So, I am a total WordPress girl now. Every site I create now starts with WordPress. And I’m in the process of converting a good number of current clients, whose pages have been handcoded HTML until now, to WordPress.

And for shopping carts, I’m all about Mal’s shopping cart. It’s free, it has great features, and it has its own secure server.

Now I’m trying to find a way to get these two services together.

I did find a WordPress/Mals Shopping Cart plug-in in progress, which looks like it can do the trick when you are starting from scratch and can enter each product individually.

But, I do have one client whose inventory changes every 6 weeks. And it’s hundreds of products each time.

Currently, I am using a heavily customized Photoshop Web Photo Gallery that generates the Mals’ code from the file name. My client puts the prices on the images themselves, so I only have to change the product description when I generate the Add to Cart button code. The rest (the user id, qty, etc stays the same).

It seems like it would be simple enough to generate that code as you would a caption. So I’ve been researching all morning, trying to find the best plug in to try my hand at customzing to make this work.

Right now I’m looking at AWSOM PixGallery Version 4.5.7. Or possibly NextGen Gallery.

I haven’t done any actual coding this morning, just research. And my brain hurts. Time to break for a late lunch at Wild Ginger and cleanse my mind with a funny mystery book….

Yesterday was Free Comic Book Day.

For those who don’t know, Doug and I own Bargain Comics, a comic book store in downtown Colorado Springs.

We gave away comics at the store and at 3 local libraries:

• Bargain Comics, 19 East Bijou St, 10:30 – 5:00
• East Branch Library, 5550 North Union Blvd, 11:00 – 3:00
• Briargate Branch Library, 9475 Briar Village Point, 1:00 – 3:00
• Woodland Park Library, 218 E. Midland Avenue, 12:00 – 3:00

In the morning, I took Zander and Zevan to Zander’s soccer game at 9 AM at the YMCA. We were late, but Zander played the 2nd quarter as goalie and did a great job. He made some great saves and never let a goal in.

Afterwards we went to the car, and headed over to Washington to see the new site for the Montessori program next year. It happens to be right behind a Dunkin Donuts. Since we had a few minutes, we stopped there. The line was longer than we’re used to, but we made it to the school shortly after 10 AM. After the principal showed us the proposed room assignments, we took the tour. The building definitely has a more institutional look – low ceilings, cinderblock walls and not many windows. But the media center and computer room were both more clean and modern. Overall, it’s fine. We could have done much worse. You could see how much the current students put into the school, and it was sad for them to lose their school.

After the tour, we headed to the comic shop. The 501st Garrison were there in full force. They set up a tent out in front. They were really great. EVERYONE was so excited to see them.

They had started about 20 minutes before we got there, and despite cold, drizzly weather, there was still a line outside the door. We saw our friends Michelle, Jonathan & Jonathan in line as we wormed our way through the crowd to the back of the store. I put the boys in the back of the store, Zevan set up near the storage closet with his donut, and Zander on the back wall, reading comic books.

Barb, our manager’s daughter was there in a Captain America costume, complete with shield. We had a friend dressed as Flash manning the prize table until he was called to the East library branch, and I took over.

It was CRAZY busy nearly the whole day. The store was packed. Many people who came to shop or even just browse were surprised to find out we were giving away comic books.

Around noon, Grandpa picked up the ZBoys. We stayed busy all day, and saw a lot of friends, many of whom saw my event listing on Facebook.

A KOAA reporter came for the event. He was psyched because the Garrison was there, and he is a huge Star Wars fan. He filmed a lot at the shop, and we even were able to squeeze in a quick interview. My talking head appeared on the 10 o’clock news last night! The coverage was good.

KOAA will be doing a feature on the 501st Garrison next month – so the publicity was good for everyone involved.

I took a break around 2:00 PM when Candy & Misha came by. We ran over to Old Chicago’s for a quick lunch. I got back to the store and helped out for a while longer. The last friends I saw were Kristi & her girls. They were VERY excited to get comic books. Kaitlyn was so cute with her two year old voice saying, “Teen Titans!”

I left the store around 4:15 and headed home.

Whew! What a day!

My boys have made their first blog posts!

Check it out: www.zander-scott.com and www.zevanscott.com

I’m so proud.

Overheard at breakfast this morning.

Zander: If I become President of the United States when I grow up…

No, wait. What’s the 6th month?

Dad: June.

Zander: It will be the first of June. There are no holidays in June.

So, as I look into creating website for the ZBoys – at their request , I started perusing some WordPress Themes.

My favorite site for WordPress themes by far is WP Zoom. Particularly the theme sets, like 50+ Free Themes for Personal Blogs and Best Free WordPress Themes in 2008.

Right now, for this site, I’m playing with the Notepad Chaos theme – it’s one I’ve been eyeing for a while, and will likely be the one that I use as a starting point to modify and come up with a custom version of it for myself.

I’ve set up the websites for the boys – and used some related themes and added a few custom touches so far.

For Zander’s site – I’m using the WordPress Fun theme. As you can see, I changed the logo and the color of the boy’s hair. I removed the featured area and replaced it with his links and categories. Of course, that will change again

For Zevan’s site, I’m using Desk Space which has the same cartoon guy. I’ve customized the header with his name and photos and note from mom and dad

These will be a work in progress. The boys haven’t even seen these pages yet, and I’m sure they will have strong opinions about their sites.

So, yesterday, the boys had off from school and since the weather was gorgeous and my sister hooked us up with 2 free guest passes, we went to the Denver Zoo. In all our years together in Colorado, Doug and I had never been there together. Isn’t that weird?

At lunch, we were talking about Zander’s loose tooth. We noted that when he pushed on it with his tongue, it would lay completely flat on his gum. Eww.

It was a perfect day, sunny with a light occasional breeze. We saw lots of animals, and visited Tropical Discovery – which we missed the last time we went because of the Free Zoo Day crowds.

The boys bought some new “pets” with their own money at the gift shop on the way out. Zander got a sea lion, and Zevan bought a big hedgehog. It’s so cute to see them at the check out counter.

About halfway home, Zander declared, “I got my tooth out!” There was much excitement. And blood. He handed it to his dad. Doug grabbed some gauze from the first aid kit and Zander put it in his mouth to staunch the bleeding.

He was very excited about the prospect of the tooth fairy. When we got home, we put his tooth in a plastic ziplock bag, and he immediately put it under his pillow and announced he would take a nap.

I told him that the tooth fairy only came at night. He found this fact disappointing, but acceptable.

Last night, I went to bed earlier than usual to read and go to sleep. I had just finished a chapter, turned out the light and laid down, when I remember about the tooth.

So, I got up and grabbed a dollar, replaced the tooth in the bag with it, and went to sleep.

When Doug came to bed later, he woke me to ask if I remembered about the tooth. Seems it was on both of our minds not to disappoint Zander.

Zander woke up early and immediately looked under the pillow. He was disappointed at first, “Darn, no money!” when he saw the plastic bag was still there. Then he looked inside the bag and got excited again.

His permanent tooth is already poking out of the gum and looks much larger than the baby tooth. He also has another loose tooth right next to the one he just lost.

What a weird process. Nature is funny.

Zevan turned five this past Saturday. FIVE.

We had a really nice, small family party on Saturday. And then on Sunday, we had a swimming party at the Aquatic Fitness Center. The day was GORGEOUS. After the party, we walked to the park near Prospect Lake with the Ruch family. It was really a nice day.

I’ve been struggling with this new phase of motherhood. Now I’ve got ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE kids. Infant, toddler, preschooler, no more.

Unlike some in my position, I am in no way interested in having any more children to get that feeling again. NO, thank you. I’m just nostalgic for my boys during those stages. This transition is especially hard now knowing that we are moving to a new building next year for school.

On Monday, Zevan had his birthday walk at school. And afterwards, Miss Paula said that since Zevan was now 5 years old, he could start going to Specials (PE, Music, Art) with the kindergarteners. Zevan was SO excited! And to add to his excitement, nearly all his specials have Zander in class with him. Bonus!

Every day since then, he has reported to me which special he attended and what they did.

When I took him to school today, there was a note on the door that they were going to take a picture of the whole school – students, teachers, etc.

I thought about it on the way back to my car, and I suddenly felt very sad. I had been so focused on making sure that they had a Montessori program, and was thrilled that the program would stay open, even though it was a different location. But today, I felt an *ache* in my heart that we would be leaving this building – where Zander had spent his first 3 years, and Zevan had spent his first 2 years, of school. Where they learned to read. And add. And made so many friends. I’m really going to miss it.

After my day with Candy and the spa visit, I headed home. The boys came home later than usual, but no less energetic.

As we got ready for bed, Zevan reported, “Mom, it was music today. And I was singing the songs.”

And I asked him what song it was, but he couldn’t remember. So Zander tried to jog him memory by reciting some lyrics. Then they started singing together.

It was to the tune of “You’re A Grand Old School.”

Something like-
You’re a grand old school
You’re an outstanding school
and forever with peace may you stay
You’re the model of
The school I love
The home of the children of our day
Every heart beats true
for the heroes of our school
…something, something…
But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on our grand old school.

I need to ask the boys to sing it again tomorrow.

I got very emotional thinking that they were learning this song to say farewell to their school.

*sniff*

If they sing that on the last day of school, there will not be a dry eye in the house.

Due to our work schedules and family obligations, Candy and I haven’t been able to get together for a while. So a couple of weeks ago we decided to plan a lunch/pedicure outing. After a while, it turned into a shopping/lunch/pedicure then we each head to our own spa for a massage (and a facial for me, courtesy of a Christmas gift from my guys).

Today was the day. Candy picked me up from my house. Since I was on the phone with AT&T to get my Blackberry set up (what a PITA), we had a quick breakfast at my house. Then we headed to Macy’s for some shopping. Candy picked up a couple of tops and I found a very nice slimming pair of jeans. We headed up to PF Chang’s for lunch – mmm mmm mmm. After lunch, we headed to the nail place in Uintah Gardens. Every time I get a pedicure there it lasts for WEEKS.

The day was so nice. We finally got caught up on everything – extended family news, work news, kid news, plans for the summer, personal news. We talked in the car, in the restaurant, in the nail place. It was perfect.

After that, we each headed to finish off our perfect day with more relaxation. I went to Tuscany Day Spa to use my Christmas present gift card from Doug, Zander & Zevan. Yes, 4 months later! Since the package was for a Half Day of Heaven, which consists of an hour facial, hour massage and lunch, I traded my lunch for a glycolic peel. The facial was great. Kelly was an aesthetician who was new to me, and she did a great job. I had a massage with Harrison, and he really got into the deep tissue, which got painful at times, but was really good for me. And the music he played was great – it was instrumental versions of all the love songs from the 80s. I knew the words to nearly every song – and it was a nice memory.

Yeah, we definitely have to do a day like this again.

Ahhhhh…