Life Imitating Art

This is what happens when you leave your husband in charge of the kids for 36 hours (and this was after soaping up). Do the words 'The Dog' mean anything to you? Take a look here.

Another Mouth to Feed

As many others are feeling the crunch of the economy, it finally hit close to home this past week. My husband's employer has decided to put everyone on lay off for a period of time with hopes of bringing them back in several weeks, but at part-time status. He has suspected this was going to happen after a major lay off occurred last year, so it wasn't a complete shock. We are disappointed but not devastated.

All in all, we try to be prepared for the unexpected or inconvenient circumstances. For instance, how could we know that in this time of semi-crisis, we would have another mouth to feed? Earlier this year the girls used their Christmas money to buy some hamsters. While we asked the gentleman at the pet store to kindly give us two of the same gender, we learned quickly from the look of things that he had not. Our suspicions (and fears!) were confirmed on Thursday of this past week when the 8 year old started screaming, "Baby hamsters!!" Two baby hamsters, actually. Here Charlie is seen holding mommy hamster, Brownie. 

And, who can resist taking in this little guy? Or is it a gal? I suppose there is only one way to know for sure. Hamsters anyone?

Family Rules

Our preschooler's class was discussing family rules at school this week. She brought home a list yesterday of her idea of our "Home Rules" as told to her teacher. They are:

1) Go outside with a grown up.
2) Don't go in the street.
3) Don't bother Santa.

I might add "until after Thanksgiving" to that third one.

Feeling Fallishly Productive

Did you sign up for the free holiday countdown e-course? I'm thrilled to report that we have: 1) planned costumes (except for one hold out), 2) decorated the interior windows and some doorways with homemade garland (see picture), 3) calendared some exciting activities such as a trip to the Butterflyfest and a local "haunted" history tour (age appropriate, of course), and 4) bought treats to hand out at our church's Trunk or Treat. Whew...I'm feeling very productive, indeed! Amazing what a little e-course will do to get your fall holiday spirit going. :)

My Target Haul

I have been working on my couponing skills the last several months, trying to stretch our dollars. I had an excellent day at Target, thanks to 75% off select school supplies and 18 (count 'em! 18!!!) peelies (coupons found on the shelf) I found in combination with clearance prices on Garnier Fructis styling products and shampoo/conditioner. Woohoo! This is what I got for a total of $31.73 (after coupons and clearance prices)--I should mention, the Yoplait Yogurt was consumed by a certain 4 year old before we even made it home. So, it's not pictured. The loot includes:

36 bottles of Garnier Fructis styling products, shampoo, and conditioner ($1.08 for each two bottle pack after coupons)
4 poly three-prong folders w/pockets (.07 each)
1 cute puppy 3-ring binder (oh how I wish they'd had 3...the little ones will fight over this for sure!) (.74)
3 small plastic school boxes (.17 each)
3 puppy and kitten folders (.12 each)
40 three-prong two-pocket portfolios (4 pks of 10 at .25/pk)
4 large plastic school boxes (.67 each)
10 70-page spiral notebooks (2 pks of 5 at .12 each)
1 Physician's Formula Bronzer/Eye Shadow/Liner ($2.74)
1 Yoplait Yogurt (.52)

I had an even better haul from Walgreens, but I was tired Saturday evening from two shopping trips and so many bags I couldn't lay it all out to take a photo! On those trips, my total before rebates and coupons was $84....I ended up paying $23 (once I receive the Easy Saver rebates in a few weeks).

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On a side note, I was driving our 6 year-old home from dance class today, listening to talk radio. The reporter kept mentioning McCain over and over. After a few minutes, "Charlie" hollered, "ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS HURRICANES!" "No, sweetie," I replied, "they are talking about Mc-Cain....not hurricanes!" Although, both have been in the news a lot lately!

And, on a sad note, I had several other cute things the kiddos have said over the past several weeks that I have been saving, but as I went to download the sound files from my PDA (because I can't possibly remember them all), I discovered the mic is not working. All I hear is static! So, while I thought I had the 4 year-old's ("Delta") reaction to her first day of preschool on my handy dandy mobile recording device...alas, I have nothing! Thank goodness I made a couple of notes in my journal.

Isn't modern technology wonderful?....WHEN IT WORKS!

Celebration Time: 100th Post & Giveaway!

1. I like traditions.
   
   So I figured I would celebrate my 100th post with the traditional list of 100 things about me and a giveaway! Since the first of my one hundred facts is covered above, I'll just keep going....
   
   
2. We have a few family traditions. One of them is eating breakfast together with my side of the family on Christmas morning. Another is eating dinner with hubby's side on Christmas Eve.
3. Speaking of family, we have four beautiful children.
4. They are all girls (known here as Alpha, Beta, Charlie, and Delta).
5. Growing up, I only had boy names picked out.
   
6. I think our family is complete at six. But I'll never say never. :)
7. Speaking of never, I never thought I would be able to be a full-time at-home mom after a decade in the corporate world.
8. But I am, thanks to a supportive hubby and a lot of faith!
9. I do work from home part-time as a resume writer/recruiter.
10. I also like to write.
    
11. I sold my first article as a freelance writer earlier this year. Oh, happy day!
    
12. My children teach me that I do not know nearly as much as I would like about parenting.
13. Sometimes I read self-help books about parenting.
    
14. However, I do not read parenting books in front of my kids once they can spell/read. When my oldest was in about 3rd grade, she asked me if I was trying to use the stuff on her that I read in "that book."
    
15. Actually, I love to read all kinds of books, especially historical fiction.
16. I've never read a Jane Austen novel, though I started Pride and Prejudice this past week. So far, I'm loving it.
    
17. I loved The Work and the Glory series so much I read all nine volumes in about six weeks; book in one hand and newborn in the other!
    
18. As a child, I was fascinated with unicorns. I saw "The Living Unicorn" at the Barnum and Bailey Circus and, well, this article sums it up. So does this word: anti-climactic.
19. I have naturally curly hair.
20. Unlike Frieda, I was never too fond of it.
21. I appreciate it more now than I once did.
22. I may spend more on hair products than I do on make up.
23. Speaking of spending, I would rather save than spend.
24. I married a man who is just the opposite.This gives our marriage some spark! :)
    
25. In the last 16 years, we've found a happy medium in our finances. (But I still like saving more than he does!)
26. I find great pleasure in bargain-hunting. The day I discovered ECBs and RRs was simply glorious.
27. I rarely pay full price for anything, especially movie rentals.
    
28. I know how to clog dance.
29. I once wrote a clogging routine to Who's Johnny? by El DeBarge.
30. I don't remember it.
    
31. I would have graduated from college with a 4.0 but I made a B in bowling my senior year.
32. I'm not bitter about it...really...I'm not... :/
    
33. I still like to bowl, occasionally.
34. I am not very athletic, but...
    
35. I lettered in Cross Country and Track in high school.
36. I once held up a track meet because I was the last person to finish the two-mile run and they couldn't start the next event until I cleared the inside lane.
    
37. In college I majored in Psychology.
    
38. I minored in HR Management.
39. For a senior project I conducted a study about the effects of dressing down (i.e., casual dress at work) on employee productivity. Obviously, nobody read it.
    
40. I took Latin for my foreign language in high school. (Maybe there is some truth to that rumor about me wanting to be a doctor.) I remember one sentence from those days: Puella est in villa.
    
41. I enjoy baking.
42. I also enjoy tackling projects like this baby shower cake.
43. I like taking photographs, but being in photographs...not as much.
44. I have some gray hairs, but...
    
45. I have no intentions of hiding them; I've earned every one.
46. I would like to vacation at every state park in Florida that rents cabins. So far, I've been to two. My favorite was St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park. We're going back again next year!
    
47. I also like to vacation in the mountains of North Carolina.
48. I've never been out of the country.
49. The term "sheeple" makes me giggle.
50. Speaking of giggling, my husband makes me laugh a lot with his unusual sense of humor and perspective.
51. I like playing Scrabble but I rarely win (unless I'm playing my 8 or 6 yr old).
52. I never owned a dog as a kid.
53. I had a cat named Smokey. He was a cast off of a neighbor who moved.
    
54. Speaking of my childhood, my nickname as a kid was Tigger (I bounced a lot).
55. My 8th grade English teacher taught me that "a lot" is two words.
    
56. My favorite color was once purple; now I really don't have a favorite color.
57. I memorized Jabberwocky in the 5th grade and I can still recite it.
58. I memorized the Preamble to the Constitution in the 7th grade and, let's just say, I don't remember it nearly as well. :(
    
59. I've had the same cell phone number and plan for over 12 years.
    
60. All of my kids' (real) names begin and end with a vowel. On purpose.
61. I own a vehicle that requires premium gasoline (and when I need to replace it, hubby will be invited to remain at home so as not to influence me to buy the supercharged V-6); at least it's paid for. :)
    
62. I do not mind admitting when I am wrong.
    
63. I love a good Orange Julius.
64. I don't mind drinking reconstituted powdered milk and I sneak it into my family's diet whenever I can.
65. I have been told I make a mean chocolate cupcake.
66. My cookies, on the other hand, never seem to spread correctly.
67. I refuse to use Silpat (or a similar accessory) to improve my cookie baking. I prefer parchment paper.
68. I've never tried pinto bean fudge. But I might.
    
69. I got my $1.50 piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory on National Cheesecake Day. I think we waited about two hours AFTER being seated to receive it. The wait, however, wasn't so bad. I was with friends. :)
70. I have yet to receive my first spice blend. I don't think it's coming. Anyone else gotten one?
71. I relish a good talk/sermon. I know it's an especially good one if it inspires me to read more on the topic.
    
72. I have been called resourceful.
73. I like pens, pencils, and other school and office supplies. When I was a kid my dad had a roll out fishing lure storage thing full of pens. I always wanted it for myself. I never got it. Hmph.
74. I like to organize and label things. By looking at my closets, you wouldn't necessarily know this.
    
75. I won the fifth grade spelling bee.
76. I still call my mom and dad almost every day just to talk.
    
77. I married my high school sweetheart. :)
78. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hot chocolate, but I've never had a Starbucks hot chocolate. If only I could have won Scribbit's August Write Away Contest, I would be sipping one now. My entry didn't cut the mustard--or the whipped cream for that matter. :( There's always next month! :)
    
79. I prefer chocolate and peanut butter candy combinations.
    
80. Dark chocolate is my absolute favorite.
81. I saw Batman Begins for the first time last month. Why? Because hubby and I had a date to see The Dark Knight at the IMAX and I MUST watch movies in sequential order. (BTW, it was awesome!)
    
82. I rode my first roller coaster at Lagoon when I was a tween while visiting my oldest sister who (briefly) moved to Utah. Her friend called me a chicken (in so many words), so I felt compelled to prove him wrong. Glad I did. It was fun!
    
83. My kids and I have had some of the same elementary school teachers! My oldest had my 2nd grade teacher, my second oldest had my kindergarten teacher (a year before she retired), and my first grader now has the teacher I had in fifth grade!
    
84. My second oldest sister wanted to "send [me] back to Heavenly Father" when I was born. How do I know this? My father has proof on a cassette tape!
85. I am one of four children: three girls and one boy.
    
86. I am the youngest.
    
87. My sense of smell isn't very good. However, it once was. My parents put a box of KFC in the trunk before they picked me up from day care one day. When I got in the car, I immediately detected the aroma in the air and exclaimed, "You can't hide chicken from me!"
88. My first fender-bender involved my mom's Oldsmobile and a BMW in the parking lot of the high school during a Friday night football game. I found out Monday when I went to English class that the owner of the BMW was the cousin of the girl who sat in front of me. Ugh. How embarrassing.
    
89. I recently saved 48% on my car insurance. And it wasn't by switching to Geico.
90. One day I would like to learn to play the piano. I'd also like to be able to sing well, but the latter is less likely than the former.
    
91. I saw Star Wars for the first time at a drive-in when I was about 3.
92. My favorite ice cream is homemade, but Breyer's Natural Vanilla with the little vanilla bean specks is an excellent substitute.
93. I use my crock pot at least once per week.
94. Alton Brown is my favorite chef.
    
95. Though I watch very little television and follow no prime time shows, I would have to say that Good Eats is my favorite program when I do have a few minutes to veg. (pun intended)
96. I don't mind folding laundry, but I do NOT like putting it away.
97. Like Eddie Rabbit, I love a rainy night. Though I can't say I'm a country music fan.
98. Topping my list of beloved children's stories is The Giant Carrot. I think I'm the only one who feels this way.
    
99. One day, I would like to have a house with a wrap-around porch.
100. Finally, I am hosting my first ever blog giveaway today. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me something about yourself by midnight ET on August 31, 2008. I will use a random number generator thingie to pick a winner to receive a $10 Bath and Body Works gift card! Be sure to check back on September 1st to see if you won!

First Grade Rites of Passage

The girls made it through their first day back at school unscathed. Of the three who started back this week (Alpha, Beta, and Charlie), Charlie, the first grader, had the most life-altering experience of all...

At Charlie's school, kindergartners are not permitted to play on the biggest, fastest, most intimidating slide in the school yard. So, after school that first day, she got in the car, lifted her chin just a bit, dramatically closed her eyes as if to relive the moment in her mind and spoke deliberately, "I rode {short dramatic pause} THE SILVER BULLET!"

Had I known this rite of passage would come so soon, I would have hidden behind the bushes until recess and snapped a photo of the momentous occasion.* I'll have to remember to capture this moment when Delta is in first grade a couple of years from now!

*(And, I would have at least had a picture of The Silver Bullet to show you all had Fay not caused school to be canceled for two days this week!)

My First Real KISS

This post is my inaugural entry into Scribbit's August Write Away contest. The month's topic is "first kiss." Enjoy!

I had my first real KISS when I was 30. Yep, 30. Not the wet, sloppy, slip-of-the-tongue kind of kiss, though my stomach churned as if it was making butter and I wrung my hands like a washcloth. This was the kind of KISS that slaps you into reality, the what's-important-in-life kind of kiss...the "Keep It Simple, Sister" kind of kiss.

Apparently, I told everyone I was going to be a doctor or maybe a lawyer. (Never mind that I don't remember doing this.) I was on the right path, what with a full scholarship to attend University and a degree in three years instead of four. Marriage and a baby didn't slow me down as I reached out for the next higher rung on the corporate ladder, working long hours and volunteering for extra committees and special projects. Seven years later, the blessing of another baby was thrilling, yet I felt the tiniest twinge, like a massive vessel being pulled by a couple of tugboats in the direction opposite of its chartered course. I returned to work three months after her birth renewed yet determined to "have it all."

Two years later I found myself at home again, taking leave to nuzzle up to another little miracle. Now, we were outnumbered with three beautiful princesses! The twelve weeks of leave flew by like hurricane winds in the tropics. The tug was more pronounced this time and I resented that I couldn't tarry a bit longer. An additional two years passed, and I could hardly believe it when daughter number four was in my arms. Holding her, I was a distressed ship being drug back to port, willingly. My condition was not fatal--it was fantastic! I decided I could "have it all," but not in the way I originally thought. In my mind, "all" became a successful career as a stay-at-home mom balancing a tighter budget instead of babysitters and executive briefings. I knew I needed to simplify. "Keep It Simple, Sister" became my mantra.

Returning to work the last time was dreadful. Leaving my girls was unspeakably difficult, but so was the thought of leaving my second family with whom I had spent more waking hours in the last eight years than my own flesh and blood! However, I gave my two weeks' notice within a month and I've been docking in port ever since, raising our four lovely daughters on a significantly reduced income. Not sure how long we'll manage to live this simpler life (note I didn't say "simple" life!), but I'm enjoying the extended stay.

WANTED: Fearless Driving Instructor

If you recognize this face, please don't tell her I posted her picture on my blog! I just had to tell the world to WATCH OUT if you see this young lady driving on the streets, as she received her learner's permit today. :)

We had our first lesson this evening (though there are rumors dad has given her a few private lessons on the sly before this day), and it was....WEIRD! Weird, I tell you! Where has the time gone? I won't get all mushy, but I will say I did not see this day coming even though I've had over 15 years to prepare! I think I'll need the next seven years between her and the next oldest to get used to this. By then, she could be married with child! Now I'm feeling faint...

Thrifty Thursday - OrganicGroceryDeals.com

Consuming organic food seems to be all the rage these days, so I thought I'd pass along a link to OrganicGroceryDeals.com on this Thrifty Thursday, which I learned about from an amazing shopper who is feeding her family of four on an annual food budget of $800. Yes, you read right...that is an ANNUAL budget.

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Seems like most of my stories about the kids lately have centered around our three soon-to-be-four yr old, known on this blog as "Delta." I'm a little ashamed of the bias that seems to be developing, but she says the funniest things...I think it's the age. Anyway, she climbed up next to me on the couch while I was working on the computer a couple of evenings back; I told her I loved her and gave her a little kiss. That's when she started talking about marriage. It went something like this:

Me: "I love you!" [kiss]

Delta: "Is that how you get married? You lean this way and the other person leans that way. And you kiss. Is that gross? Yuck! We are NOT doing that."

The Stages of (Bad Behavior) Grief

With more than 15 years of parenting under my belt, you'd think I would have caught on to the secret to 99% of my kids' "bad behavior." I guess I've known all along, but I'm just winding down the five stages of grief: Denial ("Not MY children!"), Anger ("I can't believe you just did that!"), Bargaining ("I know they wouldn't have done that if..."), Depression ("I'm so embarrassed s/he did that!"), Acceptance (My name is Wild Squirrel and my children are....um...wild.").

My journey to acceptance began this school year when I had to start waking up at the crack of dawn to take the oldest to a class that begins at 6 am. I noticed that as the year dragged by, I did too! At first I was getting up along with her, ready to tackle the day. I even took the opportunity to run a couple of miles before waking the other three younger children, two of whom were in school. Then, I started to sleep in an extra five or so minutes. Five became ten, ten became twenty....on more than a few occasions SHE was waking ME up! That's when I started to feel guilty...very guilty. Since I was running out of time to get myself ready for the day (i.e., showered, presentably dressed) before the little ones awoke, I was doing so while they were getting ready. Not good. I reasoned that an hour should be plenty of time for a 7, 5, and 3 yr old to get dressed, eat breakfast, and get in the car for the short eight minute drive to school. While I was simultaneously showering. And making lunches. And preparing breakfast. And applying make-up. Um....Nope. It wasn't happening. We started feeling more and more rushed and arriving later and later to school. Not horribly late, mind you, but slipping in the classroom door just as the bell rings is not my idea of being on time. And, we did, horror of horrors, get a couple of tardy slips! It seemed a strong correlation existed between ME getting ready on time, and THEM being ready on time. Imagine that!

Of course, being on time is just one example. So, as much as I dislike the sound of it, I can accept that I perpetuate a few some many of their less-than-desirable behaviors. And I'm okay with that. IF I seize the opportunity to reverse the trend, and I can take credit for a few of their good ones! :)

Reliving the Best Vacations - Part II

It will be forever difficult to top our vacation to St. Joseph Peninsula. However, we've taken a few others worth mentioning. Given our larger-than-average family, it is increasingly difficult to find a place to stay that can accommodate six people in one room. When Delta was an infant, we could usually get away with it. Now that she's older, we have found that we must either rent a house, stay in a condo, or request two adjoining rooms. This has severely limited our vacationing since we I am so frugally minded. This next vacation destination comes in second not only because of the outstanding time we had visiting Wakulla Springs last year, but because the staff happily allowed us to reserve a room that was really probably too small for our family but fit nicely into our budget. Since we basically only slept there, it wasn't a problem.

The Wakulla Springs Lodge was once a home to Edward Ball, a wealthy businessman and brother-in-law to Alfred I. duPont of the famed duPont family. The lodge, which maintains much of its period character, includes marble floors, antique furniture, and a rare vintage elevator still in excellent operating condition. As with our last getaway, you won't find a television in your room, though there is a telephone with a data port and a large screen television can be found in the lobby. The staff are happy to loan you a documentary or movie from their collection of those filmed on location in the area, such as Creature from the Black Lagoon, a few Tarzan flicks, and Airport 77. (Bring your own if you want to watch anything else!) Also in the lobby area are several marble checker boards with over-sized ceramic checkers where you will find guests at all times of the day and night playing and socializing. The old fashioned soda fountain and ice cream parlor/gift shop are also a fun stop, especially for the kids. Though the food seemed a bit pricey in the Ball Room Restaurant, you may wish to sample the "world famous" navy bean soup or fried chicken for breakfast. We just HAD to try the chicken for breakfast. Our 14 year old was forced to kind enough to watch her three younger siblings so we could slip out one morning.

Any time we go on vacation, the kids aren't complete without a dip in the water. Thank goodness Wakulla Springs, one of the largest and deepest fresh water springs in the world, provided plenty of opportunity for swimming, though it was dang cold. Floating docks are placed several yards out and there is a diving platform for the especially adventurous guests. At only several dollars each, the boat rides, including glass bottom boats, are also a must. (If you must choose between the two, I'd go for the boats over the fried chicken.)

Not too far from Wakulla and an extension of the park is Cherokee Sink. It's been referred to as a popular picnic area and swimming hole, but we stumbled upon it ourselves and wish we'd known about it sooner. The water was not as cold and it wasn't nearly as crowded. I will say though, that I got the creeps swimming there. It's so deep and you can't see through the murky water. When we got back home, I Googled the sinkhole to learn more about its depth and history and found that a woman had drowned there only a week before our visit. It was suggested that she may have gotten disoriented after diving into the water and went down instead of up.

On a lighter note, another interesting place within a short drive is St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge. For only $5 a car, you can see some pretty interesting wildlife. During our visit we saw countless alligators, one of which decided to cross the road right in front of our vehicle, an otter, and several wild hogs. There is also a lighthouse on the property (though it is closed to the public) and many species of birds and plant life.

So, again, add this one to your short list of places to visit on a budget. The rooms are between $85 and $105 per night and the recreational activities, which also include things like walking/bike trails, are reasonably priced, even for a larger family.

Reliving the Best Vacations - Part I

Today was our last day of school; within three hours, Beta was moaning, "I'm so BORED..." Ugh. So, I escaped mentally to some of our favorite vacations past. I guess you could call this a series, because I have a few favorites, and this is the first one that came to mind.

No phones. No television. The nearest store is 25 miles away. If you've never been to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida, you must go. Now. Today. (It's a good thing hubby doesn't read this blog, 'cause I'd be getting a talking to for letting this little secret out of the bag!) We went to St. Joseph two years ago and left wanting to do a big 'ol U-turn, right then and there. The park offers tent sites for camping as well as some rustic cabins. We went for the cabins and somehow lucked out. Usually, you need to reserve these 10-11 months in advance. We must have been living right, because we picked up a three night stay that year within a few months of our hoped for dates.

As I mentioned, the eight cabins available are rustic. So, why was I happy to live without all of the amenities of a 5-star resort? The bay side of the park where the cabins are located seems so Old Florida. There are no towering condos or peanut peddlers, and the beach is basically all yours. About 100 yards off-shore there was a sandbar where we discovered all sorts of ocean life (some of which we'd never seen up close) including live sand dollars and starfish, a baby blow fish, blue crab, and countless fish. It was like being in one of those Jamaican resort commercials without all the froufrou--no guided tour or drinks with umbrellas; just honest-to-goodness exploring and enjoying nature up close and personal. Oh, and we also saw several deer.

The other side of the peninsula offered the more typical beach experience...sandy, white beaches (rated among the top in the United States, see 2002), again without all of the crowds and commercialism. It is a state park, after all. It was a short walk over the dunes...the DUNES...they are very large...to get to the other side. As long as you aren't playing the part of pack mule to four children, it shouldn't be a strenuous experience. If you are...I'm sorry. I feel your pain. Literally. I felt it. :/

Ah, but the beach is not all. Bring your bikes and binoculars, kayaks or canoe...read more about it here because I could go on and on. We are anxious to return since the youngest was still a baby when we last visited, which limited our recreational activities. Still completely worthwhile. Add it to your short list!

Sticks Are Precious

Delta loves to collect most anything she sees on the ground. It was no surprise when she adopted a spindly, ho-hum stick at the park the other day. Once she latched on, she gingerly carried it with her all around the park and lovingly placed it alongside her car seat for the ride home. Like many of the items she collects, however, she quickly forgot about it as the excitement of arriving home consumed her. I had forgotten, too.

Fast forward one day...Beta stumbled upon the stick in the car seat as we were leaving for school. "Hey, Mom? Can I throw this stick out?" I didn't bother to turn around and look...it was a stick. "Sure," I replied, not thinking about the previous day's adventure. "NOOOOOOO!" screamed Delta. Oops! I instantly remembered her connection with the little lifeless length of wood. "Oh, I'm sorry, Delta! Beta, can you grab it?" Without a moment's hesitation, Charlie blurted out, "Sticks are NOT precious!"

Knowing that Delta's feelings would likely be hurt by Charlie's indifference to what WAS a precious stick, I tried to explain that we each place a different value on the things around us. Obviously, this stick meant more to Delta than to Charlie, but Charlie wasn't buying it. Then Beta, being the more mature bigger sister, tried to break it down. "Charlie, do you like hearts?" "Yes," replied Charlie. "Well, some people don't like hearts." Again, Charlie wasn't buying it. No connection with the "unprecious" stick, and especially no buying that some people don't like hearts. (Oh, to be five again and believe you are the Sun and everyone else a planet, rotating around you.)

Like Charlie, I sometimes find myself being annoyed by what appear to be trivial issues or things, at least to me. But then I remind myself that these circumstances or objects just might be the sticks of those around me, and sticks ARE precious!

Hair Eyes

You may be wondering...what are hair eyes? Allow me to explain. As I am driving my 3 yr old to the park this morning, the following conversation ensues:

Delta: "Do you have hair eyes?"

Me: "Hair eyes?"

Delta: "Yeah." (At this point I would normally correct her by asking her to say, "Yes, Ma'am"--it's a Southern thing--but I am curious about whether or not I have "hair eyes.")

Me: A pause....then an epiphany. "Do you mean eyes in the back of my head?"

Delta: "Yes."

Me: "Do you think I have hair eyes?"

Delta: A pause....then, "Yes."

So I guess I do. And if I ever write a book, it will be called Hair Eyes.

Being Happy on Mother's Day

After a taxing relaxing jaunt out of town for a short beach getaway with the three youngest, I wanted to post something about Mother's Day. That's when I came across this post at My Ice Cream Diary. Although I am not big on expensive, store-bought gifts (do you hear that, Honey??!!), and I do not mind being Mom on this day, it is always nice to receive some TLC, no matter the circumstances! What has been your most memorable Mother's Day?

How to Control Impulse Buying in Children...and Adults

I've taught my children to avoid impulse buying. Unfortunately. Let me explain.

When I *must* take the 3, 5, and/or 7 year old to the store with me to pick up a few items (NEVER for full blown grocery shopping), I have them repeat the shopping list back to me. It goes something like this:

I say, "We are ONLY buying eggs, milk, and bread today. What are we buying?"

They repeat, "EGGS, MILK, and BREAD!"

I ask, "Are we buying gum?"

They shout, "No!"

I ask, "Are we buying candy?"

They gleefully shout even louder, "No!" (Kids love games, you know.)

I ask, "What are we buying?"

They repeat, "EGGS, MILK, and BREAD!"

A few days ago we went to Sam's Club. I informed the three girls about the shopping list items and went through the whole routine. Once inside, I saw that there was a roadshow for Demure make-up. I got a makeover. The kits were a great deal. I put one in my cart. That's when my 5 year old looked at me with sincere disapproval and said, "Mommy, that isn't on the list."

Now I don't have any fancy make up.

And that, my friends, is how you control your impulse buying.