Big Green Egg Infomercial

What is a big green egg? A charcoal grill/smoker. Damon had seen this grill in some various magazines/online, etc and had a bit of a desire for one. Then, we went to a friend's birthday party and the host was smoking salmon on it. His love affair with the big green egg blossomed. He did more researching online and found out that the material is actually what they make the space shuttle out of (it's HEAVY!) Then, when he was at a local Ace Hardware they had one on sale. One lift of the lid and he was close to a purchase. Being the good husband he is, he came home, we talked it over. I went to see this big green thing. We left, talked some more and then decided to take the plunge.

My hesitations with returning to charcoal were the amount of time it takes to heat and the messiness factor. I will say it doesn't take much longer to heat up, if any. It is messy to deal with the grate but they have a grate lifter that I want to purchase sometime. Anyway, the taste of the meat is worth the hesitations. We have made chicken, pork butt, ribs, hamburgers, brats, corn on the cob, hot dogs, sausage, steaks and pizza on our big green egg. I wasn't sure I'd notice a difference in the taste of things but I do and I'm a believer!!

Lowering the Diaper Budget

Well, I continue with my potty training obsession and stand AMAZED at how well Allison has done. She is out of diapers the majority of her waking hours (unless in a childcare situation that I'm not sure will take her and might end up with a mess). I can't believe how quickly her bladder has learned to hold and she is going longer and longer periods of time without having an accident.

The #2 aspect is still pretty hit or miss (more miss) but I know it will come in time. And, it is still 99% of me initiating the act of pottying so I don't consider her trained yet. I'm trying to let her go longer and see if she'll eventually initiate going. (any advice on getting this part of it are very welcome!)

There is no turning back now and we are very glad to lower that part of our budget! OK. Probably TMI. But, this is big news in my world. :)

Smooth Jazz

Kyle started using a new phrase a few weeks ago. He seems to use it when he might think something is cool or he very much approves of what you are telling him. For example: MOM: "Kyle, we're going to go play at Luke's house today"
KYLE: "Smooth jazz!" (said with a real drawing out of the word smooth)

We have a radio station that uses that lingo but the interesting part is that we rarely listen to it. I do know that is where he got it though because sometimes he will say the number of the station after his initial smooth jazz phrase.

Kids pick up on the funniest of things. Makes me know I need to be VERY careful of my own language.

Fall Traditions Begin

The changing of seasons is my favorite thing. I started to say fall was my favorite but I think it's the new start of each season and the traditions that come with them that I really like. We went to Conner Prairie today for their Country Fair. Kids LOVE petting the baby animals, playing in the hay and riding the tram(not very 1886 but hey-- they're modern kids!)

It was a gorgeous day out and except for the pesky bees around, it was a perfect day. Next fall stop in a few weeks-- pumpkin patch!!

Skin Checks

This summer a friend had a scare after a visit to the dermatologist. Information she learned there led me to get my first skin check earlier this week. I have a lot of moles and years of lifeguarding with little or no protection prodded me that this was probably necessary.

The dermatologist found a skeptic looking mole within what seemed like seconds and before I knew it I was being numbed for a biopsy. They cut it out, stitched me up with 2 stitches and I was on my way. I found out today that there were precancerous cells and that they were able to get them all out with the biopsy. I now need skin checks on a regular basis. So, turned out to be a good ending for both my friend and I.

http://www.skincancer.org can provide a lot of good information. Hopefully this will prod some of my readers to consider this quick procedure to keep us all healthy.

Grocery

I had the slowest trip to the grocery last evening. Thankfully, I had about 7 items on my list. The store has the toddler size carts which Kyle is fine with and can keep up very well. Allison steers just fine but has to look at so many things and I have to really watch or she puts random items in the cart if I'm not looking. It also takes her long because she must give all the strangers a little grin every time they grin at her and say "oh, she's so cute" It cracks me up but was kind of a fun afternoon event. Good thing we didn't have any pressing time frame. I have to wonder about who thought those carts in a store would be a good idea-- surely the same person who put all the candy at a child's eye level at the checkout counter. I watched Allison touch every pink candy item that she could reach. It was very deliberate color choice.

Princess After All

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Allison that just seemed to be kind of ornery - most of the time!! Then, her big brother started preschool and she finally got some alone time with Mommy. Turns out, she's a princess after all!

OK-- I had never had a trip to the grocery with Miss Allison that didn't leave me wanting to swat her cute little bottom. (and only didn't at times for fear I'd end up on video surveillance and all over the 5:00 news!!) Anyway, she has gone with me the last 2 weeks on her own and been such a different child. I even can say I have enjoyed shopping with her. Never though I'd say that!! We were at Kohl's last week picking out a baby outfit for a friend's new baby and she would say "Is this a pretty dress, Mom?" and kept showing me all different outfits. It's going to be so nice to have a daughter to go shopping with!!

Then, I took her to the doctor with me today and she just sat in the chair and was SO good. Kyle used to do that all the time but I never gave her the credit that she could do that. Well, she is proving me very wrong.

She is SO much easier when her big brother isn't there to prod her on to evil I guess! It is really amazing me and I'm truly enjoying the one on one time with her.

Spa

Saturday I had a 3 hour spa experience. I enjoyed a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. I'll have to admit, I am always amused and curious at who does these (although I was at the time- I have only one other time in my life) I did feel like I'd escaped my normal life for that time and it was very enjoyable.

The "hostess" escorted me to where I was able to put on a nice fluffy robe and house slippers. I then waited and sipped water with lemon while I waited on my service provider to get me. Anne took me for my massage and it was fine. I always have something I'm not quite sure of. In this case I wasn't sure what garments to leave on and which to leave off. I finally just asserted myself and found out the answer. The massage was fine. I am not a huge fan of them-- kind of hurt my neck and gave me a headache, actually. Back to sip more water and wait on my next provider.

Nicole came to get me for my facial. I was just thinking I should go to the restroom as the water with lemon was catching up with me when she walked in. I thought it was a 15 min thing so I'd be fine and went with her. She had the most soothing voice I've ever heard and she was explaining all the steps she would be doing. She mentioned 10 min with steam and 10 min with mask on and that wasn't all. I couldn't think of anything except that it was going to be more like 30 min and I wasn't sure my bladder would make it. So, during the cleansing, steam and massage I tried to take my mind off my distended bladder. At the point she was going to step out of the room I had to excuse myself- slip back into my robe and go to the restroom. She was very sweet and handled it fine. I felt like a bit of a dope but live and learn!! The facial was much better than my last. I hated the last one- felt like I was suffocating but Nicole made it "perfect" as she kept assuring me and it was tolerable and relaxing (moreso after I relieved myself!)

The manicure and pedicure were run of the mill in a room with others. The conversation is always interesting. They talked of their dogs (I don't have any), news (I barely watch it and am very out of the loop). Then, I found some of their news reports not making sense and instead of just sitting there, I have to mention my skepticism and wondering about the other side of the story. They were kind but probably wanted me to stop talking. Somehow that kind of chatter doesn't do a lot for me.

Anyway, back to reality. Nails are chipping, shoulders are tightening, pores are clogging. :) It was a fun morning that my husband arranged and I REALLY enjoyed the 3 hour time to myself.

News of the Day

I usually glance at the news headlines when I pull up my web browser. One I saw this morning got my attention- "Toddler Study Proves Humans Outsmart Apes" I guess that either means this is big news or that their is no really big news going on this morning in the world. Sometimes at our house I have to admit I've wondered about the toddler brain. I guess it tells me I'm not living with 2 primates after all!!

Preschool

Today was Kyle's first day of preschool. He has been very excited, especially since the preview night last week. Every day he has wanted me to call his teacher (her # was on the folder we got- I didn't) He is in the Zebra class and he said he liked it a lot and wants to go back (good thing!)

Kyle's perspective: (Trying to get a recap from a 4 yr old boy is interesting) He met new friends but doesn't know any of their names, he told me they didn't sing any songs and then an hour later was telling me about where they sang songs and asked if we had a cross in our church, he was confused as to why they removed the school supplies we took in his backpack and he reports they had goldfish crackers with stars in them too, he said "there are a lot of girls, Mom" and then says "there are a lot of boys too", he played on the playground in the house but there were trucks there too, he painted his hands (for hand prints on the craft he brought home) and washed his hands but didn't go potty. Who knows what really went on but that's his story and he's stickin' to it!!

My perspective: We took pics at home and then Allison, Kyle and I headed to school. Allison was just as excited about school and even gathered his backpack for him and said "here Kyle". She was so cute. I left too early (my usual habit) and was explaining to Kyle that we might have to sit in the parking lot for a little bit since we'd gotten there too early. Normally we will drop him off but I was really wanting to walk him in that first day. What happened next really surprised me. There were TONS of parents there ahead of me, most walking their kids in also and many with the whole family (some even with grandparents it appeared), cameras, video cameras, new school outfits and the whole nine yards. I even saw a dad video taping as they pulled in the lot- pointing the camera in the backseat. I was feeling VERY guilty as we have never videotaped (except maybe a 10 sec camera blip) either of our kids. And, I did wish I'd taken a picture of him by the sign at preschool. I thought that was a cute idea. So, I learned I'm not as crazy as I thought I might be and that apparently preschool is as big of a deal as sending them off to college. It all seemed a bit crazy to me but I did have a good chuckle and I don't think Kyle felt one bit slighted.

Damon was off today and he didn't mean to shirk his duty this am by not going but after me telling him of the morning events he did go with us to pick him up and we took him out to lunch.