12

My oldest turned 12 at 11:47 this morning. I unpacked my grandma's cake pans to make his waterslide birthday cake. It will be my first time working with them...but she used them to bake wedding cakes, and they are well worn.   LOVE!

Kate

Admittedly I have nothing in common with Kate Middleton...BUT I so vividly remember this very week twelve years ago, so hot and uncomfortable and wondering if my first baby would EVER come. Makes me feel just the tiniest bit of kinship with the beautiful duchess right now!

Windows

My children are playing tennis in my front room. You know, the one that's filled with windows.

Summer School

I try to reread this at the beginning of every summer just to scare myself into being super-aware. This article is so, so powerful. Save lives!

Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning 

The Christmas Story Explained

Mama:  "And when John saw Jesus in the crowd, he said, 'This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' Now, can any of you tell me why Jesus might be called the Lamb of God?"

Reuben: "Ooh ooh! Because he was BORN IN A PASTURE!"

Reese: "Jesus was NOT born in a pasture."

Reuben: "Oh yeah...I mean, because he was BORN IN A FEEDBOX!"

Look-Alikes

Just rockin' a little Jillian Michaels kickboxing when Ari saunters by, glances at the TV screen, and asks, "Hey Mom, is that you?" Um NO. But my week appears to suddenly be looking up!

Earth Day, Philips Style

I was naive to think that the five- and seven-year-olds would hear "broken dryer, dentist appointments for 6 and company for dinner" and correctly translate it into "STAY OUT OF THE MUD PIT." Well played, Earth Day. You little stinker.