Kindergarten

My baby girl started Kindergarten today. No tears, no trauma, just walked on the bus and barely took time to throw me a wave goodbye. Made me so proud.

Coming home from school, my baby did not come off the bus. A Kindergartener emerged when those doors opened. The first words out of her mouth were not those of the 5 year old that stepped on the bus but the words of a school-age child. Her tone was different, her facial expressions more grown up and "know-it-all" and her body language was that of a child with confidence. However, the little girl is not all lost.

"So, what did you do in school today?"

"I learned English."

"Really, you learned English?" (now I'm thinking she means the subject)

"Yep, we learned how to speak in English."

"Well what did you learn to say." (I'm rather intrigued now)

"We learned how to meet someone new and what to say"

"Oh, ok. So what do you say"

"I don't remember."

Conversation dropped for the mean time but right before bed we're cuddling on the couch and someone on TV is doing something that must have reminded her about the earlier conversation.

"Yeah, that's what I said before Ma-om (the snotty way they turn Mom into a 3 syllable word) we learned Sign Language today."

"Celie, you didn't tell me you learned sign language today."

(lip snarls up and the attitude is now all over the face while the hand is on the hip) "Yeah I did, when I got off the bus I told you we learned Sign Language."

"Celie, you said you learned ENGLISH not Sign Language."

"Oh, well we learned Sign Language"

"What did you learn?"

"I TOLD you, we learned how to meet someone and say Nice to meet you."

"Well, show me."

"I don't remember"

"Celie you learned a whole sentence you have to remember at least ONE thing."

"yeah"

"Ok so show me one thing you learned from Sign Language than."

"Uno, Dos, Tres..."

Poll: EtsyKids Design Challenge for August: Paisley

Smart sAss Baby is in a EtsyKids Design Challenge. This month's theme is Paisley, so I decided to take it and let the boys have some fun with the fantastic print. A true Smart sAss Shirt for a true Smart sAss Baby! Please check out the design challenge and vote for Smart sAss Baby (ccangel331) All it takes is two clicks of the mouse so easy your Smart sAss Baby can do it!

Poll: EtsyKids Design Challenge for August: Paisley

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see. [Inspired by SouleMama]

The Story of a Tubal

I know, kind of a strange thing to blog about right? I can only say that it is just a funny exchange of words that I thought someone out there might either relate too, or find amusing.

While there is a huge back story that runs behind this let's sum it up as to say that my procedure was scheduled for right after Charlie-Monkey was born and (not to my happiness) was canceled due to OR overbooking. I was then left to make new arrangements during my 6 week postpartum appointment, however now I have to go through the entire consult all over again because they feel that when you are postpartum you might have a change of heart, (all that gushy new mom feelings flowing out might make you decide to have another) little do my doctor's know, I don't change my mind.

So after much bitching and pouting and complaining (hey, I'm being honest) I schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Moon......

Why do OB's feel the need to make you sit on that exam table half naked with nothing but a sheet covering you, a sheet that is barely big enough to wrap around you, so your be-hind is still hanging out right in front of the door to the exam room ready to flash anyone that might be in the hallway when said door opens. As if that is not bad enough you sit there half exposed waiting for what feels like an eternity while you listen to your doctor in the hallway shooting the breeze with the nurses and other doctors (whose patients are half exposed on their tables). Is this part of some secret OB joke?

So, there I am half naked and exposed and very aggrivated that I am doing this consult for the umpteenth time when the door blasts open and a petite little Asian doctor comes storming in the room guns blaring.

YOUR SURE?

ummmm, yeah?

You understand this is permanent?

um, yeah

NO I mean it's IRE RE VERS A BLE

yep, kinda the point of having it done

NO, I mean you can't take it back, you will NEVER be able to have children again

yep, I know, kinda the point

NO, I mean like say something happens to your kid, you CAN'T have another

ummm, kinda morbid - but yeah, I get it

NO, I mean like if something happens and you get divorced and then meet a studly younger man who wants kids YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO HAVE ANY

yep, again kinda depressing scenario but I get it

NO, I mean you've got like 10 more good baby making years and you won't be able to have any

again, that's the point

*humpf* fine


Surgery scheduled, pre-opt appointment visit:

Setting: Uncomfortable exam room. Character is again half naked on table listening to doctor laugh in hallway with other naked patients doctors. Door suddenly BURSTS open and petite doctor storms in

YOUR SURE?

yes, Dr. Moon

IRE-RE-VERS-A-BLE

yes, Dr. Moon

CAN'T TAKE IT BACK

yes, Dr. Moon

NO MORE KIDS

yes, Dr. Moon

STUDLY MAN - WANTS KIDS

we can adopt Dr. Moon

*humpf* fine


Surgery done, recovery completed - post OP appointment-

Scene: Uncomfortable exam room. Character is half naked on exam table listening to her doctor laugh in hallway with other half naked patients doctors. Door BURSTS open and petite doctor barges in.

DO YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT YOUR PROCEDURE WAS?

um, no Dr. Moon

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN IN AND OUT THING, NO MORE THAN A HALF HOUR AND HERE I AM STUCK WORKING ON YOU FOR LIKE AN HOUR AND A HALF!

um, I'm sorry Dr. Moon?

PUT THOSE STINKING BANDS ON AND THEY POPPED OFF, DO IT AGAIN, THEY POP OFF

um, sorry Dr. Moon?

THEN BECAUSE YOU JUST HAD THE BABY YOUR UTERUS IS SWOLLEN AND IT'S GETTING IN MY WAY

um, really sorry Dr. Moon? (I mean what else do you say in apology of your uterus? Is this something you send a card for "Sorry my uterus was in your way.)

THAT'S IT, FROM NOW ON I'M NOT DOING THESE THINGS UNTIL 6 MONTHS POSTPARTUM FROM NOW ON!

well, think about it this way Dr. Moon - I helped you create a new policy. There's always a silver lining right?

*humpf*

Introducing my wonderfully verbal nephew Ben

My nephew Ben is about the funniest thing you have ever met in your entire life. I have repetitively told his mother that she needs to start a blog called Life With Ben or Bennyisms or something of that nature because the things that come out of this 6 year old's mouth are too much to handle with a straight face. This was our conversation during our car ride today after his Summer Camp Talent Show. He is in blue and I'm in purple. I'll let the story speak for itself...

Aunt Bridget when you start teaching Drama Kids I'll take the class and then I will be a great actor someday.

That's wonderful B-

Yeah and I'll also be in a band so I'll be like a fantastic rockstar

Sounds great Ben, wh-

Yeah and I'm also gonna be a WORLD famous author and write tons of stories and books that they are gonna sell ALLLLL over

You'll be a triple threat!

(Stops in mid ramble) What's a triple threat Aunt Bee?

Well that's someone who is good at all the arts, singing, dancing, acti-

Well why are they a threat? Are they dangerous
No, it just means that if you are good at all three things than your more likely to get jobs than people that are just good at on-

OH well then I'm gonna be a MILLION TIMES THREAT cause I'm gonna be good at like EVERYTHING and I'm gonna be the most famous video and computer game designer for my favorite video game company Pop Cap, but their not better than Nintendo they are just my favorite computer game designers and they do IPhone stuff too - so I'll be taking jobs from EVERYONE including you Cecilia - no offense - and well I'll take your jobs too but not your cheerleading jobs - you can have them because I don't want to be good at cheerleading thats for girls but I'll be good at everything else. AND of course I'm gonna be President - do you think Charlie is going to want to be President too? Who would you vote for Aunt Bee if me and Charlie were gonna be running for President, huh?
Well Ben, I don't think I can pick between my favorite nephew and my son. Why don't you be President and Charlie can be your Vice President because he is younger than y-
What's a Vice President? Well that is the second in command. He or she helps the President run the country and if something ever happens to the President the Vice President moves up and becomes the Presid-

So like if I die, Charlie will take my job?

Well that a bit morbid Ben but I suppose s-
Well than that won't work because I want to be President not Charlie. Maybe he can be in my band instead.
So Ben, how are you gonna have time to do all this AND be President of the United States too.

Well, that is quite simple Aunt Bee - I'm going to do all the other stuff while I am younger and then when I am older but not President Old I'm gonna be an author

Ben, how old IS President old.
I don't really know but it's old so I can do lots of other stuff before I do that. Cause I'll have plenty of time. So Aunt Bee anyway, are you gonna vote for me when I am President?

Of course Ben

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see. [Inspired by SouleMama]

Join me for a Sneak Attack

Many of you have heard me (or read me lol) talk about the Handmade Movement and their weekly Sneak Attacks. For those of you who don't know here is the reader's digest condensed version (for a more in-depth explanation go to www.handmademovement.com )...

Every week one member of the Handmade Movement picks 2 or 3 new and upcoming ETSY shops that have under 4 sales and surprises them with a night of sales and hearts (adding a shop as a favorite). It allows the new shop to get some exposure and love. Last month I was one of the shops "attacked" and know how exciting it is.

Today is my turn to do the attacking. I have picked three shops and at 7 PM tonight they will be announced on the Handmade Movement thread at http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?page=3&thread_id=6571745

PLEASE take the time to not only visit the thread and chat with a great group of people but stop by the shops I have chosen and show them some love through hearts and maybe even some purchases. Each shop has a good amount of items under $10 so they won't break the bank.

Don't forget to like the handmade movement on FB at www.facebook.com/thehandmademovement and check out the website at www.handmademovement.com. Enter to win this week's giveaway - a fantastic bracelet from Shades of Victoria on Etsy. Link for this giveaway is on the right of the screen on the website. Winners will be announced at Thursday's Sneak Attack.

Remember - The Handmade Movement is not an official Etsy Team, there are no rules or membership steps to go through before you can join. By showing up and participating you are part of the group. Anyone and everyone is welcome at the Handmade Movement so stop by and help us MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY!