I entertained the thought of walking down to the parade Saturday for just a little while since Summer was so bummed the kids parade was rained out.

I swore I would never take my girls to the “adult” parade since the last time I went I walked home behind a woman (with two young boys) who stopped in front of Bella’s to barf. Lovely.

Instead I went for a quick run through my hood. I knew then I made the right decision.

Within blocks I saw a young woman who was having trouble walking. Some time later, a man wearing extremely baggy shorts and no shirt was stumbling down the street.

I definitely made the right call.

I have friends who take their kids to a more family-oriented area on Bayshore. What about you - do you take your kids? Tell me about your experiences.

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So the talk lately in my hood has been what the kids are going to wear to the children’s Gasparilla parade.

Yes, this is what happens when you have little kids and can’t make it to the “real” parade anymore. But, really, who wants to go anyway? The last time I went was in 2002 and unless you’re in a private tent (or party), forget about it. 

I don’t have the time, energy (or money) to shop for cute getups for my girls but I’m sure all the usual suspects around South Tampa are selling pirate Ts. I would try the Giggle Box, Little Peeps or Babes N Bellies. (If you know of others, let me know so I can catch their after-Gasparilla sales!)

I’m going the cheap route. My neighbor, Shannon, found very cute pink and black skull and crossbone decals at Michael’s.

I’ll be ironing those on some Old Navy Ts for my girls.

Last summer I found pink and black skull tights for Summer at TJMaxx on clearance for $1.

Now we just have to pray the weather holds up.

Now go catch some beads!

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I have a kid-free weekend (thanks to Nini), hubby’s working and what have I done so far?

Came home from work yesterday about 4:30 p.m. and went straight to...sleep.

Woke up about 6ish. Ran to Publix so my dog, Lucy, could eat and stopped by my favorite restaurant, Chihuahua’s, for takeout.

Watched ”3:10 to Yuma” (most excellent) and put away laundry.

Woke up about 8 a.m. (wooo-hooo!), read two papers, went for 5-mile run on Bayshore and cleaned out my disgustingly-dirty car.

A movie and dinner with hubby is in the works later this evening.

Is this excitement or what? Actually to have this kind of free time on my hands is thrilling.

If you had a kid-free weekend what would you do? Drop me a note and see if you can top this.

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I have never watched the Hawaii Ironman World Championship on TV without crying.

Having ran a marathon *once*, I am always totally amazed there are athletes who can run 26.2 miles AFTER biking 112 miles and swimming 2.4 miles.

The crying though always starts when I see Dick Hoyt out there pushing his son, Rick.

If you haven’t heard about Team Hoyt, they are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who have been competing in tris and marathons for years.

From their web site: “For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.”

They are truly an amazing pair. I’m so inspired by their strength and courage, as a (so-so) athlete and more as a parent.

My hubby got to see them competing this weekend at the Ironman Championship 70.3 in Clearwater.

He too was brought to tears, recounting Dick Hoyt’s love for his son.

Their web site calendar says they will be in Tampa the weekend of the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

I hope I’m lucky enough to see them in action.

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You know you have a great husband when he says you look hot as a cartoon.

There’s a reason behind it, I’m sure, but I have to admit this is pretty cool.

The Trib’s Greg Williams unveiled Blogjam today in the Baylife section and it features an illustration from a past Mommy Chronicles blog.

The picture of me asleep with the remote in my hand is dead on.

That’s my life except my couch has small toys and juice boxes all over the place.

If you have an idea, send Greg an email. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.

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My neighbor, Shannon, sent me this link to a site that features locations where kids can eat free.

The Tampa page doesn’t have many restaurants listed yet, so it’s our job to add the eateries we frequent with our kids in tow. (Where’s Free & Cheap’s Janine Dorsey when you need her?)

One restaurant that is listed is Beef O’ Brady’s. I don’t know about your neighborhood’s Beef’s, but our is crazy busy on Tuesdays with kids running all around.

We’ve gone a couple times with Summer and Saylor, our neighbors, Shannon and Bo, their little ones, Molly and Levi, and our other neighbors, Mark and Ellen and their not-so-little college-age daughter, Emily.

It’s a great deal and a fun time for those nights you come home too tired to cook. Of course, that’s actually every night for me.

If you know of a restaurant offering “Kids Eat Free” deals, send me a note and I’ll include it next time.

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I get teased that I can’t take my eyes off Entertainment Tonight. And lately it’s been letting me down with all those sappy videos of Anna Nicole.

With all this baby news, it ought to be a great “special baby edition” tonight!

Julia Roberts Gives Birth To 3rd Child

James’ Wife Gives Birth to Daughter

Woods’ Wife Gives Birth to a Daughter

Keri Russell Welcomes Son Named River

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This just in: today is Daddy Does Dinner Day. (It’s also My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It Day - who knows what that even means?)

We’re leaving on vacation soon, so I refuse to buy any groceries. Last night the girls and I ate Amy’s spinach pizza rolls (hey, at least it’s organic) and corn on the cob.

Girls’ Daddy went to the Rays game and this morning I noticed a 10-day-old pizza box on the counter. Yummy.

I can’t wait to tell him all about Daddy Does Dinner Day.

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We all had a good cry on the last day of school.

Summer came home from pre-K with a bag of goodies and happy stories to share from her popcorn party.

The tears came after the bath – after it all sunk it.

“Mom, I’m really sad right now,” she said, curled up in Saylor’s rocking chair.

Then the crying started. She already missed her teachers, her classmates, going to school.

I fought back my own tears, for different reasons. Another year gone by. You can’t stop them from growing up.

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I felt like I won the lottery during a recent visit to my sister’s house. My niece had an exact replica of Saylor’s “blankie.”

I offered Rebeca $100 for it, but she graciously gave it to me. (I had searched three different Targets for it and couldn’t find one.)

If your child has a security blanket or stuffed animal, you know where I’m going with this. Blankie is irreplaceable. Saylor won’t sleep without it; she won’t let me wash it. She immediately starts calling “Meee” after her bath. We cannot move to the rocking chair for books without it, nevermind the crib.

A few weeks ago Girls’ Daddy left it in his car and he was stuck at work. Panic set it. I called him: Blankie. Must. Return. Now.

It’s been two weeks since we had blankie No. 2.

Life is good.

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My favorite memory from Mother’s Day 2007 has to be when Girls’ Daddy told Summer to clean up her toys because “we have to help Mom on Mom’s Day.” To which Summer replied, “Well, if it’s Mom’s Day then let’s let Mom clean up.”

Hope you had a happy one.

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Motherhood sure has changed since my grandma’s days.

Not only is tight, slinky maternity wear in style, but I spotted a young guy wearing this hilarious T-shirt at Downtown Disney yesterday.

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If you’re planning to go on a family vacation this summer and your kids still need a passport, you’d better get in line – fast.

After failing three times (long lines/closed offices), we decided to stick it out on Monday and wait however long it took. We were basically in crisis mode. The wait to receive your passport is up to 12 weeks now; it’s about four weeks if you expedite. We’re leaving in five weeks for a family Caribbean vacation (more on my bargain later.)

I got out of work early, ran to Summer’s school and met girls’ Daddy and Saylor way up at the Ehrlich post office, which closes its passport office at 2:30 p.m. (Word on the street is a two-week wait at the airport post office and Brandon is booked until end of June.)

We walked in at 1:15 p.m. and we walked out – crazed, delirious and hungry – at 5:15 p.m.

FOUR HOURS! Yes, we waited in line for half a work day for a stinking document.

The folks sitting with us all day shared our pain.

There was No. 27, headed for Jamaica and Bahamas, who waited in line close to five hours. The room broke out in applause when he walked out.

No. 56’s daughter left for an hour to get ready for a school banquet (I hope you guys were on time).  No. 55 was looking forward to a cruise with his girlfriend. Saylor hugged No. 42’s leg, thinking it was me.

I spent the hours entertaining or chasing Saylor, who finally had a melt down at hour 3. I absolutely detest the pacifier aside from naps but thank goodness I had one at the bottom of my purse. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Summer was transfixed on a television with cartoons. Girls’ Daddy spent the time in the corner working on the phone.

After more than $600 (so much for affordable vacation plans), I still expect to stress about getting the passports in the mail on time.

Can’t wait to sit on that beach.

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This really goes under none of my beeswax but it’s what everyone is talking about today leaving me 1) disgusted 2) perplexed 3) just plain sad.

Was Alec Baldwin using “tough love” in that voice mail to his daughter, Ireland?

A colleague says everyone talks to their kids like that now.

Huh???

Someone please tell me that’s not true.

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Is there anything better than your little one waking you up to excitedly tell you the Easter Bunny (or Santa) brought presents?

Summer wondered just how the Easter Bunny knew Saylor wanted an Elmo toothbrush.

Well, because the Bunny was leaving way too much candy at abuela’s and the Bunny knew Saylor would be eating nothing but junk. (You have to make an exception on some days)

I didn’t think Saylor would catch on. I should have known better from a girl who opens the pantry and points to M&Ms on the top shelf.

Yes, I make my kids and dog were goofy ears during every holiday. It’s a rule.

Another rule: All the Reese’s cups belong to mom.

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