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EP 136: March Catch Up
1.1k Plays2 days ago
This week on Mom Group Chat, Candace and Whitney are back with a classic catch-up episode. With spring in the air, the energy is shifting and the girls are feeling it. From birthday party planning chaos to a serious case of the “shopies,” they’re talking about what life looks like right now in their households and why they both feel that familiar itch to get out and experience life again.
Candace shares an update on planning a joint birthday party for Alice and Evelyn (because planning a kids party is practically a full-time job), while Whitney fills us in on Greydon’s latest T-ball adventures. Candace also gives a sports mom update with Alice starting hockey.
They also get into a fun conversation about the differences they’re noticing between raising girls and boys, and how those dynamics are playing out in everyday life.
Plus, the spring energy is real. The girls talk about their sudden urge to shop, refresh their lives, and maybe even book a vacation.
In this episode, they chat about:
- Candace’s birthday party planning for Alice and Evelyn
- The current case of the “shopies” (why do we suddenly want to buy everything?)
- That spring feeling of wanting to get out, travel, and experience life
- Whitney’s update on Greydon’s T-ball season
- Candace’s update on Alice starting hockey
- The funny and surprising differences between raising girls and boys
It’s a relaxed, honest catch-up filled with mom life updates, laughs, and a little springtime restlessness.
Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:
📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat
🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchat
Questions/comments/need to vent? Email us at momgroupchat@gmail.com
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:07
Speaker
There's no right way to do it.
00:00:12
Speaker
Oh, we're going to get into it. What up, moms? My name is Candice, and I'm here with my bestie girl, Whitney Williams. And this is the Mom Group Chat Podcast. I always get two names.
00:00:24
Speaker
Whitney Williams. Yep. I don't know why You're just a firsty lasty now. Whenever you were Candace Cole, you were firsty lasty. I know. I'm RIP to my maiden name.
Nostalgia Over CDs
00:00:36
Speaker
I miss it so much. But we always say that she's CD, which goes with her musical career. So it works out.
00:00:43
Speaker
Yes, yes, yes. My pop star career. Yes, she is a CD. So it's perfect, even though those are gone. yeah It doesn't matter. no Literally. okay I was just having this conversation with someone about CDs and how...
00:00:58
Speaker
like kids there's kids these days, like teenagers don't even know like what they are. And that is so crazy. The way that like my CD collection was everything to me when I was growing up. Like, I feel like when I was in early high school, late middle school, like if someone had asked me like, if your house were to catch on fire right now, what would you take? And I would be like, I'd be grabbing my CDs. Yeah.
00:01:24
Speaker
That's funny. And now it's like, oh, that's so like you don't even need it. And no i you know, what's funny to me is that even like in 2013, Daft Punk came out with Get Lucky. Right. Yeah. And so that came on. And then I was like, I'm going to like just see what that album's about, because that was the only song I listened to on the album, because back then you had to buy everything on apple And I was just like randomly listening to it on my drive to daycare this morning, like the whole album. I'm like, wow.
00:01:57
Speaker
Didn't even know any of these existed. weird. That's kind of fun though. You get to kind of like rediscover – Like, even though it's, like, new to you, but, like, old to the world, you know? Exactly. I mean, that's how music goes, baby. Like, that's i know that's just how it is. And it all so like it all just still sounds so good. Like, that's why I think I gravitate towards 70s. I discover new stuff all the time by listening to The Bridge on Sirius XM.
00:02:30
Speaker
Oh, my God. You are so old. Woo! You know, you know.
Musical Discoveries and Obsessions
00:02:37
Speaker
my God. I have been, yeah like all of the world, obsessed with Alyssa Liu from the Winter Olympics. um Like watching the videos of her has become my whole personality for some reason. But the song that she skated to the Stateside by Pink Pantherous and za Zara Larson, does that ring a bell?
00:02:58
Speaker
You are speaking a different language to me. Oh! God, that's so funny. Like half my algorithm right now is Alyssa Liu. So I just I don't know. But anyways, I've become obsessed with that song. But it is such a me song. It is like pop girl, sassy pop girl genre, which is like my genre, you know, like I don't give a fuck. Pop girl is like genre.
00:03:27
Speaker
that's my That's my hole. like I'm the peg and that's my hole. And so I have been listening to it nonstop. And i said i texted Mackenzie this morning and I was like, I cannot stop listening to Stateside. And she was like, what is that? And I was like...
00:03:46
Speaker
Wow. Huh? That's interesting for her Okay. ever But like Mackenzie at leans more old school. set Like honestly, I feel like she lean listens more to what you listen to now. oh Maybe because she lived with her parents for a little bit. she's like She got influenced.
00:04:03
Speaker
She got it. That's what happens to me. I hang out with my freaking parents for two seconds. And i'm like, damn, what's this little, little bob? didy Yeah. a They got got something going on there. um That is so funny.
00:04:19
Speaker
I have a confession, though. Like, I didn't watch the Olympics at all. Really? Yeah. That's okay. I didn't watch it all. It's a
Olympics Viewing Experience
00:04:30
Speaker
lot.
00:04:30
Speaker
I watched the opening ceremony. I think it was just like I was too. didn't that. Yeah, that was the only thing I watched. And then, i mean, I saw like the highlights on TikTok of the people that won. I know that hockey won. I know that guy whose tooth was cut in half. I know that he stole Canada's girl, Tate McCray. Like I know everything that's happening. ah just didn't watch Yeah, yeah.
00:04:54
Speaker
Yeah. I am married to an Olympics obsessed man. That's true. Like I actually was kind of annoyed by the end of the Olympics because like if Vinny is in this house, like the Olympics are on and we only have one TV, which is kind of crazy actually. yeah,
00:05:11
Speaker
So the kids were annoyed because if you know they wanted minions or whatever the fuck they're into these days and and Vinny was like strict he's like we love our country we are going to watch the Olympics I'm like okay chill. um So i just I feel like as though it was thrust upon me.
00:05:34
Speaker
I think that's a good thing, though. Like, yeah, I do love a little more strict about the TV. Like, you don't you don't get your own TV, Graydon. Like, come on. I do think that I have seen positives about like them not controlling it.
Children's TV and Sharing
00:05:52
Speaker
i yeah I feel like it's teaching her that like everyone gets a turn and, you know, like. you don't get to control the, and I'm seeing that now with ah like, not even just about the Olympics, like with Evie, Evie now has like preferences of like what she would like to watch. and name
00:06:09
Speaker
so it's, it's kind of an interesting thing to navigate of like taking turns and like, this is Evie's choice. This is Alice's choice. And then I'll be like, it's mommy's choice. Today's mommy's choice. Yeah. Unfortunately, i can't put on like summer house with them because, know.
00:06:27
Speaker
I'm not trying Same. I'm like, the things I watch probably shouldn't have on while you're around. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yikes. But I will try and choose a ah Disney movie or something that like i really like that we never get to watch.
00:06:42
Speaker
And most of the time, they lean in. They like it. So... I've like gone through the whole Disney catalog at this point. Like we've watched it all. Like I literally will scroll like when Graydon was sick with the flu, which y'all he had the flu too. Candace and I had at the same time. We did A and B. We were like a friendship bracelet.
00:07:03
Speaker
She had half and I have half. And together we made a flu heart. fifty Um, yeah. We've watched it all. I was like, anything new, Disney? You cranking anything out these days? Like, come on.
00:07:18
Speaker
Okay. Have you ever watched The Wild Robot on Netflix? Yes, we have. we've I'm telling you. I'm telling you. really... i was I was convinced that that was one that you had never seen.
00:07:32
Speaker
It's kind of boyish. So we we've seen it. My kids love that. And that's a movie I genuinely love too. It's a tearjerker. It's sad. I can't. It's sad. We watched it again recently. that's it We've done it twice at this point.
00:07:47
Speaker
It's sad. It's sad. Yeah. we That's a new one for us that we're obsessed with. We are also in our minion era, which I have to be honest, not my fave. No, they're annoying.
00:08:01
Speaker
They're so annoying. And honestly, it's just a bunch of jumble jamble. You know what I mean? Like they don't say anything of substance and it's just like, banana. Oh my god.
00:08:15
Speaker
You could be a voice actor. You sound so good. oh i've been practicing no i mean it's just like a bunch of like i don't feel like there's any lessons or like any positives from it so i've been trying my hardest to like be like all right we gotta like steer away from this like minion phase we're in i i'm not in it i'm not i don't like it and margot has picked to me one of the ugliest movies to get attached to
00:08:46
Speaker
When I say ugly, it's just like not visually appealing to me. So it's like making me a little upsetty. and it's Kung Fu Panda. And I don't like it. We've never watched that one. She really loves it. And luckily there are like four different movies. um But damn, I'm like, why? Why can't you like Aristocats or Sleeping Beauty? Like those are so beautiful. And I'm like, she picked Kung Fu Panda. And then Chris was like joking around. He's like, do you want a Kung Fu Panda birthday party? And i was like, Chris, you're a walking in the line, buddy. No, no, no. Sorry. We're not doing, we're not, we're not serving dumplings at a kid's birthday party. Okay. Like Chris, you've got to, reel that in and I was like Margo what about rainbows and butterflies and sunshine was like okay yeah yeah yeah I'm like whoo saved it saved it yeah Chris get out of here with that that's not allowed it was really scary there for second that's really scary I would be the same way i would be the same way that's like Alice did she has started to say you know her she knows her birthday is coming up and
00:09:59
Speaker
like I've said it here a billion times, but like the frozen party is happening. Like we already have all this stuff.
Birthday Themes and Shopping Urges
00:10:04
Speaker
We're having a frozen birthday, but I've let, like I let Evie choose her like actual birthday day. Like what I decorated the house as, which was like mermaids. And then,
00:10:14
Speaker
Alice has always said like rainbows and unicorns. Like she wants unicorn, unicorn. And I'm like, great, this is great. I'm going do like kind of the same thing I did for Evie, but with rainbows and unicorn things.
00:10:25
Speaker
And then yesterday she was like, mom, I'm changing my mind. I want minion. And I was like, no, sorry. no I'm absolutely not. I'm not going to have little yellow pill things hanging from my ceiling. No, no, no.
00:10:38
Speaker
Sorry. I already, mommy already bought all this stuff for right like, I'm literally looking at it. I have rainbow colored paper that I bought for the, I'm going to do another paper chain and like, sorry, kid, you're not, you're not having a minion theme birthday day. Sorry. And I feel like I'm so chill on some things, but like there's a hard line. If it, if it ain't cute to me, I'm like, I just can't do it. I'm like, okay, I have a boy and a girl. Like,
00:11:07
Speaker
Just let me do one girly thing, Margot. Yeah. Because like especially and she's still little enough to where like you can kind of like yeah have this say. Whereas like Graydon is, first of all, boy and no offense to boys, but it's just not as cute. You know, it just period. leaned into Halloween last year, which was chef's kiss. Truly like yeah you can't get much better than that for me. I feel like this year is the first year where I'm just going to let it Let it fly. Because I've had your four years of planning. I've done all the things for him. I'm like, your turn.
00:11:42
Speaker
I'm out. And it's like you're entering superhero land. You're entering bulldozers. I'm not ah into that. I love a little suit. Like um our friend Jen had a superhero birthday and they all had different masks and capes and it was really freaking precious. i was like, I love that. Yeah, that is cute. I do like that. And I feel like there's an adjacent suit.
00:12:04
Speaker
I don't know if this is reaching here, but this is genuinely how I feel. I feel like superhero is like a cousin to 4th of July.
00:12:15
Speaker
I thought you were going say princesses. So you really threw me off to 4th of July. Okay. But just hear me out. It's like yeah can go you can go kind of like classic superhero and it like kind of feels the same vibe as like classic 4th of July. like Yeah. I don't know how to explain it. In my brain, it makes sense.
00:12:36
Speaker
okay I'm trying to get there
00:12:40
Speaker
yeah oh i think there is like with the boy girl and the girl stuff like there's ways to make it cute like if someone said minion right off the bat I'm like yikes but then I'm like well you could do it in a pastel way that could be fine like you could you could lean ah you know I don't want to lean, you know? know. I know. I know.
00:13:06
Speaker
Me neither. I'm going to ride the control wave like for as long as possible. But I know my days with Alice are numbered. so But I'm going to ride the wave as much as possible.
00:13:19
Speaker
Yeah. I also think that this year we'll switch green to like an off-site birthday party versus home. Yeah. This is, this will be our first like big, big event here at our house for the birthday party, which by the way, it's in exactly a month from tomorrow. And I have not, I have not sent an invite. I have not, I have all the decorations. So like great for that. But like, I need food. I need balloons. I need, like, I need to focus today. That part's, I feel like that part is the easy. Cause you can like fricking order catering like the day before at Publix, but like, Yeah. Get your invites out. That's, but that's also easy now. Like everything's online.
00:14:01
Speaker
I was going to say, I'm definitely doing, um, like paperless posts or something because yeah that's what we do too. It's so much easier. Well, because last, when I planned this whole party last year, I didn't do that. And I instead just like made a cute PDF and just sent it via text, you know? oh it's hard track. But then Yes, it's so hard to track. And then I ended up being really lost about who was coming and who wasn't coming. So I'm like, this year, i need to make sure that I have some sort of like tracker thing that like keeps tabs on who's coming and who's not and all of that. so Yeah, I love that. All of our friends use it too. And it's just like nice because you already have a login. And then, I don't know, you can see like past birthday things. and I don't know. It's just super yeah nice to have. so Yeah.
00:14:48
Speaker
I agree. And it's so easy. Like all you need do is get that list. Phone numbers. Boom. Done. And they have designs. They have a frozen design. I'm sure. I'm sure they do. Yeah.
00:14:59
Speaker
So actually that's like a must do today. My day is actually quite open. I'm supposed to go shopping this afternoon though. And I'm keeping that on my schedule. You're supposed to go shopping.
00:15:11
Speaker
Yeah. i You guys, I have i've had i have the shoppies. i have the shoppies recently. When do I not? I know. You have them like more – I don't get them very often. Like I really don't. But right now, you guys, the way that my body, soul, and mind is yearning for spring and summer is like –
00:15:35
Speaker
I feel, okay, do you know how intense like pregnancy cravings are? And they're like, did you did you deal with cravings? I feel like I just ate whatever was on my mind. Period. Like, whatever was. Period.
00:15:53
Speaker
Like, if I was craving fettuccine Alfredo on a hot 4th of July day, i was eating fettuccine Alfredo. It did not matter. Okay. I feel like there were times I had intense, serious cravings and i there is really a special, a special, there's a special, there is a special, like magical feeling when you like act on a craving and maybe that's probably some sort of
00:16:26
Speaker
eating disorder, honestly. But when you're pregnant, it just hits different. It really does. And I feel like the way I feel right now is like I need to be on a boat in a bathing suit in the sun with a tan. And like that would hit different in like a...
00:16:45
Speaker
It's just, i my body needs it. You're so right. it's It is that transition from like, we're getting out of winter. the The time's about to crank spring forward. So we are like on that brink of the transition period where all the new clothes are coming out. So you get that little tingle of, ooh.
00:17:06
Speaker
spring and close and i just for real gravitate towards like resort where two or i love it I oh my god anthropology right now you guys has some of the cutest like resort where like summer where yours Candace has a okay I will say Candace's anthro in Tampa Florida has a different selection than my fucking anthro yeah like I walked in there the other day and I was like It's all horses, you know, because I live in Tennessee. you're You're in the country, which a horse is cute. I'll give it its moment. But like, I want a seashell.
00:17:46
Speaker
I want to go to the beach. And we don't have that. Yeah. You got to come. We got to, you got to come here and go shopping with me. Yours was cute. Even when I was there, or when in November, i was like, damn, they got like legit bikini coverups up in here. Like it is November. That would never happen here. yeah but I'm jealous of your stuff, but I agree. I, am I am on the shoppies as well. And I know I say like turtlenecks are my favorite, but there's just something about a spring color that I, love color. i love a pastel, like I love a pattern. So I am in the shoppy too.
00:18:22
Speaker
And I know we've never really, or maybe we have talked about this. I can't remember. But I think that your color season, you know, if you, you know, the whole like, what's your season? I think that you're a spring.
00:18:34
Speaker
I've been told at work that have people that have gotten it done that I'm spring or summer. they Yeah, I agree. Yeah. Because like you in a blue, like honestly, like this color blue on you is like,
00:18:48
Speaker
chef's kiss they it's like jewel tones and um i think they were saying which is like giving summer or something i can't remember they told me what they thought it was yeah because you also in a hot pink is your pink hot pink looks like ah yeah it's a jewel it's like a blonde tan thing that works for people i don't know yeah like if you think of margot robbie and barbie you're like hot pink looks good on her you know Wow. You're Margot Robbie.
00:19:19
Speaker
Don't. Don't. I, won hate yeah. She looked good in those, what was it? Wuthering Heights promo. know. I actually have been dying to see that movie, but I haven't had a free I'm going to have to wait until it comes out.
Entertainment Buzz and Health Reflections
00:19:36
Speaker
I want to see it in theaters. I want to see it in theaters. It just seems like one of those movies. Mackenzie saw it and she was making me laugh so hard because she was like, we went on a Friday night. And so it was like,
00:19:47
Speaker
Young like young adults Like going see it and she was like Candice it was like the movie theater was in Heat She was like literally people Were like moaning out loud and Like gasping and like She was like the movie theater was in Heat and I was like I mean very Sexual Like, oh I kind of forget what it's like to be young and or i don't know.
00:20:13
Speaker
yeah Like, oh, what's that like? Like, ah you're just catching vibes. You're like, am i am I feeling this way too now? We all just in here like. Well, you know, have you ever seen those videos where people talk about like, oh, what you need to do to spice up your sex life is start reading like a book smut. I kind of feel like seeing Wuthering Heights would do that effect. Like you'd want to come home and write oh passionately f your husband, you know? So true. You're so right. I mean, Vinny should let me go see it.
00:20:46
Speaker
Yeah, Vinny. you she needs a gal's night maybe all should go together deal who vinnie no no this is a girl's event that he comes home and i come home and he reaps the benefits but like withering heights girls night movie i had never heard of it before which is like kind of embarrassing to me like everyone's like oh my god i love that book growing up i'm like i've literally never heard of it I've definitely heard of it, but I did not read it, and it doesn't seem like my type of book. I'm not a huge reader to begin with, to be honest. Well, me neither, but I feel like I should have at least heard of it.
00:21:29
Speaker
Yeah. and dont um'm I mean, I don't know. I don't think we were reading that book in my Catholic-ass school, so i i i don't i don't even know where I've heard of it, to be honest.
00:21:42
Speaker
I don't know. People online were, I was just like, wow, I feel insignificant. i've never heard of it. But like the only thing that I, and this isn't even a book, the only thing that I was like obsessed with that was like a love story was Moulin Rouge.
00:21:56
Speaker
that was just like my whole life growing up in high school. I saw a headline Megan Thee Stallion is, um, going to be on Broadway in Moulin Rouge and I'm like kind of into that.
00:22:09
Speaker
That'd be so good. Satine or who? I don't know. oh It's the first thing that comes up on Google. Yeah, she will make Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge.
00:22:22
Speaker
okay mean That's like one thing. That's like a bucket list thing I would like to do in my life is just go to Paris to the Moulin Rouge. She is going to be Ziddler which is a traditionally male role. It is.
00:22:37
Speaker
He's the handler. The showman. Okay. She will make history as the first female identifying performer to play the role not only in the Broadway production, but in any Moulin Rouge production worldwide. Interesting.
00:22:52
Speaker
Not what I thought, but like... Can-Can. Okay.
00:22:57
Speaker
Cool. Wow. I'm into go then. I'm just in like, I have a, like a, an energy of like, yeah, like, I don't know. Like I need to go somewhere. Like i need to dress up. I need some, like, i think, okay, this is March catch up. We're 22 minutes into this, but. Oh, hi. and Yeah. What's up y'all. What's up? This is just us catching up. But, um, I think it's just,
00:23:22
Speaker
Like we had flu A and we're the sickest we've ever been. and I have a whole new lease on life now. Like I just will never take my health for granted ever again. I've never felt so sick in my whole life. And I just like I have like I'm itching in my skin to like feel hot, go somewhere, experience life.
00:23:43
Speaker
You look hot. Like I was telling Candice, I'm like, you look so tan. And I'm, I am in the depths of my winter uglies. Like I'm so pale. i desperately would love to lay in a tanning bed just to feel something, you know, i but I can't.
00:23:58
Speaker
You can't, but I yeah understand the feeling. I really, really do. And I told her before we started, when she told me I looked tan, I was like, Whitney, this is all fake. i have been like i've been clawing my way to, so to again, feel something. like You're talking about a tanning bed. My way of feeling something is to...
00:24:16
Speaker
douse my body in extra dark loving mousse. So that's what I've been doing. You've inspired me. I'm going to put some tanning drops on my face immediately, like three or four drops just deep.
00:24:29
Speaker
Yeah. And you'll look, you'll look at yourself later today or tomorrow morning and be like, wow, I'm, I i remember what i am supposed to look like. And then bam, I'm going to show up to a t-ball practice tomorrow morning and be like, I'm the tan mom.
00:24:44
Speaker
Oh, my God. Wait. Hold on. Let's talk about T-ball. And let's talk about hockey. Yeah. We'll talk about it all. Okay. Give us a T-ball update. Our kids are feeling sporty.
Children's Activities and Weekend Preferences
00:24:56
Speaker
he only's He's only had one practice so far. And these are a little intense. Like for a four-year-old, there's two a week, two practices a week, and they're an hour long.
00:25:07
Speaker
like wow Yeah. That is more intense than I thought. Yeah. I was... I mean, the ball field was buzzing and it was kind of cool that we did it during the week. i was like, yeah, like a little something to do on a Wednesday night. Look at us. um But it was buzzing. There was these kids that were like eight, nine, 10 were just like professional athletes. I was like so impressed of them playing and catching and doing drills. I was like, wow, this is like really cool. um But the kids were cute. They were practicing like running the bases and learning the bases and hitting and oh but I'm about that 45 minute mark.
00:25:49
Speaker
He was losing some steam for sure. And he just was like, oh my gosh, and they all were like it wasn't just grading, but yeah.
00:26:01
Speaker
I'm like, we're going to do this two times a week and keep their attention. I'm very curious how it's going to go this weekend. um But really cute. And we we put Margo in swim, which she hasn't done yet. And she did well. She can have an aversion to like the pool or even the freaking bathtub. And she like ebbs and flows on how she feels about water.
00:26:23
Speaker
i was really, really scared. Yeah. when we started her, but she did well. And she was so proud. She was like, I went in the big pool. So we're just getting her acquainted again to water safety heading into the summer. And I'm like, yeah, she has potential to learn how to swim this summer.
00:26:42
Speaker
Cause I think I learned at her age. So I'm like, let's see how it goes, I guess. Yeah. No, she'll be great. I feel like you guys are so lucky with the pool in your backyard because it's like exposure there. You know what i mean? Like you're going to get, you're going to be in there all the time. And it's like, she's just gonna, she's going to catch on. i think. I just, I never knew how, I don't know.
00:27:10
Speaker
it how much it would like benefit them by having it like I just never grew up with one so I didn't know and I've mostly been like really scared to have one just because of like it yeah being what it is but yeah yeah so I've been like very hesitant but like Graydon just took to it so well and learned and it just like makes you feel so much better and then I'm just hoping the same for her if not by this summer probably next. So yeah, it'll be great.
00:27:42
Speaker
That's so exciting about Tebow. I can't, that feels so legit to have two practices a week. I'm like, is this, is this what it's going to be? I know. It's like, I actually get kind of nervous when I see, do you ever get videos about like the parents that are in the activity phase of life? You know, when they have like five to 10 year olds and they talk about the driving, the activities, the schedules and like, sorry. Sorry.
00:28:15
Speaker
yeah I'm like, I'm a little nervous for that phase. I'm nervous, but I thrive on a schedule like- I think I'm going to like it, like having things to do at night versus sitting here and watching fucking TV or whatever. Like during the week, at least I'm going to like it. I don't I don't love having practices and plans on the weekends just because I'm like, I want to be like free and untethered. I i want to like yeah go and do whatever I want. But during the week, I'm kind of like, let's pack it in.
00:28:51
Speaker
Yeah, that's true. It does fill the time, you know. It just is expensive. You can't like, i don't know, put them in five different things. Oh my God, I know. And they like tell you to try everything. I'm like, I'm sorry, I don't have an extra two grand to blow per month to have them try everything.
00:29:10
Speaker
I'm just like, my God, swimming so expensive. T-balls. Oh my God, I'm just like, all the sports are so expensive. And then you're like, do you even like it? I don't know, but we are going – Graydon was really nervous. Like he kind of leans a little shy even though – he's so me.
00:29:27
Speaker
He blossoms once he's fine and then he's just very shy up front. He's not going to be the first to talk. And then he he like ran the bases. Like if we were about 20 minutes in and he ran up and hugged me. He goes, I'm not nervous anymore. I'm having fun. And I was like, that's so cute. Oh, that's so sweet. Yeah. I was going to ask if like – Because something I noticed about Alice at hockey is she was great. Like she went out there and like caught on very quickly. And she started to get praise from the coach and from us on the sidelines being like, you're doing so good.
00:30:07
Speaker
And her face like lit up and she was like, oh, wait, I'm like doing a good job. Like she's a star. Yeah. Yeah, like is so me too, but like someone cheer me on. I need you to tell me I'm doing a good job. And I was curious if the same thing happened with Graydon, if there was a moment where you were like, good job. And he was like, wait, I like this. I'm doing a good job.
00:30:28
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, he he didn't like... He wasn't like, oh, look at me. He just... I don't know. I can't really tell with him sometimes. I'm like, you good over there? He's just such a boy. i don't know. Yeah.
00:30:40
Speaker
Yeah. He's funny. But the the kids were like... It was such boy energy. I was like, wow, this is crazy.
00:30:51
Speaker
Like I feel normal. Like I swear to God, I was just like, wow, all these crazy like boys running around, not listening. Some are listening, but then they're distracted. i was like, this is boy land. And it just makes me feel like a normal. I'm like, oh, we're all experiencing this. Cool.
00:31:07
Speaker
coco Cool. Cool. ey Yeah. That's honestly very validating. I would imagine. Yeah. Cause the girl stuff is like chill and it's like literally that video you sent of Alice and her little friend at hockey and the girls were listening and all the boys were like running around them.
00:31:29
Speaker
like running around them And like, yep. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. um No, it's it is funny to see the difference because there is one like and and of course there's all different types of girls and all different types of boys, but there definitely is like a a through line of like.
00:31:49
Speaker
chaotic energy, I think, with the boys. Yeah. And the through line of, like, observation and, like, sussing a situation with the girls. I think the girls sometimes, like, like, don't know. I just notice that whenever we walk into a new situation, i feel like the girls like to – they're like, okay, we're here. We need to assess everything first. Like, before I make any real moves and, like, decide if I'm going to like this or not, I need to, like – take a second and observe what's going on and then i'll make a decision and i sometimes feel like boys don't necessarily do that they're just like boom dive in open ring of balls everywhere i'm gonna it's so much true it's so true we went to a birthday party and grayden And his best friend, Jack, were just like, it was like a little cute little gem. There's like a long trampoline. Margot was having a blast. Meanwhile, Graydon and Jack wrestling in the middle. like And then the little Jack's little brother was like pulling Graydon by the neck and pulling him down. And was just like...
00:33:00
Speaker
Yeah, that's them. And um one of the dads was like, y'all must know each other. And we were like, yeah, they act kind of like brothers. Yeah.
00:33:11
Speaker
Just wild That's so funny. Did I, I don't think I talked about this because we haven't done a catch up since, Evie's birthday. But for Evie's birthday, we had, you know, some friends over and TJ and Andrew are in town yeah for a month.
00:33:28
Speaker
So it's so fun. We have got to see them and they're actually coming with us on Sunday to their, um, to the St. Pete Grand Prix. um So the race car thing downtown that we typically go to. So very cool. And I thought TJ would be into it. Anyways, i um they were here and i the other friends we invited have two girls too. So it was like girly land and TJ. I should have invited over other friends that had boys so that he like had a friend, but
00:34:00
Speaker
that's neither here nor there. Um, within 30 seconds of TJ being here, i had set up a little like bounce house in the backyard for the kids.
00:34:11
Speaker
And I swear to God, he was here 30 seconds and he walks back inside like, and all the adults are standing in the kitchen around the food, you know? And he's like, Ms. Candace, um, uh, my monster truck is on the roof. Um,
00:34:27
Speaker
And it was so funny. Andrew actually cracked me up. Andrew was like, what the fuck? And ah Vinny and I looked at each other. were like, oh, like on the roof of the house. And he was like, he had the biggest, TJ had the biggest smile on his face, which, oh, my heart, because his smile looks so much like Shannon's, you know, he had the biggest smile on his face. And he was like, yeah, yeah.
00:34:52
Speaker
but So Vinny had to get a ladder and go up on the roof. He had launched his monster truck from the bounce house up on the roof of our house. And Vinny and I just were laughing so hard because we're like, wow, that's never happened. I never even crossed my brain that it could happen because we're in girly land. And I don't think that just like happens in girly land. You know, that's so, but it was, it was funny.
00:35:23
Speaker
Oh, know, just the trials and tribulations of raising men, you know? I know. That is so funny. I thought you were going say he popped the ah bouncy house, which would track as well.
00:35:36
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. um I was so nervous the dogs were going to do that because Finn is kind of crazy. And I thought his nails, like he would be clawing at the kids jumping and he would pop it. I was like actually concerned about that. But um I also thought you like set something up because like I'll drop off Graydon at daycare. And if the teacher has like set up some like Legos or blocks, he'll just come in and punch it. Yeah.
00:36:01
Speaker
It's down. And I'm like, that probably took her a second. Like, what are you doing? Yeah. Just boom, destroy. And I'm like, I'm sorry. Oh, my God. I don't know.
00:36:15
Speaker
Anyway, that is too funny. And I'm glad y'all have fun. um How did the party go at your house? I feel like this was your first soiree. It was good. i I, Vinny and I had a little bit of feeling. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we love our new house. Okay. And I, it's not even, I mean, we've been here for over a year now. That's the other thing is we had Evie's birthday on the 12th and then Valentine's day was one year of us being in this house, in this house. So that was kind of like a, I don't know. We were celebrating a lot. We're like, wow, we've been here a year, blah, blah, blah. And, um,
00:36:49
Speaker
We had some feelings about, it was really our first time like hosting something here, like with a decent amount of people. And this house just like doesn't have the same flow as our old house did. Our old house really had, like we would open up these big double doors and like in and out to the backyard and we had the back deck. It just had such a good like hosting flow, you know?
00:37:19
Speaker
yeah And, um, yeah, I don't know. I think we were just like, man, we kind of miss our old house and this house like is cute. And there are things we would do differently whenever we do host again, cause we will host again. Obviously we're hosting the big birthday party. We're going to the the food needs to be outside because people hang around the food and where we had the food in the kitchen. It's just like a clogged, it's a clogged duct. It's like it people, it's like people need to come in and out freely and like people hang there and it just gets like kind of sticky. And then, um, yeah, it was just, so anyways, it was so good. it was good. i love, I genuinely love hosting, But I also learned a lot and things we would do differently for the party. i think we're going to set up a balloon arch or something by the back gate and just have people come directly into the backyard. Because our back porch and backyard is actually amazing for hosting.
00:38:24
Speaker
It was also cold the night of Evie's birthday, which I think had something to do with it. people us us florida folk we weren't hanging outside because it was cold so i think it'll be different when the weather is warmer and people are like more willing to hang outside you know yeah So overall, it was good. i learned a lot. I'm excited to host again and like do some things a little bit differently. But yeah, it was it was great. It was great. I'm glad. And I feel like your your big party is going to be awesome. And we do the same thing for here because I'm like, y'all, please don't come in my house because then the kids all go in and destroy everything. So we do the same thing. We're like, come around back.
00:39:10
Speaker
you could even put a sign on your front door like you I'm going to I'm going to um and I yeah I am just excited to host and to like have the big party that we've literally been planning for over a year how do you feel about them being four and two I feel really good about
Parenting Challenges and Future Plans
00:39:33
Speaker
it. i'm We're in such a good place. Like, I really love these ages. i feel like I'm coming out of the two under two, like, scaries, honestly.
00:39:45
Speaker
And fours are my favorite age so far. i love it. We're definitely dealing with some sass. from Alice. But on the whole, I just love these ages. Evie's getting more and more independent. She's talking so much. um I will say she still has a pacifier and like that's got to go. with it's She's only two.
00:40:09
Speaker
I know, but ah we're going to do it soon. I told Vinny like as soon as all of the symptoms of like, I mean, we're way over the flu now, but she still has like a runny nose kind of. And I'm like, as soon as that is gone, like we got to just We got pull the plug. We got to pull the PASI plug. the the passee plug Don't ask me for advice because I just feel like we did everything wrong. as So that was not my strong suit.
00:40:36
Speaker
i'm doing I'm doing the same thing I did with Alice. We're going cold turkey. We're packing them up and sending them to the baby princesses. she's We've already like talked to her about it. She knows. I'll i'll even ask her, like are you ready to send the PASIs to the baby princesses? And she'll say yes. So...
00:40:52
Speaker
We're going to do it here in the next week or so. So I will keep you guys updated, but I am a little nervous. I can just tell she's way more attached to it than Alice ever was. Yeah. so I think just cause she's older, you know, sometimes green is still like, if he sees a picture of him as a baby, he'll be like my Patsy, I miss it. I'm like, Oh God. Why? Yeah. why if Have you started potty training with Margo yet?
00:41:22
Speaker
um So she's about to move up to the next class because they move up at two and a half and she she'll she'll be two and a half in like two days. So it was um She'll start in the in the next class. So we are excited.
00:41:40
Speaker
We tried to do it at home like because she was kind of showing interest. That was a regret because then she really cried for her diaper. So I'm like, you know what? I'm going to leave it to the teachers. I don't even know why i thought i should just like give it a whirl one weekend.
00:41:56
Speaker
It was actually the weekend of the ice storm, which... Which freaking stupid anyway, because like you should do it in the spring and summer like a dog. Like that's when you should get a dog where you can train them and take them outside.
00:42:08
Speaker
Pee in the yard. I don't care. Like, you know what i mean? So, yeah, I just i was like, we're going to wait. We're going to wait. That's good. And it can be just like because Graydon, you said like the teachers at school really like led that.
00:42:21
Speaker
They seriously were just like, bring him underwear. And i was like, no, he's not. He's not ready. And they're like, no, just bring him. We we got it. And I was like, wow. Y'all are what a dream. What a dream. truly Got it. We're good.
00:42:36
Speaker
Wow. Let them deal. Yeah, that's amazing. Well, I feel like we have so many changes coming up, like between the PASI going bye-bye. We also like – have potty training on the horizon. i don't think we're quite ready. She just turned two, but it's on the horizon. And then, i don't know, I just, I'm, I feel excited for these ages.
00:43:03
Speaker
It makes me question having a third baby because I'm just like, things are so good. Like, But Vinny is venne's like more on board than I am recently, which is kind of i'm I feel like I have fear of a sudden about it. And Vinny's like, no, I still think we should. I want one. And I'm like, the tides have turned, my friend.
00:43:27
Speaker
I mean, I think when things get like y'all should coast in this season. Oh, we are being easy. And then when things get a little too quiet for you, that's when you can be like, it's time.
00:43:39
Speaker
um I well, I need a this is so so selfish of me, but. I need a hot girl summer. Like I have so much like planned for this year. Like we're going to San Diego in a couple weeks. Right after that, I'm going to New York City with my due date group.
00:43:55
Speaker
In June, we're going to Lake Tahoe. In July is my sister-in-law's bachelorette, Marin's bachelorette in West Palm Beach. And we just like got the house for that and it looks sick. I'm excited. I wonder if have the same one.
00:44:09
Speaker
Oh, cause we're going we're going to Palm West Palm Beach in June with my due date group.
Upcoming Trips and Podcast Anniversary
00:44:14
Speaker
I'm so excited. I, how many people are going? Cause Marin's it's like 18 people. So the house sleeps 22. Oh my Lord. No, i think there's like seven of us.
00:44:24
Speaker
Yeah. Marin has more friends than anyone I've ever met. So I knew it was going to be that way. I'm really excited to go there. Um, it looks really fun and I follow some people that like live there. So I'm excited to go.
00:44:38
Speaker
Are y'all going to do a boat day? I don't know. i don't know if we will. Oh, you should. I'm more into like the shopping. Like I want to go um buy things and we have a pool. So I'm like, I'm good with the pool.
00:44:54
Speaker
Yeah. um West Palm Beach does have great shopping. Oh, I know. I'm i'm into the food. Yeah, I'm into the food. i want to go shopping. i want to bring some stuff home. Like but I'm more into that, I think. Yeah.
00:45:09
Speaker
good Honestly, good thinking. I need to do that too. um Wow. Well, this has been so fun. I was trying to think if there's anything else that I needed like. sure there was, but we're here. I got nothing. It's March. It's March. We have some amazing guests coming up, you guys. like We have two amazing guests.
00:45:30
Speaker
guest episodes coming up. um So I'm so excited for you guys to hear that. It's also, i know I'm like jumping the gun here a little, but we're like getting close to our three-year anniversary.
00:45:44
Speaker
we are. I know which is so exciting. And I've been kind of thinking about what we should do for that. And i don't know, it's been on my brain. So we got we got to talk about it. Okay. Okay.
00:45:58
Speaker
No spoilers. No spoilers. All right. Well, love you guys. I will show you everything I get when I shop today. and Okay. Love you. right. Love you. Bye. by Thank you so much for being a part of our mom group chat. New episodes drop every Tuesday. And don't forget, the group chat is blowing up on our Instagram page. So make sure you're following along over there. All right. Got to go. My toddler just put something in her mouth.