A Good Laugh!!

I got this as a forward from my aunt. If you have already seen it...sorry. I guess that you will have to laugh your way through it again.

A 3-year-old tells all from his mother's restroom stall. (By Shannon Popkin)

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library,the grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask himto turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked. There've been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Costco. Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called,so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the restroom that evening,this is what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall: "Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on DA toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonnago stinkies on the potty?" At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full ... 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity. Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy!I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl,Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!" I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me. Where is a screaming new born when you need her? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to! divert him, I said, "Why don't you lookin Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy We'll both have some!" "No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point. "Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy,doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!" As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone. "Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done going stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me off. Now I couldhear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count thefeet outside my door. "Oh, are you wooking underdere, Mommy? You wooking under DA door? What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?" More laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation. "Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now,Mommy." He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!" I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling I sheepishly opened the door, and found standing outside my stall, twenty to thirty ladies crowded around the stall, all smiling and starting to applaud. My first thought was complete embarrassment, then I thought, "Where's the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of my dignity and privacy?" But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.

(Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three. She lives with her family in Grand Rapids ,Michigan , where she no longer uses public restroom

Calling all POTENTIAL sax/flute/string students...!

For those of you who have been dying for some private instruction on the saxophone, flute, or strings your prayers have been answered!!! Beginning August 1, 2008 I, (a certified music instructor), will being moving into a studio space at Mill Music in Lynnwood to teach private lessons. Do not wait! Reserve your space today by calling me at 360-820-1430. (all ages/ability levels welcome) Remember, It is never too early OR late to learn an instrument!

Do you ever just wake up cranky?

Alright I admit....I did stay up pretty late last night playing video games. (well one game in particular) AND I was forced to sleep on the wrong side of the bed due to aaron already sleeping ON MY SIDE!!! I guess it is just going to be one of those days. Maybe I should lock myself in the bathroom, take a llloooonnnngggg bubble bath, do a little reading, and shave my legs. Wouldn't that be great!? If only I wasn't a stay at home mom "forced" to clean house, cook food, take care of the baby...etc. So much to do, so little time!

Please don't abandon my blog...I promise that I will write!

While I have been silently making blog posts in my mind...unfortunatly those posts did not make it to this page. I apologize and promise to recommit. I swear I have a good excuse though....I have been insanely busy, out of town, tired, pregnant, mother to a toddler, etc....

Without recaping all of the news thoughout the last month, let me touch on a couple of exciting new changes in my life. First of all: I have officially survived the first trimester!! (**heroic music ringing in the background) I am currently 16 weeks pregnant (I think) and due to have baby number two on December 30, 2008. To make this the ultimate Christmas gift, Aaron and I have decided not to find out the sex of the baby until the big day. So, send in your votes and together we can await the arrival of baby BOY OR GIRL Lampano.

Next: WE GOT A NEW CAR!!!! WAHOO!!!! WIPEE!!! HORRAY!!!!! Aaron and I are finally retiring the "hand me down minivan" given to us by the in-laws. On Monday we purchased a Chrysler Town and Country LIMITED edition. This car has all the bells and whistles: heated heats, remote everything, rear climate controls, built-in latch system for the car seats, leather interior, captain seats, etc...
The best part is this: the KBB value on this car is$10,000-$11,000 but aaron and I paid a happy $7500! The car is in great condition (engine included) and we are feeling really blessed to have found such a deal.

Finally, Aaron, Elijah, Baxter, and I went on a really fun camping trip to Deception Pass Last week. Without going into too much details I will say it was very fun! Eli was great and the weather was awesome! Pictures of this trip can be found on the right side of the blog in a slideshow.

One last thought/question: I am thinking about beginning the potty training (I shouldn't ignore Eli's cues any longer) any suggestions???