Beautiful Chitlins

It's too hot to do pictures outside so good ole' JCPenney came through.

Double-Digits

Taylor is 10 today...that's a decade and almost a dozen! She's grown up right before our eyes. We celebrated her day all day today. I checked her out of school to go to lunch with Willy & I...on the way there, the car battery died. Awesome. After our birthday trip to Checker Auto Parts, we went to Chili's. It was so fun to be with Taylor. She's my little buddy. I think she had a good time regardless of the hiccups, but what she was really looking forward to was her slumber party that night. Taylor has been a "party planner" since she was 3 years old. For me, that was the most fun part was planning everything with her.

10 girls...spa night...mud masks...cucumber slices...pedicures...movie & popcorn...Panda Express...homemade strawberry cake...presents....faces in whipping cream...making waffles the next morning on MY birthday...it was all good. I'd honestly do it all again for that girl.
(That is really just a figure of speech...don't plan on doing it again for at least another decade.)


P.S. I think Carter had an alright time.

Update on Miss Taylor

During 1st grade she decided that she wanted to sell cookies to raise money for Make-a-Wish Foundation. This summer she decided she wanted to do it again. The girl has sold 19 dozen cookies to family, friends and neighbors. She charges $4 dozen - sugar cookies, chocolate chip and peanut butter. She contacted everyone herself with homemade flyers, emails and phone calls. She would keep selling if I'd let her, but I told her she has to catch up on all her orders first! She is now at the point where she can make the cookies all herself (thank the heavens above), and I just get them in and out of the oven. Although I feel like we have cookies coming out of our ying-yangs, I am very proud of her.



In May she had her first piano recital. She played "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan. She's coming along very nicely...now we just need to buy a piano! The keyboard ain't cuttin' it anymore!

She also had her 3rd gymnastics recital. It was a great night!

Taylor can't wait for 4th grade! She's growing up way too fast for me, but I love every minute.

Future Author Alert

What do you want to be when you grow up? Many kids respond with the classics...doctor, fireman, policeman, insurance agent, Wal-Mart greeter, etc....

Taylor has always had a wild imagination. When Taylor was 3, she wanted to be a "seashell hunter." That stemmed from going to the beach and collecting shells. When she was 4, she wanted to be an "artist-mommy." I think that stemmed from me sitting down with her to draw.

Ever since Kindergarten, she has told everyone that she is going to be an author some day. She loves to read and write--both activities of choice. She has about 18 notebooks and a few binders and folders that she fills with her stories. She proudly calls herself a nerd. This girl has got ambition and drive when it comes to this subject. I used to just smile and listen and of course praise her, but now I'm beginning to believe that this is not just a phase. I've never seen an 8 year old want something that much. I think she just may be an author some day.

During the last year, I have been asked countless times by Taylor as to how one gets a story published. I've given her a few simple explanations such as...

1. Find a publisher

2. Send in your manuscript

3. If they like it, they publish it. They pay you.

I figured that this explanation would be enough for an 8-year-old. One day when I was asked yet another question regarding who the youngest author ever to be published, I replied, "I don't know! Go GOOGLE it!"

She did. He's 8.

"Hmmm," she thinks, "I'm 8."

So of course, this gives her a great idea. She is not going to be an author someday but rather today. She then proceeded to GOOGLE publishers. She found a couple which she told me about. I gave her permission to request some information. She got some pamphlets in the mail and was so excited. However, when I read through her stuff, all the publishers required a hefty fee. She was a bit disappointed by that, but didn't give up. I told her we could type a story up, draw pictures ourselves, and go to Kinko's. Oh no. It has to be a real publisher. She shared one of her emails with me the other night, and I about wet myself. Below is an abridged email between a publishing sales agent and verbatim email by Taylor.

Dear Taylor Nikolaus,
Thank you for recently contacting Blah Blah Blah and requesting a publishing kit. My name is Ms. Blah Blah. (Then we have a sales pitch along with some other info.) Do you have a manuscript ready to publish? Please check out our website to download the necessary forms.
Sincerely,
Ms. Blah Blah

Dear Ms. Blah Blah,
Yes. I have one small book that I might publish. I would like a small list of some of the books you have published. Do you think you could do that? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Taylor Nikolaus
P.S. My mom wants me to tell you that I'm 8 years old.

Okay. What 8-year-old says things like that?!

Dear Taylor Nikolaus,
Thank you for taking the time to write back. What is the book you are working on about? (More sales pitch) Since your mom asked you to let me know of your age, am I correct to assume that she has agreed to pay so your book can be published?
Sincerely,
Ms. Blah Blah
Sales & Marketing Department

So did I mention that this company requires $600-$12,000 to publish a book? Maybe I should sell my kidney Ms. Blah Blah. I don't know about you, but when I was 8, I was playing hop scotch, freeze tag and occasionally making my Barbie and Ken kiss...on the lips...with sound effects.

One thing is for sure, and that is that this little girl has determination. Hopefully she will remember the little people.