Help Me Organize Evan's Toys

I need help! I'm looking for some cute and discrete ways to store Evan's toys that we keep in the living room. I have some shelves with baskets, which do a nice job. But, there is one big basket on the floor that keeps overflowing. I know the living room is family space, but it is the first room you see when you walk in my house, so I want it to be uncluttered. Any ideas?

Going Underground

I'm following the lead of several of my blogging friends and taking this blog private. I've been thinking about it for quite some time now and a promo last night for America's Most Wanted made me decide it was time. I will send invites to those who I know read the blog, but if you're a lurker and still want to keep up with us, shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment. I'll make the switch on Wednesday night. 

Evan's First Skating Lesson

I took Evan for his first ice skating lesson yesterday. I was afraid it might scare him away a bit since skating is harder than it looks, but I think it has made him love it even more. He is still too young for the group classes, so we are doing a few private lessons with him. His teacher is so sweet. And, she even prefers to work with the child without the parent. So that gives me 30 minutes to sit on the sideline and watch. Of course, I didn't discover this until after I had paid my $11 ice and skate rental fee yesterday.

They have large signs posted that say "No Flash Photography," but I'm sure that doesn't apply to moms whose sons are taking their first lesson, right? Plus, any skater worth his or her salt should be able to skate right through a few flashbulbs going off.

I was trying to stay out of sight so I wouldn't distract Evan, but I failed miserably. I was pretty far away (hence how tiny Evan looks), but Evan still spotted me. At the end of this video he starts signing mom.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

This is the final video just as his lesson is ending.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Ready for a Road Trip?

If you're looking for somewhere to go this summer, check out my story that ran in The Hill newspaper today on road trips. I've posted it on my new Web site at http://mindylong.com/road-tripping-with-congress/.  The Hill is published on Capitol Hill and the story features some senators' and representatives' favorite spots in their districts. You'll have to let me know if you visit anywhere I've written about!!! 

By the way--the Web site still has a few little things I'm tweaking here and there. I'll be posting to my new blog on the site tonight and plan to start posting at least 2-3 times a week. You can get there via www.mindylong.com or www.mindywrites.com so check back there soon! 

A New Tie!

You'll never guess what Bryan got for Father's Day...come on...guess... Give up? Okay--it was a new tie. With stripes! Even though Evan had given away the secret on Saturday, Bryan played along as he was unwrapping it. Evan helped speed up the process, too.

We went out for dinner to a new restaurant (well--new to us) that Bryan has been wanting to try. The waiter snapped a pic of us. I'm posting it just to prove that I do blow dry my hair once in a blue moon. Usually it is in a clip.

Some days I try to tell myself that Evan looks like me. Then I see a picture of him and Bryan together and, well, I have to admit they do look a lot alike.

He Can't Keep a Secret

All week I have been telling Evan that tomorrow is Father's Day--a special day for daddy. This morning we went to the mall to buy a surprise for daddy. Later in the day Bryan, Evan and I were sitting in the kitchen when I asked Evan what tomorrow is. He looked at Bryan and said, "Tie daddy. With stripes." Bet you'll never guess what Bryan will be unwrapping tomorrow.

New Blog in the Works

I am going to be launching a new blog on my work Web site soon about freelance writing. I plan to talk about how to freelance, writing tips, helpful sites, etc. I want my friends and family who aren't writers to read it, too. So, I'm wondering what I could put on there for you, too. Any ideas?

One thought that I've kicked around with a few friends is a virtual book club. We'd pick a book, read it together, post questions and comments on a certain day and hopefully the author would take part, too.

Does anyone else have any ideas? You can e-mail me or post a comment! Thanks!