I'm raising honey badgers

Today the Trouble Brothers and I ventured out of the house to get some much needed grocery shopping done.  This always seems like a rather easy venture up until the point I am actually in the grocery store with said children.  Then I remember exactly why I typically make these trips while the boys are in school or on the weekends when they are with their Dad.

I like to do my shopping at Wegmans for a number of reasons.  First things first, they have very good prices on their grocery items and their selection of specialty foods are second to none.  However, I also like that the closest store to my home is almost a twenty minute drive.  That is twenty minutes that my boys are secured in their car seats, reading their books, listening to their iPods, or otherwise not driving me effing crazy.  Clearly this is a win/win.

The boys especially like going to Wegmans because of a kid's area they have upstairs where they can play and watch television while myself and other patrons eat lunch at nearby tables.

I imagine Sam is thinking, "I LOVE THIS PLACE!"

Today was no different and the boys were quite excited to be at one of their favorite places.  Even better was that we were the only family in the play area.

At least we were for the first couple minutes. 

Enter Ms. Perfect and her three perfect daughters. 

Ms. Perfect sat at the table directly behind ours and her three perfect daughters (ranging in age from three to seven as best I could tell) walked into the play area and stood there wide-eyed and dumbfounded by Noah who was letting off muted shrieks of joy while he bounced up and down in the air.  Sam was simultaneously holding a small toy up to one ear while drumming on it.

In my opinion the Trouble Brothers were not being loud or obnoxious but apparently Ms. Perfect thought otherwise.  I sensed her displeasure at my boys' behavior and so I walked over and reminded them to use their "indoor voices" and find something quiet to play with.  I did this strictly for her benefit because I knew damn well the boys would keep playing as they were but I didn't want her to think I was a bad parent for not helicoptering their every move.

And then I realized I was nuts.

My kids weren't doing anything wrong.  But their manner of play may have looked wrong to Ms. Perfect and I cared more about making her comfortable than letting my boys be themselves and enjoy a favorite place.

Sam and Noah were oblivious to the others around them.  They didn't care that two of the perfect girls were gawking at them and snickering.  Sam didn't pay them any mind at all and kept on rap tap tapping on the toy while Noah continued to make small leaps into the air. 

At that moment I realized I was a mother raising two honey badgers and damn it all for once I was going to stop giving a shit what other people think and let them be who they are. 

I sat back down and finished my lunch (which was NOT cobra) and Ms. Perfect rolled her eyes, took a hold of her three perfect daughters, and decided to leave the play area entirely.

As she walked away I remembered that raising kids with special needs sometimes requires us to be a bit of a badass.

Lucky for me that is right up the honey badger's alley.

I'm full of Christmas cheer and snark.

Last night my man and I went to his company's black tie Christmas party in Arlington at the fancy-schmanciest country club Virginia offers.

Getting ready for this party cost the two of us no less than $400 for a new dress ("sparkly awesomeness" as my pal Liz, called it), Shoes (which took over 25 pieces of fashion advice from my twitter friends to pick out), hose (which I ended up rolling into a ball and throwing under my bed), shapewear (which made me look like a female WWF wrestler), jewelry, a new dress shirt and tie for my hubby, and cuff links (which I didn't realize the shirt needed until I was home from the mall...SHIT!).

However, all of this work to get ready for something that is supposed to be fun was really taking a toll on my  effing Christmas spirit so as we drove down to the party I decided to take my frustrations out with my well-documented snarkiness.

I came up with the Top Reasons I Hate Dressing Up:

Reason #1 that I hate dressing up: IRONING
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #2 that I hate dressing up: Doing my hair (it's practically a lost cause)
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #4 I hate dressing up:  Pantyhose. I think I just threw my back out putting them on
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #5 I hate dressing up: HEELS. I'd like to wring the neck of the sadomasochistic asshole who made that popular #blacktiebanshee
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #6 I hate dressing up: I get flustered and leave out #3 entirely. #blacktiebanshee
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #7 I hate dressing up: Makeup. Because nothing starts a night better than an eyeliner pen poking your eye out. #blacktiebanshee
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

Reason #8 I hate dressing up: I'm a tomboy. I didn't even wear a dress to my own wedding!! #blacktiebanshee
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

But to be fair...There is one thing I love about dressing up:

Reason #1 I LOVE black tie parties: OPEN BAR!! #SCORE #blacktiebanshee
— Sunday Stilwell (@xtremeparnthood) December 17, 2011

You can read all about our evening by checking out my #blacktiebanshee hashtag from the evening.

In the end we had a great night, I didn't trip and break a leg in those damn heels and the cocktails were just the right mix of cold and a bit too strong.

This is how I see you

I'm decorating the tree tonight, carefully placing the lights and each of the ornaments you lovingly collected since Caryn, Molly, and I were little and I can physically feel you here with me.

You loved Christmas. You had a sparkle in your eyes that time of year that just wasn't there during the rest of the year.

You played Christmas music around the clock and always spent more than you had to give a little cheer and hope to others. That was your way....always giving and thinking of others before yourself.

Generosity was your legacy.

Your generosity went deeper than your pocket...it seeped out of your soul and into the lives and hearts of others.

My sense of loss tonight is both palpable and all encompassing. It is both comforting to me and yet it tears me apart.

Lately I have realized I have forgotten what your laugh sounded like and I think I miss that most about you. Your laugh was infectious and could cure everything from a broken heart to a bad mood.

I glance in the corner of my eye and I see your picture and I can remember your joy when you held Sam in your arms all those years ago.

I always thought you were invincible. I wish to God I had been right.

This time of year I can look out my window at the bitter December cold and perched in a tree are the gentle cardinals you loved so much.

When I see them I like to think it is a part of you reminding me you are still here.

Still watching over me.

Still trying to comfort me from the other side of heaven and for just a moment it works.

I miss you so much Mama.

Christmas fun at The Gaylord National

On Sunday I made a trip near DC for an afternoon of fun with the amazing MomzShare ladies and their families at the Gaylord National.  We had a full day of fun activities planned and I'm not really sure who was more excited about it all, the kids, or the kids at heart, like myself!

We had an awesome cookie and Shrek milk reception to kick off the afternoon and each of the kids were given their own pair of Shrek ears, Madagascar stickers, and an ogre green bracelet to wear.

COOKIES!!! Green milk???  and Jen, striking a pose!  

How could this event be any better?!

Cara's daughter, Sophie, was the cutest little ogre I ever did see!

Then again, Stimey, was pretty awesome too!

Each family was given tickets to experience the amazing ICE! exhibit complete with ice slides and the Madagascar characters carved out of two tons of ice!  Thankfully they give you giant blue parkas to wear over your regular coat since it's colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra in that place!  I had the best time with my pal Jen of Hip As I Wanna Be!

Jen and I were a bit disappointed to be told they didn't offer any slimming parkas.  Whatevs.

I got to hang with the Penguins!  

But by far the best part of ICE! is the six ice slides that were a total blast!!  But don't take my word for it....see for yourself!

WOOHOO Jen!

Many of the families took advantage of the indoor ice skating located just outside the ICE! exhibit but Jen and I decided not to press our collective luck and don the skates ourselves.  This was a wise decision given I once broke my ankle walking off a curb.  True Story!

Each family was also given tickets to the Dreamworks Experience which featured a meet and greet with a number of our favorite Dreamwork's characters in life-size form!  There was a fun scavenger hunt inside the Gaylord National atrium for the parents and kids featuring everyone's favorite feline, Puss in Boots. Plus a number of attractions we simply didn't have the time to do!  I would have loved to have decorated a gingerbread house with Gingy but I think I'll make a return trip with the boys for that adventure!  If you check out my pal Lara's blog, Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom you can read about her family's fun with Gingy!

Shrek and I go waaaay back.  That Fiona chick was his rebound girl!

I had the absolute best time on Sunday at the Gaylord National and while I didn't bring the Trouble Brothers with me this go-round I do believe the boys would have LOVED the ice slides and all the characters roaming about.  For families like my own with special needs children it would be best to visit on a weekday given the number of crowds that descend on the weekends.  Also, the ICE! exhibit really is very VERY cold so be sure to pack hats and gloves for the kiddos!

**DISCLOSURE:  I was given free access to ICE! which included tickets for ice skating as well as tickets to the character meet & greet in trade for writing this blog post.  All of the opinions stated are truly my own.**