Coming in after a way too long absence ... the ubiquity of "sexy" costumes (Sexy Big Bird?!!!1!!! REALLY?!?) is disturbing. What bothers me about the sexy costumes for children - little girls, mind you, not little boys - is that the girl gets the impression that it's what she should be doing, that she is expected if not obligated to be sexy in this particular way and that it becomes a part of her self-image. And if she doesn't fit easily or comfortably in that particular mold, if she's slower to develop her own sexuality, then you get self-esteem issues ... which she'll get enough of as she actually does grow into being a sexual being.

I wrote a post 2 hours ago and you guys have said it better.

I just have seen too many little girls wearing and doing things (4th graders doing the butterfly and hip thrusts on the playground -- a GROUP of little girls, and I put a stop to that) that are too, too mature for their age. I am ok with teens wanting to express themselves, within limits (and I am *highly* pro-body and pro-sexuality, so my limits are sensible) but many of the clothes marketed to 6-10 years olds, dance recitals, etc. are ridic and not at all appropo.

I get what Trudy was saying about the hugely cultural aspects of lots of dance, and I get it...but on the playground? No.

I let a lot slide monitoring hs dances, cause my kids were Latino, and I could tell the diff between sexy dancing-dancing and grinding, booty popping, thrusting for display and too overtness.

But those little 8 yo's on the playground butterflying -- sticks with me. A couple of those girls -- the lascivious looks, the porn star poses. They knew it was sexual behavior, they knew it would get attention from boys.

I am far from a prude, but...No. Way.

And now for something completely different: 30 seconds of extreme kitten cuteness [link]

Damn that kitten biological clock . . . want kitten . . .

It's been a year since my album was released (well, tomorrow it will be). I spontaneously thought of a promo to sell it for $3.65 and have so far sold two today, which is good news.

Gonna drink some strawberry daiquiri and get out a backpack to pack for going to SF on Thursday.

That kitten's head looks like Stewie from Family Guy.

Ugh, sorry to be randomly whiny, but I am having painful-as-all-get-out cramps right now. Ouch.

sorry hon! Are you dehydrated? I know that being dehydrated can exacerbate cramping pain.

I've been drinking water all day, but you have a good point, Vortex. Plus it's hot and I always need more water when it's hot.

My body just does this to me every couple months. I try to be grateful it no longer does it every month.

Burrell, have something with some salt or electrolytes. Hell, just add some lemon or lime to your water or eat a few potato chips. A tiny bit of extra salt sometimes helps me with cramps.