Maxism #967: "Can you change my name?"

This morning I was in my usual manic state trying to get all three kids ready for school and out the door by precisely 8:06 a.m. I had pulled the kids' uniforms for the day and handed them to each child. When I handed Max his clothes I told him, "Please get dressed and then wash your face and brush your teeth. And be sure to put your pajamas in the hamper."

He took the clothes and then said, "If I do these things for you, will you change my name to M-A-X-X?" Not knowing where this came from or where it was going I did not want to commit to anything, so I merely laughed a bit and said, "We'll see."

When we were finally in the car and on our way, I made a point of telling the kids how well they did getting ready that morning without me having to nag them. From the back of the car I heard Max ask, "So, Mommy, now will you change my name to M-A-X-X?" He also muttered something about a tent and a battery.

"Well, we can't legally, but it could be your nickname," I suggested.

"No, Mommy! I want it for REAL!" he insisted.

Still not knowing what precipitated this all I could say was, "I'll have to talk with Daddy."

When I spoke with Steve later on I told him about the exchange.

"Wow!" Steve said. "I didn't think the tent and the battery had that much of an impact! When I took Max to WalMart the other day, we saw a tent with the name 'Maxx' on it. Then we went to Home Depot and saw a battery with the name 'Maxx' on it. I told Max 'wouldn't it be cool if your real name were M-A-X-X?' I didn't know he would take it so seriously!"

We decided we would tell him he can change it legally when he's 18.

Gotta get a Snack Square!!!!

I don't believe there ever has been a product more perfect than the Snack Square from my friends at mint. sweet little things. In fact, the Snack Square was one of the first embroidery blanks I ever purchased. Its utter cuteness won me over almost instantaneously and set in motion the formation of SuziHomemaker.net, but I digress...the reason I am waxing nostalgic is because I just sent the Homemaker children back-to-school with their brand new personalized Snack Squares and I, once again, was reminded how versatile these little bags truly are.
Don't let their compact appearance fool you, these bags are roomy enough to hold an ice pack, a sandwich or Lunchable, juice box, piece of fruit, two packages of crackers (my kids get hungry at school--gotta feed those HUGE Homemaker brains!), utensils and a love note from Mom! (I kid you not! The proof is in the picture above!) A zip top makes them easy to stuff and two adorable handles makes them easy to carry. Snack Squares fit perfectly into your child's backpack. I am pleased to report that just about every Kindergartner and Second Grader (this year we conquer Smart Start!) at the Country Day School has one of these in their possession--they make excellent gifts!

Not only are they great for packing lunches and snacks, but they also serve a multitude of other purposes. Snack Squares can be used to store CDs or DVDs to keep them cool while in the car. They can be used to carry portable game systems and games. Stuff them with small wine boxes and give them as a housewarming gift. Fill them with toys, balloons and noisemakers for the ultimate goodie bag or stuff them with hot, moist washcloths to use at your next Mary Kay party. Max has one he carries his Matchbox cars in and one for his Thomas trains. The girls use them to store hair bows and Polly Pockets. I have a local preschool that purchases Snack Squares for each new student because they stack so nicely in the refrigerator at school! They also can be used to store breast milk bottles.

Have I convinced you yet? You gotta get a Snack Square! What will you put in yours?