The Anniversary of My 18th Birthday

 I am 36 today, and I can't help thinking about the fact that 18 years ago, I was 18.  And what better way to celebrate the anniversary of my 18th birthday?  To have some friends from high school over for a party because my parents are out of town...just like old times!  (Okay, I never did that)  (Okay, I never did that at my OWN house but may have participated at someone else's house)

When I was 18, I thought that Orange County was the center of the universe, and I guess, if I'm honest, that I was the sun at the center of that universe.  My goals in life were to have fun, please my parents, flirt with boys, get good grades, go to Disneyland and the beach as much as possible, go to college to become a special education teacher, and daydream about who I would marry, how I would meet him (in college, of course) and what our kids would be like someday.

Shortly after I turned 18, I visited Northern Arizona University, where I immediately fell in love with school and the idea of being off and on my own.  It was all so exciting and glamorous in my mind.  The rest of my 18th year was spent finishing high school, applying for scholarships, and having as much fun as possible with my friends.

Now I am 36, and this is my reality:

Just kidding, there are some more glamorous times mixed in (okay, maybe not glamorous, but at least grown up)

But life as a 36-year-old is just more full of this kind of stuff...

I always wanted to be on the stage...I just never knew I would have such a small audience :)

I get to be an event planner...but all my events involve sprinkles and pool noodles

I've mastered the art of the selfie--it is the only way to ever document that I exist (for the children's sake)

I still get to kiss a lot, but the kisses are a lot better than the 18-year-old kind.

I am definitely not 18 anymore...and I'm wishing the 18-year-old me had worn more sunscreen (and I'm not sure she would say about that hat).

I prefer soft lighting for my photos these days

Don't worry, it's okay...it's actually very rewarding!  It's too much pressure to be at the center of the universe, and I never really was anyway, I only just thought I was.

And actually, I am at the center of the universe...for 3 little munchkins who call me mommy.

I was going to compile a list of 36 interesting facts you didn't know about me, but now I have run out of time and have to get ready for my party.  So I will leave you with one interesting fact:  I love to make slideshows set to music.  They are not hi-tech and will not go viral, but they make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  So here is my gift to myself and to you...a 1 minute video of me in my happy place with 3 of the best people that have happened in this world because I grew up.

First Day of School: What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

It was the first day of school today and all the other moms were posting super cute pinteresty photos of their kids holding signs like this one that tell what the kid wants to be when they grow up: 

Photo stolen from my friend Misti's blog

I did not get around to making a cute sign.  Well, I didn't even try.  I'm not even sure I got all the required school supplies.  I set the bar low so that I don't disappoint anyone later.

Annie has Flat Stanley, who is visiting us from Seattle and I haven't forgotten to take pictures of him, does that count for some mom points?

 So, on the way to school, I asked Samuel what he wants to be when he grows up, because frankly, I don't really know (I mean, it's been a while since I've asked him).  I told him to think long and hard about his answer.

So if I had made a sign, it would have said:

 "First Day of School 2013

3rd Grade

When I grow up, I want to be...

A Taco Guy"

Good thing we're working hard on his education so that he'll have something to fall back on if making tacos at birthday parties doesn't work out.

Evan answered, "Baseball Player" right away and then when I told him to think about it some more and choose a career that was actually a possibility (like doctor, teacher, firefighter, engineer, or even selling tacos...we're all about reality around here), he said, "Well, I'd like to be an engineer."  When I asked him what an engineer does, he said, "Fixes things, makes engines, makes things work better."  Not too bad!  I guess he's been watching both of his grandpas, who are engineers.  (And it was only then that I realized for the first time in my life that the word "engineer" actually has the word "engine" in it.  Mind blown.).

But the best conversation on the way to school this morning was when Evan asked why the grass was wet on the playground. Jeremy told him that it was dew and asked him if he knew what dew was.  Evan got a little sheepish and quietly said, "Yes" (almost like a question, like, Dad are you seriously asking me this?).

"What is it?" Jeremy replied.

(very quiet voice, looking down) "It is when you sit on the toilet and stuff comes out of your bottom."

 Jeremy then set him straight on the differences between dew and doo.

The little sisters.

 Annie isn't too sad that the boys are gone.  She got to go swimsuit shopping with Grandma.