My animated reaction...

I fondly remember cartoon shorts before the feature movie when I was a girl. It was 1980, so let's not get too nostalgic and start referring to the '80s as "the good ole days, but nevertheless, I remember fondly. My parents and grandparent would often reminisce about a Mickey Mouse short or news features. After yesterday, I can't say that my children will remember that fondly.

It was one of our family's famous Date Days. One parent takes a child and goes out for uninterrupted quality time. I decided to take Daniel to "the big movies" to see Mr. Popper's Penguins." The film itself wasn't worth the $14 I spent on tickets, but this blog isn't about Mr. Popper's Penguins. It's about the cartoon before Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Picture it. I'm sitting in a theater with my 4-year-old while he stares at the big screen in amazement and wonder on his way to a massive sugar high with the tip of his nose glistening ever so with the sheen of popcorn butter. Then it happens. The lights dim and a cartoon short begins with the words, "Isn't this great?" "Yeah, makes me sad that I ever have to leave to poop again."

WHAT!?!?!? I sit horrified trying to decide how to handle this. The crude, violent short continued and I wavered between marching the both of us out of the theater and demanding my money back or sitting quietly and hoping that if I didn't make too big of a deal out of it that he may never remember it. Then, they announcer said that I could find this cartoon during Prime Time on the Cartoon Network. Ah ha! Right there is the disqualifications for it to be shown during a children's movie. NOTHING on the Cartoon Network is acceptable in my house, let alone during or after 8:00pm.

But my outrage doesn't lay with just this one short. Oh no...it is the trend of awful mini scripts written and produced for theaters. Just because it's animated doesn't make it OK! Television and movie producers...along with much of the country...have strayed from what is decent and appropriate. And I'm not just saying that in a buttoned up manner of a God-fearing, Southern mother. In the first two minutes of America's Got Talent last night, Nick Cannon said "damn". When did 'damn' stop becoming a 4-letter word? I remember getting a hand across my mouth if I ever said it way back when. Some programming is a given; Family Guy, The Simpsons, La Femme Nikita...naturally those are not appropriate for a 4-year-old. But on what planet should I pay $14 and be subject to unedited content that I am not informed of or is within the rating guidelines that have been set forth?!

From now on I'll stick with Netflix.

Join the Club

I really didn't realize that when I became a mother that I was now a member of a club. Yet since having my twins I am realizing that I am a member of an even more elite subset club....Moms Of Multiples.

Today I was out with the boys at the hospital for some simple lab work. I entered the waiting area only to have it noticed that my children were twins. The only other family in the area was chatting with the receptionist and an elderly woman regarding the multiple multiples in her family. She went on and on about her father and how he was a twin, had 2 sets of twins with 2 different women and each one of those twins had gone on to have a set, along with a cousin of hers. She herself is a twin.

I was immediately drafted into this conversation regarding multiples which detailed our children's birth weights, labor difficulty, delivery type, personalities of my children, current age, etc. This is a complete stranger! I listened politely as she proclaimed the importance of treating each child as their own person, not comparing them, and so on. I made chit chat, but was not interested in being engaged in this 30 Question moment.

What intrigued me most about her, and I will say about most people, is her complete lack of knowledge about twins. Astounding, I know, considering her birth status. So as an act of service, I want to take a moment and enlighten everyone about multiples.

1. Never ask if boy/girl twins are identical. You just look dumb. My husband never believed that I was asked this question, but after 9 years of marriage he now will tell you that people can be this dumb.

2. Twins do not "skip" a generation. Any multiple birth is a result of many factors. Fertility drug intervention, the number of previous pregnancies, maternal age, all play a role. As do the general probabilities of twins in a family.

3. Your father/brother/husband/uncle being a twin has zero bering on your fertility. Men always shoot multiples. It has nothing to do with the number of targets they have to hit. It's all up to the woman.

4. If giving gifts to same sex twins, PLEASE JUST BUY 2! Or, purchase a gift that they can play with together like walkie talkies, or a train set. You are causing undo stress on the parents.

5. There isn't a "bad one". And while we're on the topic no, I don't have a favorite. Do you? Just as my father always said "You are no different than any other siblings. You just happen to be born at the same time".

6. Finally, yes....sometimes I do dress them alike because after all of the double work (it really is at least double!) I should be able to have some fun. But I don't do it all the time. Mainly, it's to keep them easily spotted out in public, or just that I found a good deal and they wear the same size. I do need 2 of everything. (See #4)

The Economy

Since it's the big issue of the day and everyone else has commented on it and beat the poor dying horse, I'll throw my own 2 cents in.

Personally, I just don't understand. I know that it is the intent of every voter to elect officials that have our best interest at heart. That have the ideas for "change" and that would ultimately improve this country for our children. It ain't happenin'.

It really wasn't until my 30th birthday that I could mention running for public office without laughing. It can't be that hard. From the outside it actually seems like anyone with common sense could be gainfully employed as a Senator or Congressman. How difficult could it be to balance the budget? If I don't balance my budget monthly, my house is foreclosed on, my car is repossessed and I'm out on the street. Common sense, right?

I'd like to know how our public officials are better serving us with all of their Ivy League degrees. The political games, back-scratching and closed-door meetings aren't serving this country.

How difficult would it be to just look at all the programs that the US is funding and decide if they are required until we balance the budget and *gasp* possibly pay off our debts. If I don't have enough money at the end of the month, my Netflix subscription, gym membership, country club dues, etc. may need to take a back seat to my medical bills, food costs and grocery bills.

Raising taxes isn't the answer. I have a rental home I own. How awful would it be for me to say to my tenants, "I'm spending more than I make. Therefore, to pay my bills, I will increase your rent as often as I choose." ? It's irresponsible and I doubt anyone would rent my home for very long.

Where is the outcry for being fiscally responsible? Where is the rage of the American people for electing officials that finger-point, argue and play silly games of "he won't call me back!"? I'm outraged and will let more people know. I hope you do too.

Wow....Nov. 11th?

Nov 11th was my last post? Wow. I should hang my head in blogger shame.

Tons have been going on, the greatest of which is a secret and I'll tell you all later. Don't you love secrets? I especially love them when I've been told that there is one floating just out of my reach--much like I have just done to you all. :D

The boys are now 4. Caed is pushing 15 with all of the wild demands and stunts that have given me at least 1 full blown panic attack. Daniel continues to be my "Yes Man". We knew he was always watching Caed, but now we realize it's to see what he gets away with before he attempts it himself.

David has bid on 2 new facilities. Denver Tracon and Fort Myers, FL. Now I know what most of you are thinking...it's a no brainer! It is if doubling your salary and increasing retirement 50% for about a 5 year investment isn't a factor for you, kudos and keep walking - and buy me a new car on your way out the door! It really is a consideration, but so is what I am referring to as "lifestyle". Either way it's a raise, and one there is no state income tax. (Florida) I'd love to be in my pool every day and my idea of "the great outdoors" isn't a hike on the Rockies, but curling my toes in the sand with a cool adult beverage in a koozie next to my beach chair. But I'm bias. I was born in Florida, reared just about 90 minutes north of Ft. Myers in Bradenton. For me it would be about as close to going home as I could get. David could always go to a higher level facility. Denver would be an adventure for our family, but I'd rather be shipwrecked.

It's because you're so cute

Nothing will knock you out of blogging faster than a nasty case of strep throat going around the house. As a mom, and current survivor of the aforementioned epidemic, of course I played the "Well where could they have gotten it from?" game. My guess was the McDonald's Playland, but hubby thought otherwise. We easily played the game for days, considering we couldn't do much else in our fevered stupor.

It started with Daniel the Friday before Halloween. Within 36 hours the mystery fever and sore throat were gone with only the help of juice, rest and lots of cuddles. It wasn't until a few days later when Mommy and Daddy felt the ominous ache that we thought the worst. I survived with only a horrible sore throat and very low grade fever. Daddy on the other hand, was in bed for 2 full days fighting a fever of 104! It was an easy diagnosis for the doctor and nurse with a throat swab.

Naturally the other shoe dropped and Caed got sick too. As an adult you are able to understand illness and the temporary nature of horrible symptoms much better than preschoolers. Caed, however, noted that the germs jumped on him because he was so cute. And I should have told the nurses' daddy that she was a bad girl for sticking that thing down his throat. And he nearly wrote his own prescription with the understanding that the doctor said he could have all the candy he wanted, but that to go see Mickey Mouse next month he had to take all his medicine.

Smart kid. Not much to argue with there! Yes son, germs think you're downright adorable, Daddy thought the nurse was mean too and if a Jolly Rancher will get you to take your yucky antibiotics, Mommy will be the first to load you up! Micky Mouse, here we come.

Three to Thirty

Over the past few days I have seen glimpses into the future. Caed is growing up and I'm not sure I love it. He has been asserting his independence by trying things on his own and voicing his own opinion. (That part I can live without. Mommy calls it "sassy mouth".) But just yesterday as we were out for a family day, I looked into the backseat and saw Caed, not as a 3 1/2 year old, but as a 14 year old. There he sat, his baseball cap on, torn jeans and exuding every bit of confidence that a grown man would possess and said, "Hey, Mom. What's going on?"

What's going on? My heart is breaking, that's what is going on! It seems like just yesterday I was popping his paci back into his mouth to gain those 5 precious extra minutes of sleep, or reviewing bottle packaging to ensure they were all BPA free and now here sits a small man in my baby's car seat.

Granted, I know he is still 3 1/2. He reminds me of that each and every day when he cries after skinning his knee falling off his bike, or telling me he is afraid of the storm. I know that everything comes to an end so that there may be another beginning, but I'll hold my babies for just a bit longer if you don't mind.

I know this is the South

GRITS applies to me. I am a Girl Raised In The South....GRITS.

I understand all about sweet tea, actual grits that are traditionally served with eggs or shrimp depending on the time of day, hunting licenses at Wal-Mart and most of all big trucks. I get it. I'm a local, ya'll.

But what I don't understand is where the Southern hospitality has gone. When did it become OK to use those big 'ole trucks to run down a mother and her young-ins?

Just yesterday I was out with the twins on an all-over-town shopping scavenger hunt for a hammock. I understand that the second the temperature falls to below 80 degrees every store automatically removes all of the "seasonal merchandise" from the shelves and replaces it with inflatable Santa and Grinch lawn blow -ups, but I was holding out hope that there was just 1 left in town. I was wrong, and I digress.

As I was carefully strapping my child into his car seat, I was dang near run over by one afore mentioned trucks. Allow me to paint the picture...

I am parked in a nearly vacant parking lot of a strip shopping center. I had, indeed, pulled forward in the 2 spaces to allow for easy exit. I completed my shopping, or rather, failed last attempt at the hammock, and returned to my Mom Mobile. I gingerly strapped one boy into his car seat and proceeded around to the passenger side of the car and began strapping my other son into his seat. Just at that moment, a good 'ole boy in his over sized pick up decided to pull into the parking spot just to the rear and right of me. We made eye contact. He saw me. He was even smiling!

Just then he begins to pull forward into the spot directly next to me. Had he opened his door it would have been into my rear end and I don't mean the car bumper! I am livid and incensed that a Southern gentleman felt the need to be all of 2 feet closer to the door in an empty parking lot and choose the spot next to me. I would not have been irritated in the least had I not actually been standing on the outside of my vehicle and now smashed between my car and his diesel guzzling road hog of a truck!

Who does that!? Who does not see that a mother is in the process of ensuring the safety of her toddler and jump into the space closest to her? WHO DOES THAT!? Well as fast as I could I rushed from my child's side around into the drivers seat and it took every bit of Southern grace to not teach my children words that only consist of 4 letters. Just because you have a honkin' truck doesn't give you the right to park wherever you want!

As mothers, I know this would never happen in our circles. We observe, of course, the mini van 1 space rule: 1 empty parking space between each mini van or SUV in a parking lot if at all possible. The same premise applies to seats at the movies I believe.

The moral of the story? Learn the rules of the road. Even the unwritten ones. And perhaps a remedial lesson at charm school is in order!