Family vacations aka The joy of childhood.

It's no wonder that we didn't take too many big vacations as a kid. They are a lot of work.

Planning, budgeting, making reservations, packing lists, arrangements for obligations while you're away.....

I think I'd much rather be the kid who could....

1 - Offer "suggestions" about where to stay and what to do after looking at the tourism brochures. Along with the obligatory " but, what if we NEVER get to go there again?" and "It's ONLY $30 per person!"

2 - Plan on packing my whole room of toys (and start a month early - so I wouldn't miss any).

3 - Remind mom and dad of how many more days until we leave (not just daily, but hourly).

4 - Stand over mom's shoulder while she is doing computer research on landmarks, routes, fees, etc. to make sure she doesn't miss anything.

5 - Whine about needing to go to the bathroom 10 minutes after leaving home (and conspriring with siblings to do the same, staggered every 20 minutes or so for the rest of the trip.)

6 - Beg for souveniors because I didn't save my allowance that my parents asked me to save for just such a purpose.

7 - Have mom funnel me snacks, sugar-laced juices and kool-aid and surprises to keep me in a good mood.

8 - Leave something in every hotel along the way. (Just a little something for them to remember me by).

Ahh! The joy of childhood.

Stairs or elevator

At the dentist's office last week, my son asks as we walk in the door, are we taking the stairs or the alligator?

The alligator, son. (Snicker)

Sha Sha is 10!

Double digits for my darling!!! It's hard to believe our family started 10 years ago. Our lives have changed so much and we were sooooooo clueless! Thank God for his grace....

My least favorite things to shop for...

3. Cars
2. Swimsuits
1. Bras...

Ugh! Enough said.....Had to do some shopping today.....

Woo Hoo I won!

First - I never win anything! I signed up on the big mama blog to win a Third Day CD and I won. She had 10 copies to give away and 331 people who left comments. I know the numbers were randomly generated, but that doesn't make me any less happy!

Thanks to Mrs. Nurse Boy who told me about the blog.....

shopping withdrawl

It's been soooo long since I trolled the clearance racks, I am having withdrawl.....

Not that hubby would complain.....

(I might actually pay full price for something....AACK!)

Now that's a new one....

The children often don't like what I offer them for dinner. Last night I made what I thought was a pretty safe baked chicken dish. Not a casserole, no fancy sauces or herbs. Just baked chicken with a garlic honey glaze. We've had it before, but last night no one would eat it, and of course, I made extra so we would have lunch today....

Anyway, as I was warming it up for lunch today Nini pipes up....

"Mom, I think I am allergic to that chicken.....AH-Choo!!"

Nice try, but it didn't work.....