Flip Flop Mama!

I've never liked flip flops. I really hate anything stuck between my toes. And I don't really like looking at my ugly feet. Like I said, I'm not a huge fan of flip flops.

Now, I always buy my boys a new pair for the summer. There was even a post last summer about S' flip flops, but I've not owned a pair since high school... at least.

I really want something easy for the trips to the pool and beach, but I just can't bring myself to waddle around (because that is how I walk with plastic shoved between my toes) with flip flops.

My friend, Susan (the one that lives close to me) and my teaching assistant, Patty, both tell me that I just need to buy better flops that use ribbon or cloth for the thingie between the toe. Yeah, right.

Then I found these. Notice the ribbon between the toe thingie. Notice the cushy sole. (There is even some tread on that sole). And, I might add that this is the first thing I've ever bought that is Carolina Girl. (For those of you out of the state of SC that means it has the palmetto tree and crescent moon on it.)

And, extra bonus... these exactly match my bathing suit... chocolate brown and turquoise. (The pic isn't great. The suit really is brown and the dots are tiny. And my hair isn't that long. :) )

I guess I'm going to be a Flip Flop Mama, after all!

(I bought the flops at a local shop, but I did find them online at judyellenboutique.com. How cool is that?!)

You Want Me to Sleep Where?

This weekend A and I visited the State Museum in Columbia, SC. We went with other Boy Scouts from around the state. We arrived after dinner and we got to spend the night at the museum.

Now, it wasn't quite like that scene from A Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller, but we did have fun. (And who really wants an army of Huns coming after you, anyway?) We were expecting a program on energy, pizza snacks, crafts and walking around all the cool exhibits. Plus, sleeping under the stars... or on a model shrimping boat.

Oh, we were excited about this trip, but I have to tell you that A is a fan of the early bedtime and this late night program was a bit much for him. I, on the other hand, learned lots. By 8 o'clock A was looking for exhibits that featured movie clips and soft chairs. (I now know why indigo was important to the early settlers of South Carolina.) By 9:30 he was putting his head down on the table during craft time. (I now know how to make paper.) By 10:00 he was hitting the sleeping bag. (I now know how the shrimping industry works and it is fascinating how shrimping can be done almost year round off the coast of South Carolina.)

All was not wasted, however, as the next morning while I was looking for a Diet Pepsi machine A was looking at engines, sharks, huge tires, electricity and breakfast muffins.

How to Enjoy South Carolina Snow!

Last Friday (1/25) it snowed here in South Carolina. (The second time in one week!!) And this time the kids were awake and got to enjoy some fun in the snow.

Now, snow is a unusual occurence in South Carolina, so if you ever see some rare South Carolina snow employ the following tips:

* Stare in wonder at the snow. Especially if you, like S, don't recall ever seeing it!

*Play with toys left in the yard. These toys will have a slight dusting of snow. Try to push that snow into a small "snow nugget". Marvel at the melting "snow nugget".

*Stick out your tongue in hopes of a huge flake landing right on your tongue. (Technique is important here. If you really want a flake to land on your tongue you are going to have to bend your head back.)

*Try catching some in your hot little hands. Well, at least pose for a picture trying to catch a few flakes.

*Zipped coats are optional. Any true "snow gear" really not neccesary. Afterall, by the time you find even the mittens the snow will be gone!

*Return from the now wet and rainy backyard to put on warm pajamas and sip hot cocoa.

*And, of course, extra whipped cream is always a good thing.

Snow!

Okay. It only lasted a half an hour or so. Then it started to rain. And rain. And rain some more. But, hey, it snowed in the South!

And, here is a totally aweful pic of myself taken by myself (hence the funky angle and wicked chin action), but I had to share it so you could see that giant snowflake about to land on my nose!

A Southern Moment...

I may live in The South, but I didn't grow up here. Now, I'm not implying that it isn't lovely living here, I'm just saying that sometimes things happen to me or I overhear something that reminds me that "I'm not from 'round here." Tonight I had one of them, there, Southern Moments. :)

My oldest son's class was performing in a school musical. My family (two younger boys on my lap craning to see Aaron and Husband on the wall with the video camera) was watching the crowd of first graders sing songs about colorful rainbows, keeping the planet clean, and how we all need the moon.

Now, there was a family behind me also enjoying the show. At one point, the little boy asked his dad if he could use the camera to take a picture of his big brother. The dad, in full instructor mode handed over his camera to the little boy and said, "Now, it's just like using the GUN. You look through here..."