You know those people who always make everything all about them? They are the WORST. It’s so annoying. You try to tell them about your amazing weekend at the beach and they can’t even wait for you to finish before they’re telling YOU all about THEIR amazing weekend at the beach…never mind that it was three years ago and you’ve already heard the story 50 times. Or you write a heartfelt blog post about your struggle with weight loss and they leave a 500 word comment about THEIR struggle with weight loss…and then say “But now I’m a size 2 and everything is awesome!”

I am one of those people. (Well, except for that size 2 bit because AHAHAHAHAHA.)

I realized this about myself a few months ago, and although I’ve been making a conscious effort to fix it I’m afraid it’s not going very well. I want so badly to show people I understand and empathize with them I turn into a big Jerky McJerkface Selfishpants almost any time I talk or comment. Even when I KNOW I am doing it I have a hard time stopping. I think “But my experience really does relate to theirs!” or “But I want them to know we have so much in common!” or “But my kid does something cute too!” when I should really just shut up and nod.

But it’s hard to shut up and nod! And on the internet no one can see me nodding! And I feel like comments that just say “I love this picture!” or “Great story!” create a big giant echo chamber of nothing. So where is the balance between building a community and being a self-centered douchecanoe? I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’d like to officially apologize for all the times I’ve gotten in the canoe.

Please forgive me for my faults, and I promise I’ll keep working on them.

(Also, in college I was often accused of being kind of a snotty bitch when really I was just painfully nervous around new people and my attempts at humor were so awkward people thought I was insulting them. So basically I really AM the worst.)

For a “short” week, this week felt insanely long.

Sunday:

Yes, flea market vendor, that insanely creep disembodied head DEFINITELY makes me want to buy that hat.

Spiked milkshakes are the best invention since regular milkshakes

Playing poker at home is much less expensive.

Monday:

Spying on the neighbors

No pictures during breakfast, Mommy.

She totally thinks she can read

Tuesday:

Yes, that looks safe.

I think Caroline totally looks like Sal

So far, I like it.

Wednesday:

They think this is the world's widest balance beam

The Very Tired Three Year Old

Jumping off the couch into a pile of pillows is all fun until someone cracks their head open

Thursday:

Matching ginger swings

Mommy truth: Nothing makes shopping easier than two kids sitting nicely in a single cart.

Caroline, Queen of the Nile

Friday:

Stroller ride: Yur doin it rong

Practicing boating safety, even on the pretend boat in the seaport

Walking through the past with friends

Saturday:

Rainy morning relaxing

This is how adventures (or nightmares) start

Reading one of our garage sale finds

Today’s weather was terrible but tomorrow is supposed to be much better so I’m hoping to still squeeze in some weekend fun – or at least a little grilling on the patio. Now I’ve got to go let Jillian kick my butt for 20 minutes to make up for the delicious post-cheeseburger frosty I just inhaled.

Did you take any camera phone photos this week? Link up with one or lots using the linky below and grab the code (so it shows on your blog too!) over at Amy’s . It’s really fun!

So this weekend my friend Erin visited and we went…well…everywhere. I’ve got a super cool giveaway coming up from Connecticut Tourism so I’m saving three dozen (or maybe slightly more) of the photos for that post but I have a VERY pressing question for you today:

Formal shorts – A Thing or Not A Thing????

Close up of my shorts

On Suzanne:

Shirt: Dress Barn
Shorts: Old Navy
Shoes: ModCloth
Purse: Jason Wu for Target
Necklace: Target

I didn’t actually ask Erin to give me a rundown of her entire outfit because that would have been sort of weird. So maybe she can tell us where she got that really cute dress in the comments.

I told E I was going to wear formal shorts and he laughed at me. I say they’re just as good as a skirt except more comfortable with less of a chance of accidentally flashing my underwear when I fall off my RIDICULOUS shoes.

Either way, I like them. Unfortunately they were not lucky formal shorts. Stupid magic unicorn slot machine took all my money. True story.

One of my favorite things about meeting internet friends is finding out they are EXACTLY the same as they seem online (and surprisingly, almost everyone I met has been). It’s even better when their KIDS are exactly the same as they seem online (spoken: adorable and charming). The cherry on top is when my kids are also adorable and charming and everyone has a fantastic day. The end. Well, except for this set of pictures of Kim’s kids being awesome with mine at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill.

Caroline + O

I think she likes him.

Awww, he likes her back!

Such good picture takers (notice the missing child)

The kids thought the best part was playing with the gravel on the trail

Oh no, I fell over! Look at me! I'm still adorable!

Caroline decided Kim was just as good as Mommy

Dandelion wishes

You will not be the least bit surprised to hear JD is a child model

No guys, the camera is THIS WAY

They match, hilariously.

I consider this a perfect group shot, considering there are 4 kids in it

LOUD NOISES

Caroline is all "SIT STILL, I WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE GETS MY GOOD SIDE"

Kim + Me = Awesome

Goodbye Hugs

Thank you to our friends for the wonderful day – at to my husband for helping us wrangle two VERY energetic boys.

And while Evan played with his friend, Caroline insisted on swinging with her BFF

(p.s. Evan’s super awesome Mike Mulligan shirt is from Out Of Print clothing. <3 them!*)

*a true, unsponsored kind of love