Las Vegas Mama

If you aren't feeling too excited about shelling out upwards of $15 for play date activities, head over to AOL City's Best and read my 4 picks for play dates that are $5 or less. You can read the article here . My next article will expand the budget just a smidgen, I will cover play dates for $10 or less. So if you have any suggestions you think I need to include on that one, be sure to message me.

So we went to LA over the weekend, which was fun. Especially the part where the girls wouldn't stop crying on the drive. That was so relaxing, and I can't wait to do it again. My ears have not bled nearly enough lately, so that was a relief. I wish I could do that every day. Now, even though it was just a few days, I missed Las Vegas. I missed the fact that when I blow dry my hair it stays the way I styled it instead of frizzing. I missed the fact that the air quality is far better, and I missed being able to breathe easily. I spent those days in LA with a stuffy nose because of my allergies. Within a few hours of arriving back in Vegas, it was completely cleared up. Still, it was nice to see family and friends again, I had missed everyone. We went to my nephew's 2nd birthday party, the kids all got to run around outside and eat cupcakes so it was a good day. My favorite part of that day was when Violet saw her dad from afar and went running full speed ahead to ...

So, I have to tell you all that I did not end up going to the Grammy's after party. I know, I know, you are disappointed in me. I understand. Maybe I should have gone. But I felt it was going to be too much to travel down there, come back on a Monday and have to leave to go back down on Friday. That would have put us at 16 hours worth of driving time, with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Too much. I had a back up plan in place to bring you guys all the juicy insider details of a party like that. My sister, Natalia, was going to go for me and then do a guest blog about it. But then life happened. She came down with the flu. And so here we are, well into the weekday again and I have no glamorous stories to tell. I hope I haven't let you down too much. I guess will have to come up with some crazy mom story to tell you instead, just to keep the drama alive. UPDATE: I just got an email from one of the PR people who arranged the event. Wanna know who was there? Tara Reid , the...

So Phillip and Ivy went to a Valentine's Day dance at Black Mountain Rec Center, a dance that celebrates the tender love of a father for his little daughter. I dressed them both in matching pink and brown outfits. It only sounds strange. I thought that the end result was charming. Don't you? Phillip said it was really cute to see all those dad on the dance floor, some with several daughters. Ivy thought the music was way too loud, and was too intimidated by the volume to dance much. "But was it fun?" I asked. "A little bit fun," she said. "...and a lot of boring." Awesome.

So, as you may have read from previous tweets... I got invited to Nivea For Men's Grammy's afterparty this Sunday. First of all, WHAT???!!! Second of all, AWESOME!!! But here is the thing - it is happening in Los Angeles, as any Grammy's party should. And I am here in Las Vegas. Nivea for Men is arranging a private shuttle to bring the Las Vegas invitees to this Grammy's party blowout. So transportation is taken care of. It's all settled, but something seems to be niggling in the back of my mind. Hm, what could it be...? Oh yes, I remember now - I HAVE CHILDREN! That makes it a lot more challenging. Phillip and I would have to travel down with the kids in tow (probably NOT on the party bus), just so I could go to this admittedly glamorous afterparty at a secret Bel Air estate, which will be crawling with industry insiders (it's co-hosted by Steve Riftkind from  Universal Music Group), music stars, and who knows what other sorts of fabulousness? What ...

At. Last. Violet is asleep. I am sitting here with a mug of Mexican hot chocolate, feeling like my head is all floaty and light, like a hot air balloon... and feeling relieved. Today has been one of the most challenging days in recent history. While battling Evil Germ, I have also been battling Fussy Toddler, which as all moms know is one of the most difficult things to do - period. I had to take Violet to the doctor to get a steroid shot. While we sat in the waiting room, I suddenly felt like I was fading away. The "darkness" started to encroach but I fought it off and took a few deep breaths. Maybe it was the long nights keeping vigil over the girls' breathing, combined with my own illness. But it was touch and go for a while there, and all I could think of was how utterly stupid and inconvenient it would be if I fainted. Once we were in the exam room I warned the man-nurse that I may not be conscious much longer. "If I pass out, here is my cell phone on t...

Hello again. Did you miss me? Ivy and I are sick with some kind of evil germ or virus. Let's say germ, because it just sounds funnier. "Good evening, ladies and germs!" See? Funny. Also, it makes me think of that germ-looking thing on Sponge Bob.  Also funny: So, I know it is evil because it has hit us pretty hard. I am waiting for Phillip and Violet to fall prey to Evil Germ, it is inevitable. Ivy's breathing was not doing too well, and she was running a high fever. So I took her to the doctor (which took 2 hours, thanks a lot Foothill Pediatrics!), and by the time we made our way back home Evil Germ had taken hold of me and I started getting Evil Fever and Evil Chills. Today was the worst by far, though, because my temp shot up and I had to get into bed and get into the fetal position. Eventually Ivy came looking for me and the sheer thought of having to get up to take care of someone else made me burst into tears. Ivy took the hint and left. There was NO ...