Okay, I’ll admit it. We watched “24″ at our house last night.
I know I said we were done with it, but how could we just walk away without knowing if the President would survive the attack by a militia who were not only skilled enough to attack the White House by killing one handyman with a screwdriver, but also managed to bring in a laptop and a complete arsenal while scuba-diving in the Potomac?
What can I say? I guess I like television programming that causes me to suspend my imagination beyond all human reason, which explains why I kept watching “Diff’rent Strokes” even after Dixie Carter married Mr. Drummond and that little red-headed boy with the bowl cut moved into the penthouse.
And also why I kept watching “E.R.” after Dr. Romano not only got his arm cut off by a helicopter, but was then later crushed to death by a helicopter that fell out of the sky. What are the odds?
Anyway, enough about television.
(Like I could ever get enough of the T.V.)
Yesterday we spent our first official day of Spring Break at the outdoor mall here in town. Here is Caroline in front of Neiman Marcus.
I feel like I need to document the week in pictures so that someday when all of Caroline’s friends are reminiscing about their fabulous Spring Breaks spent at Disney World or an exotic beach somewhere, she can pull these out and say, “My mom took me to the mall”.
And all her friends will be totally jealous because who cares about having breakfast with Cinderella compared to riding the escalator at Nordstrom and climbing under clothing carousels while your Mom looks for sale items at GapKids?
In all fairness, she was the one that wanted to go to the mall. I was glad she suggested it because our other option would have been a trip to the zoo and I’m just not a big fan of the zoo. Actually, that’s not true. I think the zoo would be great if not for all the animals.
So we spent Monday in various children’s clothing stores where she completely blew my mind by turning down pink shirts covered in sparkly butterflies and instead grabbed a darling brown dress with nary a unicorn or bedazzle on it and declared it, “A KEEPER!”
I’ve never been so proud of her taste, but I kept it to myself because any indication of enthusiasm from me might have been a death sentence for the cute dress.
The good news is that both the dress and the President on “24″ both lived to see another day. There is nothing Jack Bauer or a little lack of excitement can accomplish.
Except for maybe scuba-diving into the White House while carrying a laptop.
my son was watching tv with me that night of the ER episode where the helicopter fell out of the sky into the ambulance bay and, well, you know…
he was 5 or 6 at the time. I swear to you – to this day – if we’re anywhere NEAR a hospital, he’s checking out the sky and all but ducks into the building as fast as he can.
and his step-dad flies helicopters.
so just IMAGINE the questions we’ve had about that!
So I’m trying the therapeutic approach you’ve taught us, Melanie:
Dear ER,
Thank you for giving my son his first memory, and even better, of something that didn’t really happen. As ridiculous as reality television is, at least their helicopters don’t land on people.
Sincerely,
Lavonda
I’m curious to know if when you first got pregnat you wanted to have a boy. I bet you wouldn’t trade Caroline for a million boys! Her green dress is darling – I’D even wear that.
Can’t relate with you on the Jack Bauer/24 thing. Since I live in D.C. already I get enough drama as it is on the news.
LOVE Caroline’s green dress. And I also love that you take her to the mall for spring break. That was how I wanted to spend all my days out of school – I think she’ll be proud to show those pictures off one day!
She is her mother’s child. And she looks beautiful in that green dress!
I cannot tell you how relieved and happy I am that you went back to Jack. I think we should keep a running count of how many times they have taken Jack into custody only to have him taken OUT of custody because they need him to do just one more thing. About every other hour, I’d say.
We never went anywhere for spring break when my kids were little. Wait until she’s older and you all REALLY need a break.
Your mini me is so precious! There is nothing my daughter and I like more than a “big lady day”. We leave dad and brother at home, have some lunch, and go bargain shopping. Spring break at Disney is truly overrated. Been there, done that, and stood in the lines to prove it! Yuck!!!
I can’t wait until it’s warm enough for cute little spring dresses. She looks adorable.
Oh my goodness, she is so adroable. I can’t wait until our little dainty daughter who likes to rummage in trash cans and eat ladybugs turns into a little lady.
I’m cracking up at your TV commentary – I too thought it was a weird coincidence on ER when the helicopter was the cause of the poor man’s problems twice! Well, the second time it wasn’t so much of a problem as a… reality? HA! As if!
The dress Caroline is wearing in the picture is SUPER CUTE too!
What are the odds of a helicopter striking the same person twice? Oh but how I still love to watch all of the ER reruns.
Cute picture…if you hadn’t mentioned being at the mall, I’d have thought y’all went on vacation somewhere! Good photography skills too!
Gotta know—where’d you score that darling green dress? My girlie girl would eat that up. Just remind yourself that “stay-cations” are all the rage in this economy!
Mel,
Did you record Dancing with the Stars? Because Melissa from the bachelor was on it, she was a last minute replacement for another star who injured herself on Friday! She only had 2 days to learn her dance, while everyone else had a month!!
Though you would want to know!!
-Sarah Halbach
My husband and I seriously thought about not watching 24 this week, but caved and watched. Of course, we spent the whole hour rolling our eyes and yelling “Are you kidding me?!@”
If nothing else, it had the two of us laughing on the couch for an hour!
What is so cool about 24 is that it is tongue in cheek and not to be taken too seriously…even though it can be super suspenseful. How do I know that you ask? Because we talked to the actor who plays Morris and he told us.
And Heavens to Betsy whatever you do…DO NOT say that the dress is “cute” When does cute become a four letter word to our children!?!? At what age exactly does this happen? Does cute start to represent drool running down their chins while sporting a diaper in their minds?
Would the proper wording be to an 8 year old? “Oh yes honey, why that dress makes you look every bit 11?!?!”
Help me Jesus!
I think the mall for Spring Break is an awesome idea! I wish I still got Spring Break so I could spend some time in the mall…oh well…I have something to look forward to when I have kids!
I knew we were in trouble when my youngest daughter, at three, stomped out of her room (which was covered in every piece of clothing she owned), buck-naked and announced:
“I have nuffink to wearw”
My daughter could now successfully write her own “Fashion Friday” blog.
I predict for you a similar future. ;o)
We’re going to Nebraska (from Kansas) for spring break this year. But Grandma and Grandpa are there so it’s pretty exciting for the kids and relaxing for me! I’d love a trip to the mall, though!
Well said, on the zoo comment. I’m right there with ya.:)
Caroline looks so beautiful in that dress! Its a great color on her.
Have a blessed Day
x
I LOVE CAROLINE’S DRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did she get it and do they make it in my size? I’m totally serious!
Your daughter is so cute!!!
On another note…since you seem to love tv as much as I do…did you know that MELISSA (think Bachelor) is now on Dancing with the Stars? Oh yes, a surprising twist last night. I have never been a fan of that show, but of course I will have to watch now! Plus since The Bachelor isn’t on anymore on Mondays nights, now I have to find something new to fill that time slot!
oh the er thing and the cut off arm, while shocking initially, later it was hilarious to me. and him getting crushed by a helicopter was just too much.
The red-headed boy who moved into the Drummond’s house with Dixie Carter was named Sam. Remember when he was kidnapped and Arnold ultimately saved him because he remembered the license plate number of the kidnapper while under hypnosis?
You should write a book with all your funny stories. I’d read it for sure. Don’t you just hate that all the little girls clothes are covered in sparkles and butterflies and jewels? I’ll take a plain ol’ dress anyday.
I am a HUGE ER fan. Never missed an episode, in all 30 years! However, I never put it together that not only was his arm cut off by a helicopter, but one smashed him as well. I guess it’s all that diet coke (or wine) killing my brain cells!
Well, you must watch Castle- it’s like CSI, but with more jokes and less blood. A little more believable than most, nary a helicopter anywhere.
Good for you for going to the mall. One year I took G to the park and we spent the entire day (seriously) hiking in the woods looking for the big bad wolf (the obsession of that year) Sadly, no big bad wolf, but we did find a big bad goose that took a plug out of his little arm which then required a trip to the big bad doctor for a big bad shot.
Oh- tell Kelly that Old Navy online has a dress very similar to Caroline’s for $24.50 in several colors.
You are HYSTERICAL!!!!!!! OH! I love a fabulous sense of humor!
Castle – NOT good! Unless you like murder to be sprinkled with light humor & wit. I, for one, like my murder to be laced with pure drama: an albino, red-headed cop cocking his head to the side, while taking off sunglasses accompanied by music from THE WHO.
I am so glad I’m not the only one who isn’t a big fan of the zoo!
I LOVE that green dress she’s wearing!Please share deets on where you got it, I have an 8-year-old who would look darling in it!
Melissa and I have been all over the country, all over the world even, with our mom. And where do we end up every single time we go somewhere together? A mall. So at least you didn’t travel to some far off place to do what you could have done at home. I’m also so glad that Caroline appreciates Neiman’s.
I love Caroline’s green dress! Where did you get it?
My husband watched 24 last night, too. I declined in favor of Dancing with the Stars.
Hope you have a great 2nd day of spring break!
I guess I didn’t even think about the underwater laptop until you mentioned it. I’m addicted so I can’t give Jack up, but oh, my, I wanted to throw something at the TV last night when the bad guy got in the hospital room through the ceiling, jammed the closed circuit feed, did his dirty deed, and got out. If they would just quit framing Jack, he wouldn’t have to use all those questionable tactics!
Happy spring break!
You promised me the zoo.
I’m coming in a month. Start bucking up.
Are you allowed to express your enthusiasm for the dress once it is safely part of her wardrobe at least?
La Cantera is one of my favorite places to go when I am in SA.
At least you’re taking your daughter to really nice stores. I take my daughter to Wal-Mart and Target and tell her to look for CLEARANCE signs.
-FringeGirl
Your post gives me hope that someday my own daughter (now 3) will outgrow the pink, purple and glitter all the time stage.
I don’t watch 24 but I did like ER for a while but it was back when George Clooney was still on.
I just can’t seem to get the time to do anything but clean and cook anymore. I envy your tv time.
We dared Fiesta TX. You had a better idea. Ha, ha! If she hasn’t tried the outdoor escalator in the new section yet, it will become a must.
We’re friends with the zoo director, and he says that 25 percent of the zoo’s ANNUAL income happens during Spring Break. Which is why locals should never, ever be tempted to head to the zoo during March. Plus the rhino pit stinks to high heaven once it gets hotter than 70 degrees.
I took the kids to Central Library and El Mercado downtown. Other than repeatedly getting hit up for money by homeless people, we had a stellar time.
Here in Smalltown, a trip to the mall (a real one) requires a day trip, so technically it is considered a vacation. :>)
You are all ready for the teen years if you already know that you can not show any enthusiasm to anything you might like that they also like. Then after it is bought and they have worn it a few times you can only say things like, “I kind of like that.” Because then they might stop wearing it because mom started liking it. Then there will come to a point where they have worn it so many times you do hate it and it is their absolute favorite.
LaCa (as my family calls it) is where my mom took my 15 year old sister too and I think you’re both brave for even venturing THERE during Spring Break! Maybe I’m just too easily stressed out to deal with the crowded parking lots :p
Love your blog! I’ve been lurking around for a while and thought it was time to say HI!
I can’t believe you mentioned the episode where his arm got cut off by the helicopter! I had watched ER for years, and when that happened I turned off the TV and swore I would never watch ER again. I never have. That just went too far for me – and now to hear that a helicpter killed him – that is just insane!
More importantly, the mall is a completely appropriate Spring Break activity and she just looks precious in that dress!
My solution of dealing with 24 is to wait until it’s over then watch it on DVD. Then things that might normally be annoying are quickly forgotten.
My husband says he doesn’t have the heart for the suspense, so this way we just binge on it, watching 3 or 4 episodes at a time.
Smart move, not showing enthusiasm. In a few more years you’ll have to show disdain for what you really like and like for what you really hate, to get her to pick the right thing, knowwhatimsayin? Some of my fondest memories are of shopping in the big department stores and riding escalators with my mom. She’d always buy me a big swirl sucker if I was good.
My husband has blown our DVR up with 24. I personally don’t care for it, but this time of year I would rather watch ESPN so I can win the bracket in my house!
And what’s it like only having to keep up with one kid at the mall? That’s why God gave me 3 I guess, otherwise I would probably end up there all the time.
“I think the zoo would be great if not for all the animals.” LOVE THIS!! And totally agree.
*pulls robe tightly over pink be-sparkled pyjamas*
Being from California and all, would you mind explaining Spring Break before it’s spring? Do your schools also get an Easter break? It’s a fantastic system having a break with the start of the time change. It’s hard on them going to school all sleep deprived, to say nothing of the parents.
Helicopter=danger! Goodness.
Laughing out loud here in Texas.
And I’m with you on the zoo bit. Except lions are awesome.
Living here on Crete, Greece I am SO enivous of the pics in front of Neiman’s and the talk of spring break shopping! Sometime fulltime ministry really asks you to give up a lot!
I really enjoy your blog. As a mother of two boys its a refreshing change in the view point of parenting.
Okay, I love you! I do! Who remembers and talks about Dr. Romano on their blog?
I always see your link on others’ blogs and I just had to come check you out! Love the hilarity!
Well of course every girl’s dream for Spring Break is to spend it with her mother at the mall!
My girls are actually annoyed with me because I haven’t taken them to the mall in several weeks. What can I say, we’ve not exactly been the textbook definition of good health recently.
I feel like I had something noteworthy to say, but it escapes me now. I’m just glad to know there is hope for a day when not everything bejeweled and bedazzled must come home in our shopping bag.