Easter basket drama

It's 30-something degrees out.

Amara doesn't have a pink pair of tights for this weekend.

And the Easter bunny had a dang of a time filling her basket.

Ahhhh, the first day of spring.

I have never stressed out over Amara's Easter basket. But for some reason this year, I felt tremendous pressure to have the perfect gifts from the Easter bunny.

I knew Grandma2Amara would buy a ton of candy. Plus I didn't want all that stuff in my house. Because you know it wouldn't be Amara eating it all.

And I don't think the Easter bunny would conceivably hit Gymboree for a dress.

So what would I buy her?

And what would I buy Cousins2Amara, whose mom probably would rather me stay away from the spring treats too?

I scoured Target. I went up and down aisle by aisle, in search of anything that wasn't too kitschy. Because kitsch meant I would hate it by week's end. And I wanted something perhaps educational...but not too educational that the kids would hate me.

My head hurt just thinking about it.

And wouldn't you know it. I found books. And DVD's. And cars inside colorful eggs (obviously not for Amara). And notebooks. And colored pencils.

Once the Easter bunny delivers the goods, I'll have pictures for you.

But I just wanted to prove that it is possible -- you can buy things other than candy for your basket!

drowning in hearts

One of the things I'll truly miss being back to work is all the time I got to explore my crafty side.

Bet you didn't know I had one, did ya?

I've been known to scrapbook.

I knit a scarf.

And now, I've completed homemade Valentines for Amara's classmates.

Last week, our dining room table was filled with pink hearts, all cut and pasted with care.


And after painstakingly instructing Amara on how to assemble her cards (I didn't want to take the project away from her), this is what we came up with.


She's so excited to pass out her pencils to all her school friends.

And I'm thrilled that this year, I'm not the mom who is at the drug store the night before Valentine's Day, hoping to find a box of cards that don't have ninja turtles on them.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

New Year's Eve overindulgence

To ring out 2007, Dad2Amara suggested we all go out for a fabulous dinner.

And I am not one to turn down food.

So we load into the Blue Mom-mobile and head east to a favorite Italian restaurant to celebrate the end of a good year. Although it's beloved, we hadn't eaten there in years.

See, while Dad2Amara and I were dating, we would eat at this great local Italian joint. It's original location only had about 10 tables.

We've literally waited hours outside the restaurant to order our meals. It's. That. Good.

They moved to a new, larger building while we were still newlyweds. And there was still a wait. It's. That. Good.

Then Dad2Amara and I built the Yellow House 45 minutes away. So our trips to the restaurant were few and far between.

But during one of my Christmas shopping expeditions, I happened upon a new restaurant. It was our restaurant. They were opening a second location just minutes from the Yellow House.

And that's where we landed on New Year's Eve.

I was apprehensive taking Amara to dinner here. Think fine dining.

But it is a family joint. And they stayed true to their word.

Think fresh garlic rolls dripping with butter. Freshly made Italian wedding soup (no vats of broth sitting all day). Frutti di Mare with scrumptious scallops, shrimp, clams, and mussels over linguine. White pizza that Amara devoured. Veal in a terrific lemon butter sauce. Tiramisu to die for.

It was enough food for a family of eight.

And we ate it all.

I call it my last supper.

My trainer thinks my weight loss has been stalled not because my lack of trying but because I eat crappy. But that's a whole 'nother story...

six geese a laying

It's the sixth day of Christmas. And I'm feeling kidna blah.

There's no snow on the ground.

I really didn't have time off from work.

There was no full blown Christmas with my family.

And it could be, as my cousin points out, the violence are world is wrapped in right now.

I tried shopping my way to a better mood. I tried eating. I tried working out.

I just don't seem to be myself the last few weeks.

Not even geese a laying and drummers drumming can help me out of this funk.

damn you, Oprah!

I had heard all about Oprah's Hannah Montana exclusive. But when I heard she would also go behind the scenes at the American Girl factory, I knew Amara would want to see it.

After all, she hears the name "Chicago," and proceeds to do a jig, proclaiming it as home to the great American Girl store.

Grandpa2Amara recorded the Oprah show. And on Thanksgiving Day, we gathered around the TV to get the inside scoop on the dolls.

But in true Oprah fashion, the show was not just an exclusive tour of the company. Oh no. American Girl took the opportunity to unveil their 2008 Girl of the Year.

And now, all Amara can talk about is Mia.

Mia is the new doll. Mia is an ice skater. Mia is pretty. Mia this. Mia that. Oh. My. Gawd. Mia must be stopped!

Damn you, Oprah! Look what you've introduced my daughter to!

giving thanks

I am thankful for today:

• Amara, who has graciously shared with me every detail of her young life, including the cold she brought home from school this week.


• Dad2Amara, who has a mom who can cook a mean Thanksgiving dinner...meaning neither he nor me have to cook on a holiday.


• My job, and being able to insure having the day off!


• My cousins (this one, this one and this one) for understanding why we had to cut out on our pre-Thanksgiving dinner. Hopefully we'll get to see you again soon!


• A roof over our heads


• And our health

What are you thankful for?

Have a great holiday!

dimming the lights on Black Friday

Ever since I could remember, I have gotten up at the crack of dawn to join the ranks of crazed shoppers on Black Friday.

It began as an annual tradition with Lola2Amara. As a child, Lola2Amara would drag us to Gold Circle, Higbee's, and Joseph Horne's.

I was quite familiar with the mall. When Lola2Amara would work weekends at the hospital, Lolo2Amara would take us to the mall so we could walk off our boredom. And Lola2Amara enjoyed wearing the latest fashions from Gloria Vanderbilt, Esprit, and Sassoon. So Black Friday was just another excuse to bust out the credit cards.

As I aged, I grew to be more particular. Beginning the first week of November, I would log onto specialty websites, searching for Black Friday secrets. I then would spend the hours after Thanksgiving dinner scouring store circulars then mapping out a game plan for the next morning.

I haven't missed a Black Friday in years. Even Amara has already participated in two Black Fridays, getting up at 5 a.m. so we could be in line at Toys R Us by 6 and Best Buy by 7.

I expected this year to be no different.

But as I check out Black Friday ads, I'm left wanting more. Maybe my tastes have changed. Maybe I just don't care.

If I wake up early this Friday from my turkey coma, you won't find me at Target or the mall. Look for me at the gym. I'd rather lose calories than my sanity.

the grinch who stole Thanksgiving

Many moons ago, Mama Zen tagged me with such a great meme.

What's the view from your front door?

I had come up with various topics to complete the perfect posts. I have a Great Lake at the end of my street. On any given day, the view is spectacular. The neighborhood kids enjoy playing with Amara and can be seen trampling frolicking in the yard. My street is suburbia at its best.

But over the weekend, this could be seen from my window.


Are you kidding me?

At last check, it was barely mid-November. The Halloween candy is still sitting in my kitchen. I have to fight the evils of retail, fending off Christmas tree ornaments and zoning out jingle bells playing overhead. And now, I must face bright red and green lights...all before the turkey is fully roasted.

Christmas is my second favorite time of year. (It's second only to my birthday.) But the Christmas season hasn't truly begun. I know that. You know that. But why the heck don't my neighbors know that?

I even tried to get into the holiday spirit by baking tonight. Eight dozen cookies later, I was bitter because the last four dozen were of a new recipe that didn't end up quite right. (The apple drop cookies were delicious...but I'm not happy with how they look. I could never bribe my new coworkers share them with friends.)

So like a good country song, I'll take the view from my front porch looking in. Because gazing out my window blinds me right now.

I resolve not to resolve

I'm not sure when it hit me. But I felt the wind knock me over, right onto my Asian derriere.

It's just over 2 weeks until Thanksgiving. We're just over a month away from Christmas.

A new year will then begin. And I have yet to resolve any of my New Year resolutions.

Nothing like starting the week feeling like some kind of failure.

My hundreds of recipes are still a mess, unorganized and untried.

That going to church every week thing? Yeah...not so much.

The scale still haunts me. (But my personal trainer says I've lost five inches overall in the last two months so I guess not all is lost.)

And I do have 22 days until the Reindeer Run. I guess there's still time for the 5K resolution.

I look back at the last 11 months and see a lot of changes for Amara's family. And after a week at the new job, I feel more fulfilled - ready to charge at the challenges ahead.

So why is it many of us take the time year after year to commit to change, knowing fully that plenty of resolutions go unachieved and broken?

And why must we wait until January 1st to resolve to take up a project or make a difference in our lives?

So as 2007 comes to a quick end, I am making a pre-holiday resolution. I resolve not to resolve. I will not put these horrible demands on myself, adding stress to an already stressful time of year. I will work towards change in Mom2Amara time. Are you with me?

the irony of Labor Day

Labor Day.

It's 8:45 in the morning. I know I am not the only person working, right?

I mean, there has to be another woman working, away from her family and friends this holiday.

Or maybe there's a mom that is not not in bed, sipping her coffee and indulging in a good read before her sleeping house awakes.

Or in the truest sense of labor, I'm sure there's a mom or two out there (Godmother2Amara, have you popped yet?!) laboring in maternity rooms around the country.

Fortunately, I'll be sneaking out in a bit since no one's around to call me out on my early exit. But the greatest irony? I'm going home to do housework. Grrr.

today's good: My allergies seem to be subsiding. They moved from a sinus-y, clogged up mess to just a horrendous cough that resonates throughout my body. I guess that's good.

today's bad: Did I mention that I'm working while everyone and their mother has the day off?

I wannabe there

I know what you're thinking.

But you're probably also the same person who won't admit to listening to the Pussycat Dolls.

In case you haven't heard, the Spice Girls are planning a reunion tour.

And they'll hit three cities in the U.S. come December -- LA, Vegas and New York.

Um, Dad2Amara, wouldn't this make a lovely early Christmas gift for your cute wife?

What can I say? They have catchy music.

And didn't everyone want to be Posh Spice?

Actually, I think some days I'd still love to be Victoria Beckham because she's married to one hot guy! And she carries some great purses!

Anyone want to take a trip to NYC this winter?

today's good: Getting ready this morning, my fat pants were no longer tight so they can now officially be my "fat pants" again. Then I got into work and realized, "hey, it's Friday!" Rock on.

today's bad: My weekly debate begins - workout this afternoon or clean my house? Not a bad "bad" if you ask me.

32 years strong

Happy Anniversary, Lola and Lolo2Amara!!

beautiful princesses and honorable knights

What a weekend it has been at the Wagner Castle!

Yesterday was Amara's fourth birthday ball in our backyard. And Mom and Dad2Amara are pooped.

I vow never ever again to host a birthday party here at our house. Waay too much work. Too many kids to keep track of. I never felt so unorganized in my four years of motherhood. I was embarrassed because I felt like I was so unprepared in front of all these moms that seem to have it all together!

But I think the princesses and knights had fun.

They decorated crowns and shields. They played inside the castle and on the swingset. And they all waited for Princess Amara to open her gifts and blow out her candles.

Amara has a great set of friends from school. We're so lucky to have found the school that we did!

Now it's time to find a spot for all these new toys...

today's good: Can we say BNL in 3 hours?!?! I'll give you my review of the concert tomorrow! And with all the birthday ball business, I didn't get to tell you all where Amara and I went Friday -- to show you about the small town mentality I love, nothing demonstrates it more than the Duck Tape Festival. Carny food, bad rides, and local bands...it was a great time! Can you say yummy onion rings?

today's bad: Why must it be over 90 degrees out in the sun on the night I'm going to an outdoor amphitheatre?

it's almost time

The birthday ball with 15 of Amara's closest friends is tomorrow.

Amara's excited.

I'm freaking out.

Having worked overnights all this week, any time I've had at home has been spent landscaping the backyard with Dad2Amara or sleeping.

The house is a mess. The favor bags have not been assembled. I still must buy tulle for the trellis (you know, for the magical affect). The list goes on and on.

Looks like I won't be hitting the gym or laying my head down for a nap anytime today.

But at least Bean is happy -- she's just looking forward to her party.

today's good: My weekend starts in 2 hours! Wheeee!

today's bad: Anyone have any Father's Day gift ideas? I hate being the one in our family that forgets holidays, birthdays, anniversaries. I wrote over at NorthCoastMoms.com that dads have it easy - they forget about Mother's Day and our kids' teachers have their backs because inevitably, the kiddos are assigned a craft at school for moms. So why can't Father's Day be in October?!

recap

What a weekend it has been. I can't believe it's Sunday already. And I can't believe I'll be going into work in 12 hours (I'm working the overnight/morning show shift all week -- so Aunt2Amara, I'll probably be calling you a ton!)

First, I have finally gotten out to take pictures of our new fence and deck. And just because I asked, Dad2Amara was nice enough to mulch around it. Take a look and let me know what you think! I may be biased, but I think it's the nicest on the block!


Second, Amara had a fabulous 4th birthday if I do say so myself. We went to her favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese, for lunch with Great-Grandma2Amara. She never left her Great-Grandma2Amara's side. She opened a few gifts, including a Fairytopia doll from Great-Grandma2Amara and an iPod shuffle from Mom2Amara and Dad2Amara. (Don't be a hater and think I'm spoiling her. She monoploizes my Nano and we bought her a reconditioned first generation shuffle that we bought off a friend.) Now the countdown begins to Amara's Princess and Knight birthday ball.

I worked yesterday at an event for the mom website. If you haven't been to Parade the Circle, I tell everyone it's like our own little Mardi Gras without the beads. It's this terrific cultural event in our area. Colorful costumes, dancers, music and great food -- it makes for a perfect day. Not to mention the weather was gorgeous!

Bean and I are now ready to go run errands and then, it's back to bed for me! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

today's good:Have I mentioned I love my new deck and fence?!

today's bad: While there was plenty for me to be bitter about yesterday, including my 4-year-old not acting like a 4-year-old, I'll spare you the details. But I will say this -- Not 24 hours after turning four, Amara was pouting and crying and kicking and screaming like she was a baby. Then, when she was sent to her room, she decided to plop herself down on her belly on her bed with her iPod blaring like she was a teenager. What?!?!

Happy 4th Birthday!

in remembrance

Honoring those who faithfully served our country and died, defending our freedoms.

Mother's Day

Looking at that smile, I just can't resist bragging about being Mom2Amara!

Bean and I are back from our Mother's Day weekend trip to Canada. It's been a long and exhausting weekend, but it was fantastic.

We got to see our two littlest family members. It made me want to add to our family of three.

Motherhood is a blessing. The unconditional love you give (and receive) teaches you just how precious life is. There's a lot of sacrifice involved with being a mom. But I think most moms would tell you they wouldn't trade it for the world.

As I was tucking Amara into bed, as if on cue, she sat up, spread her arms wide and said, "Mom, you're the best!"

My heart about melted.

Being Mom2Amara rocks.

today's good: Dad2Amara surprised me for Mother's Day with a freshly baked pie - my favorite (yes, he's a bit more handy in the kitchen than me).

today's bad: Um, in an effort to stay carb-less during the week, I ate the entire pie Sunday night...

oh Canada!

So if I have a birthday month and Christmas starts on Black Friday, can I have an entire Mother's Day weekend?

In less than 12 hours, Amara, Lola and Lolo2Amara, and I will hit the road to head towards our neighbors up north. So excited! But I can already tell it will be a caffeine fueled day because I am tired! We'll be detouring at every Starbucks!

So Dad2Amara has mentioned that I do not yet have a Mother's Day gift. Hmmmm, Dad2Amara, you think you want to start moving on that?!?! I'm hoping for an iPod car adapter but if I get a purse, I'll be OK with that too :)

I've realized that I haven't written on a lot of news lately.

I could write about the car seat recall or about the comeback of glass baby bottles (because toxins from the plastic ones are leaking into the infant's formula). But why would I want to remind myself of all the bad things out there that we Moms do all the research for just to be told that our kids are still in harm's way?

Or I could write about the vegan parents going to prison because their son died of malnutrition. But who am I to question what parent thinks it's normal for a 6-week-old to weigh under four pounds?

today's good: I found out that the hotel we're staying at has high speed internet access! I'm going to Canada with my laptop! I'm such a geek!

today's bad: It's only going to be in the 50s this weekend up north -- I was so bummed because I wanted to take Amara walking along the shores of Lake Huron. Humph.

Where were you seven years ago?

I know Aunt2Amara was trying to bring me down from my obnoxious high - from the salon to the church and everything in between.

I know Godmother2Amara was throwing up at the end of the night from an alcohol-filled reception.

I know my cousins Anna and Ninja Mom were stumbling a bit by evening's end too.

Me? I was the one in white! (I'd make a crack about wearing white but I know some of my family reads my blog!)

Happy anniversary, Dad2Amara. What an amazing ride it's been. Here's to whatever the future may hold!