10 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 101

This week has been a crazy emotional roller coaster for people everywhere. There’s been sadness, stress, fear, and relief. I find that in those times, it can be hard to know what to say, or how to move forward. I’m trying my best to do just that by laughing at the funny little moments that I should be cherishing, but might not really be able to in the moment, and by sharing my laughs with you. It’s what I know how to do. And I hope to add a bit of happiness to your week in the process.

Lesson #1: Today at the Stanford baseball game, as I stood along side 9 little boys, the National Anthem took on a whole new level of emotion.

Lesson #2: When you plan a “small, low key” birthday party for 7-year-old boys, there are some things you should keep in mind. 1) When you already have 2 boys, adding 7 to the mix is no small feat. 2) When you make goodie bags, beware of packing gummies that might melt on the hottest day of the year, during the longest game of the season. 3) If you include 3 pieces of Bazooka gum in each bag, count on all 3 pieces being eaten at once. And at least one piece ending up on your shoe. 4) Having your name on the scoreboard is just about the coolest thing ever.

Lesson #3: Even moms can take on double headers. At least the kind where you take a basketball to the face in one game, and a baseball to the face in the next.

Lesson #4: Pink really does think life’s a musical. The other day when I asked if she was trying to get into trouble, she answered by busting out with, “Trouble, Trouble, Oh!” Watch out Taylor, there’s another cute blondie who’s ready for the spotlight.

Lesson #5: Pink will never be a CIA agent. Within 10 seconds of standing next to us, a woman in Costco said, “So she’s about 2?” It wasn’t her long hair or toothy smile that led her to that conclusion. No, “The ‘no’s and ‘mine’s were a dead giveaway.”

Lesson #6: Pink’s messing with my reputation too. She runs around town saying, ‘Grocery store, cookie!’ and ‘Costco, samples!’ There go all the grand illusions people have of my glamorous life.

Lesson #7: Pink’s not only demanding of me, she’s also demanding of her dolls and stuffed animals. She spent the week reprimanding them for various indiscretions. How do I know? She sternly used her middle and last name. “Bunny. Pinky. Heinz!” (No, her middle name isn’t really Pinky. Just like her first name isn’t Pink. Or is it?)

Lesson #8: Little’s finally convinced me that there actually is a witch in our house. When I went into his room to prove otherwise, I came out and he said, “Yes, there is! See? She made you fatter!” Obviously it was her evil magic that made me this way. Obviously.

Lesson #9: Putting your license through the washer doesn’t do any damage. Other than, perhaps, making your unflattering picture (also the work of the witch, it seems) a bit more visible.

Lesson #10: Thanks to my boys’ perseverance, I finally know what’s been causing the foul smell around our house. It’s whoever was the last one in. You know, the rotten egg.

What made you smile this week?