The Branded Mom

When I turned 18 I did probably the most rebellious things I've ever done - got a tattoo.  A red rose on my right shoulder.  In the course of my life I intended on getting 3 altogether.  In addition to the rose I would have a fairy on my left backside and the comedy/tragedy masks on my left ankle.  

Next week I turn 30.  As a birthday gift to myself I axed the fairy on my lower back and instead opted for something a little more near and dear to my heart:

It was the first time I regretted giving my son such a long name!!!  Perhaps when it's time for Lovebug #2 their name will be shorter!  Like "D." Just a letter.  Celebrities have given their kids more unusual names than that!!! 

I had several issues with the tattoo parlor and their customer service etiquette.  The pain was excruciating.  When it was over I felt like I was going to pass out.  My vision was blurry and my neck ached from the usual position I was in.  I'm also wicked swollen.  

Yet it was all worth it to have my Little Lovebug's name "branded" on me forever!!!

Will I ever achieve my goal of 3?  Maybe when I turn 50! 

The Poet Mom

We have a Boo Boo Buddy, aptly named Boo-Boo Fish.

Now that my Little Lovebug is a "runner" (one step up from a "walker") we have been using Boo Boo fish A LOT!  He scrapes his chin - Boo-Boo fish makes it better.  He stubs his toe: Boo-Boo fish makes it better.  He bumps his head: Boo-Boo fish makes it better.  

I'd be lying if I said my Little Lovebug is the only one who enjoys Boo-Boo fish's soothing premise.  I injured my ankle: Boo-Boo fish made it better.  I cut my hand: Boo-Boo fish made it better.  My eye aches: Boo-Boo fish made it better.  

In honor of April being poetry month I have written a haiku:

Icy cold and smooth

Makes achey pains go away

For Little Lovebug

Thank you Boo-Boo fish!

The Easter Bunny Mom

I got WAY too into Easter this year.  Perhaps it was the warm weather, perhaps it was because I was so overwhelmed last year that I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have, perhaps it was the first Easter that my Little Lovebug could actually enjoy.  And enjoy we did!!!  Hope everyone else enjoyed their Easter and Passover.  

Our little photo shoot in my parent's backyard.

We had an Easter party at Playgroup the week before Easter.  It included snacks, games, coloring an Easter egg (shown above) and dance-dance-dancing!!!

We colored Easter eggs - See my blog (http://www.aliciabrosky.blogspot.com/2012/04/dying-easter-eggs-with-20-month-old.html) for a "play-by-play" on dying Easter eggs with a 20 month old!

Atlas Park in Queens, NY had a little Easter  fair.  

The day before Easter - so exciting!

The people there were such animals that we gathered some eggs and held our own little hunt in a quiet little place.  

My Little Lovebug got very good at putting eggs in his basket!

We hosted a little private Easter Egg hunt at our home on the day before Easter. 

Chicken skewers and raspberry honey mustard, mini  grilled cheese sandwiches, mini BLT sandwiches, apple muffins, homemade Rice Crispy treats, deviled eggs and potted cupcakes with orange chocolate covered strawberries.  

My deviled eggs!

Homemade Rice Crispy treats cut in fun Easter shapes.  What made them amazing were the
homemade marshmallows bought from The City Bakery!! Pure genius!   

We hid the Easter eggs all around our backyard. 

Using a basket wasn't "cool" enough for us, so my Little Lovebug decided to put all the
eggs he found into the front of his car.  

The Easter bunny was good to my Little Lovebug!!

Loving our basket, especially our special crayons and placemats to color!

Taken in front of our church after Easter service.  

Homemade bunny bread, veggies and dill dip!

My table-scape! 

Fantastic Easter banner cut from the paint sample cards from Home Depot.  

Individualized Brie en Croute and deviled eggs.  

Honey ham and delicious potato perogies from Stanley's

Our Easter eggs and Peeps!  (Because you can't celebrate Easter without Peeps!)

Rolls, Honey glazed carrots, grilled asparagus, kielbasi and sauerkraut.  

Potted cupcakes with orange chocolate dipped strawberries (topped with parsley to create a stem)

The Easter Lovebugs

Smooshie Face!!!

The icing on the cake - no hands!!!

Do I have something in my teeth?

The Crafty Mom

Today, my Little Lovebug and I dyed our Easter eggs!  A challenge to anyone with children I'm sure, but especially ambitious with someone so young!  I'm a huge supporter of family traditions and even partook in this activity with my Little Lovebug while he was an infant in his bouncer (he did much more this year!!!)  Taking precautions to avoid unnecessary messy-ness (such as lining the cups with ziplock bags), we had such a fun time and went over our colors as well!

We had our supplies all ready - 1 Dozen Hard Boiled Eggs, 6 cups lined with a ziplock bag, 3 tbs vinegar + 1/2 cup of water in each cup, 6 colored tablets.

My Little Lovebug adds a colored tablet to each cup.

 

He stirs the tablets until they dissolve.

We let the tablets dissolve into vibrant colors!  We loved watching the tablets dissolve and went over our colors at the same time.  

Super excited as we begin to drop one egg into each cup.

My Little Lovebug did most of the work!

We had to work on being "gentle."

Once we had 2 eggs in each colored bag, we sealed them and let them soak.  The bags were great, because they allowed my Little Lovebug to pick them up, touch and observe them without making a mess. 

Our eggs soaking in the egg dye.

Relaxing with a bottle after all that hard work!

Our gorgeous Easter eggs!

Super pleased with ourself!