As promised, this post is "All about the Noah." 19 months old yesterday - wow. We had a fabulous, really, I honestly mean FABULOUS, time with Grandma and Papa Howard this weekend. The whole familia went to Illinois and while there, we went to the Greek Festival and Buffalo Grove Days (like a county fair without the animals . . . or inappropriate bikini displays Jen!). Noah, being the brilliant child he is, was always on perfect behavior when Grandma was around . . .when she left the immediate viewing area, however, my 19 month-old angel brought out all of his "I'm ready for the terrible two's and can throw a tantrum like the best of them" tricks. The hardest part for me when he does this? To not laugh my a** off -- little man yelping and doing the woe-is-me-Oscar-worthy dramatics is a HOOT. I've had to leave the room, not out of frustration, but because I'm cracking-up so badly! Easy for me to say though, Noah's tantrums last all of a few minutes . . .I know some of you moms have little ones with much more energy and longer attention spans, who can really get their tantrum on. I doubt I would be laughing if that were my little dude.

Here's how it worked much of the weekend:

Noah is eating blueberries, very sweetly while Grandma is watching. Grandma walks away, Noah revs up and starts pitching them everywhere. I say, "alright, we're done, you've lost blueberry privileges." He falls on the ground, arms flailing, his best,"you have ruined my world" antics. Then he sees Grandma . . .he calmly get up, walks over to Grandma who is now back in the room, points to the bowl of blueberries and says "more please" with the most innocent smile you've ever seen. Then he quietly climbs up in the chair and sits sweetly while Grandma hands over more blueberries.

Although, I'm thinking, "you little S#$%," I am grateful he behaves with Grandma (regardless of his motives!). . . At least this way she won't say, "you need me to babysit? Oooh, let's see, I'd love to but I have to wash my hair that day . . ."

Okay, back to work. More later . . .

It's time to get this party started. Let's see, it's only taken 2 weeks to post, let's see, . . .that would be ANYTHING. UGH. So I'm thinking just putting something, anything on here is better than making my wonderful mom friends wonder where I've disappeared to. If My Mom were following my blog, and I went this long without posting, she would have contacted every hospital, emergency clinic, and police station in the continental U.S., Europe and Antarctica by now . . .not that we have any extremist or neurotic tendencies in my family (said with much love and self-deprecating humor). Hey, you all do it to so you know : )

I'm on my very brief mid-afternoon break so I can't do much today. But I do want to announce the start of my:

Help_Me_Help_My_Sister_Promote_and_Be_Forever_Indebted_to_Me_Sale

My beautiful and AMAZING little sis is "this close" to promoting with Creative Memories and I so want to help her . . . okay, and have her owe me, BIG TIME. Very useful to have cool, amazing people forever in your debt. Let's say I screw up and forget to call and wish her Happy Anniversary (of course I would never do that . . .Happy 10th Anniversary Carzy!!). BFD, I loose no sister points. All I have to say is remember how I helped you advance. How cool is that?

But I digress . . .Back to the sale, 15% off all Creative Memories orders for Sept. and October. What am I nuts? We all know the answer . . . and, as the "routine" goes:

Sign-up as a Creative Memories consultant: $150
Retail sales needed to remain active: $500/quarter
Securing title of Greatest Big Sister EVER: priceless

Yes I wholeheartedly realize that this is one of the most desperate marketing plans ever utilized but pride is soooo over-rated!

I hope everyone reading this blog will consider joining the Promote Caryn Quest and ordering something by Oct. 1. Check out the products/order through my website www.mycmsite.com/pciturefun.

I promise my blogs won't all be pathetic sales efforts . . .drastic times call for drastic measures and all that . . . Next Blog will be devoted to the greatest joy I've ever known, Noah, my little Schmoo. 19 months Monday . . .where does the time go.

Peace
L

Here it is!

Your first blog!!