Bedtime Negotiations

After Colin's bath and bedtime stories, this is our conversation (more like our negotiation):

Me: Time for bed.
Colin: I need my water.

Me: Okay, I'll get your cup. (He takes one sip.)
Me: Time for bed now.

Colin: I'm SO hungry mama.
Me: We can eat a big breakfast in the morning.

Colin: I'm SO hot mama.
Me: Okay, I'll turn the fan on.

Colin: I'm REALLY sick mama.
Me: If you're still sick in the morning, we will go to the doctor.

Colin: I NEED to rock for a little bit.
Me: Okay, just for a little bit.

Colin: I NEED hugs mama.
Me: Hugs and kisses for Colin!!!

Colin: I NEED daddy's hugs.
Me: I call for David and he comes upstairs for hugs and kisses.

Colin: I WANT my puppy.
Me: Monster is in bed. We are ALL going to be now.

I go downstairs and turn on the monitor. Sometimes I hear him repeat these things to himself until he falls asleep. It's so hard not to run back into his room when he's calling for "mama's hugs." But one thing is for sure, Colin is definitely mastered the "stall technique."

Kids Cook

Kids Cook by Barbara Berry is a fantastic shop where kids can drop-in to create and decorate special treats. We took Colin this weekend and he "ate up" the entire experience - from decorating his mini chef's hat to dropping skittles on his smurf blue cupcake.

Summer in February?

It's been unusually warm in ATX lately - 86 degrees today! Colin and I have been living outside: gardening, building sand castles, and visiting nearly every park and playground in the city.

I taught Colin how to make a wish by blowing the seeds off the dandelions. He thought this was pretty fun and we must have made over 100 wishes. What does a two and a half year old wish for? Toys, lollipops and chocolate to be exact!

Gorgeous Millie Valentines Party

Made me Smile

I have to share something that absolutely brightened my day today.

As I was putting on Colin's shoes this morning he turned around and gave me a big hug. I said, " I love you Colin." He then replied, "Luv you back, mama." Ahhhhhhh, it was the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

Colin's Standing Long Jump

NY, NY

It was time for a girls trip - I haven't had one of those in quite a while (well in 2.5 years to be exact)!!! Lately I've felt like my position as a toddler mommmy leaves little to no room for "me time"...manicures, happy hours, vacations, etc.

However, I was finally mentally ready to take a trip and leave Colin in the capable and loving hands of dad. So my sister, mom, grandmother and I hit the streets of New York to see and do everything we could pack into a three day trip.

That's right, three days to spend with three generations of women in my family! How rare is that? And let it be known that having my grandmother (who will turn 90 this year) on the busy streets of Manhattan did NOT slow us down one bit. In fact, I had to keep up with HER most of the time.

One night in particular we found ourselves at McDonalds in Times Square at 1 am. I was starting to feel the fatigue set in...my back, legs and shoulders ached after walking ALL day from lower to upper Manhattan. After finishing our cheeseburgers, my grandmother said, "Well, what shall we do next?" This comment immediately gave us all a renewed sense of energy. At least enough energy to catch a cab to get back to the hotel. :)

Top of "The Rock"

Drinks at The Plaza Hotel


Trump Tower where The Apprentice is filmed

Catching a NY Taxi (and living through the death-defying experience)

Carriage ride through Central Park



Learning the subway system

Wicked WAS amazing!!!


The Apple Store

FAO Schwarz to get Colin a NY souvenir (no I did not buy the $250K piano)




The front steps of The MET

The Saks ON 5th Avenue, yes the one with an entire floor filled with designer shoes!


Times Square (at 1 am)


Rockefeller Plaza in front of the ice skating rink

Beautiful and Powerful 9.11 Memorial

Dylan's Candy Shop

Mom's First Cosmopolitan - Cheers!