Games We Play

Here are some of the games our family is enjoying this summer

YAHTZEE I’m taking my six year old to Vegas based on his history with this game
MEXICAN TRAIN One of the greatest games for all ages of your family CLUE – An oldy but goody on the game front – Just played this today with my 6 & 9 year olds and lost
DON’T BREAK THE ICE – My two year old is still learning the concept of taking turns so she usually smashes for fifteen seconds and the games over MONOPOLYWe actually own Oceanolopy so we are buying and selling codfish by the hundred

BLOKUSNew game to us – great for those who like puzzles and visual challenges

What are some of your favorite games to play?

Dear Mr. Hotel Designer

We recently returned from a two day mini vacation in San Antonio where we visited Sea World (“Yeah, you are the best parents in the world!”) and The Alamo (“This is soooo hot and boring. Can we go home now?”).

Derek chose our hotel since it was close to Sea World and I must say it was quite nice. Whomever designed the space thought it out well except for three design flaws which I have taken issue with. I have composed a letter outlining the three areas in question in hopes that they will rectify the situation before our next visit.

Dear Mr. Hotel Room Designer:

I just stayed in one of your hotels with my family and had a pleasant stay. However, I could have enjoyed my stay more had the following issues been addressed when you initially designed the rooms.

#1 – I applaud you for putting a sink in the bathroom. Many third world countries skip that step so again, I applaud you. I understand that 65% of Americans do not wash their hands after using the restroom. We, however, like to think of ourselves as part of the other 35%. So perhaps next time you could design a bathroom where the sink is out from the corner and larger than an airplant sink. Rinsing my mouth after brushing my teeth was quite difficult and required more flexibility than Mary Lou Retton ever had.

#2 – I appreciate technology as much as the next person and realize it must be at our fingertips but I ask you, must it really be at two year old fingertips? In my opinion, your front desk employees’ time would better be served helping your paying customers instead of constantly answering my daughter’s room service requests. Fortunately, she didn’t spend all of her time with the phone. The television was also at her height so she enjoyed turning it on and off repeatedly, much to the dismay of her brothers.

#3 – I understand you went to a high priced design school in New York and know design but I was wondering if next time you might decide to pass up the frosted glass doors for the bathroom. I love my family, it’s just that I’d rather not see the outline of them doing their business while I watch Law and Order reruns. Perhaps since you knew the two year old would be controlling the television you decided to provide an alternate method of entertainment for the adults. My husband and I have always wanted to perfect our shadow puppet routine and you gave us the opportunity.

In closing, I would like to thank you for allowing my family to stay in your fine establishment. It was extremely relaxing once my children fell asleep. Please consider making the above changes.

Yours truly,

Jennifer

McClippies – I’m in Love

I have to admit when I first found out I was having a girl I thought…I can’t do girl. I know boys – Legos, Star Wars, wrestling. Then Caroline came along and eased my fears, at least for now. Thankfully, she enjoys all those things but is girly as well. She wears a super hero cape but insists it has a coordinating hair bow.

I can’t french braid, put hair up in a twist, or even put in pig tails. Although to be honest, I haven’t needed these skills yet since Caroline has very thin but extremely curly hair. So far, spraying it with water, brushing it, and fluffling it in the morning has worked.

Caroline likes to have bows in her hair but they rarely stay in due to her thin hair. Through etsy.com I found McClippies and decided to take a chance on their bows. I ordered them and have been thrilled with them. They stay in Caroline’s hair and are beyond precious.


Go ahead and check them out if you are in need of some adorable hair products.

I bought four clippies but wish we had several more. You can see the clippies Caroline has below.

Aren’t they adorable?

Go ahead and find some clippies for that special little lady in your life 🙂

Shameless

I was a shameless mother to Caroline.

But in the interest of full disclosure I should tell you this.

After consuming a dinner of milk, orange slices, and cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster last Friday night, Caroline proceeded to vomit her entire stomach contents on the restaurant floor.

It was a lot. I’m talking change of shoes and clothing bad.

I’m pretty sure I will never eat another cheddar biscuit for as long as I live.

Oh, and it was our first and only trip to Red Lobster.

The following day Caroline and I ended up in the children’s book section of Borders while the boys finished up in a movie. One hour into the movie and she was done so we went for a walk.

Caroline and I were standing side by side browsing the movie section when I let quite a foul smelling gas escape. It was silent. I do have some pride.

At the moment of release, a woman stopped directly behind us to examine a book.

I’m not proud of what I did next.

I bent down and said, “Caroline, do we need to change your diaper?”

Yes.    I     Did.      I blamed her for the smell.

Let me just remind you about REGURGITATED CHEDDAR BISCUITS ON THE FLOOR!

A little tit for tat.

I am pitiful and shameless.

And smelly.

My Little Pony…Not for Little Ones Anymore

Recently, I discovered the “My Little Pony” of yesterday and the “My Little Pony” of today are quite different.

I turned on the television for Caroline in an attempt to distract her so I could cook dinner. Seeing as my only two choices were “Scooby Doo” and “My Little Pony,” I went with the later, and walked into our adjacent kitchen.

I listened to the show as I was taking out the boxed macaroni and cheese, frozen chicken nuggets, and applesauce began cutting some fresh vegetables for dinner. As I listened to more of the dialogue I realized something was amiss.

My sisters and I had a whole herd of ponies when we were younger. First came the ponies which later morphed into the unicorns and seahorses. In fact, we were such My Little Pony connoisseurs we even had the plastic traveling case. I know…we were the cool kids. We played for hours on end with the ponies, combing their hair with the color coordinating brushes and creating stories for our menagerie.

Good childhood memories.

As I walked back to the television, I was convinced the soundtrack must have been switched with another show. I had always associated My Little Pony with sweet stories of friendship and this is not what I was hearing. Something must be wrong with the channel. I pulled up the synopsis of this particular episode…. shortly before I ended up changing the channel.

Here’s what it said:

Friendship is Magic: Part 2

Twilight and the rest of her friends join forces to fight the evil Night Mare moon, who has not only stolen the magical elements of Harmony from Equestria, but also kidnapped the pony kingdom’s beloved Princess Celestia.

Not quite the “My Little Pony” that I remember.

In fact, it sounds a little like the description of a porno movie to me.

Spreading Kindness

*Thank you friends and family for inquiring about my health. I am on the road to recovery and will be back tomorrow. For now, I’ll leave you with this inspiring story*

This was on the editor’s page in our local paper:

On a hot Friday afternoon, the teen director at the local Family YMCA walked his 19 teenagers – ages 12 to 18 – across the street for a well-deserved treat at the local Sonic Drive-In.

Some of the teens had enough money to purchase lunch, but several could only muster $1 for a drink and had brought their lunches from home.

As the director and his teens were getting settled, a Sonic employee came over and opened his hand, revealing a wad of cash – $100, to be exact.

As the Y’s teen director looked up in surprise, the Sonic employee pointed to a white bearded man in a tan SUV pulling away from the Sonic. This kind gentleman had given our YMCA teens $100 to enjoy lunch.

Our teen director quickly took the opportunity to educate his teens to pay it forward. As the gentleman drove off, the teens all signaled their appreciation to him, but, being a modest soul, he was already looking the other way.

Listening Around Our House

Feeling under the weather *** Not feeling too witty right now, half a dozen medications tend to do that***Reposting an oldy from December

“Poopy face”

“Go poop in a bucket, pooper”

“Why did the chicken cross the road?…to get poop”

What? You are not laughing hysterically?

You must not be an 8 and under boy.

The above is what life at my house is like right now.

Wait till I introduce them to: defecation, excrement, stool, and dung.

Then we’ll really be having good times.

Moooooooove Over Pride…We’re Eatin’ for Free

Last Friday, much to Derek’s dismay, we dressed in our cow costumes and headed to Chick-Fil-A for our free meal. Two years ago we dressed as Star Wars characters so we decided to be “Rock Stars” this year.

Derek was completely mortified as we walked into the building. I reassured him this was only temporary, we’d get a free meal, the kids would enjoy it, and he wouldn’t have to dress like a cow for another 364 days.

Well, as we entered the restaurant, the store manager came over and took our picture. She very excitedly informed us that our picture would be on the stores’ Facebook page. I kept staring and smiling at her, completely ignoring the look of horror that suddenly came across Derek’s face.

When the manager walked away I looked at Derek and said, “It’s for the children.”

“And more importantly, the $25 meal we are about to receive for free.”

So I present to you…..

Moo Hendrix, The Stubborn and fiercely independent 6 year old who refused a name, The Black Eyed Cow, Sheryl Cow, and MooDonna

Picture of Family Dress for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a

My chicken sandwich and waffle fries were delish!

Already contemplating our theme for next year….Derek is desperately hoping he’ll be out of town on business.