Smells Like Teen Spirit

So we took the fam out the eat the other day. As we were walking back to the car Kobe commented that it smelled. I didn't smell anything so being the good and inquisitive parent that I am I asked, "What does it smell like?" Kobe replied "It smells just like Las Vegas."

Now just to clarify--No, we don't take our kids on monthly gambling excursions to Nevada. And my only recollection of the olfactory characteristics of Sin City involve cigarette smoke and beer. I was still perplexed. I mean, we'd just left a restaurant in Utah--there was not a whiff of beer or cigarette smoke anywhere. Maybe Kobe had simply eaten one too many wings at Wingers? Kobe piped back up and said:
"Can't you just smell all the sweat and anticipation...and luck?"

Was THAT what I was smelling? Who ARE these kids and where did they come from? I'll have to remember this smell for a few years from now when the Koberoo is a teenager (because if I remember correctly, pubescent boys are both sweaty AND smelly)

I can hardly wait. Wish me luck--I think I'm going to need it!

Why do birds fly south for the winter?

The other day around dinner, we were asking the kids questions about things they're learning in school. Not sure if the kids are actually studying the migratory habits of birds or not but this is what we learned...

Norm:"Tehani, do you know why birds fly south for the winter?"

After thinking for a really, REALLY long time she replied "Because they can't afford to take the train."

She may not get a good grade in science with an answer like that but her reply had Norm laughing so hard, I thought he was going to fall off his chair.

That's my Hani Bani--if you don't know the answer, make something up!

Flashback Friday

Vive La France

ice ice baby

Things I learned from taking my kids to the ice rink the other day:

• I {heart} pictures where my kids look like the actually like each other Pics like this can be rare so I figured I'd better post this one as proof that they do get along sometimes.
• Two hours is a long time to sit and watch your kids ice skate (especially when all I can think about is the hours of homework I have waiting for me at home) I'll remember to bring my laptop the next time we venture back to the rink.
• Crazy J is not fond of the cold ice rink She had to go sit outside in the sun most of the time, which I'm assuming means she was freezing like I was (either that or she was just pretending she's back in Tahiti)
• I really need to put my kids back in ice skating They took lessons at one time--which was my attempt to have them not be afraid of skating after I broke my arm in front of them at the roller rink :)

Growing up, I had an ice rink in my back yard. I realize this was not normal but I have come to find out that most of my childhood fits in the "not normal" category. I was taking ice skating lessons at the time which apparently meant I needed my own personal rink...

...On second thought, maybe we'll have to pass on skating lessons for the kids (I'm pretty sure our lil' backyard is not big enough for a rink :)

If I could turn back time...

I figured this would be a fitting post for the day (it is my birthday afterall!) I got this idea from a friend's blog a few weeks ago and it got me to thinking...If I could turn back time, what do I wish I had known? What would I do differently? Here's my letter to me at 18:
Dear "Girl Who Thinks She Knows Everything But Really Knows Nothing,"

• You don't need to make your hair that big--or that curly. (And the aerosol hairspray that you plaster your hair with is causing a giant whole in the ozone!)
  
• On a related note, standing in front of the bathroom door when applying said hairspray is also ruining the finish on the door (Your dad will thank you later :)


• Help out around the house more often. And tell your parents thank you. They gave you an amazing childhood--which means you shouldn't roll your eyes every time your mother asks you to help with something (She is correct in that you are NOT a guest in that house--you actually do live there)


• Spend less time worrying about boys. Don't get serious. None of these boys in high school is the one you're going to marry anyway (Thank Goodness!)


• Also, don't be mad at your mom for inviting all of your ex-boyfriends to your surprise Sweet 16 Birthday Party (How was she supposed to know that they all hate each other?!?)


• Be nicer to your sister. It's not her fault that you guys have to share a bedroom. One day when you are older, she will be your best friend.


• This includes your brother too. You may find it hard to believe, but the three of you will actually choose to be roommates at one point in time (weird, I know)


• Enjoy your time at home. Once you move out after high school graduation, you may come to visit from time to time (ok, a lot) but it will never be the same. You don't need to count the days till you leave for college...


• Take better care of your body. Stay away from the tanning beds. Exercise every once in awhile. And don't eat so much junk food. One day you will wake up and wonder what happened. (It takes a lot more work to take the weight off than it does to keep it off in the first place)


• Spend more time with your grandparents. Some day they will both be gone and you will wish you had spent more time with them.


• You should also pay more attention in the kitchen. Your mother is a great cook. As hard as you find this to believe right now, you will actually want to know how to cook one day...


• Guess jeans and Z Cavarrici sweatshirts will go out of style (who ever though up the idea of acid washed jeans anyway?) Don't waste your money-- You could be a very rich girl if you had just put all of your clothes money in the bank...

Basically, take care of yourself and your family, and everything else will take care of itself. Don't be in such a rush for "life to start." Enjoy the life you have right now. One day you are going to have an incredible life--a career you enjoy with a wonderful husband (I'm not sure how he puts up with you sometimes) and two crazy kids (it's called karma--what goes around, comes around :)

Love,
A wrinklier (but wee bit wiser) YOU