Small Talk and Coco Puffs

While talking to one of my greatest friends in the world today. I heard one of the funnest things ever! Her second youngest who Bella has stated to be her best friend in the whole wide world was freaking out about having poop on her skirt. While her mother is tending to her child trying to figure out how it happened. I'm laughing....

Then I here " That's Not Poop! It's a Coco Puff!"

I'm sorry but kids are just too cute!

I can see it now....
I'll be alone in the cereal section at the store I will spot a box of Coco Puffs and start laughing. People will be looking at me strangely and then over the loud speaker you will "We need Crazy Lady Clean up on Isle 10" There I'll be on Isle 10 being hauled out in a straight jacket...

Laughing

Until Next Time We Love You and Miss You Guys!

Just Mom

Closet Living

Hurry a tiger has escaped from the ZOO!
Run Bella into my new house!
Before he eats you!

Last night while we were trying to put Laundry away this is what the kids were up to.

Avery, Bella and Chloe were playing that our Closet was their house. Oscar was deemed the escape Tiger poor cat had no idea what in the heck was going on. I'm not sure Chloe did either, but she sure was having a blast.

Once the kids set up shop in our Closet it made putting clothes away a bit of a challenge. We were told by Avery "You must Knock and Say that you have a Delivery. At that time I will decide if I want it or not"

We did what he asked, but he didn't really have the choice if we put clothes away or not. He did try with no luck and gave up.

Today they have spent most of the morning in their new "Crib". I don't think I will be watching anything other than PBS with Bella around. Most all of the kitchen set food has been put away in the new make shift kitchen and have turned Chloe into their Maid. Maybe I should just move them into the Closet and turn their room's into something else... How fun would it be to have a Craft Room and Since Scott has the Garage as his man Cave maybe I'll turn one of the room's into a Mom's Cave. Fully Loaded with my own Starbucks Barista and Martini Bar! Just think of the Possibilities!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

PS... I'm thinking I might make the room sound proof. What more could a girl ask for?

Ear Plugs and a Martini Please

I think I might be going crazy.
4:30 I woke up next to my very own personal heater. At first I thought that Chloe was just too hot in her new PJ's figured she would go back to sleep. Not a chance...

The baby is back today who had spent the last two days at home because of a really high fever. Guess what...

Yep Miss Chloe has it too. Our day started with the baby at about 7am and up until now I have had two crying children and two out of control big kids who cant seem to understand the meaning of "Inside Voices".

This might really be it.... I truly believe that I am going crazy. It's not even noon yet and I would give all my teeth for a pair of ear plugs and my right arm for a nice Washington Apple Martini!
I would give my left arm, but right now its being used. Chloe has passed out with her head on my shoulder, her binkie is resting nicely on my clavicle and there is a nice stream of drool running down past my elbow.

Anyone have an extra pair of ear plugs? I wonder if the liquor store delivers?

Until Next Time,
Just call me CRAZY

Foto Finish Friday

Meet Chloe she is a very busy 22 month old who has a thing for dressing up and for whatever reason she loves her big brothers undies!

Nothing says "FUN" like Pirates of the Caribbean Undies, Pink Sun Glasses, Red High Heels, and a Pink Handbag!

I have been waiting a long time to join in the fun along with other bloggers. I first learned about Foto Finish Friday from Candid Carrie Here's the link to her blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Just MOM

Sticky Stuff

Picture this....

I was sitting on my computer today reading blogs and such when Chloe decided to get into the diaper bag.

She walks into the room with a pad stuck to the side of her head. Yes, Always with wings stuck right there on the side of her head! She sat down removed it from her head and continued to stick it to her leg, arm and face. When Daisy walked into the room so she got up removed it from her leg and stuck it right on top of Daisy's head. Both Chloe and the dog looked at right at me. Chloe was laughing and poor Daisy looked like she wanted to die.

Thank god for Children! There's never a dull moment as long as they are around!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Grand Opening

October 12, 2008

Is going to be the best day EVER!!!

Can you say Target?!!!! Yep that's right the GRAND OPENING of Target less than 5 minutes away from my house!!!

I get to say goodbye to good old Walmart and Hello Target!

Since we moved here to good old Puyallup we have been shopping at Walmart. I guess its an okay place for some things, but Target has always been my first choice! The nearest Target right now is almost 45 minutes away and well to make a run to Target for diapers being that far away just doesn't happen.

So now my question for you is do you think there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony? Will they serve Champagne along with Cheese and Crackers? Either way I know that I will the first one in the door the day it opens! Do you think people will be lined up waiting? Do you think I should plan to camp out in the parking lot?

If you couldn't tell I'm really really really really excited for this GRAND OPENING!!!!!!

Taylor Target Store will be open in 17 DAYS!!!!

Goodbye Walmart and your lovely mullet sporting fan base.... HELLO TARGET and the Isaac Mizrahi wearing, Shabby Chic Lovers!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

How come 5:30 comes so early?

Why is it that when you need to be up at a certain time is when your children decide to sleep in?

For the last week or so I have been watching a one year old from the neighborhood. I figured having someone here for Chloe to pay with would allow the big kids and I to get School work done and make a few bucks in the process. Well I was wrong.... My sweet Chloe has turned into a mean little stinker who doesn't like to share and every time you go near something of hers she yells "MINE" We have done about 2 days worth of School work in the last almost 2 weeks. I think I might have taken on a bit to much. Avery and Bella love having someone else here so they seem to be doing okay until they want to do something that the little kids cant.

First off 5:30 comes really early and it should be a law requiring people to sleep in until at least 9am. I never have and never will be a morning person anyone that knows me knows this.

Second the last two days I have gotten up before my alarm even goes off. I have no idea why I'm doing this to myself. To top it off the last two days the little girl that I have been taking care of has been sick. You would think I would be jumping for joy since that's one less little person to deal with. I wish I would have know this last night and I could have slept in! My kids didn't get up until after 9 today... They must have read my memo requesting the 9am law to be put into effect.

Third I have always asked for pre payment for the week. Every family I have ever worked for has paid first thing Monday morning all but one. That was the first and only time I did this.... Why you ask because people like to stiff ya! So when I told the new family about my payment rule that I made for myself. If I were a daycare center that's how it would be... Payment the first of the month PERIOD. When they asked if they could pay me every two weeks on their paydays I said it would be fine. Maybe its because they live a block away and its not like they are going to have me watch their kid not pay then move.

So this brings me to my forth and finial rant for the day...

That payday was this past Friday for them. Did it become a payday for me? Nope it sure didn't, but I figured Monday it wasn't a huge deal. Monday came it was a bit of a mad house around here when they picked her up. Chloe fell head first off the table and was now vomiting all over the place so I was trying to get out the door to take her to the ER. So I didn't get a chance to say anything. I sent the mother an email later that night asking about it. The reply was I'm so sorry I spaced it thanks for reminding me. Then I was told she would swing a check by after she gets home from work. The dad picked the kid up and then we waited......

At about 6 I call and say just bring it tomorrow when you drop her off. The next day I'm up before the alarm goes off. I get my stuff done and then I wait.... So its been more than an hour since the normal drop off time when the phone rings. " I'm sorry I meant to call sooner, but lost track of time. The Baby has a high fever so I'm going to stay home, and I'll drop your check off here in a bit" No big deal right.... WRONG

No phone call or anything I called her at about 4:30 or so. I'm going to send one of my girls over with your check. We wait and at 6pm I called there was no answer I left a message saying that I'm going to the store... Just bring it in the morning.

I get up once again too early today... I wait the dad shows up at about 7 kidless and with a check. The kid is still sick, but here's your paycheck! I close the door look at the check. It's 100 bucks short!

Someone anyone please tell me why I do this to myself?

Here it is not even 10:30 and I'm ready for a nap! And I want a new job you know the kind that pays when they say they are going to and pays you what they owe you.

Sorry for the Rant.... I had to take it out on something.... Why not blog right?

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

Now This is What I Call Entertainment!

This is what I like to call a peanut butter and Jelly Nap!

And this is what I like to call

Crouching Tiger Hidden Silly

Black Leopard vs Tiger

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

Corn Dog Anyone?

A Dinner Conversation between Avery and Bella.

Avery " Hey Bella Can I have your last Corn Dog?

Bella " Sure! Here you go Brother"

Avery " Thanks Bella! I'm saving this for later"

(As he stuffs the Corn Dog into his pants pocket)

We finish dinner and pay as we were walking out to the car I was wondering if he would remember that there is a nice little mini corn dog in his pocket. I was hoping that if he didn't I would remember before his pants ended up in the washer.

Avery " Bella Guess What! There's a dog in my pocket!"

Bella" WHAT!!! Your so funny Brother"

Avery " Yep I figured I needed to save it just in case I get hungry while we are at Target and need a snack"

I'm sorry, but kids are just too cute and I love the way their little minds think. It was his plan all along to save the corn dog for our Target trip.

I couldn't help but share. I hope you enjoyed it!

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

As a Parent of a 6 year old

I would first like to start by saying I'm not one to follow politics. I know that I should, but its something that just drives me crazy.

There is one issue that was just made aware of and I to say the least that I'm floored. Sex Education for five year olds? Is this really necessary? Do I want my children to even have an idea of what sex is at five and six years old? The idea alone makes me sick, and I cant even begin to think about how our children would feel learning about this from a person other than Scott and I about a subject so sensitive as sex.

I remember being eleven and in the fifth grade when sex education was first introduced. We weren't even old enough to understand as the laughter filled the room while our teacher went over pictures on the over head projector. Looking back now I almost feel sorry for her. It's not like she has a choice as to what she teaches. Our tax dollars were paying her to teach what she is told to.

This has always been a subject that weighs heavy on my heart. I was a teen parent and I was doing everything that I was taught to do. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy, condoms to avoid STD's. Oh and there is always the morning after pill if all else fails. Well all 3 failed for me! Would I change any of it... Well no, but still I think we need to take a look at the ways we are teaching our children about sex. What if the schools were to teach abstinence rather than teaching our children how to put condoms on or where girls can go for birth control pills?

Would things have been different for me? That's a hard one to answer I cant even think about not having my children. Plus I spent countless years attending private schools along with that I spent my teen years going to church where abstinence was the only way.

It's something that should be left up to parents to talk to their children about PERIOD. Sex Education shouldn't start until High School there is no need for our babies and yes they are babies at five and six years old. There are still babies at eleven for that matter, and if our children have questions they should be answered by PARENTS!

There will come a day when my children ask I know they will. As parents its our job to make sure our children know its okay to come to us no matter what the subject matter is. I'm sure my kids one day will know that I did get pregnant at eighteen and I wasn't married. It's not the plan that everyone has for their children. I'm sure my parents would have liked to see me go to College, Travel, Get Married, then have children. It just doesn't always work that way. I have the same hopes for my children and I'm sure they will to for theirs. If my children come to me at eighteen and tell me they are either pregnant or their girlfriend is. I might be disappointed, and I know life wont be easy for them. I will always support my children no matter what!

Our family will be teaching abstinence and if one day my children attend a Public School they will teach them what they feel is right. If my children do decide to become sexually active before they are married. Yes they will know about birth control and condoms and the risks that come along with having sex. In hopes that my children make the right decision. I also know that there decision might not be what we want for them.

I can tell you this that my children wont be learning about sex until they are at least thirty if I have anything to do with it!

Oh and someone please tell me why some girls and women as well feel that they can use abortion as a form of birth control? I'm not sure I will ever understand that one.

Here is a link to the video that I watched that got me started on this tangent.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3386492

And People cant figure out why we HOMESCHOOL!

Until Next Time,

Taylor

Trying to figure out What is More Disturbing

So we were watching Sesame Street today when I saw this!
I'm not sure what is more disturbing....
The fact that Jim Carrey's face is like rubber or the bright yellow Chucks he has on.
You tell me!



And why I am sharing some Sesame Street with you I'll share my all time favorite one.




And the one I just couldn't help but share... Who doesn't love the Backstreet Boys!



Enjoy!
Just MOM

What in the World are we Going to Do NOW?

Olive Garden and Red Lobster are raising their prices!
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20080917/Restaurants.Prices/

I'm sorry but I will not pay over $6 bucks for all you can eat Salad, Soup and Bread Sticks!

I have ever been in a Red Lobster so I cant really say much to that besides good! Maybe they will go out of Business and I wont have to smell sea food again!

I just thought that it was funny is was top news on Comast that they had to raise their prices. I thought that I needed to share.

Next it will be that Red Robin is going to raise the price of my Favorite Burger over $9 dollars. That will be the day that my world falls apart...

I would still order it even if it was $20 bucks its just that good!

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

I Just Dont Understand People

Seriously...

Melamine in infant formula? Just when I thought that it couldn't get any worse than when it was found in our pet food.

I cant even begin to think about how the parents of the 6,200 Children who are sick from the tainted milk formula feel right now. At least 3 children have passed away and more than 1,300 other most of who are newborns remain in the hospital. There are Dozens of Children who are suffering from Acute Kidney Failure.

What is happening to our world? As if we don't have enough things to worry about when it comes to our kids. I'm sorry, but what happened to the good old days when I kids could play alone outside until the street lights came on. How about when once upon a time kids could go door to door tricker treating without having to worry about someone putting something in their candy? Remember when Autism wasn't something people worried about Daily? There were 5 kids alone at Avery's preschool that were on the spectrum somewhere in just one year! I will get back to that topic in another blog.

So now parents get to worry about the food that we are giving out children is going to harm them? What kind of person or people for that matter could do something like this? They are helpless babies for crying out loud. There are only so many things we can do as parents to keep our kids healthy....

We have gone all organic for everything and I thought that all we needed to worry about in food were pesticides and other nasty additives. Guess I was wrong now we get to think twice before we hand out babies a bottle.

Next time I decide to have another baby if there is a next time. It's Breastfeeding, cloth diapers and homemade baby food.

Time for me to start making my kids each a bubble to live in.

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

I think I have it Figured Out!

Now I know your all wondering what in the heck I have figured out this time. No its not a better way to stir peanut butter or anything else super cool like that.

Tonight while driving to pick up my Crazy Pills I have been questioning if I really do need them. Then I was reminded of why.....

Avery " Bella look do you see that?"
Bella " See What?"
Avery Crying " Just don't talk to me Bella"

Once we were back on the road after picking up my oh so wonderful crazy pills.

Bella was upset for some reason or another, not sure what started the whole thing in the first place. She starts telling Scott she is going to put him in Jail. After us telling her that it wasn't nice to talk to us the way she was. This went on for about 5 minutes then....

Scott was just done, done with listening to everyone talking over each other.

Scott " Bella that's enough, no more we are cutting this conversation off"
Bella " Don't Cut me with Scissors"
Scott Laughing " Bella I didn't say anything about scissors"
Bella " That's not nice, don't cut me with Scissors"

I am laughing so hard at this point I'm unable to even step in and help out with trying to tell Bella that there wasn't anything said about scissors.

This wonderful child of mine always takes everything to the extreme. I mean ALWAYS.... I'm not sure if its just her or if this is a normal 4 year old thing.

Now we are home getting ready to eat pizza. The kids ask for water Scott gets two cups one is yellow and one is blue. Scott gives Bella the blue cup and well guess what she didn't want the blue cup. Nor did she want to sit on the flower chair that she always sits on. Once we told her that a chair is a chair and water tastes the same no matter what color the cup is. She doesn't stop talking about it.

I take one look at her and say enough is enough.... Sit there on your flower chair, eat your pizza that is on the green plate and drink the darn water in the blue cup!

And she did just that!

I will never again question why I have the need for the CRAZY PILLS.
I am on them because I have 3 wonderful kids who like to drive me CRAZY!

This is what happens when I'm bored

Option Number 1.

I pay someone the big $$$ to build a Island off the coast of Virgina.
The Swecker Family Island.
Please note that the size of the Island is not actual size. This is only for Demonstration purposes only.

Option Number 2
I pay someone the big $$$ to build and Island off the coast of Washington
The Hockett Family Island.
Please note that the size of the Island is not actual size. This is only for Demonstration purposes only.

Maybe being 20 something isnt so bad

Well it still stinks, but I did have a blast yesterday.

We went to this great little place for some of the most wonderful Chocolate Cupcakes EVER. I have no idea how something so good is so cheap. Maybe because Child Labor is involved?

We pay them in Hugs and Kisses!

After that I took a trip to Bella's Salon de cheveux ( Hair Salon ) it's this great little French place upstairs! They specialize in this.....

This is a picture of the Great Bella herself from the Famous Bella Salon de cheveux! How lucky am I? not only was I able to have my hair done by her, but she posed for a picture too! The Hair-Do is her signature she tells me its Beautiful! Nothing like having 900 hair clips and two crowns in your hair!

I'm sure I will be making a trip back to Bella Salon de cheveux very soon.

I went to the movies at the Swecker Family Theater. I had the best seat in the house!

The day couldn't have been any better...

Maybe next year I'll be okay with turning 40 - 20 + 6 . Being 20 + 5 years old isn't easy.

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

How funny is this?

I'm writing my 50th blog on the day I'm 1/2 way to 50....

I got up today thinking I was just going to start telling people that I'm not really 25 that I over counted or forgot what year I was born. Once I figured out that it wasn't going to work I gave up.

This is the last time I will ever say that I'm 25. My aunt requested that I not tell anyone how old I am because that just makes her even older.

I got the best birthday gift a girl could ever ask for today. Scott turned on the video camera last night and taped the kids dressed up singing happy birthday and kept filming while there were being their normal crazy wild and fun kids. I am so lucky to have such a great family and wonderful babies.

I want to say thank you to all my wonderful friends too! I don't know what I would do without you!

Tracy I love you and miss you like crazy we watched home videos today. We watched the one from Bella's party. Virgina needs to be closer to Washington, I thinking about just moving Washington over there or Virgina over here. If that were only possible.

Well I'm off to watch the Golden Girls or something, and yes I do feel that old....

Being 300 months old stinks.

Love Ya All,

Taylor

September 14, 1983

Tomorrow at 3:43 in the afternoon I will officially be 25
I figured for fun I would break it all down for you. I think since I decided to do a little math. I dont think I'll have a problem with saying I'm 25 it sounds better than all of the other options.
Plus I think people would look at me like I was nuts if I went around saying I was....

300 Months

1,300 Weeks

9,125 Days

13,148,719 Minutes

788,923,150 seconds

Until Next Time Happy Birthday to myself!
Tomorrow!!!!

~Taylor

Dear Pottery Barn Kids and Birthday Express

First off I would like to say that I truly do love getting your catalogs! But only November - June.

Second why must you send me issues that contain Halloween Costumes in August? I know I should have been thinking to flip through them before handing them to my children.

Third Pottery Barn Kids... I love you I really really do! Please don't hide all your Halloween Costumes in the middle where I tend to not look. I handed my 4 year old your catalog asking her if she liked a shade of pink for her room. She didn't say much as she was scanning the pages. Until she spotted this.....

$119 bucks! yes its cute, but come on they wear them once. Now I get to figure out how to talk my husband into allowing me to spend that kind of money on something they only wear once!

My son asks daily now if its Halloween yet. This is starting to drive me crazy, to the point I might end up sending you all the bill for my crazy pills and a bill for the time I spend on the couch with my head shrinker.

I have a better idea you can just send me the Peacock costume in a size 4 for free. While we are here talking about what you should send me for free how about you include this too. I need two twin sets make it 4 so then we have a change of sheets and such.

Thank you all for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you and I will be waiting for our UPS delivery! As far as next year please please please do not send me anything that has to do with Halloween until the end of September. Unless you want to deal with the whole trying to make me happy paying for my head to be shrunk and giving me free things.

As far as you go Birthday Express I should only be getting your catalogs in June, July and November. Now you get to pay for the next 20+ years of birthday Supplies since your catalog sent to us in AUGUST contained a million pages of Costumes.

I'm sure this wont be the last time you hear from me. I'm sure you will just turn around and send them all again next year.

Sincerely,

Just MOM

Our Rainforest Song

Sing to the tune of "If your Happy and You Know it"



There are layers in the forest, Yes Indeed
Yes Indeed!
There are Layers in the Forest, Yes Indeed
Yes Indeed!
Emergent, Canopy, and the Understory
There are layers in the forest, Yes Indeed
Yes Indeed!

The Emergent is home to birds and butterflies
Butterflies!
The Emergent is home to the birds and butterflies
Butterflies!
The trees are so high that they almost tough the sky
The Emergent is home to the birds and butterflies
Butterflies!

The Canopy is like a big umbrella
Big Umbrella!
The Canopy is like a big umbrella
Big Umbrella!
Monkeys, Sloths, Orangutans, eat all the fruit they can
The Canopy is like a big umbrella
Big Umbrella!

The Understory is home to many snakes
Many Snakes!
The Understory is home to many snakes
Many Snakes!
They eat cats and bats and rats
And they like the grants for snacks
The Understory is home to many snakes
Many Snakes!

The forest floor is dim and dark and wet
Dark and Wet!
The forest floor is dim and dark and wet
Dark and Wet
Oh, the ants go marching by, as they watch the birds up high
The forest floor is dim and dark and wet
Dark and Wet!


I hope you enjoyed our song. Once the kids get it down I will get video of them singing it and post it here for you all to see.

Until Next Time,
Just MOM

Bored and Blogging

To all the BB&B ( Blankets Bears and Binkies ) Fans,

I know I have been lame and haven't been posting much. Between School work and House work I haven't really had a minute to sit and write.

So here we go...

Are you ready?

Avery I missing both of his top front teeth. It's super crazy cute and watching him eat spaghetti last night was great. It took me a minute to figure out why he was pulling the really long noodles back out of his mouth when he couldn't fit them in there. Once I had an idea I asked him to see what he would say " MOM! Any idea's of what I should be doing other than pulling them back out? It's not like I have any teeth to bite them with" He did have a good point. He is still trying to figure out how teeth as big as mine are going to all fit in his mouth. The question is asked many times during the day.

Bella cant wait to turn 5 she keeps telling everyone that all her teeth are going to fall out.

We were watching Animal Planet last night. There was a family that was raising a black bear? Or at least I think it was a black bear well a bear none the less. After watching the bear climb into the fridge. Bella looks at me with her hands on her hips " Don't these people know that bears are wild animals, and they should not be in your house?" Now we are just waiting for her to start some sort of "Save the Bears" or "Bears are not pet" campaign. Why do I feel like she is going to be the spokes person for PETA sometime in the near future?

Chloe is talking like crazy her new thing to say is "Hot Dog". She is running all over the place and getting into everything. She doesn't think there is a need for clothes and is often seen running around with no clothes on. This happens without us knowing.... I can dress her walk into the other room come back and there is a pile of Chloe clothes and shes running away laughing. It doesn't help that the big kids think its funny so she does it even more.

Could kids be any more fun? I'm thinking not, but then we will wake up tomorrow and there will be something else amazing they are doing.

Speaking of the naked baby for some reason she thinks I want to eat a half chewed bite of peanut butter cracker. If you could only see her sitting her trying to shove it into my mouth. She cant seem to stop laughing!

Here are a few new Pictures and a Video or two.

Enjoy...

Until Next Time,

Just MOM

The Last Lecture By Randy Pausch

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” --Randy Pausch

I had first heard about Randy Pausch last year and I knew of the Last Lecture.

A few weeks ago I picked up a copy of the Last Lecture. I'm still not finished reading it, but with the kiddo's fisishing a book in less than a month doesnt happen here.

Last night I was able to watch him at Carnegie Mellon University where on September 18, 2007 Randy Pausch a computer science professor delivered the Last Lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

First off what a truly Amazing Man. Knowing fully that this Lecture wasnt writen for us, but for his 3 Children. I know that I have a new look at life and I'm sure most of you would too after reading or hearing The Last Lecture.

Sadly on July 25, 2008 Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer.

His story and His Last Lecture will forever remain in my heart and will continue to inspire many like myself for years to come.

If you havent yet read or havent been able to watch The Last Lecture. You need to either drive down to your local book store and pick up a copy or go to the website and order it or watch it. I promise you that its worth every penny not only for you, but your family as well.

http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Until Next Time,

Taylor

PS. Most of you know that Avery has been asking to paint his room Orange. It has been his "Color" since he was about 2. We will be painting Avery's room his favorate shade of Orange! Remembering Randy and his Parents who allowed him to paint his room anyway he wanted. That played a part in Randy Pausch in “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”