When crafty isn't so crafty

It's official. I'm a craft-disaster. What started out as a random idea in my head as a great way to use some toilet paper rolls that I had saved for a rainy day, ended up being not.so.fun.or.crafty for anyone. I even dragged hubby into the disaster.

After the first application of glue to keep the felt suits on, my son decided he didn't want to make Santa Claus anymore. Which means - basically - two adults made one of these. I won't tell you which one - but really - can you tell the difference? My daughter went along with it, but kept telling me what she'd rather be doing...which wasn't making my toilet paper roll Santas.

I'll stick to hugs and kisses cuz it's obvious glue and felt just don't do me justice in the Mom department:

My cat hates me

I've always been a dog person. We had a big, furry, fluffy mutt that was part Husky, Collie and God knows what else when I was growing up. So it was only natural that before we gave kids a shot, Hubby and I opted for a "condo size" dog (since we lived in a condo at the time). Then, we proceeded to infuse him with our neurotic behavior to see if he would survive - which he did - so we gave kids a try. And then came a couple of fish, only 1 of which we could keep alive (and it's actually not an original but don't tell Abby) and finally the cat.

Yes, the cat. The cat that would rather not be here in our house, but roaming the woods looking for the next hot kitty daddy to impregnate her (she arrived at the MSPCA pregnant and it never occurred to me that she enjoyed being an outdoor cat). She does resurface on occasion to roam around the house and try to escape through the garage, and then at night she retreats to my daughters bed, curls up in a ball, and sleeps soundly.

So, when I went downstairs to the basement the other day to the playroom where we keep her litter box, I was a little peeved that she didn't seem to keep her tinkles in the box and she didn't bother to cover it up. Damn cat. So I told hubby, cuz cleaning the litter box isn't my thing. He cleaned up her mess, added some litter, and went about the day. Later that night my husband noticed there was more liquid around the litter box and on top of the litter box cover. What the??...it had to be something else.

Him: "Kids! Did you pour water on top of the cat's litter box?"

Daughter: "No! No!"

Son: "No! But I peed in it."

Me: "What??? You peed in the litter box? You don't pee in the cat's litter box. That's her only place to pee..." And I'm sure he heard, "Womp womp, womp, womp".

Apparently, twice that day when he was playing in the basement he thought he'd ignore the fact that we have three bathrooms and just let it go in the litter box, on it's cover, and on our floor. Super. No wonder the cat hates me...I blame her for everything.

But today we seemed to round the corner - and as I sat on the couch, doing some surfing on the 'net, with the kids out at a movie with Dad (2 hours ALONE today), she made her way towards me with a funny look in her eye. Almost like she wanted to hang for a bit. And before I knew it, she was next to me on the couch - not curled too close - but resting close enough so I could hear her purrr...perhaps to say "Thanks for keeping your kids pee out of my box."

For this, I am thankful...

Happy Thanksgiving.

It seems like forever ago when our efforts to have a baby were futile. We were engaged in 1999 and I immediately went off birth control. I was hitting my early 30's and we decided the commitment was already there so if Baby came before wedding, so what?

Then it was years later and there was no baby - the wedding had come and gone. After research and hesitation we began the process of insemination. And that included the pills, and blood work and early, early mornings in the fertility center. A couple of months later and there was still no baby. So we moved on to shots, and pills and early, early mornings doing blood work at the clinic and still no baby. I remember Thanksgiving Day of 2001 and eagerly awaiting the phone call from the fertility center with the news - was I or wasn't I?

I tried to distract myself the night before learning how Mom made her homemade pie crust. I catalogued the steps to making homemade stuffing and custard pie. I hosted dinner that year and went into the center at 6:30 a.m. for my blood work. The roads were empty and my thoughts were full of hope. And then we waited. And waited. And the call finally came around 1:00 p.m. and the results, again, were negative. And I remember the tears and the hugs on my Mom's shoulder. I was tired. And the strength it took to shake it off and feel thankful that day was overwhelming. Still, I counted my blessings and continued on.

It was 3 months and 1 surgery later before I would conceive my precious girl, only to have her brother conceived NATURALLY almost 2 years later to the date - and with the miracle of God, we have two healthy children, born on the same day, 2 years apart. And now, almost 6 years later, I am forever thankful!

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

And afraid of the flu mist nasal spray. And of having her teeth cleaned. And washing her hair at Snip-Its. And trying new foods. And bumble bees (ok, I'll give her that one since one got stuck in her curly locks this summer). But I'm at my wits end on trying to find ways to convince my daughter that everything will be OKAY and Dr's and dentists and hair stylists aren't out to hurt her!

We went to the Dr's the other day for the flu shot. They offered us the nose spray. Fantastic! Nope. It's new. Wasn't going to do it. So I asked her if she wanted a shot instead. Nope. Not having any of it. So we flipped a coin to see if she would go first or her brother. Little man won (or lost?) and so he went first. Spritz up one nostril. Spritz up the other. Done.

Her turn. Hands over face. Tears. Screaming. Hiding her head in my arm pit. Kicking. More tears. No matter how hard we tried to tell her the nasal spray was better than the shot, she wasn't doing it. So, after 10 mins of pleading, begging and trying to bribe her, we had to hold her down. It's exhausting and it's ridiculous.

Then, today was another attempt at a teeth cleaning. We went to the dentist all cheery and ready to go. I told her she had to have her teeth counted so they could let the tooth fairy know how many teeth she had. OK, counting went great. Hygienist introduces the cool, spinning toothbrush and that was it. Tears. I asked if she wanted to hold my hand. Nope. Do you want me in the room? Nope. I leave. I listen. Hygienist is sweet as pie. She would not sit back in the chair and give it a try. I come back in and she's done. She won't get her fingers out of her mouth and she's not going to cooperate. I just don't get it.

Her brother hops up next. Counts teeth. Gets plaque removed. Gets brushed, flossed and fluoride treatment. Off he goes with a big grin and a new toothbrush and prize. We asked her if she wanted a new toothbrush and she said,

"No. Because I didn't let her clean my teeth."

So she understand consequence, I'll give her that. I am going to try again in Feb since they won't charge us for her visit today but I really need to understand where the anxiety comes from, and how I can get her past it. It hurts me on all levels, and then it just pisses me off. Then, there are things like the first day at a new school that I think are going to devastate her and after the 3rd day she's telling my husband just to drop her off and stop hanging out in the parking lot with her. Is this my kid??

Sigh. Pinot Grigio, take me away....

Warning! Dirty house ahead.

G-R-O-S-S! That is the only way to describe my house lately. Dirty. Smelly. Cluttered and Crowded. I knew I had two missions today - get the family to church for the 50th anniversary of my daughter's school and CLEAN MY HOUSE. We did the church mission and it went well. Except Alex cried when I told him he couldn't go receive the "cookie" because he wasn't old enough. Cleaning the house was a whole other adventure. Here is what I discovered in my house today:

1. The scatter rug, by the door, that leads to the garage, that we use to go in and out of the house, could have passed as a new beach there was so much sand in it!

2. As I was crouching down in my small bathroom off the kitchen, it became apparent, boys have really bad aim. Nuff said.

3. I neglect everything below my knees. If it requires me to bend down, I apparently don't clean it. Lower section of the dishwasher door, oven door and floorboards would scare even the roaches away!

4. Dust reappears 30 seconds after you dust. I timed it today.

5. Piles never find homes...they just move to different areas of the house. And get taller. And taller.

6. Hmmm...never thought of cleaning the wood railing leading to the second floor. Even my son was impressed with the "dirt print" on the Lysol wipe I used to run up the railing.

7. French doors are lovely to look at, but more than 2 in your house is cleaning suicide. I have 6 :(

8. Kitchen islands aren't islands, they're landfills.

How to stump Santa Claus

It's official - my Christmas season is underway. Sorry Turkey Day - but since I'm not hosting at my house, I can move right onto Christmas. We met with our jolly St. Nick last night to avoid lines, meltdowns and public drinking (on my part). Too cute (except for Santa's nicotine stained beard):



And our visit didn't come without a million questions for the big guy!

Alex: "How did you get here?"

Santa: "(Missed most of it as he was a low talker)...and then 2 of the older reindeer took me with 6 new ones to help them practice. The rest of the team is resting for the big day."

Abby: "Which two were they?"

Santa: "Cupid and Dancer."

Abby: "I like Dasher and Rudolph. But what was Rudolph's Dad's name again?"

Silence. More Silence. Come on, Mom, you know this one. Spit it out! Poor Santa doesn't have a clue. Chirp, chirp, chirp - crickets. DAMN!!

Santa: "Oh, Rudolph's Dad is busy helping Rudolph get ready to pull my sleigh." Decent recovery - just ignore the question. Very Palin-esque.

Me: "Yup, Let's smile big for the camera so the other kids have time with Santa." Wipe sweat from brow and notice there are no kids in line behind us.

As we meandered through the mall, the questions continued throughout the night:

Abby: "I want to go back because I forgot to ask Santa what the new reindeer's names are. I bet they are Bo, Sean, Mary and Belle."

Me: "Yes, I bet you are right."

Abby: "Oh, and I think he would like chocolate cookies this year. Do you think?"

The magic of Christmas - I love it.

Tale of two stories

On the way out to take pictures with Santa tonight - cross that off my list - my daughter turned to me and said,

"Oh Mommy, guess what? Ken at school has a brother Sam and a step-brother Aaron. I did not know that you can have step-brothers - so we should get a step-brother, too!"

What I wanted to say was, "If your father keeps pulling the covers off of Mommy at night, there's a good chance you might have a step-brother some day" but I refrained.

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After our visit with Santa I noticed my son's bottom lip area is getting really chapped. I told him we'd have to put some lotion or chapstick on it when we get home. He said,

"It's okay Mommy. Miss Jenn puts gas on it at school."

Me: "Gas?"

Him: "Yup. Gasoline."

You guessed it - his interpretation of Vaseline.

PTOhhhhhh

Phhheeeewwwwwwww. Can you hear me letting out the world's longest sigh? I did it. I went to my first PTO meeting. Say, what? I know. Crazy. School has been in session since Sept but it seems all the other meetings fell on nights when I had to travel 2 hours back and forth to my office. But tonight I promised myself I'd go. I'd walk into the school with a smile and listen. Just listen.

I spoke. I spoke. Why would I speak? Ugh. First off I walk in and the school's assistant shouts out,

"Oh hey! It's Abigail's Mother. You know Abigail. The girl who's always in the office."

Principal: "Oh, Abigail. Yes, she spends a lot of time with us, doesn't she? She was telling me today that if you get two check marks on the board in class then 'you're outta there'"

Before you start judging her, she sits in the office every afternoon waiting for the bus to take her to the after school program!!

Then they started talking about the items on the fundraising horizon and the PTO President kept talking to me. Like, right at me. As if no one else was in the room. How could I sit and be quiet?? I felt like I was in second grade and I couldn't see the chalkboard and Mrs. Brown used to keep talking and I couldn't see what was on the board so I didn't know what she was talking about and I would panic and suddenly someone realized I needed glasses!! Sorry - elementary school flashback.

So, I started talking back - since she was only talking to me. I didn't want to be rude! She was looking right at me the whole time. And since now everyone knows I'm Abby's Mom, I couldn't let her down.

Thanks to our intimate back and forth, I have to now convince my new neighbor who owns an Edible Arrangements store to come to our Christmas Fair and somehow I think I'm going to be called upon to wrap Christmas gifts at the Mall to raise money - I am the world's WORST PRESENT WRAPPER!!!! My edges all bunch up and I just slap a bunch of tape on it to keep it from flopping open. I've decided I'm going to volunteer hubby for that one, he does good wrapping.

So, I survived the panic attack on the way over. I was surprised, and pleased, with how well they've done with recent fundraisers - and now, in my mind and in my heart, I *feel* like I'm an active mother for my school age daughter. Working full-time has kept me from some of the things in her school life, but I can overcome my own insecurities and nervousness to get more involved. But I think next time when they ask for suggestions, I may suggest serving cheese and crackers and wine - that might help with the attendance!!

A winning weight

Him: "Mommy, what's this called again?"

Me: "A scale, honey."

Him: "How do you work it?"

Me: "Just step on it and it will show you your weight."

He jumps on and the numbers spin before delivering 35.5

Him: "What does it say?"

Me: "Thirty-five point five."

He is airborne, fists in the air.

Him: "YES! YES! I won!"

Hmmm...wished I liked the numbers that much when I stepped on it!

Twas 39 days before Christmas

When all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The dog was asleep on his dog bed with care,

In hopes that a scooby-snack soon would appear;

The parents were nestled all snug on the couch,

Their bodies relaxed and had started to slouch;

With dad in his sweat pants, and I near the tap,

We had just settled down for a long evening's nap;

When in the back of my mind there arose a sad thought,

We spent the day at the stores and lots of presents had been bought.

It was time to unload all the goods from the trunk,

The kids were asleep and I was getting quite drunk.

So before I dozed off I put down the glass,

And off from the the couch I moved my numb ass.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a tornado warning, in November, oh dear.

With a flash of the screen and a scrolling red warning,

I knew in a moment it must be global warming.


More exhausted than ever with feet that were aching,

I called to my hubby and said "let's get to taking

in board Games, and kids toys, the movies and gifts!

The big ones! The small ones! The ones we can't lift!

From the back of the trunk to the rooms down below!

Now hide it all! hide it all! hide it all - go!"


As the memories came back from the day on the town,

And the traffic on streets that had gotten me down,

I stopped for a moment and eye-balled the goods,

What the hell was I thinking buying more than I should?



And then, in an instant, I remembered my reason

Christmas time is truly my favorite season.

All the songs and the lights and the tree decorating,

It brings back great memories I want to keep recreating.


And while this year will be a little tighter than most,

I thought it'd be cleaver to share this fun post.

But as the night wears away, and so does my buzz,

I think I will go now and figure what was

in the shopping carts and bags and thrown in the truck

cuz next comes the wrapping and that will just suck.


But before I sign off I'll leave you this thought,

When I look at these bills I think, "That's all I got?"

Guest blog: A stroll on the beach

My Mom sent this to me today so I thought I'd use her as my guest blogger tonight. I think she's got a future! You never know what fun item you'll find when you stroll the beach:


Every day as I walk the beach I look around hoping to find something interesting, praying in the back of my mind that I never find a body part!!!! Today is no exception and as I was ending my hour long walk on the beach I noticed a round orange object with what looked like writing on it. Thinking of course it was a ball someone had been throwing to their dog I started to continue on and then changed my mind and thought, okay not a body part, I can investigate this further. What it turned out to be was an orange which had been thrown into the Saco River as part of a research project that the 8th grade students at Biddeford Middle School had conducted in partnership with the University of New England's physics department.

My orange, which had been traveling the ocean for a month, hadn't really gotten too far, nor did it land at some exotic shoreline, but at least I was able to email them, as requested, and let them know where it was found. Who knows, I could be on TV (NOT). It was fun finding it and it sure beats finding the things I dread the most. The funny thing is that we remember seeing the coverage on the local news channel. I am attaching the website just in case you want to read it.

http://www.une.edu/ur/news/orangedrifters08.asp

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Thanks Mom. The moral: Stop and take a look around in your daily travels. Chances are it's probably not a human bone under your step ;)

If I were a rock star..

Tag, I'm it. This comes from Margaret at Whirlwind. Here you go. Play along, if you'd like - it's fun!


1. ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Lucky Lexus

2. GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Oreo Ugg

3. NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Yellow Dog

4 SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue Diet Coke

5. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Wesley Donald

6. STRIPPER NAME (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Peony Reeses

7. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Haskell Honolulu

8. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Christmas Hydrangea

9. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Watermelon Jeans

10. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Muffin Birch

Wolf in sheep's clothing

I'm not sure if I'm using the right analogy or not, because I'm not really a wolf, but if *they* knew I was blogging right now, their mouths might drop and eyes shift in confusion.

See, I'm at a conference in Boston - an IT conference - and I'm not sure why except my boss wanted me to go - and it's filled with lots and lots and lots of Venture Capitalists - who don't blog - who probably don't really know what blogging is - and just want to find companies to invest in...Pick me! Pick me! Oh, right, I'm not a company.

Anyway, my most recent conference took me to Foxboro to Gillette Stadium, which was a REALLLY cool place to have a conference. And it was FILLED with people on Twitter and typepad and blogger. Boston is cool, but this venue, not so much. Unless you consider the temperature which is FREEZING in here. But what I quickly noticed is that this conference, compared to the last conference, if full of suits. Male suits to be exact. Old Male suits, really. And I am amazingly out of place. I am wearing a beaded necklace...gasp.

Also, I decided to step out for lunch instead of making small talk with suits. As I sat at the bar at a nice establishment in Fanueil Hall, I noticed something: All the patrons there were suits, too! White men in suits!! Cookie cutter versions of each other. How boring?

My saving grace is the glass of wine with friends after this is all done. Excuse me while I go blog on my company site about how fantastic this conference is...hence, the disguise. Living like a sheep is really hard!

Things I learned in Driver's Ed

Dear Random Driver,

Here are a few things I learned in my Driver's Ed class that I wanted to share with you because obviously you got jipped from the place you went since you don't seem to know any of this:

1. When you see a sign that shows the right lane ending, and then the right lane ends, that means you no longer have a lane and you should probably look in your side mirror to see if I'm next to you on the left before you come on over. I'll repeat: YOUR lane ended, not mine. I've been there the whole time.

2. There's a little stick attached to your driving column (that's the steering wheel) and it makes those little lights on the front and back of your car flash so I know when you want to move from side to side. In fact, this little stick can be put on and off with your left hand pinkie - genius. You don't even need to take your hands off the steering wheel, assuming you have them on your steering wheel and not on your iPod, cell phone, CD player, Blackberry or waving aimlessly at the person on the other end of the cell phone! Use the little stick!

3. When you find yourself on the highway and you see me coming up on the left, if you decide to pull out in front of me, you are going to want to be sure you are going FASTER than me. It's funny, but things in motion, stay in motion, so if you suddenly pull out in front of me and go SLOWER than me, there is a good chance I'll be up your ass in no time. Things in motion...nevermind.

4. Red means stop. Red means stop. Red means stop.

Thanks,
The other driver on the road

He's so smart

Last evening I asked my son to try and go potty before bed. He said he didn't have to go. This is our nightly ritual and if we stray from it, we get a wet bed.

Me: "Please try to go potty. You just had yogurt so you'll have to pee."

Him: "Why, Momma? Does Yogurt make you pee."

Me: "Yup. Anything in your belly will make you pee, especially yogurt."

A little silence in the bathroom.

Him: "Mommy! You were right. I am peeing."

Me: "See. I'm brilliant."

Him: "Yes you are. But, I'm really smart."

And we all know "really smart" beats "brilliant" in our house any day!

Over the river and through the woods

Ok, there wasn't a river, but there were woods - and that was what I used to walk through in order to catch my bus to elementary school. This memory came back to me recently with the news of a 9 year old who was told to get off her bus and was left at an unfamiliar bus stop. The bus driver was fired. Thankfully, another students parent was able to get her home, but it got me to thinking about my own "busing" experience.

I didn't have to take the bus until I was in 2nd grade - ironically, I walked the same route to my first school, but at the end of the path it was clamoring with parents and students and a crossing guard. Sadly, it closed down after 1st grade. The bus stop to my new school was now across the street from my old abandoned school, in an empty parking lot, across from a bowling alley and on the edge of "the woods".

Each morning, my girlfriend Tammy and I would walk down our street, around the corner and down a woody slope covered in tree roots that would serve as stairs. I can actually see/feel myself walking down them now. From there, we'd walk about 25 or 30 feet through some woods, out to an open "field", and then down another hill that didn't have any trees or roots to steady our decent. So, in the winter that usually meant we had to slide down the hill like we were qualifying for the luge. I have vivid memories of sending our books down first, and we'd follow at 100 mph. At the end of the hill was the parking lot.

On the way home, that same slippery slope could be muddy or icy and on an occasion felt like Mt. Everest. But that was the commute - and it wasn't a convenient stop at the end of our street, and it wasn't even around the corner, and it wasn't well lit or monitored.

Today, that walk would be unheard of and unimaginable, but we did it, parent-free, every morning. And I when I think of that walk to the bus, I automatically think what has changed in the world? That's a loaded question, right? I watch parents in my hometown gather at the end of streets waiting for the bus to unload their kids. Few of them walk to their houses - most of them jump into a car or get a nice escort home. Through mud, ice, snow or sleet I never expected to be greeted at the bus stop and when I did get picked up, it was a special treat, and probably a blizzard or tropical storm brewing.

My daughter takes the bus now from her school to her after school program and she loves it. It makes her feel independent and grown up. And I don't mind because there is someone to help her get on and someone to greet her getting off the bus - no mysterious woods in between!

I'm constantly thinking in "Blog"

Come on bloggers, admit it. You can't stop thinking in Blog, too. I have always talked to myself, in my head, without vocal words (ok, out loud on occasion) but I've noticed myself thinking in Blog a lot lately. For example, my mind used to think,

"I wonder if the shower is hot."

but now I think,

"As I walked into the shower, I wondered if the water had warmed up to the perfect temperature or if I was going to be scalding myself for the third time this week."

Or when I make dinner I used to think,

"Hmm. Wonder if I have chicken in the freezer."

Now, I think,

"After a long day at work, I was hopeful there was chicken in the freezer that I could quickly defrost and surprise my family with a nutritious meal for a change. They are all starting to look a little round from the processed food binge we've been on."

Laugh...but you know you do it, too!! There is a blog for every occasion and every occasion deserves a blog, even if it's just in your head.

The other man in my life

For over 8 1/2 years we've seen each other almost every day. And every morning, without fail, he gets all excited when I walk downstairs to start my day. It's almost like he's amazed I'm still with him. He sleeps outside the bathroom when I take a shower. He follows me when I go to get something to drink in the kitchen.

And now that the kids are in school and hubby works days, and I'm alone in this house working on marketing plans and press opportunities for hours at a time, he still manages to come running to me when I emerge from my office. You don't get that kind of love in any corporate setting, that's for sure. Most people run away from you when you emerge from your office!

So, I thought it was about time this little guy got noticed. Seems all the glory and the fame goes to my birth children in this blog, but this little man was really the first child I ever took care of. And yes, that's him getting caught up on the furniture - just like the kids - he has two comfy beds in that room but he pushes the limits when he's told he can't do something. Thanks for hanging out with me, Coach! Enjoy the chair today.

I could never be a drug addict

Coming down from the high is just too painful.

After floating until 12:30 a.m. watching the election - after I promised myself to call it quits well before 11:15 a.m. - I awoke to the painful reminder that I stayed up well past my bed time on an adrenaline rush.

So, at noon I am still in my PJ's and slippers. I've tried two cups of CAFFEINE-FREE tea to soothe my election hangover. I've focused lots of energy on work tasks. And then I ate a cupcake with purple frosting and orange and black sprinkles because if I can't kick myself into gear today then I'll let the sugar step in to replace the electoral count high!

At least it looks like there won't be a Super Bowl to worry about this year with the Pats - that would be the next event that would have me sweating, cheering and swearing in front of the TV.

Private Election Party

With a sore throat and a hot cup of tea I planted myself in front of the TV at 8:00 tonight to watch history in the making.

But I wasn't alone. I had my own private election party through the wonders of social media. I joined my Facebook friends and Twitter "tweeters" for hours and laughed, joked, celebrated and shared stories.

For those that thought this was a historic election year because of the candidates, I believe it was historic for several reasons in the way it brought this country together to communicate no matter the medium. I'm still waiting to hear about Nevada's results and then I'll use that phone to call my sister-in-law. Some things need to happen voice-to-voice.

Sleigh rides in Candia, NH

I will be getting a promotional code for 50% off tickets purchased THIS THURSDAY ONLY, NOV 6 for sleigh rides in December at Charmingfare Farm in Candia, NH - right outside Manchester.

If you are interested, let me know via email at "bonnerclb at comcast dot net" and I can email you the code. Normal cost is $20pp and we did it last year and had a great time with the kids.

Happy Holidays!! (I think I just had a little panic attack writing that!!)

Can't you leave it alone?

Little boys and their pee-pees...I guess if I had easy access to an appendage at 4 years old I probably would have felt compelled to play with it constantly, too.

We had a great time with friends yesterday - 8 adults, 9 children and lots and lots of matchbox cars!!! As I uploaded and disseminated the pictures I took from the festivities I noticed (AFTER THE FACT) that my son was caught on camera with his hands down pants, thankfully keeping said pee-pee out of view...but we aren't always so fortunate in places like the supermarket, park or playground.

Little boys and their pee-pees...