Help; I’m buried in produce! Ok, not really. But I do have an awful lot. Because of the cool, wet season so far, the farmers from my CSA are in a bit of a pickle producing a lot of the regular items that would be perfect for any regular hot summer. Instead though, the greens that have been thriving.

Behold:

Potatoes, raspberries, cherries, candy onions (whatever those are), beets, and zucchini are of the non-leafy-greens variety. But also loaded onto that counter top we have kale, chard, lettuce, cabbage and dandelion greens.

After listing each item and writing down how I intend to use it, I think I’ve got it under control. Among other things we’ll be trying some Baked Kale Chips, a Noodle, Chard and Fontina Torte, and an Herbed Goat Cheese, Roasted Beet and Watercress Salad where I’ll probably replace the watercress with the dandelion greens because I am SO NOT going out and buying more greens. And for our little 4th of July cook-out tomorrow we’ll have some fresh cole slaw and grilled zucchini. And meat. And Sangria.

Meanwhile, our own garden has started to produce. And that tomato is supposed to look like that - it’s a Yellow Cherry, and it’s oh so yummy.

When she first came out I was struck by how incredibly young she appears. But I read that she’s 26. I dunno. I have a hard time with that one. I was feeling pretty old hanging out back there in the green room. But my nervousness was put to rest by Diane Birch’s genuine kindness. She took the time to sign some CDs and photos for Jo-Lynne and I, as well as pose for a few shots. She also showed true appreciation for the role that internet exposure has played in her success. After all, I learned about her by reading a few blog posts; how else are us mamas going to find new, quality music?

During her introduction, it was said that Diane Birch’s music is timeless. I think I’d agree with that statement, but I would really choose the word ageless, since upon first hearing her my thought stream went something like, “Hey - I really like this! . . . Oh, this song is like a modern Carol King; my mom would like this too!” and then during my day out with Jo-Lynne I learned that her children are fans as well. I love the different influences present in her music, and seeing her live made me really appreciate her amazing voice. I love “Rewind” though, and she didn’t play that one.

BUT, the last song before the encore was an amazing version of “What Is Love?” (the song you’d see Will Farrell bopping his head to.)

And then she was so incredibly gracious when Jo-Lynne and I stumbled back stage to witness the group’s discussion over what they should play for an encore (It was “Don’t Wait Up,” by the way). After a very chill, relaxed concert we got to watch the final number from the wings, and then meet her up close and personal.

As promised, here’s a very short me, standing with a very tall her. For the record, I HATE this photo. But you can see that it says “Green Room” in the background, which is kind of cool. And what am I gonna say? “Hey, Diane, let’s move around the room until we find some more flattering lighting for my very frizzy, humid-responding hair!”

Yesterday I found myself talking up the Philly Moms Blog to a non-blogging writer friend. (They’re still looking for some bloggers in Philly, if you happen to be interested, by the way.) I found myself saying that although the gig doesn’t pay, it definitely has its perks, as does blogging in general.

Take, for example, the Philly Moms Blog launch party last week, which was hosted by the lovely ladies at Graco and held in the gorgeous new Comcast building, within the office of PBS Kids Sprout. We were wined and dined, spent time chatting it up with friends we often see online but not so much in real life, and I have to tell you, there was much swag to be had. But before I list it, I’ll share this little video, courtesy of Sarah from Genesis Moments.

Now, let me give a little disclaimer - I’m in this a lot. I’m not sure why (Sarah? Why the heck am I in this so much?) So prepare yourself. In it you will see me drooling over a carseat and talking with Cecily of Uppercase Woman about how my kids hate my computer and running through the room at a box because the little scavenger hunt that they mention early on? I WON. Oh yes, I did. And that box contained my awesome prize, this entire set of Calphalon One Non-Stick Pans. Yeah, I know! I so totally own that now and was in desperate need of pots and pans. Like I said, swag.

Also, a little under 6 minutes into the video you will learn a little something about me, or at least witness me learning a little something about myself, something that I believe was directly related to my win of the scavenger hunt (because it was one of the questions on the list and I was the ONLY PERSON in the room whose name could be filled in). With me in that section of footage is Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife, Melissa of GirlyMama, Shannon of You Ott To Know, and Amy of Occupation: Mommy.

Everyone there that night went home with their own Calphalon Omelette pan, a bunch of stuff from Sharpie and Goody, and a huge set of food storage items from Rubbermaid. And several people took home sets of passes to The Please Touch Museum and the Sweet Slumber Sound Machine.

Phew, that was a whole lotta links, but I have one more.

Tomorrow? I don’t know how in the world she arranged this, but Jo-Lynne and I are going downtown to see the WXPN Free at Noon Diane Birch concert, and afterwards WE ARE GOING TO MEET DIANE BIRCH. Yes, I’m serious. This means that the next picture I post on this blog might not be of my toothless child, but of me standing with Diane Birch. I’m so nervous I feel sick.

I would say that today was almost the opposite of what I’d expected. When faced with the fact that Sam would be losing two of his teeth, I was most concerned with how he would handle the realization that there was a huge space in his mouth - that his teeth were actually gone, as in, not attached anymore, because I didn’t feel that he really grasped this concept beforehand. I mean, how could he? I was also worried that he’d feel a lot of pain later in the day, that he’d be sore and miserable.

On the other hand, the dentist had really convinced me that the procedure itself would be smooth, quick, and easy. I believed him, and so when I woke up this morning it was not the time at the dentist’s office that I dreaded.

And so, just like everything in motherhood, the microcosm of my day showed me that no matter how much I prepare and plan ahead, I won’t be ready.

The procedure sucked. It fucking sucked. I’m sorry. But it did. It was horrible. And traumatizing, at least for me. I was going to start writing all about it just now, but seriously I don’t even want to. I want to finish my beer and go to bed and never think of it again.

Thankfully, mercifully, Sam now seems to be ok. Everything I was initially worried about is virtually a non-issue. He LOVES the space where his teeth were because “it helps him drink more easily.” When we went to Dairy Queen later in the day he was so proud to show a total stranger his “space.” And he hasn’t complained about his mouth hurting at all since we left the office. I asked him if it was, and he said, “No, not at all!”

And I do find his little lisp incredibly endearing.

So here he was this morning, with teeth and Robby.

And then, just a few short hours later.

So, I want to tell you about all these great things that have been happening around here lately. Blog launch parties with friends, winning some gorgeous pots and pans, getting VIP treatment at Sun & Earth. But alas, I can’t write it, not today, because my little boy is having his teeth extracted tomorrow. Extracted. Isn’t that just the worst word? It really is.

Today I’d helped organize a huge group of bloggers and local moms to head over the the Sun & Earth facility for a tour and a picnic. Now, before you start thinking Sam got hurt in some factory malfunction, let me say that Sun & Earth was WONDERFUL. The tour was great and totally safe (just like their products - see my Mama Speaks review here). They had even shut down operation for the day so that we could be there. They were incredible hosts, and the kids had so much fun. They got to plant seeds, send a bottle down the line to be filled with the wonderful all purpose cleaner, and look into the big ol’ vat of stuff. And as if that wasn’t enough, when we headed out for our picnic we discovered beautiful colorful tables to be filled with tons of food, a face painter, a caricature artist, a kid’s comedian, and tons of carnival games for them to play with. They seriously went all out for us in every way.

Unfortunately for my son, the games including an incredibly fun, oversized, inflatable bowling set. Initially the kids used the game for its intended purpose, but soon it became more of a bopping each other with the big balloon-like bowling pins kind of activity, with no one realizing that the huge pins had some sand or other hard substance in the bottom to weight them down. And it was with this sand/other hard substance that Sam got hit in the face.

I knew as soon as I looked into his mouth that he’d be losing at least one tooth. We left abruptly and headed to the dentist, where it was confirmed for me that he’d actually be losing two - his top two front teeth. Tomorrow.

And now I don’t even know what to say. I’ve spent the whole day just kind of trying to hold it together, and now I feel kind of numb . . . or exhausted . . . or overwhelmed.

I was not quite ready to see my child toothless just yet. I’m not ready for him to be the only one he knows with missing teeth, and I’m so afraid he’ll be self-conscious about it. The dentist says that because they have been removed his permanent teeth will come in faster, probably around 5 1/2. That seems so incredibly far away.

Tomorrow I’m going to find excuses to take pictures of him all morning long. And then you can bet your ass that the tooth fairy is coming tomorrow night, and she’s gonna rock it.

It’s the stereotypical question when someone finds out I stay at home with my two young children: “What do you do all day?” And I guess the stereotypical answer is “Well, I don’t know exactly.” It’s a tough one, one that can’t really be explained to someone who hasn’t actually done it.

But as I sat at the breakfast table this morning and looked around me, it dawned on me that I might be able to provide some insight just by describing my surroundings at any given moment. They are snapshots, if you will, of what an outsider might observe when looking in to my day.

Continue reading “Snapshots of a SAHM ” on the Philly Moms Blog . . .

Before you go, let me say this post was really, really fun to write. I hope it comes across the way it did in my mind:)

Something about waking up the morning after a rain makes me think, “We need to go throw rocks in the creek!” So that’s what we did yesterday, after making sure the carrots had survived our most recent storm. Robby kept talking about the “Big WaWa!”  We found an orange slug on a rock and pestered him a bit.

Today we went with some friends to discover a lovely river and trail area that I had no idea existed around here. The boys and I waded out a bit and looked at the crawfish, aka: “little lobsters,” and for Robby, the water was even bigger.

I’ve had this book, Last Child in the Woods - Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder, sitting on my nightstand for about 3 weeks now. I actually just returned it to the library without ever opening it. And that seems off, even to me. I’d eyed it so many times in book stores and had put it on hold at the library, but once in the house it sat in the stack, last on my priority list. I don’t want to say, “I already know,” but I guess in a way I kind of feel like, you know, I already know!

I didn’t feel I needed to read in a book that it is so important to get the boys outside as much as possible. I didn’t need to read what would happen if I didn’t. And I don’t feel like I need a book to tell me what to do to avoid this problem - Um, go outside!

Forgive me, because I don’t mean to put down the book. It’s highly acclaimed, and I respect the goals of the research on which it’s based. I guess it just makes me sad that people would need a book.