...To grandmother's house, we go

There is no place in the world that Laken would rather be than her MeMaw's house. The two of them have always had this incredibly close relationship. It used to make me insanely jealous. When Laken was 2, she'd cry when I'd pick her up from an overnight visit at my mom's house. To this day, she still lets out a very disappointed sigh when I show up to pick her up. It's not that she hates us, or hates her home, or hates her brother. She just LOVES that she is the center of the universe at her MeMaw and PoPo's house. There, she is a pampered princess.

She spent the night there recently, and the evening started out as Laken got to choose where they were to dine. Pei Wei, of course. Mom would have suggested we go home and make sandwiches. MeMaw tells Laken that it's her night, and her choice.

Pei Wei is within walking distance of Justice, and what 9 year old girl doesn't love Justice? Mom would have told Laken that Christmas had just passed, and that she needed nothing. MeMaw says "Let's head on over and see what we need!"

After the shopping spree, they went back to MeMaw's house where Laken requested a huge bubble bath. Mom uses bubble bath sparingly (Hey, what can I say? We're on a budget here!) and MeMaw lets her use the whole bottle, as well as a whole can of foam soap. Mom would make Laken wash her hair and rinse it well. MeMaw just lets her play in the bubbles till she's a wrinkled prune. Mom would knock on the door and tell her that was enough hot water and to turn it off...and to hurry because we need to get to reading her A.R. book. MeMaw takes her up a hot cup of tea to sip while soaking in the tub, and asks her if she wants an ice cube in it.

The next morning, Laken got to choose what she wanted for breakfast. It's always one of two things at MeMaw's house. Ramen noodles (one of her favorite foods, ugh) or an ice cream sundae. On this particular morning, she chose an ice cream sundae. Mom would have said "NO WAY! Cereal, pancakes, or nothing." MeMaw got out two flavors of ice cream, chocolate syrup, hot fudge, strawberry syrup, chocolate sprinkles, multicolored sprinkles, and whipped cream. Oh, and as many cherries as Laken wants. She chose 6.

I called right as Laken was digging into her sundae. I reprimanded my mom a little, as I always do about the sugary sweet breakfast choice, and her response? "When she's grown, what will she remember? Yes, she'll remember ice cream sundae breakfasts at MeMaw's."

And she's right.

Fads and Fashions

I just LOVE how all of the old fads are coming back into style. Perfect timing for me, too, as I have a daughter who is at the age where she actually CARES what she looks like and how she's dressing. We have arm warmers and leg warmers, oh yes we do. Several pair of each, in fact. For Christmas she got some of those fingerless gloves that Madonna sported back in the day...only now they are very practical and have a flap that you can flip over to cover the fingers. Voila, mittens. Handy, I know. Yoga pants are out, and regular sweats are back in. Rolled up at the bottom, of course. Tapered jeans, check. Skirts with leggings, of course. Such a cute look.

What's next? Spandex? Banana clips, blue eyeshadow, parachute pants? Jellies shoes (which left me with forever mishapen pinky toes, by the way), Swatch watches (both the regular size and the wall variety), or perhaps even...*gasp*...big bangs?

Ha, cool phone, Megs.

What do you miss from your youth?

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Don't come after me when these suckers put 10 lbs on your thighs, but do try them. . . they're to die for.

Snowballs

8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 regular size package of oreos (plain or double stuff, your choice)
almond bark

Put oreos in a plastic bag and crush them~ I double bagged mine and used a hammer, lol, but you could do it a little quieter if you use a rolling pin, I guess. Make sure they're ground up really well. Add them to the softened cream cheese and form into balls (your choice as to the size of the balls). Freeze overnight. The next day, soften the almond bark and dip the balls into the bark. I insert a toothpick into each ball, dip it, and then let the bark harden before removing the toothpick. Keep them in the freezer until you're ready to eat them...or the fridge is fine, too. Mmmmmmmmm, delish!

Thank your lucky stars...

Just think. This could have been YOU 27 years ago.

Monkey See, Monkey Do?

I mentioned the contest being held by RDH Mom. I entered, but I found these precious pictures of our little Gavin and his buddy.

Ah, big sisters.

RDH Mom is having her FIRST EVAH CONTEST! She's very excited, and I am too because I love Jelly Belly Beans! The instructions are to post the cutest or funniest picture of your two-legged or four-legged protege. I have so many funny pictures, but I have chosen this one...and I hope it's not breaking the rules because it is BOTH of my little two-legged proteges. This wasn't long after we brought Laken's baby brother home. Didn't take long for her to show him what life with a big sister would be like!

.

Woot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm on a roll, friends! I played Monopoly till midnight last night, and played Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader today! I can take a board game hiatus for the next five days!!!!

Maybe I'll play some more. It was actually fun.