Happy Birthday, S!

S, all smiles, turned 6 on Saturday. He wanted to have a Kentucky Derby birthday party. He is obsessed with jockey, Mike Smith, and the undefeated horse, Zenyatta.
Favors, ready to go home. I love the seals I got at Sarah and Abraham.

Guests busy doing a horse craft project.

Don't you love the jockey helmets?

Stick ponies, all labeled with the names of Derby winners.

They're at the gate.

And they're off!

Watching recording of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

Having traditional Derby fare... ham and biscuits, cheese straws, pimento cheese spread. S wanted carrots, apples and sugar cubes, because that's what horses eat. I love that I have sons that really think about the food they want served at their parties. I wonder where they get that from?

A Rant

Here it goes:

I do not want to see:

• bra straps
• shower shoes worn as foot apparel
• pajama pants worn to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or frankly ANYWHERE in public. For goodness sake, 50 year old man I saw at the Henry Vilas Zoo yesterday: Packer pajama pants, a grubby t-shirt and shower shoes, and let's not forget the baseball cap. Did you pass a mirror at all?!
• tattoos everywhere about and everywhere on a person. And to the lady (and I use that term very loosely) that sat near me at a cafe in Nebraska: the tattoo on your upper left arm that said in script "Bitch" probably didn't make a great impression on your boyfriend's parents.
• piercings, I about lost my lunch, at the same cafe as above, because this man had two spikes coming out of his chin.
• talking/texting while you're at a meal or in conversation with an actual real live person sitting in front of you. How rude!
• t-shirts. Why do you need to walk around with writing on your clothing? T shirts are for painting/cleaning/working out. Men-find a shirt with a collar. Is this really asking too much?
• Purses that match nothing you are wearing. I know I change my purse almost daily, so I realize I am extreme, but at least pick something neutral, that goes with practically everything.
• Chewing gum in public. Enough said.
• Little girls dressed like harlots (to quote my Mother). What ever happened to dressing appropriately? Do you think it's okay for your daughter to look like a six year old hooker?
• Little girls dressed in so much frou frou they are going to have some issues about not actually being a princess, even though they have been dressed like one their entire childhood.
• Plastic Flip Flops and Crocs on children (and frankly everyone). Put kids in shoes they can actually play in, without fear of losing a shoe or breaking their neck.
• Little boys dressed like "gansters", and I'm not talking in a suit and tie like a 40's movie. Shorts that are almost pants, shirts with stuff on it, and shoes that are huge!
• Writing on your bottom. Just plain tacky.
• shoes and belts that don't match.
• underwear. I don't want to see it. Pull down your shirt, pull up your pants.
• Sweats. Why do are you wearing sweats and looking like something the cat dragged in at 4 in the afternoon? What, you didn't have 15 minutes to shower and put on a shirt and pants?
• skirts so short that I know if you had a bikini wax.
• sports jerseys (and your not at a sporting event).
• baseball caps, worn all the time, that are just gross and disgusting with sweat and grime.
• chipped nail polish. Remove it or fix it.
• undershirts/"wife beaters" - I don't care if you look like Matthew McConnaughey, no one looks good in these. They are to be worn UNDER shirts, hence they are called undershirts.

AAAAH, I'm feeling better now. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Imagine Childhood Giveaway

Click here over to Imagine Childhood to register to win a $100 gift certificate. The Easter Bunny brought a chipmunk to S, which came from Imagine Childhood, and he still carries it everywhere.

Now I Feel Old

Wisconsin's Beloit College creates a list for Professors about the mindset of incoming Freshman. Here are my favorites:
Clint Eastwood is better known as a sensitive director, than as Dirty Harry.
John McEnroe has never played professional tennis.
They have never twisted the coiled handset wire aimlessly around their wrists while chatting on the phone.
Woody Allen, who heart has wanted what it wanted, has always been with Soon-Yi Previn.
They never recognized that pointing to their wrists was a request for the time of day.

To see the whole list of 75, click here. Trust me, I won't be the only one feeling old!

Eight Eight, Don't Be Late

At Cheeseburger in Paradise, ready for my Pain in the Bahama. Layers of Rum Runner and Pina Colada. YUM! That's the way to celebrate my birthday.
All in pink, in honor of Mama's birthday.

Craft Day with Aunt Gwen: Jackson Pollock Inspired

Poor Pitiful Pearl

This little boy has been sent to bed early, because of his behavior. He is now yelling at me from his room, "Mama's are suppose to be kind to their children!" Yes, I am a mean, mean Mama.

Craft Day with Aunt Gwen: Bubble Wands

S is ready to create his GIANT bubble wand with:

two dowels, two eye hooks, one washer and cotton cord.

M and J set to go outside

I dubbed S the "Bubble Queen", she really rocked at this.

We even drew an audience from a toddler taking a stroll with her dad.

So did her big sister

On THE Farm - Door County

Last week, I packed the boys and went to Door Co. We spent a great morning at THE Farm. If you are ever in Door. Co, you must take the kids, pack a picnic, and enjoy the day.

Walking the nature trails

J learning how to milk a goat

S walking in the prairie

We saw three chicks hatch, it was so interesting.

S loved the kitty, kitty didn't feel the same.

My kid feeding their kid.

S feeding the lambs.

Happy Birthday, Martha!

Happy Birthday, Martha Stewart!

Thank you for years of inspiration.

For the love of God... what was she thinking?

Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images

I think Princess Grace is rolling over in her grave!

(Shake your head and say it with me)

Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie.