10 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 110

Talk about a week of extremes. Monday it was pouring rain. Saturday it was over 100. Wednesday I was young and energetic. Thursday I was, well, not so young and energetic. Monday I went to a Disney Social Media Moms On the Road event in Berkeley, where they encouraged us to help #DisneySMMoms trend on Twitter as we heard from really fascinating women. Friday I went to dotcomplicated, where Randi Zuckerberg encouraged us to put our phones away and really engage in a meaningful conversation with fascinating women. Monday and Friday I got all pretty. Saturday I got all dirty. And the list goes on and on.

Lesson #1: You guys really know how to make a birthday girl feel special. (Even those of you who didn’t bring me amazing homemade cupcakes.) Thank you so much for reading my birthday wish post and sharing Using Our Words with friends. (I really, really hope you did the other two things too, but I have no way of knowing. I trust you though.) I’m thrilled to have new readers joining us here this week! (But, hey, I’m not getting any younger. Don’t stop now!)

Lesson #2: After blaming the boys (in my head) for all the missing plastic bowls in our house, it turns out Pink may be the culprit. I found one this week — full of stale goldfish — hidden in her lampshade.

Lesson #3: It’s true. Having a 2-year old is a lot like having a parrot. And I’m finding there are times I really don’t like myself.

Lesson #4: They say summer is a great time to teach your kids the classics. Which is why Eye of the Tiger is on our summer fun CD.

Lesson #5: Coming home to 15 minutes of your kids laughing hysterically when they look at you pretty much cancels out all the, “Love your haircut [and/or] color!”s you got from respectable (and respectful) adults.

Lesson #6: There are days you work and work and work and it all seems as if it’s all for nothing. If our house cleaners were here at 10:15am on Wednesday — about 20 minutes after they left — they totally would have felt that way. It was like a flash storm hit — crumbly snacks, spilled drinks, and a kid in his big brother’s cleats walking through a garden puddle then through the entire house.

Lesson #7: If you’re not sure your waterproof sunscreen is really waterproof, have your kid “wash” a bunch of toys in it. A week — and many real washings — later, you’ll be convinced.

Lesson #8: My idea of roughing it is leaving the campsite in plenty of time to get home, clean up, and eat dinner at a respectable restaurant with a free birthday dessert (or two, if you and your mom happen to share a birthday week).

Lesson #9: I no longer need to wonder what Big’s teenage years will look like. Camping on the hottest day of the year gave the mosquitoes a chance to paint a (not-so-pretty) portrait on his face.

Lesson #10: While I love the energy my boys bring to the house, a morning alone with Pink was like living in an alternate universe. She slept until 8am — YES!, one of my kids. Then, in just a few hours time, we had a baby doll tea party, danced an entire CD’s worth of follow-the-leader moves, got a head start on dinner prep, completed two loads of laundry and dishes, snuggled on the couch, read a book or two, and ate two meals. I’m suddenly realizing why I don’t get anything done around here…

Thanks again for knowing how to make a lady feel special. You’re all right at the top of my list. Beneath Pink of course. Did I mention she slept until 8am?! That’s good stuff.