Our Own Private Island

This week the entire family got the flu. The summer flu, the high fever, achy, coughing, terrible flu. One by one we dropped like flies. First it got my husband, then me, next my 1 year old, and lastly my 3 year old. I, of course, was allowed to stay sick for the shortest amount of time. Who else would take care of this sickly brood?

The first day, was oddly wonderful. My husband lay on one couch, me on the other. We dozed in and out of sleep in front of the TV all day long. I couldn’t remember the last time the two of us were alone, all day long, doing absolutely nothing. We had short conversations, as we passed the box of tissues back and forth. Taking turns getting up to replenish the Gatorade and ibuprofen.

At 4pm we got the call, the “your kid is sick, come get them,” call. The four of us spent the evening curled up on the couch, watching movies together. The next day we took the boys to the doctor, together. Again, I couldn’t remember the last time a trip to the doctor wasn’t something that I crammed into my already busy schedule, in between meetings and conference calls.

All in all, those 2 days were the most amount of time that we had all spent together at our house, doing nothing in a very long time. I loved it. Being sick gave us the instant excuse to escape the normal routine, the obligations, the responsibilities, and just be. Almost like a snow day, there was no need or reason to go anywhere, or do anything, and just be. As the dishes piled high in the sink, and dirty laundry covered the floor, the four of us snuggled in on the couch together.

Why didn’t you do it the night before?

I am just over it.

I just read ANOTHER magazine article promising a simpler life that included the phrase “the night before” as part of the solution. It was talking about the efficiencies of crock pots and saying that you “Cut up the vegetables the night before, so in the morning, all you have to do is put them in the crock pot and hit go.”

The other week it was how to bring order to your morning routine, “Lay out your clothes and your kid’s clothes the night before.”

Then in a health magazine, “It’s easy to eat healthier if you just pack your lunch the night before. If you wait until the morning, you’ll find an excuse not to do it.”

Or in my kid’s notes home from school, “Tonight take some time to collect up recyclable materials and bring them to school tomorrow.”

A tip for keeping your house clean: “Every night just take ten minutes and sweep through your house, picking up 20 items and putting them away.”

The secret to better relationships also apparently happens during this magical time of day: “When you get home, kiss your husband and spend ten minutes asking about his day. Then he can spend ten minutes asking about yours.”

Well, fellow MIMs, I’ve done the math. And it doesn’t add up. Not if you include all the regular activities slated for the evenings such as cooking dinner and sleep. PLUS, what if work was brought home? OR, miracle of miracles, you actually have a life and went OUT during the week?

Ah, well.

There’s always tomorrow morning.

Outed

Friday morning I took my 3-year old to his first dentists appointment. After the dentist we walked down the street to get a bagel for him and a coffee for me. I looked around the patio at all of the other mom’s out with their kids, enjoying a relaxing breakfast. I was quietly daydreaming about a life without work, and leasurely days at home with my kids, when quickly, I snapped out of it.

“Mom, hurry up, I don’t want to be late for splash day!”

Ahh, splash day. The splash day that required swim trunks, flip flops, and a beach towel. The same swim trunks, flip flops and beach towel that I didn’t just forget at home, I didn’t even pack the night before. At this point I had a 10am conference call to get to, and no time to run home and get the goods. Glancing around the strip mall, I noticed an Old Navy at the other end. 

I tore the price tags off the new gear and put it into a reusable shopping bag I had in my car just as we pulled in to my son’s daycare. We went inside and his best friend asked him where he had been and why he was late. Without missing a beat my son announced to the entire class and teachers, “My mom forgot all of my stuff for splash day, so we had to go buy all new stuff.”

Outed by my own son. But then again, who was I trying to fool? A mim’s gotta do what a mim’s gotta do.

The Kid Can’t Help It

At the tender young ages of one and three, my boys are into some pretty cool stuff. They eat Thai food, listen to the Shins, and go to gallery exhibitions. Their rooms are adorned with Hatch show prints, Shepard Fairey and Andy Warhol posters. Now more than ever we as parents have access to really cool gear for our kids. We don’t have to succumb to the Winnie the Pooh nursery and out of the box birthday parties. Here are some of my top picks for cool kids gear this season.

The Indie Rock Coloring Book

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Finally, a coloring book with style and it’s all for a good cause. Courtesy of Andy J. Miller and proceeds benefit the (Red) organization, which raises money for the AIDS-fighting Global Fund. Coming this summer and available on Amazon.com.

Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Sets
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If your kids are going to be playing Lego’s, why not learn about a fabulous architect at the same time.

Boodalee Bedding

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The World in Teal bedding from boodalee is the choice of my 3-year old. It features the great pyramids, the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower. I love this as a cool graphic alternative to the standard cars and baseball theme for a boys room. Available at www.boodalee.com.

While Mommy’s Away

View from the Empire Hotel rooftop bar

View from the Empire Hotel rooftop bar

I’m writing this post as I sit in a large photo studio in downtown New York City. We all know how hard business travel can be on the working mom. Schedules to re-arrange, meals to make, preparing the household for smooth sailing while mom is away. Time away from the family is precious.

But on the other hand, can you really call dinner at Japonais in New York torture? A conference in Dallas attached to a giant shopping mall a burden? Watching a sunset in South Beach an inconvenience? Travel has it’s pros and its cons, but here are the top 5 reasons why it can be rewarding for mom-ME.

5.) Sleeping in a king size bed. All night. Alone. Uninterrupted.
4.) Waking up in the morning and getting yourself ready, and no one else.
3.) Eating dinner with adults, with adult conversation, without rushing to get the bill.
2.) Visiting places and having experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise.
1.) Coming home to a family that missed you.