peelosophy

My friend, Penny, says that a big part of managing kids is marketing.  And she is so right.  Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, trying on “nice clothes” (for boys this is a challenge) or just everyday dinner – the more I market it and talk it up, the more likely they are willing to participate.

The case in point was dinner tonight.  In the past, I have done various things to make dinner more exciting, like renaming different meals to appeal to the boys, you can read about it here.  Tonight we were having leftovers with several options to choose from. I, personally, love leftovers within reason, but just the name leftovers…very unappealing.

Tonight, in the moment of telling the boys what was for dinner, I switched my words and told them that we were having an “All-Star Dinner” tonight.  I’m not a sports fan – at all.  I vaguely know the concept of an All-Star game.  What I do know is that the All-Star players are chosen from a popular vote from the fans.  Like meatloaf was chosen by JJ tonight and the “white stuff” (chicken tetrazzini) was chosen by Henry.  I know, this idea is bit cheesey, but it worked…will see how it plays out next time.

Two amazing things happened to each of my sisters in the same week (a couple weeks ago).

My sister Lara, who is the nanny by day, comic by night in LA — landed a spot on Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes.  They are flying her to Las Vegas today to shoot the series.  The show is an one-hour stand up comedy competition kinda like Last Comic Standing.  It starts with 32 comics and it’s voted on by America.  Unreal.  When it airs, I will be asking for everyone I know to vote for her…just wait I’ll be obnoxious.  And yes, it does make me a little nervous too, I’m always scared she’s going to do some skit about me.  Seriously, I am SO proud of her, she has more determination and perseverance than anyone I have ever met.  Ever.

The same week, my sister Katie was commissioned to make, not one, but TWO boards for a guy out of town.  It’s her first official sale!  She has a picture of it on her blog – you can check it out here.  I think it the favorite of mine so far.  Unbelievable to me that she does this with two little girls undertow – amazing.

Do you ever come up with ideas and then next thing you know someone is marketing it?  I’m sure this was not my idea to begin with, but JJ and I have been making masking tape “race tracks” and railroad tracks for years and then I see this…

this is a picture of one of ours JJ took, circa oct 1998…

Oh well, what could have been right?  What is wrong with their marketing person anyways? The Mini is totally not proportional to the road and I’m assuming the Formula One car (go Ferrari!) is racing in Monte Carlo because it wouldn’t be on a lined road otherwise.  And what, no toilet paper roll tunnel? Weak.

• Look! Miniature Garden- OhDeeDoh: I’ve loved the comeback of all the little terrariums.  My Grandma had a terrarium on her kitchen table when I was little, I loved looking through the glass at the little green world inside.  I really like the one on this link because it’s a little more interactive and I wouldn’t have to worry about the humidity levels in a terrarium. I have always wanted some succulents too – so it would satisfy that desire too.  One might be a feature on my porch this summer…
• Snapshots – Soulemama: I do love Soulemama, but there are times that I will read her and other great blogs – mostly of people I don’t really know- and totally get down on myself for not sewing a dress for my daughter during naptime or letting JJ play some more Lego StarWars instead of engaging him in some amazingly creative project.  This post was just the reminder I needed that blogs (mine included) are only “snapshots” of the lives we live.
• Now I know my ABCs – Totally Tots:  I am in love with this site right now.  I have been loving the Bible Bites and now with this Alphabet theme -  I can’t wait to get more into it.  We’ve set up our Chicka Chicka Boom Boom magnet tree and have had a lot of fun.  I really like that it’s stuff that doesn’t take a lot of planning and it’s totally engaged the kids – especially Henry.
• Starfall – This site has helped Henry’s mouse skills tremendously.  I think because the surface area of what you click on is bigger.  He loves the games and it all ties in with the Alphabet theme mentioned above.
• Can FaceBook Be Your Friend?- Real Simple: I’m still not interested in joining Facebook.  John asks me about once a week, “When are you going to join Facebook?” – I tell him “I’m not” and he says, “But I just want to be married to you”.  I guess that’s sweet, but I’m still not.  There are many reasons why I’m being “stubborn” by not joining and this article stated a lot of them.  The writer has come to a find a balance with Facebook, but I think I lack her willpower and desire…I’m okay with that. I will, however, check into the legality of our marriage if I am not on Facebook. hehe