Jingle Bell Run 2010

Abbie's school had their annual Jingle Bell Run today. It's a 1 mile run for the kindergarten and 1st grade classes. Parents were encouraged to come and participate. So, of course, I brought candy and Lila & I sat in the stands and watched everyone run.

Just before the race, Abs identified her running buddy. She explained to me that it's best to have a buddy because it really "pushes you to run harder." Here she is with her fellow Olympian-in-training...

They stretched as a group and then they were off-and-running...

These kids were so fast, Lila and I almost didn't have time to finish our Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Before we knew it, Abbie "The Blur" Billingsley was rounding the final turn blazing her way to the finish line...

I know what you're thinking... and the answer is absolutely YES. She gets her superlative athletic skills from me. Just look at that stride, the high knees, the straight posture, and the fact that she reduced the boy in front of her to throwing himself at the finish line in pure exhaustion. His fear of being beat by a girl kept him going for a mile, but he couldn't have lasted much longer. Abbie, on the other hand, was just getting warmed up.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

P.S. In case you were wondering, Lila and I did achieve a personal best today for most Reese's consumed in a 15 minute stretch. Those pb cups don't unwrap themselves people.

Jersey Mania!

What is with this obsession with Jersey women caricatures? Just think of what could happen if these women would use their powers for good instead of using them to apply too much eye make-up, layer on fake tans, and defy gravity with big hair.

Why do people find them entertaining? Surely it's not for their style. I mean you have to be a special piece of trash to pull that look off. Let's experiment with the online Jersey make-over...

Test #1:

Well, this obviously doesn't work because, I can't pull off that much lipstick on my teeth.

Test #2:

Again, this doesn't work. The hair is too big to fit in the frame, and that much eyeliner could have been used to tar those wretched Jersey roads. Furthermore, I can't make lipstick on the teeth work.

Test #3:

Wow, just look at how badly I work that fake tanned face and white neck combo. Additionally, I can't maintain that eye shellacking.

So, we've proven it here... Leave these make-overs to the professional trash of Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Words of Advice From Abbie Part II...

Well, she was persistent...

She dressed me all up and feels strongly we should maintain the look daily. It makes me look more like a bride...

The look was replete with veil, tiara, butterfly necklace, maternity dress, pink scarf, and sparkly pink "lip glops."

Just another day of following directions and Being Billingsley...

Words of Advice From Abbie...

I am working really hard today to get my house back in shape after being sick last week. Trust me when I say it's a doozie!

While attacking the mountain of junk on the coffee table, my daughter struck up this conversation:

Abbie: "Mom, I need to fix your hair so you won't look like a disaster."

Me: "Well thanks."

Abbie: "You should surprise Daddy by not being in your jammies."

Me: "Well, Mommy's been sick. So, she's been wearing her jammies a lot lately because they are comfy."

Abbie: "Your feet are really dry. It's embarrassing. You should try to look more like a bride."

Me: "I'm sorry you are embarrassed. I'll work on it."

Abbie: "Seriously, can we pull your hair out of that ponytail and do something with it?"

Shortly thereafter, she came into the living room with a dress, some make-up, and a brush to do my hair. She's my own personal Oprah.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Well, The Bastard's Back!

I guess that stomach bug Abbie had last week had some unfinished business with the good people of Chez Billingsley because I got it, and I got it bad.

Good grief, I haven't been sick like this in a good long while.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

I'm Kind Of A Big Deal...

That's right folks... I'm kind of a big deal!

Today I got not just 1 but 2 blog awards, and to make the honor even greater, they came from two of my very favorite people, Anna and Alison!

These awards require that I share a few things about myself and then pass the awards to other deserving bloggers. So, here goes...

1. I married the man-of-my-dreams and have two of the most gorgeous girls in all of creation. At least once a day (occasionally more), I will hand our baby to my husband knowing she has a loaded diaper. I pretend that I forgot something urgent... something like, "Oh no! I forgot about the water boiling on the stove!" Then, I run toward the kitchen.

He's so enamored with his youngest that he hasn't yet discovered my ingenious strategy that makes him handle more than his fair share of dirty diapers. He also hasn't yet asked me why all the boiling water. Shhhhhh..


2. I can recite every single line from the movie StepBrothers. Hilarious.

3. I love a vodka tonic with extra lime. My oldest daughter refers to the drink as "Mom's grown-up juice."

4. In my unwrinkled years, I starred in a national Chevy commercial. I was "girl who longingly stares at the Chevy Silverado." It was one day of work, an excuse not to go to Thursday classes, and I received residual checks for that little gem for a year. Sweet gig.

5. I LOVE to scare people...which is why Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. I love to hide in a dark room, jump out, and yell Boo!! It is particularly fun to do with my 5-year-old. I've also been known to scare my husband as well. The problem is that my family is used to it and hardly reacts anymore. So, I'm always looking for new victims.

Abbie and Lila on their first Halloweens.

6. My favorite time of the day is when my girls wake up in the morning. I get Lila out of her crib, and we sit in my bed until Abbie wakes up. She brings her pillow, a book, and Fluffy the dinosaur into my room, and the three of us chat, laugh, and plan our day while cozy under the blankets.

7. I am terrified of birds. I once seriously pulled an ab muscle and a calf muscle by jumping out of my chair, turning it over, and running from a pigeon who was ridiculously close to me while I was enjoying lunch with my friend Cheryl. Afterwards I think I cried while Cheryl laughed, and the damn pigeon mocked me by coming back for more.

It is now the time you've all been waiting for...

I would like to award The Beautiful Blogger Award to April, who writes the most beautiful posts about her sweet baby girl, and I would like to give the same award to my girl Mary the Swiss because she's incredible and has used her blog beautifully to describe her new adventures... and I'm hoping it will encourage her to blog SOMETHING since it has been weeks!

The Honest Scrap Award goes to Cari because we share the same feelings about candy hearts and to Kelly because her "Sound Off" features always make me yell"You Go Girl!"

Congrats ladies, and remember to give us a list of things about yourselves and then give the award to two other deserving bloggers. (Technically the BBA recipients should give us 7 things about themselves, and the HSA winners should divulge 10.)

Just another award winning day Being Billingsley...