When you’re walking through the grocery store, pushing your buggy, do you hear music in your head that puts a bounce in your step? Or when you start off your morning walk around the neighborhood, do you like to start with the same song every day because it makes you strut? No? Just me?

I always think of this scene when I think of a person having a theme song.

If a song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be? If a song played every time you took a step, what would it be? I call it my “walk into the room song.”

About three years ago, I wrote a similar post asking for y’all to tell me your song. But since there are some new readers, I thought I’d open it up again.

My walk into the room song is American Girl by Tom Petty.

Other good songs that come to mind are Float On by Modest Mouse, Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone, I Don’t Feel Like Dancin by The Scissor Sisters, Let The River Run by Carly Simon, and Wanna Be Starting Something by Michael Jackson. They’ve all got a nice “walking” beat.

Can you tell I’ve thought lots about this.

So, tell me. What is your “walk into the room song?”

First of all, thank you all so very much for all of your advice on yesterday’s post. I’m really excited for our trip now!

Because TC and I have been obsessively watching Friday Night Lights for the past few weeks, it’s kind of on our brain at all times. I think about the characters, the story lines, and when someone graduates or moves on, I can’t stop thinking about them and wishing they’d come home to Dillon.

If you don’t watch, you definitely should! We got a BlueRay player as a gift from my parents before Hayes was born and we’ve been streaming the episodes from Netflix Instant.

Friday Night Lights has the normal themes you’d expect: Small town folks always come home or never leave. Directness from the football coach gets through even the hardest head. High school sweethearts don’t always last past high school. Adversity can be resolved by the end of the week with a W on Friday night.

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But in addition to these basic themes, there have been a few more subtle themes. I’ve learned a few lessons from Friday Night Lights and thought I’d share them with you.

Warning: there are some hints at spoilers

Lesson #1: Never talk to the cops. This leads to misunderstandings and t-r-o-u-b-l-e. You may think you’re being helpful, but all you’re really doing is helping the cops make their case against you! If some of those characters had paid a little closer attention in their Civics class and studied their Bill of Rights, so many mishaps could have been easily avoided.

Lesson #2: Never talk to the press. Under any circumstances. I cannot stress this enough. This may be even more important than Lesson #1. We learned this lesson from Smash, Mac, and the kid in one of the first episodes who beat up Matt Saracen’s friend.

Lesson #3:  If you’re going to kill someone, make sure your dad is a cop. And don’t wear jewelry!

Lesson #4: Stand by your man. Tami Taylor is such a great, supportive wife and would definitely win the Tammy Wynette “Stand By Your Man” award if they gave it out in Dillon, Texas.

Lesson #5: If you’re going to hook up with your high school boyfriend, make sure your dad isn’t on his way to pick you up! And lock the front door. Julie Taylor, Julie Taylor, Julie Taylor. Where is your head?

TC and I may have to dress as Tami and Eric Taylor for Halloween. I have a major crush on Eric Taylor. I think Tami is the bee’s knees. Tim Riggins is the best bad boy ever. Tyra Collette is beautiful and misunderstood. And sweet Matt Saracen is every mother’s dream for her daughter.

And I know this is silly, but Tami and Coach are amazing parents. The show is so well-written and right in line with the way most parents would respond to their high school children’s antics. I am often choked up by just the parenting aspect of this show.

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What lessons did Friday Night Lights teach you?

I am so excited that our family is going to be taking a late-summer beach trip to Wild Dunes. We’re going in September when Hayes will be a little bit older and hopefully I’ll be a lot skinnier! It’s also a lot cheaper to go in September.

We took Hudson to Florida when he was two months old, but only took him down to the actual beach once at night. He stayed up in the condo the rest of the trip. But he looked so cute!

oh my word, he was so big at 2 months!

This time, we plan to be outside a lot, but I need some help. I need help for suggestions for baby gear and some fashion advice!

Shelter and Staying Cool

So the plan is to get a good, full coverage tent. I was discussing this with my friend, Callie, and I think she found a good one. I don’t want a tailgate tent because I need for it to create some great shade for Hayes on all side. I’d like for it to not have a floor so Hudson can sit under there out of the sun, but still play in the sand. This is what Callie is getting and we may just get the same thing.

Beach Tent from ABO Gear

But does anyone have any other suggestions for a tent?

What about staying cool? I was going to bring Hayes’s bath seat (which is like a bouncy seat that doesn’t bounce for the tub) and clip on the portable stroller fan. My friend, Emily, did this for her little boy and it looked like a sweet rig. Any tips?

Mommy Swimsuit Fashion Advice

It’s no secret that my bikini days are over. If “over” is too dramatic, I’ll at least say that they’re over for the next year at the earliest. No bikinis for this mama. But I like two piece swimsuits because they’re just easier for doing what we need to do! I got a great tankini from J.Crew last year with a pretty forgiving top. But what about my hips, thighs, and butt? I’d wear sweats on the beach if I could!

I have always had the thought that swim skirts were for old ladies who had something to hide. But I saw these in J.Crew this year. Are my eyes deceiving me? Is this okay? Because if this swim skirt is okay, I’ll be buying one in every color. Am I allowed to wear this? I wouldn’t be swimming in it, but I’d definitely wear it while I sit and play in the sand with the boys. Help!

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So tell me if I can wear this swim skirt. Then tell me, if you know, what the best way is to enjoy a beach trip with an infant while keeping the infant safe and cool and not staying inside the entire time.

Please and thank you!