Maybe I have a problem...

My dad likes coffee. When I got older I thought I would try it out. My mom always insisted that I not become addicted to it. This was in college and I thought there was no way that would ever happen. I didn't even really like it that much and was more of a social drinker. As the years have gone on I have had many more social occasions to enjoy my coffee. And, I must say, coffee has come a long way from college days--you now have lattes, mochas, americanos, french press, etc. I also should admit that since I've had kids I have enjoyed my coffee alone each morning, but I still thought of it as a pleasantry not a necessity. Well, yesterday morning I was proven wrong and learned something about myself. My husband & I are enjoying a weekend away and when I woke up (rather early) I did not have coffee at my disposal. I was fine for about an hour. Then I had an overwhelming urge to put flip flops on with my PJs and drive somewhere very fast to get a cup of coffee. I was able to subdue the urge for a few moments--actually just long enough to get dressed. At which point I did leave (actually left Joe in the room--I did tell him where I was going) and drive to get a cup of coffee. I then felt so much better. Maybe I have a problem...

Deep thinking

Ashley has been thinking deeply during the last few trips we've had to the store. I learn a lot about what my kids have been thinking about when we are in the van on the way to Walmart. Yesterday we got to talk about what debt is. I used buying a car and having to ask the bank for money for it as an example. Sara concluded that if you don't have the money, you should just buy a car that is similar to the one you want but costs less. Ashley decided that you should just save your money and get the one that you really want. John wanted to know what car we were going to buy. I guess I got my point across? Anyway, consider the following epiphanies that Ashley has had:

• We can't say two words at the same time. (think about it....let me know if you tried. I did.)
• Usually our thumbs are the strongest finger we have (now I will have to look that one up; yes I realize a thumb is technically not considered a finger. But, don't miss the point--is the thumb the strongest???)

the mouse fiasco

We have a full bath in our basement and the girls like to take their showers down there. So that is what they were doing last night and I went to check on them. I still needed to take a shower and wanted to make sure that there was going to be enough hot water for me to do that. They were thankfully out of the shower and I got distracted by housework while I was down there. I hadn't put the recently purchased bundle of paper towels away yet and so I decided to do that. I went into the utility room which is next door to the bathroom, deposited the paper towels and shut the door again. Sara then said "Mom, Gus the mouse is in the utility room" "Um, WHAT? A mouse???" was my response. I was desperately trying to play the calm mom in all of this--I don't want to create a fear of mice in my children. Sara, in a very matter of fact way: "Yeah, you know, furry with a tail--Gus" Okay, so there is a mouse in my utility room and my daughter has named it?!! I was starting to freak out a little--and on the inside I was in complete panic mode. I tell people that I'm not scared of mice and I'm not as long as they are outside (or in a cage) and they don't surprise me. This one was not outside and there are lots of places for it to hide and jump out and surprise me in our utility room. The only thing that didn't make sense was that my girls were completely calm. My girls like mice in a cage, but other than that--not so much. So why were they calm?? They were just standing there staring at me as if I was crazy. They really could not understand my reaction. So I finally got up the nerve to open up the door--and there on the floor sure enough was Gus the mouse--actually it was Gus Gus the mouse from Cinderella--he was plastic and about 1 inch long. "Ohhhhhh, you mean Gus Gus!" The look on her face said it all--you could see it written all over both of their faces "So she really does lose her mind after 7pm"

Sleep myths?

MSN is my home page. I'm not really sure why. I don't get my news from that page and I really don't look at it much. I must just be too lazy to change it. Sometimes, however, they have headlines that catch my attention and add some humor to my life. I saw this one a couple of days ago:

Sleep myths: Do naps help or do we need eight hours?

Ummm, yes!

Like Father Like Son

Joe & John got back today from their first annual father/son campout with a group of other dads & sons. (We've got to come up with a better name!) Anyway, it sounds like it was a super success. They even brought back a shedded snake skin for me to discover in truck. It was a reminder to me why moms aren't invited on the campout.

Sleep can't even stop this talking wonder

I was just upstairs and I'm pretty sure I heard John reciting Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Bear in his sleep. It's one of his favorites.

My beautiful princess

Okay, so this was awesome and I couldn't resist taking a picture. I'm fairly certain the only dress-up clothes that we own that she didn't have on was her Aurora dress. Isn't she a beautiful princess!

The next Food Network Stars!

As you can see, Ashley was fairly certain I didn't know what I was doing, so she was explaining the process to me. The cookies turned out awesome!!!

The next Thomas Edison????

Introducing the Teddy Hammock. Perfect for any sleeping stuffed animal that needs a place to rest its weary head and not take up precious bed space. Available soon at a retailer near you.
Patton pending. All rights reserved.