Rusty Sneaky Skills

When you share a bed with the same person for lots of years, you establish some “unwritten rules” of behavior. For example, it is not okay for me to wake Husband up to tell him about something I just thought of that was really funny. He will not find it amusing. Another example, it is not okay for him to wake me up to ask me if I am sleeping or what time I am planning on waking up. Simple things to keep a marriage going and prevent one unsuspecting individual from being pushed out of bed at importune moments.

I have a confession to make. I break one of these rules every chance I get.

You see, I have been banned from reading certain kinds of books in bed. Why you ask? Because “allegedly” I wake up Husband every time I read these certain books in bed. Okay, so… I’ll admit to occasionally laughing. Perhaps out loud. I attempt to behave myself and sometimes try to hold the laughter in. However, that tends to result in me shaking the bed so hard it wakes him up simply because I am laughing so hard and trying not to make a noise – all so as to not wake him. Or it results in the loud laugh-snort. None of it works. I laugh. Out loud. Every time. Thus...

THE BAN!

So last night I was ready. I came to bed as if everything was normal. I had my water (ahem, Diet Pepsi), my phone and my book.

“Freeze!” He looks at me hard.

“What?” I mutter in my most demure manner.

I was ready. You see, I am onto Husband. Ha! I knew he might be checking up on me so I did what any rational person in this situation would do. I put a different book cover over the “offending” book so it appeared to NOT be my forbidden fruit of hilariousness.

“What do you have?”

“Ummm, a drink, my phone and a book.” I held the book up for him to see. He looked doubtful but let it go.

I silently giggle and crawl into bed.

Within five minutes, I am giggling and trying to hold it in. By the second chapter, I am laughing out loud and trying desperately to be quiet.

“Hand it over!”

I jump. I thought he was asleep. “What? Huh? What do you mean?”

He lays there with his hand outstretched waiting for me to hand over my book.

“That is SO unfair!” I pout and hand over the book.

I guess I need to continue working on my plotting, sneaky skills.

Zombies vs Hoarders

SCARE WARNING!

No children allowed to view this post.

Husband: "What are you trying to tape on the bedroom TV?"

Me: "Ummmm... You really don't want to know."

Husband: "Is it bad?" Stern look on his face.

Me: PAUSE "Yes."

Husband: "What? WHAT?! Is it “The Joy of Stress” again or Hoarders or something worse?"Me: "NO!" Crossing my arms over my chest.

Husband: "WELL?..."

Me, very sheepishly: "It's replays of Shark Week."

* silence *

Husband: "Well, I guess we don't have to like or be into everything that each other likes."

Me: "Like Nazi Zombie Killers on the XBox?"


Husband: "It’s called, Call of Duty. Like your addiction to ‘Hoarders’, ‘Say Yes to the Dress’, or Shark Week?"



Me: "Well, I'm glad we had this talk."

Me: "So, what are you going to do now, besides work?"

Husband: "Go play Call of Duty and you?"

Me: "I'm going to go re-watch Shark Week episodes."

Husband: "Alrighty then."


I forgot to add that I was going to fold his underwear and socks WHILE watching my shows. I'm sure he would approve then. Right?!

Double Digits

My sweetest baby girl (aka Big E) is TEN YEARS OLD today.

It's been driving me crazy for weeks.

My girl is now DOUBLE DIGITS!

It's such a terrible cliche but where did the time go?! In a few days, Big E will start fifth grade. It seems only a few weeks ago, I was a new parent, cuddling my precious new babe -- as scared as I'd ever been but also more keenly aware of all the miracles surrounding me. I couldn't believe that God would grant me the privilege of raising an innocent.

Here we are a decade later. My eldest daughter is no longer a baby. She is only an inch or two shorter than me. She is wearing a training bra and sometimes she is even embarrassed by me in public. She is beginning to mature and keep her dearest secrets to herself.

Although terrified for the inevitable tween years that are upon and even more scared of the idea of full-on teenage angst, I am also excited beyond measure to watch my precious chickabiddy, my very only Big E, become the woman she wants to be.

Great Minnesota Get Together

In just a few moments, I will be leaving my house to go to the most spectacular state fair in the world (or at least country, or perhaps at least in the midwest...)

THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER!

This week the Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article about all the grandly healthy fair food a gal can eat and they were so kind, they broke down all of the calories and fat grams and the number miles one would have to walk to burn off the calories. SUPERB!




Do the math: The calories add up
The calories add up. And the fat. Which means, of course, so do the miles needed to walk off the excess.

By LEE SVITAK DEAN, Star Tribune

Yes, it's State Fair time, and by the end of today (or any of the 11 following days), many of us will have to pay for the extra baggage that comes with the fair (and we're not talking about free literature and shopping bags). You know what I mean. That roasted ear of corn with butter that dribbles down your arm comes at a cost. So do the French fries dangling from your fingers. As for the cheese curds? Well, eat them slowly, because it will take plenty of time to burn them off. So enjoy your once-a year treats from the Great Minnesota Eat-Together. And then get walking. Here are the believe-it-or-not statistics on the top-selling fair foods.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
8 to 10 (1/2- oz. each) 580 calories, 26 g fat, 6 miles to walk.

PIZZA
5 oz. pepperoni, 404 calories, 17 g fat, 4 miles to walk

CORN DOG3.7 ounces (regular size), 350 calories, 25 g fat, 3.5 miles to walk

ICE CREAM
Single scoop (vanilla or strawberry), 290 calories, 18 g fat, 3 miles to walk

CHEESE CURDS
7 oz. (1 container), 1,140 calories, 81 g fat, 11.5 miles to walk

FRENCH FRIES
25 medium, with ketchup, 310 calories, 14 g fat, 3 miles to walk

MINI-DONUTS12 (11/2- in. diameter), 720 calories, 37 g fat, 7 miles to walk

FOOT-LONG HOT DOGWith bun, condiments, 540 calories, 31 g fat, 5.5 miles to walk

ROASTED CORN-ON-THE-COB
1 large ear with 2 tsp. butter, 200 calories, 9 g fat, 2 miles to walk

PORK CHOP ON STICK
4 ounces, 290 calories, 17 g fat, 3 miles to walk


Calculations based on 180-pound individual burning 100 calories per mile at a brisk walk. From "Compendium of Physical Activities," Medical Science Sports Exercise, 2000:32 (Suppl): S498-S516. Nutritional information from Bea Krinke, registered dietitian, St. Paul.

Pedalling

Tomorrow I get to go on a crazy fun bachelorette party. Have you ever heard of the "PedalPub"?! It is this awesome, fun trolley, bike thing. It's kind of hard to describe, so take a look at a few of the pictures...

The PedalPub™ describes itself as "a party on wheels! Pedal-powered by three to sixteen people, its maximum speed is five miles per hour - just the right speed for sharing good times with friends as you tour scenic routes." You are allowed to bring your own food, beverages, and alcohol (subject to local ordinances). On our ride, we will have a keg of light beer, some wine, snacks. Our local ordinances do not allow hard liquor or glass, so we will need to be somewhat behaved. However, considering we are pedaling along a scenic route in downtown Minneapolis and cruising through one of the many bar-lined streets, I anticipate there will be plenty of stops for refreshments...

And, people, please pray for good weather!

Personally, I like to at a minimum make a weak attempt at looking my best when out with the girls. Dare I say, I strive for hot or beautiful -- usually in vain, but what the heck! Who doesn't want to look great when out with a bachelorette party?!? Which brings me to my only concern -- looking sexy is not very compatible with pedalling a bike in 95 degree heat with sweltering, suffocating humidity. As I said, people... pray for me and unseasonably COLD weather.

Trivial Thursday

1) Name five songs to which you know all the lyrics. (Better yet, sing them.)
a) ANY New Kids On The Block song... OH YEAH!
b) "You're My Little Girl" by GoFish Guys
c) The "ABCs" -- does that count?
d) "This Is The Song That Never Ends..."
e) "Ice, Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice
2) What's your favorite infomercial?
I love info-mercials but I don't know what my fave is.

3) What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
I have no idea. I'm sure it's been a long time occasionally but I try to block out those memories.

4) What's on the cover of your address book or day planner?
Nothing. I don't exactly have an address book or day planner. I use my brain to remember my appointments.

5) Have you ever taken a picture in one of those little booths?Of course! Who hasn't?!

Wedding Tagging

I saw this tag going around quite a while ago, but have just now decided to play along.

1. Where did you and your husband meet? One of my best friends from high school begged me to join her as she went boating/waterskiing with a new boyfriend. Husband is her boyfriend’s brother. And as a side note, that friend also married her beau, so one of my best friends in high school is now my sister in law. Qwinky-dink, eh?

2. How long before you kissed? First date. Never happened before I met him. Shhhh! I know…

3. Who kissed who first? He moved in and I may have met him half way. Seriously, who can remember these things?

4. How long from the time you met until you were engaged? Only about 7 YEARS. Ours is a long and convoluted relationship story. We met in 1998. We were engaged in September 2005 and married in November 2005.

5. How did he propose? It was my birthday. I was sitting on our living room couch, having just finished nursing our Little Princess, who was only ten DAYS olds. Out of the blue, he came over to the couch, kneeled down in front of me, said a bunch of sweet stuff while whipping out the ring.

6. Did he pick out the ring or did you? He picked out the ring but we had had conversations before, so he knew I wanted it simple and small.

7. Do you still like the ring? Love it!

8. Where was your wedding and reception? We were married in a tiny ceremony with only about 30 family members in Apple Valley, MN. Seven months later in June 2006, we had a traditional reception with 150 (?) people at the VFW in Cottage Grove, MN with dinner, dancing, DJ and way too much spirits and libations. (When I was younger and still lived in a idealist euphoric world, I was NEVER going to have a reception at a VFW, but when you add a few children and a large mortgage payment to the mix, the VFW price was right.)

9. How many bridesmaids did you have and who was your maid of honor? I had two maids of honor / bridesmaids – my sisters. Big E (then age 5) and Little Princess (then 2 months old) were our flower girls.

10. What color were your bridesmaid dresses? Mocha color that I still love, even if they didn’t and don’t.

11. What was your bouquet made of? Autumn colored flowers – mums, daisies, sleeping susans, roses.
12. Who gave you away? My dearest Mom. I LOVE THAT WOMAN!

13. Did you cry during your wedding? I don’t think so; I was just so nervous that I don’t remember.

14. What style was your dress? I wanted simple and classic. I had a strapless, champagne colored dress with a fitted waist and full bottom. No glitter, sequins, lace or other frou-frou stuff.

15. Was your wedding kiss sweet or sexy? Super short. Neither of us is into PDA.

16. Who caught your bouquet? I didn’t throw it at my wedding and honestly, I can’t remember if we re-enacted the bouquet or garter throw at our reception several months later.

17. What flavor was your cake? Almond cake with an amaretto filling and a white chocolate fondant frosting. It was our huge spurge for the ceremony (thank you, Mom!) since it was from Wuollet's Bakery. YUM!

18. Did you smash the cake onto each other's faces or feed it to each other nicely? Feed it nicely. I threatened Husband within an inch of his life that if there was ANY cake smashing, there would be immediate ball smashing.

19. What was "your song" that you danced to at your wedding? “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith – of all the crazy songs…

20. What did you serve your guests to eat? After the tiny ceremony, everyone had Olive Garden catered into the wedding location. After the big reception several months later, we had traditional wedding buffet food – chicken breast, carved ham, mashed potatoes, steamed veggie medley, garden salad, bread rolls, etc.

21. What did your friends do to decorate your car? I don’t think they did anything, but I guess I can’t honestly remember.

22. What was your favorite wedding gift? Because of the time-disconnect between the tiny, family ceremony and the reception, we received almost no wedding gifts.

23. What was the worst wedding gift you got? Same answer as #22.

24. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Las Vegas, NV – four months after the ceremony.

25. Looking back, is there anything you would have changed about your wedding? I would have remembered the wedding music! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT I FORGOT THE MUSIC CD!!! Our ceremony was music-less -- highly disappointing.

I tag anyone that wants to play along and relive their wedding day!

Hot n Cold

In preparation for tomorrows posting, I had to choose one of my daughter's favorite's Katy Perry songs, "Hot n Cold." Funny, psychotic video...




Hot n Cold
~ Katy Perry

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you, PMS
Like a bitch
I would know

And you over think
Always speak
Cryptically

I should know
That you're no good for me

[CHORUS]
Cause you're hot, then you're cold
You're yes, then you're no
You're in, then you're out
You're up, then you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
(you) You don't really want to stay, no
(but you) But you don't really want to go-o
You're hot, then you're cold
You're yes, then you're no
You're in, then you're out
You're up, then you're down

We used to be
Just like twins
So in sync
The same energy
Now's a dead battery
Used to laugh bout nothing
Now you're plain boring

I should know that
You're not gonna change

[CHORUS]

Someone call the doctor
Got a case of a love bi-polar
Stuck on a roller coaster
Can't get off this ride

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes

[CHORUS]

Head Rush

I am so excited! After reading Hormone-Colored Days, I've learned there is a new series launching August 23th called Head Rush. The Science Channel will host the new hour-long series of COMMERCIAL-FREE, exciting, science-minded programming hosted by Kari Byron of MythBusters.

The show will feature content from Mythbusters. Which may alarm a few folks. Especially if you are familiar with the crazy action-packed stunts usually shown with Mythbusters (which is highly unrecommended for viewing with anyone under the age of, oh, say... 21 years old!). However, do not fear! The producers have tailored the episodes with a younger audience in mind. And did I mention that they are COMMERCIAL-FREE?!?!?

As the Head Rush host, Kari Byron, she will include interviews with celebrity folks and other special features. As mentioned by Hormone-Colored Days, I ditto that I hope, Head Rush will include MANY reminders about safety precautions.

Head Rush airs on the Science Channel weekdays from 4-5 pm Eastern, 3-4 pm Central, and 4-5 pm Pacific. Head Rush will also have a two-hour block each Saturday morning from 7-9 am Eastern for your tween's viewing pleasure.

Check [Card], Please

Cruising down the road with the windows open listening to Katy Perry sing Hot & Cold. We pull into the parking lot of the grocery store and I hear my dear Little Man say something so I turn down the music. "What?" I yell into the back seat as my eyes zero in on a prime parking spot that is close to the door, as well as the cart corral. (Score!)

"Do you have your check card?" I'm not sure I heard him correctly, so I ask "What?!" again.

The poor boy is now frustrated that he's being asked to repeat himself for a third time, so he sighs heavily and slowly says, "Mom! I said, do you have your check card?"

"Huh? Why would you ask? Of course, I have it." I'm genuinely puzzled. The wee ones often come up with random questions about the odd thoughts flitting around their head. I mean these children of mine are all geniuses! Right?! They are always, always thinking of something but it's usually how-many-Lincoln-Logs-tall-am-I or can-a-snail-bite-me or can we have cotton candy for lunch already - Jeez!

So the Little Man says, "You forget it a lot."

No, I don't. Oh wait! Oh my goodness... he's right!

I turn off the engine, now that I'm parked in my super sweet never-get-this-lucky-on-a-Saturday-spot and grab my huge "five-day-bag" (as Husband -- and now the children -- likes to refer to my purse) that I carry everywhere. I check the outside smaller pocket, then the second larger pocket and then small, inside third pocket. Finally sighing at myself, I check my wallet where it's most likely to be. Then I see it, perfectly clear, in my mind's eye. It's sitting on the kitchen counter next to my drivers license next to the sink. I had put it in my pocket this morning to go on a walk with the children and I meant to put them back in my wallet and, of course, didn't.

I spin around and look straight at him. He stares back at me with huge, blue eyes and looks slightly alarmed. "Oh man! I forgot it!" I say.

He starts to laugh. He keeps laughing and laughing and laughing and laughing... until, even Big E (who was sitting in the far back seat, minding her own business reading Harry Potter Book Umpteenth AGAIN) looks up and begins laughing. She may not know why she's laughing but Little Man is so hysterical that she joins in... Even I end up laughing, knowing that I'll have to park clear on the other end of the lot when we come back. (Damn it!)

He's starting preschool shortly. In a real brick building with real teachers and new faces and hot lunch. I worry about him some days, but I think he'll be just fine.

Light the World

As I've mentioned before, I've suffered from and dealt with severe depression for most of my adult life. It was particularly challenging dealing with my depression after the birth of my children. I definitely had a bad bout of postpartum depression after my youngest child, Little Man, was born in November 2006. Fortunately, I was able to get the help I needed but it took a lot of advocating on my own behalf -- at a time when I felt least able to advocate for myself. The horrifically sad news is -- many women are unable to advocate for themselves and do not receive the help they desperately need.Please check out some of the below resources if you or someone you know is dealing with depression -- postpartum or otherwise.

There is help out there!

Newborns

I am constantly in awe of the MckMama family. They are located in MN and were featured on the evening news because of tragedy that struck their family and ever since then... I AM HOOKED.

Just read this post and you will understand! This family's level of commitment to each other and the Good Lord is impressive.

Read on... (by clicking the links above.)

Legos In Love

I'm loving the blog "Mombian".

Although the blog is wildly popular, it somehow managed to previously escape my notice. It's a fab site that describes itself as: "a lifestyle site for lesbian moms and other LGBT parents, offering a mix of parenting, politics, diversions, and resources for all our varied roles. Mombian provides parenting tips, children’s activities, book reviews for parents and children, and political news and commentary, all from the perspective of a lesbian mom. It also includes a helping of lesbian culture and entertainment, in the belief that mothers don’t lose their other interests the moment they become parents."

I'm extremely amused by this posting from Mombian.

Who doesn't love Legos?! In all of their creative glory!

Trivial Thursday

1) What's your favorite breakfast food?
I didn't used to be a fan of any breakfast foods but now that I have children, I appreciate how quickly you can whip up what is traditionally called "breakfast food" for dinner. My fave would have to be bacon or hash browns. I love potatoes in ALL forms.

2) Who's your favorite game show host?
Remember that evil lady from the first episodes of "Weakest Link"? She rocked. Gotta stick together with fellow red heads. On a more traditional note, The Price Is Right just hasn't been the same since Mr. Barker left... (and I ADORE Drew Carey, but morning games shows aren't his best venue.)

3) If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I think it would be fantastic to fly. I would love the feeling of the wind through my hair. I think the idea of tele-transporting myself to other countries (or any location) without wasting the travel time would be pretty nifty. Then there is always the thought of time-travel... is that a super power option?

4) Do you like guacamole?
LOVE IT! Just learned how to make it this winter. I like it with lots of cilantro.

5) Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope, but as long as I didn't have to clean up after it, I would love to be in a food fight.

Maybe Not For Me

I spent most of the weekend in a funk because it sounded as if EVERYONE and their grandmother was attending BlogHer! I wanted to go to New York City and be part of all the crazy fun! It seems like week after week after week all I read about is everyone's pre-BlogHer posts and their I’m-so-cool-attending-BlogHer posts and seeing all of their phenomenally fun looking pictures! Meh!!! Why does everyone else get to have all the good times?!?

Then as I was struggling to fall asleep on Sunday night, I started thinking. Did I really want to go to BlogHer? I mean, did I REALLY want to go? As social and totally awesome cool as I may pretend to be, I’m really just a closet geek who can't talk to people I don't know. The idea of actually “networking” and chatting up people I’ve never met terrifies me! It makes me feel as if my stomach is dropping to my toes and going to bounce straight back up and out my nose. I probably would have ended up spending the entire time hiding in some totally lame hotel bathroom. And although I’m sure, you can meet some really cool people in bathrooms, the real question is -- do I really want to pay that much to go to a conference where I will then spend the entire time cowering in a public bathroom stall?

Savvy, cool people do not hide in public bathroom stalls, so then people would just think I was a weirdo with a freaky, unknown fetish.

But wait! There are all of those divine parties with tons of unflappable and dandy folks... I think that is a huge part of why some people go to BlogHer. And I can only imagine how sweet the parties are... if you get invited to them. (Ahem! Let me repeat that: IF YOU GET INVITED.) I don't know if you know this about me yet, but I am actually a nobody in the blogosphere. A very big, unknown nobody. If I had gone to BlogHer, I’m smart enough to recognize that I would not be invited to any parties. I can stay home and not get invited places! There is no reason for me to take the unenviable-quality I embrace to a national level.

If you had asked me a week ago I would have said "Yes! I am 100% certain! I want to save my pennies and go to BlogHer 2011 in San Diego!" But now? Maybe, not so much so…

It also occurred to me that I might not have wanted to go to actually go to BlogHer in the first place. Perhaps I just wanted to go to New York. I’ve never been to NYC and its high priority on my list of places to travel to ASAP. However, if that's what I want to do, I can do that, right? I don't need the stress and pressure of BlogHer to make me go. I can just do it on my own!

The only bad thing about not attending BlogHer is that I'll miss out on meeting some really awesome people. Or will I? Yes. I will. But there's no reason I can't still try to meet some of them! If I don't need BlogHer to get me to New York then I don't need it to bring me together with friends

As an important disclaimer, NONE of this is meant as a negative thing towards BlogHer or the people who attended it. It’s just that as I thought more about me and my personality… I came to realize it may not be the place for me. I'm too shy, too self-conscious, and excessively too unknown to get as much out of it as other people do. And you know what?

I think I may be okay with that.

Follow Me Back Tuesdays

Follow Me Back Tuesday is another day of the week that you can gain more followers and find other great blogs to follow on a weekly basis.

Follow Me Back Tuesday is hosted by Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, Review Retreat & Boobies, Babies And A Blog...

It's a great way to start off your week & get more BF's!!!


How it Works:

Add your blog to the list. (NOT your giveaways please!)
Grab our button & the link code to post on your blog.
Follow all 4 hostesses above, as well as our special weekly co-host, then as many other blogs as you would like.
After you follow a new blog make sure you leave them a comment letting them know that you are now a follower so that they can follow you back, and please follow others back if they leave you a comment that they follow you.

After this week there will be a new link code available for you to grab every Tuesday at 12:00 AM ET on all 4 Hostesses Blogs.

Happy Birthday, Sisser!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAREST MIDDLE SISTER, KATIE. I LOVE YOU!!!

* * * * *

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. ~ Amy Li

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~ Marion C. Garretty

Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister. ~ Alice Walker

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~ Linda Sunshine

You can kid the world. But not your sister. ~ Charlotte Gray

Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. ~ Louisa May Alcott

Sisters never quite forgive each other for what happened when they were five. ~ Pam Brown

In thee my soul shall own combined the sister and the friend. ~ Catherine Killigrew

And my personal favorite, since I am the oldest sibling/sister:

Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life.


~ Charles M. Schulz

Wondering

Do you ever wonder… if you just walked away, into the unknown, how long would it be until you were missed?

Would they even miss you?

The smile that used to be ever present and radiant?

The eyes that used to twinkle with laughs?

The head that tilts to listen?

So you ever wonder if they would miss the smell of your perfume?

The cinnamony sugary smell of your French toast?

The memorized telephone number of your favorite pizza joint?

Do you ever wonder if friends would notice the drop in your texts?

Would you mom and sisters notice the lack of phone calls?

The grocery shopping?

The school-choice / daycare research of available options?

The making (and attending of) doctor / dentist / all mandatory appointments?

The folding of laundry?

The packing of lunches?

The 2 am comfortings?

Do you ever wonder, if you did walk away into the unknown, would YOU miss it?

The bickering and whining and fighting?

The eyes that see through you without really seeing you?

The feelings of everyone else coming first?

Do you ever wonder?

Do you?! DO YOU?!?!?

I would be lying if I said that I’ve never wondered… especially since “the attempt”.

Bucket List

My Precious Children,

I’ve often thought that I should write a “Bucket List”. I’ve tried on several occasions to start a bucket list, but haven’t really committed myself to the concept. A bucket list is such a fabulous way to capture a concrete list of things you want to experience in life. By taking the time to actually write a list, the thoughts and experiences become less abstract. So, as a twist to the traditional bucket list, I would like a “Family Bucket List” – things I would like to do with my children and/or family members.


* Go to Disney World! (I’ve never been and it seems like a quintessential family-kid thing to do.)
* Get pedicures together – including you too, Little Man -- if we can convince your Daddy.
* Go on mommy - child trip, with each of you individually.
* Go camping as a family.
* Get your ears pierced (again).
* Go swimming with dolphins.
* Take a road trip at least every other year.
* Get a cheesy cartoon picture drawn of us.
* Go to your first dance recital.
* Do anything within my power to get you into the college of your choice.
* Spend each and every Christmas together.
* Live near a flower shop and go at least a couple times a week to pick out flowers.
* Have lots of sleepovers for you and your friends.
* Go to a tropical location on vacation.
* Teach you to be confident and love yourselves as much as I love you.
* Buy some land and build a house on it.
* Let you pick out a family dog (MAYBE).
* Advocate for you when
* Go prom dress shopping.
* Go wedding dress shopping.
* Be present at the birth of each grandchild (if you let me).
* Go to a major boardwalk and walk until our feet can’t walk anymore.


I can’t wait to do all of these things with you! My babies, I love you forever and ever!

Love,
Mommy

Courage, Confidence, Character

I love Girl Scouts! It's a fantastic girl-focused, girl-led organization. Their mission is "build[ing] girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place." Doesn't that sum up any parents dream for their daughter?!

In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

If you haven't checked into having your daughter join a troop, I strongly encourage you to do so. Many new troops form as the new school year begins.

For more information about how to find a troop in your area, visit the Girls Scouts of USA website and they will help connect you with a local Council office who can then connect you with a local troop.

Or even better CREATE YOUR OWN TROOP!

It's extremely rewarding to be a troop leader. My troop includes 14 (or are we up to 15?) girls who are entering fifth grade this fall. I absolutely adore each of them and their unique talents and personalities. Leading the troop has taught me so much about myself too. I feel as if I learn more from my girls, then they could possibly ever learn from me. I cannot stress enough how rewarding it is to lead this wonderfully awesome group of girls...

If you have any questions, I would be happy to help you in whatever way I can to start your own troop or figure out how to get you connected to your local council office.

Trivial Thursday

1. What's your favorite knock-knock joke?
I try to avoid knock-knock jokes since the children love inventing them and they never make sense. I think Big E has a 3 or 4 books completely dedicated to knock-knock jokes.

2. What's your favorite commercial?
One of my favorite commericals right now are the Swagger Wagon commericals, that I even posted about earlier.



3. If you could go to Disney World with any celebrity alive today, who would it be?
Off hte top of my head... Will Smith or Julia Stiles.

4. Do you prefer baths or showers?
Definitely baths to relax but showers to get the job done/hair washed. Who has time to dwadle in a bath when small children don't even let you pee in private?

5. Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?
Of course.

NeverEnding

As I child I LOVED the movie,

The NeverEnding Story.

Tonight the children and I will watch the movie for the first time.

I fear the children may be a bit young for it,

but I guess we'll see what happens.

Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a

music video that allowed embedding,

so you'll have to click on the link

below to connect to YouTube for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khTntOxX-k

The NeverEnding Story Theme Song

~ Limahl

Turn around, look at what you see

In her face, the mirror of your dreams

Make believe I'm everywhere

Given in the light. written on the pages

Is the answer to a never ending story

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Reach the stars

Fly a fantasy

Dream a dream

And what you see will be

Rhymes that keep their secrets

Will unfold behind the clouds

And there upon a rainbow

Is the answer to a never ending story

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Story

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Show no fear

For she may fade away

In your hand

The birth of a new day

Rhymes that keep their secrets

Will unfold behind the clouds

And there upon a rainbow

Is the answer to a never ending story

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Story

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Never ending story...

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Never ending story...

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

Never ending story...

(Ahh, ahh, ahh)

VOTE

For over two centuries, brave Americans have selflessly given their lives to allow you the luxury and privilege of the freedom and right to vote in democratic elections. The least you can do to honor their sacrifice is to vote responsibly. Study the candidates and the issues. Discuss them with your family and friends. Do not go to the polls uninformed. Then...
Minnesota's primary election is being held TOMORROW -- Tuesday, August 10th. If you have any questions about where to vote, please do your research through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.