I can't believe I have a 6 year old now. I was just reading over the entry from Mo's birthday last year. It truly does go by quickly.

Our lives have undergone major transformations since last year and I'm amazed and inspired by Mo's ability to adapt to a new environment as well as lifestyle changes.

Mo reminds me so much of myself. I see so much of me in him. Sure, he's good looking, funny, and smart. Those are the obvious similarities:-)

But he's very compassionate, a perfectionist, and a competitor til the end. He thrives on making others happy even if it means he has to sacrifice. And he's a little stubborn and hot tempered too :)

As a parent, it makes me proud to watch my son grow into such a loving and kind young man. Sure he curses on occasion, farts, and karate chops my neck, but what else could a mom ask for?

Happy Birthday Mo!

So, having 2 boys, I run into all kind of situations that are foreign to me. Obviously, because I'm not a boy.

Most recently, tennis shoes.

Here are Morris's tennis shoes after 2 months of wear:

Here are my tennis shoes, same name brand and style, however I have had mine for 7 YEARS:

Having boys is just gonna take some time getting use to.

Mo is really good in math.

I would like to say it's genetic (I'm GREAT with numbers).

I think it's more from real life situations dealing with numbers, money, and counting.

We have a new weekend tradition: BLACKJACK NIGHT!

Now, before you get all up in arms, I cannot take credit for teaching him 21. He learned it at school. I picked him up one afternoon and he didn't wanna leave because he was engrossed in a serious battle of Blackjack with an after school teacher. They were playing for Saltine crackers and Hershey's kisses.

To make it fun (for me), we use candy as the stakes/reward at home. We don't bet. You are just rewarded a small "treat" when you win a hand. Once you collect 5 small treats, you can trade them in for a bigger "treat".

I let Mo count the cards for both of us. See, this is an educational experience.

My baby is so cultured.

World Poker Tour is next!!!

The booty!

Ok, so I got a tattoo a few months ago. Big deal, right? 

It's on my wrist. It hurt. I said I was done.

I lied.

I got 2 more.

It's not my fault. 

Mo made me do it.

He went with me and loves the tattoo parlor (should I be alarmed?).

I got this last month. A happy face, because...well, I'M HAPPY! Truly happy for the 1st time since my glorious LSU days. Mo helped to pick it out and he even got a wash off dragon for being my helper.

I got this one a couple days ago. A butterfly with the Aries sign inside of it. The butterfly symbolizes many obvious things (I promise it has nothing to do with my undying loyalty to Mariah ;)), and the Aries sign because I'm a textbook Aries (minus all the stuff about being stubborn, quick-tempered, and impulsive).

You can kind of see both here. Look closely to see the smiley face at the nape of my neck (I know you're admiring my kitchen accessories).

So....I'm done with the tats. I have 4. That's my lucky number.

Guess I'll start with the piercings now (KIDDING...just joking!)

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” Washington Irving

“A mother understands what a child does not say.”

When I became a stay at home mom, I approached it as I would any other work related situation. I assembled a team.

They say, "you're only as good as the people around you". To me, if you want to be good at something, you need to have people that are just as talented/knowledgeable around you, if not better.

Gradually, as my kids got older, my mom dream team organically started to come together.

It's funny, because if it weren't for kids, I'm not sure any of us would even be friends. We're all very different, but have the bond of our children that bring us together and the common goal to nurture and guide our kids keep us friends.

Smart mom

She is up on everything safety related, recalls, trendy toys, current events, etc. She keeps me on my toes with important news.

Party mom

She knows how to have a good time and can always make me laugh (usually at myself). She helps me to remember that besides being a mom, I'm a still a woman and it's ok to have fun outside of being a mom.

Beautiful mom

She wakes up 15 minutes before her kids and always looks so well put together. Her hair and nails are always perfect and she sports the latest fashion trends. Being around her reminds me that I don't ALWAYS have to look like I'm going to the gym or PTA meeting.

Old school mom

She doesn't play! She smacks her kids in the head with her shoe when they get out of line at the grocery store. Being around her reminds me there's a reason we are the parents and they're the kids.

Nice mom

Nothing ever seems to bother her. Jimmy just spilled grape juice on the white rug....oh well, she has a great remedy to get the stain out and sees everything as a learning experience.

Super mom

She does it all, works full time and takes care of the kids. She reminds me that life with kids is all about balance.

If you're a new mom, I suggest to keep your mind open to making new friends. Just because you wouldn't hang out with someone at the football game 10 years ago, doesn't mean you can't be friends now. You just might have more in common than you thought once you get to know someone.

I have taken it upon myself to announce that Mother's DAY isn't enough.

Come on, I can't count how many sleepless nights, missed meals, or downright exhaustion I've experienced as a mom. Granted, what we do isn't done to be documented, but I think we need more than 24 hours for recognition.

So, I am going to continue celebrating the relentless efforts of moms everywhere.

That's right, I am oficially extending the Mother's Day festivities (cheers and jeers).

So, in the spirit of celebrating all the smart, stylish, and strong Hot Mamas, enjoy this beautiful tribute from producer, singer, songwriter (and Harvard grad) Ryan Leslie.

Watch it once and enjoy the photos of his mom and their story.

Then watch it again and really listen to the words.

Then watch it again and listen to how beautiful his voice is.

Then watch it again because you're bored.

Then go watch your kids before they break something, or get your butt back to work.

Oh wait....as an added Mother's Day bonus, check out this JAMMIM, SMOKIN HOT video clip of Ryan Leslie playing piano freestyle to Lil Wayne's "Lollipop".  Sorry, I couldn't leave you all sappy and sad. Let's take it up a notch...

WARNING- YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT STILL WHILE LISTENING.

(and if you can't dance, you will at least bob your head or tap your foot)

What a true talent. I am so amazed by people with musical and artistic ability. I never should have quit piano lessons (yes I should have...I sucked and never wanted to practice).

I am obsessed with 3 things right now: Essential Faith perfume oil, Voluspa candles, and Chan Lu wrap bracelets. 

These obsessions are 100% enabled by the best store on my block: Mimi and Hy.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this store. If I knew how to type those cute little hearts, they would be inserted right here><. 

I love local, family owned stores that carry really cute stuff.

Check, check, and check for Mimi and Hy. 

This great boutique is owned by sisters Allison and Leah. They carry all the chic and hip jewelry, apothecary, and accessories minus the obnoxious pretentious attitude. (Thank God because I hate cursing out people for being rude azz biatches). They make shopping fun (ok, shopping is already fun). They make shopping into an experience bc they are so helpful in finding just the right thing, or they are content to let you browse without lurking behind you. 

Anyway, they give you tons of personalized attention whether you are buying a $20 candle or $150 pair of sandals. They know their products really well and when I return they always remember my favorites and have great recommendations of new merchandise.

Being from the South, this is just how shopping SHOULD be, but living in Los Angeles, it usually isn't (flash to the Pretty Woman shopping scene on Rodeo Drive: "....big mistake, huge...". Gosh, I sure love that movie)

Anyway, if you need a hostess gift, birthday gift, or just wanna buy yourself something for being so adorable and fabulous, head over to Mimi and Hy. You can also shop on their website. Here are 3 of my faves (you can get me either, or bc I never seem to have enough!) 

Some nights after the kids are in bed, I'm so tired I never even remember going to sleep. All I know is I wake up on my side with indents all over the side of my face because I probably never turned over to the other side all night.

A recent study by Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, says that a study of 1,000 Brits revealed that the six most common sleeping positions are indicative of personality types.

At first, I thought this was baloney. I'm a bit of a skeptic with all the personality type stuff, UNLESS, I like what the habit says about my personality. So, being a chronic side sleeper, I was much in agreement as to what it says about fetal postion sleepers.

• Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

• Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log.

• Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

• Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep.

• Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism. 

• Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.

Alright you big ballers, the Treasury Department is unveiling a new $100 bill.

It is the first remake of the denomination since 1996.

There are a few noted changes. They include watermarks and an embedded security thread. I'm excited about the color shifting ink. It changes hue while viewing. It starts out this really pretty coral color (my favorite).

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says will be more difficult for criminals to copy.

"As with previous US currency redesigns, this note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we're staying ahead of counterfeiters," Mr. Geithner says in a statement. So what's so great about the new $100 bill, anyway? In a word: state-of-the-art science. The new $100 bill gets an array of security features, including an image of the Liberty Bell which reportedly changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted.

But the biggest upgrade is a blue "3D Security Ribbon." That's right: the same 3D craze that swept throughmovie theaters, television screens, and video game systems, is now coming to the pocket of a well-heeled American near you. US Treasury says the 3D ribbon would appear on the front of new $100 notes, which are set to enter circulation in February 2011.

The strip contains a series of images of bells and digits; tip the note, and the images come into 3D relief. And you don't even need a pair of those dorky 3D glasses to make sure you're looking at a genuine Benjamin. "It only takes a few seconds to check the new $100 note and know it's real," says Larry R. Felix, Director of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

But....other than that, it's pretty much the same Ben Franklin with that stale smile and played out perm.