I get grouchy this time of year. Growing up in London, I was spoiled by the transformation that spring brings to that part of the world. Suddenly the streets are shining in the bright sunlight after months of dismal rain, and the flowers go bonkers. Wisteria, daffodils and other colorful gems sprouting from every stoop and windowsill.

Here in Boston the story is a little different. Cold. Frost till June. A few brave yellow daffodils here and there, but mainly inchworms eating up the leaves that are frantically trying to bud after six months of arctic weather.

The kids go crazy this time of year. Finally they can actually play on the playgrounds, walk the streets without getting frostbite, jump on a trampoline, play their sports outdoors. But here they shiver in their shorts until well into June.

In the summertime, life changes dramatically for both them AND for us. Isn’t it heavenly to get their little paws off those Wii games/ X-Boxes/ remote controls/ mouses and watch them running around, getting out of breath, PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER?

In the summer, there is much less mother guilt. The kids can be independent without being glued to an electronic device.

Interestingly, while we were doing our focus groups out West last year, some mothers complained because the weather is so good the kids never have an excuse to just veg out. Children and parents are supposed to be doing healthy things outdoors 100 % of the time without much room for indoor lazing around. Mothers there said they feel incredibly guilty whenever they hang out indoors.

Hm. They have a point. But, I’ve got to admit, I think I’d prefer that problem…

We’ve now had our official “launch” and we’re all set to blast through space and aim for the moon!

This Saturday we held our book launch party. There were about 150 people celebrating with us, all smiles and full of great energy. We had some killer music (including my favorite, Brazilian Girls), lots of candles, strong drinks (of which I partook liberally) and of course, beer and tasty tidbits to munch on.

It was the first time in many, many, many months that Susan, Anne and I took a break from working on the book to celebrate our achievements. It felt wonderful. We are so busy so much of the time, it is a treat to stop and say, wow. Just: wow, here we are!

This party marked the end of one long phase of this project and the beginning of another. Now we are busy with marketing, and we’re learning new things every day. That’s what keeps you stoked… learning and growing.

Radio, TV and print: we’ve already dipped our un-manicured winter feet in all of them, with more to come. The book has had a fantastic reception so far, with lots of media people interested in hearing our story. It’s such a blast to talk about the book. Get us started and we can’t stop. We should open the Ministry of Guilt-free Mothering... we are on a mission. We honestly feel that this book could help so many stressed-out moms out there–without talking down to them, wagging fingers, or giving them ten thousand more things to do. We want moms to feel empowered and in control. We want to make a difference to people.

But a huge part of the evening was about thanking others. Our families for putting up with us talking incessantly, year after year, about this project. Our friends for helping us with advice, contacts, encouragement. Our colleagues for believing in us and helping make this a reality.

The three of us stumbled out of there late, feet killing us, and lurked around the parking lot saying goodbye. Now that’s off our to-do list. Next week, we launch right back into the next phase: local television; Martha Stewart Radio in New York; a newspaper article, our first book signing; and the beat goes on.

Thanks to all of you for joining us on the journey, and being cheerleaders all the way! We could not have done it without you.