Mommin' It Up!

September 3, 2014September 3, 2014

Stunned.

I just wandered over to Mommin’ It Up to write a back to school post (or, more accurately, a post about the DISASTROUS morning we had for the first day of school), when something on our dashboard caught my attention.

I must see that every day, but it had never really registered before.

You guys. 55,204 comments.

That means that 55,204 times, one of you has given us advice, cheered us on, laughed at our antics, or – let’s be honest – entered a giveaway.

55,204 times, you gave of your time and you gave of yourselves.

Blogging is different than it was 2,384 posts ago. The internet is different; the world is different. There’s more chatter, but less conversation. People don’t leave comments on blog posts the way they used to. Hell, people don’t even read blog posts the way they used to.

Jenny and I are different too. We have a lot more kids, for starters. And we have jobs, and fewer stories to tell. Things are changing around these parts and I don’t think either of us are sure where it’ll go from here. (That sounds much more ominous than I intend it to – we have no plans to abandon ship.)

But there is one thing I know for certain – even if the internet exploded tomorrow, Jenny and I will forever be grateful for each and every one of those 55,204 comments, and to all of you who came along for the ride.

September 2, 2014September 2, 2014

10 Hilarious Parenting Quotes From Famous People

The other day I was pondering parent witticisms and trying to remember a funny Erma Bombeck quote I’d once read. This pondering soon led me down the rabbit hole that is an internet search for funny parenting quotes. Thankfully, it was a really funny rabbit hole that was good for my mom soul. Here are 10 of the funniest quotes I found – I WISH I could’ve said these better myself, but alas, these people are funnier than me. In some cases, I’ve added my own commentary in bold. Enjoy!

“When my kids become wild and unruly I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.” – Erma Bombeck

“All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with a white carpet is one of them.” – Erma Bombeck

“Insanity is hereditary. You can catch it from your kids.” – Erma Bombeck (I really wish I could high-five Erma for this one!)

“Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry.” – Bill Cosby (I’m totes adding that to my list of child-naming rules, Bill!)

“In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck – and, of course, courage.” – Bill Cosby

“Having children is like living in a frat house – nobody sleeps, everything’s broken, and there’s a lot of throwing up.” – Ray Romano (Ermgersh. Just call my house Pi Sigma Crappa.)

“Becoming a mom to me means that you have accepted that for the next sixteen years of your life, you will have a sticky purse.” – Nia Vardalos (That you will never, ever be able to find anything in.)

“Children aren’t happy without something to ignore, and that’s what parents were created for.” – Ogden Nash

“A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.” – Jerry Seinfeld (Or an off button.)

and finally…

“Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare.” – Ed Asner (In that case I really, really, need a bulletproof vest!)

So, those are some of my favorite funny quotes inspired by the insanity that is raising children. Do you have any favorite quotes? I’d love to hear them in the comments!

September 2, 2014September 2, 2014

Back-to-School with Case Logic

My kids went back to school today… and let me tell you, this morning was bloggable in the worst way possible. But that’s a story for another day! Today’s story is about the backpack that went with Kate to fifth grade – the Griffith Park Plus Backpack from Case Logic.

I’m going to be honest – this thing is so nice I kind of hated to let Kate use it! It would be perfect for Andy, because he’s always hauling home papers to grade and it has a padded compartment designed to hold a laptop, but once Kate saw it he was out of luck.

This backpack has TONS of room. As I mentioned, it has a dedicated space designed to hold a 15″ laptop and an iPad, plus a lined phone pocket.

Kate has none of those things.

But she does have a lot of fifth-grader stuff like books, folders, and her Trapper Keeper, all of which fit into the Griffith Park Plus with room to spare.

I also like the mesh padding in the back – I can still remember the feeling of backpack-induced sweat on my back, can’t you? Actually the more I read about this, the more I want to use it for myself…

Check out Case Logic for more info!