Bad Guys

While eating lunch today the Dictator and I were talking about our upcoming Disney trip next week.
In preparation we were talking about Disney movies and the characters in each one. We somehow got on the subject of bad guys and started naming all the bad guys we know. I could tell the wheels in the Dictators mind were turning, and soon she asked me "Momma, why are they bad guys? Why aren't they nice?" What a tough question!
I tried to give her an honest answer, without being too involved or scary- "Some people are bad guys because they are sad. They might be sad because they don't like what they look like, or maybe they really want something and can't have it and it makes them angry and mean. Maybe they don't have any friends. Maybe something scary or bad happened to them and it made them angry and want to make others scared. Lots of bad guys are just sad people, or lonely people."
My beautiful little Dictator was really thinking all of this through and then told me "Momma, sometimes I'm a bad guy. I am mean. I don't want to be a bad guy, but sometimes I just am." I told her "Sometimes we are all bad guys. Sometimes we say and do things that are mean and hurtful to other people. Sometimes we hurt other people and make them sad. The important thing is that we say we are sorry and do our very very best to never be a bad guy again. Being a good citizen, a good person, and a good friend is much better than being a bad guy."
After that the conversation went back to seeing Mickey Mouse, where we were going to eat, and what crappy souvenirs I would be blowing our retirement fund on.

Later though, while getting ready to leave, the Dictator came running down the hall and into her room.
She gave me the biggest hug and told me "Momma, next time I see a bad guy I'm going to tell them that It's okay bad guy, don't be sad. I will be your friend."

Bless her little toddler heart. I think I will try to follow her example and do the same. :)

How to get to Sesame Street

When your toddler asks you "Where is Sesame Street? How can I get there?"
DO NOT respond with the following.....

The Dictator: "Momma, where is Sesame Street?"
Me: (I just got up. I barely understand what she's saying to me. 4 hours of sleep total and no coffee yet. Is is trash day? What time do we have to leave today? Huh?) "Ummm......it's down the street, make a left, go four blocks, make another left, go two blocks, turn right and then go through the tunnel and you are at Sesame Street" (Shoot...did I just say tunnel??)
The Dictator: "Momma, can we GO to Sesame Street? I wanna go through the tunnel!"
Me: (Shit!) "Um....no.....not today.....they are repairing the giant slide and Sesame Street is closed today"
(FML! What did I just say?? Did I say giant SLIDE? WTH was I thinking??)
The Dictator: "I wanna go on the giant slide!! (Of course you do) I wanna go now!"
Me: "Remember, Sesame Street is closed today. We can go another time, okay?"
The Dictator: (After some screaming, and I swear an obscenity or two about Sesame Street's choice of days to stage a closure) "Ok Momma. I will go check our calendar."
Why the hell did I give her a calendar again??? This is going to end in an epic meltdown in a few days.

Pinterest Partay!

I hosted a Pinterest party this weekend. What a total blast! When talking to friends about my idea, everyone said they had never heard of such an event before. Could *I* possibly be the creator of the Pinterest party??
I'm totally taking credit for this one!

Never heard of a Pinterest party?? Well, of course you haven't! After all, I came up with it and you probably weren't invited. :( Sorry. Nothing personal. I just probably don't know you, and therefore don't want you visiting my house at night. Although had you shown up with baked goods, I more than likely would have let you in. I'm a sucker for brownies.

Everyone made an item they found off of Pinterest. Our theme? For the home. Ahh...I love, love, love home goods! Dry erase calendars, coasters, vases, plant pots...these are the things that make my heart go pitter patter. I can't help but get all giddy when I pin something pretty for my house. I actually make a lot of stuff, so there's a good chance I will shortly have that item sitting somewhere in my home. The color, style and personalizing options dominate pretty much all my free time thoughts (I know...what are those?!).

We all brought a food item we found on Pinterest too. It was quickly determined that if you give 10 women a choice on any type of food to bring to a party, chances are high we will pick a dessert. With chocolate. And peanut butter. Too much sugar.....oh the sweet pain......


We ate, did a white elephant gift exchange with our Pinterest items and all ended up with an amazing new item for our home, and so full of sugar we could fly .


Can't wait for the next Pinterest party. Our next theme? All about me! We're making something that is personal to us. Something we like to give as a gift or make, or something that has a special meaning to us. So many ideas floating through my head! Lucky for me, my little Dictator likes to paint, mod podge and color. So many crafts, so little time!