Where's the gas?

Woo Hoo! After going to/driving past 7 gas stations this morning...I finally found gas! "They" say that the only in Middle Tenn gas shortage should end by the weekend.

Damon's Heroine

So, yesterday afternoon Damon called to tell me he had lost his wedding ring. Now, I know other men out their have lost theirs more than once (KC--you know who they are!) but this was most upsetting becuase it was originally his Dad's wedding ring! It's just not something we could replace. When I got home I tried talking him through all the places it might be...sinks, bed, Kinkos... we were getting very discouraged. Mainly because this is the house that eats jewelry - how I lost a diamond earring that was in its case I still haven't figured out! About this time, the princess got in the bathroom and announces "Daddy I found it!" Sure enough, she was holding his ring. The cutest part was she was so afraid she'd be blamed for it being there. We were praising her and she kept saying "I didn't put it there. " All is now well again in the Vincent household!

On another note, I think informercials may be the root of all evil. Sophie can quote them verbatim. This morning after discovering I had forgotten her library book she says..."you need that organizer. It comes with a button you push to help you remember. It's also big enough to hold an umbrella." Pretty much direct quotes from a commercial we saw months ago! It's not wonder the child wants everything she sees on tv!

TV Addict

Yes, I know I'm addicted to primetime television shows. A girl has got to have a hobby and I am proud to say I pretty much stay away from reality tv! Anyway, I'm so excited -- tonight is the season finale of The Closer! I was originally also sad that it would go away until next summer, but TNT just told me it would be back with all new episodes in January. Yeah!!! Sad, I know, but oh well! And, it just ended with a heck of a cliffhanger....

On the regular Sophie topic -- we realized this weekend we have created a spoiled little princess. Yes, Hauer-sisters, I see the eye rolls... I took her to see Disney on Ice Friday night and every 3 minutes she was asking for something else. She ended up crying all the way home because I had only bought her 1 toy. Seriously! We've gone on a buying hiatus for awhile...the time has come to stop indulging the princess. The problem is, when is enough enough? It's so hard to tell. We live in a world now where the commericalism is every where. There is a constant barrage of opportunities to entice the preschool set. And, they so know how to make you feel guilty. "I hardly have any toys." Yeah right. ..just that whole playroom full. We'll see how long we can last...

The difference between a preschooler and a quarterback

In Nashville this week, all the talk has been of the Vince Young drama both on and off the field. If you aren't a Titans fan (and shame on you!) it all started when VY looked like he didn't want to get back on the field on Sunday, he was subsequently injured and then on Monday -- his Momma called Coach Fisher because she couldn't find him and was worried. The police were called and all came to a relatively happy ending. Now, according to this article, Vince just didn't realize he needed to tell his Momma where he was going any more! Now, even a 4 year old knows that if your Momma is in the house -- you always tell her where you're going, who you're with and what you are going to do! Silly NFL quarterback -- he's being paid something like $50 million dollars to throw a football and get himself beat senseless -- that's just the name of the game. Now to be fair, VY is young and by all accounts the NFL is rough (although this is just one more reason why I think college athletes should be required to use up all of their eligibility). If he's going to play in the big leagues, it's time to grow up. I hope this enforced time out (2-4 weeks) will help. I also hope Jeff Fisher makes him prove he's up for the job. At this point, he needs to earn both the Titans and Nashville's trust. Sophie's starting to learn all about that as well. Last week, she was watching some tv show that I decided was inappropriate. We made a new rule that she couldn't watch it anymore. The other day she said, "Momma, if xyz show is on and you aren't in here with me, what happens?" My response, "I have to trust that you will make a good choice and not watch the show." Trust has to start somewhere.

On another note, I recently read a fictional book that dealt with child abduction. It was a good wake up call for me to have a conversation with Sophie about strangers. Take a few minutes and have a conversation with your kids. Tae Kwon Do has been really good for us -- Sophie knew exactly what to do if someone tried to get her to go with them. I just want to make sure the rules are so ingrained that she could remember them in an emergency.

Today's Laugh

Thanks to John McMurtrie for sharing!

I really need a new hobby

So, for the past several months I've been amusing myself with Free Cell. I've always been mildly addicted to games be it cards, computer, whatever. However, I think i've reached a new log -- I've now completed 987 out of 1,000,000 games. At least I'll have something to keep me occupied until Sophie goes to college.

Nice to have a happy child

Me: "So, Soph..what are you thinking about?" (as she gazes out the window.)

Sophie: "Princesses, Fairies, pretty colors"

This is what childhood summers should be

The Vincents and Caillouettes took the children canoeing yesterday for Labor Day. The most amazing thing -- all three children came back alive! No one accidently fell in the river (although Sophie tried), no one stood up in the canoe and everyone listened. It really was a great way to end the summer. We may have even convinced Kathleen that outdoor activities can be fun once in awhile! We decided the trick to being on the river with a 5, 4 1/2 and 4 year olds is to make frequent stops for swimming. I think it is so funny, though, that both Sam and Sophie independentyly had to be convinced that there would be no crocodiles, alligators or sharks in the water. Amazingly enough, no one cared about getting dirty or wet -- they just had FUN. At one point, we found an old tire swing in an area we used to picnic. The kids loved it. I truly belive that summer for small children should be about being sweaty, wet and dirty -- there is nothing like the joy you see in their eyes as they discover all the world has to offer. Of course, Sophie continues to insist that she likes "pretend adventures" better than real adventures. Luckily for her -- Disney on Ice is only 10 days away. Nothing says adventure more than Tinker Bell and Ariel on ice skates!