While I sit here serenely knitting my snazzy new merino
and you go peacefully through your day in whichever way suits you, I beg you to take a moment to hold my sister in your thoughts or prayers… Today is a day she will be tested and only the strength of her soul and the power of planning will help her.
Today, Erin travels deep into the worst that motherhood has to offer. Her task today is risky, dangerous and not for the faint of heart.
She’s having a birthday party for Hank and his friends.
Yes, Mr. Hankie Pankie is celebrating his 5th birthday (Hank is seen below being grateful to his grandmother for his birthday cake at our family celebration. Note the infamous Hankie-manic face.) Hank is very excited, and this doesn’t bode well for my sister.
Erin has a poor track record with these events and while she is a very good mother, she is absolutely not a natural one. Where I never had to be told that a playgroup meeting doesn’t need an open bar….Erin was forced to learn it the hard way. (You have not lived until you’ve seen the look on the playgroup mums faces when Erin offered Gin and Tonics all ’round.) My sister is so hip it hurts. My sister owns a restaurant. My sister’s purse matches her shoes, my sister knows what Prada is can spot and assess designer wear at a thousand paces. My sister longs for Blahnik shoes. Erin’s hair always looks good, hats flatter her and she owns panties that match her bra. More than that (and if you are a mother of a small child this will really bring it home…) Erin has a white coat.
Erin is, I assure you, ready for a thousand things….but she is not ready for this party.
I have reason to be suspicious. Previous mothering faux pas include:
1. When Hank was three he was in a community playgroup. The Mums took turns bringing snack in each week. You know the drill, cubes of cheese, grapes, slices of apples and goldfish crackers. When it was Erin’s turn to bring snack….
She had it catered.
2. At a Parent Council Meeting at Hank’s school to discuss fundraisers, the parents were offering their suggestions. Erin listened to the ideas (selling fudge, raffling movie passes, bake sale….) and then, clearly not understanding the “family” nature of the activities and perplexed by why they would not want to make some really serious coin, Erin made her pitch.
Hire a band and have a Kegger.
3. Finally, for this year’s Chinese New Year celebration at the school all the children were asked to bring some food to have a feast. Erin, rushing to get to a meeting but really wanting to contribute, ordered, paid for and had delivered a large, elaborate and beautiful tray of Sushi.
(Yes, she was aware that Sushi was Japanese, not Chinese, but felt that it still had a sufficiently “Asian feel”, and no…she was not aware that most 5 year olds would rather eat an entire tray of sandbox sand than sushi. Hank eats it.)
Erin can’t understand why you would bake cookies if you can afford to buy them, why you would cook if you can cater or (God forbid) why you wouldn’t take the time to moisturize every morning. Somehow, despite this deep lack of understanding of, well…mothers like me, Erin understands that sometimes you have to play along to get along and is desperately aware that she needs to figure out something about the life of an average mother before she’s lynched by the other women out back of the neighbourhood swingset one night after soccer practice, so she’s throwing Hank’s party herself. She’s got a cake and activities and a sugar-hopped horde of ravening four and five year olds descending on her and her white coat and her accessorized playroom. (I have sent Megan over so that this afternoon cannot end with a 911 call). Hold her in your thoughts will you? She’s setting out the cold canapés and olive tray right about now.
Oh my goodness. PLEASE tell me the playroom doesn’t have white or gray carpet. PLEASE. I know what 5 year-old parties are like. I will keep your sister in my prayers.
You have made me fall in love with your sister.
Aara
You had me in stitches!!! She had playgroup’s snack CATERED!!!! I’m dying over here.
Do you think your sister knows that they make koolaid in clear colored flavors now? Not suitable for dyeing wool, but perhaps for this…
Ah, confirmation that familiies besides my own have children from different planets. Thanks.
Oh , this woman has my sympathys ! I have two boys and have learned that birthdays parties definitely have crown royal and ginger ale ! Please Please tell us the outcome of the party !
Thanks for the laugh! It made my day !
Kim O
PS do you know if you will be doing a book tour in New Brunswick Canada ? Would love to get a signed book !
I think that its a sign of love for your sister that you sent your own daughter into the fray. Either that or Megan did something really horrible and this is her punishment.
This is why I love our local bowling alley and ice rinks. Because you don’t have to plan an activity (they bowl or skate), set up is minimal (bring the cake, drinks and paper stuff, have the pizza delivered), and your house isn’t trashed by the ravenous hoards- I mean the sweet little kids. For summer birthdays, we set up a slip-n-slide and a pool in the side yard, slather the kids with sunscreen and let the birds and squirrels take care of spilled cake and pizza crust. I’m praying for your sister, but she has the most important party accessory already. A teen-ager who isn’t afraid to kick butt and take names.
Ooh, please share pictures of the carnage, oops, I mean festivities. Hank is a cutie.
Steph I am amazed that you have such a sister. She does, however, sound like how I imagine my SIL will parent.
Although, I would have taken care of the sushi!
Oh, goodness. Please share pictures.
So, what did Auntie Stephanie buy/make for the birthday boy?
Send your sister down to Dallas where she can play with us. I have been known to provide margaritas for adult refreshments and once served my playgroup the requisite goldfish for the kids but the adults were given tomato and gruyere pie. Of course, now everyone plans playgroup at my house around mealtimes ;>
I am planning a birthday party for my daughter who will be three. It will rain. I will be doomed. Fortunately, I don’t rank my sanity very high on the list of Important Things…
Am I the only one who suspects that there might possibly be a wee bit of embellishment here, in honor of the day (date)?
I hate to say this because I’m sure I will slip lower in your esteem, but I’m afraid I would be the same kind of mother as Erin. However, this fear is also why I have quite deliberately chosen not to have children. I plan to be cool Aunt Stephanie who knits cool clothes and hosts great summer get togethers where I can spoil them rotten and send them home to their parents! I think parenting is the hardest job on the planet, and I’m just not that brave!
I am absolutely certain that #3 would have made more money.
You lost me at the sight of that lovely spring-colored merino.
Just kidding – sending good thoughts your sister’s way. What a cutie that Hank is!
How do I get into this playgroup? I have a four year old that eats Brie. Pina Coladas for a summertime playdate anyone? Besides, the kids would nap better after…I’m just saying.
This sounds exactly like my aunt. She had twin girls and bought white furniture. It was soon in the basement play room due to some unexpected experiments by the girls with primitive kool-aid dyeing.
Her twin girls were the only two year olds on the block who had swatch watches.
Her twins are now the only two 17 year olds I know who always look exactly put together all the time, never a ponytail and a cap. They are perhaps the only two who would call their mother at family baby shower for their “dire emergency” – i.e. “Mom, I need my brows waxed” and “Mom, we’re out of protein powder for my smoothy…”
By the way, I found your book last night at Barnes and Noble in St. Louis, MO. I ‘m almost done. I love it!!!
See, now, if open bar at playgroups were an acceptable part of childhood get togethers – I’d have a brood by now.
I, too, love your sister. In fact you and your sister remind me a lot of me and my sister.
Happy birthday Hank!
Now I understand…it was Erin who arranged your bookbookbook signing at Lord & Taylor in NYC. Seems a pity she didn’t book Saks or Bergdorf Goodman, but she probably didn’t want to raise your suspicions.
Are you sure you weren’t switched at birth? I find it hard to visualize how the two of you could seem more different. She sounds like she might be in for a rough afternoon – hopefully she lives through it and Hank has a good time. Sending good thoughts her (and Megan’s) way.
Oh! I want your sister in my neighborhood when I finally have children of my own. What could possibly be wrong with serving G&T’s at a playgroup?
I always had an inherent mistrust of playgroups and avoided them like the plague, forcing my poor kids to troll for buddies the old fashioned way. But if Erin had been running one, you could have signed me right up!
I was once a nanny for a woman like Erin, named in fact, Erin. She seemed incredibly posh until I saw her in a bathing suit one day; she had a football team’s emblem tatooed on her thigh.
Also, I saw THREE copies of your book in a Baltimore, MD Barnes and Noble. Congratulations!
Oh, your poor sister, a birthday party with 4/5year olds is not fun. She will need the gin and tonic to recover.
Your Merino looks lovely, whats it going to be?
Okay, I officially love your sister. (Sorry DH.)
I’m laughing so hard my side hurts. Of course I could have never owned a white coat, even before I had Jess.
Although, I am thinking that a kegger would be the answer to many school budget crunches.
I kept thinking “you two are related?” the whole time I read that post. Hope she survives the party.
Tell me she was smart enough not to have 20+ kids over.
Your sister is my kind of woman.
But … what’s wrong with a kegger with a band for a fundraiser? And I, for one, am quite sure I would need a gin and tonic to get through a playgroup.
Erin reminds me of “Three Martini Play Date” by Christie Mellor (Chronicle Books LLC.)- great book for moms. Especially new ones like me, I have a “Hank” of my own, although he is a “Henry” because his grandfather is “Hank” already.
I am enthralled with your new merino – BEAUTIFUL – can’t wait to see more of that!
Motherhood to a small child may not come naturally to your sister, but at least she does it with flair. (And I’ll bet she gives the coolest parties when he’s a teenager!)
Oh, and I read the list of your tourtourtour stops . . . you’re going to be tired! Carrying all the yarn from all the shops in all those cities alone is going to be exhausting . . . Be sure to wave to me in NJ when you’re in New York!
I wish Erin were my mom. And she’s got the right idea on refreshments. Ever heard of the three-martini play date?
http://www.parentspress.com/books3martiniplaydate.html
I like Erin’s style!
Hee hee- G&Ts for a playdate!! Love it. Makes me think of the mom I was chatting with while I volunteered at the Museum of Science who thought there should be a roving martini cart circulating through the museum!
Okay, I also love your sister. I also hope, for her sake, that she has a pitcher of margaritas on hand for that party. 🙂
Still no sign of the bookbookbook in Charlottesville, but I’m going hunting this weekend.
Oh dear. Ditto what cassie said. Megan is brave.
Your sister sounds awesome. Hey, she tries and sounds happy. And many a mother would appreciate the alcohol – I’m sure the looks of horror were more “will the other mums think of me poorly if I grab the bottle and chug?” I’m sure they all secretly envy her white-coat-ness.
And tell your sister she just needs to look the people who question the sushi in the eye and say “Hank loves to expand his borders and try new things. We like to encourage him to grow as a human being and foster creativity. I thought Chinese New Year was a chance to explore a different culture?” while raising a brow with a look of slight pity. Heh. Most kids would also prefer to eat yellow snow than veggies, too.
Hey Cathy in Charlottesville,
the book was two days ago at the Barnes and Nobles at Barracks Road. I got a copy there, but maybe they are sold out already?
Petra
“why you would bake cookies if you can afford to buy them”… i’ve gotten this comments so many times about knitting. does she feel differently about knitting as she does about baking?
I CAN’T WAIT to hear about this party!!! Hopefully tomorrow??? Jane
I think I’d rather do play-group with your sister (and Hank) than the other mothers…but then I harbor deep suspicions that I have the kids in daycare so that I manage to avoid such scary situations as “play-group”. Give me VP’s to impress any day 🙂
Your sister so. totally. ROCKS.
She’s gonna need some luck TODAY though. Best wishes!!
You do understand that if you don’t bring your sister Manolos from NY as a gift, she will never forgive you. Nevermind that they cost more than your house payment, this is not important.
Man, has your sister got it. Gin and tonics are what won me over! Hell, I’d even help pay for the catering of the playgroup snacks!
Guess what came today?!! BOOKbookBOOK!! No knitting for me tonight!!
So, are you coming to Chicago or not?
What’s that lovely springlike merino going to be? It looks splendid in garter stitch!
p.s. Man, I’d rather stick fondue forks in my eyes than attend that party.
Oh please let this be an April Fool’s, if not those kids will wipe the floor with her.
There are a lot of prayers being said around the world tonight for the pope maybe some of that will leak and protect your sister…
This was an April Fools Day joke for us—right??? If not, I love your sister and Hank and send him big birthday wishes!!! Maybe the April Fools Day joke is for Megan? Wathcha knitting with those fab colors? Please let us know in NY…is the book event at Lord Taylors for sure?????
Oh.My.God. Hank’s mother has a white coat? Not of the clinical variety (i.e., wash and wear)? What an amazingly brave woman. And, I have to say, I would have Loooved It if my daughter’s play group had included g&t, although I can’t complain… play group was also knitting circle – clever, huh?
Mostly though I want to say that your mom is so cute… the hot pink is fantastic on her.
BBB should be arriving today (fingers crossed).
Your sister should meet my sister.
Silly woman – everyone knows you’re supposed to drink MARGARITAS at playgroup, not G&T’s.
Amateur…
Hey, Hank’s not wearing superhero pyjamas! So he only dresses down for one household in the family?
My two year old wants to come to Hank’s party–there’s nothing that she loves better than sushi. Of course, when she takes it to her daycare for lunch and offers it to the other kids…. they tell her they don’t want her “stinky” rice.
I don’t think it’s an April Fool’s joke. Remember, Erin is the anti-Steph. She of the to-die-for Jessica Simpson shawl. 🙂
Anyways…
So *that’s* what Harlot deems an appropriate punishment for breaking the thingie on a spinning wheel! Geez. You’re harsh. 😉 Hope Megan survives.
Are you sure she is your sister? It doesn’t sound like the two of you are related. At least Megan will save the day.
thats priceless. though ive known more than a few moms who were like that (yaght club anyone)? ive always loved weird foods, but im happy my mom likes to cook (and that she passed it on!). i dont think id ever be able to relax if i didint craft and cook!
and where did you get the delicious merino? i love it!
Just have to pass this on….I followed your link to “kegger” and the Urban Dictionary uses the term in the following sentence – “I here there is going to a kegger at …..” Other dictionary publishers might take issue with the use of “here” in that sentence.
That said, a kegger is a definite improvement over most PTA events that I have been to!
Happy Birthday to Hank.
Whoa boy, sounds exactly like my sister,
who, just out of college, with no children, doesn’t understand why it’s wrong to want a $1400.00 DOG CARRIER.
Oh my!
So, why doensn’t she have a Nanny to supervise the party?? oh, that’s right, she’s trying to show the other moms she can do this.
shudder
I wish her the best of luck. Once I learned you could take these events to places like bowling alleys, “Ant in Their Pants”, the Y (!), even McDonalds, I’ve not thought of a bday party at home even once.
See me sitting here with the phone in the crook of my ear, on hold, to schedule just such an event for next weekend.
Meanwhile, I ordered BookbookBook 2 weeks ago from the LYBS. Last night Dear Friend and I stopped in to check for it. Nope… so we BOTH put our names on the list of folks to get a call when it comes in. ONE copy came in. They called HER! She called me all excited… I drove over breaking speed limits and cackling bookbookbook in a way that made my kids seriously nervous only to find that they’d given her the one I’d ordered two weeks ago, and the bookbookbook was now on BACK ORDER with their distributor!
I came home and ordered it from Amazon. To hell with supporting my local independent bookseller. They gave away MY bookbookbook!
Thanks for the laughs; make sure you fill us in on the details of the party!
Your sister is a hoot! Have Megan share all the details so you can blog about it Monday, as I’m sure your sister will need all weekend to recover. But alas, I think there is one in every family. I have a cousin who is married to a dentist. When their son was born, she used boxes upon boxes of latex gloves (which her husband brought home) to change his poopy diapers. She was also stunned to find out it was “OK” to use a washcloth on a newborn baby’s skin. She thought a person could only use wipes. To this day I still don’t know what she used when she bathed him.
And as an aside, I FINALLY went and found the bookbookbook last night! My receipt has a time of purchase of 8:23pm, and by 10:30 last night, when my eyes were too tired to read one more word, I was on page 209. It is fabulous Steph-it really, really is. I have to finish it tonight so my husband (who does not knit, but longs too) can start reading it. Thanks for such a wonderful read!
You got me seriously worried. Am I not supposed to offer parents alcohol when children are around? And there are four years old who do not like sushi? And nobody ever told me? Why?
And I’ll never believe that someone actually does bake sale – aren’t those just in 50’s movies? That bit is an April Fool’s.
I ordered your book and I am checking twice a day to see if it is coming …..
Oh, by the way, pretty merino. After reading the book, I am wondering who you had to dupe to get your hands on that.
You other commenters are way, way too cool for me. I’ve never even had a martini! And I’m… well, old enough to have had a martini, anyway. Playgroups in my neck of the woods have yet to include a floating bar but I could put the word out…
I may have talked my LYS into carrying bookbookbook. I’m not sure yet if they are in earnest or merely taunting me. I’m running out of patience, and feeling a mite desperate. Amazon just sits there, in a stoic “who will break first?” kind of way…
My six year old daughter eats sushi…and I don’t own a white coat but my mother thinks that I should be taken away by the men in white coats for feeding a small child raw fish…
I’m sorry, but a whole nation of Japanese children who have not died from the experience cannot be wrong 😉
I can’t walk in Blahniks. I fall down and make an ass out of myself in those things. Oh yeah, that and the fact that they cost the earth. But your sister sounds like an absolute blast to be around, just for the entertainment value. And the drink selection at playtime. Go, Erin!
Your sister sounds like a riot! Not sure if this is an April Fool’s Joke on us or not because Erin could have walked straight off the pages of “I Don’t Know How She Does It” by Allison Pearson. Either way, I’m dying to know more about her and what happens at the birthday party!!
Erin totally rocks. It is absolutely essential to the balance of the universe that we have both kinds of moms.
Ah memories. I was eight when I made my first gin and tonic for my mom. It’s the only way to get through these parties. I’m guessing y’all don’t have Chuck E. Cheese’s in Canada? That’s where I spent my Friday with a bunch of five year olds.
Between the sushi and the olives my almost 3 year old son would be happy as a clam at Hank’s party! 🙂
I’m not saying he’s normal though.
My dear friend, mentioned in my previous post, stopped by this evening to lend me her bookbookbook!
She’s had it for about 27 hours and she lent it to ME!! She is obviously the best friend ever!
The first page I read reminded me so much of my daughter’s early days w/ my knitting. She was just learning sentences (sort of), and was jealous of my knitting. She’d come up and push at it saying “no mommy knitting”. Then one day I was stressed and sad… she grabbed my knitting (dropping stitches willy nilly), shoved it into my lap and said “Mommy knitting!”
Thanks for the memory!!!
Oh, and page 20!! OH PAGE 20!!!
Bras & panties that match? Wow. Never heard of such a thing & I don’t even have kids. I’d suggest Erin forgo the T & just go straight for the G while the little tykes are over.
Tell your sister there’s an opening in my playgroup.
Wow, catered playgroups? D’ya think I could apply for that job? My oldest just turned five and I can cut apple slices and open packages of goldfish crackers! I even use only the latest and greatest kidware from Ikea. 🙂
Happy Birthday to Hank. We had our party a few weeks ago and it was a Super Hero themed-bash to end all. Complete with Super capes for little party goers. I hope your sis has a blast!
Man, I want to go to your sister’s playgroup. Gin and tonics, all around.
Thanks for the giggle.
Does your sister own a copy of the book “The Three-Martini Playdate”?
Actually, I’m wondering if your sister perhaps *inspired* it.
The best 5th birthday party I ever went to ended when the birthday boy’s mother left the dining room for a minute, and the birthday boy decided it would be fun if we threw what was left of our pieces of cake into the fan. That was some fun.
Your sister and my sister ought to go bowling, uh, not that either one of them would ever go bowling…
but when asked why she didn’t want to have children right now, my sister replied (sincerely)’not right now because I have white carpet’.
she redecorates often, so maybe someday soon, and she’ll be a mother like your sister.
I got the bookbookbook at B&N in Tustin on Wednesday night, March 30, and another to give away, and there was one left.
I’m thoroughly enjoying it and trying to make it last longer than just my post-call day. Congratulations again.
Much as I like G & T’s, I have to note that today is April Fools day. Betsy
still begging for a chicago stop on the tour. you know, sweet home chicago. just think it over.
I can understand why Hank’s expectations might be a little different than run-of-the-mill kiddoes. Erin sounds faboo, though. Was she the inspiration for “I don’t know how she does it”? or even a research subject for Little Children” by Tom Perrotta?
Oh, fine. Screw Chicago. Come to the booming metropolis of Muscatine!
I ordered my BookbookBookbook through my local indie bookstore. I went to pick it up and guess what, already 5 persons (who didn’t know about it or you [now really, that *has* to be April’s Fool jokes on me, not knowing the Harlot exists, puh-lease], are now getting copies! I’m sure there will be many more ordered in the next week or so!
I once had a party for 27 5-year-olds (every one I had invited showed up – I estimated at least half would RSVP with a polite “no”). My condolences, in advance, to your sister.
I love your sister! I totally would have gone for the band and kegger fundraiser- parents need to have some fun too!
I wish I could be more like your sister in the “put together” department. You had me laughing the whole way through. She sounds like an amazing woman. I always did envy women who are moms and look great doing it. Where does she get the time to put herself together? I just throw on a pair of sweats, t-shirt and off I go.
Hank is a cutie, BTW. Reminds me of my own 6 yr. old.
Spotted and bought your book in Woodstock,NY!! Having a great time reading it and DH says to me yesterday, ” That’s you, that’s definitely you!”
Jen
I was in Barnes and Noble last night, in Newington, NH. Your book was there, in all it’s glory. It was buried in the mess of other knitting books though, so I found a spot on the ‘end cap’ and installed it there! Just for you, girl. Congratulations on your achievement. My husband was reading out pages to me and chortling away. Loads of fun, thanks.
Hmm… sounds like my brother..the school teacher with no children and no pets….
then there is my brother-in-law! The Cousin Eddie (remember CHRISTMAS VACATION) of the family.
I have to say that I side with Erin! Deafening music and vast amounts of lager (or G&Ts) sound like a perfect thing to have at any gathering with a large group of children! 🙂
Respectfully submitted, and thank you so much for the giggles! 🙂 We’re awaiting the post-mortem 🙂
Erin sounds like an awesome mom – one capable of talking about something other than her kids now and then, and yeah I love her ideas. I’d eat the sushi, and were I at a playgroup with a bunch of children around me, mine or not, a G&T would be just the ticket. Maybe unconventional, and perhaps not campout buddy material, but she sounds pretty fun anyway!
Just got your book in the mail today from amazon. I was hoping it would come before we left on our Easter weekend cruise to Mexico. I’ve just stopped reading long enough to tell you it’s probably best that I couldn’t take it with me. If I had been reading it on deck, people would certainly have wondered about the crazy woman by the railing, laughing hysterically. Thanks for the laughs!
Totally off-topic:
The April Knitpicks catalogue just arrived on my doorstep. Guess what’s at the top of page 34? Big as life, under ‘New Books’? You’re so all that, Stephanie! Congratulations! (And I’m *still* waiting for my Amazon-pre-ordered copy to arrive…)
Blessings,
Snooze
Moms like your sister definitely exist, she’ll do fine! She just won’t always mix well with the more laid back, “peanut butter in her hair” moms, but that’s OK too.
Definitely being one of the latter, I really enjoyed your description. I hope the party isn’t too much of a shock to her system or her playroom 🙂
You mean you can’t cater? Hmmm, I guess that explains why when I suggested auctioning off a male bachelor at the PTA for a fund raiser,they looked funny at me as well? I’ve always said that that “mother thing” is not genetic and not all of us get it!
Is Erin interested in adopting? I’m an adult, therefore no playdates necessary, I’m not into celebrating my birthday (too close to a major holiday to be worth bothering about), and I make good G&Ts.
Oh my God…The entry about Hank’s party is so funny it’s hurting my ribs…I want to take up knitting and hang out with the girls. What does that say about me?
I have to admit that Erin sounds quite a bit like me! I hope everything turns out ok for her and that her house is still standing.
Your blog is my favourite artist’s blog. You have inspired me to try thrums. I bought some roving last week so will maybe try to make some for gifts for next winter.
Do you have a link to your archives? I can only go back to your page where you aplogize to your favourite cardigan.
J
This has to be an april fools joke! She sounds charming and stylish, and that makes it hard to believe that you came from the same family! I will believe it though – Hank has some style to him after wanting dinosaur mittens and spiderman mittens (your style is fine with Latvian mittens).
Happy 5th Hank!!!!!
Love that new merino, what are you knitting now?
Okay, I’ll do my best Donny & Marie imitation here:
I’m a little bit E-rin
I’m a little bit Steph-an-ie…
I can totally relate to some of Erin’s mothering techniques (and rebuff of baking cookies unless absolutely necessary). But I do have the knitting/crafter/painter creative gene, too, so I guess I’m a hybrid.
I have a sister, however, who is all Erin and then some. Her only contribution to potluck family dinners ~ *ever* ~ has been tossed green salads. Catered. Yes, you can cater tossed salads.
Loving the book!
I am reading the “dish” on Erin and wondering “Isn’t this the way motherhood is supposed to be?” I handled child-rearing in a very similar manner. My son remembers it all, and thinks it was great fun.
I hope Erin will be at your launch. We will order martinis and “dish” you, even though you do a wonderful job of dishing yourself and we love every detail.
Happy Birthday, Hank.
A couple of my friends emailed me to make sure that I read your blog today (usually I don’t need reminding). I wonder if they wanted me to read it because it was funny and I would laugh or they think I am like your sister ????? Either way, you have made my Sunday – I no longer feel alone in the world of mothering (and I firmly believe that many a playdate could use a little something … dirty martinis anyone).
What a fantastic account of your sister. glorious gorgeous sister. I hope the party is a smash and she keeps doing things her way.
My spouse actually smiles when I whoop and then read him bits of the bookbookbook.
If you make it to San Francisco after July, I’ll bring a brand-new baby to the signing.
How’d the party go?
The bookbookbook was spotted (and purchased!) at the Barnes and Noble in Colorado Springs, Colorado!
I found BookbookBook at my local B&N and bought it there, though in my defense, I DID check the local independent first. They didn’t have it, but I also met an even-newer-than-me knitter and clued her in to some local groups.
Oh, yes, and the husband, who seems to find my interest in knitting amusing in that dreaded “oh, isn’t that crafty and quaint, now why aren’t you doing your work?” way, snatched your BookbookBook out of my hands over dinner and started reading it. He says you look very young in your back cover photo and does not believe you could be old enough to have given birth to a now-teenager.
PLEASE….
Write the end of the story, or post pictures, i want to see this !!!
What a wonderful account of Erin! This totally gave me my morning smiles and put my own motherly foibles in new perspective 😉
I just fell in love with your sister! Oddly enough, she sounds like exactly the kind of mother I would be, Except for the catering part. The designer stuff, the color stuff, it’s all me. And I recently discovered sushi, so that is simply one more thing.
How lucky Hank is to have such a great mum!