Still Summer . . . .

When you only have a few weeks left of summer, here is a list of things you should be sure to do before school starts:

• Go see the few summer kid movies that haven't come out yet;
• Have fun with your parents;
• Go bowling;
• Swim as much as you can;
• Build lots of Lego sets;
• Play with your pets;
• Sleep in until 10 a.m. (which I did this morning); 
• Scooter around your neighborood;
• Have lots of playdates with your friend;
• Cuddle up with your mom;
• Read some comic books.

DIY

If you want something done you have to do it yourself. For instance, if you want to go on a sleepover, you need to take care of cleaning your own room, packing your own clothes, getting your own toothbrush, and making your own arrangements with your friend. You can't rely on your parents to do this stuff.

Step up!!

Self Reflection

Even people that write tips can have personal tips for themselves.  I have tips for myself, not just for you.  For instance, the tip I had to remember was that you shouldn't fall asleep on the way to soccer practice on one of the hottest days of the year.  Having to wake up and then run out to practice isn't a good plan.  I need to remember that tip next time.

Double-Decker Slumber Party

Bunk beds are cool.

M-A-C-K Mack is Our Camp . . .

I am at sleepover camp tonight and tomorrow night.  So, I did today's and tomorrow's tips early.

I am at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, IN.  My mom and uncle went to camp there when they were kids.  So, I'm carrying on a family tradition.  My cousin is there with me.

Sleepover camp is a little scary, but I think it's going to be a ton of fun.

Best Birthday Ever: Best Birthday Weekend EVER!!

What a great weekend!  Sorry I missed a couple of days of tips.  I was too caught up in the best birthday weekend ever.  Here's a quick rundown:

• Friday:  Had sleepover party with friends.  Played game of Survivor.  (Tom was the sole survivor.  I was runner up.  I saved Tom early in the game by giving him my individual immunity and then he won the whole thing!!) Got presents.  (I have a whole set of Lantern Rings now.) Watched a movie. (Bandslam . . . thumbs up.)  Stayed up late.
• Saturday:  Woke up and went swimming with friends. Had playdate with Emil, because he couldn't stay at the sleepover because of his baseball game. Grandma came down and started making my caterpillar costume for Alice in Wonderland.  Ate at Casa Brava . . . thy gave me a sombrero and sang Feliz Cumpleano to me.  Watched Doctor Who . . . big thumbs up.
• Sunday:  Family came to our house for birthday celebration.  Went swimming with my cousins.  Ate lunch.  Got presents (comics, a scooter, and some Legos).  My favorite comic I got was the Absolute Edition of Crisis on Infinite Earths in hardback.  Performed "Ode to Joy" at piano recital . . . thumbs up.  Ate subway . . . a footlong for a nine year old tummy!  Then, watched Survivor finale . . . thumbs up, except I think Sandra shouldn't have won, I wanted Colby or Jerri to win.  I liked Russell, but I didn't want him to win.

What a BIG weekend.

So my last tip for the Best Birthday Ever is make the most of everything you do for your birthday and you'll have a blast like I did!

Best Birthday Ever: Installment #1

In honor of my ninth birthday on Sunday, over the next few days I'm going to give you nine tips on how to have the best birthday ever.  Today I'm featuring two tips.

First, sleepover birthday parties with friends are very effective for fun celebrations, because you get to have lots of friends and they can spend a long time with you.

Second, if you're having a pool party, make sure you tell everyone to bring their swimming gear, because you don't want to have someone forget their swimming gear and then have to sit out of the pool and watch everyone else swim or, worse yet, get in the pool in their underwear.  Gross!

Stay tuned for more "Best Birthday Ever Tips" this week.

Sleep Interrupted

Don't let some stupid sixth grade girl tell you about scary movies like When a Stranger Calls, because then you might get scared and have a hard time falling asleep.  Even though you know it's not real, you might still feel a little freaked out by it when it's all dark in your room.

Remember my strategies for falling asleep . . . .

Sleep Study

When you can't sleep, I can recommend four different ways to try to fall asleep.  They are:

1. Try to remember all of the characters of whatever book series you're reading.  Lately, I've been naming all of the members of the Justice League.
2. Relax every muscle in your body.  Start with the very tippy tip of your toes and work all the way to the top of your head.
3. Say the alphabet backwards.
4. And this old standby: Count some sheep.

If you want my opinion, #1 works pretty well and so does #2.  Number 3 really works!  And #4 is a little bit of a joke.

Pay No Attention to the Lateness of This Tip

If you happen to forget to do your tip on the day you're going over to your friend's house for a birthday sleepover, you should just do two tips on the next day.  Then maybe no one will notice.

Overnights

Sleepovers are really awesome.  You get to go away for the night and not have to be with your parents.  Lots of times you can do some cool stuff that your parents wouldn't let you do at home.  So, if you can convince your parents to let you go on a sleepover, you definitely should try.

My tip for convincing your parents to let you go on a sleepover is ask them around when you're six or seven.  Tell them about a really good friend you have and maybe it will work, especially if it's your best friend.