Cruise and Stuff

I went on a cruise last week. Yeah... that's right! It rocked! I had a great time hanging out with my sister and meeting mom's from all over the country. I hated them a lot less than I thought I would, and actually liked a few of them quite a bit.

It was wonderful to be away from the kiddies for just a spell. I missed them most when I saw other fat faced cherub boys looking at me or beautiful princess toddler girls running and laughing.

I was a bit sick but nothing so bad as to keep me out of the sun (or the dance club). There was certainly something special about just being Andrea for a bit and not worrying so much about being Sammy and Claire's mom and Justin's wife. All the titles make me tired just typing them.

Coming back to the house wasn't all that easy. I like to think I've loosened up a bit from my OCD youth, but coming home to the daddy disarray almost made me vomit.

It took me almost three days to get things back to "my way". Now that it's done I feel tired... and almost ready for another retreat.

The Fairy Princess Take Over

Devils Night, 7 PM, Target. My hands shake as I finger through the dollar bins. In a state of desperation I run to the seasonal isle. There must be something, possibly left over, I can buy Claire's Class for the Halloween Bash.

Not until just hours before did I realize what most day care moms know as a rule, "No home baked goods for distribution." So here I am, last minute. One of "those" moms. Of course, shortly thereafter I realized I had a perfectly justifiable reason to be away from the kids and I stopped at the Starbucks for a camel apple cider.

I did end up finding something (imported junk). After stuffing them into single serve cellophane bags with other edible goodies I took Claire into school.

I slaved over Claire's Fairy Princess vision. Big girl makeup and stripped tights. I thought I would shine as the dedicated parent. Little did I know every little body in that class had cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon.... and every little girl was a Fairy Princess.