We got Charlotte all excited for a birthday party Saturday morning. I explained how the toy truck was not for her as I put it in the gift bag. (I only wrap at Christmas. Don’t judge.) Greyson was all like, “Who’s party is this again?”

I explained it was for Harrison. He is the darling, toe-headed 3-year-old of my dear friend Beth Anne. She is my sorority sister and Internet maven. I was all like, “You know, Beth Anne. Her husband went to school with us too.” He said, “Oh, are they cool?” I was all like, “Um, yeah. I told you she is one of my sisters. We were the best chapter on campus, so yeah. I’d say they’re cool.” He reminded me that I am a 31 year-old mother and really need to let the sorority days go. (Never!)

I dolled up Charlotte in a little fall frock and off we went. We were about 20 minutes late. I figure it was cool to be fashionably late to a party. I was all like, “Charlotte, can you say ‘Happy Birthday Harry!’?” She giggled.

I rang the bell and Beth Anne stared at me like I had five heads. She was all like, this.

Beth Anne and I doubled over in giggles at my stupidity. The party is next Saturday. Greyson was all like, “Seriously, Amy?” My mistake meant I got to hug my friend and get a sneak peek of her new house.

Charlotte was all like, “I want cake!” I was all like, “Yeah, too bad. We’re gonna go get flu shots and vote early.”

In the car Greyson was all like, “She’s cool. I like her.” I was all like, “I told you.”

No surprise. I got the date at our Early Voting precinct wrong too. Guess when it opens? Yep. Next Saturday.

The family flu shots were somewhat successful. I was all like, “I want to try the new type of flu shot with the 90% smaller needle that hurts less! Oh! It’s covered by our insurance!” Greyson and I got the new shot and Charlotte got the standard pediatric dose. We tried to be brave in front of our toddler but both of us were all like, “Ugh! Hurts less, my ass!” Our arms are still red two days later.

About as red as Greyson’s face standing on Beth Anne’s steps.

Every fall we park in the same dusty parking lot outside the same football stadium.  My hand finds his as we weave through the crowd before going through the same gate.  I breathe the cool air laced with the smell of bubbling oil in deep fat fryers.  It’s always mixed with the scent of ribboned livestock and smoked meat that used to be livestock.

October, 2003 at the fountain at the NC State Fairgrounds.  This picture is framed in our house.

I took Greyson for the first time in 2003.  We had just started dating and I told him as a new resident of our state it was a must-see.  Greyson had the day off so I played hooky from my part-time job as a receptionist at a local specialty pharmacy.  The day before,  I invented a wicked fake sore throat.  The pharmacist, my boss,  whipped up a mouth and throat numbing lollipop for my “affliction” and made me eat it in the office.  I wiped drool and smelled like cherries the rest of the day.  Greyson laughed and said no woman had ever gone to those lengths to go on a date with him.  

See this?  I freakin’ made it ya’ll!  I am not a photographer, nor a graphic designer.  I’m just a mom trying to be all DIY and not to spend so much on the birthday party this year.  Last year I shelled it out for gorgeous 1st birthday invitations online.

This year I lined up Charlotte’s favorite toys and took several shots after the dog licked the toddler and knocked over Burt.  I’m proud to say I was able to crop Cookie Monster and Ernie back where they belong.  I’m also proud to say my child’s smile is real, and not edited.

As proud as I was of these, after I printed them all off I noticed I probably should have said “Can you tell me how to get to Charlotte’s 2nd Birthday Party?” instead of just “Birthday.”  It makes more sense.  Then I noticed my epic fail of an incomplete sentence when I wrote “This party brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.” instead of “This party is  brought to you by the letter C and the number 2.”  After printing, I lost the will to go back and correct it.  Our guests will just have to deal with my poor grammar.  Oh!  I also failed to put RSVP info on there.  But, hey, there is a Sesame Street sign with my kid’s name on it.  Isn’t that what’s important?

I won’t lie, this shindig will be a straight-up Pinterest fest.  Show me a child’s party that isn’t these days.

Enjoy the outtakes.  It shows the extent of my work.  Tell me what you think of my invites.  Happy party planning!

My handsome Guest Blogger returns!  My husband Greyson is writing for his mother’s birthday today.  I’m very blessed to have a mother-in-law like Dottie.  She is a doll who makes life more fun with her sharp wit and generous hospitality.  Oh, and Greyson acts just. like. his. mama.  Seriously. All the funny things I love about him, he got from her.  Happy Birthday Dottie!  

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a tribute to my dad for his 65^th birthday.

Today, it is time to honor my mom.  Yep, my parents were born 10 days apart.

In the post about my father, I described our relationship and the closeness we’ve always shared.

However, to be honest, I am more like my mother than my father.  First off, I look more like my mom’s side of the family.  My sisters look like my dad’s side of the family.  But more than anything, I share many of my mom’s mannerisms.

I didn’t really realize this until I married Amy.  She points it out often.  Especially, since we’ve hadCharlotte.

There is one similarity I’m especially proud of.  My mom has a terrific way of listening to you and making you feel like what you are saying is valuable.  And she does this just as well with kids as she does with adults.

I admired how she is able to have very thoughtful conversations with my 6 year old niece Hollin.  Hollin often wants to go to DeeDee (that is what all of the grandchildren call my mom), to have a “serious” talk.

Sometimes this includes showing Deedee a picture or some other achievement.  DeeDee goes beyond the usual praise and finds a particular detail….perhaps the use of a certain color in a picture, to highlight and discuss.

It is never condescending, and always sincere.  It makes you feel special and it makes you want to share more.

I find that I do this with Charlotte.  Certainly, she is my little girl, and there is time for snuggling, and being silly.  ButCharlottehas a real intensity to her.  She has tremendous focus.  And she wants to be taken seriously.  To her, putting her dolls or stuffedSesame Streetcharacters to bed is very real.

I talk to her about it like she is a person, not my baby girl.  As her speech and vocabulary continues to grow, I’m noticing that it is at these times, she doesn’t want to share a simple pharse like “My baby”, but rather string together many words….some of which are new and hard to understand, but she is comfortable and engaged.

She wants to share more, and it makes me glad to be like my mom.

Thanks DeeDee, and Happy Birthday.

DeeDee with our niece, Hollin in 2010 showing us how fun life can be.

Hey there, readers! I’m not here today. I’m over at Carolina Parent, guest blogging for them.

Check it out.

They are Central North Carolina’s premiere source for parents with a magazine that reaches more than 100,000 readers. They are a great group and I’m truly honored to get to write for them today.

Once again, I put all my business on the Internet. I get a little heavy, but the message is from the heart and I hope it helps someone. I discuss my personal battle with Postpartum Depression/OCD. There are lots of resources out there, including websites and publications like Carolina Parent