Let The Obsessions of Boyhood Begin

Nothing says, "I'm 4!!" like a picture of a rocket dreidel.

Upstairs, on our new easel, we also have rocket bats and a rocket cave.

Happy birthday, Little Man. We love you.

The Ten Best Things About A Black Tie Wedding in NYC

10) The shuttle bus ride back to midtown. It was a big charter party bus. It stopped at a corner deli so we could get beer. Then we had a 45 minute ride over multiple bridges giving us a spectacular view of NY at night. Oh, and a very drunk passenger/DJ who managed to blast remix of Shoop, which I still know all the words to.

9) Arriving at the W Hotel (I LOVE the W!!) around 1 AM and seeing someone who thinks he is more important than he really is getting thrown out of the bar wearing a ripped and bloodstained shirt. I'm just sorry I missed the action.

8) Staying with Allie & Wyatt of Bel Air fame. They made the logistics of the trip SOOOOO much easier. Love you guys.

7) Eating breakfast at Tom's Diner. Jerry, Kramer, Elaine and George were not there, unfortunately. But the bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll was delish.

6) These shoes. Don't judge that they are by Paris Hilton. Just love them for their beauty and height. Also for their ability to double as a deadly weapon.

5) Cocktail hour. Seriously, it is the best part of the wedding. This one was Asian inspired vegetarian with dumplings, passed vegetable rolls, and a stir fry station. Mmmmm....

4) Champagne. Let me say it again. Champagne.

3) Having a spectacularly dressed husband, and a kid-free weekend. And being around others who were equally as dapper and carefree in a city that encourages style and class.

2) The bride and groom. They were radiant, gloriously happy, and they spread their joy to everyone around them. We were thrilled to be there for them. And also hate them because now they are in Hawaii.

1) A band that doesn't suck, who's final set included Maybe I'm Amazed (my new-old-favorite song of the moment), Born to Run, Bon Jovi, and Don't Stop Believin'. My only complaint? The wedding didn't end abruptly in the middle of Don't Stop Believin'.

The Groom

As a married woman, I admit, I have never thought much about getting married from the man's point of view. But this weekend, I was the best man's wife. In my opinion, it was the best thing to be at a wedding if you can't be the bride.

Besides how utterly glorious it was to be in New York, and how the couple and their loved ones had me dabbing at my eyes the entire weekend, and how breathtakingly stunning the whole event was, I got to witness the groom get married first hand.

I was insignificant at this wedding, but included in everything, and it was stunning.

I watched him panic at his apartment while looking for cufflinks, occasionally pausing to take in the score of the Pitt game. I heard him chatter in the limo about not knowing anything about the events of the day. "The last decision I made was when I said, ' Will you marry me?' "

At first he appeared scattered, nervous, having cold feet, dare I say, disinterested?

When we got to the venue the wedding planner took over, and the other dates & I went trolling for cocktails, mostly to stay out of the way. The bride was still doing what brides do, primping endlessly, seeking perfection, waiting for it to start, because as much as you want it to, there is a small part of you that knows when it starts, it will also be over. The coordinator brought the groom an obligatory salad, his boys joked with him about it being his last meal, and he ate it slowly while his people watched and chattered.

He continued to be pleasant, but uncomfortable. Not at all like a man ready to become a husband.

Finally, the wedding coordinator came over to the groom and said, "She's ready for pictures."

He stood up, and he instantly looked perfect. And I realized that for the groom, this was it. He didn't care about the songs the band was playing, if the veil was crooked or wrinkled, or if one groomsmen was wearing the wrong bow. For him, it was about being with her.

And then, then the coordinator did something that was unfair to the spectators, but was perfect for the couple. She shooed everyone out. She let bride and groom greet each other privately. She denied everyone else access to their emotions and reactions on the most beautiful day of their lives, but gave to them a gift greater than the the most elegant orchid centerpiece or the perfect pumpkin ravioli. She gave them a moment alone. A moment to breathe each other in. A moment to let the magnitude wash over them.

And when they let the rest of us back into the pre-wedding, picture-taking, cocktail extravaganza, the room was filled with their radiance, their togetherness. And the groom, well, he looked like he was finally just where he belonged.

Amoxicillin x2 and Reality Check

Today, while in CVS getting Asher's amoxicillin for his URI, I learned several things.

1) Britney has one of the best beach bodies of the year. As well as Demi, Courtney Cox and Beckham. Brit looks good after 2 kids, a nutritionist, a full time trainer, chef, and an endless supply of dough for plastic surgery. While I do not know this for sure, one can only hope....

2) According to Star, Tiger was after a brunette, which surprised me.

3) The photo lady's niece is dating an alcoholic who drinks too much and hits her. The photo lady is very upset about this as I would be as well. That is my summary. Hers was, "They ain't got no young'ns, no double wide together, no wheels, no rims, no nothin. She ought'n go'n get herself sum'n her own age. 19, not 42. She knows he like the drink, an' he gott'n him a temper when he gets in it. She gotta hit 'em back or get 'erself summat to really whallup him with or get gone before the cops gotta get in there."

I really just wanted my amoxicillin. What do you say to that? I thought we had it bad with 2 kids on antibiotics. It's easy to forget that your problems are not nearly as big as someone else's.

Love: Almost 4 Year Old Style

Last night during the nightly game of Transformers, which really means wrestling, both boys snuggled up to me on the couch. It was a pile of love, and it was delicious. Kisses everywhere.

Then, Asher looked me right in the eye and said, "Mommy, you give the biggest kisses of all, so I am giving you a golden pencil."

A pencil.

A golden one.

While I am deeply touched at his generosity, and sheer adorableness, I think that he needs a lesson or two in showering women with affection. Dan, are you listening? Please let's not have him try to propose to a woman with a golden pencil. We have a while to straighten it out, but let's get a move on it.

Over The Top

My friend and long ago sorority sister Kirsten, over at the Weimer Chronicles passed this on to me. Yay!!! Awards!!! Winning anything is fun.

So, it is a participatory award, and here goes:

Fill out the below questions, using only one word, pass along to six favorite bloggers, and tell 'em you did so.

Take it away...

1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen

2. Your hair? wet

3. Your mother? Denise

4. Your father? Vito

5. Your favorite food? chips

6. Your dream last night? teeth

7. Your favorite drink? ginger ale

8. Your dream/goal? zen

9. What room are you in? office

10. Your hobby? knitting

11. Your fear? loss

12. Where do you want to be in six years? here

13. Where were you last night? home

14. Something that you aren't? bored

15. Muffins? chocolate chip

16. Wish list item? new bathroom

17. Where did you grow up? Northeast

18. Last thing you did? burn CD

19. What are you wearing? jeans

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pets? Dog, hermit crabs

22. Friends? loving

23. Your life? content

24. Your mood? antsy

25. Missing someone? not now

26. Vehicle? hybrid

27. Something you're not wearing? lipstick

28. Your favorite store? Bloomingdales

29. Your favorite color? pink

30. When was the last time you laughed? breakfast

31. Last time you cried? Tuesday?

32. Your best friend? far away

33. One place that I could go over and over? Napa

34. One person who emails you regularly? Julie

35. Favorite place to eat? Grimaldis

I'm paying it forward to ....

Elizabeth

Maureen

Julie

Suzette

Tricia

Bel Air

"Do Fish Have Red Blood Cells?"

Asher asked me today.

The answer is yes.