When I was younger, I used to look down when I walked. Adults thought my low self-esteem was the reason I kept my head down. That I was afraid to make eye contact because I thought so little of myself.

I did have low self-esteem. But that wasn’t the reason I was looking down.

Pixar makes amazing movies that totally impact my life, especially Inside Out (1&2). On the surface, they are kids’ movies, but with so much depth. It’s truly impressive how they take complex topics like the brain and make them easy to understand. And these movies give me as a parent a relatable way to talk about the importance of sleep, imagination, how you change mentally as you grow, emotions controlling you, sense of self is separate from your thoughts…..ahhhhhhh the writers behind these two movies are freaking brilliant!!!!!!!!

My almost 10-month-old is not a snuggler. I attribute this to the fact that she is my only child who did not nurse 50,000 times a day and thus does not have an attachment to me, or my small chest, like the other 3 did. I don’t think she is a budding psychopath that lacks human connection or anything. She just doesn’t want to curl up on my lap yet or snuggle into my neck.

I’m not crying. 😭😭😭😭😭

But, this morning, she went against her natural ways.

Took the brood to the Tampa Fringe Fest yesterday. I never heard of it before but got an email somehow and was intrigued. It was inside and not that expensive – two must haves right now because it’s hot and we’re trying to be money conscious* which is so fucking hard with 4 daughters with mouths that want to eat and bodies that want clothing. Damn humans.

Anyways, if you were like me and never heard of the Fringe Fest, it’s local performers whose acts haven’t found a home yet. They operate on the “fringe” circuit until they get a spot on the main stages (if that’s their goal). The event is in Ybor which is a cool balance of indie vibes mixed with fear of getting shot. I like it though. Has character. And all the roosters running around freely like stray dogs gave me plenty of opportunities to make “cock” jokes. Fun fact, you can adopt a cock in Ybor.

Bert Kreischer and me may seem to have very little in common. After all, he’s a partier, rich, and has a penis. But, we actually are similar in a few …

I posted a video the other day of Evie in the play yard with Marina. While I had my back turned, Evie had put a necklace over Marina’s head. The necklace was slightly taunt, but not choking her. Before I had taken my eyes off them, no necklace was in sight, and they had been playing just fine. But of course, any time you take your eyes off your kids, shit goes down. So, when I turned around and saw the future noose around Marina’s neck, here’s what went on in my brain:

“Hmfff, I can’t turn my back for a damn second, can I??! Someone’s gonna die.”
“Geezus, does Evie really not realize that could kill her sister or is she having a Good Son moment.”
“Ah, classic big sister, little sister moment right here.”