We need some new material in our house because Ben’s jokes are getting real old. What better day than today? I just learned from Bill Ward’s article here. that today is National “Tell an Old Joke Day.” I know I’ve mentioned the Knock Knocks Ben shares. They are getting more nonsensical (and hysterical to him) by the day.

Ben: Knock Knock
Me: Who’s there?
Ben: Pickle
Me: Pickle who?
Ben: Pickle nose! (then he rolls on the ground as if it were the most hilarious thing ever uttered.)

Ben: Knock Knock
Me: Who’s there?
Ben: Eye
Me: Eye who?
Ben: Eyeball! (more fits of laughter)

Such is 3 year-old humor.

I remember a few favorite jokes of mine as a young kid dealt with time.

How are a pigs tail and 5 a.m. the same?
They are both twirly.

And the old joke -

What’s the best time to go to the dentist?
2:30

Hey it’s Friday let’s have some fun! Share your favorite kid jokes, nonsensical knock knocks, or heck, your best (ahem, clean) jokes in comments below.

Once again I am going to turn to Cribsheeters for some advice.
We have two road trips coming up this summer. One to Illinois (about 5.5 hours) and another “up North” (about 3.5 hours).
I realize that is NOTHING compared to May’s annual 48 hour round trip trans-Atlantic flights but those several hours through Wisconsin on I-94 have me wringing my hands. Construction slow downs, weekend traffic, and managing our way through the monsterous mecca known as the Tomah Kwik Trip.
It used to be fairly easy when they were babies - they’d sleep.
Now with a 3.5 year old Ben’s first potty-trained road trip and an alert and active 1.5 year old Vivian - what to do to keep them occupied?
We don’t want to invest in the dual screen DVD player just yet and they are too young for Mad Libs and Car Bingo.
And what about “emergencies?” I’m already imagining hearing a frantic “I gotta go potty!” as we’re stopped in gridlock traffic with no exit in sight.
Should we put Ben in a “pull-up” just in case? Have an empty Big Gulp container at the ready?

Advice from old pros out there? What do you do to keep your little ones busy and somewhat content in the back seat?

Pink and brown; I do love those colors together and lucky me, it seems to be the ubiquitous color palette of choice for little girls room decor and clothing these days. I was also thinking how that color combo seems to represent our toddler Vivian’s emerging personality perfectly. Pink and brown = princess and dirt.

One moment she’ll take a running jump, try and tackle her big brother and then settle down in the sand to dig with bulldozers. In the next moment she’s fashioning Fisher Price stacking rings into bangles up and down her arm while walking around on her tippy toes, a Lightning McQueen lunch box becomes her jaunty handbag.

Her princess, girly-girl side is a whole new world to me. I grew up a tomboy in the 70’s. I didn’t take dance, play with dolls or dress-up. I was at a store not to long ago digging through the sales rack and found some shirts for Vivian. The woman at the checkout held up one smiled and said, “Oh do you want to get the matching tutu for this one?” I looked at her bemused and confused. I just didn’t get it. I was thinking, tutus are scratchy, too poofy to play in, and definitely not practical for the playground. “A tutu? Where would she wear that?” She raised her eyebrows and looked at Vivian. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll figure it out.”

Well, figure it out she did. I didn’t purchase the tutu that day but her auntie and cousins came bearing girly gifts last weekend. Miss Vivian just ate it up: a tutu, a boa, sunglasses and bracelets. Her diva mode immediately switched to the “on” position. She sashayed around the room wrist cocked in the air twirling around in her skirt. She had instant attitude and sass. Later we went on a hike in the woods with the pack of cousins. She trudged along the dirt path and climbed piles of rocks with one hand held high in the air to keep her bracelets she insisted on wearing from falling off.

Our gritty girly-girl is both fearless and frilly. And I love every minute of watching our little steel magnolia (wait, what would the Minnesota version of steel magnolia be?) iron daisy (?) begin to blossom.

On a related note: Just saw this essay on babble.com Grit-Glamour: Yoga Pants, Diva Daughters. Another non-girly-girl mom writes on the topic from a different angle. She asks the question: Are moms dressing their daughters better than themselves? And are they projecting who they wish they were/used to be on their daughters?

We’ve got relatives coming for the holiday weekend. We’ll have nine people under one roof tomorrow through Sunday. But you know what? Tonight, I’m meeting up with the girls! Instead of whirlwind hiding things cleaning, grocery shopping and prep-cooking for the masses, I’ll go out and have some appetizers, laughter and good conversation. One of my girlfriends, Jo, gave me advice last year that I have to stop and remind myself to do from time to time.

I went to see author, Wally Lamb at a Talking Volumes event with my book club gals last fall. It’s easy to say I “just went” but the whole process wasn’t easy. My husband was working late that night, so I had a lot of things to take care of on my own in a brief window of time. I left work to do the “daycare dash”, picked the kids up, whipped up dinner, fed and pajama-ed them, gave a refresher course to our infrequent sitter on the ins and outs of our children and house, slapped on some lipgloss and ran out the door. I then, drove to St. Paul in the seemingly endless rush hour traffic, no parking meters to be found, ran into the theater as the houselights went down, waved at my friends and finally crumpled in a heap in my seat.

My friend Jo noticed how harried I appeared. She touched my shoulder and whispered. “I know, I know, right now you’re wondering ‘Is it really worth it? It is. You have to get out and replenish your well. Do something just for you.” Wise words.

It took me a few minutes to unwind. Then, I sat there in the dark, so enthralled and inspired by the author’s stories that all my stress just melted away. My friends and I were able to hang out and converse a bit after the show, then it was time to go home. I drove back down the highway feeling a sense of relaxation and renewal.

I often find myself weighing the old hassle:benefit ratio. Sometimes the hassles are worth the benefits. That night was one.

So, I’ll whirlwind hide clean, shop and cook tomorrow. Tonight, I will laugh, catch up with old friends and replenish my well!

How do you replenish your well?

I swear on a tub of OxiClean that I started this post last week prior to the untimely death of pitchman Billy Mays. So now, in his honor - let’s talk about products that have been pitched on TV that you recommend (or not)

Curious questions of the day:

As busy parents, are there any products that you’ve seen on a commercial or info-mercial products that have made your days a little easier?
Did Billy Mays’ (RIP) shouting sales pitches ever convince you to pick up the phone or run to the computer to order something that will certainly make your life better? And did it?

I have a few products to mention - and I am proud to share these not-so-guilty pleasures with you.

The Smart Spin: I received one for Christmas a few years back (yes, it was on my list) and yes it changed my life. Still love it, still use it daily. It is my one space where I truly have some semblence of organization. With little ones and constant leftovers these are perfect. The smaller containers are perfect for carrying stroller snacks too. The lids are ALWAYS the right size, it doesn’t take up much space in the kitchen cabinet and keeps everything together - we never lose the lids. Love that!

The Total Gym I purchased it second-hand from a friend who had a late night spontaneous 1-800 calling spree. It was great when we had the space (and the inclination). Now it’s in storage replaced by a train table. (Sorry Chuck and Christie, I’ve let you down.)

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Yoga Toes: Okay, actually I bought the Flextastic knock offs. These were a curiousity/impulse buy at a store endcap. I honestly think I can feel the blood running up and down each toe when I have these on. They do stretch out the tootsies and circulate the blood. But truthfully, they don’t seem like much more than glorified toe separators that you can get free at the salon. Eh, not worth it. Do the real (and real expensive) Yoga Toes work?

So do you think the ShamWOW is a sham or a WOW!? Does your family toast marshmallows outside wearing SNUGGIES? Did you flip for Flipfold and organize your toddlers tees? Do you unwind to your TIME/LIFE Romancing the 70’s box set after the kids have gone to bed?

Please share in comments below (operators are standing by…)