Fun on a Grad Student budget

I very willingly admit that I am one of those people who will do just about anything for a free meal. This includes shamelessly dressing myself and daughter like livestock.

ChickFilA Cow Appreciation Day: it should be a national holiday.

Actually, I love anything free, which is why I also dragged my family to the Wabash Riverfest on Saturday for free pony rides, face painting, bounce houses, etc. Sure, it was for the kids, but Caleb had just as much fun as Alaina.

A mastercard slogan comes to mind at this point. Something like 

Fast food meal: $0

Pony ride: $0

Face painting: $0

Organic lollipop: $0

An unforgettable day with your family: Priceless.

There are somethings money can't buy... And Lindsey finds them all.

Reading between the lines

I enjoy reading books to Alaina, but I must admit I have beef with some of her library selections. Only since I became a mother have I become so skeptical...

Take this one for example:
That's When I'm Happy by Beth Shoshan goes through several activities a little bear does with his parents that make him happy. The last one? Sleeping in his parents' bed, with the sentence "That's when we're happy!" Excuse me, but the last thing I want my toddler to learn is that I enjoy sharing a queen-sized bed with 2 other people. Not OK.

And then there's this one:

None of the fish will play with the Rainbow fish because he has beautiful shining scales and does not want to share them. His loneliness motivates him to give every fish one of his scales, and he suddenly becomes Mr. Popular. Now, I understand that the author is trying to teach children that sharing makes them happy. I get that. But the critic in me can't stand the other fish in the story. Is it really acceptable to withhold friendship unless people give you stuff? Some friends are richer than you, and some are prettier than you. That's life, and that's OK. I loving refer to this one as "The communist book."

Family Lovin'

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