The Greatest Show on Earth

I had the pleasure of going to the Barnum and Bailey Circus with Dylan's preschool. A blast was had by all sugar-induced spectators (me included). Behold $12 cotton candy...


Dylan repeatedly asked why the tigers were caged and I had to stop myself from saying, "Because they eat people." He also asked how the animals traveled from town to town and laughed hysterically when I told him by truck. Thanks to Sea World, much of the show I was praying for the tiger tamer and elephant trainer. These people have to be certified crazy. Coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs. Who in their right mind would walk amongst 10 elephants in sequins or antagonize tigers to roll over and roar? Not this white woman.

It truly was a fantastic show. Dylan loved the ladies being shot simultaneously from cannons and was amazed by all the magic tricks. I believe this pic says it all:)

Vitamin D Deficiency

Seriously, someone tell the snow that its almost time to pull out short sleeves and flip flops! I long for the days of running outside in a minutes notice. Wrapping two kids in fleece gets old...not to mention the static electricity that engulfs Emory's head. Most days she resembles a troll or Lynne Stone during her Dance TV debut.

Lately, when a smidgen of sunshine emerges I start daydreaming of sunscreen and bare feet and have to stop myself from calling Island Tan to see if bed #4 is open. My in-laws just returned from Hawaii and my lovely neighbors are packing for Florida. Jealousy just scratches the surface of my dry, pasty-white skin.

To ease my winter blues I have been playing Bob Marley, drinking lemonade, and highlighted my hair. My husband must be struggling, too, as he ignored the freezing temperatures this weekend to pressure wash the house and clean the back porch.

Any other cures for Vitamin D deficiency out there?

Happy Heart Day

I love all holidays. It's ridiculous, I know, but having an excuse to gush over a loved one, hide eggs, or wear a shamrock just makes life more fun. Lately, I have enjoyed making Valentine's, decorating cookies, and eating chocolates out of heart shaped boxes. Take a look at some cookies we made a couple of days ago.

There is one left. One. Thank goodness I'm not alone in my weakness for cookies.

Cupcake

With her messy hair she looks at me and says, "Snuggle." She wants to snuggle in this big chair when she wakes. She also wants, "Chocolate," which in Emory-isms means chocolate milk. Who can argue with that?

Retirement Living

In hopes of a minute of peace today I locked myself in the hall bathroom with an Our State magazine. A couple of days trapped inside due to snow actually made this sound entertaining. Shortly thereafter the door knob shook.

"I'll be out in a minute," I said.

Silence, good he went back to watching cartoons. I proceeded to skim another advertisement for an upscale resthome. Would they let me live there? I like Scrabble and sweat tea.

Clonk, clonk, clonk. Shake, rattle, shake, giggle. He was back and wearing a pair of my heels.

"I said, I'll be out in a minute." I bet retirement living is quiet.

Dylan replied, "Mom, you wanna go on a date?"

I opened the door and there he stood in my black pointy toe shoes paired with his pajamas. A wide grin had taken over his sweet face.

Looking Forward

After my mini-pity party (last blog post) I decided to be thankful instead of Debbie Downer. Here are some events I'm looking forward to...

1. Girl Scout cookies (yes, Thin Mints can be considered an event)

2. sledding (hopefully it'll snow this weekend!)

3. American Idol's Hollywood episodes

4. Girls Night Out (I just may break out the heels:)

5. no more diapers or pull-ups (one day, right?)

6. Dylan helping with more household chores. He's now learning to take out the trash and putting his dirty clothes in the hamper (he calls it his "hampster").

7. summer beach trip

8. visiting my mom and good friend in a couple of weeks

9. Mama Mia! - Sunday at DPAC (yay!)

10. Did I mention Girl Scout cookies?

Time Out

Ever feel like yelling, "Time out!" with the hopes of everything stopping?

No spam, junk mail or Facebook would be a nice start but if eliminating time-sucks isn't a likely option we should be able to push a slow motion button. Growth spurts are crazy as my little boy went from a toddler to a Sasquatch in less than a month. And I do not like going weeks without talking to my best friend or missing Izzy's return on Grey's Anatomy but I'm guilty of both.

Why is it difficult to remember that I have hobbies? Why have I stopped sending birthday cards to my loved ones? Why do I avoid rush hour traffic (in my tiny town) and no longer feel comfortable in heels?

I don't want life to pass me by. I want to be present and witness growth and blog about some of it.

What do you do to slow down and feel real?