Kids Say the Darndest Things......

I was sitting at dinner with the boys last night and here's the conversation that Colton and I had:

C: Mom, did you know that you can go to a baby store and pick out which one you want to bring home?

M: What do you mean?

C: I mean, well, mom's grow the babies in their belly and then they can bring them to the store if they don't want them and somebody else can have them.

M: Well, that's not quite how it works, but yes, people can put their child up for adoption and somebody who can't have babies can take them and raise them.

C: Are you ever going to trade me and Brett in for new kids?

M: Heavens no. Never in a million years. Why, would you want me to?

C: Nope.

No. 19......

Another one bites the dust. Number 19 on the big list has been completed. Here's my review of the 4 books that I read:


BOOK #1:

Let's just say that I'm glad that I checked this out at the library and didn't spend a cent on it. Ok, ok, that might be a little harsh as she did go through some traumatic life events. However, all I really remember from the book is her love for Barbara Streisand....snoozer.

BOOK #2:

"Jodi Picoult has written a haunting tragedy of two families. The Pact is rich with suspense and compassion, and it will make people question how well they know their own children. It is an intensely moving novel."
—Luanne Rice, author of HOME FIRES

Loved loved loved this book. I couldn't put it down which is typically the case anytime I read one of her books.

BOOK #3:

Picture Perfect: Synopsis
"There is something dark and disturbing behind the picture perfect marriage of anthropologist Cassie Barrett and her movie star husband, Alex Rivers. A study in spousal abuse that will touch your heart from the bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper."

I know, I really should have expanded my horizons and not read 2/4 from the same author, but I just couldn't help it. She sucks me in. This one started a little bit slow for me but about a third of the way in I was hooked. I don't remember seeing my family much when I read this one. Kidding. Kind of.

BOOK #4

Never Change by Elizabeth Berg

"A self-anointed spinster at fifty-one, Myra Lipinski is reasonable content with her quiet life, her dog, Frank, and her career as a visiting nurse. But everything changes when Chip Reardon, the golden boy she adored in high school, is assigned as her new patient. Choosing to forgo treatment for an incurable illness, Chip has returned to his New England hometown to spend what time he has left. Now, Myra and Chip find themselves engaged in a poignant redefinition of roles, and a complicated dance of memory, ambivalence, and longing."

This book is a bit older. One my mom gave me that she bought at the SB Library book sale. It was an easy read. I finished it in a couple hours while I "watched" the kids run through the sprinkler and play in the sandbox.

Now my goal is to read a couple of non-fiction books. Any suggestions?

Website......

You may already know about this, but I thought it was pretty cool. This website was listed in a magazine that I read:

http://www.restaurant.com/


I mean really, who doesn't love a good deal?!

Getting Ready....

I remember quite a bit about my first grade experience. I remember my teacher's name, where I sat in the classroom, where the pencil sharpener was located and many of the kids that were in my class. Now, I have a first grader!
I don't know how many of you readers can relate to this, but growing up and going to school in a small town is clearly different from "city life." When we went school shopping, it consisted of getting a few outfits, a new pair of shoes, a couple of notebooks and if you were lucky, a new Trapper Keeper.
I get that times have changed, budgets have been cut, etc., but school shopping still took some getting used to. For Kindergarten, all I had to do was send a $25 check and magically all the school supplies that Colton needed appeared on his desk on his first day of school.
This year, I actually had a list sent to me. This list was quite specific. Crayola crayons, Elmer's glue sticks, Prang or Crayola watercolor paints, Ziploc freezer bags....it goes on. So there I was at Target with all the other parents with my sheet of paper held up to my face searching for the right items. (Secretly, it was kind of fun.....). So here's what I ended up bringing home. There a still a couple of items that he needs, but we do have a couple of more weeks. Oh, and don't forget, the "white soled tennis shoes for PE" are a must!
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I had some white soled shoes for PE all through elementary as well.
Colton is quite excited to start school. Now that he knows one of his buddies from Sunday School will be in his class, he's counting down the days!

Not Such A Good Start.......

On the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, we have new employee orientation at work. Monday just happened to be one of those days. So, as usual, my goal is to get to work a little bit earlier to help get everything set up for the day. I'm rushing my kids around the house, telling them to "eat faster, get dressed, go brush your teeth." The typical mom stuff.
We're standing in the entry way - shoes on, lunches in hand - and I cannot find my keys. I start running around looking in the two places that I always have them. Then I remember that last night I had asked Mike to go and roll up my windows and lock up the car. So I try to call him to see where he put them. I dial up his cell phone.....then I hear it ringing. Great. He doesn't have his phone with him. I remember where the spare set is, so I grab it and off we go.
I get the kids buckled into their seats. I open up the passenger door to set everything down and there they are. My keys are in the ignition. Turned on just enough to get the windows rolled up. Lovely. Just lovely. I'm pretty sure I cuss Mike's name under my breath (which later I forgive him as I know he didn't do it on purpose - had to explain that to Colton). I cross my fingers and try to start the car. Nope. Nadda. Nothing.
I look around the neighborhood. Crap. Who's a girl suppose to call at 6:19 in the morning?! I end up calling my neighbors:
"Bruce, I'm so sorry to call you this early. My car won't start. Would you be willing to give me a jump?"
"Sure, no problem, just give me a minute and I'll be right out."
Now keep in mind that Bruce works from home and isn't needing to be up at dawn's crack.
He and his wife come out and insist that I take their car. I try to refuse as I don't want them to be in a hardship for my benefit. When all is said and done, I drive off in their car with the kids.
During the time that I'm at work, Bruce jumps my car, lets it run. All is well. Starts it up again later with no problems.
So, now it's Tuesday. I'm getting the kids ready, Mike has already left for work. I go out and get the kids into their seats. I go and sit down in the drivers seat and try to move the seat forward. Nothing happens. Are you kidding me?!!
I unpack the kids, tell them to go inside while I ponder what to do. Can I really call my neighbors two days in a row at 6:30 in the morning? So I do. I let it ring 4 times and then quickly hang up. I turn the phone back on to call Mike and there is Bruce on the other end of the phone. I apologize over and over ask him to give me a jump. Instead I head off to work in their car again for the second day in a row. Susan tells me that she will just bike to work today. I tell her not so much. I will be home in time for you to drive. It is raining out after all.

I am thankful for having neighbors that are willing to help me out in my time of need without even thinking twice about it. They are such giving people.

Girls Weekend.....

I returned today from a weekend away with the girls. What a great weekend it was. I mean what isn't fun when you include six girls, lots of sun, plenty of beverages and bags and bags of these: Here we are out enjoying the weather, catching up on Hollywood gossip and everyone's families:
Out on the porch before going to grab a bite:
Cheers to good friends and girl's weekends!
Thanks to Di for another fabulous weekend up at the cabin!