Q is quitting school and becoming a Magician.

Let's just say this crew really enjoyed some time off. Like seriously, look at our faces.

Mr. Handsome proved once again, he is the coolest guy I know. Who can pose like that while being whipped around on a roller coaster? He has another picture where he was eating a doughnut and talking on the phone. It was so hilarious I couldn't even take a picture of the picture.

But on that note, we did remember that we like hanging out with each other. It's fun and funny and silly.

But then I said, "When we get home, we should start decorating for Christmas, because I'm totally inspired." And poor Mr. Handsome was all "UGGGGHHHH!, I loved you in that last picture but now I'm over you."

So do want to know why Q is quitting school? Well, this was waiting for us when we arrived at home. The most awesome magic kit EVER! He's becoming a magician. His super, duper friend LaTobian Burkiason left this for him. He couldn't be happier. He's perfecting the bending spoon trick. If you need entertainment for your holiday parties, he'll be available.

The lessons you learn at Disneyland

Lesson #1. I try to make every situation a lesson. This lesson was learned standing in line for The Buzz Lightyear Ride after being shuffled to the front of the line because in my mind, I'm charming!

Me: "You know Ladycakes, I've really learned something today."

Ladycakes: "Really, what?"

Me: "If you smile, are polite and look people in the eye you get all sorts of perks. They scoot you right to head of the line. Life is good for polite, happy people."

Ladycakes: "Seriously, you are JUST now learning that?"

Me, to myself: " That smart a**, she's just like her father."

Lesson #2. These above few rules can be applied to almost any life situation. Especially the hands and legs stuff. Those are important parts, they should stay in the vehicle!

Lesson #3. There is nothing cuter than a boy and a bear. It's the lesson to stop and enjoy the cuteness. Cuz when the boy is as hairy as the bear, will I think he's as cute? Maybe, probably!

Lesson #4. Some turkeys have all the luck. Again, this applies to all aspects of life. This turkey really has ALL the luck. This is "Courage" the turkey pardoned by President Obama. Seriously? They had a huge parade for a turkey. It took us 30 minutes to get to Frontier Land because of a turkey! This turkey will live out the rest of his turkey days with a girl turkey named "Caroline" in the Happiest Place on Earth. Their baby turkeys will not "gobble" they will whistle "Zippity Doo Dah, Zippity Ay."

See told you I make every situation a lesson. It either makes me an awesome Mom or a totally annoying one. Either way, don't matter to me!

"This here is the wildest ride in the wilderness!"

Here he is. All 9 years of him. And, on Thanksgiving of all days. Well, because of him, I am inspired. I am so thankful. I am so thankful for so many things. I'm lucky. I've got it good. So here it is. The 9 most amazing things about Q.

1. He is the most polite 9 year old I know. "How are you Q?" His response? "I'm fine thank you, how are you?" My response? Oh, I love that boy!

2. He is FUNNY! I've said it before and I'll say it again. I dig funny. But this boy is FUNNY. Like smart funny, like where did that come from funny?!

3. Can I talk to you about his smarts? He's a smart one that 9 year old of ours. Smarter than he knows, smarter than I know. Change the world smart. Run circles around your mother smart.

4. He can throw a football far and fast and straight. And, he loves to play catch with his Mom. I'm good and he knows it. I LOVE THAT.

5. Q is the best brother a sister or a brother could have. He's lucky to be in the middle because he gets to be both a little brother and a big brother and he rocks at both.

6. He wants to be a roller coaster designer. He knows what he wants to be. He will be what he wants to be. It's just obvious. There is no question. It's amazing.

7. He gets people. It hurts sometimes but he gets them. He cares a lot. He understands that some people just need a little extra time and attention. He will be a great man.

8. He is passionate about Mario. Like crazy for, in love with, wishes he was Mario. I've been known to ask "You understand Mario isn't real, right?" He knows. He wishes he was. He's good at all things Mario. I mean scary good.

9. He makes me (us) proud every single day. Seriously, every single day. He is amazing, fantastic and super loved. We are so lucky to have him. I can't wait for the next 9 years.

Happy 9th birthday, Mr. Q. You rock our world.

xoxo

Mom and Dad

Gumballs + Plastic Bags + Ribbon + A super cool tool = A happy 9 year old.

What do you do when it's 10:30 in the evening, you've done more pre-algebra than you ever remember doing and you suddenly realize you have totally forgotten that tomorrow your middle child is celebrating his birthday with his 3rd grade class? Panic? Heavens no.

Well, yes you do actually. Then you consider hopping in the car heading to Wal-mart and buying "the crappiest crap in crap town" to fill little bags only for the parents of all those 3rd graders to moan......"uuuggghhh, another birthday?"

Thankfully, Mr. Handsome has a handsome and creative head on his big, strong, handsome shoulders. He calmly reminded me that I bought 2000 green gumballs, just because they were pretty, for our Halloween Open House table. (As I type that sentence, I question my own judgement, but color has a strange power over me.)

So, I pulled out one of my favorite tools, The Super-Sealer and got to work. Within 15 minutes, each child had a small, sealed bag of 6 gorgeous green gumballs (say that 10 times fast) tied with brilliant blue ribbon. I was able to hit my 11 o'clock curfew and the middle child was spared, once again, the life of a middle child.

I love that Super-Sealer so much I could marry it, oh wait, I already have Mr. Handsome.

"Mom, you need to stop looking down so much."

You know, Ladycakes is right. But if I hadn't been looking down, I wouldn't be six cents richer. Why is it so satisfying to find a nickel and a penny in the grocery store parking lot? I wish I had started keeping track of how much money I have found in my lifetime. Every little penny, nickel and dime...you know they really add up. Maybe I'll try to start a list for each of my kids. It would be a fun experiment. Speaking of found money, have you ever been to www.wheresgeorge.com? It's a place where you can track money and see how far it's traveled.

Ladycakes received a one dollar bill at her last craft show with the website scribbled on it. We decided to look it up and found that the dollar had traveled all the way from New Jersey, over 1,900 miles. Now we can watch that little dollar and see where it ends up. You know because I don't have enough to keep track of!

And to help Ladycakes, Q and Elvis have a better understanding of money and since it is that season, we are reading a wonderful book. It is called The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall. We just started it but we're hooked. One of my book club moms suggested we do a mom and kid book this month and I am loving this idea. I'll let you know how it turns out.

See what happens when you learn to edit Html....scary.

I can't stop laughing! Seriously, I CANNOT stop laughing.

Keep it low, I don't want my hot glue gun to hear this...

I am a huge fan of rubber cement. Always have been. I recall being little and painting it all over my hands just so it would dry and I could peel it off. Oh wait, that was what I was doing yesterday instead of cleaning the master bathroom. It really is an exceptional product and is working great for these little numbers I have been playing around with.

What do you think? Do you like them? They are Moleskine notebooks that I have been doing a little summin' summin' to.... with the help of my handy-dandy (nope, not going say notebook here) rubber cement, sewing machine and a tiny bit of hot glue. I don't want my hot glue gun to pack it's bags and move out on me. The paper, felt, foam, button and trim combo is very fun to work with and combining the textures gives these lots of interest. I also get a huge kick out of sewing on paper. I love the sound the needle makes with each stitch and I love the results. If you are nice, you might get one of these fellers for Christmas.

Did that lady just call me Grandma?

Oh NO she didn't! Oh YES she did! Now mind you, I've been dealing with 2 weeks worth of sick children. At least 10 nights of interrupted sleep, meaning a body other than Mr. Handsome's is lying next to me in my very comfy bed. And, a lack of any sort of make-up application today. Which isn't that unusual. It's kind of how I roll. This is how it went down folks. Careful, it's not pretty.

One of the ladies who works at Elvis' preschool asked if I was there to pick up a different child.

lady: "Are you here for Lucy?"

me: "Nope, I'm here for Elvis."

lady: "Oh, my mistake, Lucy looks just like you, with big brown eyes and a round face."

(That's a whole other slap in my big, round, chinless face!)

me: "Which one is Lucy?"

lady, pointing to a darling little girl, who's maybe 2: "She's this one."

me: "She is a cutie, that's for sure."

lady: "Yes, can't you see why I thought you must be Lucy's grandma."

me: "WTF!"

Okay I didn't get into expletives right there at the preschool. I also didn't start to cry. However, I am rethinking the "oh so stylish" salt and pepper hair I've got going. Obviously, the lack of make-up may need to be re-thought as well. But really "Grandma?" Holy cow. Needless to say, this Grandma decided to come home and pour herself a big fat Grandma cocktail. What do old ladies drink, bartender? Well, make mine a double!

Add this to my Life Soundtrack.

You should get some too.

Look, look, look. Look what I got! As promised, here they are. The cutest frames in the WORLD! These are the two Ladycakes and I just had to have. I must admit however, it was a very difficult decision. The gals make frames to please any color palette, 3 different sizes and SO many options. It's crazy cool. I think these would make great gifts for teachers or grandparents, wives or sisters. And, imagine if you had this talented gal take pictures for you to put in these here frames.

Do you have anymore money you would like me to spend? I'll do it, I really will.

Last little comment on the Jewish Arts Festival and then I am movin' on. I met a really interesting woman from Missouri. Her name is Batya Rich. She is kind, inspiring and extremely talented. Her glass mezuzahs are breathtaking. While I am not Jewish, I love the idea of a mezuzah. I like to think of our house as a sacred, spiritual place where all are welcome and respected. This would be a nice little reminder for me and my family, as well as our guests. Read about her here, I think she's terrific.

A real punch in the gnards! The "g" is silent.

With 3 sick kids, dangerous road conditions and an inkling of questioning my better judgement, Ladycakes and I managed to make it to the Jewish Arts Festival in Salt Lake City yesterday. Even though she felt under the weather, Ladycakes rose to the occasion (she always does!). Next year, when I go to sign up for this thing again, remind me. It is NOT a money maker. It's fun and festive but NOT a money maker. And I'll be all "But we have all this stuff we've made and I just know people are going to buy it." And then you will yell at me, "NOT A MONEY MAKER!"

We did, however, hang out with very cool, new friends. McKenzie and Summer, our frame friends are charming. Pictures of frames to come tomorrow.
And, Alisha from Threadheads works magic with knitting needles and crochet hooks. And she's funny, I mean really funny. And you know how I feel about funny. If you can make me laugh, we are friends for life. She'll be at the Holiday Boutique here, next weekend. Look what we bought.....the buttons are from Nepal! Don't you think it gives me more of a chin? I'm sensitive about my profile but this works for me. Alisha said she might start calling them "The chinny, chin, chin!" I'm loving that!
I don't intend to take my purchases off until April. Baby, it's cold outside!

I'd like to introduce you to Sticky Dora.

Ladies and Gentleman, Meet Sticky Dora. I know what you are thinking. "Wait I didn't see a content warning on this blog, I thought this was a family show." Well of course it is. Sticky Dora is one of the coolest toys EVER! She's sticky and kind of disgusting to handle but when you throw her at the ceiling (as hard as you possibly can) she sticks. Then she hangs on for dear life until finally she plummets to her death. That death, at our home, includes not only plummeting but then being totally covered in dog hair. You know, because she's sticky and I don't vacuum.

We have had Sticky Dora for many years now. She has been hiding in my desk. Elvis found her today and we have been giggling ever since. But now, Mr. Handsome is trying to get some work done and that's hard to do when Dora is being hurled above your head and then doing a suicide dive into your workplace. It's a dangerous world out there. Be careful.

Tis the Season, Start Shopping!

This is where we will be on Sunday. All day. Rain or shine. It's going to be great! Cute as a Button Barrettes (that's Ladycakes and me) will be sharing a booth with these adorable gals. Two of the nicest girls you can meet and darn talented too. If you are in need of some holiday gift giving ideas, stop by. Handmade is the way to go and why not support some locals artists while you're at it. Come by and say hi. We would love to see you.

Roller Coasters Holy Rollers

Mr. Handsome bought me an ipod. Which is awesome because he has an ipod, Ladycakes has an ipod, even Q has an ipod. Elvis doesn't have one yet but I can guarantee he knows how to use one. I love that Mr. Handsome wants me to be current. You know hip and technologically savvy. However, when he also purchased the car jack to go with said ipod i knew there was more to it. You see, when driving in my car you hear just about one thing. Radio Disney. Which means, you actually hear Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana CONSTANTLY! Mr. Handsome just can't take it anymore. He will NOT "nod his head like yea" and "move his hips like yea." And honestly, can you blame him? So my ipod is really an ipod for the car. That's cool. I'm okay with that. However, now we have a new problem. The car's ipod only has 108 songs on it. Yep, you read that right. Only 108. Most ipod owners have like 108,000 songs. Shuffling 108 songs isn't easy. Now we hear the same 108 songs over and over. None of them being Hannah Montana. I tried to buy this song on iTunes but couldn't find it. I've decided that it will be a part of my Life Soundtrack. I'm working on a Life Soundtrack. It's my group of songs that play in my head as I go along with my daily activities. Can't you hear it playing as I am cleaning up the breakfast dishes all while the title sequence is rolling for today's episode?

A loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter

Happy Birthday Sesame Street! Today just happens to be their 40th birthday. Isn't it terrific that those characters are still relevant today? However, I am sad that Grover doesn't get as much face time as he used to. For a little fun, head on over to Sesame Street and vote for your favorite 70's video. At one point in my childhood I thought "When I'm rich, I am going to buy a muppet." I planned to keep it in a glass case displayed in my mansion. Aaah, the dreams. Who knew that would translate into getting in a bidding war for that God forsaken "Tickle Me Elmo Extreme Addition" on eBay only to have "Santa" get all the credit. Where's the love?!

This is a Test

I've gone and done it. What will Mr. Handsome say? Inspired by the work of the people over at especiallynotthis.blogspot.com/
I decided to take the leap. Jump right in, feet first, no floaties...... This is going to be fun.