about a green girl

Lovely Storytellers and Photo Thieves

Do you know about Mackinac Island Press? It is a small publishing house here in Michigan who features children's authors. I discovered them recently and I am in love!

I especially like this author and book. It is so sweet. So many of us have little stories and wonder-thoughts inside our hearts that we never bother to share. Maybe their work will inspire you or the little munchkins in your lives.

Speaking of little munchkins.....one mommy's family Christmas card photo made its way around the globe and onto a storefront in the CZECH Republic! Yikes! Read the fully story here. I know I will be putting my photo accounts on PRIVATE from now on and all bloggers, Facebookers and the lot should (re)consider this story before posting their family pics on the internets! I mean, no harm was really done...but it is bizarre and the risk we all take when posting things that are so accessible to a katrillion people! I mean, I am all out there by choice, but If my photo appeared in an ad for a fat-farm spa in Norway...I'd be a bit pissed. (Don't get any ideas!)

You (we) have been forewarned! Time to edit those privacy functions on those social networking pages, "friends"! What a bizarre world we live in!

wild things, part 2

I've decided that I really AM going to try and make a Wild Things Max costume for my son!

Look at all the cool MAX costumes I was able to find from other inspired lovers of the book:

 

Return from Adventureland

I took a vacation! I've returned swine flu-less. I took another vacation to recover from the vacation...and now I am back with every intention of recounting amazing adventures in the land of breezy palm trees. I really will get to all that, but first...baby steps back to right brain thinking.

During my recovery from the tourist mecca that is Orlando FL, I watched a 1986 award winning film adaptation of a well known book called A Room With A View. Even though I am a cheesy romantic and a complete sucker for period pieces, I'd never seen it before. It showcases a bunch of well known actors at the beginning of their careers and it shockingly (for 1986) contains a five minute scene with a bunch of full-frontal male nudity. My husband was disgusted by this but I think it had little to do with the male anatomy as much as it had to do with the fact that (refreshingly,) there was zero female nudity before or after this spectacle he had to endure. Not even the typical cleavage shots customary in most films with corsets and petticoats. Poor boy, watching a two hour chick-flick only to be insulted with male genitals and no cheap thrills for all of it. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at his grimace. Anyhow, the film was...ok. I wish I had read the book first. It did make me want to go to Italy very badly and make-out in a barley field with red poppy flowers.

Today, most of us have such short attention spans. We are trained to see action, a pay-off, the nitty-gritty details of characters in a film or in a book, at such finite and revealed levels. This movie was painted with much broader brush strokes, at a distance, slowly....and the big payoff equaled a few kisses...and then finally, multiple kisses towards the end. That's it. Nothing really to it. But the feeling evoked from those milk-toast, simple, sappy scenes gives you the actual feeling of a first kiss. That amazing feeling when you first kiss someone you completely adore and, because you have permission, you just want to keep on kissing them repeatedly. You have just discovered the other person fancies you equally. It's lovely and sweet, not...graphic. That's what I liked most about the film (besides the naked men, of course.)

No matter how fortunate you feel when you find the person you want to marry, as a girl.... you always morn that time when just kissing someone new was fresh and thrilling. Once that feeling fades, you exchange it for something different but you always remember THAT feeling at the beginning of your romance.

I am reading another book which was adapted into a movie but I can tell already, I won't want to see the movie. The book is written with such a blend of insight on negative human nature and a poetic melancholy rhythm when the author explains how he makes sense of all the bad things bad people as lovers do to each other.... but it's characters are too dark for me and resemble all the negative stereotypes of Euro-trash.The story has a sad honesty that makes me understand its mass appeal, but its primary argument is that nothing we do in life really matters if we only have one life. I don't subscribe, but the author does challenge you to think it all through on his terms. It is called The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

But.... enough about my movie watching and night reading. Did you have a pleasant Mother's Day? I liked waking up to this little stretch of chalk-board paint in our Kitchen with a message for me from my husband & son duo:

Which brings me to the real joy that was to be had amongst the crowds, $4.00 bottles of water and madness that is the commercial expanse of Disney on my recent vacation. 

It was the thrill of just being with my son on a grand adventure to some unknown land. (It was a "NO DADS Allowed" trip with grandmas, moms, and cousins-- which wasn't as mean of a proposition as it sounds since my husband called me from the golf course...)

Anyhow, my boy will only be 4 yrs old once, and the magic of that land was so true and genuine for him. He almost gave himself a dislocated shoulder trying to pull the sword out of the stone (The Sword and the Stone; remember that one?) at the Magic Kingdom. "That's a real sword mama, but it won't come out!"

We also went on his first "grown-up" roller coaster together, The Big Railroad Mountain. We went down Splash Mountain together, too. I love roller coasters. I always have since I was tall enough to try each one. It doesn't matter if it drops from 200 feet and flips around and upside down in the craziest way, I will ride them all if given the chance...so to me, this was a milestone to ride with my child on his first. Of course, I held onto his waistband with a death-grip the whole time thinking he'd fly out, so it wasn't quite the same experience!

We went with his cousins and rode through It's a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean and the excitement he whispered to me is right up there with the stuff I hope I never forget. He asked so politely for a coin to throw to make a wish during the Small World boat ride. (There is about $135,790 worth of change on the bottom of that ride, by the way.) He held his penny so tightly and declared "I wish to come back to this ride again with me and my momma, because I am so happy!" He even wanted me to accompany him to meet characters. It was a week together that I will always treasure, (except for that swine flu outbreak part to make us feel a bit jumpy.)

The spoils from our trip included the required Mickey ears, vintage children's books from The Largest Flea Market in Orlando (which was an exotic cultural experience,) A photo snow-globe of our cheesy mugs for Daddy's desk at work (also photographed and purchased at the Flea Market,) a photo from Gatorland of cousins holding a gator and a snake, Coach wristlet from the Orlando factory outlet (for mom,) cool books selected by my son for the plane ride home, like Mars Needs Moms by Berkley Breathed, and temporary pirate tattoos. Of course we did get a few other things, but my son's favorite is this Jack Sparrow plastic sword and scope from Pirates of the Caribbean. "Wow momma, we get off the ride and they just have all this Pirate stuff for us to buy on the way out of the ride!" Of course they do, darling. ;)

 

"Hello, Spring? It's Audrey calling. Can you come over, again?"

(Photo credit: redshoeshomegoods.com from Ann Arbor, Michigan)

SPRING! It's finally here!

As I begin to feel the over-tired daze lift (from losing that one hour of precious sleep we had to trade-in a few weeks ago as part of Daylight Savings Time,) I suddenly jolt up and remember that with these warm days ahead also comes the return of the OUTDOOR MARKETS!

Flea Markets, Farmers Markets, Yard Sales ....I can already hear the haggling in the distance! So begins the dance of those cleaning out the old and those of us willing to head out to sift, uncover, and dive into these discards and treasures.

If you haven't checked out the Ann Arbor Antique and Flea Market, consider packing up your stroller, wagon, or eco-friendly, dual wheeled shopping cart/bag combo along with a yummy, picnic lunch and make a whole day-trip out of it. A market like this gives your family a history lesson, museum tour, and shopping experience all in one. Throw in a frozen lemonade on a bright, sunny day and how can you resist?

On a budget?

Even if some items at the Flea Market are out of your price range, there will always be lower-end bins and tables to search through. I like to give my son a crisp $1.00 bill and he never seems to complain as long as I steer him in the direction of the 25 cent table. (Wow, mommy...I can get four of these! Oh man!)

Be sure to stroll over to the finer antique and collectible booths and take a closer look even if the prices seem to blow you away. Ask questions. Be curious. This is a FREE education as it helps build your knowledge base and understanding of the going rates when you are ready and able to purchase such items. You never know when you'll see the same type of item at a yard sale and you'll want to know when you've stumbled onto something of value!

I am often inspired by expensive objects that I can re-interpret for a fraction of the cost. Don't be afraid to copy the style of a more expensive antique object. The little wooden oar in the picture above can easily be replicated by sanding the edges of an unfinished oar (retails for about $30.00) or using a smaller wood cutting board of a similar shape. Open a $1.00 bottle of red acrylic craft paint and brush on the shape of a Swiss cross. Distress and scratch it up a bit more with the head of a nail or more sand paper.... and BAM! You've recreated a piece that would cost a pretty penny if it were an authentic antique and double that if you had bought a manufactured reproduction from the Pottery Barn catologue. More importantly, you have a piece that just plain looks cool!

This particular oar lives in the home of brilliant artist and shoppe keeper, Catherine Thursby who owns the Red Shoes Home Goods Store in Ann Arbor, MI. After you have drank your lemonade and strolled through the big flea market, wander over to her store on South Ashley Rd. and get a real dose of artistic inspiration or buy a hand-painted piece of vintage furniture.

Check it out!

The Ann Arbor Antiques & Flea Market is located at 5055 Saline Road in Ann Arbor, MI. Admission is $6.00 per person. (A small investment for a day of entertainment and fresh air!) Approximately 350 dealers unload their trucks and treasures every weekend. The Market opens the first week in April and runs every weekend through November. Food vendors are available as well as public restrooms. Come prepared to do lots of walking. Contact (313) 429-9838 for more information.

For an extended list of Michigan Flea Markets click here!

Out With The Old!

So the germs have finally begun to subside in the greentag house....thank goodness...and we are making some progress to get our weekend started right.

I think I am going to a mom-to-mom sale tomorrow with my mom. What is a mom-to-mom sale, you ask? These fantastic gatherings are like a big garage sale, swap meet, flea market, rummage sale all wrapped into one! Right up my alley! Everyone either buys or sells STUFF just for babies and kids. So if you sell at a mom-to-mom sale you rent a table at the venue (usually a church or school,) for around $25.00 and then you bring all of the nice things your kids have either outgrown or never used and make some quick cash.

For the shoppers, (the mom and daughter duo,) it is another environment for bargain hunting. We look for brand new jeans for the boy, or great unusual vintage toys and books. Last time my mom got him the cutest pair of unused Converse All-star tie-up sneakers for like $2.00. They usually have yummy bake sales as fundraisers within the mom-to-mom sale too. So you can stroll with your coffee and check out all the little duds and then reward your self with a cookie if you find nothing to buy. If you live in Southeast Michigan check out http://www.mom2momlist.com/, which has the number one Google ranking under mom2mom. I am impressed! On this site (which is run by, you guessed it: a stay at home suburban mommy, with a holiday sweater vest and all...) you can click on Spring Sales or Winter Sales and see a listing for every upcoming sale in our area and get all the details. It's a great resource.

Sometimes it feels good to get rid of old stuff (like well used kids toys)...but sometimes it's more painful.

Last summer, Detroit began to lose its beloved Tiger Stadium. When we drove by it in July, they had ripped into its side and I snapped these photos from the highway: 

I was sad to see the place my grandfather used to take me to see ballgames get trashed like old bones, but we do enjoy the new COMMERICA park every year when season ticket time comes around (despite the new sell-out, corporate name.) 

If you enlarge these photos you can see the tiny people standing at the fence where the hole is torn in the side of the stadium, feeling sad to see her go.

My husband has been purging old relics from his youth and selling like mad on CRAIGSLIST. It can be quite cathartic.

Yes, I know there can be plenty wrong with the "bad people" on Craigslist out there, but if you use the online bulletin board for good (and sell your goods by meeting in a public place,) then it can be fun and mutually rewarding for buyer and seller. Everything from old comics books to his Fender Squier Duo guitar are being cleared out of our basement.

Ahhh, (early) spring cleaning! I have no problem bidding a fond farewell to somethings to make room for the treasures this summer will bring! How lucky I am that he is in the spirit, too. (But I might hide the guitar and keep it for our boy to grow into!)

Hello Lovers!

Today is a day for lovers. Okay actually tomorrow is, but I will be too busy tomorrow to tell you how much I love you, readers!

If you are in a (serious) relationship tomorrow can be a magical day. I am not going to lecture you about St. Valentine, or the history of the day that has evolved into a commercial beast,...... all I can tell you is that if you try to carve out a few hours at the end of your day to surprise your mate, it can water the roots of your relationship in an oh so good way. This has nothing to do with money, chocolates, (although chocolate sauce has been known to be involved,) jewelry or anything commercial. Have fun with it!

If you DON"T have kids, well then....you don't have many restrictions. I am not even talking to you. If you do have kids, try one or more of the following:

1. Do everything in relation to kid maintenance as soon as you (or your spouse) arrive home. Give your spouse the newspaper and tell him to sit down, then whisper in his ear that "he needs to save his energy for later."

2. Make heart shaped food for dinner. This tradition is cliche' for a reason. It's cute. The kids love it. I always make Jell-o hearts. They're easy, fun, and you can wear them as pasties later (Just kidding, Mom!) Thank goodness my mom doesn't read blogs.

3. Light candles. It sounds so cheesy....but at the end of a long week, with kids safely tucked away behind shut doors, the glow of candles make the air feel special.

4. Play pretend (or dress up.) If you have a recent injury (or a fake one,) do your best to collapse in exhaustion in front of him in your frilliest underthings, and ask with all earnestness, if he'll help you because your _________  is really hurting. Every man loves to play doctor. Every girl loves to play nurse.

Don't give up on romance, you cynical things! Even if your mate makes you angry 99% of the time, you will actually be doing yourself a favor if you put all of that aside tomorrow night and make your own little magic scene on Valentine's.

I found this and saved it for today. Someone made it on YOUTUBE. Not sure why, but it still makes me laugh. Oh, how I love stick people/paint PP stop-animation! ~Enjoy!~

Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

Remember when we were kids and there was a run on Cabbage Patch toys? Think Christmas circa '84, '85, somewhere in there. Every girl just HAD to have one. Parents were in a frenzy to BUY them. Then the manufacturers went on to market and create the same frenzy over Cabbage Patch Preemies the next year. Then Cabbage Patch silk-haired dolls.(You could actually brush the hair!) I think mine was named Elyse Izadora. It had a birth certificate and everything.

Some evil (brilliant?) sales executive said "Yeah! What a great idea! We'll short order a supply of a toy we think every kid will want.  We'll market the hell out of it. We'll advertise like crazy and they'll be so few in stock, they'll just fly off the shelves! We'll play upon the competitive, sick nature in parents. We'll guilt them into to clawing through the toy shelves so that their child won't feel left out!"

That guy also invented Elmo, and talking Elmo, and dancing Elmo, etc. I am pretty sure he is indirectly responsible for killing that guy in the Walmart stampede, as well.

Anyhow...it's 2008 and the "HOT" must-have item for boys 3-7 years old this Christmas is this:

The Batman Mega Cape. Retail Price at KB Toys $49.99 (Sale price at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving $30.00= Stampede.)

I never thought I'd be one of those parents. But.... (sigh.) I have looked at least 10 different places for this thing when it was on sale, and it's always sold out. My boy is absolutely nuts about getting it. I refuse to pay $49.99 for it online or otherwise...so I guess our son will have to be happy with whatever else he is getting and finally learn about the New Year's Panda.

What is the New Year's Panda, you ask?

The New Year's Panda comes on New Year's Day to all good little boys and girls who didn't get what they wanted on Christmas day from that old hack, Santa. The New Year's Panda understands the value of a dollar, a hard days work, and shops on clearance after Christmas. I am pretty sure the PANDA has about 12 of these batwings tied to his bamboo shoot sleigh! Now, don't feel bad for my poor son. He is getting absolutely spoiled, as usual. I will get those Batman Wings for him, of course. (It's too built up of a challenge NOT to!) 

I would like to attempt a totally handmade Christmas one year, and I half-attempted it this year. Instead of buying toys for our friends' kids, Lucas helped me make a cozy Christmas eve blanket for each one. (20 in total!) I think they turned out great given my wonky "organic" sewing skills. Thank goodness my husband took home economics (since I didn't,) and he prevents me from kicking my sewing machine on a regular basis! Our son also "helped" with the sewing. It was quite fun, imperfections and all! Toys are more fun of course, but a practical gift is okay once in a while!

(Click to enlarge photos.)

If you aren't into "crafts" with a capital C... you could also come up with something equally thoughtful and creative like Stephanie's friend did at Cottage Thoughts. I love the idea of giving someone a taste of another city, in a box. She received "London in a box" from a friend traveling abroad. Her box included a beautiful tin of English Breakfast tea, an antique teacup, a candle, two chocolates wrapped in paper decorated with London scenes, two dried tea roses, and an envelope of British pence to show to her children. Even without the Spice Girls and the Queen...you get the flavor of the city. Simple, sweet, and thoughtful.Those types of gifts beat out lame gift cards, (you mind as well give cash in a box..) DVD's, and all the plastic, overpriced Batman crap you can handle!

Whoot, Whoot, (with hand motions!) My cookbook is finally ready for publication!

 

Last Spring I drafted a family cookbook as a tribute to my grandmother as a Mother's Day gift. You may remember me rambling on about it in this post. WELL...it's finally done! My grandmother helped me edit it and I added a little intro to give a little background on our family and the FOOD!

I chose  lulu.com for their print-on-demand publishing which makes managing inventory very flexible and keeps the production costs low. If you are interested in a hard copy of the book, just click on the book cover icon in the top right corner of my homepage. As a gift to my extended family, friends, and readers I am offering a PDF of the entire 36 page mini-book for you download. Just email me or leave a comment here and I will send it your way! (Just in time to bake something for that workplace Christmas party!) ~Enjoy!

Pre-Turkey Newsflash

GOBBLE.

I have been in whirlwind mode as of late, blogging so inconsistently but ..priorities are what they are! FYI- I have delayed stocking my etsy shop for a reason: I cannot find time for it! I have had some health stuff bothering me and that could be a whole dreary blog of it's own (skip that). Needless to say, I want to share just a few things before the holiday wind catches me and pushes me into the non-blogging stratosphere for good!

The internet can be a terrible tool (like most things) if used for evil, and Myspace really isn't the real world contrary to how people under the age of ...oh say, 30 years old....treat it. Children should not be left to their own devices on the internet! Read more. This story also enforces my belief that people should have to be legally certified as competent prior to conceiving a child.

On a lighter note. If you are preparing anything for Thanksgiving supper, consider adding this recipe to the rotation. Everything tastes more balanced on a Thanksgiving plate if a small dollop of Cranberry Chutney accompanies it. Don't you agree? Try it and you will!

If you need some comic relief (like I have lately,) try playing a flash game called SUPER OBAMA WORLD (Think Super Mario Bros.) Good time waster, (if you need that sort of thing! Yeah, I am talking to you MFS! :)  http://superobamaworld.com/

Also enter your favorite blog into this site: http://www.typealyzer.com/ which claims it can decipher any blog to accurately describe its blog author. I don't know about all that .....but nice try! Thanks Andrew Sullivan for referring these last two!

If you aren't already....have a great day, (and I will talk to you again soon!)

GOBBLE.

Crash and Burn....Part 2

I tend to overbook myself. It is a bad habit which has made many a loved one and friend unhappy with me for skipping all over the place on any given day. I guess I have always thrived on being busy, entertained, and in motion (despite how my large rump might make you think otherwise....)

However, this past weekend produced a whirlwind that was not entirely my fault, for once! Friday I played photographer at a friend's wedding. Saturday I participated in a mom-2-mom sale and went to a fancy dinner hosted by family. Then finally, Sunday was my 6th wedding anniversary.

Everything started off well on Sunday, waking to a breakfast made by my husband & son duo and this lovely card with surprise tickets to see Sex and the City the Movie. (Who knew he was listening when I said over last Sunday's Free Press that I wanted to see it!?)

He also surprised me with a brand new point-and-shoot camera! I usually dislike when he buys me big gifts like these because it is hard to justify the cost, when I don't really need it. But... my hubby knew I had been toting around a half-broken Canon Powershot with 2.0 Megapixels since 2002 and it is hard to take my big camera when we travel....so I tried to just graciously accept it.

He even did a bunch of research on this new Sony Cybershot 7.2 with its Carl Zeiss lens which is supposedly the best, etc. It was all so sweet and thoughtful. What a great start to the day. What a great end to a hectic weekend.

Then... the crash. My man/boy combo went for a bike ride which ended with a fall into a park creek bed with broken glass (?!) and five stitches for my little boy. After several hours in the emergency room we arrived back home and officially declared the frantic weekend OVER!

Thankfully our son was brave and calm through the whole ordeal and is doing just fine. My husband has now subscribed to following my instructions when I say "that is too dangerous for a three year old to go near!".  I was even able to present to him (at 10:04pm) part of his intended gift: my homemade cupcake message with his favorite butter-cream icing. (Yes, my cheesy, meek attempt at recalling our youthful puppy love....)

It will take me all week to recover from those three days...so friends, my advice is this:

Stay home, mow the grass, avoid mixing children and creeks (of anykind,) and choose relaxation on your weekends.You have nothing to feel guilty about. Weekends are better spent RELAXING!

Note: This post can't even touch the much more funny, witty version that was lost with the computer crash (see Part 1). Isn't that the way it goes when you lose something and have to recreate it? (...just a cheap imatation of the orIginal authentic creation!)

Crash and Burn...Part 1

I wrote the most brilliant post about the crazy and adventurous weekend I've had....but then my computer crashed and I lost everything I had written for you. Note to self: ALWAYS type posts in MS Word and then paste into blog....

I don't know how I could have made such a major error with this beloved mouse pad message right in front of me at my desk. Oh well, I will recap all of the madness tomorrow (again.)

For now, I am off to a big glass of red wine and perhaps SLEEP, wonderful SLEEP!!

Spring Showers, May Flowers

Today was perfectly rainy. I was lucky enough to be home to enjoy one of those picture book rainy days with my son. We watched a movie, baked an apple cake (straight out of my family recipe book,) and then dressed in rain boots, coats, and hats and grabbed our umbrellas for a walk in the sprinkling rain. We did some good puddle jumping (or jumping into...) and then took a nap while the house was all dark, surrounded by storm clouds.

I love spring and fall...they are the preludes to the really strong stuff of summer and winter. I was never a serious tulip fan but I am sad to see them fade. Here are a pretty bunch that have been living on our mantle for a few weeks.

I have also finished a few projects around our house. The work of buying a "fixer-upper" never ends, but we have fun with it. Here is a peek at a few of the decorative pieces around our pad now: 

-----------------------------------------I LOVE SPRING CLEANING! (Okay, maybe not the work, but the outcome...)

Besides finally displaying my beloved ivory 40's USA pottery on a shelf, I've found a nice little display shelf for the bedroom. The idea to find such a shelf came from genius, 25 year old artist and blogger Emily Martin. I adore her shop on ETSY, and if I ever have a female child her room will undoubtedly be peppered with Emily's adorable illustrations and dolls. Anyhow, after seeing her take on such a pretty spot for little things to be grouped and displayed, I went to a thrift store and found a similar one for $2.00! A little coral orange paint and a few nails and wwha-La!...a bland wall suddenly has interest.

I also recently put up a pristine vintage dart board in our boy's room. It was found several years ago when we traveled and shopped the Five State Garage Sale on Route 127, past Cincinnati, OH. Take a look!

Full Steam Parental Competition

If you have a son under the age of seven, there is a good chance you have plopped down your hard earned cash to "Spend the Day Out with Thomas". (Thomas the Train...that is...) I wasn't even embarrassed to walk in with five adults (Me, my mom, my in-laws, and my husband,) and only ONE child. My son was beyond thrilled to see that the full scale version of his beloved favorite character really existed and that he would get to ride on him.

The disturbing part was the crowd. The spattering of yuppie grandparents, the everyday GAP crowd, and the blue-collar types who would spend their last cent on an overpriced toy and $7.00 nachos for their three kids were all in full attendance. God Bless 'em all; that wasn't the bizarre part....It was how they interacted in such a setting with their kids. Regardless of which stereotypical image they resembled, I repeatedly witnessed the parents inevitably wanting to control the kids' "fun". "Here Tommy, blow the bubbles over here!","You need this tattoo, it's the coolest!"......the frenzy to get four Thomas balloons to tie on their stroller...(who really needs FOUR Thomas balloons for one kid??..)

A woman and her son actually cut in front of us in line for the carousel. For some it seemed to become less about the kids and more about the parents frantic desire to compete where kids are involved. Pair that with a willingness to spend money on anything, or run-in-circles for anything that they perceive will show they "love and care" for their kid and it can get ugly. It is an easy trap to fall into. Even as my mother and in-laws debated "Which Thomas hat should I buy him?", I looked over at the impromptu stroller parking lot which had formed and remembered the day when I had (admittedly,) spent time considering the style and model of the stroller I would purchase and subsequently push in front of me. Was it the best? (ahh..the envy of the $350 Maclaren...)

I eventually opted for the practical Metrolite (travel system 2-for-1,) remembering that it is silly to get entranced by the hierarchy of strollers (Jogger or City-walker? Hmmmm....) and that the physical equipment I acquire has little to do with my ability to be a good parent, just as racing my kid through structured tents of so-called fun to collect all the mapped stamps to receive a "Free Thomas Magnet!" or buying him every bit of Made in China Thomas paraphernalia (oh, and we have our fair share,) has little to do with his true happiness or the amount of fun he has. My son will never care what kind of stroller we have, thank God. I dread the day he questions if he needs "more" or "the best" to be feel equal or to compete.  Surely these are ideas most kids learn from their parents, who I have observed to be aggressive competitors in even the most seemingly innocent environment.

Thankfully, my son is currently oblivious to this social drama for the most part, and the great fun of the day was found in being together with his wonderful grandparents and of course the big ride on a real steam engine.