You gotta know when to hold it

KIC isn't always a reliable source. She's selective about what she shares (see: My little spy), but the when is always sketchy and it's usually only what she wants to share, not what you want to know. I'm sure, in time, we'll be getting more details than we ever wanted to know, but until then, I'm content with little gems like this.

KIC: "My friend, XXX, had an askident. He pooped on the pwaygwound!"
Me: "He did?!?!"
KIC: "Yeah, he did! AND! XXX XXXX stepped in it!" (this is confirmed by the teacher double-bagging the unfortunate soles...haha! See what I did there?)
Me: "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. I'm sure your friend XXX will be okay."

At this point, I'd like to mention that the school served the following throughout the course of the day:
- Blueberry muffins
- Yams
- Baked Apples
- Pineapples

If I had all that in the course of a day, I might be pooping on the playground too. Also, I'd like to learn some lessons from XXX. He apparently pooped while ON THE GO! That is TALENT!

Back to my conversation with KIC. As we walked down the steps to leave school, we noticed some crackers on the steps that had been ground into the tread.

KIC: "Someone spilled their food!"
Me: "It's okay. Since I'm sure it wasn't you, we'll be okay."
KIC: "Yeah, it wasn't me! You know what, Mommy? I was a good girl. I kept my poop in my bottom!"
Me (stifling a laugh): "Yes, baby, you did keep your poop in your bottom."

Can you list that as a resume skill? Knowing when to hold your poop? Cuz if so, KIC's got that particular talent DOWN and isn't afraid to tell you about it.

Avon Walk Chicago: 2012

As many of you know, I have been a participant in the Avon Walk the past two years. This year, my team and I will be participating in the Avon Walk: Chicago. That's happening the first weekend of June in, you guessed it, Chicago, IL. There's not a lot of time between now and then. As such, it's time for me to get aggressive about fundraising! We are, after all, Team Honey Badgers!!

While I can't reveal all my tricks just yet, I am excited to reveal our first fundraising event! My very talented friend, Tish Bushrod, has graciously donated one of her cakes for us to use as a fundraiser. For every $10 donated to our team, you get entered to win one of Tish's fabulous cakes. Decorated to your taste, Whip It Up by T promises fresh ingredients, meticulous design and unparalleled flavor.

Here are the deets:
- 1 cake for up to 12 people
- Cake decorated to your specifications
- A three week timeframe is requested prior to delivery date
- Entry period ends at midnight, February 29
- $10 per entry to win!!

Please pass it onto your friends! The cakes are fabulous, Tish is awesome to work with and it's for a good cause!! Maybe you can have your own Honey Badger cake!

Here's the link to donate:
Team Honey Badgers

JOTW: Oasis "Wonderwall"

Well, here I am with another nostalgic Jam Of the Week. I remember thinking in the 90's how profound this song was. "Maybe, you're going to be the one that saves me..." Because, you know, we all wanted to be saved in the 90's. We were all about feeling, man. Well, that, and mosh pits, but that's a different sort of feeling.

It's a shame that the Gallagher brothers couldn't get past the infighting. They really did bring about an awesome Britpop resurgence that helped bands like Bush, The Verve and Blur, to name a few, gain recognition here in the states. "Definitely Maybe" was pretty much it for them, but what a way to make their mark!

This song is my personal favorite and I might have dedicated it on more than one occasion to an undeserving boyfriend. Maybe. I will neither confirm nor deny. ;-) Enjoy!

KIC: Best wingman I know

The following illustrates just how much my poor husband has to deal with on a daily basis from K squared.

Me: "KIC, ask your daddy if we need eggs at the grocery store."
KIC: "But Daddy's upstairs."
Me: "That's okay, yell up to him."
KIC (while standing right next to me): "Daddy, do we need eggs???"
Daddy (unaware of the collusion): "No, we have some in the fridge in the garage."
Me: "KIC, ask your daddy if he needs razor blades."
KIC (still standing next to me): "Daddy, do you need razor blades??"
Daddy (somewhat sharply): "No, I have plenty of razor blades."
Me: "Ask your daddy if he needs shampoo." (This is a long standing feud between DH and I, so now I'm using KIC to poke at him).
KIC (hasn't moved and inch and is now perusing mail order check options with casual disinterest): "Daddy, do you need shampoo??"
Daddy (snappish now): "NO I DON'T! I have plenty of shampoo!!!"
Me (seeing an opportunity): "KIC, ask your daddy if he needs a new attitude."
KIC (still perusing check options): "Daddy, do you need a new attitude?"

**silence**

Finally, I can't control the giggles any more and actually snort.

Daddy: "I'm not laughing."

I fall to the floor laughing hysterically, KIC throws the check options paper in the trash, Daddy mumbles to himself about needing a vacation and the animals all ignore us crazy humans. Just a day in the life of the Shoup House.

A Mother's Creed

I have found that as a mother to any creature (well, maybe not fish), we are often vulnerable to judgement from outsider's. It's not that we make ourselves vulnerable, it's that people feel it's appropriate to comment on what we are doing. You learn to smile, nod and ignore it (if it's unsolicited) or take it with a grain of salt. But sometimes, in your weakest moment, a kernel of doubt wedges itself in your brain, and in your heart. The following tidbit is for those times:

A Mother's Creed
I am a mother first, a wife second and a friend always.

I am not perfect, nor should I try. It is my duty and obligation to make mistakes - otherwise, how will I learn?

I will not always be patient, wise and kind, but I will always love my child (whether furry or human) through thick and thin.

My house will never be featured in "Tidy Homes USA", but friends and family will always be welcome.

My meals will never not always be from scratch, or even made at home, but judge me by the time spent with family, and not by the meals that I serve.

My child may not have the prettiest ponytails or coordinating Gymboree outfits, but she is sent off to school with a hug, a kiss and an "I love you" every morning and that's what I hope she remembers.

I work full time to help provide for my family while my daughter goes to school all day - that won't change and we are all okay with that.

At the end of the day, nothing said or done will change the fact that my child is my legacy and she's who matters most. In the meantime, we learn together through this parenting.

JOTW: Phaeleh "Afterglow"

My musical taste is eclectic for sure. There are only a couple of types of music that really don't capture my attention (sorry classical music and jazz fans), but for the most part, I'm willing to try anything at least once.

I've always been a downtempo fan and when you mix it with my new fave, dubstep, it's a killer combination for me. That's exactly what Phaeleh and Soundmouse do on "Afterglow." There's just something so soothing about this song that it creates the effect of laying on the sofa under a fleece blanket for me. Hope you enjoy!

Woman, shake a leg!

This is the look you get when you ask your child and her BFF to stand for a third picture in sub zero temperature at the beginning of the ice sculpture exhibit because you weren't happy with the first two. Well deserved, I'd say.