Christmas Crazy in July. Again.

Alexis has recently developed an aversion to Target. There was a time when she would happily go there at any time of any day, but right now? Good luck dragging her inside.

It's the school supplies. She's mad that the school supplies are already out.

There's a part of me that completely agrees with her. It's too early to even think about back to school. There's also a part of me that keeps seeing the advertisements for Amazon's Prime Day. That part of me is all "What if?" What if school supplies are discounted enough to make them worth looking at? What if we might be able to knock out the Christmas Crazy back to school list for Center for Victims a little early thanks to the joy that is Amazon?

What if, indeed.

Just in case, the list is now available. All items purchased from the list will be delivered to Center for Victims and distributed to kids who could use a little help finding normalcy when school starts. They are kids who have been caught in the crossfire of violent crimes. In some cases, it's the kids themselves who have been hurt.

Regardless, they're kids who deserve to start school with all of the things they need to learn.

While you're checking out the list, give Amazon a gander and see if you see anything worth your time. Of note, the big sale that is happening on July 15th is for Prime members only. If you aren't a Prime member, I question your sanity.

Seriously.

We use the heck out of Prime. It's really super delightful to have items show up at your doorstep two days after you purchase them online. It's also super delightful to take advantage of some of the other Prime features. We use Prime for streaming video ALL THE TIME. (We don't have Netflix and use Prime Video instead.) Half of the music on my phone is from the Prime Music Library.

And Subscribe and Save. I get all sorts of hot and bothered when I think about Subscribe and Save. I currently use it for diapers (we pay $25 per month TOTAL for diapers), wipes, oatmeal, peanut butter, coffee, toilet paper, dishwasher detergent, stain remover, and a whole bunch of other things. Prices end up lower than any of the big box or club stores (there's are additional discounts for having a handful of items in your subscription order). Also, I don't have to leave the house. Do you know how nice it is not having to remember to buy diapers? They just show up. LIKE MAGIC.

And now it's up to you to make some magic. Let's get some school supplies pulled together for Center for Victims, shall we?

Back to School List

You're the best.

(There are affiliate links all through this post. Any pennies made if you use those links will be used to buy more school supplies for Center for Victims.)

Saturday Afternoon Awesome

It wasn't all that long ago that a night downtown at Anthrocon meant a night spent in a foreign land. Yinz were all a little scared of what was happening at that convention. It didn't help that any mentions made by the mainstream media were hesitant and, perhaps, a bit misguided.

All I have to say is, I TOLD YOU SO. I told you it's all good. I told you there's nothing scarier happening at Anthrocon than there is at any other sort of conference.

Welcome to the fun, Pittsburgh.

Rather than be all sorts of hipster about yinz being in my way of furry fun (AND YOU WERE), I have decided to enjoy sharing the fun. Just remember, I TOLD YOU SO. Multiple times.

Besides, now that we all know it's fun and games, I don't have to worry about the internet judging me for taking Mila to some Anthrocon shenanigans. Because of course I did. IT'S FUN.

So Mila. Mila is NOT shy. She sometimes plays shy, but it's a game. Exhibit A.

Mila spotted a furry.

Mila drug her posse (aka "handlers" because that child definitely requires handlers) towards said furry.

Mila was all WOOOOO! FURRY! IMMA TOUCH IT! until said furry turned around then Mila was all WOOOOOO! FURRY! WE'RE GOING TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER'S RIGHT TO HAVE PERSONAL SPACE!

For reals. She was all in, but she wanted the furries to stay a foot or two away from her. I personally find that to be an acceptable rule, all things considered.

She then went on to play peek-a-boo with this guy for a looooooong time.

Obviously, Alexis does not have the same "respect my space" rules as Mila. But more about that later.

For now, the parade. It was a bit too crowded, but it was pretty fun seeing everybody make the rounds outdoors.

(Pony #3! Now I've seen three of them! I'm still in search of a herd of ponies. It needs to happen.)

Let's definitely do that parade thing again next year, Anthrocon.

Five Ways to Make S'mores More Magical

It has already been established that I love cooking food with fire. Case in point, Campfire Bananas. And  Pierogie Sandwiches. And Campfire Baked Apples. And did I mention the Campfire Bananas?

It will come as no surprise that s'mores are a thing when I'm around.

It should also come as no surprise that I can't just leave things alone. You guys, did you know that you can take perfection and make it perfectioner? YOU CAN. (It's totally a word.)

Without further ado, here are five tried and true ways to make s'mores perfectioner.

1. The Salty Dog

Who says that graham crackers are the only thing you can use to make a s'more? I can tell you with absolute certainty that salty crackers are pretty phenomenal as well. Ritz are my favorite.

2. The Mixer

There is no law that says you have to use a plain chocolate bar to make a s'more. Mix things up with a Reese's cup, Kit Kats, Nestle Crunch, Milky Way, Snickers, or even a Clark bar. I'm sure other candy bars are delightful as well, but I can vouch for that crew. For what it's worth, I can also vouch for shoving a Rolo inside the marshmallow before you roast it.

Seriously. Try it.

3. The Double Down

You know those S'mores Oreos? Didja know they kick butt when used to make a s'more?

Kick the graham cracker to the curb and make your day a little more magical.

4. The Nutter

Spread peanut butter on your graham crackers before you stuff that marshmallow and chocolate in there. Nutella is also fun, but I'm team peanut butter on this one.

5. The Elvis

Or go bigger and do it up Elvis style. Peanut butter, chocolate, marshmallow, and banana. YES. REALLY.

Of note, when I told Alexis that a sandwich with peanut butter and banana was an "Elvis thing" she looked me square in the eye and said, "He was a beautiful man."

She's smart and stuff.

So is the baby who magically appeared just in time to try to steal my s'mores collection mid-photograph.

(I am obviously Team Char That Marshmallow. I will forgive you if you are one of those people who carefully roast the marshmallow so as to never set it on fire. Mostly I forgive you because while you dance that marshmallow dance, I'll be busy downing ten s'mores.)