Last night I was lying next to my husband in bed. Before drifting off, I said, “Honey, you smell like a big piece of barbeque chicken.”

I like to say nice things like that because it really pumps up his ego.

And he really did smell like chicken. Earlier that evening, he grilled an awesome dinner on our balcony. And just so you know, here in Manhattan, it’s sort of illegal to have a gas grill on your balcony. So, don’t rat us out. As far as I’m concerned, that’s just a big ass urban stroller under that tarp. What?! Your stroller doesn’t come with grilled corn and artichokes as side dishes? Well, maybe you just bought the wrong stroller.

Today, my husband smells much less like chicken. His co-workers and I are grateful.

Meanwhile, Miss 3 1/2 year-old Dylan continues to express her fashionista ways, this time in the undergarment department.

I came home from running errands to find Dylan completely naked except for my Spanx-like tummy sucking, support underwear on. She had them tugged up high, like a strapless one piece bathing suit.

Now I really like my babysitter. She’s totally cool and great with the kids. But I just wasn’t ready to show her my little secret for looking svelte and sleek when I go out at night. I mean, I don’t even want my chicken guy seeing those knickers up close.

Me: Kira, I’m so sorry you have to see my daughter prancing around in my underwear. Ah… especially those. I guess she dug them out of my drawer.

Kira, the babysitter: Oh you should have seen it when she had on your black bra and heels too!

Me: (smiling nervously) Really? (nervous laughter) Well, let me go see if I can find that bra.

Does parenthood take away every shred of privacy?

Lately, Dylan also has a very particular way she likes to wear her hair. I like it like this…

See the way her hair is swept nicely to the side? Doesn’t she look sweet? Like a little Hello Kitty pink angel.

Ok, this is the way she prefers it.

She likes to jam the barrett in the middle of her forehead. And if I try to fix it, she explains impatiently, “But I like to wear it in the middle!”

Well, ok. Do whatever you want. I certainly don’t want to be one of those crazy stage moms who is constantly trying to coif and preen her daughter. That is so not me. I believe children should be able to express their own individual spirit. That is how you raise healthy, independent, happy kids.

But maybe we could move that barrett just ever so slightly to the side? Still no? Oh, alright.

mama bird notes

If you want to check out a couple other things I’ve written lately, visit NYC Moms Blog for a post called The Dark Side. Or visit Notes on a Party for ideas on green birthday gifts.

Or forget me. Check out Contributing mamas Daphne Biener’s post here. She’s got all the answers in The Book. You never heard of THE Book? Well, neither had I.

We’ve got a cool giveaway this week. Ever feel guilty about throwing your kid’s art away or just don’t know what to do with it all? A couple savvy mamas came up with a high tech solution. They created The ART:archives.

Here’s how it works. You send them your child’s artwork (plus a recent photo, writing samples if they are older, and even their current height, weight, favorite book, etc). They take professional photographs of all the artwork and create a custom digital presentation, set to classical music, on DVD. One DVD and you’ve preserved your kid’s creations!

One lucky mama bird reader will win a DVD presentation of their child’s artwork, a backup copy, a CD of the digital photos and a CD you can synch with your iPhone and/or iPod for a digital slideshow. It’s all a $350 value.

Just leave a comment this week on the mama bird diaries and forward a post to a friend (it can be any mama bird post and your friend will never be spammed. Girlfriend’s honor). Just click on the “send to a friend” box below. Good luck mamas!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!