In the mind of a 3 yr old.

If you're 3 years old and you don't finish your dinner, your mommy tells you that you can't have a Halloween cupcake she made. What do you do? You grab the sprinkles off of the kitchen counter, go sit under the dining room table (your favorite hiding place)and shake BLUE (not the orange ones)sprinkles into your mouth until you are caught and look like a SMURF! You have no shame about it either.

All I can say is I'm off to Bunco in a witch costume for some mommy fun. Daddy, good luck getting sugar-filled mini#2 to bed tonight.

Halloween Humor

"HALLOWEEN IS GOING TO STINK THIS YEAR"

Tagged! Favorites.

Momx2 tagged me to list some of my favorites. Here goes.

1- Clothes - Mostly I shop at Ann Taylor Loft, GAP, Banana Republic (sales!), Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Marshall's and even Target for basics. It's not like I have a lot of dressing up to do these days!

2- Furniture Shop - The last furniture we bought was our dining room set and some furniture for our bedroom when we moved back to NC. We got it all from NC furniture country- Hickory/High Point area. Best deals on quality furniture.

3- City- I heart NY in the US. Favorite foreign city is still Paris.

4- Sweets - I love pies- key lime, pumpkin, coconut custard, pecan, etc. etc. etc. good thing Thanksgiving is around the corner. The pies are the best part for me!

5- Drink - I love milk. Still drink it a lot at dinner. Stronger drink- wine, pinot grigio or prosecco. I like a good cabernet, too.

6- Music - I like a wide variety of music. Jazz, hip hop, country (but not twangy stuff!), pop...

7- TV - I'm a reality freak. I love Intervention, The Hills (I'm 38 and watch this!), Tori and Dean, The Biggest Loser, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Jon and Kate Plus 8. You get the idea...

8- Film- Terms of Endearment is still my favorite, but Love Actually is 2nd favorite.

9- Workout- I use our elliptical machine about twice a week and lift arm weights while watching reality TV every other day. I also try to take walks with the kids 2-3 times a week.

10- Pastries- Croissants I guess. I don't eat a lot of pastries.

11- Coffee- I don't drink a lot of coffee. I'm more of a hot tea person, but I will pick up a Starbucks non-fat mocha latte from time to time at Target to sip while I shop. White chocolate mocha is yummy, too.

I tag anyone that wants to play along....

Misc Monday

So the day didn't start out the greatest. I was pulling out of my driveway to take mini#2 to preschool when I heard a horrendous sound. I had backed into a parked truck across the street. I'm not used to a truck being there, and, honestly I was distracted or hurried or whatever. It did more damage to my SUV, but luckily to just one piece above the wheel and partially on the bumper. His truck had one small damaged place. I had to leave a note because I do not know where the truck owner went with my neighbor. I told him "so sorry...come over for insurance info" I waited all day for them to return and then the truck and my note were gone at about 3:00! Hmm. Will have to talk to neighbor later. Thank goodness our neighbor is a super nice guy we are in good standing with. These days some people don't even talk to their neighbors. Will keep you posted.



Thanks Belle in Bloom for the BFF Gold Card on Friday. That is super sweet of you! You are a good friend! We have similar hectic lives raising two loud, active boys. Somehow we are surviving one day at a time. I'll pass it to Momx2. She is also raising two little boys, but we hope there's a little girl on the way!

Last Saturday we attended a neighborhood Halloween party. It was so much fun and I was amazed at the creativity of my friends. The best costumes had to be the two girl chickens (one of which will be cleaning my teeth tomorrow at the dentist's office), one Colonel Saunders and a bucket of KFC. If you remember my post when I was looking for costumes I chose a go-go girl. Mr. Pink was a prisoner. There was a Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers couple, Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo, Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Lucy and Ricky Riccardo. Mr. Pink and I were color coordinated only because we weren't sure if he was going to be able to go or not due to a cub scout commitment. I found his costume Saturday morning! Mini#2 thought we were going trick or treating without him. That made me laugh hard. I think he still expects us to wear our costumes on Halloween night!

Wordless Wednesday- Love or Hate?

I survived the reunion and even got a t-shirt.

I think I can finally write with a clear head. Our reunion was too much fun. As in we paid for it dearly on Sunday. I think you look forward to these, but then you're somewhat hesitant to visit your past. Walking into a reunion brings back all kinds of feelings. You walk in the person that you've become, but still feel a little like the person you left behind. It doesn't help matters that you must wear the obligatory name badge broadcasting your senior photo to all in attendance. But thank goodness for those badges in some cases. Otherwise I could have been speaking to someone and had no clue who they were.

For the most part everyone looked about the same, but there were a few that time has not been very kind to over the years. And why is it that the men seem to look the exact same yet more distinguished? Hello. I know. I live it. The women have had kids and have run households for years, some while working outside the home, while the men are safely tucked away in offices and golf carts. I'm just saying. For me, the reunion was, surprisingly, a confidence builder as I received many nice compliments. Does that mean I looked like crap in high school though? Hmm. But doesn't everyone want to return to a reunion better than you were before? Not in looks, but in self. More secure. More grounded. Free from insecurities that once had their ugly grasp on you. Of course there are new insecurities that come from aging, but not nearly as gripping as they seemed to be in junior and senior high school. I, for one am glad those days are over. I think I "blossomed" and gained life experiences in college, but I still look back on high school fondly. That just sounded old!

I couldn't imagine missing a reunion. If you have doubts about going, get over them! And don't worry. There's always going to be a bar nearby to supply any liquid courage required!

If you were wondering and as you can see, I went with the dress that my mom found. A grey Calvin Klein. I wore black 3 1/2 inch platformish heels and didn't even break an ankle while dancing crazily to 80's music. I hope my friends don't mind I posted this photo.

Class of '88

In a couple hours we're loading the car with the family and headed to my hometown. My 20th class reunion is tomorrow night! This is so cliche' but it seems like yesterday I attended my 10th (no minis at that time)! 20 years has flown by! I'm so excited. My friend in NY is flying down tomorrow and is staying with us at my parents' house. Poor thing just went to the doctor to load up on antibiotics. She's been sick all week, but doesn't want to miss the reunion. She had just moved to NY when we had our 10th and had to miss it. My college roomie (the girl I go see foreign films with) also went to my high school so we're all sure to have a fun time. We kind of laugh about it all because we feel that we've already "caught" up with so many classmates because of Facebook! I've seen their kids, their vacations, etc.

I only have one problem. What to wear! My NY friend told me I should have posted my options on the blog, but I didn't. I have a black dress, a dress I bought in NY, a grey dress my mom found me, and another green/white dress from Banana Republic. I cannot decide. So it will be a fashion show at my parents' house tonight to make the final decision. Or I may just make a wardrobe change every hour at the reunion. You know, like an award show host. This morning I got a mani/pedi and earlier this week I refreshed my "natural" highlights. If only I had had time to squeeze in a little Botox. You think I'm kidding. My forehead is quickly creasing. I've always been scared of Botox, but I was scared of childbirth, too and I survived that twice!

Ok, have a great weekend. I'll be back next week!

Who are you?

I'm borrowing this from Momx2 because I thought it was interesting. Are you a Jackie O or Marilyn or someone else?

I took it and surprised myself. My results were someone entirely different. However, these results are startlingly accurate in my case. I wonder if it has anything to do with your birth date? I am a Leo and we need lots of attention! I don't really follow horoscopes, but when I've read characteristics of leos in the past they have described me for the most part. Who are you?

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
• * my ability to establish warm connections with people
• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
• * being unique and being seen as unique by others
• * having aesthetic sensibilities
• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people
• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
• * expecting too much from myself and life
• * fearing being abandoned
• * obsessing over resentments
• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
• * are very sensitive
• * feel that they don't fit in
• * believe they are missing something that other people have
• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are
• * support their children's creativity and originality
• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

Hurry up and feel better minis!

The minis are having a rough week. Mini#1 woke me up last night saying his ear was hurting. It was draining. Bad ear infection with fever. We went to the doctor today. The first time he mentioned that it was hurting was last night before he went to bed. Poor thing. Earaches hurt! Then mini#2's cough turned croupy late today so we're off to the doctor with him tomorrow. He's going to miss preschool, too. I just won't tell him because he LOVES preschool. The minis were going to have flu shots tomorrow but we have to postpone them now. I can see that the doctor visits are starting early with fall. It was about 85 degrees here today. No fun being sick indoors!

We're off to Charlotte on Friday for my 20th high school reunion and staying with my parents. I hope Mr. Pink and I stay well and the minis are well on the road to recovery by then! I can't believe it's been 20 years since high school. According to all the facebook messages flying around it seems that there will be a lot of us attending. Can't wait!

Is there a shortage of material?

Today mini#1 and I headed out in search of his Halloween costume. I also had to search for a costume for a neighborhood party. I patiently entertained every whim mini#1 had. At first he thought he wanted to be the Joker, even though he has not seen the Dark Knight movie (or will he anytime soon). He just liked the costume. Next he said he wanted to be a bully. What? No, he's not going to be a bully. I would never condone that. He simply liked the studded-collar necklace in the "Gothic" section and thought all bullies wear leather coats and studded necklaces. He then toyed with the idea of being a king because the kid is fascinated with fairy tales and fables. Since the crown he wanted didn't have a matching robe, he moved onto a gangster. This stuck.

He liked the hat the best. It's very cute with his dark hair. We may draw in a mustache. He did have to ask me in car on the way home what a gangster was. I sugar-coated it.

After we found his costume we headed over to look at the selection for women. I was mortified. I almost felt like I was in an adult novelty store with my son! And no, I've never been in one of those stores if you were wondering! The costumes were mostly R and X rated in my opinion. Now 15 years ago I may have been all over the SEXY German barmaid or the Sassie Lassie (Scottish tartan-clad hookerish look), but probably not. I did dress up one year with three friends as Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and that was so much fun. However, I have a simple neighborhood party to go to full of married couples this year. As I stood there pondering my choices mini#1 tried to assist by saying "Look mom. You can be Alice in Wonderland!" Umm. Alice must be experiencing the effects of global warming or early menopause because that costume was way too short showing all kinds of skin. And come to think of it- ALL of the costumes were lacking yards of material. Is there a shortage of cloth/polyester in China these days? I looked in disbelief from Little Miss Riding Hooker, um Hood to Daring Dorothy of Oz to Snow not-so-White and all were teensy weensy! I will give it to Party City. They had a huge selection! I finally decided on a PG rated Go-Go girl costume because I already have a short black wig my friend and I bought on a whim in Atlanta years ago. The black/white dress is short but not minuscule and it has a cute hat. I'll just wear black boots. If I chicken out with this costume I'll just be a witch. I have a hat and orange and black tights. The minis already think I'm mean enough to pull it off. You know that's not true!

So what are you doing for Halloween and who are you dressing up as?

First Field Trip

This morning I accompanied mini#2 on his first field trip. We met his classmates at the NC Museum of Life Sciences. All the minis had on matching preschool t-shirts. I'd post pics, but they have the name of the preschool and mini#2 had on a name tag. They lined up quietly outside and put "bubbles in their mouth" (looked like holding breath) to keep from chatting. I may mention this to mini#1's teacher at our conference tomorrow. Kidding. Once in the Discovery Room, the guide, Anthony, gave the best presentation. He really had a way with kids and they were mesmerized. They even got to touch a few animals.

My child got the most laughs of the day, too. When Anthony pulled out a large snake skin from a box, he asked the preschoolers "Where did this skin come from boys and girls?" Mini#2 quickly answered, "From your box!" Anthony told their teacher "This is a super smart bunch of kids this year!"

We had such a great time together looking at snakes, butterflies and even hissing cockroaches (gag!). My little one is growing up quickly. I'm proud of him. He's not the least bit shy and made sure to say hello to every child he knew. He even told another museum guide "How are you today?" as we passed by. The guide got a chuckle out of that.

Afterwards we went to get his Halloween costume. No more cute animals or miniature professional outfits. We've moved on to Power Rangers. He'll be the pint-sized blue one! Now if only mini#1 can decide what he wants to be. He's changed his mind about ten times already.
I plan to take him on Saturday to pick out his costume. He loves Halloween! It makes me get even more excited to see him excited. Ok, got to go. The bus arrives in a few minutes. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Note from school

So, your child has been gone all day. Your day has gone well and you even make it to the bus stop to meet said child before the big yellow bus squeals to a halt. You give big hugs and exchange kisses (He's 7. This WILL end soon I'm certain) and chat about his day as you walk back home. All is sunny, happy and loving. A Hallmark movie.

Until, you open loving child's daily folder and....what's this extra piece of paper on the wrong side of the folder? Hmm. A note. From the teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Pink, Mini#1 has not been following directions...not using inside voice in cafeteria...talking in hallway after warnings...please speak to him about the importance of following the school expectations. Good grief! Hallmark movie is quickly a thing of the far past. We had the "talk" to end all talks, did his homework together, and then I made him write sentences. I WILL LISTEN TO MY PARENTS AND MY TEACHERS. No play outside, no TV and then more talking. I don't know why I imposed the sentence punishment. I remember my mom doing this once, but I was an angel (well, for the most part) in school. I never had notes sent home! Mini#1 is only in 2nd grade. I really don't want to think the kid has ADHD, but I think the kid has ADHD! It's driving me crazy. He can't sit still for homework. He remembers one task if I give him two or three to complete. Is this boys? Is it ADHD? Whatever it is it's tough. He's a good kid, but his lack of listening is really a concern for me these days.

And, can you believe this? After he wrote an entire page of sentences he gave it to me. I asked him, "What did you just write?" Do you know he couldn't remember???? He said "I will not...I forgot the next part." Once I supplied "LISTEN!" he suddenly remembered the rest. I think my head spinning around while steam blew from my ears triggered his memory. The best part of this whole situation is that we have parent/teacher conferences on Thursday. He's doing so well academically, but it's the behavior area I better be prepared for on Thursday. Most days I still feel like a kid myself. When exactly did I sign up to become a 38 year old responsible parent in charge of this hall talking, outside voice speaking, ants in the pants 7 year old? Anyone have any advice? Books? Websites? Medications (for me or mini#1)? I think we need all of it!

Change of Plans

I forgot to mention that my friend and I saw a different movie after dinner Friday night because the other one was no longer playing. We saw Trans Siberian. It stars Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer (Match Point and others). It was pretty good (What we remember. They do serve wine.) We just remember laughing a little more than the other movie patrons. Well, it was a suspenseful movie so why were we laughing? I think it was because Woody Harrelson was channeling his Woody from Cheers character for this movie. The popcorn was excellent! Besides this though, I had a great time with my friend and we had much needed girl talk.

Manic Monday

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity.

Saturday, Mr. Pink and mini#2 went to the NC State game. Mini#2 was so excited that he got to see Mr and Ms Wuf (our mascots) in the parking lot and he even threw his football with Mr. Wuf. He could not stop talking about it! Then Mr. Pink told me how the "three prettiest girls" (did he have to add that comment?) from the tailgate party next to them played football with mini#2 as well! He said it was funny to see the jealous guys from the girls' tailgate looking at #2 wondering what the "prettiest girls" saw in mini#2! Anyway, one of them offered to babysit anytime so you can never have too many babysitter choices.

After the game mini#1 and I picked up Mr. Pink and #2 and headed two hours east to make it to Mr. Pink's grandmother's birthday dinner. We had a table for 20 in Calabash, NC! It was crazy, but a lot of fun, too. Yummy seafood! Then back to my MIL's house. Other than looking thinner, she seems to be handling this slower paced round of chemo very well. She was glad to see the kids and vice versa. Sunday Mr. Pink did some things on her "to do" list and then we headed back to our house. We got home at 7:45, 15 minutes before mini bedtime! Fast trip, but minis had school bright and early this morning.

Then we get to manic Monday. I'm putting on mini#2's shoes for preschool this morning when I receive a call from mini#1 at school. In his pitiful voice he told me his head and stomach hurt. He'd been there for one hour! So what did I do? I grabbed mini#2, a bottle of Motrin and headed to mini #1's school to medicate the pitiful child. I was praying this would do the trick. I'm not entirely unsympathetic. I always tell him to "call me after lunch" if you don't feel any better and this morning was no exception. Usually this wards off the future call and keeps him from being counted as absent since he completes over half a day at school. Am I the only one to do this?

After this stop I went to two gas stations and both were out of the super unleaded gas. I was getting nervous as I pulled into preschool with mere fumes in the tank. After drop-off I ventured a little further out and, luckily, found some gas before I ran out! Then I stopped by Wal-Mart and saw half of the preschool moms there as well. Something about shopping without kids makes us all giddy from excitement! It's so nice to talk without whiny kids interrupting! Wal-Mart and toddlers just aren't a good mix.

After preschool pick-up, mini#2 and I go home, I make lunch and then I happen to check voice mail (always forget to do this). Mini #1 had called about 50 mins earlier to say he still felt bad. Good grief! I grab mini#2 again, no shoes this time, and head for the school. He only missed an hour and fifteen minutes today, but you just wouldn't believe how his illness has magically dissipated since we've been home! I'm sure it will resurface tomorrow morning.

I have promised myself that I will never be the mother that lived next to my family growing up. She let her daughter stay home from school if the poor girl had a hangnail! It was all over when her daughter started menstruation. Gee. Never thought I'd write "menstruation" on my blog. Anyway, the cramps are probably why she ended up with a G.E.D.! Ironic thing is she is a nurse now!

Ok, back to laundry before dinner. "Skud" Scouts, as mini#2 calls it, is tonight.

Now Playing...

Tonight at the White House the boys will be eating hot dogs and french fries and watching:

However, Mrs. Pink will be eating tapas with a friend in downtown Raleigh and then going to the Rialto theater to see:

I think I'm getting the better end of the deal tonight! Enjoy your Friday night.

It's a good one!

As the weather starts to get cooler I start wanting to make food to warm us up. I love making soups. I received this recipe from a friend last year and made it several times last winter. It is so yummy, a definite "comfort" food and it's made in your slow cooker (crock pot).

BAKED POTATO SOUP

6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 (14 oz) cans Swanson chicken broth with roasted garlic*
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I use fat free half/half)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 8 oz container reduced fat sour cream (optional)
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
extra cheese

1- Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours or until
potatoes are tender.
3- Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is
slightly thickened; stir in cream, shredded cheese and chives. Top
with sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar
cheese before serving.
Makes 12 cups.

*I only use 2 cans of the broth with roasted garlic and 1 can of
regular chicken broth. I found that 3 cans of garlic was a little
strong.

Enjoy!