Thanks, Ellen! This post resulted in a wonderful email exchange between my editing professor, Bruce Itule, and me. Haven't talked with him since college! Made my day. A great guy.

Stacey, I just checked out your blog and subscribed. Love it! A science-geek mom who loves Jeopardy and John Travolta. I like how you describe yourself. :) Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory. Your grandma was a peach to do that.

Looking forward to seeing you there, Suzanne!

Jennifer and Susan, thanks for sharing your memories. I remember that stuffed cat. :) And Susan, my son was just checking out Captain Eo on You Tube yesterday! (Yep, I felt old!)

Stephanie, I hear you re toys. They seem to breed somehow while we sleep! And you so inspire me with your creative ideas for learning, creating and giving back. Matt and I enjoyed baking when he was little, and we still enjoy cooking and baking together now that he's a teen, especially during the holidays. It is a great tradition to start. And we love sharing our goodies with friends and neighbors.

Exactly, Alan! Well said.

Stephanie and Ellen, thanks for the comments. Yep, at that age (and now!) Matt LOVED whipped cream. Ellen, I love the memory of your childhood breakfasts!

Genny, thanks for the kind words! I loved reading other people's responses to your Talkin' About Thursday idea!

Hi Stephanie! It didn't recover, despite trying the blow-dryer remedy, the rice remedy, etc... Bummer. Thanks for asking! He is now doing a much better job of checking his pockets!

Sarah, I remember those days. Matt was positively bug-eyed at that age when he first saw Disneyland. We have some great pics of that little face, just beaming.

Swimming with a cell phone... Ugh indeed! Same end result, huh? Yep, we're on pocket-check alert at our house now!

Absolutely, Stephanie! Happy to link to your terrific blog. I love how you run your contests and giveaways. See you soon!

I was amazed at how many little ones slept through it, because it was so loud. Then I remembered Matt at that age. A full day at Disneyland conked him right out by 7 p.m.! :)

Once I tried this stuff, I've been fed up with the other hand sanitizers I have left around the house. They all dry out my hands!

Stephanie and Ellen, thanks for the comments. Yep, Stephanie, Matt was pretty thrilled to get that much whipped cream. :) Ellen, I love the contrast between strawberry waffles and lumpy Cream of Wheat! Too funny.

Deena, I can totally relate. I grew up in Arizona, and when our family made the trek to Disneyland, it was a BIG DEAL. I think kids who grow up in So. Cal, and who are lucky enough to get to go to Disneyland multiple times, just don't know what a huge thing it is for a kid coming from far away, who may get to go once! And even when you're in college, you're still a kid at Disneyland. Heck, I'm (mumble, mumble) years old and I'm still a kid when I'm there!

Hey, Robi, kids today don't know what you're talking about when you say "oh, that's an e-ticket fill-in-the-blank." But WE know! I remember those ticket booklets. I'll bet the Disneyland employees were SO glad when they dumped those tickets.

Oh, I can just picture the pictures, Michelle! This is too funny. Thanks for sharing -- and for entering!

Stephanie, this is so helpful. Thanks! I know Damon will appreciate that.

Oh, he was a total babe! And they showed it in school -- including the naked-butt scene!? ;) There must have been some giggles, for sure.

Carla, I love that your kids can see you on video riding Dumbo! So cool. That was a favorite of ours when Matt was small. Now? Space Mountain! :)

Karen, I think you're right about most moms being adults. But yes, it definitely DOES feel like you're right back in 8th grade when you're doing the new-mom thing with playdates, etc. Not an easy adjustment!

You had the hots for Shirley Jones, Shane? Over Susan Dey? At THAT age!

Everyone, thanks so much for your thoughtful comments here. And thanks, Stephanie, for the link to your post on this. I think it's an important topic for parents to discuss.

See you in person in November! So much fun to get to know other parenting bloggers this way -- both virtually and in person!