The diva is 2

Heaven help us all.

Charlotte's second birthday arrived in all its frilly pink splendor. She woke up to her big present, a doll house, spread over the kitchen table and a set of princess dolls. She spent most of the morning moving the furniture and occupants around, so engrossed she was quiet all morning.

After pizza for dinner we brought out the rest of her presents and her pink cake and pink ice cream. We were thrilled Marianne and Granny Wilcox could come celebrate with us. I was surprised how Charlotte seemed to know exactly what was going on. She sang loudly with us as we warbled "Happy Birthday to You" and then instantly started blowing at the candles, without any coaching. Thanks to Carden and Seth who actually put them out.

The hits of the night were her dress from Marianne and her gifts from Carden and Seth: purple beads and bracelets, high heels and sunglasses--the basics, as any girl knows.

Seth helped me make the cake, and Carden helped put the sprinkles on the cupcakes. I was happily surprised that it looked pretty cute! Thankfully Charlotte is easily impressed.

Why I am a good mother; Reason #218

We come out of swim lessons to see that the city has set up a "get to know your city departments" fair. After free hot dogs and lemonade, the boys want to ride in the power company's cherry picker.

"Fine," I say. I will stand here in line so you can ride the cherry picker. When we get to the front of the line they want me to go with them.

"Oh no," I say. "That's the last thing I'm going to do."

"Oh but you have to" says the power company guy. He's smirking, so I'm not sure if he's joking or not.

"You're kidding." I tell him. "They can go with you. I give permission."

"But look," he tells me. "They want you to go."

So against my better judgment--against any judgment at all--I climb in, and let me tell you, there is no graceful way to climb into a cherry picker. And up we go. Way up. The next time I see my house from that vantage point I better be floating on a cloud plucking a harp. I decide that this is not the time to discuss the recent rise in electrical rates with the guy operating the controls.

How to get that summer tan

"Why fork over your hard-earned cash for those expensive bottles of tanning cream? Why hassle with reapplying every few days? Do what Miss Charlotte does: use deck stain! It's long-lasting, comes in convenient gallon size, and is so much fun with a paintbrush! Miss Charlotte recommends Formula 1904: Heart Redwood to give her that desirable sun-kissed look."

You turn your back for a second...