We're all a little Nutty

It has been brought to my attention multiple times that my teasing about my son being a college mascot wasn't obvious.  Perhaps some of you don't get my sarcasm.  Or you have a crazy amount of optimistic faith in my kids' gymnastics abilities.  Whatever the case... That detail aside, I had a lovely birthday.  We rode the train in a snowstorm -- grateful that we finally were having winter, and grateful that we didn't have to drive in the snow. Besides my own personal snowstorm, my favorite gift I received was from one of my kids.  Knowing that I like to eat the crumbs (which we call "dookies") at the bottom of the Frosted Mini Wheats box, he bought a fresh box of mini wheats just for me and then smashed the entire thing and put it in a container.  It made me laugh my head off.  I loved my other sweet gifts, too, but the unexpected nature of an intentionally smashed box of cereal just made my day. My favorite thing of all about having...

Whenever a child moves out, I go through emotional withdrawals.  I can no longer check on them whenever I feel like it.  I can't force them to converse with me.  There is an empty place in my heart! So, today I went to a concert on campus and invited my college son to join me.  He said he appreciated the invite but had "other things he was working on."  After the concert, my youngest son and I went to Brick Oven for lunch.  While there, Cosmo the Cougar visited all the tables and high fived and took pictures with whomever desired them.  He pretended to steal my son's soda.  And he rubbed him on the head several times and fist bumped him.  A few minutes later, he walked past again and rubbed my son's head again. Now, in case you don't know this, Cosmo's identity is secret.  Because of this, he never talks, because of course hearing his voice would be a clue to his identity.  I think there are multiple Cosmos working the position...