Most of us give teenagers a hard time. And, 99.9% of the time they deserve it. But every once in a while, you come across a kid that just surprises the heck out of you and does something nice. Let me explain.

Matthew, Marin, and I were patronizing a local burger joint yesterday. Matthew went to place our order while I took Marin, a high chair, and his way too big for words diaper bag to find us a table. Marin was dying to eat outside, so here we go trying to schlep the load out the door towards the patio. As I approach the door, I see a teenage boy (late teens, maybe 20 at the oldest) coming in. He spots us about the same time as we do him and not only does the kid hold the door open for us, he says, "Here, please let me get that" and gestures towards the high chair. He asks us where we'd like to sit and then carries the chair to the largest table at the back of the patio, having to squeeze past lots of other customers who were already seated. He did all this with a smile on his face too. I thanked him profusely and then spent the rest of the meal thinking that maybe all is not lost with the young folk. And, believe it or not, they kid DID NOT work there! He was there eating with his mom and who I assume was his sister. I really, really wanted to go up and thank the mom for raising such a gentlemen, but I didn't want to embarrass the kid.

Marin was just watching as all this was going on. I had him thank the boy too, of course. I was hoping that Marin was paying attention and that one day he'll pay it forward.

So, to wrap things up, if you see a mom (or dad) struggling with a kid and all their gear, grab the door for them. Ask them if you can get a high chair for them. It will make their day. I really hope that something good happens to that kid. It might not have been a big deal to him but it sure was to me. So, thanks again.

It is 80 degrees right now. That's right. 80. I dare say it is downright hot here. I turned on the a.c. in the house. It was glorious. Too bad the pool won't be open for 2 more months.

Marin and I got out and enjoyed the weather today. We went to the stores closest to our house and just browsed. Our only purchase was a $1.49 pet training "clicker". I was hoping that it would distract Marin from wanting to play with the garage door opener while in the car and subsequently losing it somewhere. It didn't.

I even went to Old Navy and Target and didn't buy one single thing. We had to go to Old Navy so Marin could pet the dog. You know, the fake plastic mannequin dog. That's the one. Just so you don't think he's too weird, he does enjoy going to see the real animals at Pets Mart too. He was thrilled that there were 5 dogs getting haircuts today. I had to bribe him to leave by promising that he could sniff the candles in TJ Maxx.

I even talked Marin into wearing his new sandals. His sandals, not his shoes-shoes. His shoes include any adorable, recently purchased footwear that his dad or I have picked out. His shoes-shoes, as he affectionately calls them are his big boy Nike tennis shoes. These are the only ones he wants to wear. But, I'm totally in love with his new sandals. He looks so cute in them. I'm sure he'll be modeling those a lot on his blog this spring & summer. Speaking of Marin's blog, he's got a lot of new pictures if you want to go check them out. Happy Friday. See you next week!

Man do I love the Internet. Nothing is more thrilling than buying things online. Matthew and I have discussed this topic at length and agree that this is so much more fun than in- person buying. Not that I shy away from the brick and mortar stores either. But, I digress.

There are 3 reasons why online shopping rocks. First off, you have the initial thrill of the hunt. The selection online is vast, much better than any store. So, there is lots to choose from. Secondly, the sheer joy of getting to punch the "add to cart" and "check out" buttons. And third, getting to stalk your prey as it makes its journey from parts unknown. This is otherwise know as "tracking".

I have lost count of the number of things we've bought online in the past week. Seriously. Most of the purchases are related to Marin's upcoming birthday. Decorations, gifts, and party favors for his guests are currently winging their way towards our doorstep. Let's not forget the awesome invitations I ordered last night at 2:15 a.m. Technically, I guess that was this morning. Five minutes ago, I ordered something for my favorite Aunt for her upcoming birthday. No, I'm not going to say what it is because I know that Jay reads this! Hi Jay!

Other than having an online shopping spree, I've been enjoying the nice weather and getting Marin's wardrobe ready for Spring. The community wide garage sale is 1 month away and I'm setting up again this year. I LOVE the community wide garage sales. The shoppers are crazy! It is almost as bad as Black Friday! Sitting in the lawn chairs on the driveway all morning, gossiping with the neighbors and my yard sale partners Tara & Carrie, is right up there with online shopping on the "awesome" scale.

Today I put up most of Marin's heavier winter gear and drug out some of his shorts. When I say "some" I mean the 30 or so pair that were in his closet. That doesn't count the ones that I had put in the "sale" bin upstairs that I know he'll be able to wear again this year because he is so skinny around the waist. So, he's good to go on shorts. I hit a sock sale at Baby Gap last night. You can never have too many socks. Marin also got new shoes at Stride Rite. He's in a 6 now.

Finally, I took just a peek into his swim trunk drawer. At first survey, I think he has 18 pair. Too bad most of them are 2T and way too big. He might be able to wear them by this winter. So, I guess that just means we'll be going to the beach at Christmas. Now we're talking.

Speaking of the beach, we're headed there soon. I can't wait. The 74 degree weather we have right now has me dreaming of the sand and sun in Florida. Marin may have to suffer and only take half a dozen of his swim trunks. He is a deprived child.

Marin and I have been home alone for the past 3 days. Matthew is winging his way home from Washington, D.C. as we speak. This solo foray was much, much better than our last one. Last time Matthew was away on business, Marin and I were both sick with the flu. Yes, Marin had a flu shot, 2 actually. Neither took apparently. But, I'm getting off track.

Marin and I have spent the past 3 days doing our normal routine. It hasn't been half bad. He's been to gymnastics, the local bounce house place, out to eat for almost every meal, and done a ton of shopping. Marin is not a shopper. Well, at least not with me (or his daddy). He is rumored to be good as gold on mega shopping trips with his Mimi. I think she might just be being nice and saying that he's good. :)

Marin did score some new duds and a couple toys. He got a V-Tech computer. He's been wanting one something fierce, but I didn't really feel like spending a bunch of moola on something that he isn't really old enough to use and would just bang the heck outta the keys. So, he was elated when he discovered a pu (his word for computer) for $1.49 at a second hand store. I was pretty psyched too. It even had batteries already. You can't buy batteries for $1.49.

We were so happy with his computer purchase that we decided to try our hand at another thrift store. As I was scanning the isles for bargains and Marin was riding in the cart, he yells out "BUGGY". Smart little dude has just spotted a kid sized shopping cart hidden under a rack of clothes. This wasn't some junky, cheap, plasticy thing. This was nicer than the ones they have for kids at our grocery store! It is metal, coated in a red plastic. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. I haven't seen one this nice even in toy stores. It even has real swivel wheels just like a "real" grocery store cart. So, I put the buggy in the buggy and away to the cashier we went. I had 4 people offer to buy the cart from me while we were standing in line. Not a chance peeps, I was gonna pay my $9.99 and get the heck outta there before Marin had a meltdown at the thought that anyone else might buy (or god forbid) even look at his buggy. He's currently napping (he fell asleep on the way home) so he hasn't given it a whirl in the house yet. I'm thinking we'll be off to Wally World to buy some fake food after nap time.

I also wanted to let everyone in on a revelation I've had over the past few days. News flash: I am NOT a baby person. I've thought for years that I was. I've always adored other people's babies, so I thought I was a complete loser when I wanted to pull my hair out with mine. I just couldn't bring myself to love the baby phase. Nor the 1 year old phase. Nor the 18 month phase. But, you know what, the nearly 2 year old phase is something I can live with. Not just live with, but actually enjoy. Yeah, yeah, I know. I give Marin an extremely hard time on the blog (and in person) for being brat-tastic. That also comes with the territory with a toddler. But, it is still a lot of fun.

Instead of just crying and whining, toddlers can ask for food when they are hungry. By name. Toddlers can make jokes to get you to laugh. They also laugh at your jokes. I know, I'd better enjoy that part before he becomes a teenager and thinks I'm lame. :) Toddlers ask questions and love to learn. They come up with ideas on their own and know how to use a vast array of household objects correctly. For example, I was amazed when Marin picked up my hairdryer, said "hairdryer" and then started holding it above his head and making noises just like a dryer. All the affection that you gave your baby pays out in huge dividends when that baby becomes a toddler. Marin hugs, kisses, rubs your back, pats you on the leg, and rubs his nose on yours to give you "nosies" hundreds of times a day. You know if a toddler likes you or not. Thankfully, mine seems to like me. Again, this I will enjoy until he's a teenager. :)

As Marin's birthday looms closer, I find it hard to believe that I've had the company of this little cutie for nearly 2 years. He's becoming such a little person, leaving babyhood farther and farther behind. And you know what, I'm not sad. I feel like I've been climbing a huge mountain and have finally reached the top. And I most certainly enjoy the view.

Matthew, Marin, and I just returned from Oklahoma City. We drove there. From Nashville. 700 miles each way, with an almost 2 year old. Yes, the drive was as super-de-duper as it sounds. ha.ha. Really, Marin did great. There were only a couple short lived meltdowns. He pretty much stayed on his normal schedule of eating and napping, so that was a plus. He was insanely bored of course, but there was nothing we could do about that. He was over his stash of toys and books by the time we hit Memphis. When traveling with a toddler, it is best to take your time and stop for good meals. We let him run around in gas station parking lots and rest areas every couple hours just to keep him from turning into a werewolf in a car seat.

Once we got to Oklahoma, we had a great time. The first full day there we had mid 70's weather, which was perfect for Marin to get outside and hang out with his new friend Sofia. She's the daughter of a co-worker of Matthew's and just a few months older than him. You can see pictures of the kiddos over on Marin's blog.

I'm totally jealous of 3 things I left in Oklahoma:
1) The wide open spaces. It just feels so non-claustrophobic there. So peaceful and calming.
2) The pizza (the best I've ever eaten, no question).
3) Their ice rink. Our ice is never that open, nor is it that well taken care of.

Hopefully, we'll get back out there soon!