I never get tired of being right.

I awoke this morning with the urge to take my family on a hike; back to one of our favorite trails that has gone neglected during the cold winter months. It was not easy convincing my kids to leave the comfort of their pajamas, overflowing bowls of cereal, and tight schedule of cartoons and video games, for a morning of fresh air and physical exertion. I explained to them that we needed to go now, while the snow is melting. There would be a stream of run-off flowing right down the middle of our trail and they would love to see it. Unmoved by my glowing endorsement, I finally said,

"Listen, I do a lot of stuff for you that I don't want to do, so you are going to do this for me even though you don't want to. That's how we show our love for each other," delivered with "crazy mom" eyes and flared nostrils, it could not be challenged nor denied.

Mere minutes later as we are reaching the top of the hike, the boys could hear the water running. They were so excited they started running. "Mom, Mom can you hear that?! It's the water, Mom." Yes, babies, I know.

As you can see from the pics, a good time was had by all. I never get tired of being right.

American Idol's, "Battle of the Borrowed Jackets."

And the winner is... Brian Fellow's

"That hippo is crazy."

"Idol, Whooz ur daddy?!" Season 9 Andrew Garcia

"Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

...but we earned them anyway. My boys were awarded their Webelo badges last night. Their Arrow of Light is just some First Aid and a couple of camp-outs away. I'm a proud den mother.

Before my boys were born, I didn't think about what it would be like to be a mother to boys. But after three years of cub scouting, managing a soccer team, coaching a basketball team, and more conversations about Pokem*n, Digim*n, and Bakug*n than I would care to have...I can tell you that being a mother to boys is wonderful. I cry on my keyboard thinking about how proud I am of them. As they inch closer and closer to being taller than me, I grow in respect and awe of the kind of young men they are becoming.

A brownie badge for anyone who can tell me where the title quote comes from.

Feelin' Lucky

I'm feeling lucky that the Catholics don't mind sharing their holidays with the rest of the world. They're givers.

I'm feeling lucky that my pink and green argyle sweater still fits and is even a little big.

I'm feeling lucky that I am wearing flipflops for the first time this year and my toenails have a little bit of sparkle.

I'm feeling lucky that I have a sweet neighbor that sends me flowers.

I'm feeling lucky that I have a wonderful friend that sends me funny cards. You know who you are and I love ya lots.

I'm feeling lucky that Secret Agent Man turned his nose up at my green eggs and ham and I didn't hafta share.

An open letter to Cold Stone Creamery

UPDATE: I just received confirmation from my Stat Counting services that Cold Stone Creamery in Scotsdale, AZ has read my open letter. If you start seeing more tables and chairs, you have me to thank. I'll accept gift certificates.

Dear Cold Stone,

Get more seating.

For Realsies,

Annie

Put on these stinky shoes and put your fingers in these holes where other peoples fingers have been.

I can't stand bowling, but I love my kids. So, when Mini Me asked if we could go bowling for her birthday, I put on my big girl pants and went. It may look like I am having a good time in the pictures, but I'm not. I'm just good a faking it.

After bowling we went to Coldstone Creamery. My complaint about this place is that they don't have enough seating for you to sit down and enjoy the ice cream you patiently waited in line for and then spent what you would pay for 3 Blizzards to get. I was more than halfway finished when I we finally got to sit down so close to the table next to us that I could smell the malodorousness of the patron next to me. Ahhh..nothing like the combo of sweat and strawberries and an exciting game of booowling.

Celebrating 4 years and 2 days of blogging without obligation

My four year blogiversary came and went without me noticing. Darn you, Facebook!

I just went back and read some of my posts from the Hot Fruita Mom days. For those of you who have been a follower since then, I am sorry to have wasted your time.

Two blogger parties, a handful of meet-and-greets, and a Home and Garden column later, my blogging habits have changed. I post less, I comment less. Again, darn you Facebook!

I don't know how much longer blogging will be a part of my life. I have trails to hike and laundry to fold and parties to plan. Sometimes I feel like sharing my exploits and sometimes I don't.

If I make it to year five, we will just have to see.