Laughing and crying in parenting

Hello, dear readers!

I say this each month when it happens, but I love it when the first of the month happens on a Monday. Seems nice and tidy and fitting.

How was your weekend? We did a ton, starting with a Friday dinner trip to Ella’s Deli, where Miss Red proceeded to cry at the flying Bart Simpson over her head. She perked up for the carousel ride, though.

Saturday morning she and I walked to our favorite neighborhood coffee shop, The Victory. She even asked for it by name. It’s like Cheers for the caffeinated – owner Patrick remembers you by name and your coffee order, too. Miss Red likes going because it means blue moon ice cream or a cookie of sorts.

That afternoon we purchased a twin mattress to accompany the frame I found on Craig’s List. We then headed downtown to catch a free screening of the original Muppet Movie at UW Cinematheque. Miss Red lasted an hour, which was impressive.

After that, CH focused on taking down the toddler bed and assembling the new bed. For the first time in months, she didn’t get out of bed after we tucked her in (note, this only lasted one night).

Sunday was another day of awesome. My favorite cousin, whom I grew up with and lived with us for a while, was in town. We all had brunch at Ironworks Cafe and caught up. She’s a midwife now and I find that so, so cool. It has been her dream and it happened.

Miss Red and I were both due for a hair cut, so I headed to Alice first and then she came in the middle. We both lost a few inches, but have fresh new dos.

Then, the best finale to a weekend ever, we headed to Grandma’s house for the beginning of birthday celebrations. Grandma and Lady CH, CH’s sister (Miss Red is also CH – ha!), had decorated the house with balloons and made homemade macaroni and cheese. And per Miss Red’s request, there were cupcakes. Red Velvet, to be exact. Presents were opened, and we all settled in to watch Lilo and Stitch, one of Miss Red’s gifts. Again, she lasted about 45 minutes, which was impressive. Lady CH is thankfully back in town, and spending more time with her has been awesome for the whole family – Miss Red gets to know her more, and our little Madison enclave gets to be like, well, family.

And that brings us to the first of the month. And Miss Red turns 3 this week. All good, big, awesome things.

If you need a little more oomph to start your month, why don’t you listen to what I think of every time I hear the phrase “first of the month.” Talk about dorm memories, circa 1996.

– MD