Today we came home from what I only describe as a magical trip to New York City. How much I love that town is pretty ridiculous. I will have a full wrap up later this week, I promise! But for now, my lovely bed is calling my name (an unexpected 5 hour layover will do that to a girl).
First of all, I’m apparently 13 years old, because this video makes me so, so happy (via Lane).
I mean…right?! If you wondering if plans are in the works for a Crazybananas version, THE ANSWER IS YES! And, also, you should probably be a little afraid.
I am headed on a trip this week to celebrate summer and success and all around awesomeness, so I’ve been loading up the iPhone with a playlist to keep me happy as I hop from plane to plane. I think I’ve succeeded. Enjoy the 2012 Summer Mix! Dancing is required (not optional).
This year on Mother’s Day I told my family all I wanted to do was hang out with them. They were skeptical (even they know their reputation as first class trouble makers), but it really was true. With our work schedules and extra curricular activities, we hardly ever get time to just hang out as a family, and I wanted to make sure my Mother’s Day was full of that.
We started out the day with a Mother’s Day brunch at Urban Table which was AH-MAY-ZING. Everyone left stuffed and happy. Trent had never been and I think he’s now a fan for life. Lucy had banana french toast with chocolate syrup, so it’s safe to say it’s now her favorite place to eat. Tate had the french toast and bacon…and while much of it ended up on the floor, he seemed satisfied as well. Myself? I had half of Trent’s eggs benedict and half a frittata…plus deviled eggs with salmon for the first course. And a bellini. And a chocolate tort. Don’t judge me, it was Mother’s Day.
After a drive through some of the wealthier KC neighborhoods where we grabbed for sale flyers and made plans to buy certain homes in approximately 1 million years, we headed down to Loose Park, one of my favorite places in the city. We played on the playground, visited the Rose Garden (where Trent proposed for the third time many years ago), and hung out at the duck pond.
My one beef with this place is that all these people (tourists?) bring bread to feed the ducks and enormous fish that reside in the pond. Which, I mean, is not only gross, but super annoying. There are signs posted everywhere telling people not to feed the ducks, and there is a reason!
We watched one family totally get attacked by a flock of geese trying to grab their loaf of bread. Everyone who was trying to feed the animals ended up with an unruly hoard of quacking and honking beasts lunging at them. By the end of our visit, Lucy was officially terrified of geese. Which sucks.
After Loose Park, we ended up at the Country Club Plaza for some shopping (strangely, I didn’t end up buying anything, but everyone else scored big time) and a late lunch. A fun surprise was the nice lady who walked up to me and handed me a flower saying “Happy Mother’s Day from the Plaza!” Nice touch, Plaza. I heart you.
After our long day, we headed home for naps. All in all, a pretty great day for this mama.
Before anyone asks, no, none of the recipients of these gifts read this website. So I figured it would be fun to post what we gave out to our lovely mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers this year.
Along with the cards, I ordered some notepads from Snapfish with some more of my favorite Instagram pics. The center photo is of the chalk drawing Lucy and I made that says “You are beautiful!” On each notepad I wrote a quick note for both Lucy and Tate, which gave some facts about what they like and what they are doing these days. I also stamped the notepads with my new stamp from Elise Joy, that says “You’re my favorite!”
The entire thing was then packaged up in brown envelopes and sent off to the greatest moms out there. We hope they love them!
Every year I am asked over and over again what I want for Mother’s Day. And really, I don’t want anything. I know, I know, I’m a saint. Or obnoxious. Whatever. But truly, all I really want for Mother’s Day is to a.) sleep in and b.) people to cook me food and serve me drinks, preferably with cute little notes alongside my breakfast dish. Also, I refuse to do any of the hard parenting stuff, like timeouts for toddlers or explaining to five year olds why they cannot attempt to fly off the kitchen counter. On Mother’s Day, I am immune.
However, since I am a loving and kind person, here (for those that have been asking, ahem, husband) is a list of a few things I would love to receive for Mother’s Day, ranging from the ridiculous expensive to cheap and sweet.
1. Madsen Bike – I’ve been jonesing for a bike for a while now, and this one comes complete with a child container. Now if only it came with a spill proof lid for said child container.
2. A Huge Canvas of Something Significant (Image via) – That sounds like the name of a bad movie. “A Huge Canvas of Something Significant,” coming May 2012. Anyway, I fill my house with these, so I’m always game for another. Maybe get a photo of the kids or one of an amazing piece of art that Lucy drew. Maybe a full sized photo of me, since I am the queen of this house, damnit.
3. Mother Mermaid and Baby Print – This makes me smiley.
4. 31 Bits Necklace – Have you guys heard of 31 Bits? Well, if not, get on it. This company sells jewelry made by women in Northern Uganda, and then uses the money it makes to set up services for these same women. It’s quite the incredible corporation, and you’d be supporting it and buying me something shiny. Win/win.
5. Flowers (image via astrasnotes)- Preferably wrapped in paper and preferably from somewhere local and awesome. I recommend Dutch Flowers in the River Market (P.S. On Saturdays, you can get all you can carry flowers for $5!).
6. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen – Pretty much every gift guide I know is prescribing this for moms this year, and I have to say, it looks incredible. (Hat tip to Cool Mom Picks for the recommendation!)
7. Encore Membership to the Kauffman Center in Kansas City – With an Encore Membership you get all sorts of perks, including early purchasing of tickets for big shows and discounts. At $50, this is a great gift!
8. Anything From J. Crew – This look should get you started. Better yet, just go for a gift card.
9. Canon EOS 5D Mark II – Come to mommy, my precious.
10. Copper Band Ring – Get names or dates printed on this puppy, and you’ll have a mama in tears. (Thanks again to Cool Mom Picks for the heads up.)
