We always relive our first date and go out for sushi.  It's more fun to get out, have fun and gorge on sushi than to stress about finding "the perfect gift".

   

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Tatoos!

   

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Who's the marketing genius that decided to put pictures of all the Disney Princesses on Pull Up Diapers?  Whoever he/she is, they deserve a raise!  It terms of marketing:  it was a brilliant move.  It terms of motherhood:  it's really annoying.

Growing up, I was a tomboy.  I preferred climbing trees to playing with Barbies.  So when I had a baby girl, I just assumed she'd be the same way.  But now, as she gets ready to turn 4, I realize that her world is full of princess "stuff" and it all started with these darn diapers! 

She can identify, name and differentiate between: Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty and whatever the yellow one from Beauty & The Beast is called.  This is especially interesting because she has never watched ANY of these movies, nor read ANY of these books.  It's all from the darn diapers.  She'd pull one on and point to the picture and say, "Mommy, who's that?"  I didn't see any harm in telling her, so I did.

Then, little by little, as birthdays and Christmas come along, she's started getting all these toys that have the same Disney Princess Pictures on them.  Tea sets, puzzles, dresses, stickers, etc.  Someone gave her a Barbie with a blue dress on and her first response was, "Hey, she has a blue dress...JUST LIKE CINDERELLA!"

The other day, she came down the stairs and announced that her birthday party would be a Princess Birthday Party.  I said, "Oh really, what does that mean?" She replied, "It means I have a Princess cake and plates with Princesses on them."  And wouldn't you know it, the bakery in our grocery store makes a Disney Princess Cake with all 4 Princesses ice skating across pink and purple frosting!  And the picture they have advertising it is right down at kid level - right next to the bin of free cookies they have out for kids!

So, I know it is only a matter of time before she is clued in to the fact that there are movies and books and horrible fairytale notions that go along with this whole Princess thang.  And I guess, I just feel duped.  I was hoping to save her from all that.

No, I don't.  My neighbor was there last year though.  I don't really know anyone else who is in the military currently.

   

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OK, so this last Featured Question that I answered is really haunting me.  I've been thinking about the semester I spent in Spain during college.  I was there having a blast - the time of my life.  But still, everyday I checked the mailbox with high hopes for a letter from home.  Even though I was very happy, I lived for letters for home.  So now, I'm thinking of all these troops who are fighting in battles and making all these sacrifices and I can't find time to send something!??  Part of my New Year's Resolution is to get my act together and put together a care package that will hopefully make someone's day.

No, but I should.  It's one of those things I think about doing every year, but then I never get around to it.  Maybe I'll go research how to do so now!

   

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Nothing is worth losing your peace.

The fact that I don't have a maid! 

   

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I have a Trick or Treating question for people who are knowledgable in Suburban etiquette.  (I grew up in the country and lived too far from anyone to go Trick or Treating.)

We live in a great neighborhood now with lots of friends and Halloween is a big night for walking around and seeing everyone.  My kids are 3 1/2 and 2 years old so the cute factor for this Trick or Treating year will be huge and both my husband and I do not want to miss out.  However, he insists (and he grew up in the burbs so I'm inclined to believe him) that one of us has to stay home to pass out candy.  If we don't it's rude and we'll be known as "the house with no candy". 

Am I really supposed to miss watching my little Bob the Builder and Princess Trick or Treating to save face in my neighborhood? 

Stainless is to the early 2000's as Avocado is to the 1970's!

I just realized this when shopping for a new fridge recently.  EVERYTHING is stainless steel.  Everyone I know is "upgrading" to stainless appliances.  All of a sudden, as I was strolling  chasing my two kids through the appliance section of Sears last night, I realized that Stainless is the new Avocado. 

Our kids are going to grow up and say "ugh - my parents have one of those old-fashioned kitchens where everything is stainless steel, you know?"

So our new fridge is black!