Mo had his 1st big presentation at school. He made an 8 minute presentation about a Person Who Made A Difference. Each child was to research, talk about, and dress as someone in history they felt made a difference. Since Mo is athletic and into sports, I knew he was gonna choose an athlete. After […]
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Sweet Blackberry
I recently attended a fundraiser for Sweet Blackberry. No, I’m not referring the my beloved smart phone. I’m talking about the non-profit organization whose mission is to bring little known stories of African American achievement to children everywhere. Actress, and mother of 2, Karyn Parsons (A.K.A Hilary Banks) was inspired to create Sweet Blackberry by the […]
What Color Am I?
The main reason I chose to raise my sons in California is because of the beach diversity. Growing up multiracial in the South taught me a lot, but umm…..I didn’t want my boys to grow up thinking the term “good hair” was a common word in Webster’s Dictionary. Mo and B both have their own […]
BRUNO! BRUNO! BRUNO!
Shopping Music is my escape. I love listening to music to take my mind off everyday stresses and headaches (A.K.A my kids). Of course, I love Mariah. Afterall, we are Besties in my head!!! But there is nothing like relaxing and listening to a smooth pure falsetto: Babyface, Ne-Yo, Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Boys II Men…..my heart […]
Meet The Cousins
Recently, Morris asked me, “what’s a cousin?”
He had heard many friends at school talk about their cousins and wanted to know if he had any.
Since my youngest cousin was getting married, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to travel to Milwaukee and meet my dad’s side of the family.
I couldn’t believe how excited Morris was. He consistently asked EVERY SINGLE DAY when was the day to meet the cousins.
However, as the day approached, I started getting a little nervous. In case you haven’t noticed, I am racially mixed, as are my boys. The Milwaukee cousins are all blonde hair, blue eyed, and we’re obviously not.
Would Morris notice? Would the cousins notice?
We live in Los Angeles, a melting pot of many nationalities, cultures, and personalities.
Would the people of Milwaukee be ready for Morris and Bronson? I don’t even think the good folks of LA are ready for my Morris sometimes. I’m not even ready for that kid. 
Or worse, what if Morris shouts out, “I LOVE BRETT FAVRE!” Would he incite a riot in Packerville?
Turns out, Morris had such a great time. He made an instant connection with them all. There was something in his eyes, something pleasant and happy, that was really great to see when he talked about each cousin that was quite endearing.
As usual, Morris’s heart was stolen by an older, female, Madelynn. I spent most of the trip explaining to him why he couldn’t marry his cousin (but it would be perfectly ok to marry me, his mommy 
).
At the culmination of our trip, Morris cried his eyes out when it came time to say goodbye to his cousins. It was quite touching that within a matter of a few days, he had made such a great connection with family.
Since he’s returned to LA he can’t stop talking about Julian (the cool cousin that peed on a tree), Peyton (the funny cousin that loves to dance), and of course Madelynn (the cousin that is prettier than mommy).
Oh, and as it turns out, a couple cousins are Brett Favre fans too (they just can’t say it too loud).
Simply Fabulous! Kimora Lee Simmons’s Baby Shower
There is no denying how fabulous Kimora Lee Simmons is. She is the only multiethnic female to have a successful fashion empire.
She oversees her Baby Phat clothing line as well as President and Creative Director of Phat Fashions.
She has 4 fragrances: Goddess, Golden Goddess, Seductive Goddess and, Baby Phat Fabulosity.
On top of all this, she has her own jewelry line, has written a book, Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It, and has her own Barbie.
But what I love most about Kimora is how she balances her professional life with being a mom to 2 daughters, and a third child on the way.
We all love a good baby shower. So, no one should be surprised by the fabulouseness of Kimora’s baby shower.
The last minute and low-key event had servings of Sliced prime rib; lobster; crab; shrimp; caviar; poached salmon; macaroni and cheese; a fondue fountain with white chocolate, fruit and marshmallows; red velvet cake; Jamaican rum cake and strawberry shortcake to serve about 50 guests.
Among the 50 guests were Stevie Wonder and his wife, Kai, Holly Robinson Peete, and Kimora’s daughters with ex-hubby Russell Simmons, Ming Lee, 9, and Aoki Lee, 6.
Kimora looks amazing and is due in June.
Joakim Noah and Morris
Morris likes basketball. He was shooting on a 6 ft goal at 18 months old, and 8 foot goal by 2 years old.
But, recently he has discovered a LOVE for basketball.
While changing channels the other night, we caught a glimpse of a guy running on the basketball court. He had a long curly ponytail (just like Morris), and a weird beard/moustache (unlike Morris). His name is Joakim Noah, center/power forward for the Chicago Bulls. He’s the son of retired tennis star Yannick Noah, and former Miss Sweden, Cecilia Rhode (by comparison, does that make ME Miss Sweden?).
From that moment on, Morris was mesmerized. He watched the entire playoff game, cheering mainly for Joe Pete. I was like, “who is Joe Pete?” Morris said, “the guy with the ponytail.” He’s still working on getting Joakim’s name right.
At first, I thought it was a clever ploy to stay up past his bedtime (I used to do the same thing when I was a little girl. My mom would watch Falcon Crest and I pretended I was really into in so I didn’t have to go to bed).
But when he woke up in the morning, he asked to watch the game again (anything that takes precedent over wii is MAJOR). You do realize we’re talking about a sport where the final “20 seconds” really takes 10 minutes. These games are loooong.
I must admit, it’s pretty exciting as a mom to watch my son be so passionate about something. He jumps up and down when the Bulls score, calls other players “jerk” when they foul Joakim Noah,screams “rebound” when they’re on defense, and gets anxious when the opponent scores. We’ll see how long this lasts, but I have a feeling Morris will be into “Da Bulls” for a while.
The Hair Gods Are Good To the Boys
When I was little, I remember waking up with a major crick in my neck from trying to sleep with a head full of pink sponge rollers. 
Remember those? Those pink sponges were so absorbent you could wash a minivan with just 2. And, boy did they hurt when you tried to take them out. My hair always got stuck in the crevices, or maybe it was the Aqua Net I used to help “hold” the curls.
I grew up in the 80s when hair was all about BIG and CURLY. And if being IBTC President wasn’t enough for my self esteem, I had BONE STRAIGHT HAIR! Let’s not even talk about the braces and glasses. Good times.
So, I guess they’re right when they say everything skips a generation. Thank goodness the Hair Gods were on my kids’ side. But does it really count since they’re boys? They could really care less.
I asked Morris if he wanted to get his hair cut off (he’s had 6 regular “trims” already) and all he cared about was whether or not he would get a lollipop. I told him he would be starting Kindergarten soon, and may want to get a shorter cut.
Morris: Sometimes kids call me a girl because I have long hair.
Me: How does that make you feel?
Morris: I don’t care. Yesterday at the park, this boy and his mom called me a girl. I told them I was a boy, and they laughed.
Me: That’s good you used your words.
Morris: Then I said if you call me a girl again I’ll punch you in the face.
Me: Hmm…What did his mom say?
Morris: She said, yeah, you’re definitely a boy.
So, Morris got the hair that every girl wants: long, thick, and curly with natural highlights of caramel and honey. Some boys have all the luck.
Bronson got the hair that all rock stars dream of, a natural mohawk. I guess Morris had the foresight of knowing this because he picked out his brother’s middle name, “Rocco the Rock Star.” Funny how things happen. 
I’m sure when Bronson is 45 years old and CEO or an ultra conservative insurance company he will appreciate his mohawk.
Luckily, I can rest easier at night knowing my boys won’t have hair issues. I’m also happy because the pink sponge rollers are a thing of the past. Straight is back in! Brazilian blowouts for all the girls.
