You Do Your Own Taxes?

[Also considered as titles:  Talking with Turbo Tax, Who Needs an Accountant, and Where the Hell are my Forms?]

It's mid January and I have accumulated all of my necessary paperwork by either downloading it from the source or waiting for the mail.  I have decided on Turbo Tax Premier because we had some stock stuff and the sale of our home.  

You file your own taxes?  The question I hear most often.  Really?  There are accountants for that.  Yeah.  I know.  But it's not that hard......  Really? Really.

Working with Turbo Tax is a little like having a conversation with your best friend.  Only she doesn't look like the girl on the screen making the tsk tsk face at me when I try to file.  But that's a whole separate issue I will discuss later.  Working through Turbo Tax is a little like this:

Turbo Tax: Heyyyyyyy BFF!  Welcome back!  Thanks for buying me again!  Luckily you haven't bought a new computer in a bunch of years so all your old returns are filed away on here.  Do you want me to transfer over your information from years past?

Me:  Yeah great.  Thanks.

TT:  Okee.  Let's see.  You want me to walk you through this or do you think you can put on your big girl panties and do it yourself this year?

Me:  Walk me through it TT. I can't risk a mistake.  

TT:  K.  I've got this.  So did you move?

Me:  Yeah here's my new address.

TT:  Great.  We'll talk about your house later.  Right now let's talk about your kids.  You still got 3?

Me:  Yep.  Same 3. Wonder if I can get any extra cash for Hallie because she was a surprise....  you know.  There should be some benefit to that.

TT:  Nope.  No benefit.  But it has been 5 years.  Are you sure there aren't more dependents you should claim?  You have a history, ya know.  

Me:  Nope.  Everything's the same.

TT:  Awesome.  Let's move on then.  Do you have your shit together from your employer?  If not, I can probably get it for you.

Me:  Seriously?  Thanks!

TT:  Wait no.  Sorry.  Can't get yours.  

Me:  That's ok.  We got it.  

TT:  Awesome.  Looks like you made about the same amount as last year.  Too bad for you. Wait 'til you find out this year you have to pay a lot of AMT and you underpaid your Obamacare.  I mean Medicare.  

Me: Whaaaa?

TT:  [interrupts] I saw you moved.  Did you sell your other house?

Me:  Yes.  [peeks through split fingers]

TT:  K.  How much did you sell it for?

Me:  A lot.  (We love our neighbors)

TT:  Great.  How much did you pay for it?

Me:  Not a lot.  Whyyyyy?

TT:  Just asking.  Did you make any improvements?

Me:  Yes a ton.  [enters low ball figure of improvements even though it was a lot more]

TT:  Ouch.  You're good.  You took a pretty big loss on the house.  Dumbass.  Should have held out for more.  Why did you move again?

Me:  Enough already.  I don't need your 2 cents.  Well actually I do but I see you're rounding to the nearest .00 in your favor...  Anyhow, where do I report this?

TT:  Oh, the IRS would rather you didn't report it.  It kind of clutters their desk.

Me:  Seriously?  I want to report everything.

TT:  No.  It's cool.  They don't want to see your losses.  They don't care that you lost any money.  Silly girl.  Moving on ..... you sell any stocks or get any money gambling or other crap like that?  (Crap.  Noun.  Money you put into your bank that you were hoping you didn't have to tell anyone about.) 

Me:  Yeah.  Sold some stocks because we had to but only made $36 on that deal.

TT:  Bummer.  Still have to report it because they will and you know.  Every penny counts.  

Me:  Right.  Every penny.  That's why you're rounding right?  

TT:  Ignoring that because I sense your irritation.  OK, right now it looks scary like you owe some money over there on the top left but no worries, imma gonna make sure we get that into the green.  Ready for me to walk you through that?

Me:  Absolutely.  

TT:  Lets talk about your property taxes and mortgage interest.  Wow.  That's a big deduction.  

Me:  Happy to see that green finally.  *clinks computer screen*

TT:  Want to deduct anything else?  Last few years you had some pretty big charity contributions.  Want to claim those?  

Me:  Can't find receipts so nah.

TT:  How about Good Will?  Last year you donated to them.

Me:  Sure, I'll take the standard $500 even though we all know it was like $5000 but it's an audit risk over $500.  

TT:  Oh funny girl.  This year is a little different.  I need you to enter Every.  Single.  Item.  Line by line, dollar by dollar, using this garage sale calculator.

Me:  I had no donations to Good Will this year.

TT:  You just said you did.  I'm trying to help you.

Me:  It's not worth it.  Next year I won't waste my time donating.... Way to keep people interested in giving.

TT:  Hey, don't blame me.  Are you done entering everything?  

Me:  I think yeah.  Thanks.  

TT:  Perfect.  Let's review shall we?  And do an error check?

Me:  That'd be great.  Thanks.

TT:  kk

TT:  You might want to look this over.  And this.  [fixes errors]  You're good to go!  Ready to file?

Me:  Hell to the yes.  

TT:  Ohhhhhhh shoot.  Guess what?  You can't file yet.  A couple of the forms you need aren't ready.  Sorry about that.  

Me:  Seriously?  Can I just go on without them?

TT:  No.  And don't even try hitting the continue button.  I'll just circle you right back to me.  Right here.  

Me:  [sad face]

TT:  It's not my fault you are STILL WAITING on forms.  Don't shoot the messenger.  We can email you when the forms are ready or you can check back.  Whatevs.

Me:  Ohhhhhhh Turbo tax...... Why are you forsaking me now??? 

TT:  It's really not my fault.  Are we still friends?

Me:  We are.  

My Husband Works from Home

I am going to start a support group for wives whose husbands work from home.  I think we could have weekly lunch meetings where we could discuss the following:

1.  Will I ever vacuum again?
2.  How to keep the dog from barking when he is on a call.  Which is all day.  So basically 'How to keep the dog from barking.  Ever.'
3.  Yes I have lunch plans that don't include you.
4.  The washing machine .... Friend or foe?
5.  Inopportune times for the garbage disposal to make that awful noise like it's chopping up beer bottle tops.  (Because it is)
6.  What "beer thirty" means for moms.  (See 5)
7.  No, a nooner is not exercise.
8.  Yes, this IS what I do all day.
9.  Yes, I do miss you when you travel.  (This is the code name topic for "How to pretend you miss him when he travels when really you are happy to have the house to yourself")

The last time my husband went out of town I moved furniture, unpacked boxes (finally), built a dresser and set up an office.  I also cleaned the house like Rosa had been here.  (Rosa is the best cleaning lady in the south.  I love her.)

Now he is working in the office, doors open, on calls, so I tiptoe around afraid to make any noise for fear my loud slippers swish swishing on the floor will make that big deal go bad.

I am actually thankful to have a husband who 1) has a good job and 2) is around.  There are times between calls when a mirror needs to be hung or a kid needs to be picked up from the school early because of a tummy ache and I am stuck at Target.

Target.  Number 10.  Why Target is like a little slice of heaven.  Especially if they have a Starbucks when you first walk in.

25 Things About Me .....

As most people already know, I love to write.  I love to write blog posts (in my head mostly) ... I love to write posts and comments on Facebook.  I love to do research and enter into debates -- as long as it is in writing.  I'm not great in person.  Quick wit, sure.  So when Dear Abby died (may she rest in peace), it inspired me to start asking people to submit to me their "Dear Abby" questions.  So fun and funny.  So I suggest to our local magazine that we have a column like this.  And I suggest I should write it.  I mean *I* know I'm funny.  [This reminds me of the time I was with a bunch of friends holding one of those mini cans of diet coke and I was all like "Oh my God ... what happened to my hand ... why is it so big?" and we all started laughing and I couldn't stop and my friend said "Are you seriously laughing at your own joke?" and I was all like "Um yeah, it was really funny." Or this other time .. ha ha ... that I wrote .. ah ha ha ... oh wait - totally not PC.  Can't share.]

Anyhow ...

So the magazine asks me to submit writing samples.  [!!!!!!]  "Some" writing samples.  *bites nails*  I solicit some friends for advice because they all know what I *want* to write is a parenting advice book or column called "He Won't Wear Diapers to Prom."  (Don't steal that.  I will be pissed.)  Well, of course, I will submit some of the Dear Abby samples because they were good (pats self on back) but then I needed the "some" of the writing samples.  So I went to my blog and tried to pick a selection of ones I thought were funny and sweet to show my "range" of writing.  After a lengthy debate and google search on how many is "some," I chose these four:  

Justin Bieber is my Babe

Pre-teen girls are such a pain

My Family Makes me Sweat Behind my Ears

It's so Hard Being the Mom of a Perfect Child

Ok, none of those are the real names.  Just alternate names, if I could rename them.

Picking samples of my writing was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  What are they looking for?  Is my spelling/grammar correct?  Should I edit the language before I send (I did) ...  When I write for me, it's easy ... when thinking about writing for someone else, it gets hard.  Then I thought I would only want to write IF I was writing for me in my style so I picked four, attached to an e-mail and hit send.  *fingers crossed*  Hope they like ME.

So I sent them to a friend letting him/her know which ones I chose and he/she said I should have included my list from Facebook's 25 Things About Me that I wrote back in 2009.  I had forgotten about that and it was too late, but in 4 years my life has changed a lot AND not at all, too.  So I thought I'd share that list here making current changes in red.  Even funnier are some of the comments below but you'll have to see those on Facebook.

25 Random Things About Me

by Tami Knitter Walsh on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:30am ·

PublicFriendsFriends except AcquaintancesOnly MeCustomClose FriendsAtlanta, Georgia AreaSee all lists...Brookfield Central High SchoolBradley UniversityFamilyAcquaintancesGo Back

1. I am a procrastinator which is why it took so long to do this.

[I wonder when I was *supposed* to have done this]
2. I am also of the mindset that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

[Unless you are my kid]
3. Chocolate and ice cream make me feel like I am going to barf.

[Still.  Is this something I need to have taken care of by a DR?  See 42.]
4. I hate doing laundry. Well, I hate putting laundry away.

[Now I have little people that put their own laundry away]
5. We have lived off piles of laundry for about a month. (I put it away last night)

[I am better about this AND I didn't need therapy to get better about this.]
6. I married someone who hates living off piles of laundry.

[Still true.]
6 1/2. I wonder why the hell he can't put the laundry away.

[He has gotten better about this.  We are still married.]
7. I have really enjoyed catching up with old friends from high school and college on facebook. It has brought back a lot of really good memories and made me feel young.

[Also, it has made me question why we weren't better friends in the first place - wasted years of a lot of fun!]
8. In high school I was never really part of a clique but love that because of that I have lots of good friends from those days.

[Yes.  Very true.]
9. I was a Gamma Phi Beta in college and my best friends were Pikes. I did NOT sleep with [*most of*] them. 

[I stand by this story.]
10. I caught a boyfriend having sex with another girl in college. [That was fun]

[I still hate that b*tch.]
11. I was engaged twice, married once.

[As long as he keeps putting his laundry away, this will not be a problem.]
12. My husband and I never fight.

[Unless he asks me to create a spreadsheet.  Then I am calling lawyers.]
13. I think I am fat.

[Ha.  This was 15 pounds ago.  Please.  Now I really am fat.]
14. I do NOT want another baby. (Really this time, OK?) But I do sometimes wish Hallie were twins because she is so good and cute and fluffy and fun and it would be nice to have an even number. (OCD)

[Thank God Hallie was not twins.]
15. I love being at the beach with my kids. I see no point in the pool when you are on vacation.

[I still believe this.  I also have a kick ass pool with waterslide in my neighborhood which is 10 times nicer than most pools at the beach.]
16. If you say "bless your heart" to me, I know you are pretty much telling me to go screw myself.

[I still believe this, too .....]
17. I am a yankee and we won. Get over it.

[Ahhhh ... the war of northern aggression.  Sweet, sweet topic down here.]
18. 4th grade science is hard and I am struggling. I flunked my last test.  

[I wish someone would have prepared me for middle school science.  Now we have a tutor.  I gave up.]
19. I have made a really good group of friends online through a birth board who have helped me so much through my pregnancy and infant and I love these women. We talk online every day and have for over a year.

[There are still a handful of us that talk almost daily.  I love these girls.  I hope they are real.]
20. My husband is my best friend.

[Still.]
21. I did NOT vote for Obama.

[Twice.]
22. I have a small crush on Bill O'Reilly and he might be my "free pass."

[OK .....  Might need to switch this to Glenn Beck.]
23. I kinda like Ann Coulter. *ducking*

[Where has she been?]
24. I love heated political debates.

[I also figured out heated political debates cause me stress so I try (TRY) to avoid them now.]
25. I have a hard time saying I'm sorry.

[I'm sorry but this is true.]
26. I love to go out with my friends for drinks..... each friend gives me something the others can not and I love that.

[I miss doing this but I also have become good friends with my DVR because I am too tired for drinks.]
27. I can stay up all night playing cards and drinking and still get up at 7:00 a.m. and feed a baby.

[Oh my God.  Not any more.]
28. I do not have a passport and am scared to leave the US of A. 

[I do have a passport now and it has a stamp in it.]
29. I hope my husband does not make his work trip ("Club") because I do not want to be stranded away from my kids in the middle of the mediterranean sea on a small boat and I know this is unsupportive.

[He did not make that trip - YEA! - but I did have to go to the Bahamas the following year.  Next time I do that I am making sure I have international calling.]
30. I hated living in Michigan.

[The farther removed I am from living in Michigan the more I realize I hated it because it was the first time I moved away from family/friends - and I miss the midwest.]
31. I loved living in WI. I think Milwaukee is one of the best places on earth.

[It really is.  Don't go right now.  It's like -14.]
32. My cat and dog fight all the time - in a playful way - and I was surprised to hear this wasn't normal.

[My catS and dog.]
33. I have 2 boys who couldn't be more different and I sometimes wonder how they were both born of my womb.

[Still true.  So.  Very.  True.]
34. I love to sit in front of a fireplace. I like the way a fire smells.

[But when I try to get up from the floor I can't walk for like 5 minutes because my knees and back don't work.]
35. I don't like "good beer."

[I am ok with a Platinum - does that count?]
36. Someone told me once that I would "appreciate" red wine when I turned 30. I didn't appreciate it until about 2 months ago and it has been a long time since I turned 30.

[It has been an even longer time since I turned 30.]
37. I am extremely stubborn.

[Who me?]
38. I can (and will) fire off a mean ass e-mail, if I need to do so.

[There is medication that can help this.]
38. I was a nanny for 8 years after college and I loved those kids like my own. 

[One is in college and the other is in law school.  Feels like yesterday I was kicking a neighbor girl out of the yard because she was mean to Taryn.  She was 6.]
39. I am not afraid of getting my identity stolen but I'm not stupid about it either.

[I also don't click shit.  Why is this so hard for people?]
40. The biggest spider I ever killed without a shoe was about the size of a quarter.

[I really don't want to think about this anymore.]
41. I love cookbooks but never use them. I do like to cook.

[Cookbooks are nice decorations.]
42. I never go to the DR unless it is absolutely necessary. I do take my kids as needed.

[I need to schedule my mammogram.]
42 1/2. I don't even have a DR (besides an OB) in Georgia and I have lived here for over 8 years.

[Really need to think about getting a regular DR.  Might be time for one of those physicals people speak of.]
43. I love both my kids teachers this year SO much and am trying to revel in it because I know this will probably never happen again.

[It did happen again.  And I am very lucky.]
44. I need to take a shower today.

[I like to help conserve water.  It's the liberal in me.  That's hard to write without laughing.]
45. I have acrylic nails and only get them done every 6 weeks. LAZY.

[I wish there was a way to grow these bad boys off and go back to real nails.]
46. I think I would like to write a book someday.

[Or a column.  ;o)]
47. I still think my wedding was beautiful.

[I do.  But my eyebrows were big and I probably would have opted for a smaller bouquet.]
48. I can remember sitting on the steps at Gamma Phi looking through Joe Photo's pics and saying out loud, "At least these dresses will always be in style!"

[I can sill remember that.  Good sign I don't have alzheimers, right?]
49. I hated the sleeping arrangements in my sorority house but loved my roomies. 

[Yes.]
50. I am not a good rule follower. This is number 50.

[I try and be a good rule follower.  I really do. Lead by example.]
51. I think the SST process is hard and I have learned a lot.

[It gets harder.]
52. I despise Caillou. Really. He makes me shake he is so irritating.

[Funny.  This does not change.]
53. I do not mind Barney. 

[I miss the hour long Christmas Barney.  It was Casey's favorite.  Brings back awesome memories.]
54. I use Pampers.

[Not anymore but maybe one day soon .... a lot changes after you turn 40.]
55. I am the least "crunchy" person you will probably ever meet. That said, someone sent me a sling and I wore my baby. In my house. Alone. About 20 times.

[Then I sent it to a friend because what was next?  Milling my own flour?]
56. I am excited for Parker to play soccer because there is no drama there for me.

[That lasted 2 seasons.  There is also no score keeping in soccer.]

[56 1/2.  I am competitive.]
57. I am excited to get a season off from being team-mom but nervous it is going to get screwed up.

[It didn't get screwed up.]
58. I am a bit of a control freak.

[I need to let some things go.]
59. I miss running the consignment sale sometimes.

[No.  No I don't.]
60. I could stay in my pajamas all day every day and my friends think sweats are my "uniform."

[I like to be comfy ok?]

61. I have to leave the house once every day or I will lose my mind.

[Sometimes I don't leave the house and I am ok with it.]
62. I eat McDonalds.

[I eat McDonald's.]
63. I wish Hallie had hair.

[I wish Hallie would let me brush her hair without screaming.]
64. I miss photography and am getting the itch to start shooting again.

[I am busier than ever.]
65. I do not think you should submerge meat in water in a crock pot. I do think you can't screw anything up in there either.

[I did submerge meat in the crock pot for the first time about a month ago.  I saw no difference.]
66. I hate PDA .... *shudder*

[I mean come on.  Get a room.]
67. HB and I say "I love you" on the phone only when he is about to get on a plane or away on a trip. Other than that we only say it when we mean it, it is not a habit.

[To.  This.  Day.]
68. I sometimes think I want to move into a bigger/nicer house but realize how much I like the way my children are being raised right here....

[I have had this thought process every year since I wrote it the first time.]
69. I do not like 69. I wonder if anyone caught there were two number 38s.

[There were 2 number 38s.]
70. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and my mind changes daily.

[I want to be a writer and a photographer.  And a weather girl.  And a child psychologist.  And an arts and crafts teacher.]
71. I can fit in my pre pregnancy jeans but I know they fit me different.

[Oh Lorddddd do they fit me different.]
72. I wonder how many random thoughts I actually have.

[A lot.]
73. Like why do we say owl and howl but bowl is not spelled bole and bowel is not spelled bowl. Makes no sense.

[Or why do we say Ashleigh and sleigh different.]
74. I am abnormally strong for my size.

[I have self diagnosed arthritis.  I am less strong but only in my hands.]
75. I wonder if anyone is actually reading this.

[I wonder if anyone is actually reading this.]

A NON-PARTISAN BLOG POST - No, I swear, it really is.

Last January I made a resolution to blog once a week.  My passion is writing.  My passion is writing funny stuff that is based on reality.  My reality.  I have been so busy that I have forgotten how to blog - I write them in my head all the time - just never get pen to paper - or fingers to keys since it is actually almost 2013.  Next year.  Next year will be different.  I will try harder.

That said, this past election has inspired me to blog.  Because I have a damn good idea for next time.

So, take the red and blue map away and ignore the square footage of our country.  Let's pretend for a minute that an election is based on what the people want and not the electoral college (insert heavy sigh from blah blah blah we need the electoral college blah blah blah type sticks in the muds) and you find that almost every election is - for the sake of argument - split down the middle.  Some small town in rural O-H-I-O might make up the difference one way or another.  Whatever.  But here is my point.  We, as a country, are SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE as to what we think is the right thing for said country.  One side thinks they are right.  The other side thinks they are right.  One side thinks the other side is stupid.  The other side thinks that side is stupid.  Name calling.  BAM BAM SLAP CLICK SEND and we have a war on Facebook.

[Note:  I would NEVER get into a political argument on Facebook.  *straightens halo*]

[WHAT WAS THAT LIGHTNING BOLT?!]

[Anyhow.]

So forget trying to do away with the electoral college.  Let's do away with the entire system altogether.

Now, listen.  I never read the Hunger Games but from what I have heard, I think they might be onto something.  What if each side called up an "opponent" per se.  "I, Tami Walsh, call up you, Mitt Romney, to fight to your death for our country on the White House lawn."  Yeah, this would take place just outside the Rose Garden.  Hells yeah.  So each side calls up a guy.  And here's the thing.  They get to bring people with them that represent what they want/think is right for the country.  So, like, Republicans can bring military generals and budget guys and Democrats can bring gays (not hating, just stating - and I know a bunch of awesome gay guys that could take a military general down in a heartbeat) and Nancy Pelosi.  I know, right?  Good fight!  They also have to bring the most embarassing guy (or girl) that is in their party.  So Republicans will bring the guys that are jacking off other guys in airport bathrooms and the Democrats can choose between the Clintons.  (side note:  I saw Bill Clinton speak at a Club Trip for my husband's company and I have to admit - I like the guy.  A lot.  Kind of how I like George Bush.  A lot.  Would like to have dinner with these guys.  Nice, kind, smart.......  Hey! Stop making fun of George.)  

Dinner would be lovely.  *daydream*

Ok, back to the presidency.  So here we are on the White House lawn and these guys are standing there.  Ready, set, go.  And they fight to their death and, ultimately, we have a new president.  And a bloody mess (not the UK kind, the real kind) on the lawn but in this illusion there is staff that takes care of that.

Oh! Oh!  It would also be funny, if there were bleachers set up like a high school football stadium and one side started yelling stuff like "Tastes great!" and the other side responds with "Less filling!"  Only one side would be yelling "Stop Hate!" and the other side would be yelling "Less Spending!"  Anyhow .....

It's an interesting concept.  I don't really want anyone to die.

We need a change in the system.  We do, as a country, need to be able to work together.  I'm not going to lie - I voted for Mitt Romney because I thought he was the better choice.  The end.  And I was ticked yesterday.  But today is a new day and here is what it boils down to:  As a country we NEED to succeed.   If you are a democrat, you need to work hard to prove the republicans wrong.  They (we) want to be proven wrong because it means OUR COUNTRY will succeed.   Republicans need to keep on keeping on.  Fighting about which side is right will never work.  Let's put that effort into making our country better.  God Bless America and Goodnight.

Now, I need to be getting back to Facebook because I think there is a debate I haven't weighed in on yet.

Would You Like to See My Peacock?

For Hallie's Halloween costume 2 years ago I decided she should be a peacock. Might be the dumbest decision ever. I thought I'd share it because it was the most expAnsive costume I have ever made (and I want to pimp it out on Pinterest). I did buy the tutu dress from some site on etsy (wish I could link it here but can't remember the name!) but thought making the feathers would be the easy part.... um no. I wish I had a progress pictorial to show you how I did it. But I don't. So I'll just tell you and you will have to use your imaginations... (I am still recovering from the glue gun burns.)

First I bought a turquoise fairy wing set. And some black boa feather things. And 5 zillion peacock feathers. Who knew those were going to be SO expensive? Then I alternately glued the feathers long and short on both sides and put the boa feathers at the bottom to hide the stems....

Now, I am trying to erase the mental images of us walking to the pre-trick-or-treat party at my neighbor Pam's house when she said she wasn't going to wear the feathers and I sent the boys on ahead of me so I could, through gritted teeth, tell her oh-yes-she-was-bless-her-heart.

In my opinion, the cutest part of the costume were the chucks on her feet. Now I am stuck with a 3 foot wide set of feathers and no where to store them. And I can't get myself to sell them.

Here is a close up of the back:

And of the front:

And, of Darth Vadar. Note the feathers. Oh right. Sometimes arguing with a toddler is SO not worth it.

Happy Halloween - just a couple months early. ;o)

Am I Turning into My Mother? Part 1. {Nike is Driving Me to the Poor House.}

Let me set the scene.... it was 1985-ish... Michael Jackson was going to be my husband [Billie Jean was NOT his lover], my spiral perm was fresh [my hair is thick.... spiral perm was awesome], my preppy handbook said my name was Tiffy, and I really wanted Guess jeans. I can remember wanting them so bad. I can still picture how they were hung on the rack against the white wall at Marshall Fields that backed up to the escalator. Facing forward. Lit up like heaven had shined upon them.

ME: Mom, I like totally really want this one pair of jeans...

MOM: What jeans?

ME: Guess. They are totally rad.

MOM: Jordache? Sergio Valente?

ME: No. Guess jeans.

MOM: Levis?

ME: Levis? Gag me with a spoon.

This is kind of how it went with my mother. So I took her to Marshall Fields and showed her the jeans. I could pretty much talk my mom into most things over time so I was sure I would go home with those jeans. I had the outfit for school on Monday picked out in my head - I had this super cute purple Forenza sweater I planned to wear with them. I can, to this day, remember how it felt to want those jeans so bad. And I can remember, to this day, how it felt to go home without that $50 pair of jeans.

MOM: $50 for a pair of jeans?

ME: *tears well in eyes*

MOM: No way.

My mom was the mom who bought the IZOD shirts at garage sales and took the alligator off and sewed it on my polo shirts from JC Penneys. You know your mom did that, too. Oh she didn't? Whatever. But I knew, deep in my heart, she was planning on buying those jeans that way and taking the triangle patch off the back and sewing it on my jeans from Kohls or wherever.

I never did get the Guess jeans that year.

So here we are, like 15 (*cough25cough*) years later, and I actually said these words. Out loud. To my totally rad pre-teenager.

"$12.00 for one pair of socks? That you will put a hole in in a month?"

These socks.

There is no way to fake these socks but I'm not going to lie. I did think about it. And I have some pretty strong feelings on this sock look the boys are going for these days.

This is the look I am referring to:

And here are my thoughts:

1. Boys. Socks pulled halfway up to your knees with slides [people over 40: slides are the current day version of the flip flops the soccer players used to wear so they didn't ruin their cleats] or tennis shoes [people from the south: tennis shoes are sneakers] is a look you will regret in 20 years. Your future children will make fun of you the way we make fun of my dad for wearing socks with his sandals.

Sidenote: There are no looks I regret.

*slowly creeps out of room*

2. I am already getting ripped off by Nike when I pay $19 for a 3 pack of black socks. That are the wrong socks. (Refer to above picture for wrong socks)

(2 1/2. I know you are still thinking about my big hair and, well, yeah, that's Bill Rancic and me at a date party. We were married. Watch out Giuliana.)

3. How are socks sick? "These socks are sick, mom." Do they have anything contagious I wonder?

[Here I am going to digress. I like to think of myself as a pretty cool and hip mom. Saying I am a hip mom does not make me cool OR hip. It makes me old. I don't get why things are sick or phat or beast. I mean, I *get* it ..... I just think it's stupid. I got swag, I am phat but not fat, my jeans are sick (now that I pay for them myself) and my personality is beast. Word.]

4. Who decided these socks were cool? The ones you had to have. Did some 12 year old mother f-er walk into Dick's Sporting Goods and find the most expensive pair of socks and say these are the socks that are cool and I will tell the world (probably via Twitter because I don't twitter and wouldn't know if this happened) that they are the only socks that are cool and if you don't wear these specific socks, you are a total douche. (Douche is a cool word for dork. For realz yo.)

5. TRUTH: I am going to buy these socks. And I am going to go broke buying these socks. The younger two will have to forgo braces because I will have spent all that money on socks.

6. These socks better not disappear in the washer/dryer like all the other socks do. Or, for $12 per pair, they better come with some sort of tracking device. Like a find my iSock™ app or something. (I don't think iSock™ is trademarked but if it's not, I'm going to invent it so I put that there to protect me. What?)

All I know is that raising kids in today's age really socks. It's really hard to draw the line (onthebackofthesock) in what they can or cannot have. I guess socks are the least of my problem and I should be thankful ..... he'll probably be asking for a corvette when he turns 16.

Um, no.

I Have the Fever & I Hope it's Not Contagious! {A blog about Motherhood and Justin Bieber}

So let me set the scene. The family, decked out in our Packer gear, is holding our breath as we watch the Packers "play football" against the New York Giants on Sunday night for the chance to advance to the NFC Championship game and eventually the Superbowl. I got a lot of flack for looking past this game with the Giants and onto next week with the 49ers. Truth is .... it is my job to anticipate who we will play, if we win, and wish for one team or another team to win/lose and it is the players responsibility to worry about the current week. Apparently we all were looking ahead. But I digress as this is not a post about how bitter I am that the Packers lost last night. Or depressed. Or just in a funk. It's not about my Pack Fever at all.

It's about my BIEBER FEVER!

*cough* *sneeze* Sorry. Hope you don't catch it.

So last night (*coughafterthePackerschokedandwelostasupercriticalgameagainstthenewyorkgiantscongratseliandteamcough*) we flipped on netflix because really? Who wants to watch the Giants celebrate? In Green Bay? And what better of a way to take our minds off of The Green Bay Packers than a movie entitled Never Say Never - the Justin Bieber Story. (This might not be the real title - but it's the one I'm going with because it's damn close and I'm too lazy to do a google search)

The boys? Not happy. NOOOOO! NOT JUSTIN BIEBER!!!! DAD!!!! MOM!!!!!! Even Hallie (THREE YEARS OLD) was saying "I hate JUSTIN BIEBEH!" Um yeah ... sure you do copycat. So in an effort to get them to watch this movie with us we threw in a card game.

OK, now, being a 40 something woman with 3 kids - none of whom are girls between 7-13 who adore the Biebs - I really did not know much about this kid. I did admit this past Christmas that I think he has a very nice voice - even after he [allegedly] went through puberty. I also think he was blessed with some very good looks..... *swoon* (Kidding ... sort of)

But the story of this kid ..... his talent so young, his relationship with his family and friends .... the way he pursued his dreams and his mom was skeptical. This is a regular old kid whose mom just supported his dream. And let me tell you about the crazies I know.... I know a few people who will go to any lengths to get their kid noticed - modeling, traveling to Disney tryouts, etc etc .... these are also the people who *think* their kids are perfect and brag about them all. the. time. You know who they are.

But the Biebs? This movie - with the videos of him as a toddler - and the backstage stuff - really got to me. At one point Justin is so sick he can't sing and has to cancel one performance and literally looks like he is going to cry. And he tweets about it and a gazillion (it's a number, look it up) girls are all like awwwww ... feel better .... and then he tweets that he is sorry and he doesn't want to let anyone down. And then shoot to him the next week running around a park playing football with his buddies.... I mean really? This is a Good. Kid. Period.

[disclaimer: Now that he is successful and almost an adult, I am sure we may see him shave his head and go crazy like Britney Spears did, but, as a mother, I hope not.]

I'm not going to lie. At one point I was in tears. Literal tears for Justin Bieber.

So it got me to thinking - do I have the fever? Do I have the BIEBER. FEVERRRRR? *cold compress to head*

And if I do, how did I catch it? (the movie is the obvious answer here) And why do I have it? Well, I'll tell you why. Because I am a mom. And Justin Bieber represents every single one of our kids. The ones who sing and dance and the ones who don't. The smart ones who get straight A's and the ones who need ritalin to get through a day. (side note: Justin's 7th grade teacher described him as a kid who had energy all day..... LOL ..... perky in the morning and still perky by last period)

Justin Bieber represents our kids - Justin Bieber represents, to me, that my kid can do what he/she wants if he/she puts his/her mind to it. We all want our kids to succeed .... to find happiness in whatever they do .... and Justin Bieber proves they can, and sometimes, even though you are living your dream and making money and having fun, you still miss your family in Canada and want to go home. No matter who you are or what you do.

So, if you have netflx or are so inclined to rent it, see if you can get through it without catching the fever. Good luck! :)

(And as far as my Pack Fever? I've retired the Rodgers jersey until next year - you know ... when we will still be better than the Bears and that's all that matters.)

Facebooking with Pre-teens

So I'll admit it. I have a few friends on facebook that are friends of Casey. They are pre-teen little girls. And I read their stuff but never comment so they forget about me. It's worked well so far. (Maybe until they read this, of course, but I think they should be blocked....) Well, if you are friends with any middle-school age girls, you have probably noticed they are all posting and reposting this crazy list of how you should treat a girl and what you should do when sort of thing..... *rolling eyes*

[sidenote: It is important for me to step back right now and remind myself how I was in 7th grade .... Seriously boy crazy and obsessed. But here's the truth of the matter. I'm not anymore. And it's silly to have been. So there.]

Anyhow, I have been debating whether I should discuss this list the girls are posting with Casey to let him know my thoughts .... let me know what you think I should do - my thoughts are in brackets and red.

When she stares at your mouth -Kiss her ... ... [Don't kiss her, she might actually be debating if she should tell you you have food stuck in your braces] When she pushes you or hits you like a dummy cause she thinks she's stronger than you -Grab her and don't let go [NEVER grab a girl and don't let go. That's called rape in a court of law.] When she starts cursing at you trying to act all tough -Kiss her and tell her you love her [She's a bitch with a potty mouth, dump her ass] When she's quiet -Ask her whats wrong [Be thankful she isn't talking for a few minutes. There is probably nothing wrong.] When she ignores you -Give her your attention [Enjoy the break and call a friend to go play football] When she pulls away -Pull her back [Again, not a good idea] When you see her at her worst -Tell her she's beautiful [OK, do this one. That's pretty nice.] When you see her start crying -Just hold her and don't say a word [No... ask her "What the f*ck is wrong now?!"] When you see her walking -Sneak up and hug her waist from behind [Really? Gay.] When she's scared -Protect her [Honestly? You'll probably be scared, too.] When she steals your favorite hoodie -Let her keep it and sleep with it for a night [Unless it's Abercrombie or important. Then your mom will kick your ass.] When she teases you -Tease her back and make her laugh [Why is that bitch teasing you?] When she doesn't answer for a long time -Reassure her that everything is okay [Why is something wrong? So confused.] When she looks at you with doubt -Back yourself up [Back yourself up with a few friends who have your back.] When she says that she loves you -she really does more than you can understand [Seriously. Because she has hormones that you do not.] When she grabs at your hands -Hold hers and play with her fingers [Unless they're sticky. Because then ewwwww.] When she bumps into you -Bump into her back and make her laugh [Or just form tackle her and tell her to quit bumping into you.] When she tells you a secret -Keep it safe and untold [Except tell your mom because if someone ever says 'don't tell anyone,' remember you are supposed to tell your mom.] When she looks at you in your eyes -dont look away until she does [What are you, cats?] When she says it's over -she still wants you to be hers [Yeah, because she's a possessive little wench.] When she reposts this bulletin -she wants you to read it [Not your mom, though. But she did.] - Stay on the phone with her even if she's not saying anything [Why?] - When she's mad hug her tight and don't let go [Revert back to first and second comment about this not being a good idea. Holding someone against their will is also kidnapping.] - When she says she's ok don't believe it, talk with her because 10 yrs later she'll remember you [I remember all my boyfriends whether they were nice or mean. Just be you for God's sake.] - Call her at 12:00am on her birthday to tell her you love her [Unless you're asleep, of course.] - Treat her like she's all that matters to you [Um no. Your family should always matter more.] - Stay up all night with her when she's sick [Gross, really? I mean HOWWWWW sick? You don't want to catch it. And shouldn't she be sleeping instead of staying up all night?] - Watch her favorite movie with her or her favorite show even if you think it's stupid [Not a bad idea but your friends will laugh at you.] - Give her the world. [Yeah right. How are you planning to get "the world" with no job?] - Let her wear your clothes [Unless she's bigger than you.] -When she's bored and sad, hang out with her [Pre-teenage girls are ALWAYS bored and sad. You need to have a life outside of this chick. She sounds like a real pain.] -Let her know she's important. [blahblahblah] - Kiss her in the pouring rain [Sure, if you want to catch pneumonia. ~Love, Grandma] - When she runs up to you crying, the first thing you say is: "Whose butt am i kicking,BABY?" [Remember, if you get caught kicking someones butt, it better be for a better reason than this.]

Holy Crap! My Kids Aren't Perfect?!

I know I do a lot of bragging about my kids - most of it to myself and a little bit on here and even a little bit more on Facebook [I hate the changes, too] ... but *faint* .... it turns out .. *gasp* ... that my kids aren't perfect after all. [Help me up...]

But really? Did it all have to happen in 1 week?! Sigh .....

Casey is a rule follower by nature. So when it comes to school work, Casey would rather turn in something done half-ass than not turn it in at all. On a [almost] daily basis I check what we call the "Parent Portal." This little website is designed to give us up to the minute updates on how our kids are doing in their classes. Grades fluctuate almost daily so I try (TRY) and only evaluate this little gem on Friday afternoons. Well, my week starts out and I see Casey has these weird 3 letters on one of lists of grades. NHI. NHI? I think. I wonder what that could mean? National Honor Inductee? I just can't imagine.... turns out this means Not Handed In and the grade he can get on it from here on out is a ZERO. I am shocked. Speechless. I won't bore you with the details on how I have not let this go with him and have literally seen him roll his eyes at me on a few occasions regarding this NHI, but really?

Then there is Hallie. Preschool. She comes home Tuesday and tells me that she had to take a time out in Spanish [HOLA!] because she was arguing with another girl. Now besides Parker biting someone in 3 year old preschool, neither of my boys ever got in trouble at preschool. So I ask what they were fighting about. Whether or not is was raining outside. Really? Seriously? So I ask Hallie which side she was on..... raining. Good girl because it WAS raining and you were right. Well, half right because you really can't be disrupting a Spanish class with your obnoxious need to be right all the time. Not sure where she got THATTTTTT............

Then the clincher. The perfect end to my week. I am going to post the e-mail that topped off my Friday night but I am going to change some names to be fair to the other kid/family..... My comments are in brackets.

Tammy; [Tami but whatever]

As I always do [and you, Tami, never do], today I took my kids to the bus stop and saw Parker was already there waiting for the bus. Right after him my son [insert name] lined up. When Mr. John [bus driver] approached the kids he was making some gestures [not that kind!] to the kids waiting. Then [said kid] said "Look, Mr. John wants to fight with me", to what Parker answered "He is talking to me, you idiot". [the dad wrote that in red, not me]

Probably [removed name for privacy] didn't noticed what Parker said, but unfortunately I did and want to express you that I feel really bad for what I saw (you have kids and I'm sure you wouldn't like to witness happening the same to yours). I understand that kids some time do not get up with a good mood, but I know you shouldn't be calling anyone for no evident "you stupid".

In this case I'm not looking for an apology; what I really want is this not ever happen again.


thanks in advance for the attention to this note;
[Neighbor]

My first reaction was to think oh Lordy ...... I would hate to be the first kid to actually be mean to your kid BUT then I had to remember the grudge I hold against this one kid from when Casey was in 1st grade. This kid I hold the grudge against said something mean to MY FRIEND'S kid and I wasn't even a witness. [sidenote: that kid really is a butt still to this day] So my response was to have Parker march over there and apologize to the DAD and then the kid.

I accidentally just popped open a beer instead of a diet coke. It's noon-ish and I have a football game and 2 baseball games in addition to two birthday parties still to go today .... hopefully your week was better than mine.....

Can't wait 'til Monday???

Why this picture is perfect...

So let me give you some background. The last picture that we took, as a family, with decent clothes on and showered, was 2003 when Parker was 6 months old for a Christmas card. Hallie didn't even exist and that picture is still framed on my bookshelf. We have 1 other picture together with the 5 of us - well, 2 pictures actually. One is at the hospital when Hallie was born and the other is on vacation in sunglasses and swimsuits the following Thanksgiving. She was literally 5 months old. If that.

So Nana is in town and would like a picture of the 5 of us. Oh yeah I think! A perfect opportunity to get one for me as well. I will get us all clean and set the camera up and we will make happy memories. *swoon* I tell the kids listen, it doesn't have to be matchy or perfect but let's look presentable. By tell the kids I mean tell the kids AND HB because let's be honest .....

Casey comes down in a stretched out, dirty Michigan t-shirt. (GO BLUE!) Parker is still in his North All Star shirt - and sporting a hat! HB, after rolling his eyes, changed out of his under armour shorts and t-shirt.

I say please boys, please - I have spent a small fortune at Abercrombie - please can you put on something decent. They go in. They come out - Parker has removed the hat and Casey has not changed. 4 times. 4 more times I beg. I plead. There is door slamming and fit throwing. I am screaming "I don't ask that much of you!!!" I am muttering selfish little brats under my breath. Hallie looks adorable because she doesn't yet realize what is happening. I start sweating. It is 400 degrees. I might be exaggerating, it was probably only 200 degrees. I am setting up the camera. I am trying to explain to my mother-in-law how to take a picture. (A challenge I implore upon you to take on someone over the age of 60)

I finally get the boys outside. They are ticked. HB is missing. He is now back inside ordering cleats for Casey. Important. Hallie wanders off. The boys are picking my just planted flowers. Casey is all but refusing to do what I say taking this moment to become a teenager. Parker is pouting and mad and stomping around. We are a happy little Norman Rockwell family, damnit! I tell HB where to sit. I tell the boys where to sit. No one can understand what I want. People who don't know me pay me money to do this I think to myself. They don't make mad faces at me and say mean things to me. HB is complaining and saying, "Come On!" ..... so down we sit. Casey is not doing what I ask - have asked 300 times. Parker is crossing his eyes to spite me. Sweat is dripping down my face. And back. And ears, no lie. I flip out on Casey - you don't flip out on Casey - he is too sensitive and I can't have him crying he will get all blotchy. I get the boys to cooperate FINALLY and Hallie wants to lay down. I am yelling "snap the pictures faster!" at mother in law. LOL..... Hallie starts arching her back - doesn't want to sit with HB. Walks off. I threaten that she will no longer be part of our family. Then I bribe her with a fictitious Hershey bar. Lies. All lies.

We pretty much all can't stand each other at this very moment. And then *snap* ....

I can work magic, right? Frame! Happy little family.

(***as a special note I would like to really thank my MIL Gail Knodel for helping take these pictures***)

176 school days until Summer Vacation!

***I am adding this disclaimer to this blog post. Today is Thursday. I have been trying to write this damn thing since Monday when the boys went to school - or were supposed to go to school but Parker was home sick - but Hallie has torn apart every puzzle, pee'd in her plastic potty that had no insert in it, wheeled her doll bed into my bathroom and threw every content from the baskets below around my whole room, painted my legs, feet and toenails with black washable paint - only washable if you aren't in need of a pedicure you can't fit in because you don't even have time to breathe, and currently spilled a whole cup of water on the table just because it is fun to watch it drip. Oh and whined incessantly. IN-FREAKIN'-CESSANTLY ... Three more weeks until preschool. I can do this.***

*** oh oh .... and now the cat just puked and she is freaking out because that is wealllllly sickkkkkkk***

SUMMER VACATION!! Funny. I feel like we just got a break from our summer and am ready to relax and "vacation" and BAM! The kids go back to school. Sigh ....

This summer was one like no other. I used to say I wouldn't do swim team because I didn't want to have to be obligated to be anywhere during summer vacation. THAT? Would have been the least of my issues....... This summer I just couldn't have added it to my plate .... my iCal was screaming "STOP! ENOUGH ALREADY! I'M FULL! NO MORE DOTS!" I, honestly, was so busy I didn't have time to work! The one client I fit in I shot DURING our family birthday party at OUR house for all 3 kids (and HB) ....

So, here is a recap of Summer 2011........

Memorial Day, pool, baseball practice, pool, baseball practice, pool, baseball practice, pool, tournament for one child, pool, baseball practice, golf tournament, baseball practice, baseball practice [I am stuck on repeat?], baseball practice, tournament, 14th anniversary, baseball practice, tournament, Father's Day, baseballlllllllll, Casey's birthday, weekend tournament away, HB's birthday, 4th of July, golf, baseball, Grandma's birthday, family party, baseball practice, baseball tournament, baseball, golf, Parker's birthday, week-long tournament in Delaware, kids go to camp, Parker's birthday party, Hallie's birthday, FOOTBALL (YES! FOOTBALL!) practice, fun week .......... AARRGGHHHHH!

Wait .... you know what would be more fun? PICTURES! Yes! Yay! Pictures!

This is actually a picture from the 4th of July. But since the summer started with Memorial Day, I thought I would put it first. It's my blog. I can do that. So there. :D In case you are wondering where on earth I got such adorable shirts that don't say Old Navy or 2011 on them, my friend Liz makes these super adorable shirts ..... we have one for every holiday she has made them for so far! I will pimp her out right here ......

This summer Parker played on the 7U Bulldog All-Star team .... he was one of our catchers and played GREAT! We didn't win anything, but he made great friends and had a great time! OK, truth is it was &!@*% hot. I sweated my fanny off every weekend and am surprised I was able to gain 5 pounds instead of lose them - but that was probably because my kitchen didn't see a home cooked meal in 3 months. Oh well.

My sweet little catcher:

Batting:

In action - my favorite picture because who else can catch a ball with their eyes closed? Yeah, he is THAT good. LOL

(That guy in the corner being an umpire is Eric our mailman ..... gotta love a guy who can deliver your mail properly and get $20 at Christmas because of it and go on to make calls against your team anyhow....)

Casey also played baseball but I'm going to reserve those pictures for when I tell you about our week in Delaware because I know right now you're thinking "OH YAY! Tell me ALL about it! Please! I can't wait another minute!" Patience, my friends.... patience.....

Casey did golf competitively this summer - but not enough to get enough points to compete in the Championship (which was when we were in Delaware anyhow so I guess who cares? Him.) ... but he did really well seeing as we could only fit it in when we weren't playing baseball. (Thatisourstoryandwearestickingwithit.)

Anniversary ... Father's Day .... both taken up by baseball. Casey's 12th birthday - see the blog post about it, if you care, because clearly he is the golden child since he got the only birthday blog post - frankly the only blog post all summer- was a great time. We were lucky enough to have a break from baseball that day/night so we let him have a couple friends over to celebrate.

I know what you are thinking when you see his cake. You are judging me because you might know there used to be a day when I would special order a cake from a bakery that would be perfect ... and this? I wonder if it is less embarrassing to say I bought it at Walmart or made it myself .... you choose.

This is our Happy Birthday sign. You see it a lot during the summers around our house. Lots of birthdays. I make them take a picture with it every year which they hate ..... but I like to look back at them! If you look closely at the bottom of the H, there is a purple sticky spot - that's because I was so lazy last summer that I put the sign away with the balloons attached from Hallie's birthday and they melted. :o) Good job, Mommy!

HB's birthday was uneventful - surrounded by baseball and a home cooked meal. We were all shocked to be sitting around the table together. Riveting info.

Then we hit July.

On July 4th I decided to see what the moon/star button did on my camera. Because I don't use that side of the dial normally. It did this and I thought it was super cool!

And here Sweet Caroline (™Neil Diamond) was almost fast enough to get a whole star!! Don't think I won't have a special surprise for NEXT 4th of July! :o)

Then, being the rednecks we truly are in our hearts, HB drove to South Carolina to get the big dawgs and we had our own firework celebration in our cul-de-sac. [insert apology to our neighbors also in the cul-de-sac who have little kids with strict bedtimes ... especially for those really loud squealy ones but you *did* choose to buy a house in a middle class subdivision in a cul-de-sac sooooooooooo............]

I KNOW!!!!! Right?!?! Pretty cool pics .... errrrr......I mean....... fireworks .....

Parker's 8th birthday was the day we left for Delaware so we decided to change it from the 15th to the 14th. Here he is on his "8th birthday" (*coughonedayearlycough*) ...

I know, he still looks 7 there, right? He was 8. I swear. Really. Work with me.

He is in desperate need of a haircut (and teeth.)

So Delaware. The coach of Casey's team decided we should go do a tournament in Delaware called Sports at the Beach .... kind of like Cooperstown only not as, um, boring? Just kidding. There is a lot to do in Delaware and here is the photo diary of our trip from facebook, if you would like to see it! (You shouldn't have to be "on" facebook to see that album link)

Anyhow, the trip was the best we could make of it - lots of history in Delaware and the beach was awesome and tons of fun with friends and family .... and we threw a little baseball into the mix. My favorite baseball pictures from the trip are this succession of pics below..... if you know anything about baseball, the kid/runner will lead off of the base in an attempt to be ready to steal the next base. In this case, Casey was on third. Then, the pitcher will try to pick them off by throwing the ball to the third (or whatever) baseman instead of throwing a pitch resulting in getting the runner out. So you hear the third base coach yelling BAAAAACKKKKKK almost constantly. (Follow?)

Leading off of third .......

Back! Back! Back!

BACKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hand stepped on, face [mouth, eyes, nose, eyebrows, ears, teeth, expander, you get it, right?] full of dirt, jammed finger ........

OH. MY. GOSH. Thank goodness I had my camera handy! :o)

Anddddddddd jump right back on that horse!

So we get back from Delaware after a week of fun and jump right into the week of camp for the kids and football for Parker..... I think that is what happened - have I lost my mind?! Don't answer that.

Parker loves football. OK, that's not true. What Parker said was that he isn't going to play football next year because it's too sweaty.

Team ..... that is some SERIOUS sweat.

First day of full pad practice .....

Whoooo boy ..... love that sweaty grin!

I am almost done. Are you still awake?

Then along comes the Royal Princess Hallie's birthday. Royal [pain in my butt] Princess. On our way home from Delaware (5 days before her birthday) I decided we should give her a new room for her birthday because she has been obsessed with this "princess bed" since she saw The Game Plan last December. By "we" should give her a princess room, clearly I mean "I" should give her a princess room. Really, we all can agree that HB is not handy and not really into any sort of physical labor. So off to camp she goes and having slept in our room for 10 days in Delaware it was easy to keep her out of her room and in ours for an extra week. So I take down the crib, paint, redecorate, make curtains, make a princess swag, put a bed together and purchase, drive home AND lug upstairs a full size mattress & boxspring! By myself. I *AM* abnormally strong for my size. *flexes muscles* About day 2 I was thinking it was the stupidest thing I had ever EVER EVERRRRRR decided to do but when we surprised her ON her birthday with her princess room, we got this reaction:

I mean, really ..... how can you top that?

Then she said "Take my picture!" So I did .....

THEN, I think her exact words were, "OK, now get out of my room." Oh how I love that little personality. Lovelovelovelove..........................

The before and after pictures of her room are also on facebook and the link should be public, if you care to see the transformation...

I do want to add, about Hallie, that she was a good sport this summer being dragged to baseball games and left behind with sitters..... I did actually spend *some* time with her and she learned to do this:

No. Fear. (Very. Scary.)

The last week before school starts we call "Fun Week" and try to cram something super fun into every day that we didn't get done all summer. On Monday we got haircuts and school supplies. What? That's not fun? On Tuesday the kids begged for a pajama day. Are you saying you don't think it's OK to stay in your pajamas all day? You are no fun. None at all. Wednesday we did something that slips my mind, Thursday we saw a movie and Friday we went to Malibu Grand Prix.

Then school starts. And it ends. :o( And now, finally, I am ready for summer. I guess the only saving grace is that living in Atlanta it will FEEL like summer for another 3 months! Woot woot?