A Novella (Part 1 of--I don't know--a Bunch?)

My mother-in-law once told me I should write a book. I think this blog post will qualify. I'll go ahead and self-publish.

Chapter 1: A Long Blogger Absence
It's easy to tell when I'm insanely busy (or just insane) because I neglect ole Scully Space more than usual.
The other day (after a string of several on not-enough sleep), I made coffee. Ten cups. Thank GOD for coffee! The only problem was that I forgot the filter, so it was a direct deposit of 10 cups of coffee and all the grounds into every crevice of the maker and surrounding counter. Seriously unfair punishment on top of kids who refuse to sleep in when I've been up working until the wee hours.

Anyway, I don't usually delve into non-kid topics, but I just completed the summer issue of my magazine, the ANCHORA. I (and I speak for my homegirl Megan when I say this) am pretty proud of this one. Fifty-two pages of content and design that's almost entirely up to me. It's daunting sometimes, but I really enjoy the challenge. If you're so inclined, check it out online: http://digital.watkinsprinting.com/publication?i=18217

Chapter 2: A Memorable Mom's Day

I'm blessed. I got all kinds of pretty flowers, and I had all kinds of fun with the sunflowers. Behold:

They're hams, right???

I wouldn't eat much other than scrambled eggs and canned soup if it wasn't for Pete, but he also does desserts! The boys in my life made me a Mother's Day cake. (Or... Elliott impeded Pete's progress in actually completing a cake, while Patrick fiddled with the gas flow.)

We're all about hand-washing, hairnets and, uhh, nose-picking. Is that a weird combo?

(No, really. It was an awesome cake with homemade Bailey's chocolate frosting!)

Chapter 3: Patrick Puts Another Notch in His Belt

(And by this, I clearly mean "Patrick Turned Two!") Hear ye! Hear ye! I am twoooooo!

As is now my custom, I missed Patrick's actual birthday (5/16). I was at an annual editors' conference, and while I didn't get any kind of "Mother of the Year" recognition, I did get to collect one serious first-place award:

Our kids really may grow up never knowing their real birth dates..., but for now, it sure seems like a good idea to fib a little and celebrate as soon as we can. This year, the big guy LOVED blowing out the candles!!!

See the delight? See the drool?

Are they trick candles?? Are they??? Can I do it again?!?


Patrick is the kid who pronounces "Chuck E. Cheese" Chocolate Cheese. He also counts in Spanish like this: oh no, dos, tres, chocolate, ... So, yeah, Pete pulled out another one of his now-famous chocolate cakes and cupcakes for the big #2!!!


Just LOOK at the refinement!


Elliott was able to snag just one or two cupcakes (even though he continued to ask for chocolate cupcakes 8-10 times per hour for the next week or so).

Paddy's a quiet reflector, so he paused to comprehend 24 whole months.

Then, he nearly ripped his ears off, trying to pry that dang party hat off his head. (Who can THINK with that elastic??) Luckily, we had presents from loving grandparents to distract him:


But, like any kid, he delighted a little too much in the wrapping and packaging...