Six years ago, not a day went by when I didn't wear high heels, makeup and had the hair all done up. Now, most days, I hide my hair inside a beanie (okay-I hate my color right now) but still, I rarely make any attempt in fixing myself up. Truth of the matter is, I can take an hour out of the day to look good and have screaming kids or walk out the door sans makeup, and spend quality, happy times at the park or elsewhere. You decide. Being a city mom means designer jeans, cute tops, and the occasional ballet flat or sneakers. Oh, not to mention the designer sunglasses of choice. (I prefer cheap RayBan's or my go-to pair of Pradas which are 5 years old) Doesn't seem like a lot work, right? But then baby #2 came, and I just got sloppy, rarely seen without the sweatpants and ugly Uggs. The hair was always tied up in a greasy bun or hat, but my kids were HAPPY!
Today with both kids at school at least for part of the morning, I have more time to work on my appearance. Most days, I start off looking rough---smelly running clothes, bandanna around the head and no makeup. It's actually quite frightening. But after a nice shower, a blow-dry and some tinted sunscreen, a transformation is in the works. I'm starting to be my old-self again, except I am my old-self plus 6 years and a mom. Recently, my other half has questioned my "attire." My style is exactly the same as it once was but I kind of let myself go during the nursing/sticky finger stage. Now, I am wearing my stylish clothing yet he thinks I am generating attention!? It's not like I am one of those moms who bends over flashing her rack or thong?!! (You know who you are and you know when you are doing this. It's gross.) Truth be told, there was once upon a time in my life when being HOT was important. Now, its more of an after thought and being hot at 35yrs is just not the same as being hot at 25yrs! In fact, I don't want to be hot now! I'm a mom and the last think I want is for a man to approach me, stare, gawk, etc. in front of my kids--something my other half doesn't quite understand. See, men don't get it. That kind of attention is not the least bit flattering. Men don't understand that we women will love them fat, bald, and old. We accept the aging process, the grey hairs, the disappearing six pack and the man boobs. Men are not as kind or understanding that gravity isn't as kind to our bodies, especially after kids. After gaining 40lbs for a baby, the weight just doesn't disappear. We have to work at it, boot camps, a nip tuck here and there, an injectable filler to make the fine lines gone and bi-weekly waxing appointments. I mean really, how many guys out there work this hard to look good for their spouse? Not many.
A few months ago, my better half made a comment that my arms were "soft." Excuse me? I was running 6 days a week. How could I be soft? I took the extreme approach and bought my first set of weights. I worked out my upper body like a mad woman, investing in more weights and workout videos. Changed my diet (to help my running) and got pretty cut by mid-summer...almost too cut. My mom said my arms looked like a man! You get my point. How many times have I told him I think he needs to work out? Has he changed? NOPE. I can't even tell him I think he needs to lose weight without "hurting his feelings." (I recall being told in NYC that my butt was getting big and I immediately went on a diet)
Why is it that aging for men is much "cooler" than aging for women? I see many old guys with young women on their arms or wives with "a lot" of work done to look good. But as men get older, they do let themselves go and its okay! Why are women still blond at 60 and men are totally grey if not white? Viagra for the old guy who can't get it up? What about something for women to take to make us forget that WE are sleeping with the old wrinkly guy who can't get it up?! You mean its not acceptable for a woman to find her man old and wrinkly? What about a magic pill to give women a much needed boost in all the right places? A Viagra for her boobies, her butt, or better yet...for her stomach after she comes to terms that her other half isn't getting any younger....only older...
So by August, my upper body was pretty defined. I was swimming 4 days a week along with running 6 days. So, I'm guessing the many hours I spent at the pool interested my hubby (ok ok-my kids swim pre-team)and he decided to join my club, and took on swimming as well and ....he's starting to tone up. It kinda became a mini-competition of who is the better swimmer. Since fall came, I started slacking, too cold, rainy--the pool is outside. Upper body muscles are gone. What do I get? Someone made a comment that I wasn't as "fit" as I was in the summer?! And him.....well, he now prances around the pool in his tight Speedos in all his glory!
A day in the life of a new Kindergarten Mom. With two little ones going to school, this SF Mom discovers that it's not all play. The adventure begins at the sound of a bell-literally! Step in this mom's shoes as she walks, run, eats, and kills to be the Super Mom and Wife that she was born to be.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
T.G.I.O
Thank God its OVAH!! Halloween has come and gone and so has my first BIG event with a fancy title. Chairing an event is a lot more work than I had ever imagined and quite frankly, I prefer being unknown. As I frantically searched for the perfect costume that would leave me incognito, I realized afterwards that my big wig was a dead giveaway at the carnival to anyone who wanted to find Michelle Larson. (I was dressed as Marie Antoinette) The good is that sans costume, I am completely unrecognizable to most. (Haters can't find me!!)
The Halloween carnival was six weeks in the making. From buying decorations to searching for fun prizes, food, snacks, donations, etc. it has been a long six weeks and really took its toll on my family. I don't think my kids wanted to go to another Halloween store even if I bribed them with candy! They were so over it.....And if anyone else had to listen to another one of my jingles or decor plans, they might just lose it!! Everyone at the party store now knows me by first name! The night before the carnival, we pulled an all-nighter, completely transforming the school into a Halloween paradise for both children and adults. And when I say an all-nighter, it was exactly that. It was strange to watch the darkness turn into morning and realize that I had been at my daughter's school all night and we weren't even close to being ready!! I was setting up the outside bar area at 7am. Fortunately for me, "we" was my team of "single guys" who were kind enough to give up their Friday and Saturday nites, come to my rescue, see my vision and help create the most spectacular scene ever! And all for the kids. Talk about good guys, good friends, and clearly, they loved my kid. What more could I ask for?!
The event was a huge success but I was left completely and totally exhausted/wiped out. By the time it was ovah, I had literally been UP for almost 48 hours straight! Everyone loved the event, enjoyed the food, kids played endlessly, parents participated in the costume contest and well....let's just say that all the haters out there were left to shame. Oh-and the Mad Scientist Lab was a HIT! I bet the parents who doubted my "electrical" powers asked themselves, "how the hell did she make light?" (Battery operated and extenstion cords through a window baby....) They really should've, could've had the haunted house up there! (Mean Girls Story) Oh, and the 2 most important things--didn't run out of food or alcohol! The new Kindergarten parent SURVIVED! Yes-I received many compliments but the one that really stuck was, "I can't believe you are a kindergarten parent!" WTF? I didn't get that one. I mean, what's my kid being in Kindergarten got to do with anything? It's not really about her, its more about the parent and what grade the child is in if that makes any sense. I am learning that grades do matter. I had a friend tell me the other day that they used to laugh at the kindergarten parents at her son's school because they were the only mom's dressed up at morning drop off! They were the newbies still trying to impress. Clearly--I didn't get that memo because I drop off my kids in the roughest of rough, stinky and very disgusting running gear. No Lululemon Athletica here!! In fact, some days, I even show up for pickup directly after a workout! Talk about F-U-N-K-Y!
But back to what I was saying. Being a Kindergarten parent means many things: 1) you will sign up to help at any/all events. Example: We went to a school picnic and my plus one was walking around collecting garbage (AKA-being helpful) and someone made a comment to him that he must be a "Kindergarten Parent." 2) SUCKER (AKA-Michelle Larson taking on Halloween Carnival Chair) I took on this position so the event would not be cancelled. After accepting, I was informed that it would never be cancelled! 3) When all else fails and you need volunteers for anything-ask a Kindergarten Parent. The Newbies will 9 times out of 10 say YES! (Think how helpful you were your first year of preschool vs. your last) 4) Being a Kindergarten parent means that--You're not supposed to Chair a successful Halloween Carnival let alone make it the best event the school has ever had! Okay....I am NOT saying that the school community is out to lynch me so please, DO NOT THINK THIS!!! (It's a wonderful school community) I guess what I am trying to say is that as a Kindergarten Parent, you're the new kid on the block, the rookie, the newbie, the nobody, the person with the least amount of experience. As a Kindergarten parent, you are NOT supposed to Chair any event, let alone a big one. In my case, I took on the biggest event at the school. Biggest meaning that most everyone attends and it happens at the school with no hired help. Therefore every decision is left up to the Chair (me) and every mistake is MY fault. But that's just it-- there were NO mistakes! In fact, this event was like no other in the past. Completely new and every change this Kindergarten Parent made was for the best and it all worked out! (I got LUCKY) EVERYONE came and EVERYONE (kids, parents and grandparents too!!) had a GREAT time!! But again--the event was Chaired by a Kindergarten Parent!
So what's the point of this blog? Ummm....my kids are happy to have THEIR mom back, my plus one is happy to have HIS wife back, and I'm happy to have MY life back! Oh-and I repeat, I will NEVER, Not Ever Chair a Halloween Carnival event or any event ever again! And yes-a Kindergarten Parent CAN Chair a successful event so if you must give it a try, know that YOU CAN do it but once you do, you'll never want to do it ever again!!
And the Mean Girls DIDN'T live happily ever after.......at least not in my story....LMAO!!
The Halloween carnival was six weeks in the making. From buying decorations to searching for fun prizes, food, snacks, donations, etc. it has been a long six weeks and really took its toll on my family. I don't think my kids wanted to go to another Halloween store even if I bribed them with candy! They were so over it.....And if anyone else had to listen to another one of my jingles or decor plans, they might just lose it!! Everyone at the party store now knows me by first name! The night before the carnival, we pulled an all-nighter, completely transforming the school into a Halloween paradise for both children and adults. And when I say an all-nighter, it was exactly that. It was strange to watch the darkness turn into morning and realize that I had been at my daughter's school all night and we weren't even close to being ready!! I was setting up the outside bar area at 7am. Fortunately for me, "we" was my team of "single guys" who were kind enough to give up their Friday and Saturday nites, come to my rescue, see my vision and help create the most spectacular scene ever! And all for the kids. Talk about good guys, good friends, and clearly, they loved my kid. What more could I ask for?!
The event was a huge success but I was left completely and totally exhausted/wiped out. By the time it was ovah, I had literally been UP for almost 48 hours straight! Everyone loved the event, enjoyed the food, kids played endlessly, parents participated in the costume contest and well....let's just say that all the haters out there were left to shame. Oh-and the Mad Scientist Lab was a HIT! I bet the parents who doubted my "electrical" powers asked themselves, "how the hell did she make light?" (Battery operated and extenstion cords through a window baby....) They really should've, could've had the haunted house up there! (Mean Girls Story) Oh, and the 2 most important things--didn't run out of food or alcohol! The new Kindergarten parent SURVIVED! Yes-I received many compliments but the one that really stuck was, "I can't believe you are a kindergarten parent!" WTF? I didn't get that one. I mean, what's my kid being in Kindergarten got to do with anything? It's not really about her, its more about the parent and what grade the child is in if that makes any sense. I am learning that grades do matter. I had a friend tell me the other day that they used to laugh at the kindergarten parents at her son's school because they were the only mom's dressed up at morning drop off! They were the newbies still trying to impress. Clearly--I didn't get that memo because I drop off my kids in the roughest of rough, stinky and very disgusting running gear. No Lululemon Athletica here!! In fact, some days, I even show up for pickup directly after a workout! Talk about F-U-N-K-Y!
But back to what I was saying. Being a Kindergarten parent means many things: 1) you will sign up to help at any/all events. Example: We went to a school picnic and my plus one was walking around collecting garbage (AKA-being helpful) and someone made a comment to him that he must be a "Kindergarten Parent." 2) SUCKER (AKA-Michelle Larson taking on Halloween Carnival Chair) I took on this position so the event would not be cancelled. After accepting, I was informed that it would never be cancelled! 3) When all else fails and you need volunteers for anything-ask a Kindergarten Parent. The Newbies will 9 times out of 10 say YES! (Think how helpful you were your first year of preschool vs. your last) 4) Being a Kindergarten parent means that--You're not supposed to Chair a successful Halloween Carnival let alone make it the best event the school has ever had! Okay....I am NOT saying that the school community is out to lynch me so please, DO NOT THINK THIS!!! (It's a wonderful school community) I guess what I am trying to say is that as a Kindergarten Parent, you're the new kid on the block, the rookie, the newbie, the nobody, the person with the least amount of experience. As a Kindergarten parent, you are NOT supposed to Chair any event, let alone a big one. In my case, I took on the biggest event at the school. Biggest meaning that most everyone attends and it happens at the school with no hired help. Therefore every decision is left up to the Chair (me) and every mistake is MY fault. But that's just it-- there were NO mistakes! In fact, this event was like no other in the past. Completely new and every change this Kindergarten Parent made was for the best and it all worked out! (I got LUCKY) EVERYONE came and EVERYONE (kids, parents and grandparents too!!) had a GREAT time!! But again--the event was Chaired by a Kindergarten Parent!
So what's the point of this blog? Ummm....my kids are happy to have THEIR mom back, my plus one is happy to have HIS wife back, and I'm happy to have MY life back! Oh-and I repeat, I will NEVER, Not Ever Chair a Halloween Carnival event or any event ever again! And yes-a Kindergarten Parent CAN Chair a successful event so if you must give it a try, know that YOU CAN do it but once you do, you'll never want to do it ever again!!
And the Mean Girls DIDN'T live happily ever after.......at least not in my story....LMAO!!
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