Grocery Shopping? Fun?

Yesterday my toddler was running a fever, and since I wanted him to have a quiet day, I put off my grocery shopping until after dinner. As I was getting ready to leave for the store, my middle son announced that he wanted to come, too.

"Are you sure?" I asked, knowing that this was going to be one of those mega shopping trips...I mean, we were out of the basics like ketchup and sandwich bread.

He was sure he wanted to go.

As we were walking up and down the grocery store aisles my son sighed, "I could just live here." We were standing next to the cookies. When I pointed out that life just isn't about food, he gave me this blank stare, that, with his dark hair and round glasses, makes him look just like Harry Potter.

I learned some things: it seems as if I haven't been keeping our pantry stocked with "good stuff" lately like Frosted Flakes or Pop Tarts; that fruit roll-ups 65 ft. long are the greatest thing to have for lunch; and that colored marshmallows taste better than plain, white ones.

He learned some things: While selecting fruit, I pointed out the navel oranges. When he fixed me with his blank, Harry Potter stare again, I realized that he was thinking "naval", as in the navy, and not "navel", as in belly button. Well, he thought that was just plain gross. But he did think the blood oranges were cool.

And we both agreed that Haribo gummie bears are the. best. ever. We bought a bag to eat on the drive home.

Then my son found a Dora figurine he wanted to buy for his baby brother who had spent all Sunday convinced that Dora herself was coming over to play in "just fifteen minutes" (he repeated this all day long). So we purchased Dora, and when we returned home we placed her on the front doorstep and rang the bell. The look on my toddler's face when he saw Dora...well, let's just say that our laughter could be heard several streets over.

Who knew that grocery shopping could be such fun?

Eating, and praying, and drawing...oh my!

Tonight my oldest son planned family night. Using our formula of food, faith, and fun, here's what he came up with:

food:

prepared an indoor picnic with hot dogs, tater tots, cole slaw

faith:

read Sunday's gospel and offered a commentary

fun:

-using stuffed animals, set up a shooting range with nerf guns

(Mom tied for first place, surprising everyone)

-organized a rousing game of Pictionary using a large dry erase board (thank you, Julie!!)

-had his brother read a scary story while he prepared and served us hot chocolate with marshmallows

That's Amore!

Here's a little Valentine music that will put joy into you step. I've also included the lyrics in case you want to sing along! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

(In Napoli where love is king
When boy meets girl here's what they sing)

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita Bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool
just like pasta fagiole
That's amore
When you dance down the street
with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk in a dream
but you know you're not dreaming signore
Scusa me, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore!

Passing It On

Wendy at http://ofbooksandboys.blogspot.com/ sent me this award that really made my day. She is relatively new to blogging...but not to writing. She writes very, very well so please visit her site. And one neat thing about her that I recently discovered? She was once invited to tea at Buckingham Palace! Now that's classy!

Then, Lisa at http://www.arewethereyet-davisfarmmom.blogspot.com/ gave me this award which, coming from her, was a WOW! moment. I love visiting her site , and I can't remember a time that doing so didn't bring a smile, or a laugh, or a contemplative moment. And truthfully, I have learned many things about my faith from her!

And now...I'd like to give both awards (I hope I'm not breaking any blogging rules by giving away both at once!) to the following:

Kathryn at http://little-men.blogspot.com/. I love visiting her blog and her large family. They've been battling "coughing, wheezing, and fevers" (her exact words!) for three weeks, so send a little cheer their way!

mg at http://www.dontdroolonmybluesuedeshoes.blogspot.com/. She has a very witty sense of humor...but you won't see it until after Easter because she gave up the internet for Lent.

Finally, Soutenus at http://catholicnotebook.blogspot.com/. Her site is a great source for all things inspirational, plus she really, really was serious about reciting "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" in Italian!

La Dolce Vita: Italy vs. the rest of Europe

This short video highlights some of the differences between Italy and the rest of Europe; while very funny, I have to say (insert whisper): it's pretty accurate! Just ask my husband.

In fact, the clip about the road signs made my husband cringe...some memory involving a rental car, and a small Tuscan town we couldn't find, and jet lag, and two sleepy boys, and one toddler who didn't like his rental carseat, and a wife who wasn't very helpful because she was more interested in looking at the countryside than boring street signs!

A Little Creativity

In the style of Shel Silverstein's "Hector the Collector", my oldest son had to create his own version of the poem. Here's what he came up with:

Bill the Animal Rescuer

Bill rescued derelict dogs and crazy cats,
he rescued mauled mice and ravenous rats.
He rescued a manic mongoose,
and don’t forget the ghastly moose.
He saved a lizard,
he saved a snake,
he even saved his Uncle Jake!
Finally he saved a pig and hog,
and took all these to his home made of logs.
His Mom used just one puff,
to tell Bill enough is enough.
Ol’ Bill didn’t even see
That all these animals had fleas!

Then, my middle son got creative with Legos for my birthday earlier this week. Here is his creation:

What is a good, Catholic girl to do?

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I do look forward to these next forty days. While I strive (strive...as in not always successful!) to live the gospel daily, I like the call to sacrifice and renewal that the Lenten Season offers.

But two years ago Lent got off to an unusual start...

I attended an Ash Wednesday service, received my ashes, and when I got into my car I looked in the rearview mirror.

"Ack! Yikes!"

I had a huge CSI thumbprint on my forehead. Not a cross, mind you...a huge THUMBPRINT! I mean, I was a walking, talking advertisement for the television series, complete with their signature fingerprint in which you can see every whorl and ridge.

So, and I am embarrassed to admit this, I wiped the ashes/thumbprint off.

Okay. Sigh.

End of the irreverent story. I'll write something more profound tomorrow...after all, it will be Ash Wednesday.

Tugging on my Heartstrings

Dear Little One,

I love when you wake up in the morning

and like to climb onto my lap.

I love how you want to start your day cuddling for a few minutes.

I love how you are still bed-warm.

I love your bedhead look which on anyone else would be scary,

but on you looks so endearing.

Love, Mommy