My socks are tired.

End of day. Clay 3.5

Welcome to Studio B Online.  This is a place to write about my two favorite beginnings: Babies and Brides.  I'm mom, marketing, event planning, with a journalism degree that I long to use.  This is my outlet.



Please enjoy my posts as I learn more about raising young children and keeping tabs on heartwarming (and - cost-effective wedding ideas to help your big day be uniquely you.

Parenting lesson #3 Ruby Tuesday

Parenting advice -- my favorite topic

I LOVE advice from other parents. Each family raises their next generation with unique choices. I'm so interested to discover what are some themes from moms who have children that make them proud -- and I love to talk parenting with all moms.

Ruby Tuesday
Recently, my daughter brought home a heart that said "I love mommy because she takes me to Ruby Tuesday." Interesting - because we do go a few times to indulge the ever-plentiful salad bar.

This Tuesday, as the day rolled to close, the kiddos and I walked around the restaurant and paused to watch the busy kitchen doors open. A nice waitress offered kiddos ages correctly and hung with us for a while. She told me of her two kids and how work is a rest for her. She explained how her boys fought.  Hmm.. Not needed info. Then - the nugget. She said her kids have a new shower game. One song for fun - one song for wash. That's potential fun & efficiency!
As I thanked her for tip, she said on our way out - (yelled out the door) "It doesn't get any easier!"
PS same visit - 1st- mom, I can do it myself (insert tear and pride- more tear;-)
Well.. I guess it can't all be good advice! Lesson = effort and love are the best recipe xo

My airline will roll out a family section

My airline

Yes - my life is family-centric, and, so accordingly, I propose that my airline would have a family section.

Three rows of the plane could be dedicated to “family travelers”.  Parents with children could book these rows with a sigh of relief that their little ones could loudly ask for cheerios without grimace from other passengers.  There would be dvd players in the seat backs, trays that didn’t depend on your neighbor’s sleeping arm blocking the tray, a small curtain to keep the area private, and perhaps a visit from Chica. The little babies could sit on their trays and play pat-a-cake.  If this utopia does not book, other travelers could receive a discounted rate to sit in this section.  That way — they enter the relationship expecting Chica.  Perhaps, the area will have couches also to make the experience more comfortable.

I understand, as I am also a business traveler, that you enjoy your time on a plane; that you look forward to reading the book that you’ll have a few hours with; and that you feel disappointment when you sit down next to young children.

I, too, when separated from my husband on a flight, while ushering my two young children into the row, am extremely disappointed to be sitting by you instead of my family.

To the stewardess on Tampa to Detroit, your nonverbal interaction with a fellow passenger in my row was very clear to me.  When you sat the gentleman in the same bulkhead row, you looked at my children and I, then at that passenger, and gestured so clearly that you apologized that he needed to sit in the row with us - across the aisle.  That isn’t a very welcoming introduction.  We paid for bulkhead, just as the other passenger.  You also shared the same interaction with the gentleman who sat next to us.  

After the flight — as with flights to date — the gentlemen next to us commented on how good the children did on the flight.  

And yes - I plan activities for the kiddos on the plane — as parents do — I strategically plan snacks, activities, and more so that the flight can be more enjoyable for them and you.  What did you do?  You fell asleep and your arm was fixed on the armrest holding the tray table for my son.  It was time to watch Happy Feet - past nap time - missed nap time (which is a big deal when you’re 2.5).  So, as a considerate person (and traveler), I let you sleep and held the Mac Book air with my left hand over my son’s lap while my younger son slept in my lap, utilizing my right arm.  We did this for 40 minutes while you slept.

Arrogance is not becoming.  To the arrogant gentleman seated in row 10 - who shared the sorrowful look with the stewardess  re: sharing a row with our family, I think that you would seek comfort in my airline with the children’s section.  You looked at us as though we less-deserved to share the bulkhead row with you.

I have sat on flights with other children - before I had my own.  One time, I even sat between a mom and dad who passed the baby over me throughout the duration of the flight.  Children will behave — and other times — they will just need to scream out about Mickey Mouse.  I have also traveled first-class and non-commercial.  So, to you, fellow passenger in row 10 — you are no more deserving of the bulkhead row.  

My children now watch movies and (almost) carry their own suitcase — so perhaps in a few years I will want to share the row with adults.  But, in that case, I still would support those families with young children in my family section.  

Wedding Planning challenge: bliss for less than $5K??

I've started pondering a wedding planning challenge.
Is it possible to get married including a wedding to dream about (ceremony and reception) for less than $5,000?

Now, that being said, I've yet to plan such an event at that price point. I will demand "best in class" as usual for this event..providing the perfectly unique beginning that each couple deserves on their journey.

Let's get started!

#1. Destination
We'll be looking in Metro Detroit and Las Vegas.

Baby shower favors: cookie cutter

"Sugar and spice, and everything nice..." tied on ribbon attached to cookie cutter.
Fun, practical. Who wouldn't want an animal-shaped cookie cutter!
credit due to mil for this one...