"Heaven on a Bun"

Sometimes, when Ben is fishing and the oldest is at day camp, and I take the boy child and the twinsies to Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I ache for my grandma because I think she would have really loved that place, and the company even more.

She would have totally gotten a kick out of the fact that Lane chose to wear her pink, sparkly shoes, a special, beaded orange necklace, and a pink purse, while Lucy opted to accessorize with a more conservative pair of white sandals and a Dora backpack.

She would have really loved the following things that the kids said:

Ethan (scowling): "Dora is totally spoiled. If she needs anything, it's bam! Right there in her backpack! SO SPOILED." Upon further thought, I have to agree.

Lucy (in her quiet, high voice, while pointing at the moon): "Yook, Mommy, it's a planet in da sky!" I have no idea where she learned about planets, but I suspect Dora.

Lane (in her exact-opposite-of-quiet voice, after I asked her if she wanted to go home and swim): "No, I no swim, I go to BEACH! BEACH, YAY!"

Grandma also would have laughed with me when I walked outside and the wind blew my dress WAY up and I was holding a little hand in each of my hands! Boy, those moments are MUCH better shared!

It was her birthday on Sunday, and she would have been 82. Grandma, I still miss you tons, and I REALLY hope you get to enjoy a bacon cheeseburger every now and then!

Just Call Me Superlative Jones

I'm not one to give something or someone more praise than it/he/she deserves. But I know something that lights my fire when I read/hear/wear/taste it, and then I want to spread the good word. It's the least I can do.

*I just got this swimsuit top (in brown) in the mail today.


I have to admit, I bought it because I saw a picture of Jenny wearing it. I felt a little guilty for copying her, until I tried it on. It is THE cutest swimsuit top I have ever worn in my ENTIRE life. It makes me forget that I'm wearing a swimsuit, which is pretty much an impossible feat, and hides everything that I have (and don't have.) Brilliant. So, dear Jenny, please forgive me. You can find it here, although maybe you should not get it if you think you will be swimming with Jenny and I. Awkward.

*Yesterday, while on a Target run, I stopped by the bakery to grab something since I had not eaten breakfast. I saw this intriguing confection called an "iced cinnamon roll," although it just looked like a big, tall, glazed donut. I don't know why I got it, because I don't even love cinnamon rolls. However, I'm so glad I did because it was the BEST cinnamon roll on the PLANET. Sorry, Rachel, but it might even be better than your homemade ones back in the day. I ate it so fast that I had frosting all over my face when I got to Lisa's to get my kids. Kind of embarrassing, but Lisa understood. I really hope your Target has a bakery and that it has those things, because dang!

*While in New York a few weeks ago, I went to Chinatown with my in-laws. Ben had recommended that we grab some "pork bons" while there. Ben, I will LOVE you forever for that suggestion. They were like a sweet, steamy, doughy, savory, meaty party in my mouth, and pretty much changed my LIFE. I asked my mother-in-law, Sherry, to take this picture of me eating a pork bon so I would never forget this life-changing moment, and she didn't even bat an eye because I've been in the family for eleven years and she is totally accustomed to my dramatics by now.


Finally, a few more recommendations that may not be the MOST amazing things in the UNIVERSE, but they sure are awesome:

1) The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. I have thought about this book every day since I finished it two weeks ago. I had the most difficult time putting it down, and that almost never happens to me. I found out that it's actually teen sci-fi, but hey, even better, because the heroine in THIS book actually has passions and perspective and is a fascinating, complex character. Can't wait for the sequel in the Fall. Disclaimer: Do NOT read this if you prefer light-hearted, escapist literature. Definitely not for you. DO read it if you loved The Road. I also recommend The Book of a Thousand Days, by Shannon Hale. Thanks to my wonderful mom who gave me both books to devour when I was "vacationing" in Boston!

2) If you are not watching SYTYCD, you must start NOW. Tomorrow night is the 100th episode and they will showcase some of the most famous routines ever. I'm not sure I will even be able to sleep tonight in anticipation. And if you missed it, please youtube Mia Michael's routine from this season about addiction set to my personal favorite song, Sara Bareilles' "Gravity." It was powerfully danced by Kayla and Kuponu. Also, thanks to Nap and Tab for that killer group routine set to The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," one of my new favorite songs-to-do-dishes-to-while-Ethan-dances.

Excuse Shopping

I need a new one. My standby for the past two and a half years has been, "I can't. I have twins." It's been awesome. I use it for everything:

"Mom, can I have friends over?"
"I have twins, sorry."

"Can you be a soccer coach/room mom/playgroup coordinator?"
"Well, I sure would, if I didn't have these twins."

"Honey, you're looking hot tonight..."
"Um, twins..."

It's gotten out of hand recently.

"Can you make me a sandwich?"
"No, I have twins."

"I can't find my shoes!"
"Twins!"

"Mom, why can't I go further out into the ocean?"
"BECAUSE I HAVE TWINS!"

The last exchange happened only yesterday. Pathetic, I know, but valid, right? If Ethan started drowning and I went to save him, who would hold the clingy twins on their lap?

So, I'm thinking that when the twins hit three in November, people are not going to let me get away with my favorite excuse any more. Any ideas of what I can say to get out of the next three years? Otherwise, skeptics or no, I'm sticking with this one, at least until they're 18.