Banned Phrases

One of Mac's favorite shows is The Five on FNC, Ok, my liberal friends don't get all judgy on me, it really is a funny show you might be entertained by it, if you try. A popular segment on the show is "Banned Phrases." Greg Gutfeld chooses a popular, overused phrase and will deem it banned.

Stealing Greg Gutfeld's clever idea, I have come up with my own banned phrases for 2014:

1. Minecraft- Sorry A1, I really don't want to hear all about that game! I have no interest in hearing about the diamonds you have found.  I don't want to see the chickens you spawned. I don't want to watch you jump from brick to brick building who-knows-what. Minecraft makes me want to throw a two year old's temper tantrum.

2. No, Mama do it. A3, why does Mommy have to do it? Why can't Daddy hand you the cup of water that is sitting right next to him? Why do I have to get up and walk across the room to pick it up and then hand it do you? Why do I have to hand you the toy you dropped in the car? Why can't A2 bend over and pick up the toy that is at her feet? Why do I have to serve you your dinner? Why can't A1 bring you your plate? WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT? 

3. Saboteur- Just stop with this one. 

4. Thrown under the bus-Rarely does anyone in my real life use this, but I hear it all the time on our favorite game shows and reality shows.  This saying is over used and just blah!

5. At the end of the day- At the end of the day; nothing.  This is another cringe worthy overused phrases. I just don't like it at all. 

6. I'm just going to be at the Muni for a little bit- No explanation needed. 

7. Can I have a sleep over? -Why do the girls ask over and over to have a friend spend the night? What could be fun about letting your friends in on the secret of how crazy your family really is, or how mean your mom gets when she doesn't get her sleep? The answer will almost always be "no" unless I am caught during a moment of weakness. 

8. Dag Nabit -Really, A1 are you 80? Is this what all the young whippersnappers are saying these days? Who are you!?!

9. It's not fair- I will show you what's not fair.

10. Anywho...- This sends shivers down my spine. Why would anyone want this to be in their vocabulary?  If anyone on the A Team ever says this, they can expect to get vinegar. Several of my friends know how much I hate this "word" and love to toss it into a conversation. To them I say: "I hope your rashy, moist, feet, don't require ointment."

Friends and, especially, family, if we could just eliminate these phrases, 2015 could be the best year ever!

Clean Discovery

Yesterday I spent 5 hours cleaning the girls' room.  Two of those hours were spent in almost glorious solitude until A3 woke up and decided to help me for an  hour by sitting in my lap and begging me to hold her.  Another hour was spent with the entire family helping.  It was great to have all the help but I swear the walls were closing in on us!

At about the 4 hour mark, I reached several conclusions:

1. My girls are gross. I mean really gross! I already knew this but this cleaning adventure confirmed any doubts. 

2. A2 is destined to be an artist.  I found an elaborate sticker display and drawings done in crayon, marker, pen, pencil, and miscellaneous. Miscellaneous, you ask?... see number 1.

3. The girls are hoarders.  The treasures they stash and store are mind boggling. Honestly, why would someone need to save tags off of new clothes? Not the paper part but the little plastic part that connects the paper tag to the clothes.

4. The girls are trying to keep Wally the mouse as a pet.  I found half eaten bread sticks, empty-ish containers of applesauce, cereal, and a banana. I was 99.9% sure we have a rule about only eating in the kitchen but I guess I was wrong...

5. The girls have a secret desire to be doomsday preppers.  I found 4 rolls of toilet paper hidden under their beds, in the closet, and in A2's dresser.  I am sure their could be a 5th roll if I put all the scraps and shredded pieces back together. 

6. Their dolls have better clothes than I do.  I never realized before just how many American Doll outfits they have collected over the years soon we will need to build an addition on to our house so the doll, her name changes weekly, can have her own closet space.

7. A1 is a frustratingly creative little girl.  Every night they get in trouble for not going to sleep because they are telling stories, making up jokes, and as I just discovered, writing daily new casts. I laughed when I read "Wednesday News." Apparently, Wednesday was a rough news day.  Fights with friends, sisters, and parents.  It is amazing that A1 is able to face the day with such a turbulent life.

8. I need to do a better job supervising their daily clean up so I don't have to spend an entire day re-cleaning their room.  This probably won't actually happen so I will continue to marathon clean on days off from school...

My girls are great, gross, but great.  I really enjoy all their quirks and oddities so it is worth all the hard work cleaning their room.  Honestly, I kind of enjoy discovering who they are by cleaning up their messes, but not enough to do it all the time!