i know what you are thinking…after having two children who are fully weened, unless i had a visit to dr. 90210 - i must not be talking about my (lack of) real estate ‘upstate’. i am referring to my magazine rack, full of all the magazines i subscribe to, but rarely get a chance to fully appreciate and read. now, being a modern mama, i do subcribe to your regular, run of the mill parent/baby magazines such as parents magazine and cookie, but i also subscribe to lucky, elle, elle decor, dwell (say that ten times fast!), and in-style magazine, as well as business week. i love those ‘getting to know you’ questionnaires that go around via email - it always asks, “what’s on your nightstand?” or “what is the last book you read?” - well, i don’t know how much free time you have juggling life and kids, but the last book i read was my son’s bedtime book having something to do with a curious monkey named george! storytime usually goes something like this… i pick out a long book i don’t have the time or patience to read and suggest it to jalen. being 3, and always wanting to exercise control of his world, he always adamantly states, “no mommy! i want this book” then grabs the strategically placed short book on top of his book stack! i then ‘reluctantly’ agree and 3 minutes later the book is over and he is on his way to slumberland.

what are your kids favorite books? right now my 3-year old is into chicka-chicka-boom-boom and anything by sandra boynton!

i have two wonderful and gorgeous boys - i know i am a little biased because i am their mama, but if i can’t be, then who can, right?! anyways, jalen is 3yrs old and dylan is one, so basically its been just over one year since i had to switch from ‘man-to-man’ defense to zone in my child rearing tactics. now besides being a modern mama, i also pride myself in being a sporty mama as well, although not to be confused with the little league mama who can be seen (and unfortunately heard) screamming tirelessly at her kids from the sidelines of any sporting event they are participating in. anyways, now that jalen is in full verbal-mode (just like his mama) and even occasionally is known to drop the f-bomb at the most opportune moments (just like his mama!) - i have compiled a running list of funny things that jalen says, called JALENISMS. if you have a funny incident or story to share involving one of your “priceless accessories”, please do!

My Fav JALENISM: One day when I picked Jalen up from daycare, he was running on the playground with this bright red PURSE on his shoulder, tucked tightly under his arm. It was BRIGHT red satin, with red feathers and red, jeweled/beaded handles - I guess it is a popular item at the daycare with both boys and girls because of how eye-catching it is, and each day the kids ‘fight’ over who gets to have it that day… Anyways, when I saw him I said, - Jalen, you KNOW you shouldn’t be carrying that purse!!! - and he replied - WHY? Because it doesn’t match my outfit?!