Two “moms” parties, a lame Chanukah, one blog award, a black tie event. And no photos. Just a typical week around here.

Let’s be clear – I really don’t go out that much anymore.  But the “Hellidays” are here. ’Tis the season to pack in a year’s worth of socializing into three short weeks.  It doesn’t help matters that someone on high decided to schedule Chanukah one freaking week after Thanksgiving which means enduring tradition after fattening tradition for almost two weeks straight. I mean just when you’re trying to work off the stuffing, someone throws potato latke in your face.  How can I say no to fried potatoes and applesauce?

However fattening, this time of year does provide me with good excuses to get together with friends, coworkers, kids and wear some of the clothes relegated to the back of my closet behind my sweatpants. 

First up, a fabulous party sponsorsed by Graco for the Chicago Moms Blog. I’m so honored to be a part of such an amazing and diverse group of women.  I get inspired Alma’s commitment to her work, family and the environment. Grrlfriend Jess always makes me laugh even though all she’s going through.  And I got to pal around with another fellow Wolverine.  All with pomegranate martinis at Danielle’s house.  I couldn’t ask for anything more – other than the chance to get together for dinner with Amy, MJ and Steph one of these days!  Actually, the only other thing I would like to ask for is a version of this, but for adults.

I bet there’s nothing like sleeping off a hangover in the “Soothing Center.”

I could barely wind down from the fun before I moved onto “moms” party number two of the week.  The funny thing about “moms” parties are the fact that we actually call them that. I mean before I had kids what did I call a party at a friend’s house? Yeah, just that.  Anyway, I somehow got snookered by my friend to host moms party number 2.  Right, what was I thinking? It was labelled potluck, but as hostess I couldn’t live with myself letting everyone else bring stuff.  Hence the $80 I spent on poinsetta centerpieces, which immediately got taken over by the tornado of baby clothes that the woman who came over to sell them to us at a discount spread across MY ENTIRE HOUSE. I don’t have that much counter space around.  But whatever I had she used as display space.  And she brought hanging racks.  I kinda felt bad that she dragged 80 miles to the “moms” party so of course I spent $100 on clothes my son doesn’t really need. I thought home-based, potluck parties were supposed to be cheap!? That’s ok. It was fun to see all the “moms” with our hair blown out.

Just imagine if this tornado was pink and blue and brown.

Amidst fun for moms I had to make sure that I showed my son some fun as well. I mean, it is still Chanukah.  So Friday night we were off to our Temple’s Chanukah celebration. Note to self: buffet dinners are hard to coordinate when you are alone with your child. Thank g-d for nice table mates who flag down the waiter for some more applesauce while you leave your child unattended to run to the ladies’ room. Aren’t I such a good Jewish mother? 

As if these three parties weren’t enough, my husband and I were asked to attend a huge black tie gala tonight – like $700 a head huge – by some very important very senior folks from his firm.  I’m not saying it’s not going to be fun, but I’ve already gotten good mileage of some of my “going out clothes” this week without adding the pain and misery of pantyhose to the mix.  Although there’s something to be said about having a reason to wash my face and hair today.

And amidst all of this, PunditMom actually thought something I wrote was funny and awarded me a ROFL award. How much more popular can I get in one week!?

Remind me of this come the doldrums of January, please.

p.s. did you notice I forgot to take at least ONE photo all week? Right. I suck.