Cafe Adelaide and Frosty the Snowman

Once again I have been remiss in posting and I hate it. I hate it because I feel like I am letting so many memories of the boys growing up slip away. Usually if I don't post I at least write down my thoughts in a notebook that they can read when they grow up but I haven't even been doing that. The pressure of Christmas has really gotten to me this year. For the first year W has his heart set on presents and he is in love with the lights and sounds of the holidays. He told me the other day that we forgot to put the lights on the outside of our house. No pressure.

and then there is the school application process. Kill me now.

So that is what I am focusing on right now while Pman is talking like a person in between all the whining and while they both are learning Frosty the Snowman without missing a beat. We listen to it continuously the second we get in the car until the second we get out. I'm not kidding. I only knew the words to the chorus until now.

Meanwhile Pman is a hellion at school. Getting put in timeout, almost twice so far. I think the teacher was shocked because she knows W. Well, Master P is no W. He's the Master of Terror.

W has totally come out of his shell. Talks to total strangers and talks to us nonstop. He is really into dribbling basketballs, we call him our Dribbling Fool and he begs to stay at school all day. My sweet baby is all grown up!

Anyway, the latest news is that Uncle RaRa got mentioned in the Lagniappe by Brett Anderson for his idiosyncratic taste and improving the wine list at Cafe Adelaide. Hooray to RaRa! and we got shafted out of going to eat there last night by the rainstorm. So if you get there before us give RaRa a high five because you will probably see him before we do since he's always working. and on a final note....

WHO DAT SAINTS!

stomach bugs, sweet boys and future wives

Big sigh.

It's been a long road. We are barely past our 3rd stomach virus of the year. Let me tell you how this last one played out. It was a cold Saturday morning and we were off to a birthday party at Kidsport. A fun time place for kids to run around with bounce houses and obstacle courses and trampolines. We got there 45 minutes late for two reasons. The first being that I thought it started at 10:30. Never mind that I had the invitation in my lap as we drove around Harahan in a lost frenzy which brings us to the other reason we were late. We were lost. Anyway, we got there and joined the party. Pman had pizza with the other kids and W played until it was cake cutting time at which point he sat down in the middle of the table and yelled, "I'm sick!". I thought he was whining because his nose was runny. Again, "AAaAaaah! I'm sick!". A bit aggravated I told J to get him up from the table. He did and the next thing I know he was hurling his breakfast all over the place, splattering chunks of blueberry muffins on the pile of purses and coats and shoes that were on the side of the room. I go to help and see a kid in slow motion running after a basketball and sliding into the vomit. I too am slipsliding around in my ballet flats on the slick puke laden floor. Fun times.

So we finally get us all home and in bed. and before you know it I am vomiting too. Blah. W was good after a day or two but I was down well into Tuesday night.

There are many good things that have come out of these awful stomach viruses. The first being that I have lost at least 10 pounds and I am doing my damndest to keep it off. The second being that I have truly seen a side of W that makes me cry when I think about it. During all of the illnesses both boys have bounced back sooner than me. Kids are resilient you know and they tend to shake it off quicker. During virus #2 he was home alone with me and had to fetch me a pot or slop bucket as I was laying on the couch and when J got home he made the kids dinner and heated himself up a can of soup, in a pot, and ate it from the pot. Typical male. W was worried that J had taken my slop bucket to eat his soup out of and came running to the den to make sure that I still had my pot and then he knelt down by the couch, took my hand, looked me in the eye and said, "Are you feeling better, Mommy?" and at that moment he looked so old and I caught a glimpse of the kind of man he was going to be. Sensitive and sweet and concerned. and I cried (remember I was 5 days into a 6 day stomach virus so I was a little punchy).

So to all you girls out there looking for a good catch....you will have to answer to W's mommy before I just hand him over to just anyone.

John Besh's Domenica

I have a new favorite restaurant. I have been trying to decide all morning if I was honestly able to give this distinction to John Besh's Domenica or not. You see, the atmosphere sucks. J said it better while were sitting there, "I feel like I am sitting in a Sheraton dining room." Exactly. But the food was undeniably delicious. The menu could be treated as a tapas menu. Although we did share an appetizer and a dessert among the four of us, we each got our own dishes. I started with a small portion of Burrata mozzarella. I can never pass it up. It's my hands down favorite cheese. and they served it appropriately, drizzled with olive oil and garlic rubbed bruschetta on the side. MMMMMMMM..........MMMMMMMMMMMM! I had another small plate for my entree and it was the right decision. The large plate would have been too much and too rich but if and when you go you HAVE to get the Stracci with the oxtail ragu and fried chicken livers. Tangy and rich. J got a prosciutto pizza and I can still taste the freshness. Oh my. Aunt Liz said that they supposedly have one of the only fancy Italian pizza ovens in the city. and if that's what made the pizza the way it was, I want to buy one. It was crispy and light but the dough didn't get soggy under its toppings.

It's been awhile since I have been able to say that I had a truly memorable meal at a restaurant. And it's saying a lot that the neither the poor atmosphere nor bad service clouded my judgement. Make a reservation, try it out and make sure to tell them you don't want to sit at the table by the side door.

Football

The only team we really root for around here is the Saints. J went to Dartmouth and well, where's the fun in rooting for them? and I went to Alabama but don't really have an allegiance to them although this football season seems like a good one to rally behind them. I am kind of sad for my kids that they won't feel the college football fever that LSU families have but I don't think anything can match WHO DAT NATION in full force. So we wait all week for the games and W checks out the football players in the sports sections everyday and even I am learning which teams we need to watch out for, who has a good running game (I sound like I know what I am talking about, don't I?) etc. and W wants to be Drew Brees everyday. I want to be Drew Brees everyday or any other NFL quarterback for that matter and make the coin that they make.

Anyway, I can't wait for Sunday and am ready to yell Who Dat! each and every time Drew starts his play (I'm superstitious. I have to do it).
and the boys are ready too!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Just recently I have noticed a new obsession of W's. At first I thought it was a passing comment. A week has now passed and the comments have not let up. Before going into more detail let me remind you that W is 4.

The first comment went something like this:
I was bending down to his level so I could hear what he was telling me and then out of the blue
W: I like those.
Me: You like what?
W: Those. as he taps both (clothed) boobs (which W calls bumpity bumps) with the flashlight he was holding.
Me: I was so shocked that I just ignored it and moved on.

The second comment wasn't really a comment. It was more of a drive by. You know the kind that teenage boys are known for doing in the movie theatre. They yawn and ever so discreetly put their arm around the girl and the hand, oops, lands on the bumpity bump. Well, he's 4, so he doesn't yet know of the yawn technique. We were all hanging out on my bed (again, fully clothed), Me, Pman and W. and out of nowhere I hear him whisper, " I want to touch those" as he simultaneously does.

Me: You can't touch that. and I swatted his hand away, quickly.

The next incident occurred at Swamp Fest. J was sitting right there and he just went for the gold. W's comment: I want to touch the bumpity bumps.

All I am asking is for a little respect. I mean, I know he is all innocence. My sweet boy is just curious. He notices something different and just wants to check it out but really?

After sharing my story around it seems that "bumpity bumps" are quite the obsession for boys and girls of this age so I feel a bit better about it. But couldn't someone have warned me?

NO NAP HELL, Have you heard of it?

Where have I been, you ask? I have been in NO NAP HELL! Can I be any clearer? I know so many of you have been in NNH longer than I have but I just never could imagine it. Well, now I don't have to. Don't get me wrong. I love the Little Buddy. He's my first baby and it probably could be a lot worse. I am just trying to adjust to this new phase in my life when I have one child not napping and another slumbering 2+ hours away. The first few weeks it was cake. I would put Pman down, turn on the tv for W (judge me, I don't care) and sit down to eat a late lunch, do my blogging, clean up around the house and read magazines. That has all changed since W has decided, how did he put it today? "I don't like tv anymore." No kidding. He simply follows me around asking me what I am doing? What are you doing now? Now, what are you going to do? Are you all done? Are you going to rest?

and today while I was in the shower I asked him to go play in his room.

"Are you almost done?" all in a whisper so we don't wake Pman .

I whispered back, "I still have to dry my hair. Why don't you go play in your room."
Still whispering, "I think I will just wait until you are done."
And all I can think about is that he is having nude images of his "could stand to lose a few" mother ingrained in his 4 year old mind! Like I told you...I am in NO NAP HELL! and I think he probably is too after watching me take a shower.

So I guess I just have to wait until we reach the next transition when Master P gives up his nap. and then what? DOUBLE NO NAP HELL!?!

P.S. Please know that this is all a little bit in jest. A little bit. W is an angel and it could be worse.
P.P.S. I took a risk today and bought A Taste of Thai Curry Paste that I found at Whole Foods. Sauteed some onions and shrimp and poured it all over rice and I was pleasantly surprised. Super spicy. Not for your taste bud sensitive kids but pretty good nonetheless, for a packed paste.

Who Dat Saints!

I haven't watched the Saints all season. and figured that today was the day. That I needed to show my Who Dat Spirit and watch. I promptly felll asleep after Miami started to whip the Saints a bit.
then I woke up and got W going and he said, "Who Dat Saints!" and truly the tides turned. The Saints beat Miami like nobody's business and it was all because of the way we clapped and the way W said Who Dat! I believe it.

Happy Birthday, Pman!

Happy Birthday, Pman! My sweet little baby. You are two years old today and I feel like you are 18. Really. Because you can do so many things that surprise me for a two year old. I may call you a holy terror and although I may mean it, it is said with more love than you can imagine.

I am sad that you are sick on your big day but hopefully you will be well for your party. Maybe your pookiness is contributing to your unenthused reaction to your new tricycle. I thought for sure you would giggle with delight.


But! You sure blew out your birthday candles like an old pro.


Here's to you, Master P, on your second birthday!
I love you, Mom

Playing Hooky!

What a fool! What a FOOL! I can't believe how easy it was to fool that woman, I call Mommy. I really have been sicky, don't get me wrong. I've got yucky sores on my tongue and when she checked my temperature in my ear 2 days ago I had a fever. But I have been good to go for awhile now. Yeah, my tongue still hurts a lot but I overheard Mr. doctor say that I wasn't contagious if I didn't have fever.

She's been a trooper I have to say. Pman throwed up in his bed Mondy night and slept in the bashgetti and meatballs he ate that night. Eeeeew! It was gross. So she had to deal with two sicky boys. But yesterday we were both much better and had a BALL! playing hooky. So I thought to myself, lets do it again! So I just played up my hurty tongue and told her I was sicky again. and snap! just like that she told Daddy that I was staying home. Hooooray! We went to Mimi and Papa's so she could do some excercising. I got to watch SuperWhy! and then we went to the new coffee house to get coffee and a cookie! Wahooooo! AND I got her all to myself. That Mommy. No Pman around to say "My Mommy!"

Between you and me I think she is catching on but what do I care. It's too late for her to send me to school so I am home free!!!!!!

Gotta go now. She doesn't know I can use the computer, much less type. So catch ya later!

Fighting brothers

The fighting going on around here is getting out of control. and I absolutely do not know how to handle it. It usually starts with 'MIIIINE!' and then it snowballs into a knock down drag out fight and crying fit between everyone. Oh, and it's over anything. a car, a block, a rubber band, a piece of sh$&. Anything. It's actually kind of funny when Pman starts it by taking the littlest thing, walking over to W, raising the object of desire into the air and shouting MINE! and mayhem ensues. Sometimes they are just being funny.
"My House!" as we are driving into the driveway.
"No, My House!"
"My House!"
back and forth forever. But the main source of contention is the Silly Top. What's a Silly Top, you ask? The Silly Top is a yellow plastic spinning top the the size of a silver dollar. One day W was throwing a major tantrum because Master P took it from him. and I was trying to explain to W that he was just taunting him. I also explained to him that it wasn't necessary to cry over it because it was just a "silly top" and that there were much better toys to play with.
"But I want to play with the Silly Top!", he wailed. and from then on the Silly Top has become the bane of my existence.
I am making it sound all lighthearted and such but it's not. It's crying all day, everyday over the stupidest things. and I have no idea what to do. For awhile I was taking anything they fought over and hiding it but it got to the point there was nothing to play with. A lot of times I just yell and scream right along with them. That's always a good scene. But lately I have just been trying to ignore it and let them go until they can't cry anymore.....they are still crying, ha!

So that's what I have been doing if you were wondering the reason for the lack of posting. I have been over here trying to referee the MINE! Wars.

Swine flu

Okay. I don't know if W had the swine flu or not. We had plans to go to the dr. this morning to get tested. I was bringing both of them since Pman has the same symptoms W had. Of course, W woke up with a spring in his step saying he felt " a wotta wotta better" and when we got to the doctor he hadn't had a fever in 48 hours and he looked like the picture of health. She saw no need to test him.

I was kind of hoping it was the Swine flu because he was almost through the sickness and didn't seem totally miserable. That way we would be less likely to catch it again. Now that it is most likely he didn't have the Swine flu I now have to start worrying from square one all over again.

Is it the Swine Flu?

This is going to be a quick post since we have other things to deal with around here but I thought some info that I just found out would be helpful. W is sick and we thought is was just a bad cold on Friday but yesterday afternoon he had a fever and all of the other symptoms of the swine flu. We won't know until tomorrow if that is what he has but someone was asking me what the incubation period was. I didn't know but found an article in the Washington Post that said it is the same as the regular flu, about 1-3 days. For more information see the whole article.

If W does indeed have the virus, it is a relatively mild case. He feels pretty pooky and sounds just awful. His throat hurts and you can see the sick in his eyes, if you know what I mean. He is still playing and singing and bugging Pman. Of course, he is very sensitive and cries a lot but he is not totally lethargic and non-responsive.

Anyway, I will update again after our doctor's visit tomorrow.

Picking squash and edamame

Oh my gosh! This is more for my mom than anything. Well, and for J who has to endure countless meals with squash as an accompaniment any time we are in North Carolina visiting my parents. My mom came from a southern small town so she's truly a small town girl at heart. You know, they love fresh veggies, greens, black eyed peas, okra, squash etc. She has a special fondness for squash. J hates it. and we have it with every meal. and I mean every meal. I have inherited my mom's love of homecooked veggies. If I had to pick a favorite, it would not be squash but I do love a mean squash casserole - one like my mom makes - with ham and breadcrumbs and cheese. Oh my!

BUT

my inspiration came for this post from Chocolate and Zucchini and her post about Patty Squash. What is Patty squash, you ask? Unbeknownst to me, we picked Patty squash this summer in North Carolina. I have a photo, see?


By the time we left my dad was way over the squash and was ready to throw the rest away but I am thinking perhaps they will be ready for another squash dinner by now. and Chocolate and Zucchini has a most mouth watering recipe.

By the way, we also picked fresh edamame. and they were oh so sweet and delicious and so fun to pick. It was easy for little hands and supposedly they grow prolifically so you get a ton off of one plant. Which makes me wonder if I can grow them myself. I did a bit of research, well I skimmed one or two blogs on the subject and found that they are easy to plant in containers so I might give it a go. Here are the boys picking our evening hors d'oeuvres.

First days of school

The Little Buddy's first day of school was Friday. I was excited and worried. Turns out he had a great day and after hearing that and seeing how happy he was when I picked him up, you would of thought that it was me who had a great day. Before I had kids I never would have believed that something good happening to my babies would make me feel so manic. It's a crazy feeling.

Pman screamed and cried when W went off on Friday morning. "Schooooooool!" and all I could think was, "Dude, your day is coming." I asked W if he thought P was going to have fun.

"No. He's going to cry."

Well, that day is here and drop off for Pman has come and gone. He was a champ. I was a bit worried as we were walking out the door. He totally got what was happening-the school bag, all of us leaving together....he's no dummy.


So J, W and I all piled into Pman's little classroom to tell him goodbye and that was that. He didn't cry and well, dare I say it....Neither did I!!!! (He had is eye on a phone another baby was carrying. If I have to guess there is going to be a slap upside the head to that poor child for the phone by the end of the day) I feel a bit guilty about my lack of tears since I was truly hyperventilating when I dropped W off for his first day 2 years ago. But frankly, I might as well have kicked them out the door. It's good for all of us to have a little time to ourselves. Wahoooo!

What will I do, you ask? Well, today I ran around the park twice, got my coffee, stamped and mailed some invitations, ate an after-exercise and now here I sit

ALL BY MYSELF!

I have an hour to take a shower and clean up before I have to go get the boys. and what a beautiful hour it will be.

Britney Spears and W

J and I were reading the newspaper at breakfast this morning as usual. I had skimmed through all of the less important sections and was getting down to business with Living. W was sitting across from me waiting for me to finish and was kind of reading over my shoulder. He spotted the above photo. This is how our conversation went:

W: Look at that lady.
Me: I see.
W: Who is she?
Me: That's Britney Spears
W: She looks like a nice girl.

I don't know what else to say.

Dear W,

The day is done and now you are four. I cannot believe it and I am not sure you can either. It truly was a one of the best birthdays ever because you enjoyed it more than we imagined.

I forgot to take a picture of your cake before we ate it but here half of it is.


you had a grand time at your party even though the pool part got rained out
and tonight you had an even more fabulous time when Papa came to town unexpectedly.

You have certainly gotten the hang of blowing out candles.


You are my baby and I love you more than anything. Thank you for being you and for putting up with me.

This blog is obviously in honor of you, my baby
W 2005 at 1 year old.

and W 2009 at 4 years old.

Streetcar ride

If you are a fan you already know that I have been really tired. Call me a pansy but taking care of two boys makes my 5'2" frame physically exhausted at times. I try to do something fun every morning with them but these past few days with my extreme exhaustion makes it seem daunting. So this morning I forced myself to get going after several pleas from W that we get dressed as I lie in bed. We hopped the streetcar to the coffee house. Three minutes into the ride I knew it was worth it.

That face says it all.

Trip to Napa

Oh my. What is the deal? I am so tired and ornery. Can it still be from my trip. I traveled to and from 3 different time zones. That's the only thing I can think of. I haven't been drinking and I am once again on a new health kick, for the gazillionth time. So what gives?

I feel badly for the little buddies because I have no patience and everything is getting on my last nerve. Like the fracking flute that W has rediscovered. But not only is he playing the heck out of it, he's also taught Master P how to master the flute. It was really cute, the flute lesson. I have to say it will probably be one of my greatest memories of the two of them together. But it's driving me bananas. At least it's not drums, right?

The trip to Napa was great. I had a good friend, a New Orleans turned San Francisco girl give me great advice on wineries and restaurants and we stayed at The Meadowood, where she actually got married (must have been atleast 7 years ago). And it was fabulously decadent. I know that there are a new bunch of luxurious hotels that have cropped up in wine country the past few years like Auberge du Soleil and Calistoga Ranch but I don't regret one minute staying where we did. The service is impeccable and the attention to detail is not to be rivaled. HEAVEN.

Next time I would plan on going longer because one full day and a half was taken up by traveling. But I am happy we went if even for a short time. We giddily ate and drank all day and night. I can't wait to go back.

Next up: Our restaurant meals in Napa

Summer vacation

and we're back!!! We went on a 10 day vacation and we are still recuperating. I am sure it's the longest vacation we have been on since we got married so we felt justified. We went to the mountains to visit my parents, Mimi and Papa. Of course the drive was hell, as always. But we made it safe and sound albeit smelling like vomit and with some new leg stretches under our belt.

J and I left for four days in the middle of it all to hightail it out to Napa to celebrate our anniversary. and we left the boys with my parents (Mimi and Papa). Did you hear me? WE LEFT THE BOYS WITH MY PARENTS! It's not a joke although Mimi sure did think it was. She looked like death warmed over until we left and whaddya know? She was glowing when we got back. They had a ball-all of them did and they even had a few inside jokes between them. Who'da thought? Anyway, we owe them big because it's a lot for me to handle and I am not quite as old. No offense.

The day before we left I found myself a bit anxious about it all and sad even to be leaving the boys to vacation without us. But before and after we still did a lot of fun things together. We went to our usual waterfall. The fall was light so it was shallow enough to wade around in.


aand J took W fishing.


We dug up worms and fed fish at the neighbors house. Pman and the worms became fast friends...until he pulled them apart.


We got to peek through the root system of a pulled up tree on Pman's first real hike.


We picked fresh edamame beans.


and searched for eggs in the chicken coop and lots more! but I won't bore you with the details.



As it turns out Master P, Holy Terror, Pman-whatever you want to call- him only acts like a holy terror when he's around me. They said he was an absolute pleasure and when he starting throwing his familiar tantrums (familiar to me anyway) my parents truly couldn't believe it.
Now I am on to him.

So now that we are back we are gearing up for school and W's birthday, of course. Wahooo! and praying for a great year.

Hiatus

Alright, all you fans out there. As you've noticed my posts have kind of gone down hill lately. The summer is killing me and I have little or no time to get my creative juices flowing. So I think I need a little vaca. Give me a few weeks. 2 at the most and I will be back in the saddle. I promise I am not going AWOL. I am just regrouping.

It hasn't been all bad during these dog days of summer. W realized that he "loves Daddy and he loves ketchup". That's big news and he's funnier than ever. and Porter is all smiles excepts when he's walking up to older kids and wacking them in the head. Can't explain it. He's talking in almost full sentences and is quite the man. So I will leave you on that note. Until the 14th of August!