Sweet Words from a Child...Last night was busy with dinner, breathing treatment for Julia (allergies), books read at bedtime. I lay in Julia's bed snuggling and singing her lullabies while rubbing her back. After one last kiss and hug, I said, "I love you, Julia." Then she replied in the sweetest of voices, "I love you, too, Mommy. You smell like toast." Out of the mouths of babe.

Tornado Warning...Well, who woulda thunk it? But yesterday afternoon, Long Beach, NY was under a tornado warning. John and I didn't know anything about it but about 4pm several of our neighbors started calling to tell us/warn us/or ask advice. When it comes to a tornado, who better to call than the Okies living in NY? Ha! It turned out that a tornado did dip down out of the clouds over the ocean just south of Long Beach but that was it. I think the warning expired about a 1/2 hour after we heard about it. But I can tell you the news channels were very different than it would have been in OK. Other than occasional weather blurb during a commercial or a info band going across the bottom of the screen from time to time, that was all you heard about it. Where is Gary England when you need him?!?! Ha! Of course, one of our neighbors called in a panic saying the mayor had been on channel 7 and the tornado was heading right for us! I'm sure the mayor is the authority...ha! What a funny little afternoon!

Hidden Veggies...For any moms who have trouble getting kids to eat vegetables, check out Jessica Seinfeld's new book "Deceptively Delicious". It hides pureed veggies in foods and you CANNOT tell the difference. It takes 1 hour per week to puree the foods. But this is a great idea for kids and adults who don't like veggies. Love this idea! Go check out the book. If you go to Oprah.com, you can find out about the book. Jessica Seinfeld was on Oprah today. Yea! Some tip to get kids to eat veggies without the battle at the dinner table. Yea!

Funny Stuff...Friday, as Jacob and I were walking home from school, we had a funny conversation:

Jacob: Mom, do you know I am as tall as some 5th graders?

Nikki: I'm not surprised. You are very tall, Jacob. In a couple of years, you will probably be as tall as me.

Jacob: Well, yeah, Mom, you look you are only in high school.

Nikki: I look a little older than that.

Jacob: No, Mom. Dad is the only one who looks like a grown-up in our family.

I laughed so hard. Jacob didn't really understand what I thought was so funny. And upon re-telling the story to John, he was even less amused. Ha! This, for the man who always had the baby face and was the last one of all our friends to get ID'd when we went anywhere. Just goes to show you how kids and work can age you in 8 short years.

Super Cool Dude...Jacob has school pictures this next week so yesterday, he and John went for haircuts. This is the Super Cool Dude end result...talk about looking like some "attitude"...ha!

Halloween Costumes...Jacob and Julia's Halloween costumes arrived this week so we are already in full blown dress-up mode. Needless to say, I have been arrested and jailed several times for various violations...ha! Their imaginations are amazing.

OSU Friends...A couple of weeks ago John went to York, PA to visit his friend from college, Paul. They had a great time hanging out and playing golf. It is always good to catch up with friends.