Cup O' Joe

Over the summer, I try very hard to keep my boys busy. That means one thing: sports.

My 6-year son, Joseph, just loved lacrosse camp this summer.

Each camper needed full, protective gear in order to play. I took him to the local athletic store, which was my first time there, too (Ya know that kid that no one wants on their team? That was me).

Anywhoo, we got the helmet, shoulder, knee and chest pads and special gloves. Just when I thought we were done, the guy handed me a funny looking white object with holes in it.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's a cup" said the guy. "Trust me, he'll need it."

"But he's only SIX" I said.

Well, we bought it. What had I signed him up for?

"Ma, I can't run with this thing." said Joe.

I just didn't know what to say.

Guilty

I am guilty.

I didn't text message detox.

I still have Blackberry friendships. In fact, my good friend Jeanne, whom I used to speak to almost every day, called me out on this one. She lives in California now (how I miss meeting her in New York for lunch!) and I frequently send her a text just to say hi (I guess I blame it on the time change).

So I picked up the phone and called her. It was so good to hear her voice.

I guess I can't completely detox at this juncture. As the mother of two small boys - Joseph, 6 and Brendan, 4 and as the Publisher of www.thefamilygroove.com, the fastest-growing website in its niche, I have become the ultimate multi-tasker. Texting is just so easy. I can do three other things whilst typing on my Blackberry.

Oh! A new text just came through.

"I had sex for lunch today."

I better call the sender...

Text Messasge Detox

I was a text message junkie.

I carried on entire relationships within the confines of my Blackberry.

Why?

I think it was just easier than hearing the melodrama of life. Texting 'It'll be okay, sweetie...' to them was just so much less painful...

I think I cheated them. I need to hear them. And they need to hear me (you know who you are).

I loved thinking about every word. I loved the luxury of time to make my verbage count. My communication was so effective - or was it? The human touch was missing. My cadence, my energy, my tone...and theirs...

Now I'm over it.

No more Cyrano de Bergerac-esque antics. No more Liasons Dangereuse messages.

Amy's back. I'm ready to listen.

I'm sorry.

Call me.

The Best Week Ever

What a week. I had the pleasure of jetting off to Los Angeles last weekend (and, as you can imagine, it was some weekend considering it's Thursday and I'm just telling you about it). I attended the Baby Celebration LA - which is by far the best trade show I have ever been to. Each of the vendors had a lovely area and I felt as if they were little botiques. There was tremendous energy, fabulous finds and a beautiful crowd. I will definately be back next year (here I come, Erika!).

I got to hang with the oh-so-groovy publisher of Belly Magazine, Benell Grant. Seriously, girlfriend, thanks for the ride. I hadn't had that much fun in years...dinner at Spago and then off to...I'll never tell...In fact, Benell called me on Tuesday to return my text message of "call me when you get up". Love ya, Benell.

Saturday I got to see my cousin, Steve, his fabulous wife, Cindy, and their adorable son, Jack at their beautiful home in LA. I've declared you guys The Best Parents on the Planet. Thanks so much for the enlightenment and conversation (and the wine and the great time). I am so lucky you guys are on my side. I wish you lived closer.

Had to fly back early Sunday morning.

Tuesday was The Family Groove's Spring Fling debut event. It was just the best party ever. My partner, Jillian, and I brought the pages of our magazine to life. Thanks to our wonderful publicist, Stacey, and our super groovy team, we pulled it off. I was touched that so many of my friends came great distances to attend (so glad you found it, Janice). Sponsors are already reaching out to us to participate in the next one!

Back to reality on Wednesday.

Tonight is Thursday. Had so much work to do today.

My next big thing this week is the Gala for the Newark Museum. I am honored to be on the Benefit Committee this year. I think I am going to wear a vintage Yves Saint Laurent dress - one of the most fabulous pieces in my closet. It is just lovely: very Parisian and belle-epoque. The dress is knee length with 15 layers of black tulle. The bottom is has red roses all over, the top is a corset and adorning the back is a big black satin bow. Oh-la-la. I was going to wear a cognac Dolce dress but, since I am going solo, I decided that it was a little too much Liasons Dangereuse. Besides, Dolce dresses have to be worn perfectly (read: eat nothing but brown rice and vegetables the week before) or they look terrible. I'm glad I got to enjoy my week. Hopefully, I will wear it next year...

Baby Celebration LA Here I Come!

I haven't been this excited in a very long time: I am off to Los Angeles this weekend to attend the oh-so-hip Baby Celebration at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mind you - this is the busiest week of my life as The Family Groove's debut event is next Tuesday, May 1. Alas, Baby Celebration is not to be missed.

There are going to be tons of exhibitors and totally awesome giveaways for moms and moms-to-be. In addition, there will be informative speakers, fashion shows, seminars and performances.

I hope all of my blog fans will join me there!

For more information, kindly visit www.seascapeproductions.com

Soccer Camp

My boys are on spring break this week. Joseph just loves to play soccer. Camp is three hours long in the morning. I just love watching him running so free and playing the game he loves. It's great to be six.

I thought about how I as a 32 year old could run free. I guess I do that by just being a mom.

The Birthday Bird

Today my little one, Brendan, turned four. I just can't believe it. I never believed it when people told me that my boys wouldn't be little for long. Brendan just loves birds. He reads about them (well, I read about them to him) and has many stuffed birds. He told me he wasn't the birthday boy but the birthday bird. As a mother, it is so beautiful to see my children get wings of their own.

Snow Day

Today was a tough one: there was an ice storm here in the Garden State and my boys and I were stranded indoors. Life just came to a halt. It felt so good to slow down and breathe. When I think of what a normal Wednesday is like between school, activities and, of course, running my business (today Jillian and I were supposed to attend the toy fair at the Javitz Center, NYC), I was grateful that we had 'off'. And today is Valentine's Day.

The best thing we did all day was bake a gooey chocolate cake. It was just fabulous: luscious and rich (and so was the batter). It was so lovely to share an indulgent moment with my two favorite sweethearts. A chocolate cake Valentine's dinner is now a tradition in my house. Good memories were made today.

Galloping Sausage

Forget the proverbial 'rotten egg'. The term du jour is now 'galloping sausage'.

My silly sons and I were racing to the front door after checking for mail yesterday. I yelled "last one to the door is a..."

"Galloping sausage," interjected Joseph.

I am always amused by the creative expressions that emerge from their blonde-and-blue-eyed lovlieness.

Alas! Because I was sporting my fabulous three-inch Choos, I was the last one to the door. Lucky me.

I need a rematch.

Joseph Spit at the Bus!

Omigosh...today when my almost-6-year-old son, Joseph, got off the bus, he spat at it as it drove off! The driver stopped and gave me a dirty look. I was so dumbfounded. I turned to Joseph and he just grinned and said, "Hi, mom, what do we have for snack today?"

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Good things come to those who wait.

Someone said that to me last week.

Everything is so instantaneous these days and I think we forget sometimes how rewarding delayed gratification is. This is an important lesson that I try to teach my children. My almost-six-year-old recently purchased a new train with the money he had saved. It took him two months and he is so proud of himself. I am proud of him, too.

The Gift of Time

I really think the best gift you can give is the gift of time. That is precisely what my groovy partner, Jillian, and I are giving each other this year. We spend so much time and energy running our company, www.thefamilygroove.com (and loving every minute of it!), that we really don't spend time as friends. Instead of exchanging gifts, we are going out to dinner. As we grow into adults, time is precious and limited and time well spent makes happy memories. I hope one day when I am a groovy grandma I will have many happy ones.

Mommy Juice

Is it 4 o'clock yet?

Happy hour!

Every day I look forward to this magical time. Most days my 'hour' lasts from 4:00 to 4:05 but, quite frankly, that's enough. Just enough time for a few ounces of vino. I use my lovliest crystal and truly enjoy the moment.

I find it absolutely refreshing to take a moment for myself in the middle of a hectic day balancing conference calls and packing lunches. I espically enjoy my moment when a friend drops in and we savor a moment together whilst our kids are engaged in a rousing game of monster tag.

So, tomorrow, take a moment for yourself and sip your mommy juice.

Cheers!

Three Gifts. That's It.

I've done something radical: I only get my kids three gifts each for Christmas.

No masses of gifts at my house. No outdoing the Joneses. Just three each. And a stocking full of books.

"Why?" my friend (who shall remain nameless) asked me last year (mind you, she got her four-year-old daughter 30 gifts one year!). Well, because three gifts is what Christ got.

In an age where it is almost inappropriate to wish others a 'Merry Christmas', I feel it is very important as a parent to attach significance and tradition to the holidays. Christmas is simply not about my boys getting stuff. I don't want them to grow up thinking that the holiday revolves around them. Charity, peace and love is what I want to teach my boys about Christmas. After all, those are the three greatest gifts of all.

Am I Uncool?

I haven't blogged in a while...I have been stricken with uncool-itis.

I always thought of myself as a hip and groovin' mamma - balancing two fabulous boys and being the publisher of www.thefamilygroove.com whilst prancing around in a Huminska dress (go to the website www.huminska.com - I am modeling them!) and teetering around in Manolos. But something happend on Halloween, the scariest night of the year, that really scared me...

I set of with my boys to go trick-or-treating and before we could get to the first house, Joseph said, "Mom, wait here."

What?

"What do you mean?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Wait here, Mom. Brendan and I are going to do this ourselves." And off they ran to get their loot.

I couldn't believe it...my kids didn't want me to go with them to the house for candy! Sure, I expected they'd say that someday...but not so soon. They didn' t want to be seen with me...does this make me uncool?

Really, that bothered me a lot.

The cool thing that did happen, however, was watching my boys from the curb holding hands and saying 'thank you' without my telling them to do so. They handled their 'independence' beautifully.

Oh, and I got some great pictures, too.

The Fun Bus

My oldest son, Joseph, just started kindergarten. It is all day and he takes the bus to and from school. Every morning, a big yellow bus pulls up and a cheerful woman named Mary Lou greets him as he boards. Each afternoon, she brings him back, still smiling. I often wonder what happens in between the bus rides. Does he share? Eat his banana? Sit still?

Virgil - One Groovy Greek

My life verse: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - Virgil.

I would like to take the time to acknowledge the people who have been kind to me in business:

Jillian, my great partner, friend and inspriation
Deidre, thank you for your wisdom
Lou, yes - you are a 10...but what am I?
Lori Ann, for being 'there'
Lisa, for making me look beautiful
Shawn, for giving me perspective on the mean elephants
Stacey, my wonderful publicist
Jacqui, for your insight
Jeanne, for your friendship


Thank you for your positive energy. I hope we will all enjoy success together.

And thank you, Virgil, for giving me such an inspirational quote.

Prince Charming

My sons have the same nickname: Prince Charming. When I was a little girl, like so many others, I wanted to be a princess when I grew up. Alas, in my 31 years as a princess wannabee, I haven't encountered many Prince Charmings. "But, mom" Joseph, my eldest son protests, "I want to be a policeman when I grow up". "Of course" I reply "But you can be Prince Charming too, no matter what you end up doing with your life."

We, as a society, have become so casual. I have had playdates at my house when I am addressed "Hey, Amy, got any juice?" These kids are FIVE! How are they going to act when they are thirty five? Whatever happened to good old fashioned manners? My children are not on a first name basis with grown-ups and use words like ma'am and sir to less familiar adults. Hats off indoors, no exceptions. Khakis are pressed and socks and belts coordinate. Ok, ok, I even put them in pink oxford shirts and roll the sleeves. "It takes a real man to wear pink" says Joseph proudly.

I hope most of all to raise sons who feel good about themselves and take pride in who they are and how they look. Manners and graciousness never go out of style.

"When I grow up, mom, I am going to arrest people for not saying please and thank you (see previous post)". Atta boy, Prince Charming.

Hey! That Man Didn't Say Thank You!

Groovy: My five-year son, Joseph, is the unofficial polite police. We were in the ice cream store the other day and a very well-dressed gentleman came in by himself and ordered an ice cream cone. He was rather abrupt, paid, and proceeded to walk out the door. "Hey, that man didn't say thank you! Hey, mister, come back and say thank you!" commanded Joseph, pointing at the man. Startled, the man turned to me and said "Your boy is quite rude". I don't think so, pal. In fact, you are officially gauche (see below).

Gauche: The man in the ice cream store...touche!

The World Is Our Oyster

"What is the opposite of groovy, mom?" asked my five year-old son, Joseph. I thought a moment. "Gauche" was my reply. Hence my new classification for just about everything was born. Forget hip and unhip, cool and uncool. Life is now groovy or gauche.

My bi-weekly post will include the grooviest and gauchest things I can think of that happen to me in my gig as a mom/CEO. Let's share, shall we? Tell me your groovy and gauche and we'll shindig-it together. The world is our oyster, baby.

GROOVY: The Family Groove, of course! My partner, Jillian, and I have created the hippest parenting mag on the planet! I used to spend $4 on parenting magazines, breeze through them (because who has time to read magazines from cover to cover?) and then throw them away. We created The Family Groove online because it's free and, as a busy mom, I would often consult the internet for baby advice or to find some great deals on ebay. Why not check out a groovy magazine while you're surfin' in cyberspace?

GAUCHE: The mean elephants in the movie Dumbo. Over the weekend, my mom brought over this Disney classic for my two boys (Joseph 5 and Brendan 3). I didn't remember how cruel those adult pachyderms were to little Dumbo! "Pretend you don't see him" said one of the elephants after Mrs. Jumbo was taken away. Dumbo was just wandering around with tears in his eyes looking for companionship. Alas, Dumbo triumphs in the end but, as a mother, any meanness to little ones is hard to watch.

'Til next time, stay groovy!