I'm sick of all this Swine Flu talk. Everywhere we go it's Swine Flu this, and Swine Flu that. The thought of catching it makes me nervous, though, because every time I picture someone with the Swine Flu, they look like this:

I don't like dogs OR pigs. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle looking a little bit like both.

Drama

My kids have been fighting over the same two toys for weeks now:

Yes, it's a bit odd that Jude is fighting Maddie to the death over princesses, but both Maddie and Jude are obsessed with them. When I asked Madelyn why she couldn't play with any of the other princesses (Jasmine, Snow White, etc) she told me that these two princesses were the only ones that could make a family. I told her that I didn't understand and she said, "Ariel is the mom, and sleeping beauty is the daughter." I showed her the other figurines and said that they could all do the same thing. She then said, "No, Ariel has to be the mom because she has the big boobs. Sleeping Beauty's are small-so she's just the little girl." She makes a good point. 
I then moved to Jude (who lovingly refers to the princesses as Oreo and Shake-a-booty). I tried to replace Ariel with Snow White, and he wasn't having it. He said that Oreo was pretty (must be the big boobs; have you seen her face?!) I then tried to take away Shake-a-booty, but he went berserk. I asked why she was so special, and he ran and grabbed Mr. Potato head. He then shoved Shake-a-booty into Mr. Potato head's butt, and began to shake Mr. Potato head like a maraca - dancing to the beat (Shake-a-booty explained).

Both children have very legit arguments. What's a mom to do?  

For Stefanie

My true colors: I have everybody fooled. My friends and family all seem to think that my house is alway spotless. They believe that I dust and vacuum every hour - on the hour, while my children (obviously freshly bathed) participate in very educational activities. I think I hit the ultimate high last weekend when my mother-in-law even said, "I swear you vacuum your house every day." Success!  

No offense, but you are all suckers. Here's the truth: my house is RARELY clean. I have unbelievably mad skills when it comes to the ten minute panic-clean. As soon as I know that someone is coming to my house I rush around like a crazy woman to make sure that the real me is not exposed. It does NOT matter who you are, or how close of friends we are, the thought of you seeing my house in it's filthy state makes me nauseous.

Last night while baking for my other blog, I looked around the kitchen and almost died. It was one of those moments where I thought (and I honestly think this) "Someone is going to randomly come over - and I'll have to pretend I'm not home." It was that thought that reminded me of something my darling, darling friend Stefanie said the last time she was at my house. I had been babysitting four girls that day and Madelyn's room was trashed; I'm talking EVERY SINGLE TOY - out. Stefanie looked around and said, "I'm not going to lie. I'm really, really happy to see this room look like this."

It was that statement that led me to this post. I've decided to put it all out there, and if you don't like me anymore - so be it. Not only is it filthy, but there's a laundry basket on the kitchen floor-with butter inside of it(?) and I've even left half the cabinets open in true Melissa fashion. Go ahead and judge your heart out.  





So there you have it. If you prefer the neat-freak Melissa, stop by anytime after 5pm. That's the hour in which I have to make sure my husband is also fooled!

A Few Favorites

Rob and I are thrilled with our new computer, but Madelyn is OBSESSED with it - for one reason; it has Photo Booth.

Sweets and Stuff

Back in December I did a post about some Christmas cookies that I had made. After that post I received a few phone calls from people looking for the recipe. It was around that time that I came up with the idea of doing a blog about baking. Genius. I figured it would be a great way to share my recipes with those that follow - or just people searching the web for a tasty treat. Since then I have been "mind-blogging" all of the recipes I could put on this new blog. Then a couple of weeks ago I got an email from my little brother inviting me to view his "new cooking blog." He totally beat me to the punch (ambitious jerk)!  But as it turns out, his is for savory dinner ideas - not a baking blog at all. I figured it was time to stop mind-blogging, and actually get this show on the road.  So it is with our combined powers that I present - for your viewing and eating pleasure, two new blogs to add to your blog-roll:

Lou Bell Bakes

&

Kopp's Cookings

We will both try to update our blogs weekly to give you as many ideas for the kitchen as possible.  Happy Eating!

Photo Shoot Gone Bad

The odd thing is that he actually said "cheese" for every one of these shots.

Happy Easter

Sad Easter

"Look, Mom, no hands," (Rob laughing, me panicking) Easter

My true colors: I am not a park mom. I hate taking kids to the park. There are park bullies, park injuries, park moms, trying to get your kids to happily leave the park - it's just not my scene. Luckily my kids have an adventurous father who is happy to take them. Then I can just tag along with camera in tow.  Because even I, the bitter park mom, has a soft spot for cute park pictures.  

A few days ago Madelyn yelled, "Uh-oh, Mom, something happened!"  So I went to see what the problem was, and she showed me this:

I was a bit surprised that this is what caused her distress, and I kind of laughed (dumb idea, because she's been told on several occasions NOT to write on herself). So I quickly changed my tone and told her that she could not play with markers anymore if this sort of "accident" can't be avoided. Then she made this face:

I couldn't help but laugh again. I'm sure she's learned her lesson.

Ultimate Power

Thanks to this candid shot, I will have complete control over Jude's teen years.