Welcome, Sassy Pants!

So, here I am. I've entered the sphere of "Mom Blogs." I really never had any intention of delving into this world. To be honest, because of my writing background, the suggestion has been thrown out there by friends and the Hubby (who, we'll call the Hubba Hubba). But, I figured that anything I had to say had already been said by an existing blogger. There are lots of moms out there... lots of moms who have the same gripes, concerns and general wonderings as me. I just figured my blog would be like all the little pieces of chewed up french fries in the ball pit at McDonalds (which I refuse to let my children play in) --- there, leaving a mark, but hiding among much larger, brighter objects. However, my little girl, who from here on out will be referred to as "Princess Sassafrass" said something today that gave me the nudge I needed to suck it up and get my fingers tapping.

I'm always concerned that the things I say to my kids don't stick. I want to make a lasting impression on them, be an example, be their best friend, their confidante... you know, all those things that will inevitably fly out the window when the teenage years rear their ugly heads. Anyway, I make every effort to teach my kids (Princess Sassafrass just turned three, and the Little Bubba is just about 10 months) whether that be academically, or just a simple "life lesson." As of late RESPECT (just a little bit) has been a major topic in our house. Princess Sassafrass, who is verbally and congintively precocious for her age, is testing out the waters in terms of just how far she can go before she's disrespectful. Now, before I go on, I need to make a disclaimer:

Princess Sassafrass is a good girl. She's a great girl! She's so helpful, so thoughful, hysterically goofy, smart as a whip and sweet as honey.

That being said, she's also a little sassy (I really don't know where she got that from). So, as part of the RESPECT (just a little bit) discussions/lessons/ramblings I have included these rules:

1. Respect yourself
2. Treat others kindly
3. Respect your elders (Mommy, Daddy, grandparents, neighbors, church leaders, teachers, etc.)
-Be obedient
-Be a good listener
-Don't SASS

Sass is our word for "talking back." I tried to go with "Don't talk back." But found that the little smarty pants took it literally and for a whole day, when I would ask her a question, I could see the wheels turning in her little noggin' and she'd finally ask, "Can I talk back?" So, we went with SASS. When Princess Sassafrass starts to get, well, SASSY, I calmly say, "Please don't sass me."

So, after a ridiculously long preface, here's how Princess Sassafrass gave me a violent shove into the Mommy Blogosphere.

Her new love is Jell-o Jigglers. I, personally, despise Jell-o. It's slimy, it wiggles in my mouth and the after taste is what I imagine the inside of a gym shoe tastes like. Anywho... it is important that our refrigerator be stocked with Jell-o Jigglers at all times. Princess Sassafrass gets one a day, either after lunch or dinner. Her choice. However, today, she decided that nothing would wash down her breakfast of oatmeal better than green melon-flavored Jell-o. I have to admit, I chuckled a little at her request.

"We don't eat Jell-o for breakfast, silly" I say.
"I do," Princess Sassafrass matter-of-factly answers back.
"Honey, you know the rule, after lunch or after dinner."

I go back to unloading the dishwasher. I hear Princess Sassafrass's chair scrape across the tile and she lets out a frustrated breath as she slides down. Her barefeet pitter patter across the floor and stop right next to mine. She looks at me, hands on her ribs (her version of hands on her hips) and announces,

"Don't SASS me, Mama."

Hey, at least I know she's listening when I talk. And a blog was born.