Family photos

While not the most flattering picture of us, a family shot seems to be rare so I thought I'd post this one, and inspire us to take more! This one is thanks to cousin, Bernard, during their trip back East. We were having a great time playing in the front yard!

She's not just a toddler, she's a person.

The time has come I realize we can't fool her any longer. We can't just do things without invoking the never ending "why?" She's only 29 months old - not yet 2 1/2 - and has already begun this inquisition. She reasons with us. She knows, after watching us, what you're supposed to do - for example, in the bath. Now, I consider us lucky (on many occasions and for many reasons but in this instance, specifically) she is a child that says, "I want to take a bath." Now, I also realize this may not last but then again, she's a girl, so it's more likely to only become a stronger attraction for water and long showers, than not. But as she is in the bath, she knows to use soap and wants to - the bars - she'll "do it myself". And though it's an oatmeal scrub bar, she says, "I share with Mommy." So sure, go ahead. She also says, "I want to brush my teeth." Who can fault that? What a good kid - singing as she splashes in the tub.

Girl Scout Cookie Commentary

Ok, so no one can tell me it's just the usual experience one has when they recall and reminisce about childhood - Girl Scout cookies are getting smaller! I just had a peanut butter cookie, and it was all I could do to find filling in it! The image on the box is misleading and false marketing - there is no peanut butter filling oozing out the edges and through the little hole in the cookie.

Finding this, a colleague of mine noted maybe they've changed bakeries...and yes, they used to be made in NJ and now they are not. And I must admit, the taste has not gotten worse - overall the usual suspects (Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils...) all taste amazingly the same as they did when I was 8. But much to my dismay, the names have changed. Why?

Now, while I'm usually one to prefer tradition, I have to say the new Cafe cookies are good - sort of the adult equivalent to Newmans ABC cookies for children, or old fashioned animal cookies. That's nice. And I guess, like anything, increasing market size means increasing your product portfolio to appeal to more consumers....it's just sad that inflation and market expansion have to come at the expense of good old fashioned quality!