Age Is Just a Number

Or is it?  It's hard to believe that in 16 short days I'll be leaving my 20s behind forever.  That's right, folks.  I'm turning the big 3-0 this month.  My husband was kind enough to remind me of that glorious fact last night as he stated that he was going to contact our Allstate agent to inquire about lowering our rate since I'll be over 30.  Over 30.  That just sounds so.... old. 

I know, I know.  Age is relative.  People who are reading this that are in their 40s, 50s, and beyond are probably like, "Whatever.  Get over yourself.  30 is so not old."   But each time we begin a new decade in our lifespan is significant.  20 sounds carefree, young, hip. (I am not any of those things, but we are talking about image here people...)  30 sounds mature, responsible, settled.  (words that probably describe me better.)  Looking at it that way shows that I'm ready.  I mean, I'm a mom of 3, have owned 3 houses, have things like cornstarch, paprika, and thyme in my pantry so I'm definitely ready to become a 30-something. 

And its a good thing I've got a great man who's always on the lookout for all of those Old Lady Discounts I'm now eligible for.

Socially Unacceptable

Lately Joey has displayed some less-than pleasant behaviors in public places and I'm wondering what can be done to make him more aware of what we can and can't say/do in the company of others. 

For example, while we were out to dinner last week, Joey said, "there's something wrong." We asked him what was wrong and while tugging at the backside of his pants, he announced loud and clear, "There's something wrong with my butt."  We all laughed of course, because it was so unexpected and candid of him, but inappropriate nevertheless.  Another example: Yesterday while I took my crazy train (3 kids in 1 cart) to Walmart, every 4 minutes or so Joey would shout out from the back of the cart, "I have a booger!" He yells this at me whenever he has the slightest bit of moisture in his nostril, and follows it up with, "Get it, get it Mom. Get my booger!"  I explained to him that he doesn't need to be shouting about boogers and he can just ask me for a tissue, but he obviously enjoys saying booger (don't we all?) and now just says it more often when we're home or not.

A couple other bad habits that my kid displays in public includes but is not limited to: butt scratching, telling me he's going to spank me if I say that to him one more time (where the heck would he learn that?!?!), "tooting" followed by an announcement that he did, and removing his socks and shoes while demanding that we "pell his stinky feet."

I know that this is normal, and there are probably many other mothers out there who go through mortifying moments while shopping or dining with a loud, energetic 3-year old boy.  What are we supposed to do though?  Keep them cooped up in the house until they grow out of it?  Wait a sec.  They're boys.  They will never grow out of it.  I have a feeling the inappropriate language will just get more foul, and the gestures and bad habits will just get worse.  I mean, what man doesn't think that farts are funny, and scratching or "adjusting" as we call it in my house, is completely fine to be done in the presence of others?  So I guess at 3, the apple doesn't fall far from the socially unacceptable tree.

Shutterfly Winners

Congratulations to post numbers 23, 11, and 5, Sharon, Abi, and Alyssa, respectively.  Thanks for entering and following ladies!  Hope ya'll enjoy your free cards from Shutterfly!

Thanks to the folks over at Shutterfly who were nice enough to pass along these codes for myself and my readers!

A Lesson Learned

This is a warning to all the other mothers out there with a pair of fabric scissors, a spray bottle, and a fine toothed comb: Leave the hair-cutting to the professionals.  I feel so strongly about this that I shall rephrase for clarification:  Do not assume that because you have scissors you are qualified to be a hair stylist.  Kinda like how you may own a light bulb but are in no position to call yourself an electrician.

This picture may explain better than my words can:

I'm pretty sure it is time for me to hang up my scissors.  Or just put them back where they belong: in a craft drawer limited to cutting fabric, ribbon, paper, and other things that are not attached to the bodies of my children.  It was only 1 month ago that I came to terms with the fact that Olivia's inheritance of my ridiculously tall forehead had already made her predisposed for a life of having bangs.  I assisted my mother in cutting her hair that day, watching carefully so that I could follow up with the necessary bang-trims in the days, months, and years to come.

Obviously bored and feeling restless from this rainy weather we're experiencing, I decided it was time to get out the old spray bottle and scissors.  BAD decision.  I repeat: VERY BAD decision.  I couldn't get an even line so the bangs just got shorter and shorter and shorter until I realized they were like halfway up her forehead.  I didn't know what to do at that point, and there is a spot right in the middle of her head that is shorter than the rest but I knew if I didn't stop there I'd be in even more trouble.  More trouble?  As if that's possible.  But I did (thankfully) stop.  They are now an uneven hot mess of too-short bangs that don't even transition well to the longer hair in the back.  The picture actually makes my styling look good. (sorry for the low-quality, my camera battery needs recharging so I had to go with my ancient cell phone...)

It should have been Katelyn.  She is the one who's hair I was combing this morning thinking it was really time for a cut and style. However, she's never had her hair cut before, and I'm not so good with starting from scratch.  I figured Olivia was a safer choice considering the groundwork had already been laid for me.  Apparently I was wrong.  There is no safe choice when it comes to me cutting my children's hair.  With the right equipment (scissors, spray bottle, comb) I'm a danger to myself and those around me.  Actually just those around me.  I would NEVER attempt to cut my own hair.  It's just theirs that I like to ruin.

Guess that holiday picture I was hoping to capture in the next few weeks will have to wait.  Anyone know of any vitamins or supplements I can give this kid to make her hair grow faster? (maybe that eyelash growing stuff will do the trick?) I was really hoping to be early with the Christmas card this year...

Frito-Lay Giveaway Winner

First of all, I want to send out a HUGE thank you to all who entered the Frito-Lay Giveaway!  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of entries I received, and I wish I had a prize pack for each of you.  That being said, I only have 1 prize pack and the lucky winner of that is post #194, Naynays1 who said, "follower #3."  Congratulations Naynays1, and thanks for following!  And a special thanks to Frito-Lay for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

Not a winner?  Don't fret... I have lots more giveaways coming, including this one for some Free holiday cards from Shutterfly!