The Evolution of Sleepovers

My sweet daughter has always been that child that never wants the party to end.  She has always been able to play with her friends for endless hours..begging for an extension of time.  We both enjoy making sleepovers as festive as possible. 

My earliest memories date back to her Kindergarten years when sleepovers lasted until bedtime..that's when I would get the phone call.."Kelsey's homesick."  There's something about needing your bed and your mommy that makes it hard to go to sleep at the age of five.

Preparation for a sleepover is involved; we jet on over to the grocery store and pick out their favorite snacks..and stop by Blockbuster because movies are a must, of course. 

Some of these sleepover "musts" have not changed.  However, I'm no longer the need for entertainment any more.  This has been bittersweet.  I adore kids and getting right in the middle of their fun.  This is not necessary anymore I've been told.  (sniff..sniff)  Such is the evolution of sleepovers...


Long gone are the days when I had to preface the night with, "Okay...nobody gets up until 7AM"  Now, I find myself tiptoeing around wondering if they will want to eat lunch or breakfast when they wake up.  Although, my sweet girl's curls still fan her pillow and revert my memories back to her five year-old days. 

We've gone from sippy cups filled to the brim with an over indulgence of chocolate syrup to the same recipe in "grown-up" coffee cups

Necessities of high fructose corn syrup snacks have managed to keep their appeal, but the empty wrappers have moved from the kitchen table to the...bathroom?  Yep, gotta have a snack when you're putting on make-up.

So long to Barbies...and Candy Land...say hello to Ipods.  It amazes me how many hours these tiny electronic devices can entertain an 11 year-old.

Wondering why it's quiet...no longer finding them sneaking into my closet trying on shoes..instead, they are editing photos on their Ipod..again!

Something that will never lose zest is a refreshing dip in the pool.  There's something tempting about a calm ripple in the water that makes you want to cannonball in and create waves.

Now I can actually relax without worry of little ones losing their "floaties"; they can swim, and I can sit back and read my pre-summer "trashy" book series, "Pretty Little Liars"..    I strongly recommend this!  It is mindless entertainment that will keep you wanting to read more. 

I look forward to sleepovers as much as Kelsey; we're never too old to get our friends together for a full night of laughs, high caloric snacks, and fun times.

Just take those old records off the shelf...

Ever met one of those annoying people who sings songs using the incorrect lyrics?  Yep, that's me.  I can belt it out in the car and recreate what I "think" the artist is singing...all the while making up the words as I go. ..."Start me up"..hmmm..could've sworn he was saying "Strike me up"...I know..weird.

What I lack in lyrics I make up in the trivial artist category.  (Proclaiming myself as a bona fide schizo of music.)  I can mix with the smooth acoustics of Govi...and five minutes later yell, "Viva Selena"...belting out "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", then give myself an adolescent headache from headbanging to "Pour Some Sugar on Me"....all the while (thanks to my co-worker Sarah) ridin low with the left hand on the steering wheel, thumpin out to "Gangsta's Paradise"..and finally, blasting the 1812 overture so loud that the windows shake.

We'll Grammy Award style this Favorite Friday:

For the "Year we graduated (1994)"  the award goes to....  Cranberries, "Dream" 

When I hear this song, I see flashbacks of my first experience in college.  I actually had the Cranberries poster on my wall in my dorm.  We spent many a night cross-legged on the floor, listening to this CD, and debating whether or not we were going to study or head on over to "Hurricane Harry's" 






For "A Love Song"  the award goes to.....Roberta Flack, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" 

Say the word love, and my daughter's face appears in my mind.  The first time I saw Kelsey's face it felt like time had stopped.  I have never felt that way in any other life experience thus far.  For nine months I wondered what she was going to look like...what color her hair would be...would she take after myself or her father?... yet, the first time I saw her I couldn't pull away from those big brown eyes.  Those eyes told me that my heart no longer belonged to myself, and that I would never look at life the same way.  These eyes still make me laugh, cry, hope, and "love". 




For "A song that makes you want to dance"  the award goes to......Vanilla Ice, "Ice Ice Baby"

"Yo, VIP"....after all these years, I still gotta "kick it" to this song.  Searching through my collection of memories...a vague scene unfolds of the 8th grade dance...envision a circle of kids with break dancers in the middle doing their best rendition of Vanilla Ice.  At the time I thought they were pretty "fly".  I wonder if they could still pull this off today?




For " A song from the year you were born (1976)"  man that was a long time ago..the award goes to Eagles,  "Hotel California"

Let's have a glass of Prosecco and analyze the meaning of this song...the acoustic version is simply soulful.  One of the few songs I actually know the words to. 





For " A Guilty Pleasure"...the award goes to...Guns N Roses, "Patience"

When I think of guilty pleasure I imagine getting lost in the time era specific to the song...praying noone walks in while you are lost in your early 90's trance.  Ahhh...the first slow dance.  I can't help but start swaying side to side like Axl Rose when I hear this song..thinking back on that hilarious memory....nervous, stiff as a board...wondering, "where do I put my hands?...what do I do with my feet?"....don't look at his face...just sway...loving every minute yet, wishing the song was over...already! Funny how music can serve as a time machine and wharp you back to different moments in your life.  It's almost like a companion to memories and photographs...makes me wonder what songs will have significance in my life 20 years from now. 

Bumpin' It

I've always admired hairdressers. It amazes me how they can transform a person from wet and shaggy to electrified teased, and end up with just the right haircut. Kelsey recently had the opportunity to be a hair model to our friend's sister who is attending the Toni & Guy hair design Academy. Samantha washed, dryed, curled, and "bumped" Kelsey's hair.

She beautifully turned my converse wearing 11 year-old into a teenager ready to take on the red carpet.  (With the converse of course)

It is all business at the academy; her teacher watches and provides feedback while she is working.  Kelsey is posing with Samantha and her teacher.

Overall, a fun day for Kelsey to be a hair model...now if I can only recreate it.  

Blog Challenge: Favorite Movies

I have a special drawer in my entertainment center that houses my favorite movies that are ready to be on call for a good cry or laugh. 


Movie 1:  "Adventures in Babysitting"  Yes, I am an 80's child.  I remember renting this on VHS, and having to wait what seemed like hours for it to rewind to watch it for the 100th time.




Movie 2:  "Goonies"  I will always be a GOONIE.  How you can you resist Chunk and his truffle shuffle?




Movie3:  " Sleepless in Seattle"  *sigh*  *Sigh* My favorite scene; (pardon the subtitles)




Movie 4: "A Christmas Story" A holiday tradition; Randy's snowsuit scene is the best!

Movie 5:  "Bruce Almighty" Anything with shrill voices and farting is entertaining




There are hundreds more; these are just a few that I would be willing to watch on repeat.

Blog Challenge: (Early) Childhood

Luckily, I stumbled upon some pics of long ago...my mom, being the picture hoarder that she is, has most of my school age pics.  So, my reenactment of my way younger years is as follows.

Meet my beloved "Bear-Bear"  He is the maroon, stuffed friend in my lap.  Bear-Bear has been everywhere with me, including Japan.  He was my best friend, and participated in many roles.  He has been in "time-out", my student (thankfully Bear-Bear was smart), my "baby", soaked in some tears, and snuggled many times.  I can still remember what he smells like.  Bear-Bear is still alive and kicking, but my mom is holding him hostage...imagine that? 

Next up:  Japan.  I have no recollection of this, except some cool pics. 

Birthday:  Common thread here...something always on my head.  Jeeeez mom....

I didn't do it...I swear...it was Bear-Bear! 

Whew..still managed to stay on the "good" list...everything is Merry again...



Looking through old pictures today was like taking a time machine to the past.  I had a wonderful childhood, and hope to instill the same love, festivities, and values in my own daughter.  Thank goodness for pictures that capture forever moments in time. 

What's your number?

I hear it all the time..the older we get, the less we celebrate.  There's something that changes in our psyche from young birthday celebrations that involve months of party planning to..hmmm.."older" celebrations where you just don't have "time" to bother.  A friend of mine whos birthday was fast approaching, was reflecting on her new age:  27.  Not quite ready to be shopping around for a major push-up bra, but not exactly 21 anymore.  She said, " 27 is the age my mom always said she was on all her future birthdays.....wow...I'm at that number now." 

After thinking about what she said, I realized  the age difference in 27 and my ripe age of  35.  I am on the uphill to 40.  Forty?  No way, I'm still 23 inside.  Then it occurred to me, age really is just a number....or am I just saying that because I'm "older" now? After contemplating this thought I've come to the conclusion that I'm still the me I was at 21..add that to some momentous life experiences and I'd say my number is fitting.

So, my point is... celebrate your number no matter what it is.
 It's not everyday that you get to dive into brightly colored tissue paper searching for that wonderment of surprise...

 or actually order something from the menu that's described as "stuffed" or "smothered"...without feeling guilty.

Life is short, embrace the festivities.....

P.S.>> don't forget to blow out your candles; make a wish to enjoy life, and welcome all the numbers to come.

Blog Challenge Day Five: Favorite Things Friday

I'm going to expose many elements of myself in listing just "some" of my favorite things, including my inner...(ahhh who am I kidding?) My outer Geek.  At any point in a day I can revolve around the ages of 8-75 years of age.  For example:


One of my favorite apps: 

Yes, that's right...Good ol' farts.  Some examples to use this brilliant app are in a quiet, stiff, conference room where everyone is waiting for the enticing subject of Regulation E.  (Referring to my bank days). Push the button for "Burrito Maximo" then turn to your co-worker and ask them if "they are okay?"

My favorite rule breaker:  My little friend I call "Speedito"  This little guy has saved me lots of money.  It's just so hard to drive sloooow.  I implore all you non speed limit rule breakers. 

One last "geek-out".  Donkey Kong country is one of my favorite Wii games.  Thank goodness I teach kids..I have had to seek their counsel many a time on how to get past level 7. 

Okay, I'll act my age now.  Open windows on a breezy day are a must because I feel there is no substitute for fresh air. 

Favorite flower:  Tulips are complex and simple all wrapped in one.  I love their bright colors and the simplicity of their petals.  Put a bouquet of tulips on your dining table and watch the room light up.



My favorite name?  Mommy.  Kelsey is 11 years old and she still calls me "mommy"  I hope it stays that way forever.