Oh gosh. I’m so preoccupied watching The Golden Globe Awards that I forgot I had this post to write. It’s just, I haven’t enjoyed an award show this much in a long time. Maybe it’s the Brad Pitt, or the STEVE CARELL, or the Johnny Depp…, among others? The Angelina Jolie in sparkly white dress….going home with the Brad Pitt (I find that so hott). The ADORABLE Steven Spielberg….

The reason I’m actually (FINALLY) writing something right now is because, sadly, Colin Farrell is boring the Starbucks Soy No-Water Chai Tea Latte out of me…. And, that takes A LOT. (I’mbackonthewagon. But, LD tells me her naturopath told her that it’s totally not my fault I’mbackonthewagon. My BODY is craving the noxious caffeine-and-sugar combo. So, totally NOT my fault that I can’t kick this habit.)

And, I just got a tweet from Margalit explaining why Colin isn’t perhaps as captivating as he used to be: “Son has Angelman’s Syndrome, VERY rare genetic disorder with terrible outcome. It’s so sad.” Sad, indeed. If I’d known that, I’d have appreciated his speech more, and the new, sober, thin, humble Colin Farrell. My prayers go out to him and his family. Luckily they have the wealth and resources to give James the good quality of life that, I’m happy to have just learned, many children with Angelman’s Syndrome are capable of having.

In any case, hearing things like that makes you realize the triviality of some of your own issues and appreciate life’s fragility.

And, today, I really appreciated both my children. I surrendered to my exhaustion from not sleeping in several days (RASCAL!), stayed as present as I could, and just took everything in: the Monkey’s first dance class, and her teething, sleepless brother’s endless activity.

Monkey’s first dance class has left me utterly fahklempt. It was so precious.

She looked so adorable in her pink leotard and tights, her pink “gymnastic shoes,” her pink “hair thing.” It’s quite the dress code, actually. We went to the dancewear store to buy everything just yesterday. It was the very same dancewear store to which my mother took ME when I was Monkey’s age. Isn’t that crazy? I was so nostalgic…. This dance store has been open since 1972….

So, her very first dance class has come and gone. They don’t allow the parents to look in — which is a shame, but it’s smart…. They have blinds on the windows to the classrooms. Of course, I peeked in through the teeniest cracks in the blinds and in the door and watched my little Monkey skip around and NOT LISTEN to instructions! That’s my girl! The 14-year-old assistant caught me peeking, though. *BUSTED*! Oy.

They open the blinds on the last Sunday of every month, and I AM ALL OVER IT! Cannot wait.

After dance class, Monkey went to the basketball game with Josh-O and his friends, and their daughters….


Go, Monkey!!!

Meanwhile, I stayed home with the inconsolable Rascal. The past week of sleepless nights is, no doubt, a result of aching gums. The poor little guy’s cheeks look like an alcoholic’s nose….

He must have slept for maybe 45 minutes today. The rest of the day was spent eating playing with playdough, painting (I still have a big red dot on my nose!), drawing, playing with the Monkey’s Backyardigan dolls, feeding the squirrels. I know, total excitement. But, he was adorable and so sweet, as always…. And, I stayed present. When I couldn’t, I held a kitty….

By the time Josh-O came home, I was beat. And, Rascal was still running around eager to play….

But, did I mention…? We painted. And, for me, there’s nothing more relaxing or rewarding than painting, …and yoga. And, maybe this is what it takes to get me back to the easel: a teething little 15-month-old who wants NOTHING but to be with his mama…, to try new things, to be creative…. Did I mention, to be with his mama…? and all night long…? Aaaarrrrghh!

Hope you had a great weekend! What did YOU do?
Love…
xo Haley-O

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