My Vacation Hangover

Spring Break is over, which means my birthday is over, and I'm exhausted! It was a busy and fun two weeks, and all I have is some great pictures and a huge load of laundry to show for it. Why does vacation seem to make me more tired than rested?

A parade of relatives tromped through the house (6 family members in all, in three shifts) so that the sheets and towels seemed to make a daily commute between the washer and dryer. I also had to increase my cooking skills to impress the guests as well as to feed a larger group (so microwave taquitos just wouldn't cut it). And then there's the constant "What shall we do today?" schedule where we take the relatives to the zoo, the museum, the park... any attraction where they could see how cute the kids are in their natural habitat.

But don't think I'm complaining. We all had a blast, and now I feel tired, but happy. It's kind of a let down, like the day after Christmas. It's like a "NOW WHAT??" feeling -- no more people to entertain, and no more adult conversation to enjoy until Hubby gets home from work. I think I also feel this way because my birthday celebrating is officially over, now that all the celebrants are back at home, and it's back to the daily (ie. boring) routine.

So now it's nothing to look forward to until summer... when the parade starts all over again.

Spring Break! Woo-hoo!

Spring begins this week, which means the kiddos are out of school and Hubby gets some time off. For some reason, this also brings a plethora of family members to parade through my house this year, so we are booked with guests! (My birthday being at this time could have something to do with it as well. Or it could be that these Californians finally think the rain and snow has stopped here in Oregon, and it's safe to travel! Whatever the reason, I'm glad to have the company!)

As a result, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly will be taking a vacation for the next couple weeks. Use this as an opportunity to check out older posts, or to read my posts about married life at How to Get the Guy.

And have a Happy Easter and a great Spring Break!

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit now. They can hold the baby and I can go out."

-- Matthew Broderick

(Dedicated to my in-laws who are coming into town this weekend.)

Sneezing, Rude Diapers, and Nerve-Wracking Packing

So... it looks like my readers are most interested in dealing with rude people, especially parents and annoying children. I'm glad I'm not the only one with these problems. I also see that my Dinner Table Topics are quite a hit... (tooting my own horn)

However, I found some odd requests made by those that have come upon my site. Here are some of the topics people are searching for on Google, and somehow they were directed to my blog.

The dog, the bad, and the ugly
A creative title for a blog about your pug / pit bull mix?

Old people dinner table
Wondering what to discuss when grandparents come for a visit? Or trying to find an antique table?

Sneeze dinner table
Searching for Kleenex etiquette at the dinner table, perhaps?

Nerve Wracking Packing
Moving is such a b%$#. (This one gets points for clever rhyming.)

Santa's Good and Bad List
When you find it, let me know. It could be worth meel-yuns!

Rude Diaper
Hmmm.... I will admit, I've never met a diaper that was particularly polite...

Ugly Mommy
Now, I'll try not to take this one too personally. After all, it got them to my blog, so it can't be all that bad.

Thanks for reading!

Mommy Quote of the Week

"Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.”
-- Phyllis Diller

Dinner Table Topics

Who's turn is it to set the table? Because it's time for another Dinner Table Topics, where I supply the subjects and you and your family provide the lively conversation! Here's what's going on this time...

A recent survey was taken about over-involved parents, or "helicopter parents" as they are often referred to due to their "hovering" nature. It seems that children of these parents who constantly communicate with or even manage their children closely are found to be happier and more engaged in college. These students seem to be more confident in approaching professors for help and are more apt to participate in class discussions. This is good news for us parents who are looking to give our kids that extra "lift" (pun intended).

Secondly, Professor Lilian Katz, a professor of education at the University of Illinois, made a statement that says pushing young children to read too early and too hard could put them off for life, especially affecting boys. She believes government plans to teach children to read even earlier than kindergarten or first grade -- at preschool -- are a mistake. I totally and completely agree! It seems that many parents seem to stress about what skills their child is reaching, instead of letting them just be kids and grow at their own pace. Just like learning to walk, potty-training, or learning to speak, every child learns to read when they are ready, and there is no need to rush them! So don't let anyone talk your ear off about their precious child being smarter than yours -- life's not a sprint, but a marathon, right? As Dr. Katz says, "What's the hurry?"


Now... talk amongst yourselves!

Why Men Are Just Happier People

The garage is all yours.
Your last name stays put.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character. Graying hair adds attraction.
Wedding dress~$5000. Tux rental~$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversationsare over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier people!

(Thanks to Ali for this internet find.)