Morning Fun at the Museum

While Drew was in preschool today, the girls and I met some friends at the children's museum.

The Addies:


(No, neither of us call them that. Adeline and Adelaide. One month apart.)

(Yes, I have permission to post all of these.)




Some Serious Bell Ringing:



The line up:


And all four are actually looking at the camera!

(A slight miracle.)

A quiet evening with friends is the best tonic for a long day.

That was the fortune inside Nicky's cookie from P.F. Chang's tonight.

And it was eerily fitting.

My friend Sarah called me this morning wondering if I could do a girls' night out tonight even on such late notice.

OhyesthankyouI'llmakeitworkandseeyoutonight.

It was so nice and relaxing and peaceful. They didn't even ask me to cut up their meat or get them some juice.

Whenever we go out we almost always get dessert. (It's like a cardinal rule.) We finally wized up and started splitting one instead if wasting two or three. This time we ordered the 'Chocolate Wall' or whatever they call it. Oh my word it was HUGE. 6 layers of cake. That means we each got our own two layers. But even with three of us, we still left almost half that cake untouched. HUGE.

And then afterwards we stopped in at Target.

Because that's what moms do.

Busy Day, Good Day

I have plenty of friends I probably could have left my kids with today but I threw caution to the wind and took them with me to brave the DMV and county courthouse. The baby had had her nap, and everyone was in a good mood. I brought books, juice, and snacks. I thought we'd be okay. And we were.

Also, I had washed and done my hair this morning and had my “face” on. So it was a good time for a driver’s license picture. (If there are such things.) *grin*

It’s a bit of a drive, the older kids fell asleep on the way out there and it was peaceful. There was no line since it was the middle of the day, and I got right in. The only iffy part was Drew and Madeline each “took” themselves potty in the public restroom while I was signing papers and writing my check.

I don’t even want to know. I made sure to douse them in antibacterial cleanser afterwards.

The courthouse was surprisingly just as easy and quick. The only iffy part there was the security guard would not allow me to push my stroller through the metal detectors. I had to leave it by the entrance. So the kids were obligated to walk and I hadn’t even bothered to grab Madeline’s shoes.

Again, no line, I walked right up. The kids ran around some while I paid and got my plate stickers. But this is the South, after all; most people are friendly and no one cared or even batted an eyelash at their antics. The older clerk who helped me even said “I know how it is! I raised two boys!”

So that was that. Checked off my to-do list. And good riddance.

I managed to snag a last-minute babysitter for tonight and we were able to go out to dinner with friends. (Andy’s old restaurant, of course.) I think this has been one of the most fun things about being back – impromptu little get-togethers with the near and dear.

[And speaking of that, this past Monday night I went with some of my girlfriends to see ‘Mama Mia.’ I don’t think I realized it was a musical...so I was a little surprised every time the actors would break out in song. But it was a fun movie and had gorgeous scenery. Greece, anyone?]

And, like I said to Sarah, it’s nice not to have to cut up anyone’s food or put anyone to bed.

At least for tonight.

We went to Atlanta.

Yesterday could only be classified as a Very Fun Day. Andy and Josiah went golfing. The kids had a very sweet babysitter who played with them outside even though it was hot. Liz and I hit Starbucks and then went shopping. (Ann Taylor and Loft, DSW, and White House/Black Market.)

Hello my name is Moriah and I just spent way too much money.

(But it was Andy's idea. So it's his fault.)

(Or something.)

And then we went to dinner at the South City Kitchen for good ol' Southern food. Emphasis on the good. Wow.

We had the fried green tomatoes and a butterbean hummus with flat cornbread crackers to share as appetizers. I personally had the caesar salad as my entree with croutons made of fried chunks of garlic grits. Quite amazing, actually. And it was garnished with fried okra.


And lest you think me too healthy, (eating a salad for my meal and all), I also had a side of fries.

I am my mother's daughter.


Thanks, guys, it was an awesome weekend.

At least the waiting paid off

So V and J dragged us out of the apartment at 6:15 this morning to go sit in line at Central Park for tickets to tonight's Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park. Coffee, anyone?



We had no idea if we were waiting in vain, either. They started passing out tickets at 1 p.m and we managed to get our six (each person can take two), so we'll be going back after dinner for the play, with even more cousins.

HOW FUN IS THAT?!

It’s my birthday, I get to pick

First we went to dinner at the Olive Garden.

(What’s that? I think I can hear Steve Lewin and his French taste buds, laughing at me all the way from Chattanooga.)

(I don’t think I need to tell you that he eats Ramen.)

(We all have our vices.)

(Mine is just sometimes in the form of chain Italian food. And shoe stores.)

Now where was I? Oh yes…I’ve been feeling a need for toasted ravioli and fresh Italian salad. And a breadstick or twenty never hurt anyone.

(Well, unless you’re allergic.)

And then we went to this fancy schmancy movie theater (with a coffee shop in the lobby, even) and saw “21.” While sipping mochas. Alone without kids.

The movie (based on a true story, you know) had a lot of similarities to the Ocean movies. (Minus the George Clooney and Brad Pitt parts, however.) We had a fun time. If you liked the Ocean movies, you’ll probably like 21.

And when we got back to Andy’s parents’ house to pick up the kids, Adelaide was walking around their living room.

Wonders, they never cease.

(Mostly) Footloose and Fancy Free

Sometime last week Andy mentioned that we hadn’t had a date in a while (yeah, I noticed), and then later I heard him talking to his mom about her availability to baby-sit. And then I heard a little scheming going on with Ezra, and so needless to say I started getting a little excited about what was clearly forming up to be a romantic double date with our city-dwelling friends.

I talked Andy out of keeping it a surprise. Some people like surprises; I’m not one of them. I think half the fun is planning and looking forward to an event. Or date, whichever.

So, in his most sugar-coated voice, he told me how we were going to have dinner at an ‘authentic British pub’ and then [fake coughing under breath] watch the NCAA Final Four.

Beer and basketball. Is that at the top of your list of all-time romantic dates? Yeah, me either.

But we had lots of fun anyway, other than walking several city blocks in these evil shoes. (And also stepping in a questionable puddle coming out of the subway system. I made the mistake of wiping my wet ankle and then the further mistake of smelling my hand. Which I will never do again. I spent the rest of the walk to their house holding my hand out as far away from me as possible.)

I think next time we'll take the boys to a fashion show. Equal opportunity and all that.

A Day of All Sorts

My kids woke up early again today (of which I am not a fan). We spent the morning with a stack of books and the Play-doh. And lots of coffee for me, naturally.

Later I decided I couldn’t put off the trip to Wal-mart any longer so we loaded up and headed out. And going to Wal-mart with three toddlers in tow is about as fun as listening to fingernails scratching a chalkboard for a couple of hours. You get a little edgy.

And, oh my, was it ever cold.

Once we were back and the kids were all down for a nap, I was going to do a quick clean-up swipe of the van. You know, remove the thousands of fruit snacks wrappers and other miscellaneous trash, wipe out the cupholders, maybe a quick shake of the mats. However, it quickly turned into an all-out deep-cleaning session (and very much needed, I might add. Kids can sure do a number on the inside of a car. *shudder*) and an hour later I was still vacuuming.

But it was worth it. A clean car is always, well, luxurious.

And then tonight we dropped the kids at the in-laws and took the train into the city to meet some friends for pizza (now a tradition) before the next in our concert series that the guys purchased for us back in December. [For our musical friends who might be interested, it was Stravinsky’s Concerto in E-flat major – “Dumbarton Oaks” I, II, and III; Stravinsky’s Capriccio, for piano and orchestra – I, II, and III; Mozart’s Rondo in D major, K. 382 for piano and orchestra; and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 (I thru IV).]

I could get used to that.

Anyway, today was certainly a day for variety. Which, as you know, is the Spice of Life.

Last night, looooooong overdue

A couple of weeks ago it dawned on me that what I’ve been missing in my life was a girls’ night out. When we lived in Chattanooga, I had a group of girlfriends that met occasionally for dinner out, usually in honor of someone’s birthday. (I use the phrase ‘in honor’ very loosely because quite frankly it was just an excuse to go out and we used every excuse we could get. Plus we always paid for our own meal, regardless of birthday-honoree status.)

And then there were the occasional spur-of-the-moment dinners out with single friends who could be flexible and didn’t mind eating dinner with me and a couple of hooligan toddlers. We always went to Andy’s restaurant and I’d usually pawn one of the babies off on him or the staff anyway so clearly, those were fun times out.

However, in order to go out with friends, you have to have friends to go out with. Which may take a while when one moves to a new place. Or so I’ve heard.

But guess what? Now I have friends! That will go out to dinner with me! And sit and gab for hours on end and pretend like they have nothing better to do than sit and gab! For hours on end!

(Well, and be completely oblivious to the fact that we're the only ones still sitting and gabbing, even after the waiter has flipped the chairs up onto all the tables around us. We're very quick with the hints.)

And I had left Andy with only one real instruction, “please do not wait until I get home to put the kids to bed.”

I thought that was very magnanimous of me.

Evening Out and also, Wartbread

On Friday night we switched babysitting with some friends (thank you, N and B!) and went to a fundraising dinner event for the school that is our landlord.

(Which, bytheway, that is a such a great idea. Every parent loves a free babysitter; you switch off with another mom/couple a few times a month, and you can easily make those trips out alone or get to have a few dates without the extra expense of paying a babysitter. Plus, the nights or days when you watch the other kids - often they enjoy having friends over and will entertain themselves collectively as a group. It works out great for everybody.)

Anyway, back to the dinner. It was held at a local country club and Andy did a wine tasting during the cocktail hour and then he also had to sing during the program. Which is really fine because it meant his ticket was free. The speaker was Cal Thomas and he was fabulous. Wise, funny, highly entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking. Easily the highlight of the evening.

Yesterday was mostly unproductive but that’s okay for now and then. Although, Andy did take it upon himself to make dinner – a homemade chicken soup that turned out exceptionally tasty. The funny part was the bread he made to go along with the soup.

I used to bake a fair amount of homemade bread, (meaning I dump the ingredients into my bread machine and press ‘start.’ I usually use the dough cycle, though, and shape and bake the bread or rolls in the oven.) but haven’t in a while because the oven in this house has been broken since we moved in. It was finally serviced last week. (I know! Just in time for Thanksgiving!)

So Andy claimed the prestigious title of First to Bake Bread in our new house. And oh how I wish I had taken a picture. The rolls (blobs, really) turned out a little flat and really bumpy. I told him the bread looked like it had warts.

I am so not kidding.

I took one look and bust out laughing. Later he told me the dough had been really sticky and he couldn’t get them to roll into balls (I told him to add more flour next time) and so the parts that stuck to his hands got baked all rough and pimply like that.

But OH MY WORD IT WAS SO GOOD. I was even wishing I had more wartbread to go with my leftover soup at lunch today.

[And, Andy said I could tell you about his wartbread, but only if I was sure to tell you how delicious it was. So now that I’ve done my duty, I’m off to take a nap.]