A Wagner Morning

My husband is scared to go to the dentist. I mean really scared. The last time he had to have a cavity filled, he was put completely out, IV and everything. I think it must go back to having a bad childhood dentist.

This morning he had an appointment for a deep cleaning, and the dentist had given him medication to take last night and another medication this morning. (Anti-anxiety stuff to CALM him.)

So that meant I had to take him to the dentist for a 7:30 a.m. appointment. So I start making Addie's lunch, get both kids some breakfast and we pile in the car, all in our jammies except Matt, and take him to the dentist. I drop him off, then head back home to finish getting Addie ready for school.

Then I drop her off at school and a few minutes later, Matt texts that he is ready. Actually he texts a total of 18 times basically the same text. ''Ready.'' "Readyo. ''xup%&ryReady.'' Um, clearly he is high. Can I get sedation medication for myself?

So I pull up at the dentist, still in full pajamas, slippers and a robe. Aubrey is in her nightgown. I hadn't had time to get dressed or even brush my teeth. I text Readyo to tell him I am waiting downstairs. He texts that I have to come up. Um no, I am in my pajamas. Yes, you have to come up. OMG!

Off I go into the elevator, in full pajamas and slippers and holding my daughter in her pajamas. Man on elevator looks confused. We enter the dentist office, where the lady behind the counter tells me I have to come back into the office to discuss Matt's treatment. Mind you, I have still not brushed my teeth. And we are at a dentist office. In my pajamas. She does her routine, blah, blah, blah. The patients waiting in the office don't really know what to think?

The dentist woman talks on like it is completely appropriate for me to be in my pajamas with hair not combed and bad breath.

I get the patient into the car, and he is clearly still high. Doesn't remember sending me the ''Readyo'' texts. He passes out at home on the couch while still eating chocolate chip pumpkin bread. I take the plate away and see that he has chocolate on the side of his face and lips. Clean him up with a baby wipe.

''Am I drooling?'' he asks. Um, no. You have chocolate all over you.

I finally took my shower and brushed my teeth. Matt recovered somewhat and decided to go to work. I didn't think he should be driving yet. So if you see him on the road, steer clear. You people know his track record.

Happy Mother's Day!

For the first time, my daughters are really into Mother's Day this year.

First, there was the Mother's Day tea at Addie's school. Tea + 22 kindergarteners singing how wonderful moms are and reading certificates declaring "My mother is as pretty as a red rose'' = lots of crying moms. Then yesterday I told the girls we would be going to Mother's Day Brunch this morning.

That's when the excitement began.

''We have to get mommy a present,'' declared my 6-year-old. And she wanted to use her own money. So we opted to take Mommy shopping so I could pick out a few things. Addie toted her purple and yellow round box full of $7 all the way to the store, plopped it on the counter and announced: ''I am buying this for my mom!''

It was all very cute. She wouldn't let me hold the shopping bag, and when we returned home she insisted that we wrap it up so she could present it to me on Mother's Day. So I wrapped my own gift, with assistance from a 6-year-old, and put a pretty bow on it. Aubrey wanted in on the action too, so we put some cropped pants in a hot pink bag and stuffed some tissue inside. Then they put the packages in their rooms and went to bed.

As I'm tucking Aubrey in, she said: ''Will it be Mother's Day when I wake up, after I sleep?''

Gee, I really hope they are not disappointed. I hope they don't think it's like Christmas.

Turns out, I didn't have to wait long for Mother's Day to begin.

At 3:30 a.m., a small presence hovered over me while I slept. It was a 4-year-old. And she was holding the hot pink bag, ready to present it to me.

Me: ''Aubrey, honey, it's not time to wake up. You better go potty so you don't pee your bed.''

Her: ''I already peed in my bed!!!!''

Yep, she was right. She peed in that bed like a champ. And I had never felt more motherly, stripping sheets and making sure her favorite blanket wasn't wet. Back to bed she went, clutching her gift.

At 5:30 a.m., she was back, but this time was joined by a big sister. They were both holding their gifts, ready to pounce on an asleep mother. I told them they had to go back to bed and couldn't return until the clock read at least 7 a.m. (I must note that my children are great sleepers. They rarely wake up at night.)

One came back at 6:30. I faked asleep.

Then they came back at 7:30, and it was present time! They climbed all over me, smothered me with hugs and kisses and gave me the presents I had wrapped. Aubrey also gave me a small envelope that held a leftover Easter eraser and a miniature bowling ball from a game. Then I got a tray with breakfast: OJ and a blueberry muffin.

It is now almost 7 at night and my 4-year-old wants to know if it is still Mother's Day.

I loved that they were so excited about my special day. And I am still laughing about my 3:30 wake-up call, and my 5:30 one and my 6:30 one. And my 7:30 one.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love you girls!

Great Day Trip

How could I have lived in Las Vegas since 1996 and never discovered the Eldorado Canyon Mine?

Thanks to an article in the local paper, the girls and I set out on to explore this old mining town that happens to be a mere 45 minutes from our house.

What a gem of a day trip we found! The Eldorado Canyon mine was the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. As we got closer, the yellow and purple wildflowers dotted the road, and Joshua trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Beautiful.

Our tour guide met us in the general store, which is one of many buildings that have been restored. Then he entertained us with stories of claim jumping, murders and the life of miners long ago. Next we headed deep into the mine. Now, never having been in a mine before, the girls and I were fascinated. The guide warned me to grab both girls by the hand because to cross a bridge in the mine means to look down so far that one slip would mean certain death for a miner or a little girl.

The mine is lit by lanterns along the way, and the guide does a good job detailing life in the mine. The best part was when he explained that each miner was given a few candles to take down into the mine with him. Some would light the candle, get their bearings, then blow out the candle and work in the dark in order to save their light. Our guide demonstrated how dark the mine was by turning off the lanterns, lighting a candle, then extinguishing it. The result was total blackness. You can't even see your hand in front of your face.

After the tour, we took about an hour hike up the canyon. The girls found some horse tracks and wanted to follow them. They followed them all the way to a horse stable and back. Then it was time for a picnic lunch, and more exploring of the buildings. This place is a popular one for movies and musicians. There's an old airplane crashed into the desert that was part of the film ''3000 Miles to Graceland.'' Beyonce was photographed here. Donny and Marie. And catalogs like ''Anthropologie'' do entire shoots here.

The girls had a blast exploring and collecting rocks. I can't believe we had never discovered this place before.

Next time you're in Vegas, remember Eldorado Canyon. They do tours, and since the town is right near the Colorado River, there's also canoeing and kayaking.

Check out: www.eldoradocanyonminetours.com

A Pretty Little Desk

I really enjoy stumbling upon special ''finds'' for my daughters' rooms. So when I was looking for a desk for my 6-year-old, I made the rounds -- Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod, Company Kids, etc. Desks are really expensive.

Then I went to Craig's List. Love Craig's List. And I found a man selling a child's desk and matching chair. I went to look at it and immediately saw the potential. It was painted cream with gold accents and little fruit appliques on it. But imagine my surprise when I opened the drawer and saw the words ''Ethan Allen'' stamped inside.

Guess how much he wanted to the desk and chair? Only $25! For both! I was thrilled.

Our painter friend buffed out some of the rough spots and repainted it white to match her room. I found the lavender drawer knobs at Lowe's. Perfect to match her purple walls. The painter charged me $75.

Grand total: $100 for this Ethan Allen desk and chair that I happen to think is pretty darn cute. She loves it, too.

Check out the desk ''before'' and ''after.''

Lately my 6-year-old has also been taping up pictures and color pages all over her room and into the hallway. It drives me crazy not having a contained area for all this art. She doesn't want to hang it where I hang the rest of the kid art. Nope, she wants her own space. So I was on the hunt for a bulletin board to go with her room.

Her room is done in a vintage-style, so obviously this was the style I was looking for. I found one on www.etsy.com. (Love that site!) This lady takes wood from old houses and makes the wood into something else, like picture frames and such.

This bulletin board is perfect for my daughter's room, which is lavender with yellow accents. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it! The yellow wood is actually from an old door. You can see the brass hardware at the top still attached. I bought it for $30, and I am so happy with it.

And, as you can see, gone are the pictures hung up in the hall and on the doors and walls. She loves her little bulletin board and is doing quite well at keeping it organized!

Jazzercise

So my friend Jen is a devoted Jazzercise gal. Even has a Jazzercise bumper sticker on her car. So when she invited me to a class, I said no. Then I said no again. And probably again. Not really my thing.

I picture old women in leg warmers and unitards. My husband says he pictures Richard Simmons and ''Sweatin' to the Oldies.''

One day I give in because the class coincides with Aubrey's cheerleading class. I have to be there anyway, so might as well pull on the leg warmers, right?

It kicked my butt. I thought I might die, pass out or throw up. Or all three. I looked around and the majority of the class is definitely older than me, but there are a few younger people. Mostly I found out that I am really, really out of shape. And that 70-year-old women are much more coordinated than me and in better shape.

So I went back a few more times. And then I realized I kind of liked it. The music is great and the instructors always mix it up so you're doing something different each time.

Now that I'm past 35, things are a bit different with my body. No more eating whatever I want and not paying the price, like in my 20s. Nope, after two kids and making sure the girls are eating right, I forgot about myself. Some days I swear I could pass for four months pregnant.

I need to lose a few pounds. And I'd really like to become more fit. Now I'm not going to go crazy. I really hate to exercise. I am never effective when I go to the gym, and honestly, I don't really want to go anyway.

So I joined Jazzercise and am making myself go to classes. Strangely enough, I think I am really enjoying it. There are still times when the entire class is going one way and I'm going another way or I just can't figure out a particular step. But it's fun, and if I happen to get in better shape, then I would be thrilled.

I haven't seen any leg warmers yet, but they do play the theme song to the ''Fame'' movie.