.  I really thought Kate looked great and Jon looked relieved.  I’ve watched this series since day one and it is just so sad to see it end this way.  A broken marriage, tons of tabloid scandals, and bitterness.  At the end of the day, I just hope those eight adorable kids are happy.

4. Entertainment magazines, websites, and television shows that do those ”Celebrities Without Makeup” or “Celebrities and Cellulite” pieces.  Just…MEAN. 

5. And, finally, the fact that I am about to consume a bazillion calories in T-minus two days and counting.  (But, oh, it will hurt so good.)

Favorite Things

Things that I am LOVING right now:

1. Modern Family on ABC.  (Sorry Community.  You are just not doing it for me.  I’m so disappointed.  Joel McHale , you are still cute and funny and really the BEST part of the show, but I just can’t hang with you guys anymore.)  On the other hand, the pilot for Modern Family was hilarious.  I’ve loved Julie Bowen from her days on Ed and Lost and it’s so great to see her pop up again in a fun new show.  The woman who plays Ed O’Neil’s (Al Bundy from Married …with Children) wife is Sofia Vergara and she is a great discovery.  She is funny and sexy and definitely has that “IT” factor.  I’m hoping Modern Family will stay on my Laugh Out Loud TV list (crossing fingers.)

2. THIS magazine cover:

Thank you Entertainment Weekly for putting Jim and Pam from The Office on your cover.  They are so adorable. I’m so happy they are finally getting their time in the spotlight.  John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer seem like really cool people. And The Office is still bringing out the laughs this season. The show continues to have great writing and great acting. I can’t wait for this crazy wedding of the year!

3. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman.  My son recites this entire book back to me.  It’s amazing how fast he picked it up.  The words are simple and repetitious and fun.  It’s a great “learning to read” book.  It’s a classic that has been around forever and I’m glad we finally discovered it. We actually checked it of the library last week but I just went to the bookstore to buy it so we can have our very own copy (to read over and over and over again.)

4. This necklace:

It’s from the Tori Spelling Jewelry Collection.  I saw Tori wear it when she co-hosted The Today Show a couple weeks ago.  I just had to have it!  I love the stone colors with the gold. I also love that you can wear it with a dress or a T-shirt. Well, my awesome hubbie was listening because he bought it for me for our 8th wedding anniversary.  Thank you, Baby!

5.  My kiddies.  Of course I am ALWAYS loving them, but I’m extra super proud of my babies this week.  I’m proud of Bean for STAYING in that Gymboree Sports Class on Saturday morning.  He was a little mad and a little sad about it, but he DID it.  He stayed in that room the entire 45 minutes and it was a great hurdle we accomplished. I’m also proud of Annabel for participating in her very first charity walk with her Daddy.  It was the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association.  Daddy pushed her in the stroller and she had a blast.  I love that it’s becoming a tradition for our family to do these charity walks together.

Feeling Better

It was a really long week.  Everyone was sick.  First, Bean got it.  Then, my husband.  Then, me.  And finally, Annabel.  It was a yucky, germy, summer cold. It meant saline drops and Infant Tylenol for the kiddies and NyQuil and rum filled tea for Mama and Daddy.  The week also included ALOT of INDOOR activities.  There was an excessive amount of television watching (Sesame Street, Little Bear, and various Baby Einstein videos) while we all relaxed on the couch or floor pillows. 

There was also an overwhelming amount of hours spent tinkering with the GEOTrax train set.  Setting it up.  Breaking it down.  Setting it up.  Breaking it down.  You get the idea.  I really did love the extra book reading moments, sticker fun, and, of course, the cuddle time.  But, by Saturday morning we were all ready for a little Vitamin D on our bodies.  I was also personally ready for some retail therapy.

We went to one of my FAVORITE stores: HomeGoods.  I SO LOVE this store and I rarely get to go there anymore.  It’s really hard to maneuver around the place with a double stroller and I am terrified of steering into the ceramic bowls and glassware.  There are too many awesome things to buy at HomeGoods.  I can’t always control myself.  Don’t even get me started on the holiday items.  On Saturday, there were already two long aisles and one front store display of just HALLOWEEN decorations.  I picked up a front door welcome sign and a cute ghost plaque.  Then, we all cruised to the kids section.  I really wanted this train step stool and some picture frames, but we managed to leave with just an adorable pink princess growth chart for Annabel and a fun fishing game for Bean.

I have been looking for a growth chart for both kids that was wooden and stable. I also wanted something that was unique.  This is the wooden growth chart we bought for Annabel’s room:

My husband laughs because “why does everything girlie have to have a unicorn on it?”  (Hee).

There wasn’t a “boy” growth chart version for Daniel, but the cashier said to definitely check back again because they get new stuff on the shelves every week.  “Come back again??”  “No problem, lady!”

Bean loved his new Melissa & Doug magnetic fishing game.  He even shared with his sister.  Everyone is FINALLY feeling better.  Amen.

Favorite Things

Things that I am LOVING this week:

1. Jordin Spark’s “Battlefield” song.  I know it’s really similar to Pat Benatar’s 1984 “Love is a Battlefield” hit (and I so LOVE and respect 80’s pop), but I always pump up this version when I hear it on the radio.  Plus, I have a super soft spot for GOOD teen girl role models and I think Jordin is up there with Taylor Swift.

2. Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters.  I know my man Tom Colicchio is not a part of this “Masters” series, but I still love to watch every episode.  It’s so much fun to see these serious chefs participate in crazy challenges.  And I am just in awe of those who cook (since I cannot).

3. The Merona brand V-neck T-shirts from Target.  I have two black and two white ones right now and I want to run out and buy more tomorrow.  They fit so great and I can wear them everyday.  (I mean, I DO wear them every day.)

4. Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc. Ahh…

5.  THIS:

 I know it might be weird to love a can of Lysol Disinfectant Spray, but believe me, it’s important to my life.  I’m a semi-germaphobe.  I’ve always disliked the smell of the various Lysol Spray varieties and I’ve tried them ALL.  But then I saw this lovely orange color on the shelf of Target this week.  It is Citrus Meadows scent and it smells really nice.  Yahoo!  (It doesn’t take much with me anymore, does it?)

6. Oh, and THIS PHOTO:

Random Thoughts

It’s Friday!  Yahoo!  But we are all still sick.  Boo.  The kiddies have not stopped coughing and their poor noses are red and runny.  They spent the entire day inside the house playing with trains, cars, and trucks.  Yes, both of them.  Annabel is quickly turning into an adorable little tomboy thanks to her older brother.  We also read tons of books, played stickers and, of course, ran around in circles.  I’m hoping we can all get of the house tomorrow even if it’s just to run a few errands and breathe some fresh air.

This will be a quick entry because I desperately need to get under the covers with my peach “sick” tea (it has rum in it…thank goodness) and read my magazines.  But before I do, just some random Friday thoughts:

• Here is yet another reason why I dislike Kara DioGuardi.  (Because he wants YOU to clear it all up Kara. Thanks.)
• I heart Taylor Swift.  Thank you for being a great role model for teens.  She performed LIVE on The Today Show this morning and there is a one hour Dateline NBC special about her on Sunday.
• Something is clearly wrong with Tori Spelling’s mother.  Stay strong Tori.  I heart you too!
• Melissa Joan Hart is totally motivating me. I’ve been wanting to shed these extra baby lbs. FOREVER.   My goal is to be on the cover of PEOPLE magazine.  Ha. (IF ONLY that could happen.  That would be truly motivating.)
• Can you imagine your child winning the National Spelling Bee?  I can’t decide if it’s awesome or a little dysfunctional.

Finally, I hate that we can’t give our kids any type of cough or cold medicine.  My husband and I created an equal parts lemon and honey drink that we spoon to them throughout the day but it doesn’t seem to be working.  Is there anything worse than listening to two little ones cough and hack and you can’t really do anything about it?  Ugh.  I’m going to chug some of my tea.  Happy Friday.