Bobbi Brown should seriously take my advice and have a secondary offering for her makeup brushes.  Our boys love their faces rubbed so much that we got them each a small (non-Bobbi Brown set) for Christmas.  But now I have created spa-like monsters.  And, it has just elongated the already long bedtime process.  What makes matters even more indulgent is they also like hand massages.  I am thinking I need this type of spa treatment each night.

We took the girls for a walk last night. A horse farm with three old horses isn’t but a 1/4 of a mile away. Emerson on her Razor and Tim on his Ripstick, led the way. Campbell attempted to keep up on her tricycle while I walked along. We jointly agreed that we need to do a family walk every night. We’ll see…

As we got to the white fence that surrounds the horses, the girls yelled out, “Look at all the wishers.” It is happening less often, but Tim and I were both in ‘translation-mode’ trying to figure out what they were talking about. Emerson exclaimed almost in Disney-animation, “Whatever you wish in your heart will come true.”

And then…it hit us. We looked out on this beautiful field and saw dandlelions (at the stage where you blow them). Most of us would cringe to see our yards full of these infested weeds but to the girls…they were gazing on a field of WISHERS!

There has been no time for anything ‘extra’ with the upcoming launch of the nonprofit.  Seven days and counting. 

I have so much to post. I miss my blog  

I love it when Briggs tries to sound old but isn’t to the point where he is swearing yet.  Like the time when Tim was deployed and I found a drawing hidden in his drawer with a caption, “My mom is Fat Albert!”

Personally, I have a bit of a trucker mouth.  I don’t deny that in the heat of frustration I let some swear words fly now and then. 

So, at the Children’s Museum this weekend Briggs was prodding me to leave the pretend Ice Cream Parlor area.  I pleaded with him to let the girls play a little longer. 

He looked at me and said, “I’m outta here.”

So, I replied, “Well, where are you going?”

His response was, “Over The Rainbow!”

Cannot say that I have ever been a huge Katharine McPhee fan.  I don’t think I watched that season of American Idol.  But I can tell you that in no uncertain terms Gage’s eyes popped out of his head when he walked passed this magazine at the Pediatrician’s Office.  The kid is ALL boy.  He asked the nurse if he could take the magazine back to show his friends!!!  I am sure their parents will be pleased.

FLASH FORWARD TEN YEARS…I am cleaning Gage’s room while he is at school.  As I pull up his comforter, I hear papers at the foot of his bed.  I reach down to pull up several well-read, and worn back issues of Playboy. 

I had a brother.  I’m no fool.  But my five year old already telling me his future wife is Katharine McPhee?   Wow!

Look who decided to twinkle the keys today at my Uncle Tom’s house!  It happens to also be the piano that sat in Caroline’s dining room.  

The first anniversary of any death is difficult to pass.  One year ago, a great man left our lives.  It hurts me even to think about my grandpa sometimes.  Certainly a man at 92-years old has lived a good life.  It is just the circumstances of his passing that makes it particularly difficult.  After losing his daughter, Caroline, unexpectedly, he just found it hard to go on.

So I felt compelled to take the kids to the middle school production of Annie last night.  Let me explain.  My grandmother wore hats her entire life…rarely left the house without one.  It breeded a love of hats in me.  When she passed, it was the only thing I wanted…some of her hats and hat boxes.  From college on, they have remained a decoration in my home.

One of my neighbors knew about my LARGE collection and graciously asked if she could take them within her care for the Annie production.  I did so reluctantly but figured my grandmother, grandfather, and Aunt would actually get a kick out of it.

With my children we observed a simple and sweet production of Annie while the young actors paraded on stage with Frannie’s hats.  It was a perfect way to celebrate November 19th.

There are so many wonderful images I have of my grandfather but the image below of he and Nate will forever be one of my favorites.  Happy times.

Listen in to Q95 on Veteran’s Day!  We will be on the Bob and Tom show on Wednesday at about 10am to discuss FamilyPrint.

We couldn’t let a holiday go by without a new JibJab video.  The kids love them!

Are you getting in the Halloween spirit? The inflatable is up in the front yard to the disapproval of my favorite neighbor, Kevin. And, we are finalizing costumes. Had to put this video together…the kids love creating these each Christmas. We just realized JibJab has many others to select from…