Bootlegs, Baby!

It might be cloudy, a little chilly, with a weekend forecast filled with rain, but today is

 THE DAY. 

Today is the beginning of 

 "THE SEASON". 

 It's here- we've waited so long, said our prayers, kept our white pants under wraps and our gin and tonics hidden, but today we can legitimately, legally imbibe in summer cocktails.  Finally, no more stink eye from the snooty bartender when you attempt to order a Bootleg on a suspiciously sunny spring day just a wee bit shy of the last weekend in May.

"Not until Memorial Day, Ma'am." 

Damn.

Well, it's finally arrived and I am salivating, longing, dying for a minty, not too sweet, slightly zippy

BOOTLEG,

 thank you very much. 

 Chances are, if you reside in any state outside of the one with 10,000 Lakes you might not have a clue as to what I am talking about, and for that I am truly sorry.  The Bootleg is a legendary, classic, traditional, almost mythical cocktail.  It's origin is sketchy (Country Clubs seem to be the guilty party on this one), it's recipe slightly varied and often top secret.  It can be mixed with gin or vodka, it's mint can be muddled or whole, and the best ones float somewhere in the space between a julep and mojito.  It's a brilliant mixture and for three solid months you can confidently sidle up to any (well, almost any) well respected watering hole and get yourself one for the asking. 

The timer starts...NOW!

CHEERS!

Hipstamatic Sunshine

Cooper's Pre-School Paper Sun- taken using iPhone Hipstamatic App

Well, there's nothing like a little tornado siren to get the party started, right?  Not.  What a weird week.  I know you all are tired of me barking about the weather here, but it's pretty bizarre.  We went from chillin' with the furnace less then a week ago to full on thigh sweating humidity on Tuesday.  I was secretly begging for the AC but before I could even voice my desires Mr. C says over his shoulder on the way out the door,

"Don't even think about turning on the air conditioner today.  We've waited seven months to feel 60 degrees, please don't ruin it for me." 

 Whatever, he knows me too well. 

 By that evening the cold air mixed it up with the hot, heavy front that rolled in and Voila! we heard the first real sirens of the season. Mr C rounded up the ladies in the 'hood whose hubbies were traveling and we retreated to the basement, wine in hand, to watch the crazy green clouds pelt us with enormous hail but eventually call our bluff on the twister. 

Before ya knew it, the party was over.

Now it's the weekend and the furnace is back in action.  Tomorrow promises a touch of warmth (60 degrees!!), some wind, maybe a little hope for planting some flowers, but for now I think I will just enjoy Cooper's tissue paper sun he made at school- I know I can depend on that to keep my day bright.

Gone Fishin'

The boys are gone.  The house is eerily quiet; totally still, and totally clean. 

I enjoy the silence and the freedom but I will be itchin' for their return on Sunday.  They need the break and "guy time" is important; away from Mom, the neighborhood, homework, their daily "responsibilities".  I hope they catch some fish.

I will clean closets, organize the basement, contemplate a little gardening in spite of the dreary weather, hopefully brave my first farmers market outing in the morning.  I hope to catch up on my ever growing stack of magazines, watch a movie, take a nap. 

And if I do absolutely nothing that's fine too. 

At least I had the time to think about it.

Put a Ring On It?

Mr. C's lost wedding ring

So Mr. C lost his wedding ring.  On Thanksgiving Day, cooking the turkey.  We're not sure if it actually dropped into the cavity of the bird, slipped into the garbage, or got boiled with the carcass for soup, but that is the day we know it disappeared.  My question is not so much "where is it?" or "did someone actually ingest it?" but more importantly,

"is it a big deal if he wears a ring at all?" 

 Honestly, I thought I would be really freaked at first, but as it turns out I hardly notice his naked hand anymore.  I think early in our marriage I might have made a stink about the whole situation, but now I'm a little indifferent, leaving the decision up to him.  Lots of men are forgoing the traditional ring thing in favor of bare hands these days (Prince William being one of them), but does that give off the perception that their commitment is less than that of a man that wears a ring?  Does it appear disrespectful to the wife?  I used to think so, but now that I am married to a ringless fellow, I don't feel that way.

 My belief is that the proof is in the conduct and the commitment in one's heart; not the symbol that is worn for the world to see.

What do you think? 

Happy Birthday, Doodle!

 Cooper Weston Codding

a.k.a. 

"Don, Nicholas, LB, Tubber, Doodle, and simply Coo"

rocked our world four years ago today when he made a surprise entrance a little over a month before his due date.  From that moment on, he made our family complete.  His big brothers have doted on him since the beginning and he charms us daily with his funny sense of humor, deep voice, and hilarious distaste for fruits, vegetables, and pre-school.  My sister believes Cooper needs his own reality show with a "Coo Cam" that follows him around each day, capturing the funny, odd ball things he says and does at random.

 His mind is always thinking- he named our cat "Gorgeous McDonaldson". 

 I have not a clue where that came from.

 Our little monkey is 4!

You will always be our "Big Baby Coo"!

Happy Birthday to Don's Donuts (don't ask)

We love you!!!

xxoo

Derby Day 2011

Que the trumpets...

 It's the 137th Kentucky Derby today 

The Run for the Roses. 

 "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports".

Whatever you want to call it, it's a great day. 

 Hats, mint juleps, horses, revelry, tradition.

The Derby Rocks.

Giddyup.

Go Big...

or go home. 

Please.

Churchill Downs

Louisville, Kentucky

I can only imagine the fun that's been had here.

Enjoy your mint juleps...

and blow your horns for a great day!

Happy 137th Kentucky Derby Day!

National Teacher Appreciation Week

When we moved our family from California back to Minnesota four years ago, we chose Edina. We fell in love with this community, the parks and the people, but the main reason we chose this great town was for it's commitment to academic excellence in it's schools. In a country where the public school system as a whole seems to be floundering, I am truly grateful for the talented, dedicated individuals that make up the Edina Public Schools. In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week I want to personally thank all of the spectacular teachers who guide, nurture, and educate our kids in Edina each day.

Ironically enough, I have been thinking a lot about all the teachers we have had at Concord Elementary over the last few years because we are struggling to "diagnose" why my middle son isn' t progressing as he should in reading. Could it be dyslexia? Another type of learning disability? We don't know yet, but with the unbelievable perseverance and partnership of my son's teachers, I am confident that we will not only find the answers we are looking for, but also the most suitable program to help him learn, thrive, and enjoy school to his fullest possible potential.

This process is not only frustrating and often heartbreaking for child and parent, but it can be for a teacher as well. I have watched my son's teacher scratch her head in frustration while working closely with my son and specialists to figure out why this articulate, energetic,eager -to-please kid was not experiencing the same success as his peers. You see, my son is one of those that could disappear in the pack...he has a boatload of friends, works hard, is respectful, turns his homework in on time, and generally loves school. He is neither at the top of the heap nor the bottom of the bunch; yet he could have been lost academically.

"Oh, he's fine." "He always does well."  True, but not with reading- there was a struggle going on and his teacher picked up on it almost immediately and she was determined to help him find success. She tirelessly documented his progress (or lack there of) throughout the year, communicated sensitively and continuously with us, and most importantly she helped my son stay positive and focused in his path. 

I am grateful for my son's second grade teacher, and for all the teachers we have had thus far in our Edina experience. They are a dynamic, determined, dedicated group and I want them to know they are appreciated.

Tell your teachers how much you appreciate them, not just this week, but every chance you get.

National Teacher Appreciation Week May 2nd-6th, 2011

"Life in the 'Hood"

So I'm kind of excited right now, I just got my first "published" piece!!!  Check it out, comment, and send me any ideas you might have for future posts.

Cheers!!!

 

http://edina.patch.com/blog_posts/life-in-the-hood

Good Morning, Sunshine!

No, not quite. 

 How about good morning snow, and gray, and bare trees and no flowers and WINDCHILL! 

Okay people, I know I praise the Lord Alleluia when it comes to Minnesota, but this is ridiculous, insane, downright wrong, and I want my money back and all the nice things I have said about this place.  I am breaking up with Minnesota and there better be a serious apology along with some sort of spectacular compensation for this torturous suffering we are all being subjected to.  I wouldn't be surprised if after a few more days of this shit the damn state sees a mass exodus to anywhere USA that might be a few degrees warmer that bans down vests and allows flip-flops out of the closet.  Iowa perhaps.  South Dakota is lookin' pretty swell.  Both can brag that they have hit 70 degrees in the year 2011, but Minnesota?  What does she have to say for herself??!!  The pool is supposed to open in a matter of weeks and we had snowflakes this morning on the way to school.  When my baby was born four years ago this week it was sunny, glorious, green, and hot.  Yeah, hot. 

Steaming.

I am not demanding steamy days, but a touch of warm air and a tiny glimpse of that thing known as the sun would seriously rock my world right about now.  I am ready to shovel the pine needles out of my window boxes and replace them with pretty blooms.  I am excited to head back to Bachman's after nine months to fill in my garden that is too spooked to sprout.  I know we are hardy stock up here in these parts, but seriously, I can't take it anymore.  They say that a long, snowy winter typically gives way to a cooler spring and summer due to all the excess moisture in the ground.  With all the snow we got this winter I am feeling like we might not hit 65 degrees until August, and we all know that just won't do.  Mr C has lost his mojo with the BBQ and G&T's just don't taste the same when your teeth are chattering against the ice cubes.  My heat is still on and I am planning spring break for next year.

Pathetic.  Pathetic.

P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.