Earth to Alex

Ways I connect with my 13 year old daughter:

• Watch Glee. Despite a few scenes that make me blush (am I that old...or just that prudish?), the music completely bedazzles me.
• Watch American Idol. Never will I tire of this show. I'm starting to think they could make Dan Rather a judge and I'd still like it.
• Watch Food Network. What will we watch now that Worst Cooks in America is over? Doesn't matter! I simply relish in the opportunity for my very own offspring to educate me on food items such as "polenta" and "arugula."
• Read Alex's book recommendations...such as "Five Flavors of Dumb." AHA -a break from the tube (a.k.a. flatscreen for any possible youth reading this). But I won't deny my disappointment that she's not holding up her end of the deal. "I'll read this if you read that!" She hasn't even pretended to pick up The Help...How could she not be interested in a book about the racial injustice of the 1960's? Oh, but she will as soon as she realizes that Emma Stone is playing the lead in the movie...

And if all else fails, I open on my laptop to converse with her on Facebook while she's...somewhere in the house. (She gets a real kick out of that.) Next time I'll post on her wall, "Hey Al. Have you started reading The Help yet??? Love ya!"

PS - she doesn't respond to my texts! Not sure what I'm doing wrong because she certainly seems to like texting. Could it be I don't speak text well enough?

The Magic of Disney

We're coming down from a Disney high.

Seven days in Orlando - this time with a four day pass to Universal Studios to visit our beloved Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And while it didn't disappoint, we found ourselves wasting one-full day's pass to opt for you know who. Mickey Mouse. There really is magic in those walls of Disney. Eagle's lyrics kept drifting through my mind (especially as Doug couldn't seem to find the exits). "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..."

I couldn't help but feel a bit sad about leaving. With kids the ages of 9 and 13, could this be my last hurrah at Magic Kingdom? Princesses. Fairy tales. Happy endings. We even coerced Doug to endure Tangled in 3D. It was quite delightful. Just ask Doug.

Today Alex and I watched two more Disney animated films. Then we thumbed through photos of our vacation - as if it had taken place years ago. Apparently, I need Disney to remind me that you're never too old to dream. On my last trip to Orlando, I started collected these figurines - Tinker Bell has a saying on her platform: "Let Your Dreams Blossom." I've had this sitting in my room for a few years now, but you know how you forget to look at the precious things you already have?

Actually, the sun didn't even shine in Orlando for the last few days. But it was shining in Iowa - just as we arrived home on Friday. So, I think that God was telling us that dreams can come true anywhere...as long as you believe.

Thoughts after first day of vaca:

-Direct flights are sublime. Feeling slightly superior than those poor souls who must connect through Dallas.


-While I was slightly charmed that my hubby beat me at the addicting word scramble games while biding our time on the plane, I sort of wanted to thrash him on the head with the Kindle. C'mon! I'm supposed to be the brains. He's supposed to be the brawn.

-Will I ever ever ever ever ever grow sick of Mcdonalds? Me thinks... only if they discontinue their fries.

-Did you know that it's a faux pas to use the term "befriend" when considering such matters like Facebook. Apparently, I need to train my brain to think of friending as a verb. If I want to sound cool anyway.

-Our family travel habits have become uncannily blended. I eat a ton more meat, and Doug has already started planning our next trip (a definite role reversal). Alex has picked up Cole's tendency to "want stuff". And Cole has picked up Alex's penchant for...wanting stuff. Quite the role reversal there as well.



Off to our first full day of roller coasters, sugar highs, a few beers (hopefully), probably a headache and certainly loads of laughs.



TTFN (Tigger-ease for Ta Ta for now)

Breaking News!

We take a break from our regularly-scheduled lives to bring you this storm:

Yes, this is the USA. Pretty cool, huh?

Assuming you are safe and warm, can you help be anything but awe-struck by the power of Mother Nature? I'm looking out my front window and am blinded by the dazzling whirl of white. Perhaps a little hibernation is good for the soul.

The kids think so anyway.