For Today... 10/13

For Today...

Outside my Window... it's gorgeous and sunny and cool and the sky is a beautiful blue color.

I am thinking... that I have the best husband in the world. Quinn is home sick today with a stomach bug, so instead of picking Quinn up from school and going on their usual Monday Daddy Date, my sweet husband picked up the older children from school so I wouldn't have to. He's such a sweetheart.

From the learning rooms... I am learning how to be more frugal and get better deals. ; )

I am thankful for... stomach bugs that don't last for days (Quinn seems much better... he'll probably go back to school tomorrow!) I'm also thankful for a sweet daughter. Camryn was reading Proverbs 31 last week, and when she finished she told me that the woman in the passage reminded her so much of me. I was floored and humbled. To me the woman in that particular passage is just a superwoman. I strive to model myself after her, but never have I ever considered myself worthy of being (favorably) compared to her. I was touched that my daughter thinks of me that way.

From the kitchen... Tonight I'm trying a new recipe that I found underneath one of the may Campbell's labels I trimmed last week (I'm the Labels for Education coordinator for my older kids' school...lots of label cutting going on in my house lately!)

Glazed Pork Chops

2T cornstarch
1/2 c. water
1 T butter or
margarine
6 pork chops, 3/4" thick
1 can Campbell's French Onion
soup
2 T. packed brown sugar

Mix cornstarch and water. Melt butter in skillet. Add chops and cook until browned. Add soup and sugar. Heat to boil. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes, or until done. Remove chops and keep warm. Add cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens. Serve over chops.

I am reading... Google Reader. Lately that's my obsession and all I have time to read!

I am hoping... that I can get my to do list done this week.

I am creating... Quinn's scrapbook, plus looking for ideas for centerpieces. Got any ideas?

I am hearing... the older kids coming in the door, Little Bill on TV and Quinn playing Battalion Wars (think he feels better?!?)

Around the house... laundry left over from the weekend... I cleaned out the laundry room cabinets today and made room for some of my cheap finds from my shopping spree yesterday.

One of my favorite things... is opening the windows on cool fall days. It makes the house smell so good, and it lowers the electric bill.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... a meeting tomorrow, Fisher's Orchard with the boys (Aiden on Wednesday, Quinn on Thursday), take the kids for flu shots on Wednesday evening (Oh, Boy!), host a sleepover on Friday (a brother, sister and sister that my two older kids are friends with), and take Camryn to see the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Champions on Saturday. I don't know who's more excited about seeing that: me or Camryn. We have front row seats! Sunday I plan on working on my Secret Sister gift and the goodie bag gifts for a scrapbooking retreat I'm going to next weekend. Hopefully I can get those things marked off my list before next Monday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... (click the picture to go to a live Webcam shot.)



That's the view from Table Rock, which isn't too far from where we live. The leaves are changing, though not as spectacularly as past autumns. We had a long, dry summer, so the colors aren't as vivid this fall.

Money Saving Sunday

I blogged about my newfound love for Google Reader a couple of days ago, and in that post I included some of my newfound "frugal" blogs. The ladies that write these blogs are on top of things when it comes to getting stuff for free or nearly free, and I decided to join them in their quest to save money. I've always been a penny pincher (thanks, Mom!) but the authors of the blogs I read take frugality to new levels. I was inspired, so I'm going to chronicle my Money Saving Sunday for you. I didn't do too bad, actually!

I took Camryn (10) and Aiden (7) with me, because it's just more fun to find deals when you have company (plus, it's a great opportunity for them to learn how to save a buck, too!) I mapped out my journey, taking the most gas-saving route possible.

We started at CVS, where I got:

(2) Nature's Bounty Vitamins (which were B1G1 free; I had 2 coupons for $2 off each)
(1) 24-pack of Nestle Pure Life Water (on sale for $4.99; I had a coupon for $1 off)
(1) Swiffer sweeper starter kit
(1) Swiffer duster starter kit (had a coupon to get this free with purchase of the sweeper kit)
(4) All Small & Mighty concentrated detergents (they were B1G1 free and I had 4 coupons: 3 for $1 each and 1 for $.50)

I had $6 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) from a previous visit. My total before coupons and ECBs was $68.68. I only paid $25.32. Since I bought $10 worth of Swiffer products I got $5 in ECBs, plus $2 in ECBs for buying the vitamins, $1 ECB for buying the water and a $2 off $10 coupon for a future visit. That gave me $10 in ECBs! Those ECBs spend like money, so they're good on any future purchases. Remember that.

Our next stop was Bath & Body Works. B&BW is having a Columbus Day sale, which meant they had certain Wallflower scents on sale for $6 (regular price $12.50). I use those things all the time (because I'm a scent junkie and like the house to smell nice!) Before I left home I printed out 2 coupons to get free Scentports ($12.50 value) when you buy $15 worth of merchandise. I gave Camryn $20, a coupon, 3 of the $6 Wallflower refill boxes and one of the Scentports. She paid for her stuff and got the free Scentport. I bought 3 Wallflower refill boxes and got a free Scentport as well. We spent $36 and got $25 in free product. Not bad.

I had to gas up the van, so I popped into a rather new gas station and was pleasantly surprised to find the price to be $2.89 a gallon for regular unleaded. MUCH better than the almost $4 we were paying (due to shortages and hurricanes) a mere 2 weeks ago. It was the first time in a LONG time I've filled up the tank for under $50.

Walgreen's was the next place we stopped. They're currently offering a $10 Register Rebate (basically a coupon for $10 off your next shopping trip) when you buy 3 bottles of Children's Dimetapp medicine. The Dimetapp is currently on sale for $3.99 a bottle; I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle. I paid $10.47 for 3 bottles of cough & cold syrup (much needed at our house... we're completely out!) plus a bag of Airheads candy ($1.64 on clearance) and a package of Hershey's Special Dark candy bars ($2.14, also on clearance). The $10 coupon printed out and I stuck it above the visor in the car for use later. Remember that, too.

After leaving Walgreen's we hit another CVS. I picked up 2 bottles of fabric softener (not on sale, but I desperately needed it!) and a black Halloween wig for Camryn (not on sale either, but it was a decent price at $4.99 and it was necessary to complete her Cleopatra costume.) Total spent: $4.25 after the ECBs, plus I scored another $2 off $10 coupon for my next CVS trip. It's tucked safely away for a future visit.

We moved on to Target, where I spent way too much (I never get out of Target for less than $200! Is that sad?!?) I had tons of coupons for Target. This week they have 6-packs of Lever soap (hubby's new favorite) on sale for $3.79. I had printed 4 coupons for $1 each and had another for $.50 off, so I bought 5 packs (we're set for soap for awhile, huh?) Suave kids' shampoo is $1.69 this week, so I got one bottle and used my $1/1 coupon, making that shampoo a mere $.69. Hostess Snack Cakes (for lunch boxes, doncha know) are $3 each this week, and I had 2 coupons for $.75 off. Not bad. The best deal was the Archer Farms brand stuff... it's all 15% off this week, and Target has printable coupons out there. I scored some tropical juice for $1.08 each (I found these in clearance for $2.08 a bottle, and I had $1 off coupons), 2 cans of Honey Roasted Almonds ($2.89/can sale priced minus $.50 each with coupons), and 4 boxes of Archer Farms cookies ($2.11/box minus $.50 each with coupons). I also picked up 3 bottles of my favorite shampoo (Neutrogena 2 in 1 for dry scalp), which is $5.99/bottle. I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle, which is pretty good for a shampoo I use a lot. I also bought 2 games for Aiden's classroom (items from his teacher's wish list). I had coupons for those, too (and one game was even on sale! Score!) My total at Target was $167.54, but before coupons it was $191, so that's not a bad deal for stuff we need.

After Target we stopped for ice cream. My frequent buyer card was full, so we got a free cone. Cha-ching!

Bloom (a local grocery store) was next. They were offering triple coupons this weekend, so the place was a madhouse. I had been in there on Friday (twice, because they only let you triple 20 coupons at a time. I made one trip in, paid, put groceries in the car, went back in, paid, and left to go pick up the kids... I went back today because I had 14 more coupons to use!)

When we got to Bloom my frequent shopper card wouldn't work so we could get the self-scanner thing (a must at Bloom, because it's SO MUCH FUN to use and makes the trip much quicker!) I'm glad it didn't scan, because I noticed something going on while I was standing at customer service. Cashiers were handing out stickers with customers' receipts. I asked the CS rep what that was all about and she explained the Cook Happy program. When you spend $1000, you get free cookware. Now, $1000 sounds like a lot of cash, but over the course of several months that does add up. I know our monthly food budget is $600, so it wouldn't take me long to spend $1000 if I shopped at Bloom all the time. (Plus, they give a percentage of my purchases back to the kids' school.) Since I was in Bloom twice on Friday and didn't get my stickers, the CS rep was nice enough to look at my receipts and give me my Happy Points. Cool!

In three trips to Bloom this weekend I purchased a total of $221.36 worth of groceries and paid only $113.95 after store specials and coupons were deducted. That's a savings of $107.41! And no, I didn't buy stuff we won't ever use. I only bought stuff we use all the time (In fact, tonight we had the Angus ribeyes that I got on Friday, and we are stocked up on Campbell's soup. I see lots of soup -n- sandwich nights in our future! Yum-oh!)

We were tuckered out after Bloom, but as we were leaving I remembered I hadn't bought milk. I ran into (yet another) Walgreen's on the way home and bought 3 gallons of milk. I used my $10 off certificate that I'd earned buying the cough medicine, so I paid a whopping $1.37 for that milk.

When we got home and everything was put away, I put on a DVD that I'd gotten in the mail. The kids were supposed to watch it, then I fill out a survey and return the DVD. When they get the DVD back, they will send me a check for $7. That pays for the gas I spent running around today and then some!

All in all a very satisfying day. I don't know if I could do this running around every Sunday, but I feel like I accomplished a lot today.

ABCs of Me

I think this is making the rounds. I saw it on several blogs, most recently my friend Carrie's. (On a side note, Carrie has the biggest, most infectious smile, doesn't she? One day I hope to meet her in person. I think we'd get along famously!)

♥A is for age: 35
♥B is for beverage of choice: iced tea with Splenda
♥C is for career right now: Mom and all that goes along with that, plus I'm a Longaberger consultant.
♥D is for your dog's name: Polly
♥E is for essential item you use everyday: my computer, my washing machine and my dishwasher... oh, and my car!
♥F is for favorite TV show: The Office, Pushing Daisies
♥G is for favorite game to watch: Auburn football, of course!
♥H is for Home town: Gardendale, Alabama
♥I is for instruments you play: I play a mean iPod. I can play piano a little bit.
♥J is for favorite juice: grape juice... Momma always said it would take away bad dreams ; )
♥K is for a favorite keepsake: the crocheted ornaments my grandmother made and the baby blanket she made for Camryn, plus the crocheted blankets my own mom made for each of my children
♥L is for last place you ate at: Arby's for lunch yesterday. I used a coupon!
♥M is for marriage: 12 1/2 years
♥N is for your name: Beth (middle name Allyson, which I LOVE. I always wished my parents had called me by both names all the time, not just when I was in trouble)
♥O is for overnight hospital stay: 4 times for 4 babies, plus an emergency ovary/tube removal in '93 and a brief surgery when I was 4.
♥P is for people you were with today: My hubby and children
♥Q is for what's your best quality: wit, I guess
♥R is for what are you currently reading: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
♥S is for relationship status: Happily married to the hubby
♥T is for time you woke up today: My alarm goes off at 7:15, and I think I took about 5 minutes to get going today.
♥U is for the type of underwear you have on: Uh, really? It's clean and has no holes. That's enough info.
♥V is for vegetable you love: potatoes. I also love okra and zucchini
♥W is for worst habits: picking at my blemishes, interrupting people, talking while hubby is trying to watch TV (he HATES that... watching the debates together has been HARD!)
♥X is for x-rays you've had recently: I guess dental x-rays?
♥Y is for something yummy : I'm craving boiled oatmeal chocolate cookies right now, but it's humid outside and they never set up well in humidity
♥Z is for favorite zoo animal: I like watching the sea lions swim around in their tank. They look so graceful.

Can You Imagine...

....being in a room with 5th, 6th and 7th graders when their PE teacher shows them this on a rainy day?



Now, I'm not making fun of Paul Eugene or his approach to fitness. Far from it. It's just all the WHOOO HOOO ing that makes me laugh out loud. And I'm 35. Imagine what it's like to see it in a room full of teens and pre-teens.

My daughter came home and tried to imitate what she did in PE today, and her rendition was almost funnier than Paul Eugene himself. I'd video her, but she'd kill me. That would be the end of my life for sure.

I cannot imagine the hilarity that went on in that room today. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

Good times, good times.

I Heart Google Reader

It took me awhile to start using Google Reader, but now that I have, I LOVE it. Not only does it give me a "one stop shopping" approach to reading all the blogs I love, but it's also loaded me up on more blogs to enjoy and learn from. Here's a sampling of what Google Reader has suggested (and therefore I have added):

Make and Takes

It's billed as "Ideas and Crafty Tidbits for Home, Family & Fun" and I'd say that pretty much sums up the blog. I've seen some CUTE stuff on there, things that the kids and I could easily make together (even a couple of things I could incorporate into my scrapbooks!)

Just yesterday this cute craft (with instructions) was posted. I am going to file it with my Halloween/fall scrapbooking ideas and try it with brads. Really cute!



I also found Tip Junkie, which is a lot like Make and Takes. Cute ideas. I saw this cool Halloween snack idea that I want to try:



(That idea came from Kraft Foods, according to the blog owner...there are more adorable Halloween ideas over there, too.)

I found a great site for Target lovers like me (I know you'll love this one, too, Mom...) If you're a Target endcap cruiser like me, then you have to check out Attention Target Shoppers. I found a great Jensen iPod docking station for $17 by checking this blog. It was originally over $70. The blog owner also matches up the weekly Target specials with current coupons and printable coupons. Lots of good deals to be found (as if I NEEDED another reason to be in Target once a week...)

I found a handful of other blogs that help you live a more frugal life. Lots of them do the store flyer/coupon matching so you know how to get the best deals (they especially like to do that for CVS and Walgreen's.) They can be redundant, offering up the same deals, but I added 'em all to the reader just in case. Don't want to miss a bargain! Some of those blogs are BeCentsAble, Coupon Cravings, Freebies 4 Mom, Money Saving Mom, The "Cent"sible Sawyer, Mommy Making Money, JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget For A Family of 4 and MoneySavingMethods.com.

I previously mentioned that I've become addicted to giveaways. Reader found me more of those kinds of sites, too. So far no wins for me, but one day maybe I'll hit the jackpot. I've found a lot of amazing wares for sale (mostly through Etsy) by entering these contests. In fact, I am now the proud owner of a couple of cute Scrabble tiles (and a necklace on which to hang them) that I purchased from Mark & Stefani at HomeStudio.etsy.com. I bought the Joy tile and the Black Cherry Blossoms tile. Cute, no? There are several others I have my eye on as well (and they'd make super teacher gifts, wouldn't they?!? Go check them out!)

I almost forgot! The giveaway sites I visit are: Mama Loves Giveaways, The Giveaway, Bloggy Giveaways, PRIZE - A - TRON, I Love Give-A-Ways!!, and my favorite, Prizey (with its companion site, PRIZEYWinners).

I think I've mentioned it here before (a few hundred times)... I love to scrapbook. I try to do a little scrapping everyday, and that can lead me to feel like I'm stuck in a rut. I like to get fresh inspiration, so in addition to reading a couple of scrapbooking magazines (Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks) I've also found a few good blogs to help me stay fresh. I like PHutch Sketches, How Much is Too Much?, My Sketch World, 2 Sketches 4 You, Gettin Sketchy, Got Sketch?, kellicrowe, O' Scrappy Day, Scraps of Life and SketchThis. BONUS: Some of these talented ladies have giveaways, because they're given the supplies by scrapbooking companies and they want to get the products into consumers' hands. You know how I love FREE stuff, right?

I also cover the news through 3 sites that report on local goings-on. One is the local paper, another is the local NBC affiliate, and the third is Palmetto Scoop. I like the Scoop because he leans a little right like I do and has a dry wit. I like his scoops. They make me feel smart and up to date... kind of like having current events Cliff's Notes.

If you don't use Google Reader, I highly suggest it. I will offer this bit of advice: don't feel like you have to go back to the beginning of a blog and read it from its inception. What I do is scroll back a couple of posts, get the most up-to-date info, and then click "Mark All As Read" so I don't get overwhelmed when I add a new blog. Then I just follow each blog one post at a time. I added a button to my Google toolbar that tells me when there are new posts added, and there is also a widget you can add to your Google homepage that will give you all of the newest titles from the blogs you follow.

Here's another warning: be careful, because Reader is addictive. It's like Internet Nicotine or Lays Potato Chips.

You can't read just one.

Today

Today my name is Rancho Grande, and Lillian wishes to be called Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. I asked if I can just call her PB&J, and she nixed that idea. I must use the entire name when addressing her.

So my weekend went like this: take care of the sick hubby all day Saturday, leave for a brief trip to Target to buy supplies for Lillian's party, eat a bowl of spicy chili for dinner, wake up at 4:45 on Sunday morning and say hello again to that bowl of spicy chili. Fun.

So hubby and Camryn were in charge of Lillian's birthday party. I was confined to the bed. Hubby enlisted our children to clean the den, back porch, downstairs patio and playground area. Camryn baked the cupcakes and iced them. She planned the games, tried to play them with our young guests ("like herding cats" the hubby said) and took the pictures at the party. Camryn and her dad made an excellent team, and the party went very well (I watched the video). I'm so very grateful that I have such a wonderful husband. Most men would've cancelled the party, but my amazing guy trudged ahead. He even made me fruit salad and went out to Jersey Mike's to get me a sub when I felt like eating again last night. Whatta guy.

Feeling much better today. Surprisingly the house is pretty clean. Hubby finished washing all the sheets that I had in the laundry room, and the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. The den doesn't look like a tornado hit it (like I was expecting). He is a great guy. I can't complain.

I'm looking forward to a great week. Hubby is off from work tomorrow, which always makes for a good (relaxing) day. I think we'll go to Lowe's and get some planters and fall flora for the front porch. I get to go to the pumpkin patch with Aiden's class on Wednesday (and again next week with Quinn's class). Camryn and Aiden have just a half day of school on Friday, so I get to have a Mommy date with them before picking up Quinn & Lillian from school. I love Mommy dates.

Right now I'm concentrating on cleaning off my desk so I can get back to scrapbooking. I finished my Disney album (yea!) and need to get back to work on the kids' albums. I have piles of things on my desk, though, so those need to be purged and organized before I can concentrate on fun things. I can't be creative in the midst of chaos.

And that's all I have to say on this Monday. I hope you have a great week!

Simplicity

As I sit here listening to the House debate the bailout bill on C-SPAN, I'm struck by two thoughts. Maybe I'm blissfully naive, or maybe I'm just too simplistic, but it seems so clear to me how to fix this mess.

(1) Save money. Don't spend everything you have, and that will leave you with CASH reserves. If you stick to your budget and don't overspend, you won't NEED to borrow money and therefore the credit markets won't need saving.

(2) Will these companies really learn a lesson if the government fixes their problems? Seriously? How many times has that worked for people? You never learn if you don't have to learn hard lessons the hard way. If my kids do something wrong, I let them work it out. Forget your homework? Deal with the consequences. Hit your brother? Deal with the consequences. Sign a mortgage you cannot afford? Tough. I never put pen to the paper if I don't fully understand something. It's your fault that you can't pay for your house, because you chose to sign your name to something YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND and therefore CANNOT AFFORD. Home ownership is not a God given right. You have to be able to PAY the PAYMENTS, Jack.

On the 3rd day of my freshman year at the University of Alabama, I got the overwhelming urge that I didn't need to be there anymore. I called my mom and she told me to come home. I went home and cried with her and talked to her and she made it very clear that if I wanted to quit UA, I had to take care of the withdrawal process on my own, as well as find a new school and get myself enrolled ASAP. She didn't do a lick of that for me, and I'm glad she didn't. I was scared stiff, but I am a stronger person because I bailed myself out. Anytime I wanted to quit something from that day on, I actually thought through the difficulty of removing myself from the situation vs. seeing it through. I LEARNED from having to take care of my own messes. I was 18. How old is Lehman Brothers? See what I mean?

Now, I know that there's a huge fear of the economy collapsing. But I think it would be a sort of financial cleansing. My mom's dad was a teenager when the stock market collapsed in 1929. Having to live through that time in our history made him a very frugal man. He was very careful with his money and eschewed borrowing money; I'd go out on a limb and say that the majority of the people from that generation were scared to death to lose it all because they remembered what it was like to have nothing. I think it would be a defining moment in our history to let the bailout bill fail again, letting the chips fall where they may. It would surely make us stronger as a country.

But that's just my two cents' worth.

Day 3

Now entering day 3 of the stomach siege, but Lillian seems to be feeling better... she ate half a waffle and drank half a (single) bottle of apple Pedialyte before passing out in the middle of a Dora episode.

The bad news is that the hubs has it now. He's home from work today. He looks just like Lillian does, except he's laying in our bed asleep in front of HGTV.

I've been to CVS so many times in the past few days I think they might give me my own personal parking spot. I'm praying no one else gets this (and by no one else, you know I selfishly mean ME, right?)

Free Edutainment!

I found the following here.

The Association of Children's Museums has partnered with ParentsConnect Local (GoCityKids) to offer children free admission when accompanied by a paying adult at participating children's museums as part of ParentsConnect Local's Deals & Steals program September 29-October 26, 2008. Nearly 130 museums are participating; please check the list below for a museum nearest you.

Alabama

Children's Hands-On Museum (Tuscaloosa)
EarlyWorks Children's Museum (Huntsville)

Arizona

Arizona Museum for Youth (Mesa)
Children's Museum of Phoenix
Tucson Children's Museum

California

Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert (Rancho Mirage)
Children's Museum of the Sierra (Oakhurst)
Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley)
Fairytale Town (Sacramento)
Fingerprints Youth Museum (Hemet)
Kern County Museum & Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center (Bakersfield)
KidZone Museum (Truckee)
The New Children's Museum (San Diego)
Paso Robles Children's Museum

Colorado

Buell Children's Museum (Pueblo)

Connecticut

The Children's Museum (West Hartford)
The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (Niantic)
Lutz Children's Museum (Manchester)
Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk, CT)

Florida

Great Explorations Children's Museum (St. Petersburg)
Explorations V Children's Museum (Lakeland)
Miami Children's Museum
My Jewish Discovery Place (Plantation)
Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center (Boynton Beach)

Georgia

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids

Illinois

Bronzeville Children's Museum (Chicago)
Chicago Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum (Normal)
Children's Museum of Illinois (Decatur)
Children's Neighborhood Museum (Round Lake)
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Discovery Center Museum (Rockford)
DuPage Children's Museum (Naperville)
Exploration Station...a children's museum (Bourbonnais)
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago (Glenview)
Orpheum Children's Science Museum (Champaign)
Wonder Works, A Children's Museum in Oak Park

Indiana

Children's Museum of Evansville
kidscommons, Columbus' Community Children's Museum

Iowa

The Iowa Children's Museum (Coralville)
Phelps Youth Pavilion (Waterloo)

Louisiana

Children's Museum of Acadiana (Lafayette)
Louisiana Children's Museum (New Orleans)
T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum (Alexandria)

Maine

Children's Museum of Maine (Portland)
Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor)

Maryland

Chesapeake Children's Museum (Annapolis)
Discovery Creek (Glen Echo)
The Children's Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park (Frederick)
Port Discovery Children's Museum (Baltimore)

Massachusetts

Children's Museum in Easton

Michigan

Curious Kids' Museum (St. Joseph)
Flint Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Great Lakes Children's Museum (Traverse City)
Impression 5 Science Center (Lansing)
Kids 'N' Stuff (Albion)

Minnesota

Duluth Children's Museum
Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul)

Mississippi

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (Gulfport)

Missouri

The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum

Montana

The Children's Museum of Montana (Great Falls)

Nebraska

Lincoln Children's Museum
Omaha Children's Museum

Nevada

Lied Discovery Children's Museum (Las Vegas)

New Jersey

Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)

New York

Brooklyn Children's Museum
Children's Maritime Museum (Port Jefferson)
Children's Museum of the Arts (New York)
Explore & More Children's Museum (East Aurora)
Long Island Children's Museum (Garden City)
The Children's Museum at Saratoga
Staten Island Children's Museum
Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester)

North Carolina

The Children's Museum of Wilmington
Children's Museum of Winston-Salem
The Children's Playhouse (Boone)
Exploration Station (Lumberton)
Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art & ArtQuest (Greensboro)
Greensboro Children's Museum
KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum (Rutherfordton)
Kidzu Children's Museum (Chapel Hill)
Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh)
Museum of Life and Science (Durham)

North Dakota

The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm (Fargo)

Ohio

AHA! A Hands-On Adventure (Lancaster)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (Dayton)
Sunwatch Indian Village (Dayton)

Oregon

A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village (Salem)
Portland Children's Museum

Pennsylvania

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
expERIEnce Children's Museum (Erie)
Hands-on House, Children's Museum of Lancaster

Puerto Rico

Museo del Nino Puerto Rico (Old San Juan)

South Carolina

Children's Museum of the Lowcountry (Charleston)
Children's Museum of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach)
EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)
The Sandbox - An Interactive Children's Museum (Hilton Head)

Tennessee

Creative Discovery Museum (Chattanooga)
The Children's Museum of Memphis

Texas

Austin Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
The Children's Museum of Houston
Discovery Science Place (Tyler)
Imaginarium of South Texas (Laredo)
Texoma Children's Museum (Denison)

Utah

Treehouse Museum (Ogden)

Virginia

Amazement Square (Lynchburg)
Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Winchester)
Virginia Discovery Museum (Charlottesville)

Washington

Children's Museum of Skagit County (Burlington)
Children's Museum of Tacoma
Children's Museum of Walla Walla
Hands On Children's Museum (Olympia)
Imagine Children's Museum (Everett)
KidsQuest Children's Museum (Bellevue)
Mobius Kids (Spokane)

Wisconsin

Betty Brinn Children's Museum (Milwaukee)
The Building for Kids, Inc. (Appleton)
Central Wisconsin Children's Museum (Stevens Point)
Children's Museum of Eau Claire
Children's Museum of La Crosse
Madison Children's Museum
Northwoods Children's Museum (Eagle River)

I've been tagged!

I was just tagged by my friends Lee and Cyn. They're so nice to think of me!

Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you.
List 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

(1) I can't stand to see things hanging out of drawers or see drawers left slightly open. Same with cabinet doors. Everything must be shut and flush with the rest of the cabinet or chest (if it's a drawer).

(2) I can't stand the word TYLENOL. Just saying it conjures up thoughts of fever and nasty fake cherry liquid and Luden's cough drops.



I couldn't even bring myself to consider the name Tyler for a boy because it's too close to TYLENOL. ::SHIVERS::

(3) The shirts hanging in my closet are organized in ROYGBIV order. The same goes for my husband's side. I try to keep the pants grouped together (khakis, black, shorts, capris, etc.) but I'm not as particular about the trousers as I am the shirts.

(4) I hate filling out forms that want you to indicate your SEX instead of your GENDER. I'm always tempted to write "YES" in the blank instead of the required M or F.

(5) I am the only one allowed to fold my laundry. I'm very particular about how things are folded... like Martha picky. When I had my first child and my mother-in-law visited, she folded all my towels into squares. I like the tri-fold method for towel folding. I had to refold all of the towels after she left. Did it matter, really? The fold didn't make the towel unuseable, but it drove me BATTY to know they were folded wrong. The same goes with sheets. I'm almost the same way about loading the dishwasher, but other people are allowed to do that. That doesn't bother me as badly as the laundry thing does.

(6) I have to have mayonnaise on sandwiches that have meat on them. If the sandwich has cheese on it, then I can't have mustard on it (cheeseburgers are an exception to that rule..)

I tag:

Lita
Joanie
Carrie
Brandi
Casey
Sherry

Wordless Wednesday

2 things

I'm home today with an ailing Lillian. She has a little tummy bug. I think she's more upset about missing school than she is about being sick. That's all she was concerned with last night as she was holding her head over the trash can. "I don't think I can go to school tomorrow! My friends will miss me! Who will Talley play with?!?!" Bless her heart. So we're vegging on the sofa, watching as much Dora as one 4 year-old can possibly stand. Ay, caramba!

Since I'm just sittin' on the couch, I'm perusing the internet and came across a new giveaway. I think I'm going to order the creativity wall decal. It's just so cool. Lots of other awesome things there, too. Go check out the site and then go enter to win your own wall art (they have cool laptop art, too!)

Happy hump day. Say a prayer for my Lillo if you will. She's always on the go, so being down for the count with a virus just bums her out.

We need solutions, not soundbytes…

We need solutions, not soundbytes…

Posted using ShareThis

For Today...

Outside my Window... It's sunny. After a week of mild, 70 degree days, we're back up in the 80s. It's supposed to get cool again later this week.

I am thinking... that I should take Lillian to the Goodwill Store since she's the only kid I have with me today. I love hunting for "treasures" at Goodwill.

From the learning rooms... I'll be honest... I got nothin' to write here.

I am thankful for... restful Sundays.

From the kitchen...We're having salmon tonight. I've had salmon at restaurants twice in the past 10 days, and I finally broke down and bought some. I've never prepared it at home before, so I'm nervous to try.

I am wearing... the tie dyed shirt I made with Quinn's class on Friday, a pair of jeans and my Athens Crocs (flip flops).

I am reading... a lot of blogs lately. Google Reader is so good about recommending blogs I might enjoy, and I've added a bunch of new ones this week.

I am hoping... to figure out how I'm going to get myself to the Skyline retreat next month. I thought I had a ride, but now I don't.

I am creating... that darn Disney scrapbook... still! I'm on the last few packs of pictures, so hopefully it will be done by this time next week.

I am hearing... "Go, Diego, Go!" Lillian likes to come in my office and watch TV in the morning.
Around the house... The playroom NEEDS to be cleaned and toys culled from it. I have laundry left from the weekend, and there is a load of clean dishes to be emptied from the dishwasher and more dirty ones to be loaded and run.

One of my favorite things... is television. I'm so happy my favorite shows are back on. I watched too much TV this week!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Meetings at the older kids' school, a doctor's appointment tomorrow (for me), wash everyone's comforters (something I started doing once a month after all our sickness this summer...), get ready for Lillian's birthday party on Sunday, errands, laundry, help with homework, etc.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



That's an iPhone 3G. I desperately want one, but alas, we do business with Verizon and hubby doesn't plan on switching to AT&T just so I can have the iPhone. He's been with Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic and we have an awesome plan that doesn't even exist anymore (we've kind of been grandfathered with this plan...) I think he'd feel like he was cheating on Verizon if he even thought about switching service. So I pine for the iPhone. ::SIGH::

Blog Cheater

I saw this on 2 blogs recently, and I'm not above copying. I'm a blog cheater.

1- What's worse - Physical or Mental cheating? Both are pretty bad, but I'd choose physical as the worse of the two.

2- Is it easier to forgive or forget? forgive

3- Can men and women be "Just Friends?" Yes, but there can't be any physical attraction. I've had male friends that I wasn't attracted to.

4- Dating co-workers? I work at home, so my kids are my co-workers. I think that's illegal? And gross.

5- All expenses paid vacation to anywhere? You know where. It starts with a Disney and ends with a World. After that it would probably be some remote beach with a full staff to meet my every need... like maybe in Fiji? One of those huts that sit right in the water.

6- On the way to the electric chair - What's your last meal? Hold up... why am I going to the electric chair? What'd I do?!? Um, I'd probably choose Baby Doe's beer cheese soup, a great steak and something chocolate for dessert.

7- The water park... makes me tired? I haven't been to a water park since the early 90s. Hot, sunburned, waterlogged, chafed... ick. Not my thing.

8- When you are "In Love" do you notice other people? Yeah? I guess? Romantically, no, but I'm not blinded to the existence of other people.

9- Is flirting cheating? I think so. Why flirt if you know it's not going anywhere? Why even be tempted? Flirting to get something from the other person is just shallow and underhanded.

10- Would you rather have 1 great friend or 5 pals? 1 great friend

11- If someone called you a bitch would you be offended? Uh, yeah. I don't think that word is a compliment. I try very hard to be nice to people, even when I'm angry. I don't think being mean is ever appropriate.

12- Are you ok with your significant other being friends with an ex? I'm not sure.

13- Would you live with someone without marrying them? Nope.

14- Favorite sport? I love to watch college (SEC) football, but if I'm participating then it's going to be swimming.

15- Is toilet paper hung over or under? As long as there's paper on the roll, I don't care. I can't use a cardboard tube when I'm done wif my bidness. If the hubby actually remembers to put a new roll on when an old one is used up, I'm singin' hallelujahs.

16- Do you squeeze toothpaste from the middle or end of the tube? I don't pay attention to where I squeeze. I do roll it up when it's getting close to empty, so probably the top?

17- How do you feel about tanning booths? I used them in college and once as a newlywed, but never again. I'm seeing the effects, and I don't like them.

18- Friends with benefits? Nope.

19- Do you believe in angels? Absolutely. There have been too many times in my life when I know I've been in the presence of angels for me not to believe in them. Plus, the Bible says they exist, so that's enough for me to believe.

20- Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? Take them.

21- Have you ever flirted with someone you had no interest in? Not intentionally.

22 - Ever kissed a random person and then walked away? Nope. Why would you do that?

23- Would you buy bootleg merchandise? Nope, but last week my husband downloaded the cartoon parts of "Song of the South" onto a DVD so our kids could see what the story is behind the Splash Mountain ride at Disney World. That's the only way to see that movie, unfortunately.

24- What color looks best on you? Light aqua and plum-ish purple. Those are the colors that fetch me the most compliments.

25- If you could play any sport professionally what would it be? Is there a sport I can do sitting down? Maybe I would be a golfer. They seem to have the easiest time. Walk, hit a ball with an overpriced stick, ride in the cart, someone else carries your bag... pretty nice life.

26- Ever break up with someone and regret it? No.

27- Are you a jealous person? I'd be lying if I said no. I don't get jealous often. Mostly covetous, I guess. It passes quickly.

28- Would you ever have plastic surgery? I have, to erase a chicken pox scar (but only because I was having another procedure to remove scar tissue from my upper lip). I was in 5th grade.

29- When do you want to get married? Hopefully I won't be getting married again. ; )

30- Who has the sexiest accents? I love to hear Harry Connick, Jr. talk. I honestly think a thick Southern accent is the MOST unsexy accent on the planet, but I like a light Scottish accent (Ewan McGregor comes to mind...)

31- Next concert you're attending? I don't know. Is Manhattan Transfer coming back to town anytime soon? Harry Connick, Jr? I like smaller concert settings.

32- Favorite song? I can't pick just one. I love "Baby Grand" by Billy Joel. I can't think of any others right now because my iPod is on and it's impossible to think of anything besides what's playing ("The Mighty Quinn" at the moment...)

33- Favorite movie? Of all time? Gone With the Wind.

34- What's your occupation? Mom.

35- What's your sign? Like Bill Engvall's "Here's your sign!" or astrological sign? I'm an Aquarius, but I don't believe in astrology. Bunch o' hooey.

36- Are you a beach, country or city person? BEACH!

37- Best vacation spot you've been to? The hubs and I took a Royal Caribbean cruise before we had kids, and we spent our day on Coco Cay in a hammock strung between two palm trees. I read while he slept. We were right next to the ocean, we were perfectly shaded by the fronds of the palm tree and there was a niiiiiiiice breeze. If I could do that for a week with no TV (but definitely an iPod), that would be my idea of heaven on earth.

38- Have you ever had a "secret affair?" Why? Do you know something? Did someone say something to you? (The answer is no. I'm just playin'.)

39- If you could own a non-traditional pet which would it be? An imaginary alligator.

40- Favorite show as a child? Little House on the Prairie, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. I loved Saturday nights.

41- Where do you spend most of your money? Target

42- Are you currently working at a job that you hate? No. I love my job (and the meds that allow me to say that with a smile on my face!)

43- Have you ever been so heart broken that you called in sick to work? No.

44- Favorite summer drink? Butter pecan milkshake from Bruster's

45- Can you change a car tire? Sure. I know the number for AAA. Oh, change it myself? Nay. I should know that. Could probably figger it out if I had to. I *know* I can take the lug nuts off and put them back on. I've done that before. Impressed?

46- Favorite cologne/perfume? Sarah Jessica Parker's "Lovely" and Philosophy's "Amazing Grace". My hubby likes the smell of Chloe, which I wear very infrequently. I still like it, but it's very sweet.

47- Favorite candle scent? Cinnamon or apple or a combination of both.

48- Would you consider yourself adventurous? No.

49- What is your My Space profile song? I don't have a MySpace page. If I did, I still wouldn't have music. I think it's startling to be slapped in the face with a song when I click on someone's page. I had music here for awhile, but I took it off, because I couldn't stand it.

50- Favorite concert attended? DC Talk/ Michael W. Smith when I was in college. We were on the front row. ("Sing 'Friends' Michael! Sing 'Friends'!" Remember that, Brooke?)

51- Would you date an already attached man/woman? Attached to what? A bomb?

52- Would you sing Karaoke in front of co-workers? Maaaaaaaaybe. If'n I had co-workers.

53- Can you shoot pool? Not well.

54- Do you like your siblings' significant others? He seems like a nice guy. I don't know him too well, but he makes my sister happy, so that's good enough for me.

55- Can you drive a stick? Like a broomstick? Does this have something to do with that bitch comment? (No. I can only drive an automatic. I never learned to drive a car with a manual transmission.)

56- When you marry will you wear white? I did wear white.

57- Have you ever sat and hoped for a phone call? When I was dating my hubby long distance, yes.

58- Ever skip school and spend the day at the beach? The beach was 5 hours from my house, but even if it had been closer, I wouldn't have skipped.

59- Favorite TV shows? The Office and Pushing Daisies.

60- What are you waiting for at the movies? I think Madagascar 2 is going to be hilarious. Truth be told, I kinda sorta want to see High School Musical: 3, too. Only because I know it will be fun to take the kids. Not because Zac Efron is a cutie pie. Definitely not that. 'Cause that would be creepy.

For Today, 9/22/08

Outside my Window... I see grass that needs to be cut. I wonder when Mr. Fred is coming back to cut it?

I am thinking... that these Pringles are stale.

From the learning rooms... hmmm.... not sure I'm learning anything right now... at least nothing I'm conscious of learning.

I am thankful for... cooler weather!

From the kitchen... I need to BBQ something this week, because hubby just found my stash of Tony Roma's BBQ sauce that I ordered from Amazon for almost nothing. He didn't see the box of German Chocolate cake mixes on the floor, but I need to start using those up, too.

I am wearing... jeans (yea for it being cool enough for jeans!) and a dark brown shirt that says "Sweet & Southern" on the front and "Sweet and Southern just like my tea" on the back.

I am reading... The Gettysburg Diaries by Mark Nesbitt and Song Yet Sung by James McBride.

I am creating... my Disney scrapbooks... still not finished, but not for lack of trying. I have to cut back on the number of pictures I take on our trips, but it's so hard! I want to remember it all!

I am hearing... "Go Diego, Go!" on the TV and the hum of the computer's CPU.

Around the house... laundry. Always laundry. I need to clean the playroom, too. I emptied the dishwasher and reloaded it before I took the kids to school, so it was nice to come home to an empty sink. Sometime soon I will need to go through the kids' closets and switch out the winter and summer clothes, make a list of what the older kids need for winter and find the boxes of clothes in the basement for the younger kids to wear. It's always such a chore and I put it off as long as possible.

One of my favorite things... is being able to open the windows instead of running the A/C. I love the way the infusion of fresh air makes the house smell. I love the smells of fall.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... take Lillian to the doctor for her 4-year checkup, clean the playroom, See You at the Pole at the older kids' school, picture day for the older kids, FINISH the December 2007 Disney scrapbook, watch lots of TV (it's premiere week! Woo hoo!)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



Lillian, in the birthday hat that her teacher lets all birthday boys and girls wear on their special day.

Epilogue

As I was sitting at my computer I heard my name bellowed from the room beside mine.

"Mommy! Come here! Come see Lillian!"

My husband was doing the nighttime routine with the birthday girl.

I entered the room. Hubby said, "Lillian's eyes are leaking because she's not 3 anymore."

Seems our baby wants to live with us "fowuevah". She thought because she's 4 now she'll have to leave soon.

I quickly told her that getting older means being able to ride more rides at Disney World.

Leak fixed.

Have you seen my baby?

Lillian Grayce was born on Saturday, September 20th, 2004.

She is 4 years-old today.

I honestly don't know where the time went.



































Happy Birthday, Lillo. I love you so very, very much. You'll always be my baby.

Aargh!

Did you know?



I didn't, until I saw this.

I love the pick-up lines. My favorite is #8, but I'm also particularly fond of #1.

Enjoy.

Disappointment

Well, "Baby Mama" wasn't all I expected it to be. Sure there were parts that made me chuckle, but I'd seen the funniest parts of the movie in the commercials, so they didn't elicit the gut busting guffaws they should have. Amy Poehler peeing in the sink is still downright funny, but the only part of the movie that made me really crack up came while the credits were rolling. I won't spoil it for you if you haven't yet seen the movie, but it involves those ball pit balls. Brief but hilarious.

I just finished watching "The Bucket List" and while it was a sweet movie, it wasn't a movie I'd include on the "Best of Rob Reiner Flicks" list. I've had it since August 17th, and it wasn't worth waiting this long to see. Maybe in my heart of hearts I knew it wasn't that great of a film. I've never been a big Jack Nicholson fan, but I do love Morgan Freeman.

So now I'm waiting on "Made of Honor", "Leatherheads" (filmed right here where I live!), and the kids will get to see Batman (not the live action movies... the original, full length cartoon movie...)

And that's about all I have going on right now that's worth posting. Such an exciting life.

We Both Win

It's here! It's here! It's here! The mail lady just brought me "Baby Mama" so I'll be sequestering myself for the next 1 hour and 36 minutes. I hope it lives up to my expectations.

While I'm away, I have an assignment for you.

Go to abc.com.

Click on Full Episodes.

Choose Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Pick the 9/15 episode with Kobe Bryant. I promise you won't have to watch the whole thing. The funny part I want you to see is around the 9:33 mark. Keep watching until you see the Worst Science Team on TV video. My husband and I laughed long and loud. I was laughing more at him laughing, because he has a deep, breathless laugh... anyway... go watch and enjoy.

(and to those of you without high speed internet or those in different countries that can't access ABC.com, I apologize. I did look on YouTube first.)

Hopefully we'll both get a good laugh today. Me from "Baby Mama" and you from The Worst Science Team on TV. Who knew Atom Smashing could be so darn funny?

Holla!

I'm severely stoked because I just got a fan-freakin-tastic e-mail from Netflix. "Baby Mama" will be in da house tomorrow!!! That means I can (hopefully) watch it before I have to pick up the kids!!! I'm all electrified, like I just had Pop Rocks with Coke or something. Yee haw!

For Today...

Outside my Window... It's overcast.

I am thinking... of easily prepared things that are good with ham for supper tonight.

From the learning rooms... I heard about an article on Dave Ramsey's radio show today, and I want to go read it. It's supposed to be a really good reflection on the collapse of Lehman Brothers. I think I'll print it out, because I hate hunching over a desk to read stuff on the internet.

I am thankful for... schools that my children enjoy attending. All 4 of the kids love school and I credit the schools for providing great curricula and for the awesome teachers that love my kids and inspire them to learn. The kids soak up a great deal of typical school knowledge at their respective schools, but they also acquire a lot of Biblical knowledge as well as interacting with teachers who love Jesus and model his love. I really can't ask for better situations for my children. God has been very good to lead us to these schools.

From the kitchen... I have so many peaches, because my husband stopped at the local produce stand on Saturday and bought a huge basket of the gorgeous, good smelling fruit. I also have an abundance of Yellow Delicious apples, because they were 99 cents a bag last time I went grocery shopping. I need to slice and freeze the peaches and do something with the apples before they rot.

I am wearing... a navy blue top that has a keyhole that bothers me (it shows too much cleavage if it falls too low, but it's super comfy other than that), some khaki shorts and a pair of Target knockoff Rocket Dogs.

I am reading... nothing right now. I need to finish Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend and plan on starting Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson.

I am hoping... it rains like the weather guy has claimed it would for the past week.

I am creating... a scrapbook from our December 2007 Disney trip. I spent yesterday organizing pictures and embellishments for last month's trip plus the one my husband and I took alone in May. That's a lot of Disney, but I would go back tomorrow in a heartbeat. Love that place.

I am hearing... My iPod on shuffle. Right now it's playing "Down To The River To Pray" by Allison Krause.

Around the house... dinner to be made, dishes to be unloaded from the dishwasher, dishes in the sink to be loaded, a load of laundry in the dryer, 2 baskets of laundry in the den to be folded and lunches to be made for the boys.

One of my favorite things... is going to the movies. Today Lillian and I went to see Wall E. I hadn't seen it (hubby took the kids to see it earlier in the summer). It was so cute, and Lillian and I had a blast on our Mommy date. We shared popcorn and had Cokes and I even treated her to a Nerds Rope ('cause I wanted Raisinets to go with my popcorn). I am looking forward to seeing more movies by myself this year; I'm especially intrigued by "Burn After Reading (the Coen Brothers ROCK), "The Duchess" (one of those fluffy Keira Knightley period films with gorgeous costumes), "Eagle Eye" (with Shia LeBeouf), "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" and "Nights in Rodanthe" (because I really, really like Diane Lane... she's gorgeous and timeless). I love the dark theater, escaping into a story for a couple of hours and then walking out into the blinding sun. It's a great way to spend my time. I saw several previews for movies I know the kids will enjoy, too. "The Tale of Desperaux" (based on one of Camryn's all time favorite books), "Bolt" (the hamster is adorable) and "Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa (the clip made me LAUGH OUT LOUD today! I like to move it, move it!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Tomorrow a nurse is coming to the house to do a health profile for new life insurance. Always love those. Tomorrow is also Camryn's teacher's birthday, so I'll go out there sometime tomorrow to take her gifts and a chocolate chip cookie cake thing. I have a room mom meeting on Thursday, which is the same day I have to pick up my check and leftover clothes from the bi-annual consignment sale I participate in. I'm hoping for at least $300, but we'll see. I just don't want to have a lot of clothes left over. Saturday is Lillian's 4th birthday, and I still haven't put together a party. I guess she'll have to celebrate next week. I'm awful about planning the kids' parties. In between all that I'll have more laundry to do, dishes out the wazoo and lots of helping with homework and cooking dinner. It never ends.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



This is Lillian in her strawberry gown. She inherited the gown from Camryn, so it's a little pilled and small. I took a picture of her wearing the gown because I remember how Camryn looked in it, all clean and fresh from a bath. I always called her "My Strawberry Girl" when she wore it, and I do the same for Lillian. Lillo's about to outgrow the strawberry gown, which means it will be put in a bag bound for Goodwill. Maybe some other little girl will find it and her momma will call her Strawberry Girl, too.

Wordless Wednesday

Guest Blogger (Kind Of)

This sure is turning out to be an Aiden-centric blog lately. Didn't mean it to be, but right now he's my favorite kid.

What? You don't find yourself having moments (days, weeks) where you have a favorite child? I do love each of my children equally and greatly, but sometimes there are stretches where I prefer the company of one kid simply because the other 3 are DRIVING ME BANANAS.

Right now Lillian is in a Tourette's phase. She sings spontaneously and loudly and repeats things A LOT. It's most annoying. And there's the yelling and the growling. She's the living incarnation of the strong willed child.

Quinn is in a "I can't get the words out of my mouth fast enough and therefore it's impossible to comprehend what I'm saying especially because I refuse to pronouce the letter R correctly, making me sound like I was born in Boston" phase. Arrrrrrr. Arrrrrr. Arrrrr... I sound like a pirate when I correct his speech.

Camryn is female, she's 10, on the cusp of womanhood and she thinks the world revolves around her. NO has suddenly disappeared from the list of words she comprehends. She can dish it, but she won't take it. 'Nuff said.

So that leaves Aiden. Sweet, do anything to please me Aiden. He's like a lap cat, that one. So docile and compliant and loves to be stroked, physically and emotionally. We totally get each other. He's so like me it's scary. Maybe that's why I like him so much. It's a form of narcissism.

The following was plucked from his Friday folder when I cleaned out his backpack over the weekend. I just had to share. I have typed it just as he wrote it, misspellings and all.

CREATION

I am glad that God created the day so that I can play.

I am happy God created the season winnter so that I can play in the snow.

I am delighted that God created the color red because I like red lightsabers.

I am pleased that God created the fruit/vegetable Bannana because I like Pennut budeer banana sanwichs.

I am excited that God created the animal tiger because I like the strips.

I am thankful God created the Sabbath when I can rest and play legos.

And God rested, and played Legos, and it was good.

He NEEEEEDS a New Lego Set!

As previously blogged, Aiden lost a tooth at Disney World:



While eating lunch yesterday, he decided to pull another tooth which had become very loose in the past week:



The kid is now tied with his big sister (who's 10) for number of teeth lost in a lifetime.

I think he believes he can earn money for Legos by yanking teeth from his head.

"Psssst... hey Tooth Fairy! I'll trade you two of these babies for an Imperial AT-ST! What? Fresh? Of course they're fresh! I just pulled 'em this morning!"



He can't eat an apple (or anything, really) worth a darn, but he sure does have a stockpile of cash!

No Books for Galactic Bounty Hunters

You know your 5 year-old son is a Star Wars freak when he sees this sign on the library door:



and says, "If Boba Fett wanted to come to the library, he couldn't bring his blaster."

(Boba Fett is the bounty hunter from the Star Wars movies, for those of you untouched by the Star Wars phenomenon.)

Ahhhh...

4 interstates (385, 26, 95 and 4)

3 states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina)

3 food stops (McDonald's, Krystal and Zaxby's)

2 gas stops

3 potty stops (Aiden didn't go ONCE the entire trip!)

10 hours

14 minutes

1,122 miles

6 very tired people

AND

We're home

Sweet

Home

Last Day

The last day at Disney World always comes. When we get here the last day seems so far away, but inevitably it arrives and I'm sad and happy at the same time. Happy to be getting back home to my bed and our routine, but sad because I just love being at Disney. It seems so far removed from real life; everything here is truly magical.

We had planned to spend the evening in the Hollywood Studios, riding Tower of Terror and Rock n Rollercoaster (for the boys), seeing Playhouse Disney for Lillian and riding the Great Movie Ride for Camryn, but we were just too pooped from being up until 4 am at Magic Kingdom. We just needed a break, even though it meant missing some crucial rides for Aiden (and man, was he bummed! He cried for about 15 minutes!)

Instead we rented a bicycle surrey and took a ride around the water. It's about a mile all the way around the Boardwalk, past the back entrance to Epcot, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts and back to the rental place. There are two hills along the way as well, so it's a good workout when you're pedaling 2 adults and 4 children. We only made it around the circuit once.

I let Aiden be the official surrey ride photographer since he was a little down in the dumps. He did a pretty good job!

Lillian had fun ringing the bell:



The back side of the slide at the Yacht & Beach clubs:



The Yacht Club resort (Aiden REALLY wants to stay there next time, because the pool is AWESOME!):



Camryn, from Aiden's POV (She's a beauty, my firstborn!):



One of the many boats we've boarded this week:



Not a bad photographer for a boy of 7, eh?

After our surrey bike workout we went over to the Beaches and Cream restaurant at the Beach Club resort. They have something there called the Kitchen Sink, which is described as "scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee and mint chocolate chip, smothered in every topping we have". Every topping they have includes Oreo cookies, sliced Snickers bars, brownies, chunks of Angel Food cake, as well as the standard bananas, hot fudge, strawberry and pineapple toppings and caramel. The whole thing is topped with an entire can of whipped cream. There's even a special presentation made when the thing is brought to your table. Lights flicker, sirens go off, and the waitress makes a little speech before she plops the entire thing down in front of the eager diners.

And here is our Kitchen Sink:





Quinn ate more of the Sink than anyone, I think. He really enjoyed it, too. Little booger.



Bellies full of ice cream and assorted other goodies, we boated back over to our hotel to take one last swim and then pack. Before going back to the room, Camryn and I hit the hair wrap stand. She chose her school colors (royal blue, white, green and yellow) and a frog charm (because she says FROG stands for "Forever Reigns Our God"):



and in honor of college football season starting back up, I chose navy, orange and white for my beloved Auburn Tigers:



No, I'm not wearing makeup, because it just melts off in this heat. Despite the warm weather and the higher-than-we-expected crowds, we've had an awesome week. We rested more on this Disney trip than we ever have, and being Vacation Club members with larger accommodations really made a difference for us. I think joining DVC is one of the best investments we've ever made. We're already checking out which DVC property we can visit next time and planning to purchase more points. We're officially DVC addicts.

We have a long (8+) hour trip home tomorrow, and then it's back to the grind. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my bed tomorrow night, but I can't wait to relive the magical memories we've made this week when I thumb through our souvenirs and pictures. Disney World is just one of my favorite places on earth.