Stimulant, Packaged
 Kemps and Caribou have partnered again and are introducing – caffeinated milk! Target market? Busy moms who want some calcium with their caffeine. Just make sure to keep it from Junior or he’ll really be bouncing off of the walls. But really is this a new and revolutionary idea? My Swedish grandparents essentially drank it every morning. They’d fill their cups with cream and then put a splash of Butternut coffee in it. There you go light beige caffeinated milk – they were way ahead of their time. And don’t the French have their café au lait? This would just be Lait au Café.

School House Rock the Vote

As a child of the 70’s I knew EVERY School House Rock song by heart that was played between “Hong Kong Phooey” and “Land of the Lost” each Saturday morning. Did it do any good? YES! Years later those little ditties stuck with our 7^th grade Social Studies class so well that every kid got a 100% on a quiz. Our teacher asked us to memorize the Preamble and write it down. No problem! You could hear kids humming “We the People…in order to form a more perfect union…establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility- ee-ee .” Our teacher was baffled, he wondered if we had cheated. Then the whole class broke into song and sang the entire thing to him verbatim. We weren’t cheaters; we just watched a lot of cartoons.

And “I’m Just a Bill” gave you a clear understanding and empathy for what that sad sack bill goes through– he just knew someday he’d be a bill. “I hope and pray that I will, but today I am still…just a bill” Well, the oh so timely School House Rock: Election Collection comes out with a special election edition today. (Disney, $20)

We gearing up - this weekend is the Twin Cities Marathon - yet another date circled on our home calendar for months.  Peter is tapering down his training and getting focused for the big day.  We are getting the kids involved too by doing the Toddler Trot and Diaper Dash on Saturday.

Now I need some strategy for being a marathon spectator with two kids in a double stroller.  There is a lot of pre-preparation involved for us that morning.  I want us  to be able to cheer Peter on from a few places. I anticipate a lot of in and out of the car, getting to the next location before he does, find parking, buckling, unbuckling, diaper changes, sippy cup filling, re-filling, and carting those GO DADDY GO! signs along. Phew! 

 Any recommended spots to view and cheer with kids in tow? Great places to park?  Secret routes? Cribsheeters always seem to have some hints up their sleeves.  How about it - share some family-friendly marathon spectating strategy with us!

From guest blogger Lucie Amundsen… 

One of the most surprising things about parenting for me has been the incredible things it has made me say. Sentences tumble out of my mouth that adults without children would never dream of saying.

Just this week I rounded the corner to find my son, fresh from the bath, on a stool removing popcorn from the microwave. And I said this instructional phrase, “We DO NOT handle hot food NAKED!”

A friend just had a baby this week and I briefly thought of embroidering just that wording on a throw pillow to let her know how ridiculous her life will become. But she is in the throes of baby love and she wouldn’t believe me anyway.

I want to know what things Cribsheeters have let tumble forth from their lips - if only to make me feel better.

I think we’d ALL scream if we read the ingredients on our pint of Ben & Jerry’s and saw “Human Breast Milk” on the list.

But this week PETA sent out a note encouraging Ben & Jerry’s to use human breast milk instead of cow’s milk in their ice cream.

I had to check my calendar when I heard this tidbit from a co-worker.  Was it April 1st? News of the wierd? An article from the Onion?

But it’s true.  Read more here.  

Gag factor aside.  That stuff is gold. You’d have to keep it in a freezer in Fort Knox for all the effort it takes to get a few ounces!

As you know, Ben & Jerry are famous for their clever flavor names. 

My co-workers and I started imagining what names they would use if they were to add that special ingredient. 

“Nipple Ripple? ”

Another deadpanned  “Cherry-ola?”

Now I’m not lactate intolerant, I nursed both my babies. But good luck marketing those pints.

You’ll be glad to know Ben & Jerry politely declined their request and thanked them for their concern.

A question from J. in Hanover…

My daughter is turning four soon. She seems to have the impression that she is going to receive EVERYTHING she has on her birthday wish list, either from us or other relatives and close friends that will be at her party.

I’m worried about this for a couple reasons: I don’t want her to act disappointed or upset with what she does get because I would like for her to learn to be grateful and appreciate what people have given you. Also, I don’t want her to think that you automatically get everything you want just because you say you want it.

I’m curious how others deal with this and what tips readers have to help me teach her to be appreciative and happy with whatever she receives.

Thanks! Trying to avoid a birthday scene!!

Cribsheeters?