Oh, Abbie...

Last night at dinner Abbie was wiggling around so much that it was making Dan crazy. Here is the conversation:

Dan: Abbie Sit down.

Abbie: but I don't want to.

Dan: Sit down.

Abbie: Why? it is fun to sit up here. (sitting on the back of the chair)

Dan: Sit down, or you will fall and crack your head open.

Abbie: Will a nut come out?

Yes, she thinks her head is full of nuts. Maybe that is because I am always telling her she is nuts. Who needs brains when you have personality right?

At the grocery store the other day, we had the produce guy laughing from a conversation we were having by the bulk candy. Here is a snippet:

Abbie: is that candy!?

mom: Yes, don't touch it.

Abbie: but I want to. I want some candy.

Mom: Candy isn't good for our bodies, our bodies don't want us to eat candy.

Abbie: Mine does. My body loves candy.

Mom: (not really paying attention) Okay, but don't touch it. We don't need candy and we aren't going to buy any so please stop asking. Would you like a banana?

Abbie: My body says it NEEDS candy not a banana.

So like a good mother, I bought her some candy AND a banana. The banana is still on the counter, the candy is gone. I guess she was right, her body did NEED that candy.

It is funny to think that just 2 years ago, we were worried about her speech delay...

Post Plagarism

Nine words women use
I saw this on a friends blog and thought it was funny, especially #9. I do this all the time Lately when it comes to snow blowing the driveway or bringing in the groceries. The others I use occasionally.
I am plagiarizing this because I can't think of anything clever to say today.

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying go away.

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Hellloooo! Deals!

I absolutely love magazines and I love getting them for a super deal. Soooo I am sharing my find with you. You can get a year of REDBOOK mag for $5.99 or two years for $11.99. Just go to decdeal.redbookmag.com
After you order, there is another offer for "O" magazine for $10. That is a great deal for that one. the best I have seen is like $15.

I am a super parent!

Anytime I see proof that there are worse parents than me out there, I feel really great. I least I have never done this. Or even thought about doing it.

Longing for Spring

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom"- Marcel Proust

I have loads of people who make me happy. Everyday I am grateful for all of you. And man, am I blossoming!

The swimsuits at Target are a ray of hope and a dismal reminder that Spring soon will be here. Wahoo!

This I know for sure

We have told the story of our own version of the "Griswold Christmas," so many times that Dan and I have the perfect, if slightly scripted banter going now. One night after telling the tale, Dan and I were laying in bed and he commented "you know, the more we tell that story, the less amazing and frustrating it seems." Puzzling, I know. We thought it would take us until next year to be able to laugh about it.

Here are the things that we now know for sure. Make note.

1. Even the most expensive Garmin cannot make up for common sense.

-we learned this when Garmina, that's what we affectionately called her, lead us out into the small towns away from I5 and instructed us to "board ferry" which by our luck was closed that day. Ferry! Are you kidding me!? No, she was serious. Okay, activate common sense now.

2. Hotels can loose power.

-And just like at home, there is a sense of panic when it happens. Unfortunately, in a hotel there are no candles, flashlights, or gas stoves or heaters. But thankfully, there is still a complementary breakfast and a hot, if dark, shower.

3. Snow and Ice is different outside of Utah.

-Now I get why people say it is the greatest snow on earth. In Oregon, they get something called "freezing rain" it makes no sense, but it is capable of cocooning a van in 1/2 inch of ice, and causing huge cities to loose electricity for 3 days and eventually need to call in the National Guard for help.

4. It doesn't matter if you eat at a Zagat rated restaurant or Ihop. If you bring your kids, it will still taste like Ihop.

-Food is not fun when you have water spilled in your lap and have to share everything on your plate with your 3 year old. Sometimes I didn't even remember eating. I would say to Dan, "What did I order?" and he would reply " I don't know, we were to busy hoarking it down to notice." Ahh... family vacations, hoarking down food. sounds awesome huh?

5. Christmas is just as magical wherever you are.

-The girls had a great Christmas and when we talk about it mostly they remember fun parts. And they didn't ever question how Santa found us on the 7th floor of a condo over looking the beach. Santa you are so clever!

6. Simplicity is King

- Our best memories of this holiday were always the spontaneous and simple ones. if you ask Reagan and Abbie they always says their favorites things were riding their new scooters in the halls of the resort, or touching the starfish and anenomes in the tide pools. It's all about simplicity, it is so easy to forget that.

5. It doesn't matter, as long as were together.

-I am surprised how early on in the trip I learned this. Usually it takes me a while to get over my unacheived expectations to see the positive. I can clearly remember as we were leaving our dark hotel room, packing up to "head south" away from the storm and trek our way to the coast and actually start our vacation, looking over at Dan driving and thinking, "You know what, it doesn't matter if we make it or not as long as we're together." How mature of me, right?!