What were they thinking?

A catalog arrived at my house recently with the banner headline, "Last Chance! Sorry, this may be your last catalog unless you order. " I felt mildly threatened so I flipped on through. And that's when I saw this . . .

That's right, it's a chicken handbag. I've seen it oven-fried, roasted, as a nugget or a tender, fricassed, and noodle souped, but I have never seen it like this. Is there seriously someone out there saying, "You can keep your Prada and your Coach, I'll be carrying the Little Red Hen this season." What is this world coming to? I hope they keep their word and refrain from sending me this little treasure tome.

Incoming!

Parenting Lesson of the Day:

ALWAYS trust your instincts . . . And if you do not, be prepared for a spray of bead necklace shrapnel. Not that I have any experience.

My new necklace lasted exactly one day. I let my little man check it out for a few moments. I was on my way over to him to take it back, and BAM, then next thing I know I am trying to collect approximately 1 million beads from Grandma's back room before they are consumed by a curious dachshund.

This is why boys should not wear necklaces. EVER.

Hair Cares

Jackson had another big first this past weekend - the first haircut. We really thought this first wouldn't come until at least his high school graduation. He has been really slow at cultivating his 'do. But when it started looking like a comb-over, we knew we had to go.

Waiting our turn. Checking out the *lovely* merchandise.

Why would you pack a place for children wall-to-wall with things they want desperately to touch and their parents want desperately to avoid. I'm a business person so I really already know the answer to this question, but they can't act shocked when there is crying. From the mothers . . .

What could be better than getting your hair cut in a fire truck?

I think I will request that too.

Two good looking guys

Sleep Shocker

Sometime in the last month or more, a miracle has occurred at our house.

Jackson naps!

You might be thinking that this is a normal activity for a toddler . . . and you would be wrong. From day 1, Jackson has never been sure about the whole sleeping activity. There seemed to be too many fun activities going on in the house. And he had so much responsibility, watching over his inept parents and all. And so we battled, he and I. Some days (and nights) went well . . . and some did not. After I went back to work, he and I "went to the mattresses" over nighttime sleeping. Once I discovered that I was doing most things wrong, I emerged victorious and sweet dreams were restored to our house. Which made it so much easier to ignore that naps were still completely on Jackson's terms. And since he and his grandma had everything worked out for naps during the week, it wasn't as if he wasn't getting enough rest. So we soldiered on for entirely too long holding him until he fell asleep, trying not to fall asleep ourselves, and then trying to sneak him into his bed without his consent.

But it is all over!

My big guy can take naps in his bed all by himself. I must say that this has literally changed my life. Next naptime opponent - the nap-only, never-leaves-the-crib pacifier. Stay tuned.

Baby Brady is Here!

Brady

10-1-08

8:18 PM

7 lb. 3 oz.

19 inches

Our first nephew, Brady, arrived just over a week ago. We are so excited to welcome Jackson's first cousin. There was lots of concern about exactly when Brady would make his arrival, and thus he was this generation's 2nd induced baby. In my experience, inductions add to the baby delivery fun model in so many ways - they take all day and yet everyone keeps telling you that a baby is imminent. Then all of a sudden, WHAM, it's really go-time. And the next thing you know, you have a baby! Brady was no exception. He gave us plenty of time to explore the hospital all day and then he arrived like a bullet train the minute we completed our 45 minute drive home! We were so sad! But we are so glad that he arrived safely and has added so much joy to our family already!

Happy family!

Hugs from Jackson

Sleepy Baby

The Trouble with Trees

So, what do you do when you experience an equipment malfunction in the middle of an excavation?

Let's ask HE-MAN.

The tree, by the way, was officially pronounced a goner by our friendly HOA. Because they have so much concern for the goings-on in my backyard. Perhaps I will send them a thank you note . . . and a sample of the "organic fertilizer" that is also abundant in my backyard. Not that fertilizer of any type did anything for the tree. So, the current horticultural situation around here is: 1.5 of 3 houseplants alive, 1 of 4 porch plants alive, 1 flowering tree propped up in the front yard, and a battalion of bushes that must be related to kudzu trying to grow through the brick in front of the house. Tommorow night I am attending a presentation titled "Turning Your Black Thumb into a Green One". Seriously.

Something to ponder

Dolly Parton is on Jay Leno tonight . . . to promote her new CD Backwoods Barbie (!). So, if you get Mickey ears when you visit Disney World, what do you get as a souvenir at Dollywood? I'm just saying . . .