That’s right. I am actually a paid writer. Not much mind you, but paid none the less. And not by my grandma or anything like that. Paid by someone who doesn’t necessarily have to. They actually chose me…by choice. One day when I have the time (when hell freezes over) I plan to start up a separate blog. I’ll keep you all posted.

I planned on making this post about At-man turning six, but honestly I am still having a hard time getting my thoughts together. Six seems so overwhelming to me. He is a real kid now. No longer a baby, toddler or pre-schooler, he’s already half way through kindergarten. He will soon be what he refers to as a “grader”. He plays guitar, loses teeth and occasionally talks back to me like I’m an idiot. He is such a sweet kid I think that is one of the hardest parts of growing up for him. He is trying to assert himself but whenever he catches himself being snide he will run over and throw his arms around my neck and say “I love you mommy.” in a sad little voice.

I need to eat cereal now so I’ll just promise to try hard to set aside some time when I’m not pre-menstrual to write about the whole six thing without sending myself into the type of depression usually reserved for post baby Victoria Secret fitting room excursions (don’t even get me started on the lighting in that place).

By the way - Since this is my blog I am going to take a rare moment out to “blow my own horn”. I was at the grocery store with At-man earlier when I saw the cover of 3 different magazines all shouting in amazement that Trista, The Bachelorette, managed to lose 30 pounds and has a 5 month old baby. Well Trista…I too have managed to lose 30 pounds since having my baby. BUT, I am older, already have 2 other kids, and didn’t have the incentive of the cover of People magazine to propel me through my weight loss. SO EAT THAT! Oh, and after the first…IT GETS HARDER. Lets see you on the cover of People after 3 kids and without all the childcare money you get from selling your families most intimate moments to any outlet that will have you. Ahem…sorry. Trista is great, congrats on your “amazing weight loss”. And now it’s picture time…

Happy sixth B’day At-man

New shot of baby Mae

At-man

and Em

I am always a little jealous of some of the mommy bloggers who actually seem to have time to personally respond to each and every comment they receive. I obviously do not. I would though, like to say thank you for all the comments I have received on How Not To Ruin Your Kids. It really helps to see how many of us are going through similar circumstances and how much we all want things different for our own kids. So… thanks. Very Much.

At-man has recently decided that if he has to go to guitar practice, I need to go to paper airplane folding practice so this is all I have time for today. I just didn’t want to go without saying that too much longer.