Would you like a foot rub as well?

As I was reading down my facebook wall, I came across this article from babycenter.com about having "kid free" flights and having "kid only" flights. I have kind of mixed feelings about this. While I would LOVE to see more kid friendly flights, to completely not let kids on a flight seems totally ridiculous. If you choose to be out in public or on any sort of public transportation, then you need to suck it up and deal with the fact that situations are not going to be in your control and you are going to have to actually deal with other human beings (and occasionally slightly unpleasant situations). That includes children. I think if you want special treatment, fly first class. I doubt many families are flying in that section. That being said, I don't think its a bad idea to have more kid friendly amenities on flights. It would be nice to have a section in an airplane geared more towards people with children. Maybe not for short flights, but for sure any flight over 3 hours. Maybe a small area for kids to be able to get up and walk around, and a bathroom slightly bigger so you can actually change a child's diaper in it. (have you ever tried to change a toddler's diaper in an airplane bathroom? It's difficult to change an infant's diaper in there, but any child over the age of one is physically impossible.) I also think it would be great to have juice boxes as apposed to giving my fidgety 4 year old an open top cup with a straw. Especially when he is sitting by a stranger that could possible end up with that drink in their lap. I would totally be willing to pay a little extra for that sort of stuff. (Not a lot more, since airfare is over priced already.)

I just don't understand why some average Joes feel the world revolves around them and that we should all bend over backwards to make them more comfortable. It's one thing if you're willing to pay for that special treatment, but if you are sitting next to me or my 2 year old, you didn't. You entered the lottery and got stuck with me, just like I got stuck with you. That's the chance you took. So, deal with it, buddy. It's one thing if a child is acting out and a parent is choosing to ignore it, which does happen at times, but that's not typically the case. If you can't peacefully coexist with all sorts of people, (including little ones) then maybe you should stay home.

What kid friendly (or not kid friendly) things would you be willing to pay for on your next flight?

What's the big deal???

I guess I just don't get it. For the last few years it has hit the news and every year I am baffled as to why it's even an issue. What am I talking about, you are wondering? The Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays debate, or "the war on Christmas" as I've frequently heard it called. I just don't understand why people have such an issue saying "happy holidays". People have been saying it for YEARS and all of the sudden people see it as not recognizing Christmas?!? Last I checked, Christmas is a holiday. What is so wrong with including all holidays? Not everyone shopping at Walmart (or wherever) is celebrating Christmas. True, Christmas is in December, but it's not the only holiday. Some people are celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. What's wrong with wishing them happy holidays? I don't feel like Christianity is being attacked by saying it. I don't feel personally offended because my religious views aren't being singled out. Okay, I had an issue when they wanted to change it to a "holiday tree" instead of a Christmas tree. Because the tree is specific to Christmas, but so far that is the ONLY thing I've had a problem with.

I know what some of you are thinking (because I've heard this before as well), "but Michelle, if a sign has Christmas trees on it, it should say 'Merry Christmas', because otherwise you are not acknowledging Christmas". Here's what I say to that. Just putting a Christmas tree on a sign, is acknowledging Christmas. And again...CHRISTMAS IS A HOLIDAY!! I see nothing wrong with a "Happy Holidays" sign that has Christmas trees and stockings on it. So, I'm sorry, but I won't be boycotting any stores over this. And, I'd like to wish you all...

Happy Halloween!

How did you celebrate? Let me tell you what WE did. Friday we had a trunk or treat at the church. The kids dressed up, (although, Lulu demanded that I take her costume off before we left.) and we went and loaded up on candy and saw some really fun costumes. Saturday we had some friends over and we ate pizza, made sticker haunted houses and frosted sugar cookies. We had a lot of fun. I thought about taking the kids to another county to trick or treat at a few houses, since our county did it on Sunday, but I decided that I just didn't want to. I figured the kids had plenty of candy and I really didn't want to get costumes out again. I know, I'm a party pooper. Sunday I let the scarecrow handle handing out candy...

and let the kids pick out a movie to watch. Would you believe, they picked out Polar Express. Actually, it's not that surprising, since "the train movie" is actually a year round movie for us. Still, I bet people who came to the door though it was strange to hear Christmas music coming from inside. haha.

I'm not gonna lie, though. I'm glad it's over. Normally I get really excited for Halloween, but once again, Mike was not here. I guess doing Halloween without him is just getting old. I'm really grateful for such good friends who have been willing to help me make it fun over the last few years. :) While I had a lot of fun, I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bring on the turkey dinner and gingerbread houses. Woohoo!