Brace yourself.

George (who is 7) takes tumbling. Which is the perfect extracurricular activity for him since he’s been cartwheeling his way through this house for the better part of 8 months.

He’s one of only 2 boys in a sea of girls in there, but he holds his own pretty well. I mean, as long as Ross shows up.

Tonight as they were stretching, they went into the splits. The gymnastics coach commented that the girls should all be embarrassed since George (who has rubber bands for limbs) can get all the way into a split, and most of the girls cannot.

So on the way home, David informed George that when they got here, George should tell Grace that he had mastered his splits.

(Grace shares George’s enthusiasm for all things gymnastics but she’s 5′ 3″ and counting, and having her doing cartwheels throughout this house is flat-out dangerous, so she just lives vicariously through him.)

To this suggestion, George responded, “I can’t do it again tonight. I’ll break my nuts.”

“George, you can’t say that,” informed David.

“What do you mean?” asked George.

“Well, you can’t say ‘nuts’ in that context. It’s not really appropriate. Just so you know.”

“Well, I just mean my penis!” clarified George.

“Um, okay, but…” stated David.

“And plus, this is confusing,” continued George. “I mean, if I can’t say ‘nuts,’ what if I’m at a baseball game and I want to buy some nuts because I’m hungry and I like nuts. Can I not order nuts?”

“George,” said David, feeling a bit manipulated, “Of course you can order nuts at a baseball game. Those are two different uses of the word ‘nuts.’ Like, take the word ‘dam.’ If I say, ‘I want to drive over and look at the dam,’ that’s fine, but I can’t say, ‘Damn, this traffic is terrible!”

“OH, I GET IT!” exclaimed George. “I’ll go home, show Grace how I do the splits, and then say, ‘I just broke my damn nuts!”

We have a long way to go here folks.

Baby and Child Trade Show Tips and Lessons Learned: Part 2

1. Be prepared to advertise every product and venture with which you are involved. Don’t assume that the only product you’ll have an opportunity to discuss is the one you’re there to promote. By the end of the first hour, I had my recently released You Cannot Be Serious out on the table, and Erin had more people interested in HowToRaiseTwins.com than anything else in some instances!

2. Avoid this phrase: “Do you want to hear more about … ?” Why? It gives the customer an opportunity to say, “No.” If, however, you ask, “Have you heard about … ?” and they say, “No,” it gives you an opportunity to delve into your elevator pitch.

3. Rent chairs. With cushions and armrests. And beware that once you sit down, you may not be able to get back up.

4. Bring a notebook into which you can paperclip buyers’, distributors’ and media reps’ business cards. Next to them (or on them, if possible), make notations as to what you discussed, unique information you know about them, etc. It’s always nicer to receive genuine correspondence that begins with, “It was such a pleasure to speak with you at the show. How is your son doing?” than “We’d really love it if you’d buy our product!”

5. Plan (and write down) what you need to bring with you each day to the show floor. The walk back to your room for your cell phone is always longer than you remember it being.

6. Wearing the same shirt day after day may be boring, but it allows for continuity in videos!

7. The quiet hours in Las Vegas are the ones during which it’s most fun to play slots. Or roulette.

8. What does it feel like to be in Las Vegas? Prey. Pure and simple.

9. People who can walk and make videos at the same time are very valuable indeed.

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Top 10 Rules Employed During Today’s Amazon.com Campaign

10. RULE 20: Have No Expectations (but Expect the Unexpected)
Be sure to have at least one assistant available if you have small children. Because no matter how cooperative the kids have been all day, you can count on one of them child screaming the moment the phone rings and the caller ID displays WPRA Radio.
9. RULE 6: Have a Designated Treat of the Moment
The importance of replenishing the coffee bean supply before launch day cannot be overstated.
8. RULE 16: Give Yourself the Little Blue Box
Schedule 2-3 days of absolutely nothing after a launch event. Seriously. You may be too tired even to breathe.
7. RULE Everybody Loses It On Occasion
Plan to involuntarily twitch at the mere mention of Twitter or Facebook for 48-72 hours post launch.
6. RULE 3: Woman, Know Thyself
Don’t sit Indian-Style on a chair for more than 32 minutes and expect to be able to suddenly stand with grace.
5. RULE 14: Aging, It’s All the Rage
Have ice packs in the freezer and Band-Aids in the cupboard for when you don’t heed the above advice.
4. RULE 30: Remember What’s Really Important
Be prepared to be immensely grateful to and humbled by those who come out of the woodwork to help you succeed.
3. RULE 2: Choose Happiness
Two words: Yoga Pants
2. RULE 27: Emergencies Come with the Territory
Your eyes will start to glaze over 6.25 hours in. They may even temporarily freeze in a crossed position. This is completely normal.
…and the #1 Lesson Learned from this Amazon Bestseller Campaign is…
1. Rule 9: Float Above Insanity

Don’t be at all shocked when your book is noted as “out of stock” at Amazon.com — even when youknow there are umpteen copies in the warehouse.

All joking aside, the campaign was a blast. You Cannot Be Serious hit the Top  5 in both Parenting Humor and Motherhood. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who supported the launch!

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© 2011 Elizabeth Lyons. All Rights Reserved.