Vote!

I am so ready for this day to be over. No more campaigning, no more hatefulness. However, this IS a very historic election and I think now more than ever people are embracing their most important civic duty. VOTING.

Also, as a parent of three young children, I think this is an election in which children are very aware. I know that my girls certainly are ~ and having parents on both sides of the fence they have heard both sides of the issues. I hope they grow up with well-rounded views and have minds open enough to make their own decisions.

To make this election season even more exciting we decided to hold our very own family dinner election. A week ago we let each girl nominate a choice in 5 different categories (dinner entree, side dish, vegetable, drink and dessert). You can tell who nominated what because K's are listed first, J's in the middle and R's are the third options.

Then, this morning we voted by secret ballot. I tallied up the votes and posted the results. The winners are *drumroll, please*...Bowtie Pasta with Sausage and Basil, Breadsticks, French Fries, Coke and Cheesecake!!!

So, we're going to be overloaded on carbs, but who cares. I was proud and impressed that we didn't just have chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and pizza as our choices. I did think that it was pretty funny that Riley chose coke to drink over her absolute favorite chocolate milk. She has never really had coke so maybe she was relishing her freedom today.

Last night we also baked election day cookies. My family had our big family reunion in Washington D.C. a few years ago. When we toured the Capitol, I picked up donkey and elephant cookie cutters in the gift shop. We hadn't used them until last night, but I hope it becomes our presidential election tradition! Notice my nod and wink to the left and right...

I am so proud to live in the United States where we all have a voice. And, I'm happy to have three sweet girls to help keep things in perspective. Jenna came home yesterday with a paper from school that questioned the kids on what they would do if they were president. Here is her presidential agenda:

If I were president I would invite Hannah Montana for dinner.

I would serve fish.

My job as president would be to get more policemen for the world.