Week in Review - Gun Sense, Mother's Day and a Book Signing on Thursday

I'm not gonna lie, it was nice this week returning to my social social media using ways. If you want to hear about my week (semi) unplugged, I wrote about it for Barista Kids: Reflections on a Week Spent (Semi) Screen-Free.

On Saturday, I joined gun sense advocates for a march in Verona Park. (You can read more about it on the The Alternative Press - West Essex.) It was by far the most meaningful part of  my Mother's Day weekend. Participants carried eight flowers, representing the eight children who die every single day from guns and gun violence.

I urge anyone who believes in enacting common sense gun laws, to go from just thinking yes, I support that! to yes, I will volunteer, write letters to the local papers, and email my elected officials!

I do all of those things through the group Moms Demand Action, and I feel like my contribution is making a difference. But we could make a much bigger impact with your voice.

So please, if you have time, or can make time, join a group in your area or participate in the national campaigns sponsored by Moms Demand Action.

If you're here in New Jersey, consider following the Moms Demand Action -  New Jersey Facebook page to stay up to date with events, legislative updates and other campaigns for gun sense in New Jersey.

And last, I'll be at Princeton Girls Night Out with two of my co-authors from I Just Want To Pee Alone: Kim Forde of The Fordeville Diaries and Amy of Funny is Family. We'll be signing books and reading at The Farmhouse Store, as well as sharing laughs and exchanging our best tales of modern motherhood. Oh, and there will be wine.

Here are all the details:

Hope to see you there!

What are your plans this week?

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

My mom has given me a lot of great advice over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites.

This one always makes me feel better when everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. My mom is a scientist, and apparently this was what they would say in the Lab when experiments didn't turn-out the way they expected.

She also, for reasons I don't know, is completely adamant that we fill-out the census:

She is also always very strict on pedestrian safety, as was her mother. To this day, after two generations of reminders not to, I never jaywalk.

And the only piece of advice from her that I don't follow:

My mom never has been a big crafter, and she is continually shocked that I am. So, of course, she was overjoyed when her grandson said, "I don't like arts & crap either, Gramma."

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks for all the great advice over the years.

What's some of the best advice your mom has given you?

The Top Ten Reasons We ALL Need A Mom

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it got me thinking... moms are just another thing that are totally wasted on the young.

Kids don't appreciate at all how great it is to have someone working around the clock to make sure you have nutritional food to eat and weather-appropriate clothing to wear.

Kids don't appreciate even a little bit a mom's 24/7 attention to detail, whether it's inspecting small lacerations to the skin, detecting possible sadness in a tone of voice, or discovering hidden candy stashes before every rodent in the neighborhood takes up residence in the family home.

 

From nurse-duty, chauffeuring and a range of personal assistant duties, moms have an amazing skill-set. I say quit wasting moms on kids who don't appreciate all the services they provide, and let's start getting a mom for every grown-up. Especially all us moms, we need a mom the most.
 

Here are my Top Ten Reasons We ALL Need A Mom:
 

10. Moms tell you when you've watched enough TV, surfed the Internet long enough, and played enough video games and that it's TIME TO GO TO BED. This is especially important when you have a big day tomorrow!

 

9. Moms prepare three (semi) healthy meals a day, and are willing to cut-up fruit at a moment's notice. Moms will remember your favorites, and make them as often as possible. And moms will cook food to your specifications, plate it according to your whims, and even clean-up afterwards. All you have to do is sit still and eat your vegetables once in awhile.

 

8. Moms keep track of your nutrition and make sure you take your vitamins, eat enough vegetables, and drink plenty of water. They also make sure doctors are seen annually, and that any health problems that arise are taken care of without delay.

 

7. Moms manage your social calendar and schedule playdates at regular intervals to make sure you get to see all of our friends at least a few times a month. Moms also plan and throw the best birthday parties, and get you that just-what-you-wanted present.

 

6. Moms schedule your days to make sure there is time allotted for outdoor time, free play, exercise, as well as the all important quiet time -- and if desired, alone time. Moms also allow more than enough time to arrive at important appointments on time, and moms will usually even factor in traffic, a delayed start, or an unexpected bathroom or food break into the trip.

 

5. Moms help make important wardrobe decisions. Whether it's too much, too little, too seasonally inappropriate, or just not right for you, dear - mom always makes sure you look your best. Also? Mom will sometimes even pay for that new outfit.

 

4. Moms always make sure there is time to read everyday, as well as regular trips to the library and book stores for new reading material. If there's an author you really like, she'll often surprise you and come home with the latest book.

 

3. Moms make hot drinks when you come in on cold days, and cold drinks when you go out on hot days. Often with fun straws and pretty cups. They will also make these same drinks for all your friends, if you just say please.

 

2. Moms encourage you to say you're sorry when you really should, even if you really, really don't want to.
 

... and last but not least, the #1 reason we all need a mom is to:
 

1. Tell you when to knock it off and stop fighting with the people you love the most.

Happy Mother's Day!

What other reasons do you have for why we ALL need a mom?

Old Photo Friday: Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom.

Not my favorite holiday, but definitely my favorite mom.

On Friday's I post old photos, usually of my family. You can see them all here.

Handprint Craft for Mother's Day

My daughter Kay was nice enough to let me trace her hands to make this easy Mother's Day craft.

To make it, all you have to do is fold a sheet of paper in half, and trace one hand with the thumb and second finger handing over the side of the crease a little:

Then, when you cut out the hand, you get two hands and a bonus heart between them.

Kay added the little hearts and the precious words.

And the truly best part, Kay let me have her creation early so I could use it for my post on New Jersey Family about how to make this very craft.

And if that isn't the true spirit of Mother's Day, I don't know what is.

Read the full instructions at Handprints and Hearts Craft for Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Reflections

On Friday, both my school-aged kids brought home Mother's Day gifts.

From Kay, I got a lovely orange flower in a very pretty pot with her own paper purple flower planted in the soil as well. Adorable.

And from Magpie, something in a brightly-colored bag that was hidden with much fanfare and admonishments not to go peeking about in her room between then and Sunday. It turned out it was a beautifully painted flower pot with Artic Fire seeds inside that I could plant. Adorable.

It's all very sweet. And of course, being a sentimental type, I am truly touched. But it is all so unnecessary. I am shocked at my own good luck as I reflect on all I have this Mother's Day. I am like the donkey family at the end of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, when they are all so happy just to be together as a family again.

Honestly, what more could I want this Mother's Day when I have already:
- three kids, two girls and a baby boy. All healthy. All good company. All funny.
- a nice house in a nice town with nice neighbors.
- a husband I can tolerate, and more importantly, a husband who can tolerate me.
- no job! And still, a roof over my head and ample money for low-heeled shoes and high-end chocolates. How many people can say that?

So my dear kids, while this may not be true every year, this year as the Duncan family says "...really, for now, what more could they wish for? They had all that they wanted."

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

I am recycling this post from last year. And scheduling it to auto-post on Mother's Day. 'Cause I'm in Boston at Bloggy Boot Camp with a lot of fantastic bloggers. And I'm grateful for that, too.

Happy Mothers Day!

I love this site, but until now I never had anything worthy of submission. I hope they post it!

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Update: Note was not posted to passiveaggressivenotes.com. If this note isn't passive aggressive, what is?

This photo is from the lobby of my old apartment building on the Upper West Side, May 2008. Lame Mom lived there, too. (I never thought to ask her if she knew who wrote the note.)

Wordless Wednesday: Happy un-Mother's Day!

My mom and me, in Ireland, ten years past.
 

Mother's Day may be a crappy holiday, but you are one fantastic Mom.

Happy un-Mother's Day.

{On Jersey Moms Blog we're sharing our mom's recipes all week long. Today it's my mom's Minimalist Macaroons.}

Instructions for My Husband: What I'd like for Mother's Day

Not that you asked, and certainly not that whatever sweet things the kids make aren't enough (because they are dear children, of course they are!), but if you just so happened to be shopping... here are just a few ideas:

This super-fabulous modern desk from George Nelson:

Anything by Jennifer Fisher Jewelry. Really, I mean it, anything....

From JenniferFisherJewelry.com

And finally? I would love a no gas push mower. To go with my compost. You know I'm serious about being a wannabe-Amish farmer.

You say I'll hate mowing the lawn. But look how happy this lady looks. I'm sure I'll be a smiley happy mower, too.

Photo from CleanAirGardening.com

Think how nice I'll look out mowing the lawn, while wearing my new necklace (or ring, or bracelet, honestly it is your choice). And, just imagine how much I'll love sitting at my new desk, looking out over my beautifully cut lawn, secure in the knowledge it was mowed without creating any noise pollution or causing harm to the environment. And yes, I do think expensive jewelry is compatible with my Amish farmer aspirations.

I recently read a great and funny post from Wendi Aarons "Your Ad Here" about bloggers dropping company names in the hopes that they will take notice. I am only dropping these names for one person, who I don't think is reading anyway, and that is probably for the best.

This is the twelfth post in my ongoing series Instructions for my Husband.

Anyone else have material requests for Mother's Day?

High Tea with the Minis - Guest Post from MiniMunchers!

With the Royal Wedding mere hours away, I have all things British on my mind. What better way to celebrate The Wedding then by enjoying the wonderful English custom of High Tea here in New York City? Carla Sullivan, the Mommy Muncher from MiniMunchers, was kind enough to share her picks for enjoying High Tea with children. Cheers!

Some traditions are worth keeping (or starting), and high tea in NYC with your mini(s) happens to be one of them.

While dining with your children can be difficult (can I say even disastrous) at times, High Tea for a special occasion, i.e. Mother’s Day or even a momentous birthday, for some reason lends itself to well-behaved children. Could it be the scones with clotted cream, tea sandwiches and silver settings? I am not an expert but I think it is the fact that mommy (or daddy) is sharing a unique experience.

Here are a few of my family’s favs in the City – Cheerio!

Russian Tea Room - One of the LAST remaining iconic restaurants in Manhattan, the Russian Tea Room is a treat for children and adults! Just step into this jewel-box restaurant, and your tot will know it is a special day! Conveniently located on the same block as Carnegie Hall, it is a great place to come after a concert or a carriage ride in Central Park. The children’s tea is $25 a child (under 12) and the multiple courses will be sure to please any budding foodie.

Alice’s Tea Cup - True to it’s name, Alice’s is THE place to tea. With quirky décor at each of its three locations, you do feel like you have stepped into a child’s fantasy land when entering these whimsical restaurants. What you might not be ready for is the extensive menu – Alice’s does MORE then tea – featuring such wonderful (and appropriate) items for Minis as Apple slices with peanut butter or Nutella, celery sticks with peanut butter (obviously NOT nut-free) and homemade banana bread. Word of caution – each location has an adorable shop that you WILL have to drag your minis away from.

American Girl Café - Tea and Dolls…what could be more perfect? Served at 4pm daily, at $20 a person, the food and selection is surprisingly good (for both adults and kids) and who can resist the teeny highchairs for your tot’s doll! I personally love the questions on each table (“What do you want to be when you grow up," “Who is the person you admire most,” etc.) to stimulate fun and entertaining conversation between you and your mini.

Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel - If you grew up on Madeline books and are hoping to get your Mini equally hooked, High Tea at Bemelman’s is a must! With live music and Madeline dolls scattered throughout the restaurant, the scrumptious buffet-style tea is a treat for all the senses. Although the Saturday tea service is on hiatus until October – it is a great special occasion destination if planning a special outing in the City in the fall/winter. The price however is NOT something to look forward to. At $20 for children 3 and under and over 3 at $40 a child, you might as well take this time to have your Mini start counting their pennies!

A ten-year resident of Manhattan, Carla Sullivan is the founder and “Mommy Muncher” of the internet’s only source of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC, www.MiniMunchers.com, the Ultimate Source for Children's Menus in New York City.

To check out restaurants children's menus or see reviews on these and many more NYC kid-friendly spots visit MiniMunchers.com. You can also find MiniMunchers on Twitter (@minimunchers) and on Facebook.

May Handprint Crafts for May Day, Mother's Day & Memorial Day

May is almost here. And that means we get spring weather and fun handprint crafts you can do with your kids!
Celebrating May Day? Make a May Day Basket from cut-out handprints and paper plates.

Photo from DLTK's Growing Together

And before you know it it will be May 8. A Sunday. Also known as Mother's Day. You could use any of the heart handprint crafts from Valentine's Day and just substitute "Happy Mother's Day" where the craft suggests "Happy Valentine's Day."

Or, if you think dear old mom will remember hey, didn't you give me something that looked just like this back in February? you could make this cute handprint tote from Paint Cut Paste:

Photo from PaintCutPaste.com

Or, choose from any of the truly touching I-might-even-cry-they're-so-sweet options over at Handprint and Footprint Art. She has choices like creating an I love you handprint in sign language and a handprint poem and picture frame.

And last, at the end of the month comes Memorial Day - Monday, May 30. I've always been moved by the reason behind having Memorial Day even if between barbecuing, beaching and generally enjoying a day off we forget how fortunate we are to have this day of lazy in the first place.

I think it's nice to make a small gesture of remembrance of the many who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and to honor their memory. You can find lots of ways to express patriotic spirit in handprint art, but my favorite from amongst the sea of flags and red, white & blue, is this Handprint Bald Eagle. You can paint the handprints or cut them out of brown paper.

Picture from AllKidsNetwork.com

And just one more.... if after this winter you're like me, you'll just want to celebrate the sunshine with a Handprint Sun:

Photo from About.com Family Crafts

Happy May!