You would think that the most important thing to happen today would have been the history lesson we gave the Toddler while trompin' around good ol' Kent State University. We drug her all around our old stomping ground showing her all the important sights. She saw the former bus services offices where Mr. Husband spent much of his time, the stadium where my loser freshman butt had to park, the hill by the Psychology building where I left half a leg after a roller blading incident gone very bad, even the May 4th memorial. Alas, that was not the most important event of the day.

That honor belongs to the two hours I spent trying to convince her that she lurves her some NKOTB.

I spent two hours this morning showing the kid some classic videos like You Got It (The Right Stuff) and Step by Step because if there is going to be a reunion and even a new album, by god I will be ready. (BTW, you are all so welcome for those links. Stop acting like you aren't going to go watch the videos a time or twenty.)

I tried to deny that I was even remotely interested in the reunion of Danny, Donnie, Jordan, Joe, and Jonathan, but that strategy wasn't quite working out for me. So, I'm adopting a new angle. If I can manage to brainwash the kid into bringing the NKOTB lurve, I can blame her when I have to buy the new album. It'll be all her fault when I end up with some of the classic tunes blaring out of the stereo. When the guy in the car next to me glares at me for being an idiot for blasting Hangin' Tough at top volume with the windows down and the sunroof up, I'll just glance at him with a look of agony and mutter, "Damn kids." It's going to work out just fine, just so long as I can get her to start screaming, "I want New Kids!"

I think I can do it.

In totally unrelated news, I bet at least a few people would like to know who won the contest. Well, well, well, let's start with the totally random from all entries winner. There were 48 total comments and the good ol' random number generator picked 46.

So, winner of second place is Leanne from Tired Mama. Leanne gets her choice of the following:

- A $15 iTunes gift card
- A $15 Starbucks gift card
- A kids' t-shirt custom embroidered by yours truly

As for our first place winner, that person had to figure out just what Alexis was singing in the video. After replaying it at least 17,904 times, asking Mr. Husband his opinion (I really don't know why I did that--I spend half of my waking hours translating Toddlerese for him), and finally confirming with Alexis what she was singing (I'm an idiot for not just asking her in the first place, btw), here's the feelings she sang, in order:

Excited
Silly
Scared
Grumpy
Sick
Surprised

Now, I am willing to argue that 'Sad' is in there as well, but Alexis says it's not. So, I decided that if somebody got five right, I was counting them in. Here's who at least five feelings:

Kathryn
Heather
Flea
ImposterMom
That Girl
Bren
Jenni
Catwoman
Colleen
Karen
Leann
Anglophile Football Fanatic

(I hope I didn't screw any of that up.)

So, 12 people got it. Random number generator picks:

(Drumroll, please)

Number 1--Kathryn! She gets her choice of:

- A $25 iTunes gift card
- A $25 Starbucks gift card
- 2 kids' custom embroidered t-shirts

Kathryn and Leann, email me and we'll get the ball rolling to get you your prizes.

As for the rest of you, don't despair. If you're really sad that you didn't win an embroidered t-shirt for your small fry, don't be. My Etsy shop is coming soon and will include some Burgh Baby T's (think "Made in Pittsburgh" and "Born in the Burgh," for example) as well as some more traditional appliqué/embroidery style shirts. Images and complete shop details to come.

Congrats to the winners!