Who Needs Lessons?

All my girls needed was encouragement and floaties.

We Won’t

I certainly won’t forget John Hughes. He made my high school years bearable. Well, he and some really, really good friends did.

To this day, in my opinion, The Breakfast Club remains one of those iconic movies that totally captured what it was like. “It” being high school — even though I went to an all-girl school, and even though I never had detention, I got it. Hell, I was living it. It felt to me that The Breakfast Club didn’t condescend, and it didn’t lie.

I completely loved the letter than Anthony Michael Hall’s character leaves for the douchebag principal. I thought about it all day yesterday:

“Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us… In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain and an athlete and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.

“Does that answer your question?… Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.”

ABBA-esque

I learned a few things yesterday:

1. Monkey knows all the words to “Kids” by MGMT.
2. Monkey really hates Louis Armstrong’s version of “It’s a Wonderful World”. “It’s not a wonderful world,” she cried in response when I wouldn’t skip it. “It’s just not.”
3. ABBA, the original group, isn’t together anymore. Although, contrary to rumor, they are not dead.
4. I was clearly spoiled by Mamma Mia! I expected some fabulous dance numbers. But the costumes were disco-licious.
5. Clearly, I will go to just about any lengths to spend time with my best friends.

Okay, I already knew that.

When the Steelers won the Super Bowl one year in the ’70s, the montage afterward was set to ABBA’s “Winner Takes it All”. Does anyone else remember this? N says it was 1979, after the Steelers beat the L.A. Rams. I’m inclined to believe her because N has a memory like a photo album. I remember feeling bad for the losing team because of that song. That’s the video I was looking to put here. Instead, you get “Dancing Queen”. Feel free to picture me dancing ecstatically to it — wearing black.

Whoops II

Oh, hey, that wasn’t another pony ride. That was the third most fun my children had on vacation (especially Bun).

Having spent the weekend in a whirlwind of grocery shopping, house cleaning, party hopping, parent hosting, and zoo going, blogging has taken a back seat. I hope I can get this video thing worked out, but if not, rest assured: Bun, too, rode the pony.

Honestly, though, I think she had more fun chasing those chickens.

Pony Rides

As promised. Not as good as the Trampoline Center, but darn good all the same.

Better Than A Pony Ride

These videos are from our second trip to the Trampoline Center in Harwich, Cape Cod, MA. We made a final foray on Friday, too.

Yawn. Zzzzz.

The weekend to this point has been difficult, challenging, and… interesting. I have a lot to ponder and write about, but I need some sleep first.

Due to my high school reunion, the debate of whether or not to join Facebook is being revisited. In my head. The last thing I need is more time in front of a computer. If it is something that can be set up and minimally tended, I’ll do it. But if it turns into a giant timesuck, I’m going to bail.

And if any of the following become too bothersome, I’m out.

I Got Nothin’

By the time this publishes, I will be dropping my parents off at the airport. They are currently — it’s 9:30 p.m. EST as I type — sitting patiently in the other room while I hang laundry, write this post, and run next door to my in-laws to make sure everything is in order. The ILs are due back tonight too.

It’s been a little crazy. I have lots on deck, but for today? Nothing doing.

In lieu of something new, that video of Bun from the other day led me to look at other videos I have of my kids. Here’s one from… what, spring 2008? Look how little and round Bun is! Man, it goes fast.

A Bear for Bun

Because Bun was sick, DearDR brought a little something home from his work to cheer her up. It sings the perfect song for our Bun, and it definitely seems to bring a little smile to her spirit.

I do kind of wish Monkey had been otherwise occupied, though. She’s a little too concerned about getting some attention.

And sorry if the tune gets stuck in your head.

Updated to add: I changed the settings on the video, so it should be viewable now. If not, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ9xkTbgWlQ and my email is albamaria30 at verizon dot net.

Tickle Me Funny Bone

This just cracked me up. I love Andrea Bocelli’s voice.

Bocelli’s duet with… gulp, Celine Dion… “The Prayer” was the song DearDR and I danced to at our wedding reception. (I’m sure admitting that I danced to a Celine song is going to cost me cool points. But it’s still a gorgeous song, and perfectly fitting for DearDR and me on our wedding day.)

Had to share. I am working on a post about books I am reading or gearing up to read, and it’s taking me much longer than I thought.